《Wait, She鈥檚 a Billionaire》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 That night, Sheena Lawson could not sleep well and felt someone pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe. He started to pant, and then she felt an unbearable pain between her legs. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Realizing what was happening, Sheena opened her eyes in terror and saw a man¡¯s figure looming over her. ¡°Elijah? I¨Cis that you?¡± The man who reeked of alcohol grunted a simple response, then continued pounding on her. Hearing the familiar voice, Sheena let out a sigh of relief. As she responded to his advances, she gradually got into the rhythm and could not help but let out a tender moan. As his movements intensified, Sheena gritted her teeth and endured the pain,pletely immersing herself in the act. However, she was also unwittingly enjoying herself. After three years of marriage, her husband, Elijah Freeman, finally made love to her! Elijah never paid much attention to Sheena because their marriage was forced onto him by his grandfather, Sebastian Freeman. Nheless, Sheena did not care why Elijah changed his mind. She was simply overjoyed that they finally consummated their marriage. Two hourster, Elijah groaned and slumped over her out of exhaustion. The moonlight shone through the window, illuminating his perfect figure. Listening to his fast heartbeat, Sheena could not believe what had just happened. If it was a dream, she did not want to wake up from it. Sheena wrapped her hands around Elijah¡¯s neck. She waspletely infatuated with him. She then murmured as she was still gasping for air, ¡°Elijah, Elijah, I really¡­¡± Before she could even say that she really loved him, Sheena heard him mumbling a name. ¡°Jenny¡­¡± Sheena froze up. Jenny, short for Jennifer Moore, was Elijah¡¯s childhood sweetheart whom he had always loved. However, she had been living abroad for the past few years because of Sebastian. Unfortunately, Jennifer had returned to the country the day before. She even messaged Sheena, obviously trying to provoke her. [Sheena, I¡¯m back. There¡¯s no ce for you in the Freeman family!] [Eli and I have a long history together. Did you really think you could rece me over the years? You should just crawl back to the orphanage where you belong!] (Eli loves me! Even if he¡¯s lying in your bed, he¡¯ll still be calling out my name. You¡¯re just a stand¨Cin for me, Sheena. It must feel awful, right?) A stand¨Cin? She was the daughter¨Cinw handpicked by Sebastian, the rightful Mrs. Freeman. She was Sheena Lawson! She would never be anyone¡¯s stand¨Cin! Beside her, Elijah was still mumbling, ¡°Jenny, Jenny¡­¡± The mocking messages reyed in her mind, reminding her that she had been deceiving herself all along! Sheena instantly burst into tears, clenching her fists and trembling as she suppressed her emotional turmoil. Over the years, Sheena had been cautious and tried to please everyone. She even quit her job and devoted herself wholeheartedly to being Elijah¡¯s perfect wife. However, her mother¨Cin-w and sister¨C inw always looked down on her because of her lowly background. They continuously harassed and humiliated her. Even so, Sheena endured all of it in silence as she did not want to trouble Elijah. She was willing to sacrifice herself just to win his love! Despite that, he ruthlessly destroyed thest bit of self¨Crespect she had. The night seemed unusually long, and Sheenay awake in bed the whole time. The following day, Elijah was awakened by the ring sunlight. Elijah rubbed his temples as he opened his eyes and saw Sheena sitting in front of the dressing table with her back facing him. The unbelievable events from the previous night suddenly shed through his mind, which left Elijah dumbfounded. Although Sheena had her back facing him, she could still clearly sense his hostility. Feigning ignorance, she continued applying her skincare products. However, Elijah pulled her up forcefully from her seat. [2 The skincare products slipped from her hand, and the ss bottle shattered as it hit the floor, spilling its contents all over. Sheena red at Elijah. However, when she met the man¡¯s gaze filled with fury and disgust, she could not help but feel her heart skip a beat. ¡°Did you think I¡¯d acknowledge you as my wife if you drugged me into sleeping with you?¡± Elijah towered over her, tightening his grip on her wrist as he said those words. He looked extremely terrifying when he was furious.. ¡®Drugged him?¡® Sheena pondered. She forced a smile and asked, ¡°Is that how you see me?¡± Chapter Elijah scoffed in disgust. ¡°You tricked Grandpa into forcing our marriage. There¡¯s no need to act like an innocent woman. A shameless woman like you can neverpare to Jenny!¡± ¡®Shameless? Tricked his grandfather?¡® Sheena thought. She realized how little he thought of her. Despite all her efforts and sacrifices over the past three years, she was still nothing in his eyes. If he truly understood her, he would know that she would never stoop so low and resort to drugging him. ¡®How can he be so blind?¡® Sheena wondered. It was pathetic of her tomit everything for the past three years and still achieve nothing. Since that was the case, there was no need for her to endure it any longer. Sheena endured the pain from his grip on her wrist. She gritted her teeth as she summoned her strength and pulled away from him. Then, she looked up and said in a resolute tone,¡± Elijah, I want a divorce.¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 2 Chapter 2 ¡°What?¡± Elijah frowned, seemingly surprised by her sudden request for a divorce. She had just drugged himst night! What kind of mind game was she trying to pull on him? ¡°Are you insane?¡± Elijah asked. Sheena shot him a cold look. Despite having a smaller stature,parable to Elijah¡¯s. the presence she gave off was ¡°Haven¡¯t you always wanted a divorce? Grandpa forced you to marry me back then, but now that he has passed away, no one can stop you from marrying Jennifer. Didn¡¯t you want to make Jennifer your wife?¡± Elijah was surprised, wondering if she really meant what she just said. Noticing the sincerity in her gaze, he snorted a warning, ¡°You better not regret it.¡± Sheena sneered. She was determined to see it through. ¡°The only thing I regret is marrying you in the first ce.¡± With that, she turned and left. Elijah watched as she walked away. She used to be docile and gentle, but she seemed to be apletely different person right then. Could it be that he might be mistaken about what happened the night before? Then again, who else could it be if it was not Sheena? The next morning, Sheena and Elijah went to the local court. Sheena was dressed in shabby, old clothes. She stood beside Elijah, who was wearing a ck suit by Prada. Their mismatched appearance drew curious stares from the people around them. Sheena paid little attention to their stares. She just wanted to get it over with. In less than ten minutes, their loveless marriage was finally put to an end. As she held the divorce certificate in her hand, Sheena felt numb. ¡°Well, that¡¯s it. Goodbye,¡± Elijah said coldly. By the time Sheena looked up once more, the man was already gone. He did not even try to save their marriage, nor did he spare another nce at her. It was as if he was never there in the first ce. ¡°It¡¯s better this way,¡± Sheena muttered, then chuckled and shook her head. Elijah¡¯s heartlessness would only make it easier for her to move on, and she would treat him Chapter 2 as a stranger if they ever crossed paths again. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Sheenaposed herself and got ready to leave. Suddenly, a limited¨Cedition ck Bentley limousine pulled up before her. A middle¨Caged man with gray hair and four bodyguards emerged from the car as its door opened. Recognizing the man, Sheena straightened her back, trying to look elegant and imposing. ¡°Dad sure is well¨Cconnected. I¡¯ve just gotten divorced, and you¡¯re already here.¡± The Lawson family butler, George Woods, smiled and bowed to her before saying, ¡°Ms. Lawson, the three¨Cyear agreement you made with Mr. Lawson has ended.¡± He paused, stealing a nce at the divorce certificate in Sheena¡¯s hand. Then, he pretended to be regretful and added, ¡°It seems like you¡¯ve failed to make Elijah fall in love with you. In that case, you should fulfill your promise and return to Svelton and inherit the family business.¡± Sheena frowned and fell silent for some time. Something terrible happened when Sheena was 15. Consequently, she lost her memory and ended up in the Farlem orphanage. Later on, she saved Sebastian, who then brought her back to the Freeman family. It was not until she came of age that Elijah was ordered to marry her. Something unexpected happened on the night of her wedding, and she miraculously regained her memory. Back then, Sheena waspletely head over heels for Elijah, and she refused to go back with George, eventually agreeing to the three¨Cyear agreement with her father, Albert Lawson. Looking back, she realized she had wasted these three years on a man who did not love her. George tried to persuade her, ¡°Mr. Lawson really misses you, Ms. Lawson. Why don¡¯t youe back with me? Please don¡¯t be angry with him anymore, he¡­¡± ¡°George,¡± Sheena cut her off. Her expression turned colder as she recalled past events. ¡°He has that woman by his side, and the Lawson family doesn¡¯t need me. I have important matters to attend to in Farlem. I¡¯m not going back.¡± She had been secretly investigating for the past two years, hoping to find out who caused her to lose her memories and abandoned her in Farlem. She found out that the culprit most likely worked for the Lawson Group, but she still could not figure out who it was. With her enemies unknown, it was too dangerous for her to return to the Lawson family. Moreover, she had no intention to go back and meet that woman. George sighed, then said, ¡°Mr. Lawson was right. You¡¯re still holding a grudge against him and won¡¯t return so easily.¡± As he spoke, George respectfully took out an exclusive ck card. ¡°This is yours. It has 4.5 billion dors inside.¡± Afterward, he motioned to his bodyguards behind him and one of them quickly handed over a new contract to Sheena. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. ¡°Mr. Lawson said that you can choose not to go back now, but you must take over the management of the Angle Group, a subsidiary of the Lawson Group in Farlem, and this year¡¯s profit must be five percent higher than the previous year. Mr. Lawson also said that you can refuse, but the Freeman Group might be in danger because of this.¡± Sheena gritted her teeth in frustration. Before Sebastian passed away, she promised to take care of the Freeman Group in his stead. There was no way she could let anything happen to it. Albert Lawson, Sheena¡¯s father, had obviously discovered this weakness. Nevertheless, instead of using it to force her to go home, he insisted on having her take over the Angle Group¡¯s management. Just what was he nning? ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll do it!¡± Sheena signed the contract right away, epting the exclusive ck card with 4.5 billion dors inside. She shook her head, smiling wryly as she stared at the card. Just a few minutes ago, she was so broke that she had only two dors on her, not even enough to pay for a taxi. Did she just be a billionaire overnight? Due to her previous agreement with Albert, her bank ount had been frozen, and she had to conceal her true identity. Otherwise, it would be considered a breach of contract. Normally, her materialistic mother¨Cinw and sister¨Cinw disliked her for her modest origins and preferred associating with people of higher status, never paying her any attention. They would surely be shocked if they found out that she was actually Sheena Lawson, the youngest daughter of the nation¡¯s wealthiest family, the Lawson family, and was also a billionaire. She still remembered the time before she regained her memory. Her best friend¡¯s life was in danger, and she had to kneel down to beg her mother¨Cinw, Faye Freeman, for a loan. Faye arrogantly took out a tinum card, but instead of handing it to her, she unted it and ridiculed Sheena, ¡°Guess how much money is in here? 150, 000 dors! You¡¯ve never seen this much money in your entire life, have you? Then again, I¡¯d rather use the money to buy dog food than lend you a single penny! Your poor friend is worth less than a pet dog!¡± Sheena clenched her fist, and a hint of mockery shed in her eyes. She would love to have a chance to put those two arrogant women in their ce and vent her anger! Just as she was thinking about it, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind. Sheena turned around and saw that it was none other than Faye who grabbed her wrist. Faye appeared displeased and disdainful. Behind her were a few wealthydies, all carrying shopping bags. It was obvious that they had just finished their shopping spree. Sheena calmly slipped the exclusive ck card into her bag and asked coldly, ¡°Yes?¡± Chapter 3 Faye was taken aback by Sheena¡¯s cold attitude. After all, Sheena used to be so timid in front of her. ¡°Who let you out? Have you finished your chores at home? Is lunch ready? I¡¯ll skin you alive if my precious Elijah gets hungry because of you! Oh my goodness, look at what you¡¯re wearing! You¡¯ve been married into the Freeman family for years, but you can¡¯t even dress properly! Stop embarrassing yourself and our family! Get lost!¡± Sheena was furious. ¡°I¡¯m embarrassing the family? After I married into the Freeman family, you fired the servants at home and forced me to quit my job. I became a dutiful housewife and took care of Elijah, but you were never satisfied! You continued to make things difficult for me, falsely using me of stealing your jewelry, and used that as an excuse to withhold the shares Grandpa gave me. You even forced me to kneel in the rain. Did you forget about all that?¡± The wealthydies behind Faye clicked their tongues disapprovingly. They knew Faye was harsh on her daughter¨Cinw, but they did not expect her to be so heartless. Noticing the situation between the two women growing more heated, thedies excused themselves. ¡°What¡¯s all this nonsense?¡± Faye tried to interrupt Sheena several times, but Sheena did not give her the opportunity to speak. Sheena retorted, ¡°You know exactly what I¡¯m talking about. I¡¯m done tolerating your bullshit. If you provoke me again, I¡¯ll make sure you pay for what you¡¯ve done in the past, with interest! Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Faye waspletely bbergasted by Sheena¡¯s retort. Was she the same old timid daughter¨Cinw she knew? 1/2 ¡°Well, well, well. Turns out, you were only pretending all along!¡± Faye grew angrier and threatened, ¡°I won¡¯t let this matter rest! I¡¯ll tell Elijah, and he¡¯ll divorce you! I¡¯ll still chase you out of the Freeman family even if you kneel and beg for mercy!¡± [1 Sheena sneered. ¡°Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Elijah and I finalized our divorce about ten minutes ago. Even if you kneel and beg me, I won¡¯t go back to the Freeman family ever again.¡± Divorced? Impossible! This bumpkin who had been so desperate to stay in the Freeman family in the past had decided to leave just like that? Faye looked at Sheena¡¯s figure as she left with suspicion. Faye called Elijah right away to confirm the news. ¡°Eli, did you really divorce her?¡± Elijah frowned, then replied, ¡°Yes. We¡¯ve just settled the paperwork. Who told you about it?¡± ¡°Who else? I bumped into Sheena while I was out shopping, and she started yelling at me!¡± Faye was enraged, but her mood instantly brightened when she realized the divorce was true. With a wide grin, she eximed, ¡°That¡¯s great! An orphan like her was never a good match for you. You¡¯re far too excellent! She should¡¯ve been kicked out a long time ago.¡± Elijah pursed his lips. He did not feel the same excitement as Faye. In fact, he was annoyed and even felt guilty. Before this, he thought Sheena would not agree to the divorce so easily, so he had prepared 4.5 million dors and a mansion aspensation to her. To his surprise, she initiated the divorce and did not ask for anything in return. Now that the marriage was over, she had no money, no family, and no one to rely on. How would she live out her life? Elijah put his worries aside, believing that Sheena would eventuallye to him. : Sheena took a taxi back to the cozy mansion where she and Elijah had lived together. It was a ce where she suffered for three years of her life. The memories were too heavy for her to bear, and she did not want to dwell on them any longer. Passing through the small garden in front of the courtyard, she went straight upstairs to pack her luggage. She nned to leave immediately, not wanting to spend another second there. However, the moment she came down to the first floor, she caught sight of a graceful figure in 2/2 the living room. It was Jennifer. She was wearing a white dress and looking at her with a gentle smile. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Sheena.¡± Sheena was surprised to see Jennifer there. Did Elijah give Jennifer the keys to the mansion right after their divorce? It seemed that he truly adored Jennifer, his first love. A shiver ran down Sheena¡¯s spine, but she put on a graceful smile as she walked down the stairs. Jennifer was shocked to find Sheena soposed. However, her smile quickly returned. ¡°Sheena, it has only been a few years, but you seem a lot more refined. It¡¯s no wonder you¡¯re Elijah¡¯s wife.¡± Jennifer then quickly covered her mouth andughed awkwardly, ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I misspoke. I forgot that you and Eli are divorced, so you¡¯re no longer his wife.¡± Knowing that Jennifer was there to assert her dominance, Sheena remained unfazed and kept up her elegant smile. ¡°Elijah is just a man that I¡¯ve grown bored of. Since you like used goods so much, he¡¯s all yours. However, you might not want to seem too eager, or it¡¯ll make you look like a mistress wing her way up.¡± Jennifer¡¯s smile vanished when she heard that, and it was reced by a growing grimace. ¡°Eli and I love each other very much. If it weren¡¯t for you, we would¡¯ve been married back then. You¡¯re the despised mistress!¡± Sheena sneered, then red at Jennifer sarcastically. ¡°You¡¯ll find out who¡¯s the actual mistress very soon.¡± Not wanting to stay any longer, Sheena tried to walk past Jennifer. However, Jennifer suddenly grabbed her wrist and put on a pitiful expression. Her eyes were red as if she had suffered a great injustice. ¡°Sheena, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve always thought of you as a good friend. I just wanted to visit you. I mean well. I really didn¡¯t mean anything else. Can you forgive me?¡± ¡°Wow! Two¨Cfaced, are we?¡± Sheena chuckled. She was about to shake off Jennifer¡¯s hand when Jennifer suddenly made use of Sheena¡¯s movement and fell to the ground with a miserable scream. If someone were to watch from behind, it would look like Sheena shoved Jennifer. What an impressive act. Sheena coldly watched the self¨Cdirected drama, and if her guess was correct, Elijah must have just returned and was probably standing at the door watching. Sure enough, an angry shout erupted from behind, ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Elijah strode into the hall and helped Jennifer up. Then, he looked at Sheena disappointedly. and said, ¡°I thought you¡¯d be different after the divorce, but it seems you¡¯re still resorting to such despicable tactics. You¡¯re disgusting! I had even nned to transfer the ownership of this mansion to you, but it seems unnecessary now.¡± ¡°Eli, don¡¯t me Sheena. It¡¯s my fault for angering her, which led to her identally pushing me. It¡¯s all my fault. You can scold me,¡± Jennifer pleaded pitifully, leaning weakly against him. As she nced at Sheena, there was a sh of triumph in her eyes. Elijah ordered Sheena coldly, ¡°Apologize to Jenny immediately.¡± Sheena felt a little angry. Did he seriously expect her to apologize? Sheena observed the loving couple. Then, she smiled and gently pulled Jennifer from Elijah¡¯s embrace. They both thought Sheena would be upset or fight back, but to their surprise, she was still smiling. Jennifer was puzzled. Not knowing Sheena¡¯s intention, Jennifer did not think of resisting, which allowed Sheena to pull her closer. It was followed by a resounding p! ¡°Ah!¡± A scream far louder than before echoed as Jennifer held her swollen face, copsing to the ground.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Sheena had used almost all her strength in that p, making her own palm tingle from the impact. Nheless, she was still smiling, appearing unbelievably calm. No one would believe that Sheena was the first to strike! She looked at Jennifer from above and spoke gently, ¡°Since you said I hurt you, how else could I prove my wickedness if I didn¡¯t give you a good p?¡± Jennifer sat on the ground with tears streaming down her cheeks as she whimpered. Elijah waspletely caught off guard by Sheena¡¯s audacity, and he forgot to help Jennifer. He red at Sheena, then threatened, ¡°Not only did you refuse to apologize, but you even hit her again! Are you trying to test my limits?¡± ¡°Mr. Freeman, don¡¯t let your imagination run wild.¡± Sheena waved her hands, smiling even more radiantly than before. ¡°Since we were once married, I¡¯ll give you a parting gift!¡± She pulled a thick stack of papers from her bag and tossed them at Elijah¡¯s face. D The papers scattered in the air. Elijah caught one and saw that it was a record of text messages filled with insults and mockery. He silently read the contents from the anonymous number, feeling shocked. Turning it over, he found evidence of him being drugged the previous night, all the details Chapter 5 pointed to Jennifer. Elijah frowned as he stared at Jennifer in disbelief. Jennifer had just finished reading the contents on the paper and the color drained from her face instantly. Indeed, she had arranged for someone to drug Elijah¡¯s drink. She even called him to the hotel, but she did not expect the driver to mistakenly drop him back at the mansion, giving Sheena the unexpected advantage. Jennifer was furious. Originally, she only wanted to send some hurtful messages to Sheena. However, she did not expect Sheena to confront her like this! What would Elijah think of her now? Before Jennifer could even attempt to exin, Sheena had already picked up her luggage, and for the last time, she looked at the man she had once deeply loved. ¡°Elijah, remember this. I¡¯m not the one who was abandoned in this divorce. It¡¯s you! I¡¯m the one leaving you behind! Neither you nor the Freeman family deserve me!¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Elijah frowned, wondering when he had ever said anything about abandoning her. Why would she have such thoughts? Elijah was puzzled and wanted to run after her to clear things up, but Jennifer grabbed onto his suit pants tightly. ¡°Eli¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± Jennifer pleaded. She started to exin pitifully, ¡°I was just afraid. I was afraid that you would fall for Sheena during the three years that I was away. I was afraid that you wouldn¡¯t want me anymore.¡± Elijah frowned. He noticed the slight swelling on her cheek, and his expression soon softened. He reached out to help her up and his tone became gentler. [1 ¡°I told you that I¡¯ll marry you. The divorce was bound to happen sooner orter. You were too hasty.¡± Jennifer clutched at his sleeve and pouted. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. I didn¡¯t mean to harm anyone. I just used the wrong methods, Eli, can you forgive me?¡± Seeing him remaining silent, she leaned into his embrace meekly, purposely exposing her slender shoulder. Elijah pushed her away immediately. ¡°Eli!¡± Jennifer¡¯s eyes reddened even more, and she stared at him resentfully. Jennifer could not ept the fact that Sheena got close to him the previous night while she was not able to. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Elijah held her hand, then stared at Jennifer coldly. ¡°Jenny, I never expected you to resort to such tactics or use those hurtful words. You used to be so innocent.¡± Jennifer froze, realizing that she had genuinely angered him. Elijah was a man with strong principles and boundaries. Once those boundaries were crossed, he would only grow more disgusted with her. ¡°No! That¡¯s not it! I¡¯m sorry. I realize my mistakes! I was careless. Eli, please don¡¯t forget that I saved you back then! Please give me a chance,¡± she pleaded. When she mentioned the favor from years ago, memories of her saving him shed before his eyes. She was so petite, yet she was determined to protect him. Elijah¡¯s gaze gradually softened and said, ¡°I¡¯ll let it slide this time. Just don¡¯t do it again.¡± Jennifer felt relieved and was about to lean on him, but he held his palm up. ¡°Hand over the key.¡± Chapter 6 She stiffened. Just as she was about to defend herself, Elijah cut her off, ¡°I know Leon gave you the key without my knowledge. Hand it over.¡± Leon O¡¯Connor was Elijah¡¯s assistant who had been with him for many years. Caught in the act, Jennifer had no choice but to reluctantly hand over the key. ¡°Stoping to this mansion. I¡¯ll arrange a new ce for you soon. It¡¯s been a long day, so go back to the hotel and rest up.¡± Before Jennifer could speak, Elijah called the driver to send her back Once Jennifer left, Leon, who had been waiting in the garden, cautiously entered the living room and stood before Elijah, awaiting his instructions. Elijah stared at Leon and warned him coldly, ¡°Stop meddling with my affairs. You¡¯ll be fired if you do that again.¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Freeman.¡® Elijah adjusted his tie, feeling irritated. Then, he took out his cigarette and took a puff. However, the image in his mind kept shing back to the look Sheena gave him before leaving. That cold, icy, piercing gaze. Was she determined in the divorce because she was being wrongfully used? Moreover, she put up a tough front the entire time, not asking for a single penny. Did she really think she could survive without any money? Elijah couldn¡¯t care less about Sheena, yet an inexplicable feeling of anger and difort weighed on his chest. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Send someone to find Sheena and report back to me immediately. Also, transfer the ownership of this mansion to her name aspensation for the divorce.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡® Sheena found the address of Angle Group online and went there straight with her luggage in tow. Since she had agreed to take over thepany, she wanted to familiarize herself with the situation and complete the handover as soon as possible. At thepany¡¯s entrance, Sheena approached the receptionist and said, ¡°Please inform the current CEO that I want to see him.¡± 2 The receptionist¡¯s expression froze instantly as she scrutinized Sheena from head to toe. She was amused at the audacity of this prettydy dressed in cheap clothes to demand a meeting with the CEO. ¡°Do you have an appointment?¡± Sheena shook her head and said, ¡°No.¡± The receptionist almost burst intoughter. ¡°This is the prestigious Angle Group, and you need an appointment to meet our CEO. A nobody like you should know your ce!¡± Sheena frowned at the rude receptionist and asked, ¡°Is this how you usually treat your guests? Chapter 7 Chapter 7 The receptionist gave Sheena another look and concluded that she did not look like a wealthy socialite. Rather, she looked more like someone trying to use her looks to get ahead. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Do you seriously think you can be considered a guest here and demand to see the CEO without an appointment? Do you even know that our Angle Group¡¯s CEO is worth billions? He doesn¡¯t have time for someone like you,¡± the receptionist scoffed. Being called a ¡°nobody¡± almost made Sheena burst outughing. Her worth could probably leave the Angle Group¡¯s CEO trailing far behind, yet this receptionist dared to look down on her. Sheena could not be bothered with this rude employee and said in a serious tone, ¡°Inform your superiors that I¡¯m here. If they refuse to see me, I¡¯ll take full responsibility for the consequences.¡± The receptionist was about to retort, but Sheena¡¯s sharp and icy gaze silenced her instantly. ¡°Alright! Remember what you just said!¡± The receptionist huffed. She then reported the situation to her superiors in an exaggerated manner. She could not wait to see Sheena being thrown out of the building. However, her smile gradually froze as she looked at Sheena, her expression slowly turning into one of disbelief. Sheena, seeing the receptionist¡¯s expression, already knew what the conversation over the phone was about. Then, she sneered and asked, ¡°Which floor?¡± ¡°The top floor. Twenty¨Cseventh¡­¡± Having obtained the information she wanted, Sheena pushed her luggage and confidently entered the elevator without looking back. The receptionist stared at her receding figure,pletely dumbfounded. Who could that woman be to make Yuri Flores, the CEO¡¯s assistant, speak so respectfully about her? Could she be¡­ the CEO¡¯s lover? No way! She had to spread this unbelievable gossip to the group chat right away! Arriving at the top floor, Sheena walked to the CEO¡¯s office. When she entered, the man sitting on the sofa approached her. He wore a dark blue suit, exuding an air of elegance. His eyes even twinkled when he looked at Sheena. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Nana. Congrattions on the divorce,¡± the man said affectionately, clearly doting on Sheena. ¡°Howard?¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes instantly reddened. She was pleasantly surprised. She had never expected the current CEO of the Angle Group to be none other than her own brother, Howard Lawson! Chapter 212 In an instant, she dropped her luggage and rushed into Howard¡¯s arms. ¡°Howard, did you miss me?¡± She buried her head in Howard¡¯s chest. It had been six years since theyst met, but she was still the same adorable little girl. Howard chuckled and ruffled her hair. He truly adored his little sister and wanted to give her only the best. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re divorced now. In the Lawson family, you¡¯re the apple of our eyes, the little princess of the Lawson brothers. How could we let the Freeman family mistreat you?¡± Seeing his expression turn cold, Sheena quickly changed the subject. ¡°Howard, I made a deal with Dad. He wants me to increase Angle¡¯s performance by five percent within a year! You have to help me.¡± Sheena waved her hand in an exaggerated manner in front of Howard¡¯s eyes. Howard led her to sit on the sofa and replied, ¡°Five percent may be a bit challenging for you, but Dad also ordered me not to help you cheat. I can only assist you, but the final decision is yours to make.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned dark immediately. Who was Howard? Well, this man controlled about half of the entertainment industry, and the entire industry would follow his order with just a snap of his fingers. Not only that, but the entertainment companies under him had also expanded their businesses overseas. With just one phone call, he could make Angle Group, a talent managementpany, grow by ten percent. Sheena could not believe that Albert had even anticipated that she might try to cheat! He was giving her no way out! Seeing that she was pulling a long face, Howard smiled and pinched Sheena¡¯s soft cheek. ¡°Silly girl, it¡¯s good for you to gain more experience. Since you¡¯re here, it¡¯s time for me, the temporary CEO, to step down.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no rush,¡± Sheena stopped him. Howard was puzzled. ¡°Why?¡± Sheena rubbed her chin, looking like she was in deep thought. 1 After a while, she winked at Howard mischievously. ¡°I have a fantastic suggestion. Care to listen?¡± Howard stared at her sly, expression,pletely captivated. An hourter, the two of them reached an agreement. An urgent notice was sent to all Angle Group employees within five minutes. The content was about the imminent arrival of a mysterious new talent manager! Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 The entire building was buzzing with discussion! Julie Carpenter, the receptionist, had just informed the group chat that a woman who seemed to be Howard¡¯s mistress had arrived for a visit, and now thepany was suddenly bringing in a new talent manager! Everyone started specting if the talent manager and Howard¡¯s mistress were the saine person. Little did they know thepany had actually undergone a change in ownership. Nheless, Sheena did all that to understand thepany better. On the one hand, she had never worked with the entertainment industry behind the scenes before, so she needed Howard¡¯s help to navigate through the formalities. On the other hand, she was unfamiliar with thepany¡¯s personnel and decided to infiltrate the staff in secret by bing their colleague. That way, she could better understand the situation and clean the houseter. Amidst the ongoing suspicions, Julie watched as the handsome Yuri approached her with stars in her eyes. He was even smiling at her! Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Julie suppressed the excitement in her heart. She tucked back a strand of hair behind her ear, then put on what she thought was a beautiful smile. ¡°How may I help you, Mr. Flores?¡± Julie was nervous. She wondered if Yuri was about to ask her out. However, Yuri¡¯s face quickly turned cold as he said indifferently, ¡°You¡¯re fired. Pack up your belongings and leave!¡± ¡°What?¡± Julie¡¯s excitement vanished in an instant and she burst into tears. She had lost her job! Who did she offend? Her tear¨Cstained face froze when she remembered what had happened earlier. Could it be that woman from earlier? Filled with resentment, Julie quickly made a phone call. Howard dragged Sheena to dress up because they were attending a banquet in the evening with notable businessmen, celebrities, and upper¨Css individuals. At dusk, the Eastern Hotel, a luxurious seven¨Cstar hotel in Farlem, was buzzing with anticipation as the upper¨Css socialites and executives exchanged greetings at the entrance. Suddenly, a Lamborghini Huracan pulled up to the entrance. Chapter Elijah stepped out with Jennifer as hispanion. He exuded an air of nobility and power, while Jennifer was the embodiment of elegance and charm. As the two appeared, the crowd began to buzz with excitement. ¡°Wow, Mr. Freeman is really handsome! Who is hispanion? She¡¯s so elegant!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you think they¡¯d make a perfect couple? I¡¯m so jealous!¡± ¡°Is Mr. Freeman¡¯s secret wife whom he has kept hidden for three years? They seem so deeply in love!¡± Jennifer felt the envy of those upper¨Css socialites and lifted her chin proudly. She was the illegitimate daughter of the Moore family and was considered a shame in their eyes since she was young. Then again, why did that matter? Elijah was going to marry her, and she would definitely be the center of attention when she attended those high¨Cprofile banquets! Soon, she would be Farlem¡¯s number¨Cone socialite! ¡°Wow! It¡¯s Howard Lawson, the CEO of Angle!¡± Just as Jennifer was feeling pleased with herself, she heard the crowd stirring again. Next, she saw a limited¨Cedition Rolls¨CRoyce Phantom gracefully pull up at the venue. Howard was the first to step out, standing tall at 1.88m. He exuded an aura of confidence that attracted gasps from the crowd of socialites. Then, to everyone¡¯s surprise, he smiled and bowed slightly, reaching inside the car to assist the person inside. Rumors had it that Howard had no interest in women, but this time, he actually brought a female companion with him! Everyone was curious, trying to sneak a peek inside the car. As the person got out of the car, a pair of fair and slender legs appeared, adorned with a pair of expensive ck, diamond¨Cstudded high heels. Following that was a ck fishtail gown, a limited¨Cedition custom design entuating the woman¡¯s graceful and slender figure, making it impossible to look away. The crowd was mesmerized when she looked up. Her beauty was like that of a ck swan¨Celegant, cold, and captivating. Standing right in front of them, Jennifer¡¯s expression was not only that of astonishment but also surprise. Howard¡¯spanion turned out to be¡­ ¡°Sheena?!¡± Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Hearing someone call her name, Sheena looked around indifferently. She had anticipated Elijah and Jennifer¡¯s presence. Stiil, ever since Elijah demanded an apology from her at the mansion, she had lost all feelings for him. ¡ê1 To her, the current Elijah was just an insignificant ex¨Chusband. With a faint smile, Sheena linked her arm with Howard¡¯s and approached the crowd. Jennifer was surprised to find Howard and Sheena approaching them, and she turned to look at Elijah beside her. Elijah¡¯s gaze was also fixated on Sheena. He seemed equally shocked. He had felt somewhat guilty because of what had happened during the day, but in just a few hours, Sheena had not only had a makeover but also got involved with another man! Even so, he had to admit that she looked stunning that night. She was breathtakingly beautiful. After three years of marriage, he had never known his wife could be this gorgeous. Was Howard her new man? They had only divorced that morning, and she already found another man in the evening. She sure did not waste her time! 1 Elijah felt strange about it, and his gaze grew colder, showing signs of rage. He stared at Sheena as she approached him, waiting to demand a reasonable exnation from her. Unexpectedly, Sheena and Howard actually greeted the CEO of Joy Media Group with a handshake and a smile,pletely ignoring him as if he were invisible! Her action clearly showed that she did not care about him at all. Howard also seemed hostile. Elijah¡¯s expression grew darker, and Jennifer appeared a bit uneasy too. Just moments ago, she had extended her hand and was ready to say something provoking. However, Sheena ignored her entirely, stifling the words she had prepared. Elijah¡¯s sister, Erin Freeman, was also present. She had been enjoying champagne in the hall and only came out when she heard themotion at the entrance. Then, she approached Jennifer, leaning in to lightly nudge her on the shoulder. ¡°Jenny, how did that bitch get in here?¡± Jennifer¡¯s eyes brightened, and she whispered, ¡°Erin, haven¡¯t you heard? Sheena and Eli got divorced this morning. I guess she already found someone new. I wish her well.¡± Erin¡¯s face gradually turned red with anger. ¡°Wish her well? Bullshit!¡± She red fiercely at Sheena, who was mingling with Howard. ¡°She just got divorced in the morning, yet she¡¯s already here with another man at this prestigious event in the evening. What a bitch! She must have been hooking up with that man even before the divorce! How dare she cheat on Eli? I¡¯m going to kill her!¡± Erin was quick to anger, and she rarely thought things through before she acted. As her rage boiled over, she rushed angrily toward Sheena. Jennifer pretended to dissuade her but did nothing to actually pull her back. Instead, she smiled faintly. ¡°Excuse me, sir!¡± Erin called out from behind, and Howard turned around to look at her. His handsome features stunned her for a moment. She never expected Farlem to actually have an outstanding man who could rival her brother in terms of his looks! At that moment, Erin¡¯s jealousy and rage toward Sheena peaked. Howard nced at her coldly and asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± Sheena smiled as she approached him and introduced Erin, ¡°This is my former sister¨Cinw, Erin Freeman. She¡¯s the most snobbish person in the Freeman family.¡± Upon hearing this, Howard¡¯s expression turned even colder. Though Sheena spoke quietly, Erin heard every single word, and their intimate gesture of whispering into each other¡¯s ears annoyed her further. Suppressing her fierce expression before the handsome man, Erin tried to act like she was giving a piece of friendly advice but intentionally made her voice loud. ¡°Sir, you must not let this woman fool you. She¡¯s been married before! She¡¯s not some noble heiress. She¡¯s just a con artist from an orphanage! She¡¯s incredibly cunning. She even had an affair with my grandfather in the past! She¡­ Ah!¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Her sentence was cut short. Her sharp scream was apanied by a crisp p that echoed throughout the banquet hall. The entire hall fell into silence. Erin held her cheek, staring at Sheena in disbelief. ¡°How dare you p me!¡± Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Sheena rubbed her hand rionchntly as she replied with a slightly mocking tone, ¡°You deserved that. You should stop running your mouth. It seems the Freeman family has failed in your upbringing. How can ady from a noble family only know how to spew filth?¡± Sheena continued, ¡°Furthermore, so what if I¡¯ve been married? Is there a rule that says divorcees can¡¯t attend events? Isn¡¯t Elijah also divorced? Your words carlier were all defamation and insults. I can sue you for that.¡± Erin was fuming with rage as she was humiliated in front of everyone, being used of having a poor family upbringing. To make things worse, the one who pped her was Sheena, whom she used to bully relentlessly. It was utterly humiliating! ¡°Fucking bitch! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Erin cursed, charging forward with a menacing expression as she reached for Sheena¡¯s hair. Howard quickly pulled Sheena into his arms, shielding her with his back. Elijah intervened as well. Frowning, he red at Erin and demanded, ¡°Stop causing trouble and apologize.¡± Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Eli! I¡¯m your sister, and this bitch just pped me! Why are you protecting her instead of helping me deal with her? Moreover, you¡¯re asking me to apologize?¡± Elijah¡¯s expression darkened as he warned, ¡°I¡¯m not blind, and I can see who was in the wrong. This is yourst warning! Apologize to her right now!¡± Erin¡¯s momentum weakened instantly and felt aggrieved. How was it wrong for her to scold that bitch, Sheena? 1 She just wanted to expose her true colors to everyone! How could that be wrong? Erin felt increasingly aggrieved and wanted to argue, but Jennifer stepped in and held her shoulders. Jennifer whispered soothingly, ¡°Erin, Eli is really angry, and he¡¯s doing this for your own good. We can¡¯t let Sheena actually sue you, right? There¡¯s a time and ce for everything.¡± Thest part of her sentence obviously carried a hidden meaning. After Jennifer¡¯sforting, Erin finally calmed down, and in a barely audible voice, she said, I¡¯m sorry.¡± After saying that, she quickly ran away with her face beet red. Jennifer gave Elijah a reassuring look before going after her. Themotion finally died down. Although some gossip was sparked by Erin¡¯sments, everyone knew better than to discuss the matter further. They were well aware that both Howard and Elijah were not to be trifled with. 11 2/2 The atmosphere at the banquet returned to its original state, with no one daring to mention anything of the recent incident. Howard looked in the direction where Erin had left and frowned. He asked, ¡°Are you going to let her go just like that? Should I secretly arrange for someone to teach her a lesson and vent your anger?¡± Sheena chuckled and gave his shoulder a gentle push. ¡°Vent my anger? I¡¯m not angry at all. She¡¯s just a loudmouth, and I¡¯ve already pped her. That¡¯s a win for me.¡± Howard was at a loss for words. He suddenly felt that his little princess turned out to be quite a fighter. Meanwhile, Elijah mingled with the crowd. However, his attention was elsewhere. He kept stealing nces in Sheena¡¯s direction and felt a sudden displeasure when he saw Sheena pouting at Howard. He could not quite understand why he felt that way. Perhaps it was the first time ever that he felt yed by a woman. About ten minutester, Jennifer returned with Erin to the banquet hall. Erin seemed to have touched up her makeup, concealing the red mark on her left cheek. She stood quietly behind Jennifer and was unusually docile. However, asionally, she would shoot venomous nces toward Sheena, who was the center of attention at the night¡¯s event. As the banquet reached its midpoint, the dance floor opened up, and many CEOs took their female partners to dance to the music. Jennifer was excited and looked at Elijah eagerly, hoping that he would take her hand and invite her to dance like a gentleman. Elijah stood up as expected. Jennifer¡¯s excitement grew stronger, envisioning herself bing the focus of the dance floor in the next moment. However, in the next instant, she saw Elijah walk over to another table with a ss of red wine in his hand. Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Sheena was enjoying the music while savoring the chocte mousse prepared by a well- known chef flown in from France when a hand suddenly appeared before her. ¡°Miss, would you honor me with a dance?¡± The deep voice belonged to none other than Elijah. Sheena¡¯s appetite was ruined when she saw his face. Their gaze met, and Elijah¡¯s heart skipped a beat. It was the first time he observed Sheena¡¯s face up close, and he could not help but notice her perfect features and her wless skin enhanced her beauty. Her eyes glistened like a starry night, with a determined and subtly stubborn gaze. Elijah found himself entranced by Sheena¡¯s eyes. Lost in thought, Elijah was caught off guard when Sheena scoffed, her gaze now filled with coldness and disgust. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Freeman, but you¡¯re unworthy of dancing with me.¡± The onlookers nearby could not believe their ears. Did that woman really say that? Did she just say that someone as outstanding as Elijah was not qualified to dance with her? Elijah¡¯s expression turned cold instantly, and any sense of familiarity he felt earlier vanished upon hearing her remark. Nheless, he maintained hisposure and put on a facade of politeness as he replied, ¡± It¡¯s just a dance. Are you actually afraid, Ms. Sheena?¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze turned equally cold. Was he going to stubbornly bother her? Did the man not understand what she just said? Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Their eyes met again, and the tension escted. Howard smiled and stood up and interjected, ¡°Sheena is mypanion. Mr. Freeman, you should focus on yours instead.¡± Then, he gently returned Elijah¡¯s hand to his side, ncing at Jennifer. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t make your companion jealous.¡± Even so, Elijah did not move away. Sheena became annoyed and whispered to Howard before leaving the dining hall and taking a stroll in the garden. Elijah wanted to follow Sheena, but Howard held him back, engaging in conversation with a few other CEOS. At a nearby table, Jennifer and Erin could not hear the specifics of the conversation, but they could clearly see the ¡®affectionate¡® exchange between them. Erin red at Sheena¡¯s back and fumed, ¡°That bitch is so shameless! They¡¯re divorced, yet she¡¯s still pestering Eli!¡± Jennifer was welling up with tears as she murmured, ¡°Sheena¡­ perhaps she really loves Eli. If Eli has developed feelings for her during these three years, I¡­ I¡¯m willing to step aside and let them be.¡± Her words made Erin panic. ¡°No, Jenny! You can¡¯t give up! I¡¯ll only acknowledge you as my sister¨Cin¨C law, not this bitch! I hate her! As long as I¡¯m here, she won¡¯t have a chance to enter the Freeman family again!¡± Jennifer could not hold back her tears, and she felt worse than before, looking pitiful. ¡°Erin, what else can I do?¡± Erin was frustrated. She red at Jennifer, then looked in the direction Sheena had left. After some contemtion, she had an idea. ¡°Jenny, leave this to me. I¡¯ll make sure this bitch¡¯s reputation is ruined, and she won¡¯tpete with you ever again!¡± ¡°Erin, what are you nning?¡± Erin whispered in Jennifer¡¯s ears, and Jennifer asked innocently, ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± ¡°Just wait and watch the show!¡± Erin replied with a malicious grin before heading toward the garden. Once she was gone, Jennifer¡¯s face lost its sadness, and a glimmer of triumph shed in her eyes. Erin fell for it, and she hoped Erin would not disappoint her. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 12 im Chapter 12 In the garden, Sheena stood by the fountain, breathing in the fresh air. She needed a break from the nauseating atmosphere in the banquet hall. ¡°Hey, Sheena!¡± Sheena turned around to see Erin walking toward her with an air of arrogance. ¡°What is it? Didn¡¯t I hit you hard enough earlier? Do you want me to teach you another lesson? ¡°Sheena¡¯s voice turned icy. Erin was fuming with anger. She wanted nothing more than to rush up and scratch that vixen¡¯s face. However, remembering her n, she restrained herself and clenched her fists tightly. Erin pulled out a card from her Louis Vuitton bag and offered it to Sheena with a condescending tone. ¡°Here¡¯s 50,000 dors. Just promise me you¡¯ll stay away from Eli. If you get the hell out of Farlem, the money is all yours.¡± Sheena frowned, looking strangely at the card in Erin¡¯s hand. Just a mere 50,000 dors? A single strand of her hair was worth more than that! Did Erin really think she could buy her off with such a pitiful sum? Erin thought Sheena was tempted and continued smugly, ¡°You grew up in an orphanage, and I guess you¡¯ve never seen this much money before. But for me, this is just a week¡¯s worth of pocket money. I think you need it more than I do. I remember you used to borrow money from Mom, but she never lent it to you. Well, you¡¯re in luck. With this money, you can buy anything you want. So, what do you say? Do you want it?¡± Erin¡¯s excitement shone through as she secretly thought, ¡®Take the money! Take it now!¡® Erin was confident. She knew that during Sheena¡¯s time in the Freeman family, Faye would always withhold all of Sheena¡¯s pocket money, leaving her with no money to even get a decent branded outfit. Therefore, Erin was convinced that Sheena, being so poor, could not possibly refuse her offer. Once Sheena epted the money, Erin would then im that her money had been stolen. She would pretend to catch the thief and then call the police to arrest Sheena. With some bribes to the staff, she would have them beat Sheena up, framing her for theft. That way, Sheena¡¯s life would be ruined forever! Those thoughts made her extremely excited. ¡°Take it. I didn¡¯t mean to cause trouble earlier. I offer my sincere apologies. But this time, I¡¯m genuinely trying to help. You¡¯re so broke, so just ept it.¡± [2 Sheena observed Erin¡¯s expressions and shook her head. Then, she opened her phone and texted Yuri. [Help me withdraw $150,000 from the ck card in my bag. It¡¯s in the car. Bring the cash to the garden and be quick.] Within seconds, she received a reply. [Noted! I¡¯ll be there within two minutes.] Then, Sheena sat on the stone by the fountain. Erin, feeling ignored, grew irritated. ¡°Hey! Are you even listening to me?¡± Sheenazily massaged her shoulders. ¡°Just wait a little longer.¡± ¡°Wait?¡± Erin was puzzled. ¡°What are you waiting for? You¡¯ve cozied up to Howard, but he¡¯s probably just ying around with you. You can¡¯t seriously believe that a handsome, wealthy, and well¨Cconnected man like him would marry you, right?¡± Erin continued to persuade Sheena. However, Yuri arrived soon and respectfully handed over a ck box to Sheena. ¡°Here¡¯s the thing you requested.¡± Erin looked at the sudden appearance of the unfamiliar man and was utterly bewildered. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Meanwhile, Sheena got up and took the box from Yuri. When she looked back at Erin, her eyes glimmered coldly as she smiled confidently. ¡°You¡¯ve said so much, so it¡¯s my turn to speak now, right?¡± Chapter 13 ve said so much, so it¡¯s my turn to speak now, right?¡± Chapter 13 Erin was utterly bewildered as she stared at Sheena¡¯s mocking smile, but before she could react, a handful of green banknotes came flying at her face. The sudden impact stung her, and the rest of the money fell all around her, scattered all over the ground. Sheena smirked yfully. ¡°Here¡¯s 150,000 dors for you. If you willingly renounce your connection to the Freeman family, change your surname, and leave Farlem, this money is all yours. How about it? Isn¡¯t this offer much better than what you proposed earlier?¡± ¡°You!¡± Erin¡¯s chest heaved with rage, her eyes zing red. ¡®How dare this bitch humiliate me with money!¡® Erin shouted internally. Sheena even mocked her with her own words! ¡°You¡¯re just a ything for men! A shameless woman! unting your wealth earned from being an escort! Urgh! I¡¯ll tear you apart!¡°. Furious, Erin lunged at Sheena. Yuri quickly stepped in front of Sheena, but she pushed him back with a single motion. Without any obstacle, Erin reached out to grab Sheena¡¯s hair, but Sheena swiftly caught her wrist and skillfully maneuvered it behind her back. However, Erin did not back down and swung her other hand at Sheena¡¯s face. This time, it was also caught and twisted behind her back, immobilizing her. Sheena¡¯s actions were agile, clean, and unnervinglyposed. Everything happened swiftly and efficiently. In fact, the Lawson family¡¯s descendants were trained in physicalbat from a young age. When they got involved in a fight, even taking on five opponents was child¡¯s y. Though Sheena could not match the physical strength of her brothers, Albert had chosen Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu for her. By the age of twelve, Sheena had already earned a ck belt in Brazilian Jiu¨CJitsu. However, she had never used her skills against the Freeman family, choosing to endure it all. Erin, who had assumed that Sheena was weak and easy to bully, could not ept the reality of being overpowered in an instant. She screamed hysterically and continued her harsh insults. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you, bitch! I¡¯ll crush you to pieces! You¡¯re nothing but a shameless vixen, seducing men¡­ Erin¡¯s abusive words grew louder and more vicious, but Sheena just frowned as she said, ¡°It seems like your mouth could use a good washing.¡± Then, Sheena¡¯s gaze turned fierce as she stood behind Erin, restraining Erin¡¯s hands with one hand and gripping her neck with the other, pushing her in front of the fountain¡¯s nozzle. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Erin struggled desperately, but Sheena¡¯s grip on her neck remained tight no matter how she squirmed. Astonished, she wondered, ¡®When did this woman be so strong?¡® Chapter 13 As the fountain water sshed all over Erin¡¯s face, she fought harder, but the water kept seeping into her nose, making her cough violently and almost pass out. Just as Sheena was about to release Erin, she was interrupted by a stern voice, ¡°Stop.¡± Sheena turned around and met Elijah¡¯s furious gaze. She loosened her grip, and Erin copsed to the ground. Jennifer rushed forward to help her, but they both ended up sitting on the ground together. Erin¡¯s makeup was smudged, her hair drenched, and her ck eyeliner had run, making her look like a mess. She kept coughing, and the situation looked pitiful. In contrast, Sheena remainedposed and elegant with her immacte makeup and hairstyle intact. Due to Erin¡¯s screaming, the garden was now surrounded by onlookers. The sight of green banknotes scattered all over the ground left everyone dumbfounded, and some even discreetly picked up the money. However, with sympathy for the seemingly weaker person, everyone unanimously assumed that Sheena was the aggressor. All eyes turned toward her as if demanding an exnation. Elijah was no exception. He stared at Sheena, his expression grim as he asked, ¡°What exactly happened here?¡± Chapter Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Sheena pointed at Erin and replied simply, ¡°You can ask her yourself.¡± Erin was still coughing, her face flushed as she pointed at Sheena angrily. However, she could not say anything. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Seeing that, Jennifer looked at Sheena with disappointment and said, ¡°Sheena, Erin is like your sister. Even though she said some unpleasant things at the hotel earlier, she apologized. Why did you do this? She¡¯s just a young girl, Sheena. You used to be kind¨Chearted. Why have you changed so much?¡± Jennifer¡¯s words shifted the me toward Sheena. Erin nodded, pretending to be hurt and wronged. Whispers spread through the crowd. Erin, being the daughter of the Freeman family, had the crowd siding with her, and many began using Sheena.. Elijah remained silent, still staring at Sheena. Sheena felt ufortable under his stare and asked coldly, ¡°You know Erin¡¯s personality best. Do you also think I deliberately sought revenge on her?¡± Elijah remained silent, neither confirming nor denying her question. Sheena sneered, finding her own question absurd. T When has Elijah ever trusted her? Whether he believed her or not, she couldn¡¯t care less. She turned to leave but was stopped by several socialites who were close to Erin. ¡°Hey! Did you think you could just walk away after hurting someone?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! You¡¯re not allowed to leave until you apologize to Erin!¡± Sheena snorted, ready to retort, when Howard pushed through the crowd and stood in front of her. Seeing Howard, the socialites¡® eyes sparkled, and they took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. ¡°Mr. Lawson, look at how malicious and vile this woman is!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, Mr. Lawson! You must help Erin get justice. Besides, how can this woman be worthy of someone of your stature?¡± Howard¡¯s expression remained neutral. Instead, he adjusted his tie and slowly removed his suit jacket. As the socialites watched him in awe, he gently draped the jacket over Sheena, his gaze full of affection. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Take this, or you might catch a cold.¡± The crowd watched in shock as Howard draped his jacket over Sheena, and the hostile voices against her abruptly stopped. The socialites were envious and red daggers at Sheena. However, Howard seemed unfazed and casually put his arm around Sheena¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s Chapter 1 gettingte. Let¡¯s head back.¡± Sheena nodded in agreement. As they turned to leave, they heard Jennifer asking, ¡°Mr. Lawson, it¡¯s undeniable that she hurt Erin. Are you really going to protect her?¡± Howard turned back, but his gaze met Elijah¡¯s. ¡°My little girl never starts trouble unless someone provokes her. Mr. Freeman, if you don¡¯t believe me, you can check the hotel surveince, or better yet, let¡¯s go to the police station and let them investigate this matter thoroughly.¡± Elijah was taken aback by Howard¡¯s words, especially by how intimately he addressed Sheena. Seeing the closeness between the two, he could not help but wonder if they knew each other during his marriage. Elijah clenched his fist, staring at Sheena in Howard¡¯s arms, and asked sternly, ¡°Did you betray me?¡± The crowd suddenly erupted in a buzz of whispers. Why did Elijah sound like he was jealous? As if she had heard the funniest joke in the world, Sheena met his gaze and replied, ¡°In our three years of marriage, I have done nothing wrong, and I should be the one asking you that instead.¡± Then, Sheena shot a nce at Jennifer, who was holding onto Erin. With that, Sheena left the Eastern Hotel with Howard without looking back. The crowd was in an uproar! Chapter 15 The crowd was in an uproar! Chapter 15 ¡°Oh my goodness! What a shocking revtion!¡± There were rumors about Elijah having a secret wife for three years, and that person turned out to be Howard¡¯spanion?! Moreover, the situation seemed fishy judging from their conversation and the look in Sheena¡¯s eyes when she red at Jennifer! The crowd¡¯s gazes shifted suspiciously toward Jennifer, and she started to feel uneasy. This unexpected turn of events seemed to have backfired on her. Right then, everyone suspected that she might be the home wrecker in that rtionship! Leon stepped forward to clear up the confusion. ¡°Please don¡¯t misunderstand. Mr. Freeman and Ms. Sheena are already divorced, and he¡¯s currently in a rtionship with Ms. Moore. Let¡¯s all keep this incident to ourselves and spare the Freeman family any further embarrassment.¡± After that, the crowd finally dispersed. Erin regained some strength and pulled on Elijah¡¯s sleeve. Her exaggerated dark eye circles made her look quiteical, but she was still unwilling to let it slide and huffed angrily, ¡°Eli, you must help me! That bitch hurt me. What she did is the same as pping the Freeman family¡¯s face in public. You have to teach her a lesson!¡± Jennifer chimed in, ¡°Eli, Erin was truly wronged tonight. How are you going to deal with Sheena¡¯s actions?¡± Elijah¡¯s eyes darkened as he looked at both of them. ¡°Since you insist, let¡¯s go check the surveince footage first.¡± Feeling disgruntled, Elijah walked away. Erin¡¯s face showed a hint of panic as she subconsciously looked at the surveince camera on the gardenmppost. She thought the camera could only capture the scene of her being bullied, so there should be no major issues. With that in mind, Erin and Jennifer followed after Elijah. Before leaving, Sheena had instructed the Eastern Hotel manager to wait for Elijah and the twodies. Then, the manager led them to the surveince room. Before leaving the room, the manager even took an extra look at Erin¡¯s hideous smudged makeup. Erin was irritated by the manager¡¯s stare and caught up to him, cursing loudly, ¡°What are you looking at? Even with smudged makeup, I¡¯m still better than you lowly peasants!¡± The manager hurriedly ran away feeling discontented. ¡®Just wait! Your karma wille!¡® He thought to himself. Inside the surveince room, the footage started ying. To Erin¡¯s surprise, she never expected the hotel¡¯s surveince to include an audio recording too! Chaple As Erin listened to the vicious curses and heard how she had initiated the fight, only to be countered by Sheena in the surveince footage, her face began to lose color. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Elijah¡¯s expression became terrifyingly gloomy, and his anger seemed to be brewing. Feeling intimidated, Erin tried to exin, ¡°Eli, I can exin.¡± However, Elijahpletely ignored her and turned to leave. ¡°Eli!¡± She chased after him, still feeling indignant. ¡°I might sound rude, but I didn¡¯t have any ¡®ill intention! As you can see, she dunked my face into the fountain! I didn¡¯t even touch her!¡± Elijah¡¯s face turned grim. ¡°Erin, others might not understand, but I know you well. What were your true intentions when you pretended to offer her money? Only you know that.¡± Erin¡¯s face turned even paler, and she cried in frustration, ¡°I just wanted to teach her a lesson! I couldn¡¯t stand how she was with you while also flirting with other men. I was just standing up for you!¡± This statement left Elijah silent, with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. Erin continued, thinking that she was making progress, ¡°Did you see how intimate she was with Mr. Lawson? They must have started their affair while she was still married to you! She¡¯s a despicable woman; you should teach her a lesson!¡± She continued, ¡°How about we use this incident to our advantage? We can remove the audio from the surveince footage, edit it, and then spread it online, exposing her to public scrutiny and disgrace. What do you think?¡± Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Elijah¡¯s face darkenedpletely, looking at Erin with disappointment and fury. ¡°You¡¯re being absolutely unreasonable.¡± He forcefully pulled Erin¡¯s hand off his sleeve and ordered, ¡°You¡¯re grounded, and you¡¯re not allowed to go anywhere without my permission. I hope you¡¯ll reflect on what you¡¯ve done!¡± With that, he took Jennifer¡¯s hand and left. Erin wanted to catch up with them, but Leon held her back, and she could only plead in despair. In the end, she was forcibly dragged back to the Freeman family mansion. Fuming with anger, Erin started smashing things in her room. The noise echoed through the entire house. Faye was awakened by the intense noise and rushed over to check on her. ¡°Erin, what¡¯s going on? Weren¡¯t you supposed to be at the banquet? What happened?¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Erin cried as she recounted the events at the party with exaggerations. ¡°Mom, you have to help me! Elijah is biased! Not only did he not do anything to that bitch, but he also grounded me! You have to help me get justice!¡± Fayeforted her and gently patted her back. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Erin¡¯s eyes filled with malice as she said, ¡°I want her dead!¡± Meanwhile, Sheena had yet to find a ce to stay, so she stayed at Howard¡¯s mansion temporarily. Auntie Gloria, their servant, was thrilled to see Sheena, eximing that the youngdy was all grown up. She hurried over to help Sheena with the luggage and prepare her bedroom. Sheena wanted to help, but Howard pulled her aside for a chat. ¡°Nana, you¡¯ll be joining thepany tomorrow. Do you have any ns?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just follow what we¡¯ve agreed on earlier. You¡¯ll act as the CEO, and I¡¯ll learn how to handle the company¡¯s affairs from you.¡± Howard pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°Alright¡­ Since you don¡¯t want others to know about our rtionship, I won¡¯t be sending you to thepany. I¡¯ve arranged a limited¨Cedition Maserati MC77 for you. It¡¯s a style you¡¯ll like.¡± ¡°The MC77 is too expensive,¡± Sheena protested, shaking her head. ¡°A cheaper car is enough for daily commutes. If you really want to get me a car, then a Volkswagen Santana will do.¡± Howard frowned. ¡°That¡¯s too unfair to you.¡± Sheena smiled, her eyes shining with mischief, and she wrapped her arm around his, acting coquettishly. ¡°Not at all, Howard. I don¡¯t n to reveal my true identity for now. 11 The person that hurt her was from the Lawson family. Since she had lost her memory and ended up in Farlem, there had been no sign of them. They probably had no idea that Sheena had been with the Freeman family over the years, and it was too dangerous to reveal her identity before she found out who the culprit was. Howard, being a smart man, could understand her concerns. ¡°The security here is excellent. You can stay here in peace. No one will disturb you,¡± he assured her. Then, he remembered something and added, ¡°By the way, Corey has been flying abroad frequently lately, and Noah is busy with a rare medical case at the hospital. They heard about your divorce and were happy for you, so they got you some gifts, which should be arriving in a few days.¡± Sheena pouted, ¡°What kind of brothers celebrate their little sister¡¯s divorce? You guys are the only ones like this!¡± Although she said that, she was curious. Corey, the eldest among them, was a senior pilot and owned businesses all over the world, while Noah, her second brother, was a well¨Cknown surgeon. Whatever gifts they prepared for her, they must have been extraordinary. Howard chuckled and yfully touched her nose before going upstairs to shower. At midnight, Elijah dropped Jennifer off at the hotel before returning to the mansion. Upon opening the door, the living room felt dark and empty without the familiar figure waiting for him every day, making it eerily lonely. His feelings wereplicated, and he could not put them into words. Switching on the lights, he sat on the couch and lit a cigarette while listening to Leon¡¯s report. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Freeman. I couldn¡¯t find Ms. Sheena¡¯s whereabouts. After she left the hotel, it was as if she had disappeared from the face of the earth. Her phone and ounts are experiencing signal interference. We tried various methods, but we couldn¡¯t locate her.¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Elijah took a drag from his cigarette, his expression gloomy. Disappeared from the face of the earth? His subordinates were elite hackers, yet they could not trace her location. Was someone helping her? Chapter 17 Chapter 17 ¡®Was it Howard?¡® Elijah wondered. Elijah frowned and instructed Leon coldly, ¡°Keep looking. Send someone to check on Howard too. As soon as you find anything, notify me immediately.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Lawson.¡± Leon nodded, though his expression seemed reluctant. Seeing that Leon was still there, Elijah was puzzled. ¡°Why are you still here? Is there anything else to report?¡± Leon was in a dilemma. He knew it might anger Elijah, but he could not hold back. ¡°You¡¯re getting harder to understand these days. You¡¯ve already divorced, yet you¡¯re still concerned about Ms. Sheena while neglecting Ms. Moore, who truly deserves your attention. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Elijah grabbed the ss ashtray from the table and threw it at Leon¡¯s feet. ¡°Get out!¡± Leon wisely stepped back. Elijah lit two more cigarettes. Feeling a little hungry, he got up and opened the fridge, which was filled with all the foods he loved. He stood there in a daze. Suddenly, he vaguely recalled that over the past three years, the first thing he saw when he came home would be Sheena¡¯s eager eyes. She would wee him with a smile, offer him slippers, and say, ¡°You¡¯re back. You must be tired. Are you hungry? I¡¯ve prepared dinner.¡± Yet, he never really looked at her. In the face of the warm meal on the table, he would always make a sarcastic remark and retreat to his room. It was a thankless task, yet that foolish woman would still do it every day. Suddenly, Sheena¡¯sst words before leaving the banquet echoed in his ears. ¡°In our three years of marriage, I have done nothing wrong.¡± If that was true, then what was her rtionship with Howard? Realizing that he had been thinking about Sheena, Elijah felt oddly irritated. He closed the fridge out of annoyance and went upstairs. He then showered and went to bed. The next morning, the lobby of Angle Group was packed as employees stood in rows, looking at each other, waiting for Howard¡¯s arrival. Half an hourter, Howard appeared at the entrance with Sheena. Sheena deliberately chose a white tailored skirt suit for that day, with her ponytail tied up high, exuding a poised, intelligent, and capable aura. As she appeared, there was a stir among the crowd of employees. The sight of the two was pleasing to their eyes. Howard walked to the center and announced, ¡°This is our new talent manager, Ms. Sheena, who will be working with all of you from now on.¡± The crowd apuded. Sheena smiled and nodded, courteously epting the apuse. Then, Howard briefed them on the recent targets and let everyone return to their positions, leaving the talent management team behind. ¡°Sue, Sheena is new here and unfamiliar with the operation. Please assist her,¡± Howard named Sue Klein specifically, who was the lead agent in the talent management team. She had wavy blonde hair, bold makeup, and a stunning figure. Sue nodded and smiled warmly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Lawson. I will do my best to assist her.¡± After Howard left, her smile disappeared, and she gestured for Sheena to follow her. As Sheena looked over, she coincidentally caught a glimpse of the subtle look of disgust in Sue¡¯s eyes. It would seem that Sue did not like her! ¡°Ms. Klein, please address me Ms. Sheena from now on.¡± Sue hesitated for a moment before immediately adopting a respectful attitude. Throughout the morning, Sheena familiarized herself with thepany¡¯s materials in her office, and Sue kept bringing piles of documents to her desk, stacking them high. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Looking at the pile of documents, Sheena frowned and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t we directly in charge of agents and artists in this department? Why do we have to go through so much information?¡± Sue sneered. ¡°These are just some basic information. Once you finish going through this stack, there¡¯s more to come.¡± Then, she mockingly added, ¡°It seems that you¡¯re unfamiliar with this position.¡± Sheena did not hide her inexperience and nodded openly, ¡°Indeed. This is my first time in this position.¡± Sue was surprised. The position had been vacant since the previous manager¡¯s transfer, and she was the most suitable candidate for promotion. Yet, thepany suddenly appointed this bimbo, snatching her position and subjecting her to ridicule from other employees. How could she ept this humiliation? Jealousy and resentment filled her eyes as she looked at Sheena¡¯s stunning face. ¡°How did some trash like you, with no experience or education, get into Angle Group? Did you get in by selling your body?¡± Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Sheena frowned and stared back, warning Sue, ¡°Ms. Klein, please watch yournguage. Mr. Lawson personally appointed me to this position. If you have a problem with it, you can take it up with him.¡± Sue was left speechless. She could only re at her with resentment. Sheena remained unfazed and sipped her coffee with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s true that Ick experience, but I¡¯m afraid you don¡¯t have the qualifications to question my education.¡± Sueughed mockingly, crossed her arms, and taunted, ¡°Oh? Which mediocre university did you graduate from? Did you even finish your undergraduate degree? For managerial positions at Angle Group and above, they require at least a master¡¯s degree. Are you qualified?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t attend university. I was bored at 14 and casually obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Manchester with my dissertation. Would you consider that a mediocre university?¡± Sheena replied casually as if recounting an ordinary story. Sue looked at her in disbelief. How could sheena obtain a Ph.D. from the University of Manchester at the age of 14? Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. If the University of Manchester was considered mediocre, then what was her own alma mater? Sue¡¯s expression turned sour as she tried to maintain herposure, snidely remarking, ¡°So what if you have a Ph.D. from the University of Manchester? Our industry values experience the most, and it¡¯s uncertain if you can hold your position.¡± After saying that, she left the office. ¡°Stop,¡± Sheena ordered. ¡°What else do you want?¡± Sheena gave her a cold stare and teased, ¡°Whether I can hold my position or not is none of your concern. In this pile of documents, several outdated files are mixed in from different departments from the past five years. I¡¯d like you to pick them out and reorganize them correctly.¡± Sue was shocked. How did she know? When Sheena arrived, Sue deliberately selected a set of incrediblyplex documents, some were entirely in Spanish, which a neer could not possibly understand. She could not believe it, but she still collected the documents anyway. ¡°There¡¯s more.¡± Sue was getting annoyed. She red at Sheena and asked, ¡°What else do you want?¡± Sheena looked at her, smiling. ¡°I¡¯ll remind you onest time. You¡¯re to address me as Ms. Sheena.¡± Sue¡¯s expression turned ugly as she stormed out and mmed the door. Sheena chuckled and shook her head. These petty tricks were nothing new to her. She had been dealing with them since she was a teenager. If Sue was trying to y mind games with her, Sue would find herself too inexperienced. At the Freeman Group, in Elijah¡¯s office. ¡°Mr. Freeman, we¡¯ve located Ms. Sheena¡¯s whereabouts,¡± Leon said as he entered the room and handed a stack of documents to Elijah. ¡°Our team traced her to Angle Group, where she suddenly joined yesterday. It seems she¡¯s holding quite a significant position. Today is her first official day at work.¡± Elijah¡¯s face instantly turned gloomy. A quick divorce and swift entry into a new job. Was she financially supported by Howard? Was this what she meant by having done nothing wrong? How dare she im that she did not have an affair during their marriage? The rage in him boiled over as he realized that he was being cheated on. She would be the first to do so! ¡°Give me the Angle Group¡¯s address.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Leon was confused but quickly understood what Elijah meant. ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± As Sheena sat in her office and familiarized herself with the materials, she suddenly sneezed twice. Was someone badmouthing her? It was probably Erin. She quickly refocused her thoughts and immersed herself in her work. In just one day, she memorized the information that would have taken others three days to go through. Sue was so enraged when she saw Sheena leaving the office on time that she snapped her lipstick in half out of frustration. Sheena massaged her sore shoulders and took the elevator down to the car park. However, she came to work in Howard¡¯s car. The new car was only sent there in the afternoon. She had forgotten to ask where it was, so how was she supposed to find it? Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Sheena held the car keys and tried unlocking each car one by one, from one floor after another. Finally, after twenty minutes, she found her new car. Looking at the emerald green paint, she clicked her tongue in appreciation. Though the style was a bit outdated, it was practical and durable, and the color was stylish! She loved it and could not wait to try out her new car. Suddenly, she heard a woman¡¯s mocking voice behind her. ¡°Well, well, well. If it isn¡¯t our fabulous Ms. Sheena. What car are you driving?¡± Sue approached her with a sneer. Upon seeing Sheena¡¯s car, she pouted disdainfully. ¡°Oh my, is this your car? A Volkswagen Santana? With your position, why not treat yourself to a better car?¡± Sheena smiled, unfazed. ¡°A car is just a means tomute. I¡¯m just being practical.¡± Sue rolled her eyes. Practical or not was just an excuse. She was probably just poor. In an instant, her vanity soared,pensating for all the humiliation she endured at Sheena¡¯s hands in the morning. At least this bitch was poorer than her! She fluffed her wavy curls and linked arms with Sheena. ¡°Ms. Sheena, I just got a new car recently. Would you mind taking a look at it for me?¡± Without even waiting for Sheena¡¯s response, she pulled her toward a nearby parking spot. Sheena turned her head to see a convertible BMW Z4. At a nce, it seemed quite stylish, but it was not very practical for dailymute. In fact, it was definitely for her to show off. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Sue noticed that Sheena only nced briefly and withdrew her gaze, pretending to look down at it. So, she snorted and taunted, ¡°Ms. Sheena, I guess you haven¡¯t seen this type of sports car before, have you? This is thetest BMW Z70, which costs a whopping 200,000 dors just for the bare vehicle. I had to spend a fortune to buy it.¡± Sheena frowned upon hearing Sue¡¯s words. How could that car possibly be a Z70? Sue noticed her expression and thought her words had hit a nerve, feeling quite pleased with herself. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, as the talent manager, you should avoid looking so shabby. Our entertainment company often hosts celebrities who might visit, and your low¨Css car wouldn¡¯t do any good for Angle¡¯s image.¡® ¡°Heh,¡± Sheena chuckled coldly, shaking her head. She had light makeup on that day, which made her look incredibly captivating when she smiled. Sue became defensive. ¡°What are youughing at?¡± ¡°I¡¯mughing at your stupidity. You can¡¯t even tell the difference between a Z4, and a 770, yet you¡¯re here showing off.¡± Sue looked puzzled, staring at Sheena. Sheena walked to the back of her BMW, pulling Sue¡¯s hand, and wiping the exhaust pipe with it. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sheena raised Sue¡¯s hand, saying, ¡°Take a good look. The dirt on this exhaust pipe is old, not fresh. The color is different.¡® Sue quickly wiped her hand clean with a tissue, not believing what she had heard. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Sheena sneered and exined, ¡°You really are clueless. This car is not a Z70. It¡¯s an old Z4 from three years ago, and it¡¯s a used car with the lowest configuration. At most, it¡¯s worth 55,000 dors. If you don¡¯t believe me, find a professional used car appraiser to confirm it.¡± Sue¡¯s eyes widened in shock, but she still shook her head. ¡°Impossible! There¡¯s no way this could be a used Z4! You¡¯re just jealous and trying to discredit my car. Did you really think I¡¯d fall for that?¡± Despite all the evidence, Sue still thought Sheena was making up stories, proving that she was beyond help. ¡°So, if I understand correctly, you didn¡¯t buy this car, did you?¡± Sheena caught on quickly and asked, ¡°Sue, which executive are you sleeping with?¡± Sue¡¯s face turned pale instantly, and she pushed Sheena away indignantly. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about! You¡¯re ridiculous!¡± Then, she quickly drove away. Watching Sue¡¯s hasty departure, Sheena became even more convinced that her guess was correct. If there was such a rotten high¨Clevel executive in thepany and she managed to expose their identity, they would definitely have to face dire consequences. Sheena returned to her little Volkswagen Santana. As she opened the car door slightly, a pair of hands suddenly pressed against the door, and a familiar deep and icy voice came from behind her. ¡°Why didn¡¯t he buy you a better car?¡± Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Sheena heard the voice and frowned instinctively. As she turned around, she locked eyes with Elijah. He was only inches away from her. ¡°This is Angle¡¯s underground car park. What brings you here, Mr. Freeman?¡± Elijah smirked. ¡°I¡¯m here to talk to Mr. Lawson about a potential coboration. What¡¯s wrong? Is there a rule that says I can¡¯t be here?¡± Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Sheena chuckled. What a ridiculous reason! ¡°The Freeman Group focuses on real estate and construction, which has nothing to do with the entertainment industry. Are you here to have ourpany¡¯s artists sell houses?¡± Sheena said, locking eyes with him. Her gaze was filled with sarcasm and unwavering confidence. Elijah was stunned by her piercing gaze, but his expression turned cold as he pushed her shoulders back until her back was pressed against the car door,pletely enclosed in his arms. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sheena¡¯s thighs were pressed by his knees, leaving her unable to move. This position felt awkward. Struggling to free herself, Sheena red at him fiercely. ¡°Elijah, are you out of your mind?¡± His intense gaze fixed on her as if she was an unruly prey. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this new car? Are you happy just because you have Howard to support you?¡± Sheena was confused and wondered why Elijah was looking down at her car. ¡°You divorced me for him, but it seems he¡¯s not treating you as well as I imagined,¡± Elijah mocked. What on earth was he talking about? Did hee running here, assuming she divorced him to be with Howard? It was ridiculous! Sheena replied, ¡°Mr. Freeman, you¡¯ve got it all wrong. We divorced because you didn¡¯t love me, and I was tired of giving without getting anything in return. It has nothing to do with anyone else.¡± Then, to provoke Elijah, she added, ¡°Mr. Lawson is indeed amazing! He has a better temperament, he¡¯s more capable, and he¡¯s even better¨Clooking than you! You can neverpare to him!¡± Elijah¡¯s anger surged, and he forcefully raised Sheena¡¯s chin, remembering that he made simr sarcastic remarks before. ¡°Are you trying to provoke me? Do you want me to teach you a lesson right here?¡± Sheena was furious! ¥¢ She was his ex¨Cwife. Whatever between them was over! Her life had nothing to do with him anymore! How did this jerk have the audacity to get angry and threaten her? ¡°Elijah, get your hands off me!¡± Elijah remained unmoved. Sheena could not contain her anger any longer. Since he would not listen to reason, she had to resort to a different approach! She quickly attempted to take him down, but Elijah¡¯s speed was surprisingly faster than hers! In an instant, Elijah caught both of her hands with one hand and lifted them above her head, firmly pressing them against the car¡¯s roof. His strength was far superior to hers, making it impossible for her to break free. ¡°Elijah!¡± Sheena was livid, her face turning red. Elijah smirked. He seemed to enjoy seeing her frustrated and powerless. In her fury, Sheena¡¯s expression resembled that of a fierce lioness. Her eyes still showed determination and rity as she bit her red lips in defiance, exuding an alluring aura. Elijah could not help but recall that night when he was drugged. In a moment of delirium, he saw her eyes, so simr to the young Jennifer from years ago. At that moment, he waspletely captivated. Looking back, he found that night to be especially beautiful. However, his thoughts were interrupted by a surge of inexplicable rage. Sheena keenly felt his body tense against hers. A certain part of his body was pressing hard against her abdomen. ¡°Elijah, you pervert! Let me go or I¡¯ll drag you to hell with me!¡± Sheena yelled. He snapped back to his senses and teased, ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything yet and you¡¯re already calling me a pervert? Well, it seems I should do something to live up to that title you¡¯ve given me!¡± Elijah fixed his gaze on her lips, then forcefully pressed down on her, closing the distance between them as he tried to devour and punish her. Sheena was overwhelmed with a sense of shame. ¡°What are you two doing?!¡± Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Someone shouted, suddenly interrupting them, and breaking the tension. Howard¡¯s face darkened as he stepped forward, forcibly separating the two and swiftly punched Elijah in the face. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Elijah could not dodge in time, grunting in pain as he wiped the blood from the corner of his lips. Sheena was then safely hiding behind Howard. While she was concerned about Elijah being. hurt, she could not help but feel a sense of satisfaction. A single punch was too light a punishment for someone who dared to bully her! Instead, he should have been tortured mercilessly! ¡°Mr. Freeman, I heard you already have a new girlfriend, so why are you still bothering your ex -wife? Isn¡¯t that inappropriate?¡± Howard chuckled lightly, reverting back to his usual gentlemanly demeanor as if he did not just punch someone. Elijah looked straight at Howard, showing no signs of weakness despite the injury. ¡°Even so, she was once my wife. Mr. Lawson, why are you so protective of her?¡± He emphasized the words ¡°my wife¡± like an arrogant lion facing an enemy that threatened its prey, asserting his dominance. Obviously, Elijah was still unaware that Sheena was Howard¡¯s sister, which was why he was so protective of her! The smile faded from Howard¡¯s face, but he refrained from speaking further as Sheena tightened her grip on his arm. Instead, he scoffed and replied, ¡°Mr. Freeman, Sheena is an independent person, and she has the right to choose who she wants to be with. Why do you feel entitled to im her as yours?¡± They stared at each other, neither yielding an inch, as if they were engaged in a battle of wills. Tension ran high, and neither side was willing to back down. Sheena was fed up with this hostile atmosphere. She had worked all day, and she just wanted this to end. Coughing twice to get their attention, she said, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, and tomorrow is a workday. Mr. Lawson, Mr. Freeman, you should both leave.¡± Elijah saw that she was about to leave and stepped forward to stop her. Howard moved forward as well, blocking Elijah with a threatening look in his eyes. Nheless, they were not in Elijah¡¯spany¡¯s territory, and he could not act as he wished. Hence, he smiled and turned to Sheena, ¡°You must be hungry. How about having dinner together tonight and we can talk things over?¡± Sheena responded without hesitation, ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. I¡¯m not eating, nor talking with you!¡± Elijah¡¯s expression instantly turned sour. Meanwhile, Howard could not help but chuckle. His little princess had always been straightforward and assertive! Seeming to have gained the upper hand, Howard provocatively locked eyes with Elijah, but his words were directed at Sheena. ¡°Nana, it¡¯s getting dark. Let me send you home.¡± Sheena turned around and witnessed the intense gaze between the two men once again. She sighed inwardly, ¡®Here they go again.¡® She wished the heavens would just take both of them away and give her some peace of mind. Sheena let out a tired sigh, then said, ¡°No need for that. I¡¯ll familiarize myself with the route.¡® With that, she quickly got into her small Volkswagen Santana and sped away. Meanwhile, the two men in the car park continued their confrontation. Since Sheena did not ept Howard¡¯s invitation, Elijah felt he had gained some ground and smirked. ¡°It seems you don¡¯t understand Sheena well.¡± Howard looked at him coldly. ¡°I¡¯ve known her since she was young, so I definitely understand her much better than you.¡± Elijah¡¯s expression changed at Howard¡¯s words. Seeing Elijah¡¯s reaction, Howard felt triumphant. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you should keep your eyes on what¡¯s in front of you and stop fantasizing about someone you have lost and can never have again.¡± With that, Howard turned and walked away, taking the stairs to the upper level. He had seen the situation on the monitor earlier and ordered his men to seal off the lower level of the car park, preventing any employees from going down. Otherwise, Sheena would be bothered further. Elijah froze, and no one could read his expression. Clean for t Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Looking at Elijah from a distance, Leon became more and more dissatisfied. He could not believe that Elijah had actually confronted Howard over Sheena. Did he not realize that he cared deeply for her? What about Jennifer? She was such a good girl and was sent away by Sebastian because of Elijah, enduring the pain of separation for all those years. T 1 Moreover, Elijah had promised to marry Jennifer and take good care of her, but now he was neglecting her, which was truly heartbreaking. Annoyed, Leon secretly texted Jennifer, briefly exining what had happened today. He hoped that Jennifer could win over Elijah¡¯s heart after reading it. ¡°Leon, we¡¯re leaving!¡± Elijah suddenly called out, swiftly getting into the car, and waiting for him to take the driver¡¯s seat. Meanwhile, Sheena was lost. The damned GPS was acting up. It showed that the signal was weak when she happened to be driving through Farlem¡¯s mostplicated multi¨Cdirectional intersection, which caused her to go the wrong way. She had already gone around the same route twice. Suddenly, she noticed a car behind her that looked familiar. That car had been tailing her since a while ago. From the rearview mirror, she recognized the license te number: FA66699. Elijah? Sheena instantly became furious. Why was this man still following her?! She wanted nothing more than to get out of her car immediately and give him a good beating. However, those were just wishful thinking. The recent encounter in the car park made it clear that Elijah¡¯sbat skills far surpassed hers. If she could not fight, she would have to run! Sheena sped up, determined to shake off her pursuer by taking moreplicated routes. Leon asked, ¡°Mr. Freeman, our people have interfered with Ms. Sheena¡¯s GPS, but she seems to have realized it. She¡¯s no longer following the route we nned for her. She¡¯s trying to shake us off.¡± Elijah stared intently at the green Volkswagen Santana in front of him, and a wave of inexplicable anger washed over him. Sheena was simply too audacious! Elijah was determined to teach her a lesson since Howard was not there to stop him. He swore upon his name to give her a good beating and make her understand the consequences of offending him! at ¡°Speed up and find an opportunity to overtake her. Force her car to stop safely.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± The two cars raced at high speed on the highway. Nheless, there was no way Sheena¡¯s small Volkswagen Santana could match Elijah¡¯s Lamborghini Huracan, as their eleration was inpletely different leagues. Elijah¡¯s car was rapidly catching up, intending to overtake her. Sheena gritted her teeth and observed the uing intersection with a traffic light not far ahead. A cunning grin appeared on her face as she thought of a n. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. As they approached the intersection, just a meter away from the dividing line, she sharply turned the steering wheel, driving into the left¨Cturnne. Then, making use of thest second of the yellow light, she floored the gas pedal and dashed through the intersection. By the time Elijah¡¯s driver realized her intentions, the light had turned red. In the rearview mirror, Sheena saw him forced to stop as she left him in the dust. Her heart filled with exhration. Elijah was still too inexperienced topete with her in driving skills! Feeling triumphant, she was caught off guard as two ck cars suddenly emerged from both sides of the intersection. They were closing in aggressively, seemingly intent on stopping her forcibly. Were there others after her too? Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Sheena gritted her teeth, refusing to slow down. On the contrary, she elerated, seemingly prepared for a head¨Con collision. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. The two ck cars in front were surprised when they saw her charging straight at them, Moments before impact, both the ck cars instinctively drove back about half a meter. Just as Sheena managed to slip through the narrow gap, she realized that the two ck cars were quickly chasing after her again. She thought about leading them on a wild goose chase, but her small Volkswagen Santana could not hope of escaping the cars behind her. Nheless, she remained surprisingly calm and counted the number of people in each of the ck cars through the rearview mirror. With the driver included, each car had five men. Ten men in total, and all of them appeared to be big and strong. If she engaged them in a battle of endurance, she would undoubtedly lose. However, if she used her wits to resolve the fight swiftly, she might stand a chance. Since she could not escape and she was in a bad mood, Sheena decided to have a good fight with them! Determined, she calmly drove the car to the outskirts of an abandoned building and parked. The two ck cars followed her. Ten burly men got out of the cars. They were wielding sticks and exuded a menacing aura. Sheena leaned against the car door, hands in her pockets, seemingly unfazed. As the thugs caught sight of her alluring figure in the white skirt, their eyes widened. It seemed that they had struck gold! Sheena calmly stared back at them and asked, ¡°Let¡¯s cut to the chase. Who sent you?¡± The leader of the thugs looked at her with a lustful gaze and said, ¡°Miss, don¡¯t me us. me yourself for not knowing better.¡± Since it was clear they would not reveal their employer¡¯s name, Sheena saw no point in continuing the conversation. She took off her high heels and held them in her hands, smiling slyly. ¡°Alright then! Let¡¯s go!¡± As she finished speaking, the ten thugs raised their sticks and charged at her. Suddenly, a series of car horns rang out from nearby. A silver¨Cgray Lamborghini Huracan appeared suddenly, executing a beautiful drift as it drove into view. The driver¡¯s seat was now upied by someone else. Leon, having poor driving skills, had been dismissed by Elijah and had his wages docked for a month. Elijah stepped out of the car. With his height of 183cm, each of his steps exuded a powerful aura as he boldly walked toward the group of men. The thugs were stunned. Then, Elijah looked past Sheena and kicked one of the thugs away. Seeing this, the others quickly grabbed their sticks and attacked him. Sheena realized that he hade to her rescue, so she put her high heels back on and leaned against the car to watch the fight. If someone was willing to help, she was more than happy to see how it yed out. Elijah fought fiercely. Within minutes, he took down eight more thugs, leaving only the leader standing with a fierce and wary expression. Elijah cracked his knuckles, giving off a powerful presence. The leader of the thugs felt a chill running down his spine. His legs trembled in fear as he suddenly fell to his knees. ¡°Please spare me! I¡¯ll leave right away and promise never to bother thedy again. Please, let me go¡­¡± Elijah was about to ask a question when Sheena walked over and grabbed the thug¡¯s leader by his shirt, asking, ¡°Who sent you?¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. We usually take odd jobs as long as the pay is good. I don¡¯t know who made the request.¡± ¡°Not talking, huh?¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Sheena raised her other hand and promptly pped him across the face. The leader was left dumbfounded by Sheena¡¯s ferocity. Then, he caught a glimpse of Elijah¡¯s Intense gaze and began crying pitifully. ¡°W¨CWait! P¨CPlease, trust me! I really don¡¯t know! The person paid us generously, asking us to take turns assaulting you and filming it to post online¡­¡± Before he could finish, a sudden kick sent him flying into a pir. Crack! His bones cracked, and he spat out a mouthful of blood before passing out. Sheena¡¯s expression darkened as she turned to Elijah. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you let him finish?¡± Elijah¡¯s face was grim. ¡°I can¡¯t stand hearing more of his nonsense. Besides, these people are awful! Are you nning to let them go?¡± He did not know what came over him, but the thought of those people nning to harm. Sheena triggered his anger. Although they were divorced, she was still his ex¨Cwife. No one else had any right toy a hand on her. Also, Elijah could not help but feel annoyed at Sheena questioning him. After all, those people deserved death! Her excessive kindness bordered on naivety. Sheena sighed in frustration and red at him. ¡°You knocked him out with one kick, and he felt no pain. You should¡¯ve let him suffer slowly while he was awake. Making him beg for death is the greatest torture. You let him off too easily.¡± Elijah was speechless. It turned out he was overthinking it. She was not trying to be kind. In fact, she was clearly trying to exact revenge on them. ¡°I¡¯ll have Leon investigate this incident. There¡¯s no need to worry or be afraid,¡± Elijah assured her. Sheena rolled her eyes. Did he think she was afraid? Sheena had always been able to not let her grudge affect her actions. Since he had saved her this time, she could refrain from mocking him as long as he did not pester her. Sheena looked around at the thugs lying on the ground and suddenly felt suspicious. She turned to Elijah and said, ¡°You better investigate this thoroughly to see if this has anything to do with your family. If it does, I won¡¯t let them go.¡± Elijah nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t be biased¡­¡± He paused and added, ¡°But now, shouldn¡¯t we talk about us?¡± ¡°Sheena was puzzled. ¡°Us? We¡¯ve already ended things when we signed the divorce papers. There¡¯s nothing left for us to talk about.¡± Having said that, she turned to get back into her car, ready to go home, ¡°Watch out!¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Elijah warned her just in time. He saw a thug closest to Sheena quietly getting up from the ground, already raising a stick to strike at her head. Elijah could not stop him in time due to the distance! For the first time, Elijah seemed to be in a panic. However, he saw Sheena skillfully seize the thug¡¯s stick, executing a graceful leg sweep and a perfect shoulder throw that sent the man flying. The thug did not even get a chance to cry out before losing consciousness. After dealing with the thug, Sheena looked at Elijah and smirked. Elijah¡¯s expression changed from one of panic to shock. He could not shake off the image of Sheena¡¯s impressive counterattack and her defiant smile as she drove away in her shiny green Santana. They had been married for three years, and he had always assumed she was just a pushover without any outstanding qualities. However, she repeatedly overturned his understanding of her after the divorce. He had never truly known her! As he watched Sheena leave, his gaze gradually darkened. Observing her swift movements and skills, it seemed like¡­ Jiu¨CJitsu? Moreover, she was quite skilled at it. That level of skill could not be reached overnight. Furthermore, the cold and bold presence she gave off with her every move¡­ Someone of that caliber could not be a mere orphan raised in Farlem¡¯s orphanage! Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Sheena¡¯s background must be more than it seemed. Just as he was thinking about that, Leon arrived at the scene in a taxi. He could not help but gasp at the sight of the unconscious bodies scattered around. Elijah really did not hold back this time! Elijah nced at Leon and said, ¡°You came just in time. Take all these people back and find out who¡¯s behind this whole thing.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± Leon nodded. ¡°Also, have someone investigate Sheena¡¯s background. I want detailed information.¡± ¡°Noted, Mr. Freeman.¡± By the time Sheena returned home, it was already quitete in the evening. Howard was sitting on the sofa waiting for her, and she recounted the incident to him without leaving out any detail. Howard was furious and immediately sent his men to investigate the matter. On the way back, Sheena carefully pondered over the incident. Apart from the person in the if Lawson family who had harmed her, she had not made enemies of anyone else. However, that person already knew her whereabouts, it was unlikely for them to send just a few thugs to humiliate her and film the process. This incident seemed more like the doing of someone from the Freeman family. As Sheena could not trust Elijah to be impartial in his investigation, she decided to have Howard¡¯s people look into it. Once she got upstairs, Sheena took a shower and went to bed. The next morning, Sheena arrived at thepany on time. After familiarizing herself with the data from yesterday, she was ready to handle the arrangements for the artist¡¯s activities. Sue was surprised by how quickly Sheena got the hang of things and did not dare to give her a hard time anymore. The morning went smoothly, and Sheena felt particrly content. However, just after lunch, the office door was violently pushed open, and Sue stormed in angrily. ¡°Ms. Klein. Have you ever heard of knocking before entering?¡± Sheena frowned. Sue did not bother answering and mmed an iPad in front of Sheena. ¡°Take a look at the mess you¡¯ve caused!¡± Sheena took the iPad and saw pictures of their artist, Skye Zimmer, throwing a tantrum on set. Thankfully, the agent stopped the photos from spreading online, or it would have led to usations of their artist being difficult. Sheena sighed. She had merely canceled his shoot for being irresponsible and not wanting to work. Why did it turn into such a big mess? ¡°He¡¯s a popr idol. He only took a day off, yet you decided to cancel his shoot altogether! You¡¯ve angered ourpany¡¯s tyrant, and I won¡¯t clean up this mess for you!¡± Sue said coldly, enjoying her snide remarks. Sheena closed the iPad, grabbed her car keys, and headed outside. Sue caught up with her and asked, ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°To the set.¡± Sue quickly followed along. Thepany¡¯s tyrant was known for having a bad temper and using various means to get back at people. She could not wait to see Sheena get a taste of Skye¡¯s wrath and was eager to bring this incident up in the meeting. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. She believed that it would not be long until Sheena had to step down as the talent manager! The TV drama Skye was shooting was financed by Angle Group, and they had just started filming a few days ago at Farlem World Studios. Sheena and Sue rushed there, arriving in half an hour. As they approached the set, they heard a loud crash of a chair being thrown. When they got closer, they saw a handsome eighteen¨Cyear¨Cold teenager throwing a tantrum. His agent and assistant were too scared to say anything, and other crew members kept their distance. Only the cleaningdy stepped forward to stop him. ¡°Hey, look at the mess you¡¯ve made! Just because your family is rich doesn¡¯t mean you can destroy things as you like!¡± However, the enraged teenager did not listen. Instead, he picked up a nearby vase and was ready to smash it. He was truly arrogant. ¡°That¡¯s right. My family is rich! I can break things and I¡¯llpensate for it. Who are you to tell me otherwise?¡± ¡°You mustn¡¯t break this!¡± Chapter 26 Chapter 26 The director stayed far away, unable to do anything butin helplessly, Skye was about to break a valuable antique vase that he had specially borrowed to use as a prop to ensure the set¡¯s aesthetics were up to standards, It was worth a fortune, and its destruction cost them more than just marypensation! Everyone panicked when they saw Skye holding the vase up high. However, someone grabbed his arm from behind before he could smash it. Startled, he turned around to see Sheena¡¯s cold, icy stare. ¡°Put it down and apologize!¡± Skyeughed. ¡°Who are you to make me apologize?¡± Sue quickly exined, ¡°Mr. Skye, this is Sheena, the new talent manager. She rejected your request for a day off yesterday. I tried to talk to her, but she said you were beingzy and uncooperative.¡± Upon hearing this, Skye red at Sheena angrily. ¡°So, you¡¯re the one responsible for this! I¡¯ve been filming for two days straight, and you dare to deny my one¨Cday break on the second day of your job!¡± Sue noticed that Skye¡¯s anger waspletely redirected at Sheena, and she secretly rejoiced, standing back to watch the show. Sheena could not be bothered to deal with the young man¡¯s tantrums. ¡°This is yourst chance. Are you going to apologize or not?¡± Skye could not contain his rage and shouted, ¡°I don¡¯t hit women, but you¡¯re asking for it!¡± Everyone braced themselves for what they believed would be Sheena¡¯s imminent suffering. However, everything ended before the fight even began. Instead of hearing Sheena¡¯s screams, they heard Skye wailing in agony. ¡°Ouch! It hurts! Let go of me! My arm is about to dislocate!¡± They looked over and saw Skye face¨Cdown on the ground. His hands were trapped behind him in a bizarre kneeling position, with Sheena¡¯s high heels on his back. The sight of his wailing wasical. Meanwhile, Sheena, who had a cold andposed expression, was being apuded by everyone for her impressive move. Even Skye¡¯s agent and assistant were taken aback by Sheena¡¯s boldness and forgot to intervene. Feeling humiliated by the crowd¡¯s gaze, Skye hated Sheena even more. ¡°Do you know who I am? How dare you hit me! You¡¯re finished!¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Sue anxiously stepped forward. ¡°Let go of him! He¡¯s from Farlem¡¯s Zimmer family! How could you hit him?¡± Although the Zimmer family was somewhat rted to the Lawson family, they were far from influential in Svelton¡¯s major families and could only act arrogantly in Farlem. Sheena showed no intention of letting go and even increased the pressure. Skye wailed even louder. Sue gloated, ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯re done for! Don¡¯t me me for not warning you!¡± Ignoring Suepletely, Sheena looked down at Skye. ¡°Hey, little brat. Have you learned your lesson yet? How dare you act so high and mighty after not seeing me for a few years?¡± Hearing her tone, Skye suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. Then, he struggled to turn his face and looked at her. His pained expression quickly turned into one of surprise. ¡°S¨CSheena?¡± Sheena snorted. ¡°You finally noticed?¡± Skye nodded desperately. ¡°Sheena, I was wrong! I wouldn¡¯t be so reckless if I had known it was you! Please let me go! I¡¯m hurting!¡± Only then did Sheena release her grip. Skye struggled to get up from the ground and wiped his face, smiling as he eagerly offered a seat to Sheena. Everyone was puzzled by the sudden change. What was happening? What happened to Skye¡¯s furious outburst and his im that Sheena was done for? This teenager was no longer the tyrant he used to be! Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Sue was even more shocked, wondering who Sheena really was. She had just proimed Sheena¡¯s downfall, only to be proven wrong immediately. Moreover, she had also checked Sheena¡¯s resume. How could an orphan from an orphanage possibly know Skye? Feeling that things might not be as simple as they seemed, Sue discreetly stepped back and made a phone call. Meanwhile, the crowd¡¯s admiration for Sheena only grew stronger. Skye, however, waspletely oblivious to their attention. He squatted beside Sheena, massaging her legs and looking at her with starry eyes, smiling the entire time. ¡°Long time no see, Sheena. You¡¯re getting more beautiful every day. A beautiful woman like you shouldn¡¯t be angry at a brat like me. It¡¯ll make you ugly!¡± Sheena yfully poked his forehead and leaned close to his ear, threatening in a hushed voice, ¡°Cut it out. From now on, behave well when you¡¯re on the set. If you pull any more tricks, I¡¯ll tell your grandpa what you¡¯ve done!¡± ¡°No, please! He¡¯ll definitely punish me!¡± Skye pleaded, feeling a wave of pain all over his body. Sheena smiled. ¡°Apologize to the cleaningdy, then.¡± Skye¡¯s expression changed, ¡°You want me to apologize to the cleaningdy? What about my reputation? I can¡¯t bear the humiliation, Sheena¡­¡± Sheena turned serious. ¡°Are you still stuck in the past? We¡¯re all about equality now! You lost your temper and broke things. The cleaningdy didn¡¯t do anything wrong, yet she had to clean up your mess. Besides, she tried to advise you and got scolded in return. Shouldn¡¯t you take responsibility for that?¡± Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Skye felt defeated. He turned his head and saw the cleaningdy tidying up the mess he had created, feeling genuinely remorseful. Then, he reluctantly apologized to her and even offered some compensation. The cleaningdy was moved by his sincere apology, and Sheena instructed Skye¡¯s agent to compensate for the damaged props. The rest of the afternoon, with Sheena on set, Skye was extremely focused and cooperative during the filming. Hepleted each scene within one or two takes, leaving the director thrilled and thanking Sheena for her influence. Sheena brushed it off and said, ¡°He¡¯s just young and mischievous. Sometimes, all it takes is a good scolding.¡± The director could not help but admire Sheena even more. As the workday came to an end, Skye held Sheena¡¯s hand, pretending to be coquettish, and apologized for his earlier actions by inviting her to dinner. Unable to resist his persuasion, Sheena agreed. To avoid unwanted attention, they quietly went out for dinner, with Skye in disguise. They arrived at Dous, Farlem¡¯s most luxurious Michelin¨Cstarred restaurant. Sheena was drawn to the dark¨Ctoned decor, preferring dimmer lighting to enjoy her food. While ordering, Skye kept giving Sheena subtle nces and whispered, ¡°Sheena, do you know that man at the other table? He¡¯s been looking at us several times since we got here.¡± Sheena turned her head and noticed Elijah and Jennifer dining at the adjacent table. Jennifer even put on a triumphant smile when she noticed Sheena. Sheena calmly withdrew her gaze. ¡°That¡¯s the CEO of the Freeman Group.¡± Skye nodded knowingly. ¡°The woman next to him must be his fiancee, whom he¡¯ll get engaged to next month.¡± Sheena was surprised to hear that, but she maintained aposed expression and focused on her meal. Skye, however, could not resist the gossip, ¡°I heard he had a secret marriage thatsted three years before divorcing. I wonder who that unlucky girl Chapter 28 was.¡® Chaptor 28 Chapter 28 Sheena nced at him and said, ¡°That would be me.¡± Skye initially did not understand her implication, looking puzzled until it hit him, and he mmed the table in shock. ¡°What? You¡¯re his ex¨Cwife?¡± His exmation was so loud that neighboring tables turned their gazes their way. looked over, frowning. Even Elijah Sheena red at Skye in displeasure, and he immediately covered his mouth, only able to whisper indignantly, ¡°It¡¯s good that you divorced him! He¡¯s obviously nothing apart from his good looks! How could a scumbag like him deserve someone like you?¡± She chuckled, ¡°So, I¡¯m the unlucky one, eh?¡± Skye¡¯s face turned serious as he repeatedly shook his head, replying sincerely, ¡°No! He¡¯s the unlucky one. He couldn¡¯t hold onto a great woman like you, and that¡¯s his loss.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± He paused, chuckling nervously as he continued, ¡°Now that you¡¯re single again, why not consider me? A young guy like me can be charming, you know.¡± Sheena was caught off guard by his remark, nearly choking on her juice and identally spilling some on her white skirt. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Sheena, are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll go clean this up at the restroom and be right back.¡± With that said, she went to the restroom. At the adjacent table, Elijah overheard their conversation clearly. It had only been a few days since the divorce, and she was already with another man. Just what was she thinking? Elijah grew increasingly agitated but knew he had no right to question her choices since they were already divorced. Nheless, he could not shake off the difort in his heart. Jennifer noticed his change in mood and asked softly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Eli?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I was just thinking about work.¡± Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief, but she pouted, ¡°Since I was abroad, we haven¡¯t got to spend much time together. Can you stay with me today?¡± Elijah did not answer Jennifer¡¯s question, and his expression was unreadable. Then, he gracefully stood up and adjusted his clothes, saying, ¡°Enjoy your meal. I have something to attend to. I¡¯ll be right back, ¡°Eli!¡± Chapter 3 In the restroom, Sheena cleaned the juice stain from her skirt and touched up her lipstick. As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she was briefly lost in thought. Throughout the three years of her marriage, she had been in and unadorned, taking care of household chores without anyints. Her skin had turned sallow, and she never took the time to dress up. Nevertheless, she was ready to focus on her career and be the proud princess of the Lawson family once again. Men would only slow her down in her pursuit of her career. While she was lost in her thoughts, she suddenly noticed a tall figure entering the restroom. Sheena did not even bother to look and continued washing her hands. However, she heard the sound of the door being locked. She raised an eyebrow in suspicion and finally looked up to see Elijah¡¯s familiar and handsome face. He walked toward her with a stoic expression, exuding an overwhelming sense of coldness. Sheena looked at him in shock. ¡°Mr. Freeman, aren¡¯t you the most powerful man in Farlem? I would never expect someone like you to enter the women¡¯s restroom, let alone lock the door. Are you a pervert?¡± Chapter 79 Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Fortunately, no one else was in the restroom with Sheena, but she could not be sure no one would come inter. She tried to go around Elijah to open the door, but he grabbed her by the wrist. Elijah teased, ¡°What are you afraid of? I told you I wanted to talk, and I won¡¯t let you escape this time.¡± What was there to talk about? The situation between them was crystal clear. Sheena shrugged off his hand and rubbed her wrist. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of anything. I just find it unbelievable that the renowned Mr. Freeman woulde to the women¡¯s restroom to confront someone. This is quite a surprise.¡± Elijah stared at her as he casually lit a cigarette, its tobo scent filling the air, much to Sheena¡¯s displeasure. The swirling smoke added to his enigmatic aura, and he remained expressionless as he finally began to question her. ¡°Who was that man you were having dinner with?¡± Sheena was puzzled and rolled her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡± Ignoring her response, Elijah continued, ¡°It seemed like he was interested in pursuing you. What about you? Do you like him too?¡± ¡®What?¡® She thought. Sheena gave him a strange look and asked, ¡°So, you came here to confront me because you¡¯re jealous?¡± Elijah was left speechless by her remark. Unable to contain herself, Sheena burst into a fit ofughter. His face instantly turned darker, and he struggled to refute her words. Seeing him back down, Sheena felt a sense of satisfaction and decided to tease him further. ¡± Does your little fiancee know that you came to confront your ex¨Cwife in the women¡¯s restroom? I bet her reaction would be quite entertaining. I¡¯d love to see that!¡± With that, she took out her phone, but before she could do anything, Elijah pressed down on her wrist. His other hand gripped her shoulder and pinned her to the wall, leaving her with no room to escape. Sheena struggled, but he held her hands up over her head firmly against the wall. Elijah¡¯s intense gaze bore into her, his even breaths brushed against her face, causing her cheeks to turn red. The dim and warm lighting of Dous¡® restroom enveloped them, and the atmosphere became inexplicably sensual. It was almost identical to the situation in the car parkst night, except this time, the car was reced by a wall. Sheena was furious. ¡°You¡¯re a persistent jerk! Are you out of your mind?¡± He hardly cared about her in the past, but ever since their divorce, he had been bothering her nonstop. What the hell was wrong with him?! Elijah looked at her long, fluttering eyshes and suddenly remembered her triumphant smile fromst night. His gaze shifted to her soft lips, and he had a sudden impulse to take a bite. Although he had no idea how it would taste, it would undoubtedly make her jump with anger. Sensing something amiss, Sheena followed his gaze and felt a sense of dread, her heart beating wildly. 11 Her re at him carried along an intense disgust, and through clenched teeth, she said, Elijah, one day, I¡¯ll make you kneel before me and pay the price for everything you did then and now.¡± Sheena¡¯s words were indeed full of arrogance. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± Elijah chuckled, clearly not taking her words seriously. He did not believe she could challenge him. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. ¡°But for now, you must pay the price for provoking me!¡± As his thin lips got closer, Sheena discreetly ground her teeth, preparing to bite him hard and spill his blood all over! Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 30 Chapter 30 However, just as the tension between them reached its peak, they heard the sound of someone turning the doorknob from outside. Someone was about toe in! At that moment, Sheena hatched a n and red at Elijah maliciously. She was about to shout for help, but before she could make a sound, Elijah firmly covered her mouth. The person outside tried to open the door but failed, so they knocked and asked, ¡°Excuse me, is anyone in there? Can you please open the door?¡± A familiar and delicate female voice could be heard. Both Sheena and Elijah were stunned. Jennifer? What a coincidence! Sheena noticed Elijah¡¯s change in expression, and she thought he must be extremely nervous. To be caught red¨Chanded with his ex¨Cwife in the women¡¯s restroom by his fiancee? What an exciting twist that would be! Sheena had almost forgotten that she was the one with him and smirked as she struggled, making muffled sounds. ¡°Shut up! Are you crazy?¡± Elijah hissed at her, increasing the pressure of his hand. On the other side of the door, Jennifer leaned in closer to listen. It sounded like a man¡¯s voice was inside, and it resembled Elijah¡¯s. How could that be? It could not possibly be Elijah! She quickly looked up at the restroom sign, confirming that it was indeed the women¡¯s restroom. Why would Elijah be in there? Though she found it hard to believe, Jennifer decided to be cautious and picked up her phone to call Elijah. Two seconds passed, and his ringtone could be heard from inside the restroom. Realizing that something was off, Jennifer¡¯s mind conjured an image of the two of them in an intimate position. Jennifer instantly became agitated and pounded on the door with even more force. ¡°Sheena, are you in there? Open the door! Come out!¡± Jennifer shouted. She did not want to ruin Elijah¡¯s reputation, so she only screamed Sheena¡¯s name. The phone call was still connected, and the ringing continued. However, the inside of the restroom remained silent. Jennifer¡¯s rationality was almost overwhelmed by her anger. The quieter it was inside, the more she believed that some scandalous and secretive affair was going on in there. ¡°Sheena,e out right now! Why won¡¯t you speak? Are you afraid everyone will know that you¡¯re seducing my fiance? Did you think I didn¡¯t know that it was you?¡± Jennifer kept yelling. Sheena, who initially thought she could watch the drama unfold, was surprised that Jennifer had only been shouting her name from the beginning. At this rate, the whole restaurant would soon know about her and Elijah being alone in the women¡¯s restroom. As she thought about that, Sheena nced at Elijah¡¯s unbelievablyposed expression. It was as if the entire thing had nothing to do with him. Why did he get to remain calm while she had to be anxious because of Jennifer¡¯s words? It was unfair! As if she realized something, Sheena red at him and smirked, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be the one getting nervous. I can¡¯t wait to see if you can still calmly exin yourself to Jennifer!¡± Then, she forcefully shook off Elijah¡¯s grasp, and he did not stop her as she went straight to open the door. you don¡¯t open the door, Jennifer was seething with rage outside the door and continued, ¡°If I¡¯ll have someonee and break it down! I¡¯ll expose your shameless act of seducing my fiance in front of everyone!¡± Just then, the lock suddenly made a turning sound. The door opened slightly, and Sheena shed a sly smile. ¡°Just as I thought, it¡¯s you!¡± Jennifer¡¯s eyes burned with hatred. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you open the door just now? Who was talking to you inside? Was it Eli?¡°Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 31 Chapter 31 As Jennifer continued speaking, her confidence lowered, and her eyes started to look more and more resentful. However, she seemed hesitant to muster the courage to open the door and confirm her suspicions. ¡°Come in and see for yourself.¡± Sheena shrugged dismissively, forcefully swinging the door wide open and pointing to the spot where Elijah had been standing just moments ago. ¡°He was right there!¡± Jennifer¡¯s heart tightened as she followed Sheena¡¯s finger, only to find nothing but the empty wall. ¡°Are you ying games with me?¡± Jennifer snarled, ring at Sheena. Sheena also appeared puzzled as Elijah was definitely standing there just now. Did he possess some kind of supernatural ability? Observing Sheena¡¯s expression, Jennifer felt that something was amiss. Angrily, she pushed Sheena aside and began checking each stall, looking closely at every corner. Sheena stood behind her, also trying to figure out where Elijah might have disappeared to. After searching through all the stalls, their eyes coincidentally fell on thest stall with its door ajar. Jennifer took a deep breath before forcefully pushing the door open! Yet, it was empty. Meanwhile, Sheena noticed the open window on the right side of the stall and immediately understood what had happened. She could not believe that the influential figure of the Freeman Group would resort to jumping out of a window to escape. The thought made her want to burst intoughter. Seeing her amused expression, Jennifer felt baffled and became suspicious once again. ¡°If you were alone inside the restroom, whose phone was ringing just now?¡± Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Sheena waved her hand without answering, implying that Jennifer should figure it out herself. Frustrated by Sheena¡¯s response, Jennifer red at her and threatened through gritted teeth, Sheena, you and Eli are divorced, so stay away from him! I won¡¯t let you off if I catch you trying to seduce him again!¡± || Sheenaughed dismissively, retorting, ¡°I never go back to my exes, but if you provoke me, I won¡¯t hesitate to take everything away from you, including him.¡± Jennifer was at a loss for words, intimidated by the coldness in Sheena¡¯s eyes. As she was leaving, Sheena warned Jennifer, ¡°By the way, keep an eye on your man and make sure he never approaches me again. Both of you disgust me.¡± ¡°Bitch!¡± Jennifer was furious, but she had no way to retaliate against Sheena. She was furious that those men she hiredst night had failed. Fuming with anger, she stomped her foot, washed her hands, and left the restroom. ¡°Jenny.¡± A familiar voice called out to her just as she stepped out. She turned to see Elijah,posed and calm, as he stepped out of the men¡¯s restroom. Instantly, her heart was at ease. Perhaps she had been too nervous earlier. Maybe the ringing wasing from the men¡¯s restroom? ¡°Eli, did you hear what I said in the restroom corridor just now?¡± Elijah nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± Embarrassment washed over Jennifer. She did not want to leave a bad impression on Elijah because of her prior shouting. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It was my fault. I thought you were inside the women¡¯s restroom, and that¡¯s why I lost control over my emotions. I promise I won¡¯t doubt you or raise my voice like that again.¡± Elijah remained silent, staring at her. As he noticed a faint dark circle under her he suddenly recalled herte¨Cnight visit yesterday and how she stood outside the mansion for almost half the night, which reminded him of events from years ago. eyes, Though it felt like a threat, he had agreed to her engagement request out of a sense ofmitment as a man. However, Jennifer seemed like a stranger to Elijahtely. At times, he even questioned if she was the same bright and cheerful girl from years ago. ¡°Jenny, after being abroad for several years, you seem to have changed a lot,¡± Elijah said emotionlessly before passing by Jennifer and heading back to the restaurant. Eliapter 32 Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Jennifer was stunned. Why did Ell look at her like that? Did he find out something? Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Back at her table, Sheena noticed Skye was about to look for her and was relieved that she finally came out. ¡°Sheena, what took you so long?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Did something happen?¡± Sheena asked, noticing the concern in his expression. ¡°Howard sent someone to find you. He said there¡¯s progress on the investigation you asked him to look into. He wants you to go back when you have time.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go now.¡± ¡°Hey! At least finish your meal before leaving!¡± Skyeined yfully, but Sheena had already driven off. After finishing their meal, Elijah escorted Jennifer back to her hotel room. As she looked at the cold and empty room, Jennifer hesitated and held Elijah¡¯s hand, pouting, Eli, since we¡¯re engaged, can¡¯t I stay with you at the mansion?¡± Elijah frowned. He had told her before that the mansion was not an option, so why did she bring it up again? Though displeased, he still tried tofort her, ¡°Just wait a little longer. I¡¯ll arrange a suitable ce for you as soon as possible.¡± Jennifer keenly sensed his displeasure, which made her feel even more aggrieved. ¡°T Why was Sheena allowed to live in the mansion for three years while she could not even enter? However, she dared not ask that question, knowing Elijah did not like jealous and whiny girls. ¡°Why don¡¯t you stay here with me at the hotel? Just for one night.¡± Her voice became sweet and pitiful, giving her an endearing demeanor that could melt anyone¡¯s heart. Yet, Elijah did not even spare her a nce, still appearing indifferent. ¡°I have work to attend to. Rest early.¡± With that, he let go of her hand and left. As the door shut behind him, Jennifer slumped onto the carpet and her eyes welled up tears. Why did everything change after she returned to the country? Elijah no longer treated her with the indulgence and care he once did. Did he really find out? Panic spread across Jennifer¡¯s face. with As she was lost in her thoughts, the door opened again, and a man¡¯s ck shoes appeared. ¡°Ell! I knew you¡­¡± Jennifer eximed, filled with joy. However, her delight turned to disappointment as she looked up and realized it was not Elijah, but Leon instead. His face showed concern as he spoke, ¡°Ms. Moore, I¡¯m sorry to bother you, but I need to rify something urgently.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± Seeing her trying to put on a brave smile, Leon felt even more sympathetic and asked gently,¡± Last night, Ms. Sheena was attacked by a group of thugs while driving home. It was very dangerous. Do you know anything about it?¡± ¡°What? Is Sheena okay?¡± ¡°She¡¯s fine. Mr. Freeman happened to be there and dealt with the thugs. However, he asked me to find the mastermind behind the attack.¡± He observed Jennifer¡¯s reaction as he spoke. Jennifer seemed relieved. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± However, she quickly grasped Leon¡¯s implication and looked at him in disbelief. ¡°Are you asking if I sent someone to harm Sheena?¡± Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Leon did not say anything, but his meaning was clear. Under normal circumstances, he would not have suspected Jennifer. However, he had just told her about Elijah looking for Sheena in the Angle Group¡¯s car park, and Sheena was attacked on her way home right after that. It was too much of a coincidence, and it was hard to believe that Jennifer had nothing to do with it. Jennifer appeared hurt and sorrowful, saying, ¡°Leon, I¡¯ve always regarded you as my best friend. I can¡¯t believe you would doubt me. How could I send someone to harm Sheena? I don¡¯t even know which route she takes.¡± Leon¡¯s heart softened instantly. ¡°I believe you¡¯re a good person, and I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t do this. But did you tell anyone else about it?¡± Jennifer hesitated. Since Leon already suspected her, he might check her recent calls if she did not provide useful information. Then, her carefully built image would be ruined. At this point, she had no choice but to sacrifice someone else. Jennifer pretended to be contemting before saying, ¡°I was very upset that day, and Erin called because she was worried, so I just mentioned it casually to her.¡± She paused and quickly added, ¡°No! Erin wouldn¡¯t do such a thing. I trust her.¡± Leon sighed with relief. ¡°Ms. Moore, you¡¯re a good person, but not everyone is as innocent and kind as you.¡® After that, Leon left the hotel and dispatched his men to conduct a thorough investigation of the Freeman mansion while discreetly severing any connections between Jennifer and the incident. Once he left, Jennifer stomped her foot in frustration. She was initially confused about why no one had reported back to her about the situation from the previous night, but it turned out Elijah had rescued Sheena! Now, she could only implicate Erin to protect herself. Once Elijah found out, security at the Freeman mansion would be tightened, and she might be able to use Erin as a pawn for a while. All her efforts to befriend Erin, a woman with lofty ambitions but limited abilities, seemed to be in vain. However, she could not let that despicable Sheena off so easily. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Jennifer could not bear it! Her nails dug into her palms, and her eyes shed with unabashed ferocity and malice. Back at Howard¡¯s mansion, Sheena received detailed information from him. The thugs were hired by Faye at Erin¡¯s instigation. After reviewing the evidence, Sheena remainedposed. She had already suspected that the matter was rted to them, but she could not help but wonder and ask, ¡°Is Jennifer really not involved in this incident?¡± Howard pondered momentarily and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll send someone to investigate Jennifer¡¯s side thoroughly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Howard asked further, ¡°Since you already know who the culprit is, what do you n to do now?¡± Sheena smiled, alreadying up with a cunning idea. ¡°Howard, can you lend me a few strong bodyguards?¡± Howard was charmed by her mischievous smile and lovingly teased her by tapping her nose, My little princess can have as many as she wants. How many do you need?¡± Sheena smiled sweetly as she cooed with a soft and gentle voice, ¡°You¡¯re the best, Howard.¡® In the evening, at the Freeman mansion. Faye was leisurely lounging on a chair in the garden while a beautician pampered her with at facial spa. Suddenly, a loud bang resounded from the main gate, startling Faye, who sat up straight. Chapter 34 Chapter 34 She turned around to see what caused themotion and saw a limited¨Cedition Rolls¨CRoyce crashing into her gate. Then, the car charged toward the garden without slowing down. The servants and Faye were all taken aback by this unexpected event. The Rolls¨CRoyce relentlessly trampled over the best¨Cmaintained rose garden in the garden, leaving the once vibrant flowers in ruins. Finally, the car pulled off a stylish drift, spun around expertly, and parked gracefully beside the damaged gate. The beautiful roses were crushed beyond recognition under the car¡¯s tires in seconds. Faye was left bewildered, nearly fainting at the sight before her. Those roses were her absolute favorites! No matter who was in the car, Faye was determined to make them pay dearly for the damages! Faye marched angrily toward the Rolls¨CRoyce, but as the car door opened, a pair of high heels stepped out first, followed by the appearance of a woman whose beauty rivaled that of a magazine cover model. Her elegant demeanor was simply breathtaking. Faye was stunned in her tracks, feeling a sense of familiarity but could not quite ce where she had seen her before. Erin heard themotion and rushed over, fuming with anger. ¡°Sheena, you bitch! How dare you show your face here! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Faye held her daughter back, her jaw nearly dropping in disbelief as she looked at theposed and elegant Sheena. In just a few days, it seemed that this woman had undergone aplete transformation! How did she not notice how stunning Sheena was before? Sheena stared at Faye in amusement and sneered. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t you recognize me anymore?¡± Now aware that Sheena was responsible for the damaged rose garden, Faye became furious and arrogantly folded her arms. ¡°Did you think you could trample over me just because you look different now and found yourself a wealthy man? You destroyed my garden, and I demand a thousandfold worth ofpensation!¡± Sheena nonchntly asked, ¡°And then what?¡± Faye nced at Erin behind her and coldly snorted, ¡°Last time, you hurt Erin. This time, you¡¯re here of your own ord. I want you to kneel and apologize to Erin, repaying everything you owe her!¡± Saying this, she gestured to the servants on both sides. Understanding her intent, the servants approached Sheena menacingly. Leaning against the car door, Sheena casually toyed with her nails and calmly replied, Alright, I¡¯ll remember that. I¡¯ll make sure each of you gets a taste of it. After all, I¡¯m here for revenge.¡± Revenge? What was she talking about? Confused, Faye saw Sheena p her hands, and ten well¨Ctrained bodyguards suddenly appeared, standing behind her. The sight of this intimidating group frightened the servants who had just attempted to approach, causing them to retreat in a hurry. Faye¡¯s heart raced as she asked, ¡°What are you nning to do?¡± ¡°Just like I¡¯ve told you, I¡¯m here for revenge,¡± Sheena said with a growing coldness in her eyes. Then, she ordered the bodyguards, ¡°Apart from Old Man Freeman¡¯s room, the study on the third floor, and the altar room on the first floor, everything else of value in this mansion is to be destroyed. Leave nothing intact.¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Erin and Faye eximed simultaneously. Faye was consumed with hatred, her eyes red with fury. She threatened, ¡°Trespassing into a private residence is a crime! I¡¯ll call the police if you dare to destroy even a single item! I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re locked up!¡± Sheena smirked as she calmly took a copy of the evidence from her bag. ¡°Sure! Let¡¯s see who they¡¯d arrest between you and me.¡± Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Faye and Erin looked at the content of the copy and instantly turned pale, unable to utter a word. Their attempt to harm Sheena had backfired, leaving them in a guilty position as they realized they were in the wrong. Sheena noticed their reaction and shook her head mockingly. She thought they would resist a little longer and act tough. ¡°Start smashing the stuff so we can move on to the next step,¡± Sheena ordered, smiling mischievously. In a matter of seconds, the bodyguards swiftly got into action. Four of them gathered all the servants in the garden and kept them under control while the remaining six started the wanton destruction of the mansion. The sounds of destruction echoed throughout the mansion as the once¨Cpeaceful atmosphere turned into absolute chaos. The servants cowered together and looked away. Faye¡¯s heart raced. Meanwhile, Erin, in her panic, struggled out of Faye¡¯s embrace and ran upstairs in distress. She remembered her precious LC limited edition cosmetics that had been air¨Cshipped from Modaru justst month. She could not bear to see them destroyed! The sounds of screaming and breaking furniture filled the air like an eerie symphony. Faye¡¯s nails dug into her palms, her eyes burning with rage. The sound of each shattering item felt like a blow to her status. However, as an arrogant, wealthydy, she refused to submit to Sheena¡¯s threat. Suppressing the pain in her heart, Faye red at Sheena. ¡°You¡¯re utterly despicable! Bitch! Just wait for karma to catch up to you. I won¡¯t let you get away with this!¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°If you think I¡¯m despicable for doing this, what about what you did to me during those three years? Your actions were beyond cruel, weren¡¯t they?¡± Faye retorted defensively, ¡°You¡¯re someone of uncertain background, and you¡¯re never worthy of my son! Everything I did was just teaching you some manners befitting a wealthy family. You divorced him because you couldn¡¯t handle the pressure. What does that have to do with me? I did nothing wrong!¡± Sheena found Faye¡¯s argumentsughable. There was no point in exining anything to someone so self¨Ccentered. It would be a waste of her breath. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. As Faye was about to continue her tirade, two bodyguards escorted Erin out of the mansion, who kept cursing and struggling. Bruises formed on her wrists and arms from their firm grip. Faye¡¯s heart ached to see her daughter in such a state, and she tried to snatch Erin away from the bodyguards. However, another bodyguard held her back, leaving her helpless and frightened as she looked toward Sheena. ¡°Hey! What are you doing to Erin? I sent those people, and they have nothing to do with her. If you have the guts, kill me instead!¡± Sheena said with a smirk, ¡°Rather than killing, I prefer to torment you. As I¡¯ve mentioned before, if you provoke me, I¡¯ll make sure you pay for what you¡¯ve done in the past, with Interest! However¡­¡± She paused, and a chair was brought for her to sit right in the center of the entrance. As she had said before, Sheena refused to step inside the old mansion. ¡°Since you were my mother¨Cinw, and also an elder, I won¡¯ty a hand on you. So, she¡¯ll be paying for it in your stead.¡± Sheena¡¯s sharp gaze shifted to Erin. Having experienced her vindictive ways at the party, Erin shivered in fear and was no longer as audacious. She cried out to Faye, ¡°Mom, save me! She¡¯ll torture me!¡± Though restrained by the bodyguards, Faye could still speak and continuedining about Sheena¡¯s actions while simultaneously threatening her. With Erin¡¯s wailing and Faye¡¯s yelling, the noise was getting louder and louder. Irritated, Sheena frowned and ordered, ¡°Shut their mouths.¡± The bodyguards grabbed some cleaning cloth from the garden and firmly gagged the two women. Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Only the faint whimpering of the two women was left in the courtyard as the once noisy cries finally stopped. Sheena¡¯s torment was about to begin. ¡°Do you remember when you falsely used me of stealing jewelry and took away my shares in the Freeman family? Since I¡¯ve already smashed the courtyard, let¡¯s consider that debt settled. But what about the punishment you gave me, making me kneel in the pouring rain?¡°, Then, Sheena gestured with her eyes, and the bodyguard swiftly kicked the back of Erin¡¯s knee, causing her to copse. The small cobblestones beneath her caused her immense pain, and Erin¡¯s head swung downward due to the impact. Though restrained by the bodyguards, her head did not touch the ground, but it came close enough to make a bow toward Sheena. Erin felt a mixture of pain and humiliation. Her face contorted in agony. Tears welled up in Faye¡¯s eyes, and she was still mumbling as if muttering some curse like ¡® You f*cking bitch!¡® or ¡®I hope you die!¡® ¡°Does it hurt to see your own daughter suffer? Have you ever considered what my mom would feel when you treated me that way?¡± Sheena¡¯s voice turned icy, and she unconsciously clenched her hand tightly, causing it to ache slightly. Unpleasant memories flooded back. After a while, she suppressed her surging emotions and looked at the horizon where the sun was setting. ¡°What a pity that it¡¯s not raining heavily today, but I¡¯m not done yet,¡± Sheena murmured, frowning in contemtion. Suddenly, an idea struck her, and her eyes brightened. ¡°Go fetch a few buckets of water from the pond.¡± The bodyguards immediately carried out her order. The subdued servants huddled in a corner of the garden, shivering when they heard Sheena¡¯s tormenting methods. However, none dared to intervene as they had witnessed the injustice she endured before and knew about Faye¡¯s harsh treatment of her. Besides, Erin used to bully Sheena frequently, and being punished for her mother¡¯s actions seemed quite just. Soon, the bodyguards returned with five buckets of water, unintentionally bringing some small shrimps and aquatic nts from the pond. Erin¡¯s eyes widened in panic as she begged Sheena for mercy, crying uncontrobly. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. There was no trace of her former arrogance and domineering attitude. ¡°Pour it over her.¡± Sheena¡¯s order left the mother¨Cdaughter duo helpless. Ssh! Without any hesitation, a whole bucket of water was poured down over Erin¡¯s head, emptying everything from the bucket. Her face turned pale as she shivered from the cold. There were aquatic nts sticking to her face and tiny shrimps wriggling above her head. The scene was pitiful. Erin lifted her head, witnessing Faye crying helplessly, unable to save her. She saw Sheena, whom she detested the most, mocking her. Even the servants, whom she had often scolded, were now sneaking nces at her, witnessing her humiliation. Her pride and self¨Cesteem shattered, and she was filled with humiliation and despair. Erin broke downpletely, wailing in agony. Before the bodyguards could pour the second bucket of water, she passed out. Seeing that Erin had truly passed out, Sheena allowed the bodyguards to release them. With no one holding them back, Faye rushed to check on her daughter¡¯s condition, forgetting to curse Sheena in her worry. ¡°This is just a lesson. If there¡¯s a next time, I won¡¯t let you off so easily,¡± Sheena warned, satisfied with the revenge. Then, she called her bodyguards back to her side and prepared to head home. As she turned around, she was met with a pair of dark eyes. Elijah was staring right at her. Chapter 37 Chapter 37 As Sheena observed his expression, she figured he must have also discovered the mastermind behind this incident. So, was he bare specifically to hold her ountable? Elijah remained silent as he continued to stare at Sheena. Instead, Leon stepped forward and said, ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯re too harsh!¡± Despite the divorce, they were once her mother¨Cinw and sister¨Cinw. Even if they did something wrong, Sheena should not have tormented them like this! Leon found Jennifer much more favorable due to her kind image. Sheena nced at him but did not argue. Instead, she looked at Elijah and asked, ¡°Is that what you think too?¡± Elijah frowned. Just as he was about to reply, Faye heard themotion at the entrance and rushed over. She clung to him while using Sheena angrily. ¡°Eli, look at what this vicious woman did to Erin! She even ruined our house! You must send her to prison! I want her to be locked up and repent for a lifetime!¡± Elijah became increasingly annoyed. Everyone¡¯s eyes were on him, seemingly waiting for his decision. Sheena also stared at him, calm andposed, ready for Elijah to protect Faye. Faye grew more triumphant, convinced that Elijah would side with her! She eagerly anticipated Sheena¡¯s downfall! Amidst the varied gazes of the onlookers, Elijah took two steps closer to Sheena. The bodyguards immediately stood before Sheena, but she waved them back as she wanted to see what he would do. Elijah stopped in his tracks, leaving about half a meter of distance between him and Sheena. He sighed and slightly lowered his head toward her. ¡°They were the ones who attempted to harm you first, and your revenge against the Freeman family was justifiable. I apologize for their immaturity on their behalf.¡± His words stunned everyone present! Even Sheena fell silent. She had anticipated his anger and protectiveness, but she never expected him to not only support her revenge but also apologize on their behalf. It was the first time she saw him being rational, responsible, and acting like a true man. Faye could not stand it anymore and grabbed Elijah, throwing a tantrum without caring about her surroundings. ¡°You¡¯re my son! How can you not help me and support this bitch instead? Can you bear to see her ruin Erin and me like this? How can you be so heartless? I don¡¯t care! You must do something about this. Otherwise, I won¡¯t acknowledge you as my son! You¡¯re simply ungrateful!¡± Elijah stood still, letting her vent her anger. Fayeter realized that Elijah was unmoved by her antics. She grew even more frustrated and tried to change at Sheena. It was then that Elijah shot a sharp look at the servants who were watching the scene unfold. ¡°Madam Freeman is not in the right state of mind. Take her back to her room and call the family doctor to check on her.¡± Leon received the order and quickly arranged for the servants to take the grumbling Faye back into the mansion. At the same time, they carried Erin, who was lying unconscious on the ground in the garden, back into the house. The other servants scattered to clean up the mess. Only Elijah and Sheena remained outside the mansion, along with the ten bodyguards she had brought. Chapter 38 Sheena felt ufortable under his gaze, not knowing what he was thinking. Hence, she looked away. ¡°I¡¯ll let you off for what you did before and punish them lightly. Otherwise, I would have handed the evidence over to the authorities, and they would be in trouble.¡± Then, she took out the neatly arranged evidence. She took a look at it and said, ¡°However, I¡¯ll keep the evidence in case they try to provoke me again. I won¡¯t hesitate to use it then.¡± Seeing her cunning smirk, Elijah could not help but smile. She was like a clever little fox, deceitful and ruthless. Sheena noticed he was also smiling and wondered what he was thinking. However, her expression instantly turned cold, and she warned, ¡°You better keep an eye on them and make sure they behave. If they dare to provoke me again, I¡¯ll also hold you ountable.¡± With that, she left with her bodyguards. After Sheena left, Elijah walked through the mess to check on Erin. The family doctor had arrived and was examining Erin¡¯s injuries. Faye had calmed down a bit and sat beside Erin¡¯s bed, sobbing softly. When she saw Elijah enter, she grabbed the hem of his clothes and pointed to Erin¡¯s bruised and swollen knees with sadness in her eyes. ¡°Look at her! Don¡¯t you feel sorry for her? Erin is the apple of my eye, forever cherished and pampered, but that bitch hurt her! How can Erin bear such humiliation? If you don¡¯t help her, she¡¯ll definitely be depressed! Do you really have the heart to watch your sister suffer?¡± Faye kept rambling and crying. As a mother, she knew her son could not stand to see her suffering. Sheena had been too audacious this time, and Faye felt the need to teach that girl a lesson! She could not let this go! Elijah remained silent, staring at Erin¡¯s gruesome knee, seemingly lost in thought. Beforeing here, he had asked the servants about the incident with the stolen jewelry, where Faye had intentionally framed Sheena. Elijah felt a pang of pain in his heart. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. So, did Sheena ask for a divorce because she had been unhappy in the Freeman family? Suddenly, the image of her kneeling in the rain with her petite but stubborn figure shed in his mind. Erin¡¯s knee swelled like this after just a short time of kneeling. How swollen were Sheena¡¯s knees that night? Even so, she neverined to him about any of these things. ¡°Eli! Are you even listening to what I¡¯m saying?¡± Faye shook his arm, interrupting his thoughts. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that your dad entrusted your sister and me to you. Now that he¡¯s gone, you can¡¯t just ignore our well¨Cbeing because you¡¯ve gained control of the Freeman family!¡± Faye tried to y the victim, resorting to appealing to Elijah¡¯s sense of responsibility and promises, refusing to believe he would still defend Sheena. Elijah turned to look at her but responded with a different question, ¡°How did you all treat Sheena in the past? Give me a few examples.¡± Faye was taken aback, not expecting him to be concerned about that. ¡°All that happened years ago. You and Sheena are already divorced, so what¡¯s the point of bringing them up? Besides, as a mother¨Cinw, what¡¯s wrong with me teaching her a lesson? Did shein to you? She¡¯s truly a shameless bitch!¡± As she finished speaking, she noticed Elijah¡¯s face darkeningpletely, so she quickly changed the subject to divert his attention. ¡°My dear Eli, look at the bruises on my arm and the fact that your delicate sister was treated this way. Can you bear to see us being tormented like this?¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elijah smiled, but his gaze was cold. ¡°I know what to do now.¡± Faye felt relieved and tightened her grip on his arm, asking, ¡°Really?¡° Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Sheena felt ufortable under his gaze, not knowing what he was thinking. Hence, she looked away. ¡°I¡¯ll let you off for what you did before and punish them lightly. Otherwise, I would have handed the evidence over to the authorities, and they would be in trouble.¡± Then, she took out the neatly arranged evidence. She took a look at it and said, ¡°However, I¡¯ll keep the evidence in case they try to provoke me again. I won¡¯t hesitate to use it then.¡± Seeing her cunning smirk, Elijah could not help but smile. She was like a clever little fox, deceitful and ruthless. Sheena noticed he was also smiling and wondered what he was thinking. However, her expression instantly turned cold, and she warned, ¡°You better keep an eye on them and make sure they behave. If they dare to provoke me again, I¡¯ll also hold you ountable.¡± With that, she left with her bodyguards. After Sheena left, Elijah walked through the mess to check on Erin. The family doctor had arrived and was examining Erin¡¯s injuries. Faye had calmed down a bit and sat beside Erin¡¯s bed, sobbing softly. When she saw Elijah enter, she grabbed the hem of his clothes and pointed to Erin¡¯s bruised and swollen knees with sadness in her eyes. ¡°Look at her! Don¡¯t you feel sorry for her? Erin is the apple of my eye, forever cherished and pampered, but that bitch hurt her! How can Erin bear such humiliation? If you don¡¯t help her, she¡¯ll definitely be depressed! Do you really have the heart to watch your sister suffer?¡± Faye kept rambling and crying. As a mother, she knew her son could not stand to see her suffering. Sheena had been too audacious this time, and Faye felt the need to teach that girl a lesson! She could not let this go! Elijah remained silent, staring at Erin¡¯s gruesome knee, seemingly lost in thought. Beforeing here, he had asked the servants about the incident with the stolen jewelry, where Faye had intentionally framed Sheena. Elijah felt a pang of pain in his heart. So, did Sheena ask for a divorce because she had been unhappy in the Freeman family? Suddenly, the image of her kneeling in the rain with her petite but stubborn figure shed in his mind. Erin¡¯s knee swelled like this after just a short time of kneeling. How swollen were Sheena¡¯s knees that night? Even so, she neverined to him about any of these things. ¡°Eli! Are you even listening to what I¡¯m saying?¡± Faye shook his arm, interrupting his thoughts. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that your dad entrusted your sister and me to you. Now that he¡¯s gone, you can¡¯t just ignore our well¨Cbeing because you¡¯ve gained control of the Freeman family!¡± Faye tried to y the victim, resorting to appealing to Elijah¡¯s sense of responsibility and promises, refusing to believe he would still defend Sheena. Elijah turned to look at her but responded with a different question, ¡°How did you all treat Sheena in the past? Give me a few examples.¡± Faye was taken aback, not expecting him to be concerned about that. ¡°All that happened years ago. You and Sheena are already divorced, so what¡¯s the point of bringing them up? Besides, as a mother¨Cinw, what¡¯s wrong with me teaching her a lesson? Did shein to you? She¡¯s truly a shameless bitch!¡± As she finished speaking, she noticed Elijah¡¯s face darkeningpletely, so she quickly changed the subject to divert his attention. ¡°My dear Eli, look at the bruises on my arm and the fact that your delicate sister was treated this way. Can you bear to see us being tormented like this?¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Alright.¡± Elijah smiled, but his gaze was cold. ¡°I know what to do now.¡± Faye felt relieved and tightened her grip on his arm, asking, ¡°Really?¡± Chapter 39 Chapter 39 Elijah called the butler over and gave the order, ¡°Starting today, Madam Freeman and Ms. Freeman are grounded. No one is allowed to let them out without my permission. If anyone dares to disobey my order, they¡¯ll face the harshest punishment in the mansion.¡± ¡°What?¡± Faye exploded, pointing at Elijah, and unleashing a torrent of curses, calling him ungrateful, heartless, disrespectful, and so on. Elijah allowed her to ramble on and left the room without saying a word. Then, he called Leon over. ¡°Get the broken things reced as soon as possible. Also, have someone keep a close eye on the mansion. Monitor every call and report back to me promptly.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± Leon hesitated, looking at him with a concerned look before adding, Isn¡¯t this a bit too harsh on Madam Freeman and Ms. Freeman? Sheena seems to have no mercy at all.¡± Leon could not help but feel sympathy for Faye and Erin when he saw the miserable state they were in as he arrived. He could not understand why Elijah was so protective of Sheena. How could he tolerate her turning the mansion into such a mess? Out of the norm, Elijah did not shout at him to leave. Instead, he asked in a calm tone, ¡°If someone tried to harm you constantly and made you suffer all the time, would you forgive them?¡± Leon replied firmly, ¡°Of course not! I would find an opportunity to get back at them.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he froze on the spot. 1 Elijah did not say another word and left without looking back. After settling everything, Sheena felt refreshed. Corey¡¯s and Noah¡¯s gifts had also arrived, and she could not wait to open them! However, Sheena was taken aback when she discovered that Corey had given her a homemade model airne! Did Corey forget that she was no longer a 15¨Cyear¨Cold kid? She was so excited to open the gift, only to be left disappointed! Howardughed, but when he saw her face turning red with anger, he coaxed, ¡°Nana, this is a limited¨C edition airne personally made by Corey. It¡¯s invaluable and unique. He put a lot of thought into it!¡± Sheena rolled her eyes. Thankfully, Noah¡¯s gift was better,pensating for her anger toward Corey. It was a beautiful emerald ring with a hidden mechanism that could shoot out a silver needle, which would function as a weapon when needed. Sheena put on the ring but left the small airne in a corner of her room. After that, she took a shower and went to sleep. The next day, Sheena arrived at the office on time. As soon as she pushed open the office door, she saw a slim and unfamiliar figure standing in front of her desk. The woman turned around when she heard the door open and locked eyes with Sheena. The woman had a small oval face and beautiful eyes filled with arrogance. The initial disdain in the woman¡¯s gaze turned into jealousy and hostility upon seeing Sheena. It seemed this woman had a deep grudge against her. Before Sheena could say anything, the woman said, ¡°The receptionist, Julie, told me about you and I didn¡¯t believe her. However, now that I see you in person, you really do look like a seductress.¡± Sheena was baffled by the woman¡¯s sudden hostility. Nheless, she went to her desk and dismissed the woman, ¡°Miss, I need to work. Please leave.¡± Ignoring Sheena, the woman warned, ¡°You can continue working at Angle, but you must stay away from Howard. If I find you seducing him or have any impure intentions, I¡¯ll make you suffer.¡± Sheena became interested and asked, ¡°Howard? Do you like him?¡± The woman arrogantly crossed her arms and snorted. ¡°I¡¯m his fiancee.¡± Fiancee? Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Sheena realized this was the woman who got engaged to Howard two years ago, the second daughter of the Upton family, Katie Upton. Chapter 40 Upton family, Katie Upton. Chapter 40 Sheena wondered why Howard never mentioned Katie before. It seemed that Howard was not interested in Katie at all. Well, that was just fine with her because she did not like the idea of having someone arrogant like Katie as her future sister¨Cinw. With a smile, Sheena replied, ¡°Until the marriage certificate is signed, nothing is certain yet. Ms. Upton, are you iming him as yours already? I¡¯m sorry, but my office is small, and I don¡¯t entertain uninvited guests.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Katie fumed, but before she could retort, Sheena quickly immersed herself in her work, completely ignoring her presence. No matter what Katie said, it fell on deaf ears. With no outlet to vent her frustration, Katie had no choice but to leave feeling annoyed. Once out of Sheena¡¯s office, Katie nced at Sue. Knowing her intentions, Sue followed closely, and they walked together to a secluded corridor with no surveince cameras. ¡°How¡¯s your new talent manager?¡± Sue nced at her surroundings to ensure that no one was around and whispered, ¡°You won¡¯t believe this, but she was personally brought into thepany by Mr. Lawson himself. He even asked us to take care of her. I suspect she had an affair with Mr. Lawson before joining thepany. On top of that, she doesn¡¯t respect anyone here, not even the top artists in thepany. She¡¯s arrogant and extremely bold.¡± ¡°Unbelievable!¡± Katie seethed. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then she must be dealt with immediately.¡± Katie gestured for Sue toe closer and whispered a n. After hearing it, Sue seemed a little hesitant. ¡°Is this really okay? Wouldn¡¯t that be too much?¡± Katie gently patted her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Just do it. Once this is over, I¡¯ll speak highly of you to Mr. Lawson and make sure you take her position.¡± Although Sue¡¯s conscience was burdened with guilt, the prospect of a promotion and a raise enticed her. Even though Sue hesitated initially, she chose thetter. In the afternoon, Sheena was still in her office, organizing the uing events for the artists. Sue entered with a smile, behaving in an unprecedentedly friendly manner. ¡°Ms. Sheena, have you heard about Vision Group¡¯s n to invest a huge sum of money in a drama?¡± Sue asked with a friendly smile, presenting a document to Sheena while she focused on the spreadsheets. Sheena did not look up and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Sue continued to act overly friendly, giggling as she respectfully ced the document on Sheena¡¯s desk. ¡°I managed to secure an opportunity for our artists to negotiate with the Vision Group, but they insisted on having only you attend the meeting with their executives.¡± Finally, Sheena looked up, shooting Sue a cold nce that seemed capable of seeing through her. Sue was taken aback by the icy gaze. Sheena sneered. ¡°This is a great chance to get a highermission. Whoever secured the negotiation should go.¡± Sue hurriedly appeased her, ¡°I would love to go, but the Vision Group thinks my position is too low. They only want someone of a higher level to negotiate. It¡¯s not just about themission. It¡¯s an excellent opportunity to promote our artists. We all work for thepany¡¯s best interests, so it¡¯s a win for anyone who secures this deal.¡± Sheena had been observing Sue¡¯s expressions and said, ¡°Ms. Klein, this is the first time you¡¯ve been so respectful.¡± Sue hesitated for a moment before offering a brighter smile. ¡°After witnessing your capability, I dare not be so reckless anymore. However, this meeting with the Vision Group¡¯s executives is truly a fantastic opportunity. Are you sure you won¡¯t reconsider?¡± ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll go,¡± Sheena replied, smiling. How would she know what tricks Sue was trying to pull to if she did not? In the evening, as soon as it was time to leave the office, Sue linked arms with Sheena in a friendly manner, bringing her to the dinner meeting with the Vision Group. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Once they arrived at the luxurious private room, three chubby middle¨Caged men politely stood up, their eyes lit up when they saw Sheena. Sue smiled and introduced, ¡°This is Angle¡¯s beautiful talent manager, Ms. Sheena.¡± ¡°Ms. Sheena, these three gentlemen are Mr. Williams, Mr. Landon, and Mr. rke, the directors of the Vision Group.¡± ¡°They¡¯re all directors?¡± Sheena blinked innocently. ¡°Why aren¡¯t the executives in charge here for the meeting?¡± Chapter 41 Chapter 41 Sue was stunned, but quickly recovered herposure and shed a bright smile. Then, she pulled Sheena aside and whispered, ¡°They¡¯re really influential in the Vision Group. Whether ourpany¡¯s artists can get a chance in their projects depends on them. Please be mindful of your words, Ms. Sheena.¡± Sheena nodded. After that, they politely faced the three directors, who were giving Sheena lewd stares. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Sheena was truly disgusted by them. ¡°Ms. Sheena, you definitely live up to your reputation. Not only are you beautiful, but have a stunning figure,¡± said James Williams, breaking the silence. you also ¡°Oh, you tter me. You three are the impressive ones,¡± Sheena replied with a polite smile. Sue warmly invited everyone to take their seats. Raising her ss, she was the first to offer a toast to Sheena, saying, ¡°This is the first time you¡¯re handling a business matter personally since you¡¯ve be a talent manager. Let¡¯s toast to a sessful discussion.¡± Sheena was handed a ss of red wine. She gracefully swirled it in the ss and took a whiff of its aroma beforementing, ¡°1982 Lafite. This is an excellent choice.¡± She smiled, gently clinking her ss with Sue¡¯s, then raised her head to take a big gulp. Tony Landon ttered, ¡°Ms. Sheena, I didn¡¯t expect you to be so knowledgeable about wine, and you¡¯re a bold drinker too. You¡¯re truly charming! Please ept my toast.¡± Sheena asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t we here today to discuss the Vision Group¡¯s casting for the drama? Why aren¡¯t we discussing that matter yet?¡± The directors remainedposed, replying, ¡°We¡¯ll definitely get to that, but drinking before discussing business matters is customary. Ms. Sheena, you know that, right?¡± With smiles on their faces, the three directors approached and offered her sses of wine. Sheena did not refuse and drank one ss after another. In The Freeman Group¡¯s CEO office. Leon knocked and entered, respectfully handing over the file on Sheena¡¯s background as he said, ¡°Mr. Freeman, our team has thoroughly investigated three times. This is the finalption of the information. Please have a look.¡± Elijah took the file and read through it several times, frowning all the while. On the surface, Sheena¡¯s life seemed ordinary. However, there was only one word written regarding her life before ¨¢ge fifteen: Orphanage. There were no other specific details. Even the circumstances of how she ended up in the orphanage remained a mystery. Elijah could not believe that there was actually someone that even his elite hackers could not fully investigate. Leon noticed his suspicion and asked, ¡°Should we continue digging deeper?¡± ¡°No need,¡± Elijah replied, closing the file and cing it on the stack of documents. ¡°She intentionally made sure we couldn¡¯t find anything. Further investigation would be a waste of effort, but her background must be more than what meets the eye.¡± Walking to the window, Elijah lit a cigarette and let himself be lost in thought. Leon opened the schedule on his iPad and continued, ¡°Mr. Freeman, you have a dinner tonight that was arranged a week ago. Are you going?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± At the Vision Group¡¯s dinner, the four took turns toasting to Sheena, going back and forth for three rounds, and Sheena epted every ss with a smile. They went through six bottles of red wine during the dinner. However, Sheena¡¯s cheeks only had a slight blush, making her even more enchanting under the soft lights. Her eyes, on the other hand, remained remarkably clear and bright. Sue was already dazed and was feeling a bit frustrated. She could not believe how well Sheena could handle her liquor. While the rest were already tipsy, Sheena seemedpletely unaffected. They could barely drink anymore. Suddenly, without being prompted, Sheena filled her own ss and downed it in one go. Then, those sharp and clear eyes fixed on each of them. Sheena¡¯s smile was both enchanting and seemingly tinged with mockery. They were everpletely amazed by her alcohol tolerance! bo you sopped drinking? If we¡¯re done with the drinks, should we start the Sheena took the initiative, turning the tables on them and raising her ss to toast them. the three directors quickly shot stern nces at Sue, urging her to resolve the situation. They could not drink anymore, or they would be the ones passing out. Ste gritted her teeth, knowing that this could not go on any longer. Fortunately, Katie had gorn ber something colorless and tasteless to ensure nothing would go wrong. She and Isaac rke exchanged a knowing nce, and Isaac smiled as he spoke, ¡°Ms. Sheena, have you reviewed the character nning for our new drama? Here¡¯s thetest version, and perhaps you could take a look and share your thoughts on the casting.¡± Sheena stood up to receive the file. She had identally knocked over Sheena¡¯s wine ss. ¡°Tim so sorry, Ms. Sheena! I didn¡¯t mean it. I¡¯m just a little tipsy. Let me get you a new ss.¡± Sheena nced at Sue but did not stop her. After a moment, Sue brought out a new ss, filled it with red wine, and obediently handed it to Sheena. Issac and Sue exchanged nces again, eager to raise their sses and toast her once more. There¡¯s no need to rush. Let¡¯s consider this ss as the final one for tonight,¡± Sheena declined gracefully. Isaac did not quite understand her intention and agreed, ¡°Sure! Whatever you say.¡± Carefully, Sheena moved her wine ss slightly while standing up, holding the documents. Then, she leaned over and showed them to Isaac. The three executives could not keep their eyes off her alluring figure. As there was no document holder, Sheena leaned the documents against two wine sses, pointing out the issue. The executives were not interested in the documents at all. They just wanted to finish the meeting quickly. They responded eagerly to whatever suggestions Sheena gave. Isaac raised his ss again. ¡°Ms. Sheena, now that our work is settled, let¡¯s all raise our sses and celebrate the uing coboration.¡± Sheena did not refuse, raising her ss and lightly clinking it with the others. However, she did not rush to drink. The four of them quickly finished their sses, staring at Sheena excitedly Chapter 42 Chapter 42 They werepletely amazed by her alcohol tolerance! ¡°Why have you stopped drinking? If we¡¯re done with the drinks, should we start the discussion?¡± Sheena took the initiative, turning the tables on them and raising her ss to toast them. The three directors quickly shot stern nces at Sue, urging her to resolve the situation. They could not drink anymore, or they would be the ones passing out. Sue gritted her teeth, knowing that this could not go on any longer. Fortunately, Katie had given her something colorless and tasteless to ensure nothing would go wrong. Sue and Isaac rke exchanged a knowing nce, and Isaac smiled as he spoke, ¡°Ms. Sheena, have you reviewed the character nning for our new drama? Here¡¯s thetest version, and perhaps you could take a look and share your thoughts on the casting.¡± Sheena stood up to receive the file. Crash! Sue had identally knocked over Sheena¡¯s wine ss. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ms. Sheena! I didn¡¯t mean it. I¡¯m just a little tipsy. Let me get you a new ss.¡± Sheena nced at Sue but did not stop her. After a moment, Sue brought out a new ss, filled it with red wine, and obediently handed it to Sheena. Isaac and Sue exchanged nces again, eager to raise their sses and toast her once more. ¡°There¡¯s no need to rush. Let¡¯s consider this ss as the final one for tonight,¡± Sheena declined gracefully. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Isaac did not quite understand her intention and agreed, ¡°Sure! Whatever you say.¡± Carefully, Sheena moved her wine ss slightly while standing up, holding the documents. Then, she leaned over and showed them to Isaac. The three executives could not keep their eyes off her alluring figure. As there was no document holder, Sheena leaned the documents against two wine sses, pointing out the issue. The executives were not interested in the documents at all. They just wanted to finish the meeting quickly. They responded eagerly to whatever suggestions Sheena gave. Isaac raised his ss again. ¡°Ms. Sheena, now that our work is settled, let¡¯s all raise our sses and celebrate the uing coboration.¡± Sheena did not refuse, raising her ss and lightly clinking it with the others. However, she did not rush to drink. The four of them quickly finished their sses, staring at Sheena excitedly. The deep red wine gave off an intoxicating aroma. Bringing the ss to her lips, Sheena hesitated before finally downing the wine. In just a few seconds, her vision grew hazy, her head swayed dizzily, and she eventually slumped onto the table, unable to resist any longer. The four of them grinned triumphantly as they looked at the empty wine ss. Midway through the dinner, Elijah stepped out of the private room and headed to the restroom. On his way back, he unexpectedly saw a familiar woman while passing through an emergency corridor. The woman was talking to a portly man in a corner. Elijah took a closer look and recognized her as the woman who had unted her BMW to Sheena in the car park earlier. As he had no interest in eavesdropping, he turned to leave. However, his keen ears caught some parts of their conversation. ¡°Mr. rke, remember to have them record a video of Sheena after everything is done. In the future, make sure to prioritize my interests when dealing with Mr. Williams and Mr. Landon¡¯s business.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll definitely benefit from this, ¡°Isaac replied. He rubbed his hands together, eager to return to the private room and enjoy thepany of the beautiful woman. However, someone forcefully grabbed him by the cor of his clothes just as he was about to turn away. Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Isaac¡¯s eyes widened in fear when he saw the man and stammered, ¡°M¨CMr. Freeman! What are you doing here?¡± Elijah was obviously angry as he tightened his grip on Isaac¡¯s cor and demanded, ¡°Where is she? Which private room? What were you nning to do to her?¡± Isaac was terrified by Elijah¡¯s intense gaze, and he told Elijah everything. Sue¡¯s face turned pale, and she quietly took the opportunity to slip away. Hearing themotion, Leon came in and managed to restrain them. Elijah handed both of them over to Leon. ¡°Tie them up and lock them in a room. I¡¯ll deal with them later.¡± After that, Elijah rushed toward the private room, sensing that something bad was about to happen. That idiotic Issac just confessed that Sheena was drugged, and 15 minutes have passed since then. Could she already be in trouble? Rage gradually clouded Elijah¡¯s eyes as he shoved the private room door open. The first thing he saw was the blood¨Cstained mess on the floor, a trail of blood leading all the way to the restroom within the room. Sounds of men¡¯s moaning could be heard. Elijah strode angrily toward the restroom, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a carefree figure nearby. It was Sheena! She had light makeup on and was sitting down elegantly as she rhythmically tapped the broken leg of a stool beside her. The stool¡¯s legs revealed several screw tips, with droplets of blood falling to the floor asionally, indicating that it was recently used in a fight. Elijah carefully examined her and asked, ¡°Are you okay?¡± Sheena tilted her head, smirking. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you secretly wishing for something to happen to me?¡± Of course not. He was about to retort when Sheena continued, ¡°But you seem to be quite well¨Cinformed. Did you rush over here for the drama?¡± ¡°What?¡± Elijah was baffled. The restroom door suddenly swung open, and two figures crawled toward them. Elijah realized they were two battered and bruised men. Chapterds One was bright red in the face as he clutched at his groin, with blood seeping through his fingers. Not only that, but he also appeared to be in extreme pain. The other man was covering his blood¨Csoaked back, and his face twisted in agony. Elijah was surprised but let out a sigh of relief. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. He had already noticed Sheena¡¯s impressive skills thest time they met. As expected, she would always find ways to outsmart others. James and Tony crawled miserably to a spot about two meters away from Sheena and knelt, suddenly bursting into loud wails. ¡°Your Majesty! It was Mr. rke and Sue¡¯s idea! They forced us into this!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! We¡¯re sorry. Please spare us. We won¡¯t do it again!¡± Sheena sneered and took out her phone, pulling up information about the two men for everyone to see. ¡°The Vision Group executive, James Williams, is greedy and perverted. He has particr fetishes as he enjoys tormenting women. Be it female celebrities or female staff in the industry, many have suffered his abuse, and he¡¯s responsible for five deaths. Wow, look at this! Tony Landon, another Vision Group executive, takes advantage of both female celebrities and male neers. Responsible for eleven deaths. Now, tell me. Do you think think you deserve an easy way out?¡± The two men cried harder upon hearing her words, trembling in fear. ¡°Your Majesty, please spare us! We¡¯ve learned our lesson, and we promise we won¡¯t do this anymore!¡± Sheena elegantly poured a ss of red wine and held it in her hand, swaying it gently. Chapter 44 Chapter 44 ¡°Sure. Since you admit your wrongdoings, upload the video we recorded in the restroom to Twitter. Publicly acknowledge your crimes, offer sincere apologies to the victims, and make sure the public knows full well just how disgusting you are!¡± The two men instantly turned pale. Tony immediately shook his head. ¡°N¨CNo way! If this gets out, the board will expel me, and I¡¯ll be hated by the public! The police won¡¯t let me off either. I¡¯ll still be doomed!¡± James chimed in, ¡°Your Majesty, please show us mercy. Apart from this, we can agree to anything else you ask!¡± If their crimes were confirmed, they would also endure beatings and humiliation from fellow inmates before facing the death penalty. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Just the thought of it sent shivers down their spines! Elijah listened quietly at the side, amused at how swift and ruthless Sheena was. Not only that, but her methods were rather creative too. Actually, it was quite simr to his way of doing things. Without waiting for Sheena to speak, Elijah nced at the two men and ordered, ¡°Do as she says. 11 The two men looked up at Elijah, but before they could even start begging for mercy, he continued, ¡°Or do you want me to take you away and experience firsthand what it¡¯s like to be tortured by me?¡± Sheena was puzzled. The threatened men trembled all over. They had heard stories about Elijah¡¯s ruthless ways, such as electrocution, muttion, and so on. Out of fear, the men finally said, ¡°We¡¯ll do it! We¡¯ll post it right now!¡± Under Sheena¡¯s icy gaze, the two posted their confessions on Twitter with trembling hands. Seeing that things were settled, Sheena rubbed her sore wrists from the fight and walked out of the private room without even sparing a nce at Elijah. After making a phone call to Leon, Elijah followed suit. Only James and Tony remained inside the room, huddled together in despair, wailing loudly. In less than five minutes, the news was trending online. Leon quickly informed the police, and the two were soon hauled away in police cars before they could read thements online. Sheena left in a hurry. Elijah tried to catch up but failed. He searched the restaurant and finally spotted Sheena¡¯s figure at the entrance. It was already dark outside, but the restaurant entrance was brightly lit. Elijah saw Sheena looking at Howard happily, who was crouched by her feet, gently massaging her sore legs. As Howard massaged her legs, he looked up dotingly at her. ¡°Your legs must be hurting from all the kicking. If you want to hit someone, let me know. There¡¯s no need for you to lift a finger.¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve gotten into a fight, and I¡¯m a bit out of practice. It feels great!¡± Elijah froze, hurt by the scene. After Howard massaged her calves, he removed his suit jacket and wrapped Sheena¡¯s petite figure with it. Then, he escorted her to the car, protecting her head as she got in. As he closed the car door, Howard red at Elijah. Soon after, the Rolls¨CRoyce drove away. Elijah stared in the direction they left, unable to describe his feelings as the scene of Howard massaging Sheena¡¯s calves reyed in his mind. Leon appeared from the restaurant and found Elijah, seemingly lost in thought. ¡°Mr. Freeman, is everything okay?¡± Elijah snapped out of the trance, asking coldly, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°James and Tony are taken away. As for the two upstairs, how would you like to handle them?¡± He pondered for a moment, and the recent scene shed before his eyes again. Then, he said, ¡± Just let them go.¡± ¡°What? Just like that?¡± Leon was stunned. After all, he had gone through so much trouble to restrain and detain those individuals in the room. Chapter 45 Chapter 45 Elijah left the restaurant without saying a word. Leon had no choice but to call and instruct his subordinates to release Sue and Isaac. Sue and Isaac were trembling in fear in a pitch¨Cck room where they were bound. Sue could not believe that Sheena actually knew someone as influential as Elijah, and her jealousy of Sheena deepened. How could someone raised in an orphanage, who was also divorced, attract the attention of so many outstanding men? However, at that moment, she was more terrified than jealous. She was scared of how Elijah would handle their situation. Click! The lights came on, nearly blinding them. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Trembling, they did not even have a chance to plead before Leon¡¯s men untied them. Then, without a single word, the group left them behind, not even sparing them a nce. Isaac immediately called James to inquire about the situation while Sue anxiously listened. However, all his calls went to voicemail. They were left puzzled, wondering why they were released so easily. Nheless, they decided to leave the restaurant, fearing Elijah might change his mind. Once they returned, Sue contacted Katie and learned about James and Tony¡¯s arrest. Katie questioned, ¡°What on earth happened?¡± ¡°Mr. Freeman, the CEO of Freeman Group, overheard my conversation with Mr. rke. He ended up tying us up. As for Mr. Williams and Mr. Landon, I suspect Mr. Freeman had a hand in sending them to prison,¡± Sue spected, still puzzled. Then, she continued, ¡°But I can¡¯t figure out why he let me and Mr. rke 1. go. Katie fell silent. Finally, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll have my people investigate this matter thoroughly. You just keep an eye on that woman.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After ending the call, Sue turned to embrace the man beside her. The balding man in his forties yfully pulled Sue into his arms and teased, ¡°Ms. Sheena seems quite impressive. Why do you dislike her so badly?¡± Sue pushed him away irritably. ¡°It¡¯s all your fault! You promised to help me with my promotion, but that woman stole my chance. If she weren¡¯t attractive, would you care about this?¡± Remembering something, Sue continued, ¡°And you actually gave me a used BMW. Do you think so little of me?¡± The man stumbled for words and tried to coax Sue. ¡°You¡¯re the most beautiful woman in my Chapter 45 heart. It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve been facing some financial difficulties recently. As soon as things improve, I¡¯ll personally take you to a high¨Cend dealership to pick a better one.¡± Sue pouted, expressing her displeasure. ¡°Since you¡¯re so eager for the position, I¡¯ll make it hard for her at tomorrow¡¯s meeting. When the time comes, you can back me up. Since she¡¯s new, she¡¯ll surely make a fool of herself in public. Then, the position will be yours soon enough, right?¡± Sue¡¯s mood instantly brightened up. ¡°Deal!¡± The man nodded and looked at Sue lustfully. ¡°Sweetheart, after everything I¡¯ve done to help you, shouldn¡¯t you be rewarding me?¡± Sue blushed and scolded him yfully, ¡°You¡¯re so shameless!¡± Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Early next morning, Sue drove to thepany feeling great. Before the meeting, Sheena happened to share an elevator with Sue as they went upstairs. Sheena teased, ¡°Wow, Ms. Klein! It seems like you had a good night¡¯s sleep.¡± Sue gave Sheena a disdainful nce and retorted, ¡°Why, yes. I definitely slept better than you, Ms. Sheena. Were you up all night? 11 Recallingst night¡¯s events, Sue believed James and Tony must have seeded in their n as Sheena was drugged, and they were only unlucky because Elijah caught them in the act, so the police took them away. That was probably why they did not have a chance to send her or Isaac the video. Letting her imagination run wild, Sue nced at Sheena disdainfully, wondering how a soiled woman by others could still act so high and mighty. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. With those thoughts in mind, Sue arrogantly mocked Sheena, ¡°Ms. Sheena, if we could be friends, I might have actually liked you. Unfortunately, you¡¯re about to tumble down from this position soon, and I doubt we¡¯ll be working together.¡± Sheena chuckled as if she were looking at a fool, giving her a dismissive nce. ¡°Is that so?¡± Ding! The elevator arrived at the intended floor, and Sheena got out first. Sue watched her prideful figure and seethed with frustration. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see you cry!¡± Thepany held a meeting every month to outline the overall work ns for various project teams. Employees with manager -level positions or higher sat at the front tables, while Sue and others like her were in the back, about five seats away from Sheena. Directors and leaders from each department gradually arrived, and the meeting officially began when Howard entered. The department heads took turns speaking, and Sue grew increasingly impatient, eagerly waiting for Sheena¡¯s turn, which was getting closer. Sue clenched her fists as excitement built in her eyes. However, when she looked toward the executive seats, she was surprised to find a familiar figure missing. Even more shocking, there was no seat reserved for him this time. His spot waspletely upied. What was going on?! He was perfectly finest night, and they had left for work together this morning. Sue could not make sense of it, and just then, she happened to lock eyes with Sheena. Sheena shed a knowing smile before looking away. Her smile appeared alluring, but to Sue, it felt like a taunt. A gut feeling told Sue that Sheena had something to do with it. Chapter 46 Finally, Sue could not resist and whispered to the person beside her, ¡°Do you know why Mr. Wald isn¡¯t here?¡± The person¡¯s expression instantly changed and waved dismissively. ¡°I don¡¯t know who that person is. Don¡¯t ask me.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sue was baffled. Something was definitely off. However, Sue was not ready to give up and looked to the left, only to find the other employee¡¯s head shaking in a simr fashion. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything either.¡± Sue was confused. It was Sheena¡¯s turn to speak. ¡°The Vision Group has agreed to have ourpany¡¯s artists, Skye Zimmer and Abel Graham, y the male lead and second male lead respectively in their new drama, The Legendary Prince.¡± ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Sue suddenly raised her hand to interrupt, questioning, ¡°When did this happen? Why wasn¡¯t I informed at all? Last night, we were discussing it with¡­¡® Sheena picked up where she left off, ¡°What did we discuss? Who did we discuss it with?¡± ¡°With¡­¡± Sue froze. If she revealed what happ Chapter 47 Chapter 47 Sue felt that Sheena was setting a trap for her, so she ignored the question. However, she continued questioning, ¡°Ms. Sheena, when did you finalize the deal with Vision Group about the artists¡® roles? Why wasn¡¯t I informed about this matter at all?¡± ¡°Ms. Klein, do you expect me to inform you before I make any decisions?¡± Sheena sneered, giving Sue a piercing gaze. ¡°Who do you think you are?¡± Sue was taken aback, not expecting Sheena to challenge her in front of the entirepany. All eyes were now fixed on her, waiting for her to stumble. Instead, Sue bit her lip, softening her demeanor and putting on an act as she said pitifully, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to disrespect you. I just thought that you would discuss such matters with your subordinates.¡± Sue appeared fragile and subdued as she faced Sheena¡¯s arrogance, and it truly looked like a situation where the superior was bullying the weak. Sue was secretly gloating, thinking that Sheena was someone naive enough to go against her! Howard lightly tapped on the table, appearing displeased. ¡°The talent manager certainly has the right to make independent decisions, and there¡¯s no need to blow this out of proportion.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Lawson,¡± Sue replied, her face flushed with embarrassment as she reluctantly sat back down. However, Sheena stared at Sue and said, ¡°Ms. Klein, since you asked, I confirmed the participating artists with Vision Group¡¯s representatives yesterday morning.¡± What?! Sue was shocked as she had only approached Sheena about the matter yesterday afternoon, but Sheena had apparently finalized it in the morning. If Sheena had already settled everything, then why did she agree to the dinner? Sue stared at Sheena in disbelief, wondering if Sheena did it on purpose. Did Sheena also put James and Tony in jail? A chill ran down her spine as Sue looked at Sheena¡¯s unbelievably gorgeous face. Nheless, she quickly dismissed the thought. How could an inexperienced young woman possibly be so resourceful? ¡®It must be a coincidence. It¡¯s just a coincidence!¡® Sue thought. She dug into her palms with her long nails, slowly regaining herposure. The meeting went on as Sue did not ask further questions. Then, Sheena discussed the uing work ns, ¡°In terms of overall nning, we¡¯ll keep things as they are. We have already negotiated specific endorsement advertisements and variety shows for various popr artists.¡± 1 As there were no objections from the audience, Sheena continued, ¡°Finally, there¡¯s the batch of trainees ourpany has been nurturing. Most of these young talents are inexperienced. I propose that thepany invest in a talent show and invite otherpanies to participate. We can form seven¨Cmember groups from a pool of a hundred contestants, allowing these young talents to gain experience.¡± Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. ¡°Wait a minute! I disagree!¡± Sue raised her hand and stood up once again. ¡°Ms. Sheena, organizing a talent show is not easy, and this proposal seems to exceed your job scope. Besides, talent shows don¡¯t have a strong market in our country. If thepany were to incur losses because of this¡­¡± As she spoke, she noticed Sheena frowning and slowly pping her hands. ¡°Ms. Klein, were you a theater kid in school?¡± Sue looked puzzled and said, ¡°No.¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Oh? Then why do you seem to enjoy being the center of attention? That¡¯s fine, but you do know that we¡¯re in a meeting right now, right.¡± A soft burst ofughter erupted among the employees, and even those sitting next to Sue quietly moved away from her. Chapter 45 Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Sue blushed, realizing that Sheena was humiliating her. However, she did not back down and retorted loudly, ¡°Ms. Sheena, it seems that you have some personal motives behind this proposal. Otherwise, why would you be so defensive? You¡¯ve only been in thepany for a few days, and you¡¯re already pushing for such a costly proposal. It¡¯s quite suspicious. Mr. Lawson, I suggest conducting a thorough investigation into her!¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Howard mmed his coffee cup on the table with a loud thud. ¡°I agree with this proposal.¡± A buzz of murmurs filled the room, and everyone was looking at Sheena in a different light. However, only Sue was ted, seemingly oblivious to who Howard was referring to. ¡°Really? Mr. Lawson, do you actually agree with me to investigate Ms. Sheena?¡± A stifled chuckle slipped out from someone. Everyone knew who Howard¡¯s words were directed at, except for Sue, who seemed oblivious. Howard scowled, ¡°If you say one more word, you can leave immediately, and don¡¯t bothering in tomorrow.¡± Sue¡¯s face turned pale, the stark contrast between her expectations and reality leaving her stunned. It was only after a gentle reminder from someone nearby that she reluctantly sat back down. The meeting continued, focusing on the detailed boration of Sheena¡¯s proposal. Sue listened quietly, but she wanted to find a ce to hide from the humiliation. At that moment, she was filled with jealousy toward Sheena, and it felt almost suffocating. Why was Howard not interested in her? If she had an affair with Howard, she would be the one enjoying his protection and affection! Suddenly, the balding Henry appeared in Sue¡¯s mind. Just the idea of having to secretly put up with someone as disgusting as Henry made her feel even more resentful. Yes! Henry! Sue believed that given Howard¡¯s attitude toward Sheena, something fishy must be going on with Henry¡¯s mysterious disappearance, which definitely had something to do with Sheena! Sue brooded over that for a while. Thetter half of the meeting proceeded smoothly without Sue¡¯s interruption. After Howard announced the adjournment, he and Yuri were the first to leave. The others followed suit, gradually emptying the conference room. As Sheena packed up to leave, her document folder was suddenly held down by a hand with bright red nails. Sue smiled and said, ¡°I have something I¡¯d like to discuss with you, Ms. Sheena. Please stay for a while.¡± Sheena did not say anything, but she did not refuse either. Both of them remained in the meeting room until most of the people had left. Sue whispered, ¡°Why didn¡¯t Henry attend the meeting? Where did he go? Did you have something to do with this?¡± ¡°Henry? Well, he¡¯s never returning to thepany again,¡± Sheena said casually. ¡°What?¡± Sue widened her eyes in disbelief, gripping Sheena¡¯s arm tightly and shaking her. ¡°He was fired by the board? Did you do this? Why would you do such a thing?¡± It was unbelievable! They just had a discussionst night about how to deal with this scheming woman, and now he was suddenly dismissed without any warning. Sheena frowned and pushed Sue¡¯s hand away disdainfully, saying, ¡°He¡¯s suspected of embezzlement and engaging in inappropriate arrangements with female employees. Thepany kicked him out, and he¡¯ll probably spend a decade or more behind bars.¡± As she spoke, Sheena took a wet wipe, calmly cleaning her wrist where Sue had touched her, and then wiped her document folder. Then, she smirked. ¡°This is confidential, and no one in thepany except me would dare tell you. However, since we¡¯ve worked together for a few days¡­¡± Sue backed off in disbelief, feeling her scalp tingle. ¡°So, aboutst night¡­ Did you know everything? Were you setting me up?¡± Sheena did not answer but simply walked over and sat at the main seat, crossing her legs and unting her exquisite figure. Despite being slightly shorter than Sue while seated, Sheena exuded a powerful presence, easily surpassing Sue in every way. Shena teased, ¡°Sue, since you miss Henry so much, why don¡¯t you keep himpany?¡± Chapter 49 Chapter 49 Chapter 49 ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Sue noticed Sheena sitting at the main seat in the meeting room and finally realized what Sheena meant. She stammered, ¡°W¨CWhat do you mean?¡± Sheena smirked confidently. She merely stared at Sue, refusing to give her an answer. Sheena¡¯s smile made Sue uneasy, and the aura she emanated sent shivers down her spine. ¡°Lunatic! You¡¯re nothing but a lunatic!¡± Sue ridiculed, taking a couple of steps backward. However, four officers entered the meeting room just as she was about to turn and leave. They politely knocked on the door and asked, ¡°Is there a Sue Klein here?¡± Sue froze. ¡°That¡¯s me. What¡¯s the matter?¡± Hearing her answer, the officers approached her with a stern look. Sue¡¯s face was instantly ashen as she stuttered, ¡°A¨CAre you mistaken? I¡¯m aw¨Cabiding citizen!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll determine whether you¡¯re innocent or not. Pleasee with us.¡± ¡°No! I won¡¯t go with you!¡± James and Tony were jailed, and she could not hide what she had done. Initially, she had hoped that Henry could protect her, but he was already long gone. Sue did not want to be imprisoned. If she ended up behind bars, her job and her future would be ruined! A thought suddenly came to her, and she hurried over to Sheena¡¯s side. Sue squatted at Sheena¡¯s feet and held onto her hand as she pleaded, ¡°It was you who called the police, right? M¨CMs. Sheena, I surrender. I¡¯m sorry! I was just jealous. That¡¯s why I plotted against you. Please forgive me! Please!¡± Sheena lifted Sue¡¯s chin gently with her fingertip, locking eyes with her, and smiled. Then, she said, ¡°You¡¯re only apologizing because you¡¯re scared and desperate. You know how much of this is actually sincere.¡± ¡°No! I truly mean it. I was wrong, Ms. Sheena. I¡¯m sorry!¡± ¡°Sue, if you were just being childish and tried to provoke me or climb up the corporatedder using Henry, I would¡¯ve just fired you. However, you surprised me, and I underestimated you. Sending you to jail is the only option.¡± Sue lowered her head as she cried, furious at how arrogant Sheena sounded. She vowed to destroy Sheena once she got out of this situation. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Nheless, Sue hid her evil thoughts and sobbed, appearing remorseful. Just as she was about to speak, she remembered a crucial phrase from Sheena¡¯s words. ¡°You said you were going to fire me?¡± How could a mere talent manager fire anyone? Did she think that she owned thepany just because she was involved with Howard? Chapter 40 Sheena leaned slightly forward, sneering as she whispered into Sue¡¯s ear, ¡°I never told you, but this ce you¡¯re at right now belongs to me, Sheena Lawson.¡± Sheena enunciated each word clearly when she mentioned her name, her eyes glinting dangerously. The main seat of the meeting room was like a throne, yet Sheena¡¯s petite figure perched there, seamlessly fitting in and radiating an aura of regal elegance. Thud! Sue slumped to the ground when she heard Sheena saying that this was herpany. Her surname was also Lawson! Sue covered her mouth,pletely at a loss for words, unable to pull herself together even when the officers came forward to escort her away. Having dealt with the two terrible employees, Sheena finally found some peace for the next couple of days. It was almost noon, and Sheena was busy at her desk. Yuri knocked on the door and entered, saying indifferently, ¡°Ms. Sheena, Mr. Lawson has an urgent matter to discuss with you. He¡¯d like you toe over as soon as you¡¯re avable.¡± An urgent matter? Judging by Yuri¡¯s expression, it did not seem like good news. Without dy, Sheena tidied up in minutes and swiftly made her way to the top¨Cfloor office. As soon as she opened the door, Sheena found Howard sitting in his office chair with his back to her, with his head tilted upward as if examining a painting on the wall. Chapter 50 Chapter 50 ¡°Howard?¡± With only the two of them in the office, Sheena did not bother with formalities. Howard abruptly turned around, eximing, ¡°Surprise!¡± Then, he swiftly opened the lunchbox in his hand, which gave off a tantalizing aroma.. ¡°Auntie Gloria said I¡¯m mistreating you by letting you eat cafeteria food often. So, she made you your favorite pot roast. Are you surprised?¡± Sheena chuckled at his sudden childishness and teased, ¡°So, this is the ¡®urgent matter¡® you mentioned?¡± Howard set down the lunchbox and approached Sheena, dotingly saying, ¡°My little princess needs her meal, and that¡¯s my top priority.¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Sheena did not say anything, but her bright smile betrayed her feelings. Howard guided her to the sofa, where an array of dishes and soup wasid on the coffee table. Then, he brought over the pot roast from his desk. Sheena took a whiff and was impressed with Auntie Gloria¡¯s exceptional culinary skills. The food here easily surpassed the cafeteria¡¯s offerings. ¡°It¡¯s delicious, no doubt, but let¡¯s not make this a regr thing for lunch. People might get suspicious if I keep showing up here to share meals with you,¡± Sheenamented while eating. Howard chuckled, ¡°Ever since you arrived, Auntie Gloria stopped listening to me. You¡¯ll have to talk to her yourself when you go home tonight.¡± Sheena nodded, lowering her head to continue her meal. She was genuinely hungry and truly loved Auntie Gloria¡¯s cooking. Observing Sheena devour her food, Howard could not help but yfully touch her nose. Sheena responded with a smile and kept on eating. As they chatted and ate, the atmosphere in the office became lively and rxed. Yuri suddenly knocked and stood at the doorway, whispering, ¡°Mr. Lawson, Ms. Upton is here. Sheena instinctively nced at Howard, only to notice his expression turned sour almost instantly. Yuri¡¯s expression was also quite strange as he added, ¡°She¡¯s been waiting outside for a while now. Should I let her in?¡± Without much thought, Howard replied, ¡°No. I¡¯m busy.¡± With that, Yuri left. Once the door closed, the spacious office returned to itsfortable ambiance. Howard picked a piece of beef and added it to Sheena¡¯s bowl. ¡°Eat more. You¡¯re too thin.¡± Chapter 50 Sheena absentmindedly agreed and asked, ¡°Howard, don¡¯t you like your fiancee?¡± Howard¡¯s face instantly turned cold, and he said in disgust, ¡°Fiancee? She doesn¡¯t deserve that title. She¡¯s nothing more than a shameless opportunist.¡± Judging from his expression, there seemed to be quite a story behind their engagement. However, Sheena refrained from prying since he appeared unwilling to say more. Even so, Sheena could not help but be curious about how shameless Katie was. After all, Howard was a gentle person, and Katie must have done something extreme for Howard to hate her. Noticing the mischievous glint in her eyes, Howard interrupted her train of thought, ¡°What are you thinking about? Eat your meal.¡± Sheena nodded obediently. In about ten minutes, Sheena finished her meal. When she left Howard¡¯s office, she immediately spotted Katie, who was still pestering Yuri nearby. Katie seemed to have run out of patience, and she was starting to threaten Yuri. Sheena looked away and went straight toward the elevator. ¡°Stop right there!¡± A high¨Cpitched voice called out from behind. Suddenly, Sheena¡¯s wrist was grabbed, and Katie appeared before her. ¡°It¡¯s you! Why did youe out from Howard¡¯s office?¡± Sheena smiled and replied, ¡°Mr. Lawson invited me for lunch. Naturally, I didn¡¯t refuse his kind offer.¡± Before she could finish, Katie was already fuming with rage. Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Katie was beyond furious and shouted, ¡°Stop seducing my man, you bitch!¡± She thought Sheena was shamelessly trying to seduce Howard, even though he was already engaged! Katie hade all the way from Svelton to Farlem for Howard, putting so much effort into their engagement, and she believed her love for him was something few women could match! However, Howard refused to meet her, and he always had Yuri making excuses. This time, he imed to be busy, but he was actually having lunch with this bitch! Katie grew angrier, ring fiercely at Sheena and swinging her hand to give Sheena a powerful p. Sheena did not even flinch. She stood still and waited. However, the p did note. Yuri held Katie¡¯s wrist tightly and warned sternly, ¡°Ms. Upton, you¡¯re in Angle Group, and it¡¯s inappropriate to hit others. Please control yourself.¡± Enraged, Katie shouted, ¡°Let go of me! I want to hit this shameless bitch. If you keep stopping me, I¡¯ll take you down too!¡± Yuri¡¯s expression grew darker, and he continued to hold Katie¡¯s wrist firmly, warning her, Ms. Upton, Mr. Lawson is inside. Do you want to make a scene and force him to witness you acting like a crazy woman?¡± A crazy woman? Katie Upton, the second daughter of the prestigious Upton family of Svelton, was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. How could she possibly tarnish her own image in front of Howard? Seeing her gradually return to her senses and calm down, Yuri finally released her hand. Sheena observed how Katie managed to restrain herself despite her rage and could not help but chuckle. ¡°Ms. Upton, I¡¯ve heard rumors about your fiery, domineering nature that stops at nothing. However, it would seem that you¡¯re actually quite timid.¡± ¡°You!¡± Katie was fuming, struggling to suppress the urge to rush forward and p Sheena. In the end, she could only watch as Sheena, cool andposed, entered the elevator and left. Nheless, Katie would not let this matter go. After all, Sheena provoked her, and she would make sure Sheena got what she deserved! Somehow, she gradually calmed down as the name of a certain person popped into her mind. For the first time, Katie entered the detention center and specifically requested to see that Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. woman. After a moment, a disheveled woman in a blue jumpsuit with bloodshot eyes was escorted by police to the visitation area. Even through the ss, Katie was surprised by what she saw. She instinctively covered her nose and asked with disdain, ¡°Sue, what happened to you? It has only been a few days.¡± Sue licked her chapped lips and stared back at Katie with intense hatred. ¡°Would I have ended up like this if it weren¡¯t for you trying to distance yourself from me?¡± Just two days ago, Sue had pleaded with the police to ask Katie for help to get her out. However, Katie refused to see her and pinned all the me on her, and she even bribed someone to expedite her sentence! Sue was scheduled to be transferred to prison the next day. She was unsure if she would ever get released. She had thought that Sheena was her enemy, but in reality, Katie was the demon who pushed her into this hellish situation. Katie frowned, still covering her nose and speaking to Sue through the inte, ¡°I really had no choice in this matter. My family found out and won¡¯t let me tarnish my reputation. So, my only option was to sacrifice you. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure to help you out as much as I can. I¡¯ll ensure your life bes a bit better. However, as a condition, you must tell me everything you know about Sheena. Give me all her details.¡± Katie smiled as if she was determined to help and asked, ¡°What do you think? It¡¯s a good deal, right?¡± Unexpectedly, Sue suddenly threw her head back andughed maniacally. She even pounded on the table. Katie was puzzled. ¡°Is it that funny?¡± Chapter 52 Chapter 52 Of course, Sue thought it was absurd that Katie was scheming to harm her future sister¨Cinw in every way possible. However, Sue did not voice this thought. After all, as much as she despised Sheena, she also resented Katie. How could she stand to watch the two of them live harmoniously in the future? ¡°Do you hate her that much?¡± Her exaggerated smile, coupled with her messy, dry hair and bloodshot eyes, made her look like an eerie woman who had escaped from a mental asylum. Katie steadied herself before saying, ¡°Of course. Don¡¯t you want to get back at her too?¡± ¡°Alright then. I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Sue chuckled and leaned closer to the inte. In a hushed voice, she continued, ¡°She¡¯s actually backed by powerful support. If ites to a real confrontation, you might not win. However, I do know that she¡¯s divorced. Perhaps you can start from there.¡® Katie¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Great! Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll help you settle the score with Sheena!¡± After saying that, she got up and left without looking back. Sue watched as Katie left, and her smile grew more and more manic. It was a pity she could not witness their showdown! As soon as she was out, Katie immediately made a phone call. ¡°Find out who Sheena¡¯s ex- husband is and get me all the details. Quickly!¡± ¡± After waiting patiently for half an hour, a file was sent to her phone. Katie opened it, and as she read, her initially furrowed brow gradually rxed, staring at a name as she smirked. ¡°Jennifer Moore?¡± The Freeman Group¡¯s CEO office. Elijah rubbed his temples with his eyes slightly closed. Leon stood respectfully before him, reporting, ¡°A couple of days ago, Ms. Freeman caused a scene. The security guards didn¡¯t dare to let her out, and she¡¯s been unusually quiet and obedient these days. However, she did make a few calls to Ms. Moore, but Ms. Moore didn¡¯t answer.¡± Elijah opened his eyes. Thest few words caught his attention. ¡°Why didn¡¯t Jenny answer?¡± Erin and Jennifer were very close, often exchanging calls. However, ever since Sheena caused a scene at the Freeman mansion, Jennifer has stopped mentioning Erin in front of him. Elijah frowned, confused by the situation. Leon exined, ¡°Perhaps she¡¯s just busy and missed Ms. Freeman¡¯s calls.¡± Missing a call asionally was normal, but multiple times in a row? Was she deliberately avoiding something? Something felt off about this situation. Elijah stood up and said, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Jenny in a few days. Let¡¯s go to the apartment.¡± Leon replied, ¡°Ms. Moore isn¡¯t at the apartment. She¡¯s out.¡± Did she go out? Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Maybe he was just overthinking things. Elijah returned to his seat. Leon noticed the faint dark circles around Elijah¡¯s eyes, and he could not help but ask, ¡°Mr. Freeman, have you not been resting welltely? You don¡¯t look too good.¡± Elijah rubbed his temple, feeling a bit irritable. Lately, he had been staying at the mansion. Each time he returned, no matter howte it was, Sheena would appear in his mind. There she was, wearing an apron while cleaning the floor. Upon seeing him, she would smile at him. Then, there was the memory of her bending over to sweep leaves in the garden, as well as the image of her in bed that night¡­ It was all messing with his sleep. Yet, when he woke up and reached for a ss of water, he would think of the scene at the restaurant entrance, with Howard gently massaging her legs. Seeing that he was getting gloomier, Leon asked worriedly, ¡°Mr. Freeman?¡± Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Elijahposed himself and ordered, ¡°The transfer of ownership for the mansion needs to be prepared by today. Contact thewyer and have Sheenae over to sign it.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman. I¡¯ll go remind them immediately.¡± Angle Group. Since Sue was jailed, Sheena was short of an assistant. With the focus now on nning the reality show, she decided to select a recement from among the talent agents and assistants. In her small office, six female employees stood in two rows. The first row consisted mostly of good¨Clooking women who did not stand properly, fidgeting and posing deliberately. Sheena nced at them briefly, not impressed by the behavior. Then, she surveyed everyone in the room and was drawn to the girl standing far back on the second tost row. ¡°You,e to the front.¡± The girl was surprised and nervously took a couple of steps forward. ¡°Hello, Ms. Sheena. I¡¯m Wendy Stevens.¡± Sheena found her corresponding information: A neer from a rural and humble background. Wendy was exactly what she was looking for. ¡°Alright, you¡¯ll be working as my assistant.¡± Wendy was taken aback, but other employees seemed a bit displeased. ¡°Ms. Sheena, she¡¯s only been here for a month and is still on probation. Isn¡¯t this against the rules?¡± Sheena nced at them calmly and said, ¡°I am the rule.¡± Her words left everyone speechless, and those who were not chosen could only leave in annoyance. Wendy was excited and kept bowing to express her gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Sheena, for giving me this opportunity. I¡¯ll do my best to excel in every task you assign me. I promise.¡± ¡®Alright, I get it, but prove it to me with your actions instead.¡± Sheena gave Wendy an affirming look and handed over a stack of documents. ¡°Familiarize yourself with these as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena.¡± Wendy left with the documents. As soon as she was gone, Sheena spun her office chair to face the window, looking at the scenery outside. She rubbed her shoulders, feeling weary. Angle Group was not exactly a hugely famous entertainmentpany in Farlem, and its previous sess was mostly thanks to the benefits of Howard¡¯s association. However, Sheena aimed to achieve a five percent profit this year, meaning she needed to innovate and make bold moves. It was risky, but running away from a challenge was not in her character. Just as she was lost in thought, Wendy knocked on the door again. ¡°Ms. Sheena, you had a call earlier. It was from Mr. Walker, thewyer. He said he needed you to go and sign the property transfer document for a house.¡± Sheena was puzzled. ¡°What house?¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°They said it¡¯s a small mansion called Ocean Avenue, in Costa Kelna¡¯s bay area.¡± Was that the house she and Elijah had initially chosen for their marriage? They have been divorced for some time now, so why would he suddenly want to transfer that property to her? Was itpensation or guilt? She found it amusing. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll head over after work.¡± Sheena did not refuse. Even though she was wealthy, it would not make sense to turn down an offer that came to her doorstep. Besides, keeping the house mighte in handy in the future. At a cafe, Jennifer was wearing sunsses and walked to a table where two roses were ced, as per the arrangement. Seeing the elegant woman seated across from her, she removed her sunsses and forced a smile. ¡°How may I help you, Ms. Upton?¡± Katie observed Jennifer carefully. Chapter 54 Chapter 54 ¡°So, you¡¯re the illegitimate daughter of the Moore family, Jennifer Moore. You¡¯re quite pretty, but your demeanor does seem a bit distant from that of a proper heiress.¡± Jennifer frowned. She was annoyed and believed that Katie was trying to assert dominance by immediately highlighting their status difference. Nheless, she still smiled and said, ¡°Ms. Upton, if you brought me here just to humiliate me, then I¡¯ll be taking my leave.¡± Jennifer truly wanted to leave, but Katie held onto her hand. ¡°Calm down. Let¡¯s get to the point. You don¡¯t like your fiance¡¯s ex¨Cwife, right?¡± Jennifer was surprised when Sheena was mentioned. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t like that bitch either, and I can help you get rid of her.¡± Jennifer hesitated. After all, the Upton family was really influential, and she was indeed intrigued. However, Katie¡¯s demeanor was too overbearing, and she did not appreciate that. If she could not get substantial help from Katie, she would just be manipted by her. After careful consideration, Jennifer sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Upton. I¡¯m just an insignificant illegitimate daughter of the Moore family, powerless and without influence. She has almost defeated me a few times before, and I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯tpete with her. So, I can¡¯t help you.¡± She rolled her eyes at Katie, ready to leave. ¡°So what if you¡¯re an illegitimate daughter? As long as you¡¯re willing to cooperate with me, I can help you secure your rightful position and make you the sole heir of the Moore family.¡± Jennifer¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Deal.¡± 1 After work, Sheena casually drove her Santana to Ocean Avenue. She numbly looked at the unchanged scenery outside the gates, sensing a faint ache deep in her heart. The security personnel knew she wasing and did not stop her. She walked straight through the garden and pushed open the door. There was nowyer, only Elijah in a tailored ck suit, sitting elegantly with his legs crossed on the couch sipping ck coffee. Sheena was not surprised to see him at the mansion. Even so, Sheena confidently strode forward. However, as she got closer, she realized Elijah was not looking too good, especially with the faint dark circles under his eyes. She could not help but chuckle. Although Elijah still appeared handsome, that was the first time she had seen him in such a state. 54 212 ¡°Mr. Freeman, it looks like your nights are rather busy these days.¡± Elijah became gloomier, and he raised his gaze to meet hers. ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯re getting ruder by the day.¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Sheena crossed her arms, a cold glint shed in her eyes as she replied, ¡°Well, being nice depends on thepany, doesn¡¯t it? You aren¡¯t worthy of my kindness.¡± Elijah frowned and got up directly, walking over to Sheena. Sheena was prepared and struck out at Elijah, but he dodged it in time. Then, he reached out, aiming to grab her shoulder, but Sheena took a step back. A cold glint shed in her eyes as she aimed a fierce kick between his legs. Elijah sensed the danger and stepped back, precisely catching her slender ankle. In the garden, Leon, who had been keeping watch, heard amotion from inside the mansion and discreetly peeked in, and he saw the two¨Cof them fighting. What was going on? Sheena was there to sign the document. If she did not like the ce, she could simply refuse. Why were they fighting? He looked bewildered as he watched Sheena¡¯s fierce gaze, noticing that almost every one of her strikes targeted critical areas on Elijah¡¯s body, and Elijah was only defending but not attacking. The situation was dire! Leon was shocked. What a fierce woman! He was genuinely worried that he would witness a scene of Elijah covered in blood the next moment. Even so, Leon restrained the urge to intervene and tried to block out the noise by covering his ears, keeping his distance. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> Chapter 55 X Chapter 55 Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. The two in the living room had fought for two rounds. Sheena missed her first strike, and she could not match Elijah¡¯s physical strength in the subsequent endurance battle. Additionally, her high heels were inconveniencing her. Before she knew it, she was pushed back against the wall. Elijah smirked as he grabbed firmly onto her left wrist, attempting to press her against the wall. It was the same tactic he had used in their previous encounters. But this time, Sheena had learned her lesson and knew he wanted to pin her hands to the wall, leaving her vulnerable. As he focused on her left hand, she discreetly released the hidden sp on her emerald ring, revealing a small silver needle. Elijah was caught off guard as the silver needle from her ring pressed against his throat. Thankfully, Sheena always wore the ring that Noah had given her for self¨Cdefense, and while the silver needle was small, it was exceptionally sturdy. The two were so close that they could clearly hear each other¡¯s breathing. Elijah¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed slightly, and a drop of blood slid down his neck, staining his white shirt cor with a patch that resembled a small blooming poppy flower. He frowned and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t this a little extreme?¡± Sheena sneered. ¡°This is what¡¯s needed to deal with a persistent and irritating man like you.¡± Elijah grinned as he leaned in slightly, seemingly unconvinced that she would harm him. ¡°If youe even a millimeter closer, I won¡¯t hesitate to slit your throat. You can give it a try if you don¡¯t believe me.¡® Her tone was casual, but Elijah could see the determination in her eyes. He chuckled softly, then released her hand and took two steps back. With her newfound freedom, Sheena rubbed her left wrist, then walked around him to retrieve the transfer documents from the coffee table. She quickly flipped through them, confirming that everything was fine before signing both documents. Then, she took one copy and left without looking back. Elijah watched as she left, touching the blood on his throat with an unreadable expression. Sheena walked out of the mansion. When Leon saw her, he cowered instinctively. He only ran toward the mansion to check on Elijah¡¯s condition after she walked past him. Sheena ignored Leon and dialed Wendy¡¯s number. ¡°Help me arrange for someone to get rid of all the furniture and decor in Ocean Avenue. Rece them with new ones and rent the flowers in the garden.¡± Chapter 85 Wendy obediently agreed and asked, ¡°Understood, Ms. Sheena. When do you n to move in? I¡¯ll arrange the schedule as soon as possible.¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Who said I¡¯m moving in?¡± ¡°Huh? Ms. Sheena, if you¡¯re not moving in¡­¡± Before Wendy could finish her sentence, Sheena ended the call. She walked straight to her Santana parked at the front gate, but she heard the sound of a car approaching from behind just as she opened the car door. The car stopped nearby. Jennifer got out of the back seat. There seemed to be someone else beside her, but her face was covered. From the way the figure moved, it seemed like a woman, but Sheena could not see who it was. Nheless, she could not care less and only took a quick nce before looking away, preparing to get into her car and leave. Jennifer jogged over, blocking the car door and sounding surprised as she asked, ¡°What are you doing here? Are you still trying to cling to Eli? You¡¯re already divorced from him!¡± Chapter 56 Chapter 56 Sheena chuckled, amused. ¡°You should ask him that. He¡¯s the one who called me here.¡± Jennifer was shocked. ¡°Why would Eli call you?! If it weren¡¯t for you pestering him, he wouldn¡¯t have spared you another nce!¡± Even though Jennifer said that, she was still doubtful. Sheena took the transfer document from her bag and waved it in front of Jennifer. ¡°Take a good look! Your dear Eli transferred this property to my name. With that, she pushed Jennifer aside. ¡± Jennifer staggered back several steps before regaining her bnce, and her eyes were wide with shock when she realized that Elijah had transferred the mansion to Sheena. Jennifer could not understand why he generously handed over the mansion to Sheena but would not let he would not let Jennifer get anywhere near it! Why? Jennifer was fuming, but she quickly thought of something and red at Sheena. ¡°Is this Eli¡¯s way of compensating you for the divorce? He¡¯s doing this to set a clear boundary with you!¡± Sheena smirked coldly, unfazed by the usation. Then, she said, ¡°This property belongs to me now, Ms. Moore. You should stay away. Otherwise, I won¡¯t hesitate to throw you out.¡± ¡°You!¡± Jennifer was enraged. As she watched Sheena get into the driver¡¯s seat and start the car, she continued smugly, ¡°You had Howard backing you up, so I couldn¡¯tpete with you in the past. Starting tomorrow, I¡¯ll trample all over you!¡± Sheena nced at her, not taking her harsh words seriously. Then, she swiftly drove her Santana away, leaving Jennifer in a cloud of exhaust. Choked by the fumes, Jennifer coughed and red at the shiny green Santana with a malicious glint in her eyes. She was determined to see just how long Sheena could remain so arrogant! Sheena drove back to Howard¡¯s mansion. As she passed arge screen in themercial district, the news was broadcasting about a car ident involving Hannah Moore of the Moore family. Hannah was in critical condition, and while she was currently stable, she might remain in a vegetative state. Hannah¡¯s parents were shown crying inconsbly. Sheena only spared the news a passing nce before moving on. It was not until three dayster that Sheena found herself surrounded by unusually nosy colleagues during lunchtime at the cafeteria. Their animated expressions hinted at heated discussions. Though Sheena was curious about themotion, she was not much of an inte user and was not into gossip. ¡°Ms. Sheena, did you hear the big news this morning?¡± Wendy approached with a tray of food, apanied by two other friends, and they all sat next to Sheena. ¡°What news?¡± Sheena asked. Seeing that she was clueless, Wendy became excited and said, ¡°Do you know about the car ident involving the heir to the Moore family, Hannah Moore? Well, just a few dayster, the Moore family publicly announced that they¡¯re bringing their youngest daughter, who has been abroad due to illness, back home.¡± Sheena focused on her food as she asked, ¡°Why is that so surprising?¡± ¡°Do you know who the second daughter of the Moore family is? It¡¯s Jennifer Moore, who¡¯s set to be engaged to the CEO of the Freeman Group!¡± Sheena was stunned. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Seeing that Sheena finally reacted, Wendy continued, ¡°Everyone isughing at how bold the Moore family is. While Hannah is in a vegetative state, they¡¯re nning a grand banquet to wee Jennifer back.¡± The two other colleagues at the table quickly joined the conversation, sharing simr sentiments of disapproval toward the Moore family¡¯s actions. Some even ventured bold spections that Jennifer¡¯s identity was definitely moreplicated than it appeared. The discussion became a flurry of opinions and guesses about the situation, but Sheena listened quietly without participating. Suddenly, she recalled the words Jennifer had uttered at the gates of Ocean Avenue a few days ago. With the events unfolding, it seemed that there was more to Hannah¡¯s drunk driving incident. Sheena could not help but wonder what Jennifer would do now that she had transitioned from being an illegitimate daughter to a legitimate heir. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> Chapter 57 Chapter 57 After finishing lunch in the cafeteria, Sheena returned to her office and switched to work mode. The situation with the Moore family was only spection, and she was unbothered by It since there was no substantial evidence. However, she might not hold back if Jennifer chose to provoke her. In the afternoon, Skye called, asking yfully, ¡°Sheena, are you free tonight?¡± Sheena continued typing on her keyboard as she replied tly, ¡°No.¡± Skye pouted, then continued pleading, ¡°There¡¯s a banquet at the Moore family tonight, and I have to attend. I¡¯ve been working non¨Cstop for a week. Can¡¯t you give me a break?¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Skye had not expected Sheena to agree so readily, so he probed further, ¡°So, am I lucky enough to have you as my date tonight?¡± Sheena pressed her lips together, deep in thought. After a moment, she replied, ¡°Sure.¡± After that, she immediately ended the call. On the other end, Skye sighed at how ruthless Sheena was! Sheena had not nned to go, but since Skye had asked, she decided to join the fun. Half an hourter, Wendy knocked on the door and ced a beautiful gift box on Sheena¡¯s desk. ¡°Ms. Sheena, this was just delivered for you.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Alright. Thank you.¡± Once Wendy left, Sheena opened the gift box, and inside was an evening gown that matched her taste quite well. She thought Skye was quite proactive, as he had already picked out a gown for her. Sheena chuckled and shook her head, cing the gown back into the box. Then, she went back to her work. As most employees began to pack up and prepare to leave, Sheena also asked those who enjoyed overtime to go home earlier. Once most employees had left thepany, she finally took the elevator downstairs. Skye waited in a newly purchased silver¨Cgray Maybach at the entrance of Angle Group. As Sheena appeared, he instinctively stole a nce and was instantly stunned. She was breathing in her snow¨Cwhite evening gown, outshining many of the current popr starlets. Unfortunately, Sheena had no interest in being a celebrity. Skye marveled at her beauty, jogging over and extending his arm. ¡°Your Majesty, it¡¯s my honor to attend the banquet with you.¡± Sheena chuckled and tapped his head yfully. ¡°Stop fooling around.¡± Skye held his head, acting pitiful. ¡°I was only speaking the truth.¡± As Sheena headed toward the car, Skye hurried to open the door for her while admiring her exquisite beauty. ¡°Sheena, you have great taste. This gown gives off such an ethereal vibe.¡± Sheena froze. ¡°Didn¡¯t you get me this gown?¡± Skye looked confused and a little embarrassed as he said, ¡°I actually wanted to select a gown for you personally, but i was busy on set the entire afternoon, and Ipletely forgot.¡± Sheena recalled that the gift delivered by Wendy in the afternoon did not have a sender¡¯s name, and she assumed it was from Skye due to their phone call. It seemed that things were about to get interesting! Thinking she might be upset with him, Skye asked, ¡°Sheena, is something wrong?¡± Chapter 57 2/7 As Sheena headed toward the car, Skye hurried to open the door for her while admiring her exquisite beauty. ¡°Sheena, you have great taste. This gown gives off such an ethereal vibe.¡± Sheena froze. ¡°Didn¡¯t you get me this gown?¡± Skye looked confused and a little embarrassed as he said, ¡°I actually wanted to select a gown for you personally, but I was busy on set the entire afternoon, and Ipletely forgot,¡± Sheena recalled that the gift delivered by Wendy in the afternoon did not have a sender¡¯s name, and she assumed it was from Skye due to their phone call. It seemed that things were about to get interesting! Thinking she might be upset with him, Skye asked, ¡°Sheena, is something wrong?¡± Chapter 58 Chapter 58 Sheena did not exin anything and just smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We might miss the action if we¡¯rete.¡± At the Moore mansion, Jennifer was still getting ready in a dressing room on the second floor. She had been preparing since noon, determined to outshine everyone and be the center of attention that night. Erin sat next to her, chatting away. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your invitation to this banquet, Eli would probably have kept me grounded for who knows how long. You don¡¯t know how strict those people are at the Freeman mansion. It¡¯s unbearable!¡± Jenniferforted her with a smile, ¡°Well, you¡¯re out now, and I doubt Eli will lock you up again.¡± ¡°That¡¯s hard to say. Eli is stubborn, and he sticks to his principles.¡± Erin pouted, then continued, ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯ve been up totely, as you haven¡¯t even been answering my calls. I¡¯m close to thinking that you¡¯ve sold me out.¡± Jennifer was stunned, but she quickly held Erin¡¯s hand affectionately. ¡°How could I ever do something like that? You¡¯ve always been my best friend. It hurts me that you¡¯d think of me like that.¡± Erin believed her. ¡°I was just kidding! Anyway, congrattions! Now that you¡¯ve secured your position as the Moore family¡¯s heiress, you¡¯ll be even more suitable for Eli!¡± Jennifer¡¯s gaze turned cold briefly, but when Erin looked back at her, she shed a warm smile. Erin did not notice the change and continued talking, ¡°Speaking of which, now that you¡¯re the Moore family¡¯s heiress and the future inheritor of the Moore Group, your status is extraordinary. That bitch Sheena can¡¯t do anything to you anymore!¡±Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Jennifer felt immensely proud hearing that. She was about to reply when amotion erupted from outside the door as if something had fallen. The two exchanged a nce and got up to open the door. A servant was delivering Jennifer¡¯s gown when she identally collided with a passing housekeeper¡¯s cart, causing the items to scatter on the ground. Erin wrinkled her nose in distaste. ¡°Oh my, how did it get so messy? It¡¯s so dirty!¡± The housekeeper approached nervously, apologizing, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Moore. We¡¯ll clean it up quickly.¡± Jennifer frowned in annoyance, but with Erin present, she could not scold them directly. Instead, she politely smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s alright. We have many guests today, so please tidy up quickly.¡± She then turned her attention to the servant who was helping to clean up the mess. ¡°Please bring in the altered gown quickly. Let¡¯s not waste any time.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Moore.¡± The servant promptly picked up the gown box from the floor and followed Jennifer into the dressing room. Jennifer opened the box, revealing a stunning, white haute couture gown. Erin was amazed. ¡°Wow! That¡¯s such a beautiful gown! Is this from the renowned designer from abroad, Ms. Zoe? Jenny, you truly deserve to be the star of tonight¡¯s banquet. Your parents really dote on you. I¡¯m so envious.¡± Jennifer felt ttered by the praise and modestly replied, ¡°Oh,e on! It¡¯s nothing. Erin, you¡¯re the little princess pampered by the Freeman family, after all.¡± Theyplimented each other back and forth. Erin even took a few snapshots to showcase their friendship on Twitter, apanied by the caption, [My best friend¡¯s homing banquet! She¡¯s gorgeous.] This quickly drew a flood ofments from Erin¡¯s fans, showering them with praise, which Erin enjoyed as she had been locked up for a long time. Jennifer smiled along, trying to get her to leave. ¡°Erin, could you please check how many guests have arrived outside? Isn¡¯t it almost time to start?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Once Erin left, Jennifer promptly made a call. ¡°How¡¯s that bitch? Will there be any issues tonight?¡± Katie replied confidently, ¡°No worries, my people are keeping a close eye on her. Just enjoy the show.¡± With Katie¡¯s assurance, Jennifer finally let go of her worries. Thinking about the uing show, she could not help but feel the excitement bubbling within her. Tonight, she was determined to outshine that bitch and be Farlem¡¯s top socialite! Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> Chapter 59 Chapter 59 At 8 p.m., the Moore mansion was bustling with guests, including their rtives and prominent figures from upper¨Css society. Hannah¡¯s mother, Vanessa Moore, stood quietly by her husband, Kennedy Moore, asionally exchanging pleasantries with the guests. However, Vanessa was secretly unhappy. After all, her beloved Hannah was still unconscious, yet Kennedy was eager to bring his illegitimate daughter back, telling everyone Jennifer was her daughter too. It was infuriating. Nheless, Vanessa was well aware that the Moore family had no male heir. With her only daughter in the current state, she had no choice but to follow Kennedy¡¯s wishes to ensure the family¡¯s continuation. Hence, no matter how distasteful it was, she had to put on a facade of affection for Jennifer. ¡°Look over there! It¡¯s Ms. Moore!¡± A sudden shout echoed through the crowd, and all eyes in the hall immediately turned toward the spotlight, focusing on the second floor. Jennifer smiled, and her elegant demeanorplemented the ethereal gown she wore. As she walked down the staircase gracefully, she held the crowd¡¯s attention. Cheers and excited voices surrounded her. One socialite pulled Vanessa¡¯s hand and praised, ¡°Madam Moore, you¡¯re truly blessed! Jennifer is so beautiful, and her fiance is the CEO of the Ereeman Group. How envious!¡± Another socialite chimed in, ¡°Absolutely! Mr. Freeman is handsome, young, and powerful. The two make a perfect match. Madam Moore, you¡¯re indeed lucky!¡± Vanessa clenched her hand, smiling as she modestly replied, ¡°Oh, you tter me. You¡¯re much luckier than me.¡± On the other hand, Elijah sat quietly, not showing much expression. Despite his silence, his aura of nobility made it impossible to ignore his presence. Jennifer basked in the crowd¡¯s admiration, enjoying the vanity of being the center of attention as the heiress. Among the attendees were many wealthy young gentlemen, who had their eyes glued to Jennifer since she made her appearance, unable to look away. She noticed this and deliberately took her time descending the stairs. However, just as she was halfway down the stairs, the crowd suddenly stirred again. Someone shouted, ¡°Mr. Zimmer has arrived!¡± All eyes turned toward the entrance once again. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. The young and handsome Skye, apanied by his femalepanion, gracefully walked down the red carpet from the far end. His status as both a major celebrity and the son of the Zimmer family stirred even more excitement among the guests. As people gazed, their focus was drawn to the person beside him, Sheena Lawson. Sheena wore a pristine flowing gown that entuated her fair skin. Her makeup, light and elegant, unexpectedlyplemented the gown. As she approached, her presence exuded grace and nobility, and her beauty was simply breathtaking. Gasps and exmations echoed throughout the crowd, and all attention shifted away from Jennifer. Jennifer stood mid¨Cway on the staircase,pletely caught off guard by Sheena¡¯s entrance, who seemingly overshadowed Jennifer. She found herself trapped in ce, unnoticed and ignored. It was a frustrating feeling that was almost suffocating. What astonished her further was that Sheena managed to look so stunning in the knockoff gown. How could a knockoff gown create such an astonishing effect? Jennifer had spent the entire afternoon meticulously applying her makeup, only to find that her delicate look paledpared to Sheena¡¯s seemingly natural appearance. Why? How could Sheena outshine her like this? Frustration gnawed at Jennifer, and she elegantly covered her mouth, lightly coughing in an attempt to regain herposure. A nearby guest noticed something amiss and shouted, ¡°Look! Mr. Zimmer¡¯spanion is wearing the same designer gown as Ms. Moore.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right! But who wears it better?¡± ¡°Mr. Zimmer¡¯spanion is just too stunning. Ipletely forgot what Ms. Moore is wearing. F1 The guests¡® gaze shifted between the two women. Sheena¡¯s poised and ethereal presence contrasted starkly with Jennifer¡¯sckluster aura, effectively overshadowing her. Chapter 60 Chapter 60 Jennifer was seething with anger. That was not the effect she had anticipated! Soon enough, someone else noticed something amiss. ¡°Isn¡¯t that gown known as First Snow, a creation by the renowned foreign designer, Ms. Zoe?¡± ¡°Oh, my! It¡¯s really Ms. Zoe¡¯s First Snow!¡± ¡°But Ms. Zoe¡¯s design is always one of a kind without replicates. It¡¯s almost impossible to acquire even with wealth. How is it possible for two sets of First Snow gowns to appear tonight?¡± ¡°Who¡¯s wearing the knockoff?!¡± The crowd erupted into a buzz. The sight of two identical gowns signaled a clear message. There must be a knockoff among them. Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief as the situation seemed to get back on track. However, Kennedy and Vanessa were taken aback as they never anticipated such a scandal erupting at what was supposed to be a ssy event. The guests were now abuzz, sharing varied opinions, igniting a palpable tension in the banquet hall. Among the distinguished attendees were members of elite families who despised counterfeit goods. Fearing the situation might spiral out of control, Vanessa walked up to the central podium with the microphone. ¡°I deeply apologize for this unexpected turn of events. I was equally surprised. However, I¡¯d like to exin to everyone that my daughter¡¯s gown was personally purchased by me from Ms. Zoe at the cost of four million dors and was air¨Cfreighted overnight. It is unquestionably genuine.¡°1 A murmur swept through the crowd. Four million dors for a single evening gown! It would appear that the Moores truly cherished Jennifer! Once again, envious nces were cast at Jennifer. With Vanessa¡¯s exnation, most guests epted the story and pretty much concluded that Sheena¡¯s gown was the knockoff. Skye stepped forward, shielding Sheena from the malicious stares. Then, he looked at Vanessa on the podium and sneered, ¡°Madam Moore, are you implying that mypanion is wearing a knockoff?¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Vanessa was caught off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. Kennedy was even more flustered. Chapter 60 What should they do? If they acknowledged that Skye¡¯spanion was wearing a knockoff, it would be a huge blow to the Zimmer family¡¯s reputation and potentially strain future coborations with the Moores. Yet, iming Jennifer¡¯s gown was a fake would tarnish the Moore family¡¯s name and make it difficult to navigate high society circles. In either case, the Moore family was in a risky position. Kennedy was torn. He had never expected the elegant evening to devolve into this chaotic scenario. As confusion and whispers spread among the guests, Erin suddenly stood up. ¡°Mr. Zimmer, did you personally purchase the gown she¡¯s wearing?¡± Skye replied honestly, ¡°No.¡± ¡°That settles it. Mr. Zimmer was likely deceived by her.¡± Erin smirked. She faced all the attendees and continued, ¡°I¡¯m sure most of you don¡¯t know this woman. She¡¯s Sheena, an orphan my grandpa adopted from an orphanage. When she lived with us, she had a penchant for stealing. If it weren¡¯t for my mom¡¯s kindness, she would¡¯ve been kicked out long ago. Someone shameless like her could never afford a gown by Ms. Zoe. Her gown must be a knockoff!¡± Chapter 61 Chapter 61 Erin¡¯s words shocked everyone and their gazes toward Sheena turned sour instantly. Skye was well aware of Sheena¡¯s background, and he immediately became furious. ¡°Who do you think you are? How dare you spew nonsense about mypanion!¡± Seeing that Skye was still defending Sheena despite what she had said, Erin felt angry and jealous. Nheless, she dared not provoke Skye as he was known for his bad temper. Hence, Erin could only clench her fists in frustration and said, ¡°Mr. Zimmer, Sheena has obviously deceived you! She¡¯s really good at seducing men, and she even had my grandpa wrapped around her finger!¡± ¡°Enough with your nonsense! Sheena is actually¡­¡± Skye felt someone pinching his arm, silencing him abruptly. Then, he nced at Sheena, who merely shook her head. Elijah, who had been silently observing the scene, frowned when he caught these subtle interactions. Following Sheena¡¯s signal, Skye remained silent. Sheena stepped forward, smiling at Erin as she mocked, ¡°It seems the lesson fromst time. wasn¡¯t enough for you. You can¡¯t seem to control your mouth.¡± Erin felt a cold shiver run down her spine under Sheena¡¯s intense gaze. However, she believed that Sheena would not dare to take any extreme actions, considering they were in a public setting and had some distance between them. Thus, Erin continued her usations boldly, How could you shamelessly bring that up? You barged into my home, wrecked my things, and even¡­¡± ¡°Erin Freeman,¡± Elijah warned from afar. Erin shuddered. If Elijah called her by her full name, it meant that he was genuinely angry. Though unwilling, Erin had to ignore the previous incident and return to the topic at hand. ¡°Hmph! No matter what, the fact remains that your gown is a knockoff. Instead of making a fool out of yourselfter, why not admit it now?¡± Sheena remained silent. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. 11 On the stage, Jennifer took the microphone and said, ¡°Sheena, if you really like Ms. Zoe¡¯s First Snow this much, I can give it to you after the banquet. Today is a special day for me, and I want everyone to enjoy themselves. Why don¡¯t you go with my servants and change into a new gown?¡± Jennifer¡¯s generous and kind words earned her the crowd¡¯s favor and sealed the argument about Sheena¡¯s gown being a knockoff. Seeing that, Kennedy signaled to Vanessa. Vanessa promptly motioned to their servants and ordered, ¡°Take our guest to a room and help her change into another gown.¡± Two servants immediately moved forward, ready to escort Sheena off the red carpet. At this point, every guest in the room assumed that her gown was a knockoff, and no one stepped forward to defend her as they all looked at her disdainfully. The contrast was stark. One was the heiress of the Moore family, while the other was an orphan. The difference in their backgrounds was evident to all. Just as the servants approached, Sheena finally said, ¡°Hold on.¡± Then, she smiled gently and looked at Jennifer, ¡°Ms. Zoe¡¯s designs are not just beautiful, but the craftsmanship and unique details in each piece are unparalleled. The best imitation can mimic the appearance but not capture the essence of the craftsmanship.¡± Jennifer was puzzled, asking, ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Sheena replied proudly, ¡°Ms. Moore, if you insist that your gown is authentic, would to have a dance¨C off with me with Lover?¡± you dare The Lover was a particrly challenging tango dance, showcasing various sides of a woman, from gentle, wild, to yful. The difficultyy in its intricate steps and rhythmic changes. A momentary distraction could lead to losing synchronization with the music. The whole room was in shock! Was the woman out of her mind? Who gave her the audacity to suggest such a battle? Did she think she had not embarrassed herself enough? Dancing an intricate and high¨Cintensity tango would undoubtedly expose the ws in the knockoff gown¡¯s craftsmanship, and one could easily embarrass themselves by performing such a dance in front of so many people. However, since someone was willing to make a fool of themselves, the guests were more than happy to watch the show. Chapter 62 Chapter 62 Jennifer met Sheena¡¯s eyes, confused at Sheena¡¯s confidence in iming her gown was genuine. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Moreover, when did Sheena learn to tango? Even Jennifer had only recently learned the sophisticated dance that was popr among the higher echelons. The Lover was exceptionally challenging, and she could barely remember all the steps. What if Sheena really knew the dance and performed better than her? Jennifer felt uneasy. Seeing that Jennifer remained quiet, Sheena smirked. ¡°Are you afraid, Ms. Moore?¡± Her words were a tant provocation. If Jennifer did not ept, it would undoubtedly reflect poorly on her, possibly even making her appear guilty. Erin immediately stepped up to boost Jennifer¡¯s confidence, saying, ¡°Jenny, don¡¯t be afraid. If she¡¯s suggesting it, let her go first. Let her have her wish to embarrass herself in public!¡± Exactly! Jennifer¡¯s eyes lit up. She had almost forgotten that Sheena¡¯s gown was a knockoff, and even if she danced well, the seams would likely give way, leading to embarrassment. With that in mind, Jennifer said, ¡°Since you insist, let¡¯s consider these two dances today as a form of entertainment for our esteemed guests.¡± Then, she lightly lifted the hem of her gown, smiling as she bowed to the audience. Her gesture was very well received by the crowd, earning a lot of approving nces from them. When it came to the choice of who would dance first, Jennifer decided to take the lead as she was confident that Sheena would embarrass herself with her dance moves. Moreover, she wanted to draw attention and create anticipation for Sheena¡¯s performance. Since the Lover was a partnered dance, Jennifer instinctively looked in Elijah¡¯s direction. However, he was nowhere to be seen. In a situation like this, Jennifer could not simply run out to find him. Instead, she chose one of the more handsome guests among the many who had invited her to dance. As the music began, the two moved to the rhythm of the melody. Jennifer¡¯s dance was not the most stunning, but she remembered the first half¡¯s steps and performed them fairly well. Nheless, the banquet was held for her homing, so the crowd apuded her efforts. Jennifer was delighted, thinking her performance had impressed everyone, and she danced enthusiastically. However, as she danced along with the music and executed an upward arm movement, she suddenly heard a faint tearing sound from inside her arm. The sound was barely audible, drowned out by the music, but as the person experiencing it, Jennifer felt it distinctly. Did her gown¡¯s seam tear at that moment? Jennifer panicked, wondering how that was possible when her gown was undoubtedly genuine, Was it because her movements were too big? Feeling frustrated and anxious, Jennifer restrained her movements. However, she missed a beat because she was distracted, and her right foot identally stepped on her dance partner. An abrupt silence fell over the scene. Blushing with embarrassment, Jennifer quickly pulled her foot back, ending the dance. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that. I¡¯ve only recently returned from overseas, and I began learning Lover just two days ago. So, my performance wasn¡¯t up to par.¡± Erin was extremely gracious, saying, ¡°Jenny, it¡¯s really impressive for you to dance like this after learning it for just two days!¡± Many of the guests joined in withpliments for the sake of the Moore family¡¯s reputation. Kennedy and Vanessa smiled in response. Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief, now even more convinced that her earlier mishap was due to her overzealous movements. She refused to believe that her gown was a knockoff! Although not performed wlessly, the dance had at least ended without any major issues with the gown. Everyone turned to look at Sheena. Erin was ready for Sheena to embarrass herself, and she smugly said, ¡°It¡¯s your turn!¡± Chapter 63 Chapter 63 Sheena remained calm and answered, ¡°Sure.¡± She turned her head to look at Skye, only to find him pale¨Cfaced, looking extremely embarrassed as he murmured, ¡°S¨CSheena, I don¡¯t know how to dance Lover. Am I embarrassing you?¡± Sheena did not say anything, nor did she show any sign of wanting to me him. Erin quickly picked up the conversation, smiling smugly as she mocked, ¡°It seems Mr. Zimmer can¡¯t help you. What are you going to do now? What if there¡¯s no one willing to dance with you? You¡¯re making such a big fool out of yourself!¡± Sheena still remained silent, her gaze scanning the men in the room. A few young gentlemen were captivated by Sheena¡¯s beauty and briefly considered standing up to invite her for a dance. However, they hesitated as they believed her gown was a knockoff, afraid that joining her on stage would lead to public embarrassment. Hence, they gave up on the idea. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. After waiting for two minutes, no one in the room was willing to dance with Sheena. Erin was overjoyed. Just as she was about to continue taunting Sheena, a deep andmanding voice came from the back of the crowd. ¡°Ms. Sheena, would you be willing to dance with me?¡± All eyes turned to the source of the voice, and there stood Elijah. He had quietly reentered the hall, and his gaze fixed on Sheena. In truth, Elijah had not left, and he had simply retreated to a quiet corner, not wanting to get involved in the petty squabble between women. However, since Jennifer had finished her dance, Elijah thought there might indeed be an issue with Sheena¡¯s gown. If he danced with her, he could discreetly hold onto her waistline and prevent any potential mishaps, saving her from public humiliation. Elijah believed he acted out of goodwill, but not everyone saw it that way. ¡°Eli¡­¡± ¡°Eli!¡± Both Jennifer and Erin eximed almost simultaneously. Erin was visibly agitated. ¡°Eli, how could you help her? You¡¯re Jenny¡¯s fiance. If you don¡¯t help Jenny and help this woman instead, what will others think of Jenny? You need to think about Jenny!¡± Jennifer¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. She did notin but looked at him pitifully. However, she was secretly seething with resentment. If Sheena epted his offer, Jennifer, being the so¨Ccalled fiancee, would be humiliated! Moreover, Elijah had taken the initiative to invite Sheena to dance even though it could lead to embarrassment. Yet, he had not extended the same invitation to Jennifer. It was simply unfair! In that instant, Jennifer¡¯s intense feelings of resentment peaked. Ignoring theints from the two women, Elijah once again turned his gaze toward Sheena, hinting at her to ept his offer. Sheena merely nced at him indifferently, looked away, and walked straight toward the stage. Her tone was icy as she spoke, ¡°I appreciate Mr. Freeman¡¯s kind offer, but it¡¯s unnecessary. I believe I can handle this dance on my own.¡± ¡°What?! Is she crazy?¡± ¡°She wants to dance such a difficult piece by herself? And did you see the expression on her face earlier? She¡¯s totally disregarding Mr. Freeman!¡± ¡°She really doesn¡¯t know her ce. I can¡¯t wait to see her embarrass herself!¡± The guests were buzzing with discussions and were all focused on Sheena. Meanwhile, Jennifer secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Erin grinned. ¡°Good!¡± Rejected, Elijah¡¯s expression soured, but he did not say anything else and returned to his seat. Since Sheena was unappreciative of his well¨Cintentioned gesture, he decided to mind his own business. On the stage, Sheena seemed oblivious to the skeptical voices below. As the music began, she quickly immersed herself in the performance. Her entire demeanor changed. The guests hushed as they watched her get ready to dance, eagerly awaiting the spectacle. However, with each second, time slowly passed by. Chapter 64 Chapter 64 The expressions of those who had been expecting to see Sheena embarrass herself gradually transformed into astonishment! Being in the spotlight, Sheena danced gracefully to the rhythm of the music. Her snow¨Cwhite gown flowed elegantly, making her look like a fairy in the night. Sheena seemed to have melded with the music, her steps transitioning seamlessly between sophistication and energetic movements. Even the most challenging elements of the dance, like the cross¨Csteps, spins, and leaps, were executed wlessly. Even though it required two to tango, Sheena had reinterpreted it into a perfectly fitting solo performance. It was as if this dance had been tailored specifically for her. ¡°Oh my god! How did she do that?¡± ¡°This is the best performance of Lover that I¡¯ve ever seen!¡± ¡°It¡¯s too bad I didn¡¯t stand up to invite her to dance just now. She¡¯s absolutely stunning! I missed out big time!¡± The men who had hesitated to dance with Sheena earlier due to their disdain were now sighing and lamenting their decisions. After all, to be able to lightly sp that slender waist, even just for a moment, would have made their evening perfect! Feelings of regret and admiration were intertwined among the guests. Everyone was captivated by Sheena¡¯s performance, unable to move their eyes away. Elijah, too, could not look away, surprised by Sheena¡¯s performance. He knew well that one could not dance the notoriously difficult Lover so wlessly without several years of solid foundation and extensive practice. Since their divorce, she had been even more mysterious, constantly challenging his understanding of her. Elijah could not help but wonder what else she had in store that he did not know about. Jennifer was also taken aback, standing in the back corner of the stage where the spotlight did not reach her. Despite that, she could clearly see the astonishment on the faces of the guests below. Even her beloved Elijah had not looked away from the performance. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. However, Jennifer quickly realized that it was better to let Sheena shine and be at the center of attention right then! After all, the higher Sheena got, the harder she would fallter! As the song reached its climax, the guests held their breaths along with Sheena¡¯s graceful spins. If anything were to happen to her gown now from the dance¡¯s high intensity andrge movements, the stunning performance would be ruined! At this point, Sheena was in the final, intense segment of the music, spinning around multiple Chapter 04 times. Jennifer and Erin¡¯s malicious yet excited nces were almost impossible to hide! The tension in the crowd peaked, and Sheena halted her spins at the veryst note of the music amidst the tense atmosphere, elegantly transitioning into a poised ending stance on the stage. There were no surprises or mishaps on stage. It was aplete and breathtaking performance. The entire room fell into silence. Then, the room erupted with apuse. Surrounded by praise and admiration, Sheena remained surprisinglyposed, as if it were an everyday thing. As soon as she finished dancing, Jennifer¡¯s previous performance was starkly contrasted. The guests who had initially supported Jennifer now seemed uninterested in even ncing her way, completely captivated by Sheena¡¯s exquisite dance. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. However, as the dance concluded, a new question emerged! Both of them hadpleted their dances without anything happening to their gowns. So, which one of them was wearing the authentic First Snow gown? Chapter 65 So, which one of them was wearing the authentic First Snow gown? Chapter 65 The crowd began to whisper again, with some even discreetly searching online for First Snow, hoping to uncover clues about the dress. Meanwhile, Jennifer, standing in the corner of the stage, waspletely puzzled by how Sheena finished the dance without any issues when her dress was obviously a knockoff. Why? Where did things go wrong? Jennifer felt overwhelmed by Sheena¡¯s performance and frustrated that the limelight was stolen. Jennifer was unable to ept it. She rushed over to Sheena, determined to figure out the secret behind that gown. However, before she could reach Sheena ory a finger on her, the waistline of her gown, where the fabric was stretched to its limit, suddenly made a tearing sound! Since the music had stopped at this point, the tearing sound was loud and jarring, instantly drawing everyone¡¯s attention. Before Jennifer could react, she instinctively tried to cover herself, but it was toote! A long seam tore open along the side of her gown, exposing her pink bra under the spotlight, making it ringly obvious to onlookers. Jennifer¡¯s face turned pale. In a panic, she instinctively crouched down, attempting to shield herself, but ironically, her action made the tear worse. Her pink underwear was now clearly visible to the audience. ¡®Wow! She was actually wearing a matching set!¡® The audience thought. The crowd immediately erupted withughter as mocking and teasing gazes fell upon Jennifer. ¡°Hahaha! The Moore family really pulled off a great show!¡± ¡°I¡¯m truly shocked! The prestigious Ms. Moore actually wore a knockoff gown to the banquet! Not only that, but she¡¯s also wearing it so confidently! She might be the first one to do so!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! She even used Mr. Zimmer¡¯spanion. Who does she think she is?¡± ¡°This is hrious! Not only did she dance terribly, but she was also wearing a knockoff! Did the Moore family think we¡¯re all blind?¡± The criticism and ridicule were sharp and relentless. Earlier, in order to tter the Moore family, those same people showered Jennifer withpliments. However, at this moment, they were just as eager to bring her down. Listening to the endless attacks against her, Jennifer could no longer contain her despair and screamed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt utterly disheartened. She was a mess, yet no one showed her any sympathy. ¡°No! That¡¯s not true! How could I possibly be wearing a knockoff?! How?¡± Jennifer shook her head in disbelief. Suddenly, she noticed a light shing from above. She instinctively turned toward the source and saw Sheena, who was also on the stage, capturing her embarrassing Chapter 65 moment on her phone. Jennifer could not believe that Sheena was boldly taking a photo of her humiliation in front of Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. everyone. Sheena stood less than a meter away. Her pristine white, flowy gown shimmered under the spotlight, exuding an air of elegance and pride as she smiled coldly at Jennifer. Jennifer could not believe Sheena¡¯s arrogance and could feel her sanity crumbling. Without a second thought, she charged toward Sheena to confront her, ¡°Was it you? Did you do this to me? Why would you do something like this? You¡¯re so wicked!¡± Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Kennedy quickly intervened, urging Vanessa, who was still in disbelief that she had paid four million dors for a knockoff. Vanessa finally snapped out of her daze and hurriedly brought two servants to assist Jennifer. However, the situation had already escted beyond control by the time they reached the scene. Watching from below, Elijah swiftly stepped in, cing himself firmly between the two Chapter 66 women. Chapter 66 Jennifer felt a rush of relief upon seeing him, and she clung to him, sobbing uncontrobly while pointing at Sheena. ¡°Eli, you have to believe me! It was her who did this to me! It must be her! My family paid four million dors for the First Snow! There¡¯s no way this can be a fake! She must¡¯ve switched the gowns when I wasn¡¯t looking!¡± Elijah listened quietly, looking at Sheena with an unreadable gaze. Kennedy grabbed the microphone, attempting to salvage the situation. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about this, everyone. Jennifer is feeling quite emotional tonight, and I¡¯ll have Vanessa take her back to her room to calm down before she returns. As for the knockoff First Snow, we are just as puzzled as all of you. The four million dors were indeed transferred to Ms. Zoe¡¯s ount, which is verifiable. However, I assure you I¡¯ll thoroughly investigate this matter and provide an exnation for this incident!¡± He nced at the audience and bowed apologetically before giving a stern look to Vanessa, signaling her to remove Jennifer from the scene. Vanessa nodded and quickly ushered Jennifer away with the help of the servants. As Jennifer¡¯s crying voice faded, the atmosphere in the hall remained charged with controversy. Kennedy scanned the crowd, and his dissatisfaction with Jennifer grew stronger. He had thought that bringing this illegitimate daughter back to the family would save the Moore family, but it seemed he had brought back a disaster instead. This banquet escted into a massive embarrassment right from the start! He was truly regretting his decision. With the spotlight no longer focused on the stage and the crowd engrossed in discussing Jennifer¡¯s situation, the attention on Sheena lessened. Sheena turned around and got ready to leave the stage, but she caught someone¡¯s unwavering gaze fixed on her. Elijah¡¯s lips were tightly pursed, and it was hard to tell if he was angry or lost in thought. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Feeling annoyed by his intense stare, Sheena raised an eyebrow and looked back at him. With a teasing smile, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you bothered that your fiancee was embarrassed by me?¡± Elijah¡¯s unwavering gaze still bore into her, assessing her from head to toe. Sheena could not decipher the meaning behind his gaze, nor was she interested in doing so. She was about to leave when he spoke again, his deep voice carrying a hint of concern. ¡°How are you holding up?¡± She thought his words felt oddly out of character. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine. I just witnessed someone making a big fool out of herself,¡± she replied. Then, she went to find Skye. However, Sheena could sense a lingering gaze fixed on her from behind, causing her to pick up her pace. With Jennifer no longer causing a scene, Kennedy resumed his role as the attentive host, and gradually, the guests¡® discussions started to die down. After all, they were still on someone else¡¯s turf, and it was inappropriate to be too rude. In about an hour, the banquet¡¯s atmosphere returned to its harmonious state. As a result of the recent events, Skye had be Sheena¡¯s enthusiastic fan, staring at her in awe. ¡°Your Majesty, do you need a loyal sidekick? I¡¯m sweet, obedient, and quite a catch. Will you reconsider my offer?¡± Elijah was mingling close by, discreetly observing the situation. Upon hearing Skye¡¯s words, his expression darkened instantly. Sheena, on the other hand, used her fingertip to nudge Skye¡¯s head away yfully. ¡°Go away. I¡¯m not interested in immature kids who are too young to get married.¡± Elijah¡¯s demeanor returned to normal, and he continued to engage in pleasant conversation with other CEOS. However, Skye¡¯s enthusiasm quickly faded as he muttered in frustration, ¡°I don¡¯t care! I¡¯ll be old enough to marry in a few years! If you¡¯re still not married by then, I¡¯ll definitely marry you, Sheena!¡± Seeing his determination, Sheena could only shake her head with a bemused smile. Now that the situation had finally calmed down, Kennedy took the opportunity to address the audience. He took the stage and began his formal speech, ¡°I¡¯m delighted to have you all here to wee my youngest daughter, Jennifer, home. However, aside from inviting you to enjoy the banquet, there¡¯s another significant matter concerning the Moore family that we need to announce tonight!¡± Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> Chapter 67 Chapter 67 Kennedy paused, and the crowd fell silent instantly, eagerly awaiting his next words. His expression suddenly turned somber as he continued, ¡°I believe you¡¯re aware of the recent events involving the Moore family. I¡¯m deeply saddened by this, but for the sake of the continued prosperity of the Moore Group, I have decided to announce, in the presence of all of you tonight, the new sessor of the Moore Group, Jennifer.¡± As he concluded, he turned his head and gestured for everyone to look upstairs. Now adorned in a new pale¨Cyellow gown, Jennifer had her voluminous curls elegantly falling over her right shoulder. Even her makeup seemed refined, adding a touch of grace. Her gentle and poised smile appeared perfectlyposed as though the events over an hour ago had not urred. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. The guests also offered a courteous round of apuse as they saw her. Having learned from her previous experience, Jennifer controlled her temper and descended the stairs at a steady pace. Then, he approached Kennedy and shared a heartfelt embrace, exemplifying their father¨Cdaughter bond. Afterward, Kennedy stepped off the stage, leaving it for Jennifer. Under the spotlight, Jennifer clutched the microphone. Her eyes were still red, and she felt somewhat excited. ¡°I want to thank my parents for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving the Moore Group. I¡¯ll dedicate myself to learning every aspect of thepany¡¯s operations and strive to contribute to its continued sess. I also want to thank all of you for joining me in tonight¡¯s celebration. I hope everyone has a wonderful time.¡± Believing her speech had concluded, the guests erupted into another round of apuse. However, Jennifer hesitated briefly before continuing, and she even blushed, ¡°Perhaps many of you here already know, but I¡¯d still like to extend an invitation to all of you publicly. One month from now, I¡¯ll be holding an engagement ceremony with Mr. Elijah Freeman, the CEO of the Freeman Group, at the Eastern Hotel. I sincerely hope that you will all be there to witness our love.¡± Jennifer radiated with happiness as she spoke, and she gazed sweetly at Elijah while stealing secret nces at Sheena. Skye listened intently, then looked at Sheena beside him, who appeared unbothered as she casually sipped her ss of red wine. Skye still felt a bit concerned and tried to console her, ¡°Sheena, you divorced that jerk not too long ago, and now he¡¯s getting engaged again. He¡¯s not a good man. Fortunately, you¡¯re not with him anymore. Also, Ms. Moore is clearly trying to assert her dominance by deliberately announcing it in such a grand manner. She¡¯s quite cunning.¡± Sheena was amused by his words and chuckled. ¡°Ipletely agree with you.¡± Jennifer saw the two chatting happily, and she could not help but wonder if Sheena was pretending to be unbothered because she underestimated her. Thinking about that, Jennifer¡¯s eyes shed with a glint of resentment. After a slight bow to the audience below, she stepped down from the stage and began to offer toasts one by one. She was guided by Vanessa, who disyed impable etiquette, with the waitstaff holding wine sses following closely behind. Soon, Jennifer made her way over to where Sheena was standing. Afterpleting her toasts with others, Jennifer held her ss and looked at Sheena. ¡°Sheena, I believe you¡¯re a forgiving person and won¡¯t hold a grudge over what happened earlier,¡± Jennifer spoke in aposed tone. Sheena also lifted the ss of red wine in her hand and met Jennifer¡¯s gaze, smiling. ¡°It would seem that you don¡¯t know me well enough, Ms. Moore. I happen to be someone who holds grudges, and I¡¯m always ready to retaliate.¡± Jennifer was surprised by Sheena¡¯s reply but quickly shed a brighter smile and leaned in closer to Sheena¡¯s ear. From the onlookers¡® perspective, the two seemed to be getting along well. ¡°Hearing about my love with Eli must have stung, didn¡¯t it? You¡¯ve endured three years of hardship in the Freeman family, only to be forced to leave him. What a pity,¡± Jennifer mocked andughed. Sheena scoffed.¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I didn¡¯t witness much affection between you and Mr. Freeman. It would seem that you have bad eyesight since you can¡¯t even distinguish between authentic and knockoff. You¡¯re probably not the best judge of character either.¡± Jennifer¡¯s smile froze as the memory of her public embarrassment resurfaced. She clenched the wine ss tightly and whispered in a spiteful tone, ¡°Don¡¯t be so smug. This is not the end yet, and I won¡¯t let you off the hook!¡± Chapter 68 Chapter 68 Sheena teased, ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to that. But before that, I have something to share with you.¡± Jennifer took a couple of steps back, maintaining a cautious distance and sounding slightly skeptical. ¡°What is it?¡± To outsiders, it seemed like the two were exchanging whispered secrets. Then, Sheena unlocked her phone and presented a photo to Jennifer, grinning as she asked, Isn¡¯t this rather interesting?¡± ¡°You!¡± Jennifer nced at the photo and could not hold back her boiling anger. She could not believe Sheena actually dared to taunt her with a picture of her recent humiliation! Driven by frustration, Jennifer reached out to snatch the phone. Sheena was one step ahead, swiftly reiming her phone. ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Jennifer eximed, missing her target. With her frustration boiling over, she hurled the wine in her hand toward Sheena. Skye, seated nearby, saw everything clearly and was about to intervene. Ssh! The wine smudged Jennifer¡¯s delicate makeup and stained her pale¨Cyellow dress. Jennifer wiped the wine off her face,pletely stunned. In that split second, Sheena held her hand and wasted no time in flinging her own ss of wine directly at Jennifer¡¯s face. Sheena was simply too fast! Jennifer was absolutely outraged. Themotion drew the attention of nearby guests, and Jennifer¡¯s furious re turned into a pitiful expression. ¡°Sheena¡­ I just hoped you would let Eli and me be. Why did you have to do this?¡± Jennifer¡¯s voice quivered as she began to sob. Onlookers gathered around, eager for more drama. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Seeing the scene unfold, many assumed that Sheena was the aggressor. After all, Skye was known as a troublemaker himself. It would not be surprising if his femalepanion were equally problematic. A group of people started criticizing Sheena. Sheena simply cast a cold nce as she could not be bothered to refute her ims. ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired of using the same trick?¡± An empathetic guest handed Jennifer a handkerchief. As Jennifer wiped the wine off her face, she continued to whimper, ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you mean, Sheena. I just want you to let Eli go. I truly love him, and our engagement ceremony is approaching. Can¡¯t you just wish us well?¡± It sounded as if there was more to this story, and the crowd was engrossed in the unfolding drama. Upon hearing themotion, Vanessa rushed over and was shocked to find Jennifer soaked in wine. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Jennifer was about to exin, but Skye spoke up first, his tone icy and his gaze burning with rage. ¡°The Moore family is rather audacious! First, you tried to smear mypanion¡¯s name by using her of wearing a knockoff gown, and you¡¯re now ying the victim. Are you trying to provoke my family, the Zimmers? I won¡¯t forget this!¡± He snorted disdainfully, dragging Sheena away without even looking back. The other guests did not dare challenge the little tyrant, quickly making way for them. Vanessa had just arrived, and she looked utterly bewildered when she heard Skye¡¯s response. What was going on? Could it be that Jennifer was not the one being bullied? Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Vanessa was about to question Jennifer when Kennedy and Elijah walked over. Seeing the reassuring figure, Jennifer rushed toward him in tears. ¡°Eli¡­¡± Elijah nced at her without saying anything. No one could read his expression under the dim lighting. Kennedy noticed Jennifer¡¯s disheveled appearance and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± The gathered guests joined in exining. Although their words were somewhat biased toward Jennifer, they refrained from saying anything too harsh, given Skye¡¯s reputation and Sheena¡¯s stunning performance. After getting a rough idea, Kennedy understood the situation. He smiled and reassured the guests to continue enjoying the night. After brieflyforting Jennifer, he then returned to the hall with the other guests. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Jennifer sobbed as she reached for Elijah¡¯s hand, gently leaning on him and looking pitiful.¡± Eli, please don¡¯t me Sheena. She¡¯s probably upset about our engagement.¡± Elijah looked at Jennifer and asked coldly, ¡°What did you say to her?¡± Caught off guard by his question, Jennifer noticed that he was displeased, so she quickly exined, ¡°We¡¯re about to get engaged. I just wanted her to give us her blessing. I didn¡¯t expect her to be angry and ssh me with wine.¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Elijah frowned, and his expression turned darker. Jennifer clung to a glimmer of hope and nodded, tightening her grip on his arm. Elijah withdrew his arm almost instantly and said, ¡°Jenny, I¡¯m finding it harder and harder to understand you.¡± Jennifer was taken aback. That was the first time he had sounded so indifferent. Could he have seen through her? Jennifer realized it was pointless to keep up the act. If Elijah had indeed caught onto something, hiding the truth would only make him hate her more. ¡°Eli, Sheena made fun of me with an embarrassing photo of me from the incident. I got angry and thought of throwing the wine at her. I haven¡¯t changed, Eli. I¡¯m still the same person.¡± Elijah remained silent, letting Jennifer continue her rambling. However, that only made Jennifer grow even more anxious, and she cried harder, ¡°Eli, please say something. You promised you¡¯d marry me for what I¡¯ve done for you. Please believe me. I didn¡¯t mean to do this.¡± Elijah frowned when Jennifer mentioned the past, growing even more disdainful toward her. Since returning to the country, she frequently used the incident from years ago as emotional Chapter 69 leverage against him. It was as if Jennifer was no longer the innocent girl she once was, and Elijah could not help but wonder if those three years abroad had truly changed her. Vanessa, being a woman herself, listened to Jennifer and felt disgusted, rolling her eyes before turning to leave. However, Elijah stopped her. ¡°Madam Moore, Jenny¡¯s not in the best state tonight. Please take her back and let her rest.¡± Vanessa could not refuse and smiled lovingly, gently guiding Jennifer away. Only after Elijah had left did Vanessa¡¯s smile fade, and she discreetly pinched Jennifer¡¯s arm as she muttered, Just as expected of the daughter of a mistress. You sure know how to put on a show! He¡¯s long gone, so you can drop the act. I¡¯m getting a headache just from watching.¡± Jennifer red at her. ¡°Did you really think I¡¯m afraid of you?¡± Vanessa retorted, releasing Jennifer¡¯s arm and heading back to the hall. ¡± Exiting the Moore mansion, Sheena and Skye went their separate ways. After returning to Howard¡¯s mansion, Sheena took a shower, then applied a rejuvenating face mask, and snacked on fresh fruits, feeling content. Suddenly, her phone rang. Sheena did not hesitate to answer when she saw the caller ID. ¡°Thank you for tonight. If it weren¡¯t for you, I might have embarrassed myself.¡± Chapter 70 Chapter 70 Ms. Zoeughed heartily. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re more than wee! You¡¯re the perfect person for my First Snow, and it was practically tailored for you. I would¡¯ve been devastated if Jennifer was the one wearing it. Sheena just smiled. Thankfully, she noticed the issue with the dress from Skye just before leaving. Then, she called Ms. Zoe to confirm if it was a knockoff. Since Jennifer was slightly chubbier than her, the dress did not fit her perfectly, allowing Sheena to swap it with the real First Snow. ¡°Even so, I have to thank you for this. When you¡¯re back in town, I¡¯ll treat you to a meal.¡± Ms. Zoe, currently watching a video of Sheena dancing to Lover that Skye had recorded, grinned mischievously. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. Just agree to model for me and I¡¯ll be over the moon.¡± ¡°My hourly rate is rather high. Let me know when you can afford me,¡± Sheena replied. Ms. Zoe groaned yfully while praising Sheena¡¯s dance moves from the previous night. The two friends, who had not been in touch for years, chatted into the wee hours of the night. The next day, Sheena woke up on time, feeling quite good as she headed to work. However, as she arrived at the office, she noticed the employees giving her strange looks. Nheless, Sheena remained unbothered and went straight into her office. The employees from the same floor gathered and exchanged hushed whispers as they nced at her. A plump employee remarked, ¡°Hey, is what they¡¯re saying online true? But Ms. Sheena seemed pretty cool and didn¡¯t seem like that type of person!¡± Another female employee with heavy makeup seemed irritated. ¡°Of course it¡¯s true. I¡¯ve sensed something off about her for a while. As expected, she¡¯s not a good person! Fatty, I bet you wouldn¡¯t be defending her if she weren¡¯t good¨Clooking!¡± ¡°Who are you calling a fatty?¡± ¡°I¡¯m talking about you, of course!¡± ¡°Ahem, ahem¡­¡± The crowd was on the verge of quarreling when they heard someone coughing, and within a second, they all returned to their workstations. Sheena stepped out of her office to get some water. Wendy noticed that she was about to make her own coffee, so she hurried over to assist. ¡°Ms. Sheena, I¡¯m sorry. I was just about to bring your coffee over.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Back at their workstations, everyone watched with unease, sneaking nces toward the break room and wondering if Sheena had heard anything. Chapter 70 Later, Sheena returned to her office, holding her coffee and appearing indifferent. As she settled into her seat, Wendy followed her in. Concerned, Wendy asked, ¡°Ms. Sheena, did you hear what they were saying just now?¡± Sheena nodded. ¡°Do you¡­ know about the trending topic online?¡± Trending topic? Seeing Sheena¡¯s confused reaction, Wendy quickly exined, ¡°Last night, someone posted a video online of you sshing red wine on Ms. Moore at the banquet. Then, someone revealed that you were allegedly the third party involved with Ms. Moore and Mr. Freeman¡¯s rtionship this morning. The inte is buzzing with all of this now.¡® Sheena froze. Wendy handed her phone over for Sheena to see. ¡°T Sheena quickly scrolled through, finding an edited video of her sshing Jennifer with wine. It did look quite audacious, and thements below were full of harsh words, disturbingly offensive. However, to think that Jennifer would im that Sheena was the third party in her rtionship with Elijah. Was Jennifer trying to dig her own grave? Chapter 71 Chapter 71 However, Sheena could not help but wonder if Elijah was involved in all of this, and if so, to what extent: As her expression grew colder, Wendy cautiously asked, ¡°Ms. Sheena, what do you n to do about this situation?¡± Handing the phone back to Wendy, Sheena continued to work and said indifferently, ¡°I haven¡¯t decided yet. You can go now. The deadline for the presentation on the all¨Cgirls talent show is approaching, and I need to focus on finishing my work first.¡± Wendy was taken aback. ¡°Huh? Ms. Sheena, things might worsen if you brush it off just like that.¡® Sheena did not respond as she was already immersed in her work. Wendy could not understand what was going on in her mind and left the office helplessly. The online frenzy escted rapidly in just a few hours, quickly soaring to the top three trending topics. Sheena had yet to respond in any way, and someone behind the scenes was fanning the mes, sensationalizing the issue. They leaked scandalous information and manipted public opinion against her. Even Sheena¡¯s background, her time in an orphanage, and her position at Angle Group were exposed. A swarm of media outlets gathered outside thepany building, eager for a chance to interview her. At the same time, the Angle Group¡¯s stocks plummeted by a staggering two percent within the hour, with a downward trend continuing. Not only that but the online narrative also heavily favored Jennifer. [Ms. Moore is so pitiful. She and Mr. Freeman are deeply in love, yet this bitch had to meddle!] [Why isn¡¯t she dead yet? How could she shamelessly ssh wine on Ms. Moore? She should be charged with aggravated assault!] [Exactly! What a despicable woman! As expected of someone with a lowly background!] Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. [As a loyal fan, thepany should immediately fire this disgraceful employee! Her behavior could seriously damage my idol¡¯s reputation!] [Agreed.] [I strongly support the above sentiment!] Meanwhile, Jennifer sat on a lounge chair in her room, smiling triumphantly as she believed she had won against Sheena. If things continued like this, Angle Group might want to avoid trouble and promptly fire Sheena. By then, Howard would likely kick her out without a second thought after having seen her true colors! With that thought in mind, Jennifer burst intoughter, appearing slightly sinister due to her exaggerated outburst. It seemed like she had been holding it in for a long time, and it had been some time since she felt this ecstatic! Without her job and Howard¡¯s support, Sheena would not be able to act so audaciously anymore! Nheless, Jennifer had to admit that Katie¡¯s n was amazing, and cooperating with her had proven efficient and effortless. Jennifer¡¯s mood was exceptionally delightful as she savored a sip of tea elegantly. Wendy was also glued to her phone, watching the situation spiraling out of control! Wendy was worried that Sheena would lose her job if this went on unchecked. If that were the case, would she also be terminated? Even though Wendy was anxious, she could only sit at her desk helplessly. However, there was no point for her to feel uneasy since the person at the center of it all did not seem to be bothered in any way. In her office, Sheena remained engrossed in her work, diligently brainstorming various ns for the talent show. She did not bother to check what was happening online. Suddenly, Sheena¡¯s phone rang. She was initially reluctant to answer as it was an unknown number, but the person called her three times in a row. Sheena grew annoyed and decided to check who it was. Chapter 72 Chapter 72 Upon picking up, a familiar deep, husky voice could be heard. There was also a hint of urgency and some otherplex emotions in his tone. ¡°How can you still be in the mood to work with what¡¯s happening online? Should I call you ambitious or foolish?¡± It was Elijah? Sheena was initially taken aback, not expecting a call from him at all, especially since she had changed her phone number after their divorce. How did he manage to find her contact information? From his tone, it seemed like he was unaware of the situation. Even so, this matter was definitely connected to his beloved Jennifer. Noticing that Sheena remained silent, Elijah questioned, ¡°Cat got your tongue?¡± Sheena chuckled. How could she be scared by something petty like this? ¡°Mr. Freeman, since you have such a great imagination, I suggest you try writing novels. You might earn more than you do in real estate.¡® 11. 11. ¡°I¡¯m here to discuss serious matters, and you¡¯re making light of this?¡± Elijah¡¯s tone grew heavier as he suddenly realized that they ended up arguing every time they met. ¡°I¡¯m also being serious. Instead of wasting time meddling in my affairs, why don¡¯t you focus on keeping your fiancee in check? She might not be able to handle the consequences if she provokes me further.¡± As Sheena continued, her voice grew colder. ¡°By the way, please keep your distance from me. I¡¯ll say it again, my life is none of your damn business.¡± Before Elijah could retort, Sheena had already ended the call. Did she wake up on the wrong side of the bed in the morning? Why was she so angry? Just after ending the call, Sheena¡¯s phone rang again. This time, it was Skye. ¡°Sheena, have you thought about how to handle this? If needed, I can help rify things. Angle Group is great in public rtions, and we can likely suppress the situation quickly.¡± Skye was genuinely concerned, and it was reflected in his voice. Sheena was grateful for Skye¡¯s concern, but she declined his offer, saying, ¡°No need. You¡¯re a popr celebrity. If you speak for me, it might backfire, and your overly devoted fans mighte to the company to attack me. Besides, what I want goes beyond just suppressing the situation.¡± Skye replied, ¡°So, you already have something in mind? If there¡¯s anything I can help with, just let me know!¡± After the call ended, Sheena returned to her work. Wendy hade to her office several times, attempting to say something but ultimately leaving. By noon, the situation had escted further. The tweet featuring Erin and Jennifer¡¯s pre¨Cparty selfie also made it to the trending list, and many marketing ounts began shaping Jennifer as a virtuous and innocent beauty. Upon learning that, Jennifer created an ount and deliberately followed only Elijah. She posted about her love story with Elijah, quickly gaining fifty thousand followers. That was not all. She also thanked her fans for their support, garnering the inte¡¯s liking. Jennifer was overjoyed as she did not expect things to turn out so well for her. Riding on Sheena¡¯s attempt to tarnish her reputation had boosted her image, which was truly exhrating! Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. As Jennifer was deep in thought, she received a notification and eagerly took out her phone to check, seemingly reveling in the feeling of being praised. However, she found an unexpected message. [So, you¡¯re the scheming bitch after all, huh? Didn¡¯t see thating, did you? You little homewrecker. She has already posted the truth!] What on earth? Why was this person cursing her? Who made that post? As Jennifer grew puzzled, more messages arrived, all filled with insults. How could this be happening? Could it be Sheena¡¯s doing? Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Just as Jennifer was reveling in her triumph, a Twitter ount, seemingly belonging to Sheena herself, made a post. It was a video of the wine¨Csshing incident from a different angle at the banquet, which clearly showed Sheena handing her phone to Jennifer. It looked like Sheena was showing Jennifer something, and Jennifer¡¯s expression turned furious upon seeing it. After that, Jennifer raised her wine ss as if trying to pour it at Sheena. However, Sheena stopped her and countered by sshing her wine at Jennifer¡¯s face in the next instant. Although this video was clearer and moreplete, it still showed Sheena as the one who threw the wine. Before theizens could gather in thement section, the same Twitter ount posted again, [Already divorced. Nothing to do with each other anymore.] Everyone was confused. What was the post implying? Was she saying that she was not the homewrecker, but the wife instead? While these two Twitter posts were concise, theycked solid evidence, making them less convincing. Soon, the replies were quickly filled with spiteful remarks from inte trolls. Some even stood up for Jennifer, stating they would not believe any information unless it was backed up by evidence. However, the tables were turned in less than two minutes as another person in the know shared evidence on Twitter, proving that Jennifer had recently drugged Elijah. Every piece of evidence was rock¨Csolid. The inte was in a frenzy. What woman would intentionally use such a despicable method on her future husband? Unless she was the homewrecker. Suddenly, Sheena¡¯s tweet about her divorce seemed a lot more persuasive, yet some questioned the wine¨Csshing video, iming that Sheena was too audacious. Fortunately, someizens were thinking clearly at that point. [If Sheena was indeed Mr. Freeman¡¯s secret ex¨Cwife, then wouldn¡¯t that mean that Jennifer was the mistress?] [It¡¯s clear from the unedited video that Jennifer was about to throw wine first. Wasn¡¯t Sheena¡¯s response reasonable?] [I was at that banquet as a waitstaff for the Moore family. Ms. Moore and Sheena were wearing the same gown, and Ms. Moore used Sheena of wearing a knockoff. Ultimately, it was revealed that Ms. Moore¡¯s gown was the knockoff. Maybe she held a grudge over this and wanted revenge during the toast, but who knew Sheena would react this way?] After one of the Twitter ounts replied as though they were there during the event, everyone was eagerly joining in the conversation. That ount also patiently exined the incident and soon posted two more videos, one of Jennifer dancing to Lover at the banquet, and another of Jennifer¡¯s gown falling apart in embarrassment due to a wardrobe malfunction. The readers were all engrossed in the drama. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Jennifer grew suspicious as she looked at thements under her Twitter post. When she returned to the homepage and checked the trending topics, she realized that the heated discussions about Sheena had subsided and became harder to find. However, what caught her attention were the new trending phrases as they all somehow seemed to be rted to her! [Ms. Moore Dancing], [Jennifer¡¯s Humiliation], [The Moore family¡¯s Knockoff Gown]. These phrases struck a nerve with her. With trembling hands, she clicked on them and found videos of her embarrassing moments from the banquet. How could this happen? Kennedy had clearly told the guests to keep things quiet before the end of the banquet, and the Moore family¡¯s servants would not dig their own graves by doing this! Jennifer could not take it and switched to a secondary ount, attempting to salvage her image. [I¡¯ve met Ms. Moore, and she¡¯s actually quite nice. The knockoff incident could be a set¨Cup, maybe even nned by Sheena herself!] Quickly, a response came, [But her blunder was so hrious! That pink underwear she was wearing was eye¨Ccatching! Haha!] Jennifer turned livid upon reading this, immediately engaging in a heated exchange. Chapter 74 Chapter 74 The argument escted quickly. Nheless, Jennifer was no match for the seasonedizens, and she was soon overwhelmed. Not only that, but her aggressive responses also hinted at her true identity. [Why are you defending her so fiercely? Are you Jennifer? Are you using an alternate ount?] Someone quicklypared the two ounts and found that the login IP addresses were the Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. same. Jennifer¡¯s image waspletely shattered, and the innocent image she had just established vanished just like that. She had drugged her fiance, worn knockoffs, and used an alternate ount to defend herself while defaming Sheena. Meanwhile, Sheena had only shared an unedited video clip and a short statement. Jennifer¡¯s attempt to manipte online opinions had ironically exposed everything, and the inte condemned her. Seeing that things were settling down, Sheena instructed Skye, who had been posing as the waitstaff from the Moore family, to step back from the situation. Sheena chuckled at Jennifer¡¯s attempt to stain her reputation, only to end up shooting herself in her foot. It seemed that Jennifer had forgotten that Sheena¡¯s expertise at the entertainmentpany was handling public rtions and countering negative narratives. Then, Sheena set aside her phone and returned to her work. Little did she know, her name entered the trending topics once again. A video of her dancing the tango at the party had been posted online. With subtle makeup and a gown as white as snow, her graceful and sensual dance embodied both innocence and ethereal allure. In stark contrast to Jennifer¡¯s dance video, this performance left netizens in awe, and the video quickly soared to the top of the trending list. [Amazing! This is by far the best tango I¡¯ve seen recently!] [Is this really the notorious Lover, known to be the most difficult to master? She executed it perfectly!] [Jennifer¡¯s dance was simply painful to watchpared to this. I¡¯m with Team Sheena now!] [Sheena is so gorgeous! Please debut!] Many online users were mesmerized by Sheena¡¯s dance, instantly bing fans and flooding Sheena¡¯s Twitter with calls for her debut. Some even called out those who had previously mocked her toe forward and face the music. As Sheena focused on herputer screen, Wendy burst into the room, holding her phone excitedly, ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯re incredible! From now on, consider me your devoted fan!¡± Confused, Sheena watched as Wendy handed her the phone, revealing her unexpected online Chapter 24 poprity. She wondered if Howard had a hand in this, but he knew she preferred keeping a low profile, so that seemed rather unlikely. Who else could it be? Sheena did not dwell on it for long and simply smiled at the enthusiastic and chatty Wendy. Meanwhile, the atmosphere was much more tense at the Moore family¡¯s residence. Vanessa sat casually on the couch, snacking on fruits as if it had nothing to do with her. Jennifer stood obediently in the center of the mansion¡¯s hall while Kennedy paced back and forth with a gloomy expression. Seemingly fueled by his increasing anger, Kennedy¡¯s face contorted with rage, and he pped Jennifer. ¡°You fool!¡± Chapter 75 Chapter 75 The p hit Jennifer hard, catching her off guard and sending her tumbling to the ground. ¡°You¡¯re such a jinx, bringing disgrace to our family! How did I end up with such a foolish child like you?¡± Kennedy shouted angrily as he pointed at her. Jennifer wiped the blood from her lip, enduring the pain as she tried to get up. After trying twice but failing, she settled on sitting down. ¡°Dad, what do you mean?¡± ¡°Are you still trying to y dumb?¡± Kennedy was enraged. ¡°Did you think I can¡¯t figure out the truth? You bought the knockoff gown and sent it to Sheena, and you were also the one who nned the online assault! What¡¯s your problem with Sheena? Why do you want to frame her so badly?¡± Jennifer sat weakly on the floor, staying silent. Seeing her stay quiet, Kennedy grew angrier. ¡°I¡¯d let it slide if your little scheme seeded, but now you¡¯re exposed and in turn tarnished the reputation of our family. You¡¯re such a bumbling buffoon!¡± Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Vanessa watched the scene with amusement, chiming in every now and then. ¡°Oh dear, calm down. It¡¯s not worth getting yourself worked up and letting this affect your health. After all, Jennifer is your illegitimate daughter, so she only knows how to use those lowly schemes. You can¡¯tpare her to our clever Hannah.¡± Kennedy¡¯s disdain for Jennifer deepened upon hearing Vanessa¡¯s words. ¡°I should have never let you live!¡± As Jennifer listened to their verbal abuse, a bitter irony filled her heart. Kennedy was her biological father, yet he seemed to wish for her immediate demise. Jennifer struggled to stand. Despite her swollen left cheek, she lifted her chin proudly and her eyes shed with a sinister glint. ¡°What a shame. Even though you hate me, you still need me to help the Moore family. Does the thought of that infuriate you even more?¡± ¡°Jennifer!¡± Kennedy¡¯s eyes widened in fury, raising his hand to p Jennifer again. Instead of flinching, Jennifer leaned forward and mocked, ¡°Go ahead and hit me! It would be best if you killed me. That way, the Moore family can eagerly await its fall from grace among the elite. Remember this! The downfall of the Moore family rests squarely on your shoulders. I can only imagine how you would feel!¡± Kennedy was caught off guard by her piercing words. His face flushed in anger, and he found himself unable to utter a single word. The impending p lingered, suspended in midair. Jennifer smirked coldly, shifting her gaze toward Vanessa, who was still leisurely enjoying her fruits. ¡°It seems that the person you dislike the most will inherit the Moore family. What about your precious daughter? Well, she might never wake up! You despise me and my mom, yet you have Chapter 75 2/2 to put on a facade of a caring mother in public. That must be exhausting,¡± Jennifer said with a sneer. Bang! Vanessa mmed her hand on the table and eximed, ¡°You! You wicked little bitch! How dare you curse Hannah! The Moore family is only temporarily in your hands! Once my beloved Hannah wakes up, you¡¯ll have to give it back! Don¡¯t be so smug!¡± Jennifer was unfazed and retorted, ¡°You should pray harder for the gods to hear your prayers then! Instead of standing here arguing with me, you might as well hurry up and deal with my online scandal. If I have to suffer, the Moore family will be suffering with me!¡± She finished and stormed upstairs, deliberately mming the door loudly behind her. Vanessa was seething. ¡°Jennifer! You finally revealed your true colors, and now you¡¯re even threatening me!¡± She turned to Kennedy and cried, ¡°Look at her! What did I do to deserve this?¡± Upstairs, Jennifer locked the door, effectively shutting out the noisymotion below. She walked over to her vanity and swept the valuable cosmetics aside, creating a loud tter. However, she could not fully vent her anger. Hence, she proceeded to make a call. The call was quickly answered, and Jennifer said rudely, ¡°You said this would tarnish her reputation, but not only did it fail, it brought her more attention online instead!¡± Katie was in the midst of her skincare routine and did not seem to be bothered by Jennifer¡¯s words. ¡°Calm down. It¡¯s no big deal. Just wait quietly for a while, and your problem will blow over. I¡¯m here to help you. What¡¯s there to worry about?¡± Jennifer felt a bit more reassured, but she still felt indignant. ¡°What about Sheena? We can¡¯t just let her off the hook like this, can we? She¡¯ll only be more arrogant!!! Katie remainedposed and confident. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If the public approach doesn¡¯t work, we¡¯ll resort to uwful methods.¡± Chapter 76 Chapter 76 Jennifer agreed to Katie¡¯s n. She looked at her reflection in the mirror with a sinister glint in her eyes and a smug smile. ¡°Excellent. I can¡¯t wait to see that bitch suffer!¡± In the CEO¡¯s office of the Freeman Group, Elijah was engrossed in watching Sheena¡¯s dance video on his phone. ¡°Mr. Freeman.¡± Leon suddenly knocked on the door and entered. Elijah put down his phone and calmly picked up his coffee, taking a sip. ¡°What is it?¡± Leon stood before him and hesitated momentarily before reporting, ¡°The Moore family indeed purchased the knockoff gown, but they also transferred four million dors to Ms. Zoe to purchase the authentic gown. Somehow, the real gown ended up in Sheena¡¯s possession instead. Maybe¡­ there¡¯s some misunderstanding in between.¡± Elijah listened without saying a word. Leon nced at Elijah, unable to read his mind. Then, he continued, ¡°Perhaps Ms. Moore might not be involved in this matter. She¡¯s too innocent, and she must have been deceived. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have suffered like this.¡± ¡°Innocent?¡± Leon quickly responded, ¡°Of course. Ms. Moore is truly a kind¨Chearted girl. Mr. Freeman, you¡¯ve known her for so many years and used to think the same, didn¡¯t you?¡± Elijah nced at Leon coldly, causing him to lower his head hastily. The office fell into an eerie silence, and the atmosphere became oddly tense. Elijah stood up and walked to the window. It was drizzling outside. He lit a cigarette and took a drag. ¡°Mr. Freeman?¡± Leon finally spoke up. Elijah snapped out of his daze. He extinguished the cigarette, then sat on the couch with his long legs crossed, ordering, ¡°I need you to investigate something in the past, and it must be discreet. You shouldn¡¯t inform anyone.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman,¡± Leon responded. The Moore family put in considerable effort and quickly controlled the online narrative. As the buzz subsided, there was little attention left. After all, they were not celebrities, andizens treated it as a passing joke. Sheena¡¯s life seemed unusually peaceful. Chapter76 2/2 Jennifer appeared to have backed down, and Katie reportedly returned to Svelton. With those two absent, Sheena¡¯s talent show nning progressed rapidly, moving onto the phase where she was looking for a venue. After work, Sheena drove to the training base she had prepared for the contestants. After roughly setting up the next steps for improvements, she entered the car park and was ready to head home. However, she heard a strange, muffled noise as she passed a corner without surveince. ¡°Mmph¡­ Mmph¡­ H¨CHelp me¡­ Chapter 77 Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. It was a girl¡¯s voice. Chapter 77 Chapter 77 It was a girl¡¯s voice. A man with rough scars on his face held a knife menacingly against the girl¡¯s cheek and threatened, ¡°Shut up, or I¡¯ll kill you.¡± Another man was stepping on her chest,ughing. The girl was terrified and could only nod inpliance. Seeing her submission, the two men became even more brazen. ¡°Sweetie, it¡¯s been a while since my friend and I had some fun. As long as you serve us well, we¡¯ll let you go when we¡¯re done.¡± The girl started crying, her sobs barely audible. With sinister grins, the two men started to touch her inappropriately. Just as they had unbuttoned two buttons of her shirt, they heard a sudden heavy thud from behind. One of the men clutched his bleeding head and let out a scream before copsing. The scar¨Cfaced man was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. He turned around to find a woman standing there. Sheena was holding her high heels. She was dressed in a sharp white pantsuit and exuded a powerful presence. The scar¨Cfaced man¡¯s eyes lit up when he saw her. ¡°Wow! What a fierce beauty. I like that.¡± Sheena toyed with the high heels in her hand and snorted, ¡°Do you think you¡¯re worthy of me? The man cursed at Sheena and charged toward her with a small knife. Sheena easily suppressed him in a matter of seconds, leaving him incapacitated on the floor. The terrified girl curled up, trembling in fear. Her eyes were filled with horror. Her cheeks seemed a bit flushed as if she had been drinking. Watching her cower, Sheena suddenly felt a pang in her heart, and a fleeting image shed in her mind. She shook her head, dispelling the strange feelingpletely. Perhaps it was just a hallucination because she was too tired. Sheena did not dwell on it and focused on the girl, who appeared to be around 18, huddled in the corner. ¡°You¡¯re safe now. Go home,¡± Sheena said. With that, she turned to leave, but the girl suddenly grabbed her wrist. The girl pleased, ¡°I was out drinking with friends, and I got separated from them just now. Those two thugs smashed my phone. Can you please take me home?¡± Seeing Sheena hesitate, the girl continued, ¡°My name is Aster Jaymes. Please, I¡¯m begging you. Please help me.¡°/ Chauzer 77 Sheena nced at her phone and found that it was already 9.30 p.m. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. It was quitete, and the training base was remote, which could be unsafe. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Where do you live?¡± She asked. ¡°Number 308, Fairville.¡± Aster followed Sheena, holding onto her hand tightly as if she was trying hard to find a sense of security. Once in the car, Aster quickly dozed off. Sheena asionally nced at her through the rearview mirror, adjusting her driving to be smoother once she saw Aster asleep. About twenty minutester, Aster was still sleeping soundly in the back seat. With her phone almost out of battery, Sheena called Aster a couple of times, wanting to ask for more specific directions. Seeing that she was asleep, Sheena decided not to disturb her further and followed her memory to choose a route. The car windows remained shut, and the atmosphere inside was serene. Suddenly, Sheena realized that something was amiss! Aster imed that she had been out drinking with friends. Although her cheeks were flushed, Sheena did not smell any alcohol on her. In other words, she had not been drinking at all! Moreover, the training base was situated in a remote area with no pubs or busy areas around. When Sheena realized she had been tricked, she suddenly felt a rush of wind by her ear. Almost instinctively, she reached back and grabbed the hand swinging toward her aggressively. Her quick reflexes stopped a syringe about two millimeters away from her neck. Chapter 78 Chapter 78 ¡°When did you figure me out?¡± Aster asked, no longer putting on an act as she used both hands to push the needle toward Sheena¡¯s neck forcefully. Sheena knew she could not hold back with just one hand for long, so she acted swiftly. The car was moving steadily on the road in the suburbs, and she suddenly pulled the handbrake. The tires screeched, and the car lost bnce and flipped over. The car crashed through the guardrail and rolled into the grass on the roadside. Sheena only had a minor scratch on her forehead because of the safety airbag, and she quickly got out of the car. Surveying the badly damaged Santana, Sheena clicked her tongue in disappointment. She thought to herself how short¨Clived her time with this car had been. Seeing that Aster had note out yet, Sheena opened the door and pulled the fainted girl out. Sheena performed CPR on her, and her consciousness slowly returned. Surprised that Sheena had saved her, Aster asked, ¡°Why did you save me? You should¡¯ve killed me for hurting you.¡± Sheena nced at her coldly, not answering that question directly. Instead, she asked, ¡°Who ordered you to do this?¡± Aster instantly fell silent, turning her face away without saying a word. Sheena smirked. ¡°Let me guess. Was it Jennifer, or maybe Katie? Or perhaps¡­ both of them?¡± Sheena knew well what Jennifer was capable of, and she could not have arranged such a meticulously nned scheme or hired a highly skilled female assassin with such excellent hiding abilities. Moreover, considering how she suddenly became the Moore family¡¯s heiress, Sheena was convinced those two were likely working together. Aster, however, seemed indifferent. ¡°I¡¯ve clearly failed at my task. Go ahead and kill me.¡± Sheena teased, ¡°Kill you? That wouldn¡¯t be much fun.¡± Aster looked at her, confused. The suburban night was dimly lit, with only a few streetlights. Yet, Sheena¡¯s eyes seemed to shimmer like the stars, radiating a brilliant glow. ¡°Did you put some kind of drug in that syringe? They wanted you to drug me and take me to some location, subjecting me to all sorts of tortures, right?¡± Aster was surprised. She stared at Sheena in disbelief as she wondered how Sheena figured it all out. The woman was a beauty with a brain! Aster remained silent, her gaze fixed on Sheena. Sheena shed an innocent smile and added, ¡°Since they instructed you to do so, then just go ahead and do it.¡± Chapter ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± Five minutester, Aster texted someone. [Mission aplished. Currently on the way to the abandoned cabin in the suburbs.] Jennifer, who received the message, was thrilled. Finally, that bitch had fallen into her hands, and she could finally pay back the humiliation she suffered! Jennifer¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement as she immediately texted a certain number. [The person will arrive soon. Bring ten strong men and give her a good beating before following the n and leaving.] The reply came swiftly, [All is good as long as we¡¯re properly paid.] Jennifer clenched her teeth and transferred another 75,000 dors. Nheless, as long as Sheena was tortured, that much money was nothing! ¨C Hardly two minutes after setting down her phone, Jennifer received another message from Aster. [I think the drug is too strong. She¡¯s not holding up well. Pleasee over quickly to take a look.] Not holding up well? Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. That was uneptable! Jennifer wanted that bitch to endure humiliation while remaining conscious! She wanted her to suffer! Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Jennifer became anxious and quickly changed into a set of dark clothing. She then donned a mask and hailed a taxi to head straight to the designated location. Elijah emerged from the shower, but the image of Sheena¡¯s dance performance remained stuck in his mind. He felt a bit annoyed. If he had known he would end up so tired, he would not have helped her in the first ce. While lying in his bed, all he could think about was Sheena¡¯s face, especially her clear and determined eyes. It was almost like he had seen them before. As if struck by a thought, Elijah wrestled with his feelings before calling Sheena. There were a few things he wanted to rify. However, Sheena did not answer the first call, and the second call indicated that her phone was out of the service area. Was she avoiding him? Feeling inexplicably irritated, Elijah tossed his phone aside and went to sleep. Jennifer arrived at the abandoned cabin and saw Aster waiting at the door. Jennifer was shocked to find the injuries on Aster¡¯s face and body. She asked, ¡°What happened? Why are you hurt so badly?¡± Aster lowered her head, hiding her expression. ¡°On the way here, that woman fought back desperately. We had a minor car ident, and I lost control for a moment. Perhaps I injected too much of the drug, she¡­¡± ¡°Let me take a look.¡± Aster stopped her. ¡°Are you alone? Does Ms. Upton know?¡± Jennifer¡¯s face darkened instantly, showing extreme displeasure. Normally, Katie took advantage of her higher status and acted arrogantly. Hence, Jennifer was annoyed that Katie¡¯s subordinates were questioning her authority despite Katie having gone back to Svelton. Her rtionship with Katie was one of cooperation, not boss and subordinate. Why should she have to report everything to Katie? The more Jennifer thought about it, the angrier she became. Then, she red at Aster and said, ¡°Katie brought you here for this task. Since she¡¯s not in Farlem, you only need to follow my orders. Do you understand?¡± Aster lowered her head even further. ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°You can leave now that your task is done.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Moore,¡± Aster responded promptly but remained standing in ce outside the abandoned cabin. The flickering kerosenemp outside barely illuminated her bloodied face, making it hard to discern her expression. Jennifer grew impatient seeing Aster standing there like a statue. Annoyed, she mocked, ¡°Are you stupid? Didn¡¯t you hear what I just said?¡± Before she left, Aster passed a phone to Jennifer and said, ¡°This is the woman¡¯s phone. Someone called her just now. I was afraid that it would affect your n, so I put it on airne mode.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± After Aster left, Jennifer opened Sheena¡¯s phone and nced at the iing call¡¯s number. She fumed with rage after seeing it. Even though it was an unknown caller, Jennifer knew exactly whose number it was. Why was Elijah calling Sheena at this hour? Jennifer had to initiate contact with him ever since she had returned to the country, and Elijah had never been so considerate toward her. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Why? She was the fiancee, and Sheena was the homewrecker intruding into their rtionship! The more she thought about it, the angrier Jennifer became, and she could not hide her resentment. Jennifer raised Sheena¡¯s phone in anger, wanting to smash it to pieces. However, she stopped midway as a brilliant idea shed through her mind. Then, she sent a message to Elijah using Sheena¡¯s phone. After that, she mmed the phone on the ground forcefully. Seemingly unsatisfied, she brutally stomped on it with her high heels until the screen shatteredpletely. Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Jennifer looked at the abandoned cabin. She was determined to destroy Sheena tonight! With that thought in mind, she pushed open the cabin¡¯s door, only to find the interior pitch ck. Confused, she wondered why Aster had not left amp inside after tying Sheena up. Taking a few hesitant steps forward, the thick dust made her cough. It was so dark that she could not see anything. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Suddenly, Jennifer felt a surge of panic. She was about to turn and leave to fetch amp from Aster when the door mmed shut heavily. Realizing that something was wrong, she rushed to the door and pounded on it heavily. ¡± Who¡¯s there? Who¡¯s outside? Aster? Is that you? Open the door right now!¡± However, no one answered her, and the eerie silence sent shivers down her spine. Taking a deep breath, Jennifer tried to calm herself down. Then, she called out, ¡°Sheena? Sheena, are you in there?¡± No matter how much she called out, it was just her own voice and the silence. Understanding that she might be alone in the cabin, Jennifer began to worry. Was Sheena ying tricks on her? Then again, Aster was Katie¡¯s subordinate, so how could she possibly help Sheena? Was Katie working together with Sheena?! ¡°No, that¡¯s impossible.¡± Jennifer¡¯s mind was a mess. She crouched on the ground, clutching her head, and trembled in fear. The boundless darkness brought her a sense of despair. Suddenly, a series of footsteps echoed from outside, and Jennifer¡¯s hope ignited instantly. Then, she stood up and pounded on the door. ¡°Who¡¯s out there? Let me out! Open the door!¡± The door swung open. One after another, the men Jennifer had called to deal with Sheena entered. Jennifer tried to dash toward the well¨Clit exit, but the group leader, a burly man, grabbed her arm firmly. ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong! It¡¯s not me! I¡¯m not Sheena! Ah!¡± Her cries were met with a heavy p. She could not withstand the force and crashed to the ground. Half of her face swelled rapidly, and two of her teeth became loose. The pain was unbearable! Jennifer spat out a mouthful of blood, still trying to exin, ¡°It¡¯s not me! I¡¯m not the target! I called you here! How could you treat me like this¡­ Ahhhh!¡± Before she could finish speaking, a man grabbed her hair from behind, pulling it so forcefully that her scalp felt like it was about toe off. Tears welled up in her eyes from the pain as she screamed, ¡°No! I¡¯m not her!¡± The man pped her across the face twice more,ughing out loud. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone so good at acting like you. Anyway, enjoy the brutal torture!¡± The door was shut and locked, leaving Jennifer surrounded by dozens of men. Soon, the cabin was filled with the sounds of brutal beatings and Jennifer¡¯s agonizing screams. The torment was beyond her imagination. Meanwhile, Sheena leaned against a tree in the distance while Aster stood silently beside her. Sheena gazed up at the starry sky. The night sky was stunning, but the ear¨Cpiercing screams shattered the tranquility. Having had her fill of the show, Sheena prepared to leave, letting Jennifer savor the torture she had meticulously prepared. ¡°Mr. Freeman, it¡¯s right there!¡± Leon¡¯s voice rang out suddenly. It was then followed by the sound of people running. As the sound drew nearer, Sheena quickly hid herself. She peeked out from behind arge tree and saw that it was Elijah running toward the cabin. Chapter 81 Chapter 81 The agonizing screams of the woman gradually faded and was reced by the arrogantughter of the group of men. ¡°Sheena!¡± Elijah immediately flew into a fit of rage, radiating a fierce aura around him. Then, he kicked open the cabin door. The men inside were about to carry out their next move when Elijah¡¯s interruption spoiled their ns, and they swiftly engaged him in a fierce brawl. These men were ruthless gangsters, bruising Elijah and Leon on their faces. However, they struggled against Elijah¡¯s intense rage as his strikes were even more merciless. In a matter of minutes, the men were lying on the ground and squirming in pain, unable to fight back The cabin was still dark, and they could clearly hear the sound of a woman coughing up blood. ¡°Sheena?¡± Following the source of the sound, Elijah found the barely conscious woman and carried her out. Having taken a few more hits than Elijah in the fight, Leon limped alongside him as they left the cabin. Elijah gentlyid the woman on the ground outside and examined her injuries. Her face was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. Her clothes were torn, and her body was covered in blood. It was a horrifying sight. Fortunately, Elijah and his team arrived just in time. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable. Elijah¡¯s eyes burned with anger as he looked at the battered woman, feeling an intense pain in his heart that was almost suffocating. ¡°Sheena! Wake up!¡± The woman had lost consciousness, but her breathing remained weak and steady, which meant she was not in immediate danger. Leon nced at the pitiful woman sympathetically and hesitated before asking, ¡°Mr. Freeman, what should we do with the people inside?¡± Elijah¡¯s gaze turned cold, and he immediately ordered, ¡°Kill them all!¡± Leon quickly called for assistance. Fliiah¡¯s emotions TITOYA TT- Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 51 Meanwhile, Sheena was hiding behind arge tree and had a perfect view of the scene unfolding before her. She stared fixedly at Elijah in disbelief. She could not help but wonder if he would be this distressed if she were the one lying on the ground. Did he still have feelings for her? Sheena was in a dilemma upon witnessing the scene and could not quite exin her feelings. Nheless, she dismissed her thoughts. After all, she believed she had seen enough over the past three years of whether Elijah loved her. Besides, he would probably be even more heartbroken and distressed if he knew that the person lying on the ground, battered and bruised, was his beloved Jennifer. Jennifer slowly regained consciousness. Even though she could not fully open her swollen eyes, she recognized the man before her. Feeling overwhelmed, she burst into tears. ¡°Eli! I thought I¡¯d never see you again¡­¡± As her mouth was also swollen, Jennifer could only murmur. However, Elijah could clearly hear her calling him ¡®Eli¡®, and he finally realized that this was not Sheena as she had never addressed him this way. Elijah looked at the woman on the ground. Leon eximed frantically, ¡°Mr. Freeman, this isn¡¯t Ms. Sheena! It¡¯s Ms. Moore!¡± Chapter 82 Chapter 82 Learning that it was Jennifer, Leon was obviously even more anxious than before. ¡°Ms. Moore, how did you end up here? Who hurt you?¡± Jennifer cried even harder, her bloodied hand gripping Elijah¡¯s sleeve. ¡°I¨CIt was Sheena. She called me here¡­ Eli, it hurts so much¡­¡± Jennifer became more emotional as she spoke and finally lost consciousness due to exhaustion. Knowing that the injured person was Jennifer and not Sheena, Elijah¡¯s previously gnawing pain seemed to lessen slightly, a relief that he did not even realize himself. However, Leon was clearly agitated. ¡°Those bastards! How dare they harm Ms. Moore. They deserve to die!¡± Leon clenched his teeth in anger and turned to Elijah. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you received a text from Ms. Sheena earlier. Fearing for her safety, we rushed over in haste. But it turns out Ms. Moore is the one who is hurt. There must be a connection to Sheena in this matter. She might even be the mastermind behind it!¡± Elijah frowned, but he appeared much calmer as he ordered, ¡°Let¡¯s get Jenny to the hospital first. We¡¯ll investigate this matterter.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± Leon took Jennifer from Elijah¡¯s arms and sprinted toward the car parked on the side of the road. Once Leon was gone, Elijah slowly stood and nced back at the cabin, recalling the message Sheena had sent him half an hour ago.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. [Sheena: I¡¯ve invited ten men for some fun tonight. Care to join?] Elijah was furious when he saw the message. He had tried calling her, only to find that her phone had been turned off. Then, he immediately ordered Leon to trace her location and rushed over. He had not expected Jennifer to be the one tortured and nearly subjected to further humiliation. Could Sheena actually be the one behind this? Elijah felt a sudden frustration welling up within him. Yuri drove Sheena and Aster back to the city. Before parting ways, Sheena handed a ck box to Aster, which Yuri had obtained using her ck card. ¡°There is 750,000 dors inside. You should move to a discreet countryside location. Once Katie realizes, she¡¯ll search the whole country for you. Remember to hide well.¡± Aster had a mix of emotions as she epted the box. Reluctantly, she confirmed again, ¡°You Chapter 92 promised to rescue my mom from Katie and bring her safely to me. If you dare deceive me, I¡¯ll ¡­¡± Sheena chuckled, interrupting her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. After all, I¡¯m Sheena Lawson, and I always keep my word.¡± Aster was drawn in by the determination in Sheena¡¯s eyes. ¡°Alright, I trust you.¡± Once Aster hadpletely disappeared from sight, Yuri approached Sheena and asked in a hushed tone, ¡°Ms. Lawson, why didn¡¯t you kill her and even give her money?¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t mean to harm me. Katie was holding her mom hostage, and she had no choice but to work for her. Aster is also pitiful. By exploiting her weaknesses and showing her kindness, she¡¯ll be grateful to me and help me without seeking revenge.¡± Noticing Yuri¡¯s silence, Sheena added, ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯m no saint. I won¡¯t let go of those who genuinely harm me. Then again, death is too easy, and torturing them is the best revenge.¡± Yuri caught her wicked smile and chuckled along. ¡°Mr. Lawson¡¯s guess was indeed right. You¡¯re quite the scheming little troublemaker.¡± Sheena shot him a re. ¡°Are you two talking behind my back? Have you forgotten that I¡¯m the actual boss of Angle Group? Do you want to be fired?¡± Yuri immediately regretted what he said and stammered, ¡°D¨CDon¡¯t! I¡¯m sorry!¡± Sheena did not tease him further and just massaged her shoulders. ¡°Let¡¯s go back. I need a good sleep and some rest. This matter isn¡¯t over yet, and tomorrow will probably be another tough battle.¡± As she finished speaking, she turned to look at the quiet street and found arge, branded store owned by the Moore Group already out of business. Chapter 83 Chapter 83 In the early hours of the morning, Jennifer was taken to the hospital for treatment. The initial diagnosis from the doctor indicated two fractured ribs, mild concussion, and other minor and major injuries. Luckily, there was nothing life¨Cthreatening. Elijah sat alone on a bench outside the operating room, lost in thought. After the incident, he asked Leon to inform the Moore family, but Kennedy and Vanessa only rushed to the hospital when the sun had risen. ¡°Oh, my beloved Jenny! How could something like this happen!¡± Vanessa¡¯s wailing voice echoed down the corridor, but oddly, her eyes remained dry. Not only that, but it seemed as if she was secretly happy about what had happened. In contrast, Kennedy approached Elijah with a sorrowful expression. Seeing Elijah¡¯s solemn gaze, he offered someforting words. Elijah politely replied, ¡°Please, have a seat, Uncle and Auntie.¡± Kennedy, unwilling to be dismissed, asked, ¡°Mr. Freeman, what exactly happened? How did Jenny end up like this? Who did this to her?¡± Hannah had recently been in a car ident and was still in a vegetative state, and now Jennifer was also in a simr condition. Was someone deliberately targeting the Moore family, or was it just a run of bad luck? Elijah hesitated before answering, ¡°Leon is already investigating.¡± Seeing Elijah¡¯s indifference, Kennedy refrained from pressing the matter and sat on a nearby bench to wait. Hardly two minutes after sitting down, the operating room lights turned off. The doctor informed them that Jennifer¡¯s surgery had been sessful, and she only needed to take it easy for a while. Then, Jennifer was moved to a regr VIP ward. Following that, they went to visit Jennifer in her ward. Jennifer was wrapped in thick bandages, and she had just regained consciousness. Her swollen eyes struggled to open, and as soon as she saw Elijah enter, tears started streaming down her face. ¡°Eli, I might have died if it weren¡¯t for you. Luckily, you came in time, so I wasn¡¯t humiliated by those thugs. Eli, I can¡¯t be without you. Will you stay here with me?¡± Jennifer weakly held his hand,pletely surprised that the n had backfired on her. Originally, when she had sent that text to Elijah with the intention to provoke him and make him realize Sheena was just a cheap woman who could be used by anyone and redirect his attention back to her. She never expected to be the one suffering instead, and the message had saved her own life. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. Elijah sat by her side and replied with a simple grunt. Jennifer felt a bit disheartened by Elijah¡¯s coldness. ¡°Eli, can¡¯t you say something tofort me? Do you not love me anymore because I look terrible?¡± Before Elijah could reply, Kennedy chimed in, ¡°Jenny, don¡¯t be ridiculous. Of course he still loves you. Tell us who did this to you. I¡¯ll make sure justice is served.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Jennifer began. Then, she acted as if she was recalling the painful memories and started to sob. ¡°I only remember Sheena saying she needed to see me. I took a taxi from home, and someone knocked me out on the way there. When I woke up, I was in that dark cabin. They hit me, kicked me, and said Sheena ordered them to torture me¡­ I was so scared, really scared,¡± Jennifer whimpered, curling up in a ball, visibly distraught. Kennedy was furious and turned to Elijah. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you¡¯re Jenny¡¯s fiance. You can¡¯t just ignore this, can you? No matter what, Sheena is involved in this. Isn¡¯t this an insult to you and the Freeman family too? You have to stand up for Jenny!¡± Kennedy was a seasoned yer in the business world. He was aware that Sheena was under Skye¡¯s protection. Since the Moore family had limited influence and could not take action, he shifted the responsibility onto Elijah instead. Chapter 84 Elijah replied, ¡°If Jenny has truly been wronged, I¡¯ll help her, but she needs to tell me exactly what happened.¡± Jennifer froze. After all, she had fabricated the entire story and was likely to expose herself if she said too much. Moreover, Elijah was smart, and even the slightest inconsistency could raise suspicions, Hence, Jennifer had to y along for now and discuss a strategy with Katieter. With that in mind, she clutched her head, looking distressed. ¡°My head hurts so much! I can¡¯t remember anything¡­¡± Seeing this, Kennedy said, ¡°Jenny, you¡¯ve just woken up. Thinking about all this won¡¯t help your recovery. Elijah, why don¡¯t we step outside and let her rest?¡± Elijah nodded in agreement. As the group turned to leave, the door suddenly swung open, and two handsome, muscr men entered first. Kennedy and Vanessa were baffled by the unexpected intrusion. The two men positioned themselves on either side of the door. Then, Sheena walked in with high heels and striking red lips. Upon seeing her, even Vanessa, who had been silent all this time, was stunned. After all, they were just discussing how to deal with her. It was too audacious of her to barge in just like that! Vanessa was far from pleased with Sheena¡¯s attitude, adding fuel to the fire by whispering to Kennedy, ¡°Honey, can you believe her audacity? Is she here to check if Jennifer is dead?¡± Kennedy¡¯s expression darkened.¡°You came just in time. We have scores to settle regarding the harm you caused to Jennifer.¡± Elijah stood silently nearby. Even so, his imposing height alone caught everyone¡¯s attention. Sheena nced in Elijah¡¯s direction, only to find him staring at her since she entered. However, she could not read his gaze and quickly looked away, refocusing on Kennedy. With a smile, Sheena said, ¡°Mr. Moore, you¡¯re not entirely wrong. There is indeed a matter to address between Jennifer and me, but it¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kennedy¡¯s suspicion grew. Seeing Sheena audaciously barging into the hospital room, Jennifer¡¯s heart raced, and she instinctively shrank behind Kennedy, who was nearest. After all, she had suffered at Sheena¡¯s hands twice before. ¡°Dad, help me! She¡¯s trying to hurt me! She must be! I¡¯m scared¡­ I don¡¯t want to see her¡­¡± Jennifer cried. Chapter 84 All things considered, Jennifer was still his daughter, and seeing her in such a state of distress Chapter 84 weighed heavily on Kennedy¡¯s heart. ¡°This is a private ward, and Jenny¡¯s emotions are unstable right now. Please leave.¡± ¡°Mr. Moore, there¡¯s no need to rush. I¡¯m here to deliver a gift,¡± Sheena replied, her smile even more radiant as she lightly pped her hands. A group of people streamed in, hanging arge banner on the wall opposite Jennifer¡¯s bed. Sheena said, ¡°These are all my words of encouragement for Ms. Moore. I wish her a speedy recovery. As for her ims of being hurt by me, she¡¯s wee to present evidence and confront me. I¡¯m ready anytime.¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Then, Sheena wasted no time and turned around, leaving with her two bodyguards. Elijah followed behind. Jennifer, Kennedy, and Vanessa were engrossed with the words on the banner,pletely oblivious to Elijah¡¯s departure. As she read the contents on the banner, Jennifer fumed with rage! Chapter 85 Elijah¡¯s departure. As she read the contents on the banner, Jennifer fumed with rage! Chapter 85 Therge banner disyed only a few lines of text. The first line read, ¡°Dumb Bitch,¡± and he second line said, ¡°Shooting Yourself in the Foot.¡± It was clear that Sheena meant Jennifer was a fool and had brought trouble upon herself. Jennifer was furious, and her eyes were brimming with intense hatred. Kennedy¡¯s expression turned grave after reading the banner, and only Vanessa burst intoughter, finding it particrly satisfying. However, herughter drew the immediate attention of the others, and Jennifer¡¯s face turned purple with rage. Vanessa¡¯s smile froze, and she quickly changed her tone. ¡°Ahem¡­ Sheena is unbelievable! She clearly doesn¡¯t respect the Moore family. Honey, if you don¡¯t teach her a lesson, who knows what other outrageous things she might do!¡± As she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door, and a man in a uniform gently pushed open the door, asking, ¡°Is this Ms. Jennifer Moore¡¯s room?¡± The people in the ward exchanged nces, and Vanessa asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Ms. Sheena has ordered beautiful bouquets specifically for Ms. Moore.¡± With that, the man gestured behind him, and a group of staff members immediately entered, carrying large floral bouquets. Soon, the entire VIP ward was filled with 32 colorful bouquets of white flowers, all neatly arranged in front of Jennifer. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Uh¡­ This¡­¡± Vanessa was about toment, but Kennedy red at her, and she reluctantly remained quiet. The flower delivery staffpleted their task and courteously bowed. ¡°Please enjoy the flowers at your leisure, and feel free to ce an order for the next time.¡± Next time? Sheena ordered her funeral bouquets! How could there be a next time? Sheena was obviously taunting her! Jennifer was fuming with rage, shouting, ¡°Get the hell out of my room! Cough, cough¡­¡± She wished she could hurl those bouquets at the staff, but given her recent surgery, she could not move, leaving her to boil with frustration. That bitch was too brazen! First it was a banner mocking her, and now bouquets of funeral flowers! She was going too far! ¡°Fucking bitch! Throw them out! All of them¡­ Cough, cough¡­¡± Jennifer had not even caught her breath when she noticed the photo at the center of one of the bouquets. It was the embarrassing photo Sheena had taken during the banquet! Jennifer immediately recalled the humiliating incident and the online disaster. ¡°Ah! Sheene! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Jennifer was so angry that she passed out. Sheena left the hospital, not using the main entrance but through the emergency corridor. However, someone grabbed her wrist from behind. It was Elijah. The two bodyguards wanted to intervene, but Sheena stopped them. ¡°Stand down. Take a break, but don¡¯t go far.¡± Once the bodyguards left, Sheena shook off Elijah¡¯s hand and casually rubbed her wrist. ¡°Go ahead. Ask.¡± Surprisingly, Elijah¡¯s first question was not about Jennifer. ¡°Who are those men? Are they your bodyguards? Are they working for Howard or Skye?¡± Sheena was confused by Elijah¡¯s question, but she yed along and teased, ¡°They¡¯re mine.¡± Chapter 86 Chapter 86 Hers? Were they her lovers? Why were there two of them? Elijah was livid. ¡°Do you even realize what you¡¯re doing? Don¡¯t you have self¨Crespect?!¡± In Elijah¡¯s opinion, Sheena was being shameless. Sheena chuckled at his words. ¡°Mr. Freeman, did you forget that we¡¯re divorced? My affairs have nothing to do with you! Why the jealousy?¡± ¡°Who said I¡¯m jealous?¡± Elijah stumbled over his words. Indeed, he had no right to interfere in this matter. Unable to retort, Elijah changed the topic and asked, ¡°What was the text about? TI ¡°What text?¡± Elijah stared intensely into her eyes as if trying to uncover any lies. ¡°Did you have something to do with Jenny getting beaten up and almost humiliated?¡± Sheena chuckled softly, locking eyes with him. Suddenly, she grinned and asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± After saying that, Sheena turned around and walked away proudly. Then, she added, ¡°You better focus on your fiancee. Her emotional state seems rather fragile right now.¡± Elijah wanted to approach her, but Sheena¡¯s bodyguards stood in his way. ¡°Mr. Freeman.¡± Leon appeared, looking somber. Elijah did not pursue Sheena any further and headed to the fifth floor, finding an empty smoking room. ¡°This situation is quite strange. Our team started investigating, but the other side was prepared and destroyed all the evidence. We came up empty¨Chanded, with no leads so far¡­¡± Leon paused, looking around as if contemting whether to continue. Elijah nced at him, prompting him to proceed. Leon bit the bullet and continued, ¡°Mr. Lawson of the Angle Group and Mr. Skye Zimmer seem to have the ability to eliminate evidence quickly, and these two are quite close to Ms. Sheena¡­¡± Leon was obviously suspecting Sheena. Elijah narrowed his eyes slightly. When he asked Sheena about the text message, she genuinely seemed unaware. However, she appeared to know something when he inquired if she was involved in Jennifer¡¯s injuries. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Elijah stubbed out his cigarette and said, ¡°This matter isn¡¯t that simple.¡± Chapter ¡°But¡­¡± Leon protested, ¡°Perhaps it is. Maybe you¡¯re just biased, Mr. Freeman:¡± Elijah nced at Leon with a chilling gaze. ¡°If this happened to Sheena instead of Jenny, whose side would you take?¡± Leon did not hesitate and replied, ¡°Of course, it would be Ms. Moore. She¡¯s kind and innocent. It¡¯s hard to believe she¡¯s capable of something so sinister. On the other hand, Sheena has been quite ruthless on several asions.¡± Elijah was surprised, frowning as he looked at Leon, ¡°You and Jenny¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Freeman. My regard for Ms. Moore is purely out of respect for her status as your fiancee, and that¡¯s why I¡¯m supporting her,¡± Leon quickly exined. After that, he lowered his head again. Elijah remained indifferent, staring at Leon as if he could see through him. Leon felt uneasy, lowering his head even further. ¡°Find out who Jennifer has been in contact with over the past few days via calls or text messages. Also, continue investigating that other matter I asked you to look into. I want results within three days.¡± Leon clenched his palms, feeling disheartened. Jennifer was the victim, yet Elijah was investigating her. Despite his displeasure, he kept up an obedient front. ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± Once Leon left, Elijah dialed another number. ¡°Jonah, I need you to look into a few things.¡± Chapter 87 Chapter 87 Just as Leon exited the smoking room, he overheard several nursesining as they hurried by. ¡°What¡¯s up with Ms. Moore? Isn¡¯t she supposed to rest? Why is she so emotional and throwing tantrums? It won¡¯t be easy for us the next few days.¡± Leon stopped one of the nurses and asked, ¡°Who were you talking about? Was it Ms. Jennifer Moore?¡± ¡°Who else could it be?¡± The nurse brushed off his hand and ran off. Leon felt a bit uneasy. Elijah joined the Freeman Group about eight years ago, and Leon worked for him since then. He had no family or friends, and Elijah had provided him with a job. As for Jennifer, she was the first person to smile at him and call him a friend. To Leon, Elijah was like family, while Jennifer was more than family, someone that he wanted to protect. He had feelings for Jennifer, but he could only keep them hidden and wish her well. However, Leon could not help but feel resentful when he saw Jennifer miserable and even witnessed Elijah chasing after Sheena when Jennifer was critically injured. Leon clenched his fists as he made up his mind. After leaving the hospital, Sheena received a phone call. The news that Jennifer had been rushed to the emergency room again brought her great satisfaction. Then, she went to the training base. Since she had dealt with the maniptive bitch, it was time to move forward with her work. As she had wrecked her car the night before and had no time to purchase a new one, Sheena had to take a taxi. The staff members at the base showed her great respect, and the person in charge, Ben, briefed her on the ongoing improvements in facilities and processes. Later, Sheena toured the entire base and found no major issue, believing that the reality show¡¯s rehearsal should bepleted and be ready for live broadcasting soon. A young female staff member¡¯s eyes lit up when she saw Sheena, and she approached her eagerly to request an autograph. ¡°Ms. Sheena, I watched your dance video. You¡¯re really beautiful. Have you considered joining the talent show this time? You¡¯re my top choice!¡± Sheena smiled awkwardly, surprised to have a fan even at her training base. Nheless, she politely declined, pushing the notebook away and saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not a celebrity, and I won¡¯t be one. Signing autographs isn¡¯t my thing.¡± Afterward, she walked past the enthusiastic girl and continued her conversation with Ben. After Sheena walked away, the girl continued to stare at her back, with the starstruck expression on her face gradually fading. Then, she lowered her head and looked at the notebook with Sheena¡¯s fingerprints on it. Skipping this little incident, Sheena inspected the trainees¡® dormitory and cafeteria. She also requested the roster of 100 potential trainees. Casually flipping through the pages, she unexpectedly came across a familiar name and face. Phoebe Chambein.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. She had been Sheena¡¯s only friend at the orphanage, and Sheena had even borrowed money from Faye because Phoebe was seriously ill. As she could not raise the required medical fees, Phoebe was expelled from the orphanage, and they have lost contact ever since. Nheless, Sheena never expected to find Phoebe¡¯s name on the list of audition trainees after several years without contact. It seemed like she had been doing quite well over the past few years. Seeing Sheena linger on this page, Ben appeared somewhat excited. Quick to please, he asked, Ms. Sheena, is she your close friend? Would you like us to give her special attention?¡± Sheena declined, ¡°No need. Showing favoritism wouldn¡¯t be fair to the other trainees, and I believe she wouldn¡¯t appreciate it either.¡± Sheena currently had no ns to meet with Phoebe. After all, her current identity was still that of an orphan with no background, which was why Jennifer and the others were struggling to find an actual way to hurt her. Phoebe was her friend, and Sheena did not want her to get involved or harmed due to their connection. Then, Sheena closed the roster. Chapter 88 Chapter 88 Jennifer returned from the emergency room to a regr ward. Despite the doctors¡® urgent treatment, her condition did not show any significant improvement. Finally regaining consciousness, Jennifer opened her slightly swollen eyes and faintly saw a tall figure in a suit before her. Thinking it was Elijah, she grabbed the person¡¯s hand and cried. ¡°Eli, sob¡­ I¡¯m so d you¡¯re here with me. I don¡¯t know what to do without you.¡± The person she held onto stiffened. ¡°Ms. Moore, I¡¯m not Mr. Freeman. I¡¯m Leon.¡± Only then did Jennifer clearly see the man in front of her, and she cried harder due to the disappointment. Seeing her in this state, Leon felt a pang of pity and spoke with determination, ¡°Sheena has truly gone too far this time. She even had the audacity to send you funeral bouquets! Ms. Moore, please rest assured. I¡¯ll do everything I can to help you.¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. However, Jennifer was not moved by his words. Her eyes remained dim and lifeless. ¡°What¡¯s the point? Eli doesn¡¯t believe me and won¡¯t evene to keep mepany. What have I done wrong?¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t done anything wrong. It¡¯s Mr. Freeman. He¡¯s the one who doubted you, even going so far as to reinvestigate the events from thirteen years ago.¡± Jennifer could not bear to listen to the rest of what Leon was saying. She was shocked that Elijah was investigating the events from 13 years ago. She could not help but wonder if he had already figured out something. Jennifer panicked, and her hands began to tremble uncontrobly. Unaware of her distress, Leon reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. No matter what happens, I believe in you, and I¡¯ll support you unconditionally. Just know that I¡¯ll always support you. ¡°Thank you, Leon,¡± Jennifer said, gripping his hand tightly. ¡°You¡¯re like family to me.¡± Leon was overjoyed. ¡°I¡¯m honored, Ms. Moore!¡± Jennifer motioned for him to lean in closer and whispered something to him. Without hesitation, Leon immediately agreed. After leaving the training base, Sheena went straight to the car dealership, nning to pick out a new car for herself. However, she bumped into an old acquaintance at the entrance. It was Daria Bell from her days in the orphanage. Daria was arm in arm with a well¨Cdressed man in his fifties, who was also browsing for cars. ¡°Well, well, well. If it isn¡¯t Sheena, who¡¯s been making the headlinestely. Long time no see. I never thought you¡¯d still be doing so poorly.¡± Seeing Sheena enter, Daria sneered and walked over with the man Back in the orphanage, Sheena and Daria never got along, and the reason was that both of them were outstanding beauties in the orphanage. Daria was depressed when she learned that Old Man Freeman had taken Sheena away to be Elijah¡¯s wife. Nevertheless, she was ecstatic when she found out about Sheena¡¯s divorce from the recent headlines. After all, Daria believed that Sheena used topete with her in everything, but she would now have the upper hand since Sheena was a divorcee. Thinking of this, she raised her chin even higher, deliberately showing off her designer jewelry in front of Sheena. Sheena nced at both of them and noticed the gold chain around the man¡¯s neck. His eyes gleamed brightly when he looked at her, and a golden tooth could be seen when he smiled. Sheena was utterly disgusted, and with a forced smile, she replied, ¡°It¡¯s been many years indeed. It seems like you¡¯re doing very well.¡± Chapter 89 Chapter 89 ¡°Oh, it was not too bad,¡± Daria humbly replied, but her face glowed with pride. ¡°Let me introduce you to my boyfriend, Tim Reid. He¡¯s the deputy general manager of the New Wave Group¡¯s business department. He makes a hundred and twenty thousand dors a year.¡± Daria emphasized heavily on thest two sentences, and Tim proudly shed his big golden tooth. Daria was waiting to see Sheena¡¯s reaction, hoping to satisfy her own vanity. However, Sheena¡¯s face remained indifferent, which irritated Daria. She had always disliked Sheena for her pretentious attitude, and Daria was determined to unmask Sheena. ¡°I heard that you got divorced,¡± Daria continued, giving Sheena a once¨Cover. Noticing her professional attire, Daria sneered, ¡°Are you working as a salesperson in this car dealership? Which brand are you representing? It¡¯s only been a few years, yet you¡¯ve ended up like this?¡± Sheena looked at Daria as if she was a clown and replied with a faint smile, ¡°I¡¯m here to buy a car.¡± With that, Sheena redirected her attention, turned around, and followed the car salesman¡¯s guidance to explore the cars inside. She had no intention of wasting time on such an insignificant person. Seeing Sheena¡¯s disinterest and cool demeanor, Daria grew even more annoyed. A couple of days ago, she visited the orphanage and heard that Sheena got divorced and was left with nothing. Why was she here to buy a car? ¡°I¡¯d love to see what kind of car you can afford,¡± Daria muttered, fixating on Sheena. Then, she turned to Tim and said coyly, ¡°Honey, let¡¯s take a look inside. This is a gift from you, after all. I want to select the most outstanding and suitable car for me.¡± Tim was stillpletely captivated by Sheena¡¯s graceful figure and lost in his fantasies, so he quickly agreed to Daria¡¯s suggestion. In the showroom, Sheena ultimately ended up in the section with budget¨Cfriendly Volkswagen cars. She had no particr passion or desire for material possessions. Practicality and simplicity were her main criteria. After selecting a car, Sheena was ready to finalize the purchase and leave when she heard Daria¡¯s disdainful voice from behind. ¡°I never thought you¡¯d be eyeing a budget car like the Volkswagen Passat. It looks like life hasn¡¯t been treating you well after the divorce.¡± Daria stood there, looking disdainful. However, Sheena paid her no mind andpletely ignored her. Being ignored did not bother Daria much, and she continued, ¡°Considering our past friendship, I can have my boyfriend introduce you to some exceptional male colleagues at hispany. He¡¯s the deputy general manager, after all, and he carries quite a bit of influence among the employees.¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Tim had been staring at Sheena the entire time. When Daria mentioned him, he immediately grinned and suggested, ¡°Since you¡¯re Daria¡¯s friend, you¡¯re a friend of mine too. Let¡¯s exchange mambers so that we can keep in touch Daria red at Tim. She had been with him for two and a half years and was well aware of his flirtatious and promiscuous nature. ¡°Did I ask you to exchange numbers with her? Are you nning to have some intimate conversation I shouldn¡¯t know about?¡± Daria said with a smile, but her gaze sent chills down Tim¡¯s spine. Tim¡¯s expression changed, and he hastily wrapped his arm around her waist. ¡°Oh,e on! You¡¯re my precious one. Anything I do for her is out of love for you, to make you happy.¡± Sheena was starting to get annoyed at their public disy of affection. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You should keep such an outstanding man for yourself,¡± Sheena interjected. ¡°Hold on!¡± Seeing Sheena about to leave, Daria hurried after her, clearly irked by Tim¡¯s evident interest in her. Daria had always disliked Sheena for alwayspeting with her, and now she wanted to fight for her man too! The more Daria thought about it, the more annoyed she became. Then, she added sarcastically, ¡°I was trying to help you out of goodwill, yet you¡¯re acting all high and mighty. Are you financing the car with a loan? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to have a boyfriend help you buy it?¡± Sheena frowned, ring at Daria. Sheena decided not to engage in Daria¡¯s provocation since Tim was there. Moreover, Sheena and Daria had also been through a lot at the orphanage. Instead, she nned to just buy the car and leave. After all, they were unlikely to cross paths again anytime soon. Chapter 90 Chapter 90 Noticing Sheena¡¯s silence, Daria¡¯s arrogance only grew. As Sheena walked away toplete her purchase, Daria could not resist muttering, ¡°Even the Freeman family doesn¡¯t want a loose woman like you, so what¡¯s with the attitude? Do you really think you¡¯re better than me? Her voice was low, but Sheena heard everything. ¡°What did you say?¡± Sheena stopped in her tracks, her cold gaze locking onto Daria as she turned around. Daria was momentarily taken aback by the coldness in Sheena¡¯s eyes but quickly regained her confrontational stance. ¡°You heard what I said.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression grew colder, her aura turning icy. ¡°I had considered letting you go, but you brought this upon yourself.¡± Daria was initially intimidated by Sheena¡¯s demeanor, fearing her potential retaliation. However, Sheena did not even spare her a second nce, walking straight out of the showroom and disappearing quickly. ¡°You¡¯re all bark and no bite! Tim is the New Wave Group¡¯s deputy general manager. Who do you think you are to threaten me? I won¡¯t let you off the hook!¡± Daria shouted in the direction Sheena had left, trying to get in thest word. Daria did not take Sheena¡¯s words seriously and linked her arm with Tim¡¯s, cooing, ¡°Honey, I want a small BMW, a sports car. I know you¡¯re the best. Can we take a look together?¡± Tim was in a dilemma. His annual sry was only 120,000 dors, and a BMW sports car would cost him the same. However, Daria¡¯spliments had inted his ego, and it would be embarrassing to admit he could not afford it with all the salespeople¡¯s eyes on him. Hence, he reluctantly agreed. The two of them strolled arm in arm, behaving intimately. Unfortunately, the significant age difference between them made them look like father and daughter,pletelycking any chemistry. In fact, it was a disgusting sight that sent shivers down the spines of those who saw them. Amidst the bewildered stares of the onlookers, the two continued to walk toward the exit. Ssh! ¡°Ah!¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Daria was soaked in the dirty water that had been stored nearby for several days. As soon as Tim noticed, he quickly sidestepped about two meters away, but he still ended up getting sshed a bit. In a matter of seconds, Daria transformed from a morous young woman in a red dress into a wet, foul¨Csmelling mess. She screamed in anger, ring at the person who had drenched her. It was a young female employee in staff uniform. She appeared timid but showed no fear in her eyes. Daria was furious. How could this mere employee dare to humiliate her like this? ¡°Are you blind? Do you know how much these clothes, shoes, and bags cost? More than you¡¯d earn in ten years of working here!¡± The young employee remained silent, letting Daria scream and curse. ¡°This isn¡¯t over. Apart from apologizing, you¡¯llpensate me for my emotional distress and losses. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re fired and never hired here ever again!¡± The young employee held onto the bucket, still not saying a word. Daria grew angrier. ¡°Not only are you blind, but you¡¯re mute too?¡± Tim hurriedly stepped in to back up Daria. ¡°I want to speak to your manager! Tell him the New Wave Group¡¯s deputy manager wants to see him! He needs to handle this!¡± Tim was the deputy general manager of the business department, yet he directly simplified it to New Wave Group¡¯s deputy manager, boosting his ego. A clear andposed voice suddenly sounded, ¡°I¡¯m the boss of this ce, and I¡¯m the one who ordered her to throw that bucket of water.¡± Turning their heads, they saw Sheena leaning casually against a luxury car, smiling elegantly. Chapter 91 Noticing Sheena¡¯s silence, Daria¡¯s arrogance only grew. As Sheena walked away toplete her purchase, Daria could not resist muttering, ¡°Even the Freeman family doesn¡¯t want a loose woman like you, so what¡¯s with the attitude? Do you really think you¡¯re better than me? Her voice was low, but Sheena heard everything. ¡°What did you say?¡± Sheena stopped in her tracks, her cold gaze locking onto Daria as she turned around. Daria was momentarily taken aback by the coldness in Sheena¡¯s eyes but quickly regained her confrontational stance. ¡°You heard what I said.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression grew colder, her aura turning icy. ¡°I had considered letting you go, but you brought this upon yourself.¡± Daria was initially intimidated by Sheena¡¯s demeanor, fearing her potential retaliation. However, Sheena did not even spare her a second nce, walking straight out of the showroom and disappearing quickly. ¡°You¡¯re all bark and no bite! Tim is the New Wave Group¡¯s deputy general manager. Who do you think you are to threaten me? I won¡¯t let you off the hook!¡± Daria shouted in the direction Sheena had left, trying to get in thest word. Daria did not take Sheena¡¯s words seriously and linked her arm with Tim¡¯s, cooing, ¡°Honey, I want a small BMW, a sports car. I know you¡¯re the best. Can we take a look together?¡± Tim was in a dilemma. His annual sry was only 120,000 dors, and a BMW sports car would cost him the same. However, Daria¡¯spliments had inted his ego, and it would be embarrassing to admit he could not afford it with all the salespeople¡¯s eyes on him. Hence, he reluctantly agreed. The two of them strolled arm in arm, behaving intimately. Unfortunately, the significant age difference between them made them look like father and daughter,pletelycking any chemistry. In fact, it was a disgusting sight that sent shivers down the spines of those who saw them. Amidst the bewildered stares of the onlookers, the two continued to walk toward the exit. Ssh! ¡°Ah!¡± Daria was soaked in the dirty water that had been stored nearby for several days. As soon as Tim noticed, he quickly sidestepped about two meters away, but he still ended up getting sshed a bit. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. In a matter of seconds, Daria transformed from a morous young woman in a red dress into a wet, foul¨Csmelling mess. She screamed in anger, ring at the person who had drenched her. It was a young female employee in staff uniform. She appeared timid but showed no fear in her eyes. Daria was furious. How could this mere employee dare to humiliate her like this? ¡°Are you blind? Do you know how much these clothes, shoes, and bags cost? More than you¡¯d earn in ten years of working here!¡± The young employee remained silent, letting Daria scream and curse. ¡°This isn¡¯t over. Apart from apologizing, you¡¯llpensate me for my emotional distress and losses. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re fired and never hired here ever again!¡± The young employee held onto the bucket, still not saying a word. Daria grew angrier. ¡°Not only are you blind, but you¡¯re mute too?¡± Tim hurriedly stepped in to back up Daria. ¡°I want to speak to your manager! Tell him the New Wave Group¡¯s deputy manager wants to see him! He needs to handle this!¡± Tim was the deputy general manager of the business department, yet he directly simplified it to New Wave Group¡¯s deputy manager, boosting his ego. A clear andposed voice suddenly sounded, ¡°I¡¯m the boss of this ce, and I¡¯m the one who ordered her to throw that bucket of water.¡± Turning their heads, they saw Sheena leaning casually against a luxury car, smiling elegantly. Chapter 92 Chapter 92 Daria stared at Sheena, shouting in disbelief, ¡°This can¡¯t be true! Is this all an act? You¡¯ve gone to such lengths just to deceive me!¡± Then, Daria pointed at the manager, roaring, ¡°And you! How much did she pay you to y along in this act? I¡¯ll double it!¡± The manager frowned at her words, obviously displeased. ¡°Ma¡¯am, please show some respect to our boss. Also, kindly mind your behavior in public ces.¡± Stepping back, he looked disdainfully at the drenched Daria and quickly walked away, holding his nose. Tim, having met the manager before, knew his position was legitimate. Hence, he discreetly. reminded Daria of this fact, Daria took a couple of steps back, unable to ept the truth. ¡°Are you sure? It¡¯s impossible! How could this bitch¡­¡± Seeing that Daria was still foolishly eager to confront Sheena, Tim swiftly distanced himself from the situation. Then, he calmed himself down and buttered up to Sheena, ¡°Ms. Sheena, I¡¯m sorry for being ignorant and speaking out of turn despite being just a mere deputy general manager of the New Wave Group¡¯s business department. If you ever require my assistance, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask. I¡¯m willing to go above and beyond for you!¡± ¡°Tim! What are you doing? You know how much I despise her, and yet you¡¯re buttering her up like a lapdog!¡± Realizing that Tim had changed sides, Daria was furious and ready to p him. Tim swiftly caught her wrist, looking at her disdainfully, and he forcefully pushed her away. ¡°You smell horrible! Don¡¯te near me!¡± ¡°Oh, right. I must have been blind even to consider someone like you in the first ce!¡± Daria was so angry that she was trembling and yelled at Tim, ¡°Take a look at your beer belly and yellow teeth before judging me!¡± Before Tim could react, she stepped forward while he was distracted, and with a quick motion, she pped him across the face twice. Tim was dazed from the ps, holding his face in disbelief, and he cursed, ¡°You little bitch! How dare you hit me! If it weren¡¯t for your looks, would I have even wasted tens of thousands on you? You seem to have forgotten your ce, you piece of shit!¡± The two of them erupted into a heated argument. ¡°What a sight,¡± Sheena remarked, leaning against the Porsche and apuding sarcastically. It¡¯s a pity that they¡¯re a bit noisy.¡± Security!¡± Sheena called out, ¡°Get rid of these two noisy troublemakers. They¡¯re making a scene in front of the store, damaging the shop¡¯s image.¡± ¡°Bitch! How dare you! I¡¯ll make you pay for this!¡± Daria screamed. Several security guards promptly approached them, grabbing their arms without hesitation and tossing them onto the street like trash. Daria fell to the ground, and she continued her unrestrained rant, ¡°You bitch! Don¡¯t act so proud just because you have someone powerful behind you! Once a bitch, always a bitch!¡± Daria stood outside the door and cursed, drawing the attention of passersby. Initially, Sheena had only intended a small punishment, given their history at the orphanage. However, Daria hade looking for trouble, so Sheena had no choice but to give her a taste of her own medicine. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Sheena walked out calmly, her petite frame exuding a powerful aura. The arrogance and coldness in her gaze caused Daria to shiver. ¡°Are you done?¡± Sheena asked. Daria straightened her neck, trying to regain herposure. ¡°You bitch! I¡¯m not done! You¡­¡® ¡°It¡¯s my turn,¡± Sheena interrupted coldly. Chapter 93 Chapter 93 Daria was taken aback by Sheena¡¯s cold and disdainful gaze. Before she could react, Sheena pulled out her phone and read slowly, ¡°Da Bell, an ordinary employee at New Wave Group for the past five years. While dating Tim Reid, the deputy general manager of the business department, you¡¯ve had multiple affairs with other superiors. You even managed to hook up with several clients during business trips. Tsk, tsk¡­ Quite impressive, I must say.¡± ¡°You!¡± Daria¡¯s confidence wavered. ¡°Your words mean nothing. This is nder, and I¡¯ll sue you for defamation!¡± ¡°Hold on, I¡¯m not done yet,¡± Sheena continued with an intrigued smile, reading from the information she had on her phone. ¡°You¡¯ve also embezzled over three thousand dors ofpany funds. It seems the shady habits you had while in the orphanage are still going strong. While three thousand dors might notnd you in jail¡­¡± Sheena stopped mid¨Csentence, smiling brightly. The sudden pause caused Daria to panic. ¡°But getting fired by thepany seems inevitable. And who knows, once otherpanies in the industry find out, they might just cklist you altogether,¡± Sheena continued. Then, she kept her phone away, calmly enjoying Daria¡¯s shifting expressions. Daria stubbornly retorted, ¡°Where¡¯s the evidence? Your little story is quite impressive, and I almost believed it. But it all means nothing without evidence!¡± Daria rolled her eyes dramatically at Sheena, but herment was cut short by her phone ringing. Sheena signaled with her eyes, teasing, ¡°Why don¡¯t you answer your call and find out?¡± With resentment burning in her gaze, Daria answered the call with trembling hands. Before she could even offer a courteous greeting, her superior¡¯s furious tirade erupted on the other end. ¡°Daria, I never expected you to be so audacious! I know what you did, and I can¡¯t believe New Wave Group has hired a disgrace like you. You¡¯re finished!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that! Please let me exin!¡± Daria¡¯s voice trembled with desperation, tears welled as she tried to exin, ¡°Someone is deliberately framing me. You have to believe me!¡± ¡°Framing you? Do you really think I¡¯m dumb?¡± The leaderughed, exasperated by Daria¡¯s remark. ¡°Get to the office now. I¡¯ll make sure you understand the consequences!¡± Daria tried to exin further, but her superior had already hung up in annoyance. She put down her phone helplessly and looked at Sheena pitifully. Her previous contempt waspletely gone. In just half an hour, Sheena had be the owner of the entire automobile market and had uncovered all of Daria¡¯s secrets during her argument with Tim. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. This woman was terrifying! ¡°Who are you?¡± Daria asked, her eyes wide with disbelief. In contrast, Sheena smiled, her gaze cold and proud. Even though she was just standing there, her aura felt powerful. Daria finally realized that Sheena¡¯s identity must be far more significant than she had thought, and she was not the divorced and ordinary orphaned girl she had remembered. ¡°Sheena, I was wrong! Please spare me! I can¡¯t afford to lose this job. I truly made a mistake. I¡¯m begging you¡­ Please forgive me!¡± Daria pleaded. Sheena remained silent, as if waiting for Daria to continue. ¡°It was my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have humiliated you. Please forgive me, considering the years we spent together at the orphanage. Please, spare me. I can¡¯t afford to lose this job or get cklisted in the industry!¡± Daria kept bowing and apologizing, her demeanor extremely humble, which was a stark contrast to her previous arrogant behavior. Chapter 94 As Sheena stayed silent, Daria grew more anxious. She even dropped to her knees, bowing so low that her head touched the ground. ¡°Sheena, I¡¯m really sorry. Please, forgive me! I¡¯ve apologized so sincerely. I know you¡¯re a reasonable person. Just give me a second chance!¡± ¡°Are you done talking?¡± Sheena stepped closer, grasping Daria¡¯s chin and forcing her to meet her gaze, adding, ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. I don¡¯t let things slide easily, and I always held grudges. Besides, I¡¯ve given you a chance already, and you failed to cherish it.¡± She released Daria and pulled a tissue elegantly from her bag, wiping her hands gracefully. Sheena sneered. ¡°Escort them out. From now on, they¡¯re never allowed to step foot in our car dealership again.¡± Quickly reading the situation, the manager approached and ordered the security guards loudly, ¡°Are you all deaf? Didn¡¯t you hear what Miss Sheena said? Get them out of here!¡± A few guards wielding dirty mops rushed over, waving them around and shooing Tim and Daria away. Tim and Daria were chased away, stumbling out. Sheena watched them being chased out with satisfaction before returning to the Volkswagen store. The manager followed her, bombarding her with questions. ¡°Ms. Sheena, would you like me to familiarize you with other brands in the car dealership? Since you¡¯ve just acquired this ce and might not be very familiar with the industry¡­¡± ¡°No need. I have my own arrangements.¡± Sheena nced at him sideways, warning him not to speak further. ¡°Yes, of course. I shouldn¡¯t have interfered so much.¡± The manager was all smiles, trying to tter Sheena. He patted his mouth several times, afraid of saying something wrong and getting demoted. Sheena stopped in front of a Passat, eyeing the vibrant red car. Then, she opened the door and sat inside, warning the manager, ¡°I want the acquisition of this car dealership to remain confidential. No one must know about it.¡± Sheena¡¯s voice was stern as she continued, ¡°If I find out this has been exposed, you¡­¡± She suddenly shed a captivating smile, yet it had an underlying coldness that sent a chill down the manager¡¯s spine. The manager¡¯s heart raced, and he immediately tapped his chest, pledging, ¡°Rest assured! I¡¯ll follow your orders!¡± ¡°Continue running the car dealership as before. You¡¯re in charge of everything and report to me monthly. Don¡¯t bother me the rest of the time.¡± After saying that, Sheena stomped on the gas pedal and left. Despite being an ordinary budget ?? swath wach force that it seemed like a superc manages stared in dibest as the car kelt, unable to help hot marvel, ¡°What a damirerering woman. The new one is truly extraordinary Especially other witnessing how she handed Tim and Daria, he was even more convinced that e should met mess with her. not On the road. Sheena turned on the audio and craised along. The recent incident was hardly wrth wellling on, and she bummed a rune happily, preparing to return to Angle Group. A famr ringtone chimed, and Sheena nced at her phone. Seeing it was Wendy calling, she bestuned bedrce connecting to her Bluetooth headset. * GELING MO back to thepany. Give it to me straight,¡± Sheena got to the point. 1. ts. Sheena, you¡¯re ending again!¡± car, she drove it with such force that it seemed like a supercar. The manager stared in disbelief as the car left, unable to help but marvel, ¡°What a domineering woman. The new owner is truly extraordinary.¡± Especially after witnessing how she handled Tim and Daria, he was even more convinced that he should not mess with her. On the road, Sheena turned on the audio and cruised along. The recent incident was hardly worth dwelling on, and she hummed a tune happily, preparing to return to Angle Group. A familiar ringtone chimed, and Sheena nced at her phone. Seeing it was Wendy calling, she hesitated before connecting to her Bluetooth headset. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m on my way back to thepany. Give it to me straight,¡± Sheena got to the point. ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯re trending again!¡± Chapter 95 Chapter 95 Wendy panicked, eximing, ¡°Ms. Sheena, open Twitter and check the news!¡°¡°¡± ¡°I¡¯m still driving. Don¡¯t you know checking your phone while driving is dangerous?¡± Sheena sighed, a bit frustrated. ¡°If it¡¯s not urgent, I¡¯ll hang up for now, and we can discuss it when 1 get back to the office.¡± Flustered, Wendy stopped her, ¡°No, no, no! Don¡¯t hang up yet! This trending topic is ruining your image. You should¡­¡± As Wendy rambled on, Sheena¡¯s attention was drawn to the giant screen in the city, where it was broadcasting Vanessa being interviewed outside a ward. She was crying and using Sheena of horrible actions. Sheena¡¯s interest was piqued. ncing at the time, she found a parking spot and stopped the car. Since she had the time, she decided to see what tricks the Moore family was up to. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Mr. Freeman¡¯s ex¨Cwife, Sheena, even had the audacity to send my beloved Jennifer a banner full of mockery, and she even sent funeral flowers, cursing her to die sooner! How can this woman be so wicked?¡± Vanessa was an amazing actress, wiping away her crocodile tears as she continued, ¡°My poor Jennifer¡­ Not only did she suffer a beating, but she also passed out again from Sheena¡¯s insults. She hasn¡¯t even recovered from her injuries¡­ Jennifer did nothing wrong, and it was a misunderstanding at the party. Who knew Sheena would be so petty to seek revenge? I have to expose her wicked and arrogant behavior to the public! I must let everyone see her true colors¡­ (1 Sheena lost interest and scoffed, driving back to Angle Group. Sensing her prolonged silence, Wendy hung up the phone. Upon arriving at thepany, Sheena skillfully drifted into the car park and walked into the office building nonchntly. A few people were whispering in the lobby on the first floor. One of them noticed Sheena entering and quickly said something, causing the group to disperse. Nheless, Sheena ignored them and headed straight to her office. Wendy had been waiting in her office. When she saw Sheena, she rushed over anxiously and said, ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯re finally back. Did you get a chance to see the news? This situation is getting worse!¡± As she spoke, Wendy handed Sheena the iPad with an open webpage. Vanessa¡¯s usations had caused a stir, and the inte was buzzing as manyizens were discussing the issue. Fortunately, most were rational, and opinions were divided on the matter. Many people were also speaking up for Sheena, but a wave of criticism quickly drowned out their voices. Without a doubt, Jennifer had already hired a group of inte trolls in advance. She has learned from her previous experience and smartly made use of public sympathy to put Sheena at a disadvantage. Sheena set aside her iPad and continued preparing for the all¨Cgirls talent show, paying little attention to these matters. Ms. Sheena, are you really not nning to address this?¡± Wendy asked cautiously. ¡°Just ignore it and focus on your tasks,¡± Sheena replied without lifting her head. This minor annoyance was not worth her attention, and she was more curious to see how Jennifer would escte the situation. Observing Sheena¡¯s indifference, Wendy sighed and quietly left the room. It was better to focus on her own tasks rather than worry about other things. Meanwhile, at the hospital¡­ Vanessa had finished the interview, and her tearful demeanor immediately transformed into a malicious grin as soon as the reporters left, secretly happy about what had happened to Jennifer. After all, she had always despised Jennifer, the daughter of Kennedy¡¯s mistress. After Jennifer had entered the Moore family, her hatred for Jennifer only intensified. Jennifer had been beaten quite severely this time, and Vanessa could not help but relish this oue. However, Hannah was still lying unconscious in the hospital. With Jennifer as the sole heir, Vanessa had no choice but to put on the pretense of a loving mother to protect the Moore Group from external threats until Hannah woke up. This irked Vanessa even more and seeing Jennifer lying in a sickly state on the hospital bed only added to her satisfaction. As Vanessa turned to reach for her phone, she was surprised to see Elijah standing by the door. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 96 Chapter 95 Wendy panicked, eximing, ¡°Ms. Sheena, open Twitter and check the news!¡°¡°¡± ¡°I¡¯m still driving. Don¡¯t you know checking your phone while driving is dangerous?¡± Sheena sighed, a bit frustrated. ¡°If it¡¯s not urgent, I¡¯ll hang up for now, and we can discuss it when 1 get back to the office.¡± Flustered, Wendy stopped her, ¡°No, no, no! Don¡¯t hang up yet! This trending topic is ruining your image. You should¡­¡± As Wendy rambled on, Sheena¡¯s attention was drawn to the giant screen in the city, where it was broadcasting Vanessa being interviewed outside a ward. She was crying and using Sheena of horrible actions. Sheena¡¯s interest was piqued. ncing at the time, she found a parking spot and stopped the car. Since she had the time, she decided to see what tricks the Moore family was up to. ¡°Mr. Freeman¡¯s ex¨Cwife, Sheena, even had the audacity to send my beloved Jennifer a banner full of mockery, and she even sent funeral flowers, cursing her to die sooner! How can this woman be so wicked?¡± Vanessa was an amazing actress, wiping away her crocodile tears as she continued, ¡°My poor Jennifer¡­ Not only did she suffer a beating, but she also passed out again from Sheena¡¯s insults. She hasn¡¯t even recovered from her injuries¡­ Jennifer did nothing wrong, and it was a misunderstanding at the party. Who knew Sheena would be so petty to seek revenge? I have to expose her wicked and arrogant behavior to the public! I must let everyone see her true colors¡­ (1 Sheena lost interest and scoffed, driving back to Angle Group. Sensing her prolonged silence, Wendy hung up the phone. Upon arriving at thepany, Sheena skillfully drifted into the car park and walked into the office building nonchntly. A few people were whispering in the lobby on the first floor. One of them noticed Sheena entering and quickly said something, causing the group to disperse. Nheless, Sheena ignored them and headed straight to her office. Wendy had been waiting in her office. When she saw Sheena, she rushed over anxiously and said, ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯re finally back. Did you get a chance to see the news? This situation is getting worse!¡± As she spoke, Wendy handed Sheena the iPad with an open webpage. Vanessa¡¯s usations had caused a stir, and the inte was buzzing as manyizens were discussing the issue. Fortunately, most were rational, and opinions were divided on the matter. Many people were also speaking up for Sheena, but a wave of criticism quickly drowned out their voices. Without a doubt, Jennifer had already hired a group of inte trolls in advance. SheProperty of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. has learned from her previous experience and smartly made use of public sympathy to put Sheena at a disadvantage. Sheena set aside her iPad and continued preparing for the all¨Cgirls talent show, paying little attention to these matters. Ms. Sheena, are you really not nning to address this?¡± Wendy asked cautiously. ¡°Just ignore it and focus on your tasks,¡± Sheena replied without lifting her head. This minor annoyance was not worth her attention, and she was more curious to see how Jennifer would escte the situation. Observing Sheena¡¯s indifference, Wendy sighed and quietly left the room. It was better to focus on her own tasks rather than worry about other things. Meanwhile, at the hospital¡­ Vanessa had finished the interview, and her tearful demeanor immediately transformed into a malicious grin as soon as the reporters left, secretly happy about what had happened to Jennifer. After all, she had always despised Jennifer, the daughter of Kennedy¡¯s mistress. After Jennifer had entered the Moore family, her hatred for Jennifer only intensified. Jennifer had been beaten quite severely this time, and Vanessa could not help but relish this oue. However, Hannah was still lying unconscious in the hospital. With Jennifer as the sole heir, Vanessa had no choice but to put on the pretense of a loving mother to protect the Moore Group from external threats until Hannah woke up. This irked Vanessa even more and seeing Jennifer lying in a sickly state on the hospital bed only added to her satisfaction. As Vanessa turned to reach for her phone, she was surprised to see Elijah standing by the door. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 97 Chapter 97 ¡°Good job,¡± Elijah praised, but his true emotion was still unreadable. He flipped through the investigation materials while Leon exined the details to him. ¡°You asked me to look into the events from back then, and I found that Ms. Moore¡¯s schedule at the time aligns perfectly with your car ident¡¯s timeline. In other words, there is undeniable evidence that Ms. Moore was your savior from thirteen years ago,¡± Leon stated confidently. Elijah sifted through the materials, frowning slightly. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°There¡¯s another matter¡­¡± Leon hesitated. ¡°Out with it.¡± Elijah nced at him, signaling him to continue. ¡°We made new progress in Ms. Moore¡¯s assault. The investigation results are attached at the back of the file,¡± Leon exined. Following his words, Elijah turned a few pages and came across several photographs. He studied them closely, his previously rxed brows knitting again. The shining green Santana in the photos was unmistakable. The thought ignited the anger within him, and he continued to scroll through the pages, growing increasingly agitated. The rest of the photos were simr, except for thest one. In that picture, a few figures were faintly visible in the night. Elijah tried hard to identify them but could only recognize Sheena among them. ¡°ording to these photos and the investigation into Ms. Sheena¡¯s activities that day, she was indeed present at the scene when Ms. Moore was assaulted. And there¡¯s this.¡± Leon pointed at a specific photo, saying, ¡°It appears Sheena was involved in some kind of transaction with someone.¡± Then, Leon continued, ¡°The man standing behind her appeared to be Howard¡¯s assistant, Yuri Flores. It¡¯s highly likely that Sheena had Howard carry out this act. Regardless of the oue, Sheena¡¯s involvement is undeniable.¡± Elijah¡¯s face remained devoid of emotions as he continued to scrutinize the images. ¡°To think that someone as gentle and kind as Ms. Moore would be treated this way¡­ I can¡¯t believe Sheena could be this malicious!¡± Leon clenched his fists, urging further, ¡°Mr. Freeman, you must stand up for Ms. Moore and teach Sheena a proper lesson! You have to seek justice for Ms. Moore!¡± Elijah looked at Leon, who bore an earnest expression and nodded. ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll discuss this further when we return.¡± His face returned to its usual calm demeanor, still unreadable to others. The next morning, the hospital was bustling. Jennifer had prepared herself early, leaning against the bedside, ready to face the interview. ¡°I know that epting an interview now might lead some to specte about my intentions or even put me in the spotlight,¡± Jennifer pretended to be strong, continuing, ¡°But I want to rify that Mr. Freeman and I were childhood sweethearts, and circumstances forced us apartter on. I may not know what happened during my absence, but I can firmly dere that I¡¯m not a homewrecker, nor did I destroy his marriage with Sheena!¡± Her eyes glistened with tears, yet she bit her lip resolutely to hold them back. The sound of camera shutters clicked incessantly, and the shing lights were blinding, nearly causing her to lose herposure. However, she could not afford to falter as she had to use this opportunity to gain sympathy from the public. ¡°Ms. Moore, we have a few questions. Would you be willing to answer them?¡± A reporter extended a microphone toward her Chapter 98 Chapter 98 Jennifer nodded, graciously epting their interview, ¡°Go ahead. I have nothing to hide.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve mentioned that you and Mr. Freeman were in love. If that was the case, why didn¡¯t you two get married? What caused the change? Where were you when Sheena married Mr. Freeman? Why didn¡¯t you intervene?¡± ¡°Additionally, could you shed some light on the circumstances of your injuries? Were you targeted because you were a homewrecker? Would you be willing to disclose some details?¡± ¡°And-¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Jennifer interrupted, appearing displeased. Those reporters were unyielding and continued asking her harsh questions, showing no regard for her as an injured party. Jennifer was infuriated! However, she realized she lost her cool and cleared her throat, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not feeling well. Let¡¯s end the interview here for today.¡± With that, she closed her eyes, dismissing the reporters from disturbing her further. ¡°Jennifer has spoken enough today and she needs to rest. If you have any questions, direct them to me,¡± Vanessa said, leading the reporters out of the ward. In the corridor, she continued to face the piercing questions. ¡°The questions you asked just now concern our family¡¯s private matters and the privacy between Jennifer and Mr. Freeman. We refuse to answer them. Please understand,¡± Vanessa replied, maintaining a distant tone. ¡°What about the incident with Ms. Moore¡¯s injuries?¡± ¡°We have evidence strongly indicating Sheena¡¯s involvement in this matter.¡® Then, Vanessa took the microphone, adding resolutely, ¡°We¡¯ll make sure she pays the price for hurting our precious daughter!¡± ¡°Could you reveal some of the evidence?¡± Vanessa frowned, bluntly refusing, ¡°We have handed everything over to the police. The truth will be revealed soon enough.¡± The reporters sensed her reluctance to discuss further and wrapped up the interview hastily. Sheena drove her new Passat, speeding on her way to work. She managed to catch the entire live news broadcast and could not help but scoff. The feigned affection of the mother¨Cdaughter duo was sickening. Nevertheless, if it was a war they wanted, Sheena was more than willing to give it to them. Just after turning the corner, Sheena spotted Wendy standing under a road sign, looking anxious and scanning the road. Sheena pulled over right next to her, rolled down the window, and asked, ¡°Need a ride?¡± ¡°No, no, Ms. Sheena, I was intentionally waiting for you along your route to work,¡± Wendy¡¯s face was filled with concern as she replied, ¡°You¡¯re still trending online, and people are discussing you endlessly. Some reporters and overly agitated crowds have blocked thepany entrance, demanding an exnation from you.¡± Then, she suggested, ¡°This situation is much more intense thanst time. Maybe you shouldn¡¯t go to the office. It might be better toy low at home until it¡¯s safe.¡± ¡°No need. I¡¯m not the type to hide andy low,¡± Sheena retorted. Sheena ignited the engine again, and Wendy became anxious. ¡°Ms. Sheena, where are you going?¡± Wendy pounded on the car window, attempting to stop her. ¡°To give them the exnation they want.¡± Sheena stomped on the gas pedal and drove away, leaving Wendy coughing and her eyes teary from the smoke and dust. By the time Wendy regained her senses, Sheena¡¯s car had disappeared from view. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Oh no, this is bad! Ms. Sheena¡¯s all alone. What should I do?¡± Wendy was in despair, unsure of what to do Chapter 99 Chapter 99 The Angle Group was buzzing with people, packed with not only reporters and ¡°concerned¡± citizens, but also many onlookers eager to witness themotion. Sheena locked her car and strode confidently toward thepany entrance. Even though she was alone, she had a powerful presence. The reporters had been waiting for this moment, rushing forward and jostling to get closer when they saw Sheena. They extended the microphones toward her, and the sound of rapid camera shutters filled the air. The scene was even more impressive than the one in Jennifer¡¯s ward. ¡°Ms. Sheena, did you watch this morning¡¯s live news? What do you have to say about Ms. Moore¡¯s statements?¡± ¡°Is what Ms. Moore said true? She ims she¡¯s not a homewrecker. Can you exin the reasons behind your divorce from Mr. Freeman? Rumors say you left with nothing, implying an affair. Is that true?¡± ¡°And are you behind Ms. Moore¡¯s assault?¡± The reporters seized the opportunity to dig up juicy information, firing off a barrage of questions at Sheena. However, Sheena marched toward the entrance, undaunted by the crowd. Herrge sunsses covered most of her face, but her imposing aura could not be masked. ¡°Ms. Sheena, can you please answer? The whole nation is waiting for your response!¡± A reporter shouted desperately. The crowd erupted again, and bystanders engaged in spirited conversations, specting on the reasons behind this series of events. Sheena snatched a microphone from a reporter¡¯s hand, saying sternly, ¡°If you want answers, you need to quiet down and let me speak.¡± The reporters were stunned but quickly resumed their questioning. ¡°Can you rify your rtionship with Mr. Freeman?¡± A reporter seized the opportunity to get a question in, positioning the microphone beside her to ensure he would not be ignored. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°I already addressed this on Twitter. Once again, we¡¯re already divorced, and we have nothing to do with each other anymore,¡± Sheena retorted, pushing away the microphone that was being shoved in her face. Even with her sunsses shielding her eyes, the others felt the intensity of Sheena¡¯s gaze, prompting them to take a few steps back. ¡°Rumors online suggest that Ms. Moore ruined your marriage to Mr. Freeman. But after your divorce, you were left with nothing. Is this true?¡± ¡°I have noment,¡± Sheena replied and shrugged, ¡°Any other questions? If not, I¡¯m heading inside. Don¡¯t waste my precious time.¡± ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Several reporters squeezed forward again, shouting ¡°Online rumors suggest that you only secured your current job position because of your affair with Angle¡¯s Mr. Lawson. Is this true?¡± My position wasn¡¯t obtained through any improper means. As for my abilities, time and achievements will reveal the truth,¡± Sheena responded firmly. Her words resonated loudly within the crowd, yet they failed to quell the reporter¡¯s agitation. ¡°Why did you insult Ms. Moore a couple of days ago? Was it because she humiliated you at the banquet?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you watch her live broadcast?¡± Sheena retorted, ¡°Let the evidence speak for itself. I have important matters to attend to and won¡¯t entertain this any longer.¡± Seeing her dismiss the crowd, the reporters grew anxious and desperately tried to hold her back. ¡°You can¡¯t end this without exining the matter! Are you hiding something?¡± The onlookers joined in, raising their voices and effectively blocking thepany entrance. Some even seemed ready to attack Sheena. Before Sheena could react, a familiar deep voice sounded behind her. ¡°Spreading rumors and hurling baseless insults without consequences? If you don¡¯t have professional ethics, it might be time to find a new job.¡± Elijah¡¯s voice was calm yet filled with disdain as he approached, his gaze coldly scanning the crowd. Chapter 100 Chapter 100 Someone recognized Elijah and shouted, ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Freeman! Mr. Freeman is here to support her!¡± Elijah¡¯s appearance ignited another uproar as his sudden presence shocked everyone, and spections buzzed through the crowd about his purpose for being there. Elijah took the microphone from Sheena and said, ¡°As for Ms. Moore¡¯s situation, I¡¯m also doing my own investigations. I will provide the public with an exnation in five days.¡± The reporters who had been asking questions were too frightened to speak, yet the chaos within the crowd showed no sign of settling. Elijah turned around to Leon with a cold look and asked, ¡°What are you standing around for?¡± Leon quickly signaled the bodyguards, and they immediately began dispersing the crowd. Most of the onlookers were merely there for the spectacle. They did not want to stir up trouble, and they certainly did not want to provoke Elijah. Hence, they left immediately. ¡°Thanks,¡± Sheena muttered a half¨Chearted gratitude to him and walked toward thepany. ¡°Ms. Sheena, your gratitude seems rather insincere,¡± Elijahmented, grabbing her wrist firmly. Then, he asked, ¡°Can we have a private conversation?¡± Sheena initially considered refusing his invitation, but she noticed his serious expression and said, ¡°Alright, but let¡¯s keep it brief.¡± Elijah chose a restaurant near Angle Group and reserved a private room for their meal. ¡°Go ahead and order,¡± he said,ying out the menu and pushing it toward her. ¡°I¡¯ve had breakfast already,¡± Sheena replied. However, she frowned as if recalling something, then added, ¡°Mr. Freeman, didn¡¯t you prefer a lighter meal early in the morning? What¡¯s this? Have you changed your habits after reuniting with Ms. Moore? Anyway, cut the crap and get to the point. Don¡¯t waste my time.¡± Elijah¡¯s expression turned sour. Observing Sheena¡¯s impatience, he asked, ¡°Do you treat Howard or Skye the same way when you have meals together?¡± Even Elijah did not realize that his tone was dripping with jealousy. Sheena red at him, warning, ¡°Mr. Freeman, please remember you¡¯re my ex¨Chusband, and we have nothing between us anymore. Do I need to report to you about my attitude while having dinner with other men? Besides, you¡¯re hardly in any position topare yourself to them.¡± She paused, then continued sarcastically, ¡°Don¡¯t forget that your fiancee is still warded, and you should be at her side instead of getting hung up on my attitude here.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve changed a lot,¡± Elijahmented, locking his gaze onto her eyes as if attempting to uncover all the unfamiliar aspects about her. Sheena picked up her bag and got up from her seat. ¡°If you¡¯re only here to discuss these Chapte 100- unimportant matters, I¡¯ll be going now.¡± ¡°Sit down. There¡¯s no need to rush.¡± Elijah walked over and locked the door. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Sheena frowned and watched him closely. ¡°What are you doing?¡± He let out a barely audible sigh, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not here to harm you. I¡¯m here to rify one thing.¡± Chapter 101 Chapter 101 Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Sheena asked. ¡°Where were you on March 14th, thirteen years ago? Did you visit Pine Street in Farlem?¡± Elijah inquired patiently. ¡°I don¡¯t remember,¡± Sheena replied, still maintaining a distant manner. Moreover, it had been such a long time. How could she possibly recall? Elijah remainedposed. ¡°Alright, let me phrase it differently. Do you remember a car ident that happened on March 14th, thirteen years ago? Three people died at the scene, and only a young boy in the back seat survived, rescued by a girl.¡± Sheena was shocked, wondering why he was asking about this. Could that young boy be him? Sheena met his probing gaze and recalled fragments of her memories in a haze. She did save a person out of sheer coincidence that year. However, she had not given it much thought at the time. Besides, Sheena was in Farlem that year for a crucial matter involving the Lawson family¡¯s privacy, and she had no intention of sharing that with Elijah, nor did she want him to continue investigating. After all, that matter was too dangerous, and she did not want anyone else getting involved. Sheena replied coldly, ¡°No, I don¡¯t know. If you don¡¯t have any other questions, I¡¯ll be leaving. 11 Elijah reached out to stop her, but her icy gaze stopped him, and he withdrew his hand. ¡°Mr. Freeman, don¡¯t forget you¡¯re Jennifer¡¯s fiance. Pay more attention to her as she¡¯s still recovering in the hospital,¡± Sheena taunted him, unlocking the door and leaving. In that fleeting moment when she turned around, Sheena glimpsed a subtle flicker of disappointment in Elijah¡¯s eyes. Although it was not obvious, she still managed to catch it. She wondered why he was disappointed, but she did not dwell on it. At the moment, Elijah was insignificant to her. He was merely a minor figure in life, and she would not let him hinder her progress. Sheenaposed herself and elegantly fixed her hair behind her ears. Elijah did not stop her, letting her leave the private room. As Sheena stepped out, she locked eyes with Leon, who gave her a hostile re. ¡°Mr. Freeman has gathered all the evidence. Your involvement in assaulting Ms. Moore will be exposed soon! When that happens, Mr. Freeman won¡¯t spare you!¡± Leon¡¯s voice dripped with resentment. ¡°Are you done?¡± Sheena nced at him, smiling mockingly. ¡°Bring it on then. I¡¯m waiting.¡± Her petite frame exuded an unexpectedlymanding presence, and Leon instinctively took a few steps back when he met her gaze. In her high heels, Sheena briskly walked away with her footsteps echoing through the spacious restaurant. ¡°That was strange,¡® Leon thought, perplexed by his own fear of her. Two days had passed since Elijah mentioned the five¨Cday deadline, and various media outlets were closely following the matter, specting. Sheena paid no attention to the negativements against her, focusing solely on preparations for the all¨Cgirls talent show. ¡°Ms. Sheena, these are the relevant files on the set. Please do a final review.¡± Wendy ced a file folder on her desk. ¡°Got it. You can leave first. I¡¯ll call you when I¡¯m done.¡± Chapter 102 Chapter 102 Sheena¡¯s gaze remained fixed on theputer screen as she typed quickly on the keyboard. Wendy hesitated but eventually interrupted her, asking, ¡°Ms. Sheena, have you really not seen the onlinements about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen some.¡± Sheena nced at Wendy and continued her work. ¡°Then why are you so¡­ calm?¡± Wendy was even more puzzled. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I be? Mr. Freeman said in front of all those reporters that he¡¯d provide an exnation regarding this to the public. I want to see what he wille up with. Besides, even though those comments are causing a stir, they haven¡¯t had any substantial impact on me, have they?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Enough buts. Let¡¯s get back to work. The talent show is about to start recording, and you¡¯ll only get busier than before.¡± Wendy recognized Sheena¡¯s exceptional nature and held her tongue, getting back to her tasks. Sheena was fully immersed in her work. Meanwhile, at a hospital miles away from Angle Group, Jennifery on her bed, idly scrolling through her phone. Her injuries had improved significantly, and over the past couple of days, she had been closely monitoring the media¡¯s malicious spections about Sheena on various social tforms. asionally, she would also engage a few inte trolls to amplify the negativity. As Jennifer scrolled through Twitter, enjoying the wave of praise for her and condemnation for Sheena, her satisfaction only grew. However, her smile froze instantly when she saw a message pop up. [Leon: Ms. Moore, Mr. Freeman hasn¡¯t made any big moves in the past two days. He hasn¡¯t tasked me with anything either, and I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s nning.] Ever since agreeing to help Jennifer, Leon had been diligently watching Elijah¡¯s every move, reporting back to her at the slightest hint of activity. However, Elijah¡¯sck of action had raised suspicions in her. ¡°Got it. Thanks, Leon,¡± Jennifer replied with a sweet tone in a voice message. Hearing her voice, Leon felt even more ttered and determined to assist her in bringing Sheena to justice. Jennifer irritably put her phone aside and leaned back on her bed. After pondering for a moment, she picked up her phone again and dialed a number. ¡°Hey there, how¡¯s it going?¡± Katie¡¯s voice camezily from the other end. ¡°Thanks to you, I¡¯m still lying in the hospital,¡± Jennifer replied coldly. ¡°What¡¯s the n now?¡± Katie admired her newly done nails before casually speaking, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve found her weakness. I can take care of her tonight.¡± NEA Lister ¡°Are you sure?¡± Jennifer asked with uncertainty. ¡°I¡¯ve already fallen into her trap twice. Based on my past experience, you better be careful.¡± ¡°Was it not your own stupidity that got you in trouble?¡± Katie raised her voice. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your mistake, would you have ended up getting beaten?¡± Jennifer felt infuriated but refrained from responding. Instead, she hung up, silently cing the me on Sheena. ¡°Watch out, Sheena, I¡¯ming for you,¡± Jennifer muttered as she tossed her phone onto the bed with a fierce expression. The progress of the all¨Cgirls talent show was nearing its end. After settling the final arrangements in the afternoon, Sheena oversaw the first day of recording remotely through a video link. All the tasks were progressing smoothly, and Sheena nodded in satisfaction as she closed the connection. She had also arranged personnel to supervise the recording on¨Csite, ensuring that she would be alerted promptly if any issues arose. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from Ben. ¡°Ms. Sheena, there¡¯s a problem! One of the participants, Phoebe Chambein, is missing!¡± Chapter Ing Chapter 103 Chapter 103 Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena was shocked. ¡°Phoebe is missing?¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena. This isn¡¯t a simple case of withdrawing from the show. There¡¯s something fishy going on. Phoebe was in great spirits before the recording, getting along well with the other contestants. It¡¯s unlikely she would suddenly disappear without a word.¡± Sheena calmly instructed, ¡°I understand. Proceed with the show as nned and keep it discreet. Contact me immediately if anythinges up. I¡¯ll start investigating this matter. Make sure things remain stable at the set.¡± Then, Sheena hung up the phone, frowning deeply. After some thoughts, she finally dialed the number at the bottom of her contact list. ¡°M¨CMs. Lawson?¡± The person on the other end sounded astonished, stammering, ¡°Is it really you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Sheena replied. The person on the other end grew excited instantly. Even through the screen, their shock and joy were obvious. ¡°Ms. Lawson, it¡¯s been at least six years since youst contacted us. Is there something urgent this time? We at Dark Bell will get it done for you!¡± Dark Bell was a secretive organization under Sheena¡¯smand, with operatives scattered worldwide, infiltrating various fields and industries. Whenever she gave the order, there was no information they could not obtain. ¡°Investigate Phoebe Chambein¡¯s whereabouts for me, and I want the results within ten minutes. As for why I haven¡¯t contacted you all this time, it¡¯s a long story. I¡¯ll fill you in when I have the chance.¡± Sheena set down her phone. While she trusted Dark Bell¡¯s efficiency, she could not help but feel anxious as Phoebe¡¯s safety became increasingly uncertain with every passing second. The phone rang once again, and Sheena nced at the time. It had only been eight minutes. ¡°Ms. Lawson, we¡¯ve found her. Around noon, Phoebe received a call asking her to leave the set. The caller imed they needed to discuss an important matter. After she left, she was immediately drugged and forced into the trunk of a car with a fake license te. Then, the car headed toward Gravel Hill outside Farlem and disappeared from surveince after passing through a tunnel.¡± The person cautiously added, ¡®I suspect they¡¯re near Gravel Hill, and it seems like a kidnapping. What do you think?¡± ¡°Alright, I got it. Thank you.¡± Sheena remainedposed and clear¨Cheaded. Later, she studied the map the person sent her, preparing to drive over. Her phone chimed twice more. It was a text from an unknown number. ¡°Phoebe is in my hands. Come within an hour. If you¡¯rete, you¡¯ll bear the consequences, Remember toe alone. If you dare involve the police or bring others, we¡¯ll kill her immediately.¡± Then, the unknown number texted Sheena an MMS of a picture of Phoebe bound and beaten. Leaning against her fiery red Passat, Sheena fell into deep thought. The kidnapper was using Phoebe as leverage against her, but they were not asking for money, just stressing that she had to go alone. Could it be that person from the Lawson family? Sheena thought it would be unlikely as that person seemed to know her too well. Moreover, the method they used to erase her memory was seamless. Hence, they would not have left this many clues for Dark Bell to uncover. After some contemtion, she had a rough idea of who was behind this abduction. Then, Sheena turned off the navigation to Gravel Hill and returned to Howard¡¯s mansion. Sheena changed out of her professional attire and into an all¨Cck sportswear. The well- fitted design entuated her graceful figure, and her¨Cskin was smooth and fair. With her long hair tied up high, she appeared even more fearless. Hearing her footstepsing down the stairs, Auntie Gloria nagged, ¡°You just got back, and you¡¯re leaving again? Ms. Lawson, you¡¯ve been tirelessly working at thepany. You need to rest properly. Your health is important.¡± Chapter 104 Chapter 104 Auntie Gloria continued chattering, but upon seeing Sheena in sports attire, her mouth hung wide in surprise. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you look amazing in this outfit! It¡¯s such a refreshing look from your usual office attire!¡± Auntie Gloria¡¯s eyes gleamed with approval as she added, ¡°Are you going to exercise?¡± ¡°Fighting.¡± Sheena gestured dismissively. ¡°What? Fighting?¡± Auntie Gloria gasped, thinking she must have misheard. She asked, concerned, ¡°Alone? Are you sure about this?¡± ncing at Sheena¡¯s slender frame, worry slowly reced Auntie Gloria¡¯s surprise. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Sheena slung her bag over her shoulder, striding out confidently. Then, she hopped into her Passat and sped off, following the navigation toward Gravel Hill. Auntie Gloria marveled once more at Sheena¡¯s striking appearance as she left. However, she quickly snapped back to reality and hurriedly called Howard, fearing Sheena might get into trouble. ¡°Ms. Lawson said she¡¯s going to a fight. Maybe you should put aside your work!¡± Auntie Gloria urged with seriousness. ¡°What if something happens to her?!¡± ¡°Alright, I got it.¡± Howard sighed helplessly. ¡°How¡¯s the n going? Have you caught that woman?¡± Jennifer anxiously inquired over the phone. Katiezily replied, ¡°Of course. I arranged this personally after all. There shouldn¡¯t be any issues.¡± Jennifer¡¯s mood brightened upon hearing Katie¡¯s confident reply. Even the endless chirping of sparrows outside seemed less annoying. 1 ¡°Have you messaged that bitch yet? Everything will go as nned, right?¡± Jennifer inquired, her sense of triumph mingling with her cautious nature. ¡°What if she calls the police or tells Howard? Howard isn¡¯t one to be messed with.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve looked into it and found that Sheena was close to this woman, Phoebe Chambein, in the orphanage. She wouldn¡¯t dare be rash.¡± Katie shrugged. Then, she added, I¡¯ve already warned her through our contacts toe alone. Otherwise, they¡¯ll kill Phoebe. I doubt she has the guts.¡® Outside the ward, a sudden shuffle of footsteps caught Jennifer¡¯s attention. Assuming it was a nurse or doctor in the hallway, she paid it no mind. ¡°If this n seeds, she¡¯ll be gone for good,¡± Jennifer eximed excitedly. The thought of Sheena disappearing from her life was exhrating, almost worth celebrating. Katie was equally delighted, knowing that with Sheena out of the way, nothing would hinder her pursuit of love. ¡°You have my thanks this time. Once I¡¯m out of here¡­¡± Jennifer was about to continue enthusiastically when the door creaked open. Elijah stood at the doorway with a grim expression. ¡°Eli, you¡¯re here?!¡± Jennifer panicked for a moment and quickly ended her phone call. ¡°I was just casually chatting with a friend and didn¡¯t notice¡­¡± She had deliberately stationed bodyguards outside the door so that she could chat freely with Katie. Did Elijah hear anything? Chapter 105 Chapter 105 Elijah remained silent as his gaze sternly fixed upon her. ¡°Eli, let me exin¡­¡± Jennifer stammered, feeling uneasy. ¡°Don¡¯t jump to conclusions. It was just a casual chat.¡± Beads of sweat formed on Jennifer¡¯s forehead. She felt anxious as she was unsure how much of her conversation with Katie he had overheard. She decided to y innocent and act clueless. ¡°What are you nning?¡± Elijah¡¯s voice was cold and unyielding, disregarding her exnation. Hearing his tone, Jennifer¡¯s right hand clutched the bed sheet tightly, wondering if Elijah had heard everything. ¡°Nothing. I was just chatting casually with a friend. Don¡¯t you believe me?¡± She desperately avoided his scrutinizing gaze, feigning innocence. Elijah ignored her pitiful expression, cutting through her facade with his gaze that was as sharp as des. ¡°You should know that even if you don¡¯t confess, I can still have someone investigate. But by then, I won¡¯t give you any more chances.¡± Elijah foyed with his wristwatch, his expression unreadable, leaving Jennifer even more anxious. Jennifer bit her lip when she realized she could not escape his interrogation in this scheme. Soon, tears welled up in her eyes, and she started to sob. ¡°Eli! I¡¯m just so frustrated! You and Sheena are divorced, yet you¡¯re still so concerned about her! I barely even visited Ocean Avenue, let alone lived there! But you transferred it to her. She not only humiliated me at the banquet, but she even had someone beat me up. I was almost vited!¡± Jennifer continued, ¡°Eli! I hate her. I truly do! I just wanted to teach her a little lesson. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Then, she threw herself into Elijah¡¯s arms, attempting to y the victim. However, he pushed her away gently with a frown. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you one more time. Where is Sheena?¡± Elijah spoke with determination. ¡°Eli, we¡¯ve known each other for so long. Am I worth less than a woman who has no connection with you anymore?¡± Jennifer sobbed, her voice choked with tears. ¡°I¡¯m your fiancee! Why are you so heartless? She¡¯s the reason I¡¯m suffering in the hospital now. Can you bear to see me go through this?¡± Elijah¡¯s face remained cold as he stood up, a subtle trace of fatigue flickering in his dark eyes. The hallway was unusually quiet, with asional nurses passing by, treading softly and hurrying along Elijah reached an empty corner and made a call. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Jonah, find Sheena¡¯s location and send it to me within ten minutes. Be quick.¡± Sheena drove out of the city, taking a shortcut to Gravel Hill, She chose a route without surveince or traffic lights, elerating at the maximum speed, The wind whistled past her open car window, providing an exhrating rush. Unfortunately, it was not a leisure trip as she had urgent matters to attend to and could not appreciate the beauty of the countryside. Then, she pressed the gas pedal harder, and the engine roared as she sped ahead. Suddenly her phone rang, and she nced at the screen before answering with her Bluetooth headset. ¡°Ms. Sheena, I assume you¡¯re almost here. Just a reminder to take a right turn after exiting the tunnel. You¡¯ll find a run¨Cdown cabin halfway up Gravel Hill,¡± the kidnapper deliberately lowered their voice. Sheena checked her navigation, made the indicated right turn, and found a car with a fake license te parked at the foot of the hill. Shepared it to the image she had received from Dark Bell and confirmed it was the vehicle that the kidnappers used to take Phoebe. Sheena hid her car behind the bushes and hiked the hillside alone. The small cabin was hidden deep within the forest, appearing rundown from a distance, looking more like a shack than anything else. Chapter OM Chapter 106 Chapter 106 She quickened her pace and forcefully pushed open the cabin door. ¡°Wow! You got here pretty quickly.¡± The leader of the kidnappers wore a thick ck mask, hiding his expression. Phoebey unconscious at his feet, covered in bruises. Sheena nced at Phoebe¡¯s injuries, and her gaze turned cold. ¡°Release her first, and we can talk.¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Sheena surveyed the interior of the cabin, casually taking a seat on a chair, and looked at him with an indifferent expression. The kidnapper was infuriated by her behavior and yanked the unconscious Phoebe, pressing a knife against her neck. ¡°Are you seriously trying to negotiate with me? Do you want me to kill her right now?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± Sheena said, fearlessly locking eyes with him and causing panic to rise within him. Despite her petite appearance, she exuded an air ofposure, as if she had the support of a hundred people behind her. The leader of the kidnappers looked bewildered. At the same time, Katie and her personal bodyguard, Angus Brown, were hiding in the woods outside the cabin, observing the inside through binocrs. Katie had also attached a listening device to the hat of one of the kidnappers, allowing her to listen in to their conversations clearly. ¡°She thinks we¡¯re going to hand over Phoebe just like that? Dream on!¡± Katie rolled her eyes disdainfully. Through her mini Bluetooth headset, she ordered, ¡°Don¡¯t agree to her request! Who knows what tricks she might pull? Keep stalling her, and don¡¯t let Phoebe circumstances.¡± go under any The instructed kidnapper chuckled and looked at Sheena. ¡°I truly hate to disappoint you, but I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t let her go.¡± The kidnapper¡¯s gaze turned increasingly sinister as he continued, ¡°Unless you coax me and put me in a good mood, then maybe I¡¯ll consider it.¡± His eyes roamed all over Sheena¡¯s figure unabashedly. Her athletic attire entuated her alluring curves. Sheena, noticing his lustful gaze, knew wasting more time with him was futile. Hence, she swiftly kicked the man. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you¡¯ve got what it takes to take me down.¡± The kidnapper quickly raised his right arm to block her kick, only for Sheena¡¯s fist to follow up and come at him. Enraged, he bellowed, ¡°How dare you hit me! Come out and get her!* with hismand, the already dpidated door was violently pushed open, and four burly men with ck masks barged in, eager for a fight. ¡°Nice! It¡¯s been a while since Ist exercised!¡± sheena¡¯s agility allowed her to swiftly charge forward, executing a series of swift kicks in midah. In less than five minutes, all five burly meny defeated on the ground. Katie, who had been smugly observing through the binocrs, was left jaw¨Cdropped witnessing the brutal oue. ¡°H¨CHow is this possible? How could one woman take down five men like that? Did the men you hire go easy on her?¡± ¡°Ms. Upton, Sheena is far from ordinary,¡± Angus spoke seriously. ¡°Herbat style resembles the techniques created by the world¨Crenowned martial artist Jean Norris. However, it seems she has adapted and innovated upon them to form her own distinct fighting method.¡± He paused briefly before continuing, ¡°Jean Norris is known to be entric and only had one disciple, rumored to be male. But given Sheena¡¯s skill, she might likely be that disciple, and the rumors could be false.¡± Katie persisted, asking, ¡°If you were to face her personally, could you defeat her?¡± Chapter 107 Chapter 107 Angus let out a disdainful snort and patted his chest, saying, ¡°She¡¯s just Jean¡¯s disciple, not Jean herself. I could take her down in three moves!¡± Angus had once held the national kickboxing championship title, which was why the Upton family hired him as a bodyguard. With his assurance, Katie finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she raised the binocrs again to continue observing the situation inside. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Several men struggled on the ground, defeated by Sheena. A kidnapper picked up a knife and attempted a sneak attack, only for Sheena to swiftly catch his wrist and perform a shoulder throw that brought him down. Next, she held his hands in a reverse lock behind his back, kicking his knee. ¡°Did you think you me.¡± could get a sneak attack? You¡¯ll never be able to achieve that level against Sheena applied more force, causing the kidnapper to writhe in pain and begged for mercy. Katie watched from a distance, gritting her teeth. ¡°These idiots are no match for her at all! Angus, go in! If you can¡¯t handle her today, consider yourself fired!¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Upton.¡± Angus rolled up his sleeves, ready to charge into the cabin, but his phone vibrated twice. He quickly nced at the screen and nervously said, ¡°Ms. Upton, our informants say two groups have arrived at the foot of the mountain. Angle Group¡¯s Mr. Lawson and Freeman Group¡¯s Mr. Freeman. We should leave now!¡± ¡°No way! Won¡¯t our efforts be in vain if we leave now? I have to see that bitch begging at my feet!¡± Katie was indignant and refused. Angus wished he could just carry Katie away, but his position forced him to reason with her, ¡± Think about it¡­ Both of them aren¡¯t to be trifled with! If they show up and find us, no amount of talking will save us. Ms. Upton, it¡¯ll be toote if we don¡¯t leave now!¡± The thought of Howard doting on Sheena only fueled her anger, making her wish she could tear Sheena apart to vent her frustration. Yet, the circumstances did not allow for hesitation. With resentment burning in her heart, Katie reluctantly red at the cabin before descending the mountain through an alternate route. Inside the cabin, Sheena continued to engage in a fierce battle with the five kidnappers. She intentionally avoided knocking all of them out at once. Instead, she let them attack her. After two rounds, the burly men were rolling on the ground and howling in pain. Sheena dusted off her hands and leaned against the door, looking coldly at the kidnappers, saying, ¡°Release her, or your fate will be a hundred times worse than it is now. Think carefully before you act.¡± The leader of the kidnappers panted heavily. If he released her, he would have no way out either. If that was the case, he might as well fight back! Gritting his teeth, he met Sheena¡¯s sharp gaze, then picked up the fallen knife and pressed it against the unconscious Phoebe¡¯s throat. ¡°You better think carefully too! Her life is in my hands. Believe me when I say I¡¯ll kill her!¡± ¡°If you dare, I¡¯ll let you taste the worst possible tortures,¡± Sheena retorted, her eyes gleaming coldly. Her aura was fierce and formidable. The kidnapper knew well of her skills, so he did not dare make a reckless move. Instead, he shrank back in fear, but the knife against Phoebe¡¯s throat did not waver. After all, that was hisst lifeline. If he let go now, it would be like voluntarily giving up his chance at escaping. Phoebe remained unconscious, but she was obviously in pain. Sheena worried the kidnapper might react violently and harm Phoebe, so she remained cautious. The kidnapper forced himself to appear calm, maintaining his standoff with her. Chapter 108 Chapter 108 Just as the tension between them peaked, a series of voices suddenly sounded from outside the door. Soon, the mor grew louder, as if people were arguing. Sheena frowned, casting a cold nce at the kidnapper before stepping out to investigate. Themotion was getting closer, and Sheena looked toward the source of the noise, only to find two familiar figures. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Howard¡¯s face was icy as he red at Elijah, clearly displeased and annoyed. Elijah was not in the mood to talk with him. Impatiently, he retorted, ¡°Do I need to report my whereabouts to you whenever I go somewhere? Or do you have a peculiar liking for tracking other people?¡± Seeing the tension between the two escte as if they were about toe to blows any second, Sheena could not help but feel exasperated. Then, she stepped in between them to intervene. ¡°Why did you bothe?¡± ¡°Nana, you¡¯re always making us worry,¡± Howard grumbled, flicking her nose. ¡°Auntie Gloria told me you were going out to fight, so I followed. What happened? Do you need help?¡± ¡°It¡¯s already over. It was just five guys. They¡¯re hardly a match for me,¡± Sheena replied with a faint smile. Even though Elijah knew Sheena was a skilled martial artist, he was still surprised to hear that. After all, facing five opponents alone was not something just any woman could do. His curiosity about her intensified, and he grew even more intrigued by her background. Elijah was increasingly convinced that her origins were far moreplex than that of an ordinary orphan adopted from the orphanage, and he looked at her with a hint of scrutiny. On the other hand, Howard remained unfazed, as if he had expected this oue all along. With Sheena leading the way, Howard and Elijah followed her into the cabin with their respective bodyguards. The kidnappers¡® leader barely recovered and sat on the ground, catching his breath. However, his relief lasted only moments before this intimidating entrance shattered hisposure once again. Howard red at the kidnapper and said, ¡°Do you know who I am? I¡¯m Howard Lawson, and you¡¯ve got some nerve to mess with someone I care about. Today, you¡¯ll learn the hard way what it means to provoke me,¡± Elijah was irritated by Howard¡¯s ¡°someone I care about¡± remark. Then, he gestured with his hand, and several bodyguards immediately restrained the struggling men on the ground. ¡°And I¡¯m Elijah Freeman. How dare you hurt my ex¨Cwife,¡± Elijah said. Chapter o Upon hearing their names, the kidnappers¡® leader trembled and kneeled on the ground, repeatedly begging for mercy. ¡°Please! I was just following orders for money. I don¡¯t have anything personal against this beautifuldy. I made a mistake. Please spare my life! I¡¯m innocent! I swear!¡± He had not imagined that Sheena was backed by Howard and Elijah! With his long experience in this line of work, he had heard countless tales of how ruthless they could be, and he regretted it deeply. The three of them continued to look at him coldly, staying silent. Sheena approached him, emanating an intense aura of dominance. ¡°Who instructed you to kidnap her?¡± ¡°I¨CIt was a woman who hired me! She wanted me to kidnap Phoebe and text you, asking you toe here. S¨CShe promised me 150,000 dors if I seeded. I thought the money was good, and you¡¯re just a young girl, so I took the job. Please, believe me! I never intended to harm you!¡± He would not have dared to do this if he had known that so many influential men were backing her! ¡°And who is that woman?¡± Sheena continued to press. ¡°I truly don¡¯t know her identity! In our line of work, we just do the job for the money, and we don¡¯t concern ourselves with the rest!¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Terror gripped the kidnapper¡¯s heart, as he begged even harder and blood stains appeared on his forehead. Sheena crouched slightly, her aura terrifying as she asked, ¡°Which hand and foot did you use ¡°Which hand and foot did you use to beat her up?¡± Chapter 109 Chapter 109 ¡°What?¡± The kidnapper was caught off guard by her sudden shift in topic, struggling toprehend her question. ¡°I¡¯m asking, which hand and foot did you use to beat her up?¡± Sheena spoke slowly, smiling. Despite the woman in front of him smiling so charmingly, the kidnappers¡® leader could sense an underlying threat in her demeanor. Then, he continued to beg for mercy, even going so far as to p himself. ¡°I was wrong! I deserve to die. P¨CPlease¡­Spare me!¡± ¡°Onest chance.¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, appearing displeased. ¡°R¨CRight hand. I used both feet to kick her¡­¡± The trembling kidnapper answered. Sheena rose, finding a thorny stick in the corner of the cabin. Howard sensed her anger and refrained from intervening. ¡°Ah!¡± Soon, the kidnapper¡¯s scream echoed within the cabin. Elijah silently watched the entire process as Sheena personally tortured the man. He had seen how brutally she had dealt with Vision Group¡¯s directors at a hotel before, but witnessing her fierceness firsthand still shocked him. In a matter of minutes, the kidnappers¡® leader was wailing in agony. Every part of his body that had come into contact with Phoebe had been subjected to brutal blows, leaving behind visible injuries. Seeing that it was almost enough, Sheena tossed the stick aside and pped her hands. ¡°This is the consequence of messing with the people who are dear to me.¡± ¡°Do you want us to beat him a couple more times?¡± Howard asked eagerly, afraid that Sheena was still dissatisfied. ¡°No need. His right hand and knees are shattered, and he¡¯ll be a cripple for the rest of his life.¡± Sheena nced coldly at the four masked men being restrained by the bodyguards. ¡°Those who hurt the ones dear to me will experience horrible consequences.¡± Elijah stared at her in astonishment, surprised by her unexpected protective instinct. ¡°What about you? Did you get hurt from the fight?¡± Howard¡¯s eyes showed concern. ¡°I did! I did!¡± Sheena pouted, extending her hand toward him. ¡°After all that fighting, my hands are all red.¡± Howard immediately took her small hand, gently cradling it in his palm and blowing on it softly. ¡°How is it now? Does it still hurt?¡± Howard held her hand, gently rubbing it a few times, his eyes brimming with love for his sister. ¡°Just rub it a little longer, and it won¡¯t hurt anymore.¡± Sheena enjoyed his massage and continued to act coquettish. Elijah was annoyed at how the two acted intimately as if no one were around them, and he suppressed his anger. Noticing Elijah¡¯s unusual gaze, Sheena turned to meet his eyes. ¡°Mr. Freeman, with so much free time, why not focus on your own fiancee? I¡¯ll make sure she pays for hurting the one close to me, and If you protect her, I won¡¯t spare you either.¡± Sheena returned to her fierce self and did not give Elijah a chance to respond. Instead, she just scoffed at him and walked out of the cabin, unwilling to spend another moment with him. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Howard ordered the bodyguard to carry Phoebe and followed suit. Phoebe was severely injured and had been injected with a sedative by the kidnappers, and her life could be at risk if she were not taken to the hospital immediately. Sheena ced Phoebe in the passenger seat of her Volkswagen Passat, adjusting the seat to a comfortable angle. Then, she sped back to the city. Howard drove behind her, his heart racing as he watched her speed increase. Coincidentally, the nearest hospital happened to be the one Jennifer was admitted to. While Sheena did not want to enter there, she did not want to waste time either. Hence, shepleted the hospital procedures and brought in an experienced doctor to treat Phoebe. Chapter 110 Chapter 110 After several hours of emergency treatment, Phoebe¡¯s condition stabilized. Though she had multiple injuries, none were life¨Cthreatening. She had not woken up due to the excess sedative, but with a few days of rest in the hospital, she would be able to recover and leave, Sheena sat by Phoebe¡¯s bedside, watching her pale face with concern. Howard stood by her side, asking, ¡°What¡¯s your n? No matter what, revenge requires a n. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to get involved, but they kept pushing my boundaries and actually harmed my best friend, using her as leverage. I want them to know that messing with mees with a price!¡± Seeing her genuinely angry, Howard did not intend to dissuade her. ¡°To win against her, I¡¯ll hit where it hurts the most. Since the Moore family granted her status and gave her the confidence to act recklessly, I¡¯ll start with them.¡± ¡°The Moore family?¡± Howard stroked his chin. ¡°Makes sense, but it won¡¯t be that easy.¡± ¡°I¡¯m starting with the Moore family, but I won¡¯t involve innocent people,¡± Sheena said, shing an alluring yet dangerous smile. Howard was puzzled. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, aside from Jennifer, who is injured and recovering here, her sister Hannah, also seems to be in this hospital. Hannah is still in a vegetative state after the car ident. ¡± Sheena took a sip of water, not directly answering him, but her words carried a hidden meaning. Howard looked at her radiant smile and seemed to understand her implied intention. Half an hourter, Sheena reached the fourth floor and stood before Hannah¡¯s ward, apanied by a few bodyguards. Several bodyguards from the Moore family blocked their way, resulting in a brief scuffle. This commotion quickly alerted Vanessa in the waiting room, and she angrily grabbed Sheena, who was about to enter the room. ¡°What are you nning to do?! Hannah is already in such a state. Do you intend to harm her?¡± ¡°Madam Moore, there¡¯s no need to be so agitated. I won¡¯t do anything to Hannah. I¡¯m here to take her away.¡± Vanessa had not expected Sheena to say that, and she shouted, ¡°I won¡¯t let you take her! No 972. 972. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. way! If you want to take her, you¡¯ll have to step over my dead body!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you want to find out who harmed Hannah?¡± Sheena raised her eyebrow slightly. ¡°I not only have a way to uncover the culprit behind this but also awaken Hannah.¡± ¡°What?! Are you saying Hannah¡­¡± Vanessa froze. She had always thought Hannah¡¯s drunk driving ident was just an ident, never considering that someone might have harmed her. Hearing Sheena¡¯s words, Vanessa began to realize the weight of the suspicions surrounding the incident. While that may be the case, she still did not fully believe her. ¡°No. Who knows what you might do if you take her away? I have no reason to trust you, so don¡¯t even think aboutying a finger on Hannah.¡± ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it.¡± Sheena casually sat down on a bench in the hallway, crossing her long and slender legs. Then, she looked at Vanessa with a smirk. ¡°I¡¯ll say it onest time: I¡¯ll make her wake up and help you find out who harmed her.¡± ¡°Why would you help me?¡± Vanessa nced at the strong bodyguards around Sheena. Sheena had effortlessly subdued the guards she stationed at the door, leaving them powerless to resist. Even if she refused to agree, opposing the people Sheena had brought with her seemed challenging. Vanessa was deep in thought. Sheena seemed to have read her mind and smiled. ¡°As you can see, you have no choice but to trust me.¡± Chapter 111 Chapter 111 The two locked eyes, and Vanessa was forced to relent, gritting her teeth in frustration. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll trust you just this once, but if anything happens to Hannah, I¡¯ll make sure you pay for it!¡± With Vanessa out of the way, Sheena entered the ward unhindered and had her bodyguards take Hannah away. Hannah was taken away under Vanessa¡¯s reluctant and worried gaze. When Sheena returned to Howard¡¯s mansion, it was alreadyte evening. The sunset¡¯s glow painted the sky in gentle shades of orange, casting a soft halo over the entire city of Farlem. Howard picked a guest room and temporarily settled Hannah in there. Then, he and Sheena sat on the couch, discussing their next n. Hannah had a calm expression, and her eyes closed as if she were peacefully asleep. ¡°She seems stable, and all vital signs are normal,¡± Howard remarked as he received the medical report from the private doctor and stroked his chin. Sheena took the report, nced at Hannah in the bed, and frowned. Howard lightly tapped the coffee table, twisting the ashtray around as he added, ¡°Getting someone in a vegetative state to wake up is nearly impossible. The Moore family has spared no expense, bringing in renowned doctors within and outside our country, yet they¡¯re at a loss. If we want to start with Hannah, we must bring out our trump card.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Sheena was puzzled. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t you remember?¡± Howard lightly tapped her head in exasperation. ¡°Did you forget you have a medical prodigy for a brother, Noah? His medical expertise and authority are undeniable.¡± Sheena finally understood what Howard meant. As she had lost contact with the Lawson family for quite some time, she had almost forgotten how exceptional Noah was. ¡°But¡­ Noah is usually reserved, with an introverted and entric personality. He¡¯s always busy with work, and he¡¯s also in Luivine. He might not necessarily be willing to help with this.¡± Sheena was not blinded by joy. After thoughtful consideration, she cautiously continued, ¡°Just to be safe, I¡¯ll be visiting Luivine personally to find him. I¡¯ll make sure hees to Farlem even if I have to drag him.¡± Hannah was the key right now, and Sheena needed to ensure that every step of the n was foolproof. Elijah had given the media and the public a five¨Cday deadline for his promise. Now that two days had already passed, Sheena nned to deliver a shocking turnaround in the oue in three days, so she needed to rush things along. ¡°Howard, time is ticking. I¡¯m heading to Luivine tonight to bring Noah,¡± Sheena said as she slung her bag over her shoulder. ¡°Now? I don¡¯t usually use the private jet, so I can¡¯t arrange a flight for you,¡± Howard expressed his concern. ¡°No need for that. There aremercial flights to Luivine tonight. I¡¯ll just take a regr ne,¡± Sheena replied confidently, packing her things. ¡°You must ensure everything is taken care of! Arrange for enhanced security at the vi!¡± Howard watched her disappear into the night and let out a sigh. ¡°Got it! Sigh¡­ she¡¯s always so impulsive.¡± Katiey in a bathtub filled with foam and rose petals, trying to soak away her exhaustion. asionally, she nced at her phone, checking for new messages. Ever since Angus had forcibly taken her away from Gravel Hill earlier today, she had been seething with anger. She knew that with Howard and Elijah arriving, her hired men would likely fail, but she could not shake off her frustration and continued to investigate Sheena¡¯s whereabouts in secret. Cheapher tra Vas, (3 we have an upstate Sheena is heading to a reputable hospital in Lulvine with a very bunsod whoshil She¡¯s about to board tonight¡¯s flight bestol The page night Katie¡¯s attention, raising her suspicion. Although Phoebe was beaten, her as not he threatening, and the experienced doctors in Parlem were more than capable of treating her that were the case, why was Sheena rushing to a hospital in Laivine in the middle of the Katie umetiately trist to call Jennifer but could not get through. ¡°an at?¡± Katie matters in frustration, tossing her phone aside. Then, she swiftly changed her clothes and shove towarst the hospital in the dead of night. The VIP was was usually quiet, and it was even more serene in the night. After exining her stay to the guards outside the door, Katte entered quietly. ¡°Who was your phone off when I called you?¡± Katte scolded Jennifer, her tone was less than plssst. ¡± hattoe all the way here in the middle of the night because of you.¡± Chapter 112 .sinsy bli overheart our call, his people have tapped my phone. I had no choice,¡± Jennifer exmed, then askast with a hint of dissatisfaction, ¡°Is our n proceeding smoothly? No nested glitches, right?¡± * mention it. That bitch knows martial arts. Those useless men were no match for her.¡± Katie tumed, her anger ring up at the memory of their failed operation. ¡°I had my people track her movements, and she¡¯s heading to a hospital in Laivine tonight. Who knows. what she¡¯s up to.¡± Jennifer was equally puzzled upon hearing this. ¡°A hospital in Lulvine? Are you sure your people got it right?¡± ¡°What do you mean? The Upton family selects our people carefully, and the report is certainly urate,¡± Katic replied, clearly displeased. ¡°Then why did she go to a hospital in Laivine? Wait, hospital¡­ Laivine¡¯s hospital!¡± Realization hit her like a bolt of lightning, and Jennifer anxiously added, ¡°Quick, have Original from N?velDrama.Org. omeone go to the first VIP ward on the fourth floor and check if Hammal is still there! Hurry!¡± ¡°Calm down. I¡¯ll arrange for someone to go,¡± Katie retorted, giving her a disdainful look. She then instructed Angus to follow Jennifer¡¯s orders and head to the fourth floor. A momentter, Angus returned to Jennifer¡¯s room with a grave look on him. ¡°Ms. Upton, Ms. Hannah is not in her ward.¡± ¡°Just as I suspected!¡± Jennifer grew frantic, clutching the bed sheet tightly. ¡°What do we do now? That bitch Sheena must have taken her away! If our involvement in the previous incident is revealed, we¡­. However, Katie was far from worried and dismissed her. ¡°Seriously, chill out. We just need to act fast and find Hannah. Whether it¡¯s Sheena or anyone else, I won¡¯t let them get away with this ¡± Still anxious, Jennifer said, ¡°You make it sound easy. What if she¡¯s already boarded the ne? We¡¯re out of options! If she truly has a way to cure Hannah, then. Jennifer felt a chill running down her spine, and she could not bear to think further. Seeing Jennifer¡¯s distressed state, Katie rolled her eyes and retorted, ¡°I¡¯ve already looked into it. She¡¯s about an hour and a half away from boarding, and I have enough time to send someone over. I know she knows martial arts. This time, I¡¯ll hire even more skilled men to take care of her in the cabin discreetly. Who else could ruin our ns then?¡± As Katie spoke, a smug expression crossed her face, and she immediately pulled out her phone, ready to make arrangements. ¡°Wait!¡± Jennifer quickly stopped her, and as she met Katie¡¯s puzzled gaze, shing a sinister smile. ¡°I have a more suitable candidate.¡± Chapter 113 In the deep hours of the night, Sheena sat in the first¨Css cabin, sipping her coffee, still very much alert. She gazed out the window, but the darkness of the night made it difficult to distinguish even the outlines of clouds. Sheena¡¯s interest waned, and she was about to look away when the reflection in the small window caught her attention. There was a familiar figure wearing sunsses. After locking eyes briefly, the person turned away, avoiding her gaze. Sheena became more cautious, surveying her surroundings and suddenly realizing that the few bodyguards she had brought with her were now fast asleep. The rest of the passengers were also in deep slumber. It felt oddly dangerous. Standing up, Sheena considered moving to another section of the ne to investigate. However, she spotted a man in a suit as she turned, apanied by several equally burly individuals, heading her way. The man in the suit was the same person who had exchanged nces with her earlier, and it seemed their intentions were clear¨Cthey were targeting her. Sheena opted to stand her ground. Since evading them was impossible, she thought facing them head¨Con was best. ¡°Ms. Sheena, long time no see,¡± the man greeted, removing his sunsses and smiling at her. ¡°I bet you didn¡¯t expect us to meet again so soon.¡± ¡°It¡¯s you?¡± Sheena frowned. Leon raised his arm and signaled the men behind him. Soon, the men in ck followed his lead, swiftly surrounding Sheena. ¡°Ms. Sheena, I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re skillful in martial arts, but I¡¯d advise you to cooperate. I have full control over this ne. If you resist, I don¡¯t mind crashing this ne. I don¡¯t think your want these passengers to die because of you, do you?¡± He wiped the smile off his face and took a seat, looking at her coldly. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, but this is Mr. Freeman¡¯s order.¡± ¡°Elijah?¡± Sheena frowned, and her expression grew colder. ¡°He would actually send you to do this?¡± ¡°What you did to Ms. Moore was uneptable. She¡¯s Mr. Freeman¡¯s fiancee, and he won¡¯t let it go. So, this is the price,¡± Leon said, pulling out a military knife. ¡°The lives of all passengers are in my hands now, so don¡¯t bother resisting unless you truly want these innocent people to die with you.¡± choana emd coldlu disavanthr autanding harn to Patria narachute nack from under her Leon had not noticed her subtle movement. However, he frowned when he saw her calm expression and warned, ¡°Don¡¯t try anything funny. If you do, everyone on this ne dies with you.¡± His other burlypanions quickly moved to hold other passengers. Sheena¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile as she grabbed the scalding cup of coffee from her seat and hurled it at Leon. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what to do.¡± Seizing the moment while they were distracted, Sheena kicked open the cabin door, swiftly strapped on the parachute, and leaped into the night below without hesitation. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Quick! Stop her! Don¡¯t let her jump!¡± Leon yelled, but it was toote. He rushed to the cabin door, peering outside. However, he could not locate Sheena in the dark, only seeing the stars illuminating the night. Chapter 114 Chapter 114 At the same time, Sheena continued her descent in the darkness as the howling wind filled her Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Holding her breath, she relied on her instincts to open the parachute. Leon and the other men kept watch by the cabin door, struggling to gauge the height in the dark ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s as good as dead for jumping from this height without a parachute, and we won¡¯t even be able to retrieve her body as it¡¯ll be destroyed from the impact,¡± one of the men assured. Leon let out a sigh of relief. No matter what, he had fulfilled Jennifer¡¯s task for him. ¡°Ms. Moore, are you asleep?¡± He tapped his ear lightly, speaking into a mini Bluetooth headset. Before this, he had secretly removed the phone that was monitoring Jennifer in Elijah¡¯s name, allowing her tomunicate freely. ¡°How could I sleep before hearing from you? How¡¯s the task I assigned you going?¡± Jennifer was impatient as she waited in the ward. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Consider it done,¡± Leon hesitated before replying. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®consider it done¡®?¡± Jennifer increased her voice. ¡°Did you mess up? Is she still alive?¡± ¡°She jumped off the ne without any safety measures. From this height, she¡¯s undoubtedly dead.¡± Jennifer¡¯s tense heart finally eased, and she said with satisfaction, ¡°Well done, Leon. Thank you.¡± After hanging up the phone, she could not help but smile triumphantly, thinking that no matter how capable Sheena might be, she still ended up dying in her hands! She was the ultimate winner! However, even though ridding herself of Sheena was exhrating, Jennifer had not forgotten about Hannah. She knew Howard cared deeply for Sheena and dreaded him finding out about Sheena¡¯s death, potentially using Hannah to avenge Sheena. At the thought of this, Jennifer¡¯s face darkened once again. Then, she made another call. ¡°How did it go? Is it done?¡± Katie asked eagerly. ¡°That bitch was forced to jump off the ne. Just wait for news of her death,¡± Jennifer gloated. She inquired further, ¡°How about you? Have you found Hannah?¡± ¡°No. My people have been searching for a while, but there¡¯s still no sign of her,¡± Katie replied. She had scoured all of Farlem but found no leads on Hannah. It was as if she had vanished into thin att enniler ended the call with unease, her previous excitement evaporating. Though killing Sheena was a relief, having Hannah around would also be a threat. Then again, if Sheena was indeed the one who took Hannah, where could she have hidden her? Was there any ce in Farlem that even Katie could not locate? Ever since Sheena¡¯s divorce, she had grown close to Howard. Was it possible¡­. Jennifer¡¯s eyes lit up as the idea struck her, and she called Katie again. Could you please get to the point?¡± Katie¡¯s attempt to sleep was disrupted, and she restrained her frustration from cursing at Jennifer. ¡°Spill it. What¡¯s the matter this time?¡± ¡°As Howard¡¯s fiancee, you should know where he stays in Farlem, right?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Take some people with you and quietly visit Howard¡¯s mansion tomorrow morning. I suspect Hannah might be there!¡± Chapter us At Howd¡¯s mansion? Katie toystantly sat up to be, while awake from the shos k. ¡°What are shock. vou saying? How out Hannah have any thing to do with b Dad you forget? Ever since Sheena and Ell¡¯s divorce, she¡¯s been quite close to Howard. Despite Eh transferring Ocean Avenue to her, she never moved in, and we¡¯ve never found out where she lives.¡± ¡°What are you implying? Katie frowned. fermifer rolled her eyes and exined, ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? She¡¯s likely living with Howard! We¡¯ve searched all of Earlem and found no trace of Hannah. Sheena probably hid her in Howard¡¯s mansion!¡± Katie found Jennifer¡¯s exnation reasonable and immediately arranged for people to westigate. After ending the call, Jennifer tossed her phone aside in annoyance and leaned against the bed, waiting for updates. Hannah had not died. The fact that she had only ended up in a vegetative state gued Jennifer¡¯s mind like a thorn. No matter how confident she appeared in public, Hannah¡¯s existence reminded her of her status as an illegitimate daughter. Ever since bing the heir of the Moore family, she had been seeking an opportunity to deal with Hannah. Yet, Vanessa had been constantly vignt, practically guarding Hannah¡¯s ward day and night. Hence, Jennifer could not find the right moment to strike. As long as Hannah lived, Jennifer¡¯s position as the heir of the Moore family would remain unstable, and she would inevitably bepared to Hannah. Nheless, Hannah¡¯s disappearance presented a golden opportunity, and Jennifer knew she had to eliminate the two most troublesome individuals this time around! The sun gradually rose, bathing every corner of the city in its warm glow. Jennifer stared at the increasingly bright sky outside, growing more anxious by the moment. The phone rang, and she quickly answered, ¡°How¡¯s it going? Any updates?¡± ¡°While we can¡¯t confirm that Hannah is at Howard¡¯s mansion, the number of guards has almost doubled, and security has been heightened significantly. It¡¯s very suspicious,¡± Katie replied. ¡°What do we do now? Even if the Moore family and the Upton family are powerful, we can¡¯t possibly provoke Howard, especially on his turf.¡± Jennifer was exasperated, not knowing what to do next. ¡°I have a n. Just stay in yourne,¡± Katie interrupted before Jennifer could reply and promptly hung up the phone, tossing it aside with force. Howard had always been distant toward Katle, but he pampered and doted on Sheena, who spare so suddenly, leaving her feeling annoyed Moreover, the thought that both Sheena and Hannah might be in his house made her jealous. Katie grew angrier the more she thought about it, and she decided to take matters into her hands¨CShe would personally visit Howard¡¯s mansion while he was out. ¡°Waker Get up right now!¡± Katie¡¯s phone call woke up Angus from his slumber. ¡°I¡¯m going to Howard¡¯s mansion. Make all the arrangements immediately. If anything goes wrong, you¡¯ll be held responsible,¡± Katle demanded. Rubbing his drowsy eyes, Angus wanted to argue that he was just a bodyguard and that an assistant should handle such tasks. However, he reluctantly replied, ¡°Yes, Ms. Upton.¡± Leonpleted the task Jennifer had assigned him and Immediately took an early morning flight back to Farlem from Luivine. To avoid Elijah¡¯s suspicion, he returned to his apartment first, nning to shower before. heading to the office. Chapter 115 eliminate the two most troublesome individuals this time around! The sun gradually rose, bathing every corner of the city in its warm glow. Jennifer stared at the increasingly bright sky outside, growing more anxious by the moment. The phone rang, and she quickly answered, ¡°How¡¯s it going? Any updates?¡± ¡°While we can¡¯t confirm that Hannah is at Howard¡¯s mansion, the number of guards has almost doubled, and security has been heightened significantly. It¡¯s very suspicious,¡± Katie replied. ¡°What do we do now? Even if the Moore family and the Upton family are powerful, we can¡¯t possibly provoke Howard, especially on his turf.¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Jennifer was exasperated, not knowing what to do next. ¡°I have a n. Just stay in yourne,¡± Katie interrupted before Jennifer could reply and promptly hung up the phone, tossing it aside with force. Howard had always been distant toward Katle, but he pampered and doted on Sheena, who spare so suddenly, leaving her feeling annoyed Moreover, the thought that both Sheena and Hannah might be in his house made her jealous. Katie grew angrier the more she thought about it, and she decided to take matters into her hands¨CShe would personally visit Howard¡¯s mansion while he was out. ¡°Waker Get up right now!¡± Katie¡¯s phone call woke up Angus from his slumber. ¡°I¡¯m going to Howard¡¯s mansion. Make all the arrangements immediately. If anything goes wrong, you¡¯ll be held responsible,¡± Katle demanded. Rubbing his drowsy eyes, Angus wanted to argue that he was just a bodyguard and that an assistant should handle such tasks. However, he reluctantly replied, ¡°Yes, Ms. Upton.¡± Leonpleted the task Jennifer had assigned him and Immediately took an early morning flight back to Farlem from Luivine. To avoid Elijah¡¯s suspicion, he returned to his apartment first, nning to shower before. heading to the office. He parked his car in the car park and quietly opened the door. Before he could close it properly, he spotted a figure smoking on the couch. Turning his head, he found it was Elijah, looking grim amidst the smoke. Chapter 116 Their eyes met, and a wave of panic rushed through Leon. He tried his best to keep his face neutral, showing no signs of unease. As Elijah¡¯s assistant, Leon¡¯s living arrangements had been personally arranged by him, and he was well aware of the door code. ¡°Mr. Freeman, is there something you need from me?¡± Leon tried to maintain hisposure as he put down his bag. ¡°You could have just informed me over the phone. It¡¯s still early. Have you had breakfast? Would you like me to prepare something for you?¡± ¡°Where were you?¡± Elijah ignored the string of questions and extinguished the cigarette, looking at Leon with a piercing cold gaze. Trying to sound nonchnt, Leon replied, ¡°I thought it wouldn¡¯t be healthy to stay cooped up in the office all the time, and I wanted to exercise a bit¡­ But I usually don¡¯t have the time, so I went for a run in the morning. ¡°Is that so?¡± Elijah¡¯s piercing gaze remained on him. Then, he crossed his legs, and his fingers lightly tapped thecquered wooden decoration on the back of the couch. Just this simple action exerted intense pressure on Leon, and he bit the bullet, saying, ¡°That¡¯s right, Mr. Freeman. I was just doing some morning exercise. Please don¡¯t read too much into it. A hint of weariness shed across Elijah¡¯s face. ¡°Leon, you disappoint me. Did you really think I¡¯m oblivious to everything?¡± Leon shook his head, replying, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°You used my name to lift Jennifer¡¯s phone monitoring. Why did you leave Farlemst night? What were you up to?¡± Elijah stopped beating around the bush. Leon was stunned to hear Elijah¡¯s words and stuttered, ¡°D¨CDid you already suspect me?!¡± Thump! Then, he knelt before Elijah, adding, ¡°Mr. Freeman, it¡¯s my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have crossed the line. Please, punish me!¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°You left Farlemst night. Where did you go? What did you do? Answer truthfully.¡± Elijah suppressed his boiling anger as he approached Leon, looking down on him andmanded in a warning tone, ¡°This is yourst chance. You know the consequences of defying me.¡± Leon fell into silence. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and mustered the courage to meet Elijah¡¯s gaze, saying, ¡± Mr. Freeman, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being unreasonable? Ms. Moore is your fiancee, yet you show no concern for her. You¡¯vevished attention on Sheena, transferred Ocean Avenue to her, and made Ms. Moore stay in a separate apartment. Is this how a responsible fiance behaves? Ms. Moore was framed by Sheena, and she was severely injured. Yet, you didn¡¯t even seek justice for her.¡± Leon continued staring at Elijah¡¯s stern face. Elijah frowned at Leon¡¯s sudden usation. However, he just touched his wristwatch as his words did not mean much to him. ¡°Are you done? I¡¯ll ask you onest time. Why did you leave Farlem? Was it rted to Sheena?¡± Having worked by Elijah¡¯s side for years, Leon was well aware of his habitual actions, and he knew Elijah was reigning in his anger. Even if he remained tight¨Clipped, Elijah would eventually uncover the truth. In that case, Leon decided to take full responsibility. ¡°Sheena is dead! Last night, I hijacked the ne she was on with several men, and she jumped out mid¨Cflight. You might be able to forgive her for hurting Ms. Moore, but I couldn¡¯t!¡± Chapter 117 Chapter 117 ¡°You bastard!¡± Elijah¡¯s veins tulged as he grabbed Leon by the cor and delivered a fierce punch to his face Leon was left dizzy from the blow, and he wiped the blood from his lip, just smiling without Then, Elijah kicked Leon¡¯s stomach, and he tumbled to the ground, struggling to rise as he clutched his belly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Freeman. Even if you were to kill me here today, I wouldn¡¯t tell you where Sheena is hiding.¡± ¡°When I find her, I¡¯lle back for you. With those words, Elijah strode out of Leon¡¯s apartment, instructing his men to lock him in the bedroom and assigning bodyguards to watch over him. As he left the apartment, Elijah immediately made a call. ¡°Jonah, quickly check Sheena¡¯s flight fromst night and where she would havended. Hurry. Later, he settled into his car, his impatience growing as he lit a cigarette. By the time he reached his eighth cigarette, the phone finally rang. Without hesitation, he answered. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°I got the details. Her flightst night passed through arge mountain range between Farlem and Luivine, and she likely jumped there. How¡¯s that? I¡¯m quite fast this time, right?¡± Then, Jonah added helplessly, ¡°Tsk, tsk¡­ I didn¡¯t expect Leon to be so audacious. But that mountain range is vast, and if she did jump from the ne, it would be practically impossible for her to survive. Elijah, are you sure you want to search for her?¡± Elijah was stunned, worry filling him as he replied, ¡°Dead or alive, we must find her.¡± He hung up and sped toward the mountain range. Katie had intended to visit Howard¡¯s mansion early in the morning. However, Howard remained at home, forcing her to wait until the afternoon for her chance. Once she confirmed that Howard had left for Angle, she immediately gathered a few bodyguards and headed to the mansion. ¡°Whether it¡¯s Sheena or Hannah, you¡¯re getting out of the mansion today!¡± Katie fumed, sitting in the backseat of a Bentley. The Bentley Bentayga pulled up at the entrance. However, Katie was blocked by a group of hidden patrolling bodyguards outside the mansion just as she stepped out of the car. ¡°Miss, this is Mr. Lawson¡¯s private residence. He has already left. Please wait until he¡¯s home. before visiting. one of the guards in a suit and sunsses politely exined. Displeased, Katie disdainfully sized him up, attempting to push past him. ¡°Do you know who I am? How dare you stop me?¡± The guard blocked her path, saying, ¡°Please leave. Without Mr. Lawson¡¯s permission, we can¡¯t allow anyone inside.¡± Enraged by his attitude, Katie raised her hand and delivered a resounding p across his face The sharp sound echoed through the quiet residential area. ¡°Are you blind? I am Howard¡¯s fiancee! The Upton family¡¯s heiress! Who are you to stop me?¡± Katie asserted her identity arrogantly- ¡°Even if you¡¯re his fiancee, you can¡¯t enter without Mr. Lawson¡¯s consent. We hope you understand this,¡± the guard replied, his patience waning- Chapter 118 Chapter 118 Chapter 118 Katie¡¯s patience had worn thin. ¡°You¡¯re just his bodyguard, so don¡¯t act all high and mighty with me. As Howard¡¯s fiancee, I suspect there are other women in his mansion. What¡¯s wrong with meing to take a look? It¡¯s reasonable from both a moral and logical standpoint. If you¡¯re sensible, you¡¯ll let me in.¡± The guards exchanged hesitant nces, their initial determination faltering. After all, they knew Katie¡¯s noble status well and did not want to provoke her. If a fight broke out, they would not be able to handle the consequences. Reluctantly, they loosened their stance, thinking that she could enter the front gate, but she would not be allowed to the third floor. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hmph!¡± Katie scoffed arrogantly, flipping her hair as she led her bodyguards inside. ¡°Quick, go notify Mr. Lawson that someone has broken in and we couldn¡¯t stop her,¡± one of the bodyguards instructed with a grave expression as Katie entered. Auntie Gloria, who was cleaning the mansion, was surprised to see the group of people and shouted, ¡°Who are you? How dare you barge into someone¡¯s home! Leave now, or I¡¯ll call the police!¡± ¡°Do I need to report to anyone that I¡¯m entering my fiance¡¯s house?¡± Katie frowned and shot a disdainful nce at Auntie Gloria. ¡°Don¡¯t mind her. Search the ce thoroughly until you find Hannah!¡± ¡°Hey, hey, hey! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Auntie Gloria put down her cleaning cloth and rushed to confront the bodyguards. ¡°How can you invade a private residence and search through someone else¡¯s home without permission!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll search as I see fit,¡± Katie sneered, rolling her eyes at Auntie Gloria before turning to the bodyguards behind her. ¡°Why are you all just standing there? Are you waiting for me to conduct the search personally?¡± The hesitant bodyguards quickly dispersed as Katie confidently strode over and sat on the sofa. ¡°Hey! Do you really think you have a say here? So what if you¡¯re the Upton family¡¯s heiress? You can¡¯t compare yourself to Ms. Sheena!¡± Auntie Gloria fumed, pointing at Katie. Katie¡¯s temper red up at Auntie Gloria¡¯s words, and she kicked over a trash bin. The freshly cleaned floor was instantly littered with trash. Auntie Gloria trembled with anger. With her arms crossed, Katie looked smugly at her. ¡°See? How else can I live up to the vile image you have of me if I don¡¯t stir up some trouble?¡± Angus came down from upstairs and whispered to Katie, ¡°Miss, we¡¯ve searched and found nothing on the first and second floors. However, we¡¯ve noticed many bodyguards on the third floor, which seems suspicious.¡± ¡°Then search the third floor!¡± Katie stood up and personally led the group of bodyguards toward the third floor. several bodyguards in suits blocked her path on the staircase to the third floor, their voices cold as the ushered het away. ¡± Upton, you¡¯re not allowed to enter. Mr. Lawson has specifically instructed that no one is allowed on the third floor except for himself. We kindly ask you to leave.¡± ¡± be thedy of the house soon. How dare you stop me!¡± Katie red at him, attempting to bypass im and continue forward. However, the bodyguard extended his hand to stop her. ¡°Apologies, Ms. Upton. Mr. Lawson has made it clear that no one is allowed ess without his orders. That includes you. Please cooperate with our work.¡± ¡°This is ridiculous! I must enter the third floor today. I¡¯d like to see who dares to stop me!¡± Katie waved her hand, and the bodyguards behind her swiftly charged forward, engaging in a fierce brawl with the Lawson family¡¯s bodyguards. However, the bodyguards stationed on the third floor were exceptionally agile, and the skilled fighters Katie brought with her were quickly subdued, resulting in a tense standoff. ¡°What happened? Didn¡¯t you say they¡¯re skillful fighters? How can they not even handle a group of bodyguards?¡± Katie shot an irritated nce at Angus. ¡°Miss, I swear on my life, these people are indeed skilled fighters. But Mr. Lawson also hired capable individuals who¡¯re all seasoned fighters. ¡°What now? We can¡¯t just retreat like this!¡± Katie was unwilling to give up, biting her lip. Suddenly, Katie caught sight of a dagger strapped to Angus¡® waist.. Chapter 119 Chapter 19 Kate swiftly drew out the dagger, shouting as she pressed it against her wrist. ¡°Stop? If you don¡¯t let me in, I¡¯est toy wrist right now! The cornrise on among the brawling bodyguards hatted as they turned the attention to her. Anges was rmed by her action, beads of sweet forming on his forehead, and he persuaded, 1. ss. please don¡¯t do this. You can¡¯t harm yourself over this matter. It¡¯s not worth it Think about and Madam Upton. As you all are aware, I¡¯m the beloved daughter of Svelton¡¯s Upton family. If I get hurt, guess so the Upton family will me? Are you willing to pay the dire consequences Katie was certain her identity would intimidate the bodyguards. Then, she signaled to Ang and coldly added, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to face the consequences, step aside.¡± ¡°Ms. Upton, is this necessary?¡± The head bodyguard hesitated and suggested, ¡°How about we compromise? You leave with your people, and I¡¯ll pretend you never came. How does that sound?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so! My mind is set,¡± Katie replied, casually tossing the dagger aside. As the bodyguards on the third floor were fixated on Katie, Angus and his team swiftly subdued them. What had been a bnced standoff swiftly turned into Katie¡¯s men gaining an absolute upper hand. ¡°Ms. Upton, I sincerely wanted to reason with you, yet you resort to such petty tactics!¡± ¡°What do you mean by ¡®petty¡®? I call this being strategic!¡± Katie smirked. With a wave of her hand, she motioned for her guards to step aside. Suddenly, a man¡¯s angry voice sounded. ¡°Well, well, well. What a clever strategy.¡± Howard walked up the stairs and snorted. When he looked at Katie, his eyes were filled with apparent disgust. Then, he added, ¡°Ms. Upton, please leave my mansion immediately. There¡¯s no room here for your antics.¡± Katie suddenly turned around, feeling guilty. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think, Howard. Let me exin.. ¡°What¡¯s there to exin? Why did you lead a group of people to break into my house? And you even bullied my staff?¡± Howard cast a disgusted nce at her. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see irrelevant people in my house. If you don¡¯t leave, I¡¯ll have you escorted out.¡± ¡°Howard! Are you actually saying that I¡¯m irrelevant?¡± Katie stamped her foot in frustration, shouting, ¡°I¡¯m your future wife! Why are you treating me like this? I followed you from Svelton to Farlem, and you¡¯re not moved in the slightest?¡± She continued, ¡°You know you¡¯re engaged to me, and you know I¡¯d get jealous, yet you treat that bitch Sheena so well! Youpletely ignore me! You refuse to see me, even going as far as having lunch with her in the office! What do I have to do for you to ept me? Do I need to rip my heart out for you?! Even now, you¡¯re still keeping other women in this mansion! Howard, do you even care about me?¡± Tears welled up in Katie¡¯s eyes, and she lunged forward. Howard swiftly evaded her, warning, ¡°Please, show some self¨Crestraint.¡® ¡°Self¨Crestraint? Have you forgotten that I am yourwful fiancee? It¡¯s perfectly reasonable for me to be in your house! What¡¯s wrong with wanting to embrace my fiance?!¡± Katie was uming, emphasizing her status repeatedly. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Howard¡¯s face visibly darkened, and he said, ¡°It seems you¡¯ve forgotten how we got engaged the first ce. If you insist on dwelling on these matters, I don¡¯t mind reminding you.¡± Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Katie was at a loss for words, obviously embarrassed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Do you remember it now?¡± Howard nced at his watch and reminded. ¡°I have other matters to attend to. Please escort Me Upton back immediately. Yes. Alt. Lawson¡± Initially, Katie shrunk back in guilt. However, seeing him insist on making her leave, she stubbornly argued, ¡°If you want me to leave, fine. But I must take the other women in your ansion with me!¡± Howard¡¯s expression turned frosty, and his patience wore thin. ¡°There are no other people, let alone women, in my mansion.¡± Katie scoffed. ¡°What about Hannah, Jennifer¡¯s sister, the heiress of the Moore family? Is she here? I must take her today! ¡°Who¡¯s Hannah? I¡¯ve never seen her before. Show your proof before using me.¡± Howard¡¯s tone dripped with cynicism as he motioned for more guards to enter, ¡°Escort them away.¡± ¡°I have every right to take away other women from my future husband¡¯s house! Open the door now!¡± ¡°Katie, my patience has its limits,¡± Howard warned. ¡°No matter what you say today, I¡¯m taking Hannah with me! There¡¯s no negotiating on this matter!¡± Katie raised her head defiantly, showing a strong stance for the first time. Howard sneered, ¡°Whether there¡¯s any negotiation isn¡¯t up to you. If you don¡¯t leave, I don¡¯t mind calling off the engagement.¡± Katie stepped back in shock. Livid, she started yelling hysterically, ¡°What?! You¡¯re willing to break off the engagement because of that woman in the room?! Don¡¯t even dream about it! Even without the Lawson family, the Upton family has status and influence in Svelton, and you can¡¯t end the engagement just because you want to!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see about that,¡± Howard said and called Yuri. ¡°What have I done wrong for you to be so heartless?¡± Tears welled up in Katie¡¯s eyes, and she cried, ¡°Is it all for Sheena? She¡¯s divorced, has no background, and has no power. What good can she bring you? Are you really so infatuated with her?¡± ¡°You¡¯re iparable to her. Don¡¯t humiliate yourself.¡± ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I have some bad news for you.¡± Katie¡¯s hatred was palpable, and a gleam of satisfaction shed in her eyes as she pretended toment. ¡°That bitch had a fatal ident on her flightst night. Isn¡¯t it surprising?¡± Katie burst intoughter, relishing Howard¡¯s gradually shocked expression. Her heart filled with delight before adding, ¡°What a shame. The Sheena you treasured is already dead!¡± Howard could not believe it, and his face turned pale. ¡°Impossible.¡± ¡°Whether you believe it or not, the facts are right in front of you.¡± Seeing the pain in his expression, Katie felt a strange mix of heartache and jealousy. Why did that bitch get all of his affection? Even though Sheena was dead, she still could not make Howard love her. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Even if you want to break off the engagement today, I¡¯m still taking Hannah with me!¡± Suddenly, the sound of high heels tapping the floor echoed through the room, and a nonchnt yet powerful female voice resounded from downstairs. ¡°I heard someone spreading rumors about my death. Now that I know it¡¯s Ms. Upton, I¡¯m not surprised at all to hear all the screaming whileing in.¡± Chapter 121 Chapter 121 Hearing the familiar voice, Katie swiftly turned toward the staircase and saw Sheena, elegantly dressed in a velvet gown, apanied by a stern¨Clooking man behind her. However, Katie could not see the man¡¯s features clearly as he was wearing a face mask. ¡°You! How is this possible? Weren¡¯t you dead?!¡± Katie¡¯s smile froze, obviously shocked as she questioned, ¡°How can this be? You clearly jumped from the ne! How could you possibly be alive and back!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry for getting your hopes up for nothing, Ms. Upton.¡± Sheena smiled, still looking as beautiful as ever. ¡°You bitch! It¡¯s all because of you that Howard wanted to break off our engagement. I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Katie seethed with anger, lunging at Sheena. Sheena avoided her, and Katie lost her bnce, nearly falling t on her face. ¡°I knew you¡¯d be fine.¡± Howard gently rubbed Sheena¡¯s cheek, visibly relieved. ¡°Go and check on Hannah¡¯s condition first. I¡¯ll handle things here.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll leave her to you,¡± Sheena readily agreed and entered Hannah¡¯s room with Noah, who was fully armed, trailing behind her. Howard watched Sheena¡¯s figure disappear down the corridor. Then, he turned to Katie, who was sprawled on the ground and said in disgust, ¡°I¡¯ve already informed the Upton family that our engagement is off. Please behave yourself and leave before I lose my patience.¡± ¡°How could you treat me like this? Howard, I was the one who loved you the most, and this is how you respond to my love. Are you really this heartless? You¡¯re lying to me, right? You won¡¯t really break off the engagement!¡± Katie sobbed uncontrobly. Howard remained indifferent, looking down upon her pitiful state. ¡°Miss! Someone from the Upton family has confirmed Mr. Lawson¡¯s statement!¡± Angus helped her from the ground, adding, ¡°Mr. and Madam Upton ordered me to take you back immediately.¡± ¡°No! I¡¯m not going back. No one can make me go back!¡± Katie tried to free herself from Angus¡¯s grip but to no avail. ¡°Miss, Mr. Lawson is quite furious now. Just bear with it. Mr. and Madam Upton will help you in regard to the engagement!¡± Angus pulled her downstairs against her will and said to his own subordinates, ¡°What are you all standing around for? Let¡¯s leave!¡± The group left dejectedly, devoid of the momentum they had when they arrived. Meanwhile, in Hannah¡¯s room, Noah took out his medical kit and equipment, conducting basic examinations on Hannah.. Sheena sat on a small sofa nearby, observing Noah¡¯s Hannah, who slept peacefully on the bed. movements movements while keeping an eye on Although Hannah and Jennifer were half¨Csisters with the same father, they did not look alike. Jennifer seemed delicate, exuding a fragile and innocent demeanor that gave off a sense of pretentiousness. On the other hand, Hannah seemed like an honest and reliable person. Even though Sheena did not know Hannah well enough to make judgments about her character, Hannah must be a capable, career¨Cdriven woman rather than just superficial charm considering how she had managed the Moore Group efficiently over the years, ¡°Noah, what¡¯s the result?¡± Seeing Noah tidy up his equipment, Sheena immediately walked over to assist. ¡°Her condition seems promising. There are signs of her brain function recovering, which indicates overall improvement in her bodily functions,¡± Noah said, handing her thepiled examination report. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena quickly skimmed the report and asked, ¡°Is there any way to help her wake up sooner?¡± Noah gave it a thought and replied, ¡°It¡¯s not impossible. If we perform surgery, she might regain consciousness within a week.¡± Chapter 122 Chapter 122 A week?¡± Sheena frowned in contemtion and rejected. ¡°No, that¡¯s too long. Is there a method to have her wake up within two days?¡± ¡°Two days?¡± Noah was taken aback by his sister¡¯s request and said, ¡°The method I mentioned would be the safest, but if you want it within two days¡­¡± He pondered momentarily before adding, ¡°Then there¡¯s only thest and riskiest procedure.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Sheena¡¯s doe¨Clike eyes lit up eagerly, and she asked, ¡°Noah, how confident are you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s called the Deep Brain Stimtion. It¡¯s an elective surgical procedure in which electrodes are imnted into certain brain areas, and the surgical risk is quite high. Even for me, I can only guarantee a forty percent sess rate. Are you sure you want to take this risk?¡± Even Noah, an elite in the medical field, only had a 40% sess rate for the surgery. If it failed¡­ Sheena hesitated briefly before looking at Noah with determination. ¡°Let¡¯s try it! No matter what, I trust you, Noah. Prepare yourself. We¡¯ll start soon.¡± Howard knocked on the door and poked his head in, asking, ¡°Is there anything I can help with? ¡°You came just in time.¡± Noah cleared his throat, then added, ¡°Do you have a room in mansion suitable for a makeshift operating room?¡± your ¡°The room my private physician stayed in before is suitable. I¡¯ll have the servants prepare it,¡± Howard replied, well aware of his intention. Noah nodded, arranging the equipment he brought over, and followed Howard out. ¡°Noah, I¡¯ll be your assistant,¡± Sheena said and followed them out, walking alongside them into the room that belonged to the private physician. Noah surveyed the room and appeared to be satisfied. ¡°Great. The equipment is all here. We¡¯ll bring in the patient after the servants disinfect the room.¡± Auntie Gloria and several servants entered, quickly tidying up the entire room. After their helpers gently ced Hannah on the operating table, Noah steadily aimed his tools at her head, preparing for the first step. ¡°Sheena, check the power source.¡± He double¨Cchecked the instruments onest time, ensuring everything was in order. ¡°Everything¡¯s ready.¡± Sheena stood silently behind Noah, watching him immerse himself in the procedure. Almost five hours passed, yet Noah¡¯s hand holding the surgical knife remained steady, with a thinyer of sweat forming on his forehead. Sheena carefully held a handkerchief, standing beside him, asionally wiping the sweat from his brow. ¡°Forceps,¡± Noah said, extending his hand. Sheena did not waste time and promptly handed him the forceps. The intensity of the surgery was immense, yet Noah seemed tireless, manipting the surgical instruments with great precision. Watching his focused demeanor, Sheena marveled at Noah¡¯s genius. ¡°Sheena, disinfect the instruments again. We¡¯re about to perform a thoracotomy, and even the slightest mistake could lead to infection in the patient,¡± Noah¡¯s expression turned serious as he cautioned her. ¡°Got it!¡± Sheena replied. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Howard stood outside the room door, repeatedly checking his watch. The surgery had been ongoing for nearly ten hours, and the two had not yet emerged from the room. His anxiety grew, but he did not dare to rush in, afraid of disrupting them. ¡°Mr. Lawson, there¡¯s news from the Upton family,¡± the butler whispered. Chapter 123 Chapter 123 Chapter 123 ¡°What did they say?¡± Howard frowned and eagerly awaited the answer. ¡°Mr. Upton has put Ms. Upton under house arrest, and she can¡¯t leave without his permission, ¡°the butler answered. Howard snorted. ¡°That¡¯s great. At least this way, she won¡¯t be able toe to Farlem and cause trouble, and I¡¯ll finally have some peace.¡± Then, he waved his hand, signaling the butler to leave while he continued to gaze at the closed doors. Svelton, the Upton mansion. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Katie was raging in her room, shouting, ¡°Dad is being so unreasonable! How could he lock me in this room and not even let me out of this door?¡± A timid servant approached and tried to console her softly, ¡°Miss, please don¡¯t be too upset. You¡¯re just grounded and have to stay at home for a while. It¡¯ll pass.¡± ¡°What do you know? Get out of here!¡± Katie screamed at the servant, taking all the flowers from the vase and throwing them at the servant. ¡°Go away! Stop bothering me!¡± Seemingly unsatisfied, she picked up the vase and smashed it on the ground. ¡°Miss, please stop! Madam brought this crystal vase back from Floire, and it¡¯s priceless. You can¡¯t just break it!¡± The servant felt heartbroken as she saw the chipped corner of the vase. Even so, she dared not stop Katie. ¡°All these things are my family¡¯s, and I can smash them however I want! You¡¯re just a servant, yet you dare to order me around? If you dare to speak out of turn again, I¡¯ll rip your tongue out!¡± Katie pushed all the cosmetics off the table, causing a piercing tter as they hit the ground. The servant knew that trying to reason with Katie would only lead to more trouble, so she wisely remained silent and left the room, closing the door. Ron and Nicole naturally heard Katie¡¯s furious outburst from upstairs, and Ron¡¯s face grew gloomier as he tossed his cigarette into the ashtray. ¡°Look at the daughter you raised!¡± ¡°What are you saying?¡± Nicole retorted discontentedly, ¡°Isn¡¯t Katie your daughter too? Are you trying to put the full me on me?¡± ¡°If you hadn¡¯t spoiled her all this time, would she have turned out like this? Howard wants to break off the engagement, and even if I have to swallow my pride, he won¡¯t change his mind. If we let her continue being willful and reckless like this, the Upton family might really be ruined in her hands!¡± Ron was furious. ¡°Ron!¡± Nicole was about to retort, but Colin Upton came down from upstairs. He had sensed the tense atmosphere and quickly stepped in to defuse the situation. ¡°Dad, Mom, it¡¯s normal for Katie to be in a bad mood from being grounded. It¡¯s fine to let her vent!¡± ¡°But not like this! Just listen to the noise! If she keeps smashing things like this, all those valuables in the house will be gone in no time!¡± Ron gestured upstairs, repeatedly sighing in frustration. The sounds of objects being shattered could still be faintly heard. Colin thought for a moment and decided to go upstairs himself tofort her. Upstairs, Katie held an antique decorative te, ready to smash it on the ground. ¡°Who angered our beloved Katie?¡± Colin took the te from her hands, pulling her to sit on the sofa. ¡°Getting so angry isn¡¯t good for your health. You can break some things to get it out your system, and then you should calm down.¡± of ¡°Colin!¡± Katie pouted and pulled her brother¡¯s arm, her voice full of grievances. ¡°Howard wants to break off the engagement with me because of a divorced woman!¡± Colin pinched her cheek. ¡°It¡¯s probably not that simple, is it? I¡¯m well aware of your little tricks.¡± ¡°Since that woman got divorced, Howard has let her stay in the mansion and has been so gentle and attentive to her. How can I stomach that? Colin, you¡¯ve always loved me the most. Can you help me get rid of Sheena? Please?¡± Katie yfully shook his arm and asked, ¡°Can you stand by and watch as another woman takes your little sister¡¯s favorite man?¡± Colin was shocked, and he ced his hands on Katie¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Katie, say that again¡­ What¡¯s that woman¡¯s name?¡± Katie was somewhat puzzled and repeated, ¡°Sheena, an orphan from a Farlem¡¯s orphanage. What right does she have topete with me? Colin, do you know her?¡± Colin was deep in thought, thinking that the name was too familiar. Chapter 124 Chapter 124 Could it be her? Then again, how could she possibly be an orphan? Colin let go of Katie, bing more doubtful. Katie noticed his unusual behavior and asked with confusion, ¡°Colin, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Do you have a photo of her?¡± ¡°She was trending online not long ago, and there should be photos of her online. Don¡¯t you know?¡± Colin shook his head, as he was not one to pay attention to online gossip. However, the fact that Katie mentioned somethingpletely unheard of in Svelton could only mean the news was suppressed due to an order from an influential family. Could it be the Lawson family? If yes, why would the Lawson family suppress news about this woman in Svelton? His doubts and spections deepened. Katie sat on the sofa, pulled out her phone angrily, and scrolled through the photos of Sheena that had been taken secretly. Then, she handed the phone to Colin. ¡°Colin, you have to help me. Once this bitch is gone, no one willpete with me for Howard¡­ Katie kept on talking, but Colin was captivated by the photos on her phone and his emotions were running high. ¡°Colin? Are you listening?¡± Katie¡¯s angry shout snapped him out of his trance. ¡°So, you just want her dead?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Katie was determined. Colin knocked her on the head, his face full of frustration. ¡°I really don¡¯t know what to do with you! Anyway, the more you target her, the more you¡¯re pushing Howard away with your own hands!¡± ¡°Colin, what do you mean?¡± Katie dodged his hand, clearly annoyed. Colin chuckled. ¡°The one you¡¯re trying to kill is his only younger sister. Do you think he won¡¯t distance himself from you or start to dislike you?¡± ¡°What? His sister?¡± Katie was utterly shocked. Sheena was actually Howard¡¯s sister?! How could that be possible? Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Wasn¡¯t the Lawson family¡¯s heiress announced dead six years ago? Although I haven¡¯t seen her, I¡¯ve checked Sheena¡¯s background. She was clearly an orphan!¡± Colin sighed, exining, ¡°Don¡¯t you know how powerful the Lawson family is? How could you possibly find out if they don¡¯t want anyone to find out? As for why the Lawson family did this, maybe it was to protect her.¡± In just a few minutes, Colin roughly pieced everything together. Katie froze. She was so shocked that it made her speechless. After a while. Colin looked at the room she had turned into a mess and advised her, ¡°If you still want to maintain this engagement with Howard, stop thinking about killing her. During this time, stay at home and think about how to apologize to her.¡± Then, he patted Katie¡¯s shoulder and left her room. Six years ago, Sheena had disappeared, and when the Lawson family announced her death, he had been devastated. Although his parents had arranged numerous upper¨Css socialites for him, he could not forget her. Now that he knew she was still alive and was in Farlem, he wished he could grow wings and fly to her side immediately. After Colin left, Katie remained stunned, finally understanding all of her doubts from before. Why Sheena and Howard had dinner together in his office, why Howard treated Sheena so gently, why Sheena had quickly risen to the position of a manager in Angle Group, and so on. If that were the case, she would have almost hurt her future sister¨Cinw! Chapter 125 Chapter 125 Chapter 125 Upon the realization, Katie was immensely relieved that Sheena had not actually died this time. Otherwise, her chances with Howard would have beenpletely ruined.. She sat there weakly, contemting how to salvage her previous actions. After some thought, Katte picked up her phone and dialed Howard¡¯s number. The phone kept ringing with a busy tone, making the waiting time feel unusually long. ¡°What is it?¡± Howard¡¯s impatient voice came through as he asked, ¡°If you don¡¯t have anything important, I¡¯m hanging up,¡± ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t hang up yet! Howard, I really need to talk to you!¡± Katie gripped her phone tightly, afraid he would hang up at any moment, ¡°If you¡¯re trying to persuade me to lift your punishment, forget it. However, I¡¯m still considering the engagement.¡± ¡°No. 1 want to talk to Sheena. I don¡¯t have her contact information. Can you please pass the phone to her?¡± Katie¡¯s voice grew softer as she continued. ¡°You want to talk to her? Ms. Upton, please stop having any more thoughts involving Sheena. I won¡¯t let you harm her,¡± Howard warned. Katie bit her lip. ¡°That¡¯s not it. I want to apologize to her. Please pass the phone to her, Howard. Consider it a plea from me.¡± ¡°Apologize?¡± Howard was even more surprised. Nheless, since Katie was far away in Svelton and confined to her home, she could not possibly do anything bad. Reluctantly, he agreed to Katie¡¯s request. Howard lightly knocked on the door of the makeshift operating room and opened it slightly, waving Sheena over. Sheena nced at the still¨Cfocused Noah, who was performing the surgery, and quietly stepped out. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Howard handed his phone to her, saying, ¡°Katie¡¯s looking for you.¡± ¡°Looking for me?¡± Sheena took his phone with suspicion, then nced at the screen. ¡°What now? Are you trying to cause me trouble even though you¡¯re back at home?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m here to apologize to you,¡± Katie said, her voicecking its previous arrogance, but years of living as a wealthy heiress prevented her frompletely lowering her head. Then, Katie added, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what I did before. I was wrong. As long as you don¡¯t obstruct Howard and me from being together in the future, I¡¯m willing to get along with you.¡± Sheena remained silent, believing that Katie had figured out her true identity. Sensing the silence on the other end, Katie felt a bit uneasy and continued, ¡°To show my sincerity, I consider Hannah¡¯s matter a gift to you.¡± ¡°A gift for me?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll look forward to it.¡± Even though Sheena hung up the call, she did not get mad and dialed another number. Almost instantly, Jennifer answered the call. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°How is it? Did you find Hannah?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to look for her anymore. She¡¯s already dead,¡± Katie said coldly. ¡°Really?¡± Jennifer¡¯s voice was filled with joy. ¡°Are you sure? Did it happen at Howard¡¯s mansion? Was it your people who killed her? Hannah¡­¡± Katie interrupted Jennifer¡¯s questions, ¡°That¡¯s enough. You don¡¯t need to know so much. Just know that she¡¯s dead. I¡¯m calling to inform you that our cooperation is over.¡± Jennifer had not anticipated the sudden decision, and her eyes widened in shock. Chapter 126 Chapter 126 ¡°Why? Just because Sheena and Hannah are both dead?¡± Katie raised her voice, ¡°That¡¯s right. Because of this, Howard wants to call off our engagement, and my parents already know. I¡¯m in a tough position now, so I won¡¯t be able to cooperate with you. Anyway, the two women who posed the greatest threat to you are already dead, and the path to being the Moore Group¡¯s heir seems pretty smooth for you.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°No buts. That¡¯s it.¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Impatiently, Katie cut her off and hung up the phone right away. Jennifer wanted to say more, but all she heard was the dial tone. She stared at the call log on her phone, a mixture of happiness and confusion swirling within her. While solving the problem of the two people she despised brought her joy, Katie¡¯s unusual behavior today left her with doubts, and Jennifer could not pinpoint exactly what felt amiss. Since she could not figure it out, she decided not to dwell on it for now. Jennifer tossed her phone aside andy down on the bed, trying to dispel those concerns from her mind. However, Katie¡¯s words haunted her mind, refusing to go away. Jennifer grew increasingly agitated as she thought about it, eventually sitting up and gazing at the ceiling. Something was strange about Katie tonight, making Jennifer question her former partner even more. Both of them had originally teamed up due to their own interests, and the level of trust between them was something perhaps only they themselves truly knew. Vanessa walked in with her servants. When she saw Jennifer sitting on the bed, she said disdainfully, ¡°Wow! Looks like you¡¯re recovering quite nicely! Hurry up and eat. Don¡¯t just stare at the ceiling like you¡¯re lost in thought.¡± Jennifer never could get used to the hospital food they provided. Even with the VIP package, she would take a few bites and then toss it aside in distaste. Hence, she kept asking the Moore family to bring her food. Due to this, Vanessa always made fun of her. Jennifer took the food from the servant. When she saw Vanessa, she was instantly reminded of the deceased Hannah, which oddly lifted her spirits. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m recovering quickly, It¡¯s good news for the Moore family since I¡¯m the heir of the Moore family. If something were to happen to me, what would be of the Moore family?¡± She stirred her sd, casting a sidelong nce at Vanessa. Vanessa rolled her eyes and scornfully remarked, ¡°As expected of a mistress¡® daughter. You¡¯re truly despicable, and you¡¯ll always be known as the illegitimate daughter. So what if you¡¯ve risen to a higher position now? If it¡¯s not yours, it will never be yours.¡± With that, Vanessa turned her head away, refusing to even look at Jennifer, not wanting to give herself any more trouble. Seeing Vanessa¡¯s calm expression, Jennifer began to wonder why she was not anxious about Hannah¡¯s disappearance Something about this situation felt off. Thinking this, she nced coldly at Vanessa, mocking, ¡°I¡¯m just injured, and I¡¯ll be out of here soon. But your beloved Hannah is the unfortunate one. After all, she¡¯s no longer with us.¡± Jennifer smirked, taking satisfaction in watching Vanessa¡¯s calm expression shift gradually into a panic. ¡°What did you say?¡± Vanessa lunged at her, grabbing onto her hospital gown. ¡°Exin yourself clearly. What happened to her?¡± ¡°Are you deaf?¡± Jennifer pped her hand away in disgust. ¡°Your beloved daughter is no longer with us. She¡¯s dead!¡± ¡°Impossible! You¡¯re lying! Hannah was perfectly fine, so how could she be dead? You¡¯re lying! You¡¯re jealous of her, and that¡¯s why you¡¯re cursing her!¡± Vanessa trembled in anger, Chapter 127 Chapter 127 ¡°Hannah¡¯s in a vegetative state. What¡¯s there to be jealous of?¡± Jennifer retorted sarcastically, ¡°Don¡¯t believe me? Ask the people who took her away. Hannah¡¯s death has nothing to do with me.¡± Vanessa covered her ears and screamed, running out of the room. Watching her leave, Jennifer finally burst into a fit of unrestrainedughter. Initially skeptical of Katie¡¯s words, Vanessa¡¯s reaction now confirmed Jennifer¡¯s suspicions. Something had definitely happened to Hannah, and no one could contend with her for the position of the Moore family¡¯s heir. She had finally turned the tables! With Sheena and Hannah both dead, there was no one left topete for Elijah¡¯s love or obstruct her path to greater fame and status. Jennifer was in an especially good mood and forked some sd into her mouth, smiling triumphantly. After a few bites, she ced the sd on the bedside table and then tossed the covers aside. Seeing this, a puzzled servant rushed over and helped her. ¡°Miss, what are you trying to do?¡± ¡°Leaving the hospital,¡± Jennifer said in a resolute tone. With the servant¡¯s assistance, she sat in a wheelchair and exited the ward. Having left the hospital, Vanessa ordered the Moore family¡¯s driver to rush to Howard¡¯s mansion. Night had fallen, and the sky was adorned with countless stars, adding a touch of romance to the tranquil night. Vanessa angrily stormed into the yard, waking the already sleeping butler and other servants. ¡°It¡¯ste at night. If you have something to discuss, pleasee back to see Mr. Lawson tomorrow,¡± the butler greeted her, his eyes heavy with sleep, attempting to be polite. ¡°I don¡¯t care! I want to see my daughter today!¡± Vanessa pushed the butler aside forcefully. ¡± Tell me, where¡¯s my Hannah?!¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Please calm down. You¡¯re disturbing others¡® rest. Please leave,¡± the butler tried to reason with Vanessa, motioning the servants to intervene. ¡°What are all of you here for? Aren¡¯t you supposed to help me?¡± Vanessa turned around, yelling angrily at the Moore family¡¯s bodyguards. Taking advantage of the distraction caused by the fight between the Moore family¡¯s guards and the butler and servants, Vanessa slipped into the mansion. She looked up at the third floor and noticed the lights were still on, then quickly ascended the stairs. Standing on the staircase, Howard had just noticed Vanessa and was about to say something when she grabbed his sleeve. ¡°Where¡¯s Hannah? I want to see her now!¡± Howard frowned, pulling his sleeve out of her grasp, adjusting his cuff in a dignified manner as he said, ¡°Calm down. She¡¯s receiving treatment in a room on the third floor. You can rest assured.¡± ¡°No! I want to see her now!¡± Vanessa could not possibly be at ease without seeing Hannah alive with her own eyes. Sheena heard themotion outside and immediately witnessed the scene. Then, she walked over. ¡°Madam Moore, when I took Hannah away, I assured you of her safety, and you agreed at the time. But now, you¡¯vee to the mansionte at night, disturbing the peace. Why?¡± Sheena questioned Vanessa. Seeing her, Vanessa immediately grabbed onto her. ¡°I don¡¯t care about all that now. I want to end our coboration! Let me see Hannah immediately. I want to take her with me!¡± Sheena frowned and pushed her hand away with displeasure. ¡°I understand your concern for Hannah. But please remember, Madam Moore, you represent the entire Moore family. Does the Moore family go back on their own words in the business world too? I won¡¯t agree to you taking her away.¡± Vanessa was left speechless, unsure how to refute her. In the end, she decided to abandon her etiquette and throw a tantrum. ¡°Since you won¡¯t let me see Hannah today, I won¡¯t leave!¡± Sheena was about to call for the guest to be escorted out when Hannah¡¯s servant, who had been with her all along, emerged from the room in distress. ¡°Miss, something¡¯s wrong! Ms. Hannah¡¯s condition is critical!¡± Chapter 128 Chapter 128 Chapter 128 ¡°What?¡± Vanessa clearly heard the servant and pushed Sheena aside to rush into the room. ¡°How¡¯s Hannah? Let me go in and see her!¡± Sheena quickly caught Vanessa¡¯s arm to stop her from barging into the operating room. ¡°Entering now would disrupt any ongoing treatment. That would truly harm her! Do you really want to lose your daughter forever?¡± Vanessa was taken aback by Sheena¡¯s sharp tone and gaze. However, she quickly snapped back to her senses and struggled to break free. Sheena¡¯s training in martial arts gave her the upper hand, and Vanessa could only say indignantly, ¡°Don¡¯t intimidate me! You took my beloved Hannah away and won¡¯t even let me see her. If anything happens to her, I won¡¯t let you off the hook! I must see her today!¡± Vanessa strained to pry Sheena¡¯s fingers off her, using all her strength, but still could not escape. ¡°Let go of me! Let me in!¡± ¡°Sure, go ahead and enter! If you disrupt the surgery inside and anything happens to Hannah, it will be your fault.¡± Sheena abruptly let go of Vanessa¡¯s hand, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared coldly. Vanessa staggered back a few steps before regaining her bnce, staring at Sheena in disbelief. ¡°You actually¡­ performed surgery on Hannah without permission?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, but the surgeon inside is Noah Lawson. He¡¯s a medical prodigy with numerous international awards and is considered the leading authority in surgery. Every surgery he¡¯s performed has been a sess. You¡¯ve heard of his name, I¡¯m sure. If you barge in now and interrupt Noah¡¯s surgery, that will truly harm her.¡± Vanessa, who had reached the door and was about to grab the handle, hesitated. Previously, she and Kennedy had considered reaching out to Noah for Hannah¡¯s treatment. Still, his reputation was too immense, and his demeanor too aloof, definitely not someone their modest Farlem family could easily approach or afford. How did Sheena manage to persuade Noah toe to Farlem? Should she trust this woman? Vanessa stood at the door. All she had to do was gently open it, and she would finally see her precious daughter inside the room. However, she was stuck in a dilemma.. In the end, Vanessa withdrew her hand, saying, ¡°Sheena, I¡¯ll trust you this time, but I¡¯ll say it again. If something happens to Hannah, you¡¯ll definitely pay for it!¡± After that, she turned away, leaving the mansion. Sheena and Howard exchanged a nce, both breathing a sigh of relief before reentering the operating room. The sky was gradually getting brighter. Vanessa sat in the car and wearily closed her eyes. The driver asked, ¡°Madam, what should we do now?¡± ¡°Return to the Moore mansion.¡± She opened her eyes, a hint of fierceness shing across her face. The ck BMW slowly pulled into the car park. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Vanessa adjusted her expression and hurried inside. Kennedy was seated in the living room, watching the morning news, while Jennifer sat nearby. It was a harmonious scene between the father and daughter. ¡°Honey!¡± The sudden shout from Vanessa as she entered shattered that damned harmony. Both figures on the couch turned around, only to see Vanessa rushing toward Kennedy with overwhelming grief, crying out, ¡°Honey! Hannah is gone!¡± Chapter 129 Chapter 129 ¡°What happened to Hannah?¡± Kennedy turned off the TV and asked. ¡°Howard took Hannah. He said he found a doctor to perform surgery on her, but the surgery went wrong, and Hannah¡­ She¡­¡± Vanessa cried uncontrobly, her face filled with grief. Then, she continued, ¡°I went to Howard¡¯s to demand answers, but he refused to give her back to me, and he even kicked me out!¡± Vanessa clutched her chest, sobbing. Kennedy quickly poured her a ss of water, guided her to the sofa, and gently patted her back to calm her. ¡°What can we do now? Howard is not someone we can mess with,¡± Kennedy said. Hearing the tragic news about his beloved daughter, his eyes welled up with tears. However, he could not do anything about this as the other party was Howard. On the one hand, it was his beloved daughter¡¯s corpse. On the other hand, there was Howard, who had great influence in the entertainment industry. Not only that, but Howard also had the support of Svelton¡¯s wealthiest family, the Lawsons. Even though he deeply mourned Hannah¡¯s passing and wanted to make Howard pay, he did not dare provoke him easily. He was caught in the middle, torn between two sides. Jennifer sat on the side, not bothering to hide her joy. As Vanessa slowlyposed her emotions, she saw Jennifer smirking, further infuriating her. She pointed at Jennifer and cursed, ¡°You bitch! You¡¯re the reason I lost my daughter! If not for your jinxed presence, Hannah wouldn¡¯t have had that ident in the first ce!¡± Jennifer snorted, chuckling, ¡°It wasn¡¯t me who made her drunk and crashed her car, and it wasn¡¯t me who handed her over to Howard to undergo surgery. What does her death have to do with me? Don¡¯t spew your usations at me. You¡¯re throwing dirt on me for no reason.¡± Jennifer rolled her eyes disdainfully, cing the crystal ss heavily on the coffee table. ¡°It¡¯s all because of you! Otherwise, how would you have known Hannah was dead before anyone else? Don¡¯t even try to deny it! I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± Vanessa was furious, grabbing the TV remote from the coffee table and throwing it at Jennifer. ¡°Stop this madness! What¡¯s gotten into you both!¡± Kennedy yelled, stopping their argument. Jennifer moved slightly away from the sofa, maintaining distance from Vanessa, and spoke calmly, ¡°Tomorrow is the day Eli said he would give the public an exnation. We can use this opportunity to announce Hannah¡¯s death.¡± ¡°What do you mean? Hannah has already left this world, and you want to exploit her?¡± Vanessa grew agitated again. Kennedy hurriedly held her back, signaling Jennifer to continue. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°We¡¯ll hold a press conference tomorrow. Alongside announcing Hannah¡¯s death, we¡¯ll shift all the me onto Sheena. This way, we won¡¯t offend Howard and can gain the upper hand in public opinion,¡± Jennifer proposed, having meticulously nned tomorrow¡¯s event. Even if Sheena was gone, Jennifer was determined to tarnish her reputation and make her the subject of public disdain. Kennedy pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement. ¡°Let¡¯s go along with your nt. Make sure to arrange it well.¡± Kennedy¡¯s face still bore traces of sadness despite agreeing to Jennifer¡¯s suggestion. Then, he went upstairs with Vanessa. On the inte, as the day of exnation approached, the media continued to focus on the matter, and curious onlookers awaited the unveiling of the truth, This night might have been a sleepless one for many as they tossed and turned, unable to rest. Sheena, of course, had not forgotten either, eagerly awaiting the unfolding of tomorrow¡¯s grand event. Deep into the night, she remained unusually awake, devoid of sleepiness. After tossing and turning in bed for a while, she got up and walked over to a cab, standing on her tiptoes to retrieve a small wooden box from the top shelf. Carefully opening it, Sheena pulled out a photograph from the bottom. It was a picture of her and Elijah on their wedding day, the only one they had together. Chapter 130 Chapter 130 If not for Sebastian insisting that they take a wedding photo back then, this marriage in name only for three whole years might not even have a single photo to show for it. Sheena clenched the photograph tightly in her hand, appearing deep in thought. Her fingertips turned slightly white due to the pressure, yet her face remained emotionless. Moreover, she was so engrossed that she did not hear Howard knocking on the door a few times. Howard stood by the door, observing her silently, wondering why Sheena had yet to let go despite Elijah¡¯s indifference toward her. He was about to step inside to console her when Sheena¡¯s next action stunned him. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena picked up a pair of scissors and aimed them at the center of the photograph, decisively cutting it in half. Then, she shredded Elijah¡¯s half into fragments without hesitation. Relieved, Howard patted her shoulder and asked, ¡°Nana, what are you doing? I thought you couldn¡¯t let go and were thinking about him again¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± Sheena smiled coldly with a fierce look. ¡°It¡¯s time for him to pay what he owes me during the three years of marriage.¡± The long night continued. Jennifer was among those who were unable to sleep peacefully that night, tossing and turning in bed. Throughout the entire day, Elijah had not contacted her. Nheless, she was also busy preparing for the press conference the next day and had not had a chance to call him. Tomorrow was the day he promised to give the public an exnation, and she felt uneasy not talking to him. Leaning against the headboard, Jennifer reached for her phone on the bedside table. Then, she opened her contacts and dialed his number. However, she only heard the busy dial tone, and the call went unanswered, with only the familiar female voice stating, ¡°The number you dialed is currently unavable.¡± Usually, Elijah might put his phone on silent mode due to work, but he never turned it offpletely. Jennifer started to worry, and just as she was about to call Elijah again, her phone rang. Seeing the name on the screen, she answered the call anxiously, ¡°Where¡¯s Eli? Where is he?¡± ¡°Ms. Moore, I¡¯m at the back door of the Moore mansion. Could youe down in person?¡± A weak voice came through the phone. Jennifer was taken aback and quickly changed into casual clothes, sneaking out the door. Leon waited by the back door, constantly ncing around until he finally spotted her rushing toward him. ¡°Why are you here? Isn¡¯t Eli with you? Why isn¡¯t he answering my calls?¡± Jennifer was confused and nervous. Then, Jennifer nced at Leon, who was looking down in silence in the dim light, she noticed his disheveled hair, torn clothes, several cuts, and bruises on his face. On top of that, there was also a faint scent of blood around him. ¡°What happened to you? Who did this to you?¡± Jennifer¡¯s emotions shifted from confusion to shock, and her anxiety grew. ¡°Mr. Freeman learned that Sheena had jumped from the ne and went there to find her. He hasn¡¯t returned yet. The signal towers are too far apart there, so he probably hasn¡¯t received your call. And¡­ he might not be able toe back for a while,¡± Leon exined. ¡°What? He went to find Sheena?¡± Jennifer¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, ¡°Does this mean my n is exposed?¡± Chapter 131 Both journalists and onlookers were taken aback by Jennifer¡¯s speech, and the ce was abuzz with discussions. A journalist questioned Jennifer skeptically, ¡°Ms. Moore, your statements should be backed by evider.ce. Could you please show us the proof? Without evidence, it¡¯s hard to believe your ims fully. ¡°Of course. Evidence speaks louder than words, and that goes for anyone.¡± Jennifer was prepared for this and projected the pre¨Cfabricated evidence onto arge screen behind her. Turning to face the audience, she pointed to the images on the screen. ¡°Here are records and screenshots of Sheena¡¯s transactions to hire thugs and intentionally harm me. This is the hospital surveince footage of her taking Hannah away¡­¡± Just as a few images were disyed, some outraged journalists stood up. ¡°This is a society governed by the rule ofw. She¡¯s way too audacious! Let¡¯s demand answers at Angle Group!¡± ¡°Absolutely! We have strength in numbers, so they can¡¯t intimidate us!¡± The journalists in the room all rose from their seats, and the crowd outside was also affected by their emotions, equally angered. Jennifer stood on the stage, watching the scenario she had orchestrated unfold, slowly smiling in satisfaction. ¡°Ms. Moore, you might be getting ahead of yourself. The so¨Ccalled evidence you¡¯re presenting is completely opposite to reality.¡± A clear, feminine voice pierced through, apanied by the rhythmic sound of high heels tapping on the floor. Though not loud, it carried significant pressure. The mor from the crowd abruptly stopped. Jennifer turned around, and her once gentle smile frozepletely. Sheena walked in, wearing a burgundy fitted mermaid dress, moving gracefully and alluringly, exuding both danger and charm. There was a faint smile on her face as she fearlessly locked eyes with Jennifer. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Y¨CYou¡¯re not dead?¡± Jennifer eximed in shock ¡°Ms. Moore, how did you learn about my death? There hasn¡¯t been any news about me these past few days. Did you send someone to kill me?¡± Sheena seized on Jennifer¡¯s vulnerability, immediately turning the tables. Reporters and the crowd turned their attention to Jennifer, awaiting her response. The vast hall fell silent, with only Sheena standing outside the crowd, maintaining eye contact with Jennifer. Terrafer queddy realized that the media was present, so she regained herposure and responded smoothly, ¡°I just heard rumors. There¡¯s nothing to dwell on. But since you¡¯re here. there are a few things I¡¯d like to address directly with you.¡± termiter pressed on relentlessly, adamant about holding onto the incident involving Hannah¡¯s death. Why did you Lake Hannah away from the hospital, and why did you perform surgery on her without the consent of anyone from the Moore family, resulting in her ident? If your actions are all meant to target me, then please direct them to me. Hannah is innocent!¡± Jennifer disyed a pitiable expression, pretending to put a strong front as she looked up with teary eyes. The crowd regained their fury upon hearing her words, now loudly moring an eye for an eye, demanding justice for Hannah! Amidst the uproar, Sheena remained unaffected. Instead, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and scoffed. ¡°Ms. Moore, your speech was indeed brilliant. Unfortunately, you¡¯re about to Chapter 132 mbarrass yourself.¡± Chapter 123 toute au wa trek down, apher, tong Baba, ¡°them, your¡¯re will as aringant as ever. Tovating requires reddere. If you want to get regnare then show you wohlencars Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. de the same? A soft were suddenly ered from holye uard pushed a short hair into the room. tende the samin Shortly aftes, a the person in the wheelchair appeared pale, showing mistakable signs of recent recovery from a serious illnes Sheena stepped aside at the right moment, allowing everyone present to see who had arrived clearly ¡°Hannah? Weren¡¯t you supposed to be dead? W¨CWhat¡¯s going on?¡± Jennifer struggled to maintain herposure. Initially, she had been so delighted by the deaths of these two significant threats that she had not slept well for several nights. Yet not only were these two bitches still alive, but they also showed up to challenge her at the event! Jennifer was seething with rage! Chapter 133 trembling hand reached out and gently touched Hannah¡¯s face. Vanessa was overjoyed upon seeing Hannah smiling and blinking. She was alive! ¡°My beloved Hannah! I knew you were lucky and would be safe. Nothing would happen to you¡­ ¡°Vanessa held Hannah tightly, resting her head on her daughter¡¯s shoulder, unable to hold back her tears. Kennedy¡¯s eyes also turned red, deeply moved by Hannah¡¯s recovery. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re awake, Hannah. You¡¯ve been through so much!¡± Jennifer stared in shock from the stage at the heartwarming scene before her. It took her a moment to process Vanessa¡¯s words. It turned out Vanessa had known all along that Hannah was not dead! Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. So, everything that had happened yesterday morning had been an act on her part? Even Katie was deceiving her? Jennifer could not ept this reality. Why? Why did everyone have to side with Sheena? Her eyes burned with hatred. Seizing the moment when everyone¡¯s attention was captured by the heartwarming reunion of the family of three, Jennifer cleared her throat, coughing lightly. ¡°Even if Hannah has returned unharmed, you still can¡¯t escape your me!¡± Jennifer¡¯s gaze toward Sheena was as sharp as a dagger. Sheena pulled up a nearby chair and sat down, propping her chin with one hand, sounding amused as she said, ¡°Well then, tell me, what crime do you think I¡¯vemed? ¡°you bribed ten thugs to lure the to a secluded ce where they brutally altered me. 4 over severely injured and then hospitalized. The evidence is clear. How do you exin tha Heads of sweat formed in Jennifer¡¯s clenched pain. Hiding behind the podium, the timed her fist even more, her knuckles white from the pressure, ¡°Ms Moure, it seems that your talent for twisting the truth has be even more refined,¡± Sheena remarked disdainfully, ¡°You want exnations and evidence? 1¡¯ll give them to you right now.¡± Before Jennifer could digest Sheena¡¯s words, a group of police suddenly stormed into the venne, surrounding Jennifer, What are you doing?¡± Jennifer¡¯s face turned pale, holding onto the podium to steady herself. ¡°Ms. Jennifer Moore, we suspect you of causing the car ident involving Ms. Hannah Moore, kidnapping Phoebe Chambein, and plotting premeditated harm. We need you toe with us for questioning,¡± The lead police officer disyed his badge and signaled his tearn to restrain her. Chapter 134 Chapter 134 ¡°It¡¯s not we that? Listen to me and let me exin! You can¡¯t arrest me!¡± Jennifer screamed in desperation The police restrained her arms behind her back and promptly handcuffed her. ¡°We¡¯ll find out oner you¡¯re at the station.¡± All the reporters and onlookers were shocked by this sudden turn of events. With the words of the police, everyone knew who was lying. Soon, a barrage of camera shes targeted Jennifer¡¯s disheveled appearance, their shutters clicking ¡°She harmed Hannah! I knew she had ill intentions from the moment she returned!¡± Vanessa used her, and her excitement was evident as she did not miss the chance to kick Jennifer while she was down. Kennedy, too, was infuriated. He picked up the microphone from the podium and dered, As a member of the Moore family, I¡¯m ashamed that such a disgrace exists among us. I won¡¯t tolerate this, and I solemnly announce to the public that, starting today, Jennifer¡¯s status as the heir of the Moore Group is revoked, and her ties with me and the Moore family are permanently severed. She¡¯s no longer one of us.¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Even her sole blood rtive, her father, had chosen to abandon her. Jennifer¡¯s initial expression of despair gradually transformed into a burst of recklessughter filled with a chilling undertone. Amidst the gaze of the crowd, she was forcefully led into a police car. Inside the Moore mansion, Leon slowly opened his eyes. He squinted at the sunlight streaming in through the window, taking a while before he managed to sit up with effort. Leon was already seriously injured when he managed to escapest night. After Jennifer had arranged him in a secluded servant¡¯s room, exhaustion and drowsiness overcame him, causing him to fall into a deep sleep. It was nearly noon now, and the other servants of the Moore family were bustling around, too upied to notice that a room that had been abandoned for so long still had an upant. Leon crossed his arms and sat on the sofa, lost in thought. Staying with the Moore family was not a long¨Cterm n. He needed to find a new ce to go, preferably far away from Farlem. He waspletely unaware of what had transpired outside, foolishly feeling reluctant to leave Jennifer. With a sigh, Leony back on the bed and stared nkly at the ceiling. The door creaked open. He raised his head, looking toward the doorway, only to see a doctor in a white coat and ******** post walking in te vapuch permendused jeranthe mentioning that the wild winter but a finite to Yed fo die top te had not qued much attention to a. Naudades, he had not reparied jebauter sa pun ter ???? * A H Aron fell dongly touched and sat up politely. ¡°You be the doctor the theure called over 41 @try ¡°Ves, 1 min ¡°The doctor adjusted his sane and lowered his head, his expression Indden ¡°Thank you for your help ¡± Lean let his guard down and nodded politely ¡°¡® my duty. Since I¡¯ve received payment from Ms. Moore, I should naturally fulfill these taste for her After a brief examination, the doctor took out a syringe. ¡°What kind of medicine is this? Is there no need for any other medication?¡± Leon frowned slightly, but he still extended his arm. ¡°This is a medication to aid in your recovery. After this injection, I¡¯ll handle whates next.¡± Then, the doctor picked up a piece of cotton with forceps, dabbed it in iodine, and wiped the injection area. Watching his unskilled actions, Leon¡¯s suspicions grew stronger. Though he was severely injured, his wounds were all external. Disinfecting and applying hemostatic treatment and some medication would suffice. Back when he was Elijah¡¯s assistant, he had treated severely injured people, and it did not require such aplex injection. Right as the needle of the syringe was about to pierce his skin, Leon quickly turned his wrist, gripping the doctor¡¯s hand in a backward motion. Next, he forcefully pushed the doctor away and angrily demanded, ¡°You¡¯re not a doctor! Who are you?¡± Chapter 135 Chapter 135 ¡°You sexually nalled it.¡± The man stopped in action. Then, he removed the stethoscope hanging around his neck and lunged at Leon. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, there¡¯s no need to put ors an act anymore. Anyway, since someone wants you dead, you won¡¯t leave here alive today!¡± Leon gatted his teeth against the pain, narrowly evading the man¡¯s attack, and rolled backward to create some distance. Who sent you?!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you already know who I work for?¡± The man swiftly closed in, and they fought in the confined room. ¡°You¡¯ve lost all your value, and you¡¯ll only get in Ms. Moore¡¯s way if you¡¯re alive. You¡¯re better off dead!¡± The man locked Leon with his muscr right arm, his left hand raised high, aiming Original from N?velDrama.Org. at Leon¡¯s throat. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you! This can¡¯t be true! Ms. Moore wouldn¡¯t harm me. Who sent you to frame her?¡± Leon struggled fiercely, bent his elbow, and struck him hard in the chest. The man could not evade the blow, and the syringe in his hand was knocked away. Leon seized the opportunity to crouch down, swiftly retrieving the syringe. ¡°Damn it! Just ept your fate and hand over the syringe! I¡¯ll send you to the afterlife right now!¡± The doctor was infuriated. ¡°We¡¯ll see if you¡¯ve got what it takes.¡± Leon held the bleeding wound caused by his intense movements, charged forward, and collided with him head¨Con. In the split second they brushed against each other, Leon seized the opportunity and forcefully jammed the needle into the man¡¯s back, pushing the sedative inside with all his might. The man let out a muffled groan and slumped down. After that, Leon slumped to the ground, breathing heavily. Once he regained a bit of strength, he immediately pushed open the door. Regardless of whether the man¡¯s ims were true or not, he had to leave the Moore mansion first. Leon ran out as fast as he could, desperately wanting to find Jennifer and personally ask her whether what this man said was true! Following the path Jennifer had shown him the previous night, he reached the back door, stumbling as he walked out. Desperate to get answers from Jennifer, he paid no attention to the blood oozing from his injuries. Eventually, his strength gave out, and he copsed to the ground. Leon struggled to prop himself up, trying not to fall. His head felt heavy and dizzy. Dimly, he saw a woman in a red dress approaching him, the long fishtailce swaying gracefully. ¡°Did he pass out?¡± The woman stood before him, observing him, and her icy voice was devoid of any emotion. In a semi¨Cconscious state, Leon felt a strange familiarity in her voice. He struggled to look up, wanting to see who it was. However, everything went dark, and be passed outpletely. When Leon woke up again, he found the woman standing before him¡­ It was Sheena. ¡°Y¨CYou¡¯re not dead?¡± ¡°Sorry to disappoint you.¡± Sheena smiled faintly, with no intention of leaving. After handling Jennifer¡¯s affairs, she came specifically to find Leon, ¡°Perhaps you don¡¯t know this yet, but Ms. Moore has been sent to the police station formitting multiple crimes, and you¡¯ll be joining her soon.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Leon was shocked and angry, screaming, ¡°It must be you! You framed her!¡± ¡°As for what happened, you can ask her in person.¡± Sheena could not be bothered to waste more time with him. Chapter 136 Chapter 136 ¡°You¡¯re truly shameless! You won¡¯t be able to cover up your crimes! Even if Lend up in prison, I¡¯ll find ways to make you pay for your evil deeds!¡± ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll waiting.¡± Sheena scoffed, looking down at him. ¡°But for now, tell me, where¡¯s Elijah: Leon looked up at her towering over him, lying on the ground andughing uncontrobly. ¡°What are youughing at?¡± Sheena frowned. ¡°I¡¯mughing at how you haven¡¯t changed at all, still clinging to Mr. Freeman just like before your divorce.¡± At death¡¯s door, Leon suppressed hisughter, his tone especially harsh as he added, ¡°I thought the near¨Cdeath experience would change you and pull you back to reality. It seems I¡¯ve overestimated you.¡± Although Sheena looked puzzled, she did not bother exining, remaining silent. ¡°Do you think you can win back Mr. Freeman? That¡¯s impossible! Mr. Freeman won¡¯t like a vicious woman.¡± Leon¡¯s eyes held a deep disgust as he gazed at her. However, uttering these words took a toll on his strength. Lying on the ground, he panted heavily, his features twisted in agony. Sheena stared at him indifferently. ¡°My patience is limited. I¡¯ll ask you onest time. Where¡¯s Elijah?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t tell you! Not even in death! Give up on finding him!¡± Leon yelled hysterically, ¡°When Mr. Freeman returns, he¡¯ll make sure you pay a hundredfold for what you¡¯ve done. He won¡¯t spare you!¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Sheena turned and left, adding, ¡°Let¡¯s see if you¡¯ll still be so stubborn in the police station.¡± Then, she got into her car. Even if Leon did not speak, she would find a way to locate Elijah. She checked her watch and decided to drive to the Freeman mansion while there was still time. The thought of the annoying mother¨Cdaughter irked Sheena. As she drove ahead, she reached the familiar residential area and slowed down. Suddenly, her phone rang, forcing her to pull over by the side of the road. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Ms. Sheena, something bad happened at the set!¡± Wendy sounded panicked. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Calm down and take a deep breath. Tell me slowly. What¡¯s happening on the set?¡± Sheena leaned against the back of her seat, her expression growing serious. ¡°Two contestants suddenly got into an argument. One of themes from a powerful family background and wants to break the contract and withdraw from thepetition. They even threatened to sue Angle Group. Ms. Sheena, what should we do? Can youe over?¡± Wendy was already sobbing./ ¡°Got it. I¡¯m heading back now. Wait for me at the office.¡± sheena hung up the phone ncing at the view of the residential area in her rearview mirtor, she let out a cold snort, stepped on the elerator, and sped in the opposite direction Wendy had already prepared the documents and was waiting downstairs at thepany. When she saw Sheena, she rushed over as if she had seen a savior. Anxious, Wendy handed her a folder and said, ¡°Ms. Sheena, take a look at this first. It¡¯s from Ben. The two contestants involved are a young actress who¡¯s been in the industry for three years and a wealthy heiress from Luivine. They¡¯re both refusing topromise, and it¡¯s affecting the filming process. What should we do?¡± Taking the documents, Sheena quickly skimmed through them, grasping the situation. Then, she closed the folder, ¡°Ms. Sheena?¡± Wendy nervously asked. She had recently joined thepany, and this was the first time she had encountered such a situation. She feared she might not handle it well, causing significant losses to Angle Group. ¡°When the going gets tough, the tough get going. We, the Angle Group, shouldn¡¯t be afraid of her!¡± Chapter 137 Chapter 137 Chapter 137 thema stone toward the Passat and opened the car door, gesturing the Wenly to get in tes then, she sped toward the set, and Wendy nervously settled info the passenger seat, fasting, a hit guilty. my, Ms. Sherna. I don¡¯t know how to drive, and I¡¯m maing you take me. If I could drive, I¡¯d be your driver.¡± ¡°I thought you were going to say something serious. It¡¯s not a big deal, really. We can find time for you to learnter.¡± Sheena chuckled. Wendy¡¯s words lightened her previously tense mood. Wendy was about to say something else but decided against it, looking at Sheena with admiration. Sheena hit the brakes abruptly outside the set and hurriedly walked inside. Wendy followed closely, her expression mirroring Sheena¡¯s seriousness. Ben was already informed about their arrival, and he waited for them at the door to greet them. ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯re finally here. These two are causing quite a scene, and we¡¯re at a loss on how to handle it.¡± As they walked, Ben exined the situation, ¡°One is a rising star, Joleen Crane, while the other is ire Jackson, the wealthy heiress of L¨²ivine. We can¡¯t afford to offend either of them, so we had to bring you in.¡± ¡°What happened? Who wants to withdraw from the show?¡± Sheena inquired. ¡°They got into an argument over a bunk bed, and both said they wanted to quit.¡± Sheena snorted. ¡°Since they¡¯re making a fuss about leaving, we don¡¯t need to force them to stay. However, we still need to set an example and show them what the rules are.¡± They reached the hall while talking, and the two involved parties sat on opposite sides, ring at each other. ¡°Are you two the troublemakers?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression was stern as she looked at the two angry ladies, saying, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to participate, you can leave right now and stop causing problems for everyone.¡± ¡°Who do you think you are? You¡¯re just a mere talent manager, Ms. Sheena! How dare you give me that look?¡± Joleen gave her a disdainful re, mocking, ¡°You should be d that I¡¯m joining this talent show. If it weren¡¯t for Mr. Lawson¡¯s sake, who would join such an unpopr show?¡± ¡°Ms. Jackson, please wake up from your pipe dream. With your current fame and status, you¡¯re not worthy of saying such things.¡± Gracefully taking her seat, Sheena continued, ¡°Angle Group is reputable in the entertainment industry. It¡¯s be a renownedpany that can offer you much more than you imagine. If you don¡¯t want to stay, you can pay the penalty fee for breaching the contract and leave immediately.¡± ¡°Hey! What¡¯s with your attitude? It¡¯s an honor for Angle Group that I even agreed to participate. How dare you ask forpensation from me?¡± Joleen¡¯s face turned red with anger. Khwinn ced a Joltents de pod foseets Conses the taste fientat and pict koiehost also I have him personally core exerty honmotembatassing for you, iphoOriginal from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°time! I¡¯m not done with you! Just wait and see!¡± Joleen retorted before storming off ¡°What about you?¡± sheena¡¯s gaze turned to ire, asking, ¡°Are you staying or leaving?¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯m leaving! Who wants to stay in a reality show like yours for months?¡± ire retorted, her face filled with frustration. ¡°Joleen has no ss, not to mention the facilitators are equally unbearable! I will sue Angle Group, showing you that the Jackson family is not to be messed withal¡¯s ¡°Are you done talking?¡± Sheena put down the form in her hand. ¡°Pay the penalty for breaching the contract and leave. Our show doesn¡¯t need someone as foolish as you. As for suing the Angle Group, feel free to give it a try. I¡¯ll be waiting for your summons.¡± Ignoring ire¡¯s expression behind her, Sheena instructed Ben, ¡°What are you standing around for? Escort them out!¡± With that, Sheena elegantly smoothed her hair and walked out, paying no attention to ire¡¯s displeased look. ¡°Ms. Sheena, are you done with the matter? We have new visitors at thepany, and they¡¯re waiting for you in the reception room,¡± Wendy greeted her as she came out, pointing to her phone. ¡°Who?¡± Sheena settled into the car and fastened her seatbelt. ¡°The Moore Group¡¯s chairman and his wife, Mr. and Madam Moore. However, I¡¯m not entirely sure why they¡¯re here.¡± Wendy scratched her head. Chapter 138 Chapter 138 Shura nodded and sped back to Angle Group. Kennedy and Vanessa anxiously waited in the reception room, frequently ncing toward the ennance. When they finally saw the familiar figure, their eyes lit up. ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯ve finally returned. You really kept us waiting,¡± Kennedy said, extending his band to her. ¡°My wife and I are here to express our gratitude.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s thanks to you bringing Noah here that Hannah coulde out of her vegetative state and wake up again. You also exposed Jennifer¡¯s n. Otherwise, we might still be in the dark, thinking Hannah¡¯s car crash was just an ident,¡± Vanessa chimed in. Sheena smiled and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. In any case, we all benefited from this situation. Hannah¡¯s recovery also helped me.¡± Kennedy did not expect her to speak so elegantly, not taking credit for herself. He could not help but regard her more highly. Sheena asked again, ¡°How is she now?¡± ¡°She just woke up. It will take time for her body to fully heal, but she¡¯s already much better than before,¡± Vanessa said excitedly, gripping Sheena¡¯s hand. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure Mr. Noah continues to oversee Hannah¡¯s treatment and develop the best n until she¡¯spletely recovered.¡± With Sheena¡¯s promise, Kennedy and Vanessa exchanged a nce. Even someone as experienced in business as Kennedy could not help but express his joy. ¡°Thank you so much, Ms. Sheena. You¡¯re truly the savior of our Moore family. We¡¯re incredibly grateful for this. Additionally, we¡¯re here today to discuss a potential coboration with you. Would you be interested?¡± Kennedy inquired. ¡°A coboration?¡± Sheena was slightly surprised by Kennedy¡¯s generous offer. ¡°Tell me more. 11 ¡°It¡¯s quite simple. I want to provide stable investment for Angle Group. For every project you handle in the future, I¡¯ll invest 50% of the funds. I¡¯m not in a rush for your answer. Take your time to consider it,¡± Kennedy exined. ¡°No need for that. We can sign the contract right now, ¡°Sheena swiftly decided and agreed to the proposal. In the realm of interests, there were no permanent allies or enemies. Since Kennedy proactively reached out to her, she had no reason to refuse. Kennedy was well¨Cprepared, pulling a pre¨Cdrafted contract from his briefcase and handing it to her. ¡°If you find everything satisfactory after reading, you can sign directly.¡± Sheena examined the terms carefully and then signed the contract without hesitation. She extended her hand to him, saying, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Moore. Let¡¯s have a pleasant coboration. ¡°Likewise.¡± With the contract in hand, Kennedy left the room with Vanessa feeling content. However, the series of events disrupted Sheena¡¯s original ns, and she had intended to head to the Freeman mansion after dealing with thepany¡¯s daily affairs. Throughout the journey, she drove quickly to avoid any further interruptions. Faye held her phone inside the Freeman mansion, pacing anxiously around the room. ¡°What happened to Elijah? He never turns off his phone, but he¡¯s had it off for days. We can¡¯t even contact Leon. This is driving me crazy¡­¡± It The phone on the table rang, and she hurriedly answered it, asking urgently, ¡°How¡¯s it going? Any news?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Madam. There¡¯s still no news about Mr. Freeman, and he hasn¡¯t returned to thepany for several days, so¡­¡± the voice on the other end reported. ¡°So what? The Freemans aren¡¯t providing you with a free ride! Hurry up and find him! If I don¡¯t hear news about Elijah, I¡¯ll have you all fired!¡± Faye angrily hung up the phone and threw it into the yard. Thud! Sheena, who had entered the mansion and was strolling through the yard, heard the noise. Then, she picked up the phone that had fallen near her feet. Chapter 139 that she hattered kereta Pays had theory, shaking her havet & wine, tran Original from N?velDrama.Org. *****irls, but an teste hate¡¯s changed a bit. What a shame your Dery temper wasn¡¯t as far as yee te incapable Then he released her grip on the phone, cising a few more cracks fo form on the airway whattered screen. ¡°Why are you here again?¡± Faye emerged from the hallway. While she still remembered Sheena¡¯s previous lesson, she was still as arrogant as before due to her social status. You¡¯re such bad luck! Even after the divorce, you¡¯re still pestering Elijah. He¡¯s so unlucky es, Elijah is indeed unlucky, and his luck is about to be worse. So, tell me. Where is he? ¡°Sheena¡¯s smile faded as she asked with a stern expression. How would I know? Stop bothering Elijah! You keep saying you want to leave him, yet you still bother him. Are you trying to y hard to get, making him want you more by purposely pushing him away? What a bitch!¡± Faye did not hold back, rolling her eyes openly. Sheena could not help but chuckle. However, Erin walked downstairs just as she was about to retort, looking furious. ¡°Who are you to even know where Eli is? Eli is with Jenny now. How shameless can you get, still showing up here?¡± The humiliation Erin had suffered at Sheena¡¯s hands previously was still fresh in her memory. She did not dare to approach Sheena, standing on the staircase, ring at her with anger and resentment, continuing her verbal tirade. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Howard supporting you, would you be so audacious? You¡¯re nothing but a cheap bitch, and you¡¯re no match for Jenny! Jenny will soon be part of the Freeman family, so you better stop embarrassing yourself and get out!¡± Sheena leaned against the wall, silently listening. Then, she replied, ¡°Instead of throwing your phone around, you should find time to update yourself and look at today¡¯s news carefully. Your beloved Jenny seems to be in a bit of trouble.¡± Neither Faye nor Erin had seen the news, so Sheena¡¯s words left them baffled. Sheena smoothed her hair, surveying the entirety of the Freeman mansion, and continued, While Elijah might not be here, it doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m here to inform you that you¡¯ve been living afortable life here, and it¡¯s been bothering me.¡± ¡°W¨CWhat do you mean?¡± Erin was taken aback by the icy aura emanating from Sheena. After the previous humiliating encounters, she instinctively nced toward the entrance, checking for any bodyguards. Sheena smiled as she said calmly, ¡°The Freeman family is going bankrupt.¡± After that, she headed straight to her car, pressed the elerator, and left the Freeman mansion. 11 The enraged mother and daughter hurled curses at her. ¡°Mom, did you hear that?! That bitch is absolutely insane!¡± Erin trembled in anger. Faye was equally furious. Mom, Howard wouldn¡¯t really help her ruin our family, would he?¡± Faye immediately shook her head. ¡°Impossible! Howard is powerful, but the Freeman family isn¡¯t weak either. Even if Howard likes her, he wouldn¡¯t go against the Freeman family for her. Nevertheless, Faye was fuming at how audacious Sheena was to provoke them at their own home, and she really wanted to teach Sheena a lesson to vent her anger! Sheena drove swiftly along the highway while plotting a n. Chapter 140 Chapter 140 Chapter 140 The best way to bankupt the Freeman family was to start with the Freeman Group. However, the Freeman Group was a well¨Crespectedpany in Farlem, and toppling it with her ow umpth in a short amount of time would not be easy. Moreover, she still had the task her Tather he given her. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Lost in thought, Sheena returned to the mansion. As she entered the garden, she saw Howard waiting for her at the entrance, looking mysterious. Seeing her approach, he greeted her. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Sheena was puzzled, preparing to go inside. ¡°Howard, I have things to take care of. If you have something to say, just say it.¡± ¡°There¡¯s someone you know waiting for you inside. Care to guess who?¡± Seeing him acting mysteriously, Sheena walked up the stairs with a puzzled expression. A tall, slim figure with a sophisticated aura stood in the hallway. Hearing Sheena¡¯s footsteps, he turned abruptly, his gaze meeting her clear eyes. ¡°C¨CColin Upton?¡± Sheena blurted out in disbelief. ¡°Sheena! It¡¯s been six years, and you¡¯ve grown even more mature. I never thought I¡¯d see you again.¡± Colin was particrly excited. ¡°What happened six years ago? How did you end up in Farlem?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all in the past.¡± Sheena smiled, asking, ¡°How long have you been waiting? Why don¡¯t you have a seat?¡± Sheena invited Colin to sit on the main couch while she settled on a side sofa. With delicate fingertips, she picked up a teacup and poured a cup for Colin. Observing Sheena¡¯s elegant gestures and movements, Colin could not help but feel deeply impressed by how the young, innocent girl from six years ago had transformed into a mature, alluring, and captivating beauty. ¡°You¡¯ve truly changed a lot.¡± ¡°I¡¯m no longer a child now, so of course, I¡¯ve changed.¡± Sheena chuckled, steering the conversation away. ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other in so long. How about having dinner here tonight and catching up?¡± Colin readily agreed, saying, ¡°Of course! How about getting a few drinks and reminiscing?¡± ¡°Colin, just don¡¯t pass out right away! Don¡¯t let Nana witness that!¡± Howard walked in from outside and yfully patted Colin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I remember a few years ago, we had a drink together, and you were knocked out by just one ss. It scared me so much that I almost had to take you to the hospital.¡® ¡°Knock it off! I¡¯m not the same as a few years ago, and I can hold my liquor now. If you don¡¯t believe me, how about a littlepetition?¡± Sheena silently followed behind the two, watching their backs, feeling deeply moved. It had been a long time since she caught up with old friends. Those three years spent with Elijah almost made her forget her former confident, enthusiastic, and cheerful self. In celebration of their ramion after so many years, Howard opered a bottle of aged French What, you think I can¡¯t hold my alcohol? Are you trying to fool me with a bottle of wine Colin half jokingly punched Howard¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate this bottle of wine. I brought it back after visiting Chateau Latour in France, couple of years ago. It¡¯s pretty strong. I didn¡¯t even open it when Nana came back. You better give it a taste.¡± Howard brought out three crystal wine sses, pouring some wine into each and handing one to Colin. Colin took the ss, first taking a whiff before sipping it slowly. ¡°It really is a good wine!¡± The three clinked their sses and downed their wine in one gulp. As the toast continued, they went onte into the night. Colin¡¯s face was slightly flushed from the alcohol, and he stared at Sheena¡¯s slightly rosy cheeks, hesitating. ¡°Sheena, Howard told me a bit about your situation. How have you been over the years? That man¡­¡® Chapter 141 Chapter 141 ¡°There¡¯s no need to dwell on the past,¡± Sheena said calmly, raising her wine ss and taking another sip. Colin realized he had asked an inappropriate question and quickly smiled, saying, ¡°You¡¯re right, let¡¯s leave the past behind. I heard your dad has assigned you a task. How¡¯s that going? Do you have confidence inpleting it?¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯m determined to seed,¡± Sheena replied, her eyes sparkling. ¡°I¡¯ve recently nned an all¨Cgirls talent show. I¡¯m confident about it and believe it will bring more attention and poprity to the Angle Group.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great, but there¡¯s one more thing I¡¯d like to ask you¡­¡± Colin locked his gaze onto hers, his slightly intoxicated face showing some hesitation. ¡°You¡­.¡± Ultimately, he decided to keep his true thoughts hidden, simply continuing with a faint smile, ¡°I¡¯m interested in partnering with the Angle Group. What do you think?¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Of course, who would refuse a coboration with a partner knocking on the door?¡± The Angle Group currently needed significant resources and talents, and Colin¡¯s proactive cooperation undoubtedly would bring her more benefits. ¡°Then it¡¯s settled.¡± Sheena gave a cunning smile, reaching out to clink sses. ¡°Alright!¡± Colinughed heartily, clinking his ss to hers. As the night deepened, the three ended the gathering and went to their respective rooms. Sheena was not tipsy; in fact, she felt even more clear¨Cheaded than usual. To bring down the Freeman family, she needed to umte strength within a short period. She pulled out a chair and sat at the table, ready to draft her initial n to bankrupt the Freeman family. The Freeman family was primarily involved in the real estate industry, so to ovee it, Sheena needed to establish a foothold in that sector. However, she did not know much about real estate. After contemting her options, she felt that seeking advice from Colin would be the most reliable choice. Hence, she quickly texted Colin. [Are you asleep? I have something to ask you.] [No, what¡¯s up? I¡¯m in the hallway.] Sheena opened the door and found Colin standing at the end of the hallway by the window, letting the cold breeze blow over him as his gentle gaze was fixed on her. ¡°I want to enter the real estate industry, but I don¡¯t know much about it. I need your help. This matter is important to me, so please, could you assist?¡± Sheena leaned against the window, closing it slightly. Colin was surprised but did not pry into her intentions. ¡°I do have some knowledge about it. Let me look into it tomorrow and prepare a report for you.¡± Sheena expressed her gratitude and returned to her room, feeling content. With an industry insider¡¯s assistance, her n would be much easier to execute. Satisfied, she drifted into a deep sleep. However, at this moment, deep in the mountains at the border of Farlem and the neighboring city, someone was sleepless and troubled. Elijah sat in the car, smoking one cigarette after another as his tired gaze fixed on the window. He had been searching for Sheena for two days and nights, yet there was no sign of her. He refused to believe Sheena would die in this ce and was determined to find her and bring her back to Farlem. One of his subordinates yawned, groggily asking, ¡°Mr. Freeman, when can we go back?¡± Chapter 142 Chapter 142 Elijah red at him. ¡°We¡¯ll return when we find her.¡± The man wisely stayed quiet while another brazenly asked, ¡°It¡¯s been several days since Ms. Sheena parachuted. This vast mountainous area is full of wild wolves and boars. What if she¡­¡± what ifs. Even if only her bones remain, I¡¯ll bring her back. If anyone dares ask such questions again, don¡¯t me me for being ruthless.¡± Elijah spoke calmly, but his tone was cold and harsh. The others were frightened into silence and retreated to rest. As everyone gradually fell asleep, Elijah remained awake, looking out the window with an unreadable expression. In the Freeman mansion, the lights were still on. ¡°This is so infuriating!¡± nk! The loud sound echoed as Faye forcefully mmed her cup onto the ground, shattering the crystal teacup. ¡°Jennifer dared to hold a press conference in the name of Elijah¡¯s fiancee, tarnishing the reputation of the Freeman family! Even the Moore family has severed ties with her, so why are we keeping her around? Tomorrow, we¡¯ll announce that Elijah¡¯s engagement with her is canceled!¡± Faye said angrily, sitting on the sofa. She soon added, ¡°Not only that, but the Moore family is also shameless! Vanessa even had the nerve to suggest I switch the engagement to Hannah!¡± Seeing Faye¡¯s frustration, Erin hurried over tofort her and offer some suggestions. ¡°Jennifer is such a good actress! I¡¯d never expected her to stoop so low! She was even being publicly humiliated in front of the media¡­ How embarrassing! Canceling the engagement is definitely the right move! But¡­ Is it really okay to do this behind Eli¡¯s back?¡± ¡°What could go wrong?¡± Faye frowned, bing angrier than before. ¡°I¡¯m his mom! Besides, do you really think Eli would keep Jennifer around after what she had done?¡± ¡°But Eli isn¡¯t here. The Freeman family needs Eli to hold down the fort, right?¡± Erin sighed, taking a seat next to her. ¡°That¡¯s actually a problem¡­¡± Faye fell into contemtive silence. ¡°However, since Eli isn¡¯t here, it¡¯s the best time to teach that bitch a lesson!¡± Erin was eager to take action and show Sheena her ce. Suddenly, Erin¡¯s phone rang, and they exchanged nces before she answered the call. ¡°Hello, Erin, long time no see! How are you and Auntie and Auntie Faye doing?¡± The cheerful voice of a woman on the other end filled her ears. ¡°B¨CBeth?¡± Erin was shocked. ¡°You¡¯re back in the country?¡± Erin immediately handed the phone to Faye and gave her a meaningful look, suggesting they should converse directly. The Carver family was a powerful extension of the Freeman family, and Bethany Carver was the heir to the Carver family. She had been studying abroad in France and was known for her business insight. Understanding Erin¡¯s intent, Faye engaged in small talk with Bethany. ¡°Beth, when did you return to the country? Are you nning toe back to Farlem?¡± ¡°Auntie Faye, I¡¯ll arrive in Farlem this afternoon and definitelye visit soon. It¡¯s been so long, and I¡¯ve missed you a lot.¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°How about letting Erin and I pick you up? It¡¯ll be a way to wee you back. Do you have any other ns? If not, you can stay at the Freeman mansion for a few days,¡± Faye suggested. ¡°Well¡­ I don¡¯t have any ns for now, so I¡¯ll do as you advise,¡± Bethany agreed readily. After hanging up the phone, Faye¡¯s previously troubled expression vanishedpletely. Erin, who had been listening attentively, also felt triumphant. ¡°Mom, this is great! Beth is back. If she¡¯s willing to help us, I don¡¯t believe Sheena can stand a chance against us! Howard can¡¯t keep protecting her every time!¡± Faye did not say anything further, but the expression on her face revealed her true feelings. Chapter 143 The mother daughter don dressed up and headed to the airport to pick up Bethany. A woman in a white t¨Cdant mnd a short skirt waved at them, swiftly making her way through the crowd After bogging Tape and Erin, Bethany got into the car with them. ¡°Actually, there¡¯s a reason why I¡¯m so eager to see you this time.¡± Faye said as she grabbed Bethany¡¯s hand, cutting to the chase. ¡°The Freeman family has been going through so much, and I feel so helpless. I really don¡¯t know what to do¡­¡± ¡°Tell me everything. As long as I can do it, I¡¯ll definitely help you.¡± Bethany calmly nodded. She had already anticipated that Faye would be seeking her assistance. The mother¨Cdaughter duo exchanged nces, secretly delighted. Erin exaggerated the recent events within the Freeman family and emphasized just how ruthless and shameless Sheena ¡°I never expected this woman would dare to bully our family like this!¡± Bethany took a sip of tea. ¡°I¡¯ll have my people investigate her. We¡¯ll find a way to expose her.¡± Faye held Bethany¡¯s hands and looked at her affectionately. ¡°We truly appreciate your help. With Eli away, we didn¡¯t know how to deal with that malicious person. Without you, we¡¯d be at her mercy.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal, Auntie Faye.¡± Bethany smiled at her. As they conversed, the car had returned to the Freeman mansion. Bethany was the first to head upstairs, entering the room that Faye had arranged in advance and unpacking her luggage. During her years abroad, she learned a lot about navigating the business world and understood the unwritten rules of trade. The Freeman family¡¯s influence was evident to all, and helping Faye and Erin this time would note with any drawbacks. Bethany received a message on her phone. [Miss, Sheena currently works as a talent manager at Angle Group. She¡¯s in charge of the all- girls talent show thepany is promoting.] Bethany quickly devised a n and took a taxi to the talent show set. Along the way, she reviewed information about all the contestants and chose someone with moderate poprity. This individual was neither too famous nor unpopr, flying under the radar and less likely to attract attention or get eliminated easily. They were the perfect informant. Bethany arranged to meet with this person and sat down at a cafe across from the talent show set. A girl wearing a simple workout outfit and a high ponytail approached Bethany. She got straight to the point, asking, ¡°Are you Bethany Carver? Why are you looking for me?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to know the reason.¡± Bethany pushed the coffee toward the girl, saying, ¡°You just need to follow my instructions. Once this is sessful, I¡¯ll invest in your talent agency; ensuring you have ample help to be highly sessful.¡± ¡°But what about the talent show?¡± The girl was intrigued by the conditions Bethany was offering, yet she still felt some reluctance. ¡°If I agree to work with you, it means I give up the chance to debut in a group.¡± ¡°Do you truly believe that you¡¯d secure a spot in the debut lineup with your current abilities?¡± Bethany shed an elegant smile. ¡°Based on my research, those who make it into debut lineups cither have strong financial backing or a fan base. Unfortunately, you don¡¯t have either edge. Staying here would only waste your time, and cooperating with me is your best choice.¡± The girl hesitated, fiddling with the corner of the tablecloth. Bethany was not in a rush to get her answer, leisurely savoring her iced Americano. ¡°I agree to your terms, but what do I need to do?¡± The girl made up her mind, slowly clenching her fists. ¡°It¡¯s quite simple, and I believe you won¡¯t disappoint me¡­¡± Having said that, Bethany ced the investment contract on the table and left the cafe. Chapter M*A Anste froup¡¯s headquarters. hovaly, theria had quite a bit of free time, which she utilized to study real estate, Lauder an assumed name, Colin had also joined Angle Group as the Creative Director to help Original from N?velDrama.Org. ** have a new idea.¡± Colm entered her office and ced a document on her desk, adding, ¡°I thank you should consider investing in a small project to test the waters.¡± ¡°ll me more ¡°sheena took the document and started reading it carefully. ¡°If you want to familiarise yourself with an Industry quickly, the best approach is to immerse yourself in it and gain a deeper understanding through practical experience. Investing in a small project poses less risk and allows you to gain valuable experience. It¡¯s the best strategy for the short term ¡± Colin sat down on the couch, waiting for her response. ¡°Based on the current situation, this does seem like a good idea.¡± Sheena nodded and closed the document. Colin was about to mention the project he had in mind, but her tone suddenly changed. ¡°However, pursuing small projects with a steady and cautious approach to avoid risks isn¡¯t my style. When I take action, it must be quick and urate,¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes twinked as she spoke, leaving Colin in awe. Chapter 144 ¡°There¡¯s arge¨Cscale film studio being rebuilt in Farlem, and it¡¯ll take about a month and a half to complete. This is a fantastic opportunity. Furthermore, the film studio¡¯s development aligns well with Angle Group¡¯s growth. Investing in this project would be a win¨Cwin situation.¡± Colin looked at her, filled with pleasant surprise. Her idea was not only mature but also showed guts and determination. It was apparent that her thought process was impressively clear. It seemed he had underestimated her. Colin spoke with approval, ¡°Whatever you want to do, go ahead and do it confidently.¡± Sheena efficiently signed the contract with the project team, speeding up the construction progress of the film studio. Then, she had her teampile a list of recent investment projects by the Freeman Group, studying their strengths and weaknesses. The Freeman Group practically monopolized a significant portion of the real estate market in Farlem. Hence, bringing it down in a short time would be no easy task. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. After work, Sheena locked herself in her room, delving into the gathered information. ¡°Nana, you shouldn¡¯t be so hard on yourself.¡± Howard knocked on her door, urging, ¡°Come down for dinner. Auntie Gloria made a pot roast today.¡± Sheena leaned back in her chair, unable to hide her exhaustion. ¡°Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I need to be prepared before the first battle begins.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, but amander can only win if they¡¯re well¨Crested.¡± Howard opened the door and firmly grabbed her shoulder, leading her to the dining table. Later, he even added two more pieces of meat to her bowl. ¡°Your all¨Cgirls talent show¡¯s first episode has aired and has good viewership. With proper nning for the follow¨Cup episodes, the attention and excitement will surely remain high.¡± Sheena slowed her chewing pace, thinking as she ate. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll go to the set tomorrow to discuss the details.¡± To enhance the show¡¯s appeal, Sheena had the team include a lot of outdoor filming. The second episode was set in akeside area along the outskirts of Farlem. To help the participants rx, we¡¯re introducing a special summer segment. We¡¯re taking you to the lakeside area for a rowingpetition. Please pack your belongings. We¡¯ll be leaving this afternoon.¡± The facilitators gathered all the participants in the dormitory lobby, sharing this exciting news. The girls cheered and excitedly returned to their rooms to pack. In the midst of themotion, a petite figure slipped into a public restroom and sent a message to Bethany. Chapter 145 Chapter 145 Bethany quickly responded to her and made arrangements. On the set, a group of people chattered as they boarded the bus. Theke¡¯s surface shimmered with gentle ripples, reflecting the sunlight, and the leaves on thekeside trees rustled softly, adding a touch of charm to the tranquil scene. The facilitators gathered all the participants and divided them into six teams for the rowingpetition. One participant, Isme Jenner, stepped onto the boat and eventually chose a seat behind a wealthy heiress, Yvonne Fisher. As the referee blew the whistle, the two boats raced forward. Since most participants had little rowing experience, the small boats wobbled and rocked, apanied by screams andughter. The show¡¯s effect was impressive, and the atmosphere was lively. The wind on theke gradually picked up, causing the already unstable boats to sway more violently. In an area not caught by the cameras, a sudden ssh echoed. ¡°Ah! Help!¡± Yvonne had fallen into the water! Panicked, she iled in the water, screaming, ¡°Someone help! I¡¯m going to drown!¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. The others on the boat were caught off guard by the unexpected fall and grew frantic, shouting for help. Fortunately, the lifeguards were not far from the shore. Upon hearing the cries for help, they immediately swam over and rescued the drenched Yvonne. By this time, filming had paused. Yvonne wiped her face and angrily vented, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your venue? What if something happened to me today? Can you afford the consequences?¡± The lead facilitator, Mira, hurriedly checked her condition, sighing in relief once she confirmed that Yvonne was fine. Yvonne then turned her anger toward Mira. ¡°Why would you hold such an outdoor event? Look at the embarrassment you¡¯ve caused me! Your film crew is also responsible for this!¡± Feeling at fault, Ben remained silent, allowing Yvonne to vent her frustration. Someone in the crowd watched the spectacle unfold and swiftly sent a message, reporting the task as completed. Due to the blind spot in the surveince area and the turbulent rocking of the boat, the following camera crew failed to capture the incident at the stern, and nobody noticed what happened, including Yvonne herself. ¡°You and your show are to me for this mishap in thekeside area! I won¡¯t let this go easily! Get ready for the incident to be exposed!¡± Yvonne spat out these words with bitterness before orming in of the area Mha and Ten changed worried nces, insure of what to do. They both understood Yvoume¡¯s background well. Whether her ims were true or not, if they caught on and cruded, causing a wave of public bacdash, it would undoubtedly impact Angle Group and the show ¡°Whe, should we do now?¡± Mira was anxious. ¡°If she exposes this incident, our sry will surely be deducted!¡± *What else can we do? Let¡¯s find Ms. Sheena first!¡± Ben made a quick decision, taking out his phone and dialing Sheena¡¯s number. ¡°An ident?¡± After listening to Ben¡¯s report, Sheena frowned but quickly assured Ben, ¡°I reviewed the application thoroughly when you submitted it. The safety measures at the venue were well in ce. It¡¯s unlikely such an incident would happen easily. Don¡¯t worry. Continue the filming arrangements as usual, and I¡¯ll handle this matter.¡± Ben breathed a sigh of relief, hushed the murmurs among the trainees, and brought them back to the set. The ident interrupted the outdoor shoot, so he had to swiftly n new content, recording the next episode before the following week¡¯s broadcast. Sheena put aside her current work to address this issue. She immediately summoned Wendy and tasked her with arranging for the staff to reinspect the safety facilities. ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena.¡± However, Wendy did not move immediately, standing there and seemingly hesitant to say something. Still immersed in her work, Sheena asked Wendy without looking up, ¡°Is there something else? ¡°Ms. Sheena, the participant who fell into the water has already posted about the ident. She¡¯s iming that ourpany¡¯s safety/measures were inadequate and is demandingpensation!¡± Finally lifting her head, Sheena smirked. ¡°Give me the phone.¡± Chapter 146 Chapter 146 ncing over the message and the attention it received, Sheena finally understood the situation, saying ¡°I see Go ahead with the task i assigned you, and also have someone retrieve all the videos from that time for me.¡± Wendy had been working with Sheena for some time and understood her style of handling matters, but given that this was a staged ident, she still felt concerned and could not help but remind Sheena, ¡°Ms. Sheena, are you not going to address this?¡± With the momentum this incident was building, thepany¡¯s image was bound to take a hit! Sheena did not exin further. She had already decided on a n after learning that the ncident happened in a blind spot and was purposely aimed at exposing them. Moreover, so much had already happened despite only one episode being filmed. Three consecutive artists withdrawing from thepetition was truly a rough start. Nevertheless, Sheena decided to handle it personally this time. With a hundred girls together all day, who knew what might happen in the future if she did not establish her authority now? News of Sheena¡¯s arrival at the filming site quickly spread, and most people anticipated her visit. However, Isme, who knew the purpose, was not asposed. Shecked any significant backing, and seeing that Sheena seemed to be taking this seriously, Isme discreetly found a blind spot in the surveince and contacted Bethany. When the call connected, she got straight to the point, saying, ¡°The Angle Group¡¯s talent manager is starting to suspect the incident. We won¡¯t be able to cover this up, so let¡¯s end our coboration here. After all, your objective has been achieved!¡± Bethany did not expect Isme to be so timid. Before she could even make any substantial impact on Sheena, Isme was already thinking of fleeing. Then, she asked, ¡°Are you sure you want to go against the path to future stardom?¡± Unexpectedly, Isme was rather rational, replying, ¡°I didn¡¯t know her before, and I only heard about her recently. She¡¯s so intelligent that she even managed to bring down the former heir of the Moore family. If this incident gets exposed, I¡¯ll be ruined!¡± Seeing other trainees approaching in the distance, Isme hastily ended the call, deleting the conversation and blocking the number. On the other end, Bethany¡¯s eyes darkened, taken aback at how this little traitor dared to hang up on her! Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. 1 With a fierce glint in her eyes, she immediately came up with another n. As it was already ratherte when she arrived at the set, Sheena stayed in a nearby hotel. However, trouble emerged the very next morning. Sheena was an early riser, arriving at the filming location as the facilitators roused the participants from sleep, but they realized someone was missing during the roll call. ¡°It¡¯s Isme Jenner,¡± Mira cautiously reported the name of the missing contestant. S?awno appeared much younger than Mira, which made her wonder if sheet was fangning iness on pinely unaware of the gravity of the situation. Nheless, once men of a ibang coulestant spread, the company¡¯s image would bepletely tarnished! * the information contained?¡± Sheena nced at the girl¡¯s photo and asked ¡°It¡¯s contained, but some rumors still managed to surface online.¡± Mira had been wondering why, despite their thorough containment efforts, there were still rumors circting on the inte Sheena ignored thetter part of the sentence, handing the photo to Ben. ¡°Look into this carefully. Check if Isme was sitting next to Yvonne on the day she fell into the water.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± To be honest, with so many participants that day, even the facilitators could not recall every detail clearly. ¡°Alright. Go and reassure the trainees. Leave the rest to me.¡± Once Ben and Mira left, Sheena quickly dialed a number. ¡°Ms. Lawson, how can we help?¡± ¡°Help me find Isme Jenner.¡± Chapter 147 Chapter 147 Tark Bell¡¯s informationwork andcking skills were of elite level, allowing them to quickly locate Ixine¡¯s position and send the coordinates to Sheena smme was in an abandoned amusement park, and it seemed like it was not just a simple case of disappearance. She had been kidnapped. ¡°infighting? That¡¯s quite interesting.¡± Sheena chuckled lightly while looking at the nformation on her phone. Having pinpointed the exact location, she did not waste any time and changed her clothes, swiftly heading over. The mastermind behind this seemed not to anticipate her arrival so soon and had only sent one person to guard. Inside a rundown cabin within the amusement park¡­ Isme¡¯s eyes were covered, and she was tightly bound to a chair, feeling anxious and uneasy. She initially thought she was about to be silenced, but suddenly, she heard sounds of a fight from outside! Was someoneing to rescue her?! Isme¡¯s excitement caused her to tip over the chair, wriggling on the ground toward the door. As she was halfway there, the iron door suddenly swung open, and she heard faint footsteps approaching. However, she dared not move or make a sound, not knowing which side had won outside! It was not until Isme¡¯s blindfold was removed, revealing the face of the person before her, that her pupils widened in surprise. It was actually Sheena, and she hade alone! Did that mean Sheena knew about her actions? ¡°Who are you? Are you here to kill me too?¡± Sheena looked at the trembling girl on the ground. Despite being terrified, Isme pretended not to recognize Sheena. Little did she know, her subtle changes in expression could not escape Sheena¡¯s keen eyes. Sheena did not want to waste time on idle chatter and got straight to the point, ¡°Who ordered you to cause Yvonne¡¯s fall into the water? Who has been contacting you in secret?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Isme replied, biting her lip and trying to act tough. Sheena did not have the patience for games. Instead, she took out her phone and said, ¡°Fine, then you¡¯ll have to exin it to the police.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Isme knew having a criminal record would ruin her chances in the entertainment industry, so she gave in. ¡°Besides revealing who¡¯s behind this, I¡¯m willing to exin everything else. I¡­¡± Before she could finish exining, Sheena lost patience. She stood up and looked down at Isme. ¡°Too bad, I only want to know who¡¯s behind you. If you won¡¯t talk, get ready for her people to deal with you.¡± With that, she turned around to leave. Isme was terrified and shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t leave! I know you¡¯re skilled. You even took down the Moore family¡¯s heiress. I can tell you everything, but can you ensure my safety?¡± ¡°That depends on your sincerity and whether what you say is worth my protection.¡± Isme looked at Sheena, sensing the cold and powerful aura around her, which only strengthened her resolve to switch sides. Then, she revealed, ¡°It¡¯s Bethany Carver! She made me cause trouble on the show. Later, my guilt got to me, and I wanted to quit, but she kidnapped me.¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Bethany Carver? While with the Freeman family, Sheena had heard Faye and Erin mention Bethany. She was the prospective heir of the Carver family, Elijah¡¯s cousin. Not only that, but she had also been studying abroad over the years. Had she returned to the country? Did Faye bring her in as support? Interesting¡­ Isme saw Sheena smirking and was worried that she might doubt her sincerity. Hence, she quickly added, ¡°Every word I said is true! You have to believe me!¡± Chapter 148 said is true! You have to believe me!¡± Chapter 148 ¡°I do believe you¡± still smirking, Sheena leaned slightly closer and whispered to Isme, ¡°Go back and continue with thepetition as if nothing happened. Tell Bethany you¡¯ve changed your mind Isme did notpletely grasp Sheena¡¯s intentions, but she agreed obediently. After Sheena left, her team faked the scene to make it look like Isme had escaped on her own. Upon learning that Isme had escaped, Bethany was furious and scolded her subordinates. She had intended to kill Isme and frame Sheena, yet she had escaped on her own! As Bethany was fuming, she received a text message from Isme, apologizing for hanging up and blocking her. Isme even promised to obey her orders in the future, sounding helpless and submissive. Bethany was pleased to read the message, thinking everything worked out fine and Isme was finally obedient after being put in her ce. After Isme returned, the online rumors quickly died down. Although Yvonne remained stubborn, Kennedy and Vanessa personally went to the Fisher family and resolved the matter without Sheena¡¯s intervention. Sheena did not like owing favors, so she agreed to the Moore family¡¯s request and let Noah stay in Farlem a bit longer to continue treating Hannah. The petty rumors quickly faded away, and Angle Group¡¯s talent show remained highly popr as the first of its kind in the country. With this minor incident behind her, Sheena did not continue dwelling on the matter with Bethany as she had more important things to attend to. She visited the plot ofnd she had purchased earlier to check on the construction progress of the film studio. For several consecutive days, she eagerly went to the film studio after work. Bethany soon caught wind of Sheena¡¯s actions and began to grow suspicious. ¡°The Angle Group is an entertainment talent agency, so why does their talent manager need to oversee the film studio?¡± Erin was equally perplexed, chiming in, ¡°She¡¯s so invested in this project, which is quite strange! Could she be nning something against us?¡± Bethany scoffed at the idea. ¡°If she loves the film studio so much, I¡¯ll deal with her there!¡± The two of them whispered their dark intentions to each other. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. In the end, Erin¡¯s eyes gleamed with malice. ¡°This time, we can¡¯t let that bitch escape! I¡¯m going to make her pay for all the humiliation she caused us!¡± Sheena had chosen to wear a pair of athletic shoes for her visit to the construction site. In the rogerutiny area, she wore a safety helmet while listening to Fells, the dite natrager, give he A report. Felix gestured toward a dpidated wall, exining, ¡°After we clear out this section of walls andy the new foundation, progress will speed up considerably. I¡¯ll take approximately twin weeks toplete once the new foundation is set.¡± Sheena no ied. ¡°Speed up the progress. If you need more funds or anything else, that¡¯s not a problem¡± Upon hearing her assertive words, Felix¡¯s face lit up with a smile. ¡°Certainly, Ms. Sheena. With your assurance, I¡¯m at ease. However, you¡¯re a busy person. It¡¯s troublesome for you toe here every day, In the future, you can leave this ce in my hands. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of everything for you!¡± Sheena smiled back and politely replied. ¡°Thank you for your hard work, Felix.¡± After briefly discussing a few other matters, someone called Felix over for another task. Felix seemed displeased. ¡°Are you blind? Ms. Sheena is still here¡­¡± Sheena frowned and interrupted, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Your work is important. I¡¯ll just take a casual walk around.¡± Since she had said so, Felix did not continue ttering her and advised her to be cautious with the construction materials before leaving. Sheena continued to stroll around the construction site that was undergoing repairs, intending to leave soon. Suddenly, a tall and unfamiliar man approached her. His voice was raspy and not very pleasant as he greeted, ¡°Hello, Ms. Sheena. Felix is facing some trouble and would like you toe over and take a look.¡± Chapter 149 Chapter 149 The man woir a safety helmet and kept his head slightly lowered. His dark skin and dusty clothes revealed him as aborer ustomed to physical work Even so, Shezna noticed the immacte condition of his shoes, and she immediately understood his intentions. ¡°Lead the way.¡± ¡°Please follow me.¡± The man extended his hand, revealing thick calluses on his knuckles. Sheena nced briefly at his hands before looking away and followed behind him. The man guided her down a secluded path. As they approached a dpidated building, Sheena stopped in her tracks, asking, ¡°Isn¡¯t this the wrong way?¡± The man guiding her froze but quickly regained hisposure. ¡°Felix thought you might be hungry, so he arranged for dinner. This route is shorter.¡± Sheena pursed her lips, staying quiet as she stared at him with a piercing gaze. The man quickly lowered his head, avoiding her intense scrutiny. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s keep going.¡± Sheena initially wanted to test the waters, giving the man a chance to attack her directly, yet he had not taken it. It seemed that there was a bigger surprise awaiting her ahead. As expected, when they drew closer to the dpidated building, a figure suddenly darted out from behind a broken column, rapidly approaching Sheena. Nheless, she had anticipated this move and stepped back, narrowly avoiding a potentially lethal blow. However, as soon as Sheena regained her footing, she heard a noise from above. She nced upward just in time to see a solid stone b hurtling toward her head. Reacting quickly, she performed a series of agile flips,nding safely on the nearby grass. Boom! The stone b hit the ground, forming a thick cloud of dust in the air. As the dust settled, ten burly men emerged from the shadows, surrounding her. Before Sheena could catch her breath, the men charged at her one by one. Unlike the previous thugs who relied on brute force, this group exhibited a highly trained and coordinated approach, blending different martial arts styles. ¡°Heh. Seems like you have high regard for me.¡± Sheena smirked, elegantly rubbing her delicate fingertips together as a chill flickered in her eyes. Unfortunately, the mastermind behind this scheme still did not fully understand her. They had underestimated her. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Sheena raised an eyebrow and taunted, ¡°Why don¡¯t you all attack me at once?¡± The prompeschanged nces and simultaneouslyunched an attack on shemu. Knowing the patterns of each move, Sheena saw no advantage in their coordinated assanit othes than their sheer numbers Ten minutester, Felix received news that an unfamiliar man had taken Sheena from the construction site Concerned, he hurriedly led a team of security arined with stom batons to assist Ms Sheena, are you okay?¡± By the time he arrived, Sheena had just executed a powerful leg sweep at thest opponent. The arriving group was stunned, unable to believe how incredible Sheena was! Looking at the men writhing on the ground in pain, Felix ordered the security team to deliver a final blow with the stun batons. ¡°How dare youy your hands on Ms. Sheena!¡± Sheena brushed off the dust from her hands and smiled contentedly, ordering, ¡°Great! Tie them up and take them directly to the police station.¡± Then, she walked past Felix and the others who had arrived, leaving the film studio construction site without looking back. Watching her departing figure, Felix¡¯s respect for her grew even stronger. On the way back, Sheena instructed Dark Bell to investigate the matter and found that the people stalking her recently were from the Carver family. Chapter 150 apter Ch150 ¡°Bethany? The Freeman family?¡± She mused to herself, smiling mockingly at how they were in a mad rush to make foolish decisions, obviously overestimating themselves. As such, Sheena decided that she needed to expedite the process of bankrupting the Freeman family. Sheena was always swift in her actions. The next day, she strengthened the workforce at the film studio, almost doubling the number of workers. She had Felix create a detailed schedule to manage the workers efficiently, and the construction progress noticeably sped up. As Summer approached, the sun¡¯s rays grew intense. Even so, Sheena still inspected the film studio¡¯s progress as usual. ¡°Hey, Nana.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. A familiar husky voice sounded from behind Sheena. She turned around and eximed in surprise, ¡°Why are you here?¡± Howard smiled, replying, ¡°You haven¡¯t been around the office muchtely, so I figured you¡¯d be here and stopped by to see you. How about grabbing a meal together?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Howard naturally reached out to help her remove the safety helmet, tenderly using a tissue to wipe the thinyer of sweat from her forehead before taking her hand and leading her away. Inside a high¨Cend restaurant, Howard skillfully ced their orders. ¡°I heard that Hannah recently invested in arge¨Cscale shopping mall for the Moore Group. It helped theirpany recover a good portion of the stock market losses due to Jennifer¡¯s incident.¡± Jennifer¡¯s verdict had been delivered. As Katie had managed to shift all the me onto her, she was sentenced to ten years in prison. This time, Elijah was nowhere to be seen to support her. With the Moore family cutting ties as well, she was left helpless. Hannah¡¯s physical condition had improved significantly, though her nerves were damaged from the car ident, leaving her legs without sensation. Hence, she had to use a wheelchair. However, she was now able to support Kennedy in business matters. Sheena had quite a good impression of Hannah, seeing her as a career¨Cdriven, strong woman. ¡°The Moore family values thisrge shopping mall a lot. The grand opening ceremony is tomorrow, and it¡¯s said to have invited all the prominent families and business elites from Farlem. Kennedy hopes you and I can also attend to support him. What do you think?¡± As Howard spoke, he handed a gold¨Cbordered invitation card to Sheena. Opening the card, Sheena found it was actually an invitation in Hannah¡¯s name. Since all the prestigious families were invited, the Freeman family would likely be there too. ¡°Let¡¯s go. 11 At the grand opening ceremony, there was still a sizable crowd of guests. The Moore family suffered considerable losses because of Jennifer. Then again, no family within the elite circle was truly untarnished. As long as their power remained, business magnates and socialites from prestigious families would grace the event. Sheena did not particrly enjoy such asions, but she maintained her poise wlessly. This time, she attended as Howard¡¯spanion again. Upon spotting her, Vanessa warmly weed her. She genuinely liked Sheera. Sheena also politely greeted Vanessa. As they chatted, there was suddenly amotion at the entrance. The Freeman family¡¯s car had pulled up, and three elegantly dressed women of varying ages stepped out. Sheena stood at a distance, staring at the unfamiliar face beside Faye. ¡°That¡¯s the Carver family¡¯s heir, Bethany. I heard she recently returned from abroad,¡± Vanessa exined as she noticed Sheena¡¯s gaze. Sheena remained silent. At the entrance, Faye¡¯s appearance triggered whispers among the crowd. ¡°Mr. Freeman isn¡¯t here today? I heard something had happened to him. Is he¡­ dead?¡± ¡°That¡¯s crazy! How long can these women from the Freeman family hold up without support?¡± Chapter 151 Brin, who was quick repered, trumental gt fret and argued, ¡°Wise nonsense are you op ali nga uring/ *1 perfectly fine. How dare you core him that? Where are your manners, ¡°Erth, calm down. There¡¯s no need to atque The Freemani family is prowerful and set exiablished. A fewn disparaging remarke won¡¯t bring me down.¡± Faye held onto her, though shar equally annoyed Even in front of so many outsiders, she maintained the poised and graced demeanon of an affluent societydy. Due to the broken engagement, there had been some unpleasantness between the Freeman and Moore families. Furthermore, with Elijah¡¯s continued absence, there had beeri numerous spections. Hence, Faye deliberately attended the event, dressing up to the nines and letting everyone witness the unswerving strength of the Freeman family ¡°But, Mom, they¡­¡± Erin, who had been pampered since childhood, was unwilling to endure such humiliation. She wanted to argue further but was interrupted as Bethany, donning an elegant dress, gently grasped her wrist. Bethany leaned in and whispered something in Erin¡¯s ear. Erin instinctively looked toward the second¨Cfloor crowd, where Sheena stood beside Vanessa. Sheena was also looking at her. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Their eyes met, and Sheena chuckled softly before turning her head to engage with Howard. However, what seemed like a casual smile was a clear provocation in Erin¡¯s eyes, and she clenched her jaw, murmuring, ¡°That bitch!¡± Bethany patted her shoulder,forting, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Our time wille soon!¡± The three exchanged nces, smiling happily. The ceremony officiallymenced. The Moore family had put considerable effort into this event. Unlike previous asions, which were usually cocktail or dancing parties, they introduced a martial arts performance to emphasize the uniqueness of the theme. For many attendees, this was their first time experiencing such an unconventional ceremony, and the crowd was obviously excited. Two martial arts masters squared off on the stage, engaging in a fierce battle while the audience below watched intently,pletely immersed. Kennedy and Vanessa were pleased with Hannah¡¯s innovative idea. After a ten¨Cminute martial arts contest, the master from the Southern team, Brandon, nverged in the warmer The crowd erupted into chur Amidst the cheers, an unfamiliar voice suddenly pierced through the excitement. ¡°Watching the masterspete is fun, but I have a more exciting suggestion. Mr. Moore, care to listen?¡± pethany stood up, addressing Kennedy, yet her peripheral vision wasced with ill Intent she nced in Sheena and Howard¡¯s direction. Kennedy was taken aback but intrigued. ¡°Ms. Carver, what great idea do you have? Let¡¯s hear it. Bethany¡¯s smile deepened, staring at Sheena not far away. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Mr. Lawson¡¯spanion has exceptional martial arts skills. She supposedly easily takes on five opponents at once. I¡¯m a bit skeptical, so how about we have Ms. Sheena spar with Brandon? A little exhibition to liven up the event?¡± Sheena was savoring a delicate dish Howard had served when she was unexpectedly called out. The venue fell quiet, all of them were having the same thought. No matter how skilled Sheena was, how could shepare to Brandon? Not to mention the vast difference in physical strength between a man and a woman. Sheena was slender and could not possibly win against the master. It was clearly an attempt to put her in a difficult position! Chapter 152 Chapter 152 Hannah, who had been managing the entertainment backstage, beard themotion and had berself wheeled onto the stage in her wheelchair She smiled and said, ¡°Ms. Carver¡¯s proposal seems a bit unfair. Both you and Ms. Sheena are esteented guests of the Moore family, and any harm inflicted upon either of you would be a teflection of our inadequacy in hospitality. How about we continue watching the performances, and perhaps the next act will be more to your liking Vanessa also chimed in to mediate. Bethany remained standing, her gaze still fixed on Sheena. Sensing the shift in dynamics, Erin also stood up, provoking Sheena, ¡°Afraid, aren¡¯t you? Well, it¡¯s simple. Admit that you¡¯ve fooled all those who praised your skills, and you¡¯re nothing more than a liar from an orphanage.¡± ¡°Ms. Freeman!¡± Hannah could not tolerate it any longer. Before Hannah could continue, Sheena set down her utensils, saying, ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m afraid. I just don¡¯t see the point in winning. After all, I won¡¯t lose.¡± As soon as she spoke, the entire room buzzed. This woman¡­ She was way too audacious! How could she shamelessly say something like that? Only Howard remained calmly sipping his wine, leaving the audience baffled about his stance on the matter. Sheena¡¯s reply was just what Erin wanted, and she felt triumphant as she turned her gaze toward the equally stunned Brandon. ¡°Master Brandon, she clearly doesn¡¯t regard you highly. If you can¡¯t even defeat her, how will you hold your ground in the martial artsmunity?¡± Erin said with a touch of smugness. Brandon grew somewhat irritated. ¡°Miss, if you¡¯re so confident, why not have a friendly match? Since you¡¯re still a youngdy, it wouldn¡¯t be honorable for me to win against you. So, I¡¯ll only defend and won¡¯t attack. You¡¯ll have ten moves, and if you manage to beat me within those ten moves, you win.¡± The statement was perfectly bnced¨Cshowing strength while maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor. Implicitly, it meant that they mustpete. If Sheena declined again, people wouldbel her as arrogant, inept, and foolish, tarnishing Howard¡¯s reputation as well. All eyes in the room. in the room were fixed on Sheena, eager to witness the spectacle. Facing the gazes, Sheena gracefully rose from her seat and smiled. ¡°Since Master Brandon has spoken, I¡¯ll grant you this favor. However, there¡¯s no need for ten moves. I wouldn¡¯t take pride in winning either.¡± Draped in a deep red satin gown, with her exquisitely beautiful and arrogant face, Sheena exuded an aura of both fierceness and elegance, making it nearly impossible for anyone to look away. Unfortunately, and was atkal te onthusiast who coulter Kotorate acipere susckorektnistat leg ham salty a woman, He taffed disdainfully, evidently provokest Kitsee you sakd that, I¡¯ll take you pus Ter real- ?? hh his shema mairaalsed her cahn mite, leaving her seat and preparing to walk toward the stage. However, Hamah, concerned for her well¨Cbeing, stepped forward to intervene ¡°if we¡¯re going have a match, Me Sheena¡¯s attire is inappropriate Perhaps everyone should enjoy that performances for now. We can wait for Ms Sheena to change into suitable clothing before proceeding¡± The guests voiced no objections, and Hannah quickly signaled the servants. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena did not decline, allowing the servants to lead her out of the banquet hall. Erin looked at her serene demeanor and started to worry. ¡°Beth, did you see the look on her face? She doesn¡¯t really think she can beat Brandon, does she? Plus, none of the professional fighters we sentst time came back. What if¡­¡± Bethany said confidently, ¡°No what ifs. Those fightersst time might have had decent skills, but compared to Brandon, they were far inferior. She¡¯s only in her twenties, and even if she has a martial arts background, she can¡¯t possibly surpass Brandon. Just wait and see.¡± ¡°But what if he goes easy on her?¡± ¡°Rest assured.¡± Bethany smirked, leaning close to Erin¡¯s ear, and continued, ¡°There¡¯s nothing in this world that money can¡¯t solve. I¡¯ve already arranged for someone to bribe Brandon. He¡¯ll pretend to identally injure her. Since this event is hosted by the Moore family, there¡¯s no way it could reflect poorly on us, no matter what!¡± Chapter 153 Chapter 153 After bearing those works, excitement gleamed in Erin¡¯s eyes. She could already semme the anticipated pleasure of revenge and could not wait to witness theena¡¯s miserable fate. Sheena was led by the servants to the backstage dressing room of the event. Hannah, seated in hg wheelchair, discreetly moved away from the guests and followed suit. One of the servants respectfully pointed at the five sets of clothesid out on the table, saying. Ms. Sheena, these casual outfits have all been selected ording to your measurements. Please choose one.¡± Sheena was about to pick one when Hannah suddenly entered the room. ¡°I¡¯m here, so you all can leave.¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± The servants quickly exited and closed the door, leaving only Sheena and Hannah in the dressing room. Hannah¡¯s expression turned serious as she wheeled her chair to the window and opened it wide. Then, she said, ¡°We¡¯re on the second floor. You can climb down the water pipe, and you¡¯ll find a small path on the right. Walk straight for about thirty meters ahead, and there¡¯s a small door. It¡¯s unlocked, and I¡¯ve asked someone to leave it slightly ajar. The security guards are all gone¡­¡± ¡°Are you¡­ asking me to escape?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°What else?¡± Hannah appeared displeased and pulled Sheena toward the window. ¡°Do you really want to fight Brandon? He¡¯s been undefeated since bing famous. Besides, it¡¯s clear that the Freeman family is setting you up. If you really fight, you might end up either dead or disabled.¡± Seeing her earnest expression, Sheena felt a strange sensation. After all, they had known each other for less than half a month.. However, Sheena¡¯s silence and unreadable expression only worried Hannah further, and she hurriedly added, ¡°Don¡¯t think too much of this. I¡¯m not doing this for you. If anything happens to you, it¡¯s my responsibility as part of the Moore family. So, leave quickly! I¡¯ll exin everything to the guestster!¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena remained unmoved, smiling calmly as her eyes sparkled. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving. Besides, why are you so sure I¡¯ll lose?¡± Her tone was undeniably bold. Yet, despite the arrogance in her words, Hannah found herself captivated by the rity in Sheena¡¯s eyes. For a fleeting moment, she found herself imagining Sheena actually defeating Brandon. As Hannah was lost in thought, Sheena casually picked up an outfit and entered the dressing room to change. In the hall, the crowd was absentmindedly watching the performance in the hall, eagerly anticipating the uing main ebeest Erin was growing impatient, constantly checking the time ¡°Why ten¡¯t that bitch out yet? Could she be chickening out at thest minute?¡± Erin muttered while scanning around, suddenly noticing something. ¡°And where¡¯s Hannah? She wouldn¡¯t actually help that bitch escape, would she?¡± Faye¡¯s expression also turned serious, but she did not say anything Bethany remainedposed and said, ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? She agreed to it herself, and it was the Moore family¡¯s idea for her to change clothes. If she runs, we¡¯ll pin it on the Moore family. Let¡¯s see how they can stand among the upper ss after that.¡± A cruel look shed in her eyes. ¡°Just wait and see. If the Moore family dares to let her leave and tries to make excuses, I have a way to humiliate the Moore family!¡± Three acts had already passed, and the audience was getting restless. Brandon was also growing impatient, looking gloomy. Erin saw this and stood up, address vanessa, ¡°Madam Moore, is she still not ready? She isn¡¯t just all talk and decided to escape, right?¡± Vanessa froze, but she hurriedly forced a smile to ease the awkwardness. She nced toward the backstage area, seeing no sign of movement yet. Hence, she nned to stick to the exnation that Hannah had prepared. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Ms. Sheena¡­¡± Chapter 154 ¡°I¡¯m right here. What¡¯s the rush?¡± Vanessa¡¯s sentence was cut short by Sheena emerging from backstage, and her words were directed at Erin. Chapter 154 Krin let out a disdainful sport and rolled her eyes at Sheena, eager to see how much longer she could act so confident. Then, she urged, ¡°Sluce you¡¯re ready, let¡¯s get started!¡± The crowd fell silent Many guests were waiting to see Sheena to eat her words for being so arrogant. Some well¨Coff youngsters were captivated by Sheena¡¯s alluring figure but thought it was unfortunate that she was simply too outspoken, constantly offending others. Amid the varied thoughts of the guests, Brandon and Sheena took their ces on stage from opposite sides. ¡°Little girl, don¡¯t cry if you loseter, and don¡¯t say that I bullied you,¡± Brandon taunted her, causing the audience to erupt inughter. Many believed that Sheena was in over her head. Only Howard remained unbothered, sitting elegantly and sipping his red wine indifferently. Erin noticed his demeanor and felt a rush of joy, thinking that Howard must be disgusted with Sheena, not caring about her fate. Did that mean she had a chance?Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. As she stared at Howard¡¯s handsome face, lost in her thoughts, Sheena responded to Brandon, ¡°Enough chatter. Let¡¯s just start.¡± With that, she swiftly moved. Her actions were light but quick as lightning. Before the audience even had time to react, Brandon had been kicked in the chest, stumbling back half a step. The whole room fell into shock, and it was so quiet that they could hear a pin drop. Did it end just like that?! Those who did not know martial arts did not even catch the movements, only to find Brandon swiftly defeated! Brandon was stunned. Although he had seen Sheena¡¯s foot movement, he had not managed to react before being kicked. Nheless, admitting defeat in front of so many people and acknowledging that he could not even beat a seemingly delicate little girl would be a major embarrassment for him. How could he maintain his reputation in the martial arts world? With those thoughts in mind, Brandon brushed off the dust from his clothes and snorted. ¡± Miss, you do have some skill. However, since I gave you a free hit earlier, I¡¯ll take this seriously now.¡± The audience took his words to heart, praising his gentlemanly behavior. After all, a woman so slender and fragile¨Clooking could never possibly defeat Brandon, and it was clear that he had let her win the first round! Having learned from the first encounter, Brandon focused his attention andunched the first attack, with full force, putting all his strength into it. sheena did not move unrt he were almost upon her, then she sidestepped swiftly. Bransdon was astonished. Did she actually dodge his attack? in disbelief, he continued his assault, putting every ounce of his strength into each blow. The two of them exchanged moves in a fast¨Cpaced flurry, but their actions were so quick that aside from those who understood martial arts, others could barely make out their interactions. People who had not been optimistic about Sheena were taken aback by the evenly matched struggle. They started to view Sheena in a new light and even switched sides, hoping she would win. However, Howard¡¯s expression grew more serious. As Sheena¡¯s brother, he knew her strength quite well. If the match dragged on and turned into a test of endurance, she would undoubtedly lose. Sheena also realized that continuing in this manner would not work, yet she struggled to find a weakness in Brandon¡¯s defense. Meanwhile, Brandon, seeing that victory was eluding him, began to feel the support for Sheena from the audience. That made him panic even more, causing his attacks to be more aggressive. However, the more anxious he became, the more likely he was to reveal his weakness. Seizing the opportunity, Sheena swiftly evaded his attack and retaliated with full force. Brandon could not dodge in time and was directly kicked in the nose, emitting a muffled groan before falling to the ground. Sheena stood steadily on the stage, looking down at him with a smile. ¡°You¡¯ve lost again.¡± He did not just lose once, but he lost again! Brandon felt a profound sense of humiliation. He tried to get up from the ground but suddenly felt a warm sensation flowing through his nose. Chapter 155 Chapter 155 Brandon wiped his nose and realized there was load on his hand. same ondnokers cought this scene and could not help butugh, causing Brandon to seethe with anger This was the most humiliating and embarrassing way to lose in front of everyone! After all, he had been in the martial arts world for decades and had never been so thoroughly defeated. Hence, he simply could not ept this oune. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Just as Sheena was about to leave the stage, Brandon suddenlyunched a surprise attack from behind, moving at an incredible speed. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Erin and the others had been furious at Brandon¡¯s loss, but seeing him attack again, they excitedly stood up. Almost in the blink of an eye, a swift figure dashed onto the stage and kicked Brandon away before anyone could process what was happening. He did not evene close to Sheena and was sent flying two meters away from the tform, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Howard stood protectively in front of Sheena, his ck trouserspletely unscathed. He stared at Brandon, his tone icy as he said, ¡°You should just admit your failure. Instead, you dare to sneak an attack on her. How shameless.¡± Daniel, the master who had performed martial arts alongside Brandon earlier, also stepped forward, angrily criticizing him, ¡°Brandon, you¡¯ve seriously vited the spirit ofpetition. I¡¯ve already informed the National Martial Arts Association to have you expelled! Get lost!¡± ¡°No! You can¡¯t!¡± Brandon could not believe it. He had relied on funds from the Martial Arts Association to survive. If he were publicly expelled, no action would ever ept him, a his life would be over! Before Brandon could recover from the shock and devastation, Hannah, in her wheelchair, was pushed onto the stage by a servant. She picked up the microphone and dered, ¡°Our family is ashamed of Brandon¡¯s deceitful behavior and has decided to cklist him, banning him from entering any of the Moore family¡¯s shopping malls!¡± She paused and signaled for ten security guards to approach. ¡°Escort him out now!¡± The security guards acted swiftly, escorting Brandon out. The audience enjoyed the spectacle, with many CEOS joining in and cklisting Brandon, which brought a sense of satisfaction. At that moment, the gazes directed toward Sheenapletely changed. Most of the attendees had witnessed Sheena¡¯s previous dance battle against Jennifer, and they were even more amazed and impressed by her. Not only was Sheena proficient in both martial arts and dance, but each of her talents was also a visual feast. She was truly a modern¨Cday extraordinary woman! Free the warpet forward atteripting in shake hands with Stops Thi band blocked its way Yemethetes, he dut not seen enterrado Instead, her andrend umste and asked fed the unique martial art techniques in your moves. Could be that you are the dy discipled the rem master, Jean Norris?¡± the pansie padlece was th ass upon hearing Baniel¡¯s statement. ¡°Man puder ku didn¡¯t care about Brandon She¡¯s Master Norris¡¯s disciple!¡± and see the one and only disciple. She must have received the true teachings of the master. Braiden Andy deserved to lose!¡± what¡¯s why she was so arrogant and confident earlier! She really had the right to be that way! The group of people criticizing Sheena as arrogant and foolish suddenly changed their tune, showering her with praise and adoration. you¡¯re Daniel was even more eager to offer an olive branch to Sheena. ¡°Ms. Sheena, I wonder if Interested in joining our National Martial Arts Association as the vice president of the Farlem branch?¡± Hearing this, Erin and Faye fumed with frustration! Originally, they wanted to humiliate Sheena and leave her battered and broken. However, she not only won thepetition but also gained immense attention and even had Daniel bending over backward to please her! He was offering her the vice presidency right off the bat! Chapter 156 Originally, they wanted to humiliate Sheena and leave her battered and broken. However, she not only won thepetition but also gained immense attention and even had Daniel bending over backward to please her! He was offering her the vice presidency right off the bat! Chapter 156 She was just an orphan from an orphanagel Born as a lowly nobody without parents! Why did she deserve this? As Erin¡¯s jealousy red, Sheena rejected Daniel indifferently, ¡°No, I¡¯m not interested.¡± The entire crowd buzzed with astonishment. Many martial artists coveted the National Martial Arts Association, and most could only long to join. And she, a young girl, was offered the vice presidency directly, a position that most people would not even dare to dream of. But she just turned it down like that? Disappointed, Daniel shook his head,menting that she was either arrogant or self¨Cabsorbed. Meanwhile, Bethany had been furlously typing on her phone ever since she learned that Sheena was Jean¡¯s disciple. Her expression was serious and focused, and nobody knew what she was up to. Erin nced at her, exasperated. ¡°Beth, look at the great idea you came up with! This woman will probably be even more arrogant and disregard us!¡± Bethany was focused on her phone screen and suddenly smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, this isn¡¯t over yet!¡± Puzzled, Erin was about to ask, but Bethany stood up abruptly. Then, she walked onto the stage, snatching the microphone from Hannah¡¯s hand before. using Sheena with a righteous tone, ¡°Don¡¯t let her fool you! There¡¯s no way she could be Jean¡¯s disciple!¡± The entire audience was left dumbfounded. Daniel was even more puzzled as he asked, ¡°What do you mean, Ms. Carver? I¡¯ve witnessed Ms. Sheena¡¯s skills, which resemble Jean¡¯s unique martial arts techniques!¡± Sheena stood silently on the right side of the stage, smirking at Bethany with no intention of exining. She had never imed to be Jean¡¯s disciple. It was those people who insisted on putting thatbel on her. ¡°Nana?¡± Howard stood beside her, softly calling her name, seemingly hinting at her. Sheena understood what he wanted to say and signaled that she did not need him to interfere. In fact, she wanted to see what Bethany was up to! Bethany, facing the doubts, calmly raised the microphone to exin, ¡°While studying in Roisne, I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Master Norris through a friend. The disciple with him at the time was clearly a boy.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Then, she continued, ¡°To confirm this, I recently contacted my friend abroad and found out that Master Norris¡¯s disciple is rted to the master herself, which was why she epted him as her disciple. The woman on stage, in terms of gender and background, doesn¡¯t match that allti information at af What Bethany sail wat all Tachal, which left Daniel somewhat perplexed. ¡°not the techniques she disyed. They were clearly..¡± Bethany picked up where he left off, saying, ¡°Clearly stolen!¡± The crowd below suddenly became lively, discussing Bethany¡¯s ims. Stealing other master¡¯s techniques was highly frowned upon in the martial artsmunity, even more so than Brandon¡¯s sneak attack. If proven true, it would not only result in her being cklisted but also to be hunted down and beaten by the zealous members of the National Martial Arts Association, with the possibility of ending up crippled. Seeing the crowd discussing, Bethany added, ¡°Think about it¡­ This woman came from an orphanage, and the gap between her and Master Norris¡¯s status is enormous. So, she must have stolen it! It¡¯s not only shameless but also despicable!¡± Just as the atmosphere grew tense, a chuckle suddenly sounded from the side. Bethany turned her head toward Sheena, puzzled as she asked, ¡°What are youughing at?!¡± Sheena could not hold back her amused smile. Despite wearing casual sportswear, her demeanor was cold and proud, saying, ¡°Ms. Woods, you¡¯re so confident in your ims. Aren¡¯t you afraid of being proven wrong?¡± Chapter 157 Chapter 157 Bethany could not believe that Sheena could stiti mock her with such calmness. Frustrated, she was determined to embarrass Sheena thoroughly ¡°Well then! Let¡¯s see who¡¯s going to be proven wrong and embarrassed! As she said that, Bethany took out her phone, contacted her friend, and eventually obtained Jean¡¯s number. Then, she dialed Jean¡¯s number in front of the audience, putting the call on speakerphone. The ringing sound of the phone made the atmosphere tense. Original from N?velDrama.Org. With victory seemingly within her grasp, Bethany stared at Sheena triumphantly. ¡°If you admit right now that you¡¯ve stolen these martial arts techniques and apologize to everyone here, acknowledging that you¡¯re nothing more than a petty thief and a fraud, I might consider letting you off the hook.¡± Pausing for effect, she smugly wiggled her phone before adding, ¡°You have only a few seconds to decide. I¡¯m sure you must be panicking inside, right?¡± Sheena smiled, still refusing to respond as she stared at Bethany as if she were watching a clown. Bethany despised that look from her, but with Howard present and the public setting, she refrained from saying anything too extreme. Even so, she secretly vowed that once the situation was set in stone and Sheena had no chance of turning the tables, she would gouge out her eyes and see if she could still arrogantly stare at her! As Bethany contemted this, the ringing abruptly stopped, reced by the voice of a woman who sounded in her fifties. ¡°Who is this?¡± Bethany¡¯s heart raced as this was her first time conversing with a martial arts figure as prominent as Jean. She suppressed her excitement, politely exining, ¡°Master Norris, I apologize for bothering you. It¡¯s because we¡¯ve discovered someone impersonating your disciple. When I confronted her, she didn¡¯t admit it, so I had to call you to confirm.¡± as There was a two¨Csecond silence from the other end, followed by a slightly impatient tone, ¡°I have only one disciple, William Birch.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, I know. However, the techniques this woman disyed are almost identical to yours, so I suspect that she¡¯s stolen your martial arts¡­ Jean sounded a little irritated. ¡°Who would dare to do such a thing? Impersonating my disciple and stealing my techniques? How shameless!¡± With those words, nearly everyone in the audience understood the truth behind the matter, and Jean herself confirmed it! Just moments ago, certain guests had praised Sheena, but now, they red at her in anger, their eyes practically shooting daggers at her.. Bethany was overjoyed, holding her chin high triumphantly. ¡°You heard it yourself. Master Norris personally admitted you¡¯re not her disciple. Are you going to deny it now? You¡¯ve angered her Let¡¯s see how you¡¯re going to survive this!¡± Hewand frosted and was about to speak when Sheena grabbed his wrist. Tydding a step forward, Sheena smirked and asked, ¡°I never imed to be jean¡¯s disciple, so wh¡¯s there to deny¡°¡± Bethany was caught off guard. Danie, tend awkward. It seemed like he had brought up the im, and Sheena had not admitted it, but she had not denied it either. That was all clearly an intentional attempt to create misunderstandings among everyone. However, Sheena¡¯s response did not satisfy the crowd. Instead, the voices of disdain grew stronger Bethany snorted, ¡°But you¡¯ve stolen the master¡¯s techniques. How do you exin that?¡± Sheena covered her mouth, her smile growing even brighter. ¡°Are you so sure that I stole from her and not the other way around? Maybe Jean learned from me?¡± As this statement hit the crowd, they erupted in disbelief, and the voices of condemnation intensified. ¡°Oh my god! How dare she! Who gave her the audacity to act so arrogantly?¡± ¡°She even directly referred to Master Norris by her first name. She trulycks manners! What a waste of such a beautiful face!¡± Daniel shook his head as he finished listening, sighing that Sheena was beyond help. Chapter 158 Bethany found Sheena¡¯s got reply amusing ¡°Alright then. I¡¯ll make you understand the CORREGOS of being so arrogant ove Saying this she handed over the microphone and said something to lean on the other end. Speningly receiving loan¡¯s approval, she hung up the phone and called VanesNA OVER ¡°Madan Moore, could you please have the big screen turned on? I¡¯ll be viden calling with Master Norris and projecting it onto the screen for everyone to see whether Master Norris recognizes this thief!¡± Vanessa hesitated for a moment, ncing back at Hannah. However, Hannah¡¯s gaze was fixed on Sheena. Sensing her attention, Sheena gave her a slight nod, her expression calm throughout. With a sigh, Hannah relented. There was nothing she could do if the person at the center of it all remained soposed. She could only agree to Bethany¡¯s request. Soon, therge screen in the center of the stage was turned on. Bethany confidently stood at the center of the stage, ensuring that the first person Jean saw was her when the call connected, attempting to leave a good impression. The video call was sessfully connected. Jean was seated in a chair, her years of practicing. martial arts making her look much younger despite being in her fifties. Bethany struck a graceful and respectful pose, bowing to Jean. ¡°Hello, Master Norris, I¡¯m Bethany Woods, the one who called you. I have a matter to discuss¡­¡± Jean¡¯s expression soured before Bethany could finish her sentence, showing clear impatience,¡± I don¡¯t have time for pleasantries. Where is the person who dared to steal my techniques and impersonate my disciple?¡± Bethany¡¯s face stiffened. However, she quickly regained herposure and med this awkward situation on Sheena. ¡°Master, it¡¯s this woman! And she shamelessly imed that your techniques were learned from her!¡± T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. As Bethany spoke, the camera shifted to focus on Sheena. Sheena smiled and met the camera¡¯s gaze. ¡°Jean, it¡¯s been a while.¡± Some in the audience began to waver. If she actually dared to call Jean by her first name in front of her, could they really know each other? Jean stared at Sheena¡¯s face, even putting on her sses to scrutinize the screen more closely. Observing her seeming uncertainty, Bethany also began to doubt herself. Jean noticed someone behind Sheena and suddenly stood up, bowing deeply toward Sheena as she said something that no one had anticipated. ¡°Master, I never expected it to be you. I was wrong and should not have been disrespectful.¡± Ty¡¯s tws dropped What on earth was happening? Jean, who was in het fifties, was addressing twenty three year¨Cold Sheena as her master?! Even TV shows would not dare to portray such a scene! To make it even more astonishing, Sheena smiled and epted Jean¡¯s apology. ¡°It was just a provocation by mischief. You¡¯re not to me.¡± Bethany, the very ¡°mischief¡± being referred to, was shocked and stepped back. ¡°This can¡¯t be true! How is this even possible?¡± Before Bethany could even fully voice her thoughts, Erin lost her temper and pointed at Jean, questioning her in disbelief, ¡°You¡¯re not Jean Norris, are you? She must have hired you to act! How could an orphan without parents be Master Norris¡¯s actual master? I don¡¯t believe it!¡± Chapter 159 Chapter 159 Jean had not seen Sheena in years and was initially happy to connect, but Erin¡¯s words stantly angered her ¡°How dare you insult ny mentor and met The intensir; of fean¡¯s anger could be felt even through the screen, a testament to her martial How Erin immediately cowered. Jean continued, ¡°And you dare insult her as an orphan without parents?! Do you even know she¡¯s¡­. ¡°Jean!¡± Sheena cut her off, ring. Jean was somewhat puzzled by the interruption, but she did not press further. Then, Sheena turned her gaze back to Bethany. Bethany was at a loss for words. She had hoped that by leveraging the Moore family¡¯s grand opening event, she couldpletely humiliate Sheena. Instead, Sheena not only defeated Brandon but also gained a significant reputation. Moreover, she was actually Jean¡¯s master! Original from N?velDrama.Org. Who could have imagined this turn of events? Bethany was fuming with rage. With so many eyes on her now, she felt utterly exposed, wishing she could find a hole to disappear into. However, she had underestimated Sheena¡¯s retaliatory nature. After all, Sheena never let go of a grudge easily. ¡°Ms. Carver, who¡¯s the one being humiliated? You or me?¡± Bethany was furious but restrained herself due to Jean¡¯s ongoing video call and Howard¡¯s. presence. She managed a forced smile and said, ¡°I was impulsive this time. It was indeed my fault.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Sheena shook her head, chuckling softly. ¡°Your apology feels rather insincere. I¡¯m not quite satisfied with it, so¡­¡± She paused slightly, ncing at Howard. Understanding her intent, Howard nodded. Yuri left the venue and soon returned with two burly bodyguards in ck suits, approaching Bethany with an imposing aura. The bodyguards¡® presence scared Bethany, her face turning pale as she stepped back in fear. ¡± What are you doing?!¡± The bodyguards wasted no time, immediately restraining her wrists from behind. Seeing the situation escte, Vanessa was concerned that Sheena might take it too far and ruin the Moore Group¡¯s grand opening event. She was about to intervene, but Hannah held her back. Hannah shook her head at Vanessa and whispered, ¡°She should know her limits.¡± VALA ?antly backed down. The atmosphere in the entire vene suddenly turned heavy, and none of the guests dared to shop the unfolding scene due to Howard¡¯s prominent status. Moreover, Bethany¡¯s usations hud almost pinned Sheena as a thief, which would have been a serious blow to her reputation if not for the video call with jean. Hence, was not wrong for Sheena to teach Bethany a lesson as she had brought this upon herself. As Sheena approached step by step, Bethany trembled in fear under the intimidating aura emanating from her. Trying to maintain herposure, Bethany quivered as she said, ¡°I¡¯m the future heir of the Carver family! If you dare touch me, the Carver family won¡¯t let Sheena shed a gentle smile, replying, ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll be waiting. you off!¡± In the next moment, Sheena¡¯s smile vanished, reced by a fierce and ruthless re. Then, she delivered two resounding ps to Bethany¡¯s face. The crisp sound of the p echoed through the entire venue. Some people in the audience gasped, surprised that it actually happened. Chapter 100 ??? ? ??) ? ?? ? ? 1:? ?? ?? ?? When a actess woman Bettany was felt teary eyed and unable to utter a wurd due to the pain. Her ones fate checke mer were red, with traces of blind at the corners of her mouth it was both pitiable and Sheena gripped Bethany¡¯s chin, forcing her head up. She admired her handiwork and clicked her tongue Chapter 160 ¡°How does it feel to be pped in your own face? You tried to frame me multiple times have you ever considered that there would be consequences?¡± Bethany felt a mixture of hunitiation and anger, but the pain from her swollen face made it impossible for her to say anything Finally, Faye and Brin Ignored the tense atmosphere and rushed onto the stage, freeing the disheveled Bethany from the guards¡® grip. Knowing it was best not to continue lingering at the venue, they escorted Bethany off, supporting her as she walked away in embarrassment. Before leaving, they refrained from making any more throats, just ring of sheena. Sheena was utterly dismissive of their hostile re. After all, only the weak rolle methods to intimidate others. With Erin and herpanions gone, the atmosphere at the veue remained touse. While guests were initially shocked upon learning that Sheena was Jean¡¯s master, witnessing her publicly reprimand Bethany transformed their shock into fear. It was only when Jean expressed warm wishes for the Moore Group¡¯s grand opening in the video call that the atmosphere gradually eased, bringing the event back on track. Despite the ups and downs, the Moore Group¡¯s grand opening was a sess, especially with Jean¡¯s well wishes at the end. Vanessa and Kennedy were prac beaming with joy, treating Sheena as if she were their savior. They warmly greeted the guests, malding the second half of the event incredibly harmonious. Sheena was not particrly fond of such social gatherings, so she found an excuse to slip away to a quieter corridor. Making sure no one was around, she took out her phone and made a call. The mature voice on the other end of the line sounded unusually excited. ¡°Ever since you left Roisne and disappeared, I lost all contact with you. Later, when the Lawson family announced your death, I had several sleepless nights. Thank goodness you¡¯re okay¡­¡± Sheena smiled. ¡°They say good things neverst, and bad things never die. How could ¡°bad news¡® like me die so easily?¡± Jeanughed at Sheena¡¯s self¨Cdeprecation. Sheena quickly changed to a serious expression. ¡°Thank you for today.¡± ¡°What for? You¡¯re practically half my master, anyway.¡± During her childhood, Sheera had been sent to learn martial arts from a reclusive master in Notene, where Jean was ber senior. Due to Sheena¡¯s exceptional talent, not only did she learn quickly, but she could also innovate and improve on her techniques Jean had even lost to her in a sparring match and begged to learn the improved version, prompting Sheena to tease her into calling her ¡°master ¡± This time, Jean sensed someone intentionally making things difficult for Sheena and swiftly cooperated to stage this performance. Both of them then reminisce about the past. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Just as Sheena hesitated to inquire about the well¨Cbeing of her other seniors, she heard the sound of wheels rolling closer. Then, she promptly ended the call and faced Hannah, who was slowly wheeling herself down the corridor. Hannah observed Sheena¡¯s gorgeous face and smiled. ¡°The moment I woke up and saw you, I knew you were different. Your calmness, your elegance, none of it resembles a poor child who grew up in an orphanage.¡± Sheena pursed her lips, maintaining eye contact without speaking. Hannah continued, ¡°As I spent time with Noah these days, I found that he¡¯s quite aloof. Yet, the only two times he¡¯s spoken to me were about you. I believe you hold a very special ce in his heart.¡± Sheena asked, ¡°What do you want to know?¡± ¡°How did you make both of the Lawson family¡¯s heirs willingly help you?¡± Hannah paused, growing skeptical, adding, ¡°Who are you, really?¡± Chapter 161 Chapter 161 Sheena was taken aback by Hannah¡¯s question, wondering if she had guessed her identity. In the end, Sheena gave a coy smile. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a guess?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°If I could guess, I wouldn¡¯t havee here to find you.¡± Initially, Hannah had entertained the thought that Sheena might be affiliated with the Lawson family. However, after researching the Lawson family, she discovered that aside from Albert, who had a daughter, the rest of the family¡¯s branchesprised mostly boys. Furthermore, Albert¡¯s daughter had supposedly passed away six years ago. On the other hand, Svelton¡¯s Graham family had recently disclosed information about an illegitimate daughter, but they had not revealed what she looked like. Could it be¡­ ¡°Are you the illegitimate daughter recognized by the Graham family in Svelton?¡± Hearing Hannah¡¯s question, Sheena breathed a sigh of relief, but she did not answer. Instead, she changed the topic and asked, ¡°We haven¡¯t known each other for very long. Why are you helping me this time?¡± Hannah replied, ¡°I¡¯ve said before, it¡¯s not solely about helping you. If you¡¯re in trouble, the Moore family will also be affected. I want to protect you, but it¡¯s also about protecting the Moore family.¡± Hearing this response, Sheena felt much more at ease. At least she would not have to feel guilty about concealing her true intentions from a friend who genuinely wanted to help. ¡°Ms. Hannah, as Mr. Moore¡¯s personally groomed heir, you truly excel in assessing gains and losses. With you in charge of the Moore Group, I believe it will have a promising future.¡± Sheena finished speaking and turned to leave. Hannah called after her, ¡°What about you? You haven¡¯t answered my earlier question.¡± Sheena¡¯s footsteps slowed slightly, but she did not turn around. ¡°I am who I am, just Sheena.¡± Her voice was soft yet resolute. Hannah watched Sheena¡¯s departing figure with an unreadable expression, concealing her true thoughts. Exiting the secluded corridor, Sheena did not return to the event. Instead, she returned to her car and changed into a set of casual clothes she had brought. After notifying Howard via text, she drove back to Angle Group. Upon entering her office, Colin was already waiting there. Seeing Sheena walk in, he smiled and approached her, saying, ¡°I heard about the Moore Group¡¯s event. You really haven¡¯t changed a bit. Like before, you¡¯re still the mischievous troublemaker who never takes a loss.¡± This was already the third person recently to call her a ¡°troublemaker.¡± Sheena chuckled and shook her head, changing the subject. ¡°What brings you here?¡± Colut put aside his yful demeanor and handed her a stack of documents with a serious expression. ¡°This is the recent progress report for the entire film studio. Since you initiated the major changes, the construction speed has improved significantly. I believe that at this rate, it will be completed in about two weeks.¡± Sheena took the documents and flipped through them, reading them carefully. ¡°Very good.¡± Seeing her genuine smile, Colin also felt pleased and continued, ¡°The representative of the film studio we¡¯re partnering with mentioned their intention to sign a long¨Cterm contract with you. They hope you can respond soon.¡± ¡°A win¨Cwin coboration is a good thing. I agree.¡± With her approval, Colin handed her another set of documents. ¡°They¡¯re also interested in adapting a recent bestselling online novel into a web series. They want to offer Angle Group¡¯s actors the opportunity for their first coboration. Here¡¯s the script.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena studied the script carefully and nodded in agreement. ¡°This is indeed a great opportunity for monopoly rights. It¡¯s good that Angle Group¡¯s actors are involved.¡± Chapter 162 Chapter 162 As she spoke, Sheena considered the actors¡® poprity and how well they suited the roles based on their acting skills and fit for the characters. ¡°As for the male actors, I¡¯m leaning towards Skye. Although he can be a bit naughty at times, he¡¯s quite serious during filming and has good acting skills. Additionally, Abel and Zion¡¯s appearances also match the two roles¡­¡± After the discussion, Colin agreed as well. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you and the studio¡¯s representative to be on the same page. Well, it¡¯s gettingte. You must be tired after the Moore Group¡¯s event and match.¡± Sheena just smiled faintly. Her expression appeared rxed, but Colin caught a glimpse of tiredness in her eyes. He truly cared about her and added, ¡°Even when you¡¯re busy, remember to take care of yourself. You don¡¯t have to handle everything personally. You should try to assign the tasks or¡­ maybe rely on a man a bit.¡± Thest part of his statement seemed to hold a hidden meaning. He was about to reach out and pat her shoulder, but she walked toward the sofa, causing him to miss. Rely on a man? Had she not learned from her lesson in the past three years? In this world, besides her own strength, there was no one she could truly depend on. However, Sheena had no intention of sharing these thoughts with Colin. She simply said, ¡± Don¡¯t worry, I know my limits.¡± Colin withdrew his hand dejectedly, exchanged a few more words of concern, and then left the office. Once he was gone, Sheena sank back into the sofa. She was genuinely tired today; giving her all in the match against Brandon had drained her. Right now, she just wanted to rest quietly on her own. Original from N?velDrama.Org. However, before she could even lie down for five minutes, Wendy knocked on the door again. ¡® Ms. Sheena, there¡¯s a problem on Mr. Zimmer¡¯s end!¡± Feeling a bit weary, Sheena mustered her energy and got up from the plush sofa. While listening to Wendy¡¯s report, she drove to the film set. ording to Wendy, the director of this production had a significant reputation and was notorious for his bad temper. He found certain uses in the contract with Angle Group¡¯s actors to be unreasonable, and he insisted on keeping Skye on set to extend his shooting hours. Skye, of course, would not compromise, and the two of them had a heated argument on set. As Sheena arrived at the set, she could already hear the sounds of their quarrel from a distance. ¡°Do you want me to work as unpaidbor? Aren¡¯t you afraid that I¡¯ll expose your actions online? Do you want your reputation in the directing world to go down the drain?¡± The renowned director, David Torres, was no pushover. He responded with a fake smile, ¡°Mr. Zimmer, I know you¡¯re famous and have the Zimmer family backing you, but I¡¯m not afraid! Your contract was problematic from the beginning. What¡¯s wrong with me having you shoot a few extra hours? This set belongs to me, and if you don¡¯t cooperate, I¡¯ll edit your behind¨Cthe- scenes footage unfavorably and tarnish your image!¡± Skye was infuriated by David¡¯s shameless behavior, but he surprisingly refrained from exploding and throwing things. David had the upper hand and seemed quite pleased. ¡°As a popr rising star, you should understand how crucial public opinion is. I can help you achieve even greater sess on this path, but I can just as easily ruin you. Want to give it a try?¡± ¡°You¡¯re despicable!¡± Instead of getting angry, David seemed to revel in the situation even more, and he burst intoughter. ¡°Hahaha! Who would¡¯ve thought that the infamous brat of the Zimmer family would eventually fall into my hands? Too bad for you. It¡¯s my turn this time, and no one can help you! Just as he said that, a clear voice rang out at the entrance of the set. ¡°Is that so? Well, Mr. Torres, I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you!¡± All eyes on the set turned toward the entrance to see Sheena, apanied by Wendy. She approached them with an icy aura, seemingly ready to confront them. Chapter 163 Chapter 163 David was dumbfounded. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. A staff member who recognized Sheena exined, ¡°That¡¯s Angle Group¡¯s talent manager.¡± ¡°Oh, so he¡¯s just a talent manager. I thought it was the owner of Angle Group.¡± David¡¯s group burst intoughter. Sheena showed no signs of fear. She walked over to Skye, ensuring he was not hurt. Fortunately, despite losing his momentum earlier, Skye did not end up taking any hits. Once she confirmed Skye was okay, Sheena directly walked to a nearby chair and sat down. She was truly exhausted and would not bother to stand up if she could negotiate while sitting down. However, David perceived her action as apleteck of respect for him. ¡°Your artist angered me, and your contract has issues. Is this the attitude youe to me with?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Who said I¡¯m here to y nice?¡± David looked utterly puzzled. Sheena shifted into a morefortable position in her seat. Skye, noticing her tiredness, stood behind her, massaging her shoulders. After enjoying a moment of Skye¡¯s thoughtful service, she continued, ¡°I¡¯m here forpensation.¡± ¡°What? Compensation?¡± Davidughed out loud. ¡°I could have demanded reimbursement for the set loss and wages due to Angle Group, yet I didn¡¯t. How dare you ask forpensation?¡± Clearing her throat, Sheena replied, ¡°You said there were issues with the contract signed with Angle Group, which is why you detained Skye and demanded extended hours, right?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± ¡°But the contract bears your representative¡¯s signature after he went through it multiple times. Furthermore, Angle Group did not coerce you into signing it. Since it was approved before signing, that implies the contract is without ws, yet you¡¯re now using the contract as an excuse to cause trouble. So, who¡¯s the one trying to exploit legal loopholes here?¡± ¡°You!¡± David had not anticipated her logical rity and sharp tone. Just as he was about to refute, Sheena regained control of the conversation. ¡°The shooting hours for artists are stipted in contracts. You deliberately kept him here against his will and even tried to make him work for free. When he refused, you threatened to ruin his reputation. You¡¯re not only shameless, but you alsomitted crimes for threatening others and uwful detention. The Angle Group¡¯s legal department isn¡¯t one to trifle with, so try if you dare.¡± David tried several times to interrupt, but Sheena¡¯s words were simply too formidable. ¡°My Angle Group¡¯s artists aren¡¯t pushovers. Mr. Torres, you might have a substantial reputation in the film industry, but unfortunately, Angle Group couldn¡¯t care less about it. We won¡¯t be partaking in your production anymore!¡± *** That, these and began to leave with sle You better think this through! You¡¯re the one proposing * breach of contract, and you I have to pay a hefty penalty!¡± sheena rammed back and gave him a sharp look, ¡°Well, I¡¯m sorry, but I won¡¯t give you a single cent. On the rentrary, you better get ready to pay up!¡± to What She was not only breaching the contract but also demanding money from him! That was simply insane! Aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll bring this matter to the inte? Don¡¯t you care about your artists¡® reputation?¡± Sheena sneered. ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯ve already notified the legal team to sue yourpany. You im the contract had issues first, and then you detained our artist. I¡¯m proposing a reasonable breach of contract. You¡¯re wee to challenge it if you don¡¯t believe me!¡± Sheena had no intention of wasting more time. Then, she grabbed Skye and left. David and his group wanted to intervene, but Wendy stood in their way, ¡°Ms. Sheena is very busy and doesn¡¯t have time to continue arguing with you. Mr. Torres, just wait for the court summons and address any issues through the legal department!¡± The dejected¨Clooking Skye sat in the passenger seat. With his face lowered, he resembled a guilty puppy, no longer having his usual arrogance and confidence. Sheena was puzzled. It had not been long since theyst saw each other, wondering what had happened to him. Chapter 164 Chapter 164 Chapter 164 ¡°Did Old Man Zimmer punish you again? Dld he go too hard on you? Let me see,¡± she said, attempting to pull at Skye¡¯s pants. Skye blushed, quickly pushing her hand away. ¡°No! I¡¯m a grown¨Cup now. It¡¯s natural to care about ay image, right?¡± Observing his expression, Sheena recalled that he was still normal when they walked to the car, not looking like someone who had taken a beating. Moreover, this little troublemaker had a busy shooting schedule, working earnestly and hardly any missteps. ¡°You¡¯re known to be a brat, so why did youe out on the losing side against scum like David? What happened to you?¡± Sheena pressed, curious. Skye sighed, mumbling, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just felt that you don¡¯t like the way I am, so I¡¯ve been trying to change. Sheena, if you give me more time, I promise I can be the person you like.¡± Sheena listened intently, genuinely surprised. However, she disagreed with what Skye had said. ¡°Why would you change? Do you think it¡¯s worth it to do so just because of my preference?¡± Skye nodded, looking determined. ¡°As long as you¡¯ll like it, it¡¯s worth it.¡± one sincere as she ¡°But I don¡¯t like it.¡± Sheena frowned, her continued, ¡°Everyone is a unique e continued, ¡°Everyone is a unique individual. There¡¯s no need to change oneself for someone else and diminish one¡¯s own worth. Only by sincerely being yourself can you truly showcase your personal charm.¡± Back then, Sheena fell in love with Elijah and naively believed that changing herself and giving everything would make Elijah love her in return. Yet, what did she ultimately gain? Nothing but humiliation and mockery, heartbreak and torment. However, she would soon reim all those painful memories from that man! Since she had lived through it herself, Sheena did not want her friends to be hurt by such things again. Skye remained silent, still looking gloomy. Sheena sighed, realizing he was still too young. No matter how much she reasoned, he might not fully grasp it. Hence, she suggested having dinner with him to help ease his mood. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Sure enough, the child¨Clike Skye instantly perked up, regaining the sparkle in his eyes. After disguising themselves, they both went to Ninth Street in Farlem, the liveliest area, to get some kebabs. After a full day¡¯s work today, Sheena was exhausted, so when she returned to the mansion, she fell straight into bed. Howard felt sorry for his sister and instructed Auntie Gloria to turn off her bedside rm clock discreetly. Sheena slent into the afternoon Aftor funahan: She had only just settled in when Colin arrived. After a brief exchange of greetings, Colin got straight to the point. ¡°In the past few days, I¡¯ve researched the market situation in Farlem and found a small real estate company that could serve as a starting point for you.¡± As he spoke, he handed Sheena thepany¡¯s information. It was apany on the brink of filing for bankruptcy. Due to its small scale, hardly anyone knew about it in the market, and the owner also had a clean background. It was indeed perfect for Sheena to acquire and quietly operate. ¡°Thank you, you¡¯ve truly been a great help,¡± Sheena expressed her gratitude. Colin blushed slightly, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly what you¡¯re nning, but as long as I can assist you, that¡¯s what matters.¡± Sheena wasted no time. On the same day, she acquired thepany and became thergest shareholder and owner behind the scenes. When signing the agreement, the former owner was bewildered and asked, ¡°I don¡¯t know why you insisted on buying thepany, and you¡¯re not even changing the registered name or allowing your identity as the behind¨Cthe¨Cscenes owner to be public. What¡¯s the reason behind all this?¡± Chapter 165 Chapter 165 shiana omiled, replyine. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know the reasons. Just follow what I¡¯ve told you The former owner did not say more, and both parties quicklypleted the signing of flus contract agverment. Sheena also arranged for Sarah Peterson from Dark Bell to take up a position in thispany, changing the overall strategy, employee ns, and management. Afterpleting all of that, she sat back in the car, checking the recent news in the real estate industry on her phone, only to discover that Faye was temporarily managing the Freeman Group! She could not help but shake her head, amused. While Faye had graduated with honors from the finance department at Austine University, her years of luxurious lifestyle within the Freeman family had worn away any business understanding she might have had. Moreover, Sheena thought it was probably best if Faye temporarily managed the Freeman Group. With Elijah¡¯s extended absence, Faye and Erin could easily waste the Freeman family¡¯s assets with little effort. Nheless, Sheena did not mind adding a little spice and giving a subtle nudge. With that in mind, she had Dark Bell discreetly investigate the recent investment trends of the Freeman Group. She found that Faye seemed to be particrly interested in a new construction site in the western suburbs. So, she called Sarah and ordered, ¡°For the new construction site in the western suburbs, prepare a solid project n. I must have it.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± Meanwhile, Faye was enjoying the grandeur of the CEO¡¯s office. She remembered Sebastian sitting here before, followed by her own husband and sonter on. Now that she was in the seat, she truly felt the satisfying sensation of holding power in her hands! Faye could not help but think it would be great if her son did not return so soon, letting her enjoy a few more days of being the CEO. However, her daydreaming was soon interrupted by Deanna Andrews from the nning department, who approached with a document. ¡°Madam Freeman, this is the project n for the new construction site in the western suburbs. There¡¯s also a list of otherpaniespeting for it. With this, we can take targeted measures to ensure we secure the site to the fullest extent possible.¡± Faye flipped through the document, noticing a bunch of unknown smallpanies. How could these mere underdogs possibly contend with the Freeman Group?! Faye disdainfully said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear about maximizing anything. I want to ensure we secure this land. If you can¡¯t even beat a bunch of losers, then get ready to pack your stuff and leave!¡± tareis was quite displeased with her attitude, Kaying, ¡°Mn Freemax, fin past a dobonly Handling the bid for thend, and I can¡¯t guarantee wee Ti secure it. Vons¡® it need to be personal present at the bidding eve After Dearma spike, size tuined and left the room without looking track. Caye was infidiated by Deanna¡¯s attitude. ¡°How dare you speak to me in that tone? I can fore you fired right now!¡± Deana stored out, Bethany happened to enter the room, and she had overheard their conversation. ¡°Good morning, Ms. Carver,¡± Deanna greeted Bethany and hurriedly left the office. Her eyes were obviously red. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Seeing this, Bethany approached Faye with aforting smile, ¡°Auntie Faye, why bother getting all work up because of her? Even if you don¡¯t like her, you don¡¯t have to deal with her right now. Wait until the bidding event is over. You can always fire herter if necessary,¡± Speaking gently, Bethany reached out and massaged Faye¡¯s shoulders. After a few days of recovery, the injuries on Faye¡¯s face had healed, but the humiliation from the event still lingered. Unfortunately, her father was a businessman, prioritizing profit above all else. Though he knew she had been wronged, he hesitated to take risks and help her get rid of Sheena, especially since she had support from Howard and Jean. Given the circumstances, Bethany could only start with Faye and find an opportunity for revenge herself! Chapter 166 Chapter 166 Seeing Bethany. Fave calmed down slightly and affectionately took her harut ¡°Beth, you¡¯re a lilever Without you, I¡¯d be driven mad by these idiots. You¡¯ve probably learned a lot about management while studying abroad. We¡¯ll rely on your help a lot here in the future ¡± Bethany had been waiting for this moment! She smiled bashfully, saying, ¡°Not really, I just know a little bit. But Auntie Faye, rest assured that I¡¯ll do my best to assist you.¡± Initially, Faye¡¯s arrangement for Bethany at thepany was just a courteous gesture, giving her a vacant managerial position. However, in just one afternoon, Bethany had managed to organize the previously disorganized departments, systemizing their structure and operations. Now, Faye had complete trust in Bethany and assigned two more departments for her to manage. Three dayster, the bidding event for thend in the western suburbs was scheduled. Faye left Bethany at the Freeman Group to handle thepany affairs and attended the event with Erin. Standing at the entrance, they exchanged pleasantries with high¨Cranking executives from other bidding companies. After briefly scanning through all the attendingpanies, Faye felt even more confident about winning the bid and was practically on cloud nine. They suddenly heard amotion behind them as they were about to enter. Turning around, they saw a sleek silver¨Cgray Maybach pulling up right in front of them. The passenger door swung open, revealing a woman dressed in a rose¨Ccolored tailored mini dress, exuding simplicity and elegance. Underneath her delicate makeup, her breathtaking beauty left Faye and Erin in awe. It was Sheena! That bitch! Erin red at Sheena and whispered to Faye, ¡°Mom, why would shee to an event like this? Faye shook her head. She could not quite figure it out either, but the incident from a few days ago at the Moore Group¡¯s event was still fresh in her memory. Erin seemed to share her thoughts and added, ¡°Could it be that this bitch knows we¡¯re going to win the bid today and deliberately came to stir up trouble?¡± With that in mind, they approached Sheena as she closed her car door. When she turned around, Faye and Erin blocked her with warm smiles, seemingly friendly to onlookers. Once the attention from around them subsided, Erin could not hold back and hissed, ¡°Why can¡¯t you leave us alone? Are you letting the previous incidents get to your head?¡± Sheena covered her mouth, gracefully smiling. ¡°Oh? So, you can participate in the bid, but I can¡¯t?¡± Erin was amused, thinking that she had heard the funniest joke. ¡°You? Do you think you can bid for thend in the western suburbs? Am I hearing correctly?¡± Then, Erin nced at Faye, who was also entertained by Sheena¡¯s statement. ¡°Does Howard really have the power to manipte this bidding just for you? Do you even have the money to buy it?¡± Howard¡¯s influence in the entertainment industry was terrifying. That was a widely known fact. However, his involvement in the real estate business seemed non¨Cexistent. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Sheena maintained her smile, exuding an air of elegance andposure. Before she could exin, the driver¡¯s door of the Maybach opened. ¡°What a coincidence! I¡¯m also interested in this bidding event.¡± A dashing young man in a suit stepped out from the driver¡¯s side, walking around the front of the car to stand beside Sheena, The owner of the arrogant voice was¡­ Skye! Faye was taken aback, wondering why Skye would be there too. Could it be that the Zimmer family was also interested in this piece ofnd in the western suburbs? $, fave trad not ween the Flumnes tamily¡¯s name on the participant fit beforehand. If Her dimnes faintly was truly interested in thisnd, this hidding might be challenging¡± Toca expr¨Cstdem turned dark, but Erin¡¯s focus was entirely different huna, som te pestering Eli and seem pretty cozy with Mr. Lawson. Yet, it looks like your rtionship with Mr. Zimmer isn¡¯t exactly that simple either!¡± Erin was consumed by jealousy at the thought of Skye bringing Sheena to the Moore family¡¯s banquet and to this bidding event. ¡°Dors Howard know about your three¨Ctiming behavior?¡± sheena had not even said anything when Skye raised an eyebrow and scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re so ugly that I can¡¯t even stand to look at you, and your voice is equally unpleasant. Naturally, you wouldn¡¯t understand how appealing Sheena is.¡± ¡°You!¡± Skye was young and hot¨Cheaded, and he always had a sharp tongue for the people he disliked. Erin¡¯s face turned red with anger. She had always been confident with her looks, always being praised and admired wherever she went. Chapter 167 That was the first time someone had treated her with such disdain! The fact that this person was associated with the formidable Zimmer family and also a famous actor only made her angrier. Nevertheless, she was still wary of the Zimmer family¡¯s power, so she could only vent her frustration on Sheena. ¡°What kind of love potion did you brew for them? Why are they all siding with you?¡± Sheena just smiled and did not answer. However, the more nonchnt she appeared, the more Erin saw it as a deliberate pretense. ¡°Just wait! I¡¯ll make you pay for this!¡± Sheena shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± Seeing that her words did not faze Sheena in the slightest, Erin could only re back fiercely, attempting to overpower Sheena through the momentum. Skye walked in front of Sheena, nced at Faye and Erin in annoyance, and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. Their presence is making the air at the entrance feel dirty.¡± Sheena let him lead her into the venue. Erin was so infuriated she stomped her foot. If looks could kill, she would have killed Sheena a thousand times over. Faye, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought. Inside the venue, representatives from variouspanies formed small groups, engaging in impromptu discussions before the bidding officially began. Sheena surveyed the room, finally spotting Sarah in a rather low¨Cprofile group of people. It was as if they had a mutual understanding. When their gazes met, they exchanged nces, silently conveying something. Coming to an unspoken agreement, they looked away as if nothing had happened. Skye, who had been brought along reluctantly, remained oblivious. He was focused on the organizers¡® description of the details of thend in question. He turned to Sheena and asked, Sheena, do you like this piece ofnd? If you do, I can get it and give it to you.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Sheena chuckled. ¡°If you really dare to buy it, Old Man Zimmer might break your legs if he finds out.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t punish me. In fact, he¡¯d be delighted because it¡¯s a gift for you,¡± Skye said, smiling warmly. When he gazed at her, his eyes sparkled like stars. ¡°And even if I do get into trouble when I return, it¡¯s worth it for you.¡± Sheena yfully tapped his forehead. ¡°Stop being cheesy.¡± Skye pouted yfully, eximing, ¡°Ouch!¡± He held his forehead in a mock plea forfort, and the bidding event officially began as the two were fooling around. Chapter 168 Chapter 168 Representatives from various majorpanies entered the main hall. The seating arrangements had been predetermined, and Sheena went directly to her seat in the first row with her name on it. As the host¡¯s opening remarks filled the room, the bidding eventmenced. Then, servers politely approached each seat, collecting eachpany¡¯s bidding proposals and offers. When they reached Skye and Sheena, Skye waved them off, indicating they had nothing to submit. The servers were taken aback, and they awkwardly skipped the two to move on to the nextpany. Sitting in the first row on the right, Faye observed everything closely. Confirming that Skye had no intention of bidding, she was immediately at ease. If the Zimmer family was not interested inpeting for thend, then it would likely fall into the hands of her Freeman Group! With that in mind, Faye¡¯s tension was reced by a proud confidence. She stood up gracefully, capturing everyone¡¯s attention, and ced the Freeman Group¡¯s bidding proposal and project n elegantly into the wooden box held by a server. Seeing her confident demeanor, otherpanies began to murmur. ¡°Looks like Mr. Zimmer is just here to observe, and with the Freeman Group, a big yer in the lead, thatnd in the western suburbs is probably out of our reach.¡± ¡°Sigh¡­ You¡¯re right. It¡¯s a shame to have made this trip for nothing. We can only offer our early congrattions to the Freeman Group.¡± The crowd sighed in disappointment. Faye heard everything and felt even more pleased. She stood up, smiling humbly at thepany representatives in front and behind her, appearing like the host of the event. ¡°I apologize for any inconvenience, but I must admit that the Freeman Group is determined to get this piece ofnd. This might disappoint everyone, but rest assured, I won¡¯t let your efforts go in vain. Every company participating in today¡¯s bidding event will have the opportunity to coborate with the Freeman Group on the subsequent development of the western suburbs.¡± Faye¡¯s words sparked excitement among the attendees. Initially, their hopes for thend were low, but now they had the chance to work alongside the Freeman Group, and it felt like an unexpected stroke of luck! Everyone showered Faye with praise and ttery. ¡°Madam Freeman is truly generous. With you leading the Freeman Group, it¡¯s bound to prosper!¡± ¡°Yes, I agree. Our Sky Legion Construction is renowned in this area. Madam Freeman, please do consider us!¡± T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Amidst this wave ofpliments, Faye felt elevated. So, this is the kind of position that all How satisfying! Suppressing her excitement, Fayeposed herself and gestured for everyone to quiet down ¡°Rest assured, when the timees, you only need to submit your project proposals. The Freeman Group will select three outstanding proposals from those and coborate for the collective benefit.¡± ¡°Fantastic! Madam Freeman, you¡¯re so impressive and generous!¡± This round of praise solidified the Freeman Group¡¯s positive reputation. Erin, too, felt gratified by the ttery. Then, she turned her head and instinctively nced at Sheena¡¯s direction, only to find that Sheena was casually ying with her phone, seemingly unconcerned. Erin huffed and walked up to Sheena¡¯s seat, saying rudely, ¡°Sheena, when the hostes out, they¡¯ll announce that thend belongs to the Freeman Group. Everyone in the audience is cheering for the Freeman Group. Why don¡¯t you say a fewplimentary words too?¡± Sheena put down her phone, smirking. ¡°Don¡¯t be so eager just yet. What if the Freeman Group loses out in the bidding? Won¡¯t you all be embarrassed?¡± Erin thought Sheena¡¯sment was nothing more than her overestimating herself. After all, how could it not belong to the Freeman Group? There was nopany present that couldpete with them! Erin stared at her mockingly as a malicious idea shed in her mind. ¡°How about a bet?¡± Chapter 169 Shea became intrigues! ¡°What¡¯s the bet?¡± ¡°It the Freeman Group wins the bid, you have to strip naked publicly, admit to being a cheap gestuctress and then leave Parlem forever, never to appear again!¡± It was apparent that Krin wanted to humiliate Sheena by having so many demands despite it being only for one bet skye telt annoyed and was about to retaliate on Sheena¡¯s behalf, but Sheena held him back With a faint smile, Sheena replied, ¡°I¡¯m not asking for much. If any otherpany wins, you just need to kneel and kowtow to me three times,¡± Erin was initially taken aback, but she felt confident she would not lose. Hence, she did not mind the bet. ¡°Sure! I¡¯ll be waiting to see you strip down, losing all your dignity!¡± After her bold statement, Erin confidently returned to her seat. As she sat, the host walked out to announce the results. After some official statements, he produced the final list of winners and began reading, ¡°First to be announced is the Mount Raine District¡¯s plot of land. Congrattions to Secure Interlink Construction Company for winning¡­¡± The earlier announcements were about less significant pieces ofnd. As the host announced each winningpany, apuse followed from the audience. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Erin¡¯s heart raced as the announcement for the western suburbs drew closer, feeling a mixture of excitement and a hint of nervousness. She instinctively looked at Sheena for her reaction, only to find Sheena still lookingposed. Erin scoffed. She wanted to see how Sheena would react when the actual announcement was made. ¡°Lastly, wee to the most coveted piece ofnd in this event, the prime location in the western suburbs. Who will be the winner?¡± On stage, the host¡¯s expression turned mysterious, finally getting to the climax of the event. The atmosphere in the room grew lively. Faye, who had been a bit anxious, immediately felt reassured when she thought she saw the host ncing in her direction. ¡°Let¡¯s congratte the winner of this prestigious spot¡­¡± As the host announced the winner, Faye stood up directly, even turning around and smiling as she waved toward the back row, disying an expression of triumph. ¡°The winner of the western suburbsnd plot is Serene Real Estate Limited. Congrattions!¡± Faye was about to step onto the stage to present her speech when she heard the unfamiliar name, causing her to freeze. Serene Real Estate Limited?! It was not the Freeman Group that won the bid¡­ How could this be happening? When did this unmemorable smallpany emerge? the bat not even heard of them! At that moment, her gesture of standing up and waving looked like that of a clown. The words Serene Real Estate Limited¡± felt like a series of heavy ps, leaving her utterly embarrassed Whispers spread among the audience as they looked at Faye with sharp gazes. Erin stood up in disbelief and questioned, ¡°This can¡¯t be true! Who the hell is Serene Real Estate Limited? Whether it¡¯s experience, pricing, or reputation, how can theypare to the Freeman Group? Did you coborate in secret and manipte the situation against us?¡± The host¡¯s expression turned sour, warning Erin, ¡°Ms. Freeman, please mind yournguage. We decided based onparing the bid proposals and project ns submitted by eachpany. It was completely fair and just.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe it! Unless you provide evidence, I won¡¯t ept it!¡± Erin persisted. The host was in a difficult situation. After all, bid proposals and project ns were highly confidential and could not be made public. For anypany, this was a strict rule. Hence, what evidence was she talking about? Then again, if they did not provide something, it would make them appear guilty.. Seeing him silent, Erin sneered triumphantly, ¡°As long as you can¡¯t produce evidence, this bid for the western suburbnd is invalid!¡± The host was visibly in a dilemma, mumbling, ¡°Well¡­¡± Seeing the host¡¯s hesitation, Sheena exchanged a nce with Sarah, who was seated in the back corner. Sarah understood and stood up, walking toward the stage. Chapter 170 Chapter 170 ¡°Ms. Freeman doesn¡¯t have a say in the validity of this bid!¡± As the strong and resolute female voice echoed, the crowd turned to look, shocked. The head of Serene Real Estate Limited was sitting in the back row, showing just how small the company was! How could a smallpany like that be able to win the bid? They might not be able topete with the Freeman Group, but were they really inferior to Serene Real Estate Limited? Majorpanies began to echo Erin¡¯s words, demanding the bid be invalidated. The crowd grew animated with voices expressing their opinions. Sarah, entrusted by Sheena, confidently walked up to the stage and took the microphone. Since everyone insists, let¡¯s project our bid proposal for everyone to see! You¡¯ll know that Serene Real Estate Limited won based on merit!¡± Many scoffed at her words, not believing a smallpany like that could produce anything impressive. The host promptly informed the organizers of the situation. Finally, the organizers agreed to Sarah¡¯s request. Two minutester, therge screen disyed Serene Real Estate Limited¡¯s bid proposal. At first nce, the bid proposal seemed ordinary. However, the more they read, the more they realized the person behind this proposal was incredibly capable. Whether analyzing the industry as a whole or themercial market for the western suburbnd, every detail was incredibly urate. The audience was left speechless. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Who would have thought that a smallpany like Serene Real Estate Limited would have such remarkable talents? Curiouspanies stood up and asked Sarah, ¡°Excuse me, did you write this bid proposal?¡± Sarah shook her head, ¡°No, our owner wrote it.¡± Little did they know that this was because both the members of Dark Bell and Serene Real Estate Limited employees struggled to produce anything satisfactory, and Sheena was far from pleased with their submissions. In the end, she had to take matters into her own hands and work through the night to produce this proposal. However, Sheena frowned and red at Sarah in response. After all, she wanted to be out of sight, just behind the scenes. Sarah realized she had overstepped and quickly lowered her head, avoiding eye contact. The crowd was too preupied to notice their subtle interaction. Everyone was now curious about Serene Real Estate Limited¡¯s owner! Though Serene Real Estate Limited appeared insignificant now, its owner seemed to possets great talent. If they continued to develop, they might be a formidablepetitor in the future! Many people discreetly started searching online, attempting to uncover the mysterious and low¨Cprofile owner of Serene Real Estate Limited. With the disy of the bid proposal¡¯s impressive strength, no one dared to question its validity anymore. Although Erin did not quite understand, judging from the reactions of the others and Faye¡¯s expression, she had a rough idea. She could only act like she did not care, trying to lower her presence. Seeing the majorpanies were now thoroughly convinced, Sarah began to speak. ¡°Lastly, on behalf of ourpany, I want to thank Madam Freeman from the Freeman Group. Serene Real Estate Limited might not have had this opportunity without her generosity.¡± This statement was undoubtedly a p in the face for Faye. Everyone present knew just how proud Faye had been before. Generosity? As if! Faye¡¯s face turned red. Just moments ago, she had been basking in praise, and now she wished she could vanish into thin air. Nheless, considering the Freeman Group¡¯s dominant position in the real estate industry, nopanies dared to express extreme opinions despite their dissatisfaction. The bidding event concluded sessfully, and the crowd began to disperse. Erin hunched over and tried to sneak away behind Faye, attempting to leave as quietly as possible. However, Skye cut her off, blocking her path. Sheena¡¯s mischievous voice came from behind, teasing, ¡°Ms. Freeman, are you nning to leave without even a word?¡± Chapter 171 Chapter 171 1/2 The incident at the Freeman mansion still haunted Erin. Initially, she did not expect to lose, which was why she confidently made the bet. Unfortunately for her, she had lost, and fear soon consumed her. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Thest time, Erin had only embarrassed herself in front of the servants in the Freeman mansion, and they were all bound by the confidentiality agreements. Hence, she could still throw a fit there without any repercussions. After all, who would dare to criticize her in that situation? Nheless, the circumstances were different now. How would she ever maintain her status in upper¨C ss society if she were to kneel and kowtow to Sheena in front of so many outsiders? There was no way she would kneel! Erin hid behind Faye, unwillingly defending herself, ¡°I was just joking. Why are you taking it so seriously?¡± With hands in his pockets, Skye taunted, ¡°You lost the bet, and now you¡¯re a sore loser. Who would have thought the Freeman family were a bunch of shameless creatures.¡± Faye was utterly confused by the scolding. After asking Erin, she learned about her bet with Sheena and tried to smooth things over, persuading Sheena, ¡°Sheena, we should live and let live. Erin is still young. How could a child¡¯s yful joke count? Besides, aren¡¯t you just humiliating her by doing this?¡± Sheena countered with a smile, saying, ¡°If the bet was in your favor, would you let go of the chance to humiliate me?¡± Of course not! Since their divorce, Faye thought Sheena did not respect her as her former mother¨Cinw, and she dreamed of giving her a piece of her mind! However, she could not say that aloud. With a gentle smile, Faye was about to speak, but Erin interrupted, ¡°How can youpare the two? I¡¯m the heiress of the Freeman family! What are you? Of course, my reputation is more important than yours!¡± With that, Sheena¡¯s expression darkenedpletely. ¡°If you dare to bet, you must be willing to ept the consequences of losing. Madam Freeman, you keep saying that Ms. Freeman is still a child, but have you forgotten that she¡¯s already an adult? She¡¯s ountable for the words she says!¡± Sarah, who had stepped down from the stage, chimed in. She approached and continued the argument, ¡°If Ms. Freeman doesn¡¯t honor the bet and tries to back out, her reputation in the upper¨C ss society might suffer quite a blow.¡± ¡°This is none of your business!¡± Erin tugged at Faye¡¯s arm, ring at Sarah. Chapter 171 Faye nced at both Sheena and Sarah, feeling suspicious. ¡°Ms. Peterson, you¡¯re taking her side right off the bat. Do you know each other well?¡°. ¡°I¡¯m merely stating a fact,¡± replied Sarah. She did not look at Sheena, and both of them were like strangers. Faye briefly examined the two but did not dwell on it. Erin, however, flew into a rage, screaming, ¡°I don¡¯t care! The previous bet doesn¡¯t count! I¡¯ll never bow down to you, bitch!¡± With that, she pushed past Skye, determined to leave the venue. Sheena¡¯s eyes flickered coldly, saying, ¡°You won¡¯t have a say in this.¡® Before Erin could react, a sudden pain struck the back of her knees. ¡°Ah!¡± Erin lost her bnce and fell on all fours before Sheena. Skye and Sarah burst intoughter. Erin¡¯s posture was utterly embarrassing! If she had simply kneeled and kowtowed as she should, perhaps she would not be in such a sorry state. Sheena looked at Erin on the floor, smirking. ¡°Good girl, you¡¯re so obedient! Remember this next time, and don¡¯t take bets lightly.¡± Erin struggled to get up from the ground, but the pain in her knee left her unable to exert any force. Her hands slipped, causing her to kneel again. Skye was nearly doubled over inughter. Unfortunately, most attendees had left the scene, leaving only a few witnesses to Erin¡¯s embarrassing moment. Nevertheless, they were afraid to offend the Freeman family and only dared to stifle theirughter. Erin was both embarrassed and furious. ¡°How dare you ambush me?!¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 172 Chapter 172 Faye was livid and hurried to help Erin up. However, she could not lift her, no matter how much she pulled. Instead, she slipped and fell herself. Seeing this, Sheena raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. ¡°Madam Freeman, you¡¯re being too kind. There¡¯s no need for such gestures. Although I must say, I certainly enjoy this.¡± Once again, Skye burst intoughter, making Faye¡¯s anger re up. She red at Sheena, gnashing her teeth. ¡°You¡¯re going too far! Show some restraint!¡± Sheena blinked innocently, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Am I going too far? Hmm¡­ I think I¡¯m not quite there yet. After all, the sound of Ms. Freeman¡¯s head hitting the ground wasn¡¯t quite loud enough.¡± Erin felt a sense of dread. Yet, before she could react, a sharp pain shot through the back of her neck, causing her to lose her bnce and her head to crash heavily onto the ground. Someone in the crowd gasped when they heard the loud thud. It sounded really painful! When Erin lifted her head again, she found arge swollen lump on her forehead, and she looked ridiculous. ¡°Ahh!¡± Erin was furious and utterly mortified. She felt like burying herself under a nket and never coming out again. Faye was a mix of anger and concern. However, considering Erin was at fault, scolding her directly in front of everyone was inappropriate. Eventually, Faye helped the limping Erin and left the venue. Once most people had departed, the two bodyguards who had thrown pebbles at Erin from the shadows stepped out. Sheena smiled approvingly andplimented them, ¡°Well done. You¡¯ll be getting a raise for that.¡± Meanwhile, Elijah had been tirelessly searching for days in the mountain range connecting Farlem and Luivine, practically turning the entire mountain upside down. The sophisticated technological devices he brought were now useless as they were out of battery, and the search for Sheena had be increasingly daunting. Elijah¡¯s subordinates sighed in frustration yet were too afraid of his potential wrath to voice their concerns. Original from N?velDrama.Org. He leaned against a tree, lighting up a cigarette. If something really had happened to Sheena, it would have been impossible that they had not found a single trace, even after days of meticulous searching. A subordinate, the one leading the team, approached Elijah and asked hesitantly, ¡°Mr. Freeman, is it possible that the information was incorrect? Perhaps Ms. Sheena ended up somewhere else? The night was dark, and Leon might not have seen where she fell clearly. Moreover, what if she fell into a river? The signal is weak in the mountains, and we can¡¯t send more people to help Mahe Chapter Before he could finish his sentence, Elijah¡¯s expression turned gloomier. ¡°No, she¡¯s not dead.¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± The subordinate was taken aback. Surviving a fall from such a height was nearly impossible! Elijah remained silent. The information from Jonah could not possibly be wrong, and Leon was not lying¨CSheena did fall from the ne. Besides, the detection equipment he brought was foolproof; even if she had fallen into a river, there should still be some trace. Hence, only one possibility remained. Elijah frowned as a sudden realization hit him. ¡°Let¡¯s head back to Farlem!¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman!¡± His subordinates quickly followed his orders, packing their belongings in haste, eager to return to Farlem as fast as possible. Just as they were about to leave, a group approached them, supporting each other as they walked toward them. Chapter 173 Chapter 173 Chapter 173 The man in the id shirt and sses at the front approached Elijah, asking, ¡°Sir, we¡¯re all here for a holiday, but we got lost. We¡¯ve been stuck here for days. Our luggage is gone, and we¡¯re starving. Do you happen to know the way out of the mountains?¡± Elijah remained silent, only meeting the man¡¯s gaze. His obsidian eyes gave nothing away about his thoughts. The man nced at the subordinates behind Elijah and continued trying to be friendly. ¡°Sir, it seems like you¡¯re nning to leave the mountains too. How about we join forces? We could look out for each other on the way.¡± In contrast to the man¡¯s enthusiasm, Elijah appeared aloof. He studied the group of men behind the id¨Cshirted man. With a military background, Elijah was naturally cautious about strangers suddenly appearing. These people imed they were on holiday, yet their clothes were not as dirty as they should be after days without washing. In fact, it appeared as if they deliberately dirtied their clothes. Despite their disheveled appearance, their eyes were bright, unlike those starving for days. Elijah frowned, sensing that something was not right about this group. One of his subordinates beside him quickly noticed his change in demeanor and became wary as well. Elijah smiled and replied, ¡°No need to join us. We¡¯re not going the same way.¡± Then, he turned to leave. ¡°Well, where are you headed then? Since we¡¯re all out here, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to make some friends,¡± the id¨Cshirted man persisted, attempting to pat Elijah¡¯s shoulder. Before the man could even touch his shoulder, Elijah grabbed the man¡¯s hand tightly. The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Elijah held onto the man with one hand and reached toward the man¡¯s pocket. Sensing trouble, the man tried to stop him, but his new knife handle was exposed in his pocket. Elijah sneered, his gaze growing icy. ¡°What a new knife! I doubt you¡¯re here just for a holiday. Who sent you?¡± Realizing he had been discovered, the man dropped the act, his expression turning sinister. ¡°Since you¡¯re already here, don¡¯t expect to leave alive!¡± With those words, the man pulled out a small knife and lunged toward Elijah. Elijah swiftly dodged the attack, and they quickly engaged in a fight. The rest of the group took notice and drew their weapons. The two groups shed, and chaos ensued. Chapter 178 After returning home and calming Erin down, Faye headed to thepany and called Bethany over. As Bethany approached the CEO¡¯s office, a coffee cup suddenly crashed beside her. She had heard about the Freeman Group¡¯s failed bid, so she smiled as she walked up behind Faye, offering to massage her temples. ¡°Being angry isn¡¯t worth harming your health, Auntie Faye.¡± With a throbbing headache, Faye closed her eyes, enjoying the massage while trying to calm her emotions. Bethany continued, ¡°I looked into that Serene Real Estate Limited. They were originally a struggling smallpany on the brink of bankruptcy. Somehow, they made a remarkable recovery recently and won the bid for thend in the western suburbs. There¡¯s more to it than meets the eye.¡± Faye opened her eyes and gently held Bethany¡¯s hand. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll rely on you, Beth, to investigate this real estatepany¡¯s hidden owner. If we can offer her a better sry to join the Freeman Group, she might be willing to hand over thend in the western suburbs.¡± Bethany frowned and asked, ¡°But if she¡¯s already a sessful owner, why would she want to work for the Freeman Group?¡± Faye fell into a momentary silence. ¡°If the person can¡¯t be of use to the Freeman Group, then we¡¯ll have to kick them and thepany out of Farlem.¡± ¡°Understood, Auntie Faye. But¡­¡± Bethany hesitated, appearing to be in a dilemma. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Chapter 174 Chapter 174 ¡°My position within the Freeman Group is still too low. Many people don¡¯t take me seriously. At this rate, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to help you much, Auntie Faye.¡± Faye waved her hand. You can have any department you want.¡± Bethany was overjoyed. ¡°Thank you, Auntie Faye.¡± Bethany left the CEO¡¯s office and headed straight to the corresponding departments to oversee the transition. This time, Bethany took charge of the human resources and finance departments. She always struck the right bnce, asking for enough without raising Faye¡¯s suspicions. With control over the human resources department, she could ce her own people there, and the finance department was the lifeblood of the entirepany. With these two pieces in her hands, the Freeman Group would be her ything in no time. Once she had the Freeman Group, she would possess significant power. Bethany¡¯s first target was Sheena, the bitch who embarrassed her at the Moore Group¡¯s opening ceremony. The thought excited Bethany, but she did not let herself get too carried away. After all, she still had tasks assigned by Faye toplete. Hence, Bethany secretly arranged for someone to infiltrate the Serene Real Estate Limitedpany. Whether it was to gather information or create mischief, it was all in her favor. Sheena was sitting in the Angle Group office, dealing with various matters, when she received a call from Sarah. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Sarah sounded serious as she reported, ¡°There¡¯s some insider information from the Freeman Group.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Faye handed over five departments, including the human resources and finance departments, all to Bethany.¡± Sheena chuckled and shook her head. She could not believe Faye would entrust even the finance department to an outsider. How naive was Faye? It seemed that before long, the Freeman Group would be ruined by Faye, all ending up in Bethany¡¯s hands. Faye knew nothing about running a business, yet she was toying around with Sebastian¡¯s hard work. If Sebastian knew about this, he would probably crawl out of his grave and teach the fool a lesson! oler 174 232 Although Sheena was pleased to see the Freeman Group¡¯s downfall, she promised Sebastian that she would protect thepany. Thus, she was determined to have the Freeman Group! After considering that, Sheena ordered Sarah, ¡°Have someone keep a close eye on Bethany. Let me know immediately if she makes a move. Also, if there¡¯s any discreet selling of shares by the Freeman Group, buy them all regardless of the price.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± After receiving the order, Sarah quickly went to work. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. An hourter, Sheena received another call from Sarah. ¡°As you guessed, Bethany is already making moves. Among the candidates who applied to Serene Real Estate Limited, one person¡¯s background seems very suspicious. I had our people follow the lead and found out he had a phone call with an unknown number today. Shortly after, one hundred and fifty thousand dors appeared in his ount. Sarah paused briefly before continuing, ¡°Should we threaten him a bit, maybe rough him up a little, and then send him to Bethany to establish our dominance?¡± Sheena gave it a thought, smirking as she replied, ¡°No, Let¡¯s hire him.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sarah was puzzled. ¡°He¡¯s likely a corporate spy sent by Bethany. Won¡¯t keeping him around risk leakingpany secrets?¡± ¡°It¡¯s better to keep an eye on him up close. And besides, I want him to leak the secrets,¡± Sheea said calmly, and her eyes glistened as she spoke. ¡°It won¡¯t be long before Bethany bankrupts the Freeman Group, and we¡¯ll be helping her this time!¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 175 Chapter 175 After finishing the call with Sarah, Sheena tidied up her desk, preparing to head upstairs to find Howard. Since Noah had been in Farlem for quite a while, she nned to go with Howard to check on Hannah¡¯s condition, hoping to free Noah as soon as possible. Upon arriving at the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor, Sheena found that Yuri was not waiting outside. However, she did not think much of it and found that the office door was not locked either. As she gently pushed the door open, she heard a husky voice from inside, seemingly on a phone call. ¡°Aren¡¯t you being too aggressive? After all, it involves Nana. I think she might have her own ns¡­¡± Did it involve her? What could be so secretive that Howard was discussing it like this? Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena was about to listen in a bit more when the door was suddenly pushed open from the inside. It seemed that Yuri keenly noticed her presence. Howard casually put away his phone, looking at her affectionately. ¡°When did you arrive? Why didn¡¯t youe in?¡± Sheena felt a bit embarrassed at being caught, awkwardly touching her ear. ¡°I just got here. I was waiting for you to have some free time to visit the Moore family together and check Hannah¡¯s condition.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ve finished my work now. Let¡¯s go.¡± === Sheena obediently nodded. When their gazes met, she noticed hisposed and calm expression. Had she misheard it? [ 2 3 Nevertheless, Sheena did not dwell on it. Even if her brothers kept something from her, they would never harm her. Just as they were about to leave for the Moore family, they received a message from Noah informing them that Hannah¡¯s health had improved, and since he had been in Farlem for too long, he was now heading to a private airport to return to Luivine. Hence, they ended up heading to the private airport. In the backseat of the car, Sheena asionally turned her head to sneak nces at Howard, who was busy reading a newspaper. The sunlight shone through the car window, casting a warm halo on his hair, and he appeared exceptionally handsome. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Howard noticed her gaze and asked. Sheena hesitated for a few cogend Chapter 175 you want to tell me?¡± Howard froze but quickly replied, ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± ¡®Alright, then,¡® Sheena thought. 2/2 Sheena fell silent, looking back out the car window. If Howard did not want to say anything, she decided to let it 1. go. They soon arrived at the private airport, and Sheena gave Noah a big hug as soon as she got out of the car. ¡°Noah, thank you for your help.¡± Noah reached out to ruffle her hair. His cold expression finally softened a bit when he saw her, saying, ¡°Silly girl.¡± The three siblings chatted. As time was running out, Sheena and Howard watched Noah board the ne. ¡°Wait! Something has happened to the Moore family!¡± Noah had just stepped onto the boardingdder when Yuri rushed over. Stopping in his tracks, he turned around and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Someone from the Moore family informed me that Ms. Hannah suddenly fainted at home. Madam Moore isn¡¯t sure if it¡¯s due to some mistake from the previous surgery, which might have affected her cerebral nerve. She wants Mr. Noah toe over and check on her again.¡± Fainted? Sheena frowned. Noah had personally performed the surgery; how could there be a mistake? Was someone deliberately framing him? However, using this as a reason to suggest Noah was medically ipetent was the same as digging their own grave. Howard was equally puzzled while Noah¡¯s face grew gloomier. ¡°Let¡¯s go and see what¡¯s going on.¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward Chapter 176 Chapter 176 Noah had to cancel his boarding and apany Sheena to the Moore mansion. Inside the mansion, Vanessa was pacing outside Hannah¡¯s room. Seeing them approach, she hurriedly came over to greet Noah with joy. ¡°You¡¯ve finally arrived. Hannah was practicing walking at home and suddenly fainted. She¡¯s still unconscious now. I was so worried and didn¡¯t know what to do, so I had to bother you.¡± Noah¡¯s face remained indifferent, nodding slightly before walking past Vanessa to open the door to the room. Sheena followed closely, also intending to see how Hannah was doing, but Vanessa stopped her. Vanessa smiled, saying nicely, ¡°Ms. Sheena, it¡¯s enough for Mr. Noah to be inside. You¡¯re not a doctor, so going in won¡¯t be of much help. Why not stay outside and chat with me, maybe have some fruit?¡± Sheena observed, slightly frowning. Considering Vanessa¡¯s affection for Hannah, she should be in a frenzy over her copse. Yet now she was cheerfully dismissing her, maintaining such a courteous attitude. It seemed there was more to this fainting incident¡­ Well, during the Moore Group¡¯s grand opening event, whether Hannah¡¯s intentions were genuine or not, she had tried to help her. Hence, Sheena decided to consider it as repaying the favor. With this thought, she smiled slightly and looked at Noah ahead. ¡°You should go in first. I¡¯ll keep Madam Moorepany.¡± Noah nodded and went into the room alone. Vanessa caught the small exchange of nces between the two, and she was surprised. Then, she half¨Cjokingly asked, ¡°Ms. Sheena, you seem to be quite close with Mr. Noah. Are you two¡­ Original from N?velDrama.Org. Her gaze darted between them, implying something. Sheena¡¯s expression remained neutral as she replied, ¡°We¡¯re just ordinary friends.¡± 11 Vanessa seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, smiling warmly. She eagerly offered Sheena some fruit, saying, ¡°Friends, huh! That¡¯s great. Ms. Sheena is lucky to have friends like Mr. Noah and Mr. Lawson!¡± Sheena simply nodded in agreement, not saying anything. Inside the room, the lighting was dim. Hannahy quietly on the bed. However, unlike when she was in a vegetative state before, her complexion was noticeably healthier, and her breathing was somewhat rapid. With just one nce, Noah instantly turned moody and said, ¡°You¡¯re not sick.¡± Hamah felt utterly embarrassed for belog exposed so quickly. Seeing him about to leave, she hurriedly opened her eyes, sat up in bed, and grabbed his sleeve, ¡°Don¡¯t go!¡± Noah did not turn around, but he did not move either. Hannah could not see his expression, yet she could clearly sense his coldness, Noah was angry¡­. Hannah¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, panicking. All she knew was that she would not have another chance to see him if he left. ¡°Noah, I know that the Moore and Lawson families are not on the same level, but I know that if I don¡¯t say it now, I¡¯ll never get another chancel¡± She paused and took a deep breath as if summoning courage, finally confessing to Noah, ¡°I like you! I really like you a lot. I know we haven¡¯t known each other for long, and you don¡¯t really know me, but can you please stay and try to talk to me more? 1¡­¡± ¡°No.¡± Hannah had not finished speaking, before Noah¡¯s cold voice cut her off. ¡°Because I don¡¯t like you Hannah was heartbroken, staring at his tall figure in a daze. He was so heartless that he would not even turn around to look at her, and she could not put her emotions into words. Hannah knew she had deceived him by pretending to be sick, but she would never have had a chance to confess if she had not done that. Her eyes turned red, but she clenched her lips tightly, holding back her tears as she murmured, ¡°Is it because of¡­ Sheena? Do you like her?¡± Chapter 177 Chapter 177 Hannah¡¯s knuckles turned white as she gripped onto the bed sheet too tightly. Despite being fearful of his response, a tiny sliver of hope lingered within her. However, Noah said nothing, removing her hand coldly. He pushed the door open and left without looking back at her. Vanessa and Sheena, who had been chatting on the sofa outside the room, were both startled by Noah¡¯s chilling expression as he emerged. Vanessa was the first to ask, ¡°Mr. Noah! W¨Cwhat¡¯s wrong?¡± Noah ignored her, addressing Sheena directly, ¡°You knew she was pretending to be sick.¡± Was he actually angry? This was the first time Noah spoke to Sheena in such a tone, and she felt guilty, mumbling, ¡°I¡­ Noah did not give her a chance to exin. Instead, he walked downstairs and left. Sheena was about to follow him, but Vanessa grabbed her and led her into the room to check Hannah¡¯s condition. Hannah¡¯s eyes were red, as though she had just been crying, and she appeared to be in a bad mood. Vanessa hugged her, looking pained. ¡°Hannah, I already advised you not to do it! Noah¡¯s too aloof, and he won¡¯t have feelings for you. But you just had to try, and now you¡¯re hurt!¡± Hannah bit her lip, remaining silent. Knowing that Hannah was stubborn and unyielding once she set her mind to something, Vanessa turned to Sheena for help. ¡°Sheena, for the sake of our good rtionship, please help Hannah. You managed to bring Mr. Noah¡¯to Farlem. I¡¯m sure you have a way to make him stay! Sheena shook her head; her expression serious as she replied, ¡°It¡¯s no use. He¡¯s a man of strong principles. If he doesn¡¯t like it, no amount of persuasion will work.¡± Though this bluntness might be a little harsh for Hannah, Sheena had no other choice but to be straightforward. After all, better a temporary pain than a long one, and Hannah had toe to terms with the reality on her own. Vanessa sighed in disappointment. Seeing this heartbreaking scene, Sheena realized she could not do much to help and decided to leave. ¡°Sheena!¡± Hannah called her, asking, ¡°Are you my enemy?¡± Vanessa trembled with fear. The fate of Jennifer was still fresh in her memory, and she froze. Sheena stood quietly, but without exining or looking back, she simply left the Moore mansion. Chapter 178 2/2 Sarah, on the other end of the call, was surprised. ¡°Ms. Lawson, if he tells Bethany and the n is leaked, they might obstruct our coboration with Sky Legion Construction.¡± Sheena pursed her lips and smiled. ¡°It depends on whether they¡¯re capable of doing that.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sarah could not quite grasp her intentions, so she just followed her instructions obediently. That evening¡­ Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Bethany arrived at the Freeman mansion in a great mood, seeking recognition from Faye. ¡®Auntie Faye, I managed to get my hands on the cooperation n between Serene Real Estate Limited and Sky Legion Construction.¡± Faye was delighted. ¡°Really?¡± Then, she eagerly took the proposal from Bethany¡¯s hands and read through it carefully, saying, ¡°Fantastic! Having this proposal will make things much easier.¡± Bethany chimed in, ¡°Now that we know Serene Real Estate Limited¡¯s offer to Sky Legion Construction, we just need to multiply that price several times to outbid them and snatch this cooperation.¡± ¡°Serene Real Estate Limited is a smallpany to begin with, so they¡¯re short on funds. Once they¡¯ve paid the advance, we can disturb the coboration. Then, as they won¡¯t have the money or the leverage to secure a better construction materialspany, they¡¯ll be left helpless and have to give up thend.¡± Listening to her, Faye could not stopughing. ¡°Excellent. I¡¯ll leave this matter entirely to you. No matter the cost, the Freeman Group can afford it!¡± Bethany nodded. Faye patted her shoulder and looked at her earnestly. ¡°Beth, I trust you the most. Don¡¯t let me down!¡± Chapter 178 Chapter 178 Howard nodded, replying, ¡°Corey located him in the mountains between Farlem and Luivine¡± That was not surprising at all. After all, Corey had his ways in both legal and illegal circles, and his informationwork was indeed more extensive than Dark Bell¡¯s. But¡­ ¡°Why would he go there?¡± Howard remained silent, seemingly finding it difficult to speak. Sheena connected all the dots and significant events from that period. After careful consideration, she shook her head with a wry smile. ¡°Is he there to recover my body, thinking I¡¯m dead? Can¡¯t he let me find peace even when I¡¯m dead?¡± Howard was caught off guard by herment and quickly changed the subject, ¡°He got stuck in the mountains, which dyed his return. But he¡¯ll probably be back in Farlem in no more than a week.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression stiffened. A week was too soon. If Bethany was not acting swiftly enough and Elijah could return in time to take control, it would be difficult to bankrupt the Freeman Group. Howard sensed her worry and asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s your next move?¡± Sheena locked eyes with him and smiled faintly. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll surprise him on the day he returns!¡± Howard met her intense gaze, but he looked away as he felt slightly guilty. Actually, there were two things he kept from her¡­ Corey¡¯s people were the ones who trapped Elijah. Since he had never liked that troublemaker, Corey took the chance to teach him a lesson. Secondly, Elijah¡¯s search for her was not out of ill intention. He wanted to save her. If Sheena dug a little deeper, she would find that Leon¡¯s hijacking incident had nothing to do with Elijah. However, she was just reluctant to look into it, preferring to believe that Elijah was at fault. Howard wanted to exin, but ultimately said nothing, believing that even if Elijah was not at fault this time, he still owed her for the suffering she endured in the past three years! With an approximate timeline for Elijah¡¯s return in mind, Sheena was in high spirits. The next day, she had Sarah disguise herself as a prominent shareholder of Serene Real Estate Limited for a public event. The suburbannd in the western part of the city had been acquired, but the construction project details needed to be discussed with Sky Legion Construction for cooperation. ¡°Tonight, bring that mole from the Freeman Group to the Sky Legion Construction gathering. Make sure to allow him to get the ns privately.¡± Sarah, on the other end of the call, was surprised. ¡°Ms. Lawson, if he tells Bethany and the n is leaked, they might obstruct our coboration with Sky Legion Construction.¡± Sheena pursed her lips and smiled. ¡°It depends on whether they¡¯re capable of doing that.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sarah could not quite grasp her intentions, so she just followed her instructions obediently. That evening¡­ Bethany arrived at the Freeman mansion in a great mood, seeking recognition from Faye. ¡°Auntie Faye, I managed to get my hands on the cooperation n between Serene Real Estate Limited and Sky Legion Construction.¡± Faye was delighted. ¡°Really?¡± Then, she eagerly took the proposal from Bethany¡¯s hands and read through it carefully, saying, ¡°Fantastic! Having this proposal will make things much easier.¡± Bethany chimed in, ¡°Now that we know Serene Real Estate Limited¡¯s offer to Sky Legion Construction, we just need to multiply that price several times to outbid them and snatch this cooperation.¡± ¡°Serene Real Estate Limited is a smallpany to begin with, so they¡¯re short on funds. Once they¡¯ve paid the advance, we can disturb the coboration. Then, as they won¡¯t have the money or the leverage to secure a better construction materialspany, they¡¯ll be left helpless and have to give up thend.¡± Listening to her, Faye could not stopughing. ¡°Excellent. I¡¯ll leave this matter entirely to you. No matter the cost, the Freeman Group can afford it!¡± Bethany nodded. Faye patted her shoulder and looked at her earnestly. ¡°Beth, I trust you the most. Don¡¯t let me down!¡± 1/2Original from N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 179 apter 179 thany nodded and began the arrangements the next day. However, when she approached e representative at Sky Legion Construction to discuss the coboration, they regretfully formed her, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Carver, but Serene Real Estate Limited has already increased eir offer to 150 million dors from the original price. We can¡¯t provide you with these aterials unless¡­ you also raise your bid?¡± r this batch of construction materials, Serene Real Estate Limited had actually managed to crease their bid to 150 million dors! ere they out of their minds? ell, it worked out for the best. The fact that they were willing to invest all that money into e construction of thend indicated their high interest in it. In other words, it had be a ake¨Cor¨Cbreak project for their entirepany. the coboration fell through, they would incur massive losses, dere bankruptcy, and the nd would end up belonging to the Freeman Group. inking about this, Bethany mmed the table without hesitation. ¡°The Freeman Group can ise their offer to 200 million dors for this batch of materials.¡± ne person in charge at Sky Legion Construction clicked his tongue twice, somewhat sdainful. ¡°Well¡­ doing business does involve reputation. You¡¯ve only added 50 million ?rs, and you want us to break the agreement with Serene Real Estate Limited. Isn¡¯t that a t embarrassing? Besides, we can¡¯t just negotiate with them like that!¡± ethany¡¯s expression soured, but before she could retort, the Sky Legion Construction presentative¡¯s assistant entered the room and whispered in his ear, ¡°Serene Real Estate mited just added another 150 million dors.¡± hough whispered, Bethany heard it loud and clear, and her face darkened. As the future eiress of the Carver family, soon to take/over the Freeman Group, how could she possibly se to a smallpany like Serene Real Estate Limited? riven by herpetitiveness, Bethany shot up from her seat, mming the empty coffee up on the table in front of the representative. ang! he man was startled, and Bethany lifted her chin with pride, saying, ¡°750 million dors! In ash!¡± ¡®he representative¡¯s eyes lit 1. up. ¡°Deal!¡± Meanwhile, at Sky Legion Construction, in the adjacent meeting room¡­ heena sat at the head of the table with a set of exquisite tea utensils in front of her. She almly discarded the first pot of brewed tea, steeping the tea leaves once more, and started the 217 Sarah sat on her left, silently watching her rxed and skilled movements. She marveled at how Sheena, as the heiress of the Lawson family, had left Svelton for a full six years yet remembered every detail of the tea etiquette. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. The sound of the door opening shattered the silence of the meeting room. The representative¡¯s assistant entered with a delighted expression, ¡°You guessed right! The Freeman Group has indeed followed suit. They offered 750 million dors in cash! As soon as the funds from the Freeman Groupe in, we¡¯ll split them ording to the contract. You¡¯ll get 80%, and Sky Legion Construction will get 20%.¡± Sheena remained silent, fully engrossed in tasting her tea. Sarah got up to shake hands with the assistant, saying, ¡°Great! We look forward to that.¡± Most top¨Ctierpanies preferred using checks, leaving it to banks forter withdrawal as they did not keep much cash on hand. The fact that the Freeman Group could instantly produce so much cash showed their substantial strength. Unfortunately, once all that cash was invested, it would only leave them with greater vulnerabilities. Late that night, amidst thunder and lightning, heavy rain poured down. In the mountain region between Farlem and the Luivine, a group of people dashed desperately along a narrow mountain path. ¡°Mr. Freeman, there¡¯s a cave over there!¡± The group hurried toward the small, dark cave, quickly covering its entrance with some cut grass. It was a decent ce for temporary hiding. Chapter 180 Chapter 180 Chapter 180 Elijah¡¯s normally neat, short hair was soaked by rain, hanging over his forehead. His exceptionally handsome face appeared unnaturally pale, with not even a hint of color on his lips. Just as he had caught his breath, the intense pain in his waist made him suddenly feel dizzy, and he had to kneel and prop himself up with one knee, unable to hold on any longer. ¡°Mr. Freeman!¡± Despite running all this way with him in the rain, hispanions were oblivious to his injury. Elijah, although wounded, had not made a single sound. Only now did they notice the deep, long gash on his side, which was bing pale from the rain but still oozed blood. Moreover, Elijah¡¯s body was heating up as if he had a fever! If they could not stop the bleeding and reduce his fever in time, his life would be in danger! Fortunately, his subordinates were mostly individuals who had emerged from the military and knew first aid. Soon, they rushed around, utilizing their knowledge, but it took nearly an hour to bandage Elijah¡¯s wound properly due to limited resources. Elijah woke up from a hazy state, his parched and pale lips uttering, ¡°Back to Farlem¡­ tomorrow!¡± His subordinate, Lionel, was frantic. Elijah was practically delirious from his fever, yet he was still fixated on returning to Farlem?! ¡°Mr. Freeman, your body is too weak. Those people outside are still looking for us. If you act rashly, you might reopen your wound. Are you really willing to risk your life?¡± Elijah bit his lip. He had ovee even heavier injuries before, so what was this? As the pain subsided, he began to piece together the events. ¡°Did you notice that the people we fought with had a small tattoo on the inside of their arms that looks exactly the same?¡± Lionel thought for a moment, tore off a piece of cloth that was about to be used for bandaging Elijah¡¯s wound, mixed it with some mud from the ground, and sketched the tattoo based on his memory, handing it to Elijah. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. A group of people huddled around the torn cloth with the tattoo discussing it. ¡°This looks like a crest with some kind of animal.¡± ¡°Right! An animal. Do these sides look like two horns? A rhinoceros!¡± Just as Logan finished speaking, Lionel punched him in the head, ¡°Idiot! A rhinoceros has ears on both sides, only one horn!¡± While they chatted animatedly, Elijah¡¯s intensely focused gaze remained fixed on the cloth. After a brief moment of contemtion, he weakly spoke, ¡°It¡¯s a deer, and I clearly remember the writing at the bottom of the crest¨CLWSN.¡± Although his voice was soft, his subordinates heard it, and their expressions turned grave. Years ago, during a joint operation, they had cooperated with a team from Svelton¡¯s Lawson family, Chapter 180 It seemed that the Lawson family¡¯s team members had a simr tattoo. Why was their former ally turning into their enemy? A long silence filled the cave, and Elijah was lost in thought. After a while, Lionel was the first to speak, attempting to exin, ¡°Mr. Freeman, it might be a misunderstanding. We¡¯ve gone underground for so many years after leaving the military, so not many people know about us. This could be a mix¨Cup¡­¡± Elijah remained silent, his gaze chilling. After all, it was evident they were after them. To his knowledge, there was an experienced team with detection and concealment abilities in his possession, belonging to Corey, the eldest son of the Lawson family, which operated in both the legal and illegal domains. Howard and Corey were brothers. Moreover, during his confrontation with the leader, that person mentioned, ¡°Instead of asking me who I am, you should ask who you¡¯ve let down!¡± Upon hearing that statement, Sheena unexpectedly shed through his mind, causing him to momentarily lose focus and allow that person to wound him. Could this matter be connected to Sheena? If it was, and if Howard and Corey were willing to go to such lengths for her, then who exactly was Sheena? Chapter 181 Chapter 181 Elijah¡¯s emotions were a mess. He contemted the situation and ordered decisively, ¡°We must return to Farlem tomorrow!¡± Lionel remained silent. After many dilemmas, he took advantage of Elijah¡¯s weakened state and swiftly struck the back of his head. With a muffled groan, Elijah fainted on the spot. The other subordinates were horrified when they saw what had just happened. ¡°Lionel, do you have a death wish? Once Mr. Freeman wakes up, he won¡¯t spare you!¡± Lionel appeared determined as he obediently knelt by Elijah¡¯s feet. ¡°If I didn¡¯t do that, he¡¯d surely crawl back even in this condition. You know how fearless he is! He¡¯s severely injured and has a fever. I can¡¯t let him risk his life. Even if he wants to kill meter, I¡¯ll ept it!¡± Others sighed helplessly but said nothing. Two dayster, at the Freeman Group¡¯s CEO¡¯s office, the sound of things being thrown could be heard even through the door. Bethany nced at the shattered coffee cup on the floor and gently consoled Faye, ¡°Auntie Faye, calm down. We were definitely yed by Serene Real Estate Limited. They prepaid such a high price for the goods reserved with Sky Legion Construction, so how could it be of poor quality?¡± ¡°To think we couldn¡¯t even handle a smallpany like them! How did you manage things?¡± Faye was furious! Even more infuriating was spending 750 million dors in cash for a pile of nearly unusable defective products. Moreover, the contract had been premeditated, with the goods¡® type obscurely filled in. Bethany checked it multiple times when signing yet failed to notice, leading to the impossibility of causing trouble for Sky Legion Construction with the contract now. As a result, the pile of defective products was now a worthless burden, and the 750 million dors went down the drain, posing a potential liquidity issue if any other problems arose in thepany¡¯s other projects. Though not skilled in management, Faye was quick¨Cwitted when it came to losing money. Bethany knew she was in the wrong, and she could only apologize, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Auntie Faye. I was careless. I¡¯ll do my best topensate for this loss. Please trust me one more time. I might¡¯ve made a mistake this time, but I¡¯ve contributed a lot to thepany before. Auntie Faye, please think about my merits.¡± Bethany was right. Prior to this incident, she had efficiently handled all matters within thepany. Faye gradually cooled down, finally in a better mood. Chapter 181 2/2 ¡°Forget it. I don¡¯t care what methods you use, just quickly recover this loss.¡± ¡°Alright, Auntie Faye, you can trust me,¡± Bethany replied calmly. Exiting the office, she suddenly turned serious. Any method would do? If that was the case, she had no choice but to do it this way! Sheena sat in her car at Serene Real Estate Limited¡¯s garage. She had recently reced the ss of her Passat at the dealership. It now not only provided privacy by blocking visibility in the car but also provided soundproofing to prevent eavesdropping. Sarah approached Sheena¡¯s car, ensuring there were no onlookers before getting in. ¡°Ms. Lawson, to cover the loss from the contract with Sky Legion Construction, Bethany took on many projects and received many prepayments.¡® IT Sheena was shocked to hear that Bethany was taking on so many projects. Where did she get such courage? Even though Bethany studied abroad, it seemed shecked practical experience as she flustered when faced with just a bit of trouble. By robbing Peter to pay Paul, the loopholes would only grow. Sheena pursed her lips, contemting before asking, ¡°During this period, I instructed you to acquire all the scattered shares of the Freeman Group at a high price. How¡¯s that going?¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson, take a look.¡± Sarah handed her the neatly organized documents. ¡°To avoid suspicion, we¡¯ve been acquiring about three shares at a time. Over these days, a total of 15% of the shares are now under your name.¡® ¡°I Sheena focused on examining the documents as Sarah continued, ¡°Currently, Elijah holds 40 % of the controlling shares in the Freeman Group, making him thergest shareholder and the CEO. The remaining 45% includes the 15% held by Elijah¡¯s uncle, Wilfred Freeman.¡± Sheena shook her head, frowning. ¡°No, we can¡¯t touch that 15%. Wilfred is cunning and very vignt. Try not to alert him.¡± ¡°That leaves Erin with 10%, and Faye has 20% of the shares. If we can acquire their shares, your total stake will be 5% more than Elijah¡¯s, making you thergest shareholder in the Freeman Group. However¡­T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 182 Chapter 182 Sarah stopped mid¨Csentence, feeling a bit concerned. Then, she continued, ¡°However, getting shares from Erin and Faye is difficult as they won¡¯t give them up easily. Ms. Lawson, do you have a n for the next steps?¡± Sheena lowered her head in thought, smiling as she said, ¡°There¡¯s no rush. Someone¡¯s more desperate than us right now.¡± Bethany was indeed desperate. She had just taken on many projects, received a heap of prepayments, and was pushing thepletion of old projects to scrape together funds from material costs. It was a struggle, but she managed to recover the losses from the contract with Sky Legion Construction. The next day, however, a construction site issue arose due to material quality problems, and the buildings scheduled forpletion this month suddenly copsed, affecting adjacent structures. In other words, they would require demolition and reconstruction, needing even more significant funds than the loss from the Sky Legion Construction contract. During this time, Bethany discreetly pocketed money from small projects, but now, with holes everywhere in thepany, she did not have enough cash to cover such a massive shortfall. Moreover, Faye constantly inquired about updates, disying apleteck of trust in her. Bethany sat in her office, overwhelmed with anxiety. As she was deep in her thoughts, the office phone on her desk rang. It was a direct call from Faye¡¯s office. She had to force a smile and answered, ¡°Auntie Faye, how may I help you?¡± Faye sounded a bit displeased on the other end. ¡°Bethany, why didn¡¯t youe in to report today? Did something go wrong again?¡± Bethany was caught off guard, quickly answering in a ttering tone, ¡°No, Auntie Faye, I would have communicated with you immediately if there were any issues. Due to the recent workload, I haven¡¯t had a chance to report to you yet. Give me a few more hours and I¡¯lle in after I go through all the projects.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Faye immediately hung up. Bethany clenched her fists, feeling incredibly anxious, Faye imed to trust her the most. However, if that were the case, she would not be questioning her daily. She knew it was just a ploy to manipte her with incaningless words. Bethany had enough, and her gaze gradually turned cunning as she quickly arranged for people to modify the ident details in the project. Armed with the altoved dat Chapter 182 As soon as Bethany pushed the door open, she hurriedly rushed to Faye¡¯s desk and eximed, ¡°Auntie Faye, something bad came up!¡± ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Do you remember the old project in Delomora? Apparently, the buildings in the project copsed half a month ago, and it was rather serious. However, the project manager kept it hidden, afraid of taking responsibility. If I hadn¡¯t investigated thoroughly today, this matter might still be under wraps!¡± ¡°What?!¡± Faye eximed, quickly flipping through the documents. Bethany observed her reaction and continued, ¡°The cost of this remedial project is enormous. With other projects underway, we need substantial funding. If our funds can¡¯t keep up, all projects will be forced to halt, and thepany will be paralyzed!¡± Faye slumped into her chair. Oh no! She was doomed! The hard work of several generations of the Freeman family would not copse in her hands so soon, right? ¡°If my husband and father¨Cinw were still alive, they would be furious enough to strangle me!¡± Trembling with fear, Faye instinctively reached for her phone and said, ¡°No! We need to find Elijah immediately to take charge!¡± Bethany forcefully grabbed her hand. ¡°Auntie Faye, aside from not knowing where Elijah is right now, it might be toote by the time we find him. If we don¡¯t fill this massive hole in time, the crisis for the Freeman Group will only get more severe.¡± ¡°So¡­ what do we do?¡± Bethany slyly smirked and said, ¡°I know another way!¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 183 Chapter 183 ¡°What is it?¡± Bethany gently squeezed Faye¡¯s hand,forting her. Eventually, she took the phone from Faye¡¯s hand and ced it aside, saying, ¡°While the Freeman Group isn¡¯t fully in crisis yet, you should sell your shares at a high price!¡± ¡°No way!¡± Faye widened her eyes. ¡°Those shares are not to be sold! I¡¯m counting on them for my retirement. If I sell them, I¡¯ll lose my influence at the Freeman Group! Absolutely not!¡± Bethany sighed, continuing to calm her. ¡°Auntie Faye, just think about it. If the Freeman Group can¡¯t weather this crisis, your shares will be worthless. Besides, there¡¯s no need to worry! You¡¯re just temporarily selling off your shares.¡± Faye wavered a bit. ¡°Temporarily?¡± Bethany saw she was falling for it and continued, ¡°I¡¯ll try to find reliable international buyers. Once we get the funds and finish our ongoing projects, we can earn the money back. By then, you can buy back the shares. Auntie Faye, consider it a temporary arrangement with the buyers. When the crisis passes and Elijah returns to see you¡¯ve managed thepany well, he¡¯ll surely be pleased.¡± Faye remained silent, sinking into deep contemtion. Bethany wanted to press on, ¡°Auntie Faye¡­¡± Faye raised her hand and stopped her, saying, ¡°Bethany, this isn¡¯t a trivial matter. Let me think about it.¡± Bethany was a bit displeased, but she knew it was not wise to push further. ¡°Alright, Auntie Faye. Just don¡¯t take too long. We can¡¯t afford any dys.¡± After saying that, she left the office. Faye sat alone in her office, and for the first time ever, she finally felt the immense pressure that came with this position. It was no exaggeration to say that half of her life was at stake¡­ Faye did not want to give up thepany or her shares, but Bethany was right. To save thepany, selling her shares was the only option. If she chose to keep the shares, they would be meaningless if thepany went under. With reddened eyes, Faye sat in silence for half an hour before finally calling Bethany and informing her, ¡°Go ahead and sell them.¡± Bethany suppressed her excitement and said in a serious tone, ¡°Auntie Faye, rest assured, I won¡¯t let any mistakes happen in this matter.¡± The next morning, Bethany found a buyer. She took Faye to the agreed location to sign the contract with a buyer named Walter Fole. Since thepany and the person were overseas they opted for an online electronic contract signing On the way there. Faye dawdled. A Chapter 183 T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. 2/2 Bethany noticed her hesitation and reassured her, ¡°Auntie Faye, trust me. Walter is an heir to a financial group, and he¡¯s worth billions! I arranged this through connections, and he¡¯s very reliable. He even promised not to resell the shares easily. If you buy them back when the funds are recovered, he¡¯s willing to let go.¡± Faye was skeptical. ¡°Isn¡¯t it too good of a deal? How can someone be so foolish? What¡¯s his motive for doing this?¡± Bethany chuckled and responded, ¡°He¡¯s extremely wealthy and just wants to return to the country. Buying shares paves the way for that. Rx, Auntie Faye. There won¡¯t be any issues.¡± Faye entered with a mix of belief and doubt. However, she burst into anger upon reading the contract, screaming, ¡°We agreed to only sell my 20% of shares! Why is he including Erin¡¯s 10 % and the Freeman mansion? I won¡¯t sign the contract!¡± Bethany patted her back to calm her. ¡°Auntie Faye, considering the critical situation of the Freeman Group, your 20% shares alone won¡¯t be enough to fill this massive loss. Besides, he mentioned that the mansion isn¡¯t for sale. It¡¯s just temporarily being used as coteral. You can still live in the mansion, and once the projects are completed and the money is earned back, you can buy it all back, right?¡± While the logic made sense, Faye still had her reservations. ¡°But¡­ the price is too low!¡± Chapter 384 Chapter 184 Chapter 184 Faye pointed at the contract. Her heart was aching as she continued, ¡°Based on the contract, these three are only worth 1.2 billion dors. In the past, my 20% of shares alone were worth more than this!¡± ¡°Oh, Auntie Faye! With Walter¡¯s status, it¡¯s natural that he¡¯d investigate the details of the Freeman Group. Given the current situation, this is the highest offer we could get. Don¡¯t hesitate anymore!¡± ¡°Auntie Faye¡­¡± ¡°Fine¡­¡± Bethany persuaded Faye tirelessly, and she finally signed the share transfer agreement. Then, Faye reluctantly handed over the property deed for the Freeman mansion and signed the mortgage contract. After everything was done, Faye appeared upset, saying, ¡°Now that the funding issue is resolved, you need to be more attentive. Recover the losses and keep a close eye on other projects. No more cutting corners andpromising quality. Hurry up and help me buy back the shares!¡± ¡°Yes, Auntie Faye! You can trust me. I¡¯ll handle everything properly.¡± Bethany clung to her arm, unable to conceal her joy. Then, the twoughed as they got into the car and left. As soon as they left, Sheena, sitting in the Angle Group office, received a text message with only two words. [Mission aplished.] She sighed in relief. In no more than three days, the Freeman family would undergo a tremendous transformation! She could not be more excited for the day to finally arrive. Just as Sheena was deep in her thoughts, there was a knock on the door, and Colin walked in. Unlike his usual gentle demeanor, he was frowning and seemed upset. Before Sheena could ask, he walked straight to the chair opposite her, separated by the office desk. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sheena was puzzled. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect your venture into real estate was for him.¡± Colin appeared gloomy, with a hint of mncholy in his eyes. Sheena was surprised at how quickly Colin found out about this. Then again, it made sense. Despite the Upton family not being as influential as the Lawson family, they were still prominent, and investigating anything was easy for him. Nevertheless, Sheena did not try to hide it from him. ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Chapter 184 12/2 Seeing her calmly admitting it, Colin could not help but feel quite frustrated. ¡°Why? If you look back, you¡¯ll realize that someone better is waiting for you. Can¡¯t you¡­¡± ¡°Are you referring to yourself?¡± Sheena interrupted him, her calm eyes meeting his. Colin blushed slightly. He gathered the courage to confess, but Sheena spoke first. ¡°But you should know, you and I would never be together. In fact, I¡¯d rather choose Skye over you.¡± Colin¡¯s heart sank, obviously hurt by her remark. ¡°Why? Is it because of Katie? Yes, she did something wrong before, but she¡¯s been groundedtely. She knows she was wrong and won¡¯t target you again.¡± Sheena shook her head,ughing. ¡°I know you like me. I realized it many years ago. But you only like me because you can¡¯t have me.¡± Colin remained silent, looking at her with his reddened eyes. Sheena continued, ¡°You¡¯re gentle, humble, and friendly to anyone, but you have a w! You protected someone even though you knew they were in the wrong. You knew how ridiculous Katie was to me at the time, yet you haven¡¯t mentioned it once since we met.¡± Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡­¡± Colin choked, feeling unconvinced as he continued asking, ¡°What about Elijah? His sister and mom were also cruel to you. Isn¡¯t he the same?¡± Chapter 185 Chapter 185 Sheena did not immediately answer him. Then, she smiled and said, ¡°Everyone has debts to settle sooner orter, and Elijah is no exception.¡± Hearing this, Colin finally breathed a sigh of relief. Sheena would seek retribution from Elijah for past events, but she did not mention retaliating against him because of Katie. In other words, she still cared about him, right? Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Colin believed that Sheena was just upset with him because of Katie and that there was still a chance for him. Having figured it out, Colin stood up happily. ¡°Sheena, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll change myself for the better. I¡¯m willing to wait for you. I¡¯ll be here forever.¡± After saying that, he left. Sheena rubbed her forehead, feeling a bit exasperated. It seemed like he still did not fully understand her intentions. Nheless, she decided to put it aside and exin itter when the opportunity arose. In the following days, Bethany imed to be running to various construction sites and rarely showed up at thepany to report progress. If Faye called and asked, she simply said she was busy. Faye was very displeased with Bethany¡¯s attitude. If it were not for the urgent need for Bethany¡¯s help, she would have erupted with anger long ago. Just as she was thinking about it, her phone rang. It was Erin. ¡°Sweetie, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Erin was extremely displeased as sheined, ¡°Why is my recent pocket money less than before? While shopping with the Xanthos family¡¯s heiresses, my card showed insufficient funds! How am I supposed to maintain my status in the circle like this!¡± Faye felt a bit guilty. Bethany had invested all the money on hand in various projects, so she had secretly reduced Erin¡¯s pocket money. ¡°Mom! You used to say that daughters should be spoiled. How can you treat me like this¡­¡® Faye had no choice but tofort Erin with the words Bethany had told her before. ¡°Sweetie, thepany has been facing some financial difficulties recently, and I have no choice. Once things improve, I¡¯ll double your pocket money and get you whatever you want!¡± ¡°Okay! I also want the entire set of limited¨Cedition skincare products from LC¡¯s pre¨Csale!¡± ¡°Alright, alright! I¡¯ll get them all!¡± Chapter 185 After hanging up the phone, Faye¡¯s mind was filled with thoughts about Bethany. She could not shake the feeling that her niece was hiding something from her, as it had been a few days since she reported progress at thepany or called. Unable to ease her concerns, Faye decided to give Bethany another call herself. Just as she scrolled through her contacts, the door was abruptly pushed open by her assistant, Lorna. Faye, already in a bad mood, red at Lorna. ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to knock when you enter?¡± Lorna ignored Faye¡¯s irritation and urgently eximed, ¡°Madam Freeman, the construction team from Laxine is causing a scene. They¡¯ve blocked the entrance to the building!¡± ¡°What!¡± Faye mmed the table and immediately got to her feet from the shock. ¡°Why are they so audacious? Also, is our security just for show?¡± ¡°There are too many of them! There are about a hundred people in the whole construction team, and they¡¯ve all surrounded the building. They im that the payment for the agreed- upon work hasn¡¯t been deposited into their ounts, and Ms. Carver even dismissed the person in charge of alleged misconduct as a supervisor. Now they¡¯re leaderless, wielding construction tools as weapons, demanding an exnation from you!¡± No payment deposited into their ounts?! Where did her money go? What was Bethany up to? A terrible thought crossed Faye¡¯s mind, leaving her pale with fear. She could not believe Bethany would dare to do something like this to her. After all, she was her niece! To confirm her suspicion, Faye trembled as she dialed Bethany¡¯s number. As the call was connected, Faye heard the ringing grow louder and closer with each passing second. Chapter 186 Chapter 186 Chapter 186 Chapter 186 However, it seemed to being from outside the door! Lorna also noticed it. Since the door was notpletely closed, she was about to open it fully, but someone had opened it from the outside. Bethany, impably dressed in a shy mini dress, was apanied by a man who looked like a lawyer. Seeing herposed demeanor, it was evident she came prepared. Lorna sensed the tension and quietly left the office. Faye was stunned, staring at Bethany wide¨Ceyed. Amused by Faye¡¯s expression, Bethany teased, ¡°Auntie Faye, do you miss me that much?¡± Gritting her teeth, Faye, still holding onto a sliver of hope, questioned, ¡°Bethany, why haven¡¯t you made the payment for the Laxine project? What have you been up to these past few days?¡± Smirking, Bethany replied, ¡°Auntie Faye, didn¡¯t you just guess it? I haven¡¯t spent a penny of the 1.2 billion dors. Instead, I quietly transferred them to my ount. By the way, more than half of the company is now under my control.¡± ¡°Bethany, how dare you!¡± Faye could not believe Bethany had the guts to pocket such arge sum! Furious, she slumped into the chair and asked, ¡°Louie would never tolerate your shameless actions! Did you keep this from him?¡± Bethany chuckled. ¡°Auntie Faye, did you forget that my dad has no say in my family? However, he¡¯s quite supportive of this matter. Ever since marrying into the Freeman family, you¡¯ve been acting all high and mighty whenever you¡¯re back at your parents¡® house. Did you think he actually likes you?¡± Faye¡¯s family background was not as affluent. She had entered the Freeman family as she dated her husband in college and her impressive academic achievements in finance. Her brother, Louie, however, was not as fortunate and had to marry into the Carver family due to financial constraints. Moreover, his children could not even have his family name, following his wife¡¯s instead. Faye was infuriated and clutched her chest, struggling to ease the suffocating sensation. ¡°How could you embezzle so much money from the Freeman Group? What exactly are you up to?¡± Faye demanded. Bethany smirked, gesturing for herwyer to step forward. Facing Faye¡¯s skeptical gaze, thewyer ced a contract on the desk. Then, Faye examined it and eximed, ¡°Bethany! You actually want to take over the Freeman Group!¡± ¡°Why use such harsh terms?¡± Bethany chuckled, exining, ¡°Auntie Faye, look closely I¡¯m willing to buy the operating rights of the Freeman Group for 1.4 billion dors, since you don¡¯t know how to manage it, I believe the Freeman Group will be better off in my hands. Chapter 186 1.4 billion dors?! Faye gritted her teeth, realizing that the Carver family indeed supported this. After all, they added 200 million dors on top of the initial 1.2 billion dors for Bethany. Nheless, Faye was in disbelief! These were her own family members¨Cher brother and her niece!Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Faye was too furious to speak. After calming down, she finally said through clenched teeth, Dream on! The Freeman Group has a shareholding structure! Elijah is the majority shareholder! You should consult him if you want to buy the Freeman Group!¡± ¡°I sent people to find him, but he¡¯s been missing for so long that he¡¯s probably dead somewhere. I also got rid of the cunning Wilfred. So, you¡¯re the only one left in the way of my n.¡± ¡°Bethany!¡± Faye was angered and disappointed. She finally understood Bethany¡¯s step¨Cby¨Cstep n: first, lure her into selling shares and mortgaging her house to get a huge sum of money, then bring down the Freeman Group, and finally, transfer ownership to Bethany. Seeing Faye¡¯s silence, Bethany grew impatient. ¡°Auntie Faye, dragging this out won¡¯t help. Why not just sign it? By merging the Freeman and Carver Group, its status will only be strengthened!¡± Faye felt utterly hopeless. Was the Freeman Group really going to be destroyed under her control? Biting her lip until it bled, her hand trembled as she reached for a pen. Suddenly, a cold and arrogant voice echoed from outside the door. ¡°Ms. Carver, don¡¯t get too excited just yet. If you want to buy the Freeman Group, you should ask me first!¡± Hearing the familiar voice, both Faye and Bethany were stunned! Chapter 187 Chapter 187 Both turned toward the voice, only to find Sheena smiling in a ck velvet haute couture gown, looking incredibly beautiful. Two handsome and muscr bodyguards apanied her, exuding a strong presence. At the sight of Sheena, Bethany could not hide her intense hatred. She remembered clearly how Sheena publicly humiliated her in theirst meeting. ¡°This is the Freeman Group. What are you doing here?¡± Bethany spat out. Sheena approached Bethany as she said, ¡°With thepany facing such a significant crisis as a traitor is attempting to help the Carver Group swallow up the Freeman Group, I naturally had toe and take charge.¡± ¡°Take charge? Who do you think you are?¡± Bethany scoffed. ¡°You¡¯ve divorced Elijah and are no longer part of the Freeman family. Besides, Auntie Faye snatched the shares Mr. Sebastian Freeman gave you. What say do you have here? Get the hell out of here!¡± Then, Bethany nced at the bodyguards behind Sheena. She could not do anything to this bitch right now, but once she took control of the Freeman Group, she vowed to make her suffer! Faye was equally displeased. Was Sheena here just to witness her embarrassment? ¡°Well, let¡¯s see who has to leave, then,¡± Sheena responded with a smile,pletely unaffected by Bethany¡¯s words. She sat on the sofa and lightly pped her hands. A few secondster, Sarah entered from the corridor. Seeing Sarah, Faye pointed at the two women in disbelief, shouting, ¡°I knew it! You know each other! You must¡¯ve caused trouble in the western suburbs!¡± Faye had suspected something was off with Sheena. After all, the Zimmer family had no interest in that land, so what was she doing there? It turned out that Skye was just a decoy, and the real goal was to help Serene Real Estate Limited win the bid for that piece ofnd! Bethany, not being present on that day, was unaware of the details. She stood at the side, ncing at the two parties. Sarah seemedpletely unaffected by Faye¡¯s words as she presented the documents to everyone. ¡°Take a good look. This is the share register of the Freeman Group. Mr. Freeman holds 40% of the shares, and my boss, Ms. Sheena, holds 45%. She¡¯s currently thergest shareholder in the Freeman Group. Now that Mr. Freeman is missing, Ms. Sheena, as thergest shareholder, should rightfully have control over the group. If Ms. Carver wants to buy thepany, she naturally needs to consult Ms. Sheena for approval.¡± Faye and Bethany took time to process the shocking information they had just heard. Chapter 187 Sheena was Sarah¡¯s boss? Did that mean she was the mysterious figure behind Serene Real Estate Limited?T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Moreover, she also held 45% of the Freeman Group shares. How was that possible? Faye abruptly stood up and grabbed Bethany¡¯s arm as if she thought of something. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you sold mine and Erin¡¯s shares to a foreign buyer? How is she holding so many shares? Bethany, you ungrateful traitor! Exin this to me right now!¡± Confused, Bethany shook Faye off before turning to Sheena. ¡°This can¡¯t be¡­ I specifically asked someone to find a foreign buyer, Walter Fole, a billionaire! How could he give you the shares¡­¡± Bethany stopped mid¨Csentence¡­ Walter Fole? What a fool! That name was a y on calling her a fool! If that were the case, was the persona of the billionaire intentionally fabricated to gain her trust? Chapter 188 Chapter 188 Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You deceived me! There was never any Walter Fole, was there? All of this was your calcte scheme, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Since Serene Real Estate Limited took over the western suburb¡¯snd from the Freeman Group, the cunning Sheena had already anticipated Bethany¡¯s every move, even preparing, countermeasures in advance! Bethany thought she had everything under control and did not expect Sheena to be waiting for the right moment to attack! Sheena leisurely poured herself a cup of tea, sniffing the aroma, but did not drink it. After cing the teacup back down, she smiled and said, ¡°You caught on quite quickly, It seems you¡¯re not entirely a fool.¡± Bethany stared at her face, scrutinizing her from head to toe for the first time. She noticed the elegance in every gesture and knew that such a demeanor could not be easily pretended. Moreover, Howard and Skye were protective of her, and she was even Jean¡¯s master. These prominent figures respected Sheena and treated her well, and she even effortlessly purchased the Freeman Group shares for 1.2 billion dors. Each piece of the puzzle hinted at a background far from that of an orphan from an orphanage! Bethany became fearful, asking, ¡°Who are you?¡± Sheena met her gaze, smiling mockingly, ¡°I¡¯m someone you should never have messed with.¡± Bethany, overwhelmed by her presence, felt a chill run down her spine. Faye, listening to their conversation, was equally perplexed. Sheena continued, ¡°As the current major shareholder and leader of the Freeman Group, I can make it clear to you that your dream of acquiring the Freeman Group for 1.4 billion dors is unrealistic. As for the 1.2 billion dors, you might want to keep it. After all, I¡¯ll make sure you pay back for what you¡¯ve done with interest!¡± Upon hearing that, Bethany understood that Sheena was targeting to deal with the Carver Group next! Bethany mustered her strength to retort, ¡°Sheena, no matter who you are, the Carver Group won¡¯t be easily exploited by anyone!¡± After saying that, Bethany ran out of the office. She needed to investigate this matter thoroughly by understanding Sheena¡¯s background so she could gather the confidence to confront her head¨Con. With Bethany gone, thewyer picked up the transfer contract from the desk and followed suit. Left all alone, Faye slumped in her chair. She shook her head, crying and sighing after realizing that Sheena had a formidable background. ¡°I would¡¯ve expected it! Old Man Freeman probably had no idea what he picked up six years ago. After so many years of keeping your identity secret, you managed to snatch away the Freeman Group just like that! What a disaster!¡± Chapter 188 2/2 Then, Faye suddenly remembered Sheena¡¯s recent visit, where she threatened to bankrupt the Freeman family, Initially, she did not take it seriously, but knowing that foolish Bethany had sold the shares to Sheena, she realized the Freeman mansion would also fall into Sheena¡¯s hands! Without shares, money, and even the mansion, Faye had nothing left. The Freeman family was really on the verge of copse! Faye was heartbroken and furious. Sheena enjoyed watching Faye in despair, saying, ¡°In the three years I¡¯ve been married into the Freeman family, you¡¯ve always been high and mighty, unting your wealth. After living among the rich for so long, have you forgotten that you were once a child from an ordinary family?¡± Faye red at Sheena. ¡°Just because your background is impressive doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m afraid of you! It was you who deceived me in the first ce. You¡¯re just an orphan from an orphanage who isn¡¯t worthy of my son! Who are you to make fun of me?¡± Sheena remained silent. She shook her head and scoffed, thinking Faye was beyond redemption. Undeterred, Faye continued, ¡°Old Man Freeman treated you so well back then! The Freeman Group was his lifelongbor! Have you no gratitude? Aren¡¯t you afraid of karma?¡± Chapter 189 Chapter 189 Sheenaughed. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me, the Freeman Group might have ended up bearing the Carver name. Instead of showing gratitude, you¡¯re attempting to provoke me?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Faye was puzzled. Faye thought giving the Freeman Group to Sheena seemed like handing it over to an outsider. However, she quickly came to a realization and softened her tone, asking, ¡°Are you¡­ thinking of remarrying Elijah?¡± If they remarried, Sheena would still be part of the Freeman family, and naturally, the Freeman Group would remain with the family. Sheena¡¯s gaze turned cold, replying confidently, ¡°That¡¯s impossible, not in this lifetime.¡± After all, Elijah was not worthy of her. ¡°Then what do you want?¡± Faye could not understand Sheena¡¯s motive. ¡°For Old Man Freeman¡¯s sake, thepany¡¯s general policies won¡¯t change, and the group¡¯s name will remain the Freeman Group. If you have the capability, you can buy back the Freeman Group from me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­¡± Faye was dumbfounded. Moments ago, Faye was just cursing at Sheena. However, she never expected that just as Sheena acquired the Freeman Group, she would be willing to do this for Sebastian¡¯s sake. Ignoring Faye¡¯s shock, Sheena turned her attention to Sarah standing and ordered, ¡°Comfort the construction team causing trouble downstairs. Additionally, remove all of Bethany¡¯s spies in various departments within two days.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena,¡± Sarah responded and immediately went to handle the arrangements. Sheena scanned the entire office and instructed the bodyguards, ¡°Get rid of everything in this office and rece them, including the chairs and wall paintings.¡± The bodyguards quickly got to work while Faye watched them, dumbfounded. As the bodyguards started moving things, the first item to go was the chair Faye had been sitting on, leaving her no choice but to stand. Considering her imminent destitution, Faye reluctantly dropped her high¨Cand¨Cmighty attitude and tried to appease Sheena. ¡°Sheena, we were once inws. Can¡¯t you consider returning the Freeman mansion to me for old¨Ctime sake? You surely can¡¯t bear to see Erin and me sleeping on the streets, right?¡± Sheena smiled politely and replied, ¡°If you want it, you can have it. Just make sure to bring the money.¡± Faye was exasperated, saying, ¡°You know Bethany swindled away all my money. I don¡¯t have any left¡­¡± T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I won¡¯t give it back to you for free, but I can offer you a good ce,¡± Sheena chimed in. Faye was perplexed. Although she doubted Sheena¡¯s sincerity, she had no choice but to believe Chapter 189 her. Later, Sheena led Faye out of the Freeman Group and straight to the Freeman mansion. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Faye was even more puzzled. Sheena chuckled. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± She gathered all the mansion¡¯s servants in the garden. ¡°I believe you already know about the changes in the Freeman Group,¡± Sheena began. The servants lowered their heads, exchanging nces. ¡°From now on, Faye and Erin are no longer the owners of this mansion but the lowest- ranking servants!¡± 2/2 Upon hearing this, the servants began to murmur among themselves. Faye turned livid, eximing, ¡°How could you do this?¡± Ignoring Faye, Sheena continued, ¡°Those who have been mistreated by them can now order them to do anything. If they fail to work ording to the rules, feel free to report to me anytime.¡± The discussion among the servants grew louder, and Faye¡¯s face turned pale. Having these low¨Cranking individuals order her around was a fate worse than death! ¡°Sheena, you¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Sheena turned to face Faye¡¯s murderous look, mocking her, ¡°I can let you continue living in the Freeman mansion, but there¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. You should know that better than anyone.¡± Faye was left speechless. For her, this was simply humiliating, and there was no way she would ept it! Sheena knew she would not easily back down. Chapter 190 Chapter 190 1/2 ¡°You were arrogant and offended your own family. This time, the Carver Group¡¯s conspiracy failed, and you must be holding a grudge. If you go to your brother Louie, don¡¯t you think he¡¯ll turn against you, making your situation even more difficult than it is now?¡± Realizing Sheena was right, Faye stayed silent. ¡°I¡¯m your only choice left,¡± Sheena continued with a smile. ¡°I can let you and Erin stay in the Freeman mansion as servants, taking care of your food and shelter. I can even offer you a decent sry. Once you¡¯ve saved up enough money, you can approach me to buy back the mansion. Whether you want to live in a mansion or in the streets, that¡¯s your choice.¡± Faye clenched her fists so tightly that her entire arm trembled. Elijah was missing. Meanwhile, she and Erin were broke. Considering Erin¡¯s reaction, Faye thought choosing between living in a mansion with the risk of being dominated by the servants or living on the streets was an agonizing decision¡­ Sheena remained patient, allowing Faye the time to contemte her decision. ¡°Fine, I agree,¡± Faye said, defeated. Upon receiving the response, Sheena smiled, her eyes twinkling. Then, she turned to Heidi, the highest¨Cranking servant, and ordered, ¡°From now onward, you¡¯ll be in charge of this mansion. Remember, Faye and Erin are no longer the owners. You don¡¯t need to fear them like before.¡± Heidi was pleasantly surprised, replying, ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena. You¡¯re the only owner of this ce! Satisfied, Sheena nodded. Just as she left, she received a message. A gleam appeared in her eyes as she read it. Once she was gone, the servants red at Faye with burning resentment. Intimidated by their hostility, Faye nervously exined, ¡°Don¡¯t believe everything she says. Thend beneath your feet will always belong to my Freeman family. It won¡¯t be long before I reim it!¡± Her words might have carried some weight in the past, but the servants had grown tired of her. Now, facing this opportunity to retaliate, they would not let it slip away. Heidi sneered, ¡°Let¡¯s talk again when you finally reim it. For now, you have to listen to us!¡± The group surrounded Faye, ready to drag her away. ¡°What are you doing? Are you rebelling?¡± Faye eximed in fear, struggling desperately. Heidi exined, ¡°Sorry, Madam. Only the owner is qualified to stay in the bedroom. Your current status is that of a lowly servant, only fit for sleeping in the basement.¡± The basement was dirty, messy, and cold,cking air conditioning or heating, without even a bed to sleep on. Chapter 190 2/2 Faye resisted and shouted, ¡°No! Let me go!¡± Unfortunately, Faye was no match for the experienced old servants ustomed to physicalbor. She was forcibly dragged to the basement. Heidi even warned her that if she did not behave, they would lock her up and not provide any meals until she learned her lesson. The group of servants took pleasure in listening to Faye banging on the basement door, shouting continuously. Someone remembered Erin and eximed, ¡°Erin is still sleeping on the second floor. Let¡¯s go wake her up! She used to enjoy scolding us. Now, it¡¯s time for her to have a taste of her own \\medicine!¡± ¡°Good! Let¡¯s get Erin and teach her a lesson!¡± The group cheered, moving to their next target eagerly. In the afternoon, Elijah, nursing his still¨Cunhealed injury, finally escaped the pursuit of those people and sessfully reached Farlem. Days of constant searching, hiding, rain¨Csoaking, and injuries had left his face terribly pale. Upon returning to Farlem, the first thing he did was take a hot shower at his residence, change into a clean suit, and regain his peerless demeanor. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. As he had no signal in the mountains and wanted to conserve battery, Elijah had kept his phone turned off. When he powered it back on, he noticed that he had missed countless calls from Jonah. Elijah returned the call, and Jonah answered almost instantly, sounding extremely anxious. ¡°Elijah, you finally answered! If you hadn¡¯t returned to Farlem, I would¡¯ve thought you were dead!¡± Elijah frowned, asking, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°You need to get to the Freeman Group quickly! Something big has happened!¡± Chapter 191 Chapter 191 Ending the call, Elijah instructed Lionel and the rest to return and await further orders before hurriedly heading to the Freeman Group. It was already after working hours, and the office was nearly empty. Elijah was not stopped even once, reaching the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor without interruption. Upon opening the door, he found that the entire room had undergone a drastic makeover. Unlike his usual preference for a ck¨Cand¨Cwhite theme, the sofas were now green, and even the small coffee tablecloth was green. Elijah despised the color, and he frowned in disgust. A slender figure with her back facing him was at the office desk. ¡°Mr. Freeman, long time no see!¡± As if hearing him enter, the woman swiveled in her chair, smiling brightly at him. ¡°Are you surprised to see me sitting in your chair?¡± Elijah remained silent, just staring at the woman. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. After not seeing each other for almost half a month, she seemed to have be even more beautiful. Even though she was smiling, her gaze was cold. The person he had been searching for had miraculously appeared unharmed before him. He thought he would be delighted, but he discovered that he could not summon a smile. While Elijah observed Sheena, she was sizing him up as well. After such a long time, he seemed to have lost weight, and Sheena wondered what he had been through during this period. Nheless, upon noticing that Elijah was looking at her with a grim expression, Sheena sneered, ¡°You must be disappointed to find that I not only survived but also caused the downfall of the Freeman family, bing the owner of the Freeman Group, right?¡± Elijah remained silent, his eyes still fixed on her. Sheena felt ufortable under his intense scrutiny. Despite losing everything, he still managed to put on an air of coolness. She was determined to shatter that pride. ¡°In fact, there¡¯s more to it. I also sent your beloved Jennifer and Leon to jail. Now, even the Freeman mansion belongs to me.¡± Resting her chin on her hand, she locked eyes with the motionless man, smiling mockingly. Nheless, Elijah knew that beneath that innocent yet alluring expression was a heart as scheming as it could be. He had spent nearly half a month in the mountain range searching. Yet, how did she repay Chapter 191 him? She had Howard enlist Corey¡¯s men to chase him and meticulously orchestrated the downfall of the Freeman family. It was simply ridiculous! ¡°Why?¡± he asked angrily. His voice sounded a bit husky as he was still recovering from the fever. 2/2 Sheena¡¯s face instantly turned cold. Just moments ago, when the topic of the Freeman family¡¯s downfall was brought up, he remained silent. Clearly, only his dearest Jennifer could provoke a different reaction from him. ¡°You know well what you¡¯ve done,¡± Sheena replied. Elijah was puzzled, still burning with anger. Sheena ignored the anger in his gaze and recalled the surprise she had prepared for him, smiling once again. ¡°To celebrate your return, I¡¯ve specially prepared a surprise gift just for you besides the Freeman family¡¯s downfall!¡± She casually retrieved a document from a drawer and lightly pushed it toward Elijah. Elijah opened the document and carefully read through its contents. The content was utterly outrageous! Chapter 192 Chapter 192 Elijah chuckled and mocked, ¡°What makes you think I¡¯ll sign this?¡± Sheena leisurely sipped her coffee, saying, ¡°I spent three years as your full¨Ctime housewife in the Freeman family. If you serve as my personal male servant for a year, I¡¯ll return both the Freeman Group and the Freeman mansion to you. Isn¡¯t this an advantageous deal? Or do you think you¡¯re incapable of handling it?¡± Elijah sneered, ¡°I don¡¯t need a year. I can take back the Freeman Group now.¡± Sheena apuded, ¡°Indeed. I believe you have the capability. But your mom and sister already signed the employment contracts. Don¡¯t you care about their well¨Cbeing?¡± Elijah was taken aback and scoffed, ¡°Don¡¯t you find it despicable to use them to threaten me?¡± Both of them exuded a strong aura, almost evenly matched. ¡°Why should I be fair when dealing with an unreasonable family like yours? It¡¯s you who don¡¯t know your ce. You thought you still had the qualifications to negotiate with me, but you have no other choice besides signing this agreement because this is the debt you¡¯ve umted over three years!¡± His debt? It was because of his past indifference, causing her years of torment by Faye and Erin, along with Jennifer¡¯s ordeal¡­. Elijah fell silent. Initially, he believed Jennifer was the little girl that saved him years ago. When she wanted him as a protector, he obliged. When she wanted to be the rightful Mrs. Freeman, he granted her that. Truthfully, he did owe Sheena. He had wanted a divorce long ago, but because of Sebastian, he dragged it out, wasting her three years of youth. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll sign it.¡± Elijah took the pen from the office desk, signing his name in the lower right corner of the agreement. He thought it was over at this point, but Sheena unexpectedly pulled out an exquisitely wrapped gift box from the drawer, smiling. ¡°This is also for you. Open it and take a look.¡± Elijah took it with suspicion. He opened the gift only to find a syringe about the size of a pinky finger filled with an unknown transparent substance. It was clearly nothing good. Seeing his furrowed brow, Sheena exined, ¡°I know you¡¯re skilled in martial arts, and I can¡¯t beat you. So, I need to be cautious.¡± Just as he had expected! Chapter 192 22 Elijah stared at the tiny syringe, his expression grimmer by the second. Sheena seemed to grasp his thoughts and continued, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s not poison. It¡¯ll only weaken your physical strength for two months, making you unable to defeat me. You can still handle normal household chores, but it¡¯s just that the injection might be a bit painful initially. You¡¯ll need to administer it to yourself every two months.¡± Sheena spoke as if it were something mundane, smiling as if they were only discussing what to have for dinner. Elijah taunted, ¡°Since you know you can¡¯t beat me, aren¡¯t you afraid of provoking me? What if I decide to take action against you right now?¡± you make any Sheena nonchntly waved her hand. ¡°This ce is under my control now. If move, the building¡¯s security will rush in. I know you¡¯re powerful, taking on ten easily, but what about twenty? Thirty, perhaps?¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. She paused mid¨Csentence, smirking slyly before adding, ¡°Do you want to give it a try?¡± Elijah remained silent. They locked eyes, sparks flying, neither yielding an inch. ¡°Once your strength falters and you¡¯re knocked down, I¡¯ll still have the syringe injected into you. Don¡¯t forget, you¡¯ve signed the agreement, and you¡¯ll have to obey me. It¡¯s your choice. Do you want me to inject you by force, or do you want to maintain your dignity? The choice is yours.¡± Chapter 193 Chapter 193 Chapter 193 Elijah smirked, knowing full well he had no choice at all. Due to prolonged standing, his wound on the waist had reopened, and blood oozed out, causing him moments of dizzying pain. The innermost white shirt got stained, sticking ufortably to the wound, but luckily, the ck suit jacket concealed it, and Sheena remained oblivious. Elijah bit his thin lips, trying hard to steady his breath and hide any signs of distress. ¡®Fine, it¡¯s just a year! I can do this,¡® Elijah thought as he took the syringe. Then, he rolled up the sleeves of his suit and shirt, targeting the spot on his arm. Almost as if venting his frustration, Elijah forcefully injected the substance. Sheena observed in silence, frowning when she saw him seemingly inflicting pain upon himself and thinking he was too prideful. Nheless, she had heard that this medication caused intense pain upon injection, and she was curious to see how long he could maintain his arrogance. In just a few seconds, the syringe was emptied and fell to the ground with a thud. Elijah had bitten his lower lip so hard that it started bleeding¡¯as a wave of intense pain surged through him. He began to sweat profusely. In fact, every part of him was hurting, especially with the injury at his waist. The agonizing painsted for two whole minutes before finally subsiding. However, he waspletely exhausted secondster. He felt powerless, unable to stand steadily. Like a fragile leaf in the wind, he copsed to the ground. As his eyes closed, a ringing echoed in his ears. When the ringing subsided, he heard a pleasant voice saying, ¡°The initial reaction to this medication is quite intense. Bear with it.¡°/ Elijah lowered his head and gently pursed his pale lips. As he closed his eyes, his longshes trembled. It was as if he was enduring immense pain. Just as he began to ease a bit, the sound of high heels approached, growing louder from the distance. Sheena nced at Elijah from above before crouching down and forcibly lifting his chin to scrutinize him carefully. Unlike his usual domineering masculine appearance, he now appeared sickly pale, a sight that almost begged to be bullied. When he opened his eyes slightly, the once fierce gaze now carried an unnoticeable hint of vulnerability. What a rare sight! Admiring his fragile appearance, Sheena smiled in satisfaction. ¡°Good boy. Now, call me My Lady.¡± Elijah¡¯s face twisted with displeasure at her teasing words, a profound sense of humiliation welling inside him. He red at her and exerted all his strength to break free from her grip, stubbornly turning his face away. Chapter 193 2/2 Sheena decided not to push him further. After all, he had never faced such a humiliating situation before, and adjusting to this would take some time. She knew she would need to guide and teach him patiently. Sheena ignored the weakened Elijah on the floor, giving him time to adapt to the effects of the medication. Returning to her desk, she resumed dealing with work. Aside from handling matters rted to Angle Group, she now had to address the issues of the recently acquired Freeman Group. Bethany had nearly ruined the Freeman Group, requiring a significant recement of its core staff. Hence, Sheena estimated that she would be busy almost every day for the foreseeable future. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. The light outside the windows gradually dimmed, and Sheena did not realize it was already 8 p.m. The office was quiet, except for the sound of her fingers tapping on the keyboard. Sheena shut herptop, rubbing her tired neck. As she remembered that it had been over an hour, she wondered why there was no movement from Elijah. What was he up to now? Sheena went to check on Elijah, who was lying on the floor. His long legs were slightly bent, eyes tightly shut, and brows furrowed as if enduring immense pain even in his sleep. Sheena was skeptical and called out to him, ¡°Elijah, stop pretending. Get up.¡± His frown deepened, not responding to her at all. Chapter 194 Chapter 194 Sheena thought something seemed off. Although the medication would cause an intense reaction upon injection, it should only have been painful for about half an hour. Unless¡­ Sheena reached to remove Elijah¡¯s suit jacket, identally brushing against his waist, and causing him to grunt in pain. Was there a wound on his waist? Sheena was about to continue removing his jacket when Elijah suddenly gripped her wrist. Elijah was finally awake. Despite the throbbing pain in his head, his hands almost instinctively reacted. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he asked. Sheena withdrew her hand. Instead of answering him, she asked indifferently, ¡°Are you injured?¡± ¡°It has already healed.¡± Both spoke with a cold tone. After that statement, a prolonged silence settled between them. She had casually inquired, showing concern for her own little manservant. If he did not appreciate it, so be it. ¡°Now that you¡¯re fine and rested, get up and leave,¡± Sheena said as she picked up her bag and pushed open the door. ¡°Where are we going?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t catch up soon, you¡¯ll have to walk home barefoot if you miss the ride.¡± Home? The word caught Elijah off guard. When he looked up, Sheena was already quite far ahead. After more than an hour of rest, his physical condition had improved, and he quickly got up from the floor, catching up with Sheena¡¯s footsteps. Sheena led him back to Ocean Avenue, a ce filled with three years of memories. Initially, she had epted this mansion out of a practical mindset, not wanting to pass up a good opportunity. Little did she know that she would return to this ce one day, but their roles and perspectives hadpletely reversed. Standing in front of the mansion, Sheena did not rush to enter. Instead, she looked at Elijah and spoke, ¡°From now on, you¡¯re the sole manservant here. Prepare three meals a day before I return. Regardless of whether I eat or return, you must have the meals ready and served.¡± Then, she continued, ¡°When I¡¯m not at home, clean the entire house inside and out, making sure it¡¯s spotless. Every day when I return from work, you must stand at the doorstep to greet me, prepare my slippers, and say, ¡®Wee home! You must be tired from working all day.¡°¡± Chapter 193 2/2 Sheena decided not to push him further. After all, he had never faced such a humiliating situation before, and adjusting to this would take some time. She knew she would need to guide and teach him patiently. Sheena ignored the weakened Elijah on the floor, giving him time to adapt to the effects of the medication. Returning to her desk, she resumed dealing with work. Aside from handling matters rted to Angle Group, she now had to address the issues of the recently acquired Freeman Group. Bethany had nearly ruined the Freeman Group, requiring a significant recement of its core staff. Hence, Sheena estimated that she would be busy almost every day for the foreseeable future. The light outside the windows gradually dimmed, and Sheena did not realize it was already 8 p.m. The office was quiet, except for the sound of her fingers tapping on the keyboard. Sheena shut herptop, rubbing her tired neck. As she remembered that it had been over an hour, she wondered why there was no movement from Elijah. What was he up to now? Sheena went to check on Elijah, who was lying on the floor. His long legs were slightly bent, eyes tightly shut, and brows furrowed as if enduring immense pain even in his sleep. Sheena was skeptical and called out to him, ¡°Elijah, stop pretending. Get up.¡± His frown deepened, not responding to her at all. Original from N?velDrama.Org. 1/2 Chapter 195 Chapter 195 Chapter 195 Elijah was speechless, surprised that this was what she had to do in those three years. He could not help but wonder if Faye intentionally dismissed the servants back then, only to leave all the household chores to Sheena alone. During that time, Elijah would notice that the ce was tidy, and even the meals were steaming hot when he retired home from work. However, he had never paid attention to the details. Due to his resistance to Sebastian¡¯s insistence on him marrying Sheena, Elijah chose to ignore Sheena¡¯s presence. When he was in a bad mood, he would even make a few sarcastic remarks. Noticing his distraction, Sheena waved her hand in front of his eyes before adding, ¡°However, you¡¯d better be prepared. With one year equating to three years, your responsibilities will naturally be increased ordingly.¡® Elijah shook his head, sneering at the thought of how Sheena really could not stand any losses. Walking ahead, Sheena did not notice his expression. Remembering something, she said, ¡°Oh, by the way, I forgot to buy a washing machine. You¡¯ll have to hand wash and air dry everything from now on. Some fabrics are different, so you must separate them. Don¡¯t mix them up.¡± Elijah stared at her back, mercilessly exposing herme excuse. ¡°You¡¯re buying a washing machine? When I transferred the house to you, I recall a woman named Wendy working tirelessly to rece all the furniture and appliances in the entire house.¡± Exposed, Sheena turned around, coldly ncing at him, and showing no intention of concealing the truth. Indeed, she had intentionally given away the washing machine to the orphanage. After all, those kids needed it more than he did. The two entered the living room in silence. Sheena fumbled along the wall, almost instinctively turning on the lights. The living room was bright, and while the house maintained its original structure, the furniture and decor had changed from the previous ck¨Cand¨Cwhite theme. Then, she walked straight to the kitchen, with Elijah silently following. Then, she took a thick book from the cab and handed it to him. ¡°This is a cookbook. From now on, every meal must follow the recipes in this book. Each meal should consist of meat, vegetables, and soup dishes, and each day should have a different theme. No repeats allowed.¡± Elijah took it and casually flipped through a couple of pages. Seeing that he did not object, Sheena checked the time. It was already 8.30 p.m., yet she still had not had dinner, so she instructed, ¡°Cooking starts tonight. Let me know when it¡¯s ready. You can choose any of the bedrooms on the second floor to sleep in.¡± With that, Sheena headed upstairs to her study. There was still a pile of work to attend to, requiring her to put in some overtime. Watching her disappear up the stairs, Elijah finally breathed a sigh of relief. The pain forced him to arch his back, and he had to support himself on the table to regain his bnce. The bloodstains on the white shirt had long since dried, sticking to the wound. He moistened it with hot water and used a towel to separate the fabric from the blood and flesh. To avoid Sheena¡¯s notice, he quickly removed the shirt and washed away the bloodstains. If this were before, Elijah could wring his shirt dry easily. However, he could only partially dry it now, as the injection had weakened him greatly. Later, he put on the slightly damp shirt, covering it with the original dark suit jacket. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. No one could notice anything unless they took a closer look. Havingpleted all this, Elijah felt as if all his strength had been drained, utterly exhausted. The special medication was indeed potent. More than half an hour had passed, but Elijah still had yet to start cooking. Hence, he had no choice but to reluctantly begin studying the cookbook. Opening the fridge, he found a variety of fresh vegetables and meats, all obviously carefully nned for today. His gaze darkened, but his thoughts remained unreadable. Upstairs, Sheena sat in front of herputer, fully engrossed. The all¨Cgirls talent show she initiated had reached its third season, garnering continuous online attention and discussions. Phoebe had also returned to recording after recovering, seemingly unaffected and quickly regaining her form. Moreover, her ranking remained steady in the top fifteen. If all went well, she should be able to secure a ce in the finals. It seemed like everything was progressing smoothly. Chapter 196 It seemed like everything was progressing smoothly. Chapter 196 After reviewing the talent show situation, Sheena called Heidi. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for them to clean the floors. Erin was quite arrogant, even cursing at you. So, I locked them back in the basement. Is that okay?¡± Heidi asked. ¡°No problem. Since they¡¯re servants, treat them ording to the standards. If they don¡¯t listen, punish them as needed. But remember to keep an eye on those male servants at the Freeman mansion. They¡¯re not allowed to have ill intentions!¡± Sheena instructed firmly. ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena! You can rest assured that I¡¯ll handle it well¡­¡± While Heidi continued assuring her, Sheena suddenly smelled a burning odor. It seemed to being from downstairs! Sheena hurriedly hung up and rushed downstairs, finding the kitchen filled with smoke. Elijah was trying to fan away the smoke, coughing from the irritation. Sheena was speechless and eximed, ¡°I asked you to prepare dinner, not burn the house down!¡± Covering her nose and mouth, Sheena entered the kitchen, turned off the stove, and switched on the venttion fans. After a while, the choking smell finally dissipated. Sheena pointed to the pot, now burnt to a charcoal¨C like ck, and asked, ¡°What were you making?¡± Elijah replied, ¡°Braised beef.¡± Sheena nced at it again. It was simply an eyesore! ¡°What the hell happened? It¡¯s burnt beyond recognition! No recipe can save your cooking skills. How bad are you at this?¡± Elijah feigned innocence. ¡°I just followed the recipe. It said to simmer on low heat for an hour and a half. I thought it was too slow and turned up the heat to speed things up, but¡­¡± ¡°But you burnt it instead?¡± Elijah remained silent. Sheena was exasperated, sighed, and continued, ¡°Are you nning to serve me this for dinner? 11 ¡°I also prepared a side dish.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Where is it?¡± Elijah led her to the dining table. Although the side dish looked in, the color seemed normal, so it was probably edible. Sheena gave in and decided to make do with this meal. Seeing her willingness to try, Elijah pulled out a chair and fetched a te and utensils from the kitchen. 2/2 Sheena eyed his movements suspiciously. Just an hour ago, he felt humiliated and awkward about doing chores. Yet, he seemed to have adapted to it so quickly. Moreover, he even stood quietly on the side after doing all that, acting unusually obedient. Sheena found his attentiveness strange. As she took a piece of the vegetable, she caught a subtle glint in Elijah¡¯s eyes. Something was off, She frowned and brought the green vegetable to her mouth, preparing to eat. Elijah raised an eyebrow as if looking forward to her reaction, but he resumed his icy expression when she nced in his direction. Putting down the fork, Sheena smirked and said, ¡°You go first.¡± Elijah lowered his head. ¡°I dare not.¡± Though his head was bowed, his attitude was not submissive at all. Clearly, he was putting on an act! Sheena grinned, her gaze sharp as she spoke with authority, ¡°I¡¯m the master of this mansion, and you¡¯re the servant, so this is an order. Come here now and sit down!¡± Chapter 197 Chapter 197 Aware that refusing her any longer would only make it suspicious, Elijah went to the kitchen with a stern expression, returning with another set of tes and utensils. Under Sheena¡¯s deathly gaze, he confidently picked up a piece of vegetable and put it in his mouth without hesitation, chewed expressionlessly, and swallowed. The entire process seemed natural, and Elijah remarked, ¡°It tastes normal. Why don¡¯t you try? Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°1 With her chin resting on her hand, Sheena pointed at the dish and said, ¡°Finish this entire te.¡± Elijah was caught off guard, but he still smiled and responded, ¡°You said you¡¯re the master here, so this is made for you. How could I eat it?¡± Uninterested in continuing the pointless banter, Sheena stated, ¡°If you don¡¯t eat it, I¡¯ll get the bodyguards to help you.¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Elijah¡¯s eyes narrowed, locking gazes with her. ¡°Are you trying to use your position to threaten me?¡± Sheena did not deny it. ¡°Of course! Dealing with a disobedient, manservant requires a firm approach. Do you want to eat it yourself, or should I have theme in and feed you?¡± It was a multiple¨Cchoice question with no real choice. Under her gaze, Elijah¡¯s face darkened. His pride and arrogance of many years had been worn down four times by this woman in just a few hours. It was simply annoying and despicable! Yet, his anger seemed petty as Sheena looked at him with a harmless smile, as if she was not using her position to pressure him. Unable to refuse, Elijah reached for the te of vegetables. He did not even notice that his hands were trembling slightly. Taking a deep breath, Elijah stabbed a piece of vegetable and forced it into his mouth, finding it difficult to swallow. In an attempt to retaliate against Sheena, he had added excessive unknown condiments. Little did he know that she, vignt as ever, did not take a single bite. Not only that, but she also seemed to have seen through his act right from the start. Even so, Elijah was not ready to give up, attempting to maintain a calm facade while tasting this culinary disaster. However, as it entered his system, waves of stomach acid surged, and he could not endure it any longer. Elijah rushed to the kitchen, vomiting uncontrobly. Sheena pped her hands in amusement, genuinely impressed by his endurance as he managed to take three bites before vomiting. Did he think such childish tricks could outwit her? Was this man really so naive? Chapter 197 2/2 ¡°Mr. Freeman, wasting food is uneptable. You¡¯re not getting dinner tonight as your punishment.¡± Still recovering from the ordeal, Elijah heard Sheena¡¯s words but chose not to respond. After throwing up the contents of his stomach, which left a burning sensation in his throat, he decided to go without eating. Nheless, just because he was not eating did not mean Sheena would do the same. After all themotion, it was already past 9 p.m., and Sheena felt a bit hungry. Considering Elijah¡¯s culinary skills, dinner was not something she could expect tonight. Thus, she opted to take matters into her own hands and prepared a ssic spaghetti. The pot on the stove was already burnt, so Sheena had to retrieve another pot and pan from the cupboard. Then, she boiled water and added spaghetti, moving swiftly. Elijah stood silently by the door, watching her. He soon became absent¨Cminded, wondering if time could rewind to the day they got married, would everything be different? If he had not agreed to divorce back then, living a in and simple life with her did not sound so bad. His train of thought was quickly interrupted, and he chuckled self¨Cdeprecatingly. If Sheena knew what he was thinking, she would probably say a despicable man like him did not deserve to remarry her. At the end of the day, he was just a manservant under contract, truly undeserving of her. While he contemted, Sheena finished preparing a delicious bowl of ssic spaghetti. Exactly enough for one bowl, with not even a drop of extra sauce left in the pan. Chapter 198 Chapter 198 Chapter 198 Elijah thought Sheena was indeed ruthless. Seeing her enjoying her meal, he nned to go upstairs and clean up a room for his stay. ¡°Hold on,¡± ¡°Sheena called after him. ¡°Come here, stand opposite from me, and watch me finish my meal.¡± Elijah, with a cold expression, followed her instructions. At first, he did not understand her intentions until he realized the spaghetti smelled delicious and saw Sheena eat with relish. Elijah gulped, yet he still maintained a stern expression. The fragrance was dangerously tempting. Moreover, he had just emptied his stomach. Watching someone else eat at this moment felt like torture, and Elijah finally grasped Sheena¡¯s sadistic amusement. After finishing the spaghetti, Sheena was satisfied and elegantly wiped her mouth with a tissue. Then, she looked at the gloomy man before her and instructed before going upstairs, ¡± Remember to clean the kitchen before sleeping. It should be as clean as it was before you entered. No cking off.¡± However, she caught sight of Elijah¡¯s shirt and thought something was off¡­ Frowning, Sheena walked over and lightly tugged at his shirt cor, noticing a faint pink stain. Was it blood? Elijah noticed her gaze and exined, ¡°It¡¯s from the beef just now. It identally sttered on me while I was cooking.¡± Sheena did not believe him, twisting the shirt cor and finding damp water stains. She raised her gaze to scrutinize Elijah. Original from N?velDrama.Org. He maintained a poker face and insisted, ¡°I cleaned it because it was dirty.¡± Sheena could not understand why Elijah would lie with a straight face. If he was injured, why keep it from her? Did he think she would not be sympathetic and might even rub salt in the wound? Then again, she could not guarantee she would not do just that if she got irritated. Since Elijah seemed unwilling to say more, Sheena had no intention of pressing him. She turned and headed upstairs. Passing by the storage cab in the living room partition, she paused, took out the first aid kit, and ced it somewhere Elijah would see it before heading back to her room without looking back. Elijah saw everything and was shocked. Did she guess he was injured, or did she already know? Did she have any connection to the people Corey sent to kill him? Chapter 198 Who exactly was she? How many secrets did she hold that he remained unaware of? Elijah nced upstairs, feeling suspicious. Upstairs, Sheena took a refreshing shower. Just as she finished, she heard a knock at the door. Given only two people were in the mansion, it was no rocket science to figure out who it was. Hence, Sheena swiftly changed into her pajamas. The knocking persisted, causing a disturbance. Sheena¡¯s expression soured as she opened the door. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Elijah appeared momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting her to change so quickly. She wore a pink cartoon pajama set, her hair was damp, and her skin appeared even more amazing now that she was makeup¨Cfree. However, her gaze was unkind as she stared at him. Surprisingly, Elijah thought she seemed somewhat cute. Lowering his gaze, Elijah dispelled these inexplicable thoughts and said, ¡°All my belongings are still at Awana Heights. I want to go get them.¡± Sheena frowned and nced at the time. It was already 11 p.m. Who would believe that he was going to retrieve belongings at thiste hour? Chapter 199 ¡°No, you can¡¯t go,¡± Sheena said and moved to close the door. ¡°Wait¡­ Ouch¡­¡± Elijah instinctively reached to wedge the door, his features contorted in pain as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Sheena was taken aback, ¡°Are you dumb? Why block it with your hand?¡± She knew the pain was intense. Elijah seemed a bit aggrieved, holding his reddened hand as he said, ¡°Since my hand is injured, can you let me finish speaking? Although we signed an agreement, I still have human rights. You can¡¯t take that away. Don¡¯t Don¡¯t you think¡­¡± Sheena cut him off, ¡°Just get straight to the point.¡± ¡°I want to return to Awana Heights,¡± Elijah replied without hesitation, frowning slightly. In the past, this expression carried an air of authority. However, due to the effects of the injection, hisplexion remained paler than usual, exuding a fragile beauty. Standing at a towering height of 1.88 meters in front of Sheena, hecked his past oppressive force and resembled a gentle giant instead. Sheena had a fleeting moment of sympathy seeing his injured hand, but upon hearing his words, she instantly caught on. Did this bastard n to y the sympathy card? Fine! She would deal with it tomorrow! ¡°No, you can¡¯t. Go to bed. I¡¯ll have the bodyguards pack and deliver your things tomorrow morning.¡± ¡°Eh¡­¡± Elijah wanted to say more, but his response was met with the door mming shut. His expression turned stern instantly as he muttered in frustration, ¡°Heartless and unreasonable¡­ After that, he turned and headed downstairs, nning to check the situation at the main entrance. As he stepped out of the living room door, two bodyguards suddenly jumped out from the shadows before he could even set foot in the garden. ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to go out at night, Mr. Freeman. Please go back inside.¡± Elijah¡¯s expression instantly darkened. He had no choice but to turn back to his room. The fact that the bodyguards could monitor his every move indicated that Sheena was wary of him. ncing at his phone, he noticed a missed call from Lionel. After deleting the call record, he decided to turn off his phone. Exhausted from days of searching through the mountains all night, getting injured, and then cooking and working today, he copsed onto the bed and quickly drifted into a deep slumber. At some point, he was abruptly awakened by the sound of birds outside the window. He shot up from the bed, eyes wide open in the darkness. The peculiar bird call served as a unique Chapter 199 Chapter 199 poveza T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. signal¨Cit was Lionel. Swiftly getting up, Elijah approached the window, but the overheadmp flicked on with a click. Turning around, he found Sheena casually leaning against the door with a sly smile. Elijah stood frozen, turning to meet her gaze. Little did he know that the drug injection had dulled his awareness of his surroundings! He had not even realized when she had entered the room. Sheena just smiled, staring at him, and asking, ¡°Why are you still awake?¡± Elijah replied, ¡°Feeling a bit hungry and can¡¯t fall asleep, so I thought of heading to the kitchen.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re going to the kitchen, why walk toward the window? Are you nning to jump out from the second floor to find food?¡± she teased. The bird call had alerted her that something was amiss. After all, the security she had set up for the property was impable, imprable even to a fly, let alone a bird. Elijah stayed silent, seemingly unable toe up with a convincing, rebuttal. Chapter 200 Chapter 200 Sheena could not be bothered to continue exposing him, simply saying, ¡°It¡¯s already one o¡¯clock in the morning, so it¡¯s better to get some sleep now as you have to wake up at six to make breakfast. Don¡¯t y tricks this time, or you won¡¯t be eating all day.¡± After that, she turned around and headed back to the third floor. Due to the dy, there were no more sounds from Lionel¡¯s side, indicating that he had probably sensed something unusual. Elijah closed the curtains, intending to find another opportunity to contact Lionel later. The next morning, Elijah got up on time per Sheena¡¯s instructions. As he walked down the stairs, he noticed the bodyguards bustling around, bringing in something from outside. Elijah was surprised to find out that it was all his luggage, delivered at such an early hour. The bodyguards pointed at the stack of boxes that reached a person¡¯s height, their tone slightly mocking as they said, ¡°Mr. Freeman, it would be appreciated if you could pack these up before Ms. Sheena wakes up. She doesn¡¯t like a messy environment and won¡¯t be pleased if she sees it.¡± Elijah did not respond, well aware that this was a deliberate challenge. With his current strength, he estimated he would get tired halfway through the move. Hence, how could he manage all this, especially with the need to prepare breakfast before Sheena woke up? Seeing him hesitate, the bodyguard teased, ¡°Mr. Freeman, if you can¡¯t do it, you can ask us for help.¡± A cold glint shed in Elijah¡¯s eyes as he immediately started moving the luggage. When Sheena came out of her room, she saw him drenched in sweat and his white shirt clinging to his body, revealing faint glimpses of abs and obliques. She had always known he had a good physique but was currently uninterested in his body. She asked, ¡°Is breakfast ready?¡± ¡°Just one more box. Please wait a moment,¡± Elijah replied through gritted teeth. It was as if the fatigue would intensify if he got distracted. Sheena nodded, not in a hurry, and went downstairs to the living room. She noticed the first aid kit she took from the storage cabst night was missing, but she calmly looked away, sitting on the sofa to watch the morning show. After about ten minutes, Elijah took a refreshing shower and changed into clean clothes before heading downstairs. Passing by Sheena, he did not spare her a nce and went straight into the kitchen. Sheena guessed he probably had not yet started cooking and was about to approach when she saw Elijah carrying two tes of warm dishes, cing them on the dining table. Immediately after, he returned to the kitchen to fetch another te of food and utensils. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Sheena stood in ce, observing his busy figure, mildly surprised. In just one night, this man had adapted to all the arrangements she had made. In the morning, he not only moved heavy Chapter 200 272 items but also managed to cook and organize his time efficiently, effortlessly dealing with the challenges she threw at him. This man was definitely more than he seemed to be, and Sheena could not shake the feeling that he was hiding something. While she contemted this, Elijah had already set the table and stood quietly on the side, waiting for her to sit. Sheena looked at his obedient appearance and thought he was acting like a good little boy. Was he just putting on an act, brewing up some big move? Despite her thoughts, Sheena sat down without revealing anything and began to taste the breakfast. The French toast was a bit soggy, and the eggs were overcooked, but it was ediblepared to the previous night. Sheena did not intentionally make it difficult for Elijah. After forcing down a couple of bites, she put down her utensils, and Elijah sensibly started clearing the table to wash the dishes. With time still on her hands, Sheena continued to sit on the sofa, watching TV and eating some fruit. asionally, she nced at Elijah squatting on the floor, pitifully scrubbing the floor. Sheena was satisfied and in a good mood. Previously, Faye had deliberately troubled her by disallowing mops in the mansion, insisting that cleaning the floor by hand was more effective. Little did she know that one day, her proud son would be crouching at the feet of the woman she despised, cleaning the floor inch by inch. It was karma at its finest. Sheena smirked,zily popping a cherry into her mouth when her phone suddenly rang. It was Sarah. ¡°Miss, Wilfred is causing a scene in your office. He¡¯s insisting on seeing you! He won¡¯t leave until you come!¡± Chapter 201 Chapter 201 Sheena fell silent for a few seconds before saying, ¡°Okay, I got it.¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena was surprised as Bethany had kicked the sly Wilfred out of Farlem, yet he was back so soon. As she contemted the situation, she nced at the man still cleaning the floor. The man had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and his white shirt paired with ck trousers unexpectedlyplemented each other. The once prestigious figure in Farlem was now her manservant, and Sheena thought he adapted too quickly, so quickly that she could not help but wonder if he had simr experiences before. Perhaps he went through some form of inhuman training? Despite doing a rather humbling task, he exuded an inherent nobility as if it were engraved in his bones. Also, Sheena noticed that he had to kneel with his legs curled while cleaning due to his tall stature. After just doing chores for a while, she saw that Elijah was sweating again, and his lower lip was also bloodstained. Was this position not only exhausting but also painful for him? His waist¡­ Sheena approached Elijah and spoke casually, ¡°Stop for now and continueter. Come with me to the company.¡± After saying that, she turned and walked away. In doing so, she caught a glimpse of Elijah, seemingly relieved and sighing as if released from some burden. Rising, he quietly supported his right lower back and rubbed his knees. Sheena said nothing and looked away. She led the way out while Elijah silently followed her to the car. As they approached the CEO¡¯s office at the Freeman Group, they noticed that the door was not fully closed, revealing a slight gap, and heard Wilfred¡¯s shout. ¡°Call her and find out where she is! Tell her to hurry over to meet me! The Freeman family hasn¡¯t gone extinct yet. When does a divorced woman get to boss us around¡­¡± Standing at the door, Sheena asked Elijah, ¡°Do you know what to do when we go in?¡± Elijah nodded and said, ¡°Tell the truth.¡± Satisfied with the response, Sheena pushed the door open and walked in, ncing at the person sitting on the sofa. ¡°Wilfred, it¡¯s been a while. Your fiery temper hasn¡¯t changed a bit. No wonder Old Man Freeman couldn¡¯t trust the Freeman Group to you back then.¡± The words struck a nerve, stabbing right into Wilfred¡¯s heart. He had always been resentful because his dad had never held him in high regard, and he instantly went livid when Sheena brought it up. ¡°Is this how you speak to your elders?¡± Wilfred scolded. Chapter 201 272 Sheena calmly took a seat on the sofa opposite him, smirking. ¡°I respect gentle and courteous elders, but are you one?¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Wilfred red at her. Despite both sitting down, Sheena¡¯s nonchnt demeanor seemed to dete Wilfred¡¯s imposing aura. Before Wilfred could continue schooling her, he caught sight of a familiar figure standing beside her. On closer inspection, he realized that it was Elijah, who had been missing for weeks. ¡°Elijah, when did you return? Why did you allow this woman to snatch away control of the Freeman Group?¡± Elijah stated indifferently, ¡°Uncle Wilfred, I returned only yesterday afternoon, and by then, everything had already been settled.¡± ¡°Settled my foot!¡± Wilfred mmed the coffee table in frustration. ¡°With the 40% stake Dad left you and your years of leadership at the Freeman Group, you wield considerable authority among the shareholders. How could you let this woman gain control over thepany?¡± Elijah exined, ¡°Uncle Wilfred, aside from your 15%, she has acquired all other scatteredpany shares. With no other shareholders, she¡¯s now the majority shareholder of the Freeman Group.¡± ¡°What?¡± Wilfred was skeptical. This seemed to differ from Bethany¡¯s ount of the situation. Chapter 202 Chapter 202 Next to them, Sarah keenly ced thepany¡¯s share registry on the coffee table. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Wilfred carefully examined it, and his face gradually turned dark. He was not at Farlem yesterday, and if Elijah had not returned, thepany would indeed fallen under Sheena¡¯s leadership. However, he had been harboring intentions for the position of the head of thepany for so many years, and he would not let this outsider take it away without a fight. Wilfred gave it a thought and looked at Elijah, saying, ¡°What are you standing there for? You¡¯re still the second¨C largest shareholder. Come over and sit.¡± Sheena also nced at Elijah. However, Elijah remained silent, resembling a once proud lion whose ws had been dulled. Sheena was satisfied with his obedient demeanor and turned her gaze back to Wilfred, smiling as she exined, ¡°I¡¯ll speak for him. Anyway, he¡¯s now my servant. In conversations between masters, he¡¯s only worthy of standing by the side.¡± Wilfred widened his eyes in surprise, scrutinizing the dynamics between Sheena and Elijah. After a while, he finally erupted in fury and shouted, ¡°You bastard! Did you sign a contract with her, submitting yourself to her? You¡¯ve brought shame,to the Freeman family¡¯s name!¡± Wilfred was a stubborn conservative, especially considering Elijah was a rtively powerful heir. Despite his initial displeasure at Elijah overtaking him for the position of head of thepany, once Elijah assumed the role, he elevated the Freeman Group to unprecedented heights, and Wilfred enjoyed substantial dividends over the years. Now, it was all in the hands of a woman! Wilfred¡¯s anger surged, and he charged forward, delivering a fierce p. ¡°I¡¯ll teach you a lesson on behalf of your dad and grandpa!¡± Elijah did not dodge, not even showing any change in expression. p! Elijah grunted, and his left cheek visibly swelled with a bloodstain at the corner of his mouth. His current physical condition could not withstand the force of this p, and he tumbled uncontrobly to the ground. Sheena quickly caught him before he hit the floor. However, Wilfred was far from done, and he was ready for a second blow. Sheena grabbed Wilfred¡¯s hand and forcefully pushed it away, warning him, ¡°This isn¡¯t your Freeman family¡¯spany or property. If you want to fight, go home and do it there. Don¡¯t stage a show in front of me.¡± The nearby bodyguards swiftly intervened, forcing Wilfred back onto the sofa. Elijah had regained his bnce, wiping away the blood from the corner of his mouth with a cold expression. Even as Wilfred approached him, he did not blink an eye. His deep, dark eyes seemed lost in contemtion. Sheena, irritated by Elijah¡¯s battered appearance, red fiercely at Wilfred, and mocked, ¡°By the way, the Freeman mansion no longer belongs to the Freeman family. Those rigid and Chapter 202 stubborn old traditions should be abolished!¡± 2/2 Wilfred was stunned to find Sheena seizing the Freeman mansion too. He recalled Faye, the spendthrift woman, and looked at Elijah. Noticing Elijah¡¯s indifference, Wilfred pointed at him and scolded, ¡°Do you realize you¡¯re helping the enemy? I left Farlem a couple of days ago because I found out the old man¡¯s death was likely linked to her!¡± With those words, Elijah finally looked at Wilfred. Grinding his teeth, Wilfred continued, ¡°This woman was responsible for his death in the first ce! Now, she¡¯s plotting to take over the Freeman family¡¯s legacy! She¡¯s simply too cunning, and we can¡¯t let a woman like her stay!¡± Then, he cast a meaningful nce at Elijah, adding, ¡°Elijah, make a decision now, or things will only get worse!¡± Chapter 203 Chapter 203 Chapter 203 After saying that, Wilfred sighed deeply, turned around with hands behind his back, and walked out of the CEO¡¯s office without even looking back However, he shed the troubled expression oncepletely out of the Freeman Group, recing it with a carefree and cheerful smile. Meanwhile, in the office, Sheena turned to face Elijah, noticing the slight swelling on his lips and the visible thumbprint on the left side of his face. A handsome face, now spoiled by Wilfred¡¯s assault. Sheena was determined to deal with that cunning old fox sooner orter. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± She held Elijah¡¯s chin, examining his injuries. Elijah remained expressionless, neither answering nor showing any sign of pain. Seeing his indifferent demeanor infuriated Sheena. She cruelly pinched the soft flesh on his left cheek, causing Elijah to frown and wince in pain as he tried to evade her grasp. Finally, a different expression emerged. Seething with frustration, Sheena scolded, ¡°Looks like you do feel pain. Why didn¡¯t you dodge when Wilfred attacked? Don¡¯t tell me you were too slow to react!¡± If she did not protect him, how many blows could he withstand, considering his current physical condition? Elijah licked the bloody corner of his mouth and countered, ¡°Where were you on the day Grandpa died?¡± Sheena met his gaze, unable to read his true thoughts. Did he believe Wilfred¡¯s words? Did he suspect her of causing Sebastian¡¯s death? Nheless, Sheena did not lie and answered, ¡°Right by his side. I was thest person he saw before he died.¡± T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What did he say to you?¡± Elijah asked. Sheena fell silent for a moment. In truth, Sebastian¡¯s dying words were about entrusting her to safeguard the Freeman Group and a plea for her to take care of Elijah. ¡°He¡¯s a good kid, ambitious but deeply loyal. If he discovers your virtues and falls in love with you, he¡¯ll be willing to give up everything for you. Promise me, take good care of him, and never divorce him.¡± leve Sheena had broken the first promise. Even after three years, she could not soften Elijah¡¯s icy heart, and she no longer yearned for his affection. Hence, safeguarding the Freeman Group became her final commitment to Sebastian. Noticing Sheena¡¯s momentary distraction, Elijah repeated his question, ¡°What exactly did he say?¡± Chapter 203 2/2 Sheena resumed her seat on the sofa, appearing indifferent as she said, ¡°I can¡¯t disclose that.¡± Those words carried a hint of defiance, and a flicker of anger shed through Elijah¡¯s eyes. Sheena continued, taunting, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Do you also think I caused his death?¡± Elijah remained silent for a moment, his expression serious as he responded, ¡°No, you wouldn¡¯t.¡± Seeing that he had not fallen for Wilfred¡¯s words, Sheena thought he was not too foolish after all. Her anger subsided somewhat, and she nced at the awkward figure standing there with his left cheek swollen, disrupting the charming appearance of the once¨Chandsome face. Even though Elijah could be frustrating to deal with, Sheena admitted that he was handsome, and it would be a shame to ruin his good looks. She reached for a spare first aid kit from the drawer beneath the coffee table and pushed it toward him. ¡°You look terrible. There are ice packs in the mini¨Cfridge over there. Get some and apply it yourself.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elijah did not refuse, fetching an ice pack and sitting on the sofa to skillfully tend to his wounds. Sheena walked to the desk, focusing on her work. The bodyguards and Sarah tactfully left, closing the door behind them. In the office, the only sounds were Sheena tapping on the keyboard and the asional noise of Elijah applying medication. The atmosphere was somewhat strange. This continued for almost an hour and a half until Sarah knocked on the door again, informing Sheena, ¡°Ms. Sheena, Mr. Upton is here.¡± Chapter 204 Chapter 204 Chapter 204 She was surprised, wondering why Colin came to the Freeman Group. After considering it, she said, ¡°Let him in.¡± Elijah, seated on the sofa, suddenly furrowed his brow. Mr. Upton? Which Mr. Upton was this? Was it another man she had recently acquainted herself with? As Colin entered through the door, Elijah stood up. Even though there was a considerable distance between them, both immediately noticed each other¡¯s presence. The air seemed charged as the rivals locked gaze. With a smirk, Elijah spoke first, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s the heir of Svelton¡¯s Upton family. It¡¯s nice to meet. you.¡± Colin felt a surge of anger when he saw Elijah. He hade to dissuade Sheena from signing a contract with Elijah, but he never expected that she would boldly bring him to thepany! This was the Freeman Group! Colin darkened his expression and approached Elijah, whispering, ¡°Sheena has divorced you. She made an agreement with you for a year just to help you clear your debts. Mr. Freeman, you shouldn¡¯t harbor any thoughts for her because of that. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± His face appeared calm, but his tone carried a subtle threat. Elijah was stunned when Colin mentioned the agreement, believing that his rtionship with Sheena was moreplicated than expected. ¡°Mr. Upton, out of curiosity, who are you to warn me?¡± Elijah inquired. Colin responded, ¡°She¡¯s single now, and I¡¯m pursuing her. I believe she¡¯ll soon agree to be with me. So, I¡¯m telling you as her future boyfriend.¡± ¡°In other words, she hasn¡¯t agreed to be yours yet. Mr. Upton, aren¡¯t you too eager to assert dominance?¡± Elijah raised an eyebrow. Colin scowled. ¡°So what? At least I have a chance, while you¡¯ll never have one!¡± Sheena sighed, massaging her temples. The two men before her were throwing insults at each other, sparks flying in their heated exchange. Her office had turned into a battleground, and Sheena could not help but wonder why people usually described women as dramatic when these two men were even more intense than most women. The tension continued as the two men squared off before the sofa. Elijah dered, ¡°Even if you refuse to admit it, you can¡¯t deny the fact that I am her ex- husband. At least I was closer to her than you ever will be!¡± Elijah purposely emphasized thest sentence, and his gaze carried a subtle implication, Chapter 204 Seething with anger, Colin retorted, ¡°How long have you known her? How well do you really know her? I grew up with her, and I know her better than you ever will!¡± Elijah was surprised, and his frown deepened. ¡°Enough,¡± Sheena intervened, unable to tolerate the argument any longer. The bickering gave her a headache. She needed to send these two off. She turned to Colin, asking, ¡°Why did youe here today?¡± Colin had initially intended to persuade her to dissolve the agreement with Elijah, but certain things could not be said before him. Hence, he used work as a cover, saying, ¡°It¡¯s about the film studio construction. I initially went to Angle Group to find you, but I came over since you weren¡¯t there and heard you were at the Freeman Group.¡± It was a legitimate reason. Sheena looked at Elijah and said, ¡°You haven¡¯t visited your mother and sister since you returned, right? I¡¯ll have the bodyguard take you to the Freeman mansion to check on them. Calm them down and ask them to behave to prevent unnecessary troubles.¡± Intentionally sending him away? Was she choosing Colin over him? Elijah was not pleased. ¡°I¡¯m not going!¡± Sheena ignored his reluctance and called the bodyguards to escort him out. As Elijah passed by him, Colin smirked as if iming victory in this round. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. With a long face, Elijah exited the office, went down the elevator, and was forcefully ced into the car by the bodyguards. However, his face no longer disyed the jealousy he had shown with Colin earlier. Elijah lingered on thest words Colin spoke. It seemed like Howard had said something simr, attempting to provoke him. Back then, he had not thought much of it, considering it was just Howard trying to get under his skin. However, he realized something was off about the situation! Chapter 205 Chapter 205 Sheena¡¯s record when she was 15 only mentioned the orphanage, yet both heirs of the influential Svelton families imed to have known her since childhood. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Could she also be connected to the prominent Svelton families? If so, why did she end up in an orphanage in Farlem and coincidentally save Sebastian? Later, she married him, suddenly initiated a divorce, seized control of the Freeman Group and the Freeman Mansion, and even sent Corey¡¯s men to silence him. Could it all have been premeditated? Were her ims about him repaying debts all an act? Was she leveraging guilt to erase suspicion and make him feel guilty? Elijah¡¯s doubts intensified as he contemted these thoughts. While he was lost in his thoughts, the car had arrived at the entrance of the Freeman mansion. He considered going in alone, turning to the two bodyguards and saying, ¡°Wait here at the entrance. I¡¯ll go in, say a few words, ande out.¡± The bodyguards firmly declined him, ¡°No, Ms. Sheena ordered us to protect your safety without leaving your side. Please don¡¯t make it difficult for us, Mr. Freeman.¡± Not even a step away? Sheena was certainly thorough in her precautions. ¡°Fine, thene along. But when I¡¯m talking to my mom and Erin, can you guys stand a bit farther away? Don¡¯t eavesdrop on our conversation.¡± The two bodyguards exchanged nces and nodded in agreement. Faye, being older and having faced hardships in her youth, understood the virtue of perseverance, so the household staff, including Heidi, did not deliberately trouble her. Erin, however, was young and had been indulged from childhood, often resisting orders from Heidi and the others. Consequently, both of them were assigned separate tasks. Erin was assigned to clean the toilets, including scrubbing the dirty toilet bowls in the servants F quarters. Since she was the closest, Elijah decided to visit her first. The staff received the news and released Erin early, arranging for her to wait for Elijah in the hallway. Erin was dressed in servant attire. Her eyes were red, indicating she had been crying for quite some time. As soon as she saw Elijah, she rushed toward him as if he were a savior, seekingfort. ¡°Eli! You¡¯ve finally returned! Are you here to rescue me? Please take me away. The Freeman mansion is like hell for me now, and I don¡¯t want to stay here a second longer.¡® Erin grabbed Elijah, ready to leave, but he remained unmoved. Amidst her confusion, the nearby bodyguard stepped in to exin, ¡°He¡¯s currently Ms. Chapter 205 Sheena¡¯s private manservant. He can¡¯t help you. He¡¯s just here to check on you.¡± ¡°What? A private manservant!¡± Erin was shocked and felt her hopes crumble, unable to ept reality. ¡°Eli, how could you submit to her? You¡¯re my brother! The pir of the Freeman family! Why would you¡­¡± The bodyguard was about to speak but received a stern re from Elijah, wisely choosing to keep silent and stepping a few meters away to give them privacy. As soon as the bodyguard left, Elijah spoke softly, ¡°Erin, behave yourself for a while. I¡¯ll find a \way.¡± In a state of despair, Erin cried, ¡°What can you do? You¡¯re already her servant, with no difference in status from me and Mom¡­¡± As if realizing something, a sinister expression gradually appeared on Erin¡¯s face. ¡°I get it now, Eli! I¡¯m sure you have a lot of time alone with her now. You must find a chance to help me get rid of her. She¡¯s ruined my life, and we¡¯re sworn enemies!¡± Elijah sighed, recognizing that Erin¡¯s mind was clouded by vengeance and likely not receptive to further discussion. 1 Chapter 206 Chapter 206 After advising Erin to behave for the time being, Elijah turned to check on Faye. Erin, still persistent, shouted after him, ¡°Eli! Remember, you must kill her! I want her dead!¡± The faces of the two bodyguards slightly changed. Elijah noticed their expressions but said nothing and went to look for Faye. Faye was in the backyard clearing weeds when she saw Elijah standing unharmed before her. Overwhelmed with joy, Faye hugged him and cried. ¡°Elijah, it¡¯s good that you¡¯re back! You seemed to have lost a lot of weight. Are you not eating well? Why do you look so pale? Are you sick? I know it¡¯s difficult for you with Sheena, but you must take care of yourself.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. She caressed Elijah¡¯s face, noticing the subtle signs of swelling despite his efforts to hide it. ¡°What happened to your left cheek? Who hit you? Was it Sheena?¡± Elijah held her hand and said, ¡°No, it was Uncle Wilfred.¡± ¡°Wilfred actually hit you? Once we get through this ordeal, I¡¯ll make sure he pays!¡± Faye eximed angrily. However, when she realized that Sheena had not physically harmed Elijah, Faye wondered if this meant Sheena still had feelings for him. ncing around to ensure the two bodyguards were engaged in conversation and not paying attention, she leaned in to whisper to Elijah. ¡°Elijah, Sheena¡¯s definitely not a simple person. From sending Jennifer to prison to the bankruptcy of the Freeman family, she has nned everything meticulously. Even Bethany suspected her identity before. Although she never revealed it, I believe her background is not ordinary,¡± Elijah frowned, listening attentively. Faye continued, ¡°Elijah, you must find an opportunity to investigate her background. If she¡¯s really the heiress of a prominent family, you should treat her attentively and try to reconcile, or, if all else fails, find a way to make her pregnant!¡± Faye had used the same strategy to marry into the Freeman family. Despite Elijah being a man, she felt he was handsome and could use his charm without any issues. Elijah¡¯s face darkened, and he moved her hand away. ¡°What kind of man would I be if I were to take advantage of someone like that? Don¡¯t say such things again,¡± Elijah replied sternly. Faye shrugged it off, saying, ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? If you remarry her, I won¡¯t trouble her anymore. If she truly is the daughter of a prominent family, I¡¯m willing to serve her!¡± ¡°You¡¯re unreasonable!¡± / With that, Elijah turned and walked away. Faye watched his retreating figure and stomped her foot in anger. Why did his son not inherit her excellent traditions? Seeing that their conversation had concluded, the two bodyguards once again stuck close to Elijah. Elijah¡¯s expression was solemn as he moved slowly through the first¨Cfloor hall. He was aware that the mansion presented the best opportunity, and once back at Ocean Avenue, it would be challenging to establish contact with Lionel for some time. With this in mind, Elijah held his stomach, looking slightly ufortable. ¡°I need to use the bathroom. Wait here. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± The two bodyguards ignored him and continued to follow him closely. There was even a moment when they considered apanying him into the bathroom. Elijah stood at the bathroom door, blocking them just in time. ¡°This is a private residence. There¡¯s only one bathroom per floor and only one toilet. Do you really n to stand before me and watch while I use the toilet? Doesn¡¯t that seem inappropriate to you?¡± Chapter 207 Chapter 207 Chapter 207 Upon hearing that, the bodyguards hesitated. After all, that scenario did seem a little off. However, if they did not keep an eye on him and he managed to escape, it would surely be difficult to exin it to Sheena. Elijah smirked and continued, ¡°All the windows in this mansion¡¯s bathrooms were sealed to prevent unforeseen incidents. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can check.¡± As he spoke, he walked into the bathroom. In front of the bodyguards, he tested the window. The bodyguards tried to open the window themselves, confirming it was indeed sealed. They inspected the entire bathroom but found nothing suspicious except for a small venttion duct in the ceiling, but the duct was too small to amodate an adult male. Seeing that they were somewhat persuaded, Elijah added, ¡°My stomach is not feeling well, and I might take about fifteen minutes. Please wait for a moment.¡± The bodyguards agreed. ¡°You have fifteen minutes. If you don¡¯te out by then, we¡¯ll barge in no matter what you¡¯re doing.¡± Elijah nodded, and the bodyguards left, standing guard at the door. Then, he locked the door behind them, quickly climbed onto the sink, and opened the venttion duct on the ceiling. The venttion duct had actually been designed with an emergency escape route in mind. From the outside, it appeared small, but when opened, it revealed a hidden mechanism that was attached to the iron mesh, not easily noticeable. Inside were two paths, one leading to the mansion¡¯s rooftop and the other to the back door.Original from N?velDrama.Org. Upon entering the Freeman mansion, Elijah heard the unusual bird calls from Lionel. Since the sound came from above, he chose the route to the rooftop. Although the duct could amodate him, it was a tight fit. With his height, he had to bend his knees and move forward, sweating profusely and feeling the strain on his injured waist. Nheless, Elijah only had fifteen minutes, so he endured the pain and sped up. Opening the rooftop venttion, Lionel, who was hiding in the shadows, rushed over to assist him. Lionel found it strange when he saw Elijah covered in cold sweat, trembling hands, and visibly exhausted after only a short climb. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you don¡¯t look so good. Even if your waist injury isn¡¯t fully healed, you shouldn¡¯t be this exhausted, right?¡± ¡°I was injected with a modified version of the 023 serum.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lionel¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Ms. Sheena administered it to you? She¡¯s so¡­ ruthless. 11 Elijah remained silent, his eyes revealing aplicated expression. Though Sheena had not disclosed the name of the drug, Elijah had used a 023 serum before while dealing with prisoners of war. However, the one Sheena injected him with was a diluted version, reducing its potency. Lionel was visibly agitated. ¡°Mr. Freeman, now that you¡¯re out, let¡¯s go! Don¡¯t endure this nonsense under her anymore. The guys are all outside, just waiting for yourmand.¡± Chapter 207 2/2 Elijah appeared determined, saying, ¡°She has secrets, and they¡¯re possibly rted to the Freeman family. I¡¯m staying by her side to gather clues. Time is running out, so let me get straight to the point.¡± Lionel nodded. Elijah continued, recounting his suspicions to Lionel. ¡°Contact Jonah. I suspect Sheena might have connections with the four major families in Svelton. Given Colin and Howard¡¯s attention to her, we can rule out the Lawson and Upton families. The Jenkins family is impossible. So, focus on investigating the Nicholls family. Report any girls who went missing or disappeared six years ago and share a timeline with Sheena.¡± ¡°Got it, Mr. Freeman.¡± Then, he recalled something and asked, ¡°What about Mr. Wilfred¡¯s im that Ms. Sheena killed Old Man Freeman? Do you believe it?¡± Elijah¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and a hint of danger flickered in his eyes. Chapter 208 Chapter 208 Chapter 208 ¡°I believe it, but I also don¡¯t. That cunning Wilfred just wants to provoke me into a bloody confrontation with Sheena, sitting back and reaping the benefits for himself. However, Sheena¡¯s identity is indeed complicated, so we must investigate.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Lionel hesitated before continuing, ¡°I can¡¯t shake the feeling that if Ms. Sheena orchestrated all of this with a n, her chances of being an heiress from a big family are slim. Is it possible she¡¯s a spy sent by a family that discovered your whereabouts? Considering her abilities, she¡¯s likely an ex¨Cmilitary or a skilled spy.¡± If she were indeed a spy, her identity would be challenging to uncover. Elijah pondered for a moment and said, ¡°That¡¯s why we need to be prepared for both scenarios. If she¡¯s an heiress, perhaps all of this is just a coincidence, and I¡¯ve been overly suspicious. I¡¯ll find an opportunity to test her tonight. Also, I¡¯ve arranged for you to visit two people in jail¡­¡± Lionel nodded respectfully. ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± ¡°Alright, you can leave now.¡± Time was running out, and as Elijah turned to leave, Lionel stopped him with a hesitant expression. ¡°Mr. Freeman¡­¡± ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you suspect Ms. Sheena was the girl who saved you years ago?¡± Elijah maintained his cold tone, replying, ¡°But she denied it. Perhaps she really isn¡¯t, and I made a mistake. Anyway, we must rify her identity and past before reaching a conclusion.¡± Since he noticed Leon¡¯s unusual attitude toward Jennifer, Elijah instructed Leon and Jonah to investigate the matter. He discovered that Jennifer did visit Pine Street on the day in question, but it was after the time when the girl had saved him. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Jennifer had deceived him for over a decade, exploiting his sense of responsibility as a man. He had intended to settle the score, but now that Sheena had put her in jail, Elijah decided to let her rot in there. However, if the girl who had saved him years ago was indeed Sheena¡­ His debt to her was more than just three years. Meanwhile, Ford and Sawyer were growing impatient at the first¨Cfloor bathroom entrance. Sawyer pressed his ear against the door and found it surprisingly quiet. He asked, ¡°Ford, it doesn¡¯t sound like anyone¡¯s inside. Could he have really made a run for it?¡± Ford checked the time and noticed that it had been exactly fifteen minutes. He knocked on the door first, calling, ¡°Mr. Freeman, your fifteen minutes are up. Are you done? You aren¡¯t constipated, are you?¡°, Chapter 208 He knocked three times in a row, but there was still no response. Ford¡¯s face turned pale; he tried turning the doorknob only to find it was locked! ¡°Oh no! Sawyer, kick the door!¡± Ford ordered. Sawyer obeyed, took two steps back, and then delivered a powerful kick to the lock, sacrificing the handle. The two barged in to find Elijah casually standing, adjusting his belt with poised and dignified movements. Seeing them forcibly enter, Elijah¡¯s expression turned cold and stern, showing some displeasure. ¡°It¡¯s your first time here, and you¡¯ve already broken something. Not a good start, is it?¡± The two inspected the entire bathroom, keeping a vignt eye on him. ¡°This is Ms. Sheena¡¯s property now. If we damage anything, we¡¯ll apologize to her. But you! You were clearly inside. Why didn¡¯t you respond when we knocked just now?¡± Chapter 209 Chapter 209 Elijah remained calm, his expression indifferent. ¡°I prefer not to talk when handling my needs. ¡°1 Ford and Sawyer were stunned. Was this guy¡­ He did all that within fifteen minutes? Was he using the restroom and¡­ masturbated? Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Was it not a little too fast? Their gazes involuntarily shifted downward. Faced with their shocked expressions, Elijah¡¯s face darkened. He was referring to using the restroom! Nheless, since the misunderstanding had already urred, he could not exin further. Instead, he elegantly walked to the sink and washed his hands. The two watched him wash his hands. Well, alright, any man would understand. As a man, there was no need to make it difficult for another man. Ford and Sawyerpletely believed his nonsense. After leaving the mansion, they stuffed him into the car and returned to Ocean Avenue. Upon reaching, before Ford and Sawyer concealed themselves in the shadows, they reminded Elijah, ¡°Mr. Freeman, Ms. Sheena will probably be back in about four hours. Although you¡¯ve been out for a few hours today, the household chores still need to be done before she returns home.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Elijah said with little expression and entered the mansion. Sheena was an hourte but finally finished work. The Freeman Group had suffered losses due to Faye and Bethany¡¯s excessive spending, and its stocks were not performing as well as before. Thus, Sheena had to put in extra effort to restore the Freeman Group to its previous heights so she could pursue debts from the Carver family. Upon returning to Ocean Avenue, she did not rush inside. Instead, she called Ford and Sawyer out of hiding. ¡°Miss,¡± the two greeted respectfully and began their report, ¡°Mr. Freeman didn¡¯t show any unusual behavior today.¡± Sheena was skeptical. ¡°He was well¨Cbehaved? Did you make sure he never left your sight?¡± The two replied in unison, ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena.¡± ¡°What did he say to Faye and Erin today? Tell me everything.¡± They exchanged nces and began their report, Chapter 209 Having grasped the general situation, Sheena walked through the front yard garden and entered the living room. The room was well¨Clit, with a faint aroma of dinner lingering. Elijah, who was in the kitchen, heard the movement and walked out, taking her slippers neatly from the shoe cab and cing them at her feet. ¡°Wee home! You must be tired from working all day,¡± Elijah greeted. Sheena stood at the doorway, silently observing him. Although his tone was strained and his expression icy, he had at leastpleted the assigned tasks. Nevertheless, she was too tired to pick on him after a day of busy work. ¡°Mm,¡± Sheena grunted and turned to head upstairs. Elijah called out, ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready. You should eat first before going up.¡± Sheena nced at the steaming dishes on the dining table and suddenly recalled how she used to wait all night for him toe home for dinner, only for him to mock her. Her expression turned colder, and she responded, ¡°Go ahead and eat. I¡¯ve already had dinner.¡± As she attempted to leave, Elijah stepped forward, blocking her way with a strange expression. ¡°You already ate dinner? Who did you eat with? Was it Howard or Skye? Perhaps Colin? After discussing work, did you go out for dinner together?¡± Sheena frowned. The tone, the expression¡­ Why did it feel like he was catching his wifeing homete? ¡°Elijah, know your ce. You¡¯re just my servant now, with no right to question who I dine with.¡± With that, she walked past him and headed upstairs. Chapter 210 Chapter 210 Watching Sheena¡¯s figure gradually disappear into the staircase, Elijah suddenly emanated a strong sense of hostility. Thinking about his n to find out Sheena¡¯s identity tonight, he nced at the fruit knife on the coffee table. Around 3 a.m., the entire mansion seemed to have fallen asleep. After all, it was a time when people were in the midst of a deep sleep. Rays of silvery¨Cgray moonlight shone through the windows and onto the man asleep in bed. However, he suddenly opened his eyes, and his deep eyes were devoid of any sleepiness. The man sat up quietly and grabbed the fruit knife from the basket on the coffee table. Then, he ascended to the third floor. That night, Sheena slept restlessly. She could not shake the feeling that something was lurking in the shadows, watching her, and it persisted for a long time. This feeling¡­ Why did it feel so simr to the night before the divorce? Realizing something, Sheena abruptly opened her eyes, and a gust of wind suddenly rushed to her ears. Almost instinctively, she tightly grasped the de of the knife. The de cut her palm, and crimson blood dripped onto the bed sheet. Ignoring the pain, she swiftly sat up. Her empty left hand estimated the distance to the man, delivering a swift and fierce p. ¡°Argh¡­¡± The pnded squarely on the man¡¯s face. He grunted and tumbled to the ground, his grip on the knife loosening. Without needing to guess, Sheena knew that no one else in the mansion dared to wield a knife against her besides this man. Then, she tossed the fruit knife aside and quickly turned on the bedsidemp. As expected, it was Elijah! Furious, she shouted, ¡°Do you have a death wish? With your current strength, do you really think you can kill me?¡± Elijah wiped off the blood from the corner of his mouth. When he looked up, he immediately noticed the bloodstained bed sheet and the fresh blood on Sheena¡¯s hand. Was this woman out of her mind? Why did she use her hand to grip the de? Suddenly, he felt a twinge of guilt and remained silent. Seeing his nk expression, Sheena red at him. ¡°What are you staring at? Go get the first aid kit!¡± T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Alright¡­¡± Elijah got up from the floor and went downstairs to fetch the first aid kit. As he stepped out of the room, he realized that a well¨Ctrained and exceptional spy would have noticed something when he entered the room. Although Sheena reacted promptly, it was not quick enough. Nevertheless, tonight was merely a test. If she had reacted fast enough, ready to retaliate, he would have immediately given a secret signal to alert Leon and the others waiting outside. If there had been no reaction, his knife would have halted before piercing her skin. However, that foolish woman¡­ Elijah sighed. It seemed she was most likely not a spy, and her series of retaliations against the Freeman family appeared to be a coincidence. Elijah felt even more guilty. He put his hand to his lips and made a bird call signal for retreat, then quickened his pace upstairs. Sheena¡¯s gaze turned icy when she saw him return. When he reached her, she ordered, ¡°Kneel! 11 Elijah hesitated, his face showing resistance. Even though he felt guilty, that did not mean he would allow her to rub his dignity on the floor! ¡°A man should stand tall no matter the circumstances, only kneeling before the Gods and my parents. I won¡¯t kneel¡­¡± ¡°All right, you won¡¯t kneel, huh? It seems you enjoy an audience. I¡¯ll have the bodyguardse in and assist you.¡® Sheena was growing impatient and was about to trigger the rm at the bedside without waiting for him to finish. As she spoke, there was a muffled thud- It was the sound of knees hitting the floor. Elijah added, ¡°But I know when to submit and when to stand tall.¡± Chapter 211 Chapter 211 Sheena was originally furious, but his quick response almost made herugh. Seeing his proud expression, as if saying even though he was kneeling, he was not afraid of her, she snorted and scolded, ¡°What are you staring at? Apply the medicine!¡± Elijah quickly opened the first aid kit and earnestly treated the wound on her palm. The cut was not deep, but it almost spanned the entire palm. As a result, her originally fair and delicate hand looked somewhat gruesome due to the wound. Elijah¡¯s heart suddenly ached, and his movements became even gentler and more cautious. With a cold gaze, Sheena watched the man kneeling obediently by her feet. She asked, ¡°You know well that you can¡¯t kill me, so why act foolishly? Elijah kept his head low, staying quiet. ¡°Is it to vent for Erin, or do you genuinely believe Wilfred¡¯s words, thinking I killed Old Man Freeman?¡± Elijah still remained silent, focused on applying the medicine. Sheena observed him, and for once, she logically analyzed the situation. ¡°It can¡¯t be because of Old Man Freeman. He was already suffering from cancer before his death, and I had no reason to waste effort on someone who was about to die. You know that. So, is it for Erin?¡± Even so, Elijah still did not answer her. Using her uninjured left hand, she lifted Elijah¡¯s chin, forcing him to look into her eyes. ¡°You should understand my personality. Erin might be pleased I¡¯m hurt, but you¡¯ll pay the price. Is it worth it?¡± 12 Elijah¡¯s eyes somewhat reddened, and he finally uttered, ¡°It¡¯s not worth it. I regret it. Sheena lowered her head, locking eyes with him. She keenly noticed the reddened rims of his eyes. Was it genuine remorse for seeing her injured, or was he acting? She narrowed her eyes and noticed the swollen right side of his face. ¡°Not bad. Now you have symmetrical ps on both sides of your face.¡± After a while, Sheena continued, ¡°Do you remember not long ago when you cornered me in the women¡¯s restroom? I said that one day, I would make you kneel at my feet and pay the price. I never thought that day woulde so soon.¡± Elijah listened to her mocking tone and felt ufortable. He forcefully freed his chin from her grip, lowered his head, and continued applying the medicine. His movements were orderly, causing her no pain, and he skillfully wrapped the bandage. Observing his expertise, Sheena asked curiously, ¡°As the prestigious heir of the Freeman family, haven¡¯t you been pampered since you were young? Faye must be heartbroken over the slightest scrape or bruise, so why are you so adept at dressing wounds?¡± Elijah was stunned but quickly recovered and exined calmly, ¡°Because I was a naughty child and always getting injured. I learned it over time.¡± Chapter 211 Sheena knew he was not telling the truth but did not bother probing further The room fell silent for a moment, enveloped in an oddly quiet atmosphere, After finishing the bandaging, Elijah did not stand up, Sheena nced at him coldly and then looked at the bloodstains on the bed, ¡°Wash the entire set of bedding by hand tonight. Do it in the backyard, and don¡¯t sleep until it¡¯s done.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Elijah responded promptly. He kept his eyes lowered, appearing wavsually obedient. However, Sheena could not shake off her annoyance when she thought about his audacious act of sneaking into her room with a knife tonight. This man was too good at acting! Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Whenever he pretended to be well¨Cbehaved, it felt like he was concealing some mischief Sheena found it annoying and insisted on slowly wearing down all his dignity and arrogance. ¡°My sleep ispletely ruined!¡± She remarked and headed toward the door. Elijah grabbed her wrist and asked, ¡°Where are you going?¡± With an indifferent tone, she said, ¡°Spending a few nights at Mr. Lawson¡¯s ce.¡± ¡°No, you can¡¯t!¡± Chapter 212 Chapter 212 Elijah blurted that out almost instinctively. Noticing Sheena¡¯s angry gaze, he softened his tone and continued, ¡°What I mean is, it¡¯s toote now, and you shouldn¡¯t bother him at this hour. Besides, being alone with him wouldn¡¯t be appropriate.¡± Elijah disliked Howard, and Howard reciprocated the feeling. Elijah knew he currently had no authority to intervene, but perhaps fueled by a man¡¯s possessiveness, he could not ept Sheena going to Howard. ¡°Let go of me.¡± Sheena was stubborn and took another step forward. Elijah followed suit, still kneeling and tightening his grip on her wrist. ¡°Don¡¯t go! I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have hurt you. I won¡¯t do it again. Please don¡¯t go to Howard, Sheena curiously nced down at him. It was the first time she heard him apologize. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Back when he knew Jennifer wrongly used her of drugging him, he did not apologize. When he acknowledged owing her three years of debt, he did not apologize. Even when he just wounded her with a knife, he expressed regret but still did not apologize. Yet, he was apologizing now! Well, well! ¡°It¡¯s toote to apologize now. I¡¯m not epting it. Get lost!¡± Sheena angrily shouted, shaking off his hand. Elijah¡¯s physique was not what it used to be, and he found himself on the ground after her forceful rejection. Sheena did not spare him another nce, leaving the mansion without looking back. Elijah did not chase after her. He sat silently on the ground, and no one could tell what he was thinking about. It was not until he heard the sound of the car engine that he stood and walked to the window. A few bodyguards got into the car after Sheena. Two minutester, with the roar of the engines, the two cars sped away in the moonlight. With Sheena¡¯s departure, an eerie quiet settled over the entire mansion. Elijali quickly snapped out of his jealousy, surveying Sheena¡¯s room with a nce, wondering if there would be any clues in her room that could verify her true identity. Moreover, she had left and taken all the bodyguards with her, and it was uncertain whether she might return soon. Hence, searching her room now was the best opportunity! Elijah kept a stern expression, observing the window for a while with aplex gaze At this moment, about 200 meters ahead on Ocean Avenue, two cars turned off their engines 2/2 at the intersection before a turn. Sheena sat in the car, waiting silently. The surroundings were exceptionally quiet, quiet enough to hear her own heartbeat. She stared nkly ahead, lost in thought, contemting who knows what. After roughly half an hour, she finally called the bodyguards secretly observing the mansion. ¡°Did he touch anything in my room after I left?¡± The bodyguard replied, ¡°He changed your bed sheets andforter to a new set. He took the dirty ones to the backyard for cleaning, but it seems he had trouble wringing them out after getting them wet due to the weight.¡± ¡°Besides changing the bedding, did he touch anything else in the room?¡± The bodyguard thought for a moment before saying, ¡°No, but he stood by the window for a while after you left.¡± Sheena pursed her lips, lost in thought. Her leaving was such a great opportunity, yet he did not take advantage of it. When he went to get the first aid kit, she distinctly heard the bird calls again. She could not figure out what he was up to, but his asional unusual behavior was hard not to arouse suspicion. Did he really sign the agreement so quickly just to repay the debt? Chapter 213 Chapter 213 Sheena fell silent for a moment before giving further instructions, ¡°Keep an eye on him. Also Sawyer, stay behind to guard the mansion. For the next few days, he¡¯s not allowed to leave. Ensure the house is thoroughly cleaned, and that he takes care of his responsibilities.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena.¡± Sawyer opened the door, stepped out of the car, and watched as the two vehicles headed toward Howard¡¯s mansion. Howard only knew Sheena was at his ce when he saw her sitting in the dining room, eating the breakfast Auntie Gloria had prepared. Initially, he wanted to tease her, but he realized she was using her left hand to hold the spoon, and her right hand hanging by her side, wrapped in bandages. ¡°Nana, what happened to your hand?¡± Howard asked, concerned. Sheena casually ate the oatmeal, saying, ¡°Nothing much. A dog bit me. Howard sympathized, ¡°Which damn dog dared to bite you? I¡¯ll take care of it for you!¡± ¡°Just a useless one. I¡¯ll deal with this myself.¡± Howard wanted to inquire further, but Sheena had already put down her spoon, finishing her breakfast. ¡°Howard, I¡¯m heading to the Freeman Group now. In the afternoon, I¡¯ll be at the Angle Group. Enjoy your breakfast!¡± ¡°Alright, take care.¡± Once she left, Howard summoned Ford and asked sternly, ¡°What happened to Sheena¡¯s hand?¡± Ford lowered his head, trembling as he replied, ¡°Exactly as Ms. Sheena said, she got bitten by¡­ a dog.¡± ¡°Ford, you know the consequences of lying to me. She doesn¡¯t have any dogs at Ocean Avenue? Is she referring to Elijah?¡± ¡°If you already know who it is, why ask?¡± Ford felt aggrieved as he was scolded for no reason. Howard, feeling infuriated, eximed, ¡°That bastard! It was a mistake asking Corey to spare his life! How dare he harm Nana! I¡¯ll make him pay with his life!¡± He reached for his phone, ready to make a call, but Ford quickly stopped him. ¡°Mr. Lawson, calm down. Ms. Sheena has always been decisive. Keeping Mr. Freeman alive is part of her n. It¡¯s best not to disrupt her strategy,¡± Ford advised. Howard calmed down and gave it a thought before saying, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s spare his life for Nana to torment him slowly. But he must suffer for injuring her!¡± Then, he called Ford closer and whispered some instructions. ¡°Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Lawson!¡± Sheena was running between the Angle Group and the Freeman Group in the following days Chapter 213 532/2 On Thanksgiving, the filming of the talent show paused for a day, granting the girls a break. She nned to return to Howard¡¯s mansion early, enjoy a good meal with him, and was tidying up her desk when Wendy urgently knocked on the door. ¡°Ms. Sheena, something bad happened! Ben says Phoebe has disappeared again!¡± Sheena was taken aback. Who could it be this time? Bethany? Sheena swiftly drove with Wendy to the set and reviewed all the surveince footage. However, the situation was different this time as Phoebe had not left the set, implying she might still be on¨Csite rather than kidnapped. The set¡¯s staff searched every corner, but Phoebe seemed to have vanished without a trace. The atmosphere became tense among the remaining staff and contestants. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena never believed in supernatural urrences, and it was apparent that someone was ying tricks! She gathered all the contestants who had not gone home for Thanksgiving and questioned them individually in her office. Chapter 214 Chapter 214 ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t share the same dorm as her and have never seen her.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°She doesn¡¯t usually talk to us much. It seems like she has a better rtionship with the other girls in her dorm. You should ask them. I don¡¯t know anything.¡± Even after questioning everyone, Sheena had no results as no one was telling the truth. She had no choice but to seek out Isme, who had recently been eliminated from the previous season. Isme responded, ¡°My votes were too low, so I¡¯ve already been eliminated. How would I know? But Bethany has never looked for me again, and this doesn¡¯t seem like something she would do. However, I know that Rosalie L¡¯Agnese had a bad rtionship with her. She used to bully Bethany when the cameras weren¡¯t around. Maybe you can start there.¡± Rosalie L¡¯Agnese? Sheena narrowed her eyes and replied, ¡°Alright.¡± She immediately instructed Ben to investigate Rosalie¡¯s movements and found that she had left the set early in the morning. An hour after her departure, Phoebe went missing. Was this a bullying incident? Sheena promptly had Rosalie brought back to the set for questioning. Rosalie was forcibly taken to the meeting room. Sheena sat in the main seat, staring at Rosalie with a chilling aura, startling her. ¡°Who are you? Who do you think you are to restrict my freedom and bring me here?¡± Sheena smirked. ¡°I¡¯m the talent manager for Angle Group, the director of this show.¡± After hearing her introduction, Rosalie sneered, ¡°Do you know who I am? The wealthy heiress, Ellie Fisher, has my back! How dare you treat me this way? You¡¯re just one call away from being kicked out of Angle Group!¡± ¡°Do you want to give it a try? Your call won¡¯t get me fired from Angle Group, but one call from me can get you disqualified immediately.¡± Rosalie fell silent. She had barely survived from the first round until now, and with her current ranking, she had a chance to debut. Hence, she could not afford to be disqualified at this critical moment. Fearing the loss, she did not dare to gamble with Sheena. Sheena noticed Rosalie wavering and began questioning, ¡°Where is Phoebe?¡± ¡°I¨CI locked her in the small restroom on the east side,¡± When they found Phoebe, she was soaked through, curled up on the ground, shivering. Her voice had be hoarse from screaming for too long. Sheena was furious. She had the staff take Phoebe to the set¡¯s medical room for treatment, then made Rosalie apologize to Phoebe When Phoebe slowly regained consciousness, she saw Rosalie kneeling by her bedside ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I shouldn¡¯t have yed tricks on you?¡± Ignoring Rosalie¡¯s anxious tone, Phoebe turned her face away, unwilling to acknowledge her. Sheena nced at Rosalie, smirking. ¡°It seems she¡¯s not forgiving you because your apology isn¡¯t sincere enough.¡± Rosalie panicked, immediately tearing up. ¡°Phoebe, I¡¯m sorry. I genuinely realize my mistake. I just wanted to taunt you, and I never intended to harm you. It wasn¡¯t deliberate Please forgive me. I finally made it through the preliminaries, and I don¡¯t want to be disqualified!¡± Hearing herst words, Phoebe sighed. ¡°Forget it. I forgive you just go away.¡± Rosalie was overjoyed and looked toward the cold and proud Sheena. ¡°You heard her. She said she¡¯s willing to forgive me!¡± Sheena nodded and turned to instruct Ben to process Rosalie¡¯s withdrawal Rosalie was bewildered. ¡°Why? You promised that if Lapologized to her, you¡¯d let me off!¡± ¡°She forgave you, but you¡¯ve caused her to lose her voice. No one knows how that will impact next week¡¯spetition. I won¡¯t forgive that.¡± ¡°Why!¡± Rosalie protested. ¡°Because not all apologies deserve forgiveness! And here, I make the rules!¡± Chapter 215 Chapter 215 Sheena had been feeling troubled for the past few days, and Rosalie had just added fuel to the fire by getting herself into trouble. Not long after, Rosalie was dragged out of the set crying. As the room finally quieted, Sheena sat by Phoebe¡¯s sickbed, diligently peeling an apple for her. Watching her intently, Phoebe smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s been many years since west met, and you¡¯ve changed a lot! You were so cool just now. I¡¯m really impressed.¡± ¡°You can be like this too.¡± Phoebe¡¯s gaze dimmed. ¡°No, I¡¯m different. I¡¯m not like all the other trainees here. They either have powerfulpanies or wealthy family backgrounds, but I only have myself.¡± Sheena put down the apple and held Phoebe¡¯s hand,forting her, ¡°You managed to stand out among a hundred trainees, step by step, reaching the finals. Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re amazing?¡± ¡°But I¡¯m only in fifteenth ce. I can¡¯t debut. Rosalie told me majorpanies have already reserved the debut spots through bribery. I don¡¯t stand a chance.¡± Sheena chuckled. This was herpany and her program. She had specifically informed her team not to ept bribes for reserved spots. Phoebe was also good¨Clooking. Although not a typical stunning type at first nce, she had a charm that grew on you. She was a cute and innocent girl. With this appearance and talent, Phoebe could have a longsting career in the entertainment industry. Whether for personal orpany interests, Sheena was determined to support Phoebe. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. No one can bribe their way to debut in my program. As long as you work hard, you¡¯ll have a chance. And even if you don¡¯t debut this time, I¡¯ll make sure you sign a contract with Angle Group and be an A¨Clist artist.¡± Tears glistened in Phoebe¡¯s eyes. In disbelief, she bit her lip to stop the tears from falling. Sheena gently patted her head. ¡°This time, go all out toward your goal.¡± Phoebe was moved and embraced Sheena tightly. ¡°Thank you, Sheena. Even though you haven¡¯t told me who you are, I know you¡¯re an incredible girl.¡± ¡°If any trainees bully you again, stand up to them! The more you show weakness, the more. they¡¯ll take advantage of it. Only when you stand up will they fear you. Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯ve got your back from now on!¡± Holding her close, Phoebe was fueled with determination. When Sheena left, Phoebe was cornered in the restroom by Ellie and two of herckeys that same evening as she got out of the medical room. Ellie had returned to the set upon learning 2/2 about Rosalie¡¯s sudden disqualification. She intended to confront Phoebe and make sure she would not dare toin again. As it was Thanksgiving, no cameras were filming on the set, especially in ces like the restroom, where surveince was impossible. Phoebe was forced into a corner, shivering in fear. Suddenly, Sheena¡¯s words from earlier echoed in her mind. She gritted her teeth, grabbed a dirty mop from the corner, and taunted the three. ¡°Ellie, let me make it clear. I used to let you have your way, but from now on, don¡¯t you dare touch me again!¡± ¡°Sure! Let¡¯s y a game and see if you can handle three people alone!¡± The four girls quieldy engaged in a brawl, and screams echoed in the restroom as chaos unfolded. Sheena found out about the incident the next morning. Ellie, battered and bruised, threatened to sue Phoebe for assault. Wendy, standing nearby,mented, ¡°They had the numbers yet still lost against Phoebe alone. Not only that, but they¡¯re also the first to cry foul.¡± Sheena also thought it was ridiculous andughed. ¡°Handle this matter for me. Whether Ellie gets a lawyer or tries anything else, we¡¯ll face it head¨Con, supporting Phoebe all the way.¡± ¡°No problem, Ms. Sheena!¡± While Sheena was busy with work for the past few days, someone else was not idle. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena had not returned to Ocean Avenue for three consecutive days. Elijah, for some reason, felt uneasy, with images of Sheena and Howard being alone together shing in his mind whenever he closed his eyes. Chapter 216 Chapter 216 The thought of that scene made Elijah feel ufortable all over like something was off. He could not help but wonder why he was feeling that way. He used to think he had feelings for Jennifer butter realized it was only a sense of responsibility, treating her just like his sister. Sheena, however, was different. She always managed to evoke various emotions in him- anger, surprise, pity, and guilt. Did she hold a special ce in his heart? Though his feelings were tangled, Elijah had not been idle these past few days. He pretended to go out to let the undercover bodyguardse forward to block him. He found the hiding spots of the two bodyguards at the mansion and learned their routines, and if Sheena did not return tonight, it would be a good opportunity to meet Lionel. As he sat on the sofa, lost in thought, the door connecting the living room to the garden suddenly swung open. Thinking it was Sheena returning, Elijah stood up to greet her. However, instead of Sheena, Ford entered. Behind Ford were three equally imposing men, their gazes fixed on Elijah with hostility. Elijah sensed a hint of threat and turned to Ford, calmly asking, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Just as he finished speaking, the three men behind Ford aggressively approached him. Two came from behind, restraining his shoulders. The other stepped in front, raising his hand menacingly, ready to strike his face that had just healed in the past few days. Ford promptly intervened, ¡°Mr. Lawson said not to hit his face! In his current weakened state, he won¡¯t be able to withstand your strikes. It¡¯s better not to ruin his handsome face.¡± Mr. Lawson? Howard? Elijah squinted slightly, smirking. ¡°I wonder when I offended Mr. Lawson. Why is he nning to beat me up?¡± Ford, imitating Howard¡¯s cold tone, replied, ¡°You haven¡¯t offended Mr. Lawson, but you hurt Ms. Sheena. Mr. Lawson insists that you face the consequences of your actions!¡± ¡®Ah, so this was Howard being protective of Sheena,¡® Elijah thought. Elijah found it all quite peculiar and asked, ¡°So, this is solely Mr. Lawson¡¯s idea, not Sheena¡¯s?¡± Ford fell silent for a moment. After a while, he responded, ¡°Is there a difference? As a servant bound by the contract with Ms. Sheena, you shouldn¡¯t have harbored ill intentions in the first ce! Not only did you sneak into her roomte at night, but you also caused her harm. Shouldn¡¯t you be punished?¡± Even though Elijah did not intend to hurt her in this incident, it did result from his actions Hence, he had to bear this responsibility. Moreover, judging by the stance of the individuals Howard sent, things were unlikely to end well for Elijah today. ¡°Ask them to release me. Whatever punishment you have in mind, I¡¯ll take it,¡± Elijah said. Chapter 216 2/2 ¡°Okay! Mr. Freeman, you¡¯ve got some courage.¡± Ford gestured to the two men restraining him and they sensibly let go of Elijah. ¡°The punishment is straightforward. Considering your current physical condition, Mr. Lawson has decided to give you a warning with just a hundred strokes of the cane. How about that? It shouldn¡¯t be too hard for you, right?¡± Ford said with a smirk.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Then, Ford produced two long canes with a thickness simr to a finger, eyeing Elijah with a mischievous smile. Originally, Howard had nned to use a whip. Still, considering how thesh could easily cut a horse despite having thick skin, he was worried that Elijah might not be able to endure it well, especially since he was injected with the special drug. If that were to happen, it would be hard to exin to Sheena if things took a turn for the worse. However, a cane was a different story. It was not as likely to draw blood, but it could inflict intense pain, especially the next day when the bruises would swell and ache. That sensation was quite tormenting. Elijah was well aware of this, and he sneered. ¡°It¡¯s indeed straightforward. Mr. Lawson is truly generous.¡± Chapter 217 Chapter 217 Chapter 217 Ford sensed the sarcasm in Elijah¡¯s words and chuckled. ¡°Mr. Freeman, enjoy!¡± Elijah lightly grunted and walked to the wall, facing it with his hands braced against it. As soon as he positioned himself, the cane whistled through the air, mercilessly striking his straightened back with a crisp sound. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Elijah gritted his teeth, his hands almost instinctively clenched into fists. Before he could process the pain from the first strike, the second one followed, then the third,nding on his back without allowing him a moment to catch his breath. It was genuinely painful. Due to the effects of the special drug injected into him, Elijah was much weaker, and his skin became more delicate, intensifying the sensation of pain. The drug, known as 023, was originally designed to deal with captured criminals or enemies. who committed serious crimes. Once injected, the individual became powerless to resist, and the pain during interrogation and torture would be heightened, tormenting both body and mind to the extreme. Never did Elijah imagine that one day, this modified version of the 023 serum would be used to torture him. How ironic! A sharp sound echoed as the cane struck his back, pulling him back to the torment at hand. After just over twentyshes, his white shirt was already stained with blood. Even so, Elijah endured it all, determined not to let out any humiliating cries. He bit his lower lip until it bled, sweat forming on his forehead, and veins bulging on his arms. By the time the punishment reached fortyshes, his arms trembled uncontrobly. At seventyshes, his back was nearing numbness. Due to his now more fragile skin, several ces on his back had been cut open, and blood spots stained his white shirt. Elijah started to feel unsteady, his legs losing control and shaking. Ford, observing from the side, could not help but marvel at Howard¡¯s choice of punishment. The caning proved to be both painful and incapable of killing. Moreover, as Howard intended to discreetly deal with Elijah behind Sheena¡¯s back, the injuries were all concentrated on Elijah¡¯s back. This way, it would not affect his normal walking, ensuring that Sheena remained oblivious. As he contemted this, he suddenly heard a thud. Elijah had copsed onto the floor, the pain causing him to lose consciousness on the spot. The two ¡°assants¡± wore bewildered expressions, exchanging nces before reluctantly seeking Ford¡¯s guidance. ¡°Ford, what do we do now?¡± Chapter 217 Ford, observing the lifeless Elijah on the ground, asked, ¡°How manysties did you deliver?¡± ¡°Ny,¡± they replied. Ford clicked his tongue in admiration, finding a newfound respect for the unconscious man ite endured silently until nyshes before passing out. Quite the tough guy.¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, he added, ¡°Did you guys go easy on him?¡± They hurriedly shook their heads, ¡°You know the strength we used, and besides, this was thr. Lawson¡¯s orders. We wouldn¡¯t dare go easy.¡± They hesitated before continuing, ¡°Ford, what should we do now? Should we administer the final ten lashes, or is that enough? If we finish, we might need to wake him up with water and continue.¡± Ford remained silent, staring at Eljah and reevaluating the situation. Elijahy on the ground, his face drained of color, yet his lips bore vivid red bloodstains. Despite his distressing appearance, the striking handsomeness of his well¨Cdefined features gave him a sense of charming vulnerability, Ford could not help but sigh at God¡¯s unfairness. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. 1/2 Chapter 218 Chapter 218 Chapter 218 Elijah was incredibly handsome! Ford finally understood why Sheena kept Elijah around. He was truly a treat for the eyes. ¡°Ford?¡± The two, still holding the canes, called out to him in confusion. Ford snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Elijah¡¯s gruesome back. ¡°Forget it. Given his condition, this is probably his limit. If we wake him up with water and continue, it¡¯ll probably make him pass out again after just a fewshes. Mr. Lawson mentioned a swift resolution. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°But what do we tell Mr. Lawson¡­¡± ¡±???? go and tell him the truth,¡± Ford replied. As the group prepared to leave, Ford summoned Sawyer and Owen, who were lurking in the shadows. ¡°What did you two see just now?¡± Ford asked. Sawyer and Owen lowered their heads, saying, ¡°Mr. Freeman fainted in the living room due to exhaustion from housework. We didn¡¯t see anything else.¡± Satisfied, Ford nodded. ¡°If Ms. Sheena asks, stick to this story. If she doesn¡¯t, then pretend nothing happened. Got it?¡± This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Understood.¡± After that, the group departed. Sawyer and Owen, following their orders, returned to their posts without paying any attention to the man who had fainted in the living room. Sheena was the apple of her brothers¡® eyes and hurting her was just asking for trouble! Elijah curled up alone on the cold marble floor of the living room. His head remained groggy¡®, caught in a cycle of being awakened by pain, then fainting, enduring torment repeatedly. Lionel discreetly visited Jennifer in prison. When the police brought her out, he was left stunned. Jennifer had only been in prison for a short time, yet a third of her hair had turned white, and her skin looked unhealthy. She resembled a madwoman, and it was as if she had aged ten years. Clearly, her time inside had not treated her well. When she saw Lionel, she became excited and tearful. Jennifer cried, ¡°Is Eli back in Farlem? Did he send you to rescue me? I knew he wouldn¡¯t forget me¡­¡± Lionel chose not to reveal that Elijah already knew the truth about her lying. Instead, he said, ¡± Ms. Moore, I came to rify a few things. I hope you can tell me the truth without hiding anything.¡± Chapter 218 Jennifer hesitated for a moment, then suddenly erupted in a frenzy. ¡°Aren¡¯t you here to rescue me? How could Eli be so heartless to me? Why is he going back on his words? Is it because I¡¯ve grown old and ugly, so he doesn¡¯t love me anymore?¡± Jennifer¡¯s crazed appearance startled Lionel. Regaining hisposure, he chose to deceive her for the time being. ¡°So, you need to tell me the truth without holding back. That way, Mr. Freeman might have a chance to help you.¡± Upon hearing this, Jennifer gradually calmed down and began to narrate seriously. ¡°I¡¯m innocent! Sheena set me up! To ruin my reputation, she personally went to Luivine and hired a doctor. I don¡¯t know how, but she actually cured Hannah. Then, she and Hannah conspired against me at the press conference, and¡­¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Lionel heard a crucial point and quickly interrupted her. ¡°Which hospital in Luivine did Sheena go to? Do you know the name of the doctor?¡± Jennifer pondered and replied, ¡°I only know it was a specialist hospital. Considering how Hannah was paralyzed and still managed to wake up, it must be a very famous doctor!¡± After chatting for a while and realizing he could not extract any more information, Lionel said a few words and then visited Leon. Leon¡¯s ount of Sheena going to Luivine was essentially consistent with Jennifer¡¯s. After the prison visit, Lionel promptly had his people investigate all the doctors at the central hospitals in Luivine capable of performing major brain surgeries, especially those who were absent during that particr period. Chapter 219 Chapter 219 Elijah was awakened by two crisp bird calls at 9 pm. Enduring the pain in his back, he forced himself to stand up from the floor. There was important business to attend to that night, and he had to stay alert. Holding onto the railing, Elijah returned to his room and headed straight for the bathroom, turning on the shower to its hottest setting as he needed to wash away the blood on his shirt. After spending six hours unconscious with the blood and shirt fabric sticking together, attempting to change clothes would be like peeling off ayer of skin. Only hot water could swiftly remove the shirt. However, the hot water pouring over the wounds on his back felt like a second round of torture, as if millions of needles were piercing, through. Elijah trembled in pain. Despite the intense physical difort, the scalding water gradually cleared his mind, After a few minutes of showering, he changed into a fresh set of clothes. Turning off the lights, Elijah utilized the limited visibility in the bodyguards¡® hidden spots, pretending toy on the bed as if sleeping. Silently, he stuffed the extra bedding, he had prepared into the bed, creating the illusion that he was asleep. Then, Elijah quietly rolled to the other side of the bed, and shivers spread through his entire body when his back touched the ground, causing dizziness. After taking a two¨Cminute break, he quietly exited through the slightly ajar door, going to the room on the other side that was in the bodyguards¡® blind spot. Later, he descended to the first floor through the pipes conveniently located next to the window. This position happened to be near the back door. Hearing the subtle movements, Lionel came out and reported in a hushed voice. ¡°Mr. Freeman, the Nicholls family had one missing heiress six years ago, but that girl was found three years ago, and we have her photo from online records. She definitely isn¡¯t Ms. Sheena. Apart from that, there¡¯s no one else with a timeline that fits Ms. Sheena¡¯s.¡± As Elijah listened to the report, the light in his eyes gradually dimmed. Lionel continued, ¡°But during my prison visit, I learned Ms. Sheena flew to Luivine to bring back a doctor to treat Hannah, I coborated with all my subordinates in the investigation and found that the doctor she sought was Noah Lawson.¡± Noah Lawson? Elijah was stunned. Noah held a prominent status in the medical field. Rumors portrayed him as a reclusive, arrogant, and quiet figure, a medical genius with no apparent rtionships with women. Yet, Sheena somehow managed to persuade such a person? All of Albert¡¯s sons seemed to have inexplicable connections with Sheena, going to great lengths to assist her! The Zimmer family, seemingly distant rtives of the Lawson family, basked in the glow of their association, confidently disying their prowess in Farlem, Chapter 10 2/2 Sheena¡¯s ties with the Lawson family appearedplex. Could she also be affiliated with the Lawson family? Elijah¡¯s expression grew increasingly stern. ¡°Investigate the Lawson family! Whether they¡¯re. direct descendants or distant rtives, anyone with a timeline matching Sheena¡¯s must be reported!¡± Lionel hesitated before continuing, ¡°Mr. Freeman, do you remember six years ago, when Albert¡¯s youngest daughter¡­¡± Beep, beep- Lionel¡¯s sentence was cut short as headlights suddenly shed. Sheena had returned! Why would shee back at this unexpected hour? ¡°Mr. Freeman, be careful on your way back. Take care! I¡¯ll thoroughly investigate this!¡± Lionel expressed concern, ncing at Elijah before swiftly disappearing into the darkness. Elijah was amazed at how fast Lionel fled the scene. Then, he immediately turned around, intending to enter through the main door connecting the garden and the living room. However, Sheena had already exited the car, and with lights illuminating the garden, he would undoubtedly be exposed. Without other options, Elijah reluctantly eyed the pipe he had descended from earlier¨Cit was the only way. Ignoring the pain in his back, he immediately began climbing up. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Meanwhile, Sheena walked into the mansion through the garden, questioning Sawyer. ¡°Has he been behaving these past few days?¡± Sawyer replied, ¡°Mr. Freeman wanted to go out twice but after we refused, he hasn¡¯t asked again. He¡¯s already in bed asleep now.¡± Sheena frowned as she looked at the time. It was only 9.30 p.m. Why was he in bed so early? ¡°I don¡¯t believe it!¡± Chapter 220 Chapter 220 Sheena went upstairs as she spoke, with Sawyer and Owen trailing behind. Elijah¡¯s room door was ajar, which struck Sheena as odd, but she did not dwell on it. She pushed the door open and, aided by the corridor lights, saw Elijah lying on the bed with his back facing the entrance, seemingly fast asleep. Was she overthinking things? Sheena closed the door, and Sawyer and Owen, seeing that Sheena had not noticed anything, breathed a silent sigh of relief. However, as Sheena took a couple of steps away, she abruptly stopped. When she had opened the door earlier, she seemed to notice the color of Elijah¡¯s shirt cor was a little darker¡­ Was it wet? Was he sweating? Something was off! Sheena immediately went back, decisively turning on the lights this time. She inspected the man curled up on the bed. Walking to the bedside, she confirmed that the back of his shirt cor was indeed damp, and she smirked. ¡°Elijah, how did you even manage to work up a sweat while sleeping?¡± Elijah kept his eyes tightly shut, refusing to respond. Sheena grew annoyed. ¡°Quit pretending. I know you weren¡¯t sleeping. What were you up to just now?¡± Caught red¨Chanded, Elijah remained silent but suddenly furrowed his brow intensely, muttering, ¡°It hurts¡­¡± ¡°It hurts? You were perfectly fine. What kind of trick are you trying to pull?¡± As Sheena spoke, she inadvertently pushed down on his back. ¡°Argh!¡± Elijah cried out and broke out in a sudden cold sweat, and his features contorted in pain. Standing behind Sheena, Sawyer, and Owen exchanged confused nces. They heard Elijah being ruthlessly whipped during the day. However, Elijah had endured it without uttering a sound! During the day, Elijah seemed quite bold, yet now he was crying out in pain and screaming. Was he intentionally ying the victim now? This acting was practically Oscar¨Cworthy! Even the best actors did not have his level of skill. Was he trying to cause Howard trouble? Sawyer and Owen were frustrated but could not show any sign of it in front of Sheena. Chapter 220 2/2 Sheena remained oblivious to their internal turmoil. She thought Elijah¡¯s condition did seem a bit off, less like an act. Then, she unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt and gently pulled it back. What met her eyes were crisscrossing purple welts, hardly a patch of unblemished skin. Several areas bore deep marks, bruises now turned dark purple, and there were even open wounds oozing blood. Seeing her expression turn colder and expecting her to erupt any second, Sawyer and Owen prepared themselves to kneel on the spot. However, Sheena asked calmly, ¡°Who did this?¡± Unable to discern whether she was angry or not, the two of them could only answer truthfully. ¡°It was Mr. Lawson.¡® ¡°What did he hit him with?¡± ¡°With¡­ a cane. He received nyshes.¡± Sawyer hesitated, then quickly added, ¡°Miss, it¡¯s just that Mr. Lawson couldn¡¯t bear to see you hurt. He was upset and¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s expression remained indifferent. ¡°Understood. Since it was Mr. Lawson who did it, then he deserved it.¡± Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Upon hearing this, Elijah clenched his hands under the nket. Chapter 221 Chapter 221 Just because it was Howard, he deserved it? Was Howard that important to her? Elijah was not pleased. Not pleased at all! He would wrap Howard in a sack and ship him off to Antarctica to feed the penguins if he could! Sensing the sudden surge of resentment from the figure with his back against her, Sheena smiled. Nheless, Elijah¡¯s back injuries did look a bit ring. ¡°Sawyer, apply medicine on his wounds,¡± Sheena said, directing an unexpected order at Sawyer. Sawyer was caught by surprise, blurting out, ¡°Huh? Me?¡± Sheena red at him and said, ¡°Unless you want me to do it personally?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on it, Miss.¡± Sawyer appeared reluctant. He thought Elijah was simply shameless. He wondered if he could apply poison instead for trying to trouble Howard just now. on Elijah Despite his unwillingness, Sawyer fetched the first aid kit under Sheena¡¯s gaze. With things roughly settled, Sheena turned to leave. However, a pair of broad hands suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind. ¡°Sheena, chat with me for a while¡­¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Elijah had shifted to lie in a different direction, not lifting his head. His voice sounded muffled from beneath the nket, and with his long, tremblingshes and paleplexion, he looked quite ¡®fragile¡®. Sheena nced at Elijah and said, ¡°My time is precious. I don¡¯t have the time to chat with you. Let go.¡± She emphasized the word ¡®with you¡®, reminding him of his current status. Elijah remained motionless and did not release his grip. ¡°Sheena, I was left alone for six hours this afternoon. It really hurts. The marble tiles in the living room are so cold¡­ Considering that I¡¯ve acknowledged my fault, can we talk for a while¡­ His voice was soft, sounding like a wounded little creature seekingfort. Six hours alone on the living room floor? Sheena furrowed her brow, ncing at Owen standing nearby. Owen lowered his head in terror. ¡°I¨CI thought Mr. Freeman fainted while doing housework, so I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Owen was afraid he would make things worse and med for what happened, so he quickly shut his mouth and exited, closing the door behind him. As the door closed, the room fellpletely silent. Sheena nced at Elijah and asked, ¡°What do you want to say?¡± Elijah held onto her wrist, unwilling to let go. ¡°You were at Howard¡¯s these past two days. Was everything alright?¡± Sheena was confused. Was he ying the role of a helpless victim just to talk about these trivial matters? ¡°Without someone frustrating me and with Mr. Lawson being so tender and considerate, course everything was great.¡± of Knowing she was mocking him, Elijah put on a serious expression and probed, ¡°I heard the Lawson family has very high requirements for their descendants¡® partners. Do you think Howard would defy the entire family for you?¡± Howard marrying her? Well, that would be a huge joke. Sheena said sarcastically, ¡°That¡¯s my business, and you don¡¯t seem to have the qualification to meddle in my affairs.¡± Elijah observed her expression, smirking. ¡°It seems he doesn¡¯t intend to let the Lawson family know about your existence, so are you being kept by him?¡± Sheena chuckled at his guess. ¡°No man in this world can keep me, and I¡¯m probably the one who does the keeping and supporting.¡± This statement sounded arrogantly confident, buting from her, it surprisingly did not feel out of ce. Elijah squinted his eyes slightly, carefully contemting the deeper meaning behind her words. If she truly possessed such capability, it could mean she was affiliated with the Lawson family. Perhaps she and Howard had a blood rtionship, and they could not possibly be lovers. In other words, all their previous intimacy might have been just between family members! Although this was merely Elijah¡¯s spection and had not been confirmed, he secretly hoped it was true. Chapter 222 Chapter 222 While Elijah was lost in thoughts, Sheena got tired of his meaningless, sarcastic remarks and turned to leave. However, Elijah, still holding onto her wrist, prevented her from leaving. Annoyed, Sheena asked, ¡°Elijah, what exactly are you trying to do?¡± With a pale face, Elijah appeared pitiful as he looked at her. ¡°Sheena, my back hurts a lot. Can you kiss it better?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sheena was surprised by this request. How did she not notice Elijah¡¯s clinginess before? ¡°Did they hit your back or your head? Can¡¯t you speak like a normal adult?¡± Elijah remained silent. He was genuinely in pain and exhausted, hoping for a bit offort from her. Seeing hisck of response, Sheena forcibly freed her wrist from his grip and tried to leave. However, Elijah suddenly said, ¡°During the days I was away, I went to the mountains near the border of the Luivine and Farlem. The reason for my dyed return was that I was being pursued, and those people were sent by Corey Lawson.¡± Sheena¡¯s steps came to an abrupt halt. Corey¡¯s men tried to kill him? Howard had only mentioned Elijah¡¯s whereabouts and temporary absence without telling her the real reason was because of Corey. Next, Sheena recalled Elijah¡¯s reaction when he returned after being injected with the special drug, wondering if Corey¡¯s men caused his waist injury. Sheena stood by the door for a moment, then smiled and responded, ¡°Why are you suddenly telling me this? Do you think I¡¯d care about you?¡± With that, she opened the door and left. Sawyer was waiting outside and noticed her strange expression as she came out. ¡°Ms. Sheena?¡± She snapped out of her thoughts, nced at the first aid kit in Sawyer¡¯s hands, and said, ¡°Go in and help him with the medicine.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena.¡± Sawyer bowed slightly. After watching her leave the second floor, he entered Elijah¡¯s room. Elijah was lost in thought. Sheena seemed surprised by the mention of Corey as if it was not rted to her. Elijah sighed lightly, feeling somewhat relieved. ¡°Hey, Mr. Freeman?¡± Sawyer interrupted Elijah impatiently, ¡°Take off your shirt and lie down. I¡¯ll apply the medicine.¡± Elijah took the first aid kit from him, saying, ¡°No need. I can handle it myself. You can leave.¡± ¡°Your injury is on your back. How can you do it yourself? If Ms, Sheena can touch you, why can¡¯t I?¡± Sawyer argued. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Elijah remained expressionless. ¡°I¡¯m notfortable with men touching me.¡± What a peculiar habit. Regardless, Sawyer was fine with it. ¡°As long as you said so, Just don¡¯tin to Ms. Sheena about meter.¡± Although he said that, Sawyer still reported the matter to Sheena on the third floor before leaving out of concern. ¡°Since he enjoys pain like a masochist, let him be. You may go about your business.¡± The door was open, and Sheena was still standing by the window, speaking quite audibly. Elijah heard everything clearly downstairs, frowning. It seemed like this beating was not worth it at all. Not only did he fail to gain even the slightest sympathy from Sheena, but he also received a bunch of sarcastic remarks about deserving it and being a masochist. Later, Elijah applied some anti¨Cinmmatory ointment to his back and went to sleep. The next morning, he woke upte. The beating and climbing the previous day had really drained his energy. By the time he woke up, Sheena was already gone from the mansion. Surprisingly, she did not purposely trouble him. Elijah found it a bit strange but started doing household chores as usual. Ever since he found out that Sheena and Howard might be rted, he felt happy. It was the opposite of his mood from a few days ago. Once Lionel was done with the investigation, many mysteries about Sheena might be unraveled! That afternoon, he prepared a meal and waited for Sheena to return from work. She dide back, but with two men he despised¨CHoward and Colin. Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 223 Chapter 223 What were they doing here? Elijah froze in ce, ring at the two men behind Sheena with hatred Colin¡¯s expression mirrored Elijah¡¯s, with obvious hostility in his eyes. Howard, too, red at hire menacingly. The three men¡¯s gazes seemed to sh in the air, creating an intense standoff Sheena noticed the thick tension and could not help but feel annoyed. Did these men really have to act so childish? If looks could kill, they would have killed each other hundreds of times by now. Sheena sighed, pondered for a moment, and then addressed Elijah, ¡°You don¡¯t need to cook today, and you won¡¯t be much help here either. The leaves have been falling like crazy in the gardentely. Go and rake them up.¡± Raking leaves? Was she asking him to leave her alone to have a meal and chat with these two men? Howard was tolerable, but why should Colin be included? With a gloomy expression, Elijah remained unresponsive. Sheena went to the wine cab and took out a fine bottle of red wine. When she turned around, she noticed Elijah still standing there. Urging him on, she said, ¡°Hurry up. If you can¡¯t move, I¡¯ll have Owen drag you out. This was a clear indication that he had to leave. Elijah scowled. He seemed to intentionally vent his displeasure when closing the door, mming it hard. Howard pointed at Elijah andined, ¡°Look at his temper! He¡¯s acting as if he¡¯s the master of the house. He definitely needs a good beating.¡± Sheena smiled and assured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him. Sooner orter, I¡¯ll get him in line.¡± Howard had no significant reaction to that, but Colin looked displeased. ¡®Sheena, he¡¯s inherently proud. When injured, fierce beasts would show weakness, but once they find an opportunity, they will retaliate. Don¡¯t you see that his hurting you this time was premeditated? Don¡¯t get bitten when he turns the tables. Make sure you tame him properly. Otherwise, you¡¯ll end up getting hurt again.¡± Howard nodded in agreement. This is from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena, still smiling, opened the fridge to find the ingredients. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I know what to do.¡± In the garden, Elijah raked the leaves absentmindedly, curious about what Sheena¡¯s interactions with other men were like. He dragged his feet, moving to the wall near the window. Through the ss, he observed a harmonious scene at the dining table, where Sheenaughed genuinely. Chapter 2337 212 He remembered the first year Sheena married him. She used to smile a lot, her eyes full of love for him. When did she start smiling less? The gaze she directed at him now was incredibly indifferent. Since their divorce, she had transformed into someone beautiful, aloof, and confident. Even in the face of difficulties, she remainedposed. Was this the real her? A difort settled in Elijah¡¯s chest, hard to exin but undeniably unpleasant. As he contemted, Ford urgently entered the mansion, spoke to Sheena, and left. Elijah, disinterested, was about to resume leaf¨Craking when he noticed Ford heading in his direction. ¡°Mr. Freeman, Madam Freeman fell down the stairs. She wants to meet you. Pleasee with me.¡® Faye fell? It had only been a few days, so how did that happen? ¡°Alright.¡± Elijah turned around and nced through the window at the trio inside, engaged in conversation and laughter. Then, he followed Ford to the Freeman mansion with mixed feelings. Chapter 224 Chapter 224 Faye was brought to her previous private doctor for her care. Her foot was encased in a cast as shey on the bed, idly staring into space. Upon hearing the door open, she looked up and saw her long¨C awaited son. Tears Instantly welled up in Faye¡¯s eyes, and she cried out, ¡°Eli, I thought I might never see you again.¡± Elijah gently touched Faye¡¯s leg, and she immediately cried out in pain. Observing her exaggerated reaction, Elijah knew she was not that badly injured and took a seat on the chair beside her bed. ¡°What happened? How did you fall for no reason?¡± Faye, appearing aggrieved, was about to exin when she noticed Ford behind Elijah. ¡°Dear bodyguard, it¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve seen my son. I¡¯d like to have a private chat with him. It won¡¯t take long, is that alright?¡± Ford hesitated for a moment but did not move. Elijah turned back, assuring, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t do anything that¡¯ll trouble you. We¡¯ll just have a casual conversation.¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Despite now being Sheena¡¯s servant, Ford admired Elijah¡¯s integrity, so he left, closing the door behind him. Once Ford left, Elijah asked, ¡°Alright, spill it. How did you get injured? I¡¯ve checked, and it didn¡¯t seem as bad as you made it sound.¡± Faye chuckled. ¡°I did slip on the stairs, just about six steps, nothing major. But if not for this incident, how could we meet?¡± Elijah frowned. ¡°How did you manage to make it seem worse than it was?¡± Faye smirked, leaning in to whisper, ¡°I have my ways, Eli. But that¡¯s not important. How about that matter I discussed with youst time? Any progress?¡± Elijah frowned. ¡°What matter?¡± Faye gently pushed his forehead, looking a little annoyed. Then, she nced outside the door and whispered, ¡°About getting her pregnant!¡± Elijah¡¯s face darkened, his gaze turning cold swiftly. ¡°That¡¯s absolutely impossible. I don¡¯t want to hear about it again, and you¡¯re not allowed to bring it up with anyone else.¡± Faye felt frustrated. Looking at the current situation, their family would be stuck as servants forever if Elijah did not win over Sheena. She had endured enough days of humiliation and needed to find a way to reim both the Freeman Group and the Freeman Mansion. As for her clueless son, she had to assist him! ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t bring it up,¡± Faye agreed, smiling. Then, she looked around, and as she pretended to sip water from the cup on the table, she intentionally spilled some on Elijah. Chapter 224 ¡°Oh dear! I¡¯m sorry. My hand slipped. Let me help you clean up,¡± Faye said while patting the water droplets off Elijah. Taking advantage of his distraction, she slipped two small items into his pocket. Elijah watched as she attempted to clean the white shirt, which only seemed to get dirtier. Worried she might discover his back injury, he excused himself to the bathroom for a quick cleanup. Suddenly, he heard a familiar bird call. It was Lionel! Elijah¡¯s expression turned serious as he contemted how to meet with Lionel. Sheena had only assigned Ford to watch him this time. Did it mean her guard was down, or was it because she was busy dining with Colin and Howard and did not have time to arrange additional surveince? Regardless of the situation, it was an excellent opportunity. When Elijah emerged from the bathroom, the door opened. The man entering wore a servant¡¯s uniform, carefully closing the door behind him. When he turned around, Elijah realized that it was Lionel! ¡°Oh dear! I¡¯m sorry. My hand slipped. Let me help you clean up,¡± Faye said while patting the water droplets off Elijah. Taking advantage of his distraction, she slipped two small items into his pocket. Elijah watched as she attempted to clean the white shirt, which only seemed to get dirtier. Worried she might discover his back injury, he excused himself to the bathroom for a quick cleanup. Suddenly, he heard a familiar bird call. It was Lionel! Elijah¡¯s expression turned serious as he contemted how to meet with Lionel. Sheena had only assigned Ford to watch him this time. Did it mean her guard was down, or was it because she was busy dining with Colin and Howard and did not have time to arrange additional surveince? Regardless of the situation, it was an excellent opportunity. When Elijah emerged from the bathroom, the door opened. The man entering wore a servant¡¯s uniform, carefully closing the door behind him. When he turned around, Elijah realized that it was Lionel! Chapter 225 Chapter 225 ¡°Mr. Freeman, I managed to knock Ms. Sheena¡¯s bodyguard out when he was not paying T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. attention. However, he¡¯s quite strong, and I suspect he¡¯ll wake up soon. Let¡¯s cut to the chase! ¡°Lionel whispered cautiously. Faye, hearing themotion, sat up and looked in their direction. ¡°Eli, who¡¯s at the door?¡± Elijah blocked her view, saying, ¡°Mom, I have to return to Ocean Avenue. Behave yourself well, and don¡¯t mention that thing again. Remember what I¡¯m saying.¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Faye was somewhat impatient. However, she smiled and waved him off when she remembered her n. ¡°Hurry up and leave. It¡¯s gettingte. Go back quickly.¡± Ignoring her unusual behavior, Elijah left with Lionel and went to the rooftop of the Freeman mansion to talk. Lionel began, ¡°Mr. Freeman, I found out that the Lawson family has someone with a timeline simr to Ms. Sheena¡¯s. Albert¡¯s only daughter, the youngest heiress of the Lawson family. However, she didn¡¯t go missing. She was dered dead by the Lawson family six years ago, and the cause of death remains unknown.¡± Elijah furrowed his brows tightly. The more the matter was concealed, the more problematic this situation would be. He asked, ¡°Can the database provide a photo of this heiress?¡± ¡°No, there¡¯s no photo, no name. It¡¯s even said that the Lawson family held a simple funeral for her, but there¡¯s no information about the location of the grave. Mr. Freeman, do you think this girl could really be dead?¡± Lionel inquired. Elijah pursed his lips, contemting. After a moment, he shook his head and said, ¡°The actions of the Lawson family might seem like they don¡¯t care much about this heiress, not valuing her enough. In reality, it¡¯s quite the opposite. These actions prove that the Lawson family cares deeply about her, going to great lengths to ensure her safety.¡± Lionel thought it made sense. ¡°So, could this heiress be Ms. Sheena?¡± ¡°Though it can¡¯t bepletely confirmed, I believe it¡¯s her,¡± Elijah said, his deep ck eyes gleaming with intense joy. Howard¡¯s massaging of Sheena¡¯s calves, warming her hands, and Sheena yfully resisted and acted coquettishly with him¡­ Each action, each gesture, all screamed of a brother¨Csister rtionship! Elijah could not believe he once suspected her of infidelity while they were married. Looking back, he felt truly remorseful! However, his expression became serious again. If Sheena was indeed the Lawson family heiress, why did she end up in the orphanage in Farlem all those years ago? What twists of fate urred during that time? Perhaps it was also the reason the Lawson family wanted to protect her. Chapter 220 ¡°If Ms. Sheena is truly the Lawson family heiress, then¡­¡± Lionel suddenly realized something, lit He hurriedly pulled out his phone, confirmed the information, and his eyes up. ¡°Mr. Freeman,st time Jonah found records of the heiress flying on a private jet to Farlem thirteen years ago! Itnded at Jonah¡¯s family airport, so he casually stumbled upon this record. However, after learning she was already dered dead, he let it go.¡± ¡°If Ms. Sheena is indeed the Lawson family heiress, then she is very likely the girl you¡¯ve been searching for!¡± Lionel handed him the phone with the relevant information as he spoke. Elijah carefully went through the information. ¡°I¡¯ll find the opportunity to confirm this piece of information.¡± The amount of information tonight was overwhelming, leaving him somewhat bewildered. If Sheena was indeed the little girl who saved him thirteen years ago, then all the things he did¡­ He had mistaken Jennifer for her, hurting her and turning her affection into indifference and revenge. Elijah¡¯s heart ached. Could he salvage the situation? After exchanging information with Lionel, Elijah, with mixed emotions, went to the first floor. Chapter 226 Chapter 226 Chapter 226 Lionel ced Ford, who was still unconscious, on the sofa in the hall. Elijah quietly walked over and sat beside him. Just as he settled, Ford slowly regained consciousness. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Elijah¡¯s emotionless face. Elijah remarked, ¡°I never thought you¡¯d fall asleep.¡± Ford was perplexed. ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± With a serious tone, Elijah said, ¡°I came out after talking to my mom, and here you are, asleep. You¡¯re the only one here. I waited a full five minutes before you woke up. Imagine if Sheena finds out about this. What would happen? But don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell her.¡± Still groggy, Ford scratched his head. Elijah did not give him the chance to respond. Instead, he got up and headed outside. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We wasted an extra five minutes because you fell asleep.¡± Ford distinctly remembered a male servanting to talk to him, but he did not pay him any attention¡­ Elijah interrupted again, ¡°Hurry up! Sheena won¡¯t be pleased if we¡¯rete!¡®¡± Ford reluctantly followed him to the car. By the time they returned to Ocean Avenue, the sky had turned dark. Elijah stood by the window on the ground floor, looking in. Howard had left at some point, leaving only Colin and Sheena at the dining table, still drinking. In the living room, Colin was downing one drink after another, looking intoxicated and somewhat gloomy. ¡°Sheena, they say alcohol helps forget troubles, but why do I feel even worse after drinking so much?¡± Sheena, with a good tolerance for alcohol, never got drunk. She simply smiled and said, ¡°You can¡¯t trust those sayings. Colin, you¡¯ve had enough. I¡¯ll have Sawyer and Owen send you back. Colin shook his head, reaching out to touch her hand. ¡°No! Sheena, I¡¯m not drunk! There¡¯s something I want to tell you¡­¡± Sheena calmly withdrew her hand, her expression unchanged as she said, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in whatever you want to say. It¡¯ste. Go home.¡± Colin was upset by the rejection. Suddenly, he stood up, swaying as he approached her. Then, he knelt on one knee before her, his expression as serious as ever. ¡°Sheena, I know you harbor resentment toward me because of Katie. When I return to Svelton, I¡¯ll make sure to teach her a lesson. But I genuinely like you. Elijah has hurt you in the past, but I never will. I¡¯ll only cherish and care for you. Can you give me a chance to love you?¡± Sheena¡¯s face remained indifferent, and she poured herself a ss of red wine, finishing it ?n one go. As the deep red liquid slid down the edge of her red lips, she casually wiped it away with her hand, maintaining an elegantposure. Colin was mesmerized by the scene, and he continued, ¡°Sheena, if you¡¯re not entirely sure Chapter 226 about your feelings, we can get engaged first, or we can start with dating.¡± Elijah, who had just cracked the door open, heard every word. His face turned ashen, and his fists clenched tightly. Did the bastard intentionally send Howard away to create an opportunity for a private confession? As Sheena prepared to respond, Elijah bent over, clutching his stomach. He pinched his thighs hard, his face suddenly pale, and cold sweat appeared. Then, looking vulnerable, he leaned against the door. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Nana, my stomach hurts¡­¡± Chapter 227 Chapter 227 Nana? Sheena was shocked by the form of address. Was Elijah also drunk? Sheena remained silent. However, Colin felt a surge of anger after hearing Elijah interrupt his confession. Fueled by alcohol, he got up from the floor and rushed over, grabbing Elijah¡¯s cor spitefully. His other hand clenched into a fist, ready to strike Elijah¡¯s face. ¡°You hurt her a few days ago. What right do you have to linger around her?¡± Elijah remained still and quiet, fearlessly meeting Colin¡¯s gaze. Colin, furious, was about tond his punch. Sheena shouted, ¡°Sawyer, Owen!¡± Sawyer and Owen immediately jumped in through the open window, separating the two men. This is from N?velDrama.Org. Frustrated that he could not punch Elijah, Colinined, ¡°Sheena, why won¡¯t you let me teach him a lesson?¡± Sheena signaled to Sawyer and Owen, saying, ¡°Mr. Upton is drunk. Send him home.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not drunk, really¡­ Sheena, I¡¯m not drunk¡­¡± Colin muttered as the two bodyguards supported his unsteady body, his voice fading away. Finally, it was quiet once more. Elijah also stopped pretending to have a stomachache, his face returning to its usual calmness. Sheena looked at him and mocked, ¡°Why not continue the act?¡± Elijah stayed silent and stood in front of her. He knelt on both knees. This time, it was his choice to kneel. Colin knelt on one knee to express his love, while Elijah knelt on both knees as an act of atonement. Sheena could not understand his actions and asked, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Elijah raised his head, locking eyes with her. His gaze was unwavering as he revealed, ¡°There¡¯s something that has troubled me for many years. Can you tell me the truth?¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°On March 14th, 13 years ago, did you go to Pine Street? Did you save a little boy?¡± Sheena was about to deny Elijah¡¯s question when he continued, ¡°If you continue to brush me off like before, I¡¯ll keep investigating. I won¡¯t stop until I get the final answer.¡± Sheena had never considered that incident significant and asked, ¡°Is my honest answer important? Does getting this result matter?¡± ¡°It¡¯s important.¡± Locking eyes, Sheena saw anticipation, earnestness, and a desire for her to speak the truth in his gaze. ¡°If I give you my answer, will you stop the investigation?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The man¡¯s tone was resolute. Sheena gave in, thinking the incident was purely coincidental, a trivial matter for her. Hence, it was okay to tell him. ¡°Yes, I went there. It seems I saved a boy from a car ident that day. I don¡¯t remember the details.¡± Elijah¡¯s eyes reddened slightly, and his deep voice trembled as he said, ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Over these years, he had truly been mistaken! Terribly mistaken! The girl he loved and the one he owed gratitude to turned out to be the same person! Moreover, he had the chance to be with her, yet he did not cherish it. Elijah¡¯s heart ached sharply. Taking a step toward Sheena on his knees, he called out with teary eyes, ¡°Nana, I¡­¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Sheena was unnerved by the form of address. Every time he softened his tone, it felt like he had ulterior motives. Why could he not just speak normally? Also, Nana? Who did he think he was to call her that? Sheena sternly warned him, ¡°You have two choices: call me My Lady or Sheena.¡± Elijah¡¯s face paled. After many dilemmas, he replied, ¡°Sheena it is.¡± Chapter 228 Elijah¡¯s face paled. After many dilemmas, he replied, ¡°Sheena it is.¡± Chapter Chapter 228 After much contemtion, Elijah continued with a trembling voice, ¡°These days, I finally understand my true feelings, realizing how absurdly wrong I was before. Sheena, the person I¡¯ve liked, loved, and was grateful for, was you all along! I was foolish. In the beginning¡­¡± Before he could finish, Sheena lifted his chin with her fingertips. Seeing his remorseful expression and genuine regret in his eyes, she could not help but think he was really feeling this way. ¡°Let me guess, you¡¯ve had an epiphany and want to impregnate me so that we remarry?¡± Sheena smiled mockingly. Apart from sarcasm and coldness, her eyes had no other emotion. Elijah¡¯s heart ached. He was unsurprised that the bodyguards overheard Faye¡¯s words that day and conveyed them to Sheena. Even so, he would never stoop to such despicable actions. ¡°I¡¯ll never stoop to such behavior. From now on, I won¡¯t deceive you or put on an act around you. Whether you believe it or not, I¡¯ll prove that I¡¯m willing to make amends for what I owe you, be it compensation or a price to pay. Just give me another chance.¡± ¡°Another chance?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with you, but there¡¯s one thing I¡¯ll make clear to you. I¡¯ll never marry you again. It¡¯s impossible! Not in this lifetime, unless you die!¡± Unless he dies? Elijah bitterly smiled. He understood her character, yet he could not let go. He had to try, even if it meant letting his heart ache a little more. ¡°I hurt you too deeply and don¡¯t deserve your forgiveness. If that¡¯s the case, let me stay by your side forever as a servant to redeem myself.¡± Forever? Sheena raised an eyebrow slightly and teased, ¡°So, if I marry someone else in the future, you¡¯d be fine watching us show off our love every day?¡± Elijah froze, and his face turned pale. Witnessing his reaction, Sheena sneered, released her grip on his chin, and headed upstairs. ¡°Elijah, forever is too long. Who knows what might happen? Let¡¯s see if you can get through this year before saying anything.¡± Kneeling on the ground, Elijah could not shake off Sheena¡¯s earlier words from his mind. Could he really endure watching her in love with someone else every day? The answer was obvious¨CHe could not do it! After spending a long time in the living room, Elijah gradually figured it out. Since Sheena did not believe his remorse, he would show it through his actions! Elijah diligently cleaned up the remaining dishes and tes on the table before returning to his room for a shower Upon entering the bathroom and removing his trousers, two packets fell to the floor with a light thud. Bending to pick them up, he discovered three packets of coffee sugar. He did not pay much attention and thought they were ced in his pocket when he brewed coffee during the day. Then, he put them on the bedside table before continuing with his shower. After the shower, Elijah came out dressed in a robe. Just as he finished blow¨Cdrying his hair, Sheena¡¯s voice echoed upstairs. This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Elijah,e to the study.¡± Elijah immediately changed into suitable clothes and went upstairs. Opening the study door, he found Sheena still working at theputer. Due to the wine, her cheeks were tinted with a remained clear. gaze subtle blush, making her exceptionally alluring. Even so, Sheena sternly instructed, ¡°Make me a cup of coffee.¡± Coffee at this hour? her Elijah tried to dissuade her, ¡°You had wine tonight, and you should get some rest. Drinking coffee and staying upte is not good for your health.¡± Sheena frowned and shot him a cold look. ¡°Just do it.¡± The talent show woulde to an end in two days, and Sheena nned to turn the final round into a live broadcast. Therefore, these two days were crucial for finalizing the project n. She hesitated to delegate the task to others as she preferred to oversee it personally. Elijah, recognizing the determination in her eyes, knew that once Sheena made a decision, she rarely wavered. ¡°How long do you n to stay up? I¡¯ll stay with you as long as you need,¡± Elijah assured her before heading downstairs to the kitchen. After brewing a in cup of coffee, Elijah noticed the sugar packets were empty. Remembering the ones in his room, he returned to pick a random packet and added it to the coffee tray. Sheena remained deeply engrossed in her work. Elijah ced the coffee near her, closed the door, and leaned against it to apany her through the night. About half an hourter, strange gasping sounds suddenly came from the study. Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 229 Chapter 229 Realizing something was wrong, Elijah opened the door and found no one at theputer desk. ¡°Sheena?¡± Elijah entered the room and investigated. The gasping sounds wereing from under the desk! He swiftly lifted the tablecloth, revealing Sheena curled up in the confined space, her face unusually flushed and sweaty. He crouched down, gently touched her neck, and realized she was burning up. Sheena was¡­ The coffee on the desk was only halfway consumed, and the sugar packets in the tray had been torn open. Elijah immediately recalled Faye¡¯s unusual behavior when he visited the Freeman mansion hours ago, putting the pieces together. ¡°Damn it!¡± He carefully pulled Sheena out from under the desk. Sheena thought the cold body close to her feltforting, and under the influence of the drugs, she had an indescribable urge. She tightly embraced the man¡¯s neck, driven by the scent of male hormones, her thoughts momentarily clouded. Elijah carried her back to the bedroom, feeling her restless movements. Afraid of causing her pain, he loosened his grip. ¡°Sheena, hold on a bit longer. You¡¯ll be fine soon.¡± Upon hearing the familiar voice, Sheena struggled to stay conscious and raised her eyes. As she recognized Elijah, a surge of anger overwhelmed her. Suppressing the burning desire, she raised her hand and pped him across the face. Having been drugged, the p was not forceful, but Elijah, who was heading toward the bathroom, was caught off guard. Sheena struggled, slipping from his grasp, but her hand still firmly held onto his shirt. Suddenly, both of them lost bnce and tumbled to the floor. Seeing Sheena¡¯s head about to hit the bed corner, Elijah acted quickly. Disregarding his own safety, he embraced her neck and pulled her into his arms, using his back to cushion the impact. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Ouch!¡± His back forcefully crashed into the bed corner, worsening the swelling from the previous injury. The pain was so intense that he broke into a cold sweat, almost fainting on the spot. Before he could process the pain in his back, Sheena pped him again. She had broken free from his embrace, ttened his upper body on the floor, and pressed her knee firmly against his chest, gripping his cor. Sheena red at Elijah with overwhelming hatred, shouting, ¡°Elijah! You¡¯re despicable and Chapter 220 shameless! Those sweet words tonight were just an act! Did you think drugging me would make me lose control, giving in to your filthy desires? Dream on!¡± ¡°Sheena, calm down. This situation¡ª¡± 2/2 Another p struck his face. This time, Sheena used every ounce of her remaining strength. The raging mix of heartbreak and anger was consuming her sanity. The pain from the impact left Elijah momentarily stunned, his head throbbing and ears ringing. Moreover, the sharp pain in his back from hitting the bed corner had not subsided. In agony, he tried to catch his breath, but Sheena¡¯s hand on his cor was shaking, and a murderous glint gleamed in her eyes. ¡°Elijah, you asked for this!¡± Sheena released him, determined to reach for the rm at the bedside. However, the rekindled lust overwhelmed her, and she found herself uncontrobly shivering on the floor. A sinister voice urged her to vent her frustration on Elijah, but she resisted. She pressed her skin against the cold floor, attempting to regain control of her consciousness. Enduring the pain, Elijah struggled to sit up, witnessing Sheena¡¯s attempt to calm herself down. Chapter 230 Chapter 230 If she did not release the pent¨Cup frustration caused by the drug, she would feel extremely ufortable! Even in this state, she was reluctant to throw herself at him. Had her disgust for him reached such a deep level? Elijah approached her, attempting to lift her again. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me or I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Elijah¡¯s hand hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to lift her. ¡°Fine. You can do whatever you want when the effects wear off.¡± Sheenacked the strength to resist, her mind groggy. She could only let him carry her to the bathroom. Elijah turned on the shower and filled the bathtub with cold water. Concerned about the abrupt temperature difference, he gently and slowly lowered her into the tub, ever so careful not to let his trembling hands drop her. Once the water level reached her corbone, he withdrew his sore arms. As Sheenay in the tub, feeling the gradual embrace of coolness, the fiery desire in her heart subsided a bit. Her furrowed brows slowly rxed, and her body went limp, drifting into a deep sleep. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Elijah sat by the edge of the bathtub, keeping watch. He remembered the night before their divorce when he falsely used her of drugging him and coldly mocked her the next day. Now, karma had swiftly caught up with him. With her personality, Sheena would not easily let this incident pass when she regained consciousness. It was the payback he deserved. Elijah pushed aside his thoughts and quietly observed Sheena¡¯s peaceful sleeping face. Her cheeks were still flushed, and her entire being looked as if she were intoxicated, submerged in the water¨Ca fatal temptation. Nheless, he was not the type of man to take advantage of someone in a vulnerable state. He averted his gaze, fully focused on monitoring Sheena¡¯s condition, and found her skin remained abnormally red and hot. Cold water alone was not providing relief quickly enough, and this approach was not sustainable. Elijah got up and left the bathroom, searching the medicine cab for medication. After turning the entire house upside down, he found no sedatives or glucose solution. Then, he headed to the garden and shouted, ¡°Ford, Sawyer, and Owen! Come out!¡± A minuteter, Ford emerged from somewhere, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Cample250 ¡°Why are you still awake at this hour and shouting like this?¡± ¡°Why are you alone?¡± ¡°Sawyer and Owen took Mr. Upton back. I don¡¯t know what happened, but they have yet to return. Paul is with Mr. Lawson, and Ms. Sheena assigned John a task. So, it¡¯s just me tonight.¡± Since Sheena was skilled in self¨Cdefense, they usually would not stand guardte at night. If there were an emergency, Sheena would activate the rm. Elijah got straight to the point. ¡°There are no sedatives and glucose solutions at home. I need you to go buy them.¡± ¡°Where do you expect me to find medicine at thiste hour?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it, just make sure to get these two as soon as possible! This is crucial! Elijah¡¯s brow furrowed, his expression very serious. Seeing Elijah¡¯s earnest and anxious demeanor, Ford chose to believe him. About half an hourter, Ford returned, handing over the two medications. ¡°What kind of medicine is this? Clinics and small hospitals didn¡¯t have them. I had to go to a major hospital. Hey¡­¡± Elijah took the medicine from Ford and sprinted upstairs. After administering the medication to Sheena, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, leaning against the bathtub as he watched over her. After a night of frenzy, his energy was nearly depleted, and he unintentionally fell asleep. When Sheena groggily woke up, the sun was just beginning to rise. The burning heat that had enveloped her body had disappeared entirely. Opening her eyes, she realized she was lying in the bathtub, and Elijah was slouched beside it, fast asleep. Chapter 231 Chapter 231 Exhausted from the night, Elijah was sound asleep. Sheena stared at him and noticed the faint palm print mark on his slightly swelling left cheek and dried blood at the corner of his mouth. He looked just as miserable as she felt. Although she had drained her strengthst night and could not remember what happened afterward, judging by the current situation, Elijah probably had not done anything to her. Sheena pursed her lips and tasted a hint of sweetness. Was it glucose? Sheena scoffed at how Elijah was acting like a nice person when he was the one drugging her coffee. She could not help but wonder if he was staging this whole act. Well, she would y along! Quietly slipping out of the bathtub, Sheena left the bathroom without waking him up. Elijah was awakened by the intense pain in his back. The position he had slept in by the bathtub had left his arm sprained. As he was busy helping Sheena lower her feverst night, he forgot to tend to his own injuries and also identally bumped into the sharp edge of the bed. His back was probably even more swollen now. Elijah sighed and sat up straight, only to find the person in the bathtub was gone! When did Sheena wake up? Why did he not notice it? It seemed that the modified 023 serum had significantly dulled his senses. He got up, walked to the sink, cleaned the traces of blood from the corner of his mouth in the mirror, and went downstairs to find Sheena. In the living room, the atmosphere was extremely tense. Sheena sat on the sofa with her hands folded across her chest, exuding a chilly aura. Ford, John, Sawyer, and Owen stood behind the sofa, their expressions dark and menacing. When Elijah walked downstairs and saw the scene, he knew that the inevitable had arrived. He walked over with heavy steps, stopping on the opposite side of the coffee table, facing Sheena. Sheena locked eyes with him but remained silent. Behind her, Sawyer pointed at the two packets of coffee sugar on the table and said, ¡°Mr. Freeman, Ms. Sheena asked you to make coffeest night. You did make the coffee, but you added something inappropriate. Isn¡¯t that crossing the line? We found another coffee sugar packet containing M¨Cdrug in your room. How do you exin that?¡± 3. pte 231 This is from N?velDrama.Org. 2/2 Elijah fixed his gaze on Sheena and exined, ¡°Yes, I ced the coffee sugar packet in the tray and served it to you. I don¡¯t deny that fact, but I had no idea that it was the M¨Cdrug.¡± Sheena smirked, a mocking glint in her eyes. These casually spoken wordscked conviction. Elijah knew she would not believe him and still wanted to try, adding, ¡°Last night, I said I wouldn¡¯t deceive you anymore, and I¡¯ve kept my word. Can you¡­ trust me this time?¡± Sheena chuckled and responded, ¡°When Jennifer drugged you, you sneaked into my roomte at night. The next day, you suspected me. Did you give me a chance to exin? Would you have believed me if I hadn¡¯t thrown the evidence in your face?¡± Elijah knew there was no way to turn things around, and he stayed silent, unable to find the right words. Sheena continued, ¡°Last night, you promised not to deceive me, only to drug me again. You brewed the coffee and were the first to rush in after I identally consumed it. Can you honestly say you have nothing to do with it? If the one¨Cyear agreement is too unbearable for you, I can give you a fair chance topete. Perhaps you can snatch the Freeman Group and Freeman mansion from me.¡± Then, Sheena paused, her expression suddenly cold and stern before adding, ¡°But you prefer to use such despicable means. Well, I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t stand lies!¡± Elijah anticipated this response, a bitter smile ying on his lips. ¡°What do you want to do?¡± ¡°It¡¯s very simple.¡± Sheena smiled, gently raising her hand. Sawyer immediately brought a ss of warm water from the kitchen, cing it on the coffee table. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> X Chapter 232 Chapter 232 Sheena said, ¡°I know Faye gave you the packet when you visited Freeman Mansion. The two coffee sugar packets on the table were taken from your room. After testing, one contains M¨Cdrug, and the other is genuine sugar. Between you and her, you get to decide who orchestrated this.¡± Elijah frowned, looking down at the sugar packets on the coffee table without saying a word. Sheena continued, ¡°If you can pick the real sugar from this fifty¨Cfifty chance, then I¡¯ll believe you were just an aplice or manipted by Faye. I¡¯ll let you go.¡® ¡°Make your choice, Mr. Freeman.¡± Her words were dripping with irony. Elijah stood still, staring at her, attempting to discern any other emotions in her eyes. Unfortunately, there were none. Well, it was his fault for losing her trust. Elijah chuckled at himself, walked to the coffee table, and examined the two sugar packets in his hands. Under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, he tore both packets open, poured the contents into the cup of warm water, and drank it all in one go. Ford, who was more inclined to believe Elijah, went pale when he saw Elijah drink both packets and eximed, ¡°Mr. Freeman!¡± Sheena had felt unbearable difort from just half a cup of coffeest night, and this was the potent M¨Cdrug from the ck market. Why the hell did he drink the entire packet?! Sheena had only asked him to choose, and there was still a fifty percent chance of selecting correctly! He was too foolish! ¡°Very well, I respect Mr. Freeman¡¯s choice,¡± Sheena said. Then, her expression turned even darker as she ordered, ¡°Sawyer, Owen, take Mr. Freeman to the basement.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena¡± Sawyer and Owen were about to get Elijah by the shoulder when he refused, saying, ¡°No need, I¡¯ll go by myself.¡± Afterward, he headed to the basement, and Sheena and the rest followed him to the basement entrance. His silhouette appeared somewhat miserable as he entered the basement alone. The bodyguards brought a chair for Sheena, and she sat down on the steps leading to the basement, waiting for the effects of the drug to take hold. Chapte 232 The basement was spacious, with few belongings as Sheena had only recently moved in. The bodyguards closed the door without leaving a light on for Elijah. He found himself alone in the darkness and gradually felt his body heating up in just five minutes, the effectsing on remarkably fast. This time, the drug¡¯s impact was much more intense than that fateful night before the divorce. In the beginning, Elijah could still stand, but as time passed, the burning sensation rising from his chest became stronger. He finally understood why Sheena had curled up under the desk when he found her This drug was genuinely unbearable, and if the burning desire was not eased, it felt like the fire could devour him whole. Struggling for half an hour, Elijah was already drenched in sweat. His body was scorching hot, and the unnamed fire was gradually ruining his sanity. Outside the door, Sheena sat quietly, clenching her hands while her face remained expressionless. The bodyguards stood behind her, listening to the silence from the basement, gradually reced by someone¡¯s heavy breathing. A beast¨Clike growl echoed from inside nearly an hourter, startling everyone outside. That was an entire packet of M¨Cdrug! If he did not get relief, that kind of pain could be fatal! Ford could not bear it any longer and blurted out, ¡°Ms. Sheena, it¡¯s been an hour! I believe Mr. Freeman has learned his lesson. If you let him endure this on his own any longer, he might die!¡± 3ste 233 This is from N?velDrama.Org. 1 Chapter 233 Chapter 233 Listening to the muffled growls inside, Sheena clenched her hands tighter. However, when she looked at Ford, her expression remained cold without a hint of warmth. ¡°Do you think I¡¯ve gone too far?¡± Ford immediately knelt and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that, Ms. Sheena. It¡¯s definitely appropriate for you to return the pain today after being druggedst night, but I know you don¡¯t really want to kill Mr. Freeman.¡± Sheena felt much better after listening to Ford. After contemting, she turned to Sawyer and instructed, ¡°Go to the Freeman Mansion, bring Faye here, and do it quickly.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena.¡± Sawyer departed swiftly. The remaining people stood at the basement door, listening to the increasingly intense growls and struggles, nearing despair. Even the muscr bodyguards found it hard to endure, knowing it was a cruel torture. Ten minutester, Sheena finally ordered, ¡°Open the door. Bring a bucket of ice water from the fridge to help him cool down.¡± The bodyguards were stunned but quickly followed Sheena¡¯s instructions, fetching some ice and a bucket of water. The basement door creaked open, and a bit of light streamed in. Elijah was seen lying on the floor, curled up in a fetal position. The floor beneath him was soaked with sweat, and his hair was also wet, sticking to his forehead. He appeared like an injured and helpless hound. In the past hour, Elijah had struggled to the point of exhaustion. His body was trembling violently, and his face was rmingly red. Sensing the ring light, he struggled to open his eyes. In the blurred vision, he saw a slender and familiar figure. With trembling hands, Elijah reached out desperately toward that figure, murmuring hoarsely, ¡± Sheena¡­ I¨CI feel¡­ so ufortable¡­¡± Last night, he had caused her so much distress with the drugged coffee, and he felt genuinely sorry for it. Elijah could not help but wonder if she would feel better if he went through this pain too. Could it offset even a fraction of her hatred for him? Elijah¡¯s hands shook violently, stubbornly reaching out to touch that silhouette. It seemed so close as if she was within her reach. Yet, it also felt distant, like an unconquerable barrier between them. Facing the backlight, Elijah could not see Sheena¡¯s expression, but he could feel the chill emanating + 1. Ch. pte. 233 2/79 from her. The intense coldness made his heart ache even more than the drug¡¯s effects. Sheena silently and distantly observed him, motionless. She noticed that he had never averted his gaze since he opened his eyes. Even so, she said nothing. However, Elijah continued to wait, anticipating even a single word with a hint ofpassion from her. Yet, what came was Owen pouring a bucket of iced water directly over his head. His body, already heated from the drug, could not withstand the sudden temperature drop. The water soaked him thoroughly, intensifying his shivering. His teeth chattered, and uncontroble drowsiness began to set in. ¡°Owen, who told you to pour it directly on his head?¡± Sheena tightened her grip on the chair¡¯s armrest. 3. ote 234 Chapter 234T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 234 Chapter 234 1/219 ¡°Huh? Ms. Sheena, isn¡¯t that your order?!¡± Confused by her anger, Owen trembled, identally pouring the remaining water on Elijah all at once. The massive shock caused Elijah to cough violently, the sound echoing in the basement as if his lungs were about to be expelled. Sheena, infuriated by Owen¡¯s clumsy actions, was about to check on Elijah when a woman¡¯s scream suddenly rang out behind her. ¡°Ah! Elijah! My dear Elijah!¡± Hearing that voice, Sheena¡¯s tightly clenched hand rxed. Sheposed herself, resuming her usual cold and proud demeanor. Faye was still in the Freeman mansion¡¯s private ward with her leg cast. When Sawyer came knocking, looking grim, she immediately sensed trouble and tried to avoid going. In the end, Sawyer insisted and dragged her over. Seeing her son tortured to the brink of death in the basement, Faye forgot about her feigned limp and rushed in. She copsed beside Elijah, feeling his body devoid of warmth, shaking uncontrobly. Panicking, Faye cried out, ¡°Where¡¯s the doctor? Quickly, find a doctor! Elijah is dying! He can¡¯t die, he mustn¡¯t die!¡± Faye had maintained her pride for most of her life, but for the first time, she was openly crying and disregarding her image in front of Sheena. ¡°Sheena, I beg you! Save him! He hasn¡¯t done anything wrong. Why are you treating him like this? You were once husband and wife! Why must you treat him so ruthlessly?¡± Sheena sneered. ¡°As you said, Elijah and I were once husband and wife, but not anymore. In all these years in the Freeman family, I¡¯ve never felt like a part of the family. Have you forgotten how you¡¯ve treated me? You even said I¡¯m worse than your pet dog. Now, seeing your most beloved son tormented by the woman you despise the most, how does that make you feel?¡± Faye was stunned, but she quickly burst into tears. ¡°Sheena, please! My heart is suffocating with guilt. It¡¯s my fault. I was mean to you, but Elijah is innocent. Please, Sheena, save him!¡± Sheena sighed, expressing her helplessness, ¡°I can¡¯t save him. Only you can save him.¡± Faye stopped crying, bewildered. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Elijah is in this situation because he used something you gave him and put it in my coffee. And you¡­¡± Before she could finish, Faye panicked and shouted, ¡°No, that¡¯s not true! It has nothing to do with him! When I proposed it to him, he rejected me. I secretly gave it to him when he wasn¡¯t paying attention! He really doesn¡¯t know!¡± Ch. pte: 234 Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. 2/219 ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± Sheena said as she stood up. Then, she approached Faye, looked down at her, and asked, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, who gave you the medicine? Who helped youe up with the n to fake your injury?¡± Faye froze, unable to answer. Sheena chuckled, ¡°With your intelligence, the best you could think of is for Elijah to impregnate me. The one who prompted you to create all this chaos is probably sitting back and enjoying the show. You¡¯ve been manipted without even realizing it. How foolish.¡± It was the first time Faye was criticized this way, but she could not deny that Sheena was right. ¡°Yes, I was really used! It¡¯s that cunning Wilfred. He said if he could get Elijah and you back together, the Freeman family could return to what it used to be. I shouldn¡¯t have believed his nonsense!¡± Wilfred? Just as she had expected of that cunning old man. Nheless, Sheena could not believe how Wilfred would resort to such despicable methods even at his age. Faye hugged Elijah and continued crying, ¡°Oh, Sheena, he¡¯s getting colder and colder. Please, save him! He¡¯s my everything!¡± Chapter 235 Chapter 235 Chapter 235 1/2 Sheena did not spare a nce at Elijah. Instead, she warned Faye coldly, ¡°Faye, this is yourst chance! Make sure Erin behaves too! If you two don¡¯t act right, I¡¯ll hold your beloved Elijah responsible for everything! You can try and see how long Elijah can withstand your nonsense in his current condition!¡± ¡°No! It won¡¯t happen again! Absolutely not!¡± Faye, with a pale face, shook her head. Seeing that Faye had indeed been subdued, Sheena instructed Sawyer to escort her back to the Freeman mansion. Once Faye left, Ford hurriedly checked on Elijah. ¡°Ms. Sheena, Mr. Freeman has passed out! His breathing is getting weaker!¡± Sheena was shocked to hear that and quickly shouted, ¡°Quick! John, go get a doctor!¡± ¡°Alright! I¡¯m on my way!¡± Upon hearing themand, John immediately sprinted out the door. Then, Sheena instructed Ford and Owen to carry Elijah back to his room and prepare hot water bags to warm him up. Recalling the whole bucket of icy water and ncing at the bewildered Owen, Sheena was furious. Owen, you¡¯re suspended for a year with half a year¡¯s sry deduction. Get the hell out of here!¡± Owen was at a loss and about to plead, but Ford signaled him not to add fuel to the fire. 11 Ignoring him, Sheena focused on observing Elijah¡¯s condition. Despite using hot water bags, his body remained cold, and his face was unnaturally pale. It was as if life were slowly draining from him. ¡°Why isn¡¯t John back yet?¡± Sheena checked Elijah¡¯s breathing, which was extremely weak. If they waited any longer, Elijah might have already gone cold by the time John returned! Sheena removed the nket, helping Ford lift Elijah. ¡°Owen,e carry him downstairs. Ford, bring the car around. We¡¯re heading to the hospital!¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena!¡± Owen instantly perked up and lifted Elijah onto his back, with Sheena supporting him from behind to prevent him from falling. After cing Elijah in the back seat, Ford quickly started the car, speeding away. Owen sat in the passenger seat, and Sheena upied the back, with Elijah¡¯s head resting on herp. Elijahy peacefully, his expression serene as Sheena gently stroked his face, which was nearly void of warmth. If she did not know he was still breathing weakly, she might have thought him lifeless. ¡°Elijah, you¡¯re not allowed to die! As long as your debt isn¡¯t fully paid, you¡¯ll owe me forever! If you dare to die, I¡¯ll make the entire Freeman family die with you!¡± Sheena practically shouted these words. This is from N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 235 2/2 Ford and Owen in the front were startled by her outburst. They knew that she was capable of such ruthless actions if she were truly angered. In Elijah¡¯s seemingly unconscious state, he appeared to have heard her words. Suddenly, he coughed violently, a hacking sound that tore through the air, but he remained unconscious. Sheena helped him by patting his back to ease the coughing. She was relieved that he showed some reaction as it meant he would not die just yet. ¡°Ford, speed up,¡± Sheena urged. Ford elerated, running numerous red lights along the way, and finally reaching the hospital. (Note: This behavior is not rmended in real life and is only for the sake of the plot.) After Elijah was wheeled into the emergency room, Sheena sat in the waiting area with mixed emotions. Just moments ago, she had almost lost control of her emotions in the car. When she discovered she had been druggedst night, she truly wanted to kill him. However, she panicked when she saw him on the brink of being tortured to death. Then again, why should she feel that way? For Jennifer¡¯s sake, Elijah allowed Leon to hijack the ne to kill her. After their divorce, she had intended to part ways and be strangers for the rest of their lives¡­ Chapter 236 After their divorce, she had intended to part ways and be strangers for the rest of their lives¡­ Chapter 236 However, Erin, Faye, and Jennifer repeatedly harmed her, and Elijah came to provoke her, even attempting to kill her for Jennifer. None of these people wanted to let her live a peaceful wife. Sheena was not the type to turn the other cheek or remain silent when attacked, so was wrong for her to make them pay the deserved price? As she pondered, Ford finished a call and reported to her, ¡°Ms. Lawson, Wendy, the resistant from the Angle Group, says there¡¯s an urgent work matter for you.¡± Sheena nced at the still¨Clit emergency room lights, hesitating Beside her, Owen suddenly knelt and said, ¡°Ms. Lawson, it was my fault. My foolish mistake almost harmed Mr. Freeman. I¡¯m willing to stay at the hospital to take care of Mr. Freeman. Once the recovers, I¡¯ll ept the suspension punishment and return home.¡± Sheena gave it a thought and replied, ¡°Fine, you stay here. Let me know if there¡¯s any news about him. Ford, let¡¯s go.¡± With that, Sheena hastily left the hospital with Ford and headed straight to Angle Group. The troublesome incident caused by Faye had dyed her talent show¡¯s final n for two days. Once returned to her office, she immediately immersed herself in work, focusing all her attention on the tasks. By 8 p.m., all the employees had left, but her office lights were still on. Howard, learning she was workingte, came down from the top floor to check on her. ¡°Mana, it¡¯ste. We can finalize the n for the talent show tomorrow. There are still several days before the live broadcast.¡± Sheena grunted a soft response, but her fingers were still tapping away at the keyboard.. Howard knew he could not persuade her. He sighed and was about to leave when he noticed thatcher complexion was not quite right. *Nana, did you fall sick? Why do you look so pale?¡± Sheena was caught off guard by the question, and she stopped typing. She remembered the col water bath she had taken the previous night. That was probably the reason for her slightly paleplexion. ¡°I¡¯m fine. You go about your business. I¡¯ll finish up here and head home.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Howard¡¯s expression turned serious. He could read his sister like the back of his hand and knear the was more to the situation than met the eye. When Ford was summoned by Howard for a private conversation, Ford immediately kneeled Chapter 236 212 Lawson, please spare me! I truly didn¡¯t know. Perhaps it¡¯s because Ms. Sheena has been¡­ busy these past few days, often workingte nights.¡± Ford was sandwiched in the middle, feeling quite torn. Perhaps Howard noticed his distressed expression, so he did not press further. ¡°Alright, you continue to ensure Ms. Sheena¡¯s safety. Keep a close eye on that Elijah guy. If he dares to harm Nana again, regardless of whether she agrees or not, I¡¯ll make sure he¡¯s done for. Got it?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Lawson.¡± That night, Sheena did not return to Ocean Avenue, nning to pull an all¨Cnighter in the office. Ford knocked on the door. ¡°Ms. Sheena, Mr. Freeman was moved out of the emergency room an hour ago and into a regr ward. He¡¯s awake now. Would you like to visit him?¡± Sheena hesitated and said, ¡°No need. If he¡¯s awake, let Owen take care of him. When he¡¯s physically recovered, send him back to Ocean Avenue.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Ford did not leave, wearing a troubled expression. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did I not make myself clear enough?¡± Sheena asked. ¡°No, it¡¯s just that Mr. Freeman keeps refusing the nurses to administer an IV after waking up. No matter how they try to persuade him, it¡¯s not working.¡± Sheena sighed. ¡°He¡¯s just a patient now. Can¡¯t you handle a physically weakened man? He refuses, and you just let him? Can¡¯t you restrain him if needed?¡± Ford remained silent, unsure how to respond to that. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Was Sheena always this straightforward and forceful in her actions? Chapter 237 Chapter 237 Ford could note up with an answer, and Sheena did not press further. ¡°Never mind, let¡¯s go. Let¡¯s see what he¡¯s up to.¡± After casually tidying up her desk, they drove to the hospital. In the ward, someone had wrapped themselves up like a Swiss roll, burying their head deep into the nket. The nurse sighed, ¡°Mr. Freeman, you still have a fever. You¡¯ll have trouble breathing wrapped up like that, and¡­ can I please administer the IV for you!¡± Despite the efforts of the medical staff and Owen¡¯s persuasion, the ¡°Swiss roll¡± on the hospital bed remained utterly unresponsive. As Sheena walked in, she could not help but mock, ¡°Oh, it seems tomorrow¡¯s headline will be: Former CEO of the Freeman Group Commits Suicide by Suffocation as He Refused an IV Treatment.¡± Owen noticed her arrival and respectfully greeted her, ¡°Ms. Lawson.¡± Sheena nodded slightly in response and approached Elijah¡¯s bedside. Before she could say anything, the ¡°Swiss roll¡± suddenly grabbed her wrist. Elijah emerged from the nket, his head poking out. Due to the fever, his normally domineering and cold gaze now appeared vulnerable. He stared at Sheena¡¯s face, ensuring he had not mistaken her for someone else. From now on, he would never make that mistake again. ¡°Sheena, you finally came. I woke up and didn¡¯t see you, and I missed you¡­¡± Due to the fever, Elijah¡¯s voice had a slight nasal quality, sounding somewhat childish and even a bit coquettish. The medical staff and Owen in the room exchanged confused nces. Was this the same man who exuded hostility just ten minutes ago and looked ready to devour anyone who crossed his path? How did he change his demeanor so quickly? Sheena, on the other hand, was creeped out by his words. ¡°Did you fry your brain from the fever? Should we just toss your brain out now?¡± Elijah was at a loss for words. Any emotions he had instantly evaporated, ¡°Sheena, I¡¯d like to have a private conversation with you.¡± After a moment of consideration, Sheena did not refuse. She looked at the nurse and directed her words to Elijah, ¡°Start the IV first. Otherwise, we won¡¯t discuss anything.¡± Chacher 237 212 With his deep, nasal¨Ctoned voice, Elijah responded, ¡°Alright.¡± The nurse approached, but Elijah still tightly held Sheena¡¯s wrist, making it impossible for her to administer the IV. Sheena noticed this and frowned. ¡°Let go of me. How are we supposed to start the IV if you keep holding on like this?TM Without saying a word, Elijah decisively brought his other hand out from under the nket, keeping a tight grip on Sheena¡¯s wrist with his right hand. Back in the basement, his mind was hazy from the torment of the drug. When the basement door opened, allowing light to stream in, his sole thought was to grasp the figure he had once lost. However, no matter how hard he tried, the seemingly close distance felt forever out of reach. That experience was more despairing than the torture of the M¨Cdrug. Now that he was awake and had managed to reim her, Elijah had no intention of letting go! As he contemted this, he felt a force pushing his hand away. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. It was Sheena. Chapter 238 Chapter 238 1/2 Once the nurse had finished administering the IV, Sheena asked everyone to leave. Seeing Elijah¡¯s hand gripping her wrist so hard that the skin turned purple, she frowned and said, ¡°You¡¯re hurting me. I won¡¯t leave until we finish our conversation, but if you keep holding on, I¡¯ll leave immediately.¡± Elijah hesitated, but under her cold gaze, he relented and finally let go of her hand. Sheena sat on the chair by the bedside, getting straight to the point calmly, ¡°Elijah, you were once proud. I don¡¯t understand why you readily agreed to sign the agreement back then. Was it really just to repay debts? Is it worth making yourself so miserable and humiliated?¡± Elijah met her gaze. ¡°Once upon a time, you loved me so much, giving everything for me wholeheartedly. But I didn¡¯t cherish it. Having walked the path you took back then, I finally understand how much pain you felt. Elijah stopped mid¨Csentence, his eyes filled with sincerity as he continued, ¡°Sheena, I know I¡¯ve said hurtful things before. From now on, you can scold me every day to vent, and I won¡¯t argue back. I¡¯ll repay you everything that I owe you, even if it¡¯s just a sentence. Will you give me onest chance?¡± Scold him every day to vent her anger? Was he dumb? With a cold expression, Sheena spoke her mind for the first time, ¡°Initially, I thought of us bing strangers after the divorce. However, Faye, Erin, and Jennifer wouldn¡¯t leave me alone. You even sent Leon to kill me for Jennifer. Why should I give you a chance? Why should I give the Freeman family a chance?¡± Elijah widened his eyes, shocked. ¡°Wait. What are you talking about?¡± Sending Leon to kill her? When did that happen? Ignoring his questions, Sheena added, ¡°Now, you¡¯re just my servant in my eyes. After this one¨Cyear agreement is over, I¡¯ll permanently let you go, and we¡¯ll owe each other nothing. From then on, we¡¯ll Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. go our separate ways.¡± Owe each other nothing? Elijah¡¯s eyes lit up, and he said, ¡°So, if I repay this year¡¯s debt, our past can be forgiven, and I¡¯ll have a chance to start anew with you?¡± Sheena chuckled coldly. ¡°I really don¡¯t understand why you like to pretend you¡¯re deeply in love with me now. Anyway, your chances were already used up on the morning we went to get our divorce certificate. Don¡¯t you find it ridiculous acting all affectionate in front of me now?¡± After saying that, she stood up and was about to leave. ¡°Don¡¯t go!¡± Chapter 238 2/2 Elijah anxiously reached out, but due to his weak body and inertia, he fell to the ground when he tried to grab her wrist again. His knees hit the floor with a painful thud, and the sound alone made it clear how much it hurt. Elijah winced, his features contorted in pain. It took him a few seconds topose himself before looking up again. ¡°I was blind back then. You spent three years in the Freeman family and another three years married to me, yet I still didn¡¯t recognize you as the girl who saved me on Pine Street. That was my mistake, and I regret it! If you don¡¯t forgive me, I¡¯ll ept it. But what you said about me sending Leon to kill you, I swear I absolutely did not!¡± Sheena chuckled coldly. Lately, Elijah had been putting on an act in front of her, and this time, it was the most endearing yet also the most fake. ¡°Helping you back then was just a small gesture, and I didn¡¯t care about it at all. Moreover, if I knew the boy in that car would grow up to be you, I might have added another stab. So, this false sense of gratitude ispletely unnecessary.¡± With that, she freed Elijah¡¯s hand. As she left, she left him with a final threat, ¡°Behave and rest in the hospital. If you pull any more stunts refusing IVs and medication, you¡¯ll face the consequences!¡± As Sheena exited, a man dressed as a physician entered the room. Seeing Elijah sitting on the floor with the newly inserted IV falling off, the man rushed to assist him. ¡°Mr. Freeman, it¡¯s me!¡± Removing his mask, the man revealed himself as Lionel. When Elijah saw him, his expression turned incredibly cold, with a deep¨Cseated hostility that cut to the bone. Chapter 239 Chapter 239 Compared to Leon¡¯s matter, Lionel was more concerned about Elijah. He knew about Elijah being drugged and tortured in the basement by Sheena. ¡°Mr. Freeman, it¡¯s only been a few days since Ist saw you, but you¡¯ve been through quite a lot. Let¡¯s go back and stop suffering this kind of treatment in Farlem.¡± Lionel helped Elijah back onto the bed, and the signs of recent abuse gradually faded from his pale face. Elijah responded, ¡°Sure. You can stay in Farlem and help me win back my wife. I¡¯ll go back.¡± Lionel stayed silent. After all, he was well aware that Sheena was a woman not easily messed with, with a fiery temper and a ruthless streak. Lionel simply could not handle that! A whileter, Lionel chuckled and said, ¡°Well, Mr. Freeman, take your time pursuing her. Whenever you feel tired, we can talk. No rush, no rush.¡± Elijah nodded. His usual cold and stern expression returned as he continued, ¡°As for Leon, I don¡¯t care what methods you use, make him spill everything. Deal with that backstabbing scum ordingly! ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman. You can trust me.¡± After finishing their conversation, Lionel pressed the call button at the bedside, summoning the nurse to administer a new IV for Elijah. This time, Elijah did not refuse. His earlier reluctance was just an excuse since he did not see Shena when he woke up. However, now that Shena had spoken, he had to follow her instructions and take care of his recovery.This is from N?velDrama.Org. Leon, due to his good looks and muscr physique, was quite favored by the leader among the male inmates. Compared to Jennifer¡¯s situation, he had a rtivelyfortable time, enduring some hardship only during showers and at night. At least, he was not starving, sleeping in the restroom, or facing beatings all the time. Unbeknownst to him, his calm andfortable days were about to end¡­ The Butterflies, an all¨Cgirl talent show created by Angle Group, was finally reaching its climax. For the last filming session, Sheena opted for a more innovative approach. Besides inviting a thousand lucky audience members for an immersive experience in the venue, holding two votes each to support the girls, she also decided to livestream the final selection nationwide, allowing the entire country to witness the event and participate in supporting the contestants. With just ten minutes left before the final selection program began, Sheena felt a bit nervous backstage. It was her first time independently organizing such a talent show, and if sessful, it could boost Angle Group¡¯s stock market value by at least three percent. Chapter 239 2/2 As the program officially started, the host delivered the opening statement. Then, the twenty finalists entered one by one, greeted by continuous cheers from the audience. Following that, the host announced the evening¡¯s important guest, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s wee our superstar, Skye Zimmer!¡± The fans at the venue erupted with excitement, and the trainees on stage could not contain their enthusiasm either. Skye made a grand entrance, capturing the audience¡¯s attention with his sunny and handsome appearance. However, the crowd noticed he did not take the highest seat at the specially invited mentor¡¯s bench. Was there someone even more influential than Skye? Amid the audience¡¯s surprise, the host revealed the next guest¨CHoward. The man had dominated half of the entertainment industry. Even though he was not a celebrity, he held a mysterious and powerful presence in showbiz. With Howard¡¯s entrance, more than half of the live audience stood up, expressing their excitement through cheers and apuse, even more enthusiastically than for Skye. However, even Howard did not sit in the centermost position of the mentor¡¯s bench. Chapter 240 240 entertainment industry. Even though he was not a celebrity, he held a mysterious and powerful presence in showbiz. With Howard¡¯s entrance, more than half of the live audience stood up, expressing their excitement through cheers and apuse, even more enthusiastically than for Skye. However, even Howard did not sit in the centermost position of the mentor¡¯s bench. Chapter 240 1/2 Many people in the audience began to specte about who the most prestigious center position was reserved for. Sheena, intensely focused, watched the scene on the backstage screen and nced at the online viewer count. The entrance of these two guests had created a tremendous buzz, causing a significant surge in viewership. Sheena smiled with satisfaction. Indeed, having such eye¨Ccatching men around was worth making the most out of; otherwise, it would be a waste. As it was the final selection, each of the twenty girls had a chance to showcase their talents before the official performances. Soon, it was Phoebe¡¯s turn. Due to the recent bullying incident affecting her vocal cords, she chose to dance. As the music yed, Phoebe quickly got into the rhythm, presenting a fusion of modern and ssical dance, earning cheers from the audience. Howard also unexpectedly noticed this girl. Although she did not have the type of stunning features at first nce, she exuded a genuine and cute vibe, giving the impression of realness. Her skills were commendable, and Howard thought she had a bright future in the entertainment industry. Howard flipped through the file on this girl at his disposal and found that Sheena had already signed her into Angle Group. He smiled contentedly, said nothing, and continued watching thepetition. After an hour of intensepetition, it was time to announce the final results based on the support votes. With over 900 votes, Phoebe staged aeback, moving from fifteenth ce to secure a debut position at sixth ce. Later, the host returned to the stage for the final address in the program¡¯s closing moments. ¡°Now, let¡¯s wee the person behind the scenes of Angle Group to the stage for the closing speech!¡± Everyone turned their gaze toward Howard, expecting him to step forward. However, Howard remained motionless, showing no intention of going onstage. Was he not the current president and owner of Angle Group? Just as the audience looked perplexed, the host smiled and announced, ¡°Let¡¯s give a round of apuse for Ms. Sheena!¡± Spotlights focused on the end of the red carpet, and Sheena emerged from backstage. She wore a deep red evening gown thatplemented her snow¨Clike skin, exuding elegance and grace like a queen. As she walked toward the stage, bathed in the spotlight, the audience looked on in shock, some, recognizing her in disbelief. ¡°I¨CIsn¡¯t that the woman who confronted Ms. Jennifer Moore at the press conferencest time?¡± Chapter 240 2/2 This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Wow, she¡¯s gorgeous and confident. No wonder she dared to confront the Moore family. So she¡¯s a wealthy woman herself!¡± ¡°There were rumors before that she was nothing because her rich ex¨Chusband divorced her. It seems those rumors were false. Why would a wealthy woman be afraid of divorce? The next husband will be even better than herst!¡± ¡°What? I only know her from how amazing she danced the Lover. She has to debut!¡± ¡°She¡¯s too incredible! Not only does she dance well, but she¡¯s also the boss of Angle Group!¡± The crowd buzzed with excitement. Even Howard willingly yed a supporting role, leaving the main seat in the mentor¡¯s area for her. This girl must be extraordinary. Most girls who had already secured debut positions were unfamiliar with Sheena. However, Phoebe appeared to be the most shocked among all the girls. Sheena was the boss of Angle Group? Goodness, she was just like the domineering female CEO that only appeared in novels! Under everyone¡¯s gaze, Sheena confidently walked onto the stage, took the microphone handed by the host, and smiled. ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Sheena, the person behind the scenes of Angle Group.¡± Chapter 241 Chapter 241 At the same time, Elijahy on the hospital bed, engrossed in watching the live broadcast on the television, smiling. After such a long time, she finally decided to reveal one of her hidden identities. Moreover, her act was meant to tell everyone that even Howard and Skye were willingly ying supporting roles for her. Regardless of whether it was Bethany or Wilfred, they were probably feeling anxious, desperately digging into her true identity. Elijah¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied smile as he watched the stunning beauty speaking on television. Even if she never considered remarrying him, these calm and peaceful days were quite enjoyable. Owen sat in a chair beside Elijah, supporting his head with his hands, elbows resting on his knees, also engrossed in admiring Sheena¡¯s unparalleled beauty. Hemented, ¡°Ms. Sheena looks so gorgeous when she¡¯s serious!¡± However, thinking about being forced to suspend his job, Owen became sad again. ¡°But Ms. Sheena is really scary when she gets angry! It¡¯d be great if she could always be this gentle.¡± Originally enjoying the broadcast, Elijah felt annoyed by Owen¡¯s chatter. He grabbed the remote control from the bedside table and decisively turned off the TV. Owen, who was just daydreaming a second ago, suddenly found the screen cked out and asked, Mr. Freeman, what are you doing?¡± Elijah remained silent, ignoring him. His expression was somewhat cold, enhanced by the illness and the effects of the modified drug, giving his skin a slightly unhealthy paleness and an overall eerie aura. Observing Elijah¡¯s demeanor, Owen could not help but wonder, ¡°Mr. Freeman, are you¡­ jealous because I praised Ms. Sheena?¡± Elijah responded coldly, ¡°It¡¯s boring, so I don¡¯t want to watch.¡± Owen realized he was making excuses and kindly advised, ¡°Mr. Freeman, since you divorced Ms. Sheena and are now working as her servant, you both can never ever get back together again. Just give up.¡± Elijah¡¯s expression instantly darkened. Owen densely pushed his luck, continuing, ¡°Besides, Ms. Sheena and Mr. Upton have known each other since they were young. In terms of personality, family background, age, and appearance, they¡¯re a perfect match. So, why not obediently get through this one¨Cyear agreement and focus on being your own person in the future?¡± ¡°Colin?¡± Elijah gritted his teeth as he uttered the name. He had met Colin only twice, and despite their banter, Elijah sensed that Colin was apassionate Chapter 241 212 and loving man, generous in giving his love. With Sheena¡¯s personality to always get back at those who hurt her, Elijah feared that Colin might find himself in deep trouble and inadvertently hurt Sheena¡¯s feelings. How could he entrust Sheena to such a man? ¡°Mr. Freeman?¡± Owen called out as Elijah seemed lost in thought. Elijah immediately threw off the nket, swung his legs out of bed, and unplugged the needle from the IV bag. This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Owen asked, standing up. Without looking back, Elijah put on his shoes and headed for the door, decisively dering, ¡°Leaving the hospital.¡± ¡°What? You¡¯ve only been here for a few days! Leaving the hospital requires the doctor¡¯s examination for a discharge approval!¡± Owen hurriedly followed, but Elijah suddenly stopped at the doorway. As Owen approached, Elijah extended his hand and said, ¡°Give me your phone.¡± The talent show was a tremendous sess, with Sheena¡¯s revtion of her status causing Angle Group¡¯s stock to soar and garnering a wave of positive reviews. While discussing post¨Cshow ns with Phoebe backstage in the evening, Sheena¡¯s phone suddenly rang. She nced down and saw it was Owen calling. What kind of stunt had Elijah pulled this time? Her great mood was ruined in an instant. Chapter 242 1/2 Chapter 242 Chapter 242 Chapter 242 Sheena answered the call calmly, and before she could speak, a deep voice on the other end said, Sheena, it¡¯s me.¡± Though puzzled, Sheena could not be bothered. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been discharged. To celebrate the sess of your first show, I¡¯m going to prepare a feast at home. How about joining me when you¡¯re back?¡± Elijah spoke cautiously, his tone carrying a hint of fear of rejection and a subtle touch of anticipation. Sheena sensed it and fell silent for two minutes. Elijah waited anxiously, his heart pounding rapidly. He refrained from speaking, giving her the time she needed to think. ¡°I can¡¯t tonight as I have a celebratory dinner. Maybe another day,¡± Sheena replied, ready to end the call. An anxious tone came from the other end, ¡°Don¡¯t hang up! Are you¡­ going to dinner with Skye and Howard?¡± Sheena admitted, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± Elijah hesitated before asking, ¡°Will Colin be there?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Sheena responded calmly and indifferently. With the simple reply, Elijah was instantly fueled with jealousy. He bit his pale lips and, using a coquettish yet appeasing tone, pleaded, ¡°Can you not go? I know my cooking wasn¡¯t great before, but I promise to improve. Can youe back to Ocean Avenue tonight¡­ T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Sheena could not stand his tone and interrupted, ¡°No. It¡¯s non¨Cnegotiable.¡± Elijah blurted out, ¡°If you don¡¯te back, I¡¯ll hold a press conference tomorrow and tell the whole nation that I¡¯m your man!¡± Sheena scoffed upon hearing Elijah¡¯s words, finding it amusing that he was acting so foolishly. She reminded him, ¡°You¡¯re just my servant!¡± ¡°A servant is still yours! You can¡¯t deny that!¡± Elijah retorted. ¡°Elijah!¡± Sheena, genuinely angered, shouted, startling even Phoebe sitting nearby. Feeling her genuine anger, Elijah quickly apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just wanted you toe back to Ocean Avenue for a meal. Even if you think I don¡¯t deserve to eat with you, I can stand and watch you eat¡­¡± Sheena sighed. What has gotten into himtely? Chapter 242 2/2 His audacity had reached shameless levels. Uninterested in continuing the argument, she casually agreed, ¡°I¡¯lle back to Ocean Avenue, but it¡¯ll be after the celebratory dinner, and it might be very ¡°That¡¯s okay. I can wait no matter howte it is,¡± Elijah replied eagerly. Although he could not prevent her from attending the celebratory dinner, at least there would be others present, and Colin probably would not be able to do anything. After ending the call, Elijah happily went toplete his discharge procedures. As Owen was supposed to take care of Elijah until his recovery, he had no reason to apany him back to Ocean Avenue now that he was discharged. So, Owen called John and Sawyer to pick Elijah up while he returned home to face the consequences of his suspension. Back at Ocean Avenue, Elijah immediately rushed to the kitchen to brainstorm recipes. Since fresh produce was delivered daily, he had no worries about the avability of ingredients. After nearly three hours, he prepared avish feast, tasting each dish in advance to ensure the perfect bnce of vors. Not knowing when Sheena would return, he ted each dish to keep them from getting too cold. With everything ready, Elijah sat on the couch and waited. After two hours, the dishes began to cool, so he reheated them in a pot and continued waiting with the tes covered. Chapter 243 Chapter 243 Chapter 243 This continued several times. When Elijah looked at the clock again, he realized it was already 4 a.m. It was already sote, yet Sheena had not returned yet. Was the celebratory dinner taking that long? Elijah sat on the couch, and suddenly, scenes from Sheena¡¯s dinner shed in his mind, an uproar where everyone encouraged Sheena and Colin to share a toast. Elijah stood up abruptly and thought, ¡®No, that can¡¯t happen!¡® He headed for the door, but John and Sawyer intercepted him before he could reach the garden. ¡°Mr. Freeman, it¡¯ste. You can¡¯t go out at this hour.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to find Sheena,¡± Elijah insisted. John and Sawyer remained unfazed. ¡°Ms. Sheena will return after she finishes her business, and Ford is there to protect her. Please be patient and wait.¡± Elijah frowned, his expression icy. It might be easier to negotiate if it were Ford tonight, but John and Sawyer had never been fond of him. They did not bother saying more and simply blocked his way. Reluctantly, Elijah had to retreat and continue waiting. The time spent waiting was often the longest and most agonizing. During this period, Elijah pondered many things. He vaguely recalled the past three years when Sheena often called, hoping he woulde home for dinner. Sometimes, he would make excuses, and at other times, he would hang up without a word, not returning home for a few days. The taste of waiting all night turned out to be so unbearable. He nced at the clock on the wall, following the movement of the minute hand. Unconsciously, he drifted off to sleep on the couch. After some time, Elijah was awakened by the sound of the door opening. Seeing that the personing in was indeed Sheena, Elijah¡¯s face lit up, He stood up to greet her, You¡¯re back! The food has gotten cold, but I¡¯ll heat it up for you now.¡± Sheena declined indifferently, ¡°No need. I¡¯ve already had breakfast.¡± ¡°Breakfast?¡± 11 Elijah nced at the clock on the wall and realized it was already 7 a.m., which meant Sheena had not come back all night, and he had sat on the couch waiting the entire night. Elijah found it strange and asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t youe backst night? Were you drunk? Where did you sleep? Did you spend the whole night with Colin? Did he make any advances on you?¡± Sheena remained silent. What did Colin have to do with anything? And with so many questions, which one should she answer Chapter 243 2/2 first? She changed into slippers, saying, ¡°Phoebe got drunkst night, so I took her back to her ce. She was dizzy and vomiting all night, so I took care of her.¡± Elijah was dumbfounded. Phoebe? The trainee who made it to the finals? Damn! So, he had to watch out for the women around her too? Sheena rubbed her sore shoulders and was about to go upstairs when Elijah grabbed her wrist. ¡± Sheena, I spent nearly three hours preparing those dishes. Do you want to give it a try?¡± Before he could ask if she wanted to try a little, Sheena red at him and interrupted, ¡°So what? I¡¯ve already eaten. If you haven¡¯t had breakfast, go ahead and help yourself.¡± This is from N?velDrama.Org. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> Go Chapter 244 Chapter 244 Chapter 244 This is from N?velDrama.Org. 1/2 Elijah¡¯s heart suddenly ached, and those words pressed down on him so hard that he could hardly catch his breath. He remained stunned for a while, unable to utter a word. Seeing that he seemed fine, Sheena forcibly released his hand and went upstairs to her room. Elijah watched her figure leave and, turning around, saw the carefully prepared table of food fromst night, still neatly arranged and untouched. The presentation was still exquisite, but the dishes had gone cold, much like his heart. Soon, a sense of indescribable loss and guilt surged within him. Sheena changed into a new outfit and came downstairs. She noticed him standing there, lost in thought, in the stairwell. She lightly cleared her throat, pulling him back to reality. ¡°Quickly finish your meal and change into clean clothes. After that, we¡¯ll head out for a bit.¡± ¡°Where to?¡± Elijah asked. Sheena smirked as she said, ¡°The Freeman residence.¡± A loud bang echoed. The owners of the Freeman residence who were still asleep were startled awake by this unexpected noise. Wilfred hurriedly brought his wife, Annie Freeman, downstairs to check on the situation. His daughter, Coco Freeman, was also frightened. Running downstairs, she asked, ¡°Mom, Dad! Was that an earthquake? Did we just experience an earthquake?¡± The three wore bewildered expressions and only realized themotion in the living room when they reached the ground floor. Sheena sat on the main sofa, pouring tea, and appearing to be the mistress of the house. Four handsome and tall bodyguards stood disciplined behind her sofa, and Elijah stood at the side. The group was intimidating, looking as if they were there for debt collection. Wilfred and his family stared at each other, all looking utterly confused. As they approached, Sheena smiled and said, ¡°Mr. Wilfred, it seems your family hasn¡¯t been doing welltely, evenying off your servants. In such a grand Freeman residence, there isn¡¯t even someone to make me tea. I had to trouble my bodyguards.¡± Wilfred knew she was deliberately pointing out their shorings but had no way to refute them. The Freeman residence had relied on monthly dividends from the Freeman Group shares to get by. With the Freeman Group in the state it was after Bethany and Faye¡¯s poor management. Having it return to its former glory would take who knew how long, and there was not much in dividends for them. Chapter 244 2/2 So, during this period, they all lived a more frugal lifestyle. Wilfred appeared grim and spoke in an unpleasant tone, ¡°Is this how you enter someone else¡¯s home? Don¡¯t you know how to knock? What was that loud noise just now? What did you do?¡± Annie quickly realized the situation and rushed to inspect, wincing at the sight. ¡°Oh dear! Look at my door! You¡¯re too much!¡± Sheena tilted her head, giving a small, helpless smile. ¡°Mr. Wilfred¡¯s door has worn out with age. When my bodyguard John knocked, he used just a tiny bit of force, and it fell apart on its own. Oh well, I¡¯m just helping Mr. Wilfred clean up the mess.¡® Wilfred was furious. 11 How could a thick iron door fall apart from a simple knock?! It was clearly kicked open! However, having watched the talent showst night with Coco, he knew that Sheena was not only the mastermind behind Angle but also the current CEO andrgest shareholder of the Freeman Group. Moreover, Howard and Skye were also supporting her. Confronting her head¨Con would be a losing battle. Thus, Wilfred shifted his attention to Elijah, wearing a troubled expression. ¡°Elijah, look at her. Even though she¡¯s your ex¨Cwife, she used to listen to you the most. Now, you¡¯re letting her bully the Freeman family. Is this how it¡¯s going to be?¡± The mention of used to listen to you the most¡® sent a shiver through Elijah¡¯s heart. So, everyone knew she used to love him a lot¨Csomething he remained oblivious to, even choosing to ignore all her sacrifices. Suppressing the surge of emotions within, Elijah stared at Wilfred with a cold gaze. He spoke sternly, ¡°Uncle Wilfred, you secretly gave my mom some bad advice and handed her two packets of dubious substances, almost causing a major disaster. How do you exin that?¡± Chapter 245 hapter 245 Did they figure it out? Or did Faye betray him? Wilfred staggered back a couple of steps. After steadying himself, he grinned, feigning ignorance.¡± Elijah, what do you mean? I don¡¯t understand.¡± Elijah¡¯s expression remained cold. He was not falling for Wilfred¡¯s acts. Seeing Elijah¡¯s silence, Wilfred sneakily nced at Sheena¡¯s imposing bodyguards behind her. They all looked fierce, as if ready to fight someone. Worried about his family¡¯s safety, Wilfred signaled to Annie with his eyes. ¡°Coco hasn¡¯t freshened up yet, right? Take her upstairs quickly. We can¡¯t afford to lose our manners in front of guests.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Annie understood, turning to guide her precious daughter. ¡°Coco, let¡¯s go. Before they could go the stairs, Sheena¡¯s four bodyguards swiftly blocked their way. Ford and Paul guarded the staircase while John and Sawyer stood firm at the entrance. ¡°W¨CWhat are you doing? You¡¯re being too ridiculous! This is my home!¡± Wilfred fumed, his face turning red. Coco, feeling a bit scared, sought refuge in Annie¡¯s embrace. ¡°No one¡¯s leaving if I don¡¯t get a clear exnation regarding this matter today,¡± Sheena dered with a smile, delicately sipping her tea. Her demeanor remained calm and aloof, leaving Wilfred¡¯s family bewildered Wilfred sighed, his expression slightlyplex. He began, ¡°The truth is, things didn¡¯t happen like Elijah said. When I learned that Faye and Erin were working as servants at the Freeman Mansion, I visited them. I had no idea where Faye got those two packets of drugs. She told me about her n and asked for my help, but I disagreed. I even tried to advise her against it.¡± He suddenly paused mid¨Csentence as if realizing something, asking, ¡°Judging by the situation, did she really seed?¡± ¡°Did anything happen? Are you alright? I heard that medicine is quite potent. It¡¯s all my fault. I should¡¯ve talked to her again,¡± Wilfred sighed, expressing regret. With these words, he not only cleared himself of any involvement in the matter but also presented himself as a concerned elder. Sheena frowned slightly. ¡°In the future, please address me as Ms. Sheena ording to thepany hierarchy.¡± After stating this, she nced at Elijah standing beside her and mocked, ¡°He ims Faye nned this, while Faye says he instigated it. Whom do you think I should believe?¡± Elijah stared sternly at Wilfred, a cold smirk on his face. ¡°Uncle Wilfred, ming everything on a 212 woman when things go wrong is not very manly,¡± This statement was a certainty. Wilfred¡¯s face immediately flushed from embarrassment. ¡°You¡¯re just Ms. Sheena¡¯s servant now. As a servant, you have no right to interrupt when the master is talking. Step aside.¡± The speed of this change in attitude was truly slick. Sheena despised sly folks who spoke differently depending on the situation. Uninterested in hearing more nonsense, she raised her hand, and Ford ced an exquisitely crafted ck and gold square box on the coffee table. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Wilfred looked confused. Sheena smiled and said, ¡°This is a small gift I brought for the Freeman residence today, Mr. Wilfred, why don¡¯t you open it and take a look?¡± Though Wilfred did not respond, he sensed a hint of mischief in her smile. Annie, however, greeted her warmly. ¡°Ms. Sheena, it¡¯s wonderful that you¡¯vee and brought a gift too. How courteous of you.¡± Approaching the table, she noticed the beautifully crafted ck and gold box. With curiosity in her heart, she opened it, only to find herself puzzled. Inside were thirty small bottles, each about half the size of a fist, neatly arranged. Choosing one at random and uncapping it, she discovered it contained clear liquid with a strange odor. Chapter 246 Chapter 246 Chapter 246 ¡°W¨CWhat is this stuff?¡± Ford replied, ¡°Ms. Sheena carefully prepared this for the Freeman residence. You three are supposed to drink one bottle every day.¡± Wilfred could notprehend what game Sheena was ying and approached to sniff the bottle, and his face changed drastically as he hastily put the bottle Annie held back into the box. ¡°Are these all M¨Cdrugs?¡± Sheena rested her chin on her hand, smiling brightly. ¡°Not all of them. Aside from poison, there are laxatives, itching drugs, and so on. Five out of the thirty bottles are sugar syrup. The chances of getting syrup are much higher than winning the lottery, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°Y¨CYou¡­¡± The couple was shocked by her words, unable to find the words to respond to her. Coco, understanding the situation, panicked. ¡°Dad, I don¡¯t want to drink any of them! I don¡¯t want to drink this kind of thing!¡± The family huddled together, trembling. ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far! Even if you don¡¯t consider our past rtions, this has nothing to do with me. I¡­. ¡°1 Sheena raised her trand to cut Wilfred off. ¡°You know the truth, and so do I. Besides, this is not solely because of this incident.¡± Wilfred was puzzled. ¡°How have I offended you before?¡± ¡°In the past, you helped Faye plot against me in front of Old Man Freeman. I haven¡¯t forgotten, and I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t either. Add to that the p you gave Elijah before and this M¨Cdrug incident. That¡¯s three offenses in total.¡± Elijah, standing nearby, keenly caught that middle sentence and suddenly felt moved. Since she remembered Wilfred hitting him and wanting to seek justice for him, did it mean she still cared for him? Wilfred also noticed that middle usation. ¡°Elijah is a part of my Freeman family. As an elder, what¡¯s wrong with pping him? Including this in the charges is too much!¡± Sheena retorted, ¡°He¡¯s my servant, and only my people can deal with him. The Freeman family has no say in it!¡± Elijah¡¯s happiness faded instantly when Sheena mentioned ¡®only my people¡®, not just her. After all, it would mean that Howard also fell into that category. 1/2 12 Chapter 246 272 Wilfred was speechless. However, being made to pick and drink a bottle of drugs every day felt like a fate worse than death. ¡°Anyway, I have no intention of admitting a single word of what you said, and I definitely won¡¯t drink it!¡± Wilfred dered. Sheena chuckled. ¡°I didn¡¯te here today to negotiate with you.¡± She finished speaking and nced at Ford. Ford immediately ced a stack of copies before the three, saying, ¡°Take a good look. Here is Madam Freeman¡¯s confession, evidence of your involvement in purchasing M¨Cdrugs from the ck market, and a timeline of the entire incident. Do you want to take a trip to the police, get convicted, or ept Ms. Sheena¡¯s gift?¡± The faces of the three changed drastically. Wilfred was so shocked that he could not even speak. He was in disbelief at how Sheena uncovered the truth in such a short time. Moreover, he had paid hush money to the ck market! Annie said urgently, ¡°Honey, you can¡¯t go to jail! You¡¯re the backbone of our family. If you fall, what will Coco and I do?¡± Coco echoed, ¡°You can¡¯t go to jail! Dad, if you have a criminal record, how can I face my high¨Csociety friends? No heir to a wealthy family would want to marry me. I won¡¯t be able to get married!¡± Wilfred was torn on both sides, looking at his wife and daughter with reddened eyes. ¡°But seeing you endure that torturous stuff every day is also unbearable for me!¡± Annie and Coco exchanged nces. ¡°Why should we drink it? You caused this mess. Can¡¯t you just pick three bottles at once?¡± Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Wilfred was taken aback. Chapter 247 1 Chapter 247 Chapter 247 ¡°You guys¡­¡± Did they just sell him out? Wilfred felt quite frustrated, but he was well aware that this matter had nothing to do with Annie and Coco. Hence, he could understand their refusal to drink the drugs. However, picking three bottles every day? What if he had terrible luck and chose three bottles of M- drugs? Did he really want to risk his life? He was not young anymore! What if he picked both M¨Cdrugs and axative? He might be tortured to death through both ends! No, he could not ept this! If he had to die, he would drag someone down with him! Wilfred gritted his teeth and looked at Elijah. ¡°You little brat, are you going against your own uncle? Did you forget your mom is involved in this too? If I¡¯m convicted, she should be too! If I have to endure this torture, she won¡¯t have it any better!¡± Elijah remained indifferent. ¡°If she made a mistake, she should be punished, and I won¡¯t show favoritism. Besides, I¡¯ve already taken the punishment for her that Sheena gave.¡± That drug almost took him to death¡¯s door, and Elijah figured he would never forget the unbearable feeling in this lifetime. This statement first expressed a sense of justice by punishing his own family, andter, he took the me for his mother, closing all the loopholes for Wilfred. Wilfred was unwilling, but he looked at the four bodyguards Sheena brought with her. Each one of them seemed tough to deal with. Even if he went by pure numbers, he did not have enough people on his side. Feeling helpless, Wilfred finally softened his tone. ¡°Ms. Sheena, can you give me a discount? Think about my age¡­ How can I withstand such torment?¡± Sheena smiled, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Since you¡¯ve spoken, we can naturally make a deal.¡± Wilfred had not had a chance to feel relieved when he heard her continue, ¡°But you have to exchange it with your Freeman Group¡¯s shares. 1% of the shares can spare you from drinking two bottles.¡± In other words, handing over all his shares would exempt him from drinking any. Annie and Coco both thought this was a good solution. ¡°Honey, now that the Freeman Group¡¯s stock market has plummeted, the shares are almost worthless. Why not use them to exchange with the drugs? It would be easier for you,¡± Annie suggested. Chapter 247 212 Wilfred rebuked her, saying, ¡°You know nothing.¡± It was obvious that Sheena came today for his shares! Those shares were his family¡¯s source of ie and thest thing Sebastian had left for him. He could not easily hand them over to an outsider. ¡°What do you think?¡± Sheena pursed her lips. ¡°No way! The shares are absolutely off the table, not in this lifetime nor the next!¡± Wilfred shouted. He looked at the opened ck and gold gift box on the table, took a deep breath, and picked up three bottles. He cracked them open and consumed them directly, ignoring the taste. After drinking, Wilfred immediately crouched on the ground, dry heaving. Annie and Coco hurried over to support him, and his wrinkled face quickly turned pale. ¡°Quick! Call the doctor. It might be toote if I have a seizure!¡± Having seen many things in their time, the bodyguards burst intoughter at his pathetic state. When Elijah knew he was consuming the M¨Cdrug, he did not even blink. Despite sharing the Freeman surname, the inherent pride could not be more different. Sheena added, ¡°From now on, John and Sawyer will watch you drink three bottles daily. Only when you¡¯ve finished them all will it count.¡± After that, she left the Freeman residence without looking back, and Elijah immediately followed her. With Wilfred¡¯s matter dealt with, it was almost time to go to work. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> GoContent protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Chapter 248 Chapter 248 This time, Sheena did not intend for Elijah to go directly home. Instead, they headed together to the Freeman Group¡¯s construction site. In the car, Sheena exined, ¡°The Freeman Group was previously involved in the Delomora project. Due to Faye¡¯s mismanagement and Bethany¡¯s shoddy work, the construction copsed unexpectedly. It even affected the newly built structure nearby. Bethany has been withholding payments, causing dissatisfaction among the construction team. If you were in charge, what would you do?¡± Elijah pondered momentarily and replied, ¡°Compensate and reassure the workers.¡± Sheena had hoped for some groundbreaking solution, but Elijah¡¯s answer fell short. ¡°It¡¯s futile. Sarah initially did that, but the workers still don¡¯t trust thepany. Thepany¡¯s performance has been stale. However, recing all the workers might upset the entire Delomora project team.¡± The car soon arrived at the construction site. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Elijah looked up at the building outside the window and earnestly met Sheena¡¯s gaze, saying, ¡°If you¡¯re willing to trust me this once, you can hand over this project to me. I can handle it.¡± Sheena pondered for a moment but did not give her consent. Suddenly, Wendy called again, telling her about an urgent matter on the Angle Group¡¯s side requiring her attention. Bncing between Angle and the Freeman Group had strained Sheena¡¯s energy. Especially with the Freeman Group facing a downturn, it would take a long time to restore it to its former glory. Moreover, she needed to reim the 1.2 billion dors from Bethany. Just as Sheena was contemting, Elijah suddenly stood up, kneeling on one knee in the car. His intense gaze fixed on her as he pleaded, ¡°Sheena, please trust me. The Freeman Group was entrusted to me by Grandpa a long time ago. It¡¯s the foundation of the entire Freeman family. I¡¯ve been in control of the Freeman Group for a long time and stillmand respect from many employees. I won¡¯t harm the Freeman Group or take advantage of the situation to seize your power.¡± Sheena lifted his chin with her delicate fingertips, her tone icy. ¡°Based on your recent actions, why should I trust you?¡± Elijah found himself momentarily speechless. The incident where he had injured her to test her identity was something nobody would readily believe. ¡°I admit that I initially agreed to sign the contract because I wanted to test you,¡± Elijah began. ¡°But as I spent time with you, I realized I genuinely like you. It¡¯s only been you since the start! So, I genuinely want to be by your side. Sheena, I¡­¡± Sheena ced her index finger on her red lips, gesturing for him to hush. She had no interest in hearing any more of these cheesy words. Elijah wisely fell silent. Chapter 248 2/2 Sheena asked, ¡°If I let you handle the Delomora project, what do you need from me?¡± ¡°Authorization,¡± he replied. At this, Sheena chuckled, ¡°You imed you had no ulterior motives. Elijah, you¡¯re quite the actor. It¡¯s a shame you didn¡¯t sign up with Angle Group as an artist. Your acting skills are wasted.¡± Looking at Elijah coldly, she opened the car door, ready to step out. Elijah hurriedly grabbed her wrist, sinking to one knee and straightening his back, kneeling at her feet. He exined, ¡°I want authority not to reim the Freeman Group but to make those people believe in me. If you¡¯re still wary, you can assign John and Sawyer to watch me. I won¡¯t y any tricks. 11 His ck eyes held an unusual sincerity, even a subtle hint of vulnerability. ncing at her phone, Sheena noticed Wendy¡¯s continuous messages. After a brief contemtion, she said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll trust you this once. You have one month to handle the entire Delomora project, from appeasing the construction team topleting the building. If you fail or dare to pull any tricks¡­¡± Elijah nodded. ¡°If I fail, my life is at your disposal.¡± Was this a life¨Cor¨Cdeath wager? ¡°That¡¯s your word. But there¡¯s one more thing. You can¡¯t let your work on the project interfere with the chores in the mansion. It should remain immacte when I return each day, and dinner should be steaming hot. Can you handle that?¡± With only twenty¨Cfour hours in a day, and considering the time spent eating and sleeping, there was barely half the day left. Bncing both responsibilities would be challenging. However, Elijah almost did not consider the difficulty. He stared into her eyes, smiling affectionately, ¡°Sure! A real man never says he can¡¯t do it!¡± Chapter 249 Chapter 249 Chapter 249 Sheena lightly furrowed her brows, sensing a hint of teasing in his words. She coldly huffed, sarcastically saying, ¡°I don¡¯t remember if you were up to it before, but now¡­¡± Elijah¡¯s face instantly paled, understanding her implication. Thanks to the injected modified drug, his stamina was not what it used to be. However, surrendering in that department was out of the question as a man. Without much thought, he replied, ¡°Should we try now? See if I¡¯m still good enough?¡± ¡°Elijah!¡± Sheena was infuriated and red at him. She harshly pinched his left cheek, giving it a firm twist. Elijah¡¯s face contorted in pain. Unable to dodge, he could only whine cutely, ¡°Eek, ouch¡­¡± Sheena released her grip. His left cheek turned red. Despite clearly being in pain, he dared not rub it while in her presence, looking pitiful and submissive. Although Sheena knew he was intentionally putting on a show, his miserable appearance eased her anger. ¡°Get out of the car. It¡¯s the first day of your life¨Cor¨Cdeath trial. I¡¯m heading back to Angle Group.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Elijah first brushed off the thin dust on his knee, straightened his cor, and then opened the car door with a cold expression before stepping out. Observing his smooth transition of expressions, Sheena could not help but think what a waste it was that he was not an actor. She made a call to arrange for John and Owen in the car to follow Elijah before heading to Angle Group herself. When deeply engrossed in work, time always flew by. Approaching the end of the workday, Sheena was about to call Sarah to inquire about the progress of the Delomora project. However, she received an iing call from Sarah just as she was about to make the call. Sarah sounded quite excited, saying, ¡°Miss, I don¡¯t know what Mr. Freeman did, but the project is back to its normal order! And it¡¯s only his very first day! The atmosphere at the construction site is harmonious. It¡¯s like magic!¡± Sheena frowned slightly, ¡°You¡¯ve only known him for a day, but you speak so highly of him. Are you on his side now?¡± ¡°Oh? No, no, no! I¡¯m forever yours, Miss. My heart is yours, my life is yours, and even when I die, I¡¯m yours¡­¡± Sheena interrupted, ¡°Enough. I don¡¯t need a pretty ghost.¡± Sarah chuckled twice. Chapter 249 Sheena regained herposure and instructed, ¡°Continue to work with him. Review all his decisions personally. Entrust him publicly, but behind the scenes, you take charge. Also, learn from his approach to handling problematic projects.¡± This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± After ending the call, Sheena proceeded to organize Phoebe¡¯s schedule. Taking advantage of the current momentum, Sheena helped Phoebe secure some brand endorsements in addition to the scheduled performances for the group. Because this was Phoebe¡¯s first endorsement shoot, Sheena was concerned about her stage fright. Hence, she nned to monitor the situation tonight. However, she also intended to leave work half an hour early tonight to check Elijah¡¯s housekeeping skills. Wendy was being assigned other tasks by Sheena, which led her to think it might be a good idea for Howard to oversee the situation. When Howard received her call, he was quite surprised. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re letting me oversee a new artist¡¯s endorsement shoot? Am I not important to you anymore?¡± ¡°Howard, you¡¯ve misunderstood. Phoebe is currently a priority for me to develop as an artist. Having you there will showcase thepany¡¯s high regard for her. From a different perspective, it¡¯s a sign of my utmost regard for you.¡± Howard knew she was just being sweet, but hearing his beloved sister say she regarded him the most still warmed his heart. ¡°Slick talker, help you out this time.¡± ¡°Thanks, Howard.¡± After sorting out everything, Sheena drove back to Ocean Avenue. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> Chapter 250 Chapter 250 172 Upon entering the garden, she called out to Sawyer and Owen and asked, ¡°When did Elijahe back? ¡°Mr. Freeman arrived about an hour ago, and he¡¯s been busy since he got home,¡± replied Sawyer. ¡°What about during the day?¡± ¡°He behaved normally. We were with him the entire time,¡± Owen exined. Sheena was not entirely convinced. However, it was only the first day, and if he wanted to gain her trust, he would likely keep a low profile for a few days. Pondering this, she pushed the door open. Upon hearing the noise, Elijah emerged from the kitchen, surprised to find it was Sheena. ¡°You¡¯re home so early today.¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is that not allowed?¡± ¡°Of course it is,¡± Elijah responded. He approached, took out slippers from the shoe cab, and handed them to her. ¡°Wee home! You must be tired from working all day.¡± Sheena noticed a slight panting in his voice, and his white shirt cor was damp with sweat, indicating that he had been busy the hour before she arrived. ¡°Is dinner ready?¡± she asked. ¡°Not yet¡­ Can you give me another twenty minutes?¡± Elijah requested. Seeing that he had been genuinely upied today, Sheena did not intend to make things difficult for him intentionally. She simply nodded and headed upstairs. In the evening, at Farlem men¡¯s prison. After dinner, the inmates were granted half an hour of free time. That night, the most respected guy in the prison was due for a visit, and Leon nned to take advantage of his absence to sneak into the bathroom for a quick shower. At this time, not many people were using the bathroom. As Leon took off his shirt, someone covered his mouth with a white cloth from behind and forcibly dragged him into a corner. While skilled in hand¨Cto¨Chandbat, Leon could not withstand an ambush from eightrge guys. They pinned him down, and by the time he realized the cloth was drugged, he had already lost consciousness. Leon woke up to apletely different environment. It was a run¨Cdown and dimly lit small house, and it was clear he had been transported out of the prison. He struggled against the restraints on his wrists and found both hands tightly bound with ropes, suspended upside down from the beam in the Chapter 250 shabby room. His toes barely managed to stabilize his weight on the ground. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. 212 This position was exhausting, as Leon¡¯s hands were suspended in reverse, causing his entire body to lose strength soon. The door of the small house creaked open, and he was shocked to see the people entering. ¡°Lionel, Logan¡­¡± Lionel ignored him while Logan walked up and delivered a punch. ¡°You two¨Cfaced traitor! Do you know who Jennifer truly is? You actually helped her falsely use Mr. Freeman in front of Ms. Sheena! Leon, are you a fool?¡± Mentioning Jennifer, Leon¡¯s emotions became somewhat agitated. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare speak ill of her! She hasn¡¯t done anything wrong! It¡¯s clearly Sheena¡¯s fault, and you all, along with Mr. Freeman, have been deceived by that bitch!¡± Logan was angered by his remarks. It was often said that girls were prone to bing foolish in love, but why did Leon¡¯s intelligence take a nosedive? ¡°Are you out of your mind? You¡¯ve followed Mr. Freeman for so many years. Saying you¡¯re as dumb as a pig is an insult to pigs!¡± Logan was infuriated, but Leon was stubborn, unwilling to hear anything negative about Jennifer. Lionel sighed. ¡°He won¡¯t listen to anything we have to say right now. No matter what you say, he believes Jennifer is great! Show him the evidence!¡± Leon, initially defiant, finally yielded when Logan presented the evidence against Jennifer. Chapter 251 Chapter 251 ¡°H¨CHow is this possible?¡± Leon stuttered when he saw the evidence in Logan¡¯s hands. It included the incident at the Moore mansion, where he encountered the killer disguised as a doctor. It turned out that Jennifer was truly behind it! She pretended to shelter him while secretly nning to eliminate him. Leon burst into tears, knowing that the evidence meticulouslypiled by Lionel and Logan could not be fake. Realizing this, he was crushed and felt suffocated. Jennifer had deceived him for so long, and it hurt him deeply. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I let down Mr. Freeman and betrayed his trust. Whatever punishment he decides, I¡¯ll ept it.¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Witnessing his heartbreaking tears, Lionel sighed. ¡°Recount everything you did for Jennifer, and don¡¯t miss a single detail.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± As he spoke, Lionel listened, and Logan recorded every word on theptop. ¡°That¡¯s all. Since the hijacking incident, Sheena had me arrested.¡± Logan handed theptop to Lionel, who carefully reviewed the information. After closing it, Lionel gazed at Leon with a slightlyplex expression. ¡°As formerrades, this is ourst meeting. Is there anything else you want to say?¡± Leon closed his eyes, feelingpletely hopeless. ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s my own foolishness. Do what you need to do.¡± Lionel chuckled. ¡°Do you think Mr. Freeman wants to kill you? He prefers you to live and repent.¡± ncing at the time, Lionel instructed Logan, ¡°Find two people to give him a hundredshes and send him back. Inform the leaders of the two factions in prison that anyone who treats him well in the future is at odds with Mr. Freeman.¡± ¡°Yes, Lionel.¡± Lionel grabbed theptop and left the small house without looking back. Soon, the sound of whipping mixed with the painful cries of a man echoed in the small house. The next day, Sheena finished breakfast and went to work. Elijah, having cleaned the dishes, left the house shortly after her. Despite no longer holding the position of the Freeman Group¡¯s leader, he stillmanded respect from his years of authority. Moreover, coupled with the 40% ownership stake, he maintained significant influence in the Freeman Group. Chapter 251WTN 2/2 However, Elijah¡¯s office was moved from the 28th floor to the 23rd floor, but he did not mind as these were mere titles for him. Nheless, if Sheena wanted it, he would spare no effort to help her. Elijah¡¯s indifference did not mean others felt the same. At lunchtime, Nelson Lincoln and Eric Sandler knocked on his door, greeting him with a big smile, ¡± Good afternoon, Mr. Freeman.¡± Elijah nced at them, asking coldly, ¡°What do you want?¡± Nelson and Eric exchanged a look before saying, ¡°We¡¯re here today to discuss something with you, Mr. Freeman.¡± Without lifting his head, Elijah replied, ¡°For major matters, talk to Ms. Sheena. For minor matters, find Ms. Peterson.¡± The two men stiffened, exchanging nces again. Eric hurriedly spoke, ¡°Since the change in ownership of the Freeman Group, Ms. Peterson has been suppressing those of us who have followed you for many years. Moreover, Ms. Sheena is unavable, and we have no way to reason with her. Now that you¡¯re back, what do you think about reiming the Freeman Group?¡± Elijah stopped typing but remained silent. Nelson seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, ¡°Also, Ms. Sheena seems to have little understanding of the real estate industry. Ms. Peterson is also clueless. Thepany can¡¯t keep going on like this, right?¡± His hands rested on the desk, lightly tapping rhythmically, and he appeared to be contemting. ¡°What do you want? Spit it out,¡± said Elijah. ¡°If you intend to reim the Freeman Group, we¡¯ll support you all the way! Not just us, but many senior employees are willing to follow your lead. Ms. Sheena has only 5% more shares than you, but you have been in control of the Freeman Group for a long time. If you confront her directly, your chances of winning are not low!¡± Elijah remained silent for a while before stating, ¡°Give me a list of all the supporters.¡± Nelson and Eric were delighted. ¡°So, you agree?¡± Elijah stayed silent. Chapter 252 Chapter 252 1/2 Knowing his cold temperament, they assumed Elijah had ns in mind and eagerly handed over the list. They thought once Elijah regained control of the Freeman Group, this group of employees might even receive some shares. Nelson and Eric were delighted, saying, ¡°Mr. Freeman, take your time. If there¡¯s anything we can do, just let us know.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± After that, they sensibly closed the door and left. Elijah was still looking at the list when a graceful figure in high heels suddenly opened the door quietly. He noticed her presence from the corner of his eye and looked up. Sheena, wearing a white figure¨Chugging skirt, stood with her hands crossed against the door frame. She was smiling, but her eyes were icy. From Elijah¡¯s point of view, her well¨Cproportioned figure was on full disy. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°What brings you here?¡± Sheena¡¯s tone was indifferent. ¡°This whole building is mine now. Can¡¯t Ie? Or is it that I came at the wrong time and happened to overhear something I shouldn¡¯t have?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Elijah stood up, ushering her to the sofa and pouring her tea. After completing these actions, he handed her the list that had just been given to him by Nelson and Eric. ¡± Take a look at this.¡± She nced at it, looking somewhat surprised. ¡°These people can give you the confidence to take back the Freeman Group. Did you just sell them out? II Elijah pursed his lips, kneeling on one knee, looking up at her seriously. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sheena was puzzled. ¡°I won¡¯t let you lift your head to talk to me in the future because I¡¯m the one who should look up to you,¡± Elijah spoke earnestly. His handsome face was like a work of art, and due to the effects of the modified drug, he appeared a bit pale, adding a touch of vulnerability. Sheena was stunned, not expecting such words toe from Elijah¡¯s mouth. Soon, shemented, You¡¯re really going all out to gain my trust, eh?¡± ¡°I know you don¡¯t believe me now, but with time, you¡¯ll understand that I haven¡¯t deceived you.¡® Sheena sneered, gripping Elijah¡¯s chin harshly. ¡°Elijah, I hate lies the most. When you used to have a Chapter 252 2/2 sharp tongue and disliked me, at least it was genuine. If I catch you lying and find evidence against you, you¡¯ll face the consequences ordingly!¡± Elijah was at a loss for words. Clearly, what he was saying now was the most genuine! Sheena released his chin, shifting her gaze back to the list. ¡°How should I deal with this group of employees who are loyal to you?¡± she asked. Elijah sighed. ¡°They¡¯ve been with the Freeman Group for many years, so we can¡¯t dismiss them all. Besides, humans are inherently greedy. If you provide the senior employees with good benefits for being loyal, they¡¯ll support you just the same over time.¡± Sheena asked, ¡°So, you want me to turn a blind eye and pretend I didn¡¯t see anything?¡± ¡°Yes. With this list, you can identify potential threats. You can reward them for their work and, at the same time, be watchful for any signs of disloyalty.¡± Sheena pondered for a while, somewhat skeptical, as she asked, ¡°So, you had Nelson and Eric write this list for me on purpose?¡± ¡°Yes, if you hadn¡¯te today, I would have personally handed the list to you when you returned to Ocean Avenue. But you happened toe and almost misunderstood me.¡± As he spoke, the corner of his mouth gently drooped, looking aggrieved. Ignoring his expression, Sheena asked, ¡°Giving me this list probably isn¡¯t for free, right? What do you want?¡± Elijah met her gaze and admitted openly, ¡°I want to request having an assistant.¡± Sheena was surprised at the simple request. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Lionel O¡¯Connor.¡± Chapter 253 Chapter 253 1/2 Lionel O¡¯Connor? The name sounded familiar. ¡°What¡¯s his rtionship with Leon?¡± Sheena asked. Elijah had no intention of hiding it and said, ¡°Both of them work under me.¡± Sheena propped her chin on her hand, elbow resting on her knee, and tilted her head, observing him up close, appearing particrly charming. Elijah¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Did she have any idea how captivating she looked with that expression? Just as he was lost in his thoughts, Sheena spoke, ¡°I can¡¯t believe that even in your current situation, you still have people willing to follow you. You probably have personal assets too, right?¡± Personal assets were one thing. He had many secrets he could not reveal to her right now. Elijah felt a bit pleased. ¡°Are you interested in managing my personal assets? I don¡¯t care about money. If you want it, I can hand it all over.¡± Sheena rolled her eyes at him. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your money. I¡¯m just curious. You could have used the money to redeem the Freeman mansion, at least ensuring your mom and sister have afortable life.¡± He lowered his head. ¡°My mom is harsh, and Erin is a spoiled brat. They both mistreat you, so this is my way of punishing them.¡± Sheena was somewhat surprised. ¡°I¡¯m just your ex¨Cwife, and they¡¯re your family. Are you really this ruthless toward them?¡± Elijah had always been principled. ¡°Right is right. I won¡¯t show favoritism. This is an opportunity to temper their characters.¡± While the reasoning seemed sound, Sheena could not shake the feeling that something was off. ¡°Erin, maybe, but Faye is your birth mother. Aren¡¯t you afraid she¡¯ll scold you for being unfilial?¡± Elijah lowered his head even more, his expression hidden from Sheena. After a moment of silence, he said, ¡°She can endure it. If she can¡¯t handle it, I¡¯ll take care of it for her.¡± Sheena found herself appreciating his approach in this matter. ¡°I¡¯m going back to Angle Group. Go about with your things,¡± she said. ¡°Okay.¡± Sheena headed toward the door, but she noticed he was still squatting out of the corner of her eye. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you getting up?¡± Chapter 253 2/2 Elijah¡¯s face turned even paler. ¡°My legs¡­ are numb.¡± Sheena chuckled and left the room without paying any more attention to him. Before leaving, she informed Sarah about his request for an assistant. Sarah was efficient, and Lionel eagerly reported to Elijah¡¯s office that same afternoon. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you really have a way. Now, we don¡¯t need to sneak around for our meetings anymore. You haven¡¯t even raised Ms. Sheena¡¯s suspicions. Impressive!¡± Lionel said, grinning. Elijah originally engrossed in his work on theputer, was suddenly drawn to Lionel¡¯sment. He looked at him and scolded. ¡°What do you mean by sneaking around for our meetings? I¡¯m dealing with legitimate business here!¡± Without hesitation, Elijah grabbed a pen from his desk and threw it at Lionel. Lionel did not dodge, and the pen hit him square on the forehead. He winced, rubbing his head. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you¡¯re ruthless. I might have a concussion. You owe mepensation for a workce injury.¡± Elijah, his gaze icy, picked up another pen. ¡°Still fooling around?¡± Lionel immediately said, ¡°Sorry! I won¡¯t say that again!¡± After the yful exchange, they got down to business. Lionel first checked the entire office to ensure there were no listening or monitoring devices. Satisfied, he handed Elijah the information he had pried from Leon. Elijah meticulously reviewed the evidence, including Leon¡¯s testimony and the timeline of events. ¡°Mr. Freeman, with this evidence from Leon, you can prove your innocence to Ms. Sheena.¡® || Elijah remained silent. After contemting, he tore the documents right down the middle until they were completely shredded. Chapter 254This is from N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 254 Chapter 254 Lionel was stunned, eximing, ¡°Mr. Freeman! What are you doing? This is evidence that proves you didn¡¯t harm Ms. Sheena!¡± Elijah remained indifferent. ¡°If I show her this evidence, the tiny bit of trust I¡¯ve managed to build with her will bepletely gone.¡± Lionel did not understand and watched the shredded papers with a pang of heartache. He had worked hard to gather this information. Elijah did not even nce at the pile of paper. ¡°When you handed me this evidence just now, I realized that with Sheena and her brothers¡® power, there¡¯s no way they couldn¡¯t find out the truth. It¡¯s not that she didn¡¯t investigate. She had already convinced herself that I was the culprit.¡± Elijah sighed, realizing that Sheena truly did not trust him at all. Rebuilding her trust, bit by bit, was no easy task. ¡°Moreover, if I had given her this evidence, she would have known about everything I¡¯ve been doing behind her back¨Cinvestigating and meeting with Leon. She would be even more suspicious of me in the future.¡± Lionel understood now, feeling sympathy for him. ¡°So, you¡¯ll have to take the me for this alone¡­ Leon deserves more than a hundredshes. He should¡¯ve gotten two hundred!¡± Half a monthter. The Freeman Group gradually recovered from a period of decline, and various projects started to pick up. When Sarah handed over the data to Sheena, she was pleased. ¡°Considering the current situation, the Freeman Group¡¯s financial status has stabilized. We can start nning to approach the Carver Group for the outstanding payment.¡± Sarah nodded. ¡°Miss, what¡¯s your n?¡± Sheena smirked. ¡°From now on, snatch any business within our capacity that the Carver Group is eyeing!¡± Suddenly, the assistant knocked and said, ¡°Ms. Sheena, Mr. Upton is here.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Sarah left the office, exchanging polite nods with Colin, who had just entered. Once Sarah was completely out, Colin sat opposite Sheena¡¯s workspace. Sheena did not even look at Colin. ¡°What brings you here today, Colin?¡± Colin smiled, blushing slightly. ¡°Sheena, did you forget? My birthday is in three days.¡± Chapter 254 Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. 2/2 Indeed, Sheena hadpletely forgotten. ¡°So, you want me to wish you a happy birthday in advance? I remember your parents used to host a party for your birthday. How long are you nning to stay in Svelton this time?¡± Colin¡¯s blush deepened. ¡°Those were things from when I was a kid. My parents said unless I bring someone back, there¡¯s no need for me to return.¡± Sheena instantly understood his motive foring today. ¡°You¡¯re the beloved heir of the Upton family. How could Uncle and Auntie not want you home? Don¡¯t use these tricks to fool me.¡® Being exposed did not discourage Colin. Instead, he said, ¡°I know you won¡¯t return to Svelton for now, but how abouting out for dinner with me in three days? Consider it your birthday gift to me. Shouldn¡¯t be a problem, right?¡± As a friend, his request was not unreasonable, and Sheena had no reason to refuse, so she agreed. Meanwhile, Lionel entered Elijah¡¯s office on the 23rd floor, reporting, ¡°Mr. Freeman, I heard Mr. Upton is here again, having a private conversation with Ms. Sheena on the top floor.¡± ¡°Private conversation?¡± Elijah frowned. Whenever Colin showed up, trouble was sure to follow. Elijah quickly stood up, pushed open the office door, and took the elevator to the top floor. Colin had just left Sheena¡¯s office and was waiting for the elevator to go down. As the doors opened, they came face to face. Colin smiled and spoke first, ¡°Mr. Freeman, what a coincidence.¡± Elijah¡¯s face remained cold, and his tone indifferent. ¡°It¡¯s no coincidence. I came here to find you.¡± Chapter 255 Chapter 255 Chapter 255 Chapter 255 1/2 The two of them finally headed to the quiet and secure escape corridor inside the building. Lionel and Colin¡¯s assistant took their positions on either side of the escape corridor. Colin casually leaned on the railing of the escape corridor, asking, ¡°What do you want to say?¡± Elijah stared at him intensely, his expression ice¨Ccold. ¡°If Katie and Sheena can¡¯t get along in the future, who would you choose?¡± Colin pondered momentarily and replied, ¡°It won¡¯t happen because Katie already knows Sheena¡¯s identity. As long as Katie cares about Howard, she won¡¯t pick a fight with Sheena again.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Elijah sneered. ¡°From what I know, Howard and Katie¡¯s engagement has been on hold for two years. They still haven¡¯t married because Howard hasn¡¯t given the green light. Recently, Howard wanted to break off the engagement, and your dad persuaded him not to.¡± ¡°And what does that have to do with anything?¡± Colin was confused. ¡°You know Sheena well. Katie has harmed her, and she did not hold back, using ruthless means to hurt Sheena. Sheena will never get along with Katie in this lifetime, and Katie is not someone who can tolerate losses. So, between your sister and Sheena, you can only choose one.¡± Colin felt a bit annoyed. ¡°What¡¯s the problem? Can¡¯t I have both? I¡¯ll talk to them and resolve their issues.¡± Elijah chuckled. ¡°You don¡¯t really like Sheena that much, and you¡¯re just fooling yourself. Katie will eventually get married, but your hesitation in this situation meant you¡¯re not worthy of Sheena.¡± ¡°Oh, please. You¡¯re the one who can¡¯t match up to her. Since you signed that agreement with her, your chances of remarriage have been non¨Cexistent.¡± Elijah shrugged indifferently. ¡°If we don¡¯t remarry, so be it. At least I can protect her in a different way. Before shepletely rejects me, I must choose a man who truly loves and cares for her, but you¡¯re definitely not that man.¡¯ 11 Colin¡¯s expression softened at those words. ¡°That man you¡¯re talking about is me! We are well¨Csuited in every aspect, and I¡¯ve been secretly in love with her for many years. I wouldn¡¯t mind that she¡¯s divorced, so how am I unworthy of her? How many men canpare to me?¡± Elijah frowned, giving him several scrutinizing looks. The fact that he brought up the term ¡°divorced ¡°showed that he did care about it deep down. He was deceiving himself into loving Sheena, convincing himself he must win her over. Seeing Elijah¡¯s silence, Colin sincerely shared his joy. ¡°You probably don¡¯t know yet, but she has already agreed to have dinner with me alone in three days. I n to surprise her that day, and she¡¯ll ept my proposal. As for you, you¡¯ll never have a chance!¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Colin looked at Elijah, obviously provoking him. Chapter 255 2/2 Elijah¡¯s anger surged, and he grabbed Colin¡¯s cor, warning him with a low voice, ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired of pretending? I suspect you had ulterior motives from the beginning of your friendship with her. Stay away from her!¡± Colin shrugged off Elijah¡¯s hand dismissively. ¡°Do you really think you can stop me?¡± Indeed, the engagement between Howard and Katie was uncertain. However, the alliance between the Upton and Lawson families was an inevitable trend. Moreover, Colin genuinely liked Sheena, so marrying her would be a win¨Cwin situation. Even so, Colin would not disclose these thoughts to Elijah. The two men exchanged warning nces, the tension escting in the air. After several back and forths, their respective assistants intervened, pulling them away. Once Colin left, Elijah, apanied by Lionel, returned to his office. The thought of Colin¡¯s n three dayster filled him with uncontroble anger, and he mmed his fist on the table with a loud bang, startling Lionel. ¡°Mr. Freeman, regarding Mr. Upton¡­ What do you n to do?¡± Lionel asked cautiously. Elijah¡¯s anger red up at the mention of Colin¡¯s name. ¡°Within three days, find a way to get him out of Farlem. The farther, the better. Don¡¯t let him bother me here.¡± ¡°Ah? About this¡­¡± Lionel hesitated. ¡°He has the support of the Svelton¡¯s Upton family. Mr. Freeman, I Chapter 256 Chapter 256 Chapter 256 Elijah snorted, giving Lionel a disdainful look. ¡°The Upton family is the weakest among the four major families in Svelton. Besides, he clearly didn¡¯t bring many bodyguards this time, obviouslying without anyone knowing. Can¡¯t you handle that?¡± Lionel pursed his lips, feeling like Elijah was throwing unreasonable challenges his way. ¡°Hm?¡± Elijah continued, ring at him. Lionel instantly cowered, chuckling nervously. ¡°I can handle it! I¡¯ll discuss it with Logan and the others. However, you might need to cooperate when the timees.¡± Elijah¡¯s expression returned to normal. ¡°Good.¡± Sheena had shown a bit more trust in him in the past half¨Cmonth, not making John and Sawyer watch him daily, which pleased him. Three dayster, Sheena nned to leave work an hour early because she had dinner ns with Colin. Just as she finished organizing her desk and was ready to head out, she received a call from Ford at Ocean Avenue. ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Freeman identally got injured and is bleeding from his waist. You need toe back and check on him!¡± Sheena found it strange and asked, ¡°If he¡¯s injured, why not call a doctor? Why do I need toe back?¡± ¡°Mr. Freeman said it¡¯s an old injury from when he was looking for you in the mountains in Luivine. Today, he identally worsened it while doing household chores. Besides, his health is not what it used to be, and I¡¯m helping him stop the bleeding. Won¡¯t youe back to see him?¡± It was from the old injury on his waist caused by Corey¡¯s men. ¡°Okay, I got it.¡± After hanging up on Ford, she tried calling Colin¡¯s phone, but the voicemail indicated he was out of the service area. Sheena did not dwell on it, assuming he was busy with work. With an hour to spare before the scheduled dinner, Sheena decided to drive back to Ocean Avenue. Upon reaching the second floor, she found Ford wrapping Elijah¡¯s waist withyers of bandages, still showing faint traces of blood. Sheena took a seat nearby and asked, ¡°What happened? Wasn¡¯t the wound healed a long time ago? How did it reopen?¡± Upon seeing her return, Elijah smiled happily. ¡°Because today is a special day, I wanted to cook a few more dishes. Unfortunately, I identally hurt my waist in the kitchen.¡± Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. A special day? Chapter 256 2/2 Was it not Colin¡¯s birthday? What special day could it be for her? Noticing her furrowed brows, Elijah exined, ¡°Did you forget? Six years ago today, Grandpa adopted you from the orphanage and brought you to the Freeman mansion. It was also the first¡­ No, the second time we met.¡± Sheena was stunned, not expecting Elijah to remember the matter as she had long forgotten it. Elijah seemed to sense her thoughts and continued, ¡°Ever since I realized I truly liked and cared about you, I¡¯ve kept everything about your past in my heart.¡± Sheena remained silent, her expression unchanged. Elijah finished bandaging and approached d her, looking at her with hopeful eyes. ¡°Sheena, when you first entered the Freeman mansion six years ago, I wasn¡¯t there for you. Let me make it up to you this time. I¡¯ve prepared a lot of dishes. Will you have dinner with me?¡± Sheena¡¯s frown deepened, and her expression gradually turned serious. ¡°No.¡± Chapter 257 Chapter 257 Elijah was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting her to reject him so decisively. Sheena spoke firmly, ¡°My life was ruined from the day Old Man Freeman brought me into the Freeman mansion. Old Man Freeman showed me kindness but didn¡¯t trust me either. Faye falsely used me of stealing jewelry, and Wilfred sided with her. Old Man Freeman didn¡¯t say a word. Although I don¡¯t harbor resentment toward him for that incident, asking me to celebrate the day I entered the Freeman mansion is absolutely impossible!¡± Her gaze was icy to the core. It had been long since Elijah had seen her look at him with such eyes. Panicking, he apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know it was like this¡­¡± Sheena did not direct her anger toward him. ¡°You were probably busy with work at the Freeman Group then. Not knowing is understandable, but there¡¯s no need for this dinner.¡± As she spoke, Sheena checked the time; it was alreadyte. After instructing Ford to take care of Elijah, she turned to leave. Elijah quickly grabbed her hand, asking, ¡°Sheena, do you know that Colin is going to propose to you tonight?¡± Sheena was unsurprised but still questioned, ¡°How do you know?¡± Elijah exined, ¡°He told me thest time he came to the Freeman Group looking for you. I think he¡¯s too soft¨Chearted. He might be a good friend but not a good husband, and being with him will make you sad!¡± Sheena shared Elijah¡¯s opinion on this matter. Colin¡¯s gentle nature extended not only to one person but everyone. However, hearing this reminder from Elijah felt ironic. ¡°Whether he is a good husband remains uncertain, but you certainly aren¡¯t one. So, what right do you have to say these things?¡± Elijah¡¯s face turned pale. After a long pause, he looked back at her and said, ¡°As your ex¨Chusband, I failed in my duties and hurt you. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Sheena released his tightly gripped hand. ¡°No need to apologize. Once this one¨Cyear agreement is fulfilled, there will be no mutual obligations between us. We¡¯ll be like two parallel lines that never cross.¡± Elijah¡¯s face grew increasingly paler. He watched helplessly as she freed herself and left the mansion, wondering if Sheena actually had feelings for Colin. Colin reserved an entire floor for the rooftop restaurant in Farlem¡¯s well¨Cknown D¡¯Ave Hotel. He adorned the entire space with 9,999 red roses and secretly hid the ring box within the birthday cake, 1/2 12 Chapter 257 2/2 A long table disyed exquisite gifts, each representingpensation for every birthday and holiday he had missed during the six years apart from Sheena. Colin meticulously checked every little surprise, ensuring there were no issues. He straightened his tie, intending to practice how to express himself. This marked his third confession to Sheena sinceing to Farlem for her. The previous two attempts were either too hasty or sabotaged by some meddlesome individuals. This time, he was determined to seed! Lost in his thoughts, Colin suddenly noticed a bodyguard in a suit approaching. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hello, Mr. Upton. I am Ms. Sheena¡¯s bodyguard.¡± ¡°Why haven¡¯t I seen you before?¡± Logan smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯m John. Ms. Sheena sent me out on a mission before. When you came to Ocean Avenuest time, Sawyer and Owen escorted you back.¡± ¡°Ah, I see.¡± Colin returned the smile. Seeing the young man¡¯s friendly appearance, Colin did not doubt him. Given Sheena¡¯s preference for good looks, he figured even her bodyguards would be handsome. Logan continued, ¡°Yes, Mr. Upton. Ms. Sheena said she has prepared a surprise birthday gift for you and would like you to go to the rooftop to see it.¡± Hearing that Sheena had prepared a gift for him, Colin was delighted. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s so thoughtful of her.¡± Colin followed Logan, and the two bodyguards apanying him tried to follow. Logan noticed and questioned, ¡°Ms. Sheena is waiting alone on the rooftop for you, Mr. Upton. Do you really need to bring bodyguards to dampen her surprise?¡± Chapter 258 Chapter 258 Chapter 258 Colin gave it a thought and realized it would not be appropriate to have two extra guests during such a romantic moment. ¡°You two wait here. It¡¯s just the rooftop. There shouldn¡¯t be any problems.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Upton.¡± The elevator at D¡¯Ave Hotel could not directly reach the rooftop, so they had to use the escape corridor to ess the top floor. Logan opened the rooftop door and gestured with a bow. Colin returned the gesture with a polite smile and confidently walked in. To his surprise, the rooftop was empty, devoid of anything. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Where¡¯s Sheena? You tricked me!¡± He turned around to leave, and suddenly, a man dressed in a hotel staff uniform lunged at him, covering his mouth with a white cloth. Colin struggled briefly before being overpowered and brought down. The man in the hotel staff uniform removed his mask, revealing Lionel¡¯s face. Logan asked, ¡°Where should we take him?¡± Lionel thought for a moment, replying, ¡°Have the guys take the staff passage to the jetty and load him onto a cargo ship, preferably one heading out to sea. Mr. Freeman did say as far as possible.¡± Logan expressed concern, ¡°Is it safe to dump him on a cargo ship with nothing? After all, he¡¯s the heir of the Upton family.¡± Lionel gave him a light p, ¡°You worry for him? Do you think a healthy man like him can¡¯t find his way? And how long do you think we can hide it from the Upton family? He had the gall to call Ms. Sheena a divorcee. Tossing him on a cargo ship is letting him off easy.¡± ¡°What about the two Upton family bodyguards downstairs?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle them.¡± With their roles assigned, the two men went their separate ways, initiating their respective actions. Sheena was on her way to the D¡¯Ave Hotel when her phone suddenly disyed a message from Colin. [Colin: Sheena, the Upton family has an urgent matter requiring my return. We¡¯ll have to reschedule our dinner. I¡¯m sorry!] She found it strange for the Upton family to have such an urgent matter at thiste hour. Moreover, Colin was not the type to breakmitments. Thus, Sheena pulled over to the side of the road to call Colin. Chapter 258 212 However, the call went straight to voicemail with an automated message about the phone being switched off. Was he already on a ne? Without dwelling on it too much, Sheena turned the car around and headed back to Ocean Avenue. Elijah¡¯s joy at her return was evident when he saw her. Sheena found his attentiveness odd but did not pay it much attention. She casually ate a few bites for dinner and went upstairs to rest. The next day, they both headed to the office as usual. In the CEO¡¯s office at the Freeman Group, Sheena, Elijah, and Sarah were working on the detailed ns for the pre¨Cselection project against the Carver Group. John urgently knocked on the office door, shouting, ¡°Miss!¡± When he noticed Elijah and Sarah, he abruptly fell silent. Sheena sensed the concern in his eyes and, though puzzled, made up a quick excuse to have Elijah and Sarah step out. Once everyone was gone, Sheena asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± John approached her and whispered, ¡°There¡¯s an urgent message from Farlem Women¡¯s Prison. Jennifer has gone missing!¡± Chapter 259 1/2 Chapter 259 Chapter 259 Chapter 259 Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Jennifer has gone missing? Sheena frowned and asked, ¡°How could she just disappear from prison?¡± John shook his head. ¡°She vanished during the half¨Chour recreational time after dinner yesterday as if she vanished into thin air. No traces left.¡± ¡°No traces?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°A person can¡¯t just vanish into thin air. How is it possible not to find any leads? We need a thorough investigation! Check everyone who recently visited her, how long they stayed, and leave no detail unexamined!¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson!¡± ¡°Wait.¡± As John was about to leave, Sheena stopped him, her expression grave as she added, ¡°Also, check all recent visitation records for Lionel.¡± ¡°Are you suspecting¡­¡± John did not finish his sentence. Sheena¡¯s gaze grew colder. Hopefully, she was just overthinking. That afternoon, heavy rain poured down. As the day neared sunset, the rain intensified rather than subsided, sttering on the window. The weather was dreadfully gloomy as if silently conveying something. Sheena stood by the full¨Clength window, watching the rain with an unreadable expression. John spent the entire day investigating and returned to report to Sheena in thete evening. ¡°Ms. Lawson, I¡¯ve thoroughly checked all records. In the past half month, only one person visited both Jennifer and Leon.¡± Sheena¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Lionel O¡¯Connor.¡± John handed her the documents respectfully. ¡°Moreover, not long ago, Leon also disappeared from the prison for an hour. Heter imed to have mistakenly entered the freezer and was locked inside when the staff left, but¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± ¡°But when he was found, he was covered in blood, with injuries resembling those from whips orshes. Both Leon and Lionel seem to be Mr. Freeman¡¯s subordinates.¡± Sheena questioned, ¡°Why are you only reporting this now?¡± ¡°Because at that time, we thought it was really just an idental locking in the freezer due to a feud with one of the gang leaders in the prison. Since Leon wasn¡¯t missing, everyone thought there was no major problem.¡± The presence of a weapon capable of causing harm, like a whip, in the prison was suspicious. Clearly, someone orchestrated this, having Leon taken out and brought back. Chapter 259 2/2 Sheena suddenly recalled Elijah¡¯s unusual behavior yesterday afternoon when she returned to him. Was he intentionally dying her to keep her from discovering Jennifer¡¯s disappearance? She checked the investigation report and found that Jennifer mysteriously vanished during that time. Could it be just a coincidence? When she returned to Elijah, he seemed overjoyed. Was he celebrating Jennifer¡¯s sessful escape from prison? Sheena scoffed. She thought Elijah had genuinely repented in recent times. Unfortunately, it was all a ploy to divert her attention and facilitate Jennifer¡¯s escape. Were those words about facing the consequences just nonsense? Was he exempting Jennifer from any wrongdoing? Unbelievable! The more Sheena thought about it, the angrier she became, and she furiously overturned a stack of files on the table. With a loud crash, the room was a mess. ¡°Ms. Lawson¡­¡± John, witnessing her furious outburst for the first time, took two steps back in fear. Sheen ordered, ¡°We¡¯re going back to the mansion!¡± John took on the driver¡¯s role willingly to prevent her from speeding due to her anger. The rain poured heavily on the car window, creating a loud and annoying noise. The rain did not extinguish the anger in Sheena¡¯s heart; instead, it burned even more intensely. Arriving at the mansion, John was about to take an umbre and help her open the car door when he saw her leaving the car and walking directly into the garden in the rain. John was frightened and hurriedly caught up, shouting, ¡°Ms. Lawson! Use an umbre! Don¡¯t catch a cold!¡± In the mansion, Elijah was cooking in the kitchen. He was taken by surprise when he heard John¡¯s shout. Checking the time, he realized that Sheena was twenty minutes earlier today. He was delighted, cleaned his hands after chopping vegetables, and came out to greet her. Chapter 260 Chapter 260 Chapter 260 Chapter 260 1/2 As Elijah walked out, he noticed her walking inpletely soaked. Then, he quickly went to the bathroom, grabbed a clean towel, and began to help her dry off. ¡°Did you forget to bring an umbre? How did you end uping back in the rain? The weather has been getting coldertely. Don¡¯t catch a cold. I¡¯ll make you some soupter, okay?¡± Sheena remained silent, observing him closely. She watched him express concern with no signs of embarrassment or hesitation. Moreover, the affection and love in his eyes were unmistakable. Using affection as a guise to lower her guard, all to save Jennifer. What a cunning strategy! What a convincing act! Elijah noticed that the atmosphere around her was bing increasingly tense, and he asked, ¡® Sheena, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Sheena smiled, her gaze, however, exuded a coldness. ¡°The fallen leaves in the garden are too many. Go clean them up.¡± Elijah looked outside. ¡°But it¡¯s raining heavily¡­¡± ¡°Clean them up, and thene inside.¡± Sheena ignored his words and went upstairs. Elijah felt that her mood tonight was off. Was something bothering her, and she wanted to take it out on him? 11 Helpless, he chuckled and went to the backyard to grab a broom, starting to sweep away the fallen leaves. Within five minutes of rushing into the rain, he waspletely drenched. With winter approaching, the leaves fell aggressively, especially in heavy rain, making it impossible to clean them all. Sheena stood on the third¨Cfloor balcony, watching numbly. If Elijah truly loved Jennifer, he could have rescued her from prison from the beginning. They could have been direct enemies, shing openly, and she could have epted his indifference or even hatred toward her. However, he should not deceive her under the guise of repaying a debt while iming to love her. It was utterly shameless! Sheena clenched her fists tightly, a burning anger roaring within her. She called Ford into the room, and they stood together on the balcony, watching Elijah sweep the fallen leaves in the garden, Without waiting for Sheena to speak, Ford expressed concern, ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Freeman injured his back yesterday, and this rain is too cold. His body might not endure it for long.¡± Chapter 260 2/2 Sheena stared intensely at Elijah and sneered. ¡°Does he look like someone with a back injury?¡± ¡°Miss, what do you mean?¡± Sheena did not answer, continuing to ask, ¡°When he got injured yesterday, did you see his wound?¡± Ford thought for a moment and admitted, ¡°No, Mr. Freeman called me into the room. When I entered, his wound was already halfway bandaged. It was bleeding, but it shouldn¡¯t¡­ be fake, right?¡± Could it be fake? ¡°Let him stand in the rain for another hour. If he still can¡¯t clean everything up, let hime in.¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± The rain was heavy, blurring one¡¯s vision. Although Elijah kept his head down, he could sense a constant gaze on him, whichsted a while. It must be Sheena. However, she was colder than ever before. Could it be that she found out about him arranging Colin¡¯s disappearance? Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Lost in thought, Elijah unknowingly continued to sweep the fallen leaves outside for a full hour. It was not until Ford came out, telling him to go to Sheena¡¯s room, that he snapped back to reality and returned the broom to the backyard. Before entering the house, he hesitated. Elijah¡¯s clothes were too wet, and he was dripping water everywhere. He did not want to dirty the floor that had just been cleaned, especially Sheena¡¯s room. So, he chose to stand at the doorway, wringing out the water from his clothes and pants before entering. He also used the same towel that had just wiped Sheena¡¯s clothes to dry his hair hastily. Elijah appeared as if he had just taken a shower, his short hair neat and clean, the white shirt clinging to his body, revealing well¨Cdefined abdominal muscles. However, due to the rain, his lips were slightly pale, making him look sickly and fragile. Ford stood silently on the side, observing Elijah as he meticulously arranged every detail of his appearance. Ford could not help but sigh quietly. Elijah had no idea what awaited him shortly. Chapter 261 Chapter 261 Elijah noticed Ford sighing and asked, ¡°Ford, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Ford hesitated before adding, ¡°Mr. Freeman, I won¡¯t join you upstairs.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elijah did not dy and went straight upstairs. Upon opening the door, Elijah quickly sensed the tense atmosphere and was met with a pair of cold, murderous eyes. ¡°Sheena, it¡¯s already 8 p.m. Are you hungry? Has the recent pressure from bothpanies taken a toll on you? What¡¯s bothering you?¡± Elijah¡¯s tone was gentle, with a hint of hope. Sheena, with a forced smile, waved him over. ¡°Come here, get closer.¡± Elijah obediently walked over, standing in front of her. Before he could squat down, Sheena grabbed his white shirt and forcefully opened it, exposing the bandages wrapped around his waist. Elijah was startled. ¡°Sheena, you¡­¡± Sheena did not listen to him but continued to cruelly pull apart the thick bandages he had wrapped around himself. Apart from a long scar on his waist, there were no new wounds. She mocked, ¡°Weren¡¯t you injured yesterday? Why was the wound scabbed today? I didn¡¯t know you had a natural healing ability!¡± This statement hit Elijah hard. He had already warned Lionel that they would not be able to hide this matter from Sheena for long! Sheena, who detested deception, caught him red¨Chanded this time. Almost instantly, Elijah dropped to his knees at Sheena¡¯s feet and pleaded, ¡°Sheena, I was wrong. I didn¡¯t mean to deceive you.¡± When Elijah used this tone in the past, Sheena knew he was putting on an act but did not bother exposing him. Today, seeing him still resorting to such behavior, she felt nothing but disgust, and her anger was close to consuming her rationality. Sheposed her emotions and asked, ¡°Were you nning to get rid of that person by faking your injury?¡± She was too disgusted to even mention Jennifer¡¯s name. Elijah was taken aback, thinking Sheena had found out about Colin. That was quick¡­ ¡°You already found out everything.¡± Since he was caught, Elijah had no intention of hiding anything. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just felt that person was unworthy of you.¡± Chapter 261 2/2 Sheena was stunned that he openly admitted it, acknowledging that he had deceived her during this time. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®that person was unworthy of me¡®?¡± Sheena clenched her fists, suppressing her anger. She sneered, ¡°Elijah, you¡¯re really amusing. Are you trying to say that person is not worthy of my attention? So, you want to send that person away, far away, to a ce where I¡¯ll never see them again?¡± Elijah felt her statement was strange, but he could not pinpoint exactly what was odd because, in essence, he did have such intentions. Seeing him remain silent, Sheena, holding back her fury, asked, ¡°Where is that person?¡± Elijah still did not speak. Lionel had casually sent Colin on an export cargo ship, and who knew which country he ended up in. Thus, Elijah shook his head. Even though he was telling the truth, Sheena did not see it that way. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Silence was a form of resistance! For thest time, Sheena patiently looked down at the man kneeling at her feet. ¡°Elijah, you know me. Regardless of how much you¡¯ve hidden or whether you can manipte things outside like a puppet master, you¡¯re my servant as long as you¡¯re in this house. You should obey me. Even disobedient pets receive punishment, let alone you. What do you say?¡± Her icy gaze looked at him like an unruly pet. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you one more time. Where is that person?¡± Elijah raised his head to meet her gaze. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 262 Chapter 262 Noticing her icy stare, Elijah suddenly felt extremely ufortable. Did it mean she would punish him for Colin¡¯s sake? So, did she genuinely like Colin? Elijah¡¯s heart throbbed painfully. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Elijah said, his eyes reddening, looking at her with utmost seriousness. ¡°Is it because you like that person so much that you want to punish me for what I did to that person? I only sent that person away!¡± Sheena burst intoughter. It was the first time she had seen someone shamelessly continue to lie like this. This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Elijah, it¡¯s clear that you like that person! How could you bear to bring that person harm? Aren¡¯t you disgusted by your own act?¡± Elijah was utterly confused. How could he possibly like Colin? ¡°I only like women! Moreover, I only like you! Everything I did during this time was sincere. Can¡¯t you see that?¡± Even though Elijah was on his knees, looking up at Sheena when he shouted, his momentum was fierce, showing no signs of surrender. Sheena was somewhat impressed by his skill in ying dumb, but she did not have the patience to listen to Elijah further, so she stood up and walked to the window. The rain outside was still pouring heavily, creating a loud sound as it hit the eaves and the stone bs, as noisy as the voice of a certain man in the room. She narrowed her eyes, unable to suppress her anger any longer. ¡°The rain tonight is magnificent. Since you insist on not speaking, kneel in the garden and enjoy the rain. Rise only when you¡¯re ready to tell the truth.¡± ¡°What?¡± Elijah was dumbfounded. If he knelt in the garden, all the bodyguards would see him! Was she trampling on his dignity, for Colin¡¯s sake? Sheena numbly watched the raindrops creating lines on the window. ¡°Do you remember when Faye wrongly used me of stealing jewelry? Although Erin repaid the debt, she knelt for less than half an hour. The duration is too short, so kneel andpensate for that time.¡± Elijah had always felt remorse about this matter. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, supporting his knees and standing up. ¡°But I kneel because I owe you, the Freeman Chapter 262 2/2 family owes you. I do it for you, not because I think I did something wrong. Even if it happens again, I will still send that person away.¡± This statement ignited Sheena¡¯s anger to the extreme. She exploded, ¡°Get out and kneel!¡± Elijah straightened his back and walked out. Sheena stood by the window, watching. As Elijah reached the spot in the garden beneath her window, he knelt on the stone bs without hesitation. Despite the rain and the cold wind, he showed no signs of submission. The heavy rain, apanied by a chill, soaked him entirely. Each raindrop felt like a painfulsh whenever it hit his shoulders and head. He struggled to lift his head, looking toward the third¨Cfloor window. His longshes were coated with droplets, turning his vision slightly blurry. Sheena¡¯s room was lit, and she stood by the window. Due to the backlighting, Elijah could not see her face, but he keenly felt her gaze on him. However, her gaze was as cold as the impending winter rain With the punishment epted, could they turn the page on this matter? Could they return to the harmonious days beforest night? Elijah knelt there, bored, his mind wandering. The pain in his knees became piercing, and his legs started feeling numb. Soon, he started to slouch slightly, unable to straighten his back as before. The uneven stone bs felt like thousands of needles stabbing into his knees. Suddenly, he remembered that Sheena had knelt like this in the Freeman family. Did she feel the same sense of helplessness and injustice back then? Chapter 263 Chapter 263 Chapter 263 Chapter 263 Thinking about those things, Elijah¡¯s difort lessened. Those were the paths Sheena had once walked in the Freeman family, and now he was just retracing them. However, he still could not help but wonder if everything could return to the beginning once everything was repaid. With this thought, Elijah clenched his fists, forced himself to hold on, and adjusted his kneeling posture to be more standard. In thiste¨Cnight downpour, he had been kneeling in the garden for two hours while Sheena stood by the window, watching for the same duration. Since the incident when Sheena was drugged, the bodyguards had a rule of taking turns to watch during thete hours. It was Ford¡¯s duty tonight, and he hid in the shadows, observing the man in the garden. Despite Elijah¡¯s weakened condition due to the effects of the modified serum, he remained unwavering from the beginning. Even though he was swaying now and then, his posture remained straight. Ford could not help but admire Elijah. Despite kneeling, Elijah still exuded a sense of dignity that prevented anyone from looking down on him. Ford could not bear to witness the breaking of such pride. After many dilemmas, he quietly entered the mansion and knocked on Sheena¡¯s door. ¡°Come in.¡± Ford walked in and stood not far behind Sheena. Sheena did not turn around, her gaze fixed on the man kneeling in the garden, her expression indifferent. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Ford nervously responded, ¡°Ms. Lawson, with Mr. Freeman¡¯s current physical condition, he might get sick.¡± Sheena sneered, ¡°So what? I didn¡¯t force him to kneel this time. He enjoys deceiving me under the disguise of repaying me, so let him y his part.¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson¡­¡± ¡°Leave.¡± Sheena shut the curtains and headed straight to the bathroom to prepare for sleep. Ford sighed and had no choice but to exit, returning to his post. Chapter 263 212 The rain continued throughout the night, only gradually easing up toward dawn. Elijah had lost track of how long he had been kneeling. All he knew was that his knees down to his shins were numb, and his entire body felt cold and devoid of sensation. Even though the rain had stopped, the wind against his face still stung like a knife. When Ford emerged, he was surprised to find Elijah still persisting. ¡°Mr. Freeman, it¡¯s time to get up. Was it enough? Elijah¡¯s pale lips involuntarily twitched. If Ford was telling him to get up, did that mean the ordeal was over? Would he finally be free of his debts? Attempting to rise, Elijah felt the sudden release of the tension he had been holding. His head began to grow heavier, and his vision gradually faded. ¡°Mr. Freeman? Mr. Freeman!¡± Ford felt Elijah¡¯s forehead, which was rmingly hot. Even though he had passed out, Elijah¡¯s body continued to shiver uncontrobly. After a night in the rain, he was running a high fever! Ford promptly took him back to his room and went upstairs to consult Sheena. Sheena had just woken up and wasbing her hair at the dressing table. Upon learning that Elijah had passed out while kneeling, Sheena paused for a moment. However, she quickly continued combing, saying indifferently, ¡°Got it. Get a doctor to check on him.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± After the doctor arrived, Elijah was prescribed antipyretics and given an injection to bring down his Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. temperature. Chapter 264 Chapter 264 An hourter, Sheena estimated that Elijah was about to wake up and entered his room. She had a chair brought in by the bodyguards and sat beside his bed, waiting with an unreadable expression. Elijah woke up in a haze, his vision still blurry. However, as he turned his head, he caught sight of the familiar figure by the bedside and instinctively grabbed her wrist. ¡°Sheena, have you forgiven me?¡± His fever had notpletely subsided, and his touch was radiating warmth. Sheena frowned but did not pull away from his grip. However, her eyes carried a strong sense of disgust. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you onest time. Where did you send that person?¡± Upon hearing this, Elijah¡¯s grip slowly loosened. Seemingly angered, he turned over, facing away from her, closed his eyes, and pretended to be asleep as if intentionally ignoring her words. Sheena¡¯s patience had beenpletely depleted. ¡°Since you¡¯re so stubborn and won¡¯t speak, I won¡¯t waste any more time. You sent that person away, and I¡¯ll make you pay. Why don¡¯t you endure the punishment for their sins?¡± After saying this, she called out, ¡°Ford, John,e in!¡± The two men entered the room obediently. Sheena smirked and ordered, ¡°Take him to the prison, and make sure to pay him extra attention!¡± Ford immediately stepped forward, pleading, ¡°Ms. Lawson, you shouldn¡¯t do this! With Mr. Freeman¡¯s current health condition, he won¡¯t survive more than three days there!¡± Sheena red at him. ¡°Fine, then you go in his ce. I¡¯ll give you extra attention too.¡± Ford hesitated, and suddenly, his sympathy was suppressed. Reluctantly, he followed John to pull Elijah out of bed. Elijah¡¯s body was still burning with fever. When he was half¨Casleep with his back to Sheena, he vaguely heard her mention prison. As Ford and John approached, he broke free from their grasp, adamantly refusing to get out of bed. He looked at Sheena with a bewildered expression. ¡°I just sent Colin out of the country. I didn¡¯t send him to prison. Whose punishment am I supposed to bear?¡± Sheena chuckled coldly. ¡°What does Colin have to do with this? Do you think you can divert the issue by bringing up unrted matters? Take him away!¡± Elijah was stunned, quickly realizing he might have misunderstood something from the previous night. Just as Ford and John received the order and forcibly pulled him off the bed, he strategically leaned in Sheena¡¯s direction, ending up sprawling at her feet. Sheena instinctively moved her feet backward. Chapter 264 212 Elijah missed his mark, looked up, and spoke earnestly, ¡°Although I¡¯m not sure which incident you¡¯re referring to, besides the Colin matter, I haven¡¯t done anything else!¡± Sheena gritted her teeth, pinching his cheek and reminding him word by word, ¡°Last night, you admitted to taking Jennifer away. Now, you deny it. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s toote?¡± This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Jennifer?¡± Elijah was confused. ¡°Isn¡¯t she in prison?¡± Sheena pursed her lips, choosing not to respond, her gaze still ice¨Ccold, as if waiting to see how long he could keep up the act. Elijah knew she did not believe him, so he continued, ¡°Sheena, I didn¡¯t do this. The reason I wanted a divorce before was because I mistakenly thought the girl who saved me thirteen years ago was Jennifer. Later, I found out it wasn¡¯t her. I even asked you once, don¡¯t you remember?¡± Sheena thought for a moment. It seemed to be rted to the incident when Jennifer was severely injured and hospitalized. He defended her in front of the media and asked about that old matter. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Elijah stared at her with teary eyes and replied, ¡°Since then, I knew Jennifer had deceived me. Recently, I found out that you were the girl who saved me. So, Sheena, believe me, everything I¡¯ve done during this time has been sincere.¡± He coughed twice, adding, ¡°I just didn¡¯t like that Colin was going to propose to youst night, so I quietly took him away. I genuinely did not know about the Jennifer incident!¡± Sheena, observing his earnestness and recalling the peculiarities of the previous night with Colin, began to consider whether the two incidents were just a coincidence. Chapter 264 2/2 Elijah missed his mark, looked up, and spoke earnestly, ¡°Although I¡¯m not sure which incident you¡¯re referring to, besides the Colin matter, I haven¡¯t done anything else!¡± Sheena gritted her teeth, pinching his cheek and reminding him word by word, ¡°Last night, you admitted to taking Jennifer away. Now, you deny it. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s toote?¡± ¡°Jennifer?¡± Elijah was confused. ¡°Isn¡¯t she in prison?¡± Sheena pursed her lips, choosing not to respond, her gaze still ice¨Ccold, as if waiting to see how long he could keep up the act. Elijah knew she did not believe him, so he continued, ¡°Sheena, I didn¡¯t do this. The reason I wanted a divorce before was because I mistakenly thought the girl who saved me thirteen years ago was Jennifer. Later, I found out it wasn¡¯t her. I even asked you once, don¡¯t you remember?¡± Sheena thought for a moment. It seemed to be rted to the incident when Jennifer was severely injured and hospitalized. He defended her in front of the media and asked about that old matter. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Elijah stared at her with teary eyes and replied, ¡°Since then, I knew Jennifer had deceived me. Recently, I found out that you were the girl who saved me. So, Sheena, believe me, everything I¡¯ve done during this time has been sincere.¡± He coughed twice, adding, ¡°I just didn¡¯t like that Colin was going to propose to youst night, so I quietly took him away. I genuinely did not know about the Jennifer incident!¡± Sheena, observing his earnestness and recalling the peculiarities of the previous night with Colin, began to consider whether the two incidents were just a coincidence. Chapter 265 Chapter 265 If it really was not Elijah, then this matter was not as simple as it seemed. Sheena started to contemte the incident, and even though there was a hint of suspicion when she looked at Elijah, she squeezed his cheek forcefully. ¡°I¡¯ll believe you this time. If I catch you lying to me again, I¡¯ll throw you into prison immediately. Let¡¯s see how long you can endure in there and how soon your subordinates can get you out,¡± Sheena warned, retracting her hand. Elijah slumped to the floor,pletely drained. He wanted to speak, but suddenly, a sweet, metallic taste surged up his throat, choking him. It felt like his lungs were about to be coughed up. He was not afraid of going to jail. Even if Sheena threw him in, there were not many inside who dared to cross him. However, he did not want Sheena to continue misunderstanding him. ¡°If I lie¡­ I¡¯ll suffer horribly,¡± Elijah managed to say between coughs. Sheena nced at him disdainfully. Elijah¡¯s face had turned pale from coughing, and he still had a fever. In moments of difort, he looked particrly agonized. This is from N?velDrama.Org. Whether it was due to the modified serum or not, Elijah appeared like someone who had been chronically ill and never fully recovered. Seeing him in this miserable state, even Ford and John felt a twinge of sympathy. Sheena, however, remained expressionless. When she stared at Elijah, it was unclear what thoughts crossed her mind. After a while, she turned to Ford and John, saying, ¡°Which one of you is going to prepare some chicken soup for him and bring it over?¡± Ford and John exchanged helpless nces. ¡°Miss, we can fight, but we never learned how to cook,¡± Ford confessed. John echoed, ¡°I don¡¯t know how either, really!¡± Sheena was speechless. Maybe she should hire a few bodyguards with some cooking skills next time? She nced back at the person on the floor, contemting whether to tell him to handle it himself. The person seemed to notice her gaze and suddenly coughed even more forcefully, sounding pitiable. ¡°Alright, you guys help him back to bed. I¡¯ll go cook,¡± Sheena instructed. ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± After giving orders, Sheena headed downstairs and found the ingredients in the fridge. She immediately started to prepare the chicken soup. Once John helped Elijah back to bed, he joined her in the kitchen. Chapter 265 22 ¡°Ms. Lawson, do you believe Mr. Freeman¡¯s words?¡± John asked. ¡°Not entirely. I only trust the final evidence. If it¡¯s really not him, there will always be clues,¡± Sheena replied, ¡°Since he imed to have sent away Colin, investigate this matter further and see if it aligns with his story.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± John nodded and continued, ¡°Actually, I trust Mr. Freeman. From his ability to get Leon out of prison and back without anyone noticing, he must have formidable power behind him. Taking Jennifer away would have been easy for him. If he truly wanted to take her away, he would have done it long ago.¡± ¡°And then taking Jennifer to a small country by sea would make her almost impossible to find. So, he had no reason to stay in the mansion after finishing that task, risking being discovered by you,¡± John reasoned. Sheena remained silent. Yesterday, she was fueled by anger, and Elijah misinterpreted her words, readily admitting fault without delving deeper into the details. Now, upon careful consideration, there were indeed many loopholes in the story. If it was not him, then who could it be? A sudden thought crossed Sheena¡¯s mind. Could it be the person from the Lawson family who harmed her? If so, when did they discover she was alive, and how did they know she was in Farlem? Why would they release Jennifer from prison, and what was their next move? Chapter 266 Chapter 266 Sheena was deep in thought while sauteing the vegetables in butter to soften them when John suddenly looked horrified. ¡°Ms. Lawson! The vegetables! The vegetables!¡± John eximed. Sheena was puzzled. ¡°They¡¯re burnt! The vegetables are burnt!¡± Sheena quickly caught a whiff of the smell, and she finally realized what had happened, immediately turning off the heat. Fortunately, they were only slightly burnt, and after adding chicken stock and other ingredients, the soup should still be drinkable. She instructed John to investigate the matter as per her previous orders and then took a small bowl from the cupboard. As she went upstairs with the chicken soup, she noticed that Elijah¡¯s door was not completely closed, leaving a gap. She was about to push the door open but glimpsed Elijah rolling up his pant leg, applying medicine to his knees through the crack. His skin had be fragile, and after kneelingst night, his entire knees to the calves were injured and discolored, covered in bruises. Sheena frowned. Though he had knelt for a simr duration as she had initially, his knee injuries seemed much more severe. Since signing the agreement with her, she could not remember how many times he had voluntarily or involuntarily knelt, and the injuries on his body never seemed to heal. Was the once fierce and proud lion truly tamed by her? Yet, why did she not feel pleased about it? Shaking off her thoughts, Sheena pushed the door open. Elijah saw her, lowered his pant leg, covered himself with the nket, and leaned against the bedhead, waiting for her. She sat on the chair beside his bed, holding the bowl of chicken soup, gracefully stirring it with a spoon, and blowing gently to cool it down. Elijah¡¯s gaze was intense, and his heart fluttered. He licked his pale lips, eyes filled with anticipation, obediently waiting for her to feed him. Sheena noticed his gaze but continued to blow on the soup indifferently. Sensing that the soup had cooled, she handed him the bowl and spoon. Elijah hesitated, not reaching out to take them. ¡°I won¡¯t feed you.¡± Sheena¡¯s tone was icy. Chapter 266 2/2 A pang of pain struck Elijah¡¯s heart, suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of disappointment and frustration. He did not take the bowl, and his eyes slightly reddened as he looked at her. ¡°It hurts, and I can¡¯t eat on my own.¡± Sheena mercilessly exposed his melodrama, ¡°You injured your knees, not your hands. Why can¡¯t you eat?¡± Elijah was indignant. ¡°But I have a fever, and I¡¯m dizzy.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression remained cold. ¡°You¡¯re speaking so clearly, so you¡¯re not that sick. Keep whining and I¡¯ll take the soup away.¡± She moved to get up, intending to take the chicken soup with her. Elijah quickly snatched the bowl from her hands. Even though he could not get fed by her, she still prepared the chicken soup, and not drinking it would be a loss. However, when he took a sip of the chicken soup, he nearly spat it out on the spot. ¡°Why does it taste burnt?¡± Sheena felt a bit embarrassed. Could she admit she had forgotten about the cooking as she was pondering Jennifer¡¯s situation? ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, don¡¯t drink it. You can cook for yourselfter.¡± Sheena reached for the bowl. Elijah dodged to the side, not letting her take it away, protective of his food. Under Sheena¡¯s gaze, he gulped down the entire bowl of chicken soup. The taste was unpleasant due to the burnt vor, but Elijah endured the urge to gag as he proudly showed her the empty bowl. Knowing it was not delicious, Sheena frowned slightly and shifted her attention to the next step. She pulled out a paper already printed by Ford and handed it to him with a neutral expression. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Take a look and sign it.¡± Elijah took the paper. After reading the content, he was furious. ¡°Are you trying to terminate our employment agreement?¡± Chapter 267 Chapter 267 ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct,¡± Sheena replied calmly. Seeing Elijah¡¯s strong reaction, she continued, ¡°I roughly calcted it, and it seems your debts are almost settled. Shouldn¡¯t you be happy to terminate the agreement? You can continue being the young master of the Freeman family,¡± Although she phrased it this way, she believed clearing his debt to her had always been his goal. However¡­ ¡°Before, you said that once the debt was repaid, we would go our separate ways, like strangers. Is that true?¡± Sheena replied seriously, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then I won¡¯t sign. You also mentioned one year counting as three, and it¡¯s only been a little over two weeks. I haven¡¯t fully repaid the debt yet!¡± Frowning, Elijah returned the termination agreement to her, but Sheena did not take it. Her expression turned cold again as she scolded, ¡°Elijah, don¡¯t be unreasonable. Sign it!¡± Feeling bothered by her stern tone, Elijah moved toward her, holding her delicate wrist, and spoke with uncertainty. ¡°Are you still angry at me for getting rid of Colin and pretending to be injured to deceive you? Sheena, I promise I won¡¯t lie to you again. Besides, you already punished mest night, and I¡¯ve been wrongly used in Jennifer¡¯s matter. Our faults should cancel each other out. Please don¡¯t be mad¡­¡± 11 Sheena freed her hand from his grip. ¡°I¡¯m not angry. It¡¯s because I¡¯m rational that I believe it¡¯s time to let go. We should lead peaceful lives separately. It¡¯s better for both of us.¡± Since she was not angry, did it mean he could no longer evoke any emotions from her? Did this indicate that she no longer cared about him anymore, devoid of resentment and disgust? Elijah felt quite frustrated. ¡°You should still be angry because I won¡¯t let you go. I won¡¯t sign this termination agreement.¡± ¡°Elijah!¡± Sheena frowned, ring at him. ¡°I¡¯m informing you, not asking for your opinion. Whether you want to or not, you¡¯ll sign.¡± This is from N?velDrama.Org. As soon as she finished speaking, Elijah tore the paper into pieces right in front of her, scattering the shredded paper into the air like a flurry of white snow. Agreeing to sign the divorce papers had been the biggest regret of his life. This time, he would not let himself regret it again! He stubbornly locked eyes with her, purposely provoking her. ¡°I tore it up. Are you mad? If you have the guts, let John and Sawyere in and beat me up. Even if they beat me half to death, as long as I have a breath left, I won¡¯t sign!¡± Chapter 267 2/2 Some bits of shredded paper fell onto Sheena¡¯s head, triggering an inexplicable rage that shot straight to her forehead. ¡°Fine! Alright! Do you enjoy punishment?¡± Sheena ground her teeth, took a deep breath, and suppressed the urge to w him directly. ¡°You better pray your illness heals slowly while my temper cools quickly. Otherwise, I can¡¯t guarantee what John and the others might do to you!¡± After saying this, she stood up, nced at him disdainfully, and left the room. Seeing that Sheena was genuinely angry, Elijah felt a bit uneasy. Getting beaten up would hurt, and he was not a masochist. However, signing the paper was absolutely out of the question! At the Carver mansion, Bethany sat in the study, reviewing reports. A servant brought her coffee, and in her moment of anger, she flipped everything off the desk with a swift motion. Startled by her sudden outburst, the servant¡¯s hands trembled, and the coffee identally spilled on the floor, shattering the cup. ¡°Sorry, Ms. Carver! I didn¡¯t mean to!¡± Bethany red at the servant for aggravating her already foul mood. ¡°You can¡¯t even carry coffee properly. What use are you to me? Pack your stuff and disappear from my sight forever!¡± The servant turned pale, pleading through tears. ¡°Miss, I¡¯m sorry! It was an honest mistake! Please don¡¯t dismiss me. I need this job! I¡¯m begging you!¡± ¡°Get out!¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 268 Chapter 268 Themotion alerted the butler outside, and he hurried in, dragging the tearful servant out. With the room finally quiet, Bethany took out her phone and dialed a number. The Freeman Group had rebounded too quickly, and Sheena had moved against her swiftly. During this time, all of Carver Group¡¯s ongoing businesses faced suppression, and the pre¨Ccollected projects were snatched by either the Freeman Group or Serene Real Estate Limited. This resulted in a significant drop in the Carver Group¡¯s revenue. Bethany was infuriated. She had spent a fortune investigating Sheena¡¯s background, yet there had been no response. Just as she was contemting, the call connected. ¡°Ms. Carver, we¡¯ve checked three times. She is indeed an orphan from the Farlem Orphanage, without parents or any other rtives.¡± Bethany could not believe it. ¡°What about before she was sent to the orphanage? What happened before that? How could she be Jean¡¯s mentor if she never left the orphanage? How the hell are you handling this investigation?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Carver. We¡¯ve done our best, and this is the result.¡± Bethany angrily hung up the phone, grabbed a cup from the table, and threw it against the wall. Who the hell was this bitch? She had sent out so many people and still could not find out about her identity!N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Bethany slumped in her chair, filled with anger and frustration. If she could not uncover Sheena¡¯s identity, she would not know her secrets and could not continue the fight. However, she could not just watch Sheena destroy the Carver Group! Bethany was at a loss when the butler suddenly knocked on the door. ¡°Miss, there¡¯s someone outside looking for you. He ims to be from Svelton¡¯s Lawson family.¡± She massaged her temples, feeling dizzy from the frustration. ¡°The Lawson family? I don¡¯t know them. I don¡¯t want to see anyone.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± The butler bowed, about to leave. ¡°Wait!¡± Bethany called him back. Why would someone from the Lawson familye to her? After some consideration, Bethany decided to meet with that person. ¡°This room is too messy, and we can¡¯t leave a bad impression on the distinguished guest. Take him to Chapter 268 2/2 the most secluded small meeting room,¡± she instructed. After giving the orders, Bethany returned to her room, changed into an elegant outfit, and applied makeup before heading to the meeting room. She pushed open the door, and the man was already waiting inside. He was a tall and sturdy man, appearing to be around 190 centimeters. He was rather handsome and was dressed in a ck suit. Noticing her entrance, the man smiled slightly and greeted her, ¡°Hello, Ms. Carver.¡± Bethany nodded in courtesy and curiously asked, ¡°I wonder which member of the Lawson family you are?¡± The man smiled and said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to know my identity. You just need to know that I¡¯m here to help you.¡± ¡°Help me?¡± Bethany was puzzled. ¡°Although my Carver family is far inferior to the Lawson family, we still have some standing in the Farlem elite circle. I don¡¯t have much to worry about. What would I need help with?¡± The man directly revealed, ¡°Ms. Carver, there¡¯s no need to pretend. My master knows you¡¯ve been struggling with the Freeman Group and someone elsetely. That¡¯s why he specifically sent me to help you.¡± Bethany found it hard to believe. Howard was so nice to Sheena. Did someone from the Lawson family really want to make things difficult for her? ¡°Your master?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the man nodded and continued, ¡°To show my sincerity, I brought you a gift, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll like it.¡± He pped his hands, and someone immediately brought in arge sack. Bethany approached it suspiciously, opened it, and was instantly frightened, turning pale as she stumbled backward. Chapter 209 Chapter 269 Chapter 269 ¡°Ah! This is¡­¡± It was an unconscious woman with disheveled hair covering her face, emitting a sour smell. Her arms and legs were covered in bruises, indicating previous abuse. Bethany looked up at the man with a bewildered expression. The man remained silent, only smiling, but that smile held a deeper meaning. Bethany covered her nose and mouth, suppressing the urge to vomit, and lifted the woman¡¯s tangled hair. ¡°I¨CIsn¡¯t this¡­ Jennifer Moore?¡± Was she not sent to prison by Sheena? Rumor had it she was sentenced to ten years, so how could she be out so soon? ¡°Her marriage arrangement with the Freeman family was canceled, and the Moore family severed ties with her. Now, she¡¯s nothing but a useless person. What use could she have?¡± The man continued to smile mysteriously. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon.¡± In the following days, Elijah focused on recovering, and Sheena was busy with work at thepany. Although they lived in the same mansion, they rarely saw each other. The next day, after getting ready, Sheena smelled the delicious aroma of food as she walked down the stairs. Later, she found that breakfast was neatly arranged in the dining room, still steaming. Sheena smirked. Someone¡¯s cooking skills had improved rapidly. Approaching the kitchen, she found it empty, with no sign of anyone. She called for Ford and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Elijah?¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Freeman got up early this morning, prepared breakfast for you, and then went to work at the Freeman Group.¡± Sheena chuckled. Was he avoiding her because he knew he was almost fully healed, and she might confront him? Shaking her head with a smile, she ate a few bites of breakfast and headed to Angle Group. Just as she settled into her office chair, John knocked on the door, ready to report the investigation results. ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Freeman wasn¡¯t lying. Mr. Upton was indeed taken away from D¡¯Ave Hotel and casually thrown onto a cargo ship at the pier. As for his current whereabouts, that¡¯s a bit challenging to trace.¡± He paused, then continued, ¡°Although the surveince at D¡¯Ave Hotel within that time frame was Chapter 269 2/2 He handed Sheena a photo cropped from the surveince footage. ¡°Despite the person wearing a mask, don¡¯t you think the features resemble Lionel?¡± Sheena took the photo and examined it carefully. Since Lionel had been working as Elijah¡¯s assistant for the past few weeks, they had worked together asionally. Sheena had seen him a few times and had a vague impression. If it were indeed Lionel, it would likely rule out Elijah¡¯s involvement in Jennifer¡¯s abduction. Feeling relieved, Sheena put down the photo and instructed, ¡°Continue investigating Jennifer¡¯s whereabouts until we find her. Also, check for any recent movements from the Lawson family.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± Sheena nodded, signaling him to continue with his tasks. As she watched John leave, she fell into contemtion. If John could not trace anything with the help of Dark Bell, it was highly likely that the Lawson family was behind Jennifer¡¯s disappearance. However, what could their purpose be in using Jennifer? Chapter 270 Chapter 270 For some reason, Jennifer¡¯s disappearance left Sheena with a deep sense of unease. She could not shake the feeling that something huge was about to happen. While pondering anxiously, her hands were not idle, checking thetest schedules and shooting progress of all the artists. Sheena unexpectedly discovered that Skye¡¯s shooting progress had mysteriously halted since yesterday afternoon, and he was absent from the set this morning. Sheena immediately called Skye¡¯s agent. ¡°Ms. Sheena, I swear, Skye was shooting just fine yesterday. Somehow, there was a dispute with Eugene Perez, the heir of the Perez family from the adjacent set. Eugene is not someone to mess with. The two got into a fight, and Eugene ended up in the hospital. Quite a few bystanders from the Farlem World Studios set witnessed the incident. We¡¯re currently negotiating a resolution with both sets.¡± The more Sheena heard, the tighter her brow furrowed. ¡°Why wasn¡¯t this reported yesterday? Where is Skye?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Sheena. Given Skye¡¯s past experiences, I thought we could settle it directly with the production team. However, Eugene was seriously injured. The Zimmer family took Skye to the hotel early this morning. We haven¡¯t been able to reach him since.¡± Sheena fell into a moment of silence. She knew about Skye¡¯s grandfather, Francis Zimmer, well. With Francis¡¯s temper, Skye, the troublemaker, would undoubtedly face severe consequences when he returned. ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± Sheena massaged her temples, deciding to visit the Zimmer family. She did not want Francis to be too harsh on the young troublemaker and potentially disrupt the uing shoots. She drove to the Zimmer family estate. After exining her identity to the bodyguards, they immediately let her through. Francis had previously stated that anytime Sheena wished to enter, regardless of the circumstances, she could do so without notification. Guided by the butler, Sheena walked smoothly through the estate. Even before reaching the entrance of the hall, she could hear the sound of beating and scolding, apanied by Skye¡¯s painful groans. The intensity of the sounds alone was enough to make one¡¯s heart skip a beat. Sheena quickened her pace. In the hall, Skye knelt on the floor, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, his expression full of defiance. Infuriated, though somewhat sympathetic, Francis could not fathom why this troublemaker would not mend his ways. Waving his hand, Francis halted the reprimands. Chapter 270 2/2 ¡°I¡¯m asking you once again. Do you admit your mistake?¡± Skye steadied his breathing, his rebellious eyes still full of defiance. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. He deserved it. Next time, I¡¯ll beat him again. Every time I see him, I¡¯ll beat him.¡± Just as Sheena reached the hall entrance, she heard Skye¡¯s words loud and clear. What a foolish kid! This is from N?velDrama.Org. Even if he truly felt wronged, could he not show a bit of humility? As expected, the sounds of punishment resumed inside, even more intense than before. ¡°Hit him! Do it until he admits his mistake!¡± The butler hurried inside and whispered to Francis about Sheena¡¯s arrival. ¡°Grandpa Francis, it¡¯s been a while. You haven¡¯t aged a bit. You still look so youthful,¡± Sheena said, entering with a smile. Then, she took the cane from the servant and added, ¡°Grandpa Francis, this thing must hurt a lot. Skye is still young. Please go easy on him.¡± Seeing her enter, Francis smiled broadly with a face full of affection. ¡°Oh, my Sheena, you¡¯ve grown so much! Come here. Let me have a good look at you.¡® Sheena obediently sat beside him. ¡°Don¡¯t feel sorry for this brat. I¡¯ve been spanking him since he was little. He¡¯s tough as nails. But my Sheena, the treasure of both the Lawson and the Zimmer families, deserves all the pampering!¡± Hearing this, Skye hissed, quietly breathing, and discreetly straightened his back to massage the injuries. He criticized his grandfather for favoring someone else¡¯s granddaughter over his own grandson. Was Francis out of his mind? Chapter 271 Chapter 271 Francis seemed to sense Skye¡¯s resentful gaze and red at him. ¡°What are you looking at? Kneel properly, you ingrate! Don¡¯t think this is over!¡± It sounded like Francis was not nning to let Skye off the hook so easily. Sheena thought for a moment, then smiled, offering her support. ¡°Grandpa Francis, I came mainly to take Skye back to the set today. His filming is nearingpletion, and it wouldn¡¯t be good if he slips up now. I¡¯ll make sure he apologizes to Eugene and give him a good talking to.¡± ncing between Sheena and Skye, Francis nodded approvingly. ¡°Alright then, I trust you¡¯ll handle him well.¡± ¡°Thank you, Grandpa Francis. If so, I¡¯ll take Starfire with me now,¡± Sheena said, signaling Skye with a nce. Skye, nursing his swollen back, struggled to get up from the floor. The butler, looking concerned, suggested, ¡°Sir, why not apply some ointment on him before he leaves? It¡¯s tough for him to endure the pain and continue filming. ¡°What for! Why should my beloved Sheena wait for him? He should bear the pain as a lesson. Not only does he need to continue filming, but he must also not miss the charity g tonight. Got it?¡± ¡°Understood,¡± said the butler. Skye pouted, his face showing reluctance.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Sheena suppressed her chuckle and turned to Francis. ¡°Well then, Grandpa Francis, I¡¯ll take him with me now. I¡¯lle to visit you when I have the time.¡± After saying that, she approached and supported Skye as he limped out of the hall. Once they were far from the hall, Skye could not help but ask, ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re not really going to make me apologize to that scumbag at the hospital, right? Please don¡¯t!¡± Sheena was puzzled and questioned, ¡°Then tell me, why did you get into a fight?¡± Skye sullenly lowered his head. Due to the beating on his buttocks and thighs, he walked awkwardly and broke into a cold sweat. After hesitating momentarily, he admitted, ¡°Because I heard him bad¨C mouthing you behind your back, saying really nasty things. So, every time I see him, I¡¯ll beat him up. Ouch- Getting worked up, he identally agitated his injuries, causing him to grimace in pain. Sheena chuckled, finding him suddenly silly and a bit adorable. ¡°Since that¡¯s the reason, why didn¡¯t you just tell Grandpa Francis?¡± Skye replied, ¡°If Grandpa finds out, he might not beat me as harshly. But if he and the butler knew about Eugene¡¯s nastyments about you, it wouldn¡¯t take long for the entire Zimmer family staff to know. I didn¡¯t want to tarnish your reputation.¡± Hearing his exnation, Sheena became more curious. What exactly did Eugene say about her? ¡°Is there a recording? Let me hear it.¡± Skye hopped into Sheena¡¯s car and yed Eugene¡¯s remarks for her. ¡°I heard that the entertainmentpany Skye¡¯s in is run by a divorcee, and she¡¯s even an orphan! It¡¯s bizarre. I don¡¯t know how she managed to gain control of Angle Group, but I bet she must¡¯ve slept with Howard! However, I¡¯ve seen herst appearance in the final round of the talent show. She¡¯s quite pretty. It¡¯s too bad that she¡¯s a slut!¡± After listening, Sheena¡¯s expression turned dark. Skyemented, ¡°Listening to this again makes me want to punch him!¡± Sheena stopped him. ¡°Behave and go back to the set. Don¡¯t worry about this. Skye protested, ¡°Sheena, are you just going to let him off the hook?¡± Smiling slyly, Sheena replied, ¡°Who said I¡¯m letting him off the hook?¡± The most uncontroble thing in the world would be other people¡¯s mouths. It was one thing if she did not hear about it, but now that she heard it, she would make sure Eugene paid the price. While contemting in the car, Sheena drove to Farlem World Studios and called Skye¡¯s agent to pick him up. Skye reluctantly held onto the car door, refusing to get out. ¡°Sheena, must I go filming? There¡¯s supposed to be an action scene today, and I just got beaten up. I can¡¯t do it.¡± Chapter 272 Chapter 272 Sheena reached into the car¡¯s glovepartment and handed him a tube of anti- inmmatory cream, saying, ¡°I bought this for you on the way. Put some on in the break room at the set and rest up. I¡¯ll give you a day off today, but you must catch up on the shooting schedule afterward.¡± Skye, touched by her concern, eximed, ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re always the one who cares the most about me! I¡¯ll forever be loyal to you!¡± ¡°Quit being cheesy and go,¡± Sheena replied. Skye grinned, about to open the car door, then turned back and said, ¡°If I manage to shoot today and try not to dy the schedule, can you apany me to the charity g tonight?¡± At this point, it was clear he wanted her to go. Sheena nodded. ¡°Sure.¡± Once Skye happily walked away, she called Ford. ¡°Arrange for someone to keep an eye on Eugene Perez at the hospital. When he¡¯s ready to leave, make sure to put a sack over his head and give him another beating. I think he quite likes staying in the hospital. Remember not to leave any marks or evidence.¡± ¡°Alright, Miss.¡± After that, Sheena drove back to Angle Group. progress. Elijah was also investigating Jennifer¡¯s disappearance. Like Sheena, he found little Nheless, despite feeling frustrated, he was determined to get to the bottom of this. h just like ¡°It¡¯s impossible for her to that. Something must be up! I don¡¯t know if this is an attack against Sheena or someoneing after me. So, we must investigate thoroughly and clear things up!¡± Lionel sighed, ¡°But she seems to have disappeared without a trace. Mr. Freeman, is it possible she never left the prison at all?¡± Elijah fell into thought and replied, ¡°No. She definitely isn¡¯t in the prison, but there¡¯s a chance she¡¯s still in Farlem, hidden by someone.¡± Who could this ¡®someone¡® be? As he pondered, Elijah¡¯s phone rang. Checking the caller ID, he noticed it was someone he had not interacted with since saving the number¨CBethany. Elijah answered the call, and Bethany¡¯sughter sounded. ¡°Elijah, it¡¯s been so many years. I wonder if you still remember me?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Elijah got straight to the point, his tone icy. Bethany continued tough. ¡°Oh, Elijah, you¡¯re still as aloof as ever, but I do have an actual N?velDrama.Org owns this. matter to discuss with you. There¡¯s a charity g tonight, and I sincerely invite you to be my plus¨Cone.¡± Elijah¡¯s brow twitched, an unmistakable expression of disdain. He was about to decisively decline when Bethany, as if anticipating his response, quickly spoke up. ¡°Elijah, don¡¯t be too hasty to refuse. From what I¡¯ve heard, Sheena will attend the charity g with Mr. Zimmer, and he treats her quite attentively.¡± With those words, Elijah fell into silence. Bethany continued, ¡°One owns Angle Group, and the other represents Angle Group. If there¡¯s any intimate behavior at the banquet, wouldn¡¯t rumors of their rtionship be viral online because of their age gap? Elijah, are you sure you don¡¯t want to reconsider?¡± Considering Skye¡¯s longstanding interest in Sheena, Elijah¡¯s dark eyes glistened as he said, ¡± Fine, I¡¯ll go with you.¡± Chapter 273 Chapter 273 Chapter 273 The charity g took ce at the Garden Hotel, Farlem¡¯s most morous venue. The hotel was decorated magnificently, hosting Farlem¡¯s business magnates and elites from prestigious families. Since the reality show, everyone knew Sheena was the owner of Angle Group. When they looked at her, there was less judgment and more admiration. Sheena chose a ck and gold embroidered evening dress, her hair elegantly swept to one side, exuding a mature and alluring charm. Despite her usual low profile, she could not help but captivate the attention of the crowd as soon as she entered. With Skye by her side, they instantly became the focal point of discussions. Skye¡¯s poprity in the entertainment industry,bined with Sheena¡¯s elegance, dominated the evening¡¯s conversation. Initially preferring to be low¨Cprofile, Sheena found herself unable to remain unnoticeable. Skye noticed her slight displeasure and chuckled, saying, ¡°Well, you¡¯re just too beautiful. Moreover, your dress fits your figure perfectly. Sure enough, bringing you to any event never disappoints! Everyone¡¯s talking about us!¡± Sheena looked at him and whispered, ¡°You¡¯re already making jokes so soon. It seems the daytime beating didn¡¯t hurt much.¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Skye¡¯s expression changed instantly, and he held her arm with a pout. ¡°No, it hurts, it hurts¡­ We even filmed an action scene in the afternoon, and it¡¯s been hurting like crazy!¡± Sheena could not help butugh and lightly flicked his forehead. Elijah observed their interaction from a distance. His gaze was cold, and the scene made him feel suffocated as if his heart was being tightly clenched. He knew he had no right to be jealous but could not shake the feeling off. He was displeased. Very displeased! Standing next to him, Bethany keenly sensed his tense aura, especially when she noticed the veins bulging in his clenched fists. ¡°Elijah, let¡¯s go and greet Ms. Sheena and Mr. Zimmer,¡± Bethany suggested.. Elijah remained silent, neither agreeing nor refusing. Bethany took matters into her own hands and proceeded toward Sheena¡¯s direction. Sheena and Skye were engrossed in their conversation when an unpleasant voice interrupted them. ¡°Long time no see, Ms. Sheena. You¡¯re getting more beautiful. Even this heavy makeup can¡¯t hide that foxiness of yours Skye was furious upon hearing this and countered, ¡°Of course, Sheena is beautiful. Even without makeup, she can outshine you by a mile. And if you call her makeup heavy today, what do you call your face, like a smeared wall? And besides, not everyone can be a fox. Someone like you can only be a wild boar.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Bethany was offended. Was she being called a wild boar? She was not that fat or ugly! Nheless, the retort came from Skye, and Bethany did not want to offend the Zimmer family in Farlem. Hence, she had to swallow this humiliation. Sheena ignored their banter. Instead, she noticed Elijah emerging from behind Bethany. In an instant, her aura changed, turning icy with anger, like the calm before a storm. Did he not know what Bethany had done to her before? Moreover, she could not stand Bethany, and he actually left his duties at home to join Bethany at the charity g! Standing on the opposite side, Elijah almost instantly sensed the anger radiating from Sheena, and he gulped nervously. This was bad! He could not afford to be upset about Sheena¡¯s interaction with Skye just moments ago because Sheena was now angry, and he knew he would not have it easy once he returned hometer¡­ Bethany sensed the exchanged nces between the two and exined with a smile, ¡°Elijah just missed you and wanted to see you. But since you¡¯re here with Mr. Zimmer, he had to apany me. Ms. Sheena, don¡¯t be jealous.¡± Chapter 274 Chapter 274 Sheena scoffed and said, ¡°Ms. Carver, aren¡¯t you a funny one? He¡¯s irrelevant to me, and there¡¯s absolutely no reason for jealousy.¡± The words ¡®irrelevant to me¡® stung Elijah¡¯s heart. His face instantly turned deathly pale. Taking a moment to ease the tightness in his chest, he boldly stepped forward, gently grabbing Sheena¡¯s wrist. yours. I¡¯ve ¡°Sheena, our employment contract hasn¡¯t been terminated yet, and I¡¯m still behaved well today, but when we return, you can handle me however you want. You can punish me as harshly as you like, and I¡¯ll take it all.¡± Elijah pleaded with her, flipping her wrist open, and his knuckles traced gentle circles on her palm. This seamless sequence of movements left Skye in shock, muttering, ¡°Holy crap.¡± Bethany was equally astonished. This man, who was now acting all cute, used to be the dominating figure of the Freeman Group, known for his cold and ruthless demeanor. Was he under some kind of spell? Nevertheless, Elijah continued to draw circles on Sheena¡¯s palm, seemingly oblivious to the reactions around him. Sheena remained expressionless; after all, it wasn¡¯t her who would end up embarrassed for saying such embarrassing things. However, as Elijah continued his drawing circles, Sheena felt a strange itch in her palm. Just as she was about to pull her hand away, she realized that his movements were not just circles. Was he writing something? This is from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena focused intently, but unfortunately, she could not decipher the words he was writing or understand his intentions. Skye coughed awkwardly, interrupting them, ¡°Sheena, I¡¯m about to suffocate from the air here. Let¡¯s go over there and have a ss of wine.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Sheena withdrew her hand without a nce at Elijah, and without missing a beat, she walked away with Skye. Elijah hung his head, a bit disheartened. She did not seem to grasp his message, and he was certain there would be consequences when they returned. Bethany stood silently by Elijah¡¯s side, observing him for a while. ¡°You¡¯ve changed a lot from before! I remember she used to pursue you every day. Now that you¡¯re divorced, you willingly be her devoted follower. I heard you were tortured and abused by herst time, ending up in the hospital. How can you endure this humiliation?¡± Elijah¡¯s regretful expression instantly turned cold as soon as she spoke, his deep, icy eyes filled with hostility. ¡°This is my private matter.¡± Bethany chuckled. ¡°Right, right, I shouldn¡¯t pry into your personal affairs, but I¡¯m just curious. You used to really like Jennifer. Didn¡¯t you feel anything when Sheena sent her to prison?¡± As she spoke, her fingers lightly traced up his arm. ¡°If you want, I¡¯m willing to help you break. free from Sheena¡¯s clutches, and you¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Elijah tightly grabbed her wrist. The man¡¯s sharp gaze met hers, a warning evident in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m a cold¨Cblooded person who doesn¡¯t value family ties. If you dare to cause any trouble, not only Sheena but even I won¡¯t spare you.¡± Bethany wrestled her wrist free from his grip, smiling mischievously. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to see if she¡¯ll still get jealous?¡± Elijah frowned, sensing trouble. Before he could say anything, screams erupted from the banquet hall. ¡°Who is this? Why is she lying here covered in injuries?¡± ¡°Is she a human or a ghost? She looks terrifying! Startled by the screams and discussions, the woman slowly regained consciousness. Under the messy and dull mass of hair, a pair of eyes, bloodshot and sinister, peeked out. She pushed aside the hair covering her forehead, exposing a face marred with wounds to the public eye. Some sharp¨Ceyed individuals recognized her. ¡°Isn¡¯t that¡­ Ms. Moore?¡± Chapter 275 Chapter 275 Some people refuted, ¡°The Moore family has long publicly severed ties with her. She¡¯s no longer part of that family!¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t she get sentenced to prison? What is she doing here?¡± ¡°Why does she look so ugly now? Her skin is all wrinkled, and it looks like she has aged ten years!¡± Jennifer felt the gazes of the crowd and trembled helplessly. She scanned everyone, trying to find that most familiar figure. ¡°Eli! I want Eli! My Eli¡­¡± Bethany looked curious in that direction. ¡°Elijah, it seems lively over there. Let¡¯s go take a look¡± Without waiting for Elijah¡¯s approval, she walked over, parted the crowd, and kindly reserved a spot for Elijah. ¡°Oh, Elijah, isn¡¯t that Jennifer?¡± Hearing that name, Elijah frowned as an icy aura emanated from him. Jennifer saw him and was instantly overwhelmed with emotion, crying, ¡°Eli, it¡¯s you! You have no idea how much I¡¯ve suffered these days. I endure torment every day just to see you. Her voice was hoarse, filled with sorrow. Yet, her face, covered in bruises and swollen, made her appear pitiful yet monstrous. While sobbing, she crawled excitedly toward Elijah¡¯s feet, reaching out to grab his leg. Elijah¡¯s expression changed slightly, almost instinctively taking a step back. Skye, enjoying wine in the main banquet hall, vaguely heard themotion and pulled Sheena over to check out the scene. Upon arrival, they witnessed Jennifer persistently crawling toward Elijah¡¯s feet. Elijah appeared disgusted and kept retreating, coincidentally backing into Sheena, who was walking over. Sheena quickly supported his lower back, and a sly smile formed on her lips. ¡°Are you setting things up for an ident?¡± Elijah was not embarrassed. Instead, his face turned a bit pale as he bent down to rub his leg, saying, ¡°Sheena, my knee hurts. I want to go back to the mansion.¡± His brows were tightly knit, and when he looked back at her, the previously intense hostility in his eyes quickly transformed into the face of a wronged, submissive man. Sheena could not be bothered to expose him, casually ncing at Jennifer, who was stunned by his words. Then, she sneered and said, ¡°Well, that won¡¯t do. This is your private matter. Handle it yourself. After saying this, the hand supporting Elijah¡¯s lower back exerted force, pushing him toward Jennifer. She then stood by, casually watching the drama unfold, her eyes revealing a nonchnt coldness. After searching for this person for a long time, she unexpectedly appeared at the Garden Hotel¡¯s charity g. Hence, Sheena was more than willing to watch this y if someone was willing to perform it. On the floor, Jennifer reached out to Elijah with a pitiful expression. ¡°Eli¡­¡± Elijah steadied himself in time, and as he looked down at her, his ck eyes showed only indifference and a chilling coldness. He whispered sternly, ¡°Stay right there. Don¡¯te any closer.¡± Jennifer, pierced by his cold gaze, began to sob without caring about her image. ¡°Eli, don¡¯t you recognize me? I¡¯m your Jenny, your fiancee! Do you know how much I¡¯ve suffered for you? That bitch Sheena framed me and threw me into prison! 1 endured so much hardship for you!¡± Chapter 276 N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Chapter 276 Chapter 276 Chapter 276 Elijah¡¯s gaze grew colder. ¡°My mom canceled our engagement when I left Farlem, and we no longer have anything to do with each other.¡± If it were not for the public setting, Elijah would have loved to expose Jennifer¡¯s lie, skin her alive, and drain her of every drop of blood! After all, not only did Jennifer falsely im to be his savior when Sheena was the actual one, but she also tried to bring harm to Sheena multiple times. And now, she was suddenly brought out again, likely to worsen his rtionship with Sheena. That was simply infuriating! N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Skye, standing nearby, clicked his tongue and whispered into Sheena¡¯s ear, ¡°Sheena, did you hear that? What a scumbag! He loves intensely when he does, but he¡¯s more heartless than anyone when he doesn¡¯t. Luckily, you divorced him in time!¡± Sheena pursed her lips, choosing not to respond as she stared intensely at Elijah not far away. ¡°Eli! How can you treat me like this? I love you so much¡­¡± Initially filled with hope upon being released from prison, Jennifer¡¯s despair and resentment peaked as she faced Elijah¡¯s icy and heartless expression. Elijah¡¯s expression remained unchanged. Ignoring the whispers of the onlookers, he spoke. decisively, ¡°Jennifer, let me make it clear onest time. The one I¡¯ve loved and will always love is Sheena. Whether in the past, right now, or in the future. Since you¡¯ve been sentenced, you should stay in prison and atone for your sins!¡± As he spoke, he took out his phone and contacted Lionel. Unbeknownst to him, his wordspletely unleashed Jennifer¡¯s emotions. She clutched her head and screamed frantically, her voice sharp and piercing, full of despair and terror. ¡°I only loved you! What sins have Imitted? It¡¯s all because of this bitch! She stole you from me! If it weren¡¯t for her, we would have been together long ago, and none of this would have happened! She caused me to be thrown into prison, and I won¡¯t let her get away with it. I¡¯ll kill her!¡± Jennifer red at Sheena with a murderous gaze. From her sleeve, she retrieved a knife she had prepared in advance and swiftly charged toward Sheena. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you, bitch! Go to hell!¡± Sheena, calm andposed, watched the approaching frenzied woman. Skye and Elijah were the first to stand before Sheena, swiftly followed by Ford, Paul, John, and Sawyer, who entered the banquet hall. Jennifer did not even get close to Sheena before several bodyguards restrained her. Despite being held back, she snarled and threatened from a distance, ¡°Bitch, just you wait! Even in death, I won¡¯t let you off! Do you think I¡¯m the only one who hates you? There are plenty out there eager to take you down! Even if I can¡¯t kill you, someone else will! I¡¯ll be waiting for that day!¡± Hearing her words, Sheena immediately realized that Jennifer seemed to know something. Ford turned to Sheena, asking, ¡°Miss, how should we handle this?¡± ¡°Evacuate the crowd, let the g continue, and take Jennifer away!¡± Hearing she was to be taken away, Jennifer struggled violently. ¡°Ah! You bitch! You ruined my life, and now you want to take me back to torment me further? I won¡¯t go! I¡¯d rather die!¡± Seeing that Sheena¡¯s bodyguards were formidable, Bethany quickly chimed in, ¡°Sheena, she¡¯s a fugitive. She should be handed over to the police. You can¡¯t take her away, let alone punish her as you please!¡± Some people chimed in, ¡°Exactly! It¡¯s a civilized society now. Your people aren¡¯t from the police. Why should you take her away?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! You can¡¯t take her away. Someone hurry up and notify the police and let them handle this justly!¡± The crowd became chaotic, with no intention of dispersing. Instead, they gathered more closely. Sheena surveyed the crowd, finally locking eyes with the arrogant Bethany. Was this a prearranged act to set the stage for today¡¯s drama? ¡®Interesting,¡® she thought. Spin to im Your Surprise Reward y Chapter 277 Chapter 277 Chapter 277 Chapter 277 Ford and Paul found themselves immobilized by the crowd, hesitant to use force and risk injuring bystanders. Moreover, these were not ordinary people. They were well¨Cknown figures from the upper ss. Seizing the opportunity, Bethany exchanged a meaningful nce with Jennifer. Understanding Bethany¡¯s signal, Jennifer quickly wriggled free from the bodyguards¡® restraint while the crowd diverted their attention, swiftly darting away. The bodyguards, rmed, were about to give chase when the enraged crowd blocked their path. Sawyer fumed, ¡°Are you blind? Even if you disagree with Ms. Sheena taking someone away, you shouldn¡¯t let an escaped convict like her go!¡± Bethany smirked and said, ¡°No need for you to chase after her. I¡¯ve already informed the police. She won¡¯t get far, and the police will handle her. So, there¡¯s no need for Ms. Sheena¡¯s watchdogs to get involved.¡± Watchdogs? Sawyer and the others seethed with anger. However, they held their tongues since Sheena remained silent. Sheena appeared grim. Elijah, noticing her expression, called out softly, ¡°Sheena.¡± She red at him coldly and said, ¡°She¡¯s yours, so¡­¡± Before she could finish, Elijah interrupted her, ¡°She¡¯s not mine!¡± Unfazed, Sheena continued, ¡°Regardless, you¡¯ll handle this matter. Once it¡¯s resolved, we¡¯ll return to the mansion.¡± Elijah knew she was still upset. He hoped to reach out and plead with her, but he was interrupted by Lionel¡¯s sudden arrival. ¡°Mr. Freeman, I¡¯m sorry for beingte.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Elijah¡¯s face darkened swiftly. Suppressing the urge to turn around and hit Lionel, he calmly instructed, ¡°Jennifer ran toward the secluded path out back. She¡¯s injured and won¡¯t get far. Go after her.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± Lionel sprinted off in the direction Elijah indicated. Elijah took a moment topose himself, intending to reach for Sheena¡¯s wrist again, only to find her calmly evading him., Sheena directed her gaze toward Ford and Paul and ordered, ¡°Disperse the crowd and let the g continue.¡± With the main actors gone, there was little entertainment left. The crowd quickly dispersed, and Sheena approached Bethany. Her beautiful eyes radiated. coldness as she locked eyes with Bethany. Then, Sheena smirked and said, ¡°Ms. Carver, considering our past resentments, I merely nned to let the Carver family suffer a financial setback. If you behave yourself, I might spare your life. However, if I find out that you conspired with someone to cause trouble, the consequences might be more than you can bear.¡± Intimidated by the warning look in Sheena¡¯s eyes, Bethany hesitated for a moment. After a few seconds, sheposed herself and responded with a smile, ¡°Ms. Sheena, don¡¯t be rash. The oue is still uncertain!¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± With that, Sheena, apanied by Ford, a few bodyguards, and Skye, left the charity g without looking back. Left alone, Elijah attempted to catch up, but Bethany blocked his path. ¡°Elijah, the g isn¡¯t over yet. Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Spend a little more time with me!¡± Elijah shot her an angry re. ¡°Get lost.¡± After delivering the cold remark, he immediately headed outside the hotel. Sheena had just gotten into the car, ready to close the door. Elijah swiftly caught the door, shouting, ¡°Sheena, wait!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Elijah nced into the car. Ford was driving, and Paul was in the passenger seat. Meanwhile, John and Sawyer were gone, most likely escorting Skye back. Chapter 278 Chapter 278 Chapter 278 Chapter 278 Sheena sat alone in the back seat. Elijah held onto the car door tightly, speaking softly as he was afraid that the slightest increase in volume would provoke her anger. ¡°Sheena, I also want to go back to the mansion. Can you move inside a bit?¡± Since Sheena had just gotten into the car, she was sitting on the right side, next to the road, leaving the left side empty. Under the dim streetlights, Elijah¡¯s ck eyes gleamed as he stared at her cautiously and somewhat expectantly. Sheena cast a cold nce at him, giving it almost no consideration. ¡°No. Whoever brought you here should take you back, or you can walk home.¡± Her tone was icy,cking any warmth. Since Elijah refused to sign the termination of the employment agreement, Sheena had not treated him well. Her demeanor tonight mirrored the night he was punished to kneel in the rain. Elijah looked down as if suppressing a profound sense of grievance. ¡°Sheena, there¡¯s a reason why I came here with Bethany tonight. Can you please let me exin?¡± Sheena looked away, refusing to look at him. She simply said, ¡°The mansion is open for you until 11 p.m. If you don¡¯t make it back, you¡¯ll be sleeping in the streets. Let go.¡± A tinge of red appeared at the corner of Elijah¡¯s eyes. What a heartless and stubborn woman! How could her heart be as hard as stone? Elijah felt his chest ached and reluctantly released his grip on the door. As soon as he let go, the door mmed shut, and the car sped away, leaving Elijah there alone. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Choked, he coughed a couple of times, standing in the same spot and watching the car disappear into the night. ¡°Mr. Freeman!¡± Lionel approached. Elijah resumed his usual cold demeanor, extremely displeased. ¡°What is it?¡± Lionel lowered his head and reported, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Freeman. I couldn¡¯t catch up with Jennifer. I arrived, she hadpletely vanished! It was as if someone had taken her away. ¡°Check the surveince.¡± Lionel lowered his head even further. ¡°The hotel¡¯s small bamboo grove is a blind spot for surveince. Moreover, the cameras covering the entrances and exits were disabled in advance. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elijah had no intention of overly ming him. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. From Jennifer¡¯s appearance, her attempt to stab Sheena with a knife, to her escape, everything was meticulously nned. I just can¡¯t understand why the person behind this is doing it and what their purpose is.¡± As he spoke, Elijah¡¯s phone rang. Seeing it was Bethany, he hesitated for a moment but ultimately answered. ¡°Elijah, you haven¡¯t left yet, right? The g hasn¡¯t ended. As your partner for the evening, you can¡¯t just leave me alone, can you?¡± Elijah had no intention of engaging in conversation with her. Just as he was about to end the call, Bethany spoke again, ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about where Jennifer is?¡± ¡°Do you know where she is?¡± Elijah questioned. Bethany grinned mischievously. ¡°Not only do I know, but I can take you there! I¡¯m sure you have many questions about Jennifer¡¯s situation. Why not go and unravel these mysteries yourself?¡± Elijah remained quiet. After a while, he responded, ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°I hope you¡¯ll apany me through the entire g. It¡¯s just thest five minutes. You wouldn¡¯t deny this small request of mine, would you?¡± Bethany chuckled softly, continuing, Once the g ends, I¡¯ll immediately take you to see Jennifer. How about that?¡± Elijah did not respond immediately. He nced at his watch. There was still over half an hour. until 11 p.m. ¡°Fine, where are you?¡± Chapter 279 Chapter 279 ¡°Fine, where are you?¡± Chapter 279 It was 10.30 p.m., and the charity g at Garden Hotel had finally concluded. Bethany walked toward the entrance, observing the man beside her with a sidelong nce. He remained as aloof as ever, with an invincible air about him. She thought about his recent performance of feigned vulnerability before Sheena and could not help but be curious. ¡°I thought you changed, but it turns out you¡¯ve only changed in front of her. I¡¯m really curious. Are you just acting in front of her, or have you genuinely fallen for her?¡± Bethany inquired. Elijah kept his back straight, exuding an air of aristocratic elegance and seemingly oblivious to her words. Unfazed by his ignoring her, Bethany continued walking and joined him in the car. Lionel was sandwiched between them on the back seat, acting like a human partition since Elijah was unwilling to share the seat directly with Bethany. The car sped up, reaching the outskirts in just eight minutes. It was a deste, yet finely crafted cabin surrounded by wilderness. Along with Bethany¡¯s bodyguards, the four of them entered the cabin. Inside, only a kerosenemp was lit, casting dim light throughout the space. Elijah scanned the room and noticed the cleaned sheets, bedding, and traces of upancy on the tabletop and bedside. It seemed that Jennifer had been residing here since being taken out of prison. With this realization, Elijah nced at Bethany and sneered, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the Carver family to have the capability to extract someone from prison discreetly.¡± Bethany chuckled, ¡°Bit of course. She¡¯s your beloved. Rescuing her is, in a way, helping you.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not,¡± Elijah answered without hesitation. Jennifer never was his beloved. At that moment, Jennifer sat on the wooden bed, no longer disying the wild, frenzied behavior from the g. Despite the injuries on her face, she appeared almost like a different person. Upon hearing Elijah¡¯s immediate and almost vehement denial, Jennifer could not hold back. her tears. ¡°Eli, why? You used to love me so much. What did Sheena do to you? Have you forgotten the promises you made to me? Have you forgotten the debt of gratitude from decades ago when I saved you?¡± As soon as this matter was brought up, Elijah¡¯s entire being exuded an unsettling hostility. This so¨Ccalled promise had caused him to overlook Sheena¡¯s love for him over the years and even wrongly use her, uttering words that insulted her. Chapter 279 The thought of the insults he had hurled at Sheena back then made Elijah wish he could p himself several times. He lowered his head, covering the sudden surge of guilt in his eyes, paying no heed to Jennifer¡¯s words.. Lionel spoke on his behalf, ¡°Ms. Moore, Mr. Freeman already knows you¡¯re not the girl who saved hini back then. Bringing up favors now seems rather foolish, don¡¯t you think?¡± Jennifer was stunned. Suddenly, she knelt weakly at Elijah¡¯s feet. ¡°Eli, you¡¯ve been deceived by her! It was really me who saved you back then. I was at the scene. of the car ident, but I was young and scared. I didn¡¯t rush up immediately. Another girl N?velDrama.Org owns this. pulled you out of the car and left, and I came forward to save you. It really was me!¡± Her cries were earnest and mournful, her gaze incredibly sincere. Elijah remained silent. Bethany handed him a document. ¡°Elijah, what she said is indeed true. I had my people investigate that incident from years ago. If you don¡¯t believe me, take a look.¡± He took the document and carefully flipped through it. Chapter 280 Chapter 280 ¡°So, that¡¯s how it is. I thought it was Sheena who saved me. It seems she lied to me.¡± Jennifer, relieved, continued to sob, ¡°Eli, she¡¯s a heartless woman. It¡¯s because of her that I ended up get away with it!¡± like this. You must not let he Bethany chimed in, ¡°Elijah, I heard that since you signed that employment agreement with her, she has been abusing and tormenting you. She¡¯s responsible for the suffering of Jennifer, the Freeman family, and you. Don¡¯t you want to get back at her?¡± Elijah lowered his head to look at the documents in his hands, deliberately concealing the anger in his eyes. In a cold tone, he asked, ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± Bethany grinned and said, ¡°How about we join forces? You continue to gain her trust, feed me information about her every move, and we work together to seize the opportunity to take her down.¡± ¡°No! Don¡¯t kill her directly!¡± Jennifer shouted, her malicious intent gradually revealed in her eyes. ¡°Give her to me. I endured so much suffering in prison. She must experience it all! I want her to go through extreme pain and die with resentment! Elijah¡¯s thin lips lightly pursed, his face expressionless. However, he was clenching his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. He looked at Bethany and calmly asked, ¡°I can handle it alone. Why should I join forces with you?¡± ¡°But, how Jenny appeared at the charity g was orchestrated really well, unlike your usual methods. If you want to cooperate, you must show sincerity and convince me that working with you is worthwhile.¡± Bethany was somewhat pleased. After some thought, she felt that since they would cooperate, honesty was in order. ¡°I didn¡¯t n this, and I was only responsible for executing it. But rest assured, the person behind all this is meticulous, setting up traps at every turn. If you cooperate with us, you won¡¯t lose out,¡± Bethany assured him. ¡°Is that so?¡± He smiled faintly. ¡°Then who is this person?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell you that yet. Wait until you uncover the first thing on Sheena that allows us to trust each other, and then I¡¯ll reveal it to you.¡± Elijah nced at Lionel, and the deep¨Cseated anger in his eyes was no longer concealed. ¡°No, I don¡¯t have the patience to wait until then. I want to know now!¡± As soon as Elijah said that, a muffled groan came from Bethany¡¯s bodyguard. The bodyguard¡¯s eyes bulged out, and he clutched his neck, blood flowing continuously through his fingers. Struggling for just a second, he finally dropped dead on the spot. Standing behind him, Lionel pulled out a handkerchief, casually wiping the small knife in his hand expressionlessly. / Both Bethany and Jennifer, being women, were startled by this sudden turn of events. ¡°Eli!¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Elijah, what are you doing!¡± Elijah tore away the supposed truth in his hands and coldly red at Jennifer on the ground. ¡°The truth of who saved me all those years ago doesn¡¯t matter anymore. Even if it was you, I paid for your education, satisfying all your materialistic needs. That debt is paid. Now, the person I love is her, and the one I want to protect is her. After all the harm you¡¯ve caused her, it¡¯s time to settle the score.¡± Jennifer copsed to the ground, covering her mouth in disbelief and crying in pain. Bethany, infuriated, gritted her teeth. ¡°So, when you proposed to cooperate earlier, it was all a deliberate lie? You wanted to lower my guard and send someone to kill me?¡± Elijah did not argue. He turned to Lionel and ordered, ¡°Take them back to the mansion. Leave it to Sheena to settle the score.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± Lionel pulled out a medicated handkerchief and walked toward Bethany. Bethany took two steps back, leaning against the door, chuckling. ¡°Elijah, do you really think the person behind this didn¡¯t expect these scenarios? Since your refuse to join forces, let¡¯s see if you have what it takes to get us out of here alive!¡± Chapter 281 Chapter 281 After she said that, Bethany forcefully pushed open the wooden door, letting dozens of knife- wielding bodyguards storm in. Seeing the situation, Jennifer quickly scrambled to her feet, bypassed Elijah, and hid behind the group of bodyguards to confront him. ¡°Eli, you¡¯repletely obsessed with that woman! I truly love you, but you insist on choosing her over me. I¡¯m so heartbroken. Don¡¯t worry. Once you¡¯re gone, I¡¯ll make sure to torture her to death as revenge for you!¡± Jennifer¡¯s eyes reddened, a mix of anger and hatred boiling within her. Lionel immediately stood in front of Elijah, assuming a defensive stance. The tide had turned, and Bethany reveled in her triumph. ¡°Elijah, I heard you were injected with a drug that weakened your body, and you can¡¯t even fight now. If that¡¯s true, your little sidekick not only has to take on ten guys barehanded but also protect you. That¡¯s quite a tough job, huh?¡± Indeed, Elijah¡¯s current condition meant he could not handle even one person in a fight. If it came to a brawl, he would likely rely on Lionel to cover him. Inside the cabin, the atmosphere grew tense, the situation hanging by a thread. Lionel red at her discontentedly and scoffed, ¡°You should worry about yourself! Forget about these men. Even if you bring twenty more, I can still handle them!¡± Bethany ignored Lionel, instead keeping her eyes fixed on Elijah, continuing her persuasive tactics. ¡°Seems like the news is true. She¡¯s really ruthless toward you. What¡¯s the worth of protecting a woman like her? We¡¯re family, and I would never treat you like this. I can¡¯t bear to see you die here today, so why not cooperate with us and get rid of her together?¡± Thinking of Sheena¡¯s beautiful face, Elijah smirked. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s not just ruthless, but she¡¯s also cunning. All her sweetness and coyness are for Howard and the others, while all her anger and cruelty are reserved for me. Even so, I enjoy every bit of it. You can¡¯tpare to her.¡± This statement infuriated Bethany. ¡°Alright then, you can forget about leaving here alive. today!¡± The bodyguards behind her approached Elijah menacingly with their knives. Nheless, Elijah remainedposed, locking eyes with Bethany as he sneered. ¡°Did you really think I came unprepared?¡± Lionel ced his hand over his mouth, making a sharp bird¨Clike call. After a few seconds, wooden window was violently smashed open, startling both Bethany and Jennifer. Logan, apanied by a few men, leaped in through the window, standing shoulder to the shoulder with Lionel. He handed Lionel a handy knife as they took their positions. In Froania, strict gun control measures and the attention¨Cdrawing nature of gunshots led both sides to rely on knives instead of firearms. Otherwise, it would have turned into a shootout. Elijah¡¯s men were seasoned fighters who had been with him for years, experienced in real¨Clifebat. Though fewer in number, the oue was far from certain when it came to an all- out brawl. The two sides faced off, tension hanging thick in the air. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Now, Bethany was frustrated as it seemed tonight would not be easy. Suddenly, she thought of something and broke into a smile. ¡°Elijah, there¡¯s something I forgot to tell you. The charity g tonight wasn¡¯t aimed at you. I¡¯m afraid that bitch Sheena might not make it home. Her luck has run out.¡± Elijah frowned, anger simmering in him as he questioned, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Bethany chuckled. ¡°Literally what I said. Come on, let¡¯s see whose people are tougher!¡± She waved her hand, and the bodyguards with knives swiftly engaged in a fierce battle with Lionel, Logan, and their men. The scene was chaotic, with blood sttering everywhere. Meanwhile, far away from Ocean Avenue, at the Garden Hotel¡­ Chapter 282 Chapter 282 Ford drove more steadily this time as it was nighttime, and Sheena had consumed a bit of alcohol. However, Sheena was far from idle in the car, reading through the recent financial the Freeman Group with aptop on herp. reports of Paul yawned repeatedly, feeling a bit sleepy, while Ford remained focused on driving. With minimal traffic and closed windows, the car was quiet. As they passed Clear Crane Bridge, Ford suddenly detected a faint beeping sound inside the car. It started slow, then gradually became more urgent, akin to a countdown. Realizing something, Ford¡¯s face turned pale and shouted, ¡°Damn it! Ms. Sheena, jump out of the car right now!¡± The three reacted swiftly, opening the car doors and leaping out. Just as they exited the vehicle, the red Passat exploded. The impact was intense, sending them flying two meters away, and the explosion scattered car debris in all directions. Sheena¡¯s right shoulder was grazed by the flying shards, and the pain quickly spread throughout her body as blood trickled down her arm. Shocked by the terrifying sight, Ford and Paul hurriedly got up to assess her condition. ¡°You got hurt under my watch! I deserve to die!¡± Ford scolded himself, pping his own face in remorse. Sheena, enduring the pain, reassured him, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡± The explosion indicated that a timed bomb had been nted in the car beforehand, and Sheena instantly understood why the dramatic scene unfolded at the charity g. Jennifer, aware that she could not harm Sheena directly, staged a public confrontation to force Sheena¡¯s bodyguards to reveal themselves, providing an opportunity to tamper with her car. ¡°What are you standing around for? Hurry up and get Ms. Sheena to the hospital!¡± Paul shouted. Helping Sheena up, they had barely taken a few steps when they heard a rapid, forceful approach of footsteps. Soon, men in ck suits equipped with knives appeared on the dimly lit road. The night turned ominous as a sense of impending danger surrounded them. The roads at both ends of Clear Crane Bridge were blocked, trapping them on the bridge. Ford and Paul shielded Sheena in the center, defensively facing the approaching assassins from both sides. Sheena quickly estimated the number of enemies¨C20 on each end of the bridge. After tallying up the numbers, she chuckled. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect such a delightful gift from that person! Forty elite assassins just to take down a delicate woman like me. They must really think highly of me. The killers on both sides maintained solemn expressions, silent as they continued their advance. ¡°With a ratio of forty to three, and considering my injured shoulder, I hardly stand a chance in this situation,¡± Sheena continued, her eyes glistening as she smiled alluringly, her voice soft and delicate, ¡°Since I¡¯m on the verge of death anyway, could you at least tell me who sent you? Let me die with some understanding.¡± The lead assassin on the right side could not contain himself. ¡°Ms. Sheena, it¡¯s not just one member of the Lawson family who wishes for your death.¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. This implied that all the conspiracies were decisions made collectively. gaze Sheena lowered her and sighed, appearing helpless and wronged as she whined, ¡°But I don¡¯t understand where I went wrong. They¡¯ve tried to kill me several times, and I¡¯ve already left Svelton. Why won¡¯t they let me go?¡± The lead assassin lowered his head. When he looked up again, his expression turned cold and merciless. ¡°Sorry about this! You can ask Hades himself about these matters!¡± ¡°Attack!¡± 3/2 Chapter 283 Chapter 283 Chapter 283 Following themand, the assassins from both sides charged forward in a menacing wave. Sheena, looking solemn, grabbed Ford and Paul¡¯s hands, and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ve informed Howard. You two mustn¡¯t risk your lives. I need you both to stay alive!¡± In the brief moments she spoke with the assassins, Sheena discreetly sent a message from her phone. Howard¡¯s men would at most take ten minutes to arrive. Ford and Paul, determined to protect her, threw themselves into the fight against the oing assassins, Sheena struggled with the tight fit of the evening gown as she lifted her legs. Quickly tearing a small strip of fabric from the dress¡¯s slit, she used it to bandage her injured right shoulder and stop the bleeding. In the midst of this, an assassin charged at her. She swiftly sidestepped and delivered a powerful kick to the man¡¯s legs. He winced in pain, and before he could react, Sheenal decisively knocked him out with a sharp strike. The fight of 40 against three was extremely chaotic. Inside the cabin, a bloody battle unfolded. Lionel and Logan were formidable, but Bethany¡¯s reinforcements proved to be no pushovers. The intense sh persisted for five minutes. Haunted by Bethany¡¯s words, Elijah felt an uncontroble pang in his heart. He could not wait any longer. Every minute spent here meant greater danger for Sheena. ¡°Lionel,e with me. We need to find Sheena. The rest of you, cover us and retreat!¡± On Clear Crane Bridge, blood painted the scene. Ford and Paul seized the assants¡® knives, their eyes burning with determination. However, the sheer number of enemies overwhelmed them. After multiple rounds of relentless attacks, their energy waned. They bore cuts on their backs and legs yet gritted their teeth to press on. Already injured, Sheena quickly exhausted her strength. One momentarypse in attention. resulted in another sh to her arm, leaving a long gash and causing her entire limb to tremble uncontrobly in pain. Clutching the bleeding wound/she bit down on her lip, enduring the pain while rapidly assessing the situation. Ford and Paul were covered in bruises and blood, enduring numerous cuts yet still fighting on. If they continued like this, they would meet their end here before Howard arrived. Sheena watched the blood stter, her anger surging within. The pain she endured tonight would be repaid a thousandfold in the days toe! Stepping onto the stone pir at the edge of Clear Crane Bridge, the wind tousled her bloodied hair. Despite the disarray, her face, marked with blood, remained breathtaking when she smiled. She looked at the assassins with an icy gaze, and despite being wounded, she still exuded an innate presence of nobility and arrogance. ¡°They want to kill me, and I can¡¯t escape. But even if I must die, I¡¯ll choose the way I go!¡± After roaring these words, she leaped off the ten¨Cmeter¨Chigh Clear Crane Bridge. ¡°Miss! No!¡± Before plunging into the water, she heard Ford¡¯s desperate roar. In the pitch¨Cck night, nothing could be seen underwater. The dim yellow glow of the streetlights on the bridge became the only light in her eyes. As that light gradually disappeared, a sudden intense pain struck her head, and unclear images shed before her eyes. Along with that was a tender and clear voice speaking, ¡°Let¡¯s buy some flowers. You¡¯re as beautiful as these flowers!¡± ¡°Why do you have a daddy, and I don¡¯t? Can you give me your daddy?¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Sob¡­ I really like you, but I can only choose one between you and Daddy.¡± ¡°Sheena, Sheena¡­¡± Who could that be? Spin to im Your Surprise Reward y Chapter 284 Chapter 284 Chapter 284 Chapter 284 Who on earth was that girl? Sheena¡¯s head throbbed intensely, and there was a blurry scene of a little girl smiling at her. The little girl was just smiling andughing. Besides theughter and faint image of the little girl, Sheena heard and saw nothing else. She forgot to struggle, and her body felt weightless as it sank toward the bottom. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Was this the end? Sheena¡¯s consciousness grew hazier. However, just before slipping intoplete unconsciousness, she felt a force tightly enveloping her and giving her precious breaths of life, desperately pulling her back from the brink of death. When Sheena awoke again, her first sight was the white ceiling. ¡°Feeling better, Nana?¡± Howard¡¯s deep voice echoed in her ears. She turned her head, and his handsome face gradually came into focus. Sheena croaked, ¡°Howard¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk for now. You just got over a fever. Don¡¯t strain your throat.¡± Howard tenderly ruffled her hair, his eyes slightly red. Despite his frustration, he could only scold her in a hushed tone. ¡°You really are something. It¡¯s almost winter, and the river water is freezing. Moreover, you were injured. What if your wounds got infected? Are you trying to die or something?¡± Sheena¡¯s pale lips curved into a faint smile, reassuring him. She then asked, ¡°How are Ford and the others?! Despite being annoyed that she was immediately concerned about others upon waking up, Howard still responded gently, ¡°They¡¯re both fine. Though they have many superficial injuries, none are life¨C threatening. They just need some time to recover.¡± Sheena let out a sigh of relief. She was about to ask more questions, but Howard stopped her. ¡°You just woke up. Why so many questions? Can¡¯t you get some more rest?¡± Sheena remained silent, staring at him. Under her gaze, Howard surrendered. ¡°Fine, you win. I know what you want to ask. How about you drink some soup, and I¡¯ll give you a detailed report, alright?¡± Sheena smiled contentedly. He sighed and adjusted her pillow, letting her lean against the headboard as she sipped her soup. ¡°As soon as I got your message, I rushed over with our men. I heard you yelling at the bridge even before getting close. You scared the living daylights out of me! No more of these stunts, okay?¡± Sheena just smiled and nodded obediently. Howard continued, ¡°I checked the identities of those assassins, but there¡¯s no information. They were bred by an illegal organization,pletely untraceable. However, given their significant investment and persistent hostility toward you, it¡¯s likely someone from the Lawson family.¡± Howard and his brothers, including their father, had privately investigated before, but there were no leads. Corey even used his underworld connections to dig deeper yet found nothing. Sheena took a few sips of soup and said in a weak voice, ¡°The Lawson family has more than one person who wants me dead. So, their ns are likely well¨Ccoordinated.¡± Frowning, Howard asked, ¡°But why are they all targeting you?¡± Sheena pondered and shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it might have something to do with the inheritance of the Lawson Group. As the youngest and only daughter, Albert had prepared a will long ago, stating that she would inherit all the Lawson family¡¯s assets in the future, a vast fortune that would tempt anyone. Howard thought it made sense. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, it probably involves those old folks among the Lawson family¡¯s coteral rtives. It¡¯s just a matter of time before we catch them.¡± Nheless, those were just spections. Sheena recalled the face of the little girl that shed in her mind before slipping into aa. Furthermore, those repeated words seemed connected to her past experiences. Despite her amnesia, she had regained some of those memories. Why was this happening? Sheena was puzzled. ¡°Howard, does Dad have any other daughters besides me?¡± Chapter 295 1/2 Chapter 285 Chapter 285 Chapter 285 Howard lowered his head, appearing deep in thought. After contemting for a while, he shook his head. ¡°No. Dad is not young anymore, and he was already quite old when you were born. Lauren has been seeking remedies and consulting doctors for years, but she never got pregnant.¡± Sheena¡¯s stepmother, Lauren Sandler, was three years older than her, leading to constant conflicts between them. Whenever they were together, they would usually end up arguing after just a few words. Sheena pondered for a moment. She had a gut feeling that the events from years ago when she lost her memory and ended up in Farlem were somehow connected to the little girl in her mind. However, she could not recall anything. Nevertheless, this matter needed to be investigated slowlyter on. For now, she had to set it aside. ¡°Howard, how did you handle those peoplest night?¡± Howard fell silent. When he arrivedst night, the fight on the bridge was nearly over, with Elijah and his men arriving first. Howard had tidied up the aftermath and kept a few survivors for further interrogation. After some thought, he avoided the topic of Elijah. ¡°They hurt my beloved sister, so I took care of most of them to vent your anger. I left two survivors locked up. Once you¡¯re better, you can personally interrogate them to see if we can get any information.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Sheena ced the soup by the bedside, suddenly recalling that she vaguely remembered being rescuedst night. ¡°Howard, did you jump into the water to save me?¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Bringing up the matter seemed to irk Howard. When he arrived, Elijah had already jumped into the water to rescue Sheena. He noticed Sheena¡¯s evening dress was torn on both sides of her slits, and Howard could not help but wonder if that bastard Elijah had done anything inappropriate to her. ¡°Yup, that was me.¡± Howard averted his gaze, somewhat awkward. Sheena frowned, saying, ¡°Really? But I remember someone performing CPR on me.¡± ¡°What?¡± Howard blurted out. He knew he could not trust Elijah! He should not have been lenient and thrown that bastard back into the river to freeze to death! ¡°You were not conscious at the time. You must have remembered it wrong,¡± Howard defended. Sheena stared deeply into his eyes. ¡°Howard, don¡¯t lie to me.¡± ¡°Why would I lie to you? It¡¯s the truth.¡± Howard met her gaze, looking determined. Sheena knew him too well. Even If she knew he was not telling the truth, if he insisted on not saying, she would not be able to get anything out of him. So, she changed her approach. ¡°What about Elijah? Where did he gost night?¡± ¡°How should I know where he wentst night? It¡¯s all because of his darling Jennifer that so much trouble happened. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s somewhat rted to it. Don¡¯t worry about him. I locked him up in Ocean Avenue, barring him froming out,¡± Howard exined. Sheena frowned, still wanting to say something, but Howard immediately picked up cutting off her words. the soup, ¡°Come on, Nana, drink more. Auntie Gloria personally prepared this for you. It¡¯s beneficial for your wound recovery.¡± In the basement of Ocean Avenue, the coughing was heart¨Cwrenching, and the echoes. lingered for a long time. It was extremely frightening, Elijah curled up on the cold floor. The intense coughing made his face unnaturally pale, and he looked weak. He was covered in cold sweat, his body burning hot, and his consciousness was fading. Ford, who was closest to him, was still in the hospital recovering. Howard ordered John and Sawyer to lock him in the basement, providing no water or food. He was not even given any light. Elijah suffered in the darkness of the basement for over ten hours. Chapter 296 Chapter 286 Chapter 286 Chapter 286 At this rate, Elijah might sumb to the high fever in his weakened state, jeopardizing his life. Elijah could not afford to die. After all, the culprits behind Sheena¡¯s predicament remained unidentified, and Bethany and Jennifer were still atrge! He took a deep breath, cing his hand near his lips. Uncertain if Lionel was around, he repeated a sequence of bird calls. John and Sawyer, hearing the noise from the basement, opened the door. ¡°Mr. Freeman, quit hurting yourself. Mr. Lawson said you¡¯ll be released once Ms. Sheena is discharged.¡± After speaking, they wasted no time leaving. The basement door mmed shut again, locking Elijah in. When the door opened, the sudden rush of cold air made Elijah cough violently, his entire body curling up and shivering. Last night, Elijah insisted on jumping into the river to save Sheena. Lionel, already concerned about him, had discreetly stationed himself around Ocean Avenue to observe. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Upon hearing Elijah¡¯s faint signals of weakness, Lionel was furious. ¡°Darn it! They¡¯re so inhumane!¡± He rushed to the mansion¡¯s basement with Logan and a few others. John and Sawyer tried their best to stop them, but the group overpowered the two, knocking them out within minutes. Lionel kicked open the basement door, and upon seeing Elijah, a surge of anger boiled within him. ¡°The heck! Is this how they repay someone who saved her life? I want to kill them!¡± Logan was equally infuriated, shouting, ¡°What about those two bodyguards? Should I take care of them? I can¡¯t stand holding back!¡± Lionel was about to respond when Elijah¡¯s scorching hand tightly gripped his wrist. Due to the prolonged torture, Elijah¡¯s voice had turned hoarse, and hecked the strength to speak. However, Lionel understood his message¨Cno one was allowed to kill them. Lionel was in a dilemma. After a moment, he sighed, realizing orders had to be followed. However, he and his friends would not go without venting their frustration. Thus, he instructed Logan to drag John and Sawyer into the basement and lock them up. Then, Lionel carried Elijah back to his room and applied a cooling patch. After checking Elijah¡¯s temperature, which was still a high 38.9 degrees, Lionel had him take some antipyretics along with an injection. It was not until thete hours that Elijah slowly regained consciousness. Lionel checked Elijah¡¯s temperature again, relieved that the fever had subsided. Thankfully, he was out of danger. Lionel breathed a sigh of relief, sitting at the bedside with a rather gloomy expression. ¡°Mr. Freeman, this is the result of risking your life to rush over here! Howard has you locked up, preventing you from seeing Ms. Sheena at the hospital. She probably won¡¯t even know it was you who saved her. It¡¯s absurd!¡± Elijah¡¯s eyes were half¨Cshut, his eyshes fluttering. His once fiery eyes nowcked focus due to the torment of illness, and his handsome face appeared pale and lifeless, Howard had always disliked him, and it was not surprising that he would go to such lengths. Moreover, now that he knew Howard was Sheena¡¯s brother, Elijah felt a twinge of guilt toward him. As for Sheena in the hospital, Howard would undoubtedly take meticulous care of her, so Elijah was not worried. Seeing Elijah silent and visibly weakened by illness, Lionel felt a pang of heartache. ¡°Mr. Freeman, knowing your current health is not what it used to be, you can¡¯t withstand the cold. The water was freezing, and you still jumped into the river to save her. Couldn¡¯t you have waited for Howard to handle it?¡± Was it foolishness or apse in judgment? However, Lionel refrained from saying that aloud, fearing that he would face a beating once. Elijah recovered. Chapter 287 Chapter 287 Chapter 287 Elijah¡¯s throat was hoarse, and he had no intention of speaking. He turned over and continued sleeping. When Elijah arrivedst night and heard Sheena¡¯s shout, he lost his mind seeing her jump into the river. The heart¨Cwrenching feeling that almost suffocated him. Even thinking about sent painful tremors through his heart. He would not let such a thing happen again! Seeing Elijah ignoring him, Lionel knew he would not listen. After following Elijah for so many years, it was the first time he had seen him fight so desperately for someone. ¡°Mr. Freeman, rest well. Just call me if you need anything. Don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡± Lionel sighed helplessly, poured a cup of hot water at the bedside, and left after closing the door behind him. Still running a fever and feeling groggy, Elijah soon fell back asleep. The sprawling mansion was silent and pitch¨Cck in thete hours. Lionel went downstairs to the basement, a gloomy expression clouding his face. Logan and the others were guarding the basement entrance while John and Sawyer had long been awake. They were furious about being locked up, banging on the door and shouting. Seeing Lionel approach, Logan asked, ¡°How¡¯s Mr. Freeman? Is he getting better?¡± Lionel nodded. Logan sighed in relief and gritted his teeth. ¡°Can¡¯t we just get rid of these two? They¡¯ve been cursing since they woke up. We can¡¯t just leave them like this!! Lionel¡¯s expression darkened. He might not be able to touch Howard, but he could definitely deal with both of the Lawson family¡¯s bodyguards. After all, keeping them alive was the main thing. ¡®Open the door. I¡¯ll handle it.¡± The basement door creaked open, and the moment John and Sawyer tried to run out, they were tied up and thrown back into the room. Sawyer was about to shout, but his mouth was quickly stuffed with a cloth. Since John had somewhat defended Elijah before, Lionel spared him from having his mouth covered. Besides, John was qui¨¦terpared to the hot¨Ctempered Sawyer, Annoyed by Sawyer¡¯s muffled noises, Lionel drew a knife, red at him with a ruthless gaze, and forcefully plunged the de into the floor near his leg, close enough to graze his skin. Sawyer was terrified! It was a close call, and he could have lost the one thing a man cherished the most for the rest of his life! Lionel was one ruthless guy! Seeing Sawyer¡¯s anger subside, Lionel chuckled. ¡°Can you at least listen to what I have to say?¡± John remained silent while Sawyer vigorously nodded. ¡°Mr. Freeman saved Ms. Sheena, but instead of thanking him, Mr. Lawson did not express gratitude and also locked him up, leaving him with a high fever. Isn¡¯t that a bit too much? It¡¯s been weighing on our minds.¡± John and Sawyer did not know what he was up to and stayed quiet. Lionel continued, ¡°You two are on the Lawson family¡¯s payroll, doing Mr. Lawson¡¯s dirty work. You¡¯ve suffered because of him too. They faintly felt the threat emanating from him. Lionel smirked, patting their arms. ¡°So, I¡¯m sorry about this, but you two will get a few punches from us to vent our frustrations. We¡¯ll let you go after that. Vent their frustrations? It felt like they were being treated as punching bags! John knew there was no escaping this, so he stiffly said, ¡°Just don¡¯t hit our faces!¡± Lionel smiled. ¡°Sure, we¡¯ll go with that.¡± Messing up their faces would make it hard to exin to Sheena. Lionel stood up, leaned against the door, and added, ¡°Mr. Freeman doesn¡¯t know about this. No snitching and letting him take the me. Can you handle that?¡± This is from N?velDrama.Org. Knowing that Elijah was running a high fever while being locked up, John felt guilty. He agreed without hesitation, ¡°Okay, but can you go easy on us?¡® Lionel remained silent, turning away, and leaving the basement. Soon after, cries of echoed from behind him. agony After spending two days in the hospital, Sheena was discharged. Her first stop was at Howard¡¯s mansion to check on the two assassins he had captured. The weather had turned colder, and she wore a ck trench coat over a red velvet dress with a touch of red lipstick. She exuded a regal aura, strong yet charming. The two assassins were held in the basement of Howard¡¯s mansion, chained to chairs, covered in wounds from previous beatings. Their mouths were slightly open, gagged with cloth to prevent them from biting their tongues. Chapter 288 1/2 Chapter 288 Chapter 288 Chapter 288 The bodyguards brought a chair for Sheena, and she sat about three meters away from the two assassins. When she took a closer look at their faces, she was mildly surprised and smirked. ¡°Well, well. If it isn¡¯t the man who answered my question that day.¡± The man shot her an icy re and turned his face away. Sheena, always patient, propped her chin on her hand, her pretty face beaming with an enchanting smile. ¡°Others might not know the situation, but you surely do. If you tell me what I want to know, I can have them release you and even provide you with enough money for a carefree life. What do you say?¡± Sheena had a beautiful voice, and the man nced at her, almost getting lost in her innocent yet captivating gaze. What a seductress! This is from N?velDrama.Org. Fuming, the man turned his head, closing his eyes and ignoring her. The rules among them were exceptionally strict. If you leaked a secret, you would meet a horrible end. By gritting his teeth and staying silent, he might survive the ordeal. ¡°Not talking, huh?¡± Sheena yfully pouted and ordered the people nearby, ¡°Let them go.¡± ¡°Miss, they haven¡¯t revealed anything yet. Are you sure about releasing them?¡± Sheena nodded, appearing serious. The two men, utterly bewildered, had hoods thrown over their heads and were escorted out of Howard¡¯s mansion. Once they were gone, Howard entered and asked, ¡°Nana, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I¡¯m having a few people follow them. If someonees to silence them, we might need to intervene when necessary.¡± Letting the assassins go directly would likely make the other side think they had leaked the secret. Abiding by the ¡°better safe than sorry¡± principle, they woulde after them again. The more the other side acted, the easier it would be to expose their motives, ying into Sheena¡¯s hands. Howard, being sharp, quickly grasped her intention and instructed his people ordingly. When things seemed to be in order, Sheena prepared to return to Ocean Avenue. Howard asked, ¡°Nana, how about staying here for a few days? Auntie Gloria can make your favorite meals, and I¡¯ll have her prepare some nourishing soup for you.¡± ¡°No need. I¡¯m almost fully recovered.¡± Sheena smiled faintly, getting up to leave. John and Sawyer, upon learning of her return, cheerfully came out to greet her. ¡°Miss, wee back.¡± Sheena nodded and nced at the two of them. Despite their attempts to hide it well, she keenly noticed something amiss. Sawyer, in particr, bore the signs of a harsh beating, with a hint of bruising peeking out from under his shirt cor. ¡°What happened to your neck?¡® Sawyer instinctively covered his neck, exchanging a nce with John. ¡°I identally fell.¡± How could someone fall and bruise that spot? Even though Sheena was puzzled, she did not press further and withdrew her gaze as she entered the mansion¡¯s living room. Just as she opened the door, Elijah happened to walk down from the second floor. Their eyes met from a distance. Having recovered from his fever, Elijah still appeared somewhat weak, his handsome face paler than usual, and his dark eyescked their usual luster. Sheena also noticed his slightly dry and pale lips. Why did he look unwell? She stood at the doorway, frowning. Seeing her less¨Cthan¨Cideal expression, Elijah hastened his pace, silently retrieving her slippers from the shoe cab and neatly cing them. Sheena found this even more peculiar. Why was he not saying anything? Was he trying a new approach today, opting for a more mysterious demeanor? Why did everyone in the house seem off after her two¨Cday absence? Chapter 289 Chapter 289 As Sheena slid into her slippers, she observed Elijah. She then took off her coat and handed it to him. Elijah was caught off guard but quickly recovered and obediently took the coat from Sheena, hanging it on the rack. However, he remained silent, not being as eagerly attentive as before. Sheena¡¯s expression darkened as she continued to observe him. Elijah, seemingly oblivious, nced at the clock on the living room wall. It was almost noon, and he instinctively headed toward the kitchen to prepare a meal. Sheena sat on the sofa, speaking in an icy tone, ¡°Come here.¡± Elijah stiffened but still walked over to her and stopped at her feet. Sheena did not look at him, her demeanor somewhat distant. ¡°Remember when you said you wouldn¡¯t let me look up to you?¡± Elijah stood still, feeling slightly ufortable, as he noticed her continued coldness. Howard clearly had not informed her that he was the one who saved her. So, now that Sheena was back, would she hold him ountable for going to the charity g with Bethany? Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Initially thinking he could bnce things out, Elijah suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, making it hard for him to breathe. ¡°Hm?¡± Sheena pressed, growing a bit impatient. Elijah dropped to one knee, slowly crouching down in front of her. His gaze remained low, hisshes gently trembling. Sheena sensed his awkward emotions, bing even more puzzled. She lightly hooked hist chin using her fingertips, forcing him to lift his face. As their eyes met, she noticed that Elijah¡¯s eyes were slightly red, and he appeared weak. It resembled the look of someone being bullied by her, appearing vulnerable and innocently helpless. Sheena frowned. She had not even asked anything yet, and he was already feeling wronged. ¡°What have you been doing these past two days? Mr. Lawson seemed to have forbidden you. from g out. Why haven¡¯t you done the housework during these two days?¡± Elijah stayed silent, feeling heartbroken. Sheena lifted his chin a bit more. ¡°Cat got your tongue?¡± ¡°I was recovering,¡± Elijah murmured, his voice low and husky, carrying a hint of grievance. He truly seemed to have lost his voice. Sheena chuckled lightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your throat? What illness are you suffering from? ¡°Fever.¡± Sheena was puzzled. He had been staying at the mansion, not stepping out for two days, and there had not been any rain during this time. How could he have a fever? Judging by his pale and sickly appearance, he had probably been running a high fever these past two days. Sheena soon thought of a possibility and released her grip on his chin. ¡°Stop crouching. Sit on that sofa.¡± Elijah quickly got up and took a seat on the adjacent small sofa. His body, alreadycking strength, had started to feel numb in his legs after crouching for a short while, and his head was a bit dizzy. He feared he would not hold out if he stayed in that position any longer. Sheena gracefully poured herself a ss of water, then resumed her questioning. ¡°What happened to the injuries on Sawyer? Who attacked him?¡± Watching her drink water, Elijah gulped, and he casually lied, ¡°I was in my room for two days, so I¡¯m not sure. He probably fell.¡± He did not want to tell her the truth. Uninterested in dwelling on this matter, Sheena returned to the main topic. ¡°What were your doing the day of the charity g?¡± Elijah was about to answer when Sheena stared at him, reminding him, ¡°I want to hear the truth.¡± ¡°I took Bethany¡¯s car and went to the outskirts to meet Jennifer.¡± 1/2 Chapter 290 Chapter 290 Chapter 290 Elijah cleared his dry throat and observed Sheena¡¯s expression. Seeing no significant change, he continued speaking- ¡°At the g, Bethany was just the executor. There¡¯s someone orchestrating things in the background. This person is very cunning, calcting every move urately. While Bethany imed to ally with me, she secretly prepared for my refusal and attempted to silence me.¡± His burning throat protested as he spoke too much, sending him into a coughing fit. Sheena casually handed him a cup, letting him pour water himself, and teased, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I might suspect you of intentionally revealing the cooperation?¡± ¡°If you want the truth, I won¡¯t hide it from you,¡± Elijah responded. Whether she believed him or not was not something he could decide. ¡°Is that so?¡± Sheena smiled, propping her chin with one hand, and leaning on her knee. She looked at him with a mischievous grin and added, ¡°Then I want to know what happened to Sawyer, the real story.¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. After contemting, Elijah confessed, ¡°He offended me, so I had Lionel hurt him.¡± Lionel? Sheena furrowed her brow, sensing there might be more to the story. Nevertheless, given Elijah¡¯s honesty, Sheena made a rough guess that it was probably rted to Howard. Despite setting aside this matter, whether Bethany was the executor or the mastermind, Sheena felt uneasy if she did not settle the score. Rising from her seat, she smoothed her velvet skirt. ¡°Since it was your man who harmed my bodyguard, your people will have to handle my business. I¡¯m going to make the Carver family pay for what they¡¯ve done!¡± Her bright eyes sparkled with a cold, arrogant confidence. Elijah, staring at the glimmer in her eyes, was momentarily stunned. By the time he regained his composure, Sheena had already grabbed the ck coat from the rack, preparing to leave. He quickly followed suit, contacting Lionel, and gathering Logan and a few others to act as her temporary workforce for the day. Upon their arrival, Sheena took a quick nce and deemed it insufficient. Elijah exined, ¡°Sheena, they¡¯ve all fought for their lives and are very skilled. Besides, just Lionel alone is enough to deal with the Carver mansion¡¯s bunch of useless bodyguards.¡± Sheena thought that was still not enough. After all, she was caught in a fight against 40 men with just three on her side a couple of days ago. She wanted Bethany to feel the overwhelming force of this imposing group fully. However, Ford and Paul were still in the hospital. Meanwhile, John and Sawyer seemed to be injured. Hence, she decided to call Sarah. ¡°Get some people from the organization with a good foundation in fighting. I¡¯m about to get into a fight!¡± Chapter 290 Elijah, standing nearby, overheard and caught onto the mention of an organization. Soon enough, Sheena gathered a formidable force of 50 people. With Elijah¡¯s men and herself included, they added up to 58. As they walked, the ground trembled beneath their imposing presence. The sight of this force from afar was downright intimidating. Sheena was satisfied and ready to set out when she suddenly felt someone grabbing her wrist. Elijah stared at her with a gloomy expression, asking, ¡°You¡¯re not taking me?¡± Sheena gently patted his pale cheek and chuckled. ¡°Be good. You¡¯re still sick. This is too much for you. Even though Sheena did not mean it that way, those words deeply pricked Elijah¡¯s nerves, especially when she said it in front of so many people. Elijah, with a solemn face, emphasized, ¡°I can do it!¡± At the Carver mansion, boredom hung over the entrance guards until suddenly, they sensed a well¨C trained and imposing array of footsteps that made the water cup ced on the table vibrate. They turned their heads in surprise. A gorgeous woman in a red dress and windbreaker, with amanding and enchanting presence, appeared with a group of men, marching menacingly toward them from 50 meters away. Despite her much smaller stature than the men behind her, her presence still stood out like a queen on a high pedestal apanied by her ck knights. ¡°Oh, damn!¡± The Carver family¡¯s bodyguards were frightened. ¡°Hurry and notify Ms. Carver and Madam Carver!¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! yi Chapter 291 Chapter 291 As Mnia Carver, Bethany¡¯s mother, walked down the stairs leisurely, Sheena and her entourage had already entered the garden, filling the entire yard with people. Initially, the bodyguards at the entrance considered stopping them, but in the face of this overwhelming. group, they seemed small and helpless, unable to resist. Sheena asked her men to bring over a lounge chair and casually sat in the middle of the garden. Elijah went to the backyard of the Carver mansion to pick some oranges from the orange tree, standing quietly beside Sheena as he peeled them. When Mnia stepped out of the mansion, she was bewildered by the scene. However, having been in control of the Carver Group for many years, she maintained herposure and poise. ¡°What are you¡­¡± Before finishing her sentence, she suddenly noticed the oranges in Elijah¡¯s hands, and her face turned pale. ¡°Oh my! Elijah, my boy! These are my favorite fruits. You can¡¯t touch them!¡± ¡°Can¡¯t touch them?¡± Sheena chuckled yfully, delicately taking the peeled orange from Elijah¡¯s hands. She gracefully tasted one and smiled radiantly, saying, ¡°Indeed, the meticulously nurtured fruits from Carver mansion taste delightful.¡± Mnia watched as Sheena finished the entire orange, her heart aching. The tree was imported, of great value, and flourishing. Just one of these oranges was worth a fortune! Elijah actually picked several of them! She clenched her fists, suppressing the anger inside. Smiling, Mnia said, ¡°You truly are an extraordinary woman. You left a marriage with nothing but the clothes on your back, yet managed to take over the Freeman Group in such a short time. There aren¡¯t many women I would admire in this world, but you¡¯re one of them. I wee you anytime if you want to visit. the Carver family, but why bring so many people here?¡± Sheena did not bother to look at Mnia, waiting for Elijah to finish peeling the oranges. She leisurely responded, ¡°Madam Carver, you¡¯re overthinking. I¡¯m not here for a visit today. I¡¯vee to settle the score with Bethany.¡± This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Settle the score?¡± Mnia was utterly confused. Bethany happened to walk out of the stairs, and her eyes betrayed a venomous hatred that she barely concealed. However, her attention swiftly shifted to the group of men behind Sheena- d in ck suits, standing tall and imposing, their expressions stern and intimidating. Witnessing this disy, Bethany felt a pang of unease. She walked up to Mnia, standing beside her, projecting an intimidating aura as she red at Sheena. ¡°I could sue you for trespassing and harassment for bringing so many people to my house without permission.¡± Sheena nonchntly waved her hand and responded, ¡°Madam Carver just mentioned that she wees my visits to the Carver family anytime, so I came. Does that count as trespassing?¡± The mother¨Cdaughter duo of the Carver family remained silent. The bodyguards behind Sheena promptly eximed in unison, ¡°It doesn¡¯t count!¡± JECOTE The resounding, powerful voice echoed, startling the mother¨Cdaughter duo. Satisfied with their reaction, Sheena sat up with a hint of arrogance and continued, ¡°A few days ago, my car exploded on the way home after attending the charity g. Forty people suddenly rushed out to kill me.¡± Bethany sneered. ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with me? Clearly, you¡¯re just inviting trouble with your provocative actions. It¡¯s unfortunate that you survived.¡± Sheena remained indifferent. ¡°Indeed, thanks to your blessings, I¡¯m still alive, albeit with minor injuries. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here today to settle the score. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t feel at ease. As Sheena mentioned her injuries, the faces of the ¡°bodyguard squad¡± behind her grew increasingly ominous and grim. Elijah still kept his head down, diligently peeling oranges for Sheena, seemingly disinterested in the unfolding drama. A total of 59 people stood ominously before them, making the atmosphere even more intimidating. If not for their strong mental resilience, the Carver mother¨Cdaughter duo might have suffered from a heart attack. Sensing the threat, Bethany instinctively gripped Mnia¡¯s arm, staring warily at Sheena. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± Chapter 20: Chapter 292 Chapter 292 Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Sheena made a charming smile. She casually raised her hand, and the group of bodyguards took a step forward in unison. Bethany¡¯s face turned pale, and she instinctively stepped backward, ring at Sheena as she warned her, ¡°Froania has strict regtions. You wouldn¡¯t dare to kill me! Besides, I haven¡¯t done anything, and you have no evidence!¡± ¡°Who said anything about killing you? Death is too simple a punishment. As for the evidence, that will come sooner orter. You can start settling your debts now,¡± Sheena retorted, her expression turning icy as she issued amand, ¡°Hold her down!¡± The bodyguards immediately rushed forward to apprehend Bethany. The massive force surged forward, and with Bethany¡¯s petite frame, she would easily be overwhelmed. Terrified and haunted by memories of Sheena¡¯s bodyguards pping her, Bethany trembled uncontr Mnia, being moreposed, quickly caught on. She shouted to her own bodyguards, What are you waiting for? Get all the bodyguards and servants out here! Protect Bethany!¡± The Carver family¡¯s bodyguards acted swiftly. However, they were no match for Sheena¡¯s group. In less than a minute, every member of the Carver family was under control. Sensing the worsening situation, Bethany attempted to flee, but her shoulders were grabbed before she could even move. Sheena¡¯s people showed no mercy, forcing her down to her knees. In pain, Bethany¡¯s features contorted, and she screamed. ¡°You bitch! How dare you touch me! I won¡¯t let you off! I¡¯ll make you die a miserable death! Let go!¡± Bone ¡°You¡¯ve too far! The Carver family is a prominent figure in Farlem. I won¡¯t let you bully us!¡± Mnia, also restrained by bodyguards, could only voice her threats helplessly. Ignoring their protests, Sheena continued to enjoy her oranges. Beneath her long eyshes, her beautiful eyes remained fixed on the two captives. Her mischievous smirk persisted, and her cheeks bulged as she ate. This yful yet ruthless image of hers intrigued Elijah. He felt an impulse to poke her soft, fair cheek gently. While Elijah was absorbed in watching Sheena, Mnie shouted at him, ¡°Elijah! Louie is your uncle! Are you going to let your ex¨Cwife bully our Carver family like this while he¡¯s away from home?¡± Elijah¡¯s handsome face was pale, and his tone was cold. ¡°Auntie Mnia, Bethany must¡¯ve told you I signed an employment contract with Sheena. I belong to her, so I can¡¯t help you.¡± ¡°Elijah! Why are you helping her? We¡¯re your family!¡± Mnia would not stop shouting her usations, and Sheena found it a bit annoying. Frowning, she ordered, ¡°She¡¯s too noisy. Shut her up.¡± The bodyguards imm¨¦diately fetched a piece of cloth and gagged Mnia. Since Bethany still needed to answer questions, she was spared from being gagged. Sheena took a dagger from Lionel, stood up, and walked to Bethany¡¯s feet. She lightly lifted Bethany¡¯s chin with the tip of the de. Bethany felt a slight tingling under her chin and was so scared that she did not dare to breathe. Her pupils trembled with helplessness, and she finally softened her tone. ¡°Sheena, it really has nothing to do with me. It¡¯s pointless for you toe after me.¡® Sheena sneered. ¡°I know there¡¯s someone pulling the strings behind you. If you can hand that person over, including Jennifer, I¡¯ll let you go. We can settle our previous score too. How about that?¡± This implied that she would not consider going after the Carver Group again. The Carver family could enjoy peaceful days in the future. Bethany hesitated. After all, Sheena had publicly pped her, humiliating her. How could Bethany endure such humiliation? Chapter 293 Chapter 293 As the shameful memories resurfaced, Bethany red at Sheena, overwhelmed with hatred. ¡°How would I know where they are? Even if I knew, I wouldn¡¯t tell you! I¡¯m still waiting for them to finish you off!¡± Bethany spat, her eyes filled with fury. ¡°Not talking, huh?¡± Sheena¡¯s voice remained soft, but her gaze was icy. ¡°Then it¡¯s time for you to pay up.¡± Soon, the dagger left Bethany¡¯s chin and slowly moved to her right shoulder. ¡°The day my car exploded, some of the fragments cut my shoulder. Let¡¯s start from here.¡± Bethany¡¯s face turned pale, fear evident in her eyes. She shook her head desperately, shouting, ¡°No! This has nothing to do with me! It was your own carelessness¡­ Ah!¡± A piercing scream echoed through the air, and Sheena ruthlessly raised the knife. Bethany trembled in pain, covered in cold sweat, her shoulder bleeding profusely, staining her white dress with fresh blood. She red defiantly at Sheena, yelling, ¡°Just you wait, you bitch! I won¡¯t let you off!¡± ¡°You still have the strength to curse, eh? I guess this is not that painful,¡± Sheena remarked, moving the de to Bethany¡¯s arm. ¡°This is yourst chance. Where is Jennifer and the mastermind behind this?¡± Biting her lip, Bethany remained silent. Sheena was about to strike again when she hurriedly shouted, ¡°I don¡¯t know, really! He never told me his identity. He only reaches out when there¡¯s a n, and Jennifer is with him. I truly don¡¯t know!¡± This is from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena stared at Bethany, sheathed the knife, and calmly returned to her lounge chair. Thinking she had been spared, Bethany sighed in relief. However, before she could fully exhale, Sheena handed the knife to Lionel, saying with a calm yet heartless tone, ¡°I had a cut on my arm that day while Ford and Paul were injured, too. Do as you wish, but know your limits.¡± Unexpectedly called upon, Lionel grinned and took the dagger eagerly. ¡°Sure thing, I¡¯ll be careful.¡± ¡°No!¡± The air was then filled with unbearable, heart¨Cwrenching screams. Mnia, standing nearby, could not bear the sight and wept uncontrobly. Sheena watched quietly in a rather good mood. She reached for the oranges Elijah had peeled for her, but suddenly felt a pressure on her wrist. Turning, she saw Elijah crouched beside her, gently wiping the blood off her fingers with a handkerchief. ¡°You dirtied your hand,¡± Elijah exined with a husky voice. Sheena did not say anything, simply enjoying his attentive service without objection. As Sheena finished thest orange, Lionel had also finished his task. Bethany, covered in wounds and blood¨Csoaked, her hair damp with sweat, looked disheveled and miserable. She had passed out from the pain. Lionel¡¯s methods were cunning, targeting areas that would not be fatal but would cause the most pain. At first nce, Bethany appeared like a bloody doll, but in reality, the injuries were all superficial. Sheena could not help but nce at Lionel. She thought he might be gentle, but it turned out he was quite ruthless. Then, she nced at Elijah but chose not to say anything. She stood up, adjusted her skirt, and signaled to release Mnia. Upon regaining freedom, Mnia rushed to Bethany¡¯s side in tears. Sheena warned her, ¡°This time, I¡¯m only settling the debt from the charity g. The 1.2 billion dors in the Carver Group¡¯s pocket has been there for quite a while. Do you want to return it yourselves, or should I take matters into my own hands?¡± Mnia remained silent, ring at Sheena with resentment. Sheena did not really expect an answer, instructing her team to prepare to head back. At the door, she remembered her car explodingst time and ordered her people to smash all of the Carver Family¡¯s luxury cars. Last but not least, she also took away the small orange tree from the backyard. Chapter 294 Chapter 294 Chapter 294 Chapter 294 After all, the oranges were delicious, and she really enjoyed them. The Carver Family¡¯s servants were terrified by her thug¨Clike entrance, and at first, they all forgot to help Bethany, who had fainted. ¡°Just wait! I¡¯ll sue you to death! I¡¯ll make you sit in jail for the rest of your life!! Mnia¡¯s furious shouts echoed from behind as Sheena exited the Carver mansion. Sheena, seemingly oblivious, left without looking back. Winter was approaching, and shezily basked in the faint sunlight along the street. It was not warm, but she still felt refreshed. With the mission aplished, Dark Bell¡¯s people were arranged to return to their respective ces discreetly. In the afternoon, Sheena had Lionel and Logan take Elijah back to the mansion while she went to Angle Group. After leisurely attending to business, she left work half an hour early and went to find Howard. Howard was already aware of her actions at the Carver Family and found it both amusing and helpless. He handed her a cup of freshly brewed tea and said, ¡°Nana, Mnia has managed the Carver Group for so many years, and she had great connections in Farlem. She won¡¯t let this go easily. You must be prepared.¡± Sheena took the tea nonchntly and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting. Hearing her response, Howard sensed she had a n and tousled her head approvingly. However, Sheena gently stopped him, looking serious. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? After settling scores with the Carver Family, shouldn¡¯t you be in a good mood?¡± Howard asked, puzzled. ¡°Howard¡­¡± Sheena hesitated before continuing, ¡°The night of the charity g, did Elijah go to Clear Crane Bridge? to Clear Crane Bridge? Was it him who jumped into the river to save me?¡± Howard¡¯s expression instantly darkened. He frowned and uttered, ¡°Just as expected, he can¡¯t be trusted. Even if he didn¡¯te, I could¡¯ve saved you. To think he¡¯d actually used this incident to brag in front of you.¡± Sheena sighed, put down the teacup, and walked toward the door, saying, ¡°He didn¡¯t say anything. I guessed it.¡± Howard stared at the untouched tea on the table, deep in thought. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Coming out from Howard¡¯s ce, Sheena returned to Ocean Avenue. As soon as she opened the door, she caught a whiff of the fragrant cooking. Nheless, she remained indifferent removed her coat, and hung it on the rack. In the kitchen, Elijah heard the movement and hurriedly came out to greet her. From afar, he could see that Sheena was holding onto a document. The memory of thest time she asked him to sign the termination of the employment contract was still fresh in his mind, and his initial joy was reced with mixed emotions, and he turned to go upstairs to his room. ¡°Stop,¡± Sheena called out to him in a cold voice. Elijah stopped in his steps, knowing that her icy tone confirmed it was not anything good. Hence, he did not turn around, but weakly leaned against the ralling, coughing lightly. ¡°I¡¯m feeling dizzy, so I¡¯m going to take a nap.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the point of pretending to be sick to avoid this?¡± Sheena stood by the doorway. staring at his broad back in the distance. Her tone became even more serious as she added, ¡± Come here and sign it. I won¡¯t say it a third time. Elijah bit his lips and suddenly turned around, locking eyes with her without any sign of weakness. ¡°I won¡¯t sign it, and I won¡¯t say it a third time either! Sheena tightened her grip on the document and approached him, speaking earnestly, ¡°I don¡¯t like owing favors. You saved me this time, and I acknowledged it. Signing this is the best. oue for you.¡± After saying that, she handed him the document. Elijah did not take it. He looked at the words. ¡°Termination of Employment Agreement¡± on the paper, feeling deeply hurt. Maintaining herposure, Sheena continued, ¡°This is also yourstmand as my servant. Obey your master.¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! y Chapter 293 Chapter 295 Chapter 295 Chapter 295 It was amand that left him no room for negotiation. Sheena wanted to draw a clear boundary with Elijah. He could not help but wonder if she was truly unwilling to ept him again despite his efforts. Was she that determined to cut him out of her life forever? Elijah lowered his head, tearing up and no longer exuding the hostile aura. His heart felt like it was being ruthlessly kneaded and twisted, causing unbearable pain, and his handsome face. turned pale, unable to conceal his vulnerability. Observing his expression, Sheena remained calm and raised the document by an inch. Elijah held his breath, his fingertips trembling as he epted the document, his heart overwhelmed with emotions. Sheena was about to turn away to get a pen from the coffee table when she heard a tearing sound behind her. With a cold gaze, Elijah once again tore the document to shreds, this time even more audaciously, throwing the torn pieces directly above her head. Was he trying to provoke her? Sheena was genuinely enraged, and she uttered each word slowly, ¡°Do you have a death wish?¡± Elijah remained unyielding. When their eyes met, his deep and mysterious ck eyes were incredibly gloomy. His well¨Cdefined hand slid to the belt at his waist, deftly unfastening the buckle as if preparing to draw it out. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sheena stood her ground. Was he so embarrassed that he wanted to hit her? With his current strength, did he really think he could overpower her? Sheena stared at him with a glint of anger, silently waiting for his move. However, the next moment, Elijah folded his belt in half and forcefully handed it to her. Then, he turned around, kneeling on one knee, and said, ¡°I won¡¯t obey thismand. I¡¯ve upset you, and I¡¯ll ept the punishment. Whip me until you feel satisfied, until you are done venting your anger!¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Sheena was puzzled. What on earth was happening? The raging anger that had built up within her suddenly turned into¡­ughter? ¡°Are you out of your mind? What kind of weird fetish is this? Are you a masochist?¡± Elijah bit his lip, his eyes slightly red. He was definitely not a masochist. Even though he had endured hardships and injuries in the military, he still feared pain. Nheless, he would rather suffer than lose her. Elijah did not want to be a stranger to Sheena. That would be even more unbearable. ¡°All this is just for you! I¡¯m willing to risk my life to repay the debt I owe you. It¡¯s not about us parting ways peacefully. It¡¯s about getting a chance for a fresh start. I genuinely like you!¡± Elijah had said too much at once, and his dry throat threw him into a coughing shoulders trembled slightly, but his back remained straight. fit. Hist ¡°Like me?¡± Sheena silently looked at him. After a while, she continued felly, ¡°This heartfelt feeling is three years toote. I¡¯m no longer interested. For me, dyed affection is worthless. You want to start over? That¡¯s impossible.¡± Elijah gasped in pain. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He clenched his fists, sniffled, and surrendered with his eyes closed. ¡°Then, go ahead and hit me, I¡¯ll never sign this.¡± Sheena frowned deeply as she listened. ¡°Have you gone crazy over the past two days? With your body in this weakened state, how many blows do you think you can endure if I really go all out?¡± She even knew he had just recovered from a fever. Elijah felt both uneasy and wronged, holding back his tears. ¡°I¡¯ll endure it until you calm down.¡± Chapter 296 Chapter 296 Chapter 296 Sheena scoffed. Since Elijah was being stubborn and asking for trouble, she would take advantage of the situation! Sheena seized the folded ends of the belt and suddenly pulled it tight, producing a crisp snap. Elijah remained motionless, teeth clenched, prepared for the imminent pain. Sheena wanted to teach Elijah a lesson, and also to tease him. She smirked as she said, Wearing a shirt isn¡¯t thrilling. Tearing it means buying a new one. Plus, with ayer of fabric in between, the sensation won¡¯t be that intense, will it? Elijah gulped nervously and immediately cooperated. He undid the buttons and swiftly tossed the thin shirt elegantly onto the coffee table. Maintaining his posture, he stood upright, waiting for her to strike. Sheena stood calmly behind him, quietly appreciating the view. Despite the effects of the modified drug, it did not alter his physique. If anything, his skin seemed a shade whiter, enhancing his naturally broad back muscles with clear and perfect contours. The mere sight of it was indeed a treat to the eyes. After the admiration, Sheena used the folded end of the belt, gently gliding it over each muscle line on his back. Slowly and patiently¡­ Elijah could not help but shiver slightly. Sheena was intentionally teasing him! It left him a bit ufortable, ticklish in an unbearable way. Then, Sheena loosened the belt¡¯s end, gripping the metallic buckle tightly. She raised it high and swung it with all her might. The belt sliced through the air, whistling as it approached. Elijah tightly shut his eyes, his entire body reflexively trembling as he heard the sound. Yet¡­ it did not hurt. Sheena had aimed at the marble floor. Tossing the belt aside, she chuckled. She thought he was tough, but all he did was tremble. Even if he were a masochist, she was not an unreasonable sadist. ¡°You¡¯re such a coward!¡± ¡°Put on your clothes. Since you refuse to sign, then stay here until you change your mind,¡± Sheena said coldly, then turned to leave. Elijah quickly got up, turning to grab her wrist. ¡°It¡¯s alreadyte. Where are you going? ¡°I don¡¯t like it here, so I¡¯ll find another ce to stay.¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Her reply seemed casual, but the indifference was merciless. Elijah held onto her wrist tightly. By the sounds of it, she was not nning on returning to Ocean Avenue, leaving him alone here. Chapter 20 217 Was she trying to force him to sign using this method? ¡°Let go.¡± Sheena frowned, mercilessly breaking free from his grip. Elijah hesitated but eventually conceded. ¡°Just one year! You spent three years cooking for me before. I¡¯ll repay it in one year. Once my debts are fully settled, I¡¯ll leave voluntarily and never disturb you again. Is that enough?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Sheena confirmed, ¡°You¡¯ll leave me forever?¡± Elijah was unwilling, but even so, he still replied, ¡°Yes, I said it, and I¡¯ll do it.¡± ¡°Good.¡± She raised an eyebrow, recording his recent promise with her phone. ¡°Remember what you said.¡± Elijah nodded weakly. After a moment, he spoke, ¡°Dinner is still warm. Do you want some?¡± Sheena did not refuse. Since it was the final year, she would follow the agreement and do what needed to be done. Elijah¡¯s cooking had improved significantly. Sheena ate heartily, then went to the study to handle some work before returning to her room to shower and rest. The next morning, she went to Angle Group as usual. Before she could even leave the gates of Ocean Avenue, a group of police approached her, and the lead officer showed her his identification. ¡°Hello, Ms. Sheena. I¡¯m Captain Maurice Kline from Farlem Police Department, Division Three. You¡¯ve been used of trespassing into a residence, intentionally causing harm, and willful damage to private property. Pleasee with us.¡± Chapter 297 Chapter 297 The police station? That was fast¡­ Nheless, Sheena was unsurprised, extending her two fair and delicate hands with a smile.¡± Sure, let¡¯s go.¡± It was the first time Maurice had seen someone being arrested so willingly and calmly, especially with that captivating smile. Having seen the photos of Bethany¡¯s injuries, where the violence was evident, he found it hard to believe that the seemingly innocent and charming girl before him could be involved. This made Maurice approach the situation more cautiously as he handcuffed Sheena. However, someone forcefully grabbed his hand before he could secure the cuffs. Elijah, who had been washing dishes, heard themotion and came out of the mansion. Upon witnessing the scene, his face turned serious, and he looked directly at Maurice. ¡°This has nothing to do with her. I did it. If you¡¯re taking someone, take me.¡± Sheena was bewildered. ¡°You were just peeling a few oranges yesterday. What does it have to do with you? Go about your business.¡± Not only did Elijah not step back, but he also took a step forward, firmly positioning himself between her and Maurice. His gaze remained fixed on Maurice as he spoke firmly, ¡°I know all the details of this matter. If you want to get to the bottom of it, take me with you.¡± Sheena was getting annoyed. She could handle her own affairs. He did not need to get involved. Yet, Elijah casually turned his head, seemingly unaware of what she was thinking. He offered a reassuring smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You go back first. I¡¯ll handle this.¡± Sheena was speechless. Did she look afraid? ¡°I¡¯ve never been to a police station and find it quite interesting. I just want to have a cup of tea over there!¡± Elijah and Maurice exchanged perplexed nces. Did she think the police station was a cafe? Moreover, she found it interesting? Maurice observed both of them, understanding they were likely present at the scene, and dered, ¡°Since both of you are rted to this case, you cane together!¡± Then, Maurice took out another pair of handcuffs. Sheena did not object. Since Elijah loved meddling in her business, she would let Maurice take him away too. ¡°Sure, but I¡¯d like to hav¨¦ a quick word with my bodyguard first,¡± Sheena said. N?velDrama.Org owns this. John was called out, and Sheena took the ck card from her bag and handed it to him, whispering something in his ear. In the end, both of them were cuffed and escorted to a police car. Inside the car, Sheena sat quietly, expressionless, asionally admiring the scenery outside. Elijah observed her, noticing the red marks on her wrists caused by the handcuffs. Gradually, he felt frustrated and concerned. He held Sheena¡¯s wrists, massaging the red imprints. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Sheena was not one to be delicate, but since he seemed willing to show concern, she did not retract her hand. Upon entering the special interrogation room at the police station, Mnia had already arrived. Bethany, wrapped up like a mummy, insisted on joining her, wanting to witness Sheena being sent to prison. As Sheena entered the interrogation room, she immediately noticed Bethany, wrapped inyers of bandages. Sheena could not help but chuckle. ¡°Oh, Ms. Carver, your dedication is truly touching. Youe even when you¡¯re in such pain. How admirable!¡± Bethany was indeed in pain, struggling to speak. Both the mother¨Cdaughter duo red at Sheena venomously. Maurice entered the room, beginning the questioning in a serious tone as he pointed at both Elijah and Sheena. ¡°Madam Carver, the person who broke into your house and assaulted youst night, which one of them was it?¡± ZPON 208 Chapter 298 Chapter 298 Chapter 298 Sheena calmly smiled while Elijah maintained aposed and stoic expression. Neither seemed like easy targets. Mnia pondered momentarily, pointing usingly at Sheena but unwilling to let Elijah off the hook. ¡°She¡¯s the mastermind, and he¡¯s the aplice! You mustn¡¯t let them escape!¡± Maurice then presented photos of Bethany¡¯s injuries, handing them to Sheena. Sheena, with an innocent expression, asked, ¡°Who¡¯s this? How did they end up looking like this? She¡¯s so ugly.¡± Sheughed innocently as if this matter had nothing to do with her, Upon hearing Sheena¡¯sst particrly cuttingment, Bethany was angry and, enduring the pain, protested, ¡°S¨CShe¡¯s lying¡­¡± As if suddenly enlightened, Sheena looked back at Bethany with her beautiful eyes. ¡°Ms. Carver, is that you? No wonder she¡¯s so ugly. Ms. Carver is truly determined. Even with such injuries, you insist on personally catching the real culprit.¡± Elijah chuckled quietly. Mnia and Bethany were enraged by her attitude. Mnia mmed the table and said, ¡°You led the attack on the Carver family yesterday. I thought you would be bold enough to own up to it, but now I see I¡¯ve overestimated you.¡± Maurice tapped the table. ¡°Quiet.¡± Sheena rested her elbows on the table, her cuffed hands supporting her chin. She looked at Maurice innocently and pouted. ¡°Look at how fierce she is. Is this an attempt to force me to confess?¡± Elijah frowned. She had never talked to him sweetly like this. Was she deliberately trying to impress Maurice? Elijah clenched his fist, overwhelmed with jealousy. Due to his delicate skin, bruising quickly appeared around his wrists. Sheena¡¯s smile was indeed yful and enchanting. Seeing this, Maurice felt a flutter in his heart, and he spoke in a gentler tone, ¡°Yesterday, the Carver family¡¯s surveince waspromised. However, all the testimonies from the Carver family¡¯s staff point to you. How do you exin that?¡± Sheena appeared shocked and argued, ¡°The Carver family is among the wealthiest in Farlem. It¡¯s only natural for their staff to speak for their own employers, right?¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Pausing for a moment, she continued, ¡°After reviewing the current evidence, whether it¡¯s the vandalized luxury cars or Ms. Carver herself, it seems there are no fingerprints of mine and Elijah¡¯s. Moreover, there are no eyewitnesses except for their staff. It appears the usations against me might becking.¡± Mnia scoffed in disdain. Chapter 298 Maurice, reviewing the investigation materials, found some merit in her words. Seeing Maurice wavering, Sheena pressed on, ¡°After being detained here for hours, I couldn¡¯t even go to work. If the evidence is insufficient, perhaps the handcuffs should be removed?¡± As she spoke, Sheena delicately moved her slender wrists, revealing a faint red mark on her fair skin. Maurice agreed, ¡°Indeed, the evidence iscking, so we should¡­¡± Before he could even finish his sentence, Mnia interrupted,¡± Maurice, I think a captain from the third division isn¡¯t qualified to make this decision!¡± A bit annoyed, Maurice was about to retort when a police officer hastily entered the room, whispering a few words into Maurice¡¯s ear. Maurice¡¯s expression gradually changed. After some hesitation, he numbly said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the handcuffs cannot be removed. Ms. Sheena remains a significant suspect. She will be ced in the detention cell for further questioning.¡± The detention cell was not a pleasant ce. It was usually reserved for confirmed and heinous criminals who were tough to crack. A day in there could make someone spill everything, targeting both their physical and mental resilience. It was a highly specialized facility, not typically used lightly. Mnia and Bethany grinned triumphantly upon hearing this. Maurice gestured for someone to take Sheena to the detention cell. Sheena smirked, not struggling, resisting, or objecting. As the police moved to take Sheena, Elijah stood up and blocked their way. Then, he mocked, ¡°You¡¯re just a captain of Farlem¡¯s police station, and you dare to touch her? Upon hearing this, Sheena subtly raised an eyebrow. It seemed Elijah could not hold back his outrage any longer. Was he finally willing to unveil his true identity? Chapter 299 Chapter 299 Maurice¡¯s expression turried sour. Being talked down to like this was clearly infuriating for him, and he retorted, ¡°And who do you think you are? I¡¯m in charge at the police station, and you have no say. Take her away!¡± Maurice waved his hand, signaling all the police in the room to swarm in and take Sheena away immediately. Elijah was furious. Before he could speak, a devilishly charming male voice echoed from outside the door. ¡°Captain Maurice, that¡¯s some imposing authority you¡¯re showing there.¡± Upon hearing this voice, Maurice and all the police present felt a chill down their spines. Maurice, in particr, stiffened, standing up abruptly. Sheena¡¯s expression instantly darkened. That was close. Whoever this mysterious person was, he had arrived just in the nick of time. Elijah, gradually recovering from his enraged state, silently sat back down upon recognizing the voice. As soon as he heard that tone, he knew exactly who it was and clenched his fists. After all, Elijah was aware that Sheena was a fan of good looks. Even when choosing her bodyguards, she preferred thepany of those with handsome features. This man, as Elijah recalled, was exceptionally handsome. Would Sheena¡­ Elijah nced at Sheena. However, he discovered that Sheena¡¯s attention was nowhere near this matter. She seemed slightly moody, perhaps displeased about something unrted. The door opened, and the man who entered was draped in a dark green and ck fur¨Ctrimmed military coat, revealing a military uniform underneath. He stood tall and broad¨Cshouldered, with gorgeous features, exuding an intimidating aura without any hint of anger. What stood out the most were his blue, gem¨Clike irises. Paired with his almond eyes, they added a touch of allure, making him appear both righteous and sinister. The military uniform gave him an air of elegance, and he was almost more beautiful than a woman. As he walked in, every police officer in the room, including Maurice, bowed respectfully. ¡°Good day, Mr. Nicholls.¡± Nathaniel Nicholls, the fourth son of the Nicholls family of Svelton, had arrived. Everyone addressed him respectfully when they met him. After all, Nathaniel was the esteemed Director of the Froania¡¯s Special Investigation Department, with a very high official rank. Born abroad while his father was away, Nathaniel was the product of the third marriage. His mother, a non¨Cnative woman, blessed him with those naturally vibrant blue irises, resulting in a striking and extraordinary appearance due to his mixed heritage. Maurice approached nervously, confused. He had just received mandatory orders from higher¨Cups, so why was Nathaniel here? In this realm, perhaps only Corey and the mysterious head of the National Investigation Bureau had more authority than Nathaniel. However, nobody had ever seen the true face of that mysterious leader. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Rumor had it that many years ago, he went on a mission, and since then, there had been no news of him. Shaking off his thoughts, Maurice put on a more pleasing expression and bowed slightly. ¡°Mr. Nicholls, what brings you to our humble Farlem? If only we had been informed in advance, the Farlem police station would have made proper preparations. Come, please take a seat.¡± Nathaniel paid him no mind. The interrogation room was heatedpared to the outside, prompting Nathaniel to remove his coat and hand it to his subordinate. He then approached Sheena with steady strides. Only now did Sheena take notice of him. Recalling her childhood, she thought she had seen that face thatbined both wickedness and beauty before. Still uncertain, she softly called out, ¡°Nate?¡± Nathaniel smiled. Mnia and Bethany looked utterly puzzled. Meanwhile, Elijah was struck with disbelief, feeling a lump in his throat. He had been worried that Sheena might be attracted to Nathaniel¡¯s appearance, but it turned out they had known each other for a long time! Chapter 300 Chapter 300 Chapter 300 Chapter 300 Moreover, she seemed to be very close to Nathaniel. With his thin, pale lower lip bearing the marks of his biting, Elijah remained silent, suppressing his emotions. Watching Nathaniel approach Sheena with a tender gaze, raising his hand to touch her face, Elijah was surprised she did not evade. Elijah acted almost instinctively, grabbing Sheena¡¯s arm and redirecting her attention to himself. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sheena asked. Elijah¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, and his face pale as he said between coughs, ¡°Sheena, I¡¯m not doing too well¡­ It hurts a lot¡­¡± Only now did Sheena notice the deep red mark on his lower lip. Moreover, he appeared weak, not looking like he was acting. Sheena asked, ¡°Where does it hurt?¡± Elijah hesitated but raised his bruised wrists. ¡°My hands¡­¡± Underneath the handcuffs, his wrists disyed deep red marks, swollen, and shocking to behold. Yet, instead of sympathy, Sheena¡¯s expression turned cold. Did this guy forget that she was also handcuffed like him? It was clear that he did this to himself! Sheena remained silent, her gaze piercingly focused on Elijah. Quicker to grasp the situation, Nathaniel cast a cold nce at Maurice. ¡°Using handcuffs so quickly, Captain Maurice? Who taught you these interrogation methods?¡± Maurice¡¯s face paled, and he stammered, ¡°Mr. Nicholls, they are both suspects, so¡­ Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, emphasizing, ¡°Release them.¡± ¡°Y¨CYes, Mr. Nicholls.¡± With a forced tone, Mauricemanded his subordinates to fetch the keys. One minuteter, the handcuffs were removed. Elijah, naturally, took Sheena¡¯s hand and gently massaged her wrist. Nheless, the red marks on Sheena¡¯s wrist were faint and soon disappeared. Given Elijah¡¯s recent self¨Cinflicted drama, she withdrew her hand without a trace of sympathy. Sheena looked ahead, also voiding eye contact with Nathaniel. There was aplex emotion in her eyes, and no one knew what she was thinking. Nathaniel took Maurice¡¯s interrogation seat, scanning through the case files. After a while, he chuckled. ¡°With the evidence you¡¯ve gathered so far, it¡¯s insufficient to use these two. You actually considered locking them up in the detention room. Are you trying to lose your position as captain?¡± Caught between obeying orders from his superiors and Nathaniel¡¯s crushing remarks, Maurice found himself in a dilemma. He promptly betrayed his superior, saying, ¡°Mr. Nicholls, it¡¯s not my decision. I wanted to release them, but Madam Carver and my superior disagreed. With my lower rank, I had to follow orders. But now that you¡¯re here, it¡¯s entirely up to you.¡± Mnia could tell that Nathaniel was here to assist Sheena. With him around, she spected that not even the detention room would be an option, let alone imprisonment. Frustrated, Mniained, ¡°I¡¯ve heard of you, Mr. Nicholls, but it seems this case doesn¡¯t fall under the jurisdiction of the Special Investigation Department. If you¡¯re here to observe, fine, but intervening in Captain Maurice¡¯s decision seems inappropriate.¡± Nathaniel remained silent while Maurice cursed, ¡°You know nothing! What¡¯s the Farlem police station in front of Mr. Nicholls? As long as he wants to take charge, everyone here must follow his orders!¡± Mnia¡¯s expression soured. Bethany was equally resentful. Still leaning on her hand, Sheena maintained hernguid demeanor as if she were the bystander enjoying the show. A strange silence engulfed the interrogation room for two minutes until a trace of disdainfulughter suddenly pierced the air. Nathaniel frowned and stared at Elijah, asking, ¡°What are youughing at?¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! This is from N?velDrama.Org. y Chapter 301 All eyes turned to Elijah. Unfazed, Elijah casually quipped, ¡°Nothing much, just marveling at Captain Maurice¡¯s skill in ttery.¡± The implication was a sub Chapter 301 Chapter 301 All eyes turned to Elijah. Unfazed, Elijah casually quipped, ¡°Nothing much, just marveling at Captain Maurice¡¯s skill in ttery.¡± The implication was a subtle mockery of Maurice¡¯s deliberate praise, and there was a hint of disdain toward Nathaniel. Locked in a silent exchange of res, sparks flew between the two men. The air thickened with tension, creating an atmosphere so tense that others dared not interfere. Sheena tapped the table, reminding them, ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the matter at hand. My time is valuable. The two men reluctantly withdrew their hostile nces and redirected their attention to the proceedings. Nathaniel scrutinized the documents once more before addressing Mnia and Bethany. ¡°Madam Carver, if you use Sheena of being the mastermind, you should present reasonable evidence. If you can¡¯t, I¡¯ll have to release her.¡± Mnia bit her lip. Yesterday, Sheena¡¯s bodyguards had destroyed all evidence before leaving. Besides Bethany¡¯s injuries and the testimonies of household staff, she had nothing substantial to offer. She had hoped that with connections at the Farlem police station, she could discreetly pin the me on Sheena. However, Nathaniel¡¯s sudden intervention left Mnia helpless. Frustrated, she looked at Sheena and eximed, ¡°Don¡¯t think that just because you have influential backers, you can do as you please. Your recklessness will catch up with you sooner orter! Sheena idly yed with her hair. In response to Mnia¡¯s words, she raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Madam Carver, you¡¯re right. As for when I¡¯ll slip up, that remains uncertain, but the golden days of the Carver family are surelying to an end.¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Mnia was infuriated. The Carver Group was the fruition of her family¡¯s efforts over generations. She gritted her teeth and demanded, ¡°Even if you won¡¯t admit to intentionally harming Bethany or damaging my family¡¯s cars, the fact that you took away our orange tree is undeniable. It¡¯s bound to be found in your residence, and you think you can deny that too?¡± ¡°Oh, that thing,¡± Sheena pondered momentarily, then openly admitted, ¡°Madam Carver, you invited me to the Carver Mansion as a guest. I found that orange tree appealing and took it as a souvenir. If you disapprove, I can return it.¡± Like hell she would return it! She devoured all her favorite fruits! ¡°Since you took it, then pay for it!¡± Mnia insisted, trying to extort Sheena for eating her expensive fruits. ¡°Sure,¡± Sheena agreed without hesitation. Mnia was taken aback by her straight forwardness and added, ¡°I want cash!¡± That tree was expensive, and she wanted several times its value! ¡°Sure, let¡¯s do as you please,¡± Sheena replied casually and texted John. She then turned to Maurice, saying, ¡°Captain Maurice, Madam Carver wants cash. I¡¯ve instructed the bodyguards to bring the money over. When they arrive, make sure your people let them through.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Seeing the mention of ¡°bodyguards,¡± Maurice wondered how many wereing. However, pressured by Nathaniel¡¯s presence, he hesitated to ask and could only nod reluctantly. ¡°Alright, you can trust me.¡± In the few minutes of waiting for the bodyguards, the interrogation room returned to a quiet state. Nathaniel and Sheena locked eyes from a distance. Nathaniel smiled gently, his deep blue eyes exuding a charming allure that seemed to speak to the heart. Sheena, on the other hand, remained indifferent. Elijah, keenly observing their eye contact, wondered if there was a story between them. He noticed the complexity in Sheena¡¯s gaze every time she looked at Nathaniel. When Colin left, she showed no reaction, so¡­ could she actually have feelings for Nathaniel? Feeling a lump in his chest, Elijah coughed forcefully, hoping to grab their attention. The loud and abrupt sound caught even caught Mnia, Bethany, and Maurice¡¯s notice. However, Sheena Chapter 302 and Elijah merely locked their gaze in awkward silence. Chapter 302 Soon, the door was opened, and John was the first to enter, carrying tworge suitcases. Mnia, about to mock the presumably meager amount of money, was taken aback as the second, third, and tenth men entered, each carrying suitcases with them. A total of 25 bodyguards filled the room, standing in a formidable formation in the cleared space of the interrogation room. Maurice was dumbfounded, while Mnia and Bethany, having grown ustomed to such disys, expressed strong disapproval and condemnation of Sheena¡¯s shy behavior. Elijah, noticing Lionel among the bodyguards, was puzzled. That traitor actually ignored his orders and joined Sheena¡¯s bodyguards! Lionel noticed Elijah¡¯s re and grinned mischievously, a little nervous. With everyone present, Sheena turned to Mnia and mocked, ¡°Madam Carver, I brought the money you wanted. You better handle it carefully.¡± Mnia sensed a veiled threat in Sheena¡¯s words. Then, Sheena waved her hand, and the bodyguards stepped forward, opening the boxes one by one. Each box contained 150 thousand dors in cash, neatly stacked. The bodyguards poured the money directly onto Mnia and Bethany¡¯s desk, creating a cascading sound of bills. The scene was as dramatic as if it were a scene out of a movie. Mnia and Bethany¡¯s desk was overwhelmed, and money spilled onto the floor, hitting their legs and arms. Bethany¡¯s recently bandaged wounds started bleeding again, and she screamed in pain. Unable to bring the Carver family¡¯s bodyguards into the interrogation room, with no one to assist Bethany, Mnia had to step forward and shield her daughter. Initially, the bodyguards poured money onto the desks, but the tables were already piled high. They switched tactics, pouring money directly onto Mnia and Bethany. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. The two women were buried by a sea of money in no time. The audacious scene of showering money upon individuals left all the police in the interrogation room dumbfounded. Maurice, quick to notice Bethany still bleeding despite Mnia¡¯s protection, looked at Nathaniel with concern. ¡°Mr. Nicholls, perhaps this is¡­¡± Openly using money to ¡®bury someone¡® in a police station was simply unprecedented! It was o, outrageous, and utterly unbelievable! Interrupted while enjoying Sheena¡¯s delight in revenge, Nathaniel felt a bit annoyed. He retorted, ¡°One wants money, and the other gives. It¡¯s just a matter of arger sum. Nothing wrong with that.¡± whether with the highest authority in the room sald there was nothing wrong, person Man hat no choice but toply. Each suitcase held 150 thousand dors, and with each of the 2 monoying two, a total of 7.5 million dors in cash was poured directly onto asa and Bethany Awless to say, the amount was enough to bury someone alive, and not everyone could do. something that insane Marie looked at Sheena in a different light. The amount was overwhelming. Mnia and Bethany were exhausted, buried under the pile of money, with only their heads poking out. For the first time, they experienced the sensation of being surrounded by money. Although scattered billsy around the interrogation room, no police dared to pick them up. However, their eyes turned particrly envious when looking at the mother¨Cdaughter duo. After all, that was 7.5 million dors! They were more than willing to be showered with money! Sheena savored the scene, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous and wicked joy. She paid no attention to the two men who were staring at her intently. Standing up, Sheena walked toward Mnia and Bethany. Then, she casually picked up a bundle of money from the floor and gently ced it on Bethany¡¯s head. Her actions were elegant, and her face exuded a cold, stunning arrogance. This bundle of money became thest straw that shattered Bethany¡¯sposure. Unable to endure the humiliation any longer, she broke down and screamed. Sheena hushed her before saying, ¡°Hold onto my money well. Soon, I¡¯ll take it all back with interest!¡± Chapter 303 Chapter 303 Chapter 303 This implied that Sheena was not giving away the money just like that, and she would take it all back. What a ruthless strategy! The police, who had just fantasized about being showered with Sheena¡¯s money, instantly gave up on the idea. They were now aware that Sheena was a merciless woman, and one should not mess with her! Mnia, who initially considered the price of the oranges, waspletely exhausted and forgot about the whole ordeal. When everything was done, Sheena reached outzily to massage her shoulders. Elijah noticed her movement and quickly stepped forward, carefully rubbing her neck and shoulders. Sheena did not refuse, enjoying his service while looking at Nathaniel and Maurice. ¡°Mr. Nicholls, Captain Maurice, the money has been given. Can we leave now?¡± She now referred to Nathaniel as Mr. Nicholls, not Nate. Maurice, not hearing Nathaniel¡¯s response, nced at him. Nathaniel was fixated on Elijah massaging Sheena¡¯s shoulders, staying silent. In the end, Maurice said, ¡°Yes, you and Mr. Freeman are free to leave.¡± With his confirmation, Sheena left without looking back, with Elijah following closely behind and the bodyguards moving with them. The scene resembled arge military convoy. This is from N?velDrama.Org. Just outside the interrogation room, they heard Mnia shouting, ¡°Quick, call an ambnce! Hurry!¡± Bethany had fainted from the pain. Satisfied, Sheena smirked and left quickly. After leaving the police station, Sheena dismissed the ¡®bodyguard squad¡®, keeping only John and Lionel with her. As the crowd dispersed, Nathaniel walked out from the station wearing a fur¨Clined military coat, and his voice was seductive as he asked, ¡°Sheena, we haven¡¯t seen each other in many. years. Let¡¯s have lunch together and catch up.¡± Without waiting for Sheena¡¯s response, Elijah frowned and chimed in coldly, ¡°She¡¯s busy!¡± Sheena gave him a displeased nce. Elijah¡¯s cold expression immediately turned into one of pitiful innocence the moment het noticed her gaze. His long, fluttering eyshes trembled gently, and his paleplexion made him look like a vulnerable soul seekingfort. Elijah delicately bit his thin lip, subtly rolled up his suit sleeves, revealing the swollen bloodstains on his wrist, and spoke softly, ¡°Sheena, I want to go back. Can I go back and make lunch for you?¡± John had long experienced Elijah¡¯s Oscar¨Cworthy acting skills and was unfazed, rolling his eyes. Llonel, however, was witnessing this side of Elijah for the first time and was dumbfounded. Nathaniel, too, furrowed his brow, scrutinizing Elijah. Meanwhile, Sheena, the focal point of the conversation, was also observing him. Was this bastard trying to act pitiful again? Sheena smiled and extended her hand gently toward Elijah¡¯s face. Seeing her movement, Elijah¡¯s heart fluttered with anticipation. He lowered his head. willingly, expecting her touch. However, the moment Sheena¡¯s fingertips touched his cheek, her smiling expression froze and turned cold in an instant. Her slender fingers forcefully pinched his face, and she sternly lectured him, ¡°Acting again? Are you that shameless?¡± Elijah gasped, his features contorted in pain. Despite the difort, he did not dodge, allowing her to vent her frustration. On the sidelines, John wore a gleeful expression. Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! y Chapter 304 Chapter 304 Chapter 304 Chapter 304 Lionel grimaced, holding his breath, while Nathaniel stared silently at the unfolding scene. Sheena released her grip angrily. Initially thinking she was about tofort him, Elijah found his hopes dashed. His eyes welled up, portraying innocence and heartache. Due to his originally paleplexion, the areal Sheena had pinched on his left cheek turned red, making him look utterly pitiable. Elijah red at Sheena, silently using her of unfair treatment. Sheena remained emotionless, ignoring him, and turned her gaze toward Lionel. ¡°Take him back to the mansion,¡± she ordered. Then, she walked straight toward Nathaniel. Seeing her approach, Nathaniel¡¯s face lit up with a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s go. What would you like to eat? I¡¯ll have someone make a reservation right away.¡± Witnessing this scene, Elijah felt a sudden tightness in his chest, struggling to breathe. Dizziness overcame him, and the pain in his face, wrists, and heart intensified. Despite the difort, he trailed behind Sheena. ¡°If you insist on dining with him, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m hungry too. I believe Mr. Nicholls won¡¯t mind Man extra person. Nathaniel remained silent but wore a visibly displeased expression. ¡°I mind,¡± Sheena replied, ring coldly at Elijah. ¡°Since you insist on continuing the employment contract, you must follow the arrangements. Go back to Ocean Avenue.¡± Elijah was left speechless. Under the bright sunlight, his face appeared ghostly pale, almost transparent. Sheena paid him no attention, departing with Nathaniel, followed by John and Nathaniel¡¯s subordinates. Once everyone was out of sight, Elijah remained stunned in his spot, clutching his chest fiercely and struggling to breathe. He took a staggering step backward, almost falling. Lionel hurriedly stepped forward to support Elijah. ¡°Mr. Freeman, why does this move of yours feel like you¡¯re¡­peting for affection?¡± Lionel¡¯s words only added to Elijah¡¯s difort, especially when he realized how he could not stop her from having lunch with Nathaniel no matter how he tried. She was truly heartless toward him. Seeing Elijah¡¯s increasingly unpleasant expression, Lionel tried tofort him, ¡°Mr. Freeman, don¡¯t worry. Ms. Sheena is not a superficial woman. Although Mr. Nathaniel is indeed in good shape, has a good temperament, and, most importantly, a handsome face¡­¡± However, the more Lionel spoke, the paler Elijah¡¯s face became, and he started feeling dizzy. Lionel was terrified by hisplexion and quickly added, ¡°No, no! Mr. Freeman, what I mean is, you¡¯re not bad either. In fact, you¡¯re better than Nathaniel.¡± Elijah asked, ¡°What makes me better?¡± Lionel went silent, scratching his head in thought. Elijah patiently waited for an answer.This is from N?velDrama.Org. After a long pause, during which Elijah¡¯s pale face turned progressively darker, Lionel hesitated before suggesting, ¡°Well, since we¡¯recking in that¡­ How about revealing your true identity and letting Ms. Sheena know how impressive you really are?¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± Elijah gritted his teeth. If he had not been injected with the modified 023, he would have delivered a swift punch to the face of this idiot in front of him. After all, his identity was tied to a significant mission, and he could not afford to reveal it so easily. Moreover, Sheena was not the type to judge people based on their status. He pinched his abdominal muscles through his shirt in frustration. Thinking of Nathaniel¡¯s gorgeous face with those rare deep blue irises, Elijah felt a pang of jealousy. Lionel noticed his mood and continued to console him, ¡°Mr. Freeman, don¡¯t give up. When ites to pursuing someone, no one is more shameless than you. In this regard, Nathaniel can¡¯tpare to you at all!¡± Chapter 305 Chapter 305 hapter 305 Elijah clenched his chest, feeling an ufortable tightness. Lionel¡¯s words hit him hard. ¡°You¡¯ve been getting more and more out of controltely, acting without my orders. Moreover, it seems like you think quite highly of Nathaniel?¡± Elijah emanated an intense hostility. He coldly pushed Lionel away and weakly continued walking ahead. Realizing he had made a mistake, Lionel paled, regretfully patting his mouth. He med himself for never being in love and not knowing how tofort people. He hurriedly caught up with Elijah, continuing to support him and exin. This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you¡¯ve got it all wrong! I came with John because I was genuinely concerned. about you. And about Mr. Nicholls¡­ No! Nathaniel! How could I possibly favor him? I believe you, Mr. Freeman.¡± in Then, he whispered to Elijah, ¡°Despite Ms. Sheena always teasing you, it¡¯s just tough love. She treats you differently from others. Maybe one day, you¡¯ll win her over.¡± At least that was a somewhatforting statement, and Elijah felt a bit better. Lionel chuckled. However, he noticed the deep red marks on Elijah¡¯s left cheek and could not help but mutter, ¡°But Ms. Sheena sure went hard this time.¡± Elijah rubbed his face, still feeling a lingering pain. The thought of Sheena and Nathaniel having a meal together bothered him, and his mood soured quickly. ¡°Assign two people to follow them and find out what they talk about.¡± Lionel¡¯s expression turned horrified. ¡°Mr. Freeman, have mercy on us! Nathaniel is the head of the Special Investigation Department, and his team is top¨Cnotch in anti¨Csurveince and counterintelligence. If they catch wind of it, Ms. Sheena will know. It¡¯s a risky move, and she might misunderstand you again. Can¡¯t we just return to the mansion and wait for her?¡± Elijah remained expressionless. Lionel sighed at how stubborn Elijah was, bing a fool in matters of the heart. After some consideration, Elijah reluctantlypromised and asked, ¡°Do any of the guys. have rich romantic experiences?¡± Lionel thought hard and replied, ¡°It seems only Lance is in a rtionship, but he¡¯s not in Farlem; he¡¯s in Svelton.¡± ¡°Lance?¡± Elijah was surprised and asked, ¡°He¡¯s the youngest among all, and he¡¯s already been in a rtionship?¡± Lionel chuckled. ¡°Mr. Freeman, this might shock you, but Lance has high emotional intelligence and a head full of ideas despite his young age. I heard he has his wife wrapped around his finger.¡± Elijah fell silent, and he was deep in thought. Soon, he said, ¡°When his tasks on that side are done, have hime to Farlem to meet me alone.¡± Chapter 305 ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± Nathaniel arranged for a well¨Cdecorated French restaurant, ying the perfect gentleman as. he pulled out Sheena¡¯s chair and took the initiative to order dishes for her. Sheena¡¯s expression remained calm as she elegantly took a sip of water. Nathaniel stared at her intently, blue eyes shimmering with specks of light. ¡°I remember you like a quiet dining environment and your taste. Please let me know if anything iscking.¡± Sheena nodded. ¡°Everything¡¯s great.¡± He softened his voice, continuing, ¡°Nana, it¡¯s been seven years since I joined the Special Investigation Department after being arranged by my family. I haven¡¯t seen you in all this time. When Howard informed me that you were at the police station, I rushed over immediately. Seeing you now feels great. I¡­¡± Nathaniel wanted to say he really missed her, but he stopped mid¨Csentence. Sheena met his gaze, and a dusty memory was stirred. She smiled. ¡°Yes, seven years. Mr. Nicholls, you have risen to the n of director of the Special Investigation Department. That¡¯s really impressive. Congrattions.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s face paled. Mr. Nicholls again, and not Nate. ¡°Nana, have we be strangers?¡± Chapter 306 Chapter 306 Sheena maintained a polite smile, saying, ¡°Mr. Nicholls, aren¡¯t you a funny guy? We¡¯ve never been that close.¡± Nathaniel was taken aback, and he instinctively reached for her hand, but she evaded i attempt. ¡°You don¡¯t even let me touch you? I understand you night harbor resentment from back then, but I was so young and didn¡¯t have a choice¡­¡® ¡°Mr. Nicholls,¡± Sheena interrupted, her expression turning sour when addressing past matters. ¡°If you brought me out today just to discuss these things, this meal is entirely. unnecessary.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not bring up the past,¡± Nathaniel wisely replied. The waiter coincidentally brought the dishes, lightening the tense atmosphere between the two. Except for the sounds of utensils clinking against tes, the surroundings were quiet. Again, Nathaniel initiated a conversation to break the lence. ¡°This time, I n to stay in Farlem for a while. I heard from Howard that you¡¯ve been investigating some matters recently. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll help you.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Sheena replied simply. Since he volunteered to help, she had no reason to refuse. Nathaniel was pleased with her quick agreement, and his deep blue eyes sparkled with a mischievous charm. While elegantly cutting a piece of beef, he casually asked, ¡°I also heard that the man today was your ex¨Chusband. You signed an employment contract with him, turning him into your manservant?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Sheena said, not hiding anything.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Nathaniel hesitated before asking, ¡°Do you still have any feelings for him?¡± Sheena looked at him coldly. ¡°That is my private matter.¡± ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t ask. In any case, now that I¡¯m here, I won¡¯t let anyone bully you.¡± ¡°People Sheena had mixed feelings, ncing at the half¨Ceaten steak on her te and smiling. change. It¡¯s been seven years since west saw each other. Even though you remember my taste, you don¡¯t know that my taste has already changed. Do you understand what I mean?¡± Nathaniel froze. How could he not understand her meaning? Even so, he was unwilling to ept it. It had only been seven years, and now they were reunited. Sheena casually continued eating, saying, ¡°But you haven¡¯t changed. You used to be domineering, making decisions for me. You still do now. However, I¡¯m no longer the clueless little girl who used to follow you around. ¡°Is it bad to be a bit domineering? Nestling in the arms of a powerful man, being a pampered 202 little woman. Aren¡¯t these the happiness many girls pursue in this world?¡± Sheena just sundled without rebutting. Perhaps many girls did indeed seek that. However, she always hated being controlled by men and preferred being her own queen. As for men, as long as she had money, and as long as she wanted to, she could always keep a few men around her. The meal left Sheena with a tasteless experience. Coming out of the restaurant, the weather had changed. The wind was strong, blowing a cool breeze on their faces, Nathaniel took off his military coat, ready to drape it over her. ¡°No need, I¡¯m not cold,¡± Sheena refused. Nathaniel smiled, still draping the coat over her shoulders, and wrapping her small frame. Sheena was displeased as Nathaniel did not seem to quite grasp her message during the meal. As she was about to speak again, Yuri suddenly approached, whispering softly in her ear. ¡°Miss, Mr. Lawson asked me to find you. Your guess was indeed correct. Over the past few days, they¡¯ve sent three waves of people to hunt down the released assassins. Unfortunately, one died during the escape, and we rescued another. He wants to meet you.¡± Chapter 307 Chapter 307 ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go,¡± Sheena said, turning to leave with Yuri, but Nathaniel stopped her. ¡°Nana, do you need me toe with you?¡± ¡°No need. You came to Farlem for your own reasons. I¡¯ll go on my own,¡± Sheena replied without much thought. As she took a couple of steps away, she remembered she was still wearing Nathaniel¡¯s coat. She took it off, folded it, and turned back to return it to him. Nathaniel did not take it. Instead, he said gently, ¡°It¡¯s getting cold. Keep it. Sheena handed it to one of his men behind him, but the man, ncing at Nathaniel, hesitated and shook his head in fear, not daring to take it. Sheena felt annoyed. She directly hung the coat on a flower stand near the restaurant¡¯s entrance, not looking back, and left with Yuri. Watching her disappear, Nathaniel looked at the casually ced coat on the stand, appearing to be deep in thought. Seemingly realizing something, his expression turned darker. He instructed his men, ¡°Assign two people to keep an eye on that Elijah. Report any movements immediately. Be discreet and be careful. His subordinates aren¡¯t to be underestimated. Also, find out more about his identity.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Nicholls. You can count on us.¡± Then, his subordinate took down the coat from the flower stand and was about to drape it on him. Nathaniel growled, ¡°It¡¯s already dirty. Throw it away!¡± Sheena arrived at Howard¡¯s mansion, where the injured man had been settled into the private doctor¡¯s room, the same room Jennifer had been treated in before. When he saw Sheena entering, he sat up slightly. Sheena sat on a chair about two meters away, smiling. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect out of the forty people, you¡¯d be the one left standing. That day, only you answered my question. You¡¯re the softest- hearted and the luckiest. What do you want to talk to me about?¡± The man thought for a moment, looking at her sincerely. ¡°I initially thought if I stayed silent, the organization would spare me. But they¡¯re more ruthless than I imagined. I know you sent people to save me these times, and I¡¯m willing to share all the information I have.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Sheena sounded surprised. Had he reallye to his senses so quickly? She asked, ¡± How much money do you want aspensation?¡± The man shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t want money. They won¡¯t spare me. I¡¯m weak and outnumbered. Sooner orter, they¡¯ll get me. But I¡¯m not ready to die yet.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°So, you want my protection?¡± Chapter 307 The man stared into her eyes and smiled. ¡°Talking to a smart person is indeed effortless. In exchange, I want to be your bodyguard. You have many big shots around you. This is the only way I can survive this.¡± He really wanted to work for her? Sheena frowned and said, ¡°I don¡¯t just ept anyone. First, let¡¯s hear the information know. If it turns out to be trivial, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to help you.¡± The man looked at her face, a bit captivated. you Sheena was gorgeous with a fiery personality and ruthless means. She was not an ordinary woman. Being beside a woman like her would definitely be worth it. He refocused his thoughts and exined, ¡°I was there when the person who hired us to kill you talked to our superior. He¡¯s a tall man, probably around 1.90m tall, with a formidable demeanor. He tried his best and continued, ¡°Although he wore¨Csunsses that day, I noticed a thumb- sized ck birthmark on his temple. During the conversation, he mentioned his master. If you find him, he should be able to tell you all the details of this matter.¡± Sheena narrowed her eyes. A ck birthmark? His master? ¡°Besides the birthmark, do you remember his facial and lip features or a general idea of his. appearance?¡± The man nodded but appeared troubled. ¡°I think so, but I¡¯m not skilled at drawing.¡± Chapter 308 Chapter 308 Sheena waved to Yuri, who brought in a sketchbook. With the man¡¯s descriptions, Yuri drew a rtively clear portrait. Later, she examined it closely but confirmed she did not recognize the person. ¡°Besides this, is there any other information you can share?¡± Sheena asked. The man pondered momentarily and replied, ¡°Yes, I remember the day before your incident, our meeting point¡­.¡± Though the information provided was not extensive, it was at least somewhat helpful. Sheena stood up, approached him, and observed the man¡¯s face,menting, ¡°Not bad. Despite the injury, you¡¯re quite good¨Clooking. From today, your name will ben.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Ian was puzzled. ¡°But I already have a name.¡± Sheena casually chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t need to know your real name. I don¡¯t care about the real you. So, lan is the name you¡¯ll go by as my bodyguard.¡± Ian was taken aback. So, were all her bodyguards named like this? Sheena continued, ¡°Once you¡¯ve healed up enough, report to me. Got it?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Withn¡¯s matter settled, Sheena exited the room. Howard was sitting in the downstairs living room, his expression solemn as he asked, ¡°Nana, he¡¯s from their side. Aren¡¯t you afraid he might pretend to be friendly and intentionally lower your guard?¡± Sheena lounged on the couch beside him, replying, ¡°Afraid of what? I¡¯ll test him at the right time. Even if he¡¯s a spy intentionally acting friendly, keeping him close is an excellent way to monitor their movements, isn¡¯t it?¡± Howard fell silent. While logically sound, he could not shake the feeling that this approach put her in unnecessary danger. He sighed, and Sheena handed him the sketchbook with the portrait, adding, ¡°Corey knows a lot about the employees of the Lawson family. Please have him check if there¡¯s a file on this person. ¡°Okay.¡± Late afternoon in Ocean Avenue, Elijah was in the kitchen preparing dinner when he suddenly heard the familiar sound of birds, signaling Lionel¡¯s arrival. He turned and stepped out of the kitchen. As he opened the door, he saw Lionel strolling confidently in the garden, heading toward him. John was out with Sheena, and Sawyer was clearly still in the mansion. Elijah, noticing Lionel¡¯s brash entrance, raised an eyebrow. Lionel noticed Elijah¡¯s re and hurriedly waved his hands, exining, ¡°Mr. Freeman, don¡¯t get me wrong. I didn¡¯t barge in this time. I just walked in.¡± Elijah scoffed and asked, ¡°Last time, you punched him. How did you two be so close so quickly?¡± Lionel, the ¡®social butterfly,¡® grinned foolishly. Halfway through hisughter, his expression suddenly froze, sensing Elijah¡¯s hint. ¡°I¡¯m a straight guy. What do you mean by ¡®be so close¡°?¡± Lionel rified. Elijah diverted the topic, ¡°Let¡¯s talk business.¡± Lionel instantly became serious and leaned in, whispering, ¡°You sent Logan to tail Jennifer. He signaled back that she¡¯s been moved to two different locations these past few days. However, she¡¯s still at the latest location, and no one has visited her. It seems like they¡­ gave up on Jennifer?¡± Elijah found it hard to believe they would give up so quickly. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°If we¡¯ve found her location and there¡¯s no one around¡­¡± E Elijah stopped mid¨Csentence, checking the time on his watch. It was still 40 minutes until Sheena finished work. ¡°Let¡¯s go check it out,¡± Elijah said. Chapter 309 Chapter 309 Chapter 309 The two of them quickly left the house, hopped into the car, and headed toward the outskirts. As they drove, Elijah unexpectedly dozed off, tired from the day¡¯s events. His sleep was far from peaceful, and he found himself in a peculiar dream. In the dream, he was inside a bare and simple cabin. Suddenly, a deafening gunshot echoed from outside the door. He felt a sharp pain in his chest, and looking down, he discovered a bullet had pierced his heart, and his entire body was instantly stained red with fresh blood. In shock, Elijah turned around. In the dim light, Sheena stood by the door, coldly pointing a gun at him. Her face was cold, and her beautiful eyes were devoid of warmth, cruel and merciless. ¡°Why¡­¡± He choked up, tears welling in his eyes, wanting to approach her and understand. He took a few steps forward, but suddenly, his vision blurred. Everything turned red with blood, and he could not even see the person in front of him. ¡°Mr. Freeman? Mr. Freeman!¡± With Lionel¡¯s shouts, Elijah was gradually awakened. ¡°Mr. Freeman, we¡¯ve arrived. There¡¯s a path above. We need to climb up to avoid Jennifer¡¯s detection.¡± Elijah¡¯s mind was still a blur, and he instinctively looked down at his heart. Even though it was still beating rhythmically, the intense pain from the dream felt too real. Suddenly, Sheena¡¯s cruel expression shed before his eyes, and his heart throbbed painfully. Lionel sensed that something was off as Elijah¡¯s face was pale. He touched Elijah¡¯s forehead with his hand to check for fever. It was icy cold¨Cno signs of a fever. ¡°Mr. Freeman, what¡¯s wrong? Where are you feeling ufortable? Mr. Freeman!¡± Lionel¡¯s continuous voice pulled Elijah back from the eerie nightmare. Hisplexion gradually returned to normal, and he stepped out of the car. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Let¡¯s go.¡± As Elijah headed from Ocean Avenue to the outskirts, Nathaniel received news shortly afterward. Learning about Elijah¡¯s movements, Nathaniel asked, ¡°Why is he going to the outskirts?¡± The messenger, head lowered, replied, ¡°It seems he¡¯s going to meet a woman.¡± A woman? Nathaniel smirked as he remembered Elijah intentionally seeking Sheena¡¯s. attention at the police station and acting pitiful at the entrance. Moreover, Elijah gazed at Sheena affectionately, as if his heart and eyes were filled only with Sheena. Yet, he actually sneaked off to see another woman behind Sheena¡¯s back? How interesting. ¡°Find out who he¡¯s meeting and investigate the whole incident thoroughly. I want to see all the information as quickly as possible.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Nicholls.¡± Then, Nathaniel got up and headed to the Angle Group. At that moment, Sheena was sitting in the CEO¡¯s office, organizing her desk, preparing to leave for the day. Since she had revealed her identity as the owner of Angle, she had Howard. clear out the CEO¡¯s office in the past couple of days. Howard had also returned to manage his own business ventures in Farlem. Just as Sheena finished tidying up her desk, Wendy knocked on the door and entered. pin to im Your Surprise Reward Chapter 310 Chapter 310N?velDrama.Org owns this. Chapter 310 Chapter 310 ¡°Ms. Sheena, there¡¯s a man outside in military attire who says he wants to see you. He mentioned his last name is Nicholls.¡± What could Nathaniel want now? ¡°Got it, let him in.¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Wendy cheerfully responded and took a couple of steps before turning to Sheena again, whispering, ¡°Mr. Nicholls is way too handsome! Ms. Sheena, you really are¡­wow!¡± Sheena remained expressionless, waving her hand lightly to signal Wendy to leave. By the time Nathaniel entered, Sheena was already seated on the small sofa for guests, politely pouring him a cup of tea. ¡°I was just about to leave. Is there something you need?¡± Nathaniel smiled and gracefully took a sip of tea before speaking, ¡°Nothing major. I¡¯m just curious why you so tantly cut me off at noon. Is it because of the manservant in your mansion?¡± Sheena poured herself a cup of tea, her expression serious. ¡°It¡¯s because I understand very well that we belong to different worlds, so it¡¯s destined not to work out between us.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. The Nathaniel she knew was domineering, obsessive, seemingly a bit of a germophobe, and very possessive. However, she was not entirely sure of the extent of these traits. ¡°So, does this mean it has nothing to do with him?¡± Sheena pondered for a moment. Topletely sever his intention, she needed an uncontroble factor to make him give up entirely. ¡°It¡¯s notpletely unrted. As you can see, he¡¯s just a handsome little pet I keep in the mansion.¡± Thisment made Nathaniel frown. ¡°Am I not as handsome as him?¡± Sheena remained silent, finishing her tea. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Nathaniel remarked, ¡°Looks like you don¡¯t quite understand your little pet. You don¡¯t even know what he does behind your back.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Nathaniel stood up, adjusting the cor of his military uniform, and said, ¡°Come, I¡¯ll show you what he¡¯s like when you¡¯re not around.¡± Out in the suburbs, as the sunset cast its warm glow, the wooden door creaked open. Lionel lurked in the shadows while Elijah stepped slowly into the room. Jennifer, seated on a small bed, turned at the sound. Upon seeing him, tears welled up eyes. Struggling to get up, she rushed toward Elijah, stumbling in haste. in her ¡°Eli! I was wrong, Eli! I shouldn¡¯t have believed Bethany¡¯s words that day. I shouldn¡¯t have let her hire the bodyguards to kill you! I still deeply love you, and they¡¯ve abandoned me here, wanting me to fend for myself. Only you can save me!¡± Elijah remained indifferent as he stared at her, his posture tall and imposing. ¡°I¡¯m not here to save you. However, if you can confess everything you know, I can send you back to prison. I won¡¯t let them bully you again, and you can live out the rest of your days peacefully.¡± Upon hearing this, Jennifer burst into tears. ¡°Eli, you¡¯re so ruthless! No matter what, we¡¯re childhood friends. How can you send me back to hell?¡± Elijah¡¯s cold expression remained unchanged. ¡°Sending you back to prison, ensuring you a stable life, is the best oue and the condition for your honesty. Isn¡¯t it better to be alive than dead?¡± Jennifer¡¯s face was stained with tears. She never imagined she would end up in this situation. If she had not returned to the country and had not vied for the title of Mrs. Freeman, would she still be living carefree overseas? The more she thought about it, the more regretful Jennifer became, crying herself hoarse. Elijah stood quietly,pletely unaffected by Jennifer¡¯s outburst. Outside the small cabin, Nathaniel instructed his subordinates to discreetly send Lionel, who had been guarding Elijah, away. Then, with Sheena, he stood at a distance from the wooden cabin, peeking through a small window to observe the situation inside. Nathaniel grinned devilishly and whispered, ¡°Nana, look at your little pet. Not only did he find his long¨C lost lover after days of disappearance, but he also secretly met her on the outskirts. He puts on a facade in front of you and acts differently behind your back. Such a pet can¡¯t be kept.¡± Chapter 311 Chapter 311 Sheena remained quiet, her icy gaze fixed on Elijah¡¯s back. Nathaniel followed her gaze, looking into the cabin. His deep blue eyes slightly narrowed, and a mischievous smile yed on his lips. ¡°Nana, how about we y an interesting game?¡± ¡°What?¡± Sheena turned to him, a sudden uneasy feeling igniting in her heart from his expression. Without answering, Nathaniel raised his hand. His subordinates quickly approached the cabin. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Inside, Jennifer cried profusely, full of regret. ¡°Eli, I don¡¯t want to die here, and I don¡¯t want to be sent back to prison. Can you help me? What do you want to know? I¡¯ll tell you everything! As long as you give me money to live a carefree life abroad, I promise never to disturb your life again, never to return to Froania!¡± Elijah gave it a thought and replied coldly, ¡°It depends on how much you know and whether it¡¯s worth the money. ¡°Sure! I¡¯ll tell you everything! Whatever you want to know,¡± Jennifer pleaded, struggling to stand with shaky hands. Just as she straightened up, Jennifer heard a faint ¡°swoosh¡± sound. Instantly, she felt a slight area only to find a syringe thinner stinging sensation on the side of her neck. She touched the than her pinky finger. Jennifer was confused. Elijah saw the empty syringe in her hand and frowned. He looked out the window and saw a figure moving swiftly. ¡°Lionel,¡± Elijah called out, but there was no response outside the cabin. Meanwhile, Jennifer¡¯s expression gradually turned numb. Her eyes were suddenly bloodshot, and she showed signs of pain for a couple of seconds. Then, she raised her head, ring at Elijah with intense hatred. ¡°Do you really think I would tell you? Dream on! I¡¯m not going down alone, and I won¡¯t let you and that bitch Sheena have it easy! I¡¯ll send you to death first, and then she¡¯ll join you soon!¡± Jennifer appeared monstrous, screaming as she lunged at Elijah with incredible speed. It was as if the beast within her had been unleashed, and her eyes were filled with murderous intent, determined to tear him apart on the spot. Elijah dodged, ensuring that Jennifer did not even touch a corner of his clothing. The situation inside the cabin became chaotic in an instant. Observing Jennifer¡¯s condition, Sheena red at Nathaniel and asked, ¡°What have you done?¡± Nathaniel chuckled. ¡°Our research department recently developed a special drug, 545. It enhances the wickedness in one¡¯s heart, turning them into beasts with increased aggression. They yearn to kill and draw blood. Without timely release, their hearts will burst, leading to death.¡± ¡°This drug has only been tested on animals so far. Jennifer is a fugitive, and she¡¯s destined for a hellish life even if she¡¯s returned to prison. It¡¯s better to use her for experimentation, ensuring a fitting demise.¡± Sheena stared at him in disbelief. In their seven years apart, Nathaniel seemed to have be far more ruthless and cunning than she could have imagined. Was a twisted soul hiding beneath this beautiful face? What had he experienced in these seven years? ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable. You¡¯ve be unlike the Nathaniel I once knew,¡± Sheena said. Nathaniel¡¯s expression remained indifferent, but his intense possessiveness gleamed in his deep blue eyes when he locked eyes with her. He smirked, taking out a revolver from the back of his military attire, swiftly loading a bullet, and handed it to Sheena. Chapter 312 Chapter 312 Chapter 312 Chapter 312 Sheena nced down at the revolver in her hands, her expression growing darker. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Nana, judging by the stamina of your little pet, he won¡¯tst more than five minutes. You can choose to watch as this woman brutally tortures and kills him in a bloody manner, considering it a punishment for him,¡± Nathaniel paused, then continued, ¡°Or you can use this revolver, loaded with only one bullet, to kill the woman inside. Alternatively, you could even take matters into your own hands and put an end to your disobedient little pet. How about that?¡± Sheena¡¯s pupils widened in disbelief as she stared at him, ¡°You¡¯re insane!¡± Nathaniel smiled, unaffected by manservant inside. Little pets, you know, can always be reced if they misbehave.¡± sheena¡¯s remark. ¡°It¡¯s just an escaped convict and your N?velDrama.Org owns this. Sheena gritted her teeth, coldly meeting his gaze. ¡°He belongs to me, and it¡¯s not your ce to make decisions about him.¡± Feigning innocence, Nathaniel brought the gun closer to her eyes letting you decide.¡± ¡°Of course. That¡¯s why I¡¯m Sheena nced at the situation inside the cabin, noticing that Elijah dodged and steadfastly avoided Jennifer¡¯s attacks. However, as Lionel was lured away by Nathaniel¡¯s man, Elijah would not be able to hold on for much longer as he had no support. ¡°I refuse to choose either!¡± Sheena dered. As she spoke, she moved to rush into the cabin, but Nathaniel quickly grabbed her arm, blocking her path. Sheena shot him a fierce re and pped him across the face. Nathaniel took the blow without dodging, still smiling. ¡°Hit me if you want, but I won¡¯t let you go in there. Those affected by the 545 drugs go mad and be uncontroble. I won¡¯t expose you to danger. So, you can only use the gun to shoot.¡± Sheena red at him angrily. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to use it.¡± ¡°Yes, you do. I personally taught you how to. Come on, let me see if your skills have worsened. Otherwise, your little pet won¡¯t be able to endure much longer.¡± Nathaniel handed the revolver an inch closer to her and added, ¡°If you hesitate any longer, he won¡¯t hold on.¡± Sheena was shocked and hurriedly looked toward the cabin. Inside, Elijah was starting to feel fatigued, his speedgging. On the other hand, Jennifer seemed energized, excited, and bloodthirsty. Elijah quickly surveyed the surroundings, looking for any handy tools. His gazended on a bowl on the wooden table. Swiftly, he moved toward it, knocking it against the table¡¯s edge. The bowl shattered into pieces. As he performed this act, Jennifer screamed and charged toward him at an astonishing speed. Elijah instinctively moved to the side, but due to his waning strength, he was slightly slow, and Jennifer¡¯s nails left a mark on his suit jacket. 2/2 ncing down at the torn fabric on his chest disdainfully, Elijah promptly discarded the suit, tossing it onto Jennifer¡¯s face. Her eyes gleamed with bloodlust, tearing the thrown suit to shreds, and lunging at him again. Forced to retreat step by step, Elijah suddenly heard a loud impact from the locked cabin. It had been kicked open. Turning around, he saw Sheena aiming a revolver at him. This sight stunned Elijah, and he felt a sudden pang in his heart. The nightmare he had on the way here was still vivid in his mind, and he had not expected it to be a reality. ¡°Sheena, don¡¯t¡­¡± Elijah uttered a gentle plea, his voice trembling. However, Sheena¡¯s hand holding the gun remained steady. Suddenly, her gaze turned ruthless, decisively pulling the trigger. Elijah wryly smirked, standing still without dodging, closing his eyes as if epting his fate. Soon, a deafening bang echoed, breaking the silence. Chapter 313 Chapter 313 Chapter 313 With the echoing gunshot, Elijah suddenly felt a sharp pain, not in his heart but in his right arm. Startled, he opened his eyes and saw a blood streak on his white shirt where the bullet had grazed his arm. Themotion behind him had also stopped. Turning around, Elijah found Jennifer frozen in ce while attacking him, her expression turning from ferocious to numb. A bullet had pierced through her chest, and blood stained her clothes red. Jennifer stood there in shock, her face growing pale upon seeing the blood on her chest. Within moments, her eyes rolled back, and she copsed. Outside the cabin, rhythmic apuse resonated. With an approving gaze, Nathaniel looked at Sheena andmented, ¡°Nana, you¡¯re too modest. Despite not handling a gun for so many years, your marksmanship is still impable. Truly worthy of the skills I once taught.¡± Sheena tossed aside the revolver without responding, her face void of warmth. Elijah remained rooted in his spot, locking eyes with Nathaniel. Nathaniel smirked and continued, ¡°You¡¯ve won. Nana and I were just ying a little game, letting her choose between you and this woman. Even after yourte¨Cnight meeting with an old me in the outskirts, she still chose you. I envy you for that.¡± ¡°A game?¡± Elijah¡¯s heart sank, a cold shiver running down his spine. He pressed his lips tightly together, casting a questioning gaze at Sheena. Sheena did not look at Elijah,pletely focused on the lifeless Jennifer, and addressed Nathaniel, ¡°Is this the oue you wanted to see? Is it entertaining enough?¡± ¡°Not at all, because I upset you,¡± Nathaniel replied, his tone softer. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re still young. It¡¯s understandable if you want a handsome little pet. But I can also y along. How long do you want this act tost? I¡¯ll y along. After all, our years of affection should be deeper than your connection with this man, right?¡± Elijah furrowed his brow even tighter, keenly catching Nathaniel mentioning years of affection. Both men¡¯s eyes were fixed on Sheena. Sheena stared straight ahead, refusing to look at either of them. She turned and walked out of the cabin, speaking as she moved, ¡°It¡¯s veryte, and I¡¯m tired. Mr. Nicholls, since the game was your request, I¡¯ll let you handle this mess on your own.¡® She took a few steps outside, noticing Elijahgging behind. Then, she reminded him, ¡°Aren¡¯t you coming along? Or do you n to walk back?¡± Elijah hurriedly caught up. Passing by Nathaniel, both men red at each other with disdain. On the return to Ocean Avenue in the car, the atmosphere was tense, and no one spoke to break the silence. Elijah cautiously turned his head, stealing a nce at Sheena. She was looking out the car window at the passing scenery, expressionless and cold. Themplight cast a dim halo on her side profile, outlining her breathtakingly beautiful face. Elijah was relieved that Sheena had only targeted Jennifer behind him, not him directly. However, the atmosphere inside the car was heavy, and Sheena seemed displeased. John, the driver, did not even dare to move. Elijah tentatively reached out, crossing the unspoken boundary between them, and gently tugging at her sleeve.. Sheena showed no reaction, still gazing out the window. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Elijah cleared his throat twice, pouting slightly. ¡°Sheena, I¡¯m injured¡­¡± Sheena remained quiet. ¡°You¡¯re the one who hurt me.¡± Still no response¡­ Chapter 314 Chapter 314 Elijah nced irritably at the minor scrape on his right arm. It was just a superficial scrape, nothing serious. Yet, it seemed Sheena was still upset. While driving in the front seat, John thought the atmosphere was too tense and ufortable. Elijah seemed oblivious and exined earnestly, ¡°After the charity gst time, I had Logan keep an eye on Jennifer. So tonight, I followed her trail, not for a date with her. There¡¯s no past romance between us. I just wanted to extract some information from her and help you find out who was behind the attack.¡± Sheena remained silent, lost in thought about Nathaniel. From a young age, Sheena had admired Nathaniel, following him around like an eager little girl. However, something unpleasant happened between themter on. Nathaniel joined the Special Investigation Department for training, and Sheena, after another year, found herself in Farlem after a series of unfortunate events. However, Nathaniel felt like a stranger now, and something about him seemed off. Sheena was deeply absorbed in her thoughts while Elijah observed her quietly. They soon arrived at the mansion. Sheena walked toward the entrance and suddenly turned back to Elijah, remembering something. ¡°If you¡¯re recovering well, go back to the Freeman Group to work. The deadline for your previous order hasn¡¯t passed yet.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Elijah followed her into the house. Once in his room, his expression gradually turned cold. Nathaniel was simply too audacious, and today¡¯s events clearly indicated he had people. following them, ruining his ns at a critical moment. Unable to let this offense slide, Elijah immediately sent amand to Lionel through his phone. The next few days remained quiet. After Sheena had her breakfast, Elijah washed the dishes. Then, they went to the Freeman Group together. Jennifer¡¯s matter was considered resolved for now, and Sheena¡¯s next target was set on the Carver Group. Her money had lingered in the Carver family¡¯s pockets for too long, and it was time to reim it slowly. Though the Carver Group¡¯s reputation and market value did not match the Freeman Group, they were still leaders in Farlem¡¯s real estate and construction industry. With Sheena¡¯s previous acquisition of 1.2 billion dors in Freeman Group shares now in Bethany¡¯s possession, the Carver Group had not suffered significant damage. Sheena called for Sarah and worked with her to develop a new n. Meanwhile, Elijah discreetly left his post at the Laxine construction area and went to a reserved private room to meet Nathaniel. Nathaniel had shed his military uniform, opting for a casually elegant ck silk shirt. The top two buttons were slightly undone, revealing his alluring corbones and chest muscles. When Elijah entered, Nathaniel lounged on the sofa, sipping red wine. Then, he picked up wine from the table, poured himself a ss, and downed it in one gulp. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Impressive,¡± Nathaniel apuded lightly, meeting Elijah¡¯s gaze. He spoke without reservation, ¡°I like Sheena. I always have. If it weren¡¯t for those years I spent in the Special Investigation Department, I might have already married her. I know you like her too, but you¡¯re divorced now, and she treats you like a pet as payback. Are you content with that?¡± Elijah remained silent. the Nathaniel continued, ¡°I¡¯ve investigated your background but found nothing. It¡¯s clear your identity is more than just Farlem¡¯s Freeman family. So, who are you?¡± Chapter 315 Chapter 315 Chapter 315 Nathaniel reclined on the sofa, smirking as he stared at Elijah. His demeanor wasnguid, exuding a captivating charm. Having investigated Elijah¡¯s subordinates, Nathaniel knew he was not dealing with an ordinary individual as Elijah¡¯s records were too immacte, sparking suspicion. ¡°I am merely Elijah Freeman, nothing more,¡± Elijah responded.. He gracefully sat on the sofa beside Nathaniel, sitting straight. He subtly nced at Nathaniel and immediately noticed his exposed chest muscles and corbones, entuated by the alluring blue eyes. Even as a man, Elijah could not deny Nathaniel¡¯s captivating beauty. He could not help but think Sheena must find him appealing too, The memory of Nathaniel mentioning years of affection with Sheena, along with Sheena¡¯splex gaze at the police station, crossed Elijah¡¯s mind. Did Sheena have feelings for Nathaniel at some point? Nathaniel, noticing Elijah staring at his body, smirked. ¡°I¡¯m possessive of what¡¯s mine. If anyone dares to touch what¡¯s mine, I¡¯ll chop the person off and reim my possession. Do you understand?¡± Elijah chuckled at how arrogant Nathaniel was. Pouring himself another ss of wine, he savored its exquisite taste and challenged Nathaniel, ¡°You can try, and I¡¯ll y along. But Sheena isn¡¯t anyone¡¯s possession. I¡¯ve learned that firsthand. She¡¯s independent and stubborn, her decisions unaffected by others.¡± ¡°Of course, but I can guide her choices, just likest night,¡± Nathaniel retorted, sitting up and locking eyes with Elijah. ¡°I taught her marksmanship. She¡¯s intelligent and a quick learner. I was behind herst night, observing her every move.¡± Elijah realized what Nathaniel was implying and frowned. Nathaniel continued, ¡°If she didn¡¯t want to harm you, she could ensure your safety. effortlessly. So, there¡¯s resentment and even murderous intent toward you in her heart. To her, you¡¯re just a pet¨C rewarded for obedience and punished for disobedience. She stopped loving you a long time ago.¡± ¡°Think about her expression the first time she saw me. She still has me in her heart. Once our misunderstandings are cleared, your existence as a pet will lose its meaning. Get it?¡± Nathaniel provocatively added. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Elijah stayed silent,pletely caught off guard by Nathaniel¡¯s remark. Nathaniel enjoyed Elijah¡¯s expression, smiling arrogantly. However, the next moment, Elijah smiled too. ¡°As expected of the head of the Special Investigation Department. You¡¯re skilled in sowing discord and psychological warfare, able to grasp people¡¯s vulnerabilities and tear them apart, leaving their hearts bleeding.¡± At Elijah¡¯s words, Nathaniel stared at him intently, recognizing that this man was far from simple. ¡°I bet there¡¯s more to this meeting, right?¡± Nathaniel smirked and responded, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to know how much weight you carry in her heart? In the face of life and death, does she care more about you or me?¡± The two men locked eyes, one unreadable and cold, the other devilishly charming. Sheena and Sarah were in the middle of a meeting when amotion erupted in the hallway. The noise grew louder, prompting them to exchange nces before getting up to investigate. Outside, a well¨Cdressed man was arguing with a female assistant. Sheena inquired, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The assistant hurriedly exined, ¡°Ms. Sheena, I told this gentleman that you¡¯re in a meeting with Ms. Peterson, and it¡¯s inconvenient for you to meet any visitors. Yet, he insists on barging in. I barely managed to stop him!¡± The man turned around and bowed respectfully to Sheena, greeting, ¡°Ms. Sheena.¡± Sheena scanned his face, feeling a sense of familiarity. ¡°Are you one of Nathaniel¡¯s subordinates?¡± Chapter 316 Chapter 316 Chapter 316 The man was d that Sheena recognized him, and he replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Mr. Nicholls¡¯s subordinate. I apologize for the intrusion, but this is urgent. Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Freeman are about to y a life¨C and¨Cdeath game!¡± ¡°A life¨Cand¨Cdeath game?¡± Sheena was puzzled. ¡°What trick is Nathaniel trying to pull now?¡± ¡°They¡¯re currently in a private room at the Eros Bar. You need toe and talk to them quickly. It might really turn fatal!¡± Sheena frowned, her expression darkening almost instantly. Then, she instructed Sarah, who was at the door on with your tasks. We¡¯ll continue the meeting tomorrow.¡± After giving her orders, she hurried to the Eros Bar. Pushing open the door to the VIP room, she found two men seated across from each other on a circr leather sofa. Neatly arranged firearmponentsy on the coffee table, and a strong sense ofpetition filled the air. Noticing Sheena entering, Elijah, positioned near the door, quickly stood up to block her line. of sight. With an unfriendly tone, Sheena asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Elijah nced back slightly, addressing Nathaniel, ¡°Get dressed.¡± Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, leisurely fastening the two shirt buttons at his corbone. Once he was properly attired, Elijah shifted aside, allowing Sheena to take a seat on the sofa. Seated in the middle, Sheena crossed her hands, adopting a domineering posture, and cast at cold nce at the meticulously arranged firearmponents on the table. She sneered, ying an assembly game? Losing means putting a gun to each other¡¯s heads? Whose idea was this?¡± Both men remained silent. Sheena side¨Ceyed Elijah and asked, ¡°He¡¯s the head of the Special Investigation Department, and he¡¯s been familiar with these things since he was young. You actually agreed topete with him in this game. Do you know about guns?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. It was a probing question. Elijah smiled politely and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve had the privilege of using them a few times before. Though not an expert, he provoked me first. As men, we should take risks.¡± Nathaniel added, ¡°Nana, this is a game between us men.¡± Sheena let out a disdainful snort, crossing her arms and leaning back against the sofa. Her expression was cold and arrogant, and her tone merciless as she said, ¡°If you two don¡¯t value your lives, I won¡¯t stop you. Go ahead, let me see who¡¯ll get shot first.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s men were bewildered. ¡°Huh? Aren¡¯t you here to mediate the situation?¡± Sheena remained indifferent, seemingly here for the spectacle. Chapter 316G 2/2 Nathaniel nced at his men. ¡°Get out. No matter what you hear or what happens, don¡¯te in.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Nicholls.¡± As the men left and the door closed, the room plunged into an intense atmosphere. Nathaniel looked at Elijah, smirking. ¡°We¡¯ve signed a life¨Cand¨Cdeath agreement. Whoever finishes assembling first gets to shoot the other. There is no turning back. Are you really up for the gamble?¡± Elijah smiled, appearing calm. ¡°I¡¯m in it till the end.¡± Sheena clenched her hands slightly, deep in thought. Nathaniel was more ruthless than Elijah¡¯s. If he won, he would definitely shoot Elijah. However, since Elijah dared to gamble, he must be prepared. Firearms were strictly regted in Froania, even among elite families. Yet, Elijah imed to have used them a few times. She was curious to see his level of understanding and speed. Thinking of this, Sheena observed the two men on opposite sides of the coffee table, both sitting up straight, an intense aura surrounding them. After Nathaniel¡¯s countdown, the game began. Chapter 317 Chapter 317 Chapter 317 Chapter 317 The two men swiftly got to work, moving so efficiently that it was hard to determine who was ahead. Sheena, unfamiliar with firearm assembly, found herself dazzled by the rapid actions. However, her gaze remained fixed on Elijah. He was tooposed. Despite iming minimal experience, Elijah¡¯s skilled actions suggested muscle memory. It was impossible to rival Nathaniel in firearm assembly without years of practice. Sheena stared at Elijah, her expression growing increasingly serious. On the other side, Nathaniel sensed Sheena¡¯s unwavering attention on Elijah, never once on himself. As they reached the final piece, he deliberately paused for half a second. In that brief moment, Elijah had alreadypleted the assembly, raising the gun with a cold determination, targeting Nathaniel¡¯s forehead, a murderous glint in his eyes. Sheena noticed his actions, almost instantly shouting, ¡°Elijah, don¡¯t!¡± Elijah hesitated, but he did not move. ¡°Put it down, that¡¯s an order!¡± Across from him, Nathaniel¡¯s gaze was provocative. Elijah bit his lip, themand sending a shiver through him, an unbearable pain piercing his entire body. After a brief struggle, he reluctantly lowered the gun, his face pale with defeat. Nathaniel, however, grinned. ¡°Congrattions, you won the game but lost her. I told you. You¡¯re just a pet who obeysmands. It¡¯s time for you to step aside.¡± Elijah looked down, his eyes vacant and lifeless, his limbs ice¨Ccold. Nathaniel then shifted his attention to Sheena, speaking joyfully, ¡°Nana, I knew it. Though you may resist me verbally, you still care for me deep down. Let¡¯s stop all this fighting, alright? Sheena nced at Elijah, then at the coffee table where Nathaniel had failed to assemble the final piece. In an instant, she understood Nathaniel had employed a little trick She looked at Nathaniel, coldly stating, ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. I just don¡¯t want to see bloodshed. had assembled the gun first, I would¡¯ve stopped you from killing him just the same.¡± If you Nathaniel¡¯s expression gradually froze. Sheena continued, ¡°If I had to choose between you and him, I¡¯d choose Elijah.¡± With their one¨Cyear contract ending, Sheena had Elijah¡¯s assurance that they would not cross paths again, and she even had it recorded on her phone. However, Nathaniel was a different case. If she could notpletely sever his intense possessiveness and obsession, it would only bring her a heap of trouble. Nathaniel was more difficult to handle than Elijah! ¡°Nana, I know you¡¯re still angry with me¡­¡± Nathaniel started. Sheena cut in, ¡°I let go of that anger years ago. Besides, you and I are never going to be 217 together.¡± She looked at Elijah, a seductive smile ying on her lips as her slender fingers beckoned him. ¡°Come over, sit on myp.¡± Both men were taken aback. Under the enchanting spell of Sheena¡¯s beautiful eyes, Elijah got up and walked over. Sheena pulled him and made him sit on her legs. Though she was shorter than both men, hermanding presence was undeniable. With a yful glint in her eyes, Sheena seemed to be the one enjoying the moment. Elijah, stiff and confused, could notprehend what she was up to. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Why did she ask him to sit on herp? Facing his confused expression, Sheena smiled gently and ruffled his short hair. Then, she spoke with a soft, seductive tone that was utterly captivating, ¡°Hold me.¡± Elijah felt awkward, hesitating before tentatively wrapping around her waist. As he leaned in, Sheena, in a voice only the two could hear, whispered ever so lightly near his ear, ¡°Just go along with my act.¡± Chapter 318 Chapter 318 Chapter 318 Elijah furrowed his brows but remained motionless, and Sheena forcefully pressed his head against her shoulder. From Nathaniel¡¯s perspective, Elijah hunched his back, leaning into her embrace as if he were a helpless bird. Sheena appeared indifferent as if this was a normal thing between them. This scene was particrly ring, making Nathaniel ufortable. Finally, he found the words and said, ¡°Nana, are you deliberately trying to provoke me?¡± Sheenazily shrugged. ¡°Nathaniel, what you like is a delicate woman who can be pampered in your arms. I have wealth and power, so why should I y the role of a delicate woman? I also enjoy keeping a man and doting on him. We are destined never to be together.¡± ¡°Besides, I remember you have cleanliness issues. After I ced your coat on the flower terrace that day, you never wore it again. You dislike me doing that, and you don¡¯t like your things being touched. But you should know, I never belonged to you. I belong to myself, so I¡¯ll involve myself with other men.¡± Nathaniel gritted his teeth. ¡°You¡¯re young and enjoy role¨Cying. I can y with you however long you want. Who doesn¡¯t do some absurd things in their youth? I don¡¯t care about your past. I just want you!¡± As long as he found an opportunity to get rid of Elijah, she would be his again! Sheena sighed inwardly. Nathaniel really was stubborn. It seemed the approach was not forceful enough. She gently patted Elijah¡¯s back, signaling him to straddle herp, facing her. Elijahplied without a word. Sheena tenderly caressed his handsome face, her voice soft and tinged with exhaustion as she asked, ¡°Elijah, you two have had enough of your game, and I¡¯m tired of your antics. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time to do something?¡± Elijah stared at her nkly, not understanding but also not objecting. Whatever Sheena wanted to do, he would support and obey unconditionally. Even if he knew her gentle smile at the moment was just an act, it was enough. As he nestled in her embrace and encircled her slender waist, all he could smell was his fragrant scent, which felt like a dream. If it were a dream, he would willingly drown in it. Noticing his distraction, Sheena pinched his chin, raising her eyebrows as a reminder, ¡°Give me your belt.¡± Elijah did not hesitate, swiftly undoing the metal buckle and handing her the belt. ¡°Hands.¡± Elijah wondered if Sheena was going tosh his palms to vent her anger. Even so, he still extended his left hand with his palm facing up. ?Chapter 318 ¡°Both hands.¡± Elijah obedientlyplied. Sheena swiftly wrapped the belt around his wrists, binding them tightly and securing them. with a click. Then, she lifted his hands overhead, instructing him to hold them high above his head. After that, she reached into his suit belt, pulling out his white shirt. Lifting it, she brought it to his lips. ¡°Bite down.¡± Elijahpliantly bit his shirt, and in the dim light of the private room, his skin radiated an unhealthy complexion as he was affected by the modified drug. Elijah¡¯s perfectly sculpted and well¨Cdefined muscles wereid bare before Sheena, and it was an exceptionally captivating sight. Sheena trailed her ice¨Ccold fingertips gently over the contours of his abdominal muscles, grinning mischievously as she asked, ¡°Do you like it?¡± Elijah squirmed under her teasing, itching with irresistible sensations. Nathaniel, observing nearby, felt a pang of jealousy, his jaw clenching tightly. This scene intensely angered him. ¡°Nana¡­¡± Sheena paid him no mind. She sensed that the intensity had yet to reach its peak. Spin to m Your Surprise Reward! N?velDrama.Org owns this. y Chapter 319 1/2 Chapter 319 Chapter 319 Chapter 319 Nathaniel was genuinely on the verge of losing control from the provocation. Suppressing his inner turmoil, he softened his tone and pleaded, ¡°Nana, I can do all these things too. I¡¯m even more handsome than him. Wouldn¡¯t that make you like me more?¡± Sheena once again lifted Elijah¡¯s chin, examining his features. ¡°You are good¨Clooking, but he is stunning in a different way.¡± Nathaniel possessed refined and delicate features, enhanced by his deep blue eyes, an epitome. of beauty exceeding that of a fair maiden. In contrast, Elijah¡¯s eyes were unreadable and dark, his rugged features exceptionally handsome. When Elijah was not smiling, he exuded an aura of coldness and ruthlessness. Yet, when he feigned innocence, he resembled a giant puppy faking its pain, desperately needing discipline. Elijah¡¯s face, more than anything else, radiated sheer handsomeness. His current posture, lips lightly pressing against the shirt, hands bound, oozed an exquisite blend of desire and submission, provoking an urge to tease him. Sheena¡¯s words reached Elijah¡¯s ears, soft and enchanting, causing him to blush slightly. ¡°What a good boy,¡± Sheenaplimented, pleased with hispliance. Then, she poured a ss of red wine and brought it to his lips. ¡°This is your reward.¡± Still holding his hands high, Elijah obediently epted the ss and drained it in one go. The rich and sweet wine was the most delicious he had ever tasted, and he was utterly captivated by its intoxicating aroma. Sheena observed the dark red wine residue at the corner of his mouth. She wiped it away with her index finger and, noticing the color on her fingertip, showed it to Elijah. ¡°Yours. Lick it clean.¡® Elijah¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly as he delicately extended his tongue, carefully licking away the wine residue from her finger. While an act, his pleasing demeanor brought a sense of satisfaction to Sheena. Married for three years, Elijah had always been aloof, looking down on her with disdain and mockery. Yet now, he was sitting on herp, willing to go to great lengths to please her, resembling nothing short of an affectionate dog eagerly awaiting its owner¡¯s caress. Sheena could never have imagined this ever happening in the past. She was extremely satisfied, and herughter seemed particrly radiant. Elijah noticed the sparkle in her eyes, and he intensified his effort to please her. Sheena giggled uncontrobly, thoroughly entertained. Nathaniel was overwhelmed with jealousy, ring at Elijah with resentment. There was an impulse within him, a desire for him to be the one sitting on Sheena¡¯sp, making herugh so joyfully. He simply could not ept it! ¡°Nana, do you dare say you¡¯ve never had feelings for me? Was our past rtionship just my wishful thinking?¡± Sheena withdrew her finger, lifting Elijah¡¯s shirt again and bringing it to his lips. Elijah obediently bit down, and Sheena continued her teasing. As she amused herself, she responded to Nathaniel¡¯s words. ¡°Nathaniel, I did have feelings for you, but when I needed you the most, you stepped back. From that moment on, we were destined never to be together. Now, that affection haspletely disappeared.¡± Nathaniel looked sad, struggling to find words. Sheena continued, ¡°You¡¯ve seen it yourself; I¡¯m doing well now. If you truly feel you owe me something, you should stay far away from me and never disrupt the rhythm of my life.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s eyes showed signs of hurt as he stared at her, hoping for her to turn around and showing a hint of reluctance. Unfortunately, it did not happen. Sheena was busy teasing Elijah with a satisfied smile. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Seeing Elijah¡¯s evident struggle, she gently asked, ¡°Do you want it?¡± Elijah could not help but softly responded, ¡°Mmhmm¡­¡± Chapter 150 Chapter 320 Chapter 320 Sheena was incredibly patient, smiling affectionately at Elijah. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s not convenient here. Let¡¯s go back to satisfy your desires.¡± Then, she gently patted Elijah¡¯s muscr waist, signalling him to get up. Later, she loosened the belt that bound his wrists and handed it back to him. ¡°Get dressed.¡± Elijah¡¯s wrists were marked red by the belt like a trophy unted in front of Nathaniel. It was a sore sight for Nathaniel, hurting him deeply. Once dressed, Sheena took Elijah¡¯s hand and tenderly said, ¡°Let¡¯s go home. From start to finish, Sheena did not spare another nce at Nathaniel. Hand in hand, they left Eros Bar, and only when they were in the car heading back to Ocean Avenue did Sheena coldly retract her hand. It was exhausting to put on an act, and she closed her eyes to rest, returning to her former cold demeanor. The abrupt change left Elijah somewhat disoriented. Just moments ago, he had heard Sheena say the most beautiful words in the private room. She chose him over Nathaniel, saying Nathaniel was good¨C looking, but he was handsome, and she preferred his face. Elijah¡¯s ears were still red when he tentatively reached out, wanting to rify if there was any sincerity in those two sentences. ¡°Sheena¡­¡± Before his hand could touch her sleeve, Sheena frowned in disgust, instinctively moving her arm an inch away, and her face disyed extreme indifference. She had the patience to exin to Nathaniel, but she could not be bothered to say more than a word to him. This indifference served as a constant reminder that it was all an act, everything was fake, and he should not fool himself. Sheena treated him as a mere pawn, a tool to be discarded once used. Elijah suppressed the dull pain in his chest, silently following her as they got out of the car. As they approached the mansion¡¯s entrance, Sheena stopped and turned around. ¡°Don¡¯t think your skipping work today to see Nathaniel is the end of it. Clean up the yard. You can only sleep when you¡¯re done.¡± With that, she walked into the mansion, mming the door shut with a resounding thud, echoing the emotional barrier between the two. It felt like an unconquerable distance. Suddenly, Nathaniel¡¯s words from earlier reyed in Elijah¡¯s mind. ¡°To her, you¡¯re just a pet¨Crewarded for obedience and punished for disobedience. She stopped loving you a long time ago.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Elijah¡¯s heart ached, a sensation akin to suffocation. It was the feeling of waking up from a dream, a heart¨Cwrenching realization. The flicker of hope that had ignited was ruthlessly destroyed, pain and disappointment. heavier and more heart wrenching than having no hope at all. It pressed down on him so intensely that Elijah struggled to catch his breath. Clutching his chest, Elijah leaned against the wall, attempting to ease the intense heartache.. Images of Sheena¡¯s extreme tenderness at Eros Bar shed before his eyes. Despite knowing it was just an act, he could not resist being drawn into it. He had lost¡­ ¡°Why aren¡¯t you moving yet?¡± A cold, questioning voice sounded from behind. Sheena had opened the door and was standing there, observing him. Elijah sniffled, turned to face her, and spoke in a muted tone, ¡°I¡¯ll clean it up right away.¡± Sensing something was off, Sheena approached him, lifting his lowered chin. The mansion¡¯s entrance lights fully exposed his face to her. His eyes were tinged with red, and his long, curledshes trembled slightly with small droplets clinging to them. The sadness in his eyes was impossible to conceal. Sheena could not help but scoff lightly. Did he just cry? Chapter 321 Chapter 321 Having known Elijah for so long, Sheena had witnessed him feigning grievance a few times before, but this was the first time she had seen him genuinely teary¨Ceyed. Was he really hurt? She sighed helplessly, softening her tone a bit. ¡°We agreed it was just acting. Did seriously?¡± Elijah remained silent, looking down with an obvious hint of vulnerability. you take it Yes, he had taken it to heart, fallen deep into the act, and now he was left battered by reality, his heart aching unbearably. There was little Sheena could say. Only by maintaining rity from start to finish could she avoid losing her judgment. Acting was just acting. The fake could never be real. She had always been clear about that. Besides, did he expect her tofort him? She would never do that. Moreover, she could not think of anyforting words to say. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Sheena turned to leave, resuming her cold demeanor, adding, ¡°Hurry up and clean. I¡¯m going to bed.¡± As she took a step, Elijah tightly grabbed her wrist from behind. Sheena appeared worn out and said, ¡°Let go. I¡¯m tired, and I want to sleep.¡± Elijah stayed still, his reddened eyes looking at her with intense grievance. ¡°Sheena, can¡¯t you asionally care for me, consider my feelings? No matter how tough a person is, they can still get hurt.¡± His voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of pleading. His grip on her wrist was firm. Sheena froze, standing motionless. Would it hurt? Yes, it would. Yet, hearing these words from Elijah felt peculiar. ¡°You¡¯re so ridiculous. Who hasn¡¯t been through heartbreak, umted disappointments, and chosen to let go after enduring so much pain? The pain you¡¯re feeling now, I¡¯ve experienced it too. If you truly find it hurtful, you should¡¯ve let go earlier. The words I said to Nathaniel today apply to you as well.¡± With these words, she forcibly loosened Elijah¡¯s grip, entering the mansion without looking back. This time, she did not close the door. Elijah watched her silhouette ascend to the third floor, disappearing around the corner. She was right. He had genuinely hurt her before, and everything he experienced now was just a round of the pain she had once endured. It served him right. Elijah wasted no time and went to the backyard to grab a broom, diligently sweeping away the fallen leaves in the garden. The chilly night ofte autumn was bone¨Cpiercing. Despite only wearing a thin, white shirt, Elijah¡¯s face remained cool and pale. Even when engaged in the mundane task of using a wooden broom, he exuded an air of nobility and dignity. In the room on the third floor, Sheena kept the lights off. She silently stood behind the window, seemingly lost in thought. After a few minutes, she went back to bed. Elijah continued sweeping until 2 a.m., diligently tidying up the yard. Due to him wearing only a thin shirt and enduring hours of cold wind, he unsurprisingly caught a cold the next day. As Sheena got up, she heard coughing from downstairs. After finishing her morning routine, she headed downstairs. At a nce, she saw the tall figure busy in the kitchen and a steaming breakfast on the table. Knowing Sheena would wake up soon, Elijah covered his mouth every time he coughed, the sound hushed. Standing on the staircases, Sheena observed his subtle gestures. She did not say anything and walked down the stairs withposure. Elijah heard the footsteps, turning around to see Sheena wearing only a ck velvet long- sleeved shirt and a white skirt. Chapter 322 Chapter 322 Elijah quickly grabbed a trench coat from the rack by the door and helped Sheena put it on, saying, ¡°The weather is getting colder, and you should try your best to stay warm even indoors. With your figure, you¡¯d look equally good even with an extrayer.¡± Sheena did not refuse and observed him. Elijah was earnestly helping her into the coat. Even though he seemed unaffected, Sheena could tell he was sick as his handsome face appeared somewhat pale, and his thin lipscked color. ¡°If you¡¯re unwell, take a day off. No need to push yourself to go to the Freeman Group,¡± Sheena said. Elijah was caught off guard by her words, but he quickly responded, ¡°Alright.¡± Once the coat was on, Elijah pulled out her chair, and Sheena walked over to sit down, silently eating her breakfast. As she was halfway through her meal, the outside of the mansion became lively with the laughter of a few bodyguards. Ford and Paul, recovering from their wounds, had just been discharged from the hospital. Ian, the neer, still had some bruises on his face but was healing. Sheena weed them inside, and the three men stood in the living room. All of them were of simr height with muscr builds, but only Ian was slightly tanner than the rest. While enjoying her breakfast, Sheena expressed her satisfaction, ¡°Very good. Everyone is back, and it¡¯ll be livelier from now on.¡± Elijah silently stood on the side, his gaze assessing each bodyguard, finally resting on Ian¡¯s face. He frowned and asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± Ian lowered his head and calmly replied, ¡°Mr. Freeman, I¡¯m Ian, Ms. Sheena¡¯s new bodyguard.¡± Elijah recalled the incident on the Clear Crane Bridge and thought Ian¡¯s face seemed familiar, scrutinizing him with caution. After finishing her meal, Sheena elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin and casually outlined the day¡¯s n, saying, ¡°Paul and Ian, you¡¯ll apany me to thepany. The rest of you stay behind to guard the mansion.¡± They all responded in unison, ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± Sheena went to the Freeman Group, while Elijah, although granted a day off, remained busy with household chores. Despite taking medication for his cold, he worked tirelessly until mid- afternoon when he suddenly heard two crisp bird calls with a special code. It was Lionel again. Elijah went to the living room and, upon opening the door, witnessed Lionel striding confidently from the garden, followed by Lance, who had just arrived from Svelton. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Elijah looked at Lionel helplessly, wondering why Lionel treated Ocean Avenue like his own home, with free ess in and out. Moreover, how did the Lawson family¡¯s bodyguards be so close to him so quickly? As he pondered, Lionel chuckled and approached him. However, noticing Elijah¡¯s paleplexion, Lionel¡¯s expression instantly turned serious. ¡°Mr. Freeman, it¡¯s only been a few days. Why do you look so frail and unwell? Your body seems quite weak.¡± Elijah was annoyed. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine.¡± Realizing he had misspoke, Lionel quickly smacked his mouth and smiled apologetically. ¡°I brought Lance over. Mr. Freeman, you can chat with him. I¡¯ll handle the Lawson family¡¯s bodyguards, ensuring they won¡¯t eavesdrop.¡± Elijah shot him a warning re. Lionel understood and immediately raised his right hand halfway. ¡°I promise not to get physical. We¡¯ll talk peacefully.¡± Then, Elijah led Lance to his room. After closing the windows, he sat on the small sofa beside the bed, exuding an icy demeanor. Standing properly before him, Lance, sensing the seriousness, asked, ¡°Mr. Freeman, is there something urgent that requires me to go on a mission?¡± Elijah lightly fiddled with his watch, unsure how and where to start. Lance could not help but be cautious. Elijah finally asked, ¡°How did you¡­ manage to win over your fiancee?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lance was surprised. What kind of question was that? Chapter 323 Chapter 323 Could it be that following Elijah¡¯s divorce, his rtionship had somehow stirred up Elijah¡¯s emotions? Lance¡¯s knees almost gave way, and he was on the verge of kneeling, pleading for mercy, ¡°Mr. Freeman, I was wrong! I¡¯ll never secretly date again. Please spare me this time¡­ or punish me lightly!¡± ¡°Who said I¡¯m going to punish you?¡± Lance¡¯s bent knees froze midway. He stood in an awkward posture, looking visibly puzzled and somewhatical. Elijah maintained a stoic expression, his gaze serious as he said, ¡°I¡¯ve encountered simr issues recently, so I called you to Farlem to seek your advice.¡± Now that the truth was out, Lance felt a wave of anxiety. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. After observing Elijah for a while and sensing no signs of anger, he cautiously replied, ¡°My fiancee has a good temper and is really gentle. However, some boundaries shouldn¡¯t be crossed, or she¡¯ll get angry. To keep her happy, it¡¯s all about small gifts, a sweet attitude, and being decisive when she needs your help.¡± Elijah was deep in thought, looking increasingly grim as he muttered, ¡°Sheena, on the other hand, is wealthy herself. She doesn¡¯tck money, and she won¡¯t be impressed by any gift, no matter how expensive or rare. This approach won¡¯t work.¡± Did this mean he was trying to win over Sheena? Lance instantly found himself in a dilemma. Having heard from Lionel, he knew that Elijah had been on the losing end in his encounters with Sheenately. This woman had a strong personality and was not afraid to be ruthless! Trying to win her back seemed more challenging than grabbing stars from the sky. Lance scratched his head, looking quite distressed. ¡°Or, perhaps, has Ms. Sheena recently had something she wants to achieve? You could quietly assist her, then pretend to expose it, letting her know you helped her, and she might feel grateful.¡± Elijah contemted seriously. Sheena had been nning to bankrupt the Carver Grouptely, and he could indeed provide some behind¨Cthe¨Cscenes assistance, but¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll help her, but she doesn¡¯t need to know. She doesn¡¯t like owing favors, and it won¡¯t change her opinion much,¡± Elijah stated. ¡°In that case, there¡¯s no point in doing that.¡± Both men fell silent simultaneously, and the room became quiet. Lance had a sudden realization. ¡°Considering the current situation and Ms. Sheena¡¯s temperament, the probability of you remarrying her is almost zero. Have you ever thought about facing her with your true identity? Elijah remained silent. Lance continued, ¡°You know what Madam Freeman and Ms. Freeman did to her before. Despite settling previous scores, there¡¯s still a lingering resentment. As long as they¡¯re around, Ms. Sheena won¡¯t consider remarriage.¡± ¡°Do you have a suggestion?¡± Elijah met Lance¡¯s gaze. Lance approached and whispered, ¡°I think you could gamble with your life.¡± ¡°My life?¡± ¡°Yes. Some people are stubborn, and they only understand their true feelings when they¡¯ve lost everything. But this can¡¯t be staged. It must be real. Ms. Sheena is smart, so it has to be a genuine sacrifice, something that could truly move her. It¡¯s incredibly risky, though. You might really lose your life.¡± He paused, then knelt with a thud, pleading for mercy, ¡°Regardless of whether you consider this option or not, please don¡¯t expose me! I¡¯m getting married to my beloved fiancee next month, and I don¡¯t want to die!¡± Elijah cast a disdainful nce at his pathetic appearance. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s my own decision, and I¡¯ll think about it.¡± Lance finally breathed a sigh of relief, getting up from the floor. The two discussed this n a bit more before leaving the room. The mansion was quiet. Lionel had taken the Lawson family¡¯s bodyguards somewhere. ¥È¥ë Chapter 324 1/2 Chapter 324 Chapter 324 Chapter 324 Elijah and Lance searched everywhere, finally finding the men in a secluded corner of the backyard, engrossed in a card game. They were so absorbed that they did not even notice Elijah and Lance approaching. Sawyer eximed, ¡°A pair of Queens!¡± Lionel, triumphantly smashing two cards on the table, dered, ¡°I¡¯ve got a pair of Aces! Bet you didn¡¯t see thating!¡± Infuriated, Sawyer retorted, ¡°Damn! You sneaky guy!¡± Elijah and Lance were left speechless to find the guys ying cards here. If Sheena were to find out about this, their sry would surely be deducted. Oblivious to such concerns, Lance eagerly approached and said, ¡°Need an extra yer? Count me in!¡± ¡°Lionel, quit ying,¡± Elijah said and walked toward the trees in the front yard. Excited, Lance took over Lionel¡¯s spot. Lionel reluctantly handed over the cards and followed Elijah. Once they were sure the card game squad could not hear their conversation, Elijah, with a stern expression, whispered, ¡°How did you handle the task I assigned youst time?¡± Habitually scanning the surroundings, Lionel leaned in and said in a low voice, ¡°Rest assured, I caused some trouble with the Special Investigation Department in your name. Nathaniel will likely leave Farlem within three days and shouldn¡¯t be returning to Farlem anytime soon.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Elijah acknowledged, then remembered the new guard, Ian, who joined today. ¡°Check on that Ian guy. He seems familiar. I¡¯ve seen him at the Clear Crane Bridge incident. If that¡¯s true, he¡¯s someone to watch out for.¡± Recalling that Sheena had taken Ian out today, he hurriedly added, ¡°Get the information quickly.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± At the Freeman Group, in the CEO¡¯s office, Sheena had just finished a meeting with Sarah when she received a call from Nathaniel. Answering with an exceptionally cold tone, she asked, ¡°Mr. Nicholls, was my message not clear enough last night?¡± Nathaniel hesitated and sighed softly, ¡°Nana, there¡¯s an issue with the Special Investigation Department, and I must leave Farlem. I don¡¯t know when we¡¯ll meet again.¡± Sheena remained unbothered, saying, ¡°Workes first.¡± Nathaniel sighed again, his tone heavy. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re too heartless. Even if we can¡¯t be lovers, Chapter 324 1/2 Chapter 324 Elijah and Lance searched everywhere, finally finding the men in a secluded corner of the backyard, engrossed in a card game. They were so absorbed that they did not even notice Elijah and Lance approaching. Sawyer eximed, ¡°A pair of Queens!¡± Lionel, triumphantly smashing two cards on the table, dered, ¡°I¡¯ve got a pair of Aces! Bet you didn¡¯t see thating!¡± Infuriated, Sawyer retorted, ¡°Damn! You sneaky guy!¡± Elijah and Lance were left speechless to find the guys ying cards here. If Sheena were to find out about this, their sry would surely be deducted. Oblivious to such concerns, Lance eagerly approached and said, ¡°Need an extra yer? Count me in!¡± ¡°Lionel, quit ying,¡± Elijah said and walked toward the trees in the front yard. Excited, Lance took over Lionel¡¯s spot. Lionel reluctantly handed over the cards and followed Elijah. Once they were sure the card game squad could not hear their conversation, Elijah, with a stern expression, whispered, ¡°How did you handle the task I assigned youst time?¡± Habitually scanning the surroundings, Lionel leaned in and said in a low voice, ¡°Rest assured, I caused some trouble with the Special Investigation Department in your name. Nathaniel will likely leave Farlem within three days and shouldn¡¯t be returning to Farlem anytime soon.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Elijah acknowledged, then remembered the new guard, Ian, who joined today. ¡°Check on that lan guy. He seems familiar. I¡¯ve seen him at the Clear Crane Bridge incident. If that¡¯s true, he¡¯s someone to watch out for.¡± Recalling that Sheena had taken Ian out today, he hurriedly added, ¡°Get the information quickly.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman.¡± At the Freeman Group, in the CEO¡¯s office, Sheena had just finished a meeting with Sarah when she received a call from Nathaniel. Answering with an exceptionally cold tone, she asked, ¡°Mr. Nicholls, was my message not clear enough last night?¡± Nathaniel hesitated and sighed softly, ¡°Nana, there¡¯s an issue with the Special Investigation Department, and I must leave Farlem. I don¡¯t know when we¡¯ll meet again.¡± Sheena remained unbothered, saying, ¡°Workes first.¡± Nathaniel sighed again, his tone heavy. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re too heartless. Even if we can¡¯t be lovers, considering the rtionship between the Nicholls and Lawson families, we¡¯re still friends. Moreover, last night, an old friend from Svelton came by. Don¡¯t you want to know who it is? I¡¯d like to invite you out for onest gathering tonight. Can¡¯t you consider this a favor for me? Sheena fell into silence. She thought something felt off about Nathaniel¡¯s behavior this time. It was too peculiar and unpredictable. If she did not ept his invitation, how could she know what he was up to? ¡°Alright, where?¡± ¡°Eros Bar.¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, Nathaniel added, ¡°Just the three of us, old friends. Leave your little pet at home this time.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After ending the call, Sheena pondered for a long time, systematically analyzing recent events. Then, she decided to summon Paul and Ian. ¡°I have a gathering tonight and don¡¯t need too many people with me. Ian, you¡¯ll be apanying me. Paul, you can head back to the mansion for now.¡± Chapter 325 Chapter 325 Chapter 325 Paul nced at Ian beside him, obviously concerned. ¡°Miss¡­¡± Sheena waved her hand, urging, ¡°You may go.¡± As soon as the two left, she received a call from Howard. ¡°Nana, Corey ran a thorough check and there¡¯s no record in the Lawson family personnel files matching the appearance of this man.¡± Sheena pressed her lips tightly, lost in thought. Howard continued, ¡°It could be that Ian is lying, or maybe this person is really good at hiding. In any case, you can¡¯t fully trust the information, and be cautious with Ian.¡± ¡°Alright. Don¡¯t worry, Howard. I know how to handle it.¡± After hanging up, she took a sketchbook from the drawer, flipped to the page with the portrait of the man in ck, studied it carefully, and then immersed herself in work. It was not until nearing the end of the workday that she took Ian to Eros Bar. Ian drove, and Sheena sat in the back. The atmosphere inside the car was quiet, with Ian asionally ncing at her through the rearview mirror. Sheena noticed his gaze and asked, ¡°What do you want to say?¡± you Ian hesitated before saying, ¡°Miss, I was sent here before to kill you. People around have always been suspicious of me. Why do you trust me? Aren¡¯t you afraid I might actually harm you on the way tonight?¡± Sheena smiled charmingly. ¡°Since you¡¯ve be mine, I¡¯ll absolutely trust you. Besides, my martial arts foundation is not bad, and I believe I could handle you alone.¡± Ian chuckled. She spoke candidly, and he quite liked it. They chatted casually until Ian suddenly teased her, ¡°What if I conspired with them, and it¡¯s not just me trying to kill you?¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes shed with a cold light as she casually looked out the window. ¡°Would you?¡± Before Ian could answer, they arrived at Eros Bar. Sheena instructed him to stay hidden unless needed, and she entered the bar alone. As she wore a ssy outfit today, Sheena appeared somewhat out of ce among the bargoers. However, she paid no attention to these details and walked straight to the private room Nathaniel had reserved. Along the corridor, she brushed past a tall man with sunsses. She suddenly stopped in her tracks, her expression turning serious. Just a moment ago, she seemed to catch a glimpse of a mole beneath the sunsses at the man¡¯s temple, a familiar feature. ¡°Excuse me, sir.¡± She turned around, and her eyes sparkled when she looked at the man. The man paused, turning slowly. Beneath the sunsses, his nose was well¨Csculpted, and his overall features seemed handsome. He was tall and sturdy, giving the impression of being around 1.9 meters tall. Seeing Sheena smiling at him, the man looked a bit puzzled. With a husky voice, he asked, ¡± Miss, are you calling me?¡± Sheena gracefully smiled and took a couple of steps toward him, how to get to VIP Room 69?¡± sir. Could you tell me The man¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with this ce. You can ask the staff for directions.¡± ¡°Judging by your ent, it seems you¡¯re not a local from Farlem. Are you here for a vacation?¡± Sheena¡¯s voice was soft and charming, her eyes tender as she struck up a conversation. The man¡¯s gaze met hers, still remaining a cold front. ¡°If you¡¯re asking for directions, find the staff. If it¡¯s idle chatter, I have things to attend to. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± Chapter 320 N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. 1/2 Chapter 326 Chapter 326 Chapter 326 Sheena nodded with a smile, watching the man¡¯s figure disappearpletely down the hallway. It was not until she turned around that her gaze gradually turned cold. Sheena opened the private room door and found it quiet inside, with Nathaniel alone on the sofa, sipping red wine. ¡°Mr. Nicholls, you wouldn¡¯t go so far as to trick me intoing out by iming there¡¯s an old friend, would you?¡± Sheena inquired. Nathaniel poured a ss of red wine for her, smiling wryly. ¡°Nana, do you think I¡¯m that kind of person? The old friend is real, just hasn¡¯t arrived yet. Let¡¯s have a drink and chat while we wait.¡± He pushed the full ss of red wine toward her. Sheena walked in and sat down but did not take the ss. Seeing she had no intention of drinking, Nathaniel chuckled. ¡°Just have a ss for my farewell. Nana, you wouldn¡¯t deny me this little favor, right?¡± After saying that, he, with a mncholic expression, downed a ss of wine. His blue lost eyes their former luster. Appearing somewhat unresigned, he filled his ss again, raising it toward Sheena. Sheena picked up the ss, elegantly swirling the deep red liquid and sniffing it delicately. Then, she asked, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for so many years, but you wouldn¡¯t be the kind of man to resort to such dirty tactics, right?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s expression gradually turned serious. ¡°Are you suspecting that I¡¯ve spiked the drink?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Sheena remained silent, neither confirming nor denying. Suddenly, Nathaniel stood up from the sofa, walked up to her, and took the ss from her hand, downing it in one go. Sheena observed him, still remainingposed. As if provoked by herck of trust, Nathaniel grabbed the half¨Cempty bottle of wine from the table, swallowed it hurriedly, and spilled some down his neck. The red liquid stained his pristine white shirt. Having emptied the bottle, he forcefully tossed it against the opposite wall. It made a loud crash as it shattered into pieces. ¡°Can you trust me now?¡± delicate Nathaniel staggered a bit, staring at Sheena. He was obviously hurt by Sheena¡¯s remark. Feeling a surge of heat within, he roughly unbuttoned two buttons, revealing his corbones thatplemented his handsome face, exuding a strong allure. Unfortunately, Sheena had no time to appreciate his beauty. She chuckled gently. ¡°It was just a little joke. I¡¯m sorry if that made you Pset. Since it¡¯s a farewell, Is indeed have a drink.¡± She stood up, opened a new bottle of red wine, filled a fresh ss, and elegantly offered it to Nathaniel. Without hesitation, she downed the entire ss and, after finishing, disyed the empty ss to him. Noticing that her attention was not on his subtle actions, Nathaniel¡¯s heart sank. Could it be that with her little pet Elijah around, she had lost interest in observing other men¡¯s physiques? With this thought, he wearily slumped back onto the sofa, reluctant to ept the situation, and voiced a final query, ¡°Nana, is there really no way¡­ for the two of us?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± On this matter, Sheena showed no hesitation, her tone indifferent. Nathaniel lowered his head further. Although Sheena could not see his expression, she could unmistakably feel the intense aura of his sadness and despair. Heartbreak was inevitable, but she could not offer any words offort, let alone any chance for Nathaniel. Amid this awkward atmosphere in the private room, the door creaked open softly. A slender figure, walking in high heels, entered the room. Sheena turned to look and was surprised when she saw the person. Chapter 1 Chapter 327 Chapter 327 Sheena tried to recall thedy before her and asked uncertainly, ¡°Are you¡­ Gabrielle?¡± Delighted that Sheena remembered her, Gabrielle eagerly approached and hooked her arm. Nana, you look so beautiful! It¡¯s been years, have you missed me? Nate said you¡¯re in Farlem, so I quickly came.¡± Gabrielle, Nathaniel¡¯s half¨Csister from the same father, was the youngest among her siblings, three years Sheena¡¯s junior. When they were kids, Gabrielle used to stick to Sheena. She was a childlike, yet somewhat spoiled, little princess. Sheena yfully teased, poking Gabrielle¡¯s nose, ¡°Are you still clingy like how you were back then?¡± Gabrielle softly clung to Sheena¡¯s arm and swayed it back and forth. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t make fun of me! I¡¯m only acting this way because I like you. I won¡¯t even let anyone else touch me! Since I¡¯vee a long way this time, Nana, you have to spend some time with me.¡± Spend time with her? Sheena thought that would just add another extra burden to her already busy schedule. Nathaniel added, ¡°Nana, I received an urgent matter from the Special Investigation Department this morning. Gabrielle secretly came to Farlemst night, but I¡¯ll be leaving Farlem early tomorrow. Please take care of her for me.¡± Sheena furrowed her brows slightly. Just as she was about to refuse, Gabrielle snuggled against her arm, acting coquettish. ¡°Nana, I haven¡¯t seen your ce in Farlem yet. Let me stay with you for about half a month, please. I promise I won¡¯t cause you any trouble.¡± Half a month? N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. No way! This little troublemaker would drive her insane. ¡°At most three days.¡± ¡°Three days it is!¡± Gabrielle pouted, seemingly fine with having to find her own ce after those three days. Faint sounds of the dance floor¡¯smotion reached them from outside the bar. With the temporary amodation settled, Gabrielle warmly invited Sheena, ¡°Nana,e with me to the dance floor outside. I¡¯m not allowed out much at home. My parents are strict. This is my first time in a bar.¡± Dance floor outside? Sheena recalled the suited man she encountered in the corridor just now, and she could not help but feel suspicious. Then, she nced instinctively at Nathaniel beside her. Nathaniel was absorbed in pouring and drinking his drink, his profile delicate with well- defined features, and his deep blue eyes showed little emotion. Meanwhile, Gabrielle continued to act cute, her expression innocent and adorable. 11 Chapter 327 2/2 If she had something to hide, her eyes would definitely betray her. Seeing Sheena¡¯s staying silent, Gabrielle pressed on, ¡°Come on! Nana, you¡¯re the best. Juste and y with me for a while.¡± Sheena yfully pinched her cheek. ¡°Okay.¡± Back at Ocean Avenue, Elijah was in the kitchen preparing dinner while Lionel sat in the living room, looking frustrated as he investigatedn¡¯s information on hisptop. Lance and a few other bodyguards were still ying cards in the backyard. ¡°Mr. Freeman,e take a look,¡± Lionel said with a serious tone. Elijah came out of the kitchen, and Lionel turned theptop screen to show him. ¡°Look at this. I pulled screenshots of Ian from the Freeman Group¡¯s surveince today. I remember his face from the day of the Clear Crane Bridge incident when Mr. Lawson took him away. He was also one of the people sent to kill Ms. Sheena that day.¡± He paused and continued, ¡°Moreover, I couldn¡¯t find any information on this person online. He¡¯s likely an assassin for hire in the ck market.¡± Elijah examined the face on the screen, his expression growing more serious. Sheena could not be unaware of this person¡¯s past identity. Yet, despite knowing this, why would she keep such a dangerous individual around? What was she up to? As he pondered, Paul returned. When Elijah heard themotion in the backyard, he walked over to the window. Chapter 328 Chapter 328 Elijah noticed Paul and quickly opened the door, only to find him returning alone to Ocean Avenue. A vague sense of unease crept over Elijah, and he asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Sheena?¡± ¡°Ms. Sheena seems to be having a gathering at Eros Bar tonight. She said she didn¡¯t need too many people, so she sent me back,¡± Paul replied, looking dejected as he brought up the matter. Elijah¡¯s brow furrowed deeper. If Paul had returned alone, it meant she probably only broughtn. Realizing this, a cold and hostile aura enveloped Elijah, and he went straight to the backyard, bringing the card¨Cying individuals out. At Eros Bar, the dance floor was bathed in dazzling and enchanting lights. Sheena elegantly leaned against a pir, her gaze fixed on Gabrielle energetically dancing to the music like the others. She disliked such noisy ces, merely watching from the sidelines, asionally pping to encourage Gabrielle¡¯s spirited dance. She also observed the diverse crowd around the dance floor from time to time. Meanwhile, Nathaniel leaned against the railing near the entrance of the second¨Cfloor private room. Due to the distance and the colorful spotlights focused on the dance floor, Sheena could not see his face clearly but sensed that he was observing the situation. She withdrew her gaze when Ian quietly appeared by her side. His expression was grave as he approached her, whispering, ¡°The atmosphere here is off. Be cautious.¡± Sheena acknowledged with a nod, maintaining a calm demeanor. ¡°Did you see that man who resembles the sketch when I entered the private room just now?¡± ¡°I saw him.¡± Ian nodded honestly. ¡°Was it him?¡± After some contemtion, Ian shook his head cautiously. ¡°Although I can¡¯t be entirely certain, the atmosphere in the bar tonight is strange. Miss, we need to be careful as you only have me tonight.¡± As Ian finished speaking, a charming and slightl flushed man approached Sheena. Sheena nced at the decent¨Clooking man, who seemed a bit shy, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± The man, seemingly summoning great courage, pointed toward a group of men and women in the opposite booth, his gaze pleading. ¡°Miss, I lost a game, and they want me to strike up a conversation with you. Only if you ept my drink will they consider it a pass. Can you help me out?¡± Sheena locked eyes with him but remained silent, smiling politely. Undeterred by herck of a clear response, the man grabbed an empty ss from the server and poured her half a ss of red wine. ¡°Miss, can you?¡± Sheena stayed motionless, not taking Miss, can y the offered drink. On the side, Ian discreetly reminded, ¡± the offered 2/2 Miss, it¡¯s not a good idea to ept drinks from strangers in a bar.¡± The shy man lowered his head, continuing, ¡°I spotted you in the crowd when I walked in. Your beauty stands out from all the other girls here. You surely wouldn¡¯t refuse to help me out, right?¡± Ian continued his hushed advice, ¡°You can¡¯t, Miss. Don¡¯t ept it.¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Facing the two men¡¯s distinct persuasions, Sheena raised an eyebrow, smiling charmingly. ¡°Sure.¡± The man, thrilled by her agreement, eagerly handed her the red wine. Sheena was about to take it when a pair of long, slender hands suddenly blocked the wine mid- air. Sheena turned her head to see a cold and stern face ring at the man offering her the drink, rage evident in his eyes. ¡°She won¡¯t even ept my drink. What makes Chapter 329 Chapter 329 Why was Elijah here? And why was he referring to the drink incident from a while ago? This man was too petty. Sheena cast a sidelong nce at Elijah. However, it turned out that he was not alone. Lionel, Ford, Paul, John, and Sawyer had all joined in. Then, she looked up to the second¨Cfloor railing, where Nathaniel was still leaning. Though the dim lighting hid his expression, she sensed his gaze on them. The man who offered the drink, scolded by Elijah, looked at Sheena innocently. ¡°Miss, I meant no harm. It¡¯s just a drink. I don¡¯t know why this gentleman insulted me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s just a drink,¡± Sheena responded with a charming smile. Her delicate fingers reached for the red wine in Elijah¡¯s hand. Elijah, refusing to give it to her, had a displeased expression. With a gentle gaze and a yful tone, Sheena coaxed, ¡°Be good and let go. I¡¯ll drink your toast next time, too.¡± With just those words, Elijah instantly relented. Sheena smoothly reimed the ss of red wine, elegantly sniffed it, and then lightly pressed her lips to the rim as if about to take a sip. The man offering the drink watched excitedly, his eyes flickering with anticipation. However, she stopped just as her lips were about to touch the liquid. She yfully looked at the man and teased, ¡°You really want me to drink it, don¡¯t you?¡± The man was stunned, but he quickly nodded eagerly. In the next moment, Sheena turned cold, and she forcefully sshed the wine onto his face. ¡°You know what¡¯s in this drink, so enjoy the taste,¡± Sheena said mockingly. She had not noticed initially. However, the man mentioned he came from the nearby table, yet they showed no reaction when Elijah¡¯s group intervened. Moreover, he was overly eager. The man, now covered in wine stains, looked annoyed. ¡°If you didn¡¯t want to drink, fine, but why falsely use me? You¡¯re ruining the mood!¡± He wiped his face, lowered his head, and reached for the tissues in his suit pocket. Elijah observed him closely and noticed a glint of hostility in his eyes when he lowered his head¨Ca troubling sign. The man took advantage, of Sheena being momentarily distracted and suddenly pulled out a small ss bottle from his pocket. Maliciously, he aimed it at Sheena¡¯s face and sshed its contents. ¡°Watch out!¡± Elijah instinctively pulled her into his arms, and the liquid sshed on the back of his suit. Soon, it began to sizzle and emit smoke. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Elijah frowned in pain. Even so, he held Sheena tightly, sheltering her in his embrace, ¡°Miss, it¡¯s sulfuric acid!¡± Ford shouted in terror. His words caused the dancing crowd to scatter, screaming in panic. The man who had thrown the acid took advantage of the chaos and fled. Sheena roared, ¡°John and Sawyer, go after him! Whoever resorts to such sinister tactics must be caught!¡± After that, she swiftly assessed Elijah¡¯s condition, tearing off his suit and shirt. Elijah was already weakened from a recent cold. Moreover, having taken medication and doing household chores that afternoon, he was on the verge of exhaustion. In pain and unsteady on his feet, Elijah leaned against Sheena as sweat drenched his forehead, and he allowed Sheena to remove his clothes. Fortunately, most of the liquid had soaked into the clothes. Only a palm¨Csized area in the middle of his back had absorbed the most liquid, causing a severe burn. It was excruciatingly painful. He felt grateful that the injury was on him. If Sheena had been harmed, the pain would have been unbearable. Amidst the intense pain, he looked up, and his eyshes trembled lightly. He took in the pleasant scent of Sheena¡¯s hair, struggling to maintain consciousness. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. In the midst of his agony, he suddenly noticed that Ian, who had been behind Sheena, was nowhere to be seen. Worried, he exchanged a nce with Lionel. 1/2 Chapter 330 Chapter 330 Chapter 330 Lionel understood and discreetly left to findn. In the middle of the dance floor, Gabrielle was nearly knocked down by the scattering crowd. She hurried back to Sheena, only to witness the blood¨C drenched wound on Elijah¡¯s exposed back, leaving her face pale. ¡°Nana, what¡¯s happening? How did he get hurt like this?¡± Gabrielle asked in shock. Sheena had no time to exin and simply instructed, ¡°It¡¯s a mess here. I can¡¯t attend to you now. Go find Nathaniel.¡± Then, she ordered Ford to get the car ready and Paul to assist. As Paul approached, Elijah refused to be carried. Despite his weakness, his eyes showed determination. He gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Sheena, I¡­ don¡¯t want to go out¡­ with bare arms.¡± Understanding his concern, Sheena asked Paul to remove his shirt. After wiping off the remnants of concentrated sulfuric acid and blood on Elijah¡¯s back, she carefully wrapped him in a suit. Paul held onto his arms, feeling a bit ufortable from the cold. Only when Sheena called him did he hurriedly carry Elijah out of Eros Bar. John and Sawyer quickly caught up with the fleeing man. Unfortunately for him, they had apprehended him before he could escape the bar. As Sheena was about to get into the car, she thought about the man caught in the bar. She nced at the now unconscious Elijah in the back seat and hesitated for a few seconds while holding the car door handle. In the end, instead of getting into the car, she ordered Ford and Paul, ¡°Hurry to the nearest hospital to treat his injuries.¡± Ford asked, ¡°Miss, what about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯lleter.¡± She closed the car door, her eyes instantly turning cold with a surge of murderous intent. Back in Eros Bar, she went to the front desk and mmed a ck card onto the table. ¡°Clear the ce. I¡¯m using it. I¡¯ll cover all expenses, and if there¡¯s any damage, I¡¯llpensate!¡± Intimidated by her fierce gaze, the front desk attendant nced at the ck card. She had only seen this kind of card on TV and was stunned to see it in real life. She quickly called the owner to report the situation, and approval was granted promptly. Meanwhile, the man was being pressed down to his knees by John and Sawyer on the dance floor, struggling and shouting. Sheena approached, grabbed an empty red wine bottle from the nearby table, and forcefully smashed it against the edge, creating a sharp, piercing sound. When the man saw Sheena approaching with the broken, sharp half of the wine bottle in her hand, his arrogance instantly weakened. ¡°What do you want to do? You¡­ Ah!¡± A piercing scream echoed through the air as the broken wine bottle shed across half of the man¡¯s face, creating a gruesome scene of blood and flesh. Even his eyeball was in pain, With a cold gaze, Sheena pressed the pointed end of the shattered bottle against the man¡¯s neck and ruthlessly asked, ¡°Who sent you?¡± No one would casually carry sulfuric acid without a n. The man endured the pain, staying silent, unwilling to spill the beans. Sheena turned her gaze to his right arm. ¡°Was it with this hand you attacked?¡± John and Sawyer understood and forced the man to the ground. They ruthlessly stepped on the undamaged half of his face with their leather shoes and pinned his right arm to the ground. Sheena slowly crouched down, her gaze turning fierce. Then, she ruthlessly stabbed the broken bottle into the back of the man¡¯s hand. A heart¨Cwrenching scream pierced through the air, and the bar staff trembled in fear, huddling together. Sheena looked at the man¡¯s right arm and questioned, ¡°If you won¡¯t talk, it¡¯s fine. I won¡¯t kill you, but I have plenty of ways to torture you until you speak.¡± With those words, she forcefully twisted the broken bottle lodged in the back of the man¡¯s hand. ¡°Ah!¡± The man convulsed in pain, nearly passing out. N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°The next is your left hand. If you still won¡¯t talk, it¡¯ll be your right foot and left foot. Think about it!¡± The man¡¯s left hand was forcefully extended. Sheena¡¯s eyes glinted with determination, but just as she was about to pierce his skin, someone grabbed her wrist from behind. Chapter 331 Chapter 331 Sheena turned around angrily, only to find that Nathaniel was the one who stopped her. With a serious demeanor, Nathaniel said, ¡°Nana, you can¡¯t punish him as you like. We must let thew handle this. Since I¡¯m here, let me take him to Farlem police station for questioning.¡± ¡°He tried to disfigure my face with acid, and I defended myself. Is that not allowed?¡± Sheena¡¯s tone was icy as she attempted to pull her hand back. Nathaniel held onto her wrist, his expression still stern. ¡°He harmed someone, and he should face consequences. But if you harm him, you¡¯ll be in the same position. Don¡¯t forget that this is a bar. Even if you clear the scene, there are still plenty of staff as witnesses.¡± Sheena hesitated, but she quickly recovered and sneered. ¡°But I¡¯ve already taken matters into my own hands. What now?¡± the clean up Nathaniel gave it a thought before saying, ¡°I can turn a blind eye and help you mess, but you can¡¯t hit him again. Elijah is just your servant now, your pet. You don¡¯t need to get yourself into trouble for him. His words shocked Sheena. ¡°If Elijah hadn¡¯t intervened and my face was the one scarred instead, would you still say the same?¡± Nathaniel was stunned. Sheena forcefully shook off his hand, looking at him in disbelief as shemented, ¡® Nathaniel, I don¡¯t know you anymore.¡± Nathaniel was obviously hurt by her remark, and he silently stepped back, no longer stopping her actions. With no one stopping her, Sheena smirked and crouched in front of the man again. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s continue.¡± ¡°P¨CPlease¡­ Don¡¯t¡­¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Ignoring his pleas, Sheena raised the bottle high, about to strike. ¡°Stop right there!¡± It was Maurice, apanied by a team of officers. ¡°Mr. Nicholls, you¡¯re here too.¡± Maurice rushed in and greeted Nathaniel first. Seeing that Nathaniel remained indifferent, he stepped forward to snatch the bottle from Sheena¡¯s hand. Seeing the miserable state of the man on the floor, Maurice gasped at how ruthless Sheena was. Then, he cautiously observed Nathaniel beside him, noting his grim expression and the absence of any intention to intervene. Maurice said, ¡°Ms. Sheena, we received a report of a disturbance in the bar. Could you pleasee with us?¡± Sheena smiled faintly, her voice silky as she replied, ¡°He threw sulfuric acid at me, injuring me. I just retaliated, perhaps a bit too forcefully.¡± Chapter 331 2/2 Maurice nced at the man whose face was now a bloody mess from the broken bottle, unconsciously gulping hard. She obviously went all out! He spoke with seriousness, ¡°Ms. Sheena, regardless of the circumstances, we need to take a trip to the police station. Pleasee with us.¡± Sheena blinked her beautiful eyes and asked, ¡°Investigation and questioning are fine. How long will it take?¡± As Maurice handcuffed her, he replied, ¡°It¡¯s uncertain, depending on whether you¡¯vemitted a crime.¡± Other police stepped forward, handcuffing John and Sawyer. Hearing themotion, Gabrielle rushed out and tugged Nathaniel. ¡°Nathaniel, Sheena is being taken away. You can¡¯t just stand by! Nathaniel!¡± Nathaniel remained silent, his eyes deeply fixed on Sheena as she was escorted away. Unable to persuade him, Gabrielle attempted to step forward, but Nathaniel¡¯s men blocked her. She could only watch as Sheena got in the police car. Elijah, weakened and exhausted, woke up in the ward several hourster. The wound on his back had been properly bandaged, and the doctor, concerned about his seemingly fragile state despite his robust physique, had added an extra bag of nutrients to his IV, along with the prescribed antibiotics. Upon awakeningte in the night, Elijah noticed Ford and Paul sleeping on the adjacent visitor beds. Scanning the room, he did not find theforting figure he longed for. Chapter 332 Chapter 332 Chapter 332 His heart sank, prompting him to wake Ford and ask, ¡°Where¡¯s Sheena?¡± Ford yawned and replied, ¡°She¡¯s handling things at the bar. She¡¯s probably done and back at the mansion resting.¡± Elijah furrowed his brow slightly, his deep voice trembling, ¡°She hasn¡¯t been here?¡± ¡°No. She had Paul and me take you to the hospital.¡± Elijah¡¯s eyes gradually dimmed, his heart burning with a pain stronger than the sulfuric acid. on his back. Seeing his grim expression, Ford reassured, ¡°Mr. Freeman, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s toote, and she must be exhausted after dealing with everything. She¡¯ll probablye by early tomorrow.¡± Elijah said nothing and turned over, closing his eyes to feign sleep. However, he knew if Sheena had note tonight, she probably would note tomorrow. It was a sleepless night for Elijah. Farlem Police Station. The police had witnessed Sheena¡¯s act of violence, and coupled with thete hour, the formal investigation had to wait until the following day. Sheena had no choice but to spend the night in the station. Maurice, who had btedly learned of Sheena¡¯s true identity from Nathaniel, was left dumbfounded. She was the heiress of Svelton¡¯s wealthiest Lawson family, Corey¡¯s beloved sister. He shuddered at the thought that he almost threw such a prominent figure into a holding cellst time. Given the ongoing investigation, he arranged a luxurious single room in the station for Sheena, while John and Sawyer ended up sharing a double room. Late autumn had arrived, and the amodations for suspects in the police station were essentially divided, small, partitioned rooms. Theycked bedding, chairs, and washing facilities, and they would even need to report to the guards to use the restroom. The floors were damp, and some detainees opted to squat while sleeping at night. However, Sheena¡¯s small room was different. It was fully equipped with sheets, a single bed, and a plush carpet to prevent her from catching a chill. They even provided her with a table andputer. Although theputer could only connect to the station¡¯s internalwork and could not ess the inte, it was still good for ying games if she could not sleep. asionally, police officers would come by, politely asking if she wanted a midnight snack and offering to bring her delicacies from the adjacent five¨Cstar restaurant. The only downside was the confiscation of her phone due to security measures. Chapter 332 This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Sheenay on the small bed, bored, and went through the events of the day from start to finish. At the bar, she noticed ian was missing, but since Elijah had sent Lionel after him, she assumed it was not a big issue. However, tonight¡¯s events were too mysterious. She recalled encountering a man in the hallway whose description resembled Ian¡¯s. If that person was really up to something, why limit it to throwing sulfuric acid? Or was it because Elijah¡¯s sudden appearance with reinforcements disrupted their ns? What would be their next move? Lost in thought, she unknowingly drifted off to sleep. Early the next morning, Elijah woke up in the hospital and found the room empty except for him. As expected, Sheena did note. Feeling a bitter emptiness, he removed the IV and got out of bed. As he opened the door, he saw Ford in the corridor¡¯s corner, sneakily talking on the phone. ¡°What? Ms. Sheena is at the police station? Wasn¡¯t Mr. Nicholls at the scenest night? How could he let them take Ms. Sheena away? Alright, I understand. I won¡¯t tell Mr. Freeman for now.¡± L moono ahruntlu snatched the phone away Chapter 333 Chapter 333 Chapter 333 Chapter 333 Elijah red at Ford angrily as he asked, ¡°Did you just say Sheena spent the night at the police station last night?¡± Ford was utterly taken aback! John had called from the police station, asking them to keep it from Elijah so he could recover properly. Unfortunately, they were caught. ¡°Mr. Freeman, please don¡¯t worry. With Mr. Lawson there, Ms. Sheena won¡¯t suffer. She probably just needs to make a statement and will be released by noon.¡± How could he not worry? She spent the night in the police station, and there was no way she slept well because it was freezing inside! Elijah wanted to leave, but Ford blocked his way. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you can¡¯t leave the hospital just yet. The doctor said the acid thrown at you wasn¡¯t just concentrated sulfuric acid. They need to run tests, and you must stay for observation!¡± Elijah ignored Ford. However, just as he took a few steps, he tasted blood in his throat. He coughed twice, finding a smear of bright red blood on his clenched fist, and his usually pal¨¦ lips now had a small ring of red. Ford was stunned when he saw Elijah coughing up blood, and he quickly dragged Elijah back to the room, intending to find a doctor. ¡°I¡¯m fine. No need to panic,¡± Elijah stopped him. ¡°You¡¯re coughing up blood! How can I not panic? We need to get you a thorough examination from the doctor.¡± Elijah held him back, emphasizing, ¡°Really, it¡¯s nothing. I didn¡¯t spit blood. I just bit my tongue in my haste. Don¡¯t make a big deal out of it and tell Sheena. She has enough problems to deal with. I don¡¯t want to burden her further.¡± ¡°Really? You just bit your tongue?¡± Ford was a bit skeptical. Elijah nodded without a change in expression. Seeing Ford¡¯s hesitation, he continued, ¡°I¡¯m a bit hungry. Can you get me some chicken soup?¡± ¡°The hospital cafeteria should have it. I¡¯ll ask a nurse to bring it over for you.¡± Ford was about to press the call bell when Elijah stopped him again. ¡°I don¡¯t want hospital food. Do you mind getting the chicken soup from Dous, the restaurant next door? Thank ¡°Uhm¡­¡± Ford hesitated. you. 11 Paul was busy handling Sheena¡¯s affairs, and Elijah would be alone if he left too. Elijah could tell Ford¡¯s concern and reassured Ford, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t go anywhere. I know Sheena has Howard by her side, and Corey will help her too. I¡¯ll stay in the hospital and not Chapter 333 meddle with the matter.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elijah ordered a few more breakfast items, all requested to be made fresh. Though not entirely convinced, Ford left after reminding him about a few things. Elijah calmly nodded, but he was clenching his fists tightly under the sheet. As soon as Ford waspletely gone, Elijah rushed to the private restroom and forcefully vomited a mouthful of blood. His head was spinning, and he barely managed to support himself against the sink to avoid passing out on the spot. Even with the injected modified drug, concentrated sulfuric acid only caused corrosive burns on the skin and should not have affected his body. With that thought in mind, Elijah took off his shirt, removed the bandages from his back, and examined the wounds through the mirror. Despite the application of medicine, the wounds were still vividly red, and it was obviously worsening. Elijah felt mixed emotions. This was¡­ Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. After cleaning the blood from his lips, he put his shirt back on, returned to the bed, and sent a message to Lionel. Fifteen minutester, Lionel hurriedly arrived. Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! y Chapte 334 Chapter 334 Chapter 334 Chapter 334 Lionel saw Elijah sitting on the edge of the bed, brows slightly furrowed as if trying to endure something. He quickly went over and gave Elijah a supportive hand, noticing Elijah¡¯s icy hand. ¡°Mr. Freeman, you look terrible.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Elijah¡¯s eyshes trembled slightly as he masked the intense pain in his back, appearing exceptionally stern. In a strained voice, he asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Ian?¡± ¡°I found him. He exined that he saw the man who ordered him to harm Sheena but couldn¡¯t catch 1. up. I had no evidence, so I let him return to Ocean Avenue. He¡¯ll report this to Sheena when the timees.¡± Elijah¡¯s throat was hurting, but he still forcefully said, ¡°Have someone watch over Ian and report immediately if there¡¯s any movement. At the police station, request the release of the man who threw sulfuric acidst night in the name of the National Investigation Bureau. If Sheena wants to interrogate him, make sure they cooperate fully.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Elijah wanted to say more, but his arm supporting him suddenly trembled, and his entire body felt weightless. Lionel observed his condition, clearly sensing something was wrong, and asked, ¡°Mr. Freeman, even if you were injected with the modified drug, sulfuric acid only harms the skin. How can you be so weakened?¡± Elijah remained silent. Lionel approached him, intending to inspect his injuries. Frowning, Elijah¡¯s tone turned icy and scolded, ¡°Let go. Your audacity is growing.¡± Lionel insisted. ¡°Let me take a look. If you want to punish me afterward, go ahead. I just can¡¯t rest without seeing it for myself!¡± Seeing that Lionel was so determined, Elijah finally admitted, ¡°It¡¯s not sulfuric acid. It should be the S404 biochemical agent.¡® ¡°What?¡± Lionel¡¯s hand jerked back, face turning pale. S404 was a newly developed weapon from the warb. It not only burned the skin but also had internal effects. Due to its experimental nature, there was currently no cure for the internal damage, making the harm potentially irreversible. Lionel¡¯s eyes reddened, and he mumbled in disbelief, ¡°How could this happen? S404 is clearly banned, and only a dozen samples are known to exist in the military. There shouldn¡¯t be any¡­ Lionel abruptly stopped mid¨Csentence as he realized something, and he looked at Elijah in Aso you cuspecting #1 Chapter 334 Arrange for someone to keep him in Farlem by any means necessary. Also, have the Special Investigation Department thoroughly investigate if there are any records of essing the drug depository. Not a single bottle of S404 should be missing.¡± Elijah covered his mouth, a fit of coughing seizing him, yet his every move remainedposed and elegant. Lionel quickly helped him, patting his back to ease the difort. After catching his breath, Elijah continued, ¡°If anything seems amiss, I don¡¯t care whether Nathaniel is involved or not, but I¡¯ll target him.¡± The situation was mysterious, and regardless of whether S404 was intended for Sheena or him, it would involve many people. ¡°Yes, Mr. Freeman,¡± Lionel replied dutifully, but his greater concern was Elijah¡¯s health. 217 N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°Mr. Freeman, what if we go back? Perhaps they can develop a treatment there. At the very least, it could ease the effects and pain caused by S404 on your body. We could also deal with the 023 you¡¯re currently on.¡± Elijah replied without hesitation, ¡°No need.¡± He could not afford to expose himself to be stronger than Sheena. As long as he wished to stay by her side, maintaining a vulnerable front was important. If she noticed anything different, she might have misunderstood him again. Elijah had worked hard to improve her perception of him, and he could not afford to undo that progress. Lionel was frustrated at how stubborn Elijah was. ¡°Is pursuing your ex¨Cwife more important than taking care of your own health? We don¡¯t even have data on the effects of S404 on the human body yet! Aren¡¯t you afraid that you won¡¯t be around anymore when you finally win over Ms. Sheena?¡± Chapter 335 ymore when you finally win over Ms. Sheena?¡± Chapter 335 Elijah red at Lionel right after he said that. Realizing he had been too hasty and said something wrong, Lionel promptly pped himself across the face twice, not holding back on the force. His lips were cut, and blood trickled down. Though his eyes were red, his face clearly disyed annoyance, revealing he was not entirely sorry for his actions. Elijah did not argue with Lionel and just weakly responded, ¡°I¡¯ll go back, but I need to handle things on Sheena¡¯s end first. Ask Lance to go back and check for any antidote to suppress S404 temporarily. Also, see if you can find an effective scar removal cream.¡± Lionel, somewhat dumbfounded, eximed, ¡°Considering the circumstances, you¡¯re worried about whether the wound will leave a scar or not? Is appearance more important than your life?¡± Elijah gave him a cold, piercing look, and his tone icy. ¡°Mind your own business and continue.¡± Lionel took a deep breath and pped himself again, causing his face to swell further. Since Elijah did not ask him to stop, Lionel was about to continue again. However, Elijah suddenly said, ¡°Enough.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Lionel rubbed his sore face, feeling unfairly treated. He thought Elijah was heartless and ungrateful. All Elijah cared about was chasing after Sheena, not those who risked their lives with him! Elijah, oblivious to Lionel¡¯s silentints,y back on the hospital bed, feeling a bit drained after the conversation. Lionel, still standing there, held his ground with a bruised ego. The room fell into an awkward silence until Ford entered, breaking the tension. Spotting Lionel, Ford seemed slightly surprised as he ced the packed breakfast on the bedside table. ¡°When did you get here?¡± Lionel remained silent. Ford approached him, taking a quick nce. The sight startled him! ¡°What happened to your face? How did you get these injuries? Who hit you?¡± Ford looked at Elijah in disbelief. He was currently a weak patient, so he could not possibly cause such harm to Lionel Lionel, holding back his anger, grabbed a tissue from the bedside table to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. He grumbled, ¡°Nothing, I was stupid and did it to myself!¡± Ford gulped. Lionel beat himself up? Impressive! Feeling a bit uneasy, Ford decided not toment further and opened the takeout box of soup and snacks for Elijah. Chapter 335 Elijah sat up and unexpectedly shot a nce at Lionel. ¡°Why are you standing here? Don¡¯t you have anything to do?¡± Lionel quickly caught on. ¡°Oh right, I¡¯ve got things to do. I¡¯ll get going! Rest well, Mr. Freeman. Ford, thank you for looking after him!¡± ¡°Not a problem!¡± Ford replied cheerfully. Half an hourter, Maurice personally went to the luxurious single room to escort Sheena out. ¡°Ms. Sheena, you¡¯ve endured a night of difort here. You¡¯re free to go now.¡± Seeing his overly eager smile, Sheena found it odd and asked, ¡°No paperwork this time?¡± Maurice merely chuckled. Chapter 336 Chapter 336 Chapter 336 ¡°No need. It¡¯s all sorted out. You¡¯re considered acting in self¨Cdefense. Although the defensive measures were a bit excessive and extreme, you just need to pay thempensation.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. To Maurice¡¯s surprise, early in the morning, both the National Investigation Bureau and Corey¡¯s side issued statements demanding Sheena¡¯s bail. Once again, he marveled at the powerful figures behind her. ? ?? As anticipated, Sheena did not say much, calmly strolling out of her luxurious single room. Maurice followed her, suddenly remembering something and hurriedly adding, ¡°Oh, by the the National Investigation Bureau called and said if you want to interrogatest night¡¯s culprit, Brady Carino, you will have their full cooperation.¡± way, Sheena stopped in her tracks, surprised. ¡°National Investigation Bureau?¡± Maurice nodded. ¡°Yes, indeed. You¡¯re quite influential. The formidable figures from both sides with the highest authority in the country are backing you. A littleckey like me following you around would appreciate it if you could put in a good word for me when you have time.¡± Sheena stayed silent, her expression stern. She was certain she did not know anyone from the National Investigation Bureau, so why were they helping her? Nheless, since she was granted the privilege of interrogating the culprit, she could not let it go to waste. ¡°You mentioned the guy who caused troublest night is named Brady Carino? Where is he detained? Take me to him.¡± ¡°Of course. This way, please.¡± Maurice led her, changing direction and heading deeper inside. As they walked down the corridor, Sheena kept herself upied. Casually, she asked Maurice, ¡°Who¡¯s currently the head of the National Investigation Bureau? I haven¡¯t heard of them. They seem pretty low¨Ckey.¡± Maurice respectfully replied, ¡°If someone as powerful as you don¡¯t even know him, I can¡¯t possibly have the information. Anyway, they never showed their face, and there¡¯s no detailed information about their identity. Moreover, all orders are given through his subordinates. There¡¯s a rumor that it¡¯s because they¡¯re too ugly, so they usually wear a mask on missions.¡± ¡°As for their identity, it¡¯s a mystery. But I reckon such a big shot must be from one of the prominent families in Svelton!¡± Sheena remained silent, pondering his words. As they continued their conversation, they arrived at the door where Brady was being held. Maurice directed the officer to unlock it. As Brady was scheduled for interrogation the next day, he was kept in a small room alone. When the door swung open, they saw Brady curled up in the damp corner, facing away from the entrance, seemingly asleep. ¡°Get up, Brady!¡± 326 3/2 A police officer approached and gently nudged him a couple of times with the tip of their shoe. No response. Sensing something amiss, Sheena was about to enter and check when she heard the police inside shouting, ¡°Captain Maurice, he¡¯s dead!¡± ¡°What? How did he suddenly die? Didn¡¯t we stop the bleeding and administer medication for his injuries last night?¡± Maurice muttered while quickly approaching to inspect Brady¡¯s condition on the ground. ¡°The body is still warm, so he just died. There are no apparent fatal injuries. There¡¯s a suspected needle puncture on the neck, uncertain if it¡¯s from drug injection. Notify the forensic team and prepare for an autopsy!¡± He gave it a thought and asked, ¡°Did anyonee to see him this morning?¡± ¡°No one, except the internal police. No one passed by this area.¡± Standing at the doorway, Sheena listened attentively, suddenly realizing something. ¡°Lock down the entire police station. Don¡¯t let anyone out!¡°. Maurice swiftly activated the rm, sealing off the station. The ring sirens were piercing to the ears. Sheena bit her lip lightly, staring intently at Brady¡¯s lifeless body in the corner. He was killed just after surviving the previous night, precisely when he knew she would interrogate him today. Was this a deliberate show of force against her? Maurice conducted thorough checks on all police, including outsiders, finding no suspicious individuals. He then examined the surveince footage. In the video, they witnessed a bizarre and audacious scene. Chapter 337 Chapter 337 Maurice quickly summoned Sheena over to watch the surveince footage. On the screen, a man in an ordinary uniform stood with his back facing the camera, slowly extending his right hand, and giving a thumbs¨Cdown gesture. Afterward, he swaggered out of the police station, completely disappearing from all surveince. His attitude was extremely audacious and highly provocative! Maurice pulled up other surveince footage, mostly showing the man from behind or with his face concealed by a cap and sunsses, making it impossible to discern his features. Clearly, this man was arrogant and familiar with the police station¡¯s surveince spots. Was there an insider within the department? Maurice was infuriated, but Sheena found it amusing. This man seemed somewhat simr to the one she encountered in the Eros Bar corridorst night. Moreover, his actions were undoubtedly intended to mock her. Sheena swore on her own name to find out this man¡¯s identity and deal with him! Exiting the monitoring room, she headed straight for the door. She had no interest in Brady¡¯s autopsy report and left the police station with John and Sawyer. Paul was waiting outside for her. Upon seeing Paul, she suddenly remembered a certain someone still in the hospital and asked, ¡°Why are you here, and how is Elijah?¡± ¡°Mr. Freeman is doing well. His injuries fromst night were superficial, just external wounds. There shouldn¡¯t be any major issues, so you don¡¯t have to worry. Ford is with him.¡± After a pause, he continued, ¡°By the way, Ian called a moment ago. He said he¡¯s headed back to Ocean Avenue and has something to report to you.¡± Sheena remained silent, walked straight to the car, and got in. Today, Paul was driving, and he asked, ¡°Miss, are we heading back to Ocean Avenue, or are we going to see Mr. Freeman?¡± ¡°To the hospital,¡± Sheena initially replied but then reconsidered. ¡°No, back to the mansion.¡± After all, Ford was at the hospital with Elijah, and she had also checked the minor burns on his back last night. Thus, Sheena decided it might not be serious. Besides, she had no specific topics to discuss, and she anticipated Elijah¡¯s dramatic performance, likely involving holding her hand and acting all pitifully again. Paul swiftly started the car and headed toward Ocean Avenue. After a few minutes on the road, Sheena wrestled with her thoughts and changed her mind.¡± Forget it, let¡¯s go to the hospital first.¡± Yesterday, Elijah got injured protecting her, and avoiding himpletely seemed a bit heartless. Chapter 137 Paul swiftly turned the steering wheel, reversing direction toward the hospital. At the hospital, Elijah was still having his chicken soup. Due to theck of strength in his hands and a waning appetite, he purposely ate slowly, not wanting Ford to notice. Engrossed in his phone, Ford was in no rush to prompt him. Suddenly, the door swung open. Elijah looked up, only to lock eyes with a pair of stunning eyes. Sheena¡¯s beauty caught him off guard. He stared as she approached, happy that she actually visited him. Forget the chicken soup. Nothingpared to the delightful expression on her face. At that moment. He even forgot about the pain in his body. ¡°Ms. Sheena!¡± Ford respectfully greeted, quickly fetching a chair, and cing it next to Elijah¡¯s bed. The bodyguards, understanding the situation, turned away, closing the door behind them. Sheena walked straight to the chair, sat down, and observed Elijah¡¯splexion. She was puzzled to see his condition. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°You said you were much better, but why does yourplexion still look so bad?¡± Elijah smiled faintly and replied, ¡°I¡¯m feeling much better. My paleplexion is just due to my weakened condition. I¡¯ll be fine by tomorrow.¡± Chapter 338 Chapter 338 Chapter 338 Thinking about the breakfast on the bedside table that he had not opened, he reached out to grab it, his tone indulgent as he offered, ¡°Sheena, you haven¡¯t eaten, right? I ordered an extra breakfast. It was made by a well¨Cknown chef from Dous. It¡¯s delicious. Would you like to have some?¡± Before he could even grab the breakfast, a sudden, searing pain shot through the burns on his back, and it quickly spread through his limbs. Elijah forcefully suppressed the intense pain, maintaining a stoic expression. Even so, he could not hide the beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead or the subtle trembling of his knuckles. Noticing Elijah¡¯s abnormal state, Sheena declined politely, ¡°No need. I had breakfast at the police station, and I¡¯m not hungry right now.¡± Elijah did not insist, maintaining a poker face as he quietly retracted his trembling hand under the nket. Recalling the strange incident from this morning, Sheena smiled and asked, ¡°I had a particrly odd experience this morning. I haven¡¯t even given a statement yet, but the police released me, iming it was on bail from the National Investigation Bureau.¡± As she said that, she observed Elijah¡¯s expression. Elijah frowned, showing a hint of surprise. ¡°Oh, really?¡± She continued, ¡°Mmhmm. It¡¯s funny because I don¡¯t even know anyone from the National Investigation Bureau, and I have no idea why they would help me. I¡¯m unsure if their assistance this time is good or bad.¡± Elijah¡¯s face remained calm, saying, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s a friend of Howard¡¯s who¡¯s helping you. That won¡¯t be surprising.¡± Sheena stayed silent, still staring at him. In the past, Elijah would have been quick to show jealousy when faced with such situations, using every trick in the book to act cute and seek attention from her. Yet, his reaction was strangely indifferent today. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Noticing her silence, Elijah took the initiative to speak, ¡°Sheena, I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t get much rest at the stationst night. Why don¡¯t you go back to the mansion and get some sleep? Everything¡¯s fine here, and I¡¯ll probably be discharged tomorrow.¡± Was he deliberately trying to send her away? It felt too out of character. Sheena could not shake the feeling that something was off with Elijah today, but looking at his calm demeanor, she could not pinpoint the exact problem. ¡°Sheena?¡± Elijah called her softly. She snapped back to attention, responding, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m indeed a bit tired. I¡¯ll head back now. Take care and rest well.¡± Elijah nodded, his pale lips tightly pressed together. Chapter 338 Sheena stood up and tidied her white skirt. Before leaving, she earnestly said, ¡°If you difort, inform the doctor or let me know. Don¡¯t endure it. Elijah simply replied, ¡°Okay.¡± Sheena did not linger, turning to walk toward the door. feel any Just as she turned, Elijah could not suppress the sudden surge of a metallic sweetness in his chest, quickly covering his mouth with his hand and silently spitting out a mouthful of blood. Sheena, with keen ears, picked up on the subtle sound. She nced at Elijah on the hospital bed. Elijah had his head lowered, his left hand still resting under the nket, while his right hand picked up a spoon to sip the soup. His eyshes, long and curly, trembled lightly, and he did not nce in her direction. Sheena opened the door and walked out. Except for Ford, who stayed behind at the hospital, the other bodyguards silently followed her. ¡°Don¡¯t follow me. Go to the car and wait for me,¡± Sheena instructed. ¡°Uh, Miss?¡± Paul did not stop her but noticed her heading in the opposite direction. Sheena discreetly went to find the attending doctor. When she reached the office door, she walked in directly, lightly tapping the desk and speaking seriously, ¡°I want to see Elijah¡¯s test report.¡± Chapter 33 Chapter 339 Chapter 339 Chapter 339 The doctor, Anthony Cardille, was stunned by her sudden appearance. After Sheena identified herself, Anthony promptly pulled up Elijah¡¯s medical records on theputer. ¡°This patient is generally healthy, aside from being a bit physically weak,¡± Anthony said. The test report was reprinted, and he handed it over to Sheena. Sheena scanned through it carefully. Then, she asked, ¡°How about the burn on his back?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a typical burn from concentrated sulfuric acid. Applying medication for a while should do the trick. Just be cautious not to get it wet. However, after the wound heals, it¡¯s likely to leave a scar, which might not look very pretty.¡± Sheena went through the test report again, and it indicated that Elijah¡¯s body had no major issues. Could it be this straightforward? If so, why was Elijah acting so unusually today? Sheena felt something was off but could not quite put her finger on it. Sheena stared at Anthon and emphasized, ¡°Is this really the case, Dr. Cardille? Don¡¯t hide anything from me.¡± Anthony maintained a neutral expression, seeming sincere. ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena. These are the examination results for Mr. Freeman.¡± Maybe she was overthinking things? Shaking off her thoughts, Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious as she reminded Anthony, ¡± Don¡¯t tell Mr. Freeman about my visit here.¡± Anthony understood and nodded in agreement. After Sheena left, Anthony pulled up anotherprehensive test report on hisputer screen. He sighed as he observed several significantly abnormal indicators in the report. Elijah had given him too much! Exiting Anthony¡¯s office, Sheena did not linger and headed straight back to Ocean Avenue. Ian spotted her getting out of the car and quickly approached from the shadows. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Miss, I heard you were at the police stationst night. Did they give you a hard time?¡± Before he could finish, John stepped forward and punched him. Ian grunted, taking a punch that left him dazed. He staggered back a couple of steps, a bruise quickly forming on his cheek. Sawyer felt it was not enough and clenched his fist, saying, ¡°Ms. Sheena saved you, and you betrayed her? I might as well finish you off!¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Ian raised his hand to stop John, looking at Sheena. He exined, ¡°Miss, I didn¡¯t betray you. Please let me exin. If I wanted to harm you, why would Ie back and contact Paul?¡± Chapter 330 12/23 Sheena coldly nced at him and said, ¡°Come inside.¡± Ian obediently followed her into the living room. Once Sheena was seated on the sofa, he stood quietly beside her, ready to report. ¡°Last night, it seemed like I spotted that man in ck again at the bar, the one from the sketch I gave you. When I saw him leaving, I chased after him. I was in a hurry and forgot to report in advance.¡± Sheena, maintaining her grace andposure, poured herself a cup of tea without much. expression. Her tone was calm as she asked, ¡°Did you catch up with him?¡± ¡°No,¡± Ian sounded disheartened. ¡°I chased him out of Eros Bar, but he was too fast. I couldn¡¯t catch up. However, I feel these recent events are rted to Mr. Nicholls. After all, he invited you to the bar, and he was probably responsible for this.¡± Sheena remained silent, not arguing. She took a sip of tea before saying, ¡°Noted.¡± ncing at Ian, she noticed the injury on his face. ¡°Sawyer is short¨Ctempered. Don¡¯t mind him. How¡¯s your face?¡± Chapter 340 Chapter 340 Chapter 340 Ian rubbed his face. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Well, from now on, stay by my side as before.¡± ¡°Okay, Miss.¡± Sheena nodded lightly. As Ian made to leave, she called him back, ¡°Contact Mr. Nicholls for me. If he hasn¡¯t left Farlem, tell him I¡¯m inviting him to dinner tonight.¡± She yed with the teacup, appearing to be deep in thought. In the evening, at the Garden Hotel. Sheena originally intended to treat Nathaniel. However, Nathaniel, upon hearing about it, was delighted. He personally reserved the entire rooftop restaurant at the Garden Hotel. Sheena changed into a dark red evening gown. Her makeup was slightly more alluring than usual, and she looked even more beautiful when she smiled. Nathaniel could not take his eyes off her. He gracefully lowered his head and extended his hand, saying, ¡°Nana, you look beautiful tonight. You¡¯re the most gorgeous princess in the whole of Froania.¡± Sheena giggled in a seductive and enticing manner. Once seated, Nathaniel asked, ¡°Sheena, why did you suddenly decide to have dinner with me tonight? Have you¡­ figured things out?¡± ¡°Nate, I didn¡¯t sleep wellst night. When I learned that you were leaving Farlem and didn¡¯t know when you¡¯d return, I felt this emptiness in my heart.¡± Sheena frowned, patting her chest. Her sweet voice that had a touch of flirtation, coupled with her pitiful expression, made it irresistible for Nathaniel. ¡°Silly girl, it seems you do have feelings for me. Don¡¯t worry, the matters with the Special Investigation Department are mostly sorted out. I should be able to stay in Farlem for a while longer.¡± Learning that he was not leaving immediately, Sheena was delighted. ¡°That¡¯s great. Gabrielle has also arrived in Farlem. We can have some fun before you go.¡± Nathaniel chuckled. ¡°Yeah, let her go crazy on her own. I¡¯d rather be alone with you like this all the time.¡± Sheena smiled, not saying anything. Nathaniel locked eyes with her and suddenly remembered something, asking, ¡°Nana, I heard you went to the hospital today to see Elijah. How is he doing?¡± ¡°Oh, him.¡± Sheena¡¯s smiling face gradually turned cold, and she spoke with a tone of disdain, Chapter 34D 2022 He saved mest night and is now using it as leverage, acting cute and seeking rewards. It¡¯s the same old routine, and I¡¯m quite annoyed with him these days.¡± Nathaniel was pleased to hear that. ¡°Since you¡¯re fed up, why not just give up on him? He¡¯s just a little pet. Isn¡¯t having me to keep youpany better?¡± Sheena smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s better, but he did get injured for me. I can¡¯t just use him and then discard him. If that gets out, people will say I¡¯m heartless andck morality.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s expression froze. ¡°So what¡¯s your n?¡± ¡°After he¡¯s discharged, I¡¯ll temporarily keep him at the mansion. I won¡¯t let him go out during this time to avoid trouble. When the time is right, I¡¯ll grant him freedom.¡± Nathaniel remained silent, his deep blue eyes narrowing slightly, but he did not object. Sheena promptly changed the topic and added, ¡°Nate, I faced something incredibly frightening today.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°I went to interrogate Brady Carino, who threw sulfuric acid at Elijahst night, but he unexpectedly died. He died just ten minutes before I entered, and the mastermind openly taunted me in front of the surveince. I can¡¯t shake the feeling that he mighte to kill me. I¡¯m so scared!¡± Nathaniel¡¯s expression gradually turned grim. ¡°Such a thing actually happened?¡± ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Sheena tilted her head, observing him suspiciously. ¡°Nate, as a military figure, shouldn¡¯t the entire Farlem police station report to you? How did no one inform you about this?¡±Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Chapter 341 Chapter 341 Nathaniel was stunned, and his expression turned serious as he exined, ¡°I¡¯ve been busy dealing with Special Investigation Department matters during the day, so I didn¡¯t inquire aboutst night¡¯s case. I genuinely didn¡¯t know, but¡­¡± He stopped mid¨Csentence, looking at Sheena and apologizing sincerely, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nana. I was upset with youst night, so I didn¡¯t stop Maurice from taking you away, causing you to suffer at the police station all night. But you have to believe me, I haven¡¯t changed. I¡¯m always the same Nate you knew!¡± As he spoke excitedly, he reached out to hold Sheena¡¯s hand. ¡°I certainly believe you.¡± Sheena smiled, calmly retracting her hand, and elegantly adjusting her hair as she continued, ¡°Nate, my money has been with the Carver Group for too long. It doesn¡¯t feel right to leave it uncollected. I¡¯ll need your help with this matter too.¡± Nathaniel willingly agreed, ¡°Of course! As long as it¡¯s something you want to do, I¡¯ll help.¡± Sheena smiled sweetly, appearing coy. The meal ended at 8 p.m., and Sheena declined Nathaniel¡¯s offer to send her home. Instead, she returned to Ocean Avenue with Paul and Ian. The moment she got into the back seat of the car, her warm smile froze, and her expression turned cold in an instant. The atmosphere in the car became tense, enough to send shivers down anyone¡¯s spine. Paul and Ian sensed her displeasure and dared not make a sound. Upon reaching Ocean Avenue, Sheena was surprised to find the living room lights on. She asked John and learned that Howard was there. When Sheena entered, she found Howard sitting on the sofa with a strange expression. ¡°Howard, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Howard pointed to his phone, whispering, ¡°It¡¯s Corey. He called you, but you didn¡¯t answer. So, he came to me. 11 Sheena was shocked, feeling her heart pounding. Despite being fearless in most situations, she was terrified of Corey. Moreover, she could tell from Howard¡¯s grim expression that Corey contacting her was likely not good news. Sheena¡¯s legs almost gave way, and she pleaded, ¡°Howard, don¡¯t call him yet. Let me prepare myself.¡± ¡°Sheena Lawson.¡± Corey¡¯s imposing and stern voice echoed from Howard¡¯s phone. Damn it! The call had been on speaker the whole time! N?velDrama.Org owns this. Starting with her full name meant Corey was genuinely furious. Since there was no escaping this, Sheena reluctantly took the phone, her voice sweet and trembling as she said, ¡°Corey, I¡¯m sorry. Please don¡¯t be angry¡­¡± ¡°What are you sorry for?¡± On the other end of the line, Corey¡¯s voice was icy. On the sidelines, Howard held his breath, not daring to say a word. Sheena pondered for a while. Honestly, she did not know what she did wrong. ¡°Anything and everything you think I did wrong.¡± ¡°Sheena Lawson!¡± A furious scolding followed. Sheena immediately knelt. ¡°Corey, I¡¯m really sorry! I¡¯ve already kneeled. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± The man on the other end remained silent, suppressing his anger. Finally, he said, ¡°How many times were you brought to the police station? It was forgivable before, but this time, you brawled in a bar with so many staff around. Sheena, you¡¯re really something! What if that person you angered decides to fight back? What if you get hurt again?¡± Sheena pouted, feeling indignant. However, she noticed Howard signaling her not to add fuel to the fire. Softening her tone, she said, ¡°I was wrong, and I won¡¯t do it again.¡± To hell with that! She did not do anything wrong, and she would definitely do it again! Corey sighed, somewhat helpless. After a two¨Csecond pause, he resumed his cold tone. ¡°Since you¡¯re already kneeling, kneel for an hour. Howard will watch Anuchiesti ¡ª Chapter 342 Chapter 342 ¡°Huh?¡± Of course! Sheena felt particrly wronged and coquettishly said, ¡°Corey, my floor is marble. Kneeling will make my knees swell¡­¡± ¡°It seems you still haven¡¯t learned your lesson. Kneel for two hours.¡± ¡°Corey!¡± Corey continued his ruthless verdict, ¡°One more word, and it¡¯s four hours.¡± Sheena surrendered, ¡°Fine! Two hours. I¡¯ll kneel, I¡¯ll ept the punishment.¡± Absolutely ruthless! Are all men straddling both sides of thew and underworld this merciless? The call finally ended, and Sheena sought help from Howard with teary eyes. ¡°Howard¡­¡± Howard reassured her, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Nana. I¡¯ll keep youpany.¡± ¡®While you sit there?¡® Sheena retorted internally. Howard was equally ruthless! Then, Howard opened the phone camera, aimed it at Sheena, and instructed, ¡°Kneel with the right posture and act more pitiful. Quick. I¡¯ll send this to Corey.¡® Sheena obedientlyplied. After sending Corey the photo, Howard grabbed a pillow from behind the sofa and handed it to her. ¡°Here, Nana. This one¡¯s soft. Use it as a cushion.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Sheena took it but hesitated. ¡°Will Corey find out?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t tell him. Even if he does, it¡¯s okay. Corey is soft¨Chearted when ites to you. I bet the moment he sees the photo, he¡¯ll be distressed.¡± Sheena pouted. She did not believe Corey was that sympathetic, especially when he sentenced her to kneel for two hours. Howard crouched down to help her cushion and continued his gentle lecture, ¡°This time, you¡¯ve genuinely angered Corey. But deep down, he¡¯s just afraid you¡¯ll get hurt. You¡¯re indeed too impulsive. Next time, think carefully before you act, okay? Even if you want to fight, don¡¯t leave any evidence. You should¡­¡± Sheena started zoning out while listening. Howard¡¯s lecture was too long¨Cwinded, and she could not absorb a single word. After 15 minutes of Howard¡¯s lecturing, he asked, ¡°Nana, do you understand?¡± Sheena nodded obediently. ¡°Got it, got it!¡± 2/2 Kneeling there, she stared at the clock in the living room. Only when she was being punished did she hate time so much. It seemed to crawl at a painfully slow pace. Moreover, Sheena deeply felt she was too submissive in front of Corey! Not even her parents could discipline her when she made mistakes. Yet only Corey could bring her to heel! Sheena was very resentful, wanting to reim her position as the Lawson family¡¯s little princess! The next time she faced Corey, she would grab hispels and fiercely say, ¡°You¡¯re such a bitch for punishing me all the time!¡± Wait, no! She could not call him a bitch. After all, if Corey was a bitch, what would that make her? Sheena pondered, lost in her thoughts. Before she knew it, she had endured the two hours. Thanks to the soft pillow, her knees only turned a faint shade of red. Apart from a slightly sore waist, she felt quite fine. Howard removed the pillow and had Sheena take another photo, supporting her knees and looking miserable, as if she could barely stand. After clicking send again, Corey¡¯s call came promptly. As soon as the call was connected, Sheena, feigning a teary voice,ined, ¡°Corey, you don¡¯t care about me at all. My knees are all swollen, and I can¡¯t even stand properly¡­ It¡¯s so painful¡­¡± Corey fell silent for a moment. Then, he said, ¡°How about letting you hit me a couple of times to vent your frustration the next time we meet?¡± ¡°Okay! You said it and I have this on record!¡± Sheena slyly smiled. Howard, listening nearby, burst intoughter. Well, it seemed Corey had fallen into Sheena¡¯s trap this time! Chapter 343 Chapter 343 Chapter 343 Sure enough, Sheena, being the little troublemaker that she was, could not take a loss. Howard shook his head, silently vowing never to provoke Sheena in the future. On the other end of the phone, Corey,pletely unaware of being yed by Sheena, earnestly said, ¡°I heard from Howard that you¡¯ve been gathering evidence against Farlem¡¯s Carver family. I happened to check one incident for you, and Howard will fax it to your officeputer tomorrow.¡± Sheena chuckled. Happened to check? It seemed like he had it all nned out, deliberately waiting until she finished her punishment to bring up this matter. Although it was rather annoying, Sheena remembered that she had tricked Corey into bing his sandbag. Not a bad deal! Moreover, she had no reason to decline the evidence that he conveniently provided. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Sheena sweetly agreed, showered Corey withpliments, and finally ended the call. Elijah was still in the hospital, and the evening had grownte after Sheena finished kneeling. She casually prepared a room for Howard to stay overnight at Ocean Avenue. Early the next morning, Sheena went to the Freeman Group as usual. The evidence that Corey promised was quickly faxed to her. She printed it out and carefully reviewed it. Corey¡¯s efficiency was indeed impressive. The detailed evidence was enough to ensure that Bethany would be eating prison food for the rest of her life. Tomorrow, she would deliver the Carver family their doomsday! Later, Sheena called Sarah for a meeting, and the day became busy until the afternoon. Considering Elijah was still recuperating in the hospital, she pondered for a while and instructed John to find a small item. As the end of the workday approached, Sheena packed up and headed back to Ocean Avenue. Just as she reached the mansion¡¯s entrance, she unexpectedly saw Ford. She frowned and asked, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you at the hospital?¡± Ford exined, ¡°Mr. Freeman said he didn¡¯t want to stay in the hospital, so he insisted on being discharged after a thorough re¨Cexamination.¡± Sheena fell silent momentarily, shocked that Elijah was discharged so soon. She had nned to visit him at the hospital in the evening, but it seemed his injuries were healing well since he was already back. Ford approached her as she prepared to enter and whispered, ¡°Miss, Mr. Freeman is acting¡­ strange. That meant something was indeed off. Sheena furrowed her brow, deep in thought. Ford nodded. ¡°When he returned, Mr. Freeman went straight to his room and hasn¡¯te out. since.¡± ¡°Alright, I got it.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression became serious as she entered the mansion and headed upstairs. Elijah¡¯s room was closed but not locked. Sheena pushed the door open to find a neatly made bed, showing no signs of being slept in. Elijah was peacefully lying on the recliner by the window, dressed in a sophisticated dark suit. Hey leisurely, admiring the sunset outside. Chapter 344 As it waste autumn, the sunlight on him was not warm. Still, it created a faint halo around his perfectly chiseled profile, making his face look both handsome and aloof. However, as Sheena got closer, she noticed the slight discoloration under his thin lips and the paleness on his face, devoid of any trace of color, indicating illness. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t lie t. It might press against your back injury,¡± Sheena advised. Lost in the sunset, Elijah only noticed her when she approached. ¡°You¡¯re back¡± He quickly sat up, attempting to stand. ¡°I got lost in thought and lost track of time. Are you hungry? I can make dinner now.¡± ¡°No need. Since you¡¯re feeling unwell, consider it a day off for you,¡± Sheena said, gently guiding him back to a sitting position. It was not until she touched him that she realized how cold he was. His body felt icy to the touch! Frowning, she asked, ¡°Why are you so cold? You don¡¯t look so good. Is the back injury still hurting?¡± Elijah smiled and reassured her, ¡°It stopped hurting a long time ago. I guess I was lying down for too long, but I¡¯m fine. A couple of days of rest, and I¡¯ll be back to normal.¡± Sheena did not buy it. His speechcked energy. Why did it seem like he was putting up a front? ¡°Stay seated. Let me check the injury,¡± Sheema said, reaching to unbutton his suit jacket. Elijah clutched his cor tightly, refusing to let go. ¡°The injury is really fine. It¡¯s almost healed. Besides, it¡¯s wrapped in bandages. Even if you strip off my clothes, you won¡¯t see anything.¡± Sheena begrudgingly released her grip. Without support, Elijah¡¯s body sank slightly, and he quickly used his hand to brace against the recliner. Noticing Sheena¡¯s watchful gaze, he smirked andmented, ¡°Rare to see you care about me like this. It¡¯s nice.¡± Sheena rolled her eyes but refrained from making any sarcastic remarks. Instead, she put on a serious expression and said, ¡°You know I don¡¯t like owing favors. Since you saved me this time, I¡¯ll allow you to make one request. What do you want?¡± ¡°Anything, really?¡± Elijah met her gaze with a glint in his dark eyes. Sheena added, ¡°Except for remarriage and any emotional requests. I¡¯ll try my best to fulfill any other requests. So, go ahead.¡± Elijah just smiled. She knew he only wanted one thing¡­ Well, considering his limited time, he decided to y along. ¡°Okay, stand still.¡± Sheena nodded and stood firm. Elijah¡¯s hand left the recliner, and he boldly slid his hand through her coat, tightly encircling her slender waist, saying, ¡°Just let me hold you for a while. That¡¯s all.¡± Her body was warm, while Elijah¡¯s was icy cold. In that embrace, he felt a sense of warmth enter his heart. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Sheena was a bit surprised. His request was so simple? ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Sheena stood still, her body rigid and straight, allowing him to obediently rest his head against her abdomen, his hands tightly wrapping her waist. However, after standing in silence for a while, she suddenly felt her hands hanging awkwardly, not knowing where to ce them. Since it was his request, it did not seem right not to reciprocate. Subconsciously, Sheena extended her hands toward his back, attempting a ¡®pretend hug.¡® However, midway through, she hesitated. Thinking about his back injury, her fingers froze for a minute before changing course to pat his head. Elijah¡¯s jet¨Cck hair was neatly trimmed, soft, and smooth. Chapter 344 9/2/2 As Sheena continued patting, she could not stop herself. It was like she could not put an end to 1. it. Meanwhile, Elijah, being patted on the head, furrowed his brow. Why did it feel like¡­ Sheena was petting a dog? Realizing this, he released himself from her embrace. He chuckled softly and said, ¡°Alright, my request has been fulfilled. You don¡¯t owe me anything now.¡± Sheena withdrew her hand from patting his head. After a moment of contemtion, she took out a small, exquisite ck¨Cgold gift box from her coat pocket and handed it to him. ¡°This is the thank¨Cyou gift I intended for you.¡± Elijah raised an eyebrow in suspicion, wondering if her earlier offer to make a request was just a test. Was she trying to see if he would make excessive or unreasonable demands? He took the gift box from Sheena, his fingertips trembling slightly as he untied the ribbon. Inside was a slender syringe, simr to the one used for the modified drug he had been injected with before. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Elijah frowned, his gazeplex as he looked at her. Sheena calmly exined, ¡°The modified drug I injected you with before is called Compound 023. This is the antidote for it. It¡¯s painless, and your body will quickly return to normal after the injection.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Elijah murmured, suppressing the suffocating feeling in his chest. He asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree¡­ to follow the contract until the end of the term? Are you still¡­ trying to draw a clear line between us?¡± Chapter 345 Chapter 345 His heart ached dearly, and the stifling sensation in his chest almost made it difficult to breathe. What should he do to win back her heart? Sheena turned, fetched a stool beside the small sofa in the room, and sat across from him with a serious expression. ¡°Giving you the antidote isn¡¯t an attempt to forcibly terminate the agreement. I just think you¡¯ve been in constant paintely, and due to Compound 023, the pain has intensified. Since you saved me this time, I¡¯m helping you relieve the severe pain. Consider this a settlement of what I owe you.¡± Elijah stared at her in silence. Sheena continued, ¡°Regarding the employment agreement, since we already settled itst time, and I have your recorded promise, I won¡¯t bring¨Cit up again.¡± Did this mean she no longer had the initial wariness toward him? This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Did it suggest that everything he had done recently brought him closer to her? ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that by giving me the antidote, I might overpower you in the future and mistreat you?¡± Elijah asked. Sheena smirked and countered, ¡°Will you?¡± Elijah smiled and gave a decisive answer, ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± However, Sheena suddenly narrowed her eyes, a sly grin forming. ¡°Then, aren¡¯t you afraid that what I¡¯ve given you isn¡¯t the antidote for 023 but a more intense and tormenting drug?¡± ¡°I trust you won¡¯t,¡± Elijah replied. Even if Sheena were to be that heartless, he would inject it without hesitation if it was her request. ¡°You¡¯re right. I won¡¯t. So, this is a genuine antidote, and it¡¯s already in your hands. Inject it now,¡± Sheena said in a nonchnt tone. Now? Elijah lowered his head, looking at the box in his hands. He was pushing himself to the limit, feeling utterly exhausted. If he were to inject now, Sheena would surely detect that something was off with his body. Moreover, Sheena did not like owing favors. Would she feel guilty if she knew that it was not sulfuric acid at the bar that night but the S404? Yet, guilt was not love¡­ / Elijah remained silent, unmoving. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you genuinely afraid I¡¯ll y tricks on you?¡± Sheena asked. Elijah shook his head, his low voice weak as he said, ¡°I injected it myselfst time. This time¡­ would you help me, please?¡± He handed her the sleek ck box, sounding pitiful. However, Sheena did not take it, deeply locking eyes with him. He added, ¡°Just this once.¡± Sheena epted but noticed he did not make a move to undress. Instead, he reclined back onto the chair. ¡°What are you doing? Take off your clothes. I need your arm,¡± Sheenamanded. Elijah tilted his head, revealing his pale¨Cas¨Cpaper neck with his seductive Adam¡¯s apple that moved enticingly. ¡°Inject it into the jugr vein.¡± Sheena gave him a disdainful look but did not hesitate, administering the injection with minimal force. Injecting into the jugr vein was painful, yet Elijah only faintly furrowed his brow, showing little expression. It was just a thin little needle, and they were done in just ten seconds. Sheena casually tossed it into the trash bin. When she turned back, she found Elijah motionless, still gazing at the sunset. He seemednguid,cking energy. Sheena had a feeling that something was off about him. Just as she was about to inquire further, Elijah spoke first, asking calmly, ¡°Sheena, if I were to die, would you remember me forever?¡± His voice carried a hint of nonchnce. Sheena scoffed. ¡°No. If you were to die, I¡¯d quickly forget about you and move on with my life. They say only the good guys die young. A man as evil as you probably won¡¯t die so easily.¡± Elijah chuckled lightly, his tone tinged with a faint affection. ¡°You¡¯re truly¡­ a heartless, wicked woman.¡± Ironically, he loved her ruthlessness, her cruelty, and everything about her. He was deeply entangled, unable to break free. Chapter 346 Chapter 346 Chapter 346 Sheena did not deny it, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve never imed to be kind.¡± Elijah merely chuckled. His once deep ck eyes now looked dull and lifeless as they stared into the distance. He truly resembled someone on the brink of death. The more Sheena observed him, the more puzzled she became, wondering why her condition was worsening. After all, sulfuric acid could not harm the internal organs, especially since she had given him the antidote to Compound 023. ¡°Perhaps the hospital yesterday wasn¡¯t up to par and failed to diagnose your issues. Come on, let¡¯s go to the best hospital in Farlem for another checkup,¡± Sheena suggested, about to forcefully pull Elijah up when Ian knocked on the door. ¡°Miss, Mr. Nicholls hase in person as you didn¡¯t answer his call. He¡¯s parked at the entrance and mentioned wanting to take you out for dinner tonight.¡± Sheena hesitated but decided to take Elijah to the hospital first. ¡°Let¡¯s go and get a checkup.¡± Elijah weakly rejected, ¡°I¡¯m fine. I just need a couple of days¡® rest. Go and have dinner with him. Don¡¯t keep him waiting.¡± Sheena frowned. Thest time Nathaniel had invited her to dinner, Elijah put on a dramatic showpeting for her favor at the police station. This time, not only did he not object, but he also encouraged her to have dinner with Nathaniel. By the door, Ian cautiously added, ¡°Miss, are youing?¡± Sheena did not respond immediately, observing Elijah. Elijah continued to lie there, gazing into the distance, emitting an icy aura. What was happening to him? Sheena was perplexed, but there were urgent matters at hand. Hence, she carefully asked again, ¡°Elijah, tell me the truth. Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡± Elijah nodded lightly, looking indifferent. ¡°I¡¯m just tired. I¡¯ll take a nap after you leave, and I¡¯ll be fine when I wake up.¡± Sheena stared at him and then nced at Nathaniel¡¯s car parked outside the mansion. After contemting it over, she gave in. ¡°Alright, you rest well, then. I¡¯ll make sure Ford and the others guard the mansion and won¡¯t disturb your rest.¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. After that, she turned to leave. Suddenly, Elijah grabbed her wrist, appearing earnest as he warned Sheena, ¡°Sheena, Nathaniel is not a simple person. There might be secrets behind him that could hurt you. You must be careful and alert against him in the future.¡± Sheena did not dwell on it and simply acknowledged, ¡°Okay.¡± Channel 346 Then, she left the room. The soft rays of the setting sun bathed everything in a warm glow. A gentle breeze rustled the delicate silk curtains, asionally caressing the man lying on the recliner by the window. Elijah remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the outside of the mansion as Sheena got into Nathaniel¡¯s car, apanied by Paul and Ian, and drove away. He continued to watch until the carpletely disappeared from his line of sight. Later, Elijah grimaced in pain, supporting himself on the armrest. The suppressed ache in his chest became unbearable, and he covered his mouth as a metallic taste rose in his throat. After a wrenching fit of coughing, blood trickled from his lips, pooling in his palm. Elijah¡¯s hand was immediately covered in blood, dripping onto the floor through his trembling fingers. He lowered his eyes, examining the color of the blood in his palm¨Cit was dark red. The amount of blood he coughed up and its color were bing increasingly rming. This indicated that the S404 virus in his body had fully erupted. He remembered when Professor Y developed this biochemical weapon from the warboratory. He had observed the experiments where small animals died instantly upon exposure. Meanwhile,rger animals infected with the S404 virus could not survive beyond three days. Calcting the days since he was poisoned, this night marked the third day. Chapter 347 Chapter 347 Chapter 347 Chapter 347 Elijah had sent Lance back to the base to find Professor Y, but he still had not returned. Nheless, Elijah was well aware of his deteriorating condition and doubted that he could hold on until Sheena returned from dinner. Would he really die like this? He felt a profound reluctance, yet he was utterly powerless. Even writing a farewell letter seemed beyond his strength now. The hug just now was the first time since their divorce. No, that was not it. She had merely patted his head. Nathaniel was right. She ultimately treated him like a pet. She had stopped loving him. As these thoughts crossed his mind, his consciousness began to fade, and his vision uncontrobly dimmed. Elijah murmured, ¡°Sheena¡­¡± He had given her his life, could she love him again? Elijah resigned himself to fate, closing his eyes, hands limp, looking tranquil. The surroundings were silent, except for the rustling sound of the wind moving the curtains and the rhythmic drops of blood from his fingertips. In the car, Sheena suddenly experienced a sharp, intense pain in her chest. She clutched her heart, her face turning pale. Nathaniel noticed her difort and urgently inquired, ¡°Nana, what¡¯s wrong? Where does it hurt?¡± He leaned in, attempting to assist her. Sheena waved him off, took a few deep breaths, and the pain gradually subsided. Yet, she could not fathom why it happened. After all, she had never had heart issues before. The pain seemed inexplicable. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Maybe I haven¡¯t been sleeping well these past few days. In any case, it¡¯ll all be over in a few more days.¡± As she finished speaking, a fleeting coldness flickered in her eyes. Nathaniel, oblivious to her expression, continued to offerforting words. However, Sheena did not pay attention. Suddenly, Elijah¡¯s pale, sickly face before she left appeared in her mind. Elijah was acting strange tonight, asking questions about life and death, wondering if she would remember him after his death. It was almost like someone on their deathbed refusing to ept fate. The more Sheena delved into these thoughts, the stranger it all seemed, especially the moment before she left when he grabbed her wrist and uttered those final words. Chapter 347 He said, ¡°Nathaniel is not a simple person. There might be secrets behind him that could hurt you. You must be careful and alert against him in the future.¡± Now, looking back, that statement felt off. He used the term ¡®in the future¡® as if he had excluded himself from it. Considering Elijah¡¯s trembling hands, furrowed brows, an overall weakness that could not be concealed, and asking about if he died¡­ Sheena immediately shouted at Nathaniel¡¯s driver, ¡°Pull over!¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Nana?¡± Sheena swiftly unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door. ¡°I have something urgent to attend to tonight. I might have to skip this meal. We¡¯ll eat together next time!¡± ¡°Nana¡­¡± Nathaniel¡¯s words were cut off by the abrupt mming of the door. N?velDrama.Org owns this. As they were in a mansion area near the ocean and hills, where there would not be any taxis on the roadside, Sheena had to walk back. Paul and Ian quickly followed her. Chapter 348 Chapter 348 Chapter 348 Nathaniel did not drive away. He stopped by the road as he watched the woman sprinting back toward Ocean Avenue with an increasingly unreadable expression through his rearview mirror. Meanwhile, as Sheena left Ocean Avenue, Lionel made his way through the gate. Ford, John, and Sawyer emerged from the shadows upon his arrival. Sawyer, rubbing his hands with excitement, said, ¡°Lionel, you won my entire month¡¯s sryst time, but today, I¡¯m taking back everything with interest!¡± Lionel remained silent, his expression serious and stern. ¡°I¡¯m not here for cards today.¡± The three men exchanged puzzled nces, utterly confused. Then, they felt a gush of wind and a sharp pain in the back of their necks. Instantly, their eyes rolled back, and they copsed on the spot. Observing the three, Lionel thought it was indeed much better to drug them directly than slowly approach them. On the other hand, Lance retrieved the tranquilizer gun, stepped out from the shadows, and asked, ¡°Lionel, we can¡¯t leave them lying here. Where should we hide them?¡± ncing at the fallen trio, Lionel put his hand to his lips and whistled a bird call. After a minute of eerie silence from the mansion, with no sign of Elijahing to open the door, he sensed something amiss. ¡°Forget it. Let¡¯s check on Mr. Freeman first.¡± Concerned about Sheena¡¯s return and reluctant to break in, Lionel and Lance climbed the mansion¡¯s rear pipes to reach the second floor. Upon opening the door to Elijah¡¯s room, they found him on the recliner by the window and a pool of dark red blood on the floor. ¡°Mr. Freeman!¡± They practically ran to him, their faces drained of color. Lionel quickly retrieved the suppressant from a small cooler box. Then, he stabbed it into the vein on Elijah¡¯s neck with precision. Witnessing the blood¨Cstained hands, tears started to well up in Lance¡¯s eyes. Two minutes after injecting the suppressant, Elijah showed no signs of response. His body was ice¨C cold, devoid of any trace of life. Lionel checked his pulse with trembling hands, only to realize there was no heartbeat! ¡°Wake up! Stop sleeping!¡± Lionel roared, gently patting Elijah¡¯s pale face. Tears streamed down uncontrobly as he knelt at Elijah¡¯s feet, unable to hold back his sobs. Had they arrived toote? Overwhelmed with regret, Lance had lost control of his emotions, sitting on the floor and crying loudly. Lionel¡¯s eyes reddened, his emotions intensifying. ¡°I beg you! Please wake up! If you sleep now, you won¡¯t wake up again!¡± Elijahy on the reclining chair, looking peaceful. Lionel was on the verge of breaking down, grabbing Elijah¡¯s arms and shaking desperately. I¡¯m begging you! Open your eyes, look at me. Lance brought the suppressant; you¡¯ll be fine! You can¡¯t die yet! Wake up!¡±Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Ms. Sheena hasn¡¯t returned yet. Are you really leaving like this? Aren¡¯t you afraid she might marry Nathaniel and suffer at his hands? What about Colin and Skye? There are so many influential men in Froania, with so many menpeting for Sheena¡¯s love! You can¡¯t die just yet!¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t even know you contracted the S404 virus for her sake. Are you truly content with this? I beg you, wake up!¡± Lionel cried until he choked, attempting to rouse Elijah. However, the man on the chair remained motionless, his body cold. Drained of strength, Lionel slid to the ground, leaning against Elijah¡¯s hand, losing all hope. ¡°I was ten when you picked me up on the Froania border. My name, my skills, my everything is thanks to you. Wherever you went for a mission, I followed¡­¡± Then, he pulled a small knife from his pocket. With a fierce gaze, he said determinedly. ¡°My life belongs to you, and if you die, I¡¯ll die with you!¡± As he spoke, he aimed the knife at his own heart, ready to plunge it in. ¡°Lionel! No!¡± Lance shouted in despair. However, there was no bloody mess as expected. The sharp tip of the knife stopped just two millimeters from piercing his skin. Chapter 349 Chapter 349 Chapter 349 Upon realizing it, Lionel looked up and found a hand stained with blood tightly gripping his wrist. Elijah was awake! Thanks to the injection of the 023 antidote, Elijah had regained some strength. Hey on the recliner and looked at Lionel, smiling faintly. ¡°I¡¯m not that easy to kill. Why are you panicking?¡± ¡°Mr. Freeman!¡± Lionel¡¯s eyes shed with relief, but he continued crying, ¡°You scared the hell out of me! I really thought you were gone for good!¡± Lance, being younger, was also scared out of his wits. In front of Elijah, the two men abandoned all acts ofposure, alternating between sobs andughter. As theyughed, tears continued streaming down their faces, appearing ratherical. Elijah gently patted Lionel¡¯s shoulder to console him. ¡°I was just exhausted. Under the influence of the S404 virus, my heartbeat temporarily stopped, but I could hear everything you said.¡± ¡°If you could hear, why didn¡¯t you speak?¡± Lionel, now frustrated, punched his arm indignantly. Elijah hadpletely shattered his image by making him cry! Elijah winced in pain, emitting a muffled groan. ¡°Sorry, sorry, my bad! I didn¡¯t do it on purpose!¡± Full of remorse, Lionel pounded his right arm with his left hand. Elijah sat up and said, ¡°Enough with that. Report to me about this suppressant.¡± Lionel wiped the tears off his face, turning to face Lance. Understanding, Lance sniffed, clearing his throat before earnestly reporting, ¡°Professor Y learned about your idental exposure to the S404 virus, and he was shocked. However, this suppressant can¡¯t cure the disease and can only temporarily inhibit the virus from spreading further, allowing your body a brief recovery. The effectiveness of the drug would at mostst a week.¡± A week. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. It meant he could stay in Farlem for only seven more days¡­ Lionel added, ¡°Mr. Freeman, you must return for treatment. Professor Y has already started developing the antidote. You need to go back for blood tests. Don¡¯t you want to spend a long and healthy life with Ms. Sheena once you recover in the future?¡± Elijah tightly pursed his lips, sinking into silence. Sheena had already recorded his promise to disappear from her world after a year with her phone. It would require careful nning if he wanted to stay by her side forever. As he contemted it, he recalled Lance¡¯s proposal from thest time. While lost in thought, Elijah suddenly felt someone tugging at his clothes. When he snapped back, he found it was Lionel. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Lionel responded, ¡°The wounds on your back can¡¯t be healed with regr hospital medication. Professor Y has a cream for treating S404, burns. You¡¯ve got to let me apply it.¡± Lionel was right, so Elijah did not hesitate, gracefully unbuttoning and removing his dark suit, revealing a perfectly sculpted physique. Between the clearly defined back muscles, there was a palm¨Csized burn. Despite three days passing, the wound remained a vivid, horrid red, with the flesh beginning to decay. It was simply a gruesome sight. Even someone as tough as Lionel, ustomed to dealing with life¨Cthreatening situations, could not help but gasp at the sight. He instructed Lance to fetch a basin of hot water from the restroom, using a towel to wipe away the blood stains from Elijah¡¯s back. With tweezers, he delicately removed the decaying flesh from the wound. Elijah was drenched in cold sweat, and his jawline tensed. Lionel, feeling a bit sympathetic, remembered the tranquilizer gun they brought along. ¡°Mr. Freeman, how about I give you a shot of anesthesia? This is too painful.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. My 023 antidote has already kicked in, and I can endure this bit of pain,¡± Elijah assured. Left with no choice, Lionel reluctantly proceeded to apply the medication. Meanwhile, Lance did not idle around. The floor was covered in blood, and he took the opportunity to clean up the mess. Soon, he caught sight of figures hastily running toward them from outside the mansion¡¯s gate. He stopped and took a closer look, and his pupils instantly widened. ¡°Ms. Sheena is back with Paul andn!¡± Elijah frowned. ¡°So soon?¡± Lance took another nce. ¡°She ran back on foot without Nathaniel.¡± Unable to dy further, Lionel quickened the ointment application while Lance swiftly tidied up the scene. Chapter 350 Chapter 350 As Sheena approached the garden¡¯s outer gate, Lance was once again startled. ¡°Uh¨Coh, we¡¯re in trouble! The Lawson family¡¯s guards are all over the garden. It¡¯s going to be hard to keep this hidden.¡± Running back from the halfway point, Sheena felt her anxiety intensify. Ever since Elijah saved her at Clear Crane Bridge, she no longer harbored any resentment toward him. However, divorce meant moving on, and bing strangers with him was the best course of action. She had no intention of remarrying or returning to the Freeman family. However, it did not mean she could watch Elijah die. With so many things on her mind, she entered the garden, quickly spotting Ford and the others lying there. Paul and Ian were equally astonished. Had the mansion been burrized? Ian approached, keenly noticing tiny needle marks on their necks. ¡°Miss, they¡¯ve all been drugged,¡± Ian reported. Sheena¡¯s expression grew more serious. Someone had managed to drug three of them at once, gathering them without any resistance. Hence, it must have been done by someone familiar with their habits.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Take them to the living room and find a way to wake them up. Get answers,¡± she ordered. Then, Sheena briskly entered the mansion and headed to the second floor. She pushed open the door to Elijah¡¯s room, finding him sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in a thin silk shirt, fastening thest two buttons. Upon Sheena¡¯s entrance, Elijah appears surprised and quickly buttoned up the remaining buttons at the cor. ¡°Why are you back? Didn¡¯t you go to dinner with Nathaniel?¡± Sheena took a moment to catch her breath. The run had tired her. After regainingposure, she entered the room, still wearing her high heels. She stood before Elijah, grabbed his chin, and leaned in. Elijah¡¯s deep ck eyes had regained their usual luster as he met her gaze. Sheena sensed the change in him and frowned. In just over ten minutes of her absence, Elijah seemed remarkably better. What had he done during this time? As Sheena leaned in, she caught a faint scent of something metallic, like blood. Also, there was a strange, deep red ring on his pale lips. She leaned in closer, sniffing his lips and confirming the scent of blood. Elijah watched her face, which was now dangerously close to his own, and held his breath. Her nose almost touched his lips, and if he were to take advantage of the situation and kiss her¡­ Well, he would probably get pped. Just as he entertained those wild thoughts, Sheena¡¯s face gradually moved away. She straightened up, stared at him seriously, and asked, ¡°There¡¯s a smell of blood on you. Did you cough up blood?¡± It was both a test and an interrogation. The dim light in the room cast shadows as the two locked eyes. Elijah¡¯s expression remained unchanged, and he nodded, pointing to the trash can nearby.¡± No, I didn¡¯t cough up blood. I just applied medicine to my back.¡± Sheena followed his gaze to the trash can, where she saw bloodied bandages recently removed. However, with his injury in the center of his back, how did he apply the medicine himself? ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Elijah obediently nodded. ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± He had been spinning a web of liestely, so Sheena did not buy it. She released her grip on his chin, quickly undid the metal sp of his belt, and pulled it out. Elijah was shocked and eximed, ¡°Sheena?¡± Chapter 351 Chapter 351 Sheena did not bother with small talk. She swiftly used the belt to bind his hands, securing them tightly. Elijah instinctively tried to resist, but all his strength had been used to endure the pain from the recent medication. In the end, he could only surrender and be bound. Sheena was efficient in her actions. She pressed him face down onto the bed, raised his hands above his head, and tightly secured them. With one hand, she firmly held his hands down while the other roughly exposed his silk shirt. Then, standing beside the bed, Sheena pressed her right knee firmly against the small of his back, preventing any unnecessary movement. Elijah¡¯s ears turned slightly red, and in a husky voice, he asked, ¡°Sheena¡­ What are you doing?¡± The position was odd, and he suspected those two¡¯were still lingering outside the window. Lionel and Lance were still there outside the window. When they heard themotion, they stayed back and saw the action. What a sight! Witnessing Elijah being pinned down on the bed, obedient and powerless, and to top it off, with Sheena in control. It was too good to be true! This trip was absolutely worth it! As the two enjoyed the show, Elijah narrowed his eyes and red fiercely in their direction. Lionel and Lance instantly backed off, reluctantly following orders. They climbed along the window ledge, moved to the adjacent pipe, and quietly made their way out through the back door. Inside, Sheena was diligently examining Elijah¡¯s back. The bandage had indeed been recently changed, and there was still a faint trace of blood. However, she had no intention of letting him off easily. She gently lifted the edge of the bandage, intending to inspect the wound further. Elijah let out a deliberate groan, his face contorted in pain. ¡°Sheena, it hurts¡­¡± Sheena stopped in her act and hesitated before finally asking, ¡°Who helped you with the bandage? When I came in, I saw Ford and the others passed out in the garden. What happened?¡± ¡°I did it myself,¡± Elijah replied calmly. Forced into a prone position on the bed, he could only turn his head to continue answering her questions. ¡°Ford and the others passed out? I¡¯ve been in my room the whole time and wasn¡¯t aware of that.¡± Sheena stared at him coldly, smirking. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Sheena scoffed. Lies upon lies, not a single truthful word from his mouth! Chapter 351 212 Sheena increased the pressure of her knee against his lower back, unraveling his lies as she said,¡± Elijah, you were weak and feeble when I left. Even lifting your hand made your fingers tremble. I was gone for just over ten minutes, and suddenly, you¡¯re full of energy, changing your own bandages. Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s a miraculous recovery?¡± Elijah pursed his thin lips but remained silent,pletely still Sheena continued, ¡°My bodyguards were drugged in the yard, and yet, not only were you unharmed, but you also seemed to improve. It must have been your people, right? Do you really think I¡¯d believe it had nothing to do with you? Or perhaps, before I left, you deliberately pretended to be sick to deceive me? She paused, and her gaze was fierce as she warned him, ¡°Whether you¡¯re deceiving me or keeping something from me, choose your words carefully!¡± Elijah fell into silence. He could either admit to deceiving her and eventually reveal the truth or acknowledge that he was keeping something from her. However, both might lead to her helping find a solution to the virus and terminating their employment contract out of guilt. Either answer was unfavorable for him. Chapter 351 2/2 Sheena increased the pressure of her knee against his lower back, unraveling his lies as she said, Elijah, you were weak and feeble when I left. Even lifting your hand made your fingers tremble. I was gone for just over ten minutes, and suddenly, you¡¯re full of energy, changing your own bandages. Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s a miraculous recovery?¡± Elijah pursed his thin lips but remained silent,pletely still. Sheena continued, ¡°My bodyguards were drugged in the yard, and yet, not only were you unharmed, but you also seemed to improve. It must have been your people, right? Do you really think I¡¯d believe it had nothing to do with you? Or perhaps, before I left, you deliberately pretended to be sick to deceive me?¡± She paused, and her gaze was fierce as she warned him, ¡°Whether you¡¯re deceiving me or keeping something from me, choose your words carefully!¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Elijah fell into silence. He could either admit to deceiving her and eventually reveal the truth or acknowledge that he was keeping something from her. However, both might lead to her helping find a solution to the virus and terminating their employment contract out of guilt. Either answer was unfavorable for him. Chapter 352 Chapter 352 Chapter 352 ¡°Hm?¡± Not getting an immediate response, Sheena¡¯s expression grew colder. She pinched the soft flesh on Elijah¡¯s lower back and asked, ¡°Are you contemting which excuse sounds better to deceive me with?¡± Caught in his thoughts, Elijah began to exin in a solemn tone. ¡°It was Lionel. I didn¡¯t want the wound to scar, so I had him bring a box of scar removal cream. It¡¯s in the first drawer of the bedside table.¡± ¡°As for the wound on my back, Lionel applied the ointment. The improvement in my condition is thanks to your antidote, which helped restore some of my strength.¡± Sheena was amused by Elijah¡¯s reply, teasing, ¡°If it¡¯s just a box of scar removal cream, he could¡¯ve given it to Ford to pass on to you. As for your injury, Ford could apply the ointment for you. Yet, Lionel drugged my people and invaded the mansion. Do you think I¡¯ll believe that?¡± Unfazed, Elijah calmly continued, ¡°He acted recklessly in this matter. I¡¯ll make sure he apologizes to Ford and the others next time.¡± Meanwhile, Lionel, leisurely leaving the mansion area, sneezed twice, unaware that he was being med for this. Sheena scoffed at how good Elijah was at finding excuses as everything yed out quite convincingly. There was probably a mix of truth and fiction in his statements, but he remained stubborn, refusing to confess. Hence, she would have to investigate on her ownter. She leaned in slightly, her red lips close to his ear, and whispered softly, ¡°So, from what you¡¯re saying, not only did you hide something from me, but you also lied.¡± Elijah was surprised at how good Sheena was at reading others. Her gentle breath tickled his ear, making his already warm earlobes turn crimson. Burying his face in the sheets, he mumbled, ¡°Yes, I admit my faults.¡± Sheenaughed. He was quite straightforward in epting the consequences. The windows were still open, letting in a cool evening breeze. Wearing only a thin shirt, Elijah felt the chill on his exposed limbs and the uncovered wound on his back. Sheena noticed this and gently lowered his shirt. Subconsciously, she pulled over the other side of the nket to cover his back. Yet, she did not rush to undo the belt still wrapped around his wrists. Instead, she continued in a casual tone, ¡°So, how do you want to be punished? I¡¯m curious to hear your thoughts.¡± Elijah¡¯s earlobes turned even redder. Was he expected to say something so embarrassing and ego¨Cdamaging on his own? Chapter 352 2/2 Sheena was truly torturing him. He awkwardly inquired, ¡°What options do I have to choose from?¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Let me think,¡± Sheena replied, sitting on the edge of his bed with her hands folded, a teasing arch in her eyebrows. ¡°Since the effects of your medicine have worn off, and I assume your stamina is no longer an issue, how about kneeling in the garden all night or letting Paul whip you two hundred times? Take your pick.¡± Elijah felt a chill in his heart. She was quite ruthless with him. With a sly smile, Sheena asked, ¡°Have you decided?¡± Elijah stayed silent, contemting it over. Then, he softly asked, ¡°Is there a third option? I¡¯ll choose the third.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Sheena responded with a reasonable expression, her mischievous smile intact. ¡°The third option is abo package¨Ckneeling all night plus two hundredshes. Your choice shows great taste!¡± Elijah gasped, and his heart throbbed with each beat. Seeing his reaction, Sheena stifled augh, got up, and untied the belt around his wrists. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the garden.¡± Elijah shifted his hand to prevent her from untying it, saying in a low and soft voice. ¡°Sheena¡­ considering I¡¯m not fully healed, could you give me a bit of a discount?¡± Chapter 353 Chapter 353 Chapter 353 1/2 Discount? Was he begging for mercy? Sheena suppressed a lightugh. He had been quite stubborn about admitting fault earlier. Now, it seemed he was backing down. She had thought he was not afraid of a little pain. Without saying a word, Sheena went to untie the belt around his wrists. Elijah tried to evade, but she forcibly controlled his arms, and he could only sighingly bury his face in the nket again. It seemed she was not keen on lightening the punishment. Just moments ago, he had used all his strength to endure the pain of removing the decaying flesh from his wound, leaving him utterly weak. If Paul were to whip him two hundred times in the garden, he might faint. If he fainted, Sheena would surely notice something was amiss, and she might use the opportunity to inspect his injuries. Moreover, Elijah¡¯s wounds had been there for three days, and they were noticeably different from those caused by sulfuric acid. With her intelligence, Sheena would quickly notice it. While he pondered, Sheena had already undone the belt for him. Standing at the edge of the bed, she observed his reaction with a smirk. ¡°Let¡¯s go?¡± Elijah remained motionless. Sheena expected this, and she turned around to prepare to close the open window. Thinking she was leaving the room, Elijah grabbed her wrist, speaking honestly softly, ¡°Sheena, although my physical condition has recovered, the injury on my back still hurts. I don¡¯t have the strength.¡± The punishment was too severe, and he might not be able to endure it.. He took a deep breath and continued, ¡°If a discount isn¡¯t possible, could we¡­ postpone it untilter?¡± In other words, wait until he has fully healed before carrying out the punishment. Sheena had only wanted to tease him and had not seriously intended to punish him. After all, his wounds were still bleeding, and considering she was the reason he got hurt, she was not unreasonable enough to inflict severe punishment on an invalid even though she had provided the antidote to the modified Compound 023. She sat by Elijah¡¯s bedside and asked him earnestly, ¡°Then be honest with me. Why have you been in such poor condition these past two days? The modified Compound 023 should only intensify the pain of your burn. It shouldn¡¯t significantly impact your overall health. What else are you hiding from me? Chapter 353 2/2 Elijah took a moment to contemte, then slowly sat up and avoided direct eye contact with Sheena. ¡°I caught a cold on the day I was sshed with sulfuric acid. After that, I spent an entire day cleaning the mansion, which is why I¡¯ve been weak and exhausted these past two days. There¡¯s nothing I was hiding from you,¡± Elijah exined. Sheena considered his exnation, finding it rather logical. He had been at his weakest when he endured the sulfuric acid attack, and the subsequent cleaning likely strained him further. It seemed usible. ¡°I¡¯ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time. Consider this a warning. If you dare deceive me again, the punishment will double,¡± Sheena warned sternly. Elijah kept his head bowed, softly acknowledging it. He knew he had only seven days left. Perhaps there would not be a next time. Unaware of his thoughts, Sheena stood up and walked to the window, closing it. Then, she instructed, ¡°I have some matters to attend to in the next two days. You stay put and don¡¯t leave the house.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Rest Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. up,¡± ¡°Sheena added before leaving Elijah¡¯s room and closing the door behind her. She headed downstairs to the living room and found Ford and the other two had been ced on the sofa, gradually regaining consciousness. The effects of the anesthesia were still lingering, leaving them a bit disoriented. Approaching them, Sheena scanned their conditions, then asked the seemingly more alert John, ¡± John, before you passed out, did you see anyone?¡± John pondered the question seriously before responding, ¡°Lionel.¡± So, it was indeed Lionel. It seemed Elijah had not lied about this matter. Chapter 354 Chapter 354 However, Sheena noticed John¡¯s tone and said, ¡°Seems like you guys have been getting along well with Elijah¡¯s people recently.¡± ¡°Miss, we¡­¡± John started, a look of fear on his face, but he could note up with an exnation. Sheena¡¯s expression turned icy, and she was uninterested in listening to their excuses. ¡°As my bodyguards, you let an outsider in and were drugged due to negligence. It¡¯s simply embarrassing. You¡¯ll be fined two months¡® sry and year¨Cend bonuses. If this happens again, you¡¯re all fired.¡± The three sobered¨Cup individuals were left speechless. It was gettingte. Sheena had yet to eat dinner, so she ordered some takeout. After finishing the meal, she retired to her room. She had important matters to attend to the next day. That night, negative news about the Carver Group¡¯s previous misdeeds suddenly flooded the inte, causing a massive uproar due to its exaggerated content. However, the Carver family only found out the next morning, and their home was in an uproar. Bethany had seen the news online about construction -rted idents causing casualties among workers at a Carver Group construction site. In the past, when news emerged about construction faults leading to the deaths of several workers under the Carver Group, the Carver family had used their connections to suppress it, settling with substantialpensation, and Mnia had arranged for people to threaten the victim families too. Nevertheless, considering the amount of time that had passed, it was surprising that this information resurfacedst night. Almost fully recovered from her injuries, Bethany stormed upstairs to find Mnia. As she approached the room, she heard loud, crisp ps, followed by Mnia¡¯s angry shouts. ¡°Louie! Even though you married into the Carver family, I¡¯ve always tre?ted you kindly!.Yet, you¡¯re keeping a mistress with the Carver family¡¯s money! She¡¯s even pregnant with your child!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been wondering why you¡¯ve frequently found excuses to be away from hometely. It turns out you¡¯ve been taking care of your mistress! If the media hadn¡¯t caught you, were you nning to keep it a secret forever?¡± Louie, holding his face in disbelief, retorted, ¡°Kindly? Do you seriously think you¡¯ve been kind to me? You unt your wealth from the Carver family every day and treat me with disrespect. The Carver family regards me as a burden, and not a single one of them respects me. Yet, you have the audacity to say you¡¯ve been kind to me?¡± Mnia was furious. ¡°Even if you harbor resentment toward the Carver family, it can¡¯t be an excuse for your affair! I want a divorce! I want you out, with nothing to your name!¡± Chapter 364 22 Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s get a divorce. But leaving nothing to my name ispletely impossible. I admit my mistake, but you¡¯re not much better! Did you think I¡¯m in the dark about you still being in touch with your first love? How far have things gone between you two? Have you slept together?¡± Louie retorted. Mnia¡¯s expression changed. ¡°So what if I did? You started the affair first. I¡¯m going to murder you! Soon, the room echoed with the sounds of things being thrown, mixed with a woman¡¯s screams and pping noises, creating a rough scene. Bethany stood outside the door, hearing everything clearly, crying in despair but refraining from entering to intervene. For years, she believed her family was happy, with loving parents and the Carver family being society¡¯s recognized model family. Little did she know, her father was keeping a mistress who was now pregnant, and her mother was entangled with a former lover. Now, with the Carver Group¡¯s negative news getting exposed, the stock market plummeted overnight, causing massive losses. Was the Carver family going to fall apart? Bethany sat on the floor, devastated and unwilling to ept it. That wicked Sheena would surely find new ways to torment her if the Carver family copsed. No, she could not sit idly by. Trembling, Bethany took out her phone, intending to call the man who had helped her deal with Sheena Suddenly, there was amotion in the hall. Leaning against the second¨Cfloor railing, Bethany turned to look, only to find Sheena. Sheena was sitting on the main sofa in the living room with a cold and arrogant demeanor. Her beautiful face disyed an air of superiority. When Bethany looked at her, Sheena raised her chin slightly, meeting Bethany¡¯s gaze. Sheena smiled smugly, saying, ¡°Ms. Carver, do you still like the gift I gave to the Carver family? There¡¯s also a special little gift just for you. Would you like to take a look?¡± Chapter 355 1/2 Chapter 355 Chapter 355 Chapter 355 ¡°How did you get in?¡± Bethany asked with venom in her eyes. Sheena elegantly yed with her nails, responding casually, ¡°I had the bodyguard inform the butler and entered through the main entrance.¡± The butler let her in? How did the butler who had been with their family for so many years be bought off so quickly? Bethany stared at Sheena with hatred. Sheena guessed what was on her mind and said, ¡°Well, today is the day your Carver family falls, and they naturally know what to do.¡± Bethany was angry and immediately got up. ¡°You bitch! You¡¯ve gone too far! Did you think my Carver family would copse easily like this with just some nder? You¡¯re delusional!¡± ¡°ndering your Carver family?¡± Sheena sneered. ¡°This can¡¯t be considered nder. I just exposed the Carver family¡¯s dirtyundry. Why would you fear these things if your Carver family was innocent?¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Bethany was fuming with anger. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Yet, she knew Sheena was right. The Carver Group¡¯s issues and the mess with Mnia and Louie were all created by themselves! From the room behind her, the screams only grew more intense. ¡°Louie, how dare youy hands on me! This is domestic abuse! I¡¯ll sue you! I¡¯ll make sure you and your mistress suffer!¡± ¡°Help! Louie is going to kill me! Help! Beth,e and save me!¡± Mnia, beaten, screamed hoarsely. Bethany, ready to confront Sheena downstairs, felt something amiss and hurriedly went in to mediate. However, her intervention seemed futile as the quarrel resumed quickly, growing even more chaotic. Sheena did not bring many people along this time, only Paul and Ian. As the noise from upstairs bothered her, she elegantly rubbed her earlobes and ordered, ¡°You two, go upstairs and intervene. Bring everyone downstairs.¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± Paul and Ian swiftly took action. Ian knocked Louie unconscious with a punch and forcibly brought him downstairs. The ones involved in the fight were all escorted away, and Mnia and Bethany followed them downstairs. Chapter 355 2/2 Unfortunately for Bethany, she also received an unintended p from Louie. Sheena had Paul bring a small sofa and ced it across the coffee table, arranging the three individuals on separate couches. The Carver family¡¯s butler and servants gathered discreetly by the door, watching the spectacle. They observed Sheena taking the central seat, seeming more like thedy of the house than anyone from the Carver family, holding absolute dominance. Sheena reclined leisurely, resting against the back of the sofa. Then, she gently apuded the scene in front of her. ¡°You¡¯ve put on quite a family drama! Truly entertaining.¡± Mnia¡¯s face was swollen, making any movement of her mouth painful. She tidied herself, ring at Sheena with resentment. Bethany also stared at Sheena with hatred, being the first to speak. ¡°Don¡¯t think my Carver family will be brought down so easily. I won¡¯t let these things slide. In the future, I¡¯ll make sure to reim everything from you! Don¡¯t celebrate too soon!¡± Sheena chuckled at the threat. ¡°Reim everything from me? Unfortunately, you probably won¡¯t have that chance.¡± Bethany was stunned by Sheena¡¯s cold and arrogant gaze, feeling a sense of unease creeping over her Chapter 356 Chapter 356 Chapter 356 ¡°What do you mean?¡± Bethany asked. Sheena nced at Paul, but her words were directed at Bethany as she said, ¡°Come, take a look at the gift I prepared for you.¡± Paul understood and stepped forward, cing a set of documents on the table. ¡°Ms. Carver, this is evidence involving you in the attempted kidnapping and murder of the reality show trainee, Isme Jenner. This one shows your embezzlement of 1.2 billion dors from Freeman Group¡¯s funds. Now, Ms. Sheena holds control over the Freeman Group, and she has the right to recover this money. And this one is about¡­¡± Paul went on detailing Bethany¡¯s secret activities for a full five minutes. Bethany stared at the stack of papers in shock, wondering how Sheena had dug up all her dirty secrets in such a short time. She could not ept it! Bethany rushed to the coffee table and tore the evidence to shreds, venting her anger. Sheena calmly watched her tear the evidence, and when Bethany was done, she said, ¡°Ms. Carver, since you enjoy tearing things so much, I¡¯ve prepared many copies for you, and you can tear them to your heart¡¯s content.¡± Ian swiftly brought out arge cardboard box ced behind the sofa, mming it onto the coffee table. Opening it, he grabbed a stack of papers and started tossing them at the Carver family trio. Paul joined in, and soon, the living room was covered in papers scattered all over the floor. Bethany was so enraged that she was left speechless. With a smile, Sheena delivered another blow, her voice soft and gentle as she continued, ¡°Come on, keep tearing. You¡¯re not leaving this mansion if you don¡¯t shred those papers until your hands give out today.¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Bethany had been humiliated by Sheena several times now. Hearing this, her legs went weak. As Louie was still unconscious, she could only plead for help at Mnia¡¯s feet. ¡°Mom! You must help me. Sheena has so much evidence against me. She won¡¯t let me off easily!¡± Mnia, now having wiped the blood from her mouth, fixed her hair messed by Louie and reluctantly resumed her usual assertive businesswoman demeanor. She gently touched Bethany¡¯s face and then red fiercely at Sheena. ¡°So what if you have these so¨Ccalled pieces of evidence? Last time, you brought a bunch of people, and my Carver family couldn¡¯t fight back, but today you¡¯ve only brought two!¡± Chapter 356 2/2 Mnia sneered cunningly. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, you can forget about leaving the Carver mansion scot¨Cfree!¡± After speaking, the Carver family¡¯s bodyguards received a signal and quickly appeared from various parts of the mansion. Soon, thirty bodyguards surrounded everyone in the living room. Since Sheena¡¯sst forced entry, Mnia had learned her lesson and deliberately hired more, but she did not expect they woulde in handy so soon. Even if the Carver Group¡¯s stocks recently plummeted, suffering heavy losses, it did not matter. As long as Mnia was still there, the Carver family¡¯s connections in Farlem remained, and they would rise again sooner orter! Mnia felt triumphant. ¡°Last time, you smashed my luxury cars and injured Beth with a knife. Since you¡¯vee uninvited today, I¡¯ll make sure you suffer! Attack!¡± The Carver family¡¯s bodyguards immediately moved forward. Paul and Ian quickly positioned themselves before Sheena. Sheena chuckled, her cold gaze scornfully meeting Mnia¡¯s. ¡°Madam Carver, did you really think I¡¯de unprepared?¡± With that, she raised her hand and pped twice crisply. The entrance, previously surrounded by servants, suddenly and willingly made way. Seeing this, Bethany and Mnia had a bad feeling and turned their attention to the entrance. A man in military attire, devilishly handsome, walked in with amanding aura and overwhelmin presence. Behind him, a group of police swiftly surrounded the entire living room. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. im Chapter 357 1/2 Chapter 357 Chapter 357 Chapter 357 As soon as Mnia saw Nathaniel leading people in, she instantly slumped into a chair. She had heard from acquaintances at the police station that Nathaniel was leaving Farlem. So why was he still here? With this man around, today¡¯s situation was looking grim. The Carver family¡¯s bodyguards quickly shrank when the police, armed with batons, rushed in. Bethany sat on the floor, feelingpletely hopeless. However, when Nathaniel entered, his gaze remained fixed on Sheena. He walked over and sat next to her with perfect posture. Sheena furrowed her brows but quickly concealed any hint of unease, looking back at Bethany and Mnia. ¡°Bethany, I don¡¯t want to waste any more words. Whatever crimes you and the Carver family have committed will be dealt with by the police. You owe money, and I want you to pay every penny back, with interest. If the funds are insufficient, sell properties and even mortgage the Carver Group,¡® Nathaniel stated matter¨Cof¨Cfactly, putting pressure on the Carver family due to his influence. Bethany and Mnie were reluctant, but under Nathaniel¡¯s pressure, they all remained silent like mute spectators. Sheena smoothed her dress and nced at Nathaniel beside her. She softly said, ¡°Nate, I¡¯m a bit tired, so I¡¯ll leave you to handle things here. By the way, Bethany likes tearing paper. Should we let her shred all the papers in the hall and take them back to the police station?¡± Nathaniel looked at her affectionately, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll follow your lead, but¡­¡± He paused, gently taking Sheena¡¯s hand before continuing, ¡°I¡¯ve done you such a big favor, but you stood me upst night. How aboutpensating me today?¡± Sheena smiled, her voice sultry as she responded, ¡°Of course! Nate,e to Ocean Avenue tonight after you finish your task. I¡¯ll personally cook for you to make it up to you. How does that sound?¡± Nathaniel was pleasantly surprised. However, he remembered the annoying man in her mansion and added, ¡°But there¡¯s someone I don¡¯t want to see at your ce.¡± Sheena shrugged indifferently. ¡°That¡¯s no problem. He¡¯s just my servant. We¡¯ll have a few drinks tonight, and I¡¯ll have him stand by and pour you drinks. What do you say?¡± Nathaniel, observing her calm demeanor with a hint of indulgence in his eyes, smiled and replied, ¡® Alright, I¡¯ll follow your lead.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll head back now and wait for you tonight, Nate,¡± Sheena said. She withdrew her hand from Nathaniel¡¯s palm and turned to Ian. ¡°You stay behind and see if Nate needs any help. No cking off.¡± 11 Chapter 357 2/2 Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± After that, Sheena left the Carver mansion, leaving the rest to Nathaniel and the police. It was not until she got into her car that her expression gradually turned cold. She opened a pack of wet wipes from her bag and cleaned her hands. After resolving matters with the Carver family, Sheena made a brief stop at Angle Group as she had some time to spare and focused on checking the recent progress of Skye and Phoebe¡¯s projects. She remained busy until the afternoon, deciding to return to Ocean Avenue two hours earlier than nned. Upon her return, Elijah was crouched on the floor, cleaning. With the effects of the special medication in his system worn off, household chores became much more manageable. Seeing Sheena return so early, Elijah found it strange. ¡°You¡¯re back quite early today. It¡¯s only mid- afternoon. You¡¯re not nning to have dinner yet, right?¡± Sheena nodded lightly, standing at the doorway without moving. Sensing her mood, Elijah set aside his work, washed his hands, and walked over to help her change into slippers and hang up her coat. Afterpleting these tasks, he resumed cleaning the floor. Sheena did not go upstairs. Instead, she sat on the sofa, silently observing him as he worked. After a few minutes, she finally spoke, ¡°Put aside the things in your hands for now ande here.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elijah washed his hands again, then walked over, kneeling at her feet. Chapter 358 Chapter 358 Sheena was satisfied with his consistently obedient demeanor. She grabbed his chin, observing his complexion. Without the modified 023, his face had lost the sickly paleness, and his dark eyes had gained more vibrancy. Even though he was still as handsome, his features now appeared sharper, making him look less easily intimidated. Sheena smirked. ¡°I still prefer how you looked on the modified 023 as you looked more in need of discipline but not easy to mess with. How about¡­ injecting another dose of the modified 023? I can continue bullying you for a few more days, and once I get bored, I¡¯ll reverse it.¡± Elijah was surprised by herment, Was she serious? The injection of the modified 023 was extremely painful. Coupled with the existing injury on his back, it intensified the suffering several times over. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. The pain was nearly unbearable. Elijah smiled bitterly, saying, ¡°If your happiness relies on my suffering, as long as it¡¯s yourmand and you believe I¡¯m sincere now, I¡¯ll unquestionablyply.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Sheena raised his chin a bit more, forcing eye contact. Elijah gazed into her sparkling eyes, nodding. Seeing his earnestness, Sheena chuckled, releasing her grip on his chin. ¡°Just kidding. I¡¯m not that sadistic and twisted.¡± Elijah lowered his gaze, remaining silent. As the joke passed, Sheena adopted a serious expression and delved into business. ¡°Your subordinates seem quite capable, especially Lionel. How would their chances be if they were to face off against simrly trained military elites?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s a direct confrontation, hard to say, but with Lionel and the others¡® skills, engaging in a fight would only take a bit more time. The odds of losing aren¡¯t big.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Sheena replied simply and entered into contemtion. ¡°Why the sudden interest in this?¡± Elijah asked. Sheena evaded the question, saying, ¡°Nathaniel will being to the mansion for dinner tonight.¡± Elijah remained silent and frowned. Observing his reaction, Sheena leaned closer to his car and whispered a few words. Chacher 358 22 In the evening, when it was approximately the time Nathaniel had agreed upon for his arrival, Sheena stood at the entrance of Ocean Avenue, waiting. Nathaniel arrived in a military vehicle, apanied by only two of his closest subordinates. As he stepped out of the car, he immediately spotted Sheena, and he could not hide his genuine delight. ¡°Nana, you look stunning tonight. Even though we met in the daytime just a few hours ago, it feels like it¡¯s been half a month, and I¡¯ve missed you dearly,¡± Nathaniel remarked. ¡°Nate, why are you using those cheesy lines?¡± Sheena yfully scolded him with a nce and continued, ¡°How was your day? What about the Carver family matters?¡± ¡°The Carver Group has dered bankruptcy and is up for auction. As for the money the Carver family extorted from the Freeman Group, I¡¯ll make sure they pay it all back, but it¡¯s a substantial amount, which will take some time. Meanwhile, Bethany¡¯s sentenced to life imprisonment. I know you probably prefer seeing her tortured rather than dead,¡± Nathaniel exined. Sheena simply smiled withoutmenting. The two walked through the garden side by side. As they entered the mansion¡¯s living room, Nathaniel leaned in intimately, whispering into her ear, Gabrielle wanted to join us tonight, but I didn¡¯t bring her along. I didn¡¯t want her to disturb our private time¡­¡± His words trailed off because he noticed Elijah standing on the staircase, ring at him. Nathaniel¡¯s expression also turned sour, and the atmosphere instantly turned tense. Chapter 359 Chapter 359 Chapter 359 The standoff between the two men continued for several minutes. Sheena, caught in the middle, nced at each of them. She found it amusing that Elijah seemed to have a slightly superior aura now, as he was no longer under the influence of the modified 023, and his gaze was colder than before. Sheena cleared her throat, trying to redirect their attention. Then, she signaled Nathaniel to look toward the dining room, her voice soft and sweet as she said, Nate, look at the dishes I¡¯ve prepared for you. I even have two bottles of fine wine. We haven¡¯t had a proper drink together in a while. Let¡¯s make it memorable tonight.¡± ¡°Sounds good.¡± Nathaniel withdrew his intense gaze from Elijah, looking at Sheena tenderly. They walked together to the dining room and took their seats. ¡°Nana, your cooking is amazing. The aroma is so tempting. I wasn¡¯t very hungry, but now that I smell the food, it has worked up my appetite,¡± Nathanielplimented. ¡°As long as you like it, Nate,¡± Sheena replied. Elijah still stood on the staircase, observing their interaction. Despite Sheena informing him of tonight¡¯s n earlier, witnessing her joyful demeanor and sweetly calling Nathaniel by his nickname tugged at his heart. When would he ever receive such treatment? 11 The two in the dining room continued their cheerful conversation, oblivious to Elijah¡¯s difort. At the dining table, Sheena pursed her lips and smiled, reaching for the wine bottle to serve Nathaniel. Nathaniel declined and said, ¡°Since you have a servant here, let him do his job. There¡¯s no need to trouble yourself pouring wine for me.¡± Sheena was caught off guard but quickly recovered her smile. She ced the wine bottle down and looked toward the direction of the staircase. ¡°Elijah,e here.¡± Nathaniel smiled triumphantly, sitting upright with a posture that seemed habitual over the years, and waited for Elijah toe and pour the wine. Seeing Elijah indeed walking toward them, Nathaniel nced at Sheena¡¯s face, his tone slightly surprised. ¡°Nana, there¡¯s something on your face. Let me help you wipe it off.¡± Sheena remained still as Nathaniel¡¯s affectionate gaze and gentle hands reached toward her small face. However, his wrist was firmly gripped before he could even touch her. Chapter 359 2/2 Elijah¡¯s expression darkened, and through gritted teeth, he uttered, ¡°Mr. Nicholls, mind your boundaries. Keep your hands off where they don¡¯t belong.¡± Nathaniel met Elijah¡¯s gaze, smirking. ¡°I decide what I want to do. Your opinion doesn¡¯t matter.¡± As Nathaniel¡¯s tone grew more intense toward the end, he made a motion to shake off Elijah¡¯s grip. Elijah tightened his hold, a fierce glint in his eyes. Nathaniel tried twice to break free but could not seed, growing visibly annoyed. ¡°Nana, look at how he treats his master. He¡¯s simply too arrogant! Such an untamed watchdog should be put down early!¡± Sheena was about to speak when Elijah coldly retorted, ¡°Sheena¡¯s my only master. Who do you think you are?¡± They red at each other again, and a silent power struggle ensued as the two hands remained before Sheena. The tension in the room grew palpable. Sheena sighed, massaging her temples. Why did it always turn into a battlefield whenever Elijah was around? She cleared her throat loudly, shooting Elijah a warning re. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Let go,¡± shemanded. Following her order, Elijah released his grip. However, he stood firm between the two, a vignt presence, like moving surveince, ensuring Nathaniel did not make any inappropriate moves. Nathaniel took a tissue from his pocket, elegantly wiping his sleeve, and then expressed his irritation, ¡°Nana, I think dinner tonight won¡¯t go well as long as someone is present.¡± Chapter 360 Chapter 360 Chapter 360 Chapter 360 1/2 Sheena understood his meaning and looked at Elijah, delivering a stern lecture, ¡°Mr. Nicholls is my guest. Are you trying to provoke me by offending him the moment he arrives? It seems I¡¯ve indulged you too much recently, and you¡¯ve forgotten who the real master is.¡± She nced outside the mansion, her voice bing serious as she shouted, ¡°John, Sawyer, get in here!¡± John and Sawyer quickly entered the living room. She wore an indifferent expression, not even sparing a nce for Elijah. ¡°Take him to the basement for some serious reflection. He stays there until I say otherwise.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. John and Sawyer exchanged nces, stunned. Elijah frowned, his face exuding a chilling aura. However, his gaze revealed that he was hurt by her remark. ¡°You¡¯re punishing me for him?¡± Only then did Sheena turn her attention to him, sneering. ¡°What else? Nate and I go way back. I¡¯ve admired him since childhood. While I harbored some resentment before, I¡¯ve let go of the past. As for you, I gave you a chance to terminate your employment contract, but you stubbornly clung on.¡± ¡°If you can¡¯t handle the pressure, then leave! Do you really think you have a ce in my eyes?¡± Sheena¡¯s words were like sharp knives, cutting deep into Elijah¡¯s heart. The pain made it difficult for him to breathe. Although he knew about her n, hearing these hurtful words still stung, and he felt a deep sense of sorrow. Elijah was aware that Sheena no longer held any feelings for him. So, was she deliberately using Nathaniel¡¯s situation to tell him the harsh truth? His eyes reddened slightly, and his voice choked as he spoke, ¡°I know I¡¯ve made mistakes in the past, but with everything I¡¯ve done for you now, aren¡¯t you moved even a little?¡± Sheena remained silent, noticing Elijah was getting teary¨Ceyed, a vulnerability that surprised her. He was truly an Oscar¨Cworthy actor! He managed to tear up so effortlessly. Elijah¡¯s earnest tears caught Sheena off guard for a moment. She looked away, maintaining her cold and expressionless demeanor. ¡°Considering the injuries you suffered for me, I¡¯ve held back. However, you¡¯ve only escted things and even offended Nate. I won¡¯t spare you! John, Sawyer! Immediately lock him up!¡± With Sheena issuing themand for the second time, John and Sawyer reluctantly approached to escort Elijah away. Chapter 360 2/2 Elijah shoved them aside, growling, ¡°I won¡¯t admit what I did was wrong. You just want me gone? Fine! I¡¯m leaving!¡± He turned and walked out of the mansion without looking back, and his eyes were bloodshot and hostile. John and Sawyer, bewildered, turned to Sheena for guidance. ¡°Miss, what just happened?¡± ¡°Let him go.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± John and Sawyer left, leaving Sheena and Nathaniel alone. With the troublesome figure finally gone, Nathaniel poured the red wine on the table, filling Sheena¡¯s ss. ¡°Nana, I¡¯m truly delighted that you stood up for me.¡± When Sheena looked at him, she softened her icy demeanor during the earlier argument with Elijah, offering a gentle smile. ¡°Of course, how can hepare to you? After all, the person I care about the most is you, Nate. Let¡¯s forget about the unpleasantness just now and enjoy a good drink.¡± The two wine sses clinked. After the toast, Sheena wasted no time and downed her drink in one go. However, Nathaniel swirled the wine in his ss without a sip. He observed the dark red liquid, a yful smirk forming at the corner of his lips. ¡°I remember thest time we yed assembling the revolvers at the bar. You seemed to like him a lot, being very close to him. It almost broke my heart that day.¡± His tone grew more serious as he continued, ¡°This time, he got hurt for you. You should be even more fond of him. Yet, tonight, you sent him away with my help. Why?¡± Sheena¡¯s beautiful eyes widened slightly. Nathaniel met her gaze, the amusement in his eyes deepening. ¡°You two wouldn¡¯t happen to be putting on a show for my sake, would you?¡± Chapter 361 Chapter 361 Sheena¡¯s expression gradually froze, staring at him in disbelief as she grumbled, ¡°Nate, are you actually doubting me?¡± Nathaniel chuckled. ¡°Silly girl, I was just teasing. Of course I trust you. But is this wine prepared by you or Elijah? I¡¯m skeptical of him.¡± Sheena showed him her empty red wine ss. ¡°I¡¯ve already drunk it. If someone did anything to it, I would be the first to be affected.¡± Nathaniel remained silent, swirling the wine in his hand, still not drinking. Sheena felt a bit displeased. Pouting, she nced at the unopened bottle of red wine beside her and asked, ¡°Nate, are you trying to make me drink the whole bottle, just likest time, to prove my sincerity?¡± Nathaniel stayed silent. Sheena angrily grabbed the wine, but Nathaniel stopped her. ¡°I believe you. Even if this bottle were poisoned, I would drink it. After all, you¡¯re a beautiful poison, and I¡¯ve long been intoxicated by you.¡± He smiled indulgently, finally lifting the ss, and taking a sip. In the garden, Nathaniel¡¯s two trusted aides stood by the entrance, resembling two statues. Ford approached them, asking in a friendly manner. ¡°Hey bros, I bet you haven¡¯t had dinner yet. We secretly grilled some kebabs in the backyard. Would you like to join us?¡± The two aides, with cold expressions, immediately declined. ¡°No.¡± Ford remained patient. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms. Sheena is always very friendly. With her around, Mr. Nicholls won¡¯t get mad at you. Besides, it¡¯s dinner time, and considering Mr. Nicholls¡¯s rtionship with her, we¡¯ll all be family sooner orter. This is just an early chance to get acquainted.¡± This time, the two hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°No need.¡± Unable to break through, Ford was figuring out how to continue persuading them without being too insistent when Paul approached, carrying two skewers of kebabs, and handing them Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. over. ¡°Ford, the barbecue tonight is delicious. You should try it. Ms. Sheena said Mr. Nicholls won¡¯t leave so early, so let¡¯s enjoy the food and drinks. They¡¯ve opened two bottles of beer for you over there. Come on.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Ford took a skewer and ate it in front of the two men, savoring every bite. Few could resist the allure of freshly grilled kebabs. It was just too alluring! The tantalizing aroma wafted in the breeze, and Nathaniel¡¯s aides stared at the meat in Ford¡¯s hands, gulping hard, obviously resisting the temptation. Chapter 301 2/2 Ford continued enthusiastically, ¡°Bros,e on. Mr. Nicholls is probably stayingte tonight. You two might have to go hungry for the entire night. There¡¯s alcohol prepared in the backyard, so go and have a few sips, Mr. Nicholls won¡¯t mind.¡± The two men exchanged nces, ultimately unable to resist the temptation of the kebabs. Soon, they went to the backyard with Ford. The dinner continued untilte in the evening, well past 10 p.m. Nathaniel and Sheena chatted happily, his handsome face flushed, and his blue eyes now appeared a bit hazy. ¡°Nana, I¡¯m truly happy that you¡¯ve changed your mind. In this world, no other man is worthy of you besides me. We¡¯re a match made in heaven.¡± Sheena just smiled, remaining silent. Nathaniel gazed at her affectionately. ¡°I was still too young and naive when your mother passed away. Instead of staying with you andforting you in your most vulnerable moments, I went after fame and fortune in the Special Investigation Department. I¡¯ve med myself for many years for not protecting andforting you. Can you forgive me?¡± As he brought up the past, Sheena¡¯s smile gradually froze. ¡°Nate, you¡¯re drunk. You¡¯re starting to talk nonsense. It¡¯s getting veryte, and you should go home.¡± Nathaniel wanted to continue exining, but Sheena called Ian to assist him into the car. Since his two trusted aides had a bit of alcohol in the backyard, they could not drive. Ian, still recovering from his injuries, had only eaten some barbecue and was the only one among the bodyguards who had not consumed alcohol. So, he drove Nathaniel and the others back. Once the military vehiclepletely disappeared from Ocean Avenue, Ford quietly entered the mansion. Sheena still sat in the dining room, lost in thought. ¡°Miss?¡± Ford called her gently. ¥Þ Chapter 362 Chapter 362 Sheena snapped back to reality and asked, ¡°How are his two trusted aides doing?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I secretly spiked their drinks, and it should take effect while they¡¯re on the road. ¡°Good. We can also check on Elijah¡¯s efficiency in handling things,¡± Sheena said as she nced at the now-empty bottle of red wine. The military vehicle traveled on the highway, and there was minimal traffic due to thete hour. Ian adjusted the car¡¯s air conditioning to a veryfortable temperature, and Nathaniel¡¯s two trusted aides were dozing off as they had consumed alcohol. Only Nathaniel, despite having a few drinks, remained rtively clear-headed. Ian was focused on the road when suddenly a cold gun pressed against the back of his head. It was Nathaniel. ¡°Why aren¡¯t we heading back to my ce? Where are you bringing us?¡± His voice was loud, and the heightened alertness of the two aides woke them up quickly. They looked out the window to realize Ian was taking them to the outskirts. Tension filled the car. Ian chuckled nervously and replied, ¡°Did I take the wrong route? Sorry, Mr. Nicholls. I saw you all sleeping and didn¡¯t want to wake you. I thought this route would be shorter.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s icy-expression remained unchanged, demanding Ian, ¡°Turn around.¡± ¡°Huh? Of course!¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. However, Ian stepped on the gas instead of slowing down, and he suddenly jerked the steering wheel, almost losing control and swerving off the road. With none of them wearing seatbelts, the abrupt move sent the passengers tumbling, crashing against the windows. Nathaniel was no exception, and the gun against Ian¡¯s head also moved. Taking advantage of the chaos, Ian mmed the brakes, swiftly exited the vehicle, and made his escape. The remaining three, due to inertia, were sprawled in disarray. However, Nathaniel was the most alert. He red vengefully in the direction Ian fled and decisively pulled the trigger. A deafening bang echoed in the quiet outskirts, disrupting the serene atmosphere. While escaping, Ian instinctively covered his head and patted his body. Realizing the gunshot had not hit him, he sprinted even faster. Nathaniel was distracted by a man who unexpectedly emerged from the trunk and had his aim shifted. The rearpartiment and back seat of this military vehicle were connected, and in the darkness, the two aides, slightly intoxicated, had forgotten to check. They never expected that someone was hiding in the trunk. Nathaniel quickly grasped that something was off about this dinner. He moved to attack the man emerging from the trunk, but his gun was swiftly disarmed. Nheless, the car¡¯s interior was too dark for Nathaniel to identify the person in the trunk. His other two aides immediately moved to capture the assant, but several men suddenly emerged from the forest, and a brawl erupted on both sides. Within minutes, Nathaniel and his aides felt their strength waning. Unknown to them, Sheena had secretly administered a colorless and tasteless drug beforehand. It was a small dose, not enough to knock them out, but sufficient to cause mild fatigue. The two aides were swiftly stopped while Nathaniel was struck from behind with a powerful strike to the back of his neck and knelt on the ground. As he looked up, he saw a familiar figure stepping out from the opened trunk wearing a mask adorned with intricate patterns. ¡°Y-You¡¯re from the National Investigation Bureau¡­¡¯ Before he could finish his sentence, Lionel delivered another powerful blow from behind, finally rendering the man unconscious. Chapter 363 Chapter 363 Upon seeing the unconscious man, the masked man removed his mask. Bathed in moonlight, the man¡¯s dark eyes were cold, menacing, and bloodthirsty as he red at Nathaniel. Lionel stepped forward and inquired, ¡°Sir, what¡¯s the n?¡± ¡°Tie his aides up and toss them into the car. As for him¡­¡± Elijah paused, his eyes narrowing, a ruthless expression taking over as he continued, ¡°Hoist him up and take him to the prepared cabin. Sheena will arrive in just over ten minutes. Before she gets here, let¡¯s interrogate him.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± A ssh of cold water abruptly awakened Nathaniel. As he regained consciousness, he found his hands bound, hanging from behind, suspended from the shabby beams from the roof. His feet barely touched the ground, and he had to tip-toe to maintain bnce. This position was incredibly tiring, especially on the arms, which would be sore and unbearable. Hanging for an hour could lead to dislocated shoulders and bruising under the arms. Nathaniel chuckled. This method of torture was unmistakably familiar. ¡°What are youughing at?¡± came a deep, deliberately lowered voice from nearby. Nathaniel nced and saw the man with the mask, the one hest saw before we went unconscious earlier, leisurely leaning against a wooden post. Nathaniel¡¯s blue eyes remained calm and amused as he smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯m curious to know how I¡¯ve offended the National Investigation Bureau to warrant this borate capture.¡± The masked man approached him, getting straight to the point. ¡°Recently, there¡¯s been a missing vial of the numbered S404 biochemical sample from theboratory. I checked the records, and you had essed theb about half a month ago.¡± Nathaniel scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m not the only one who essed theb. Why suspect me?¡± ¡°Because on the day you invited Sheena to Eros Bar, someone used that vial to harm others. Do you dare to say you have no connection to that incident?¡± Nathaniel frowned slightly, surprised. ¡°How did you know?¡± The man removed his mask right in front of Nathaniel¡­ When Nathaniel saw it was Elijah, he stared at him in disbelief. ¡°It¡¯s you! How did you get that mask? I don¡¯t believe it! How could you be the head of the National Investigation Bureau?¡± He had sensed something off about Elijah before and even conducted an investigation. However, Elijah¡¯s records were impably clean, raising suspicions. Yet, as refined as this man might be, there was no way he could be connected to the National Investigation Bureau. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Chapter 363 20 Elijah observed Nathaniel¡¯s reaction. Seeing the genuine shock on Nathaniel¡¯s face, he spoke, ¡± Seems like you didn¡¯t steal the vial because you traced my whereabouts. It must be to harm Sheena. Despite your pretense of love, you¡¯re wicked enough to use the $404 biochemical agent against her!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t! I love her!¡± Nathaniel denied. Choosing to avoid the issue, Nathaniel sneered and mocked, ¡°Are you deliberately using the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s name to trick me? Do you think I¡¯d believe it? Your identity is just that of the heir of the Freeman family from Farlem, nothing more!¡± Elijah¡¯s expression remained icy, remaining silent. Nathaniel continued, ¡°Today, I fell into the trap you and Sheena set. But did you think you could keep me here for long? Tomorrow, my people will discover my disappearance. Kidnapping and assaulting the head of the Special Investigation Department is a serious charge. Think about it!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Elijah casually smirked. ¡°Give it a try. See if your men can rescue you tomorrow.¡± Nathaniel noticed Elijah¡¯s indifference and looked at the mask in his hand. The symbol of the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s highest authority was crafted from pure silver, with a complex process and a unique pattern-one of a kind in the world. Nathaniel began to doubt himself. Outside the door, Lionel knocked softly and informed, ¡°Sir, it¡¯s been five minutes. Ms. Sheena will be here soon.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Chapter 364 Chapter 364 Elijah turned his gaze back to Nathaniel, getting straight to the point. ¡°You took the serum half a month ago, but you only arrived in Farlem a week ago. Someone must have conspired with you, instigating you to take the serum. Who is that person?¡± Nathaniel hung his head, looking at the ground, merely smiling without uttering a word. Elijah seized his hair, forcing him to make eye contact. ¡°The National Investigation Bureau has various ways to deal with those who remain tight¨Clipped, and you know that. Are you sure you won¡¯t talk?¡± This statement instantly riled Nathaniel. Veins bulged on his forehead as he growled through gritted teeth, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? You already know my identity. With the deeds you¡¯vemitted, do you think you can leave here unscathed?¡± As Elijah spoke, his gaze grew more ruthless, boiling with anger. Nathaniel met his gaze and, after a brief pause, burst intoughter. ¡°You¡¯re not just a Freeman family heir, are you? Who are you?¡± The head of the National Investigation Bureau could not possibly be just a mere local businessman in Farlem. Elijah remained silent. ¡°You use me of having motives for getting close to Sheena. What about you? She probably doesn¡¯t even know your true identity. What¡¯s your purpose? Acting weak and pitiful in front of her, what are you after?¡± Elijah tightened his grip on Nathaniel¡¯s hair. Despite the pain, Nathanielughed again with a slightly pained expression. ¡°Since you already know it wasn¡¯t sulfuric acid that day, you should know that your days are numbered! I won¡¯t get her, and neither will you!¡± Elijah¡¯s eyes burned with rage as he released Nathaniel¡¯s hair and delivered a powerful punch to his cheek. Nathaniel¡¯s face quickly swelled into a bruised, reddish bump. He spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ground, yet he continued to provoke Elijah. ¡°Even if the doctor can suppress the S404 virus in your body and prevent you from dying, there will be consequences over time. You¡¯ll end up disabled. If she finds out, she might feel sorry for you in the short term, but what about in the long run? Elijah, from the moment you were sshed, your wed body was destined not to be worthy of her!¡± Elijah was left speechless, and he remained silent for a long time. ¡°Sir, Ms. Sheena¡¯s car just pulled over by the road. She¡¯ll be here in two minutes.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Elijah turned his gaze back to Nathaniel, saying, ¡°Since you¡¯ve fallen into my hands, you should be aware that I can make anyone talk. I¡¯ll unearth all your secrets in theing days.¡± Chapter 364 Nathaniel nced away, emitting a disdainful snort. Elijah seized his hair again, whispering a threatening warning, ¡°When Sheenaes in, you should know what not to say. If you dare utter a single word, I¡¯ll make you wish you were dead! ¡°Ms. Sheena! You¡¯re here!¡± Lionel¡¯s voice rang just outside the door. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Elijah hid his mask and turned to greet Sheena. As the door swung open, he found himself locking eyes with Sheena¡¯s captivating gaze. Remembering Nathaniel¡¯s words moments ago, he lowered his eyes, refraining from initiating conversation for once. Sheena, however, remained oblivious, only asking, ¡°What¡¯s the situation? Did he confess to anything just now?¡± Elijah shook his head. ¡°No, he refused to speak.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to have a private chat with him.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°A private one, so your people aren¡¯t allowed to eavesdrop, including you,¡± Sheena emphasized. He hesitated for a moment, sounding disappointed as he replied, ¡°Fine.¡± After Sheena entered, Elijah closed the door behind her, sending Lionel and the others away. He took a position under a nearby tree, waiting. Inside the small cabin, Nathaniel, upon seeing Sheena, smirked. ¡°Nana, I really didn¡¯t expect tonight to turn into a feast of betrayal. Were you acting all this time? Did your disys of love for me turn out to be nothing but a show?¡± Chapter 365 Chapter 365 Sheena did not mince her words and openly admitted, ¡°Yes, if not for this, how else could i catch you?¡± Nathaniel chuckled wryly. ¡°When did you start being cautious around me?¡± ¡°Since you pulled out the revolver and demanded I choose between shooting Elijah and Jennifer. That¡¯s when I sensed something was off.¡± He stared at her, somewhat doubtful. She remained expressionless, continuing, ¡°It wasn¡¯t until thest time you were leaving Farlem. I saw the person in ck in the Eros Bar corridor andbined with the sulfuric acid incident that day, I began suspecting your connection with the Lawson family.¡± Nathaniel managed a pale smile. ¡°So that¡¯s it.¡± ¡°Nate, you¡¯ve been the only person I admired since childhood. Why would you want to kill me? 11 He shook his head, still denying, ¡°I didn¡¯t. When the Lawson family announced your death, you had no idea how devastated I was. I only found out you were alive half a month ago. I had to fake a cooperation toe to Farlem and see you.¡± ¡°If you still love me, I will fight against them for you. But¡­ you¡¯ve added an annoying dog to your side!¡± ¡°On the night at the bar, I stood on the second floor. I didn¡¯t n to take action until Elijah came in. I knew he would protect you, so I had to act. I didn¡¯t mean to target you. How could I bear to let you get hurt?¡± As he spoke, Nathaniel gazed at Sheena affectionately. Despite the bruises on his face, he was still incredibly handsome. Yet, Sheena had no time to appreciate his looks. She scoffed and said, ¡°Isn¡¯t it ridiculous for you to say that? If he didn¡¯t protect me, I would be the one injured right now, and you¡¯re still iming you weren¡¯t targeting me.¡± Her eyes grew colder, losing patience with the conversation. ¡°Stop lying. I just want to know who from the Lawson family is trying to harm me. I won¡¯t make things difficult for you if you tell me.¡± but that person won¡¯t.¡± Nathaniel lowered his gaze, looking sad. ¡°You might spare me, ¡°That person?¡± Sheena frowned. ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± Nathaniel met Sheena¡¯s gaze and spoke with deep sorrow, ¡°Nana, that little pet of yours isn¡¯t a good guy. He¡¯s been deceiving you with his acting, hiding more secrets than I have. Don¡¯t fall for his tricks!¡± ¡°He has secrets, and I¡¯ve always known. I just don¡¯t bother to dig into them,¡± Sheena replied casually. After all, she and Elijah had only a one-year agreement. Once it was over, they would part ways. Hence, his secrets did not interest her much. Nathaniel was pleasantly surprised, smiling. ¡°Looks like you aren¡¯t too concerned about him Chapter 365 Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. 717 either! That¡¯s good. Nana, you should thank me. After all, I helped you get rid of this clingy pet. Seeing her frown, Nathaniel¡¯s eyes widened in feigned astonishment. ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Well, he has been lying to you. Why don¡¯t you check his injuries when you¡¯re back? You¡¯ll find out how much he¡¯s been hiding from you.¡± Check his injuries? Sheena furrowed her brow. Was Elijah¡¯s injury not just a superficial skin wound from sulfuric acid? She found it strange, but Nathaniel was still smiling. However, upon closer inspection, that smile seemed mischievous, not like a lie but more like he knew something she did not. ¡°Exin more,¡± Sheena demanded. Nathaniel shook his head, still smiling. Sheena grew annoyed but could not take any action against him. After all, he was the head of the Special Investigation Department, holding a high position in the Froania military and the area. Moreover, shecked a legitimate reason to confront him and did not want trouble for herself or Corey. In the end, she left the small cabin. As soon as the door closed, Elijah approached her. ¡°How did it go? Did he confess?¡± Sheena shook her head. ¡°Never mind. I¡¯ve confirmed he conspired with others to harm me. We¡¯ll find other ways to investigate. Have Lionel and the others destroy the evidence and discreetly send him back tomorrow.¡± Elijah did not agree. Even though she could take her time to investigate, he could not. His time was running out. ¡°Sheena, if you trust me, leave this to me. Within two days, I¡¯ll make him spill everything.¡± ¡°You know his identity. Are you sure you want to take action against him?¡± Sheena stared at him seriously. ¡°Did you punch his face? Do you n to continue your own form of justice? The Special Investigation Department and the Nicholls family won¡¯t let you off.¡± He pursed his lips and smiled, not taking her warning seriously. ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯ll handle it properly.¡± Their eyes locked in a serious gaze. Chapter 366 Chapter 366 Sheena was taken aback. Elijah sounded casual, yet there was an inexplicable trustworthiness in his tone. ¡°Okay, then go ahead and try.¡± Thinking about Nathaniel¡¯sst words before leaving, her expression gradually became serious. ¡°Let¡¯s return to Ocean Avenue.¡± ¡°You should go ahead. I¡¯ll handle things here and join you shortly.¡± Sheena sternly said, ¡°No, you¡¯reing with me.¡± Elijah reluctantly conceded. ¡°Fine, but can you give me two minutes? I need to brief Lionel on the arrangements.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± She agreed! For once, she finally agreed to wait for him! Elijah felt a bit pleased. He took off his suit jacket and draped it over Sheena¡¯s shoulders, wrapping her small frame tightly. ¡°It¡¯ste and cold outside. Head back to the car. I¡¯ll be quick. Sheena did not refuse. She nodded and went back. Once she was at a distance, Elijah called Lionel over, and his expression returned to its cold demeanor. ¡°Extract everything Nathaniel has hidden within two days. The process and methods don¡¯t matter. It¡¯s fine eyen if he ends up crippled. I¡¯ll exin to the National Affairs Bureau. I only care about the results.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Elijah looked at the small cabin and added, ¡°Once this is over, reward him with a bottle of sulfuric acid on his back.¡± Lionel questioned, ¡°Isn¡¯t that being too nice? He sshed you with the S404 virus. ¡°Why? Do you want to ssh him with S404 too? There are only a dozen bottles of it, and he¡¯s not worth the expense. I¡¯ll contact the National Affairs Bureau to strip him of his position, and I¡¯ll make sure he rots in prisonter.¡± Lionel pondered for a moment and found the reasoning sound. ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Good. I¡¯m leaving this to you. Bye.¡± Lionel was about to respond, but Elijah had disappeared in the blink of an eye. He clicked his tongue twice, agreeing that love indeed made people act foolishly. The once bloodthirsty and ruthless man was running back with a slight jog to the girl of his dreams, and he even seemed a bit adorable. How did that happen? Sheena sat in the back seat, still contemting Nathaniel¡¯s ords. Out of the corner of her eye, Chapter 366 she saw someone running toward the car. Elijah swiftly opened the door and slid in, rubbing his arms. 212 This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Sheena noticed his subtle movements and observed that he was only wearing a thin silk shirt. It dawned on her that he had just given her his suit jacket. ¡°Feeling cold?¡± Elijah shook his head. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then why the hurry?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to keep you waiting for too long.¡± Sheena fell silent, still trying to figure out if he was just sweet¨Ctalking her with pleasing words. As soon as he entered, she felt the chill emanating from him, and his lips were slightly pale from the cold, yet he insisted he was not. Seena removed the suit jacket from her shoulders and tossed it to him impatiently. ¡°Take it. I¡¯m feeling too warm.¡± With winter just around the corner, the temperature was indeed significantly lower at thiste hour. Sheena instructed Ian to turn on the car¡¯s heater. They sped back to Ocean Avenue. Sheena changed into slippers and headed upstairs without looking back, saying, ¡°Come up with me.¡± Elijah did not hesitate and quickly followed her to the third floor. Back in the room, Sheena first turned on the heater, then sat on the edge of the bed, calmly instructing, ¡°Undress yourself.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Elijah¡¯s ears turned slightly red in an instant. What was she up to? Chapter 367 Chapter 367 The atmosphere in the room suddenly became quite awkward due to that statement. Seeing Elijah standing still, Sheena frowned, and her expression turned serious. ¡°Hurry up. I I want to see th wound.¡± Elijah instantly breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out she just wanted to see the wound, and he had misunderstood. Wait a minute¡­ see the wound? Why would she suddenly doubt his injury? Did Nathaniel say something to her? ¡°My injury is fine. I¡¯ve been applying medicine these past two days, and it¡¯s almost healed,¡± Elijah reassured. Sheena red at him and shouted, ¡°Take it off!¡± Elijah remained motionless. ¡°I¡¯m wearing bandages. Even if I take it off, you won¡¯t be able to see,¡± ¡°Remove them. We can reapply the medicine afterward,¡± Sheena insisted firmly. Was this a non-negotiable demand? Elijah did not speak, pondering how to get around this. Sheena saw through his thoughts instantly and said, ¡°Don¡¯t even try to fool me. You must take it off!¡± ¡°Sheena, your concern for my injury warms my heart, but it¡¯ste. Let¡¯s rest early and check tomorrow,¡± Elijah suggested. Sheena ground her teeth, suppressing the urge to tie him up and forcefully strip him. With patience, she spoke, ¡°Earlier, you said you would unconditionally obey any of mymands. Was that another one of your empty promises?¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Elijah, confronted with his promise, fell silent. He reluctantly extended his hand toward the golden button on his suit, his slender fingertips gently circling each one, taking them off very slowly. Sheena did not rush him, massaging her temples while waiting quietly. After all, there were only a few pieces of clothing, and he would get them off eventually. Elijah removed his suit, cing it gently on her makeup table. After a few seconds of hesitation, he continued to unbutton his shirt. Just as he undid the two buttons on his chest, he asked in a low voice, ¡°Do I take off my pants? ¡°1 Sheena was furious and retorted, ¡°I want to see the wound! Why are you taking off your pants? ¡°You were the one who said to take everything off just now,¡± Elijah mumbled, keeping his head low and only daring toin in a hushed tone. 2/2 However, due to the silence in the room, Sheena heard every word loudly and clearly. ¡°Elijah! If you mumble one more word, I¡¯ll do you a favor! I¡¯ll strip youpletely naked and ask you to run fiftyps outside around the mansion!¡± Oh, she was ruthless! What would happen to his dignity if he went outside and ran naked? Seeing Elijah clearly intimidated, Sheena smirked. ¡°Or, I can have Ford and the others find a rope to tie you up. We can hang you from that tree outside the garden, stark naked, as a model for the night. Which option do you want to try?¡± He did not want either! There was no way he would agree to that! Elijah pressed his thin lips tightly. Not a single sound came out as he silently continued undressing. As he was about to unbutton thest button, Elijah was truly unwilling to go on. Just as he was about to find an excuse, Sheena shot him a sharp warning re. Runningps outside was not an option! Being hung up as a model was even less of an option! However, refusing to undress for her to see the wound was also not an option. He lowered his gaze, still pondering if there was a way to bluff his way through. Under Sheena¡¯s watchful gaze, he slowly peeled off the silk shirt, revealing a perfectly sculpted set of abdominal muscles. The bandages around the middle slightly spoiled the aesthetic, but his healthy honey-toned skin remained exceptionally appealing. However, Sheena was currently too preupied to appreciate the view. As soon as Elijah finished undressing, she got up and approached him. ¡°Turn around.¡± Elijah obediently turned around. Sheena took matters into her own hands, forcefully tearing off his bandages. Due to the numerous layers, she worked quickly with considerable strength. As she reached the finalyers, the bloodstains beneath the bandages became evident, causing Elijah to hiss because of the pain. Hearing this, Sheena gentled her touch. After unraveling the bloodied bandages, a palm-sized burn on his lower back was revealed. She frowned deeply as she studied the injury with intense concentration. Chapter 368 Chapter 368 It had been four days, yet Elijah¡¯s wound still appeared vividly red, with rotting flesh. It was truly a ghastly sight. Sheena¡¯s fingertips trembled as she reached toward his back but stopped just before making contact. ¡°Your injury is still bleeding even after four days, and it looks serious. It doesn¡¯t seem like the kind of damage caused by acid burns,¡± Sheena remarked, her expression grave. Sheena hesitated to touch the wound, withdrew her hand, and wore a stern expression. Elijah sighed. Indeed, she could discern the clues with just a nce. ¡°Why do you mean? It¡¯s caused by sulfuric acid. There shouldn¡¯t be any bleeding. I applied medicine during the day, and there was no bleeding,¡± Elijah exined calmly. Sheena remained unconvinced. ¡°Tell me the truth. Do you know what really happened to the wound on your back?¡± ¡°Yes, it was sulfuric acid burns,¡± Elijah insisted calmly. After a moment of contemtion, he added, ¡°I remember now. I probably identally hit my back during the confrontation with Nathaniel just now. That¡¯s probably why it started bleeding.¡± Was it really a coincidence? Why would Nathaniel say those things to alert her? Was Nathaniel lying, or was Elijah lying? ¡°How convenient. Just tonight, you happened to hit the old wound on your back during the fight. Don¡¯t you think this reason sounds a bit deliberate?¡± Sheena questioned skeptically. ¡°Aren¡¯t you overthinking things? Some things in this world are just that coincidental,¡± Elijah. replied gently. ¡°The injury looks frightening, but it¡¯s not serious. Look at me now. Do I seem ufortable?¡± Sheena did not believe a word of his excuses, and she could tell the severity of the injury. ¡°Turn around and look at me.¡± Elijah obediently turned around, meeting her gaze. ¡± Sheena was only 166 centimeters tall, so at a height of 188 centimeters, he was too tall, making Sheena strain her neck to look up at him. ¡°Kneel.¡± Thest time she uttered these words, Elijah resisted as he felt humiliated. However, this time, he did not hesitate. He slowly knelt, keeping his back straight. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. He was pursuing the love of his life, so what did dignity matter? DAY! Sheena suddenly lifted Elijah¡¯s chin and looked down at him. ¡°Elijah, do you think I won¡¯t find out if you don¡¯t confess? Don¡¯t you know Noah Lawson is also my friend? If I let hime Chapter 368 over and take a look, you won¡¯t be able to keep it a secret. By then, my trust in you will bepletely gone. Think about it.¡± Her gaze was cold, adding, ¡°Are you going to confess, or should I investigate?¡± Elijah trembled. After some dilemmas, he finally spoke, ¡°It¡¯s not sulfuric acid. It¡¯s an S40 strong corrosive agent.¡± ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a liquid simr to sulfuric acid but with even stronger corrosive properties. If ites into contact with the skin, the burns will be more severe. Regr ointments won¡¯t heal it, and the recovery time will be long. Moreover, the scars are hard to get rid of. However, it doesn¡¯t harm the internal organs.¡± ¡°Who told you about this?¡± Elijah replied. ¡°I didn¡¯t know untilst night. Nathaniel told me himself, and he even said he stole it from a warboratory.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Elijah nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± Sheena had not heard of this substance before, but the exnation seemed to match his injury. However, was it really just a superficial wound? She stared at Elijah for a while. It seemed she would not get any more answers tonight. Since it was something from a warboratory, she would inquire with Corey tomorrow. he surely knew about it. She returned to sit on the edge of the bed, her tone displeased. ¡°You¡¯re indeed dishonest. Tonight, you¡¯ve spun several lies because of this wound. Can you even keep track of them yourself?¡± Seeing that she seemed to believe him, Elijah quietly breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Are you angry?¡± Sheena remained silent, turning her face away, exuding an extreme chill. It seemed she was genuinely annoyed, too upset to bother acknowledging him. Realizing this, Elijah refrained from standing up. Instead, he kneeled in front of her, delicately holding her small hand and then pressing it against his abdomen. With a gentle and soothing tone, he said, ¡°I was wrong. It¡¯s just a superficial wound. I know you don¡¯t like being indebted to others, so I didn¡¯t want you to feel guilty. I didn¡¯t mean to hide it from you. Please don¡¯t be angry. How about letting you pinch my abs?¡± ¡°Who cares about your abs!¡± Sheena angrily pulled her hand back, giving him a disapproving re. ¡°Well¡­ how about using the belt I gave you to whip me and vent your anger?¡± Chapter 369 Chapter 369 Elijah looked up at her, smiling to please. Sheena gave him a disdainful re, thinking he truly deserved a good beating. She could not let him off without making him cry for mercy, or she would not be able to swallow her pride! She showed her hand, saying, ¡°Belt.¡± Elijah did not hesitate, immediately undoing the metal buckle and obediently handing it over. Then, he turned around, presenting his back to her. Folding the belt in half, Sheena¡¯s gaze turned fierce as she raised it high, ready tosh out at the already wounded back. However, before the belt could swing, she fixated on the palm- sized burn on his back. The vividly red, gruesome wound was too conspicuous to ignore. Moreover, this injury was sustained while shielding her. Otherwise, the damage might have been to her face. Thinking about this, Sheena¡¯s emotions becameplicated. Her wrist seemed to be restrained by an inexplicable force, preventing her from swinging the belt no matter how hard she tried. 12 She sighed silently, feeling a little exasperated. How could she start feeling sorry for him? This feeling irked her. The three years in the Freeman family were like hell, devoid of any. warmth and love. Despite Elijah¡¯s changes and sincerity after their divorce, she could not deny that she was touched. However, she was determined not to tread the old path again. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Constantly dwelling on him and their past would only end up hurting her! Sheena clenched the belt tightly, her grip trembling. Grinding her teeth, she mustered strength and swung the belt with determination. A crisp sound echoed. Sheena avoided the middle of Elijah¡¯s back, leaving a deep red welt, two fingers wide, on his smooth skin. Elijah remained motionless, making no sound, not even frowning from the pain. Other than his muscles instinctively tensing, he seemed oblivious to pain. Sheena stared at the red mark she had just added, ncing at the blurry wound in the middle of his back, which pained her. Suddenly, her heart became chaotic, and she found herself unable to swing the belt for a second time, no matter how hard she tried. ¡°Put on your clothes and get out!¡± She kicked his shoulder, tossing the belt back to him. Hurry up, I¡¯m tired. I¡¯ll deal with you tomorrow.¡± She finished speaking and lifted the nket, curling up with her back to Elijah. Caught off guard by her sudden kick, Elijah staggered slightly. He calmly fastened the belt, then retrieved his shirt and suit jacket from the make-up table. Since the bandages were removed, he held them in his hand to avoid dirtying the clothes. 2/2 Turning around, he noticed Sheena lying on the bed with her back to him, still wearing her outer coat. It did not look like she was ready to sleep. ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re still wearing your coat. It¡¯s notfortable sleeping like that.¡± Sheena gritted her teeth and muttered, ¡°I¡¯m fine with it. Just get out!¡± Elijah remained unmoved, standing at the foot of her bed, and staring at her. Sensing his gaze, Sheena felt a surge of anger. She sat up abruptly, her small face puffed up, and grabbed a nearby pillow, hurling it at Elijah. ¡°Out!¡± Elijah caught it steadily, cing it on the make-up table for her. Undeterred, Sheena grabbed another pillow and tossed it his way. Elijah caught that one too, his face adorned with a gentle smile. Sheena was genuinely angry, grabbing whatever she could find on her nightstand-tissue boxes, decorations, books¡­ Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 370 Chapter 370 However, Elijah effortlessly caught everything she threw and neatly arranged them on the make -up table. He smiled affectionately at Sheena, but it felt like a provocation in Sheena¡¯s eyes. Sheena was fuming with anger, and she searched the bedside table for anything else to throw, but it was empty. Desperate, she reached for the deskmp, still plugged in. Instead of disconnecting it first, she intended to force it out. Seeing her actions, Elijah hastily raised his hands in surrender. ¡°Wait! I was wrong. I¡¯ll leave right away.¡± Sheena red at him fiercely until he closed the door behind him, disappearing from her sight. Only then did she put the desk Looking at the array of bedside items on the opposite table, she silently got out of bed, retrieved the pillows, took a few deep breaths to calm herself, and proceeded to the bathroom to wash up. The following day, Sheena did not utter a single word during breakfast. No matter what Elijah said, she ignored himpletely. After silently finishing breakfast, she headed to Angle Group. Since she handed Nathaniel over to Elijah, she only needed to wait for the results. In the office, she first called Corey and ryed the chemical name Elijah mentioned the previous night. Corey¡¯s information matched Elijah¡¯s. Then, she contacted someone from Dark Bell to check images of the injuries caused by the S40 corrosive agent on the skin. Since it was aboratory chemical, standard searches would not yield results. Ten minutester, Dark Bell sent her the images. Upon careful observation, the injuries in the pictures closely resembled the ones on Elijah¡¯s back. So, was he telling the truth this time? However, if it did not pose a life-threatening danger, why would Nathaniel talk about resolving Elijah in such a manner? Sheena felt she was missing some crucial detail but could not recall it. She summoned Ford and instructed him, ¡°During this period, secretly follow Elijah. Report all his movements after leaving the house to me. Also, try to gather information on what he¡¯s been saying without revealing our surveince.¡± Even though Ford did not understand why she was doing this, he nodded in agreement. After Sheena left, Elijah washed the dishes and tidied up the mansion. Then, he also headed out to deal with the situation regarding Nathaniel in the outskirts. Upon seeing him, Lionel jogged over with a grin. ¡°Good morning, Mr. Freeman.¡± Elijah gave him a disdainful nce. ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡± Lionel shook his head. ¡°He¡¯s not willing to confess anything. After all, he climbed his way up Chapter 370 277 to the position of head of the Special Investigation Department step by step. He¡¯s a tough nut to crack.¡¯ Elijah cast a cold nce toward the small cabin, saying, ¡°No matter how tough he is, we¡¯ll crush him. We must extract something from him tomorrow at thetest.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Lionel respectfully acknowledged and leaned in closer to Elijah, speaking in a hushed tone, Your guess was indeed right. Ian is suspicious. Yesterday, he drove the car to the outskirts, disappeared for over ten minutes after getting out of the car, and only returned when Ms. Sheena arrived.¡± Elijah furrowed his brow. ¡°Do you know where he went?¡± Lionel shook his head. ¡°This guy is really sly. Our people lost track of him.¡± Elijah fell into contemtion. Finally, he said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll leave this to you. I¡¯m heading back to Ocean Avenue.¡± At the mansion, Elijah did not go straight upstairs. Instead, he went to the backyard. Sheena had not taken Ian to thepany today; he was left at Ocean Avenue. When Elijah returned, Ian had juste down from the surveince post to use the restroom and was currently washing his hands. Seeing Elijah walking toward him, Ian greeted with a smile, ¡°Mr. Freeman, what a coincidence! Elijah¡¯s expression was icy. ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence. I¡¯m looking for you.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Ian met his gaze, and his expression gradually turned serious. Chapter 371 Chapter 371 The two men walked to a secluded corner behind the mansion. Ian asked, ¡°Mr. Freeman, why do you look so serious?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to pretend anymore. I know you have a purpose for staying close to Sheena.¡± Ian¡¯s face instantly turned extremely wicked, eximing, ¡°Since you¡¯ve noticed it, I¡¯m sorry for this!¡± He discreetly reached toward his lower back, pulling out a small knife and swiftly thrusting it toward Elijah¡¯s throat. Elijah adeptly stepped back half a pace. Within just three moves, he subdued Ian. Elijah restrained his hands behind his back with such force that Ian felt like his arms were about to dislocate, the pain draining the color from his face. ¡°Go ahead and kill me. If I don¡¯tplete the task they assigned, I¡¯m as good as dead anyway.¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Elijah chuckled lightly, releasing him. ¡°Why would I kill you? I just want to have a chat. I¡¯m not interested in you.¡± Ian was puzzled and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you in love with Ms. Sheena? I¡¯m here on behalf of the people who want to harm her. Since you¡¯ve already exposed my identity, why don¡¯t you take action?¡± Elijah stared at him intently. ¡°Do you like her?¡± Ian instantly blushed, stuttering, ¡°N¨CNo¡­ Why would I?¡± Elijah was always perceptive when it came to men. Ever since he realized his love for Sheena, he discovered an added skill: the ability to discern if other men had feelings for her by the way they looked at her. ¡°You do like her. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have refrained from harming her for so long. There¡¯s no need to conceal it. Tell me about their n, and I might be able to help you find a solution.¡± Ian locked eyes with him, suddenly captivated by his aura. He knew Elijah¡¯s identity was not simple, and at this moment, besides revealing everything to Elijah and discussing a solution, he had no other path to take. He could only choose to trust Elijah this one time. ¡°Three nights from now, they want me to lure Ms. Sheena alone to the abandoned warehouse on the eastern outskirts of the city. This time, they have set up many traps, and the mysterious figure Ms. Sheena has been investigating will also be there. If she really goes, the odds are not in her favor.¡± He sighed and continued, ¡°Ms. Sheena is the only one who has treated me sincerely. I can¡¯t bear to harm her, but if she doesn¡¯t die, I¡¯ll die. They¡¯re watching me closely, and I can¡¯t escape. Mr. Freeman, do you have any solutions? Elijah pondered for a moment, looking calm andposed. ¡°Tell them you will handle it. I¡¯ll keep this matter confidential from Sheena, and you don¡¯t need to inform her.¡± ¡°What?¡± Ian was confused. ¡°But three dayster¡­¡± Elijah assured, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± In the afternoon, Elijah did not leave the house. He thoroughly cleaned the entire mansion, thinking it was thest few days he would spend with Sheena. He wanted to cook her various meals every day. Even if she did not miss him, perhaps she would miss his cooking. As Elijah thought about those, he smiled. Suddenly, the sound of a text message pinged on his phone. It was from Lionel, containing only an exmation mark. Elijah¡¯s smile froze, his expression turning solemn. It was a coded message indicating something urgent. He checked his watch and confirmed that Sheena would not finish work for another forty minutes. Quietly, Elijah drove to the outskirts, where Nathaniel was locked up. Lionel was pacing by the side of the road, waiting anxiously. When Elijah¡¯s car approached, he hurried over and got into the passenger seat. Leaning close to Elijah, he whispered, ¡°Mr. Freeman, someone from Svelton is here!¡± Elijah frowned. Of all the time they could havee, why did they have toe at this particr moment? Chapter 372 Chapter 372 Elijah¡¯s expression grew darker as he started the car engine once again, heading toward the meeting point Lionel had mentioned. Driving until they reached an abandoned construction site, both Elijah and Lionel silently entered the most secluded, dpidated building. As Elijah entered, Sheena received a call from Ford. He detailed Elijah¡¯s strange movements, reporting every detail to Sheena. Sheena questioned, ¡°Where did he go? What¡¯s inside? Did you hear anything?¡± ¡°No, I noticed people guarding within a fifty¨Cmeter radius around this construction site, and there were quite a few of them. I couldn¡¯t get close,¡± Ford replied. Sheena fell silent. Why did Elijah suddenly rush to this abandoned construction site? Who was he meeting? The fact that there were guards meant he had significant secrets. ¡°Alright, I got it. I¡¯ll go over and take a lookter.¡± Meanwhile, Elijah, apanied by Lionel, entered the run¨Cdown building. Inside, three men were already present. The leader, a man in his forties, greeted Elijah respectfully when he entered. ¡°Hello.¡± Elijah¡¯s expression remained cold. ¡°Uncle Grant, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Uncle Grant, whose full name was Grant Burrell, gradually became serious and exined, ¡°There¡¯s internal turmoil within the family, and we need you to return immediately to take charge.¡± Immediately? That was urgent. Elijah hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°No. I have personal matters to attend to in Farlem. I¡¯ll return on my own in a few days.¡± Grant¡¯s face grew grimmer. ¡°Sir, this is an urgent order, and you muste with me. Your grandfather said this is the best opportunity for you to regain the people¡¯s trust and secure your authority.¡± Elijah fell silent. He had hoped to spend thest seven days by Sheena¡¯s side. Yet even seven days seemed like a luxury now. He suppressed the stifling feeling in his chest and recalled Ian¡¯s n from earlier in the day. ¡°Give me three more days. I have onest thing to take care of, and I¡¯ll personally return to apologize.¡± Grant¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Sir, you¡¯re aware of how strict our family rules are. You¡¯ll face severe punishment for going against the order!¡± Elijah remained nonchnt. ¡°I know. Dying for three days means thirtyshes. Then, he casually untied his tie with one hand, his well¨Cdefined fingertips gracefully unbuttoning both the suit and shirt simultaneously before tossing them effortlessly to Lionel. ¡°Sir¡­¡± Lionel mumbled as he caught the clothes steadily, his eyes filled with concern. What if Elijah could not endure it, and the suppressed virus reactivated?This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Ignoring Lionel¡¯s worries, Elijah dropped to one knee. His broad and smooth back muscles stood out as he spoke with a hint of arrogance, ¡°Come, hit me.¡± Grant sighed. ¡°The old man indeed knows you best, understanding that you would inevitably linger and not return immediately.¡± The bodyguard standing silently on the side approached, presenting an elegant dark sandalwood box. Grant opened it slowly, revealing a long, dark whip intricately threaded with gold and covered with fine, sharp barbs. It was designed to draw blood with minimal effort from the wielder. ¡°With the family in turmoil and the situation urgent, I¡¯ll ask you onest time. Do you really intend to return only after three days?¡± Without hesitation, Elijah replied, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°In that case, don¡¯t me me for doing this. The family rules are not to be broken, and I¡­ I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t do much.¡± Elijah simply nodded. In truth, he deeply resented these rules. Once he took down those stubborn old figures in the family and gained full control, he would first abolish these outdated and strict traditions. As he contemted, a sharp sound echoed behind him. Chapter 373 Chapter 373 Immediately, Elijah: a smooth back was mercilessly shed by the barbs of the whip. Blood streaks appeared vividly, and intense pain overtook him. With just the firstsh, Elijah¡¯s forehead was covered in cold sweat. He clenched his teeth, every muscle in his body tense, yet he maintained an erect posture, enduring inplete silence. Grant had noticed the bandage in the center of Elijah¡¯s undershirt when he removed his clothes, intentionally avoiding the injured area. However, this meant there were fewer ces on Elijah¡¯s back that could withstand the punishment. By the fifteenthsh, the upper half of Elijah¡¯s back, separated by the bandage, was a gruesome canvas of crossing blood streaks. Elijah¡¯s breathing grew heavier, veins throbbing on his forehead. Even his eyshes trembled uncontrobly. Nheless, he tightly pressed his lips, determined not to emit a single sound of humiliation. In a self¨Cdeprecating moment, he realized that after more than a decade away from home, he had almost forgotten his true identity. He had thought of himself as just a pampered heir of the Freeman family, ignorant of the weakening impact of a life of indulgence on his ability to endure punishment. Grant¡¯s hand holding the whip trembled as the entire upper half of Elijah¡¯s back was now drenched in blood. Faced with the prospect of worsening the existing wounds, Grant hesitated. Shifting his focus to Elijah¡¯s lower back, he swung the whip again, producing a series of cracking sounds as fiveshes landed on it. Elijah¡¯s body violently trembled, and finally, his upright posture copsed. He extended a hand to support himself, preventing an embarrassing fall. The whip sounds behind him ceased abruptly. Suddenly, Elijah felt an intense pain in his chest, and he spat a mouthful of blood. ¡°Sir!¡± Lionel was horrified, his eyes reddened. Witnessing the twentyshes, his heart quivered, and several times, he resisted the urge to rush forward and snatch the whip away. ¡°Stop! Let¡¯s go back right now!¡± ¡°Lionel!¡± Elijah took a moment to catch his breath, then gave him a fierce re. You¡¯re just a subordinate in my National Investigation Bureau; you don¡¯t get a say here!¡± ¦§ ¡°If this goes one, you¡¯ll be dead!¡± Lionel¡¯s voice choked with sobs as he shouted, ¡± Chapter 373 2/2 The S404 virus in your body is only suppressed, not cured! With such heavy injuries and weakened resistance, the virus will soon spread! You will die!¡± Elijah seemed to ignore him, forcefully pinching his thigh, and with sheer determination, he straightened his back, maintaining the most standard posture for punishment. Was it painful? It was excruciating. However, he could not leave without a word, especially when there was still a threat to Sheena. He needed to eliminate thest trouble for her before leaving without any regrets. Besides, if he turned back now, the twentyshes he endured earlier would be in vain. ¡°Let¡¯s continue.¡± Lionel¡¯s voice trembled as he begged, ¡°No! Stop it!¡± Elijahpletely ignored him. ¡°Uncle Grant, continue!¡± Lionel, infuriated, with eyes burning red and fists clenched until they turned pale, was powerless as an outsider in this situation. There was nothing he could do with Elijah acting so stubbornly. Grant remained motionless. From their conversation, he gathered that Elijah seemed seriously injured this time. He turned his gaze back to Elijah¡¯s back. If they continued, thest tenshes would have to land entirely on his lower back. After some contemtion, Grant looked at the two bodyguards inside, the room. There¡¯s no need to guard here. Go outside.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Once the two bodyguards werepletely outside, Grant took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from the whip. Only then did he raise the whip again. Ten consecutiveshes followed, their cracking sounds echoing loudly. Chapter 374 Chapter 374 However, all theshesnded on the open ground nearby. ¡°Thirtyshes have beenpleted. You can get up now,¡± Grant stated while wiping the whip clean once again. ¡°The deadline is three days, and you must return then. Please keep that in mind.¡± With Lionel¡¯s support, Elijah struggled to stand. ¡°Thank you.¡± Grant bowed slightly, refraining from further words. A bodyguard entered abruptly and reported, ¡°There¡¯s a car parked at the entrance of the construction site. A woman got out of the car. Should I¡­?¡± He gestured a cutting motion across his neck. A woman? Elijah frowned and asked, ¡°What does she look like?¡± ¡°Very beautiful.¡± It must be Sheena. Why would she suddenlye here? Elijah looked at Grant and said, ¡°Leave. She¡¯s someone important to me. You can¡¯t touch her, and don¡¯t let her notice you.¡± ¡°Understood. Take care during these three days.¡± Wearing high heels, Sheena entered the abandoned construction site, carefully observing her surroundings. Despite Ford mentioning many hidden bodyguards nearby, she had not sensed any on her way here. Had they already withdrawn? The construction site was huge, and she quickened her pace, checking each building one by one. Finally, she saw that familiar tall figure in a very secluded and dpidated building. Lionel had just finished fastening thest golden button on Elijah¡¯s suit cor. Seeing Sheena enter, with no time to finish tying the tie, Lionel discreetly stuffed it into his pocket, silently standing aside with his head bowed. Elijah took a deep breath, concealing the intense pain in his back. Then, he looked at Sheena gently as he asked, ¡°Why did youe?¡± Sheena did not answer his question, just frowning with a stern expression. ¡°When I came in, why was Lionel helping you with the button, and what were you doing?¡± He smiled and replied, ¡°Just identally loosened a button on the cor, and Lionel saw it, so he helped me fasten it.¡± sheena nced at Lionel; he remained silent, head lowered, disying no emotion. She walked up to Elijah, scrutinizing him once more. ¡°Then why did youe here? ¡°Lionel received information that there were intruders from the Special Investigation Department, so I came to check. However, by the time I arrived, they had already left.¡± Sheena turned her gaze back to Lionel. ¡°Is what he said true?¡± Lionel remained silent for two seconds before responding, his tone devoid of emotion, ¡°Yes.¡± Elijah¡¯s fingertips trembled slightly as he gently tugged at Sheena¡¯s sleeve. ¡± Sheena, it¡¯s cold outside. I want to go back to Ocean Avenue.¡± ¡°Not now.¡± Sheena was not swayed by his attempt to act cute. Although Lionel kept his head down, trying to conceal any signs, she noticed a hint of redness in his eyes. Looking back at Elijah, she observed his paleplexion,cking the usual healthy color, especially considering he seemed fine just two days ago. ¡°You were fine this morning. How did you suddenly be so weak?¡± Elijah¡¯s face remained unchanged as he covered his, coughing lightly. ¡°Maybe I caught a coldst night. It¡¯s nothing serious. I¡¯ll take a couple of pills when we get back.¡± Just a cold? Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Sheena did not buy it because she detected something odd in the air like a peculiar men¡¯s cologne mixed with a strong scent of blood. ¡°This ce has been abandoned for so long. Howe there¡¯s a smell of blood?¡± She circled around Elijah, scanning the room. Finally, she spotted a palm¨Csized fresh bloodstain on the floor that had not dried yet. Sheena slowly crouched, reaching toward the blood, but Elijah abruptly grabbed Chapter 375 Chapter 375 ¡°Don¡¯t touch it. It¡¯s dirty,¡± Elijah warned as he locked eyes with Sheena. Sheena met his gaze and said rationally, ¡°This blood is fresh, indicating something happened here just now. Didn¡¯t you and Lionel see anything when you rushed over?¡± Elijah remained silent, ncing at Lionel. Lionel understood and exined, ¡°I arrived first. When I entered, I caught someone trying to escape through the window, so I used a small knife to injure him. This should be the blood left by that person.¡± ¡°And where is this person? With your skills, how did he manage to escape from you?¡± Sheena asked. Lionel hesitated for a moment, feigning embarrassment as he scratched his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I slipped up. He had an aplice, so I didn¡¯t pursue him.¡± Fine. Since the person was not caught, there was little else to ask. Sheena nced at Elijah again, noting that he seemed okay apart from his pale face and slightly colorless lips. Was it really just a cold? ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go back to Ocean Avenue,¡± Sheena said, turning to leave. Elijah followed behind her. With every step, the wounds on his lower back were pulled, causing him pain. He felt weak, almost tip¨Ctoeing with each movement. Lionel quickly stepped forward to support Elijah¡¯s arm. When she heard a noise behind her, Sheena stopped, turned around, and asked, ¡± What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elijah took a breath and maintained hisposure. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. He slipped a bit.¡± Lionel chimed in, ¡°Yeah, I slipped. Luckily, I reacted quickly and grabbed Mr. Freeman¡¯s arm in time to prevent me from falling!¡± Sheena did not dwell on that minor incident. She continued walking out of the abandoned factory, and Elijah asked Lionel to drive his car back while he joined. Sheena in her car. During the journey, Elijah sat upright, his suit impably neat, and he avoided leaning against the car seat to prevent contact with his injured back. Sheena noticed and, recalling the burns on his back, ignored it. She casually asked, ¡°How was it with Nathaniel today? Did he reveal anything?¡± Elijah cleared his throat, hesitated briefly, and replied, ¡°Not yet, but don¡¯t worry. He¡¯ll spill everything tomorrow.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Silence filled the car until they arrived at Ocean Avenue, and they entered the living room together. While Sheena leisurely changed her shoes, Elijah, who had already changed, started climbing the stairs. After ascending a few steps, he stopped and turned back, asking, ¡°Sheena, are you hungry tonight? I¡¯m a bit tired and thinking of taking a nap for half an hour before making dinner.¡± Sheena felt a bit odd but did not refuse. ¡°I¡¯m not very hungry. We can eatter.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll go up first.¡± Sheena remained silent, her gaze following his figure disappearing around the corner of the second floor. For some reason, she had a strange feeling. Throughout the journey back home, she felt as if he was enduring horrible pain. Was the burn on his back getting worse again? Following him up to the second floor, Sheena noticed Elijah¡¯s door was not locked. She gently pushed it open slightly and saw him peacefully lying in bed, seemingly asleep. However, Sheena observed that he was lying face down and had not even removed his suit jacket. Pushing the door open and entering, Sheena sat at the edge of his bed, touching his forehead with her icy fingers. Feeling her cool touch, Elijah¡¯s eyshes trembled. ¡°I don¡¯t have a fever. I¡¯m just tired. I¡¯ll be fine after a nap.¡± Indeed, he was just a bit warm, probably not running a fever. Perhaps she was overthinking it. ¡°Alright. Rest well.¡± Sheena withdrew her hand, preparing to get up when a strong force suddenly pulled her tightly. As she reacted, she found Elijah¡¯s arm wrapped around her waist, his head nestled in her embrace, his upper body leaning on her thighs. At first, she was stunned, not expecting him to be so bold this time. ¡°Let go!¡± Instead of loosening his grip, Elijah¡¯s hand around her waist tightened, and he unabashedly snuggled closer. ¡°Just let me hold you, just for a little while.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Sheena hesitated for a moment, suddenly recalling her decisionst night topletely sever her lingering feelings for him, and her expression turned ice- cold. Then, she reached out, forcefully trying to pry open his arm. ¡°Let go! Have you forgotten your position? In this mansion, I¡¯m the master, and you¡¯re the servant!¡± Chapter 376 Chapter 376 Elijah did not have much strength left. However, when he noticed that Sheena was about to remove his arm from around her waist forcefully, he pleaded softly, his voice weak and tender. ¡°Please¡­ just let me hold you for a little while, just this once¡­¡± For thest time¡­ Even if he survived the ambush outside the eastern outskirts in three days, returning to Svelton to resolve the family turmoil would still be dangerous. He wanted to remember her scent and the warmth of her embrace in these final moments. Sheena, with a hardened heart, continued to pry his hand away. ¡°Let go. I need to go to the study!¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Please don¡¯t. I¡¯m begging you¡­¡± His voice was barely audible, filled with sorrow. Sheena abruptly froze. Did he just use the word ¡°beg¡°? Recently, he had been yful, submissive, and feigning vulnerability, but she knew that deep down, he was always prideful. This was the first time he had used the word ¡°beg.¡± Sheena did not say anything more, allowing Elijah to hold her. The room was silent, seemingly peaceful. Everything appeared calm, but Elijah¡¯s brow furrowed more and more with each passing moment. With every breath, his entire body throbbed with pain. Moreover, the pain kept intensifying, growing more unbearable as he had not applied any medicine. Yet, the sweet fragrance from Sheena¡¯s body was like honey, making him reluctant to let go. Elijahy with his upper body on Sheena¡¯s thighs, and Sheena sensed his heavy breathing. His condition seemed off. ¡°Your burns have been five days now, and it shouldn¡¯t be as painful as when it started, right? Why do you seem so ufortable?¡± Elijah remained silent, Sheena, suspicious, reached toward the back of his shirt cor, but Elijah seized her wrist. ¡°I¡¯m fine, especially with the medicine. If you remove the bandage, I¡¯ll have to apply the medicine again.¡± It made sense, but¡­ ¡°But why do you seem to be in so much pain? Did you get injured again today when you went out?¡± Sheena¡¯s questions were met with silence. Frustrated, she ruffled his short hair and scoided softly, ¡°Who taught you not to answer your master? Did the people from the Special Investigation Department today hurt you? Get up, take off your clothes, let me see.¡± Another round of undressing? Elijah sighed with a hint of helplessness. As he was about to respond, Ford knocked on the door. ¡°Miss, the Nicholls family¡¯s bodyguards are here.¡± ¡°The Nicholls family¡¯s bodyguards? What do they want from me?¡± Could it be that the Nicholls family already knew that she caused Nathaniel¡¯s disappearance? Ford exined, ¡°It seems the Nicholls family¡¯s heiress caused some trouble. Unable to locate Mr. Nicholls, and with only you here, they hope you cane and assist. Miss, are you going?¡± Sheena remained silent. Gabrielle had always been close to her since childhood. Considering the deep ties. between the Nicholls family and the Lawson family, it was understandable that their bodyguards sought her help. / Nathaniel was being interrogated, and it would not be right to neglect Gabrielle. However, with Elijah here¡­ She nced down at the person in her arms. Sensing her gaze, Elijah willingly released his grip on her waist, settling back onto the bed and saying, ¡°I¡¯ll take a nap. By the time you return, I¡¯ll have dinner ready.¡± Given his words, Sheena had little to say. ¡°Rest, but remember, I¡¯ll be checking on your injuries when I return, got it?¡± Elijah nodded. Sheena sat by his bedside for a while, observing his gradually calm breath and serene expression. Then, she left the room with Ford, Paul, and the Nicholls family¡¯s bodyguards. As the car engine¡¯s sound gradually faded, Elijah called Ian inside. ¡°Mr. Freeman, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Elijah gritted his teeth, took a few slow breaths to ease the pain, and said, ¡°The first aid kit¡­ in the storage cab in the living room on the first floor. Help me¡­. deal with the wounds.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± ian rushed downstairs and quickly returned with the first aid kit. ¡°Mr. Freeman, where are you injured?¡± ¡°Remove¡­ my¡­ clothes¡­¡± His forehead beaded with cold sweat, his voice weak. Ian wasted no time and stepped forward to help him remove his suit. However, as the suit came off, Ian was shocked by the extensive bloodstains on Elijah¡¯s white shirt. ¡°Oh my God! H¨CHow did you get injured like this?¡± Chapter 377 Chapter 377 The silky fabric had stuck to the wound, and the blood had dried 1. up. With trembling hands, Ian tried twice but failed to remove the shirtpletely. However, the bloody whip wounds were already visible. ¡°Oh my God! Who did this? They were way too ruthless!¡± Ian was brought up by an illegal organization. The rules were strict, and it wasmon for those not proficient enough to be beaten to death. Still, Ian had managed to avoid it most of the time. §é§ä§à Yet, Elijah was different. He was a pampered heir from a prominent family, so how could he sustain such severe injuries? Elijah, in a weak voice, interrupted his astonishment, ¡°Don¡¯t shout. Close the doors and windows, then draw the curtains. If the shirt won¡¯te off, use a hot towel and press on it for a while.¡± ¡°Alright, alright.¡± Ian quickly followed the instructions, grabbing a hot towel from the bathroom. With a hint of reluctance, he said, ¡°Mr. Freeman, the hotpress might sting a bit. Please bear with it.¡± The hot towel pressed against the wounds, and it felt like a sharp pain simr to needle pricks and burning. Elijah shivered at the pain, cold sweats forming all over, and his hands tightly clutched the pillow, warping its shape. Ian, though not ustomed to getting beaten often, had experience in assisting with medications. He retrieved an anti¨Cinmmatory pill from the first aid kit and ced it in Elijah¡¯s mouth. Then, he brought a basin of clean water, beginning to clean the bloodstains on his back. The original bandages were soiled and needed removal. ¡°Mr. Freeman, who dared to attack you with your status? Except for Ms. Sheena¡­ He widened his eyes and whispered, ¡°Could it really be Ms. Sheena?¡± Dizzy and exhausted, Elijah buried his face in the nket, ignoring him. Ian thought for a moment but found it off, mumbling, ¡°It probably wasn¡¯t Ms. Sheena. You wouldn¡¯t need me to handle your wounds quietly if it were her.¡± ¡°Stop guessing and hurry up. I need to cook before Sheenaes back.¡± In this condition, it was torturous for Elijah to even walk normally, especially with the painful wound on his lower back. Yet, he still wanted to get up and prepare dinner for Sheena. Ian felt sorry for him and sighed. To prevent Sheena and other bodyguards from noticing the torn shirt, Ian decided to stash it under the bed. Alcohol disinfection would be too painful, so he opted for the gentler iodine. Ian took a cotton swab and carefully applied the medicine, taking a considerable amount of time to complete the task. Originally, only the burns in the middle of his back were bandaged, but now, from his back to his waist, there was an additionalyer of bandages due to the whip wounds. Elijah insisted on getting out of bed, and Ian had no choice but to give him an antibiotic injection. Half an hourter, Sheena returned to the mansion with the lively Gabrielle. Gabrielle looked around the entire mansion, clinging to Sheena¡¯s arm, and said with a yful tone, ¡°Not bad! I didn¡¯t expect the environment in this little mansion to be so good. I really hit the jackpot with this trip! Let me stay here for a few more days!¡± Sheena remained unmoved, her tone stern as she reminded Gabrielle, ¡°As agreed, you¡¯re only staying for three days. I¡¯ll have the bodyguards send you to the airport back to Svelton then.¡± Gabrielle pouted and whined, ¡°Nana, you¡¯re so heartless.¡± Sheena¡¯s tone softened, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t be naughty. You can¡¯t let situations like the bar incident today repeat itself. Since you want to stay here for a few days, you must behave and stay out of trouble. Do you understand?¡± ¡°I got it!¡± The two of them entered the mansion,ughing and joking. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. As soon as they opened the door, Sheena smelled the delicious aroma of food wafting toward her, and she nced at the kitchen. She told him to rest, so why was he up and cooking? Elijah coincidentally heard themotion and came out of the kitchen. Sheena noticed that he had changed into a deep ck silk shirt, with the top two buttons of the cor slightly loose, revealing his vicle. It seemed like he had also washed his hair, which was still somewhat damp. Paired with his exquisite and handsome facial features, he exuded an alluring charm. Moreover, his condition andplexion seemed much better. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you wearing a jacket? Did you take the cold medicine?¡± Although her tone remained as cool as ever, the fact that she immediately asked about his well¨Cbeing upon her return made Elijah¡¯s heart feel warm. ¡°You said you would check the injuries when you returned, so I didn¡¯t wear one.¡± Chapter 378 Chapter 378 While exining, Elijah pulled his shirt, revealing the bandages on his back, ¡°I did get a minor injury during the day, but as you can see, it¡¯s been treated and bandaged.¡± Sheena remained silent. On the other hand, Gabrielle stared at Elijah¡¯s face with genuine interest, eximing, ¡°Nana, who is he? He¡¯s so handsome! Your taste is excellent. The men around you are all gorgeous!¡± Since Gabrielle had not seen Elijah¡¯s face clearly thest time at Eros Bar, this was her first time seeing his full face, and she could not take her eyes off him. Sheena responded indifferently, ¡°He¡¯s my servant.¡± ¡°Just a servant?¡± Gabrielle¡® days?¡± eyes lit up. ¡°Well, Nana, can I borrow him for a few ¡°No.¡± Sheena frowned, almost rejecting her without a second thought. Seeing Gabrielle¡¯s eyes seemingly glued to Elijah, Sheena felt annoyed and red at Elijah. ¡°Put on your clothes properly! You look so sloppy. Also, go upstairs and put on your jacket beforeing back down.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elijah nodded obediently, never ncing at Gabrielle, and quickly buttoned up his shirt before heading upstairs. Gabrielle tugged at Sheena¡¯s sleeve, pouting and unwilling to give up. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect your servant to be so good¨Clooking. You¡¯re usually busy with work and don¡¯t have time for me. Nana, just let him apany me for a couple of days!¡± Sheena¡¯s eyebrows tightened further. ¡°No. It¡¯s not negotiable.¡± ¡°Nana¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s eat!¡± Gabrielle pouted even more, reluctantly following Sheena into the dining room. After the meal, Sheena selected a rtively clean room on the third floor for Gabrielle and chatted with her for a while before retiring to her room. At 6 a.m. the next day, Lionel printed out the information Nathaniel had confessed and personally delivered it to Ocean Avenue. Due to the drugging opes 172 incident thest time, Lionel was afraid of facing Ford and the others, expecting a torrent of scolding, so he stood outside the back door of the mansion waiting. Elijah personally came out to receive it. ncing at the information, his expression gradually turned serious, and he went straight upstairs and knocked on Sheena¡¯s door. He knocked for a while, but there was no response from inside. Was she sleeping too deeply? After some thought, Elijah decided that it was indeed too early, and he could wait until she woke up. However, just as he turned away, Sheena appeared from the corridor, dressed in casual attire, holdingCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. a small box in her hands. ¡°Did you go out?¡± Elijah asked. Sheena appeared nonchnt. ¡°No. I just went to the doorstep to pick up a delivery.¡± With so many bodyguards in the mansion, when did she ever personally pick up a package? What could be so important to make her do so? Elijah found it strange but did not inquire further. Sheena walked past him, unlocking her room door. ¡°If there¡¯s something,e in and talk.¡± He followed her inside, handing over the information Lionel brought and exining, ¡°Nathaniel¡¯s confession. Take a look.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Although she responded verbally, Sheena did not even nce at the document Elijah handed her. Instead, she was entirely focused on unwrapping the delivered package. As the box opened, revealing an ointment tube, she handed it to him. ¡°Take this.¡± Elijah stared at her in shock. Did she buy this for him? Chapter 379 Chapter 379 Seeing Elijah¡¯s puzzled expression, with a faint touch of surprise in his eyes, Sheena exined, ¡°You mentioned that regr ointments don¡¯t work for injuries caused by the S40 corrosive agent. This box is a specialized ointment I had someone buy yesterday. Use it for the subsequent dressing, and it should speed up the healing.¡± Elijah nced at the ointment in his hand. Though she did not say it, he knew this ointment was only avable in the warb, probably arranged through Corey. It did have a decent curative effect, but since he harbored the S404 biochemical virus, this ointment would not be effective for his injuries. ¡°Thank you. This is the first gift you¡¯ve given me since the divorce,¡± Elijah expressed, thumb gently caressing the ointment box. His eyes were slightly red, and miraculously, the pain from his wounds seemed to diminish. ¡°It doesn¡¯t count as a gift. This time, you got hurt for me, so consider it mypensation. Also¡­¡± Sheena paused, smirking as she added, ¡°If we¡¯re counting actual gifts since the divorce, it would be the bankruptcy of the Freeman family, your employment contract, and the modified 023.¡± Elijah stopped fiddling with the ointment box. Suddenly, he no longer felt moved. Sheena enjoyed watching his expression freeze. She smiled mischievously as she fetched Nathaniel¡¯s confession from the desk. Then, she read it carefully, and her face gradually turned grim. ¡°Nathaniel is saying that Barrett was the one behind the bar and chemical- sshing incident?¡± Barrett Lawson, her fourth uncle, was aid¨Cback member of the Lawson family with no ambitious ns. She had considered her third uncle, Victor Lawson, among those who might harm her, but Barrett had not crossed her mind. Elijah nodded. ¡°Although Nathaniel might not have fully disclosed everything, he was clear on the details and themunication process. Barrett¡¯s son works in the National Affairs Bureau, and Nathaniel feared him. It makes sense that he followed Barrett¡¯s orders to steal the chemical from the lab.¡± Sheena sat on the nearby small sofa, silent for a long time. Then, she shouted angrily, ¡°I won¡¯t let Barrett off! Tomorrow, I¡¯m going to Svelton to settle scores quietly!¡± After all, Barrett had chosen such malicious means, wanting to injure her face. She would not rest until he experienced the same! t She looked up, recalling Elijah¡¯s injuries. ¡°You¡¯re still injured, so stay in the mansion and take care of yourself. This time, you¡¯re not allowed toe with me. ¡± Elijah was contemting how to find an excuse not to go when Sheena decided for him. ¡°Airight. I¡¯ll stay in the mansion, waiting for your return.¡± As Elijah spoke thosest few words, his voice gradually faded, but Sheena did not notice. She was still earnestly studying Nathaniel¡¯s statement. ¡°Damn it, Barrett! You¡¯re so good at hiding yourself!¡± ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re quite familiar with him. Have you visited the Lawson family before?¡± Elijah raised an eyebrow.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Although he had already figured out that Sheena was likely the heiress of the Lawson family, she had never brought it up herself. Suddenly, he felt like teasing her. Upon hearing his question, Sheena met his gaze and raised an eyebrow herself. ¡± I¡¯m not familiar with him, but I am with Howard. Perhaps it¡¯s because Howard treats me too well, attracting the jealousy of those Lawson family people, causing them to harm me.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Elijah pursed his lips, suppressing a smile. When he looked up, he found Sheena observing his expression. Quickly, he acted upset. ¡°Why are you telling me all this? I don¡¯t think Howard has treated you that well.¡± Sheena rested her chin on her hand, her tone slightly yful. ¡°So, you¡¯re feeling jealous again?¡± Elijah lowered his head, not answering her question, and mumbled, ¡°I¡¯m going to make breakfast.¡± Only when he turned to leave did he manage a helpless smile. Sheena also chuckled, and once he was gone, she went over Nathaniel¡¯s statement again, preparing for tomorrow¡¯s trip to Svelton. While Elijah was preparing breakfast, Gabrielle intentionally woke up a bit earlier. Chapter 380 Chapter 380 Gabrielle, dressed in an alluring yet cute pale pink nightgown, leaned against the kitchen doorway as she watched Elijah cooking. They said a man who could cook is the sexiest, and Elijah was truly a sight to behold as he was so handsome! Gabrielle even considered bringing him back home, fooling around with him for a few days. Feeling the gaze of an onlooker, Elijah became slightly annoyed but ignored her. ¡°Hey! I¡¯ve been standing here for ages. Didn¡¯t you notice me?¡± Gabrielle¡¯s voice was yful, pouting. Elijah continued chopping vegetables, pretending she was invisible. ¡°You¡¯re so rude! I¡¯m the guest and the Nicholls family¡¯s heiress! You¡¯re just a servant kept by Nana in the mansion. How dare you ignore me?¡± Gabrielle felt a bit aggrieved. She had always been pampered and cherished, yet Elijah dared to disrespect her so openly! Elijah paused in his chopping, his voice icy as he said, ¡°My only master is Sheena. Apart from her, no one else can boss me around.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Gabrielle had never encountered a servant with such a proud attitude and found it hard to ept. ¡°Why can¡¯t I give you orders?¡± She walked toward the kitchen, deliberately tipping the freshly heated milk that Elijah had prepared for Sheena onto the floor, looking arrogant. ¡°Apologize to me! I want you to talk to me softly and gently, just like how you treat Nana! Otherwise, I¡¯ll tell her that you spilled her milk, and she¡¯ll punish you! 11 Elijah red at her with an ominous aura. Then, he angrily knocked over the empty ss, shattering it and scattering broken ss pieces at Gabrielle¡¯s feet. She jumped, fearing the ss might cut her slender legs. Elijah gave her a cold nce and continued preparing breakfast. Gabrielle, on the verge of tears, eximed, ¡°How dare you treat me like this!¡± She rushed forward, ready to take matters into her own hands. Elijah¡¯s gaze turned cold and menacing as he tightened his grip on the knife. He thought Gabrielle was simply unreasonable and foolish. Moreover, since she was Nathaniel¡¯s sister, he was ready to take her life if she dared to touch him! Before he could make a move, someone else grabbed Gabrielle¡¯s wrist from behind She turned to find Sheena, and her eyes instantly reddened. ¡°Nana, he¡¯s bullying me! He even tried to injure me with a ss! Although he¡¯s handsome, he¡¯s worse than those men at the barst night!¡± Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked pitiful. ¡°He¡¯s bad and disobedient! Nana, you have to help me punish him!¡± Sheena did not release Gabrielle¡¯s wrist and nced at Elijah. She smirked and asked, ¡°She says you¡¯re bad and disobedient. Do you agree?¡± She was curious to see Elijah¡¯s reaction. Would he explode in anger or indifferently ept the me? Facing her piercing gaze, Elijah set aside the knife, washed and dried his hands, and approached her, gently holding her other idle hand. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. His eyes were slightly red, and he looked like a victim. ¡°She tried to boss me around, but I only listen to you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m obedient and well¨Cbehaved. I don¡¯t know why she¡¯s falsely using me¡­¡± Gabrielle¡¯s confusion was evident. What on earth was going on? This was not part of her n! Why was this man better at pretending than her? Chapter 381 Chapter 381 Gabrielle Wa left speechless, encountering such shamelessness for the first time. Sheena, on the other hand, found the situation utterly amusing. Spoiled and used to having her way at home, Gabrielle never expected to face defeat at the hands of Elijah so soon. ¡°Nana¡­¡± Gabrielle pouted, looking at Sheena with her puppy eyes, torn between continuing her comints and fearing a man better at acting than her. Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious as she locked eyes with Gabrielle, saying, ¡± Gabrielle, he¡¯s right. He only listens to me. You live in my house and enjoy my hospitality, and yet you think you cany hands on my people? Isn¡¯t that crossing a line?¡± Gabrielle was left dumbfounded. Sheena continued, ¡°This isn¡¯t the Nicholls family. While I treat you like a sister, I won¡¯t pamper you endlessly.¡± ¡°Nana¡­¡± Gabrielle protested. ¡°I¡¯m heading to Svelton tomorrow. I¡¯ll buy you a ne ticket, and you¡¯re leaving with me.¡± ¡°What! Tomorrow? I haven¡¯t even had enough fun here for three days! Nana!¡± Sheena ignored her whining. What else could she do? If Sheena did not Gabrielle back to the Nicholls family, Gabrielle would be left alone with Elijah in Ocean Avenue for two days! ¡°You¡¯ve had enough fun the past few days, and it¡¯s time for you to go back,¡± Sheena said as she nudged Gabrielle¡¯s shoulder, feeling slightly annoyed. ¡°Go upstairs, change into decent clothes, and thene down. Why are you wearing a nightgown? Who are you trying to seduce?¡± Gabrielle pouted and reluctantly headed upstairs. Once she was gone, Sheena turned to Elijah, who seemed quite pleased. Sheena red at him and mocked, ¡°Do you think she looks great in the nightgown?¡± Elijah surrendered, raising his hands. ¡°I¡¯m innocent! I didn¡¯t even notice the Chapter 381 color she was wearing. Besides, I think you have the best figure, and I only enjoy looking at you.¡± Sheena disliked hearing such cheesy words and changed the topic. ¡°Do you findpeting with a twenty¨Cyear¨Cold girl fun?¡± Then, she pointed to the shattered ss on the floor and added, ¡°You broke my ss, so you have to pay for it.¡± Elijah gazed at her affectionately. ¡°Alright, I¡¯llpensate ten times the value of it. Is that enough?¡± ¡°Barely.¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, looking arrogant. Elijah was captivated by her beautiful smile, and there was an impulse to pull her into his arms and never let 1. go. However, he¡­ might not have that chance. After breakfast, Sheena took a day off, staying at home and organizing her ns for the trip to Svelton the next day. She sat on the living room sofa, watching a drama on TV while handling her phone to arrange affairs. Having washed the fruits, Elijah sat on the nearby small sofa, quietly peeling apples for her. Meanwhile, Gabrielle dragged Ford and a few other bodyguards to y on the swings in the yard. The peaceful day passed by quickly. The next day, Sheena and Gabrielle packed their luggage. Elijah willingly helped Sheena carry her suitcase downstairs while Paul managed Gabrielle¡¯s luggage. Howard, feeling uneasy, insisted on going to Svelton as well, arranging to meet at the airport. This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Elijah offered to drive Sheena to the airport, but she declined. ¡°I¡¯ll be in Svelton for a few days. You don¡¯t need to go to the Freeman Group during this time as Sarah is there, and everything should be fine. Just stay at the mansion obediently for two days. I¡¯ll leave John, Sawyer, and Ian here to keep an eye on things.¡± ¡°Since you¡¯re going for two days, you should bring two more people and just leave Ian here. I¡¯m not going anywhere, and there¡¯s no need for so many people to watch over me. Besides, with my skills, even if all five of them try to stop me, they won¡¯t be able to.¡± Sheena pondered for a moment, realizing he had a point. Thus, only Ian was left Chapter 381 at Ocean Avenue. Gabrielle was already sitting in the car, sulking. After Sheena finished her 3/3 arrangements, she went to open the car door. However, before she could finish her sentence, Elijah grabbed her wrist. ¡°What are you¡­¡± Sheena began, but she was abruptly pulled into his embrace. ¡°Have a safe journey. Remember to eat well.¡± Chapter 382 Chapter 382 ¡°Mm,¡± Sheena grunted tly, showing little emotion. It was just a two¨Cday trip, not an eternal parting. Why was Elijah making it seem so sentimental and being so clingy? Nheless, Sheena did not mock Elijah with any words. After loosening herself from his embrace, she opened the car door and entered. As the car started moving, Elijah stood still, staring in the direction of the departing car. Ian stood beside him, watching Elijah¡¯s focused expression. Then, he reminded Elijah, ¡°Mr. Freeman, Ms. Sheena has left. It¡¯s approaching winter, and it¡¯s cold outside. Considering your wounds, you should head inside.¡± Elijah stayed silent, not moving an inch. After a few attempts to persuade him, Ian went inside alone. At the airport, Sheena met Howard and quickly boarded the ne. Howard handed her a small nket, which she epted without protest, her on the view outside the ne window. gaze fixed For some reason, Sheena felt uneasy the moment she boarded, her eyelids twitching. Howard noticed her difort and handed her a calming medicine. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s been a while since you returned to Svelton. You¡¯reing back without telling anyone this time, so it can¡¯t be helped that you feel troubled somehow.¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Sheena could not quite figure out why she felt uneasy and simply replied, ¡°Maybe. Farlem was a considerable distance from Svelton, and it was already evening by the time theynded. Sheena arranged for Gabrielle to be sent back to the Nicholls family first and then stayed at Howard¡¯s mansion in Svelton since it was close to Barrett¡¯s residence, La¡¯Porte Manor. She held a meeting with Howard, Ford, and others, nning for the next day, and the discussion went on for several hours. Once everything was settled, she rubbed her shoulders. Now, all that was left was to wait for tomorrow! After freshening up, Sheena returned to her room to sleep. Perhaps the journey had exhausted her, and she fell asleep within minutes. However, her sleep was restless. She had a strange dream where the fire raged around her with the sound of buildings crackling in the intense heat. A tall man was standing amidst the mes, his body covered in blood and scars, yet he maintained a dignified and unmatched aura. Although the man had his back turned to her, his silhouette seemed oddly familiar. It was not until he turned around, staggering, that the me revealed his striking face. Elijah? His face was covered in blood, and it continued to trickle from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were filled with sorrow and pain, and the blood on his body suggested a recent and grueling battle. Soon, he copsed weakly to the ground. ¡°Sheena, Sheena¡­¡± Sheena woke up abruptly from a deep sleep, realizing it was just a nightmare. Checking her phone, she realized it was only 2 a.m. She sat dazed on the bed, still recalling the vivid scenes from her dream. Elijah¡¯s eyes were full of despair and unwillingness, repeatedly calling her name¡­ Why did it feel so real? Unable to calm her restless thoughts, Sheena decided to call Elijah. The phone rang, but there was no answer. Why was he not picking up her call? Growing more anxious, Sheena redialed. On the fourth attempt, the call finally connected. On the other end, she heard the familiar and deep voice of the man. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± A Chapter 383 Chapter 383 It was Elijah¡¯s voice. Sheena sighed in relief, but she soon became angry. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you answer the phone?¡± Elijah¡¯s tone carried a hint of exhaustion and sleepiness. ¡°I was asleep. Why are you still awake at this hour? Did something happen?¡± ¡°Nothing happened. I just couldn¡¯t sleep.¡± ¡°Well¡­ Should I keep youpany through the night?¡± ¡°Mm,¡± Sheena responded simply. Recalling the dream from earlier, she sternly reminded Elijah, ¡°Remember, you¡¯re not allowed to go anywhere these two days. Also, set your phone to the loudest ringtone. As long as it¡¯s my call, you must answer it at once regardless of the time.¡± Elijah remained silent for a moment before softly saying, ¡°Got it. Are you sleepy now?¡± ¡°Not really.¡± ¡°Do you want me to tell you a story?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Are you hungry? Send me your location, and I¡¯ll order somete¨Cnight snacks for you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡± Elijah was at a loss for words. Sheena was such a conversation stopper, and there was no way to continue chatting! Since Sheena could not fall asleep, she let Elijah tell her a story. Elijah found some stupid jokes online and told them one by one. Due to his poor storytelling skills, the atmosphere turned awkward. However, under his hypnotic voice, Sheena unconsciously fell asleep.. The next day, Sheena stuck to the n. However, Barrett stayed at La¡¯Porte Manor the entire day without leaving the house. As the evening approached, Sheena grew impatient and had Howard personally lure him out. After another half an hour of waiting, Barrett finally emerged with Howard. Little did he expect that, just as he stepped out of his mansion, someone struck him on the head with a stick, rendering him unconscious. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Chapter 383 When Barrett woke up again, he found himself tied to a chair and his mouth sealed with duct tape with a table ced in front of him. The surroundings were dimly lit and enclosed, resembling a basement. Confused, he struggled and mumbled through the tape. The basement door opened, and a woman soon approached him. With light makeup and sharp, sparkling eyes, she was a sight to behold. Barrett, after a moment of surprise, stopped struggling and started shouting when he saw her. Sheena observed his reaction, smirking. ¡°Uncle Barret, it looks like you¡¯ve been keeping yourself updated with my recent photos. After so many years, I¡¯ve be quite beautiful, yet you managed to recognize me at first sight.¡± She walked to the chair opposite Barrett¡¯s and signaled Ford. Ford removed the tape from Barrett¡¯s mouth, causing Barrett pain as it pulled on his beard. After taking a moment to recover, Barrett red at Sheena. ¡°I¡¯m your uncle! How could you let Howard trick me out here and then kidnap me? Is this how you treat your elders?¡± Sheena rested her chin in her hand,ughing casually. ¡°Uncle Barrett, it¡¯s not the first day you¡¯ve known I can be unruly. Besides, I have a great attitude! As an elder, you¡¯ve lost your virtue and respect long ago.¡± Barrett squinted at her. ¡°Lost my virtue? I¡¯ve always stayed out of family matters, living as azy, idle man. Where did I lose my virtue?¡± ¡°Uncle Barrett, take a look at this,¡± Sheena said, turning to Ford. Ford handed over Nathaniel¡¯s statement to Barrett. ¡°Uncle Barrett, I won¡¯t make it too difficult for you. Read through Nathaniel¡¯s statement and see if it has anything to do with you.¡± Chapter 384 Chapter 384 Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Barrett carefully read through the statement Ford handed him, his expression suddenly changing. ¡°Oh, Sheena! This has nothing to do with me. How could I possibly want to harm you? Don¡¯t you remember how much I adored you when you were a kid? I even held you! Nathaniel is the head of the Special Investigation Department, and I¡¯m no one. How could I boss him around!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Sheena¡¯s tone shifted. ¡°I heard your son, my dear cousin Keanu, works at the National Affairs Bureau. I wonder if there¡¯s any connection. Should I have Corey look into it?¡± ¡°No! It has nothing to do with him!¡± Barrett eximed. Sheena mmed the table, her gaze turning sharp. ¡°How can it have nothing to do with Keanu? Nathaniel admitted it himself. Do you think a few words from you can deny it? Without Keanu, do you think you could control Nathaniel? Let me guess, is it because of the inheritance?¡± Barrett stared at her sternly, remaining silent. ¡°Because you can¡¯t stand Dad going against the family tradition, insisting on passing the inheritance to me, his most beloved daughter. So, you teamed up with someone to get rid of me first, then gradually take over the Lawson family, right?¡± ¡°Who else is involved in this besides you?¡± Sheena pressed, questioning him relentlessly. However, the more she spoke, the moreposed Barrett appeared¡®. ¡°Sheena, these are just your spection, relying on Nathaniel¡¯s testimony alone to use me. Isn¡¯t that too hasty?¡± Of course, Sheena did not expect him to confess right away, as these people were all cunning and shrewd. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you refuse to admit it. Anyway, I was tricked at a bar not long ago. Someone tried to ruin my face with S40. I don¡¯t like to take things lying down, so I brought one for you too.¡± Ford took out a ss bottle and a special stic brush, cing them on the table in front of Sheena. Barrett asked, ¡°What is this?¡± Sheena grinned mischievously. ¡°This is that S40 corrosive agent. What do you Chapter 384 think? Wouldn¡¯t it look nice if I wrote something on your face with it? What word should I write?¡± Barrett felt a chill running down his spine. ¡°This kind of drug is only avable in warbs! How did you get your hands on it so easily? Corey actually condoned your reckless behavior?¡± Sheena looked pleasantly surprised. ¡°It seems your indifference is just an act. You knew it was a prohibited drug and still im it has nothing to do with you.¡± She coldly opened the ss bottle, delicately stirring its contents with the special brush. ¡°Since you¡¯re stubborn and I can¡¯t get any information from you, let¡¯s skip the questions. Although this bottle only contains sulfuric acid, I bet the pain is quite something.¡± ¡°Sheena! I¡¯m your own uncle!¡± Sheena acted as if she had not heard him, pondering out loud, ¡°You like pretending to be an idler, so why not write that word on you? How about that?¡± ¡°Sheena, you wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? If you have evidence, go ahead and report it to the Lawson family. Tell them I¡¯ve been dead for six years and suddenly resurrected, not only kidnapping you but also writing on your face with sulfuric acid. Do you have the guts to report me?¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± At this point, fear finally crept onto Barrett¡¯s face. Clearly, Sheena had already calcted this situation. How could he publicly use his niece of faking her death? Barrett could only endure the humiliation in silence. ¡°If you can, just kill me! Otherwise, be prepared for trouble!¡± Barrett threatened. Sheena sneered at him. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to do that! After all, you¡¯re an elder. I¡¯ll save your life for when all the evidence is gathered, and I¡¯ll give it all to Dad on a silver tter.¡± She coldly huffed and left the basement. Soon, the pitiful and loud wails echoed from inside. Listening to those agonizing sounds, Sheena felt unusually satisfied, and she even had a great night of sleep after that. Chapter 384 3/3 However, Ford urgently knocked on her door just as Sheena got out of bed early the next morning. His eyes were red, and his voice choked. ¡°Miss, Ian just called to say Mr. Freeman¡­ Mr. Freeman, he¡­¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 385 Chapter 385 Sheena frowned. ¡°What happened to him?¡± ¡°Mr. Freeman¡­ is gone,¡± Ford struggled to say. Sheena froze on the spot. Gone? The person who chatted with her all night and told stories just the night before. How could he be gone when she woke up? Sheena could not believe it. ¡°Gone? What do you mean? Is he ying some kind of trick again?¡± Ford¡¯s voice became more choked. ¡°Ian said Mr. Freeman found out about the man in ck¡¯s n to kill you. He asked Ian to keep it a secret, then went alone to deal with themst night to protect you. But h¨Che didn¡¯te back.¡± Sheena took a step back, her expression shifting from shock to a cynical smile. ¡® Impossible! I don¡¯t believe it. How could that jerk die so easily?¡± Ford remained silent. Seeing Sheena still doubted, he could not hold back his tears and started crying. Sheena scolded Ford, ¡°Why are you crying like a baby? You¡¯re a grown man! If you don¡¯t stop, I¡¯ll deduct half a year¡¯s sry!¡± Upon hearing the sry deduction threat, Ford cried even louder. ¡°Miss, Mr. Freeman is such a good person, yet he¡¯s gone so soon. On top of that, you¡¯re going to deduct my sry! I¡¯m too sad! I just can¡¯t stop these tears!¡± Looking at the tall and burly man crying his lungs out, Sheena could not help but feel a tinge of sympathy. Her eyes turned slightly red too. She took a deep breath and said calmly, ¡°If he just hasn¡¯t returned, there¡¯s still hope. Send people to find him! Whether alive or dead, we need to see it for ourselves.¡± ¡°Miss! Miss!¡± John hurriedly ran to her room. ¡°Lionel called, asking you to return as soon as you¡¯re done. He said Mr. Freeman is waiting for you at Ocean Avenue!¡± ¡°Mr. Freeman didn¡¯t die? Did he go back? He wasn¡¯t injuredst night?¡± Ford sniffed, clearly relieved. Sheena did not say anything. Instead, she looked at John, waiting for him to This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. answer. Chapter 05 John shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Lionel just said this much, but since Mr. Freeman is waiting for you at Ocean Avenue, he should¡¯ve returned safely.¡± Hearing this, both Sheena and Ford breathed sighs of relief. ¡°Pack up, book the earliest flight, and let¡¯s return to Farlem as soon as possible.¡± She wanted to see what Elijah and Ian were up to! ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± The group moved swiftly, boarding the earliest flight back to Farlem. However, by the time they returned to Ocean Avenue, it was nearing evening. Winter had set in, and the sky remained gloomy as if ready to pour down heavy rain at any moment. Despite the biting cold wind, it could not deter Sheena. Once inside the mansion, Ian was nowhere to be found, and the entire ce was silent. Perplexed, Sheena quickly opened the mansion¡¯s door. A chilly breeze blew in from the open windows. The lights were off, and the familiar figure in the kitchen, who greeted her every day and handed her slippers, was absent. ¡°Elijah?¡± Sheena called out, but there was no response. She surveyed the living room, finding nothing. Finally, she noticed a small note on the coat rack. It read, [The weather is getting colder. Even if you¡¯re indoors, remember to wear an extrayer. Your figure is fantastic. Even in an oversized coat, you¡¯re still a beauty.] Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious as she shouted upstairs, ¡°Elijah! What are you up to?¡± The only response was the prolonged silence in the air. Sheena went to his room, where the nket was neatly folded, and the bed was cold. Besides the sound of the chilly wind rustling the thin curtains, the room was eerily quiet. Growing more suspicious, Sheena had a bad feeling and went to the third floor, but Elijah was nowhere to be seen. Chapter 386 Chapter 386 After searching around, Sheena returned to the living room and keenly noticed a sticky note in the fruit basket. [Fruits are rich in vitamins. You should eat more.] There were more notes on the refrigerator, and Sheena walked over to take them down. [Eat more vegetables and carbohydrates. Stop being picky. Mushrooms might not taste good, but they are nutritious. You are too thin. I would still like you even if you were ten pounds heavier.] Sheena went into the kitchen and removed a note from the coffee machine. [Drink less coffee and tea at night. Even when busy with work, remember to rest. My heart aches when I see you staying upte.] Sheena was touched by the messages, but she could not help but find it strange. ¡°Elijah,e out! What are you up to?¡± After waiting a few minutes without any response, Sheena heard a knock at the door. She felt a flicker of relief and turned to open it. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you bring the keys¡­¡± Her words abruptly halted because Lionel was the one standing at the door. He held a porcin jar, tears still fresh on his face, and his eyes were red. Behind him, Logan, Lance, and several men were also in tears. Ford, Paul, and a few bodyguards stood nearby, their expressions somber. Sheena¡¯s heart skipped a beat, a strong sense of foreboding washing over her. Then, she asked coldly, ¡°Where¡¯s Elijah?¡± Lionel looked at the porcin in his arms, his voice filled with sorrow as he replied, ¡°Mr. Freeman is here.¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze followed his nce, and a suspicion formed in her mind, though she refused to believe it. Lionel, tearfully, exined, ¡°Last night, Mr. Freeman secretly went to the abandoned warehouse on the eastern outskirts of the city to deal with the man in ck. Unexpectedly, they had a backup n. They drenched the entire warehouse with gasoline. By the time we arrived, Mr. Freeman was already in the midst of a ze.¡± Lionel could not continue, tears streaming down his face. Everyone was in grief. Sheena, too, was affected by this emotion, and her eyes reddened. Yet, she maintained a cold tone as she sneered. ¡°So, you want to say this is his urn? Do you think I¡¯d fall for such a petty trick?¡± Logan cried even harder, and Lionel struggled to speak through his sobs.¡± Whether you believe it or not, Mr. Freeman waspletely burned in the fire. We couldn¡¯t bear it, so we cremated him. Thinking that he loved you the most, we brought him here before sending him to the Freeman mansion.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Sheena stared at the urn containing Elijah¡¯s ashes, suddenly shing back to the nightmare she had in Svelton, the night when¡­ His eyes reflected sorrow and despair amid the mes, an image that remained vivid in her memory. Sheena never expected it to be true. Trembling, she took the urn from Lionel¡¯s hands. Two tears rolled down uncontrobly. Wiping away her tears, she looked at Lionel with a smirk. ¡°Did you all conspire with him to deceive me? Are you trying to appease me with a jar of ashes, thinking I¡¯d believe it? Even if he¡¯s dead, I want to see the body!¡± ¡°Did he think I¡¯d give him a chance by making me shed a few tears with this method? He¡¯s dreaming!¡± ¡°Ashes, huh? Well, I¡¯ll smash them, scatter them in the wind! Let¡¯s see if he can keep pretending!¡± Sheene eyes were teary, but she maintained an icy expression. She raised the urn high as if about to throw it down. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Lionel, Logan, and the others all kneeled with a thud. ¡°Mr. Freeman is truly gone! Whether you believe it or not, he can nevere back! He already had injuries, and he went therest night knowing he¡¯d die! He died for you!¡± Sheena stared at them in shock. These people had fought alongside Elijah, a bunch of ruthless, tough, and resilient men. Yet now, they were kneeling for this urn of ashes? Chapter 387 Fak Chapter 387 Chapter 387 Finally regaining some rity, Sheena looked down at the porcin urn in her hands. Her hands trembled uncontrobly as she handed the urn back to Lionel, still biting her lower lip and shaking her head with a smirk. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it. If he¡¯s really gone, let hime and tell me himself!¡± ¡°Ms. Sheena¡­¡± ¡°Get out!¡± Sheena snapped, stepping back and forcefully closing the door, shutting everyone outside. Then, she took a deep breath, trying hard to regain herposure and gradually recover her sanity. As Sheena sat on the sofa, she noticed the pile of sticky notes she had taken down earlier. She picked them up again and read through them carefully. There was also the memory of the day Elijah pulled her into his arms before getting into the car and holding her tightly. She had not noticed at the time, but now, thinking back, his eyes seemed a bit red¡­ Did he know this day woulde, so he prepared himself for theirst meeting before she left Farlem? However¡­ She would not believe it until she saw his corpse! She would not believe it! Ian was not at Ocean Avenue because he had gone to the crematorium with Lionel and the others. However, he has returned. When Sheena called him in, he was obviously sad. Sheena sat on the sofa with a nk expression, neither mourning nor shedding tears, very indifferent. When Ian approached, she suddenly stood up and delivered a harsh p to his face. Ian was caught off guard and groaned. He took a step back, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth where he had been cut. He dared not wipe it, just pursed his lips, standing there obediently, enduring Sheena¡¯s wrath. ¡°If this can make you feel better, Miss, then go ahead and beat me to death. I¡¯m drowning in guilt for/causing Mr. Freeman¡¯s death. If I can die in your hands, I might feel a bit better.¡± Sheena red at him, noticing genuine sorrow on his face. Slowly, she retracted Chapter 387 her hand and sat back on the sofa. ¡°What exactly happened?¡± 273 ¡°I was actually sent over to monitor you, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to harm you, and they didn¡¯t want to let me go. Three days ago, they gave me an ultimatum, asking me to lure you to the abandoned warehouse on the eastern outskirts of the city. Mr. Freeman found out about this and told me not to tell you. He said he would go in your ce.¡± As Ian continued, his tears flowed uncontrobly. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect¡­ that he would nevere back. I¡¯m sorry, Miss!¡± ¡°Did he have anything to say to me¡­ before the incident?¡± Sheena asked. Ian thought for a moment and replied, ¡°No.¡± Sheena bit her lip, her eyes somewhat vacant. Ian felt sorry seeing her like this. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, Miss. Go ahead and hit me! Don¡¯t hold it in. Let it out!¡± ¡°Get out. ¡°Miss¡­¡± ¡°Get out of my sight.¡± Ian could not convince her, so he left her alone to calm down. The living room windows were open, letting in a chilly breeze, making Sheena¡¯s face cold to the touch. She stared at the pile of sticky notes on the coffee table, but in her mind, she saw Elijah¡¯s face, his expression of feigned helplessness and vulnerability. Despite his usual cold and aloof demeanor, all she could remember now was his pitiful look. Sheena could not even recall what he used to be like. With this in mind, Sheena rushed to the third floor and retrieved the box on top of the cab in her room. ¡°Where are the photos? Where are the wedding photos? They should be here!¡± Sheena made a mess, searching through the contents, finally finding the half¨Ccut wedding photo with only her smiling face. Elijah¡¯s half had been cut off by her own hands when she decided to retaliate against the Lawson family. Her knuckles were white as she opened her phone¡¯s photo album with trembling hands. She searched for a long time but could not find a single photo of the man she had been married to for three years, the man she had loved for six years¡­ The only thing left was an audio recording. She clicked to y. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 388 Chapter 388 Soon, a maic and deep voice sounded. ¡°I, Elijah Freeman, promise that after the one¨Cyear employment period, I¡¯ll disappear from your world forever.¡± Sheena leaned against the foot of the bed, sliding down to the floor as tears gradually streamed down her cheeks. Elijah had disappeared before the contract was up, and she did not even have time to say goodbye. This night felt exceptionally long. Sheena stayed awake, staring nkly out of the window. She stayed up until her eyes became dry and swollen. Suddenly, there was a knocking sound at her door, and she wiped away her tears. ¡°What is it?¡± John stood outside the door and reported, ¡°Miss, Lionel has already sent Mr. Freeman¡¯s ashes back to the Freeman mansion. The day of Mr. Freeman¡¯s funeral has been set, just three days from now.¡± Sheena was surprised to hear that his funeral would be held so soon. Howard and Lionel helped Faye with the funeral arrangements. When Howard returned from Svelton, he heard about the incident. Since Elijah sacrificed himself for Sheena, Howard felt uneasy. Knowing that Sheena could not handle the guilt, he took the initiative to help her, easing her burden. With Howard¡¯s intervention, Elijah¡¯s death went unnoticed by the media, and the wealthy families in the know dared not gossip, allowing Elijah to have a peaceful passing. The weather in Farlem was bleak for these three days, with constant drizzles and chilling winds. On the funeral day, thunder rumbled loudly, and the atmosphere was cold and gloomy. A torrential downpour mercilessly poured down, casting a somber mood over the entire Farlem. ck umbres stood before the cemetery, giving an eerie and chilling sight from a distance. Only a few people attended, including the rtives of the Freeman family and some closely associated business partners. Chapter 389 E # 1 Everyone approached to pay their respects. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Faye held Elijah¡¯s ashes, crying uncontrobly. Her tears had almost dried up over these three days. If it were not for her determination to see Elijah¡¯s funeral through, she might have passed out by now. Erin was also sobbing, repeatedly calling out Elijah¡¯s name. The air was thick with an overwhelming sense of sorrow. Under the trees outside the cemetery, Sheena, dressed in ck without makeup, her eyes red but calm, closely observed the proceedings inside the cemetery. Her bodyguards had gone inside to mourn Elijah, but Sheena still stood under the tree without an umbre. Despite being soaked by the heavy rain, she still appeared dignified andposed. Howard, keen¨Ceyed, noticed her and walked over with a ck umbre. Seeing her lips turning pale from the cold, he felt sorry for her and took off his suit jacket, attempting to drape it over her. Sheena stopped him, refusing the jacket. ¡°Nana, he¡¯s gone. Why torture yourself? You¡¯ll get sick if you continue like this. If he were still here, he wouldn¡¯t want to see you burdened with guilt,¡± Howard persuaded. Hearing thest sentence, Sheena lowered her hand, allowing Howard to wrap the suit jacket around her. Howard helped her wipe off the wet strands of hair on her face and sighed. ¡°He¡¯s about to be buried. Do you want to say a few words to him before it¡¯s toote?¡± Sheena remained silent and motionless, refusing to step forward. As Elijah was formallyid to rest inside the cemetery, a well¨Cdressedwyer suddenly appeared and handed two envelopes containing his will to Faye. ¡°Madam Freeman, these were instructions from Mr. Freeman to be given to you on the day of his burial. He hoped you would open them immediately and read them privately,¡± thewyer exined. With tear streaks on her face, Faye tremblingly took the two letters. One was addressed to her, and the other had a nk signature line. She opened the first letter. Chapter 388 However, all her grief gradually froze as she read that letter. ¤¤¤¤ 3 Chapter 389 Chapter 389 Amidst the pouring rain, the bodyguards held an umbre for Faye as she walked aside to inspect the letters. No one witnessed the shocked expression on her face as she tightly clutched the letter. With aplex gaze and after a few minutes of dilemma, Faye pocketed the envelope and returned to Elijah¡¯s grave. ¡°Mom, what did Eli say?¡± Erin asked. However, with a lost and troubled look, Faye ignored Erin as if she had not heard the question. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mom? Don¡¯t scare me! What did Eli say to you?¡± Erin reached out to take the envelope from Faye¡¯s hand, but she evaded it. In a state of urgency, Faye fiercely crumpled the opened letter, shoved it into her mouth, and swallowed right before everyone. ¡°Mom, what are you doing!¡± ¡°Madam Freeman!¡± Everyone was stunned by her actions. Yet, Faye offered no exnation. Instead, she ran into the rain, embracing Elijah¡¯s cold tombstone, crying with all her might. ¡°Elijah! My son, you¡¯re so young. How could you leave Erin and me like this¡­¡± Her cries were hoarse, and the grief on her face touched everyone¡¯s hearts. They could not help but feel their eyes welling up. As thedy of a prominent family, Faye had always maintained a dignified demeanor. Still, for the first time, she disregarded her image in front of so many people, openly embracing the tombstone and weeping. Surprisingly, no one found her actions inappropriate. After all, the death of the most promising child of the Freeman family was truly heartbreaking! Sheena, watching from a distance, had red eyes but had not shed a tear. Her expression remained calm. No one saw her fiercely clenching her fists underneath Howard¡¯s suit jacket and her nails piercing into her palms. It was as if her heart was numb, and she could not feel the pain. At the cemetery, Faye nearly fainted from her overwhelming emotions. Luckily, Erin held her,forting her until her emotions gradually calmed down. Chapter 389 2/3 The funeral finally concluded, and business partners, rtives, and friends slowly departed, all in somber spirits. Somemented the sudden loss of a business prodigy, extinguished in the prime of life: Others pitied the Freeman family, now reduced to two women, with the looming threat of Wilfred adding to their woes. When everyone had left, Erin helped Faye leave the cemetery. Erin spotted Sheena under a nearby tree and erupted in anger. ¡°It¡¯s all because of you! You brought misfortune upon Eli! If it weren¡¯t for you, how could he have died? How do you even have the gall to show up here!¡± Sheena remained silent, lowering her gaze. Howard, unable to bear seeing his beloved sister being cursed at, wore a stern expression. ¡°Watch your mouth. Nana was unaware of this, and it was Elijah¡¯s own decision.¡± ¡°Unaware?¡± Erin approached, ring at Sheena with bloodshot eyes. ¡°Is she off the hook with just iming ignorance? Eli sacrificed his life for her! Look at her! Not a single tear was shed for him! She¡¯s just a heartless b-¡± ¡°Erin!¡± Faye intervened before Erin could utter the word. Erin looked at Faye in disbelief. ¡°Mom! She¡¯s the murderer who killed Eli! What¡¯s wrong with me berating her? You also dislike her, don¡¯t you? What¡¯s gotten into you? Why are you defending her?¡± Sheena still kept her head down, offering no retort. Faye, with tear streaks on her face, walked slowly to Sheena, bowing slightly. Erin was dumbfounded. ¡°Mom, do you even know what you¡¯re doing? You¡¯re actually bowing to her?!¡± Ignoring Erin, Faye focused on Sheena, speaking with a heavy tone. ¡°I apologize for Erin¡¯s words. She¡¯s just speaking out of grief, and I hope you can forgive her.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Sheena was somewhat baffled. After all, Faye had always been harsh toward her, so why the sudden change today? ¡°Erin is right. I bear responsibility for his death. Aren¡¯t you angry with me at all?¡± Tears slid down Faye¡¯s face, and she wiped them away with a wry smile. ¡°Mr. Lawson was right. Since he chose this path, he must have loved you deeply. I Chapter 389 Chapter 390 respect his decision.¡± Chapter 390 The words ¡°loved you deeply¡± struck Sheena hard, causing her heart to ache and her nose to feel stuffy. Sheena tightly pinched her palm, determined not to let the tears fall. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Faye then retrieved the nk envelope and handed it to Sheena, saying, ¡°This was meant for you alone. Don¡¯t worry. I haven¡¯t read it.¡± Sheena epted it with trembling hands. Faye added, ¡°Put it aside for now. Take your time to read it when you get back.¡± With that, she and Erin left the cemetery, supporting each other. Sheena carefully tucked the letter into her bag. Once all friends and family had departed from the cemetery, she slowly stepped inside, approaching Elijah¡¯s tombstone. A small photo adorned the gravestone, dampened by the rain. Despite the raindrops, Sheena immediately recognized Elijah¡¯s familiar and cold face. It was her only photo of him, as she could not find any in her phone or the mansion. Now, the only ce she could see him was on his tombstone. Sheena gently wiped away the raindrops from the photo, being patient and tender. This was the only man she had truly loved, and now she could no longer hear him. yfully acting coquettishly with her. Suppressing the urge to cry, Sheena painstakingly removed each water droplet from the photograph. Howard, watching with an aching heart, remarked, ¡°Nana, it¡¯s raining heavily. It won¡¯t be clean no matter how many times you wipe it.¡± With a determined look, Sheena replied, ¡°He doesn¡¯t like the cold and being in the rain. I mustplete thisst task for him.¡± Howard sighed in resignation, handing over his ck umbre. Sheena epted it, opened it, and covered Elijah¡¯s small tombstone. Then, she took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped away every raindrop on the gravestone. ¡°Nana, you still love him a lot, don¡¯t you?¡± Howard asked. Sheena remained silent. Charder 200 She once thought she could decisively let go of her love for Elijah, leaving with grace and determination. If he were still alive, if they had no further connection after the divorce, perhaps they could both find happiness again. However¡­ Fate seemed to enjoy ying tricks on her, and this man died for her. Suddenly, the past hurts seemed trivial, and her heart, burdened with guilt, waspletely overwhelmed by the emotions. Sheena took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions of sadness. He was gone forever. At this moment, what meaning did it have to talk about whether she still loved him or not? Sheena uttered softly, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Howard helped her up, covering her delicate shoulders, and they left the graveyard. Once Howard had dropped Sheena off at Ocean Avenue, she entered Elijah¡¯s room and sat in the recliner he had onceid on, surveying his space. Thinking about the letter he had mentioned being solely for her, Sheena opened her bag, her fingertips gently caressing the texture of the envelope. A few days ago, she believed he had not left a single word for her, but now, it seemed he departed with lingering concerns. Sheena slowly opened the letter. The first line caught her eye¡­ [To my beloved Sheena Lawson,] Sheena was stunned, staring in disbelief at therge letters spelling out her name. He¡­ had known her true identity all along? Chapter 391 Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! im Chapter 391 Even though he had figured out her true identity, he still pretended to be jealous when she intentionally mentioned Howard to provoke him a few days ago! Was he ying with her on purpose? He was quite mischievous! Still somewhat upset, Sheena managed to calm the urge to punch him before continuing to read. [Dear Nana, By the time you read this letter, I may have left you forever. This is thest thing! willingly do for you, so don¡¯t feel guilty or me yourself. I wonder if my death will make you cry for me. I hope you cry, yet I fear you really will because I don¡¯t want to see you in pain. Forget it, don¡¯t cry. Be a happy and carefree little princess of the Lawson family.] Reading up to this point, Sheena suddenly burst into tears. She wiped them away, tried to regain composure, and continued reading. [We met the right person at the wrong time. I was deeply attracted by your clear, sparkling eyes when you saved me from the ident thirteen years ago, and I helplessly fell in love with the ten¨Cyear¨Cold you. Jennifer took credit for the life- saving favor that belonged to you, which became a thorn in my heart. Even if I never touched her, even if she was already dead, I still couldn¡¯t forgive my foolish self. What I regret the most is not recognizing you when you were brought into the Freeman family and not cherishing the three years you were married to me. By the time I wanted to make amends, you no longer loved me. But it¡¯s okay. Even if you treated me like a pet or a servant, being able to see you every day in Ocean Avenue was enough for me. Since realizing I loved you, I became insecure and full of self¨Cdoubt. Your casual smile and gentle words made me feel like I was the happiest man on earth and would be in a great mood for several days. Do you feel satisfied reading this? The once arrogant man is now utterly obsessed with you, begging for even a little bit of your affection. How pathetic and ridiculous. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Yes, I¡¯m afraid of losing you and dare not ask for your love again, yet I secretly hope that you can leave even a tiny ce for me in your heart. I¡¯ve hurt you deeply before, and I don¡¯t deserve your forgiveness. You saved my life, and it¡¯s a debt that can only be repaid with my life. As you rightly said, I¡¯m Chapter 391 undeniably a bad man. I hope you can forget me and find a good man in the future who will cherish, love, and care for you. Yet, at the same time, I hope you¡¯ll remember me forever. Between these two conflicting wishes, I¡¯ve worried and struggled for a long time. In the end, I selfishly chose to use my life to ensure you never forget me for the rest of yours. In the future, please take good care of yourself. Don¡¯t be picky about your food, drink less coffee and tea, remember to rest as work is endless, and wear an extrayer in cold weather. Farewell, my¡­] Thest two words seemed blurred, possibly due to tears, but one could faintly discern the words ¡®true love¡®. Sheena recognized his handwriting, which was usually neat and attractive. However, in this letter, many words were written crookedly, with an unsteady pen, and tears even smudged some. She could not help but wonder in what state of mind Elijah was when he wrote this letter. He must have been heartbroken and deeply saddened. Sheena cried to the point where her heart felt suffocated. Sliding off the chair, she knelt on the ground, clutching her chest, unable to ovee the overwhelming emotions of grief and despair. Why did she fall in love with him? Sheena vividly remembered when she lost her memory and Sebastian brought her into the Freeman family. No one weed her except Elijah. He smiled and said, ¡°This is great. I have one more sister. This ce is your home, and we¡¯re all your family.¡± Although his smile was faint, it was like the winter sun, casting warmth into her heart and making her deeply infatuated with the warmth he provided. Why did he suddenly go from being kind to cold and distant toward her? It all started when Sebastian announced that she would be married to him¡­ Chapter 392 Chapter 392 Sheena shook her head, feeling helpless. Indeed, their timing was off from the beginning. Hot tears slid down her cheeks, smudging the words in the letter. Wiping them away, her gazended on the phrase ¡®ensure you never forget me for the rest of yours¡®. ¡°Elijah! You¡¯re such a jerk!¡± He seeded. In this lifetime, she could never forget him. This fool¡­ Sheena had mentioned that saving him 13 years ago was merely something she did not care about. Yet, he remembered it for a lifetime. Due to this debt, Elijah had jumped off the Clear Crane Bridge despite his weakened state from the modified drug, and at Eros Bar, he shielded her from a corrosive substance. This time, Elijah sacrificed himself to eliminate the man in ck, all for her sake. He saved her time and time again. He no longer owed her; it was she who owed him. Now that he was gone, how could she repay the debt she owed him for the rest of her life? Sheena sobbed quietly, and thest shred of reasoning was destroyed by the letter. Her heart ached so, so much! The pain overwhelmed her, causing uncontroble shivers throughout her body. Finally, Sheena could not hold on any longer, copsing weakly to the ground. The floor was cold, but she seemed oblivious to it, her senses lost except for the heartache that seemed to numb everything. Through teary eyes, Sheena noticed something red under the bed. It was ring, and she wondered what he was hiding underneath the bed. Sheena wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and approached the edge of the bed. She pulled out what was hidden underneath. It was a bloodstained shirt. On closer inspection, Sheena noticed a strong scent of rust on the fabric. Though the blood had dried, the color still seemed fresh. It must have been recent¡­ When did this happen? Chapter 392 Therge bloodstains on the shirt pained her eyes, and she knew that this was more than just an injury from the burn on his back. How could he be hurt so severely? Sheena carefully recounted recent events. The only time Elijah admitted to being injured was when she brought Gabrielle back to Ocean Avenue, and he casually brushed off the incident. Now, thinking back, something was definitely off! She summoned John and ordered, ¡°Contact Lionel, tell him I need to see him! Right now, immediately! Go!¡± Startled by her shout, John almost tripped over himself as he rushed out to find Lionel. Half an hourter, Lionel hurried over. When he entered, Sheena sat on Elijah¡¯s recliner, her eyes vacant, lost in thought. She tightly clutched Elijah¡¯s bloodied shirt. Tear streaks were dried on her face, but her swollen, weary eyes could not hide the pain. Lionel kept his head low, his mood subdued. ¡°Ms. Sheena, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Sheena looked at the bloodstained shirt in her hands, suppressing a sob as she asked, ¡°The day you all went to the abandoned construction site, did you truly encounter people from the Special Investigation Department? Did he get seriously injured?¡± This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Lionel stayed silent. ¡°At this point, just tell me the truth. Your honesty won¡¯t change the oue. I just want to know.¡± Lionel sighed deeply before speaking, ¡°We didn¡¯t encounter anyone from the Special Investigation Department. He lied because he didn¡¯t want you to worry, but he did get severely injured.¡± Sheena frowned. ¡°Then why was he injured?¡° Chapter 393 ¡°Actually, he¡­¡± Chapter 393 Lionel wiped the tears from his swollen eyes and continued, ¡°Mr. Freeman was actually the¡­ captain of the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s Fourteenth Team. That day, an urgent order came from the bureau, something significant enough to warrant his recall. However, he didn¡¯t want to leave without saying goodbye and wished toplete onest task for you. So, he requested a three¨Cday dy, and the injuries he suffered were the consequences of disobeying orders.¡± Internal disruption within the family was serious, and any dy risked the entire structure copsing. There was a constant danger of losing control, and even a one¨Cday dy could lead to the loss of power. This was far from a simple matter. Even so, Elijah willingly epted the punishment for Sheena¡¯s sake, choosing to postpone it for three days. Lionel hid his sympathy and added, ¡°He was whipped thirtyshes until he vomited blood. In the end, the executioner couldn¡¯t bear it and stopped after twentyshes.¡± Sheena looked at the bloodied shirt in her hands, struggling to understand. ¡± What kind of whip was it? How did he end up being injured to this extent and vomiting blood with just twentyshes?!¡± ¡°It was not an ordinary whip. It was a ck whip with gold threads covered in fine barbs. A gentle flick would draw blood, especially from an unrelenting executioner. Eachsh could prate the flesh, and given his burns, the area on his back capable of enduring the punishment was limited. The final five lashes struck his lower back¡­¡± Lionel could not continue, both angry and heartbroken. Sheena could not even imagine the situation, and the pain was coursing through her body at the mere thought. With pre¨Cexisting injuries on his back, how did Elijah withstand such a severe punishment? No wonder he faced trouble this time. He was carrying such heavy injuries and still trying to assassinate the man in ck for her sake. It was simply digging his own grave. Sheena held the blood¨Csoaked shirt tightly, her knuckles turning white, and she felt a lump in her throat. However, Lionel was still present, so she forcefully suppressed the urge to cry. Seeing that Sheena was fully aware of the truth, though visibly distressed, still did not shed a tear, Lionel felt a deep sense of injustice for Elijah. Why did Elijah have to fall for such an unyielding woman? However, as a subordinate and an observer, Lionel had no right to criticize Sheena¡¯s actions. He sighed, trying to maintain a steady tone. ¡°I came here today to bid farewell to you, Ms. Sheena. I¡¯m leaving. I was Mr. Freeman¡¯s subordinate, and now that he¡¯s gone, I have to report to my new superior. I probably won¡¯t return to Farlem. Ms. Sheena, take care.¡± Sheena just stared at him, remaining silent. Lionel lowered his sorrowful gaze and walked toward the door. After taking a couple of steps, he felt a lingering reluctance. ¡°No one is born understanding love. He thought he owed Jennifer a debt, so he forced himself to like her, not realizing he had fallen for you during the three years of marriage. Even when Jennifer approached, he never touched her.¡± ¡°As for the incident when you jumped from the ne, it was all Leon¡¯s scheme, and Elijah had no knowledge of it. He searched the mountains for you for nearly half a month, being hunted by Mr. Corey, only to receive your revenge, humiliation, and torment.¡± ¡®Every time you were in danger, he risked his life to save you. He endured your bullying and abuse without a singleint. He abandoned his pride, spending every day humbly making amends. Are you not¡­ moved?¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Lionel¡¯s words ruthlessly pierced her heart. The pain spread, and there was not a part of her body that did not ache. She bit her lip until it bled, overwhelming guilt and self¨Cme threatening to engulf her entirely. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry¡­¡± As she uttered these words, her voice was hoarse. Lionel sighed again, concealing the strange emotions in his eyes, and left the room, closing the door behind him. Once he was gone, Sheena hugged the blood¨Cstained shirt to her chest, tears streaming uncontrobly, crying until she lost her voice. Sheena suddenly recalled the day they returned from the abandoned factory, and Elijah sat in the car so rigidly. Now, she understood it was because he could not lean back due to the pain. When climbing the stairs, he held onto the railing,, Chapter 23 likely because of the injury on his lower back, each step causing him excruciating pain. Sheena was filled with regret, pounding her chest heavily. Every tear that fell carried indescribable heartache and sorrow. How could he have exposed so many ws if he was not in such extreme pain, enduring the unbearable? Yet, she was oblivious to it all¡­ That night, he endured the intense pain, boldly seekingfort in her arms, captivated by the warmth he found there. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 394 Chapter 394 What had she done? She not only coldly pushed him away but also uttered hurtful words. Lionel was right. She was cruel toward Elijah, and he neverined. Instead, he would set aside all pride just to humbly seek her. He would say, ¡°Please¡­ just let me hold you for a little while, just this once¡­¡± He would plead, ¡°No, I¡¯m begging you¡­¡± Elijah was clearly in pain, his breath unsteady, yet he greedily clung to her embrace, unwilling to let go. Why did he not tell her about the severe injury? Was it because he feared her guilt or worried she might terminate their employment agreement? What a fool. Sheena curled up on the recliner andpletely broke down. ¡°E¨CEli¡­¡± Her voice was now hoarse from crying, silently repeating his name. Sheena thought, ¡®You envied how affectionately I called Nathaniel before. There¡¯s no one else but you in my heart. Can you hear me?¡® She locked herself in Elijah¡¯s room for a full three days, neither eating, drinking, nor sleeping. Despite Ford and the others knocking and trying to persuade her, she ignored them. Even the strongest person would not be able to endure such torment on their body. Ford and the other bodyguards were worried, yet they were helpless. In the end, they had no choice but to call Howard. Howard forcefully kicked open the door to the room. However, the room was empty, and he only heard the sound of dripping water from the bathroom. / Entering the bathroom and switching on the light, Howard found the floor littered with empty liquor bottles, all with high alcohol content. Since when did she manage to clear out the liquor cab? How did Ford and the others not notice? Howard¡¯s gaze ultimately fixed on that delicate figure. Sheena leaned against the wall under the showerhead, still wearing the ck dress she had worn to Elijah¡¯s funeral. Her body was soaked, her eyes swollen from crying, and her face was red, clearly showing signs of distress. Seeing her in this state, Howard could not help but feel his eyes welling up. He approached and embraced her against the wet wall. Only then did he realize she was burning up. ¡°Nana? Nana!¡± Howard gently patted Sheena¡¯s cheek, preparing to carry her out. Sheena woke up, feeling herself lying in a broad embrace. She gripped the man¡¯s sleeve, and through her blurry eyes, she saw a familiar face. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Elijah, is it you? You didn¡¯t die, did you? You¡¯re lying to me again, right?¡± Howard¡¯s heart ached. He softly coaxed her, ¡°Nana, I¡¯m not Elijah. I¡¯m Howard.¡± Not Elijah? She rubbed her eyes, and her vision gradually cleared. Seeing Howard, she broke down in tears again. ¡°Howard! He¡¯s dead! He died for me¡­ He was severely injured, yet he fought desperately for me. I kept pushing him away, hurting him again and again! It¡¯s all my fault. I ruined him. What do I do? How can I repay him¡­¡± Chapter 395 Chapter 395 Howard, seeing her crying so heartbrokenly, could not hold back his own tears. He held Sheena tightly andforted her, ¡°Nana, calm down a bit. This isn¡¯t your fault. Don¡¯t burden yourself with all the responsibility. If you keep tormenting yourself like this, your body will copse.¡± Sheena clutched his sleeve tightly, her mind filled with the nightmare from the day before the incident. Elijah was covered in blood, kneeling in despair in the mes. She could not absorb Howard¡¯s words. Her tears seemed unstoppable. ¡°Howard, I always thought he hijacked the ne to kill me. That¡¯s why I justified hating him and torturing him. I couldn¡¯t listen to any exnations from him. His past actions toward me were just neglect and sarcasm, but the abuse I inflicted on him was real. It¡¯s all my fault. I killed him, and it¡¯s all my fault¡­¡± Howard lifted her tear¨Cstreaked face, gently reminding her repeatedly, ¡°No, Nana, you¡¯re not to me. You didn¡¯t kill him. It was his choice. He¡¯s gone, but your life goes on. Don¡¯t let yourself suffer anymore!¡± ¡°But, Howard¡­¡± She tucked herself into Howard¡¯s embrace, crying incoherently. ¡°I tried to numb myself too. I drank so much, trying to forget these things, trying to regain my sanity, but I couldn¡¯t do it! The more I drank, the more sober I became, and all I could think of was him injured and bleeding. I¨CI¡­¡± She cried until her heart ached, her breath suddenly became rapid, and her consciousness faded, passing out on the spot. ¡°Nana!¡± Howard was terrified and quickly called Ford to get a doctor. Then, he carried her out of the bathroom and sent her back to her own room. Since only men were around, changing Sheena¡¯s clothes and cleaning her body was inconvenient. Hence, Howard had John drive to pick up Auntie Gloria to Ocean Avenue. A group of people surrounded the feverish and unconscious Sheena, bustling around. When the doctor arrived, he administered a fever¨Creducing injection, but Sheena¡¯s body was too weak. After three days of drinking alcohol with high Chapter 395 alcohol content on an empty stomach, her stomach was almost burnt through. Sheena received two full bags of IV drip, and herplexion gradually improved a bit. After a pile of treatment and a group of people working tirelessly for the next 48 hours, the weak figure in the bed finally regained consciousness. Sheena¡¯s head was pounding, and the first word she uttered after regaining consciousness was that name. ¡°Elijah¡­¡± Even though her voice was hoarse, Howard, sitting by her bedside, heard it. He sighed softly while blowing on Auntie Gloria¡¯s freshly prepared chicken soup. ¡°Nana, forget about him. I believe that you¡¯ll encounter someone even better, someone who loves you more in the future.¡± Sheena looked at Howard in disbelief, wanting to refute, but she could not make a sound. She knew that people were practical in this society. How many would sacrifice their lives for another person? Sheena was well aware she would never meet another man who loved her like Elijah did anymore. A pang of pain struck her heart, and Sheena clutched her chest forcefully as her features contorted in agony, beads of cold sweat forming. Howard, aware that she could not ept this reality, continued to offer gentle reassurance. ¡°You¡¯re still young. The days ahead will get better and better. Don¡¯t dwell on these sorrows anymore, okay? Look at yourself since you returned from his funeral; you¡¯ve be so haggard. I feel so sad seeing you like this.¡± ¡°If Dad, Corey, and Noah find out, they¡¯ll be heartbroken too. If not for yourself, at least consider these loved ones who care about you?¡± Sheena turned her face away, staring out of the window, ignoring him. ¡°Come on, Nana, have a sip of the chicken soup. Auntie Gloria put a lot of effort into it, and it tastes great.¡± Howard offered a spoonful to her lips, but Sheena did not take it. Her pale, slightly chapped lips remained tightly sealed. Knowing her stubborn nature, Howard sighed once again, trying a different Chapter 395 approach tofort her.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Chapter 396 Chapter 396 ¡°Since you want to make amends for him, you should recover quickly. With him gone, the Freeman family is left with two struggling women. Though all the Freeman family assets are in your hands now, Wilfred will surely create obstacles. You need to help settle his family.¡± Finally, there was a glimmer of light in Sheena¡¯s eyes. Howard was pleased and continued, ¡°You must get better quickly and think of the best solution. What do you say?¡± She lowered her gaze, engrossed in thought over his words. Quickly, Howard offered the chicken soup to her lips again, gently coaxing, ¡°So, how about drinking some chicken soup now? Nourish your body to handle these matterster.¡± This time, Sheena did not refuse. She drank the soup Howard handed her. Howard was right. Faye and Erin were Elijah¡¯s only rtives, and she had to help settle things for them. As for the Freeman Group, Sheena no longer had the energy to manage it and needed to hand it over to someone in the Freeman family, but it had to be someone she trusted. However, Erin needed some serious discipline. Sheena pondered over the matter. After two days of rest, her body was much better, and her throat gradually recovered. As shey in bed drinking chicken soup one morning, she called Ian into the room. ¡°Miss, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Sheena took a sip of her soup, asking indifferently, ¡°How¡¯s Nathaniel¡¯s situation? ¡°I heard he was sent to a high¨Csecurity prison. I don¡¯t know how long he¡¯ll be serving, but he definitely won¡¯t keep his position as the head of the Special Investigation Department. After all, he stole theb¡¯s prohibited drugs, and it¡¯s not a small matter. Besides, Mr. Freeman was from the National Investigation Bureau¡­¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Sheena paused in her act of drinking her soup. Ian regretfully patted his mouth. Howard had instructed him to avoid mentioning Chapter 396 Elijah¡¯s name in front of her. Sheena concealed her emotions, stirring the bowl, her tone casual as she continued asking, ¡°Any reaction from the Nicholls family?¡± Ian answered, ¡°Mr. Nicholls is just the fourth son of the head of the Nicholls family. He was not in line to inherit the power anyway, and it seems there¡¯s internal strife in the family. They don¡¯t seem inclined to save him.¡± If the Nicholls family was not willing to help, Nathaniel was in a tough spot. Well, he brought it upon himself by hurting Elijah. Sheena shifted her focus and looked at Ian, saying seriously, ¡°Starting today, you¡¯re no longer my bodyguard. You may leave.¡± Ian shuddered, lips trembling. ¡°Miss, are you firing me? Is it because of this incident? Do you still resent me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t resent you.¡± Sheena ced the bowl on the bedside table, her tone consistently calm. ¡°With the situation resolved with the man in ck, there¡¯s no longer a threat to your life. You can leave safely now.¡± ¡°But, Miss, I¡­¡± Ian still wanted to work by Sheena¡¯s side, even if it meant he could only see her. Sheena¡¯s gaze turned icy before he could even say all of that. ¡°Every time I see you, it reminds me of his agonizing death in the fire. It makes me ufortable and suffocated. So, your departure is for the best.¡± ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry about Mr. Freeman¡¯s matter. If you resent me and don¡¯t want to see me, I understand¡­¡± With reddened eyes, Ian requested reluctantly, ¡°Can I still be on duty for onest day today? I promise not to disturb your life again.¡± It was only for a day, and Sheena did not mind it. ¡°Fine.¡± Ian left dejectedly. As soon as he left, Ford rushed in, ¡°Miss, your phone has been on silenttely, so Ms. Peterson hasn¡¯t been able to reach you. She just sent someone to inform you that Wilfred has been causing trouble at the Freeman Group, demanding you forfeit control.¡± Sheena showed no expression, having anticipated this. With Elijah gone and his 45% stake in the Freeman Group without a will, Wilfred would not miss the Chapter 396 chance to create trouble. Chapter 397 Chapter 397 ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll head to the Freeman Group after breakfast.¡± After breakfast, Sheena tidied up her troubled mood and put on light makeup before heading out. Wilfred was still yelling in the CEO¡¯s office. ¡°Why is she avoiding everyone every day? Elijah is dead, and she¡¯s pretending to be sad? Does she think she can escape the Freeman Group¡¯s management right issue this way?¡± ¡°Get her here, now! We must have a resolution by the end of the day!¡± Sarah felt helpless and wished she could smack the cunning man in the face. However, the rule ofw reminded her to stay calm in public. ¡°Mr. Wilfred, Ms. Sheena has been sick recently. There¡¯s no need to be so aggressive¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, the door opened. Sheena, in a tight ck dress and light makeup, entered. Her face, alluring yet reserved, carried a cold, proud gaze as always. Without even looking at Wilfred, she walked to the CEO¡¯s chair and sat down. ¡°Speak.¡± With a tone devoid of any emotion, the one word changed Wilfred¡¯s attitude instantly. He smiled and took a seat across from Sheena. Last time, he was forced to consume thirty bottles of those little things, tortured for ten full days in excruciating pain. Hence, he dared not be too aggressive. ¡°Ms. Sheena, my beloved nephew passed away at such a young age, and I¡¯m deeply saddened. I¡¯ve also lost my appetite these days, but business is business¡­¡± ¡°Get to the point.¡± Sheena frowned, showing her displeasure. ¡°He¡¯s gone, and the Freeman family is the only shareholder in the Freeman Group. So, shouldn¡¯t his shares go to me?¡°. ¡°Who said that?¡± Sheena gave him a disdainful look. ¡°Are you dumb? You¡¯re just his dad¡¯s brother, his uncle. His mother is his direct rtive. Even if shares were to be distributed, it wouldn¡¯t involve you, not when Faye¡¯s in line.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Despite the mockery, Wilfred was not angered. ¡°Faye isn¡¯t good at managing thepany. Look at what she did to the Freeman Group before. Chapter 397 Giving her shares would only destroy the Freeman Group. Plus, considering how she treated you before, are you really willing? I¡¯m different. I can help you. Besides, I¡¯ve repented and won¡¯t go against you again in the future!¡± Sheena sneered. ¡°What a sweet¨Ctalker. You just want to be the majority shareholder and control the Freeman Group, right?¡± Wilfred did not respond. Securing control was a definite goal for him. After all, he could not let the Freeman Group fall into the hands of outsiders. Knowing Sheena was not easy to deal with, he had originally nned to adopt a more indirect strategy, taking one step at a time. Sheena was uninterested and cut to the chase. ¡°If you want it, just say it. Don¡¯t try to fool me with nonsense. Whether you can get control from me depends on your ability.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Wilfred¡¯s face turned grim, remaining silent for a moment. He knew Sheena was intelligent, and now that she was aware of his intentions, she would only be more wary. ¡°How about this, since you also think Faye should get Elijah¡¯s shares, let¡¯s have here over today and sign the transfer agreement under thewyer¡¯s witness? ¡°1 What could Faye do with those shares? Sooner orter, he could convince her to hand them back to him. As long as the shares did not end up in Sheena¡¯s hands, everything would be fine. Sheena smirked. She was about to respond when the office door was pushed open. Faye, a stark contrast to her low spirits of the past few days, walked into the office with the grace of a noblewoman. Seeing her, Wilfred was delighted. ¡°Oh, we were just talking about having youe over to sign a document. What a coincidence.¡± Sheena remained indifferent, hands in her pockets, leaning against the office chair. She wanted to see what kind of drama these two would perform. As Faye approached, Wilfred stood up to offer her a seat. Faye, equallyposed, gracefully sat down, and addressed Wilfred, ¡°The distribution of Elijah¡¯s shares is not something for you and me to decide.¡± Chapter 398 hapter 398 ¡°Faye, what do you mean?¡± Wilfred¡¯s face stiffened. ¡°I brought Mr. Winter with me. Elijah made a will before he left, and since everyone¡¯s here today, it¡¯s a good time to read it formally,¡± Faye exined. Thewyer, Axel Winter, ced a sealed parchment bag on Sheena¡¯s clean and tidy desk. Sheena nced at it. Elijah had made a will? ¡°Since it¡¯s a will, and I¡¯m no longer part of the Freeman family, sitting here as an onlooker seems unnecessary. You can continue,¡± Sheena said, moving to stand 1. up. Faye stopped her, saying, ¡°Stay. You are mentioned in Elijah¡¯s will, so you need to be present.¡± Sheena was stunned. He had mentioned her in the will? She steadied her emotions and sat back down. Once Sheena settled, Faye signaled to Axel. ¡°Go ahead.¡± Axel nodded. Under the gaze of the three, he opened the parchment bag and retrieved the will. ¡°I, Elijah Freeman, hereby dere this will to address the distribution of my personal property after my death.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Just hearing the beginning made Sheena¡¯s heart ache, and her eyes reddened. She clenched her hands tightly, listening quietly. Faye, too, had tears in her eyes, while Wilfred also showed a sorrowful expression. In the extremely heavy atmosphere, Axel continued, ¡°I hereby allocate the following properties, including main residences and shares, to the respective individuals: Awana Heights on Cloudtopia. Street, Clear View Courtyard in Crane District, Golden Bay Apartment on Aquajoy Road, and seven other properties, all to be inherited by my ex¨Cwife, Ms. Sheena. In addition, the 45% of the shares in the Freeman Group I held go to my ex¨Cwife, Ms. Sheena.¡± As Axel finished reading, Faye wiped away tears with a tissue. Sheena felt a heart¨Cwrenching pain. Elijah had given her all his property. Chapter 398 Was this his way of saying she was the only attachment he had in this life? Did he not care about Faye and Erin¡¯s life and death? However, Wilfred¡¯s anger erupted on the spot. ¡°What? I disagree!¡± His face grim, and he protested loudly, ¡°Giving all the properties to the ex¨Cwife is fine, but how can he casually give 45% of the Freeman Group¡¯s shares to an outsider? The Freeman Group was my dad¡¯s lifelong effort. This is unfilial! He doesn¡¯t even respect his own grandfather!¡± If 45% of the shares were truly given to Sheena, she would hold 85% of the major shares, making it challenging for him to sabotage her. Sheena kept her head lowered, neither refuting nor speaking. She was never adept at the real estate industry. In the past few days, she had already been mentally exhausted from shuttling between the Freeman Group and Angle Group. Just when she was contemting handing over the Freeman Group, Elijah posed a significant challenge by burdening her with the entire responsibility of the Freeman Group. Amid Wilfred¡¯s questioning, Faye wiped away her tears and spoke with a heavy heart, ¡°Making a will is Elijah¡¯s right to make independent decisions. Since Elijah has decided this way, as a mother, I respect his choice.¡± ¡°Faye, are you out of your mind? Shares are no trivial matter!¡± Wilfred was infuriated. Yet, with an indifferent attitude, Faye said, ¡°Wilfred, don¡¯t bother arguing. If it¡¯s not yours, no matter how much you fight, you won¡¯t get it.¡± Wilfred was fuming. ¡°What a useless bunch! Let¡¯s see how you¡¯ll exin to my dad and brother in the afterlife!¡± With a disdainful snort, Wilfred angrily left. Faye let him curse at her without showing any anger. Sheena looked at her in surprise. Since Elijah¡¯s funeral, Faye had transformed. Not only did she frequently speak up for Sheena, but she also handled situations more calmly than before. ¡°If you hide Elijah¡¯s will and don¡¯t read it, his shares would be yours. It¡¯s 45% of the shares. Aren¡¯t you¡¯tempted even a little?¡± Sheena asked, intrigued. Faye smiled faintly. ¡°I simply don¡¯t have that capability. The Freeman Group is better off in your hands.¡± Chapter 398 Sheena narrowed her eyes, silently observing Faye. ¡°Madam Freeman, you¡¯ve changed a lot all of a sudden. You never used to speak to me so calmly. Did Elijah tell you something through that letter at the funeral?¡± Chapter Chapter 399 Chapter 399 N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Faye was momentarily stunned. She lowered her head, eyes slightly avoiding Sheena¡¯s gaze, and forced a wry smile. ¡°He¡­ didn¡¯t say much. He just told me to take good care of you.¡± Sheena furrowed her brow, her expression stern, clearly not buying Faye¡¯s words. Faye continued, ¡°Actually, his death isn¡¯t your fault at all. It¡¯s all my fault. If I hadn¡¯t been so harsh on you and treated you better, maybe you wouldn¡¯t have been so disheartened to seek a divorce, and he wouldn¡¯t have fought so hard to salvage the rtionship.¡± Faye could not go on, tears streaming down her face again. Sheena handed her a tissue box, her eyes reddening once more. Holding back her tears, she said, ¡°Regardless of whether you¡¯re sincere this time, I¡¯ll personally go to the Freeman Mansion and return it to you the day after tomorrow.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Faye cried even harder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You¡¯re such a good girl. It¡¯s my loss for not appreciating you in the past. I¡¯m truly sorry!¡± Sheena sighed, her tone calm. ¡°I don¡¯tck money nor a ce to live. So you don¡¯t need to thank me. Between us, Elijah¡­ had paid the price for everything.¡± Feeling even guiltier, Faye trembled as she cried. Seeing her in such distress, Sheena walked over, gently patting her back to soothe her, and added, ¡°By the way, I ept his will, but I don¡¯t have the energy to manage the Freeman Group anymore.¡± Faye stopped crying, looking up at Sheena. ¡°What do you n to do then?¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze was determined. ¡°If you trust me, you have to steel yourself.¡± ¡°What do you want to do?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll find out the day after tomorrow.¡± Faye met her gaze, a mix of skepticism and faint anticipation in her heart. Now, she truly regretted pushing away such a good daughter¨Cinw. However, no matter how much she said, it would not change anything. In the following two days, Sheena arranged for Farlem¡¯s best etiquette instructor, along with Ford and four bodyguards, to apany her to the Freeman Mansion. Chaoter Faye and Erin were still wearing servant uniforms at the Freeman Mansion when Sheena arrived, and they were engaged in cleaning duties. During this period, the two had kept a low profile, and the other servants who used to vent their frustrations on them had eased up a bit. Seated in the main position of the living room, Sheena sipped her tea, and on the coffee tabley the property transfer agreement for the Freeman Mansion. When Faye entered, Sheena gestured for her to sit on the small sofa beside her. As Erin came in, she immediately started barking at Sheena, ¡°You bitch! How dare youe to the Freeman Mansion! Our current situation is all because of you! You jinx! You¡­¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Faye sternly scolded her. Erin, feeling frustrated, retorted, ¡°Mom, what¡¯s gotten into youtely? What¡¯s wrong with me scolding her a bit? Why are you always taking her side? Are you still my mom?¡± Faye sighed heavily, disappointed with Erin¡¯s attitude, and chose to ignore her. Sheena remained unruffled and calmly said, ¡°You can curse if you want. After I finish, you can have your fill of it.¡± Erin was surprised that Sheena allowed her to curse freely. She grumbled, ¡°What do you want to say?¡± Sheena nced at the documents on the table and exined, ¡°I can return the Freeman Mansion to you, and I can even transfer 40% of my shares in the Freeman Group to you, reserving the remaining 45% for your future children.¡± Erin listened, stunned. ¡°Are you really this generous?¡± ¡°But I have my conditions. The shares will only be transferred to you once you¡¯re capable of managing the Freeman Group. Madam Freeman will sign the transfer agreement for the Freeman Mansion after you fulfill all those conditions.¡± Chapter 400 Chapter 400 ¡°As expected, I knew you wouldn¡¯t be genuinely generous.¡± Erin rolled her eyes. But what are your conditions?¡± ¡°First, your spouse cannot be one of those wealthy heirs. Find a humble and honest ordinary man to marry into the Freeman family, and any children you have, regardless of gender, will bear the Freeman surname and be recorded in the Freeman family ancestry.¡± ¡°Second, your manners arecking, but worry not, for I¡¯ve arranged a noble etiquette teacher for you. During this time, I¡¯ll personally oversee your training.¡± ¡°Third, once you improve your manners, I¡¯ll help you secure a position within the Freeman Group. You¡¯ll learn about operations and management, and when you¡¯re capable of handling projects independently, the shares will be transferred to you.¡± Erin was left dumbfounded after hearing about the conditions. ¡°Are you kidding me? I can¡¯t meet any of these three conditions! Why do you have such strict control over me?¡± Sheena casually responded, ¡°If you can¡¯t do it, forget I mentioned it.¡± She stood up, ready to leave. ¡°Wait!¡°¡®Faye called out, and she turned to Erin, attempting to persuade her earnestly. ¡°Erin, all of this is for you and the good of the Freeman family. Your brother is gone, and the Freeman family is without an heir. Getting a husband to marry into our family would be the best solution. Besides, I also agree that you¡¯re too willful and need proper guidance.¡± Sheena¡¯s posture stiffened, and her gaze dimmed. The phrase ¡®your brother is gone, and the Freeman family is without an heir¡® struck her, making her feel a pang of heartache. She instinctively touched her belly. Even though she had been married to Elijah for three years, and despite one intimate encounter on the night before their divorce, she had not be pregnant. However, considering her mindset and personality at the time, even if she had conceived, she would have unhesitatingly chosen to terminate the pregnancy. Faye noticed Sheena¡¯s expression and realized her mistake. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry! I got carried away educating Erin and neglected that you were here.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, please continue,¡± Sheena replied, easing her emotions and sitting Chapter 400 back on the sofa. 2/2 Faye, with a hint of apology in her eyes, took a moment before looking back at Erin. ¡°Erin, the fact that you and I can still live in the Freeman mansion is all thanks to Sheena. If you refuse, she¡¯ll kick us out. We¡¯re penniless, and we¡¯ll be forced to sleep under a bridge. Do you want that to happen?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Erin¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°No! I don¡¯t want to sleep under a bridge!¡± If she were evicted, her socialite friends would definitely humiliate her. Nheless, agreeing to Sheena¡¯s conditions offered a chance to continue her previousfortable lifestyle. Erin hesitated, then said, ¡°Okay, I agree to your terms.¡® Sheena shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not agreeing. It¡¯s unconditional obedience.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll unconditionally obey your terms, okay?¡± Satisfied, Sheena nodded and introduced the etiquette teacher to Erin. Then, she continued, ¡°I have two more gifts for you.¡± John and Sawyer, each holding a square box and appearing very dignified, approached Erin. Erin was baffled. Sheena stood up and opened the first box. ¡°This is a manual on polite conversation. I¡¯ll give you a week to memorize the entire book. Moreover, you can¡¯t dy the etiquette teacher¡¯s sses, and I¡¯ll be checking on you.¡± Erin stared wide¨Ceyed at the thick book, which was the thickness of her pinky finger. ¡°You want me to memorize this entire thick book in seven days?! Are you insane?¡± ? ? ? Ignoring her, Sheena opened the second box. It contained a high¨Cquality rosewood ruler, sturdy and with excellent coloring. ¡°If you can¡¯t memorize it, this will help you remember. I don¡¯t like using this method to teach, but you¡¯ve left me no choice. From now on, every mistake you make will be corrected by this.¡± Chapter 401 Chapter 401 Erin looked at her in shock, then nced at the ruler. Subconsciously, she took a step back. ¡°You bitch! You¡¯re clearly trying to use this to torment me! You¡¯re not genuinely nning to return the Freeman mansion and the Freernan Group to us. I refuse! I absolutely won¡¯tply! Forget about it.¡± Sheena remained cold and indifferent, twirling the ruler in her hand. ¡°You just said you would unconditionally obey. Now, it¡¯s not up to you.¡± Ford and Paul swiftly approached as she finished speaking, restraining Erin¡¯s shoulders. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing!¡± Erin¡¯s eyes gradually filled with fear, shouting, ¡°You¡¯re trying to scare me, right? Do you think I¡¯m afraid of you? I won¡¯t submit to you, you bitch, even if I die!¡± Sheena gripped the ruler and walked closer to her. ¡°Enjoyed calling me a bitch? Youck any trace of the qualities of an heiress. Today, I¡¯ll teach you some manners.¡± ¡°What are you doing? You want to hit me? Bitch! I dare you to touch me!¡± Sheena scoffed, shaking her head. How foolish! Erin still could not distinguish the situation. Continuing to curse would only further enrage her. Well, it was an excellent opportunity to assert authority. ¡°Since you entered the living room, how many vulgar words did you say?¡± Erin was bewildered. She had cursed spontaneously, so she had not been counting. Ford replied, ¡°Miss, a total of five curse words.¡± Sheena gave the ruler a little flip. ¡°Two strikes for each word. I won¡¯t hit you too much today, just ten hits on the hand.¡± ¡°No! Why do you have the right to hit me? I¡¯ve been pampered since childhood. My mom and dad wouldn¡¯t dare toy a single finger on me! Who do you think you are!¡± Erin was terrified, unable to imagine how painful it would be when the ruler hit her palm. She struggled frantically, shouting. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Chapterdet ¡°Mom, save me! She¡¯s going to kill me! Mom!¡± Faye felt heartbroken, but for Erin to truly change her spoiled and unruly behavior, she had to steel herself. She turned away, ignoring Erin¡¯s cries for help. Erin watched helplessly as her wrist was forcibly held by the bodyguards, her arm resisting in vain against their strength. Sheena held Erin¡¯s fingertips, exposing her palm vulnerably to the air. She still wanted to continue cursing, but Sheena gave her a cold nce. ¡°This time is just ten strikes. If you can¡¯t control your mouth and dare to curse again, I¡¯ll use the ruler on your mouth next time. Do you want to try again?¡± When Sheena was angered, there was no telling what she would do. When it came to using the ruler on the mouth, Erin feared for her face! Erin felt tense, her fear evident as she swallowed hard, biting her lip to refrain from speaking recklessly. Seeing her being much calmer, Sheena wasted no time, and she firmly wielded the ruler onto Erin¡¯s exposed palm. ¡°Ah! It hurts! Stop! Mom, save me! She¡¯s going to kill me!¡± Erin shivered in pain, tears streaming down like a waterfall as she screamed at the top of her lungs. Using her full strength and martial arts foundation, Sheena quickly inflicted swelling and bruising on Erin¡¯s once delicate palm. Her expression remained cold and unfeeling as she relentlessly delivered four strikes. Erin¡¯s cries grew hoarse, tears turning her into a sobbing mess, her arm trembling from the intense pain. Only five strikes were dealt to her left palm, yet it transformed from fair and tender to a swollen shade of purple and red. Hearing the swishing sound of the ruler, Faye could not bear it and cried along She fought the impulse to intervene several times, eventually burying herself ir the sofa, feigning ignorance. Sheena showed no mercy and switched to Erin¡¯s right hand, dealing five more harsh strikes. After the punishment, Ford and Paul finally released Erin from their restraint. Chapter 402 Chapter 402 This was the first time Erin was punished physically. Her legs trembled, unable to maintain her bnce, causing her to tumble to the floor. Instinctively, she wanted to support herself, but the pain in her palms shot through her. She cried uncontrobly, struggling to catch her breath. Faye rushed to her side, offering support and checking the wounds on Erin¡¯s palms. Sheena, with an unwavering stern expression, ced a box of anti- inmmatory ointment on the table. ¡°Remember the rules well. I don¡¯t tolerate any defiance. In seven days, I¡¯ll check your progress. Feel free to challenge me again if you haven¡¯t learned your lesson.¡± Huddled in Faye¡¯s embrace, Erin found no way to confront Sheena and could only cry. This woman was ruthless, like a relentless demon haunting her¡­ Seeing Erin silenced, Sheena¡¯s demeanor softened slightly, satisfied with the result. It seemed that actions were indeed louder than words. The millennia¨Cold education methods still proved to be effective. Then, Sheena ordered the ruler to be ced on Erin¡¯s dressing table, a daily reminder upon waking up. With the rules established, Sheena instructed Faye to sign the property transfer agreements. Ignoring Erin on the floor, Sheena left. In these seven days, Erin, intimidated by the punishment, obediently memorized the entire book. Despite some stumbles and inuracies during the inspection, she recited it reasonably well. Sheena did not purposely make it hard for her, adhering to the strictest standards, and administered ten strikes, leaving Erin in pain and frustration. Clutching her swollen hands, Erin cried out, ¡°You¡¯re heartless! All you do is bully me. I hate you!¡± Sheena allowed her to vent. ¡°Not bad. Yourints are more civilized now, but I bet you¡¯ve been cursing me with filthy words in private, haven¡¯t you?¡± Erin fell silent, ring at Sheena with resentment. Of course, she could not resist muttering a few bad words every time she used the bathroom or before bedtime, cursing Sheena now and then! Sheena, noticing Erin¡¯s expression, understood it all too well. She gathered all the mansion¡¯s staff and said, ¡°Starting today, everyone is allowed to monitor Erin. If she uses foulnguage, report it for a reward dors each time.¡± The eyes of the staff gleamed with interest. -150 Erin¡¯s situation took a turn for the worse. From that day forward, everyone. discreetly watched her every move. Even during etiquette sses, several staff members quietly listened in. Initially, Erin was furious and could not resist hurling curses at the staff, earning them rewards. Sheena, true to her word, did not hesitate to administer punishment. Erin¡¯s hands swelled and stayed that way for weeks. She could not even remember the original color of her palms. During meals, she struggled to hold a spoon. Faye, still compassionate, spoon¨Cfed her a couple of times, only to be sternly stopped by Sheena. The spoiled behavior simply could not be indulged! Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Although Erin felt aggrieved, she had been thoroughly intimidated by Sheena. Before speaking, she would think twice. As the days passed, the number of beatings she received reduced. The Fourth of December arrived. Farlem weed its first heavy snowfall, nketing the city in enchanting white. Sheena, draped in a white fox fur coat paired with a darkce gown, looked elegant and regal. She intentionally cut several beautiful red flowers, visited the cemetery, and tended to Elijah¡¯s grave. Elijah¡¯s tombstone was covered in snow. Sheena patiently cleared it away and spoke tenderly to him. ¡°Eli, who would¡¯ve thought Farlem¡¯s first snow would fall exactly one month after your burial? It¡¯s been so cold these days. I wonder if it¡¯s cold where you are. Chapter 403 Chapter 403 Sheena sat beside the gravestone, her head gently resting against it as if nestled in his embrace. ¡°During this time, Erin has be more obedient. I¡¯ve enrolled her in the Freeman Group for learning. You¡¯ve given me the shares of the Freeman Group, but I don¡¯t have the energy to manage it anymore. Once she can handle projects independently, I n to let go gradually,¡± Sheena shared softly. ¡°Eli, my days. have be so dull without your daily antics.¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Lately, I keep dreaming of you. In my dreams, you tell me you didn¡¯t really die, that it was a deliberate act to see how important you are to me¡­ If only that were true,¡± Sheena continued, her voice barely audible. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she closed her eyes, cradling his cold gravestone as if holding onto his sturdy waist, snuggling into his embrace to sleep. Sheena sent John and Sawyer to wait at a gazebo fifty meters outside the cemetery, and they could not see what was happening from their spot. An hour passed, and Sheena still had not emerged. John grew restless and, holding an umbre, headed toward the cemetery. As he approached, he was subtly moved by the scene before him¨CSheena leaning against the gravestone, her features serene, as if she were asleep. She had no umbre, and her head and body were covered in snow. Yet, Sheena seemed calm, exuding a unique and poignant beauty. John knew that despite her tough exterior, Sheena cared deeply for Elijah. Unfortunately, Elijah was gone, and it was toote to say more. Lionel had also left, bidding farewell to the bodyguards before departing, iming he might never return to Farlem. John sighed softly, missing the days when they all used to y cards together. He gathered his thoughts and quickly approached Sheena, offering her his umbre, and brushing off the snow on her. ¡°Miss, it¡¯s gettingte, and we should go back. You still have to check on Ms. Freeman¡¯s progress this afternoon,¡± John suggested. Sheena slowly opened her eyes, leaving the cemetery without saying a word. Back at the Freeman Group, Erin stood obediently in the office, waiting. Since the heating was on, Sheena removed her fur coat and walked directly to her office chair. Trembling with fear, Erin handed over the proposal she had spent the entire night working on. Sheena epted it and carefully went through it. She circled areas with a pen dipped in red ink, delivering cruel judgments as she went. ¡°There¡¯s a mistake here. This sentence is tooplicated and unclear. I¡¯ve emphasized that proposal language must be concise, straightforward, and preferably easily understood. Also, there are misspellings here and here. You need to double¨Ccheck every time you finish writing. No shortcuts¡­¡± Sheena critiqued. As Erin listened, her heart grew colder. Pouting, she spread her palms and offered them, saying, ¡°I understand. Next time, I¡¯ll pay more attention. Go ahead and hit me.¡± Sheena looked at Erin in surprise. She found Erin with her head down, staring at her toes, nervously gulping. When Sheena opened the drawer, Erin tensed, expecting the imminent pain. However, to her surprise, there was no anticipated pain. Erin skeptically opened her eyes and found Sheena cing a chocte candy in her palm. ¡°I won¡¯t hit you today. It¡¯s praiseworthy that you took the initiative to admit your mistake for the first time. This is your reward.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Erin, hearing she would not be punished, could not have been happier. When she looked at Sheena, she suddenly found her much more likable. ¡°Thank you, Sheena! You¡¯re really great! I¡¯ll be better!¡± ¡°Sure, now go.¡± Erin happily walked away, holding the candy. Sheena watched her departing figure, shaking her head in resignation. She had not raised a child before, and being the youngest daughter in the family, shecked experience in educating Erin. However, she had seen how others do it. For example, Corey had treated her this way before¨Cnot too strict, not too lenient. A good bnce of discipline and reward was the most effective approach. Chapter 404 bnce of discipline and reward was the most effective approach. Chapter 404 Two monthster, Erin¡¯s progress in learning was not rapid, but it was sincere. Sheena reviewed her proposal, finding almost no errors, which pleased her. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Very good. Next time, I¡¯ll assign you a project to work on independently.¡± Erin nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do my best, but. She hesitated. ¡°But what?¡± ¡°Can I apply not to work overtime tonight? I have ns to go out for dinner¡­¡± Her voice grew softer as she continued, her cheeks slightly reddening. ¡°Oh, a date?¡± Sheena noticed Erin¡¯s unusually refined appearance today, and at knowing smile crossed her face. ¡°Is it a guy?¡± Blushing, Erin bit her lip and nodded. ¡°What¡¯s he like? His background? And you remember my conditions, right?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s from an ordinary family, but he¡¯s been really good to me during this time, helping me a lot at work. And¡­ he¡¯s quite handsome. But, you know, we¡¯ve just started dating, so it¡¯s not that stable yet.¡± Feeling embarrassed, Erin added, ¡°Anyway, I have to get back to my desk.¡± Sheena chuckled softly, acknowledging Erin¡¯s departure. If the guy could help Erin at work, it seemed he was an employee of the Freeman Group. Sheena called Sarah and privately had her investigate. To her surprise, the person was Julius Mason, an employee of the nning department, just like Erin. Sheena was astonished because both Julius and Sarah were people she had brought in from Dark Bell, specifically nted in the Freeman Group to work for her. Thus, in terms of character, she trusted himpletely. The next workday, Sheena quietly called Julius into her office. ¡°Did your date go wellst night?¡± Julius, looking a bit sheepish, rubbed the back of his head. ¡°Miss, you already know?¡± ¡°Do you genuinely like Erin?¡± Julius nodded earnestly. ¡°I heard about the conflicts between her and you before. Initially, when she entered the Freeman Group, I intended to help you keep her in check. However, as we spent time together, I realized she¡¯s just a bit stubborn, probably spoiled by her family. Sometimes, she¡¯s quite adorable. I genuinely like her.¡± ¡°Alright, you can go back to work.¡± Sheena refrained from intervening too much in Erin¡¯s love life, but their rtionship remained stable. Three monthster, Erin and Julius celebrated a grand wedding ceremony at the Isley Church in Farlem. On the same day, Sheena transferred 40% of her shares in the Freeman Group to Erin. Before the ceremony, business partners and high¨Cprofile CEOs gathered on thewn near the towering cake table, sipping champagne and engaging in casual conversations. Sheena, who usually disliked such asions, sat at a quiet table with Skye, savoring champagne. The Moore family was also among the guests, and when Vanessa and Kennedy arrived, they sought out Sheena for a chat. Having not seen them for a while, Sheena keenly noticed that Hannah was not present this time. With a helpless smile, Vanessa exined, ¡°That child is quite stubborn in matters of the heart. No matter how Kennedy and I advise her, she doesn¡¯t listen. As soon as her leg healed, she ran off to Luivine.¡± Luivine? Sheena smiled withoutmenting. It seemed that Hannah truly wanted to be her sister¨Cinw. Noah had encountered a formidable opponent this time, but it depended on whether Hannah could win over her brother. Vanessa exchanged nces with Kennedy, who made an excuse and joined Skye in socializing nearby. Once Skye left, Vanessa approached Sheena and whispered very softly, ¡°I heard you gave Erin 40% of the shares. Considering how her family treated you before, aren¡¯t you afraid she¡¯ll secure her position and then turn against you?¡± Sheena casually smiled, ¡°Afraid of what? If I can give it, I can take it back anytime.¡± Besides, with Sarah and Julius keeping an eye on things, even if Erin and Faye were acting in front of her, they could not outsmart her. Knowing about Elijah¡¯s passing, Vanessa expressed a gentle regret and then inquired, ¡°I see you¡¯ve given away the Freeman Group. It seems Angle¡¯s side is also undergoing a transition. Are you nning to be aid¨Cback boss, collecting money, and enjoying life at home?¡± Sheena shook her head lightly. ¡°Once I wrap up things here, I n to leave Farlem.¡± ¡°Leave? Where are you going?¡± Vanessa asked, surprised. Sheena met her gaze. Chapter 405 ¡°Svelton.¡± Chapter 405 Vanessa was slightly surprised, but seeing Sheena¡¯s determination, she refrained from saying anything to dissuade her. ¡°Well, a change of ce can bring a change of mood. How long do you n to stay away? Will you come back?¡± Vanessa asked. Sheena pondered for a moment before replying, ¡°I¡¯m not sure how long, but I probably wille back.¡± Perhaps once she exposed the individuals from the Lawson family who harmed her, she might return to Farlem. After all, Farlem was closer to Elijah. As the two chatted, the wedding ceremony officiallymenced. Erin, adorned in a snowy white designer wedding gown with gorgeous makeup, walked slowly down the aisle from the end of the red carpet. Standing next to the priest, Julius gazed affectionately at her. Their eyes met, brimming with love for each other. Under the priest¡¯s witness, theypleted the most significant ceremony of their lives. Faye was moved to tears, and even Sheena¡¯s eyes welled up. When she married Elijah, there was no ceremony, no witnesses, and no one to share their joy. They had simply gone to register their marriage, and Elijah, under Sebastian¡¯s pressure, reluctantly took a wedding photo with her. Now, seeing Erin and Julius tie the knot, Sheena felt mixed emotions. She could not help but wonder if she would have the chance to wear a wedding dress again. After the wedding, Sheena carefully selected several beautiful white roses and went to the cemetery the next day. However, this time, she was there to bid farewell. Following the routine of the past six months, she began by cleaning the thin dust and fallen leaves from Elijah¡¯s tombstone. Gently caressing the photo on the stone, she meticulously traced the man¡¯s features, etching them into her memory. ¡°Eli, I¡¯m leaving. I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be back to visit you again.¡± Chapter als ¡°Things in Farlem are almost settled. The people who harmed me now know I¡¯m here, and as long as I¡¯m alive, they¡¯ll keep causing trouble. Instead of that, I¡¯d rather §Õ§à back to Svelton and confront them head¨Con!¡± Her eyes shed with determination, but in an instant, she tenderly leaned her head against Elijah¡¯s gravestone. ¡°I miss you so much. Every time Ie to see you, I feel like crying. But you said you wanted me to be a happy and carefree little princess of the Lawson family, so 1 try my best to hold back the tears.¡± ¡°Lately, I¡¯ve been dreaming of you less and less. I don¡¯t know why. But you can rest assured, from now on, my heart belongs to only you.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. She fell asleep again. Unaware of how long she slept, she woke up when Howard came to fetch her. ¡°Nana, it¡¯s time to go,¡± Howard said softly. Sheena nodded silently, allowing Howard to help her up. He affectionately wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they slowly left the cemetery. On that day, the headlines across all news outlets blew up! The youngest heiress of the Svelton¡¯s top tycoon, the Lawson family, not only survived but also dered a high¨Cprofile return, joking about her alleged kidnapping six years ago. In front of Angle Group¡¯s live broadcast cameras, Sheena, dressed in an elegant outfit with elegant makeup, smiled and greeted everyone. In just a few words, she briefly exined the false announcement of her death six years ago. Simultaneously, the Freeman mansion, the Freeman residence, and the Moore mansion echoed with screams. Erin rushed upstairs, knocking on Faye¡¯s door. ¡°Mom! Sheena is actually a Lawson! Oh my god! Luckily, I obediently followed her instructions. Otherwise, the Lawson family would have eaten me alive! I have such an influential sister¨Cinw! I must be the luckiest person alive!¡± Downstairs, Julius cleared his throat and reminded her out of the blue, ¡°Dear, she¡¯s no longer your sister¨Cinw.¡± Erin¡¯s face instantly fell, regretting her words. She would never have bullied her if she had known Sheena was the Lawson family¡¯s heiress. She would have fawned over her instead! Faye heard themotion in her room, but her face remained expressionless. Sitting on the balcony, she gazed into the distance with tear¨Cstreaked cheeks, gently caressing a framed photo. In the frame was a picture of her holding baby Elijah. Chapter 406 Chapter 406 On the funeral day, Elijah¡¯s letter to Faye revealed that he was not a Freeman and disclosed Sheena¡¯s true identity. The letter also instructed Faye on how to build a good rtionship with Sheena to safeguard the Freeman family. The real Elijah had been sent to Svelton by Sebastian from a young age, enrolled in the National Investigation Bureau at ten, and only returned to Farlem at fifteen. Faye never doubted that he was not her real son, providing him with wholehearted maternal love. Besides, this ¡®fake¡® son had always been diligent and filial, and she appreciated him deeply. His death left her genuinely saddened. At the Freeman residence, Wilfredmented and pped his thigh. He finally realized why he could never win against Sheena or find out her identity. Apparently, she was the Lawson family¡¯s heiress! Vanessa and Kennedy secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They were fortunate to have established good rtions with Sheena, and Hannah had still remained friends with Sheena despite the incidents involving Noah. Otherwise, the fate of the former Freeman and the current Carver families might have befallen the Moore family. Two dayster, Sheena boarded a ne bound for Svelton. She secured the entire first¨Css cabin, no longer concealing her identity. As she watched Farlem grow smaller outside the ne window, she elegantly swirled her ss of red wine. The memory of someone in the cemetery tugged at her heartstrings. In the back rows, Ford and a few bodyguards enjoyed the perks, ying with their phones and scrolling through social media. ¡°Miss, do you know what¡¯s been trending in Svelton for the past six months?¡± Sawyer asked. Sheena shook her head. She did not surf the inte much, usually only checking updates on Angle¡¯s artists. Sawyer enlightened her, ¡°You won¡¯t believe it! The Jenkins family has skyrocketed in the past six months, surpassing even the Lawson family, bing the new wealthiest family in Svelton.¡± Chapter 465 lingi ¡°Oh,¡± Sheena replied, showing little emotion. It seemed her old man was not doing too well, having lost the top spot so quickly. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Now that I¡¯m back, I¡¯ll help Dad reim the top spot,¡± Sheena confidently remarked. Brimming with admiration, Sawyer gave her a thumbs¨Cup and continued with the gossip, ¡°I heard that six months ago, Santiago Jenkins¡¯s eldest grandson, Elliot Jenkins, suddenly returned from the military. In just a month, he seized control of the Jenkins family and, under his Group to unparalleled heights. Now, he, leadership, elevated the Jenkins He¡¯s very respectable by everyone.¡± the most desirable figure in Svelton. Sheena was somewhat caught off guard and asked, ¡°What did you say his name. was again?¡± ¡°Elliot Jenkins.¡± Sawyer, surprised to see Sheena taking an interest in another man after these six months, teasingly asked, ¡°Miss, do you also think this Mr. Jenkins is quite impressive?¡± Sheena emptied her ss of red wine without saying a word. She had merely found the name quite simr to Elijah¡¯s. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. However¡­ ¡°Although the rtionship between the Lawson family and the Jenkins family is just okay, it¡¯s not bad either. Why haven¡¯t I heard much about this Elliot before?¡± Sheena questioned. Sawyer exined, ¡°I heard that despite being Santiago Jenkins¡¯s eldest grandson, his parents passed away when he was very young due to an ident. Santiago sent him to the military for training to protect him.¡± Both parents gone? Living alone in the Jenkins family must have been tough. He was quite pitiable¡­ 12 Chada Chapter 407 Chapter 407 Sheena let out a slight sigh. Lost in her thoughts, she unconsciously finished an entire bottle of red wine. Ford noticed that she wanted to open another bottle and promptly intervened, Miss, since thest time you drank too much and hurt your stomach, the doctor advised you to go easy on alcohol. You should only have a small amount, not too much.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just two bottles, and considering my alcohol tolerance, I won¡¯t get drunk,¡± Sheena insisted. Ford sighed, ¡°Miss, don¡¯t forget, your tolerance has decreased since thest time. You can¡¯t handle as much as before.¡± Frustrated from being stopped twice, Sheena pushed away the sses and bottles before her, saying, ¡°Forget it! Take them away, take them away!¡± She folded her hands, repressing her annoyance, and closed her eyes to sleep. Ford chuckled, calming her, and signaled the other bodyguards. Soon, Sheena¡¯s table was cleared. By the time the ne arrived in Svelton, it was already evening. Sheena was contemting whether to return home directly when she received a call from Gabrielle. Gabrielle was overjoyed after learning that Sheena had disclosed her identity and returned to Svelton. ¡°Nana! You¡¯re finally back. How abouting out to Hedone Bar tonight? Lots of old friends are eager to see you! Don¡¯t you miss them?¡± Sheena had indeed not seen her childhood ymates for many years, and she was not too keen on returning directly to the Lawson family, so she agreed. She only brought Ford along, having Paul and John arrange a hotel and settle in for the night. Sawyer went back to inform Albert about the matter. When Sheena arrived at the bar, everyone was already there. In addition to Gabrielle and Colin, Naomi Jenkins, the daughter of Roger Jenkins, the fifth son of the Jenkins family, was there. Several other old friends were also present, totaling over ten people. As Sheena pushed open the door to the private room, Gabrielle and Naomi hid behind the door, and confetti burst forth with a bang, colorful ribbons fluttering and covering the room. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Wee back!¡± Watching their theatrics, Sheena genuinely smiled and replied, ¡°Thank you.¡± Gabrielle linked arms with her, pulling her to the main seat on the couch. ¡°You¡¯re most wee, Nana! You might not know this, but it broke all our hearts when we received news of your death. Now that you¡¯ve finally decided to reveal your identity, it¡¯s fantastic!¡± The friends were having a st, toasting one round after another. Gabrielle and Naomi sat on either side of Sheena, both younger than her and with whom she had a good rtionship. Thinking about what Sawyer mentioned on the ne, Sheena asked Naomi, ¡°I heard that the eldest grandson of the Jenkins family is in charge now. Has he caused any trouble for your family?¡± ¡°No, Dad has never been interested in power struggles. During that time, Uncle Peter¡¯s family and Elliot were fiercelypeting. So, when Elliot took control, he treated our family fairly well,¡± Naomi exined. Sheena affectionately patted Naomi¡¯s head, smiling reassuringly. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± ¡°However, Elliot has had a tough time. He came back from a mission in the military six months ago, covered in blood and seriously injured. He was reportedly coughing up blood every day, which scared Grandpa. But he¡¯s really amazing. Despite all that, he managed to snatch control back from Uncle Peter¡¯s family. I really admire him,¡± Naomi added. Sheena remained silent. She had just arrived in Svelton, and Elliot¡¯s name had alreadye up in two different conversations, piquing her curiosity about this. person. While she was contemting, Gabrielle¡¯s seat was quietly swapped with someone nearby. Sheena turned to see Colin approaching with a raised ss. ¡°Sheena, I haven¡¯t seen you in almost half a year, and you¡¯re still as beautiful as ever,¡± he said, lifting his ss toward her. Sheena smiled faintly and clinked sses with him. ¡°Mr. Upton, when did the Upton family find you and bring you back to Svelton from abroad?¡± Colin¡¯s expression froze. He could sense that Sheena seemed more distant than before. Furthermore, the mention of this matter infuriated him! Chapter 408 Chapter 408 Elijah had the audacity to y dirty with him! Colin was thrown onto a cargo ship and sent to the deste, illiterate country of Leiciei, making it a huge challenge for the Upton family to locate him. However, Elijah was dead, and his chances with Sheena had increased. Thinking about this, Colin regained hisposure. ¡°I¡¯ve been back for several months now. Initially, I nned to find you in Farlem, but work matters kept me tied up. However, I heard about Elijah¡¯s passing¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s smile slightly froze, her grip on the wine ss tightening. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Did I upset you?¡± Colin looked at her apologetically, reaching out as if tofort her. However, Sheena calmly stood up to fetch a refill of wine, skillfully avoiding his touch. Colin did not seem embarrassed, gazing affectionately at her. ¡°Sheena, now that you¡¯re rid of that burden and single again, why don¡¯t you let me take care of you after you¡¯ve had your fill of fun?¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Sheen frowned. Was he suggesting that Elijah was a burden? ¡°Mr. Upton, today is a gathering. These discussions may not be appropriate,¡± Sheena warned him, looking at him coldly. After all, their other friends were present, and she did not want to spoil the mood for everyone. ¡°Sheena¡­¡± Colin¡¯s gaze dimmed, appearing hurt. ¡°The past is behind us. You have to start a new life.¡± Ignoring him, Sheena downed tworge sses of wine and told the nearby Naomi, ¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom.¡± Exiting the private room, her face was slightly flushed, and her head a little dizzy. Moreover, her tolerance for alcohol was not what it used to be, and she had drunk a bit too quickly. Hence, she was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. Sheena walked slowly, unsteadily leaning on the corridor for support. Colin¡¯s words echoed in her mind, leaving her feeling heavy. Everyone around her advised her to stay strong, urging her to forget Elijah and Chapter 469 2/2 start a new life. She wanted to, but even after six months, she could not forget the guilt and pain from the past. Taking a deep breath, Sheena tried to suppress the rising emotions. Suddenly, she caught the blurry sight of a familiar and tall figure from the corner of her eyes. That silhouette¡­ Could it be him? Sheena was stunned, and she shook her head to clear her thoughts. Her vision became clearer, and she followed the figure that disappeared around the corner. ¡°Elijah? Is it you? It must be you!¡± Sheena immediately chased after him, running to the corridor¡¯s turning point. However, the familiar figure was nowhere to be seen. Hearing themotion, Ford hurried over, steadying her swaying form. ¡°Miss, are you drunk?¡± Sheena grabbed his arm as if to confirm his suspect, exerting an unusual force. ¡°I¡¯m not drunk. I just saw Elijah! It must be him! I recognized his silhouette, Ford. He¡¯s not dead. He must be alive! It was him just now!¡± Ford, both shocked and bewildered, followed her gaze. Seeing Sheena¡¯s determined expression, he reluctantly let her stay in ce and. checked everyone who had walked through the corridor. Sighing, he returned to Sheena. ¡°Miss, you must have been mistaken.¡± Sheena shook her head firmly. ¡°Impossible! It was him, for sure! Seal off Hedone Bar. I want to check every private room, one by one!¡± Chapter 409 Chapter 409 Chapter 409 Sheena¡¯s eyes were red, her tone resolute. Ford felt for her but had to bring her back to reality, saying, ¡°Miss, please. Be more clear¨Cheaded. Mr. Freeman is gone. His ashes rest in Farlem¡¯s cemetery. You¡¯ve visited countless times in the past six months. Do you remember?¡± Sheena froze, starting to doubt herself. Ford suppressed his sobs, continuing, ¡°Stop tormenting yourself. Mr. Freeman will never return. You must let go. You must have been mistaken just now!¡± Indeed, how could someone who had been gone for half a year suddenly appear at Hedone Bar in Svelton? Perhaps she was losing her mind¡­. Sheena¡¯s eyes began to well up, and she covered her chest, feeling an unbearable suffocation. Seeing Sheena in such distress, Ford, too, could not hold back tears. ¡°Miss, you¡¯re upset. Let¡¯s leave. John has arranged a hotel for us. Let¡¯s head back and rest.¡± It was a false hope¡­ Sheena was exhausted, her whole being devoid of strength. After this incident, she had no heart to continue with the gathering. Hence, she followed Ford¡¯s suggestion and returned to the hotel. As they walked down the stairs, Lionel happened toe out of another elevator, calmly heading into the innermost VIP room around the corner. At the hotel, Sheena rushed into the bathroom as soon as they entered the room, turning on the shower at its maximum. The water was scalding, but her heart felt numb, and her entire body was ice¨C cold. Sheena let the water drench her, trying to regain some semnce ofposure. Her eyes were swollen, and her tears blended seamlessly with the hot water, disappearing without a trace. She repeated to herself that Elijah was gone, that he had died for her, and he could never return in this lifetime. Outside the room, Paul and John were puzzled by Sheena¡¯s state upon her return. ¡°She seemed quite stable before attending the gathering. What happened at the event?¡± Ford sighed, ¡°She got drunk She thought she saw a man who resembles Me Freeman, stirring up those heart wrenching memories.¡± Upon hearing this, the group sighed in unison. The next day, Sheena woke uppletely sober. She put the previous night¡¯s emotional turmoil behind her and officially set out to return to the Lawson family. The Lawson estate was extensive, upying the entire suburb of Mountville in Svelton, a property acquired by the ancestors of the Lawson family. Surrounded by mountains and water, the mansions offered picturesque views and excellent air quality throughout the year. Victor and Barrett, along with their families, resided halfway up the mountainside. As Sheena drove up, she disregarded the two mansions and headed straight for Albert¡¯s residence at the mountain¡¯s peak. Their longtime butler, George, awaited her at the entrance. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Seeing Sheena¡¯s car stop, he eagerly rushed forward, opening the door for her. Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re finally home! Your father has been eagerly awaiting you i the study.¡± ¡°Alright, Uncle George. You¡¯ve been of great help.¡± George was thrilled with the acknowledgment and nced back at Sheena¡¯s empty¨Chanded bodyguards. ¡°Miss, where is your luggage?¡± Sheena responded casually, ¡°I came back just to see Dad. I¡¯m not nning to stay. The Lawson estate harbored too many unpleasant memories, and she feared sleepless nights there. Sheena proceeded straight to the living room. As she approached the door, the rhythmic click of high heels echoed down the staircase. Lauren, adorned in a limited¨Cedition designer mustard¨Cyellow pencil skirt with meticulous makeup, gracefully walked down the stairs, locking eyes with Sheena. Lauren was in herte twenties, and her skin was impably maintained, making the two appear more like sisters. With an indifferent gaze, Sheena looked her way and then redirected her attention, heading upstairs. Lauren frowned, a bit displeased, blocking Sheena¡¯s path. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you haven¡¯t been home for so many years. Have you forgotten how to greet others properly? It seems like you¡¯ve lost all manners after staying a few years in an orphanage.¡± Sheena was unprovoked by her words, and she smiled sarcastically. Chapter 410 Chapter 410 ¡°Did you really think you¡¯re thedy of the mansion just because you¡¯ve been living here for a few years? Do you, by any chance, consider yourself an elder worth respecting? Are you worthy of the respect you demand?¡± Lauren red at her fiercely, teeth clenched. ¡°Why can¡¯t I? I¡¯m your legitimate mother!¡± Sheena clicked her tongue dismissively, exuding arrogance. ¡°A mother just five years older than me? Doesn¡¯t it make you sick? Don¡¯t you find it repulsive?¡± Leaning close to Lauren¡¯s ear, Sheena whispered, ¡°Treasure your current life of luxury, for in the future, I¡¯ll inherit all of the Lawson family¡¯s fortune. When that timees, you can pack your bags and get the hell out of here.¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Lauren was infuriated. Even after all these years, Sheena remained arrogant and disdainful, not respecting her in the slightest. Lauren wished she could tear off that mouth immediately! However, Lauren¡¯s anger quickly dispersed. She smirked and said, ¡°By the way, congrattions. Just last night, Old Man Jenkins personally visited, and Albert has agreed to his engagement proposal. You¡¯re getting married again.¡± ¡°What are you talking about? Dad arranged my marriage? How can he decide. without asking me?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression immediately dropped. Lauren arrogantly raised her chin. ¡°Go upstairs and ask him yourself.¡± Sheena, with a stern expression, no longer had the energy to argue with Lauren. She briskly went upstairs toward the study. Lauren watched her hurried departure, feeling quite satisfied. She heard that Elliot had a violent and cold temperament, with Santiago¡¯s failed attempt to force women into his bed. It seemed that Elliot had a kink of torturing women, as all the women sent by Santiago would walk out with injuries. Rumors also suggested Elliot¡¯s face was marred by war wounds, making him. exceptionally ugly. Lauren chuckled to herself. If Sheena truly married such a man, it would be indeed satisfying. Lauren was overjoyed, swaying her slender waist as she headed to the small kitchen to check on her acai bowl. Chapter #10 Sheena walked down the corridor, growing angrier by the moment. She forcefully pushed open the study door, but before she could voice her questions, she saw Albert, with a white beard and a weathered face, sitting in a wheelchair. Upon seeing her enter, he lit up with tears in his eyes. ¡°Sweetheart,e over and let me take a look.¡± Sheena entered withplex emotions, crouched by his wheelchair. ¡°What happened to your legs? I remember, before I left, you were perfectly fine.¡± Albert chuckled lightly, ¡°I¡¯m old. Getting sick is normal. I just miss you every day. Since you¡¯ve returned, why not stay at the Lawson estate and keep mepany?¡± Sheena, feeling sorry for him, massaged his legs andpromised, ¡°Alright, I cane back to stay, but I can¡¯t guarantee it¡¯ll be permanent. You know, I don¡¯t get along with that woman, Lauren.¡± ¡°She¡¯s your stepmother.¡± ¡°No, she¡¯s not! Say that again, and I¡¯ll get angry!¡± ¡°Okay, okay, I won¡¯t bring it up.¡± Albert looked at her affectionately, his broad yet wrinkled hands gently caressing her face. Albert asked a bunch of questions about her well¨Cbeing, whether she ate well, slept well, and if anyone bullied her. The two chatted harmoniously. Midway through their conversation, Sheena suddenly remembered what Lauren had said. ¡°Dad, that woman just imed you arranged my marriage. Is it true?¡± Since she already knew, Albert did not hide it and exined, ¡°Yes, Santiago spoke to mest night, and it got settled. His grandson, Elliot, is a very nice young man. I really like him. He¡­¡± Albert rambled on with praises, but Sheena could not focus. All she heard was that name: Elliot. Once again, Elliot! Damn it, what did she do to deserve this? Why did this man¡¯s name keep haunting her? She found it extremely annoying!This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Chapter 411 Chapter 411 ¡°In this day and age, we emphasize our children¡¯s freedom in marriage. How could you arrange my marriage without asking me first?¡± Sheena stood up abruptly, rurious. Aibert was left speechless by her retort, and he weakly attempted to reach for her arm, only to be skillfully avoided. He withdrew his hand, stroking his beard while his confidence weakened. ¡°Sweetheart, the engagement has been fixed. Why not meet Elliot first before deciding? He¡¯s truly remarkable, just five years older than you, caring and considerate. You know I¡¯m picky, but I¡¯m deeply impressed by him! You¡¯ll like him too.¡± ¡°Five years older is uneptable! He¡¯s too old! I don¡¯t like it!¡± Sheena was stubborn. She had not considered dating again, let alone engagement and marriage. It was simply out of the question! ¡°He¡¯s only twenty¨Ceight. How¡¯s that old? Your ex¨Chusband was also five years older than you,¡± Albert pointed out. ¡°That¡¯s different! This matter is non¨Cnegotiable. Cancel the engagement right now!¡± Sheena remained unyielding. ¡°It can¡¯t be canceled¡­ We just settled it yesterday. I made a deal with Santiago Jenkins, and we n to announce your engagement at the banquet to celebrate your return in three days.¡± Sheena took a deep breath, suppressing her anger. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your banquet for my return. If you can¡¯t cancel the engagement, I¡¯ll do it myself!¡± She left in a huff, mming the door behind her. Albert watched her fiery departure, shaking his head helplessly. More and more, she resembled her mother¡¯s temperament. She definitely needed a man who could handle her! Sheena stormed out of the study and straight through the garden. Ford and the other bodyguards were waiting at the entrance. Despite her anger, Albert was sick, and as a daughter, she felt the responsibility to apany him. So, she called the bodyguards to return to the hotel to pack. her belongings; she intended to move in temporarily. Standing at the entrance, Sheena pondered how to handle the engagement. After some thought, she noticed George standing nearby. Sheena called him over and asked, ¡°Uncle George, do you know where the Jenkin family resides?¡± ¡°Yes, Miss. Who are you looking for?¡± Sheena replied through gritted teeth, ¡°Elliot.¡± Noticing that Sheena was obviously displeased, George did not dare to dy and quickly wrote down the address for her. Then, Sheena headed over. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Grant, the Jenkins family¡¯s butler, was aware of Sheena¡¯s engagement to Elliot and weed her warmly. It was Sheena¡¯s first visit to the Jenkins family. Unlike the Lawson family homes. perched on the mountainside, the Jenkins family estate was more like a vast expanse of ins with retro¨Cstyle, uniformly decorated mansions. Bamboo groves, pavilions by the water, and artificial hills by the creek. The ce oozed the characteristics of an academia¨Coriented aristocratic family, and it was apparent that the Jenkins family respected traditional values. Sheena felt like she had stepped into the mansion of an ancient tycoon, and she thought it was rather unique and intriguing. Guided by Grant through various twists and turns, she finally arrived at Elliot¡¯s standalone mansion. After leading her there, Grant left. Sheena waited in the living room. She had waited for quite some time when suddenly, a hurried bodyguard approached and said, ¡°I apologize, Ms. Lawson, but Mr. Jenkins is currently upied with official matters and may not be able to see you.¡± Sheena frowned slightly. Since she arrived, no servant hade to offer her tea, and the bodyguard¡¯s words suggested a subtle hint to prompt her departure. as It seemed that Elliot was not particrly eager about this marriage either. Well, that suited her just fine. ¡°That¡¯s okay. I have plenty of time today. I can wait,¡± Sheena responded. The bodyguard hesitated, clearly unsure how to proceed. Chapter 412 Chapter 412 Chapter 412 The bodyguard looked troubled and said, ¡°Mr. Jenkins is likely to be busy the whole day. How about¡­ youe back another day?¡± Sheena was annoyed. ¡°Since I¡¯m here, I have no reason to leave without meeting him.¡± She briskly moved past the bodyguard and headed upstairs. Ms Lawson, that¡¯s not a good idea, right?¡± ¡°Since Mr. Santiago Jenkins finalized the marriagest night, I¡¯m just having a chat with my fiance. Do you have a problem with that?¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze was icy. ¡°Of course not¡­¡± She sternly asked, ¡°Which floor? Where is it?¡± ¡°On the second floor, go to the rightmost room.¡± Sheena walked up the stairs. It was easy to find the room because another bodyguard stood at the study¡¯s door. As she approached, the bodyguard blocked her and said, ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Jenkins is busy, and his study is not open to visitors.¡± Before she could respond, the door opened from the inside, revealing a man. She looked up and saw a face that was passably handsome butcked any distinctive charm. Indeed, his uniform matched the other two bodyguards, confirming he was not Elliot. Once the man stood respectfully to the side, Sheena got a glimpse of the study. Through an amber bead curtain, she saw a desk, followed by neatly arranged bookshelves, enveloped in an atmosphere of dark academia. A stern¨Clooking man sat in an office chair, with his back facing her. Sheena could only make out a small portion of the back of his head. Sheena, wanting to enter, was stopped by the bodyguard. Nheless, she was here to discuss canceling the engagement, and it would not be appropriate to push too hard on someone else¡¯s turf. Hence, she did not insist on going in. The man in the study cleared his throat and, with a hoarse voice, asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, what brings you here today?¡± The voice was utterly gruff and unpleasant. Sheena had already checked on Elliot¡¯s background on the way here. Rumors painted him as cruel, ruthless, and with particuler peculiar preferences, particrly a penchant for mistreating wornen. Additionally, there were tales o facial disfigurement, rendering him exceptionally ugly. Sheena cared little about the authenticity of the rumors regarding Elliot¡¯s treatment of women. After all, she could put up a fight, and he might be the one sufferingter. However, she already had a vivid image in her mind just by hearing his voice. Not that she held any prejudice, but her currentck of interest in engagement and marriage, especially with a man she barely knew, made the prospect unappealing Sheena gathered her thoughts and had another bodyguard bring her a chair, sitting at the door to converse with Elliot. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. I¡¯m just curious if you know much about me.¡± Elliot remained silent, stirring his coffee with the crisp clinking sound of the spoon against the cup. Looking at the back of his head, Sheena continued, ¡°Given your capabilities, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve looked into my background and are aware that I¡¯m a divorced woman. Moreover, I¡¯m not a virgin anymore.¡± ¡°What about it?¡± Elliot, undisturbed, took a sip of his coffee. Sheena, slightly puzzled, wondered if he did not mind her past. Or perhaps he was interested in married women? This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Feeling a chill running down her spine, Sheena decided to weave a serious- sounding tale. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, there¡¯s something you probably haven¡¯t discovered in your investigations, and my dad must have kept it from you. When I was young, an astrologer did my birth chart reading, and it was revealed that I¡¯d bring bad luck husband. In fact, he met his end because of me. It¡¯s all written in the stars!¡± Caught off guard, Elliot choked on his coffee, spilling it on the brown carpet. to my The on¨Csite bodyguard rushed to hand him tissues. Observing his exaggerated reaction, Sheena continued, ¡°So, Mr. Jenkins, considering the circumstances, being Mr. Santiago Jenkins¡® eldest grandson and all, I don¡¯t want to bring you misfortune. Our engagement isn¡¯t suitable. Why don¡¯t we both go separately to our respective families, discuss the matter, and ter 412 dissolve the engagement before it bes public?¡± Chapter 413 Chapter 413 Sheena considered her words wless and spot on. Being a prestigious, traditional family like the Jenkins, and with Elliot now in charge, they were likely superstitious and into astrological beliefs. Sheena presented herself with genuine sincerity, patiently awaiting Elliot¡¯s response. Seated behind the chair, Elliot wiped away the coffee stain from his thin lips, regaining hisposed and dignified demeanor. ¡°Ms. Lawson, in fact, ant astrologer also assessed my fate. He mentioned that I have a full life and a great fate, specializing in oveing troubles rted to spousal misfortune. It seems we are a perfect match.¡± Sheena found herself momentarily speechless. While she maintained a smile on her face, inwardly, her anger surged. Was there a polite way to express her frustration? She bit her lip and responded with feigned sweetness, ¡°Well, what a coincidence!¡± Elliot subtly nodded and abandoned his coffee, unwilling to take another sip. Sheena, refusing to leave empty¨Chanded, intensified her lies. ¡°There¡¯s another thing my dad surely kept from you. After having wild sex with my ex¨Chusband, I had a mishap and ended up in the hospital. The doctor said my health was too fragile, making me infertile. I can¡¯t have children for the rest of my life, and my ex¨Chusband divorced me because he thought I couldn¡¯t conceive.¡± Elliot, facing away from her, took a deep breath in relief. He was d he had not continued drinking coffee or suffered from heart disease. Otherwise, he would have had a heart attack on the spot. Still narrating with theatrical ir, Sheena expressed regret, ¡°As the head of the Jenkins family, ensuring the family¡¯s lineage is undoubtedly crucial. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t contribute to that aspect. So, let¡¯s cancel this engagement. I wouldn¡¯t want to bring any misfortune to the Jenkins family. It¡¯s a matter of conscience.¡± Not only did she have an unfavorable destiny, but she was also infertile, and she hinted at disharmony in intimate rtions. She figured Elliot must have some objections now. After a long pause, Elliot responded in his hoarse voice, ¡°I¡¯m not fond of children, Ms. Lawson. We¡¯ll not have any if you don¡¯t wish to have them. Besides, I have a busy schedule. If you¡¯re not into intimate rtions¡­ we don¡¯t have to.¡± Sheena was stunned. Could he really tolerate all of this? After all, the Jenkins family was not solely dependent on her. Why would he subject himself to such troubles? Sheena ground her teeth, attempting to maintain a steady tone as she asked, ¡± Mr. Jenkins, it seems like you¡¯re supportive of this marriage arrangement. Is this engagement entirely Mr. Santiago Jenkins¡¯s decision, or were you actually interested in me?¡± Elliot replied, ¡°Grandpa made the decision, and I had no objections.¡± Well, someone was quite obedient to their elders. A grandpa¡¯s boy? If your grandpa told you to eat dirt, would you do it? Sheena simmered with frustration. After holding it back for so long, she had finally reached her limit. She felt an intense dislike for Elliot! He had made a horrible first impression of himself! Unable to tolerate it any longer, Sheena decided to forgo further small talk. She stood up, smoothed the creases in her pencil skirt, and adopted a firm tone. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, truth be told, I¡¯ve already got someone I like. I¡¯m not satisfied with this engagement, and I believe you wouldn¡¯t want to marry someone with a wandering heart. Anyway, I¡¯ll break off this engagement sooner orter. If you can help me with Grandpa Jenkins, consider it a favor owed. We can be friends in the future.¡® With that, she walked away without looking back. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Elliot never turned around. Sheena¡¯s remark about having someone she liked pierced through him like a sharp knife. His gaze gradually dimmed, and his once striking face lost its color. Sheena descended the stairs, leaving Elliot¡¯s yard without a second nce. As she approached the gate, she caught a fleeting figure rushing past from the corner of her eyes, disappearing through the back door in a hurry. Wait a minute¡­ Chapter 413 Was that¡­ Lionel? im Bonus For Free Every Day>> Chapter 414 im Bonus For Free Every Day>> Chapter 414 Then again, why would Lionel avoid greeting her when he saw her? Why would he sneak away from her in such a manner? Sheena felt something was off, puzzled. She had not drunk any alcohol today, so it was highly unlikely that she had misidentified Lionel, as she didst night. After contemting for a while, Sheena turned around, reassessing the mansion. She recalled Lionel mentioning that he would be working under a new superior. If she had not mistaken Lionel¡¯s identity just now, could it be that Elliot was his new superior, and Elliot was affiliated with the National Investigation Bureau? Sheena also remembered the rumors from Farlem¡¯s police station about the leader of the National Investigation Bureau wearing a mask and having an ugly appearance. It made her wonder if Elliot fit that description. Nevertheless, none of this concerned her. The engagement had to be called off. Behind the ck silk¨C thin curtains of the mansion¡¯s study, Elliot silently observed everything happening at the entrance. Sheena¡¯s petite figure stood there, her sparkling eyes unknowingly meeting his eyes. Lionel sprinted up the stairs, almost overshooting the entrance to the study. He panted heavily, trying to calm his chest, which heaved due to the sudden shock. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, why did Ms. Sheena suddenly come here? You should¡¯ve informed me quietly. I nearly bumped into her when I entered. Luckily, I dodged in time.¡± Elliot, no longer addressed as Mr. Freeman as their days in Farlem were over, remained silent, the room¡¯s atmosphere heavy and somber. Lionel approached him. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Sheena said she has someone she likes¡­¡± He murmured, carrying a hint of sorrow. He thought that having almost died for her would leave a spot for him in his heart. Yet, it seemed like that was wishful thinking. Lionel fell into silence as well. It had only been half a year, but she had found someone new to like so quickly? Lionel felt a pang of heartache for Elliot. He wanted to advise him to let go, but he knew Elliot¡¯s character too well. All he could do wasfort him, saying, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t overthink it. You¡¯re Elliot Jenkins, not Elijah Freeman. If she doesn¡¯t like you or love you, just try pursuing her again. After all, you look different now, and Ms. Sheena probably wouldn¡¯t recognize you from before.¡± That night, half a year ago, Elliot had suffered burns in the abandoned warehouse fire. After resolving the internal turmoil within the Jenkins family, he secretly visited Hurokey for stic surgery. His face had recovered well, but it still retained a resemnce to his original appearance, Elliot ignored Lionel. Sheena would not fail to recognize him. She was sharp and quick to notice any clues or suspicions. On the way back, Sheena continued pondering the engagement. If Elliot was unwilling to cooperate, it seemed unlikely that she could cancel the engagement before the uing banquet in three days. That stubborn man! How could such a stubborn man snatch the title of Svelton¡¯s richest man from Albert? It was truly infuriating. Energized and determined, Sheena immediately arranged the establishment of Angle Group¡¯s subsidiary, expanding their business operations from Farlem. Howard held considerable power in the entertainment industry, essentially controlling half of everything. Sheena, on the other hand, aimed to dominate the other half of the industry. Busy throughout the afternoon, Sheena finalized the building site and began organizing thepany¡¯s interior design. Suddenly, Ford called. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Miss, Mr. Barrett and his family found out you¡¯re back, and they¡¯re causing a scene. They¡¯re using you of using sulfuric acid to harm him, demanding justice from Old Man Lawson.¡± Ever since she revealed her public identity, Sheena knew that Barrett would seize any opportunity to comin. She just did not expect him to be so impatient. However, the timing couldn¡¯t have been better! Chapter 415 Chapter 415 After hanging up the phone, Sheena delegated the interior design of the building and returned to the Lawson estate. However, she first parked her car halfway up the mountain. Howard had given her the spare key to his residence. Entering, she gathered some things and leisurely made her way to the altar room. As she arrived, even a few meters from the door, she heard the cries of Barrett¡¯s wife, Mona Lawson. ¡°Albert! Look at how Sheena ruined Barrett¡¯s face. You can¡¯t go easy on her this time!¡± Their son, Keanu, chimed in, ¡°Uncle Albert, Sheena has gone too far this time. No matter what, my dad is her elder and family. She shouldn¡¯t ruin him like this!¡± Albert, seated in a wheelchair, remained silent amidst Barrett and his family¡¯s usations, lightly fidgeting with his rosary. George, standing nearby, sighed heavily, appearing hesitant to voice his thoughts. Albert noticed and asked, ¡°Do you have an opinion?¡± ¡°I dare not, sir.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. With me here, you can speak freely.¡± George pondered and said, ¡°Sir, I believe we shouldn¡¯t rely solely on Mr. Barrett¡¯s family¡¯s ount. If Mr. Barrett uses Ms. Lawson, he should present evidence.¡± Lauren, seated beside Albert, protested, ¡°Dear, you know Sheena¡¯s temper. She¡¯s always arrogant and disdainful, never respecting others. It¡¯s not surprising she would do something like this. Do we really need evidence for such things?¡± Albert remained silent, his thoughts unreadable. Barrett suddenly stood up from his chair, walked to the cushion below the altar, and knelt before the statues and crosses. ¡°I, Barrett Lawson, swear in the name of our God. The incident where Sheena used sulfuric acid on me is true. If I lie, may heaven strike me down!¡± As he finished speaking, there was a sudden loud bang outside. Startled, Barrett immediately cowered, trembling. Mona and Keanu paled in fear. The atmosphere inside the room became notably tense due to the thunderous noise from outside. In this eerie atmosphere, Sheena¡¯s cheerful and lightughter echoed outside the door, instantly capturing everyone¡¯s attention. Sheena pushed open the door, an orange¨Cvored lollipop in her mouth. She mockingly chuckled and said, ¡°It seems your oath wasn¡¯t very convincing. Not even God believes it.¡± Barrett was fuming. ¡°Sheena, was that thunder just now your doing?¡± Sheena waved it off with a smirk. She had simply asked Paul to y the sound of thunder via the loudspeaker. Who would have thought it would scare Barrett¡¯s family so much? Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Uncle Barrett, you must¡¯ve done something shameful. Otherwise, why would you be afraid of getting struck by lightning?¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Barrett red at her. Sheena feigned surprise. ¡°Uncle Barrett, what happened to your face? Looks like someone wrote something on it. Idler? Hmm, that word does suit you, Uncle Barrett.¡± Insulted, Barrett and his family were fuming. Barrett stood up abruptly, ring at her with intense anger. ¡°Sheena, at least I have the guts to swear before our God. Do you dare to do that? Do you dare to say you didn¡¯t use sulfuric acid on my face?¡± Sheena scoffed. ¡°Why should I swear? It¡¯s your choice, Uncle Barrett. Why should I be forced to do something I don¡¯t want to?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t swear because you¡¯re scared!¡± Keanu interjected angrily. ¡°Trying to provoke me? Nice try.¡± Sheena, with her red lips around the lollipop,ughed. Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading>> Chapter 416 Chapter 416 As the family head in power, Albert looked at Sheena with a gentle expression but remained silent throughout. The others could not read his thoughts and dared not speak out of turn. However, Sheena dared to. ¡°Uncle Barrett, you use me without evidence. You can¡¯t just let your family and Lauren gang up on me.¡± Barrett did not respond, but Lauren was irritated andined with a touch of tears in her voice, ¡°Dear, look at her. She calls me by my name directly, showing no respect. I never bullied her!¡± Annoyed by the noise, Albert scolded her softly, ¡°This is none of your business. Keep quiet.¡± Lauren pouted displeasingly and stood behind him. Albert then turned to Barrett, saying, ¡°Barrett, Sheena is right. Baseless usations won¡¯t work. We need to see the evidence.¡± Barrett replied, ¡°Albert, she knocked me unconscious, kidnapped me, took me to some unknown basement, andmitted horrors against me. She would¡¯ve cleaned up any evidence afterward. Where would I get proof?¡± He spoke, and tears welled in his eyes, continuing, ¡°Albert, you know me. I¡¯ve always been fond of Sheena. I have a soft temperament and no ambitions. Why would I wrongly use her if she didn¡¯t do this?¡± ¡°Of course, you would do that,¡± Sheena chimed in. ¡°Because Uncle Barrett had wanted to kill me a long time ago. While I was still in Farlem, he had Keanu threaten Nathaniel to poison me. Uncle Barrett, you should remember that, right?¡± Barrett snorted. ¡°Empty words are worthless. Just as you demanded, where¡¯s the evidence?¡± ¡°Uncle Barrett, have you forgotten? I have evidence.¡± Sheena grinned and opened her bag, taking out a neatly prepared document. She walked over and handed it to Albert. Although Barrett¡¯s eyes twitched, he remained silent. Keanu, unable to contain himself, said, ¡°Your evidence is just Nathaniel¡¯s testimony. It¡¯s still insufficient!¡± Sheena took the lollipop out of her mouth, raising her eyebrows in surprise. ¡°Oh? I didn¡¯t expect Keanu to have already seen the evidence in my hands.¡± With these words, everyone in the altar room, except a few quick individuals, began to sense something was amiss. Keanu was stunned but quickly regainedposure. ¡°I work at the National Affairs Bureau. Nathaniel was imprisoned six months ago for stealingboratory drugs. I remember this incident well.¡± Sheena responded simply, ¡°Oh.¡± Then, she shed a brighter smile, adding, ¡°You might be disappointed, Keanu, because this evidence includes more than just Nathaniel¡¯s testimony.¡± As Sheena finished speaking, Albert had already reviewed the entire set of evidence, infuriated enough to m the teacup on the table down at Barrett¡¯s feet. The porcin shards flew, creating a sharp and loud sound. Lauren and Mona screamed. gas Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Albert was trembling with anger, shouting, ¡°Barrett! Keanu!¡± ¡°Albert?¡± ¡°See for yourself!¡± Albert forcefully threw the documents at Barrett¡¯s feet. Keanu helped Barrett pick them up. As they both read through the evidence, their faces turned pale, and they looked at Sheena in shock. Sheena appeared indifferent. Over the past six months, Corey had helped her organize the evidence against Barrett¡¯s family, which was neatly stored in Howard¡¯s mansion. Barrett did not expect her to gather evidence so quickly, allowing them to confront her boldly. Nevertheless, this was also why she decided to return to Svelton. She looked at Albert, saying with an innocent yet yful tone, ¡°Dad, ording to the Lawson family¡¯s codes, how should we punish Barrett and Keanu for their ruthless actions against their own kin for the sake of the family fortune?¡± Albert¡¯s gaze turned cold, deliberately raising his voice. ¡°They should be expelled from the Lawson family and sent to prison for severe punishment!¡± Chapter 417 Chapter 417 Barrett and his family suddenly panicked. ¡°Albert, I¡¯m your own brother! I¡¯ve followed the rules for decades, and I made a mistake just this once. You can¡¯t be so ruthless and throw my entire family out!¡± All three fell to their knees at Albert¡¯s feet, pleading desperately with tears i their eyes, a pitiful sight.. One side was his own brother, the other his daughter. in Albert, with a stern face, looked at Sheena, asking, ¡°Sweetheart, what do you think should be their punishment?¡± Sheena replied without a second thought, ¡°Follow the rules. Do what needs to be done.¡± Mona stood up abruptly, ring at Sheena. ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re too heartless! You¡¯re standing here unharmed, so why be so ruthless to your own family?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression instantly turned cold. She was unharmed now because a man had helped her endure the misery. They hurt him, and they deserved to die! When she looked at Mona, her gaze turned icy to the bone. ¡°If it was me caught hurting a family member, would you spare me?¡± Mona and Keanu were both stunned, exchanging nces and answering in unison, ¡°Of course.¡± Mona added, ¡°You¡¯re the youngest girl of the Lawson family. How could we really bring ourselves to harm you?¡± ¡°If that were true, you wouldn¡¯t have made such a big deal about Uncle Barrett¡¯s facial injuries today. When you say these hypocritical words, don¡¯t you find them disgusting?¡± Sheena had no interest in staying any longer. She gave Albert a cold look and added, ¡°Dad, handle this matter as you see fit. I have no objections.¡± Leaving behind the continuous plea, she returned to the room she had arranged for herself. It took a long time for Sheena to calm her mood. The image of Elijah with the blood¨Cdrenched burn on his back felt like it was right in front of her. She hated this group of people for being her family. Unable to kill them, she would make them suffer more than death, in agony and redemption. She took a deep breath.. Sheena quickly remembered the lies she told in front of Elliot, ming Elijah for various things. She quickly sped her hands together in a sincere act of remorse. ¡°Eli, don¡¯t me me for throwing you under the bus today. I said those things just to disgust Elliot and force him to call off the engagement.¡± The servants had called her twice for dinner while she was praying. Once done, she leisurely went to the dining room, sitting on the chair with an icy expression. As she lifted the soup spoon, getting ready to sip the sweet soup, Lauren opposite her wore a displeased look. ¡°Well, well, well, if it isn¡¯t our most pampered little princess! Even during meals, the elders have to wait for you. Have you forgotten all your manners these years?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Albert cleared his throat. ¡°Keep quiet.¡± Lauren snorted coldly and rolled her eyes twice in a row. Sheena was not about to tolerate it and mmed the spoon back into the bowl. ¡°Lauren, do you remember how you climbed into my dad¡¯s bed to marry into the family? So quick to forget? A shameful thing like you dared to babble in front of me?¡± ¡°Enough! Both of you, stop talking and eat!¡± Albert was exasperated. Sheena looked at him. ¡°You heard it just now. I sat down to eat peacefully, and she started provoking me. If you can¡¯t make her shut up, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to stay.¡± She rose to go upstairs. Albert softened his tone. ¡°Sweetheart, don¡¯t be angry! Just finish your meal first. I¡¯ll try to handle these matters. Don¡¯t think about moving out!¡± Since Albert had said so, Sheena hesitated a bit. However, Lauren red at Albert and said, ¡°Look at yourself! Sheena is spoiled by you! Lawless and unruly, she even uses past events to attack me. I won¡¯t take it lying down!¡± Sheena could not stand Lauren¡¯s disgusting attitude. However, leaving was not an option for either. She called a few bodyguards into the dining room, pointing Chapter 417 30 to Lauren. ¡°Madam Lawson seems to be feeling upset. She probably lost her appetite. Escort her upstairs to rest.¡± ¡°Sheena, how dare you!¡± Lauren pped the table forcefully. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± Lauren met Sheena¡¯s fierce gaze, gave in, and turned to Albert to pour out her grievances. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> Chapter 418 Chapter 418 ¡°Dear, say something. Are you just going to watch your daughter bully me like this? I don¡¯t care! You have to choose between having dinner with her or me!¡± Albert found himself caught in the middle, torn between the two. Sheena looked at him with a sigh. His face, wrinkled with age, seemed weary. She had not been back in years, and her father had aged a lot. As a daughter, she did. not want to cause him distress, but coexisting peacefully with Lauren was challenging. ¡°Forget it. I don¡¯t want to eat.¡± She stood up, adjusted her dress, and walked out, not heading upstairs but toward the entrance. ¡°Sweetheart, it¡¯ste. Where are you going?¡± Albert called after her, but she left without turning back. His beloved daughter was upset, leaving Albert feeling guilty. Lauren shrugged indifferently. ¡°She¡¯s a grown woman. She won¡¯t get into trouble. Don¡¯t spoil her. Let¡¯s eat.¡± ¡°Lauren! I don¡¯t even know what to say to you!¡± Albert got angry but was too frustrated to continue scolding Lauren. Feeling nauseous, he ate a few bites and went upstairs. Lauren did not mind it. After all, her appetite was excellent. Since it was Sheena¡¯s first night back home, Albert had instructed the chef to prepare ten exquisite dishes. Proud to win a round against Sheena, Lauren savored each dish prepared for her. Tonight, Sheena¡¯s mood hit rock bottom. She did not want to return to the Lawson estate and trouble Albert further. Instead, she decided to take John and Sawyer to Hedone Bar, renting a private room to drown her sorrows in alcohol. Among the bodyguards, only Ford had received guidance from Howard and could persuade Sheena. The other two, currently standing outside the door, were worried she might overindulge and be intoxicated. They were contemting whether to call Ford for help when Colin happened to pass by in the hallway. ¡°Is Sheena inside?¡± The two guards exchanged nces but did not respond. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Colin did not find it awkward at all. He quietly opened the door, took a nce, and saw Sheena drinking alone, indulging in liquor with high alcohol content. Her face was flushed, lying on the sofa in an intoxicated haze, but she kept on drinking. ¡°Getting drunk is harmful to your health. Let me go in and talk to her.¡± The two guards had no better solution, and since Colin was Sheena¡¯s friend, they did not stop him, thinking maybe he could persuade her. Colin entered the room, sat beside Sheena, and gently advised, ¡°Sheena, stop drinking. You¡¯re already drunk. How about I take you home?¡± With half¨Cclosed and hazy eyes, feeling dizzy, Sheena was truly intoxicated. ¡°Eli, I miss you. Don¡¯t leave,e back, please?¡± Her voice was faint, and Colin, leaning closer, could barely make out her murmured words. Eli? Was she calling for Elijah? Suppressing his own difort, Colinforted her, ¡°Sheena, I won¡¯t leave you. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± Sheena did not respond further; she fellpletely onto the sofa and drifted asleep. After checking with Sawyer, Colin learned that Sheena was in a bad mood tonight and did not want to return to the Lawson estate. He decided to let John and Sawyer use his card to book a hotel room nearby for Sheena. Once John and Sawyer left, Colin helped Sheena out of the private room. After just a few steps, a figure swiftly appeared before them. Before Colin could react, the woman he was supporting had already been transferred to the arms of the man. Word- The man silver¨Cgray mask, and though his face was not visible, the clear anger in his eyes was evident. Just by looking at the mask, Colin knew his identity and greeted him with a smile. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what a coincidence. Are you here for a social event?¡± Ignoring him, Elliot carefully held Sheena, who was unconscious, in his arms. After observing her condition, his eyes showed even more hostility. 5/3 ¡°She has always had a good tolerance for alcohol. How did she end up this drunk? What did you do to her?¡± Chapter 419 Chapter 419 Colin felt unfairly used but facing Elliot¡¯s questioning and the act of forcibly taking Sheena away, he was quite displeased.. ¡°Mr. Jenkins suspects me of drugging her? I disdain such despicable acts. Sheena was just in a bad mood, and I was keeping herpany with a drink. Now that she¡¯s drunk, I intend to take her back to rest.¡± He stepped forward, attempting to retrieve Sheena, but Elliot dogged him, holding her tightly. ¡°No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Upton. I¡¯ll take care of her.¡± Colin¡¯s expression gradually hardened. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, do you also have feelings. for Sheena?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Colin was irritated. Just when Elijah had left, Elliot came swooping in instead. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit inappropriate to hold her like this, Mr. Jenkins? Besides, Sheena has just returned to Svelton and doesn¡¯t know you well. We share a long¨Cstanding rtionship, so it might be better if you let me take care of her.¡± Colin was prepared to insist, but Lionel stepped before him, blocking his way. ¡°Mr. Upton, there¡¯s no need to trouble yourself. Ms. Sheena and Mr. Jenkins are engaged. It¡¯s only reasonable for him to look after her.¡± ¡°Engaged?¡± When did this happen? Why did he not hear any news about it? Seeing his confusion, Lionel exined, ¡°It was confirmedst night when Mr. Santiago Jenkins personally visited the Lawson family. The news will be officially announced at Ms. Sheena¡¯s wee banquet. Please understand, Mr. Upton, whot the outsider is here.¡± Colin¡¯s face turned pale. He had not expected the Jenkins family to move so quickly, and Albert had agreed directly! Elliot was Sheena¡¯s fianc¨¦, and he was just a friend. In this situation, he couldn¡¯t gain the upper hand. Seeing Colin no longer blocking their way, Elliot carried Sheena and prepared to leave. hapter 419) Sheena nestled on his broad chest, smelling the familiar tobo scent. Almost instinctively, her hands tightly wrapped around his neck. ¡°Don¡¯t go. You said You won¡¯t leave me¡­¡± Colin heard it, too, and smirked, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, it seems Sheena would rather go with me.¡± Elliot stiffened, looking down at Sheena, who was unconscious but still wore a distressed expression. This morning, she mentioned having a man she liked. Was it Colin? She even came to Hedone Bar with Colin. Moreover, she had good alcohol tolerance and high alertness, so how did she end up defenseless and drunk like this? It seemed she truly cared about Colin. Then again, why Colin of all people¡­ Elliot suppressed the stifling feeling, concealing the pain in his eyes. In a hoarse voice, he said, ¡°Lionel, please ask Mr. Upton to leave.¡± Lionel stepped forward to escort Colin away. Colin was unwilling to ept this. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you shouldn¡¯t force her to do anything she doesn¡¯t want. You should respect her choice and let me take her to rest.¡± Elliot turned around, casting a cold, disdainful nce at him. ¡°She¡¯s my fiancee. Whatever I choose to do is more appropriate than anything you¡¯d suggest.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. With this ominous statement, Elliot confidently carried Sheena away. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯ve only known her for a short time. She won¡¯t like you! If you darey a finger on her, be prepared for the consequences when she wakes up!¡± Colin continued shouting anxiously from behind. Elliot chose to ignore him, striding away with Sheena in his arms. Upon reaching the hotel entrance, they bumped into John and Sawyer, who had just finished obtaining the room key and were hurrying back to the bar. The two first noticed Lionel. Elliot was wearing a mask, so they did not recognize him, but it was hard not to notice Sheena in his arms. ¡°Why is Ms. Sheena in your arms? Where¡¯s Mr. Upton?¡± Seeing the tense atmosphere, Lionel quickly exined, ¡°This is Mr. Jenkins, my new superior. Ms. Sheena is extremely drunk, and Mr. Jenkins is nning to get a room to take care of her.¡± ¡°But she won¡¯t like it when she wakes up¡­¡± Lionel interrupted, ¡°No ¡®buts¡®. The engagement was arranged by their families. Their marriage is inevitable. Ms. Sheena is intoxicated. Is there a more suitable person than Mr. Jenkins to take care of her? Is it you two or me?¡± John and Sawyer exchanged nces, left speechless. Lionel noticed the room key in John¡¯s hand and taking advantage of their hesitation, snatched it and entered the hotel with Elliot. John and Sawyer quickly followed, standing guard at the room door. When Lionel came out, he patted the two on the shoulders. Then, he said in a friendly tone, ¡°It¡¯s been half a year. How about the three of us have a good drink tonight?¡± John hesitated. ¡°Isn¡¯t that inappropriate? Ms. Sheena is staying at the hotel, and we must watch over her.¡± Enjoy Ad¨CFree Readings Chapter 420 apter 420 1/2 Sawyer nodded in agreement. ¡°What¡¯s the harm? Mr. Jenkins is here, and his skills aren¡¯t too shabby. He¡¯ll take good care of Ms. Sheena. Let¡¯s go find a ce to drink and eat supper.¡± ¡°But what if¡­¡± The two of them ¡®reluctantly¡® followed Lionel and left. In the hotel room, Elliot ced Sheena on the bed. He helped her remove her coat and high heels, tucked her in, and fetched a basin of warm water from the bathroom. He carefully wiped her face, moving cautiously, afraid of waking her. followed the The bedsidemp cast a dim, warm glow, adding a hint of sensual atmosphere to the room. Elliot¡¯s gaze towel as it traced Sheena¡¯s delicate features, seemingly etching them into his heart. Even if he could only watch her sleep peacefully like this, he felt content. This face, this person, was someone he wanted to love deeply. However, she seemed to like Colin now¡­ It had only been half a year, and it felt like she hadpletely forgotten him. No, not entirely, as her ex¨Chusband, he could still be brought up and med. The more Elliot thought about it, the more his heart felt like it was being cut by a sharp knife. Elijah¡¯s heart ached, and he sat at the bedside with red eyes, quietly watching Sheena. Now that she was asleep, her features were serene, and her rosy, full lips were slightly parted, incredibly enticing. Inwardly, Elliot wondered if he could steal a kiss from her. After all, when she got up the next day, she would not remember. However, it might be inappropriate to do so. Torn by conflicting thoughts, Elliot hesitated before leaning in quietly¡­. Sheena was already in a drunken state. This was the most she had drunk since the incident that had hurt her stomach. Trembling, she opened her eyes, and her blurry vision was met with an extremely terrifying and magnified mask. Almost instinctively, she smacked the face hard. Chister 42h ¡°What the hell! How dare you get close to me, you monster!¡± Elliot never expected her to wake up suddenly, let aloneunch a surprise attack. He cried out in pain. The nose bone under the mask felt like it had been seriously ttened by the force of the blow. He wanted to rub his nose and check for a nosebleed, but he hesitated. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Sheena was awake, and he did not dare to take off the mask and could only forcefully suppress the pain. Although Sheena was awake, the alcohol still had a firm grip on her. Her vision was blurry, and her head was spinning. The terrifying face in front of her circled like the hands of a clock. Sheena propped herself up on the bed, moving backward while sitting up, curling up at the head of the bed. Her hands trembled as she formed a defensive posture. ¡°You, ugly thing, stay away from me!¡± Elliot was quite helpless. Seeing that she seemed still intoxicated, he cleared his throat and hoarsely said, ¡°Ms. Sheena, it¡¯s me, Elliot.¡± Elliot? Sheena silently repeated the name. In recent days, this was the name she had heard the most. She felt extreme disgust toward this name! With the help of the alcohol, Sheena delivered a fierce kick and then reached for something on the bedside table to use as a weapon. She cursed menacingly, ¡°You, despicable creature! You still want to marry me! I¡¯ll send you to hell first!¡± Chapter 421 Chapter 421 Elliot winced as Sheena¡¯s footnded a solid blow to his side, causing his entire body to jerk. Clutching his side, he had not even processed the intense pain when Sheena swiftly grabbed a decorative vase from the bedside table, aiming to smash it over his head. Reacting quickly, Elliot covered his head and arched his back. He did not retaliate or attempt to dodge; he just let her vent her frustration. Sheena swung the vase three times at his back. Due to her intoxicated state, her grip was loose, and the blowscked real force. Nevertheless, the impact of the hard porcin on his spine still stung. Elliot was about to be traumatized by this experience. He was annoyed and thought he would never keep anything potentially dangerous on his bedside table again! After a few swings, Sheena forcefully mmed the vase against the corner of the table as if she was not satisfied, shattering it into shards. Then, with determination, she shed him with the sharp tip. ¡°Sheena!¡± Worried that she might injure herself, Elliot had no choice but to dodge. Yet, due to his hesitation, he did not move quickly enough and ended up with a shallow cut on his right vicle. The skin bore a small, quickly bleeding wound, staining his white shirt cor. This was not Sheena¡¯s initial intention. She had aimed for her neck but misjudged, shing his corbone instead. While she was preparing for another strike, Elliot seized the opportunity, swiftly grabbing her wrist and disarming her. Sheena red at him with resentment, saying, ¡°Elliot! Are you deliberately trying to scare me with this mask? I want to see how ugly your face is without it!¡± ¡°Wait, I¡­¡® Before he could exin, Sheena rammed her forehead into his, catching him off guard. Taking advantage of his loosened grip, she broke free and forcefully removed his mask. Elliot was left dumbfounded, not expecting her to be this strong even while drunk! With the mask off, he stood with his back turned, too anxious to face her. Yet¡­ Elliot waited for a few seconds, and the woman behind him, who had been loud and confrontational, suddenly fell silent, and the air grew still. He cautiously turned halfway, ncing out of the corner of his eye. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Elliot found Sheena sprawled across the bed,pletely unconscious, a reddened area on her forehead indicating the impact of their earlier head collision, which seemingly knocked her out. Even though he was relieved, he still felt shaken by the recent events. His vicle throbbed with pain, Chapter 421 and as he pressed on it, the fresh blood on his fingertips bore witness to the recent altercation. 212 Elliot¡¯s eyes reddened. Sheena¡¯s assault left him aching all over. He felt unfairly treated. After all, he had been attentively taking care of her while she was intoxicated, only to be attacked! From learning about her crush in the morning to discovering it was Colin and finally being beaten by her, the umted despair of the day became overwhelming. His nose tingled, and tears welled up in his eyes. As Elliot stared at the blood on his fingertips, Sheena, who had her eyes half¨Cclosed, quietly observed him for a long while. Elliot vaguely sensed her gaze, and he turned around, only to meet her gaze. Why was she¡­ looking at him like that? Did she recognize him? Nervously gulping, Elliot¡¯s brain raced, thinking of usible excuses. Before he could say anything, Sheena abruptly stood and cupped his face in her hands,ughing joyfully. ¡°I¡¯m dreaming again! As expected, I can only see you in dreams. Although your face seems a bit different this time, you¡¯re still handsome¡­¡® 11 Sheena suddenly burped, and Elliot could smell the strong scent of alcohol. His mind went nk as he watched her. ¡°I don¡¯t care. This is my dream, and I will decide how it goes!¡± Sheena continued to move closer, her face filled with mischief. Taking advantage of his dazed state, she lightly kissed his cold, thin lips. Elliot was stunned, feeling the soft sensation on his lips lingering. Had she just¡­ initiated a kiss? Sheena grinned with satisfaction, her eyes still hazy, clearly still drunk. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 422 Chapter 422 Elliot¡¯s spine stiffened, and he dared not move. He could not fathom what surprising act Sheena might perform next! Would it be a p to his face or a kick to his waist? Under his skeptical gaze, Sheena gently embraced his firm waist. Her gaze shifted downward, and she unexpectedly noticed the bloodstain near the cor of his shirt. Her eyes gradually filled with concern, asking, ¡°Why do you always get hurt in my dreams? Who dares to harm you? I¡¯ll make sure to get rid of them!¡± The tender gaze in Sheena¡¯s eyes instantly cased Elliot¡¯s recent grievances. Even though he realized she might be mistaking him for someone else, he softly reassured her, ¡°I¡¯m fine. It doesn¡¯t hurt.¡± However, Sheena¡¯s lips curved downwards, obviously upset. ¡°But I feel hurt.¡± With these words, she leaned in and gently kissed the shallow wound on his vicle, akin to a little cat comforting an injuredpanion. In stark contrast to her recent violent outburst, this moment was incredibly tender. ¡°Sheena¡­¡± Elliot stared at her actions in shock. Her soft lips on his corbone felt like honey, sweetening his entire heart, and he held her waist tightly, unwilling to let go. A mixture of emotions¨Cmoved, satisfied, pleasantly surprised, yet afraid of losing it all again- wrapped around him. For a moment, he wished time would freeze. More selfishly, he hoped Sheena¡¯s affection would forever belong to him alone. ¡°Do you like it?¡± Elliot tousled her hair and smiled. ¡°I really like it.¡± Sheena nestled into his embrace, resting her head on the other side of his corbone, delicately smelling the familiar tobo scent on him. ¡°Then you have toe into my dreams every day. I want to hug you, kiss you, and sleep with you¡­. Her voice gradually faded as she spoke. Elliot nced down and found his little cat had fallen back asleep. However, this time was different¨Cshe slept especially soundly in his arms and did not wake up again. Elliot maintained this position without moving for several hours, and eventually, his lower back and neck began to ache. Wanting to ce her head back on the pillow gently, he attempted to move, but the person in his arms immediately frowned, silently protesting. Unable to do otherwise, Elliot endured the bodily difort and carefully tucked her in. Chapter 422 2/2 He let her nestle in his embrace and sleep through the entire night. At around 6 a.m., Elliot leaned against Sheena¡¯s head, just starting to open his eyes when he heard the faint sound of a bird chirping outside the door. Recognizing it was Lionel, he instantly became alert. Elliot nced at the person in his arms, peacefully asleep. Even so, he had toy her back on the bed carefully. Fortunately, Sheena was deeply asleep by now and did not react much. Moving with utmost care, Elliot got up, put on his suit, and stepped out. Lionel was waiting just outside the door, and as Elliot emerged, he keenly noticed the bloodstain on his shirt cor. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, how did you get injured? Did you two fightst night?¡± There was no fight. It was more like he got beaten up. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. However, Elliot had forgotten about this incident until Lionel brought it up. The wound was no longer painful, but he vividly remembered the soft touch of Sheena¡¯s lips on the injury. His ears turned slightly red, and he felt content aboutst night¡¯s events. Well, except for his sore lower back. He rubbed his lower back and stiff neck, wearing a tired expression from a night with little rest. ¡°Let¡¯s go. She should be waking up soon,¡± Elliot said as he supported his lower back. Observing Elliot¡¯s movements, Lionel understood the situation and eximed excitedly, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re making progress already! It must¡¯ve been quite a night, right?¡± Chapter 423 Chapter 423 Chapter 423 Chapter 423 1/2 Elliot would not do anything to force Sheena unless she volunteered. Besides, Sheena was the one who was full of energyst night! Elliot had been brutally beaten, and now his back and waist still ached faintly. Nheless, he was not one to suffer alone and dragged Lionel down with him. Elliot red at Lionel, saying, ¡°For that sentence just now, you¡¯ll be deducted one month¡¯s sry for each word you said. Calcte it yourself.¡± As Lionel heard the disastrous news, he gasped. He had spoken so much just now, so his entire year¡¯s sry might be in vain! Elliot was simply too heartless and unreasonable. Lionel stood there in shock, immersed in sorrow. Elliot smirked as he walked away. Despite the pain in his waist and the stiffness in his neck, he moved with brisk steps, looking lively as if he were in a good mood. Lionel caught up, wailing, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I¡¯m sorry for what I¡¯ve said! Give me a chance to make amends!¡± It had been a long time since Sheena had slept so soundly. She slept until 9.30 a.m., only to be awakened by the ringing phone. ¡°Sweetheart, I¡¯ve talked to her aboutst night¡¯s incident. It won¡¯t happen again in the future. Can you return to the mansion tonight? The day after tomorrow is your banquet, and you need to prepare¡­ H Albert¡¯s coughing abruptly interrupted his sentence. Still groggy from sleep, Sheena thought for a moment before replying, ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Then, after ¡°Sure.¡± you finish your work today, remember to return early to try on your gown. Alright?¡± After hanging up the phone, Sheena turned over, intending to continue sleeping. However, she gradually regained her awareness. She did not go back to Lawson Estatest night, and she went to Hedone Bar for a drink. Yet, why was she now in bed? Sheena sat up suddenly, looking around in confusion. Beside the bedside table, the floor was scattered with broken pieces of porcin. Feeling bewildered, she quickly called John and Sawyer. After Elliot left, the two men stood guard at the door and quickly entered when Sheena called. Chapter 423 2/2 Sheena, still a bit hazy fromst night¡¯s drinking, could not recall much of what had happened and asked, ¡°Who brought me to the hotelst night?¡± ¡°It was Mr. Jenkins. He took care of you all night,¡± one of them replied. Sheena furrowed her brow. Checking herself and finding everything untouched, she breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Elliot had not done anything to her. Otherwise, she might have marched straight to the Jenkins mansion with a knife. However, if nothing had happenedst night, what about the scattered broken pieces of porcin on the floor? She did not remember having any disputes with Elliot. She just recalled dreaming sweetly about Elijah and even kissing and hugging him in the dream¡­ John and Sawyer were equally clueless. To get the specifics, they would need to ask Elliot himself. Sheena instructed, ¡°John, go to the Jenkins mansion and find Elliot. Tell him I want to talk to him in person.¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± John quickly moved into action. ¡°Sawyer, find the hotel manager. I¡¯llpensate them for the broken vase.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Sawyer turned to open the door, and coincidentally, the hotel manager and a waiter with a food cart were about to knock. Upon hearing aboutpensation, the manager smiled pleasingly, ¡°Ms. Lawson, don¡¯t worry about it. Mr. Jenkins has already settled the bill for the vase.¡± Not only had he paid for it, but he also paid ten times the amount. He suggested not cing any decorations on the bedside tables in all hotel rooms except tissue boxes. Thinking about these details, the manager¡¯s smile became even more radiant. He stepped aside, showcasing the customized delicacies on the food cart. ¡°And that¡¯s not all. Mr. Jenkins specifically ordered breakfast for you, all freshly made by our chefs. Would you This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. like to give it a try, Ms. Lawson?¡± The waiter ced the entire breakfast spread on the small table in the suite. Chapter 424 1/3 Chapter 424 Chapter 424 Chapter 424 Sheena looked at the breakfast spread on the table, pursing her lips in silence. Why was Elliot being this attentive? Why did she feel like there was a scheme? He had not taken advantage of herst night, had he? Sheena slipped her hand under the nket, discreetly checking once more and confirming that there was no pain and no injuries on her body. Unable to find any clues, she asked the hotel manager, ¡°I just returned to Svelton and don¡¯t know much about this Mr. Jenkins. Have you seen what he looks like?¡± The manager shook his head repeatedly. ¡°People like us don¡¯t deserve to see Mr. Jenkins¡¯s true face. He always wears a mask when he goes out, but I¡¯ve seen his back. He¡¯s tall and has exceptional charisma. I don¡¯t think he¡¯d be ugly either.¡± Sheena remained silent. It seemed she would have to meet Elliot in person to get clear answers. Ignoring the breakfast Elliot prepared for her, she left the hotel after freshening up and went to supervise the construction of the Angle Group¡¯s building. Busy throughout the morning, John hurriedly returned and reported, ¡°Miss, I went to visit the Jenkins family, but Mr. Jenkins wasn¡¯t there.¡± ¡°What about the Jenkins Group?¡± ¡°I checked there too, but no sign of him.¡± Alright. The next day, the day after that, and the day after that¡­ He would have to show up eventually. However, even after sending John to look for Elliot for two days and even positioning people at the Jenkins family and Jenkins Group entrances, there was still no sign of him. The response was always that he was unavable. Sheena was puzzled. Was he intentionally avoiding her? What was he hiding? Two days passed by peacefully, and the date for Sheena¡¯s wee banquet arrived. Chapter 424 2/3 The grand event was hosted at Albert¡¯s mansion, with a massive turnout of Svelton¡¯s business elite and prominent families. Two hours before the banquet, Sheena was in her room doing her makeup. Hanging beside her was a custom¨Cmade gown by Ms. Zoe. This pricey dress flowed gracefully as she walked, making her appear like a celestial being from a painting. Paul gently knocked and entered, walking to her side to report quietly, ¡°Miss, Mr. Jenkins still hasn¡¯t arrived. They say he¡¯s on a mission, and he¡¯s unlikely toe tonight. However, your dad will announce the engagement of the Jenkins and Lawson familiester tonight. If Mr. Jenkins isn¡¯t present, you might be the talk of the evening. What should we do?¡± Sheena remained expressionless. She did not care about all this, and the engagement was something she intended to cancel sooner orter. ¡°It¡¯s okay. With Dad around, not many would dare to gossip even if Elliot doesn¡¯t show up tonight,¡± Sheena replied calmly. However¡­ Elliot was obviously avoiding her! Sheena pondered over it, putting down the loose powder puff. Just then, another servant knocked on the door. ¡°Miss, Mr. Santiago Jenkins has arrived. He said he wants to see you alone and is waiting for you in the side hall.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Since Santiago was an elder, she couldn¡¯t let him wait too long. After changing into her gown, Sheena went to the side hall. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Hello, Grandpa Santiago. Knowing you wereing, Dad prepared some fine tea. You¡¯re our prestigious guest, after all,¡± Sheena greeted Santiago with a soft, affectionate tone, maintaining politeness. Santiago put down the teacup, and at the sight of Sheena, his eyes lit up with surprise. ¡°Sheena,e a bit closer. Let me have a good look at you.¡± Sheena smiled and obediently sat beside Santiago. Although it was their first meeting, Santiago genuinely liked her. Not only was she beautiful, but she also had an elegant demeanor and was well- spoken. She seemed to be a thoughtful girl. Santiago was pleased and said, ¡°What an excellent girl! No wonder Eli likes you. He has never asked me for anything in all these years. It¡¯s the first time, all for your sake¡­¡± He continued speaking, but Sheena was not paying attention. All she could think about was Elliot Chapter 424 asking Santiago for her hand in marriage. So, Elliot lied to her about it, pretending it was not prearranged! If so, why was he avoiding her? Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! 1/2 821 Chapter 425 Chapter 425 Chapter 425 Sheena was filled with suspicion, During her distracted moments, Santiago continued speaking, ¡°Eli is genuinely concerned about you. But, Sheena, you¡¯ve been back for a few days. Have you two met? What¡¯s your first impression of him? ¡°No, Grandpa Santiago,¡± Sheena replied. ¡°These past few days, I¡¯ve tried to arrange a meeting with him. However, it seems he¡¯s intentionally avoiding me, so we haven¡¯t had the chance to meet.¡± Santiago¡¯s expression grew grim. ¡°He actually did that?¡± Santiago called the butler, Grant, into the room and instructed, ¡°Go and fetch Elliot. What¡¯s he up to? Why is he avoiding Sheena?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Sheena maintained a smile, engaging in casual conversation and drinking tea with Santiago. Ten minutester, Grant returned. ¡°Sir, Mr. Jenkins isn¡¯ting tonight. He said he¡¯s on a mission.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°What urgent mission requires him to skip his fiancee¡¯s banquet? It has been two days! This rascal!¡± Santiago mmed his cane on the floor. Trying not to scold him too harshly in front of Sheena, he reassured her, ¡°Sheena, don¡¯t worry. Even if I have to drag him here, I¡¯ll make sure that boyes.¡± Sheena did not argue, smiling obediently. ¡°Anything you say, Grandpa Santiago.¡± Santiago looked affectionately at her. When he turned to Grant, his expression turned stern. ¡°Go tell Elliot, if he dares to bete tonight, he¡¯ll kneel for three days and three nights! Kneel until his legs break!¡± Grant left. Ten minutester, he returned with a disheartened look. ¡°Mr. Jenkins said when he finishes his mission tonight, he¡¯ll¡­ ept the punishment.¡± Santiago was furious. Rather than attending his fiancee¡¯s banquet, Elliot chose to face punishment! He was determined to go against him! In front of Sheena, Santiago could only sternly issue anothermand, ¡°Tell him that if he dares not to come, add a hundredshes to the punishment!¡± Grant¡¯s face instantly changed. ¡°A hundredshes? Sir, are you serious?¡± Santiago tapped his cane on the floor, turned away, and coldly snorted without answering. Grant hesitated to deliver the order, ¡°Sir, you know Mr. Jenkins is stubborn. If he¡¯s determined not to Chapter 425 Santiago¡¯s expression changed, and he fell into silence. Sheena observed the shifting emotions between the two men. The Jenkins family¡¯s punishment withshes seemed to be no simple matter. Could a hundredshes really whip a strong, ex¨Cmilitary man like Elliot to death? Since Santiago had said that in front of Sheena, he could not revoke the punishment. Nheless, beating Elliot was something he could not bring himself to do. Seeing the tense atmosphere in the room, Sheena understood that Santiago was waiting for her to speak. 212 With a gentle smile, she spoke softly, ¡°Grandpa Santiago, thisshing Uncle Grant mentioned sounded quite severe. The banquet is just a formality; attending to his mission is the most important. If Mr. Jenkins doesn¡¯te, it¡¯s not a big deal. Please don¡¯t punish him.¡± Santiago patted her hand appreciatively, sighing repeatedly. ¡°You¡¯re truly a gracious child, but it¡¯s too unfair to you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Grandpa Santiago.¡± The more graciously she behaved, the more troubled Santiago felt. ¡°Sheena, rest assured. Even if he doesn¡¯te tonight, I¡¯ll find a way for you two to meet! I¡¯ll make sure he apologizes to you in person!¡± The formal banquet began. Sheena¡¯s entrance drew all eyes, making her the focal point of attention. The beautiful gown, coupled with her elegant and tasteful makeup, made every movement and gesture captivating. Tonight¡¯s banquet was held just for her. Sheena walked onto the stage, facing the collective gaze of the attendees. She gracefully delivered an official statement about reiming her position as the Lawson family¡¯s little princess. Chapter 426 1/2 Chapter 426 Chapter 426 Chapter 426 N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. After Sheena finished speaking, Albert took the stage. Amidst the cheers from the crowd, he swiftly announced Sheena¡¯s engagement to Elliot. Since Elliot could not make it to the venue, Albert chose to simplify and quickly move past the announcement to minimize the guests¡® attention. As the banquet progressed, Sheena, having toasted all the guests, sat alone in a corner, sipping her wine. Seeing her sitting alone, Colin felt a twinge of sympathy and joined her. ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re not really willing to be engaged to Elliot, are you?¡± She remained silent, elegantly swirling her wine ss. Colin continued, ¡°Look at him. He can¡¯t even be present on such an important day, leaving you to bear everyone¡¯s ridicule. A man like that won¡¯t cherish you properly.¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Mr. Upton, it seems like no one dared to ridicule me except for you today.¡± Colin was frustrated. ¡°That¡¯s because Uncle Albert managed the situation well. Sheena, I regret not having my parents talk to Uncle Albert about our marriage earlier. But if you¡¯re willing to be with me, I can stand up to the Jenkins family for you!¡± ¡°No need, Mr. Upton. I¡¯m not interested,¡± Sheena replied without hesitation. ¡°Why? Do you really like Elliot?¡± Colin asked. Sheena put down her wine ss and said earnestly, ¡°I don¡¯t like him and won¡¯t marry him. Simrly, I only see you as a friend. We can only remain as friends. I hope you can understand my stance.¡± Colin turned pale, unable to utter a word. The banquet ended at 11 p.m., and Lionel, who had been lurking around the Freeman family, quickly ran to the car parked a couple of hundred meters away. Seizing the moment when no one was watching, he opened the car door and got in. Before Lionel could settle, the man who had been waiting inside immediately inquired, ¡°How did it go?¡± Lionel replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Jenkins! With the threats you issued earlier and how well Old Man Lawson handled it, no one dared to gossip about Ms. Sheena behind her back.¡± Elliot¡¯s sense of guilt eased a bit. ¡°Did she look upset?¡± Lionel pondered for a moment. ¡°Not really. I saw her chatting with Mr. Upton for quite a while, and it seemed like they got along fine.¡± Elliot remained silent, and hisplexion immediately paled, looking disappointed. Chapter 426 2/2 The car remained unlit, so Lionel could not see his expression, but he could feel the atmosphere turning cold. Realizing he should not have brought up Colin, Lionel regretfully patted himself for his big mouth, changing the subject, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, it¡¯s gettingte. When do you n to go home?¡± Elliot contemted for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll wait a little longer.¡± An hourter, Elliot finally returned to the Jenkins estate. Reminded of the penalty Santiago imposed on him for missing the event, he chose not to go back to the estate but headed to the altar room instead. Upon reaching the altar room, Grant was already waiting at the entrance, clearly anticipating his arrival. ¡°Mr. Santiago Jenkins was unwell as soon as he returned tonight. You should go check on him,¡± Grant informed. Without much thought, Elliot followed Grant. When they reached the guest room on the second floor, Grant suddenly halted and gestured for him to enter. Elliot frowned and asked, ¡°This isn¡¯t Grandpa¡¯s room. Why are you taking me here?¡± Grant remainedposed. ¡°His legs aren¡¯t feeling well. He just made it to this point today and fell ill, so he decided to stay here.¡± Elliot stayed silent, showing evident doubt. Grant locked eyes with him and emphasized, ¡°Do you think I¡¯d joke about his health? He¡¯s inside. Hurry up and enter. He might get upset if you¡¯rete.¡± Still doubtful, Elliot opened the door and took several steps inside. Suddenly, Grant pushed him from behind, shut the door, and locked it. ¡°Uncle Grant, open the door!¡± Elliot pounded on the door several times, but there was no response from outside. It seemed like the person had already left. Perplexed, Elliot was trying to figure out the situation when he heard a familiar and tender voice from behind. ¡°It¡¯s useless, Mr. Jenkins. You¡¯ve been avoiding me, and Grandpa Santiago specially arranged for this. That voice¡­ Chapter 427 1/3 Chapter 427 Chapter 427 Chapter 427 Elliot held his breath, gently turning to look. There, Sheena sat on the sofa near the window, with her back to him, casually sipping red wine. His palms clenched, sweating with tension. Was there a chance she got drunk again? Would she be as gentle as she was that night two days ago? ¡°I considered myself unfamiliar with you, Mr. Jenkins. Yet, you unexpectedly nned to engage me. Don¡¯t you think you owe me an exnation?¡± Sheena¡¯s calm and well¨Carticted words echoed, causing despair to well up within Elliot. He fumbled with the doorknob, feeling hopeless. Sheena¡¯s speech was coherent, her breathing steady. She probably only had two drinks, not enough to be intoxicated! Tonight seemed like a lost cause. However, he had not thought of how to face her¡­ Without thinking, he moved toward the window, attempting to escape. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Sheena¡¯s indifferent voice interrupted him, ¡°Grandpa Santiago instructed to have the windows locked, and I heard they¡¯re bulletproof. No matter how you try, they won¡¯t break. Besides, what are you afraid of? It¡¯s just a chat.¡± There was no escape this time, and Elliot could not avoid it. He touched his face, realizing it was still hidden behind the mask. Hence, Sheena likely would not recognize him so easily. Elliot cleared his throat, saying, ¡°Ms. Lawson, you must be joking. I don¡¯t know you, and the decision to engage with you was based on the astrologer¡¯s advice.¡± Setting down her wine ss, Sheena turned to look at him. ¡°Last time, I told you I have someone I like 11 She suddenly stopped mid¨Csentence, watching the impably dressed and dignified man standing by the window. The mere image of him standing there triggered a deep¨Cseated familiarity. Sheena¡¯s expression gradually froze, carefully scrutinizing the man by the window from head to toe. Elliot, aware of the change in her demeanor, became nervous. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you seem familiar,¡± Sheena said as she rose, frowning as she approached Elliot slowly. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you must be mistaken. We¡¯ve never met.¡± Chapter 427 2/3 Elliot maintained his cold demeanor, and his voice hoarse. Sheena stared into his familiar ck eyes, her eyes gradually reddening. Suddenly, she grabbed his suit cor, forcefully pressing him against the window. ¡°What are you pretending, Elijah? Do you think you can wear a mask and I won¡¯t recognize you? Your eyes, every little gesture¡­ You can deceive others, but not me!¡± Elliot was stunned. Should he confess? Would Sheena think he had been deceiving her all along? She despised deception and never liked him from the start. Would she now resent him even more and refuse to forgive him? ¡°Why didn¡¯t you find me? Why did you suddenly turn into Elliot? What happened in between, Elijah? Give me a reasonable exnation!¡± Sheena clenched his cor, trembling. Her eyes reflected shock, confusion, and anger. ¡°Ms. Lawson, I¡­¡± ¡°What did you call me?¡± With her other hand, Sheena ruthlessly struck his abdomen. Elliot grimaced in pain, his features contorting. Yet, Sheena continued to grip his cor, forcefully pressing him back against the window ss. It was not that he could not fight back, but he feared exerting too much force and hurting Sheena inadvertently. Sheena, on the other hand, gave her all with each strike. She red at him in fury, losing her rationality. Her mind echoed with the fact that Elijah was not dead; he was alive. Yet, why did he note to find her? Why did he not recognize her? ¡°You won¡¯t admit it, right? Fine! I¡¯ll do it myself!¡± She reached to remove his mask. Elliot tightly covered his face. ¡°Ms. Lawson, this is our first official meeting tonight. Is it appropriate to get physical?¡± ¡°You¡¯re my fiance. What¡¯s the big deal if I touch you? Why are you afraid to show me your face? If you¡¯re truly just Elliot and not Elijah, what¡¯s there to be nervous about?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± 11 Chapter 427 3/3 Sheena did not give him a chance to exin. With a forceful elbow strike, she hit his abdomen again. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! X im Chapter 428 1/2 Chapter 428 Chapter 428 Chapter 428 Taking advantage of Elliot¡¯s intense pain, Sheena swiftly removed his mask. When their eyes met, the air seemed to stagnate for a moment. Sheena stared at his face in shock. Except for the eyes, almost all of his facial features had changed, bearing only a few resemnces to Elijah, noticeable upon closer inspection. Yet, Elliot¡¯s gaze and subtle movements could not deceive her. He was unmistakably Elijah! ¡°Why is your face different? Are you wearing a skin mask?¡± Sheena harshly tugged at his face, attempting to unveil his disguise. Elliot restrained her small hand, his tone serious. ¡°It¡¯s different because I¡¯m Elliot Jenkins, and I always have been Elliot!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe you! Did you get stic surgery? Thinking a new face would fool me? If you have the guts, gouge out your eyeballs and rece them!¡± Sheena seethed with anger. Unfortunately, apart from the simrity, she could not find any favorable proof on Elliot¡¯s face. Recalling Elijah¡¯s severe burns and whip marks on his back before the incident, she broke free from his grip and directly started removing his clothes. ¡°Ms. Lawson, isn¡¯t it inappropriate to undress me on our first proper meeting?¡± ¡°Shut up! Turn around! If you¡¯re not guilty, let me check!¡± ¡°Fine, go ahead and check.¡± Elliot raised his hands halfway, allowing her to investigate. Despite her suspicions, Sheena maintained a degree of reservation. Instead of undressing him piece by piece, she pulled his shirt out from beneath the belt, lifting it along with the suit. Elliot¡¯s well¨Cdefined muscles were fully disyed, revealing his smooth honey¨Ccolored skin that looked exceptionally pleasing in the room¡¯s light. Sheena was shocked to find that there were no signs of injuries, not even the deep scar Elijah had from being cut when he went to the mountains to find her. Slowly releasing her grip, she staggered backward, stepping all the way to the edge of the bed. Sheena sat there, dazed, disappointment overwhelming her. Gradually, her rationality returned. Elijah was dead, and Sheena had witnessed his burial. Moreover, Elijah and Elliot came from vastly different family backgrounds, making a connection between the two seem highly improbable. Her heart throbbed with pain, feeling the despair of thinking something was regained, only to lose it Chapter 428 once again, washed over her. However, in Elliot¡¯s presence, she forcibly held back her tears. ¡°I mistook you for someone else,¡± Sheena uttered. Elliot quietly exhaled, turning to find Sheena appeared sad. 2/2 Tentatively, he asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, did you mistake me for your ex¨Chusband just now? It seems like you still have feelings for him?¡± Sheena pursed her lips, offering no response and ignoring him. Rising from her seat, she returned to the sofa, grabbed the half¨Cempty bottle of red wine from the table, and poured it directly into her mouth. ¡°Ms. Lawson!¡± Elliot grabbed the wine bottle from her. ¡°Drinking like this is not good for your health. 11 ¡°Our engagement will be canceled sooner orter, Mr. Jenkins. Mind your own business,¡± Sheena said indifferently, opening another bottle of red wine. Elliot snatched it from her again. ¡°If you want to drink, I¡¯ll apany you. Seating across from her on the sofa, Elliot filled two sses with red wine. As he did, Sheena immediately downed both sses. As if dissatisfied, she grabbed the wine bottle and assertively finished it all. Consequently, she ended up intoxicated once more. Seeing her in such a state, Elliot felt a twinge of concern. He walked over and took the bottle from her hand. ¡°Stop drinking. Let me carry you to bed.¡± Sheena made no attempt to resist, letting him lift her. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Elliot¡¯s familiar scent overwhelmed her senses, slowly eroding her rationality and making it difficult for her to remain calm. ¡°Eli¡­¡± Sheena mumbled just as Elliot was about to get up and fetch a towel to help her wash her face. He froze, turning back in disbelief to look at the bed where Sheenay in a drunken slumber. Chapter 429 1/2 Chapter 429 Chapter 429 Chapter 429 Elliot¡¯s mind was a nk. Eli? He had never considered that she would affectionately call him that. Was she referring to Elijah, the past version of him? Did this imply that she still had some sentiment left for him? His heart was in turmoil, and after much hesitation, he finally mustered the courage to speak. ¡°Sheena, I¡­¡± Before he could finish, Sheena, with her rosy face, angrily grabbed the cuff of his sleeve. ¡°Elijah, if you dare to lie to me again! I¡¯ll dig up your grave! Even if you¡¯re cremated, I¡¯ll find a way to torture you!¡± So ruthless¡­ Elliot decided to stay silent. He sat on the edge of the bed, contemting. He knew that Sheena no longer loved him. As her ex¨Chusband, it seemed his sole purpose was to be a scapegoat for her frustrations. If Sheena found out that he had woven a massive lie to deceive her, would she detest him and never give him another chance? A heavy feeling weighed on his chest as Elliot silently sat by the bed, watching Sheena sleeping peacefully. He had invested so much effort into securing this engagement because his biggest regret was divorcing her. He was terrified of losing her again. Since confessing might only make things worse, he decided to let her ept the irrevocable fact that Elijah had passed away. He would start anew with her, embracing his identity as Elliot. Sheena slept restlessly, her furrowed brows revealing her frustration even in slumber. Elliot gently used his hand to smooth her furrowed brow and bent down to lightly kiss her forehead. Then, he went to the bathroom to fetch a towel, wiped her face and hands, and finally took a new cotton nket from the wardrobe, settling on the small sofa for the night. Elliot was awakened by the sound of the door unlocking from outside. Seeing that Sheena was still asleep, he quietly left the room. It was Grant, smiling mischievously. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, did you and Ms. Lawson hit it offst night? Did you two¡­¡± He made a thumbs¨Cup gesture with both hands. Chapter 429 2/2 Elliot¡¯s expression remained cold as he avoided the topic, saying, ¡°When Ms. Lawson wakes let up, her have breakfast with Grandpa before leaving. If she doesn¡¯t want to, do not force her.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Elliot first went to the adjacent room to freshen up and exited Santiago¡¯s mansion. Just as he reached the entrance, he heard voices around the corner. On closer check, it was Lionel and, he believed, John.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°John, why are you here so early? Ms. Sheena probably hasn¡¯t woken up yet. You might have to wait a while.¡± ¡°Waiting is fine, but she didn¡¯t drinkst night, did she? She had quite a bit at the banquet, so she might be drunk again. She thinks she still has her old alcohol tolerance, and she doesn¡¯t have self- control!¡± John sighed heavily. Lionel was curious. ¡°What¡¯s up with Ms. Sheena?¡± John hesitated before replying, ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. She doesn¡¯t want us to talk about it. If she finds out, I¡¯ll lose my pay.¡± ¡°I rarely see her, and she won¡¯t know. Plus, only three of us are here, and I can keep a secret. Just tell me!¡± Standing on the other side of the wall, Elliot had initially decided to leave but returned upon hearing the conversation concerning Sheena. John continued, ¡°Do you remember Mr. Freeman¡¯s death half a year ago? Since the day she returned after Mr. Freeman¡¯s funeral, she locked herself in his room for three whole days, not eating or drinking, crying her eyes out. She even drank all the alcohol in the liquor cab on an empty stomach! Her body couldn¡¯t handle it, and her stomach was almost burnt through. Since then, her overall health has deteriorated.¡± Lionel was shocked. Chapter 430 1/2 Chapter 430 Chapter 430 Chapter 430 ¡°Ms. Sheena actually¡­¡± ¡°Sigh¡­ She¡¯s just stubborn on the surface. In reality, she cared a lot about Mr. Freeman and had at hard time epting his death. It¡¯s all in the past now. Let¡¯s not dwell on it.¡± Lionel was puzzled and asked, ¡°But how did this happen? I heard Ms, Sheena has been quite fond of Mr. Uptontely.¡± ¡°Mr. Upton?¡± John was perplexed, ¡°Who told you that? Miss has never looked at any other man the way she looked at Mr. Freeman.¡± The two continued their conversation, but Elliot had stopped listening. His mind was buzzing. John said that Sheena cared deeply about him, and she cried so much after his death. Moreover, she even drank so much alcohol that it damaged her stomach. Could the person he loved deeply still have feelings for him? The person Sheena liked was not Colin, so was it possible that she meant his past identity of Elijah? Elliot trembled all over. The emotions he felt were indescribable. He had never been so pleasantly surprised, and he dared not imagine that Sheena actually loved him¡­ His eyes turned red, and he turned to go into the mansion to find Sheena, eager to tell her that he was alive. A figure suddenly appeared in front of him. Lionel, who had just finished talking with John, asked, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, where are you going?¡± Elliot pushed him aside, ¡°To confess to Sheena.¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, have you thought this through? Last night was your first formal meeting after six months. It was your best chance, to be honest, but you missed it and put on a show for her. She¡¯s in a bad mood now. If you go to her now, do you think she¡¯ll forgive you?¡± No, she would not. If he confessed now, it would be like walking into a trap, which might backfire. Sheena, in her anger, could cut ties with himpletely. However, knowing that Sheena still loved him, he could not bear to wait any longer! Suppressing his inner joy, he began to analyze and think rationally about the situation. Lionel also tried to help him think of a solution. ¡°How about pretending to suffer from amnesia? Stir up her sympathy, and you can reveal that your memory has returned when the time is right. Maybe she won¡¯t be as angry then?¡± That was indeed an option. Chapter 430 212 After a moment of silence, Elliot, still wearing a stern expression, shook his head, ¡°No, Sheena is too smart. If she catches on to the amnesia act, it will onlyplicate matters further. I might end up as a corpse for real.¡± He gave it a thought and continued, ¡°I need to find an opportunity to confess to her as soon as possible¡­ while she¡¯s notpletely consumed by anger.¡± Then, Elliot instructed Lionel, ¡°Tomorrow night, you¡¯ll arrange for Sheena toe to my mansion. Tell her I¡¯m inviting her for dinner.¡± Lionel seemed uncertain. ¡°Will shee?¡± ¡°She will,¡± Elliot asserted with determination. ¡°Sheena is always suspicious, andst night¡¯s events won¡¯t dispel her doubts. I suspect she¡¯ll conduct her own investigation in the next few days and try to find an opportunity to test me. I need to confess before she uncovers concrete evidence.¡± Lionel nodded, finding the reasoning sound. He agreed that this matter could not be dyed. If Sheena discovered evidence before the confession, realizing Elliot had hidden the truth, it could escte into a major issue. Once the arrangements were made, Elliot took a few long strides toward the entrance of Santiago¡¯s mansion. After walking a short distance, he recalled something and turned back. ¡°That¡¯s not enough. Find a whip for me, a rough one. It¡¯s better if it can draw blood when whipped, making the injuries look severe and frightening.¡± Lionel winced. ¡°Mr. Jenkins! That¡¯s quite harsh on yourself!¡± How would he win his wife back if he were to hold back? Elliot had missed the best opportunity for an honest confessionst night. If Sheena were willing to take matters into her own hands tomorrow night, showing a willingness to forgive him by giving him a beating, then the anger would likely subside. However, if she could not be bothered to take action, the situation would not be so easily resolved!Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Chapter 431 Chapter 431 Elliot let out a gentle sigh, recalling John¡¯s words and feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt. ¡°Hurry, I¡¯ve made her suffer for the past six months. I need to give her something back so I don¡¯t feel indebted to her.¡± Lionel hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. He believed Elliot owed nothing to Sheena anymore, yet he knew Elliot¡¯s love for Sheena was boundless, and he would go to any lengths to win her favor. Lionel genuinely felt sorry for Elliot but found himself powerless to change the situation. When Sheena woke up, she immediately checked for any visible marks on her body. She also noticed the neatly folded nket on the small sofa, which suggested that Elliot had not taken advantage of the situation. Sheena was surprised that he was willing topromise and sleep on the sofa. He seemed to be a virtuous and restrained man, quite different from the rumors she had heard about him. She still remembered the events fromst night before passing out, but it was a blur as she had quite a few drinks. The whole situation with Elliot was suspicious, and she needed to investigate further. Upon learning of Santiago¡¯s invitation to breakfast, she initially declined but eventually decided to go, considering Elliot¡¯s matter. At the dining table, seizing an opportunity between conversations with Santiago, she subtly brought up the topic. ¡°Grandpa Santiago, I heard that Elliot only returned six months ago. I saw him in personst night, and he¡¯s quite handsome. Why are there rumors about him being ugly?¡± Santiago remainedposed. ¡°After establishing himself in Svelton, he attracted too many socialites. He didn¡¯t like it, so he intentionally let rumors spread.¡± ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Sheena smiled, then continued, ¡°Has he always looked like this?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Santiago replied naturally, looking at Sheena in confusion. Sheena smiled even brighter. ¡°I just find Elliot so handsome. I wanted to see if there are any pictures of him from before.¡± ¡°There¡¯s actually none. He really hates taking photos.¡± He hated taking photos? That was quite simr to Elijah. Chapter 431 2/2 Sheena remained silent, focusing on her breakfast. During the ride back home, she remembered Naomi¡¯s words at Hedone Bar. Naomi had said, ¡°However, Elliot has had a tough time. He came back from a mission in the military six months ago, covered in blood and seriously injured. He was reportedly coughing up blood every day, which scared Grandpa¡­¡± Elijah passed away six months ago, and Elliot returned with numerous injuries to the Jenkins family at the same time. Could there be a connection between the two? To find answers to her questions, she decided to call Naomi. ¡°Nana, what a surprise! How can I help you?¡± Naomi eximed. With a serious expression, Sheena asked, ¡°Naomi, the main reason I called you today is to ask about Elliot.¡± ¡°Wow! Don¡¯t worry, I get you. What do you want to know about him? I¡¯ll tell you everything!¡± ¡°When exactly did Elliot return to the Jenkins family six months ago?¡± On the other end of the line, Naomi thought for a moment before saying, ¡°It¡¯s been a while. I don¡¯t remember it too well.¡± ¡°Have you noticed anything different about Elliot from before?¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 432 Chapter 432 1/2 ¡°No. Elliot has been sent to the military since he was young and has rarely returned over the years, especially after he turned 15. He didn¡¯t return until six months ago.¡± Elliot had not been back to the Jenkins family since he was 15? That was strange. Sheena continued, ¡°When you mentioned he got injured six months ago, where was he injured? Was it severe, like on his face or back?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that. I haven¡¯t seen his injuries. I just heard it from the servants at Grandpa¡¯s estate, but it was indeed severe, During the power struggle with Uncle Peter, Elliot would always appear in a wheelchair and wore a mask.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. After questioning for a while, it seemed she could not find any particrly useful information. Sheena exchanged a few more words with Naomi and ended the call. In the front seat, John asked out of curiosity, ¡°Miss, why are you suddenly so concerned about Mr. Jenkins? Did sparks fly between you twost night?¡± Busy figuring out this matter, Sheena ignored his teasing and simply said, ¡°John, I always feel that something is off, that Elijah didn¡¯t really die.¡± John did not believe it. ¡°Miss, how is that possible? Setting aside the severe injuries Mr. Freeman had before the incident, the chances of him surviving the attack are really low. Besides, Ian personally witnessed his body being cremated.¡± ¡°Is it possible that the body was fake? That they found someone with a simr physique to rece him?¡± John thought carefully and replied, ¡°It¡¯s possible, but if Mr. Freeman is really alive, why hasn¡¯t hee back to find you? He used to be eager to be with you every day.¡± That was also a point that Sheena could not figure out. She looked out the car window, lost in thought. Elliot¡¯s image fromst night gradually surfaced in her mind. Despite concealing himself well, she still felt like he recognized her. Also, his nervous habits were exactly like Elijah¡¯s. Could there be such a coincidence? If so, why did he not have any scars on his body? The burns caused by the corrosive S40 agent would undoubtedly leave scars that could not be easily removed. It seemed like Sheena needed to consult Corey. She first went to the newly decorated Angle Group building, which was almost ready. In a few days, she could transfer all the business from Farlem¡¯s side. Chapter 432 212 Entering the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor, she settled into the chair, with John guarding outside. Checking Corey¡¯s flight schedule, Sheena found out he was off today and decided to give him a call. ¡°Corey, is there any drug in theb that works exceptionally well in removing scars, making the skin completely free of any traces?¡± Corey responded, ¡°No. Even the best drugs can¡¯t restore the skin to that extent. Why do you ask? Did you get injured?¡± Sheena quickly shook her head and said, ¡°No, I¡¯m just curious.¡± ¡°If you want the skin to bepletely restored without any traces, you probably need skin graft surgery. Currently, the best technique globally is in Hurokey.¡± After a long silence, Sheena asked, ¡°Corey, do you¡­ know about my engagement to Elliot?¡± ¡°I do. What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°It seems like Elliot might be from the National Investigation Bureau. He conceals his whereabouts very well, and it¡¯s challenging for me to investigate. But if you¡¯re the one checking, can you find out if he had any international flight records in the past six months?¡± Corey found it strange. ¡°Why do you suddenly want to check his travel records?¡± Sheena chuckled, saying, ¡°Well, we¡¯re engaged now. I just want to know more about him.¡± That seemed reasonable. Although Corey was a bit skeptical, he did not say much. ¡°Sure, but investigating Elliot¡¯s entire six- month itinerary isn¡¯t easy and will take some time.¡± ¡°How long will it take?¡± ¡°At the earliest, tomorrow afternoon.¡± The whole night, Sheena stayed awake, wrestling with her thoughts. Her sleep had not been great in the past six months. However, she surprisingly slept soundly during the two nights she spent alone with Elliot. Perhaps tomorrow, all her doubts could finally be answered. Chapter 433 Chapter 433 The next day at the Jenkins Group, Lionel walked into the CEO¡¯s office with a gloomy expression. He had visited various stables in Svelton yesterday and finally found a whip specifically used for taming wild and fierce horses. He handed it to Elliot, saying, ¡°This whip is quite rough, Mr. Jenkins. Be careful.¡± Elliot, deep in thought, stored the item away. Lionel, still concerned, reminded him, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, if Ms. Sheena really whips you tonight, don¡¯t force yourself to endure it. Pretend to be more helpless, cry out in pain, shed a couple of tears to make her feel sorry for you.¡± Elliot nodded without saying a word, contemting how to exin thingster in the evening Seeing Elliot was not taking his advice seriously, Lionel felt quite frustrated. Then again, if the person getting hit was not worried, why should he be so anxious? During the day, Sheena went to Angle Group as usual, continuing her preparations before the official operation. The busy day ended smoothly, and Corey¡¯s investigation results were also faxed to her before the end of the workday. Sheena printed out the information and carefully examined it, her expression growing increasingly icy. The data revealed that Elliot had indeed visited Hurokey a few months ago. Since the Jenkins family had no business in Hurokey, going to a stic surgery hospital seemed like the only usible reason. So, was Elliot really lying to herst night? As she pondered, John suddenly knocked on the door and entered. ¡°Miss, Lionel just came by and said Mr. Jenkins invites you to have dinner at the mansion after work. He¡¯s personally cooking. Will you go?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Sheena answered almost without hesitation. If she could not investigate him discreetly, she might as well confront Elliot directly. She tidied up her desk, stuffed the documents into her bag, grabbed her coat from the coat rack, and nced at John. ¡°Let¡¯s go now.¡± John froze, seeing her walk away, and quickly caught up. At the Jenkins family¡¯s estate, Sheena could not recall the winding paths in the yard, so she let Grant guide her again. Arriving at Elliot¡¯s mansion, Lionel and a few bodyguards were already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Sheena approach, Lionel respectfully bowed slightly. ¡°Ms. Sheena, long time no see.¡± Chapter 433 2/2 ¡°Not really. I saw you thest time I visited Elliot¡¯s mansion, just before leaving.¡± Lionel was slightly embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, ¡°Mr. Jenkins is inside. Please enter, Ms. Sheena.¡± Sheena walked toward the mansion alone. After a few steps, Lionel whispered from behind, ¡°There¡¯s an urgent mission at the bureau tonight. After dinner, Mr. Jenkins will have to leave the city for the mission. It¡¯s going to be a really intense gunfight.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Sheena nced at him, puzzled. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Lionel looked frustrated and resisted the urge to say more. In the end, he just sighed silently,¡± Nothing, please go inside.¡± Although Sheena found it strange, seeing that he did not want to say more, she did not press him. Approaching the door, she was about to knock when she noticed the door was slightly ajar. Gently pushing it open, the door suddenly burst open a crack, and from behind, a strong force grabbed her wrist, pulling her in. A familiar and warm embrace tightly held her, arms trembling from the tightness. Sheena could tell the person holding her was nervous. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what are you doing?¡± Elliot wore only a thin silk white shirt, remaining silent. Chapter 434 Chapter 434 Elliot gently released her from his embrace, stepped back, and slowly sank to his knees, his back straight, kneeling before her. She nced at this familiar gesture and almost instantly understood, her eyes reddening. ¡°Elijah¡­¡± It was not a question but an affirmation. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Elliot did not deliberately lower his voice. Noticing the glistening tears in her eyes, his heart ached. Overwhelmed by guilt, his eyes welled up as well. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Sheena tilted her head back, suppressing the tears that were about to fall, recing them with a cold expression. ¡°You lied to me? Clearly, you didn¡¯t die, yet you didn¡¯te to find me. Instead, you deliberately wrote a sentimental farewell letter. Is it all a joke to you? Are you watching how I get deceived, how stupid I am not to see through your act?¡± ¡°No, Nana, I¡­¡± ¡°Shut up! Do you even have the right to call me that? Don¡¯t you prefer calling me Ms. Lawson?¡± Elliot¡¯s heart sank. He cautiously held her small hand, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Last night was my mistake, and I should¡¯ve been honest. But when I wrote that letter, I wasn¡¯t deceiving you. I can exin!¡± ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll believe you now? Why did you choose tonight to confess? Because you realized I didn¡¯t believe your acting, afraid that I would expose you first. You were forced to confess because you saw that you couldn¡¯t keep it hidden any longer, right?¡± Elliot hesitated slightly. Although not entirely urate, she had indeed guessed part of it. Seeing his expression, Sheena confirmed her suspicions, her eyes filled with even more disdain. ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you¡¯re Elliot or Elijah. I hate it when people lie to me, especially faking death to deceive my emotions! It¡¯s too much!¡± Elliot looked at her, suppressing the urge to cry. ¡°I didn¡¯t deceive your emotions. Can you please listen to my exnation?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to listen to anything! I never want to see you again!¡± She flung his hand away and turned to leave. ¡°Don¡¯t go, Nana!¡± Elliot crawled a few steps, trying to wrap his arms around her waist. ¡°Get lost!¡± Chapter 434 2/2 She pped him on the face with a force that was not too strong. Elliot¡¯s cheek only turned slightly red from the p, but Sheena paused because she noticed that despite being hit, he was actually smiling. His dark eyes sparkled as he spoke softly, ¡°Is one p enough to vent your anger? If not, feel free to continue. I can take it. I¡¯m quite resilient!¡± Sheena stared at him coldly, as if trying to figure out what game he was ying, her eyes devoid of warmth. Elliot continued, ¡°But don¡¯t use your hands. They¡¯ll hurt. Use this instead. Whip me until you feel satisfied.¡± As he spoke, he took a whip from his lower back and eagerly handed it to her. Sheena neither took it nor spoke. Elliot took matters into his own hands, forcefully cing the whip¡¯s handle into hers. He then straightened his back, tilted his head, and looked at her with anticipation, obediently waiting for a beating. In front of her, he lowered himself to the lowest stance, sacrificing his posture and dignity. However, the more Sheena looked, the more irritated she became. She nced at the whip in her hand, suddenly recalling Lionel¡¯s words when she entered. It was only now that she understood Lionel¡¯s intention. Clearly, they were about to embark on a missionter, yet Elliot intentionally staged this act of apology. He pretended to be submissive, feigning innocence while fearing the pain, and even had Lionel remind her not to be too harsh. Was he putting on a show for her? It would be a waste of his borate efforts if she did not give him a couple ofshes! Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 435 Chapter 435 ¡°You¡¯re even prepared for a beating! Elliot, did you think I wouldn¡¯t dare touch you with your elevated status now?¡± Sheena lifted the whip, her gaze piercing as she confronted him. Elliot raised his face, his eyes reddened with a hint of grievance. ¡°When I¡¯m in front of you, I¡¯m not the head of the Jenkins Group or the heir of the Jenkins family. If I upset you, getting a beating from you is only fair.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Sheena could not help but notice that his acting had improved a lot from the night before. ¡°Well, let me fulfill your wish then!¡± She raised the whip high, her eyes filled with fierceness. There was a temptation to beat him until he was bloodied, unable to get up, and crying out for mercy. However, when Sheena actually struck, she somehow held back, applying only half of her strength and delivering twoshes thatnded on his left arm. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Sheena asked, her gaze icy. Elliot¡¯s eyebrows gently furrowed, and he controlled the tremor in his entire arm to the smallest extent. He quietly took a deep breath and said with a slight smile, ¡°Not at all.¡± That was a tant lie! Although Sheena did not use all of her strength, it was enough to cause some swelling. The thorns on the whip had torn Elliot¡¯s shirt, revealing two shocking bloodstains on the white fabric.¡± Sheena realized something was wrong and lowered her head to examine the whip. It was roughly woven, with many upturned thorns. No wonder it had pierced the skin even with minimal force. Now, the thorns were stained with his blood. Sheena¡¯s heart ached when she saw the blood droplets. However, her anger quickly overwhelmed any other emotions. She could not believe that he would go to such lengths for this act! She used the whip to gently lift his chin, her lips curling in a cold, mocking smile. ¡°ying tricks, setting traps, acting out a drama to make me feel pity. Elliot, you¡¯ve really outdone yourself! Did you enjoy manipting me and having everyone apud your performance?¡± Elliot looked even more aggrieved. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to manipte you. Deceiving you and hurting your feelings was my mistake, and I ept the punishment. But after you¡¯re done punishing me and your anger subsides, can you listen to my exnation?¡± Sheena narrowed her eyes, her tone cruel. ¡°Sure! Let¡¯s see if you still have the energy the punishment!¡± to argue after Chapter 435 2/2 Elliot closed his eyes, clenching his teeth, obediently awaiting his punishment. Sheena raised the whip once again, but her hand trembled as she gripped the handle. After a long pause, the cracking sound of the whip cutting through the air never sounded again. Knowing how terrifying the whip was, Sheena could not bring herself to strike a third time. She had lost. Even though she had been genuinely furious upon discovering Elliot¡¯s deceit, which had tormented her for the past six months, she could not go through with the harsh punishment she had wished. She was furious, even to the point of wanting him dead at times. Yet, when it came down to using the whip, she could not bring herself to do it. She could not bear to cause him serious harm¡­ Sheena admitted defeat to Elliot¡¯s staged performance. She was overwhelmed with a strong sense of displeasure at being manipted by Elliot. She vented her frustration by swinging the whip in the air several times. The loud cracks echoed, making Lionel and John, who were standing outside the mansion, shudder. Havingshed out on the floor, Sheena tossed the whip aside. Without a nce at the still-kneeling Elliot, she turned and opened the door, fleeing as if escaping. She left without uttering a word. As she emerged from the mansion, Lionel, caught off guard by her swift exit, was still holding the hemostatic ointment and bandages. By the time he remembered to hide them behind his back, it was already toote. Sheena had seen everything clearly. Chapter 436 Chapter 436 Moreover, Lionel¡¯s attempt to cover up made it worse, and he seemed guilty to Sheena. She sneered, ¡°What a detailed preparation. Using these schemes on me is truly a waste of talent.¡± Lionel¡¯s face turned pale as he stammered, ¡°N-No. It¡¯s not like that. I prepared this, and it has nothing to do with Mr. Jenkins¡­¡± When he heard the terrifying sound from inside, Lionel went to prepare medical supplies, anticipating that Elliot would be going on a mission soon after the whipping session. He wanted to be ready to assist with any injuries. The disdain in Sheena¡¯s eyes intensified, obviously not believing Lionel. Lionel also realized his exnation fell t, and he even worsened the situation. He tried his best to rify, ¡°Ms. Sheena, this really has nothing to do with Mr. Jenkins. It¡¯s my¡­¡± Sheena had no interest in hearing more and left the Jenkins family without looking back. After she departed, Lionel, feeling regretful, pped his own mouth and hurriedly went inside the mansion to check on Elliot. Elliot was already sitting on the couch, looking dazed. Lionel quickly examined the wounds on Elliot¡¯s body, relieved to find that he had only suffered two lashes on his left arm, and swiftly treated the wounds. As the whip had thorns on it, some splinters were found in Elliot¡¯s flesh, and Lionel carefully used tweezers to remove them before disinfecting the wounds. Recalling the incident at the door, Lionel recounted everything to Elliot. ¡°Sorry¡­ I was just afraid you¡¯d be injured too severely for the mission. I didn¡¯t expect Ms. Sheena to catch me. I¡¯ll apologize to her after the mission.¡± Elliot¡¯s eyes dimmed. ¡°What you did is as good as what I did. Your exnation won¡¯t work. She won¡¯t believe me anymore.¡± Seeing Elliot upset, Lionel felt guilty and began pping himself hard. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! It¡¯s all my fault! I deserve to die!¡± He did not hold back, and after two ps, his face was swollen, and blood oozed from his mouth. Elliot stopped him. ¡°Enough, it¡¯s my fault in the first ce. I¡¯ll find another opportunity to exin to her personally. You don¡¯t need to me yourself.¡± It was impossible for Lionel not to me himself. For him, Elliot was more than just a benefactor, a superior, or a friend; he was the most important person: a family. Though they asionally exchanged banter, Lionel¡¯s loyalty would always be with Elliot. A convoy left the Jenkins family and left the city that night. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Chapter 436 2/2 Once again, Sheena found herself unable to sleep. While Elliot had saved her and taken injuries for her, generating gratitude, the revtion that everything was a charade. His intentionally faked death to trigger her guilt and the maniption of her emotions made her feel like a fool for all the tears she shed for him. She had even naively contemted a life of celibacy, nning to return to Farlem and guard his grave. In hindsight, she found it utterly ridiculous! Sheena could not forgive Elliot¡¯s actions. However, she also could not bring herself tosh out and vent her frustration by hurting him. Perhaps cutting ties and ceasing allmunication would be best for both of them, allowing her to forget these painful experiences gradually. She spent the sleepless night pondering her decision. In the end, she made up her mind. Early the next day, Sheena left for the Jenkins family again after getting ready. However, she did not head to Elliot¡¯s mansion this time. Instead, she went directly to find Santiago. Noting her solemn expression, Santiago sensed that she had something important to discuss. After breakfast, he led her to the living room. However, as she finished exining, Santiago was baffled, exchanging bewildered nces with the equally confused Grant. ¡°Sheena, am I hearing you correctly? You announced your engagement to Eli just two days ago, and now you want to break off the engagement?¡± Chapter 437 Chapter 437 Chapter 437 Sheena replied with great determination, ¡°Yes, Grandpa Santiago. I feel that Elliot and I are not suitable. If there¡¯s a chance in the future, we can¡­ still be friends.¡± Santiago was still surprised by her sudden decision. ¡°Sheena, did he bully you? Tell me, and I¡¯ll straighten him out for you!¡± ¡°No, he wouldn¡¯t dare to bully me. It¡¯s just that I¡­¡± Fifteen minutester, Sheena emerged from Santiago¡¯s mansion, looking disappointed. John was waiting at the door, and upon seeing her, he hurriedly asked, ¡°Miss, how did it go? Did Old Man Jenkins agree?¡± Sheena shook her head. Santiago had analyzed the pros and cons with her. The engagement between her and Elliot was no ordinary arrangement, and it involved many things. Moreover, their union had beenbeled as a business alliance, and canceling the engagement just two days after would result in significant economic losses and public rtions challenges for both the Jenkins and Lawson Groups. Besides, Santiago no longer interfered in the affairs of the Jenkins family. Elliot, as the current head, needed to be consulted if she wanted to break the engagement. Nheless, knowing Elliot¡¯s character, even if she held a gun to his head, he probably would not agree to cancel the engagement. Sheena was frustrated butcked viable options! This situation made her understand why Howard, despite disliking Katie, had kept their engagement title dangling for over two years. As descendants of prestigious families, breaking off a business alliance was not that simple. Sheena sighed. She would have to consider this matter more thoroughlyter. For now, she decided to ignore Elliot and his schemes. ¡°Starting today, if anyone rted to Elliotes looking for me, including his bodyguards and subordinates, deny their entry!¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± John nodded, following her as they left Santiago¡¯s mansion and strolled out of the grand pce of the Jenkins family. Unknown to them, a young man in a navy-blue suit with golden-rimmed sses unexpectedly saw Sheena as they turned a corner. Stanley Jenkins squinted, gently adjusting his sses. Then, he turned to his bodyguard, asking, ¡°Is that the Lawson family heiress engaged to Elliot?¡± The bodyguard took a closer look and replied, ¡°Seems like it.¡± Chapter 437 212 ¡°She¡¯s quite beautiful, but she doesn¡¯t seem to be in a good mood. Find out what she¡¯s here for today.¡± ¡°Sure, Mr. Stanley.¡± Ten minutester, he returned to Stanley and reported, ¡°Mr. Stanley, it seems she¡¯s here to call off the engagement, but Old Man Jenkins didn¡¯t agree.¡± ¡°Call off the engagement?¡± Stanley pondered. ¡°Elliot wanted this marriage, so she must hold a special ce in his heart.¡± ¡°But I heard Elliot didn¡¯t even attend her wee-home banquet. It seems like he doesn¡¯t value her much,¡± the bodyguard added. Stanley scoffed. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand. Elliot¡¯s thoughts are not so easily read by someone like you. However, let¡¯s probe a bit and find out.¡± ¡°What do you mean, Mr. Stanley?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Stanley smirked and replied, ¡°Elliot is away for a mission, and I heard there¡¯s a gunfight on that side. What do you think would happen if he learned that his fiancee came in person to call off the engagement, and Old Man Jenkins agreed while he¡¯s away?¡± Chapter 438 Chapter 438 The bodyguard instantly understood his meaning. ¡°Mr. Stanley, rest assured, I¡¯ll make sure to deliver the news precisely to Mr. Jenkins.¡± Since the matter of calling off the engagement could not be resolved for now, Sheena shifted her focus and headed to the Angle Group. After days of preparations, everything was nearly in ce. She had transferred the signed artists she valued from Angle Group in Farlem over, and the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony were close. Seated at her desk, Sheena spent the entire day absorbed in her work, carefully reviewing the profiles of each contracted artist under thepany. Just as the day at the office was ending, a sudden commotion echoed through the corridor, catching Sheena¡¯s attention. She put down her work, ready to investigate. The office door was abruptly thrust open, and Lionel, with blood on his body and hands, burst in, his eyes bloodshot. Puzzled, Sheena nced outside to see Paul and Sawyer, both beaten and limping, looking miserable. ¡°How dare you beat up my people in front of me?¡± Sheena red at him. Lionel sincerely bowed and apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Sheena. I sent a few men to find you, but they were blocked by these two. I had no choice but toe personally, forcefully breaking through. But don¡¯t worry, this blood on me is not from them. They¡¯re just lightly injured.¡± Though she had instructed not to allow Elliot¡¯s men near her, Lionel¡¯s forceful intrusion signaled a serious matter. Sheena asked, ¡°Why are you so anxious? What happened?¡± Lionel, with red eyes, choked up as he spoke. ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Jenkins. He¡¯s in trouble! They¡¯re taking him to the hospital, but he refuses to enter the emergency room. He insists on seeing you onest time. Ms. Sheena, I beg you to go and see him!¡± Elliot was skilled. How could he be in trouble? Sheena was tense, but then skepticism crept in. ¡°He always ys tricks to deceive me. He faked his death before, and now he¡¯s faking a life-threatening situation. What¡¯s the next act in his ybook?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not lying!¡± Lionel cried, tears streaming down. If not for the potential consequences, he might have considered knocking Sheena unconscious and carrying her to the hospital. ¡°We were in a showdown with the militants in the mountains. He got shot through the heart, and the blood on me belongs to him. He just wants to see you onest time. Ms. Sheena, I¡¯m begging you! Chapter 438 Please go and see him!¡± Witnessing Lionel crying his heart out, Sheena felt a twinge of uncertainty. ¡°I¡¯ll believe you this once! If Elliot dares to deceive me again, I¡¯ll never forgive him!¡± Without packing anything, she grabbed her bag and headed to the hospital with Lionel. 2/2 Outside the emergency room, amotion erupted among a group of people, and arguments could be heard. Despite the chaos, everyone wore somber expressions, tears welling up in their eyes. Sheena quickened her pace, and Lionel took the lead, shouting, ¡°Clear the way! Stop arguing! Ms. Sheena is here!¡± The crowd promptly hushed, disying remarkable discipline as they stepped aside, creating a path for Sheena. As she entered, she could smell the piercing stench of blood. On the stretchery Elliot, his handsome face unnaturally pale, covered in bloodstains. The area around his heart, in particr, was drenched in a deep crimson, and blood continued to flow steadily, staining the entire stretcher. The scene was overwhelmingly gruesome, leaving Sheena in stunned silence. This time, he had not lied. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Elliot had indeed lost a considerable amount of blood! Sheena, in shock, covered her mouth, tears flowing uncontrobly, and every step she took was heavy. Elliot, weakly looking at her approaching figure, managed a feeble glimmer in his bloodshot eyes. His bloodstained hand trembled as it clutched her small wrist. ¡°Don¡¯t cry¡­ It¡­ doesn¡¯t hurt, but it hurts me more¡­ when you cry¡­¡± Chapter 439 Chapter 439 1/2 Sheena cried even harder, seemingly impossible to stop. She tightly held Elliot¡¯s hand and shouted at him, ¡°Elliot, you¡¯re not allowed to die! If you dare die, I¡¯ll find another man to marry immediately! You¡¯ll regret it for the rest of your life!¡± Elliot smiled wryly. ¡°That¡­ can¡¯t happen. You¡¯re mine¡­¡± Sheena quickly turned to the medical staff and said, ¡°I¡¯m here now. Take him inside!¡± Still holding her hand, Elliot refused to let go. ¡°Nana¡­ listen to my exnation, please¡­¡± ¡°Be a good boy and undergo the surgery. I¡¯ll be outside. When youe out, I¡¯ll listen to your exnation.¡± Elliot¡¯s face was pale, and there was no more time to dy. However, he stubbornly clung to her hand, wanting to get a good look at her. The surgery was dangerous, with a low survival rate. Sheena, feeling heartbroken, had to forcefully pry his hand away, watching him being wheeled into the emergency room. The operating room¡¯s lights lit up, and Sheena sat outside, waiting with a vacant gaze and tear-streaked face. This was the first time she had shed tears in front of so many people, but she did not care. All she knew was that she didn¡¯t want Elliot to die. Three hours passed, and it was already 9 p.m., but Elliot had yet toe out. Lionel dismissed the other subordinates and sat across from Sheena, his.expression equally grave. After what seemed like a long contemtion, he finally spoke, ¡°You¡¯ve always believed that the incident at the abandoned warehouse six months ago was a deception, but it was real. He went there with the determination to die. If it weren¡¯t for us arriving in time, saving what was left of him, he would have truly perished in the mes.¡± Sheena slowly looked up, staring at him. Lionel continued somberly, ¡°As for why he didn¡¯t return despite surviving the incident, it¡¯s because the Jenkins family was in chaos then. He had to go back to manage the situation. The whipping on his back was a punishment for viting the family rules. He barely survived the warehouse incident, suffering extensive burns on his face and body, a broken leg from the fight, and internal injuries¡­¡± His gaze briefly flickered, and he skipped the fact that Elliot still harbored a virus in his body. The reason Elliot did not return to Farlem, aside from being unable to leave after gaining control of the Jenkins family, was the virus in his body. The doctor had not found a permanent cure yet, and he had to visit theb frequently for tests, relying on suppressants to prolong his life. However, Elliot had strictly forbidden anyone from revealing a word about this to Sheena. Lionel refocused his thoughts and continued, ¡°Ms. Sheena, every time he risked his life, it was to win Chapter 439 2/2 you back! He truly cares for you! In matters of the heart, he¡¯s a fool, giving everything without reservation. However, he won¡¯t share the pain with you. After regaining his status, he didn¡¯t dare to reunite with you, fearing that revealing the truth would make you despise him. He was afraid of losing you forever. He¡¯s terribly insecure in this rtionship.¡± Sheena lowered her head, her heart overwhelmed with guilt, almost suffocating in pain. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Elliot covered in blood, a sight that had urred more than once. The incident at the abandoned warehouse six months ago must have inflicted more severe injuries than this time. Yet, she had harbored anger toward him for his hiding, med him for deceiving her, and even whipped him¡­ Sheena¡¯s heart felt like it was being cut with a knife, the pain nearly unbearable. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Those words seemed inadequate topensate for everything. ¡°He doesn¡¯t need an apology. Just show him some affection, be tender toward him, and he¡¯ll be on cloud nine,¡± Lionel advised. Seeing her profound sadness, he sighed repeatedly. ¡°Ms. Sheena, he doesn¡¯t owe you anything now. However, upon learning that you¡¯ve been sad for half a year, he feels guilty. Asking me to find the whip wasn¡¯t for staging a fake injury. It was his attempt to compensate for the suffering you endured during those six months. You might¡¯ve suffered in the past six months, but he was also tormented by illness.¡± ¡°Last night, he nned to apologize and exin when he returned, but unexpectedly, you had already gone to Mr. Santiago Jenkins to cancel the engagement, and he surprisingly agreed. His momentary distraction led to him getting shot.¡± Sheena abruptly stopped crying and frowned. ¡°I did discuss the annulment with Grandpa Santiago, but he disagreed. I intended to reconsider the matter. Who told you that information?¡± Lionel exchanged a nce with her, realizing that something was amiss. Immediately, he sent someone to investigate. Half an hourter, the atmosphere outside the emergency room became tense. Chapter 440 Chapter 440 ¡°Mr. Stanley from Mr. Peter¡¯s family sent the person.¡± Sheena, with a serious expression, inquired, ¡°How¡¯s Elliot¡¯s usual rtionship with Stanley?¡± ¡°Not too good,¡± Lionel responded earnestly. ¡°The previous internal conflict within the Jenkins family was caused by Mr. Peter. When Mr. Elliot returned three dayste, the power almost fell into Mr. Peter¡¯s hands. It took nearly half a month for him to reim control.¡± Sheena stayed silent, contemting the matter. Suddenly, her gaze turned colder, and she asked in a low voice, ¡°Do you know how to avoid surveince, go over the wall, and get into the Jenkins family?¡± Lionel was stunned. ¡°Ms. Sheena, are you nning to¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes shed with a cold light. ¡°I¡¯ll help Elliot get back at Stanley!¡± Around 11 p.m., in an elegant and stylish bedroom, the faint sound of water echoed. Having finished his shower, Stanley was wearing a bathrobe and towel-dried his hair as he walked out of the bathroom. Approaching the bedroom, the vintage chandelier flickered intermittently, and the curtains rustled in the wind. A kind of chilling atmosphere emanated from his bedroom. Sensing something amiss, he put on his gold-rimmed sses. As he entered the room, he noticed a woman sitting by the bed. Her long, graceful legs were elegantly crossed, hands folded, disying a charming and coldN?velDrama.Org ? 2024. demeanor. The scene was quite pleasing to the eye. Stanley had to admit that Elliot¡¯s fiancee was indeed stunning, with a great figure. Even he felt a bit moved by her charms. He courteously smiled and asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, when did you arrive? It¡¯s rather inappropriate for you to enter my room through the windowte at night instead of using the front door, isn¡¯t it?¡± Sheena remained silent, her gaze sharp and fixed on him. Nheless, since it was Stanley¡¯s mansion and he had a bunch of bodyguards, he was not afraid. Instead, he wanted to tease her, a mischievous grin ying on his lips. ¡°Or could it be that¡­ you have taken a fancy to me? Are you nning to cheat on my beloved cousin?¡± Sheena frowned, her expression suddenly fierce. She abruptly stood up, swiftly moving in front of Stanley, and with a swift motion, she delivered a ruthless strike to his neck. Chapter 440 2/2 Stanley was weak. He wanted to resist but had little fighting capability. In the end, he was mercilessly knocked unconscious. Sheena nced down at him, saying, ¡°Looks can be deceiving. Never thought a seemingly refined person like you would have thebat strength of a weakling!¡± When Stanley regained consciousness, he found himself bound to an office chair with his mouth gagged by some cloth. Sheena leaned against the desk, casually ying with a dagger. The silver gleam of the de revealed her enchanting yet ruthless face. It was evident she was not a woman to be trifled with. Stanley began to feel fear and started shouting at the door. However, only muffled sounds could be heard. ¡°It¡¯s no use. Your bodyguards have all been knocked out by my people, and besides, it¡¯ste at night. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one wille to your rescue,¡± Sheena said nonchntly. Stanley, with delicate features and wrapped in a bath towel with wet hair, was bound and helpless. It appeared as if he was¡­ Meanwhile, Sheena¡¯s teasing tone reached Lionel outside the window, sounding a bit peculiar. Why did it seem like she was trying to tame a well-behaved young man? Was she perhaps interested in Stanley and had abandoned her n to discipline him? If Elliot found out about this, he would probably be furious enough to climb off the operating table immediately! Chapter 441 Chapter 441 Lionel quickly pped his face, attempting to shake off his wandering thoughts. It was his first time apanying Sheena on a solo mission, and he reminded himself to trust in her feelings for Elliot. However, he made a mental note not to let Elliot find out about these details! Inside the bedroom, Sheena delicately maneuvered the sharp edge of the dagger across Stanley¡¯s face, moving from his neck down to his chest, finally stopping at his heart. Stanley trembled, fearing the dagger might pierce his skin at any moment. Surrounded by an eerie and ominous atmosphere, he struggled to catch his breath. Sheena, observing his fear, scoffed, and asked, ¡°Afraid of a mere dagger? How dare a weakling like you challenge my Eli?¡± Stanley, stung by her words, managed to calm down a bit. Deep down, he knew Sheena would not and could not kill him within the Jenkins family. Seeing hisposure return, Sheena guessed what he might be thinking. ¡°That¡¯s right, I won¡¯t kill you. I prefer to torture, making sure the suffering is slow and painful. Today, I¡¯m just here to teach you a lesson.¡± ¡°Eli is on the operating table because of you. While he¡¯s enduring that, you¡¯re lyingfortably in bed. I want you to stay awake, experiencing torture ten times worse than his!¡± With a fierce glint in her eyes, she lightly pushed the dagger into Stanley¡¯s chest, skillfully avoiding his heart. Blood gushed out, staining the pristine white bathrobe bright red. Stanley winced in pain. ¡°Rest assured, this minor injury won¡¯t im your life immediately.¡± Sheena sheathed the dagger and revealed a packet of powder to Stanley. ¡°This is itching powder. I¡¯ll sprinkle it all over you. As you itch and suffer, your muscles will convulse intensely, and your blood will flow even faster. Who knows, if it continues all night, you might bleed to death from excessive blood loss. Should we give it a try?¡± Her tone, deceptively innocent, carried cruel words. Terrified, Stanley looked at the powder in her hands, shaking his head and making muffled sounds. Sheena¡¯s expression remained cold. Without wasting words, she sprinkled the powder all over his body. For areas that were inappropriate for her to reach, she called Lionel to assist. Lionel was shocked to learn that Sheena intended to sprinkle the itching powder between Stanley¡¯s legs: Nevertheless, he admired her tactics, giving her a thumbs up. This move was truly malicious! If Stanley could not endure it, he might end up with some serious issues! Chapter 441 2/12 This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. At the hospital, Elliot sessfully had the bullet removed from his chest after several hours of surgery. Fortunately, the bullet had deviated by a couple of inches, avoiding a direct hit to his heart. Still, due to excessive blood loss, he remained weak and needed proper rest. Consequently, he was transferred to a regr ward. ¡°Nana¡­¡± The anesthesia gradually wore off, and Elliot woke up in a haze, speaking with a hoarse and feeble voice as he scanned the surroundings. The sterile ward was empty, and Sheena was nowhere to be found. He longed to see her, but there was no one else, just him lying on the hospital bed. Elliot felt a sharp pain in his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Sheena had promised to wait for him and listen to his exnation. She would not deceive him! Ignoring the freshly bandaged wound on his chest, he struggled to get up, his feet feeling unsteady. Leaning on the wall for support, he slowly made his way to the doorway. Outside the corridor, silence prevailed. Apart from Elliot, it was deserted, with only the chilly wind asionally brushing against his pale face, causing a sharp sting. His eyes turned red, and the difort in his chest became overwhelming, surpassing the pain of being shot. Chapter 442 Chapter 442 ¡°Nana¡­¡± Elliot mumbled. He wondered where Sheena was and if she was still unwilling to forgive him. Elliot wanted to find Sheena, but stepping out of the ward drained all his strength. His body felt limp and powerless, and he could only lean weakly against the door. Nheless, the determination to see Sheena kept him barely conscious. A passing nurse rushed over in shock when she noticed him. ¡°Oh my, Mr. Jenkins! Why are you out of bed? You just had surgery. You can¡¯t expose yourself to the cold. Please, go back inside!¡± Avoiding her touch, Elliot asked weakly, ¡°Where¡¯s Ms. Lawson?¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson left a long time ago. It¡¯s already early morning, and she probably won¡¯te back. Mr. Jenkins, your health is the priority; please go back inside!¡± Elliot felt suffocated. Sheena had left. She truly did not forgive him, nor did she want to hear his exnation¡­ A vile metallic taste surged in his throat, and the empty corridor echoed with the sound of his painful cough. Unable to bear seeing him like this, the nurse tried to console him, ¡°Mr. Jenkins¡­¡¯ 11 ¡°Get lost!¡± His cold re silenced her. Despite his illness, Elliot¡¯s gaze was fierce enough to scare anyone. The nurse, frightened, retreated and left him alone in the empty corridor. Elliot¡¯s body felt like jelly, unable to stand, and he slowly crouched down, helpless, against the door. He refused to believe Sheena could be this ruthless, so he decided to wait there. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. After dealing with Stanley¡¯s situation and ensuring everything was in order, Sheena immediately rushed back to the hospital. However, as soon as she emerged from the elevator, she spotted a weak figure curled up near the entrance of the ward corridor. The pitiful and helpless silhouette stabbed at her heart, causing a sharp pain. She almost sprinted over in an instant, supporting him in her arms and gently scolding, ¡°Why did you come out? You just had surgery. You shouldn¡¯t be exposing yourself to the cold.¡± Elliot tightly embraced her slender waist, the joy making his nose tingle and tears welling up in his dark eyes. ¡°I knew¡­ you woulde¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s heart ached even more. Originally, she could not bear to see him suffer alone in the operating room. She considered taking advantage of this opportunity to help him vent his frustration on Stanley, but he came out earlier than expected. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for worrying you, but I didn¡¯t leave. Alright, let¡¯s go inside first. It¡¯s cold out here.¡± Holding her waist, Elliot rested his chin gently on her shoulder, unwilling to let go. Sheena had initially wanted to pry his hands open, fearing that she might hurt him with his injuries, but she felt a bit helpless for the moment. ¡°I told you I won¡¯t leave. Are you being disobedient? Do you want me to leave for real?¡± Although it was meant as a joke, Elliot¡¯s face turned pale instantly. He immediately released his embrace, bending his knees as if about to kneel. Seeing his actions, Sheena quickly supported him, feeling a heartache that almost choked her. Could it be that her past attitude toward him was so bad that hecked security now? Elliot was the head of the Jenkins family now, so why was he acting this way? In fact, before she arrived at the hospital, Elliot had endured on his own for almost half an hour, drained and filled with self-doubt. Now, seeing her, he wanted to prove his sincerity wholeheartedly. Sheena, suppressing her tears, sighed helplessly, and in a tone imitating his previous wayforting her, she said, ¡°I¡¯m not angry, and I won¡¯t leave. Be a good boy and lie down. I¡¯ll listen to your exnation slowly, okay?¡± Chapter 443 Chapter 443 Sheena helped Elliot onto the bed, tucking him in. However, having just undergone surgery, his body was still weak. After standing in the corridor for over half an hour, he felt chilled to the bone. Sheena turned on the heating for him and sat beside his bed. She poured a cup of hot water and handed it to him, taking the lead in speaking, ¡°Lionel has already exined many things to me while you were in surgery. You don¡¯t need to exin it all over again. However, I have a few doubts that need your answers. Elliot nodded. ¡°Why did you be Elijah Freeman? If you¡¯re Elliot Jenkins, then where is the real Elijah?¡± Elliot gripped her small hand, feeling the warmth of her palm. He began, ¡°Do you remember when I told you about the car ident thirteen years ago?¡± ¡°I do.¡± ¡°The real Elijah Freeman died at the age of 15, trying to save me. At that time, the Jenkins family was in chaos, and I was too young to confront Uncle Peter and Uncle Ronald¡¯s families. Elijah had been sent to the National Investigation Bureau by Old Man Freeman from a young age, and his family had never seen him since.¡± ¡°So, Grandpa had me temporarily take on Elijah¡¯s name as a refuge. In the car ident thirteen years ago, everyone who escorted me died, and nobody in Farlem knew my true identity. I naturally assumed the role of Elijah, helping him with Old Man Freeman and Faye in reviving the Freeman Group.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Sheena lowered her gaze. ¡°Then, half a year ago, was the urn of ashes also faked? Was the body that Ian watched cremated someone else?¡± ¡°The ashes are real, belonging to the real Elijah. As for the body, Lionel found a man in the warehouse with a simr physique to mine. Due to the intense fire, the body was almost unrecognizable. So, Ian certainly didn¡¯t notice.¡± His voice was low, hoarse, and weak. When he looked at Sheena, his eyes twinkled faintly. ¡°Nana, I didn¡¯t mean to deceive you. When I returned to Svelton to take control of the Jenkins family¡­. I genuinely couldn¡¯t go back. But when I found out you publicly revealed your identity as the Lawson family heiress¡¯s identity, I was so thrilled.¡± Sheena remained silent, her sparkling eyes fixed on him. Under her expressionless gaze, Elliot became a bit nervous. ¡°I didn¡¯t reunite with you at the wee- home banquet, and I even lied to you. I was wrong. If you¡¯re still upset, you can continue to punish me. I¡¯ll ept it all, okay?¡± ¡°Not okay.¡± Elliot did not expect Sheena to refuse so decisively, and a cold feeling swept through him. He lowered his gaze, an unmistakable hint of sadness shing in his eyes. Seizing the moment, Sheena leaned down, gently kissing his eyes, forehead, cheeks, andstly, his cold lips. Each move was filled with patience and love. ¡°Silly boy, I¡¯m not angry anymore.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Elliot was pleasantly surprised. ¡°So, does that mean you won¡¯t cancel the engagement? Have you forgiven me?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± Sheena kissed him again, using actions to demonstrate her stance. The two lost themselves in the embrace, feeling each other¡¯s breath quicken. As the kiss continued, Elliot took the initiative to break away, refusing to delve into a deeper kiss. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t you like it?¡± Sheena did not get up, maintaining the closeness between them. ¡°No¡­¡± Elliot¡¯s breath became increasingly erratic, his earlobes slightly red as he looked away uneasily. Seeing his reaction, Sheena guessed what was going on. ¡°Do you want it?¡± Elliot¡¯s earlobes turned crimson, and he was obviously nervous. After a long hesitation, he gathered the courage to ask, ¡°Can we¡­?¡± Sheena undid the top two buttons of his hospital gown. His chest wound was still wrapped in thick bandages, and the twoshes on his arm fromst night were also bandaged. Considering he had just undergone surgery and was still weak, how could he engage in physical activity? Taking these factors into ount, Sheena blurted out, ¡°I don¡¯t think you can, right?¡± Elliot¡¯s ego was instantly provoked. ¡°Who said that I can¡¯t? Do you want to give it a try?¡± Despite his pale appearance, Elliot¡¯s handsome face still had the power to make one weak in the knees. Fueled by Sheena¡¯sment, his dark eyes red with determination and passion. Ready to prove himself, he attempted to get up, determined to show he was up for the challenge. Sheena chuckled and gently pushed him back, preventing him from getting out of bed. Her red lips slowly approached his ear, her alluring voice filled with temptation. ¡°Eli, what I meant was, let me take charge tonight¡­¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Chapter 444 Chapter 444 N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. The me in Elliot¡¯s eyes was instantly extinguished by her words, and his skin turnedpletely red from his ear to his neck. Did she even know what she was saying? Under his puzzled gaze, Sheena sat on top of him, being cautious not to put pressure on his injuries, with her knees supporting her on the bed. Then, with an assertive grip, she held his chin and kissed him again. Unable to resist, Elliot sumbed to the moment. His Nana was indeed an irresistible little enchantress! This time, he could indulge without any reservations, even if the price to pay afterward was his life. He was willing wholeheartedly! Elliot moved to embrace her back, but she stopped him and ced his hands back. ¡°You still have injuries. Be good, and don¡¯t move!¡± ¡°But they¡¯re not listening to me¡­ They want to hug you.¡± Sheena raised his chin again. ¡°So disobedient. Should we tie them up?¡± He pursed his thin lower lip, avoiding eye contact. Sheena did not beat around the bush. She got off the bed, opened the bedside cab, and took out bandages. Lifting his hands over his head, she tied his wrists to the steel frame at the head of the bed. Unlike the previous times when she used thick and rough belts to restrain him, this time, her movements were gentle and patient. After finishing, she asked, ¡°How is it? Does it hurt?¡± Elliot shook his head. Sheena did not rush to continue. Instead, she checked if the door was locked and secured the windows with the curtains drawn. After all, she could not afford any interruptions! Once done, she sat back on the bed, whispering seductively, ¡°Lie down and be still. I¡¯ll be very gentle in devouring you!¡± Late at night, all was silent, and everyone was immersed in their sleep. Little did they know, a delightful symphony was ying harmoniously. In the wee hours of the morning, only a dim bedsidemp illuminated the VIP ward. The dim light cast a yellowish glow on Sheena¡¯s peacefully sleeping face, enhancing her stunning features. She was the poison that Elliot willingly immersed himself in. Wearing a hospital gown, Elliot sat by the bedside, quietly admiring her beauty. He delicately traced her forehead, eyebrows, nose, and lips, outlining her radiant features. Sheena was in a deep sleep,pletely unaware and exhausted after their intimate moments. Then, Elliot gently nted a kiss on her forehead. Suddenly, a faint chirping sound came from outside the door. It was Lionel, unable to open the door, cautiously attempting the agreed-upon signal. Elliot tiptoed to open the door, gesturing Lionel to remain silent. ¡°Nana is tired. Don¡¯t disturb her.¡± The two of them walked to the end of the corridor. ¡°Speak,¡± Elliot demanded. Lionel was about to start when his eyes caught a glimpse of Elliot¡¯s hospital gown, with two open buttons revealing a deep red and bruised neck and corbone. Shocked, his eyes widened. ¡°What the heck! How did you¡­ get hurt again?¡± Lionel blurted out. Elliot lowered his head, ncing at the various kiss marks on his body. Instead of covering up, he shamelessly exposed them, showing off to Lionel. ¡°Nana¡¯s masterpiece. What do you think? Isn¡¯t it beautiful?¡± Chapter 445 Chapter 445 Elliot¡¯s tone was unusually cheerful as if the bruise were a piece of art meticulously crafted by Sheena. His gaze seemed to say, ¡°Look! This is the work of my wife!¡± Lionel cleared his throat and sincerely nodded in admiration. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful! Ms. Sheena is indeed¡­ fierce!¡± Elliot, satisfied, buttoned up his shirt, concealing the hickeys. Seeing Elliot in such a good mood, Lionel quickly tried to take credit. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, this must have something to do with my efforts, right? My heartfelt performance earlier in the evening really moved Ms. Sheena. Can thispensate for my previous actions?¡± He simply could not forget the two years and one month of sry he had been docked! ¡°Very well.¡± Elliot smiled, his gaze exuding an air of pride. ¡°Your unpaid sry from before, consider it returned, along with a six-month bonus.¡± Internally, Lionel was cheering and roaring. Elliot was the best! Elliot was the most understanding superior in the world! However, he remained concerned about Elliot¡¯s health. ¡°But, Mr. Jenkins, please don¡¯t use such a desperate strategy next time! Even though you knew you weren¡¯t hit in a vital organ, excessive blood loss can still be life-threatening.¡± Elliot cast a cold nce at him. ¡°Next time? It seems like you really want me to argue with Nana again. 11 Lionel turned pale. ¡°No way! I was just talking nonsense, Mr. Jenkins. Please don¡¯t dock my sry¡­¡± Damn! He wanted to take back the words about Elliot being understanding! This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Clearly, he was erratic, moody, and unreasonably troublesome! Unaware of Lionel¡¯s thoughts, Elliot resumed his stern expression. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to business.¡± Lionel quickly put on a serious face. ¡°Ms. Sheena took me to the Jenkins family quietly just now. We managed to teach Mr. Stanley a lesson for you.¡± Upon learning that Sheena did not leave him, Elliot¡¯s gaze softened. ¡°What did she do?¡± ¡°She¡­¡± Lionel thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully. ¡°She stabbed Mr. Stanley¡¯s chest, tied him up, and sprinkled itching powder all over him. She didn¡¯t spare any part, even that ce. She was truly malicious!¡± Elliot frowned, his tone chilling. ¡°That ce? Did she do it herself?¡± ¡°No, no, no! I did it on her behalf!¡± Lionel quickly shook his head and found it necessary to shower Elliot withpliments. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, with your great physique, why would Ms. Sheena want to see Mr. Stanley¡¯s skinny figure!¡± Elliot¡¯splexion returned to normal at this rification. Lionel continued, ¡°But this matter is quite serious. Mr. Peter won¡¯t take it easily and definitely won¡¯t let it slide. I guess there will be amotion tomorrow morning!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Let them make a scene, but only in the Jenkins family hall. Send people to guard it and make sure they don¡¯t cause trouble at the Lawson estate.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± ¡°Good, go handle it. I¡¯ll go back to apany Nana.¡±. He waved his hand, not waiting for Lionel¡¯s response, and swiftly returned to the ward. Watching his figure disappear, Lionel clicked his tongue twice. Having finally won back Sheena¡¯s love, Elliot appeared particrly satisfied. Early the next morning, Elliot did not like having a female nurse administer the IV, so a male nurse came in instead, carrying a tray with medical tools. As the door swung open, the male nurse was stunned by the scene before him. Elliot, dressed in a hospital gown, sat by the bed, tenderly feeding breakfast to Sheena, who had just awakened. Chapter 446 Chapter 446 The nurse was confused, wondering who the patient was. He stood there, dumbfounded for quite a while, watching the dignified Elliot in awe. This man truly pampered his woman! Elliot paid no attention to the nurse¡¯s stare. All he knew was that Sheena had been tiredst night and needed some good replenishment. Moreover, he finally won over her, so he was determined to pamper her thoroughly. He would spoil her to the point where she could never leave him! However, Sheena noticed the nurse¡¯s stunned gaze. Unable to ignore it like Elliot, she stopped Elliot from continuing to feed her. ¡°Is it time for an injection? Bring it over.¡± The nurse walked over with the tray, and Elliot instinctively extended his left hand, offering it for the injection. Sheena prepared to get out of bed, leaving the hospital bed for Elliot to receive the IV. Just as she stood up, Elliot pressed down on her shoulder, gently guiding her back to bed. His tone was indulgent as he said, ¡°You must be tired fromst night, so rest more. Does your back still hurt? I¡¯ll give you a massageter.¡± Sheena instantly blushed. There was still someone else in the room! How could he say such shameless and suggestive things? ¡°Oh,e on!¡± Sheena lightly pushed his shoulder, her face getting redder, burying herself in the nket. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Seeing her adorable reaction, Elliot could not help but smile. However, he red at the ¡®third wheel¡¯ nearby who was getting on his nerves. Elliot¡¯s tone turned cold as he gave the nurse a sinister re. ¡°Hurry up.¡¯ ¡°Yes, of course, Mr. Jenkins.¡± As soon as the nurse finished the IV, he hurried out. Elliot slid his free right hand into the covers, using his fingertips to gently massage the slender waist he had an intimate grasp of. ¡°Does that feel better with a little massage?¡± Sheena, still under the covers, remained silent. Suddenly, she threw the nket aside, sitting up with an indignant pout, scolding Elijah, ¡°Just wait until you¡¯re recovered!¡± Elliot¡¯s smile widened. He extended his arm, pulling her to sit in front of him. Chapter 446 2/2 Their noses brushed against each other, and he yfully cooed, ¡°Nana, you¡¯ve had breakfast. How about some dessert? I was thinking¡­¡± Sheena interrupted him by pushing his face away. ¡°Have some shame! You¡¯re so shameless!¡± Elliot, undeterred, nestled his head into her embrace, gently rubbing against her. If he was not so shameless, how could he win her back? Seeing him pushing his luck, Sheena, in a fit of temper, ruffled his soft, short hair, turning it into a mess. She then patiently smoothed each strand back into ce, thoroughly enjoying herself. As they were yfully interacting, there was a knock on the door. Entering the room was Miles, Peter¡¯s bodyguard. His tone was serious as he addressed Elliot, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Stanley was injuredst night. He uses Ms. Lawson of being involved in this matter. As she is your fiancee, you are naturally involved. Please return as soon as possible.¡± Elliot remained unresponsive as if he had not heard Miles, keeping his head nestled in Sheena¡¯s arms. However, Sheena red at Miles, saying icily, ¡°Are you blind? Can¡¯t you see Eli is seriously injured? Who does Stanley think he is?¡± ¡°Besides, who¡¯s in charge of the Jenkins family now? Is this your attitude when speaking to the one in power?¡± Chapter 447 Chapter 447 1/2 ¡°I-I apologize. It¡¯s my first time delivering a message. Please, Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Lawson, forgive my ipetence. Don¡¯t hold it against me,¡± Miles stammered. Initially, he could not care less about the two, thinking they were beneath Peter. He did not expect Elliot to remain silent, and for Sheena to confront him directly, leaving him bewildered. As a result, he grew more respectful toward Elliot. Elliot was quite content that Sheena defended him, and he decided to y the good cop, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll return to after finishing the IV in two hours.¡± ¡°Sure, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Miles responded respectfully before leaving. Just before closing the door, he added, ¡°Since Ms. Lawson is your fiancee, you two should return to the Jenkins family together if it¡¯s convenient.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Elliot replied with a nod. Once the door closed again, he was about to nestle his head back into Sheena¡¯s embrace when she pinched his cheeks. ¡°Hey! Nana, stop¡­¡± Elliot winced, his features contorted in pain, but he did not pull away. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Sheena sighed, amused and exasperated, easing the pressure on her grip. ¡°Elliot, you¡¯re quite cunning. You let me y the viin while you y the good guy?¡± ¡°No, you were protecting me. It made me happy,¡± Elliot replied, still smiling. Sheena released him, gently massaging his slightly reddened cheeks. Elliot thoroughly enjoyed being cared for by Sheena. However, his expression turned serious as he thought about Stanley¡¯s situation. ¡°Nana, I¡¯ll send you back to the Lawson estateter. You don¡¯t need to follow me back.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Sheena asked casually. ¡°I¡¯m your fiancee, and the whole world knows it. Besides, what happenedst night was indeed my doing. There¡¯s no reason for me not to be present. The Jenkins family can¡¯t do anything to me, I just want to witness themotion.¡± Elliot yfully tapped her nose. ¡°Alright, if you want to go, we¡¯ll go together.¡± After finishing the IV, Sheena helped him change. The marks of their passionate encounter were too obvious, and those on his neck were impossible to conceal, making it seem like he had been bullied. Sheena was feeling a bit regretful. If only she had exercised more restraint and been a bit gentler! She fetched a scarf and intended to wrap it around Elliot. Elliot was confused, ¡°Nana, it¡¯s almost summer, and you want to wrap me in a woolen scarf?!¡¯ ¡°You just had surgery, so you should be resting for a few days. However, with Stanley causing trouble, you have to go back. I¡¯m just making sure you stay warm,¡± Sheena exined. Chapter 447 2/2 ¡°Alright,¡± Elliot conceded, allowing her to wrap the scarf around his neck and don leather gloves, bundling up securely. Hand in hand, they headed to the Jenkins family. Everyone sat in their designated positions. Peter, Roger, and Naomi were present. Elliot¡¯s aunt, Tania Jenkins, and Stanley were absent. The entire family was in attendance, and the atmosphere was silent and eerie. The altar room wall disyed pictures of deceased ancestors of the Jenkins family, with flickering candles casting a solemn ambiance. No one spoke as Elliot had yet to arrive. Seated in the main position, Santiago had a stern expression, quietly sipping his tea. When Elliot and Sheena confidently walked in, everyone except Santiago stood up and greeted him respectfully. Elliot nodded, and the others resumed their seats. ¡°Grandpa.¡± ¡°Hello, Grandpa Santiago.¡± They approached Santiago, both calling out simultaneously. Sheena¡¯s voice was sweet, bringing a contented smile to Santiago¡¯s face. Especially seeing the two of them holding hands, Santiago could not help but nce at his grandson. Amazing! Just the other day, Sheena was making a fuss about breaking off the engagement, and it seemed that Elliot managed to resolve everything! Truly, he was the grandson Santiago was most proud of! ¡°Come on and have a seat!¡± Santiago warmly invited them. Chapter 448 Chapter 448 The two of them took their seats, and Elliot began his inquiry with a serious tone, what¡¯s the urgency? Has something major happened?¡± ¡°Uncle Peter, Peter stood up, bowing slightly to Santiago before starting to exin, ¡°Latest night, someone bypassed the surveince cameras, climbed over the wall into Stanley¡¯s mansion, knocked out the bodyguards, and attacked Stanley. The methods used were vicious. If it weren¡¯t for a guard waking up early and saving Stanley from excessive bleeding, he wouldn¡¯t have survived!¡± As Peter recounted the events, he red at Sheena, who seemed indifferent. Elliot appeared unbothered and asked, ¡°Where is he?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°He¡¯s severely injured and still unconscious. But when the guards saved himst night, he was conscious enough to im that Ms. Lawson and Lionel attacked him,¡± Peter exined with a pained expression. He then looked at Santiago and added, ¡°Dad, I¡¯m here today seeking justice. How can Elliot act recklessly, harming his own family members at will, just because he¡¯s the head of the Jenkins family? 11 Elliot¡¯s face remained cold and proud. However, his face suddenly turned pale just as he was about to stand up to speak, and he frowned in pain as he covered the wound on his chest. Sheena reached out to support him, asking, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± With a pale face, he looked at her and whispered, ¡°I aggravated¡­ the injury.¡± Sheena was aware of his scheme. After all, he did not say a word during their passionate night. Yet, he was saying his wound was hurting now? Sheena yed along, speaking gently, ¡°You just had surgery, and your body is weak. Speak less. Let me handle this.¡± Peter was dissatisfied, saying, ¡°Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re not part of the Jenkins family. Being an observer is fine, but participating in family discussion might not be appropriate.¡± Sheenapletely ignored Peter. She stood up and faced Santiago, saying tenderly, ¡°Grandpa Santiago, I¡¯m Eli¡¯s fiancee. Naturally, I¡¯m almost a Jenkins family member. Eli is seriously injured and shouldn¡¯t speak much. I did participate in the matterst night, and on his behalf, I¡¯d like to speak. Is that okay?¡± Santiago was pleased to hear her saying she was almost a Jenkins family member. ¡°Of cours course, you can. With me and Eli by your side, no one will dare to bully you.¡¯ ¡°Thank you, Grandpa Santiago.¡± Sheena smiled sweetly and turned to Peter. ¡°I admit involvement in the events last night, but¡­¡± Peter interrupted her before she could finish her sentence, ¡°Ms. Lawson, I admire your direct confession, but as Elliot¡¯s fiancee, how could you sneak into Stanley¡¯s bedroomte at night? Imagine what would happen if the matter spread!¡± The expressions of everyone in the room changed. Naomi, wanting to stand up and speak for Sheena, was stopped by her father, Roger. Even though everyone was staring at her, Sheena smiled. Peter, confused, asked, ¡°What are you smiling about?¡± ¡°Even the dogs raised in the Lawson family know to crouch down and listen carefully when the master speaks. Mr. Peter, you¡¯re almost forty, yet you don¡¯t seem to understand that interrupting others is extremely impolite. Isn¡¯t that a shame?¡± Sheena said, then turned her head to Elliot, winking at him. Elliot¡¯s heart was almost melted by her charming gesture. Peter was furious. How dare shepare him unfavorably to a dog from the Lawson family! Yet Sheena maintained an innocent and naive expression. If Peter were to argue with such a junior, he would appear petty. Naomi, in the serious atmosphere, giggled, attracting everyone¡¯s attention. She cleared her throat and said embarrassedly, ¡°Sorry, I just couldn¡¯t help it.¡± Santiago tapped his cane, redirecting everyone¡¯s focus, and said, ¡°Sheena, please continue.¡± ¡°Although I participated in it, I only sent Lionel to teach Stanley a lesson. I was personally at the hospital, watching over Eli. I don¡¯t know where Mr. Peter got the information about me entering Stanley¡¯s room, but words should be backed by solid evidence.¡± Peter retorted, ¡°Even if you don¡¯t admit to sneaking into Stanley¡¯s roomst night, the fact remains that you sent someone to harm him, which you have acknowledged.¡± ¡°Yes, but why don¡¯t you ask me why I dealt with him? Yesterday, Eli went on a mission, and Stanley maliciously sent people to spread rumors that I was going to break off the engagement. This almost cost Eli his life, and he had to be rushed to the operating roomte at night. Shouldn¡¯t Stanley be dealt with for that?¡± She presented her case with surprising confidence, and some members of the Jenkins family found her reasoning quitepelling. Only Peter sneered, ¡°You im Stanley sent someone to harm Elliot. Where¡¯s the evidence?¡± Elliot nced at Lionel, standing outside the hall, and in a weak but resolute tone, he said, ¡°Uncle Peter, if the evidence is what you want, I¡¯ll provide it.¡± Chapter 449 Chapter 449 Elliot finally spoke, and all eyes turned to him. He reached to remove the scarf and unbutton his suit. The wound on his chest was the most direct evidence. As the extensive purple-red hickeys on his chest and corbone were about to be exposed to all the members of the Jenkins family, Sheena, frightened, grabbed his shirt and covered him tightly. ¡°Don¡¯t take it off! So many people are watching! Have you no shame?¡± What a bastard! She would definitely teach him a lesson once he was fully recovered. Elliot smirked. ¡°I¡¯m a man. Showing some chest is normal.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Not normal!¡± Sheena red at him angrily and whispered threateningly, ¡°Your body is only for me to see in the future! Hurry up and get dressed!¡± Elliot enjoyed her deration of ownership. He buttoned up and exchanged a nce with Lionel outside the door. Lionel brought in a bound young man, throwing him into the center. Then, he took out a document, which Grant received and handed to Santiago. ¡°It¡¯s him. While Mr. Jenkins was on a mission, he lied about the news. When I went to catch himst night, he happened to have taken Mr. Stanley¡¯s payment and was preparing to run. This document contains his confession,¡± Lionel exined. Santiago carefully read the confession, his expression serious. Peter was slightly stunned. Stanley had clearly told him that the person had already been discreetly taken care of on the outskirts of town. How did Lionel manage to catch him? Santiago handed the confession to Peter, who read it thrice, repeatedly confirming its authenticity. Finally, he concluded that Stanley¡¯s man had blown the job and had been caught red-handed! Lionel continued, ¡°As the head of the Jenkins family, Mr. Jenkins was almost killed by Mr. Stanley. Shouldn¡¯t we handle this ording to the family rules of the Jenkins family?¡± All eyes turned to Santiago as if seeking his advice. In the midst of all the gazes, Santiago stroked his beard, and with Grant¡¯s assistance, he stood up. ¡°Eli, the Jenkins family is now under your leadership. It¡¯s your decision. I¡¯m going back to rest,¡± he dered. Elliot nodded slightly. ¡°Alright, Grandpa. Take care.¡± ¡°Dad! Please don¡¯t go!¡± Peter shouted a couple of times. However, Santiago left without looking back, leaving Peter in a difficult situation with no one to help him. Stanley had managed to mess up his first independent task! Santiago paid no attention, leaving the hall without turning back. Once he left, the rest of the Jenkins family members followed suit, leaving only Sheena, Elliot, Lionel, and Peter. The young man who hadmitted the offense had been taken away by Lionel. With everyone gone, there was no need for pretense. Peter forced a smile and said, ¡°Elliot, Stanley didn¡¯t mean any harm. There¡¯s no need to escte this and intentionally harm him to your extent. Besides, he¡¯s injured and still unconscious. How about we call it even?¡± Sheena took over the conversation. ¡°Mr. Peter, you¡¯re mistaken. Beating up Stanley was my idea. If you¡¯re dissatisfied, you can discuss it with me. Regarding Stanley harming Eli, each issue should be dealt with separately, not bundled together.¡± Peter red at her, then turned to Elliot. ¡°Elliot, what do you say?¡± Elliot pulled Sheena onto hisp, pampering her by gently rubbing her small face, disying affection openly. ¡°Nana is right. Each issue should be dealt with separately.¡± Then, he turned to Peter, his gaze turning cold again. ¡°I heard Stanley is still unconscious and seriously injured. Is that true?¡± Peter chuckled. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll scold himter. He needs to be more careful next time.¡± Ignoring Peter¡¯s response, Elliot looked at Lionel. ¡°Bring Stanley over. Even if he needs to be carried, make sure he¡¯s brought to the hall.¡± Peter¡¯s expression shifted slightly, and he immediately signaled the guards outside. Twenty minutester, Stanley, escorted by Lionel, entered the hall. Chapter 450 Chapter 450 ¡°Sir, Mr. Peter¡¯s bodyguards tried to sneak Mr. Stanley out of the mansion, but I stopped him,¡± Lionel reported. ¡°Good.¡± Stanley was saved by his bodyguards a few hours after the incident. Besides, he was a grown adult, and the minor injuries posed no serious threat. Elliot had known all along that he was faking his condition and asked, ¡°Uncle Peter, how do you suggest we punish him?¡± Peter softened his tone. ¡°Stanley was just being foolish. Luckily, Elliot, you¡¯re fine too. Let¡¯s give him a minor punishment as a warning. I¡¯ll take him back and give him a good beating. How about that?¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Dad!¡± Stanley protested. Why should he be punished? It was just a stroke of bad luck. He only wished the bullet had hit Elliot in the head or his heart! Sheena had heard about the Jenkins family¡¯s traditional and strict disciplinary practices. Nheless, she was there to witness the drama unfold. Elliot did not ept Peter¡¯s suggestion, and his face was dark and icy, clearly dissatisfied. Lionel spoke on his behalf, ¡°Mr. Peter, isn¡¯t that a bit too lenient? If it weren¡¯t for Mr. Jenkins¡¯ luck, the position of the family head might have changed hands. Mr. Jenkins suggests tenshes.¡± ¡°Tenshes?¡± Stanley seethed with hatred, arguing, ¡°Elliot is still alive and well, yet you¡¯re trying to exact such a heavy punishment on me. Isn¡¯t that too much!¡± Elliot casually added, ¡°You should be grateful I¡¯m alive. Otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t be just tenshes. Say another word, and I¡¯ll add five more.¡± Grant, the one responsible for administering the punishment, had helped Santiago back to his room and had just returned. Hence, Stanley could not escape. ording to Jenkins family traditions, the person receiving theshes had to remove their upper clothing. Sheena was still sitting on Elliot¡¯sp. He patted her waist lightly and directed his gaze toward Lionel. ¡°Take Sheena out first. I¡¯ll join you shortly.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Lionel acknowledged. Sheena protested, ¡°I¡¯m not leaving. Is he going to undress to be whipped? His physique surely isn¡¯t as good as yours, and I don¡¯t care to watch, but I want to see how miserable he¡¯ll be!¡± Apart from this, Lionel had informed her that Elliot had taken twentyshes for her from the Jenkins Chapter 450 family six months ago, and she was eager to witness the severity of this family punishment. 2/2 Elliot remained silent. Sheena held onto his arm, pouting and cooing, ¡°Eli, you¡¯re the best person in the world! Please believe me!¡± Unable to resist her soft voice, Elliot finally gave in. Stanley was forced to kneel in the middle of the hall, exposing his lean back. Even before the punishment began, he was already trembling, seemingly deeply afraid of the impendingshes. Peter could not bear to watch his son being whipped, but Grant¡¯s presence indicated Santiago¡¯s approval. Thus, he could only sit on the side, helpless, and watch the events unfold. Grant took out the disciplinary whip from a sandalwood box. ¡°Mr. Stanley, I¡¯m just doing my job.¡± With that statement, the sharp sound of the whip slicing through the air echoed. Stanley¡¯s back was torn, and because of his slender frame, eachsh felt like it struck bone. The scene was horrifying, with blood gushing out. Initially, Stanley tried to endure theshes, but by the fifth one, the pain became unbearable. He howled, squirming in agony, losing all dignity. The excruciating pain on his back overwhelmed him. Elliot remained expressionless, his gaze cold and merciless. He had someone restrain Stanley¡¯s shoulders. By the eighthsh, Stanley fainted from the pain. Elliot ordered cold water to be poured on him to awaken him, and Grant ruthlessly delivered thest twoshes. Stanley¡¯s face turned deathly pale, and he passed outpletely. Peter instructed his bodyguards to carry him away. Although only tenshes had been administered, Stanley¡¯s back was now a mosaic of small diamond- shaped pieces, the skin torn and flesh exposed, a sight too gruesome to behold. Sheena watched quietly, appearing calm on the surface, but inside, she was experiencing a storm of emotions. This firsthand experience made her realize the terrifying nature of the Jenkins family¡¯s disciplinary measures. What left her breathless was the fact that after receiving just tenshes, Stanley was rendered half- dead. She could not help but think about Elliot, who had endured twice as manyshes for her in the past. Even after the punishment, he still stubbornly returned to Ocean Avenue with her. How much pain must he have suffered back then? Chapter 451 Chapter 451 Sheena¡¯s heart twinged with pain. If she had not witnessed it herself, she would not have felt so keenly how much Elliot had suffered for her, enduring severe injuries and pain. Guilt, self¨Cme, and sadness overwhelmed her. While Sheena¡¯s mind was buzzing, Elliot led her away from the Jenkins family estate. It was not until they were in the car that she teared up. Elliot embraced her, kissing her forehead with a tinge of remorse. ¡°Did it scare you? It¡¯s my fault. there¡¯s nothing pleasant about such a bloody scene. I should¡¯ve let Lionel take you outside.¡± Sheena¡¯s nose tingled as she buried her face in his neck, sobbing softly. ¡°I should be the one saying sorry. I now realize how severe the whipping you endured was. I regret not offeringfort back then. I was even harsh to you. I¡¯m truly awful.¡± ¡°Nonsense.¡± Elliot cupped her tear¨Cstreaked face, speaking earnestly, ¡°Scolding is a form of affection. If you scold me, it means you care about me. I¡¯m happy about that.¡± What kind of twisted logic was that? Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Sheena knew he was trying to cheer her up, but it did not diminish her guilt, and tears continued to shimmer in her sparkly eyes. ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. My wounds healed long ago, without a trace, and it doesn¡¯t hurt at all.¡± Elliot leaned down, his cold lips patiently kissing away her tears. ¡°Your tears are more precious to me than any gems in the world. Stop crying, or I¡¯ll go bankrupt.¡± Sheena was sessfully teased into augh. ¡°You¡¯re such a smooth talker. Where did you learn that?¡± Lionel focused on driving, noticed Sheena¡¯s gaze, and quickly defended himself, ¡± Ms. Sheena, it can¡¯t possibly be me! I¡¯ve never been in a rtionship. I¡¯m innocent!¡± Fine. Since he had not been in a rtionship, there was no need to make life difficult for the innocent, pure boy. Elliot held her small hand gently over his heart through his suit. ¡°I¡¯m not smooth Chapter 451 -talking or trying to deceive you. Can you feel my sincerity this way?¡± 77 Sheena cautiously pressed her hand against his chest, feeling his heartbeat, and found the gesture rather sweet. ¡°Eli, let me spoil you in the days toe!¡± She yfully smiled and leaned in to give him a gentle kiss. Elliot closed his eyes, engaging in a passionate kiss with Sheena. Hearing the sound, Lionel tightened his grip on the steering wheel, asionally sneaking nces at the rearview mirror, feeling quite devastated. Damn! Over¨Cthe¨Ctop public disy of affection up close! They should be considerate of his fragile heart, especially since he had never dated despite his age! After a few minutes of intense kissing in the car, Elliot took the initiative to end it. Sensing something amiss, Sheena touched his face and asked, ¡°Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling cold or unwell?¡± Elliot shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s normal to have a paleplexion just after major surgery.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Sheena was about to inquire further when Elliot interrupted her, ¡°Are you heading back to the Lawson estate?¡± Lionel nced at the rearview mirror, understanding Elliot¡¯s intention, and chimed in, ¡°By the way, sir, there seems to be an important meeting at the Jenkins Group today that requires your attendance.¡± He pretended to check the time, ¡°We still have two hours before the meeting. Should we head over?¡± Since Elliot had work¨Crted matters to attend to, Sheena did not press further.¡± Fine, but I¡¯m not returning to the Lawson estate. Please drop me off at the Angle Group building. I need to make arrangements for the uing opening ceremony in a couple of days.¡± Lionel made a U¨Cturn and drove to the Angle Group building. Before getting out of the car, Elliot kissed Sheena on the forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t rush to leave tonight. I¡¯lle over to pick you up, and we can have dinner together.¡± Chapter 452 Chapter 452 Sheena nodded obediently, opened the car door, and left, but she kept waving to him and looking back, her smile exceptionally sweet. Elliot rolled down the window, waved in response, and smiled as he watched her. Until her figure disappeared into the building, Elliot could no longer suppress the metallic taste in his mouth, and he quickly shut the window. Then, he clenched his fist against his lips and coughed lightly. His slender knuckles were stained with specks of blood, and Lionel¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you coughing up blood again?¡± ¡°Go to theb.¡± Elliot elegantly wiped away the blood from his lips and hands with a tissue, staring at the bloodstain. Yosef Elsher, also known as Professor Y, conducted another blood test on him. Half an hourter, the atmosphere in theb became tense. ¡°You were suppressing it well before. Why is it spreading again? Elliot, did you get injured again?¡± Elliot remained silent. Lionel chimed in, ¡°Yesterday, Mr. Jenkins got shot on a mission, just two centimeters away from his heart. To win back Ms. Sheena, he even waited at the door for her for a few hours after the surgery!¡± Yosef looked serious, removed Elliot¡¯s suit shirt, and examined his wounds. However, he was stunned to find the numerous hickeys all over Elliot¡¯s body. ¡°You knew you had just undergone surgery, lost a lot of blood, and your resistance would be low! Yet, you exposed yourself to the cold, walked around recklessly, and even engaged in¡­ vigorous activity! Are you out of your mind?¡± Yosef scolded. In front of the doctor, Elliot lost his usual arrogance and muttered in defense, ¡± You saw it¡­ Nana did all of the work. I didn¡¯t move.¡± Lionel chuckled and exchanged a nce with the doctor. Yosef had to reexamine the traces on Elliot¡¯s body and could not help but express admiration. 372 ¡°Impressive, Elliot! How does it feel to let the woman do all the work? Enjoyable, isn¡¯t it?¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. With all three present being a man, Elliot had no need to hide anything. With a serious expression, he replied, ¡°It¡¯s freaking amazing!¡± Yosef and Lionel could not hold back theirughter. Elliot¡¯s expression turned icy, his threatening gaze piercing through both of them. Yosef immediatelyposed himself, cleared his throat, and said, ¡°Well¡­ next time, show some restraint. Even if you¡¯re the one below, such activities always promote blood cirction. You just had surgery. Your body is too weak, you know!¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Elliot responded lightly. Yosef conducted aprehensive examination of Elliot¡¯s internal condition. After half an hour, the results were in, and the room¡¯s atmosphere regained its seriousness. In the deathly silence, Yosef sighed. ¡°Due to the significant drop in your immunity, the virus is spreading too fast. It¡¯s already affecting the blood supply to your heart. Elliot, you might develop angina in the future.¡± Elliot stayed silent, lost in thought. Lionel was very concerned and asked, ¡°Is it life¨Cthreatening?¡± ¡°Not for now, but Elliot needs to control his emotions. I¡¯ll prescribe medication, and if you have an episode, don¡¯t endure the pain, just take a pill,¡± Yosef advised. He continued, ¡°Additionally, my suppressant is currently effective for you. Although there¡¯s no immediate danger to your life, if the virus continues to spread, I can¡¯t guarantee there won¡¯t be otherplications. Your life, for me, would then be an unknown variable.¡± After delivering these words, the room fell into silence. Chapter 453 Chapter 453 Elliot remained calm as if the news was not directed at him. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that if the virus isn¡¯t well suppressed, I might suddenly die one day?¡± Elliot asked, his tone reflecting the gravity of the situation. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Yosef lowered his head, not providing a direct answer, seemingly implying an affirmative response. Elliot fell into silence. He had assumed that with the suppressant, his body would be fine for decades at least. If he had known it would be like this, he might have preferred Sheena not knowing he was still alive, sparing her from the future pain of his death. Lionel could not hold back in the heavy atmosphere and silently shed tears while standing on the side. Hearing the sobbing, Elliot nced at him, asking, ¡°Why are you crying? I¡¯m not dead yet.¡± ¡°I¨CI just think¡­¡± Lionel began, finding it hard to articte his pity for Elliot. Elliot was not even thirty years old, yet he would have to endure constant pain and live his days in constant worry! It was too tragic! Scratching his head awkwardly, Yosef interrupted, ¡°It¡¯s not that bad, really. I¡¯m just saying ¡®if¡®. Based on the current situation, as long as he cooperates with the treatment and maintains good immunity, my suppressant should at least keep Elliot going for another twenty years.¡± Lionel still appeared sad and asked, ¡°And what will happen after those twenty years?¡± Yosef sent a reassuring look to Elliot. ¡°After twenty years, who knows? I might have developed the cure long before then. Elliot could live to a hundred when that happens!¡± With a glimmer of hope for a possible cure, the mood in the room gradually lightened. Lionel grabbed tissues to wipe his nose, looking a little annoyed. ¡°Stop with the suspense and tell us everything at once next time! You scared the hell out of us!¡± Yosef chuckled, giving Elliot another injection to reinforce the suppressant¡¯s effect. He then prescribed medicines to aid wound healing and control angina. Chapter 453 Additionally, he also advised Elliot to restrain his instincts until his injuries fully healed, emphasizing no more intense activities in that regard. Although Elliot verbally agreed, his mind seemed elsewhere, not fully attentive. When they exited theb, it was almost time for Sheena to get off work. Elliot was about to return to his car to pick her up from the Angle Group when Corey, d in a dark aviation uniform, approached with a cold and menacing expression. Corey¡¯s wife, Barbara Lawson, also apanied him, and both seemed displeased. It appeared they had hurried over straight from the airport, and their expressions hinted at trouble. Lionel politely greeted, ¡°Hello, Mr. Corey and Mrs. Barbara.¡± Barbara nodded in acknowledgment, but Corey ignored the pleasantries and headed straight for Elliot. Considering their past rtionship as brothers¨Cinw, it was important to maintain good terms. Elliot suppressed any hint of surprise, asking, ¡°Mr. Corey, what brings you to visit Svelton so suddenly?¡± Corey halted about a meter away from Elliot, pulling out a gun and aiming it at his head, a menacing aura emanating from him. Lionel, bewildered, eximed, ¡°Mr. Corey?!¡± Mr. However, Elliot appeared unfazed. With his hands casually inserted into his suit pockets, he calmly met Corey¡¯s gaze, saying, ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this, Corey?¡± Corey, brimming with murderous intent, dered, ¡°I want you dead!¡± Meanwhile, in the offices of Angle Group, Sheena waited for Elliot to pick her up for dinner. Elliot was known for being punctual, and as minutes passed without him, Sheena grew concerned. Just as she was about to call him, she received a text message from Lionel. [Lionel: Mr. Corey wants to kill Mr. Jenkins. We¡¯re at theb.] Why did Corey suddenly return? Sheena was puzzled, but she soon remembered her phone call to Corey a few days ago when she was investigating Elliot¡¯s overseas records. ¡°Shit!¡± Sheena immediately grabbed her bag and swiftly hailed a taxi, heading Chapter 453 straight to theb. #Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 454 Chapter 454 Sheena had not even stepped out of the car when she spotted Corey holding a gun to Elliot¡¯s head through the window, his face filled with murderous intent. ¡°Corey! What are you doing?¡± With one hand gripping the muzzle and the other shielding Elliot, Sheena tried to calm the situation. ¡°Let¡¯s talk things out. There¡¯s no need for violence.¡± Corey remained unmoved. Barbara chimed in, ¡°Honey, put the gun away. You might hurt Nana.¡± Reluctantly, Corey holstered the gun, his face still ice¨Ccold. Sheena quickly turned to check on Elliot, asking, ¡°Corey didn¡¯t hit you, did he? Are you injured anywhere?¡± Elliot gently shook his head, holding her warm hand, and smiled. ¡°Except for you, who could every a finger on me?¡± Seeing him still able toe up with such witty replies, Sheena breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing them intimate, Corey became angry. ¡°Sheena! Do you know he¡¯s been ying with your feelings, deceiving you?¡± A few days ago, Corey found it strange that Sheena suddenly took an interest in her fiance. Upon deeper investigation, he discovered that Elliot was her ex- husband! Sheena argued, ¡°Corey, I¡¯ve known about it for a while. It was all a misunderstanding, and I¡¯ve let it go.¡± Corey¡¯s tone remained icy. ¡°He¡¯s manipting you! He can¡¯t repay the three years of youth you wasted on him! I¡¯ll help you end this engagement.¡± ¡°No, please!¡® Sheena embraced Corey. ¡°Eli has already paid back what he owed me. He saved me three times in Farlem. Without him, I wouldn¡¯t have returned to Svelton unharmed. Even Howard was moved by him. Let it go, Corey.¡± Corey red at her, silent. Not arguing further indicated he was also in a dilemma. Seizing the moment, Sheena added, ¡°By the way, our engagement is a business alliance. It¡¯s not easy to cancel it. Corey, please think it through.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? As long as you want, even if I have topensate with 40 billion dors, I can afford it!¡± Sheena pouted and cooed softly, ¡°But I don¡¯t want to. I want to be with him.¡± Elliot listened quietly, his gaze fixed on Sheena, feeling a sweet sensation in his heart. Corey fell silent. Sheena continued to nuzzle against Corey like a soft kitten. ¡°Corey, I¡¯m serious¡­¡± Corey nced at Barbara. Barbara nodded, indicating her approval. With a long sigh, Corey reluctantlypromised. ¡°Since you insist, I¡¯ll observe him for a while. Until I give the green light, treat this engagement like Howard¡¯s. No secret marriage certificates and no sleeping together. Otherwise, I¡¯ll break your legs!¡± Sheena shivered, subconsciously gulping hard. She had already done some questionable things. What now? Could she still keep her legs? Elliot¡¯s expression also stiffened. Without responding, Sheena felt a chill running down her spine. Corey scrutinized both of them, especially noting Sheena¡¯s guilt¨Cridden expression. ¡°Did you already get a marriage certificate?¡± Sheena hurriedly waved her hands and shook her head. ¡°No, no! I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Corey¡¯s expression darkened further. ¡°So, did you sleep together?¡± ¡°W¨CWe did before, during our previous marriage. Does that count?¡± Sheena answered sheepishly. She bit her lip, avoiding eye contact. ¡°Back then, you both used fake identities, and you¡¯re divorced now. That doesn¡¯t count. I¡¯m asking about this time.¡± Sheena fell silent, looking uneasy. She hung her head, staring at her toes, her ears turning bright red. Chapter 454 Corey instantly understood, his eyes filled with rage and a murderous intent. Once again, he pulled out his gun, pointing it at Elliot. ¡°You¡¯re just recently engaged, and you¡¯ve already slept with her? You¡¯re so dead!Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Chapter 455 Chapter 455 Sheena¡¯s face turned pale when she heard Corey¡¯s furious roar. She needed to calm herself! The situation was getting out of control! Elliot remained silent, standing tall and proud. His deep eyes showed no fear, looking like he would do it again if he could. In Corey¡¯s eyes, his demeanor was clearly one of provocation. Enraged, Corey was prepared to pull the trigger. ¡°No, please stop! You¡¯ve got it all wrong! It was me, I¨CI initiated it!¡± Sheena trembled with embarrassment, and her toes curled in difort. Compared to Elliot¡¯s life, her legs were of lesser importance. Corey raised an eyebrow, puzzled. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can check his neck. It was me¡­ I couldn¡¯t resist¡­¡± As she spoke, her voice got softer, and she covered her face in shame, her entire face felt like it was burning up. Corey, full of doubt, still held onto the gun as he approached Elliot. Elliot stood motionless, letting Corey uncover the woolen scarf. The numerous deep red love bites on his neck left Corey dumbfounded. That was just too much¡­ The air fell silent, and the atmosphere turned awkward. Sheena tightly covered her face, wishing she could dig a hole and hide. Now, not only did Lionel know about her romantic escapade at the hospital, but even Corey and Barbara were in the know! It was truly humiliating! Frustrated, Sheena suddenly felt a firm grip on her right ear, and the force. seemed to want to add another shade of red to her already flushed earlobe. ¡°Ouch! It hurts! Corey, we¡¯re in public! Eli and Lionel are still watching. Don¡¯t embarrass me¡­¡± Corey was furious. ¡°Well done, Sheena! You¡¯ve truly made me proud. Shouldn¡¯t I praise you for this?¡± ¡°No need for praise. I¡¯m quite modest! Just go easy on the scolding.¡± ¡°Still as cheeky as ever, eh?¡± Chapter 455 2/2 Corey¡¯s gaze intensified with a dangerous aura as he released Sheena¡¯s ear. Instead, he gripped the back of her neck like he was holding a kitten. ¡°Go home! It¡¯s time to mourn for your legs!¡± Sheena covered her face, feeling helpless. Was she going to be beaten at home for this? Filled with anger, Corey turned to walk toward the car. He held her wrist, ready to drag her along, but someone grabbed his wrist from behind. Elliot narrowed his dark eyes, a coldness lurking within. ¡°Mr. Corey, Nana is ant adult. She has the right to choose what she wants to do. Besides, she¡¯s my fiancee, and there¡¯s nothing inappropriate about her actions.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°There¡¯s no need for outsiders to interfere with how I handle my sister!¡± Corey nced at him, coldly mocking, ¡°I heard the Jenkins family had a strict upbringing. I never expected someone from the family to be so indecent. Don¡¯t think she¡¯s protecting you. I know that you¡¯re deceiving her! After I break her legs, I¡¯lle for you!¡± The two men locked eyes, and the atmosphere became tense. Corey turned to leave, but Elliot grabbed his wrist tightly, refusing to let go. Corey¡¯s anger red, and he released Sheena, swiftly pushing Elliot. He put all his strength into it, and Elliot, choosing not to retaliate, took the blow to his chest. With a muffled groan, Elliot staggered backward, his face turning pale. Soon, intense pain spread through his chest, aggravating the gunshot wound. A surge of blood rushed up, and he tried to swallow it back, but it spilled from his lips, staining them red. ¡°Eli!¡± Chapter 456 Chapter 456 Sheena immediately rushed to support Elliot. Seeing him coughing up blood and realizing how severe Corey¡¯s blow had been, tears welled up in her eyes, filled with distress. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Corey! He was shot yesterday and had serious surgery. How could you hit him like this?¡± Corey nced at his own hand and then at Elliot, who was in excruciating pain, sweating profusely. It was evident that Elliot was not faking it, making Corey feel a bit guilty. ¡°I thought he would fight back¡­¡± He knew Elliot was skilled and expected a counter¨Cattack. However, much to his surprise, Elliot did not evade the blow. Once the pain subsided, Elliot protected Sheena in his arms and spoke with great effort, ¡°Mr. Corey, I am Nana¡¯s fiance. I¡¯ve endured this punishment for her. Is this blow enough, or do you want to break my legs too?¡± ¡°No! Eli¡­¡± Tears streamed down her face as she looked at him with heartache. He managed a wry smile and gently wiped away her tears. It hurt badly, and he was struggling to hold on. ¡°Nana, hug me¡­¡± Sheena embraced him, and he curled into her arms, his back bowed against her slender shoulder. Corey, still in shock, observed the affectionate scene. However, Sheena was crying, and he hesitated to speak. Barbara sighed softly, stepping forward. ¡°That¡¯s enough. In this day and age, engaged or not, does it really matter whether they slept together or not? Elliot is willing to suffer for her. That¡¯s quite rare. Don¡¯t stir up trouble for them.¡± Corey gave a questioning look to Barbara. Why was she not taking his side? It seemed like he became the only viin here. He nced back at Sheena and Elliot¨Cone crying bitterly, the other in even worse shape. It felt like a tragic y of the viin interfering with a couple¡¯s happiness, and he was the antagonist. Corey let out a long sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll let it slide this time. Since he¡¯s injured, both of you better behave for a while, got it?¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Sheena replied, her small face showing signs of grievance. Corey softened his tone. ¡°Take him home to check if the wound has reopened, but no staying over. You must go back home. Do you understand?¡± Sheena¡¯s mood lifted, and she wiped away a few tears. ¡°Thank you, Corey.¡± With a grunt of acknowledgment, Corey turned away and left. Barbara hurriedly approached Sheena, whispering, ¡°Corey might sound harsh, but he¡¯s softest when ites to you. Don¡¯t be mad at him, okay?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Corey¡¯s displeased voice sounded. ¡°I¡¯ming!¡± Barbara consoled Sheena, casting an approving nce at Elliot, and then quickly ran back to Corey¡¯s side. Once their cars werepletely gone, Sheena immediately checked on Elliot. ¡°Is it very painful? Can you still walk? Should I ask Lionel to carry you to the car?¡± Lionel nodded, already feeling anxious. Yosef had just warned against further injuries, and now Elliot had been hit again. Approaching, he got his shoulder ready for Elliot. Ignoring Lionel, Elliot looked mischievously at Sheena and said, ¡°When Corey struck just now, I quietly stepped back half an inch. I¡¯m not seriously hurt. I yed it up. Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Really? Don¡¯t lie to me.¡± ¡°If I lie to you, I¡¯m a puppy.¡± Sheena giggled. ¡°Then you¡¯ll be named Elipup!¡± Chapter 457 Chapter 457 Elliot gently nuzzled into her neck, his weak voice carrying a hint of yfulness, ¡°No¡­ I still prefer hearing you call me Eli.¡± Sheena cupped his face, kissing his blood¨Cstained lips. ¡°Alright, Eli.¡± A faint, satisfied smile appeared on Elliot¡¯s pale face. Sheena carefully adjusted to support him and asked, ¡°Can you walk like this?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The two of them slowly made their way toward the car, supporting each other. Lionel watched their figures, frozen in ce, feeling like the odd one out. Later, they drove back to the Jenkins estate. Once Ellioty on the bed, Sheena began to undress him. ¡°Have some self¨Ccontrol and let Lionel handle this.¡± Sheena red at him. ¡°What¡¯s this? Are you afraid that I¡¯ll feast my eyes on your body and decide to devour you? Rx, with your severe injuries, I¡¯m not that ruthless.¡± ¡°Oh, so I¡¯m not that charming for you?¡± Elliot teased. There was a hint of mncholy in his tone. Sheena suppressed augh and lightly kissed him as a reward. Elliot seemed unsatisfied. Was that all? Sheena noted his gaze and smiled sweetly. In her dazzling eyes, there was an unusual seriousness. ¡°Eli, you¡¯re hurt, and I would feel incredibly guilty, thinking I¡¯m taking advantage of you. So absolutely not. You¡¯re not allowed to try to seduce me again! ¡°Sheena pouted, using him. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Lionel stood at the bedside, quietly observing the lovey¨Cdovey scene. Even so, presence was obvious to the lovebirds, and they turned their icy gazes toward him. In unison, they uttered, ¡°Get out!¡± Lionel chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head, ¡°I thought Mr. Jenkins might need some help with the medicine. Since Ms. Sheena is here, it his seems like I¡¯m not needed. You guys go ahead and chat!¡± He ced the medicine and medical kit from theb on the bedside table and exited the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him. Once he left, Sheena resumed undressing Elliot. Unsurprisingly, the wound had reopened. Fresh blood seeped throughyers of bandages, staining his shirt. Sheena¡¯s eyes reddened, scolding, ¡°You lied to me again. How can you say it¡¯s not serious?¡± Elliotforted, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t die.¡± ¡°You¡¯re such a fool! Corey cares about me. Even if I really went home with him, with Dad and Barbara protecting me, at most, he¡¯d just give me a scolding. But if he fights you, it¡¯s different. Why did you insist on intervening?¡± Elliot rubbed her ear, which Corey had twisted. Though the redness had faded, his heart still ached. ¡°Consider it me being impulsive. It won¡¯t happen again.¡± Somewhere along the way, his feelings for Sheena had deepened. She was the woman he wanted to cherish for a lifetime, and he could not bear to harm even a single finger of hers. No one, including her brothers, was allowed to hurt her! Sheena knew he was not really listening. She sighed and nced at the medicine Lionel left behind. Having no experience dressing wounds, Sheena had to rely on Elliot to guide her while he questioned whether he should do it himself. After a few hours of struggle, they finally finished applying the medicine and redressing the wound. Chapter 458 Chapter 458 Elliot took his medicine, and hisplexion improved slightly. Exhausted, he nestled into herp and fell asleep. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Sheena checked the time and noticed that it was already quitete. If she left now, she risked waking Elliot, who was peacefully sleeping. However, staying meant dealing with Corey, which could turn out badly. Sheena hesitated. She observed Elliot and found him in a serene slumber. Even asleep, his features were like a divine sculpture, exceptionally handsome. His face captivated her, and she only snapped out of her reverie when her phone rang. It was a call from Barbara. ¡°Sheena, how is he? Is he badly hurt?¡± Barbara asked. Sheena cleared her throat, deliberately adding a hint of a sob. ¡°Barbara, you know how strong Corey is. Eli already had injuries, and now they have worsened. He¡¯s been unconscious since we returned to the Jenkins family.¡± Barbara caught on to her implication but still asked, ¡°Is it that serious? Corey¡¯s action was quite reckless earlier. So, what¡¯s your n? Are youing back tonight?¡± Seizing the opportunity, Sheena responded, ¡°Considering it¡¯s because of Corey that he¡¯s in this state, I feel guilty. I want to stay here and care for him for a few days. Once he¡¯s better, I¡¯ll return. Is that okay?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Barbara whispered through the phone, ¡°You can stay if you want. I¡¯ll talk to Corey for you. But remember to behave, and don¡¯t¡­¡± Before Barbara could finish, Corey¡¯s angry yell echoed from afar. ¡°Sheena, if you darey a finger on him again, I¡¯ll definitely break your legs! No one can stop me this time!¡± Sheena quickly moved the phone away and discreetly nced at the still¨Csleeping Elliot. Fortunately, he remained undisturbed. However, Corey¡¯s words seemed oddly strange. Why did he make her sound like a ruthless bandit, forcibly keeping a young man captive? Feeling frustrated, she muttered quietly, ¡°Corey, he¡¯s an injured patient. How could I continue to harm him? I haven¡¯t be so heartless yet!¡± Chapter 459 217 Corey scoffed. Barbara reassured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll handle Corey for you tonight. Take good care of Elliot these next few days. He¡¯s a responsible and handsome young man. I quite like him.¡± ¡°How dare you say you like him? Barbara, have you lost your mind? Come over here!¡± Corey was annoyed. ¡°Hey! I¡¯m not done with Sheena yet¡­¡± Barbara¡¯s words trailed off as the call abruptly ended, apanied by a busy tone. Sheena stared nkly at the screen. Remembering Barbara¡¯s mention of how she would handle Corey tonight, a blush crept onto her face. Did couples casually discuss such matters? However, it seemed Corey was upset about something. Would Barbara¡¯s lower back be okay tomorrow? To stay and take care of Elliot, she had to sacrifice Barbara¡¯s lower back. Sacrifices had to be made! Sheena sighed deeply, and her gaze, in a fleeting moment, caught the peacefully sleeping man on her leg smirking. When did he wake up? Was he eavesdropping on her phone call? ¡°Eli?¡± Elliot¡¯s smile instantly disappeared, and he continued to sleep peacefully. He was quite the actor! Sometimes, she could not distinguish between his truths and lies. Sheena pursed her lips, a bit displeased. If it were not for his injury, she would have taught him how to behave! Chapter 459 Chapter 459 Sheena stared at Elijah, a mischievous smile ying on her lips. Then, she purposely spoke with a hint of sorrow, ¡°Since Eli is sleeping so soundly, I feel much relief. I think it¡¯s better for me to return to the Lawson estate and let Lionel take care of him. I¡¯lle to check on him in a couple of days.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. She pretended to move his head away, signaling her intention to get up. However, the man on herp wrapped her waist firmly and buried his head in her embrace. ¡°Lionel is not gentle, and he can¡¯t take care of me well. Nana, I want you¡­¡± His voice sounded oddly soft, surprisingly somewhat pitiful. Suppressing herughter, Sheena pushed him away yfully. ¡°That won¡¯t do. All my belongings are at the Lawson estate, and I need to go back.¡± In a swift motion, Elliot sat up, grabbed the phone from the bedside table, and called Lionel. ¡°Tomorrow, go shopping. Nana wears size small, shoe size 34. Buy all those. pretty nes, earrings, and essories. Fill up all the wardrobes in the mansion. After giving instructions, he promptly ended the call. While Sheena was still processing what had just happened, he nestled back into her arms. Despite being 1.88m tall, he managed to look frail and sickly, almost easier to topple than her. Unnoticed by her, Elliot smirked. Now, Sheena would not even think about moving out again! Sheena did not know his intention, but she was puzzled by his previous statement to Lionel. She inquired, ¡°How did you know I wear a small size?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve hugged you.¡± Alright, she was slender. Anyone with a bit of insight could guess that. However¡­ Sheena raised an eyebrow suspiciously. ¡°But how did you know my shoe size?¡± Elliot fell silent, wondering if he had exposed something. As Sheena observed his silence, she figured he must be thinking about another scheme. As long as he was being silent, he was up to mischief! Chic 45 Sheena firmly pinched his cheek. Elliot hissed in pain, frowning as he continued acting like a victim. ¡°Easy there. I¡¯m injured¡­¡± Why did she always manage to pinpoint every opportunity to tease him? Elliot felt quite frustrated. Sheena ignored his plea and pressed on, ¡°Come clean. When did this happen?¡± ¡°Last time you got drunk at Eros Bar, I carried you to the hotel and took care of you all night, and I wiped your face and washed your feet. Also, the other day when you got drunk here. Only those two times!¡± He had noticed her petite feet by chance. Comparing them to his hands, he realized Sheena¡¯s feet were even smaller. Sheena¡¯s face instantly turned red, her toes unconsciously curling. The idea that Elliot had secretly washed her feet while she was drunk was beyond embarrassing. She tightened her grip on his cheek, causing Elliot¡¯s brows to furrow even more, and he let out another pained yelp. ¡°Besides that, have you done anything inappropriate to my feet, Elliot? Do you have some kind of fetish? Be honest with me!¡± Sheena stared at him with a probing gaze, a suggestive glint in her eyes. Elliot was puzzled. What on earth was going on? Chapter 460 Chapter 460 Elliot could not help but wonder if he or Sheena was the odd one in this rtionship. He was about to exin when Sheena, suddenly fearing he might reveal something she could not handle, said, ¡°Forget it. Don¡¯t say anything for now. Let me calm myself down.¡± She released his cheek, gently moving him away from her, stood up, and loomed over him. ¡°Considering your previously unknown audacious behavior and the possibility of having some peculiar preferences, I¡¯ve decided to observe you for a while!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t expect to cuddle with me at night. I¡¯ll be sleeping in the adjacent room during this time, and I¡¯ll be locking the door! You better behave! If you dare to pick the lock at midnight, I¡¯ll chop off both your hands! I¡¯ll chop ¡®that¡® off if you. dare to sneak into my bed!¡± Sheena stared at his legs and made a chopping motion with her hand, her gaze sharp and her tone threatening. ¡°Nana¡­¡± Elliot felt so wronged. Just when he had managed to be hers, he had to wait instead. Elliot sighed in dismay, wanting to reach for her hand, but she was already walking away. Ignoring his attempts to act cute, Sheena turned and left, adding, ¡°Behave and rest well. If you dare to comin once more, I won¡¯t talk to you for a whole month.¡® Elliot was left speechless by this inexplicable gag order, weakly watching her exit the bedroom and closing the door behind her. He wanted to go after her and exin, but the thought of Sheena ignoring him for a month was unbearable. Even a single day was too much! Elliot found himself in a dilemma, unable to express his feelings. ¡ª With Sheena¡¯s threat hanging over him, Elliot refrained from causing any trouble these past few days. For two consecutive days, Sheena took care of him tirelessly. With her watchful eyes ensuring he took medication and changed bandages on time, Elliot¡¯s external injuries significantly improved. However, aside from tending to Elliot, Sheena did not let the Angle Group work slide. During Elliot¡¯s afternoon nap, she called Wendy in Farlem. ¡°Yes, Skye Zimmer, Phoebe Chambein, Abel Graham¡­ these artists are my key development targets. Transfer them to the Svelton headquarters, I want to oversee their progress personally.¡± ¡°Also, tomorrow is the ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony for Svelton¡¯s Angle Group tower. It must go off without a hitch. Have the invitations been sent out? Double- check that all the big shots in the entertainment industry have received them and provide me with a list of those who have confirmed attendance. If there are any issues, notify me immediately.. While Sheena was making a call in the garden, Lionel discreetly snuck into Elliot¡¯s room. Elliot quietly went to the bathroom while Sheena was immersed in her work. He spat out blood and then cleaned the sink to erase any traces. Lionel walked in just in time to witness it. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, how about finding an excuse to go to theb tomorrow or the day after for another test? I feel like you¡¯ve been coughing up blood more frequently.¡± Elliot declined, ¡°No need. It¡¯s my body, and I know it well. For now, there shouldn¡¯t be a big problem. Did you bring the suppressant?¡± Lionel retrieved the suppressant, quickly disinfected the area, and expertly injected it into Elliot¡¯s neck vein. Elliot¡¯s dark eyes gently narrowed. Although the injection was painful, he seemed used to the days when he had to rely on suppressants to survive. Remembering the punch he took from Corey a few days ago, Lionel wore at displeased expression. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t overexert yourself next time. If Professor Y hadn¡¯t given you an extra dose of suppressant to enhance its effect, considering the severity of your injuries that day, you would have passed out on the spot.¡± It was highly likely that if Elliot had fainted, Sheena would have discovered the truth about his condition. Elliot, understanding this, kept his head low, silent. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Lionel sighed, pocketing the used syringe, intending to take it out discreetly. Just as he stood up, a crisp and yful voice echoed outside the door. ¡°What suppressant are you talking about?¡± Sheena leaned against the doorway, observing Elliot in bed, and then ncing at the nervous Lionel. Chapter 461 Chapter 461 Lionel stood with his back to Sheena, not immediately turning around but exchanging a subtle nce with Elliot. Sheena looked nonchnt, a bit bewildered. She had just finished a call and heard Lionel and Elliot talking in the room from a distance. However, she only caught a few unfamiliar keywords due to the distance. ¡°Hm?¡± Seeing both of them silent, Sheena¡¯s eyes darted between the two. Lionel turned around, noting her expression, which seemed genuinely clueless. He smiled as he exined, ¡°The suppressant is ab medication, but Mr. Jenkins and I were discussing ssified National Investigation Bureau mission details. It might not be suitable to share with Ms. Sheena.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Sheena tilted her head, looking at Elliot. Elliot nodded. ¡°Are you curious? If you really want to know, I can tell you.¡± After some thought, Sheena said, ¡°Never mind. Since it¡¯s ssified, don¡¯t tell me. I¡¯m not that interested.¡± Elliot and Lionel both secretly breathed sighs of relief. ¡°Well, Ms. Sheena, you two continue. I¡¯ll head out.¡± Sheena nodded, and as Lionel left, she sat on Elliot¡¯s bed, checking the wound on his chest, which had improved over the past two days. In reality, she was not genuinely angry with him these past two days. She just used it as an excuse to sleep in separate rooms intentionally, fearing he might get restless at night and try to tempt her into some mischief.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. For the sake of his wound healing faster, there must be strictly no touching! However, despite the wound healing, why were the vivid marks on his body still so clear? It was strange. Sheena frowned, ncing coldly at Elliot. However, she noticed he was avoiding her gaze. ¡°It¡¯s been days. Why haven¡¯t these marks on you faded at all? You didn¡¯t do this to yourself, did you?¡°/ ¡°Impossible!¡± Elliot adamantly denied it. ¡°I would never do something so weird. But it was your artwork. Consider it a keepsake, maybe?¡± Sheena raised a skeptical eyebrow, clearly still having doubts. ¡°Nana, 1 want to take a shower.¡± Elliot interrupted her train of thought, his deep. ck eyes locked onto hers. Sheena immediately rejected the idea. ¡°No, you can¡¯t. Your wound hasn¡¯t Elliot felt frustrated andined, ¡°Last time, you said you were the only one allowed to see my body. Now you want Lionel to handle me?¡± Sheena looked at his expression and touched his handsome face. Suddenly, her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and she smirked. She slowly approached Elliot, her soft voice incredibly enticing. ¡°Eli, if you want me to attend to you, that¡¯s not impossible. But before that, I have a surprise for you, a little something you¡¯ll surely enjoy.¡± Elliot¡¯s eyes lit up, a slight flutter in his heart. Sheena added, ¡°I¡¯ll help youter after we¡¯re done with that. This way, you won¡¯t need to be wiped down twice.¡± Elliot concealed the anticipation in his eyes, giving a calm and steady response,¡± Alright.¡± ¡°Eli, just wait a moment. I¡¯ll go next door to get something.¡± Get something? Elliot faintly sensed that something was amiss. Sheena darted off to the adjacent bedroom, then returned with quick, light steps. As she entered again, hands behind her back, she wore a mysterious expression. She then kicked off her shoes, climbed onto the bed, and slowly straddled him, knees resting on the mattress. With her fingertips, she patiently undid the remaining buttons on his shirt. asionally, her chilly fingers would identally brush against his warm skin. It felt like a subtle, intentional tease, and his breath quickened in response. Was this the exact same prelude as that day in the hospital? Had Sheena finallye to terms with it? Chapter 462 Chapter 462 However, before Elliot could fully rejoice, Sheena pulled out a dark green jar behind her. Popping the lid open, a mild medicinal scent wafted out. Elliot was puzzled. Sheena noticed his expression. Then, she scooped out a chunk of dark brown ointment with her fingers. After warming it in her palm until it melted slightly, she gently applied it to the bruises on Elliot¡¯s body. ¡°Eli, I specifically asked the doctor about this yesterday. It helps with blood cirction and promotes healing. By tomorrow, these bruises on your body should be gone. Aren¡¯t you d?¡± Sheena¡¯s voice was yful. Her clear, sparkling eyes conveyed determination to eliminate any evidence. She would not let another person know about what she impulsively did at the hospital that day! Elliot was left speechless, and he could not help but wonder what he was expecting just now. Sheena noticed his moody gaze and asked curiously Don¡¯t you like this little surprise?¡± ¡°Eli, why aren¡¯t you happy? It was her first time giving someone a massage herself! Elliot took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and squeezed out two words from between his teeth, ¡°Love! It!¡± Sheena was delighted, intensifying her massage. She learned the techniques. online yesterday, and Eli was her first guinea pig for massage practice! ¡°Eli, don¡¯t move, be a good boy. I¡¯ll try to be very gentle!¡± Elliot tilted his head, looking out the window, unmoving, letting her do as she pleased. His thin lips were tightly pressed, his expression unusually gloomy. ¡°Does this hurt? Should I go lighter? Never mind, I¡¯ll use a bit more pressure. Bear with it, okay?¡± ¡°Eli, your abs are really nice to touch¡­¡± ¡°Eli, praise me quickly!¡± Sheena forgot to close the bedroom door when she came in, leaving it slightly ajar. Moreover, her voice was not exactly quiet, and every word reached Lionel¡¯s ears as he happened to be walking in the stairwell. Especially Elliot¡¯sst strained and ponderous sigh. Were they¡­ Lionel was so shocked that his jaw nearly hit the floor. Did he just listen in on Elliot and Sheena¡¯s private moment? His ears needed a thorough cleaning! Elliot had just settled down for two days! Outrageous, immoral, utterly inhumane. Sheena was no better than an animal! Worried about Elliot¡¯s well¨Cbeing, Lionel stood in the stairwell, frantically stomping his feet. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. No! Even if Elliot would be angryter and dock his pay, he had to do something! Rubbing his hands together, he pondered deeply. Suddenly, an idea struck him. Quietly ascending the stairs, he positioned himself in the hallway outside the bedroom and began pping loudly. The two inside the room unsurprisingly heard his ps. Sheena nced outside the door but saw no one. Leaning closer to Elliot, she whispered, ¡°What¡¯s Lionel doing? He¡¯s pping so enthusiastically. Is he out of his mind? As his superior, you should care more about the mental health of your subordinates, you know?¡± Elliot¡¯s face turned dark as he understood what Lionel was doing. Lionel¡¯s apuse was their secret code, and he was telling Elliot to restrain himself! Charter Chapter 463 Chapter 463 Elliot¡¯s angina was on the verge of ring up due to the infuriating situation. Did Lionel really think he did not want to restrain himself? He wanted to! However, Sheena did not give him the chance to. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his anger in front of Sheena. Yet, Lionel, seemingly fearless, continued pping in the hallway. Relentlessly, he rhythmically repeated those coded phrases, pushing Elliot¡¯s patience to its limits. If he did not need this annoying guy for missions, Elliot would have immediately shipped Lionel off abroad to mine coal. Elliot kept enduring, but there was a limit to his patience! While Sheena continued sitting on him, eagerly massaging the bruises, Elliot casually pulled out his phone. Then, he swiftly sent a message to Lionel. [Elliot: I¡¯ll deduct 150 dors for every p. Sort it out with finance yourself. Now, get out of my mansion immediately!] The noise outside quickly ceased. Elliot received a notification on his phone and nced at it. Lionel had bombarded him with a dozen messages filled with crying, despair, and pleading emojis. Elliot clicked on the top right corner without hesitation and decisively blocked Lionel. Still engrossed in massaging Elliot¡¯s abs and neck, Sheena was unaware of what had transpired. Roughly half an hourter, Sheena concluded her massage session. She got off the bed, washed her hands in the bathroom, and then fetched a basin of hot water and towels to help Elliot wipe down. ¡°Eli, my hands are all red,¡± she said, sitting back on Elliot¡¯sp and disying her flushed palms. Elliot grabbed her hands, gently kissing her warm palms with a mix of tenderness and affection. Sheena watched his actions quietly, enjoying his handsome features, unable to hide her smile. After kissing her palms, Elliot teased, ¡°When my injury heals, I¡¯ll be the one massaging you.¡± Sheena instantly grasped his meaning, her entire face blushing. ¡°Dream on! You¡¯re so shameless.¡± The next day marked a momentous asion¨Cthe ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony for the Angle Group. Sheena got up early, freshened up, applied a face mask, and ensured her skin was well¨Chydrated before starting her makeup. Suddenly, the door swung open, and in walked Elliot, d in a sleek ck silk robe. Elliot smoothly took a seat behind Sheena. Sheena asked, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Elliot noticed the eyebrow pencil in her hand and took it from her, saying, ¡°Let me help you with that.¡± Sheena was skeptical. ¡°Are you sure? Today¡¯s event is crucial, and I can¡¯t afford any mishaps.¡± Elliot nodded confidently, turning her to face him. With a half¨Ctrusting gaze, Sheena closed her eyes, letting him use the eyebrow pencil on her brows. Initially, she felt his technique was quite good. However, after five minutes, Elliot still had not finished the job. Sensing something amiss, Sheena, with a threatening tone, clenched her teeth and warned, ¡°If you intentionally mess up my face or ruin my makeup, I¡¯llsh those hands of yours until they swell!¡± His hand, in the midst of drawing eyebrows, instantly stopped, retracting reluctantly. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Sheena opened her eyes, coldly huffing at him, then turned to check herself in the mirror. Surprisingly, the eyebrows were evenly and skillfully drawn. Sheena added a couple more strokes to fill in the gaps, creating a perfect eyebrow shape. Unexpectedly, his makeup skills were decent! Chapter 464 Chapter 464 ¡°You can actually do makeup? Where did you learn that? Judging by your skills, have you helped other women with their makeup? Did you do the same for Jennifer?¡± The more she spoke, the more solemn her expression became, and her gaze turned icy. Elliot¡¯s smile froze. How did the conversation take such a drastic turn? Sheena grew angrier. ¡°Why are you hesitating? Are you trying toe up with excuses to deceive me? Did I hit the nail on the head?¡± Elliot hurriedly denied it, asserting his innocence. ¡°I didn¡¯t, I¡¯m not, I swear. 1 learned to sketch portraits back in the military and thought it might be simr. Besides, we agreed to put the past behind us. Why are you suddenly bringing up unrted people¡­¡± Sheena continued questioning him, ¡°Are you feeling guilty?¡± ¡°No!¡± The more he exined, the worse it became. Elliot keenly felt the chill emanating from her. Whenever that topic surfaced, he was undeniably in the wrong. Quickly getting up, he assumed a standard military stance, kneeling straight before her. ¡°I swear, you¡¯re the first woman I¡¯ve ever done this for, and you¡¯ll be the only one,¡± he dered sincerely. Sheena locked eyes with him, inadvertently drawn in by his deep gaze. Her small hand grazed his chiseled facial contours. However, thinking about his past. dramatics, she pinched his cheek. ¡°Elliot, you¡¯re cunning. Your tricks might work on others but not on me. I¡¯ll tame you sooner orter!¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. As the words trailed off, she huffed a couple of times, a glint of cold arrogance in her eyes. ¡°Tame me?¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow. ¡°Well, that depends on your skills.¡± Their eyes locked, both filled with a strong desire for conquest. As time passed, Sheena elerated her makeup routine, and Elliot helped her choose eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick colors, restoring harmony to the atmosphere. ¡°Nana, do you need help with today¡¯s event?¡± ¡°No need. This is the firstpany I¡¯ve built without the Lawson family¡¯s influence. I¡¯ll rely on myself to establish the reputation of Svelton¡¯s Angle Group. Besides, I aim to surpass you and be the country¡¯s only female billionaire!¡± It was a spirited and ambitious deration. Elliot stared at her, saying, ¡°In fact, if you want to be the richest woman quickly, there¡¯s a shortcut. Interested in knowing?¡± Sheena, curious, nced at him. ¡°Marry me. All the assets under my name will be yours.¡± Sheena already anticipated him saying something like this, lightly pushing his forehead with her fingertips. ¡°In your dreams! Don¡¯t think that being engaged means you¡¯ve got me trapped. There are still many hurdles to cross before we actually marry. At least for now, you¡¯ll have a hard time dealing with my brothers.¡± Elliot was not discouraged. ¡°I¡¯m good at oveing challenges.¡± Sheena, with a serious expression, patted his shoulder. ¡°Good luck.¡± Before leaving, Sheena reminded him to stay obediently in the mansion to recover. Then, she immediately rushed to Angle Group. It was still early, and apart from Angle¡¯s employees, it was unusually quiet. Sheena went through the entire process again, patiently waiting. The ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony was scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and she had been waiting at the door until 9:10 a.m. The building¡¯s surroundings remained deserted and quiet, with no guests arriving. Sheena was puzzled. There was a list of invitees promised to attend, spanning two full pages. Hence, it should not be this quiet at this time. Something was amiss. Chapter 465 Chapter 465 Sheena was pondering when a limited¨Cedition ck Lamborghini circled the fountain and parked at the entrance. The bodyguard in the front seat got out first, assisting in opening the car door. A woman got out of the car, dressed in an elegant white gown, tall and beautiful- it was Barbara. Apart from being known as Corey¡¯s wife, she had once been hailed as the most beautiful flight attendant at Froania Air. ¡°Barbara, what brings you here?¡± Sheena politely greeted her. ¡°Corey had to handle matters at the National Affairs Bureau, and I had nothing to do. So, I came to show my support for you.¡± Seeing Sheena, Barbara first smiled gracefully. Like sisters, she naturally took Sheena¡¯s wrist but quickly noticed the quiet building, ncing at the time. ¡°Why is it so deserted at this hour? Who¡¯s pulling tricks?¡± Barbara immediately grasped the situation. If no business magnates attended the event until the ribbon¨Ccutting, it would make headlines in the afternoon. Consequently, Sheena¡¯s aspiration to break away from the Lawson family¡¯s assistance and establish an independent business would be a subject of online mockery. It was apparent that someone was purposely causing trouble. Sheena appeared serious, but Barbara seemed even more solemn. Sheena consoled her with a smile, ¡°Barbara, don¡¯t worry. Maybe they had some issues on the way.¡± She then turned to Wendy, who had been transferred from Farlem. ¡°Call the names on the list and ask what happened. Inquire if they need any assistance.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Barbara shook her head. ¡°No one showed up. It¡¯s not a coincidence. Don¡¯t worry about me. You¡¯re feeling worse. Sheena remainedposed. ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? We still have twenty minutes before it starts. Even if no onees today, I¡¯ll still cut the ribbon!¡± As she finished speaking, the carefreeughter of a woman echoed from near the fountain. Lauren, dressed in a captivating purple dress, gracefully approached. ¡°This is the funniest joke I¡¯ve heard today. It seems our little princess won¡¯t get any respect without the Lawson family¡¯s name. How pitiful.¡± Barbara and Sheena¡¯s expression instantly turned cold. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you staying at home and looking after Dad?¡± Barbara¡¯s attitude toward her was far from respectful due to the absence of others. ¡°He has trouble moving around, so I came on his behalf to take a look.¡± Lauren rolled her eyes mockingly, ¡°Sheena, I hope today¡¯s events teach you a lesson. You need to understand that without the Lawson family, you¡¯re nothing!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Sheena smirked, maintaining her calm demeanor, and showing no signs of panic. ¡°The event doesn¡¯t start for another twenty minutes. Why are you in such a hurry?¡± Lauren coldly snorted. ¡°Even if you had another hour, no one woulde. Just wait to make a fool of yourself on the inte!¡± Barbara frowned. ¡°It seems like you¡¯re behind this.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t use me. She¡¯s offended too many people. They all want to see her fail. I just came to witness it in person.¡± As Lauren spoke, she had her bodyguard bring a chair from the building and sit at the entrance. With only twenty minutes left, she wanted to see if Sheena¡¯sposure could hold up. After another five minutes passed, apart from the gushing water sounds from the fountain, it was so quiet that every employee at Angle felt a chill. Wendy urgently approached Sheena, whispering, ¡°Ms. Lawson, the situation. isn¡¯t good. Most of them im thepany has issues and can¡¯te. Some. even refuse to answer my calls. What should we do?¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 466 Chapter 466 Lauren perked up her ears andughed even more triumphantly. Sheena lowered her head in thought, and Barbara¡¯s expression was not too good either. ¡°These people are clearly acting under someone¡¯s instructions, deliberately embarrassing you. Should we postpone the ceremony by half an hour? I¡¯ll call Corey and ask him toe over. With him present, there will be quite a few peoplepelled to attend under pressure,¡± Barbara suggested. ¡°No need,¡± Sheena said, holding Barbara¡¯s phone. ¡°It¡¯s just a ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony. Do they think they can intimidate me and make me back down? Dream on! Wendy, proceed with the arrangements, the ceremony¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s words were cut off as a suddenmotion erupted inside the building. ¡°Oh my goodness, this is amazing! I envy Ms. Lawson so much!¡± ¡°This is fantastic! Now Ms. Lawson has someone backing her up! Let¡¯s see what they have to say now!¡± Employees stood up, cheering, and holding their phones. Sheena, Barbara, and even Lauren had puzzled expressions. Wendy checked her phone and joined the excitement, eximing, ¡°Ms. Lawson, you have to see the news!¡± Sheena skeptically opened her phone and found several trending topics rted to her. [The Jenkins Group Is Set to Invest in the New Entertainment Company, Angle Group!] [Mr. Jenkins Publicly Showers Affection on His Fiancee, Lavishly Spending 11 Billion Dors!] Inte users expressed envy and admiration for this extravagant disy! The colossal investment of 11 billion dors made quite a statement, truly befitting the style of the wealthiest family in Froania! As the new Angle Group was set tounch its operations, Sheena initially invested 1.5 billion dors, which was rtively modest in the current entertainment industryndscape, However, Elliot¡¯s 11¨Cbillion¨Cdor investment announcement instantly elevated Angle¡¯s status. It was safe to say that Angle Group surged ahead by at least 20 levels! It was like taking a direct and open backdoor approach! This signified not only Elliot¡¯s recognition and wholehearted support for Sheena¡¯s career but also backing from the Jenkins Group.. Elliot, currently the most sought¨Cafter figure in all of Froania, left many socialitedies from prominent families envious of Sheena.. Barbara expressed satisfaction, clicking her tongue appreciatively. ¡°Elliot is quite impressive. He always remembers to protect you, and your brothers can rx a bit with him around.¡± Sheena finished reading the news, remaining silent. Though surprised, her expression remained solemn. On the other hand, Lauren pocketed her hands, sulking. She remembered Elliot did not even show up at Sheena¡¯s banquet, seemingly indifferent to her. How could he have fallen for Sheena so quickly after just a few days of her taking care of him at the Jenkins family? Lauren checked the time. It was already 9:20 a.m. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Dispelling the gloom in her mood, she suddenly felt ted. ¡°With only ten minutes left, it seems there won¡¯t be anyone here today. Even with Mr. Jenkins backing you up, this ceremony is destined to be a bigger joke, dragging down the Jenkins family along with it. Hrious!¡± Lauren lifted her chin triumphantly, reveling in the presumed misfortune. Barbara, irritated by Lauren¡¯s taunts, was about to retort when the distant sound of engines approached. One by one, high¨Cend luxury cars rolled up, stopping in front of Angle Group. Chapter Chapter 467 Chapter 467 Everyone who arrived was on the initial guest list. Wendy keenly cleared her throat and announced, ¡°Wee, Mr. L¡¯Agnese from Joy Media Group, Ms. Jenner from iHearte Entertainment, Madam Grande from Sunset Films, Mr. McDowell from Harvest Media Group¡­ to Angle Group!¡± Businesspeople often prioritize their interests, and despite the various excuses iming they could not make it, they all rushed to the scene, possibly swayed by some persuasion. In thest ten minutes, all the guests arrived, and Barbara hurried to assist Sheena in greeting them. Lauren was furious, not only because of the multitude of people arriving but also because the entrance was so crowded that no space was left. Sitting in her chair, she was engulfed by the crowd, almost shoved into a corner. If not for her bodyguards supporting her, she might have stumbled. Everyone was busy ttering Sheena, and no one paid any attention to Lauren. Barbara gave her a cold look and remarked, ¡°With so many guests on¨Csite, I¡¯m afraid Sheena and I won¡¯t have time for you. It must be hard for you to endure such humiliation. If you can¡¯t keep up the act, you better scurry back.¡± Lauren was outright insulted, and unable to ept the situation, she continued to mock in a hushed voice, ¡°Sheena, despite Elliot¡¯s protection, what difference does it make? I heard he¡¯s cruel to women, has a weird personality, and is quite ugly. Taking care of him at the Jenkins family must have been a tough time for you.¡± Sheena chuckled, uninterested in engaging further with Lauren. Rather than squabbling with Lauren, Sheena had more crucial matters to attend to the arriving guests. Barbara, however, took a different approach. She looked calmly at Lauren and uttered sarcastically, ¡°Are you blind? Not only is he handsome, responsible, and caring, but he¡¯s also gentle with Nana. Feeling frustrated?¡± Lauren was momentarily stunned. How could this be so contrary to the rumors about Elliot? Unable to discern if Barbara¡¯s words were true or false, she tried another method of mockery, deliberately raising her voice, ¡°Maybe, but he deliberately skipped Sheena¡¯s wee¨Chome banquet last time, and now, he¡¯s not even present at 2/2 this ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony. I think he simply doesn¡¯t care about you. This investment is probably Santiago Jenkins¡¯s decision, isn¡¯t it?¡± Many people at the scene heard her, sparking whispers and hushed discussions. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Elliot¡¯s stance and Santiago¡¯s stance were two distinct concepts.. While Santiago had long been a prominent figure in the business world,manding respect from everyone as the leader of the previous era, that was all in the past. After all, Santiago had retired, relinquishing control, and now it was Elliot, the new authoritative figure in the Jenkins family, who held the sway. If Elliot disapproved of the engagement with Sheena, the investment in Angle Group might just be empty words, as the final approval rested with Elliot, not Santiago. Sheena remained silent. She did not intend to ept Elliot¡¯s investment or use the Jenkins family¡¯s influence for publicity. However, she nned to discuss the matter with Elliot privately after the ceremony. Sheena refrained from contradicting the brewing doubt caused by Lauren¡¯s words. Mr. McDowell from Harvest Media Group took the lead in approaching Sheena with an apology, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Lawson, but we have some urgent matters at ourpany. We wish you a smooth ceremony and all the best. We, from Harvest Media Group, will take our leave now.¡± With one person leading the way, others quickly followed suit, apologizing to Sheena and making excuses. Sheena remained expressionless, nodding in agreement to each apology. Lauren gloated, watching the scene unfold. However, just as the sixthpany was preparing to step forward and apologize to Sheena, the distinctive roar of an SSC echoed from the fountain side. All eyes instantly focused on this unique ck limited¨Cedition supercar, rumored to cost 11 million. Moreover, it was said that not every wealthy person could own. it unless they had power and influence. As everyone marveled at the car¡¯s appearance, the door slowly opened. Chapter 468 Chapter 468 The man gracefully stepped out of the car, exuding a dignified and aloof demeanor. His presence wasmanding, and the silver¨Cgray mask on his face added an air of mystery. ¡°Mr. Jenkins?¡± ¡°It really is Mr. Jenkins! To think he¡¯d be attending a small event like this. personally! It truly shows how much he cares about Ms. Lawson, his fiancee!¡± ¡°Oh my, I envy her so much! This is just too much!¡± Many CEOs had brought their femalepanions, and since Elliot exited the car, their gazes were fixed on him with intense jealousy. Thepanies that had initially nned to leave had yet to depart, and witnessing Elliot¡¯s arrival left them regretful. They cast resentful nces at Lauren, who was still in shock, unable to utter at word. Amidst the cheers, Elliot, unfazed by the attention, walked toward Sheena. Sheena stared in surprise and a hint of annoyance as Elliot approached. She had explicitly told him not toe, to stay and recover properly at the mansion.. This man never listened! Elliot, under everyone¡¯s scrutiny, reached Sheena, and the buzzing discussions automatically ceased. In the serene environment, he gracefully lifted Sheena¡¯s left hand, kissed its back, and said in a low, maic voice, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for beingte.¡± Sheena, still surprised, raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°Yes, so when we return, I¡¯ll have to punish you!¡± With a teasing smile, Elliot replied, ¡°How about punishing me for two days straight? I¡¯ll follow your lead.¡± The crowd of socialites and femalepanions could not help but scream. Everyone had been forced to witness their public disy of affection, and they could not help but wonder if the punishment Elliot meant was exactly what they had in mind¡­ Sheena had not expected him to be so bold, daring to flirt with her openly in front of so many people. She maintained a smile, meeting his gaze, but inwardly, she was already grinding her teeth. 212 Elliot had timed his arrival perfectly. The ceremony was just beginning. With his appearance, the ceremony had a slight alteration. He and Sheena jointly held the red ribbon, each cutting a section. The atmosphere at the venue was bing lively. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Lauren had been embarrassed twice in one day, especially the second time when she deliberately spoke loudly. Now, she wished she could find a ce to hide. Taking advantage of theck of attention on her, she slipped away. With the ceremony sessfully concluded, all the guests joined in to explore the building. Feeling tired from socializing, Sheena decided to delegate the responsibility to Elliot since he had volunteered to be there and invest in Angle Group. She retreated to a quiet corner with Barbara to take a break.. Barbara observed Elliot navigating through obligatory socializing. ¡°Is he still considered your investor? You¡¯re not just avoiding the crowd. You¡¯re also exploiting him.¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze lingered on Elliot. ¡°Misbehaving men need to be taught a lesson. ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem misbehaving to me.¡± Barbara chuckled, covering her mouth. ¡± He looks quite obedient to me. ¡°He¡¯s good at putting on a show,¡± Sheena replied, pouring herself a ss of champagne and sipping it thoughtfully. ¡°He loves pretending and telling lies!¡± However, Sheena did not delve into too many specifics, not wanting to disclose too much to Barbara. Barbara, on the other hand, was unfazed. ¡°Well, you seem to have chosen the right person to chat with. A disobedient man needs some direction! I¡¯m quite experienced in this area.¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 469 Chapter 469 Sheena perked up her ears and blurted, ¡°I find that hard to believe. Corey seems so fierce. Is he really a gentlemb in front of you?¡± Barbara coughed awkwardly, suppressing embarrassment, and nodded with a hint of sheepishness. Sheena could not help but chuckle. Oh my, she could not even imagine how Barbara managed to tame the seemingly tough Corey. It must be quite entertaining! ¡°Barbara, do you have any go requested. any good ideas? Please share them with me, ¡°Sheena Barbara nced at Elliot, who was still socializing, and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t say it¡¯s from me.¡± Sheena nodded in agreement. Leaning closer, Barbara shared her thoughts. ¡°If he ever messes up, you should make him learn to kneel on something fortable¡®, like the pebbled floor or a washboard. You must be firm, you know? Just like this¡­ and that¡­¡± Sheena frowned at the suggestion. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit harsh?¡± Kneeling on a tiled floor was painful enough for her, and the thought of kneeling on a pebbled floor or something worse was unimaginable¡­ ¡°A woman needs to be tough to secure her position!¡± Barbara affirmed. Sheena silently nodded, finding some truth in the statement, and started considering the details. Seeing that Sheena was taking her advice seriously, Barbara felt a bit uneasy. In fact, these were things she and Corey had discussed. They deliberately shared them with Sheena to prepare her for any potential mischief from Elliot. It was a n to ensure Elliot would not take advantage of their dear little sister. Just as they finished their chat, Elliot, sensing the cue, strolled over from the crowd, and casually sat beside Sheena. After standing through the socializing for a while, Sheena was still mindful of Elliot¡¯s injuries and asked, ¡°Tired?¡± ¡°Not too much,¡± replied Elliot with a steady voice. Barbara also noticed he looked well andmented, ¡°Seems like with Nana¡¯s careful care these past few days, Mr. Jenkins has recovered quickly. Nana, when are you nning to return to the Lawson estate?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Sheena was about to respond when a pair of well¨Cdefined hands suddenly grabbed her arm. Immediately, Elliot disyed a pained expression with a hint of weakness, leaning heavily on her shoulder. ¡°Nana, it still hurts¡­¡± Sheena reached out to encircle his shoulders and checked his forehead. ¡°Where does it hurt?¡± Elliot gestured vaguely toward the wound near his heart, ¡°Here, and my head feels dizzy¡­¡± ¡°Maybe you¡¯ve been out in the cold for too long? Come on, let me take you back,¡± she suggested. She helped Elliot stand up and turned to Barbara. ¡°Barbara, could you handle things here for me?¡± ¡°Sure, leave it to me. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Barbara replied, her gaze following the two as they left, supporting each other. She could not help but chuckle, curious that the wound chose such an inconvenient time to act up. She seemed to understand why Sheena imed Elliot was not well¨C behaved. The news of Elliot¡¯s surprise appearance at Angle Group¡¯s ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony quickly made headlines that day. Even without revealing his ghostly mask in public, the sheer dominance of the Jenkins family¡¯s new head was enough to earn the admiration ofizens. Many praised the couple as a match made in heaven, enjoying the spectacle of their rtionship. On the other hand, envy brewed among the elite socialites. However, the man at the center of attention, the one with immense power sitting atop the pyramid, was currently in the car on the way back to the mansion, enduring Sheena¡¯s ear¨Ctwisting, his features contorted in pain, softly whimpering. Sheena stared at him coldly, ¡°I knew you were faking it. You put on quite a show, not exposing yourself in front of Barbara. Well yed.¡± Chapter 469 Elliot smirked. ¡°I¡¯m ttered.¡± ¡®Still so smug, eh?¡® Sheena thought.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Chapter 470 Chapter 470 ¡°Now that your illness is almost healed, I should go back to the Lawson family. What¡¯s the purpose of this act?¡± Sheena twisted his earlobe a bit harder. Elliot winced in pain but did not pull away. ¡°Almost healed doesn¡¯t meanpletely healed. Since Corey¡¯sst punch, I seem to have some internal injuries. I need at least a month of rest. I took that hit for you. Shouldn¡¯t you be responsible?¡± Sheena struggled to keep a serious face but ended upughing. How could he deliver such ame excuse with such a righteous tone? She remained silent as Elliot continued, ¡°I¡¯ve already had Lionel return to the Lawson family to help pack your things. As your fiance, it¡¯s reasonable for you to stay at my ce. Uncle Albert won¡¯t object, and Corey can¡¯t say anything about it. ¡°You sure are efficient with your little schemes, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯ve underestimated you, Elliot!¡± Sheena let go of his earlobe and turned to look out the window, her small face pouting. Barbara was right! Elliot was too cunning. If she could not tame him, she would end up being led by the nose. Some mischievous thoughts began to sprout in her mind. She needed to think carefully and n a big surprise for him once he fully recovered from his illness. Time to let off some steam! Sheena hadpletely moved into Elliot¡¯s mansion. Along with Ford, Elliot brought over her other bodyguards from the Lawson family. The days passed peacefully. During the day, Sheena took care of Elliot¡¯s medication as usual, handled Angle Group matters remotely, and gave instructions to Wendy. Elliot, on the other hand, delegated most of the Jenkins Group¡¯s work to Lionel apart from the monthly board meetings. He only needed to attend those in person. In the living room, Sheena lounged on the sofa, scrolling through short videos on her phone. Elliot, dressed in a suit and tie, exuded an air of elegance and seriousness as he attended a conference online. On the screen, Lionel was seen leading the board of directors in a meeting. Mr. Saliburn, in his forties, stood up and faced therge screen disying Elliot in the meeting room. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, regarding your decision to invest in the 11¨Cbillion¨Cdor project for Angle Group, when do you n to honor it?¡± Elliot nced at the petite beauty sitting beside him, just out of the camera¡¯s view. Sheena continued to focus on her phone screen, but her eyebrows lightly furrowed. The two had discussed this matter a few days ago, and Elliot understood her implications. ¡°Let¡¯s put this matter on hold for now. I¡¯ll discuss it with Ms. Lawson and notify you afterward. Lionel, go ahead and present the performance data for this month. ¡°Of course, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Lionel opened the files and began the serious report. Meanwhile, Sheena, nestled on the sofa, making her mouth water. She reached out to grab some fruit from the coffee table but realized the fruit te was on the left side of Elliot¡¯sptop. e reached out to grab bled upon a food vide If she moved to take it, she would be on camera. Hence, she softly said, ¡°Eli, I want some oranges.¡± Her sweet voice, though quiet, echoed through the vast conference room, to the loudspeaker for Elliot¡¯s video call. thanks Every shareholder in the room heard her. Many widened their eyes. What a sweet voice! Elliot must be feeling great having hisdy by his side during the meeting! However, that was not the most outrageous part. orange S Elliot, unfazed, took an orange from the fruit te. In front of the camera, he patiently peeled the segmented it, and personally fed Sheena off¨Cscreen. After Sheena finished, he even extended his hand for her to spit out the seeds, Chapter 470 which he promptly discarded in the trash by his feet. This sequence of events left everyone in the boardroom utterly stunned.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Chapter 471 Chapter 471 Were they hallucinating? Elliot was actually peeling and feeding someone oranges? On the screen, this gentleman seemed way too different from the cold, ruthless leader of the Jenkins Group Even Lionel was stunned, forgetting he was in the middle of presenting data. Unaware of the attention he was receiving, Elliot did not sense anything amiss. Every time he fed the orange off¨Cscreen, a faint trace of indulgence appeared in his typically aloof eyes. Noticing Lionel¡¯s sudden silence, Elliot frowned, obviously displeased, and returned to his icy demeanor. ¡°Continue.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ Yes, of course!¡± Startled by the unexpected interruption, Lionel refocused on the documents in his hands. However, he seemed to forget which line he was reading before getting lost in the drama. With a serious expression, Elliot reminded him, ¡°The profit and loss ratio for the Rossi project.¡± ¡°Right. The profit and loss ratio¡­¡± Lionel quickly located the relevant section and continued his presentation. Just as Elliot was about to feed the seventh orange, Sheena turned her face to the side. ¡°I¡¯m done.¡± Elliot naturally withdrew his hand, preparing to eat the orange himself. However, a stern voice stopped him. ¡°No, you¡¯re not allowed to eat it!¡± It was not that Sheena was being petty, but Elliot was recovering from surgery and should not be eating too many oranges. Moreover, he had already had three today. He needed to restrain himself! N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Elliot¡¯s hand stopped mid¨Cair, and he turned to nce at Sheena. ¡°No!¡± Sheena furrowed her brows, threatening him with her gaze. Then, she checked the time and whispered, ¡°Time¡¯s up. Take your medicine!¡± So, all the board members watched on the big screen as their formidable CEO got scolded. His face turned unusually dark, like a harbinger of a storm. Everyone held their breath, expecting to witness Elliot angrily smashing a cup as he usually did. Yet, contrary to expectations, Elliot behaved like a child denied candy. After a brief displeasure, he obediently set the orange aside, gracefully took a wet wipe to clean his hands, and then epted the Chapter 471 2/2 medicine Sheena handed him. With a sip of warm water, he casually continued the meeting as if nothing had happened. Well, well! Was this proof that everything in the world had a weakness? Their own CEO turned out to be¡­ henpecked husband? Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would not believe that the obedient man on the screen was Elliot! Meanwhile, Elliot himself was oblivious that his series of actions in front of the camera had quickly spread among the top executives. After a weary meeting, he closed hisptop and pinned Sheena onto the sofa. ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± Sheena struggled to free her wrist, but Elliot held it firmly. Elliot¡¯s dangerous aura gradually closed in on her, warm breath brushing against her face. He gently rubbed her nose, using in a cold tone, ¡°Since you won¡¯t let me eat oranges, then I¡¯ll just have to eat you.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Sheena, teased by him and feeling ticklish, blushed instantly. She swallowed hard, trying to regain her composure. ¡°Your injury hasn¡¯t fully healed, so no rigorous activities are allowed. You need to control yourself!¡± Elliot felt frustrated. Unfortunately, he could not argue back. Saying his injury was fully healed might prompt Sheena to pack her bags home by tomorrow. However, saying it was not healed would mean restrictions everywhere, and he would not get to enjoy anything. After sulking for a while, he thought of a rtively eptablepromise. ¡°Alright, if you don¡¯t want me to eat you, that¡¯s fine. My injury has improved a lot. How about you sleep in my room tonight?¡± Chapter 472 Chapter 472 Sheena decisively shook her head. ¡°No, I¡¯m not used to sleeping with another person at night.¡± ¡°Habits can be changed. Give it two nights and you¡¯ll get used to it,¡± Elliot suggested confidently. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re scheming. It¡¯s a no, and that¡¯s final!¡± Sheena stuck out her tongue at him, determined not to fall into his trap. Her provocative stance sessfully ignited a me in Elliot. He simply scooped her up, carrying her on his shoulder. His other hand held her legs, preventing her from wriggling free. With a wicked smirk, he remarked, ¡°You¡¯re the one who started the fire today, so it¡¯s not negotiable. You have to be responsible for extinguishing it.¡± ¡°Elliot! Put me down!¡± With her legs restricted, Sheena could only wave her hands behind him, making menacing gestures. However, she refrained from hitting his back too hard, fearing she might hurt him considering his injuries. Eventually, Sheena directed her frustration toward Elliot¡¯s sturdy and robust bottom. Clenching her fists, she delivered a series of vigorous punches. ¡°You¡¯re bullying me! I¡¯ll beat you to death! Let go of me, release me!¡± Elliot, irritated by the pounding on his bottom, finally had enough. Without retaliating, he just roared lowly, ¡°Sheena Lawson!¡± It was the first time he used her full name like that. Sheena, caught off guard, took a moment to process what had just happened. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. The yful scuffle came to an abrupt end when a ringtone sounded. It was Sheena¡¯s phone. With a sigh, Elliot reluctantly ced her back on the couch and gestured to her to answer the call. After catching her breath, she asked, ¡°Dad, what¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Sweetheart, is Elliot recovering well?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°This is Corey¡¯s fault. Since Elliot¡¯s getting better, how about you take him to the Lawson estate tonight for a family dinner?¡± Considering they were already engaged, Elliot had not apanied her to the Lawson estate in a formal manner, and Albert had not seen much of him either. Sheena pondered for a moment, feeling it might be a good idea. Chapter 472 2/2 ¡°Okay, Dad, got it. We¡¯ll be there for dinner on time tonight.¡± ¡°Alright, sweetheart¡­¡°. After a brief chat with Albert, he ended the call. The living room returned to silence. Sheena gazed at her phone, keeping her head down without looking at the man standing before her. Unable to see her expression, Elliot felt puzzled. He crouched beside her and unexpectedly noticed her eyes were reddened, teardrops shimmering like fleeting stars in the night sky. The sight of those tears touched Elliot¡¯s heart. He could not stand seeing her upset and softened his tone instantly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sheena pouted and turned her face away, refusing to look at him. ¡°You yelled at me.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± Sheena felt even more aggrieved. Today¡¯s events made her realize that Elliot was a domineering and proud man. Despite his usual amodation, she could not physically overpower him when they really argued. Hence, she did not know what he might do if she truly angered him, creating an unknown fear for her. She could not allow Elliot to suppress her, and she refused to be his soft and delicate little darling forever. She needed to assert herself and overthrow any notion of him controlling her! It seemed the little surprise she had nned for Elliot would need to be revealed sooner. She had to find an opportunity to temper his arrogance and establish her authority firmly. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 473 Chapter 473 Sheena was unwilling to yield, so she squeezed out a couple of tears. Acting? She was equally good at it too! ¡°You You actually defied it! Not only did you yell at me, but you¡¯re also forcing me!¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Elliot was rendered speechless by her usations. In this round, he was undeniably in the wrong. He had been through several near¨Cdeath experiences just to win her back. So, how could he shout at her? She deserved unlimited pampering! Elliot also realized he had indeed lost control of his emotions. Moreover, Sheena held a special spot in his heart, different from others. Hence, she required gentle and affectionate handling. Only then would she continue liking him. Immediately correcting his demeanor, Elliot straightened his back, assuming a perfectly formal posture. ¡°I was wrong.¡± Achieving part of her goal, Sheena wiped away her fake tears, ignoring him as she stood up with pride, ready to go to the Lawson family estate. Elliot silently followed behind her, head hanging low, resembling a remorseful child. As they were about to leave, Sheena continued giving him the cold shoulder, not uttering a word. Elliot could not stand silent treatment. Since a straightforward apology did not work, he decided to y the sympathy card. He rubbed his back, limped along, and even whimpered, ¡°Nana, it feels like you hit my tailbone just now¡­¡± Sheena nced at his buttocks. He was definitely faking it! Sheena always kept her punches within bounds. Every hit was strategically aimed at the fleshiest parts of his bottom. How could his tailbone hurt? Finally, Elliot got her to look back at him. With a grin, Elliot reached out to wrap his arm around her waist. Sheena, unfazed, smoothly sidestepped his attempt. She picked up her bag, did not spare him a nce, and walked out of the mansion. Elliot had no choice but to put on his mask, following her obediently to the car. Two luxury cars. Chapter 473 swiftly left the Jenkins family estate, heading toward Mountville. 2/2 In the car, Elliot asionally nced at Sheena beside him, who remained focused on admiring the passing scenery, avoiding eye contact. Elliot restrained the urge to speak tenderly several times. After all, he could not be too explicit with endearing words in front of Ford and the other bodyguards. The two of them rode in silence until they reached the Lawson family estate. Sheena, with a cold expression, was the first to get out of the car. However, instead of heading directly inside, she stood at the entrance, waiting for Elliot. Noticing this, Elliot, pleasantly surprised, hurriedly approached, taking the initiative to hold her hand with their fingers intertwined. Sheena did not resist and allowed him to lead her. Standing on tiptoes to whisper in his ear, she said, ¡°This doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not angry anymore. I¡¯m letting you off for now, but I¡¯ll remember this, and you¡¯ll have to suffer more in a few days.¡± She was willing to wait for him at the entrance, and that was enough for Elliot. Besides, he would happily endure a hundredfold punishment. He nodded earnestly in response. Seeing his unwavering agreement, Sheena achieved her goal. As they entered the mansion, her face instantly transformed back into a smiling, radiant expression, while Elliot swiftly returned to his usual cold and serious demeanor. Chapter 474 Chapter 474 Barbara was waiting for them at the front door. When they arrived, Sheena naturally let go of Elliot and affectionately walked up to Barbara. Although the warmth of Sheena¡¯s hand had suddenly disappeared from Elliot¡¯s palm, its lingering touch had not completely faded. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Unexpectedly, ElHot felt a moment of dizziness and a brief ringing in his ears. His legs almost gave way, but he managed to steady himself, taking a deep breath to suppress the suffocating feeling. What was this strange sensation in his body? Was it a sign of the unknown consequences of the S404 bio¨Cvirus, as Yosef had mentioned, or was it just his imagination? Noticing that Elliot did not follow her, Sheena turned back to see Elliot seemingly frozen in ce, lost in thought. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elliot collected himself and silently caught up with them. ¡°Nothing. I suddenly remembered some work¨Crted matters.¡± Barbara was not pleased with his behavior. ¡°This is inappropriate. You¡¯re finally apanying Nana back to the Lawson family for a meal, and you¡¯re still thinking about work?¡± Barbara¡¯s concern shifted to Sheena as she added, ¡°Nana, has he been treating you welltely? If he dares to mistreat you, youe back and tell us. Corey will always have your back.¡± Rtionship matters were supposed to be between two people, and Sheena preferred handling them on her own. She nodded nonchntly and asionally nced back at Elliot, realizing that something had been off since they entered the mansion. ¡°Eli, yourplexion doesn¡¯t look good. Are you feeling unwell?¡± Elliot smiled and replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s probably because I haven¡¯t been out at night for a long time. I¡¯m not used to the cold.¡± Sheena observed the rustling leaves in the garden blown by the wind. ¡°It does seem a bit chilly. Let¡¯s go inside quickly.¡± Albert, Corey, and Lauren were already waiting in the dining room. Barbara sat next to Corey, and Sheena and Elliot sat together. Being the host, Albert had not started eating, and everyone sat up straight, waiting. Albert surveyed everyone in the room, his gaze finally settling on Sheena, and he smiled. ¡°In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. My youngest sweetheart has grown up. If only Chapter 474 2/2 Noah and Howard were back today, and if Howard brought Katie along, the family would beplete, ¡°he said, his words adding a touch of gravity to the atmosphere in the dining room. ¡°Unfortunately, Noah has a peculiar temper. Until now, he hasn¡¯t settled down. I think I¡¯ll have to intervene and find him a suitable match,¡± Albert sighed, reflecting on the passing years as he began to enjoy his meal. The others followed suit and began eating. Sheena, however had not touched her food. She looked at Albert and said, ¡°Dad, maybe you shouldn¡¯t worry too much about Noah. I think he has a n, and he might bring you a daughter¨Cin- ¡°Really? Has Noah set his eyes on someone already?¡± Albert inquired. Sheena chuckled. ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure, but just trust him, Dad.¡± Before Albert could respond, Lauren interjected with a scornfulugh. ¡°Isn¡¯t that wishful thinking? Can the children of affluent families really make their own choices in marriage? What if Noah brings back some uncultured wild girl? Wouldn¡¯t the Lawson family be aughingstock?¡± She sneered and deliberately directed her criticism toward Sheena, saying, ¡°Not everyone can be as willful as you. Three years ago, you insisted on marrying your ex¨Chusband. Even the Gods didn¡¯t favor your union, and you caused his death before running back to Svelton.¡± As soon as she said that, Corey, Barbara, and Elliot immediately mmed their utensils down, causing Lauren to tremble in shock. Chapter 475 Chapter 475 Chapter 475 This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. The atmosphere at the dinner table instantly turned very tense, creating an unsettling vibe. The servants waiting on the side were frightened and quickly left. Corey and Barbara shot disapproving nces at Lauren. Elliot furrowed his brow, his expression darkening further beneath his mask. Lauren, feeling the tension in the room, was scared. However, she stubbornly maintained her composure and scoffed. ¡°Why is everyone staring at me? I¡¯m just speaking the truth,¡± Lauren dered arrogantly, determined to make Elliot see Sheena for what she believed her to be¨Ca tainted woman! Albert, slightly displeased, cleared his throat. ¡°We¡¯re having a meal. Why bring up such matters? Close your mouth and eat your food.¡± Lauren, tactful for once, decided not to press further. After all, she had achieved her goal of provoking a reaction from Sheena. Corey, Barbara, and Elliot¡¯s gazes all shifted back to Sheena, who was quietly enjoying her meal without disying any extra emotions as if she had not heard Lauren¡¯s earlier remarks. It was quite unlike her usual retaliatory nature. Elliot found this behavior puzzling. In an attempt to gauge her mood, he casually scooped up at mushroom, knowing she disliked them, and ced it on her te. ¡°These are good for you, and they¡¯re delicious. You should have more. Sheena¡¯s spoon and fork froze in mid¨Cair. Instead of speaking, she just shot Elliot a warning look that only he could interpret¨Ca clear sign that she was simmering with rage. She was holding back her anger, an unusual departure from her usual style of not bottling up her emotions. Elliot was unsure what was going on in her mind, but he knew that leaving that detested mushroom. on her te might lead to consequences when they got home. So, he took the mushroom from her te and ate it himself. Sheena¡¯s expression softened at this. Albert, observing the scene, narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. The meal continued, but the unpleasant atmosphere lingered. Albert waited until Elliot was done eating before gently asking, ¡°Elliot, do the dishes prepared by the Lawson family chefs suit your taste?¡± ¡°It¡¯s good. I¡¯ve had enough to eat. Take your time,¡± Elliot said as he set aside his utensils. Chapter 475 2/2 Albert also did the same, stating, ¡°I¡¯ve almost finished, but with age, my legs aren¡¯t what they used to be. I¡¯d like to go to the study and grab a few books while they continue eating. Could you push me over there?¡± It was evident that Albert had something to discuss privately. ¡°Sure.¡± Elliot did not hesitate, getting up and walking behind Albert to assist in pushing his wheelchair. Once they were gone, Lauren resumed speaking, ¡°Sheena, you really have some luck. You¡¯re a used woman, having been married before, yet Elliot doesn¡¯t seem to mind. You should be grateful to the Lawson family¡¯s influence or Before she could finish her sentence, Sheena suddenly picked up a half¨Cfilled ss of juice and sshed it onto Lauren across the long table. The juice covered her head to toe, even getting into her hair. Lauren widened her eves. ¡± ¡°Did you just ssh me?¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow coldly. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? Elliot was here, and it was his first time dining with the Lawson family. I tolerated you the first time, but who knew you¡¯d take advantage of it and push your luck.¡± ¡°This is the Lawson family! I¡¯m your stepmother!¡± Sheena sneered. ¡°Apart from Dad, who in the Lawson family acknowledges your status? Don¡¯t you feel embarrassed, always crying for attention like that? It seems you¡¯ve realized how miserable your life is.¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Lauren turned red with anger and nced at Corey and Barbara. Corey looked indifferent, and Barbara was trying to stifle augh. They both acted as if it was none of their business. Sheena noticed Lauren¡¯s gaze and mocked, ¡°What are you looking at? Hoping they¡¯ll speak up for you? Corey¡¯s my brother, and Barbara¡¯s my sister¨Cinw. By doing nothing, they¡¯re already showing some face for Dad.¡± With Albert out of the picture, Lauren found herself without support, feeling frustrated and almost on the verge of tears. Chapter 476 Chapter 476 1/2 Sheena could not stand Lauren¡¯s antics, and she grabbed the knife used to cut the steak from the table, reached across the long dining table, and pressed it against Lauren¡¯s neck. Lauren was terrified. ¡°Sheena! If you hurt me, you¡¯re going to get in trouble too!¡± With so many people watching, Barbara tried to intervene, ¡°Nana¡­¡± Corey held Barbara¡¯s hand, signaling her to stay out of it. The couple silently watched the drama unfold. Lauren felt helpless as the knife touched her skin, causing a slight prickling sensation. She dared not. move. Seeing her hesitation, Sheena sneered, ¡°Other than talking big and clinging to my dad, what else can you do?¡± Lauren was at a loss for words. ¡°If you can keep a low profile and control yourself, I might let you enjoy thest wave of luxury before I take over the family business. But if you provoke me¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s voice trailed off, her eyes sharp as she leaned closer to Lauren and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone tie you up and throw you into the deep mountains to feed the wild boars.¡± Lauren¡¯s eyes widened in fear. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± ¡°Try me. I¡¯ve always beenwless,¡± Sheena replied, locking eyes with her with a ruthless and icy gaze. Lauren fell silent. In the study, Elliot assisted Albert in finding books from the top shelf. ¡°Is it this one? Or that one?¡± Elliot asked. Albert put on his reading sses, focused on the row of books, and said, ¡°The one in the middle.¡± Elliot retrieved the book and handed it to him. Albert¡¯s wrinkled hands gently stroked the book cover as he spokeposedly, ¡°Originally, I agreed to your engagement with her because I admired your decisive nature in business. How has it been living together these past few days?¡± Elliot stood attentively, feeling a hint of confusion. Was Albert feeling dissatisfied with him now? ¡°Nana takes care of me well, and I¡¯m grateful for that. Uncle Albert, don¡¯t worry. Nana is the Lawson family¡¯s precious sweetheart and the one I want to cherish as my partner. I¡¯ll spend the rest of my life taking good care of her.¡± Chapter 476 2/2 Despite Elliot¡¯s heartfelt words, Albert became increasingly serious, even shaking his head and sighing. ¡°Uncle Albert?¡± ¡°It¡¯s good that you think this way, but Sheena is a spoilt child. She always wants the upper hand in everything, argues when she wants to, and doesn¡¯t respect her elders. With her personality, she¡¯s prone to setbacks. So, I¡¯m looking for a partner who can knock her down a peg, guide her to be more obedient,¡± Albert exined. Elliot pressed his thin lips together, unsure how to respond immediately. He could not fathom why a father would not want his son¨Cinw to pamper his daughter. Was that not the usual expectation? Albert, on the other hand, seemed to wish for Elliot to take a firm approach with Sheena. For twenty- three years, no one had managed to tame Sheena¡¯s fiery temperament. Nheless, he knew that it was a nearly impossible task. Albert continued, ¡°Sheena usually listens to Corey, and only he can keep her in check. I hope you can learn from Corey in this aspect.¡± Was Albert suggesting he learn from Corey? Elliot and Corey had apetitive rtionship, and Corey had previously sent someone to kill him. If it were not for Sheena, they might have be enemies. ¡°Uncle, actually¡­ Nana listens to me in significant matters.¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Albert immediately exposed Elliot¡¯s lie. ¡°You don¡¯t need to pretend. I¡¯ve heard about your matters.¡± Elliot was perplexed. What rumors were circting about him and Sheena? Albert continued, ¡°I¡¯m getting old, and I might only have a few years left in me. If you can¡¯t fulfill my wishes, I¡¯ll have to reconsider your engagement with Sheena.¡± In an instant, Elliot adopted a military stance and knelt, looking earnestly at Albert in the wheelchair. ¡°Uncle Albert, rest assured. I¡¯ll properly guide Nana and make her a well¨Cbehaved and virtuous wife!¡± Chapter 477 Chapter 477 Relieved, Albert patted Elliot on the shoulder. It was not that Albert was unkind to Sheena. However, having been scolded and managed by her mother for a lifetime, he wished Sheena could lead a different life. Sheena¡¯s spirited and arrogant nature, reminiscent of her mother, concerned him. Albert hoped Sheeha would be obedient and under someone¡¯s guidance, avoiding risks and safely navigating through life. After leaving the study, Elliot¡¯s gaze deepened as he contemted the conversation. Sheena waited for him in the hallway, noticing his troubled expression. ¡°What did Dad say to you? Why do you look so uneasy?¡± Elliot collected his thoughts and took her hand. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. He just told me to take good care of you in the future. Let¡¯s go. It¡¯s gettingte.¡± Hand in hand, they boarded the car back to the Jenkins family estate. In the car, Sheena observed Elliot¡¯s pale lips and overall unhealthyplexion, feeling a bit concerned. ¡°Are you sure there¡¯s nothing wrong with your health? Should we go back and call a doctor?¡± ¡°No need, really.¡± Elliot lightly shook his head. The brief episode of temporary blindness and deafness in the garden had not recurred. Perhaps he was just overthinking things. Nheless, Albert had presented him with a challenge. Without winning over his future father¨Cin-w, their marriage proved to be uncertain, even though they were already engaged. The question was, how would he handle Sheena? Seeing him lost in thought, Sheena did not press further. The following morning, the monthly employee meeting at the Jenkins Group required Elliot¡¯s personal attendance. Coincidentally, Sheena had a meeting at the Angle Group. They left together, with Elliot dropping Sheena off at the Angle Group before heading to the Jenkins Group. Lionel awaited him at the entrance. The lengthy meeting finally concluded after three hours. In the CEO¡¯s office, Lionel handed over the summary materials to Elliot. Elliot took them but found himself staring at the documents absentmindedly. ¡°Mr. Jenkins?¡± Chapter 477 2/2 He snapped back to reality. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Y¨CYou¡¯ve got the documents upside¨Cdown¡­¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Elliot did not seem embarrassed. He casually rotated the materials and flipped them over. Lionel sensed that something was bothering him. Last time, with the deduction and the ban from entering the mansion, Lionel had grievances and was eager to find a chance to make amends. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, if there¡¯s anything on your mind, you can share it with me. I¡¯ve got plenty of ideas!¡± Lionel offered. After some consideration, Elliot finally asked, ¡°In your opinion, who wears the pants in my marriage with Nana?¡± Lionel was puzzled. Was this a matter to contemte? ¡°Certainly, it¡¯s Ms. Sheena!¡± ¡°Why? And where did you get that idea?¡± Lionel replied earnestly, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, isn¡¯t it obvious? Besides, every higher¨Cup in thepany now knows you fear your wife!¡± Elliot¡¯s eyelids twitched, obviously provoked by thement. He keenly noted that Lionel had said all the higher¨Cups in thepany were aware. ¡°I¡¯m just being considerate of Nana. How did it turn into me being afraid of her?¡± Chapter 478 Chapter 478 Chapter 478 Lionel nced around, avoiding directly debunking him. Elliot¡¯s expression turned stern. If he let these rumors continue, even the fake ones might be reality. He needed to find a way to restore his authority as a man in Sheena¡¯s eyes! ¡°Do you have any good ideas?¡± Elliot asked. Lionel looked bewildered. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what do you mean?¡± ¡°Albert wants me to discipline Sheena properly, turning her into an obedient wife. Otherwise, he might reconsider our engagement. Think of ways to help me establish authority with Sheena,¡± Elliot exined. Lionel was shocked, frowning at the seemingly impossible task considering Sheena¡¯s personality. Yet, seeing Elliot¡¯s earnest expression, Lionel paced around the office, brainstorming ideas. ¡°I¡¯ve got it! Mr. Jenkins, wait for me!¡± Lionel hurriedly left the office. Five minutester, he returned with a sturdy wooden ruler and handed it to Elliot. ¡°When women don¡¯t behave, you¡¯ve got to discipline them properly. Since it¡¯s about discipline and teaching, we need something to establish authority. Create a few household rules, and who knows, it might just work!¡± Elliot examined the thick ruler with a long face. It looked like it would hurt quite a bit, especially if applied to Sheena. Besides, what if she got scared away? He shot Lionel a cold nce. ¡°Are you suggesting I punish her with this?¡± ¡°No need for real hits. Just put on a fierce expression and shout at her a bit. Many women secretly appreciate a domineering and forceful man. What if she falls for it?¡± Lionel suggested. Elliot stared at the ruler in his hand, lost in thought. The night before, he had softly scolded Sheena in the living room before heading to the Lawson family dinner. Surprisingly, Sheena burst into tears, looking delicate and vulnerable. He had never seriously scolded her before. Maybe she could fall for it? Lionel continued, ¡°Just give it a try. If it doesn¡¯t work or seems to backfire, quickly admit your mistake, sincerely apologize, and move on. This whole thing will blow over just like that.¡± Elliot contemted carefully, deciding that when he got home tonight after work, he would find an opportunity to give it a shot¨Cthe trials of married life! As the end of the workday approached, Sheena began packing up in anticipation of Elliot¡¯s arrival to pick her up. Moreover, a surprise gift she had customized for Elliot had just arrived. Tonight, she nned to find an opportunity to unveil it. Chapter 478 212 Suddenly, Wendy knocked on the door, wearing a worried expression. ¡°Ms. Lawson, something big has happened!¡± Sheena stopped packing and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Today, Phoebe didn¡¯t attend the group activity. Her manager just found out that she quietly went to South Lake and attempted suicide by jumping into theke!¡± ¡°What!¡± Sheena jood up abruptly from her chair. ¡°Where is she? Is she dead?¡± ¡°Thankfully, no. They found her in time. She¡¯s already been rushed to the hospital. But when she jumped, quite a few people passing by likely witnessed it. The Butterflies, the group she¡¯s part of, is currently gaining poprity. If news of her suicide attempt gets out, the impact on us will be huge!¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. For a top idol group like The Butterflies, negative news and public discussion could create a significant bacsh, affecting the other members as well. Sheena calmly analyzed the situation after sitting back in her office chair. ¡°Retrieve all the surveince footage from the surroundings, arrange for the PR team to swiftly locate all pedestrians and offer compensation to keep them silent. If there are any recorded videos, delete them. Additionally, contact the major media outlets with substantial influence. If any of them n to report on this, block it immediately.¡± Wendy raised concerns, ¡°But, Ms. Lawson, there are blind spots in the surveince, and finding all pedestrians will take considerable time and effort.¡± ¡°Try your best to locate them and minimize the severity of the situation. If that¡¯s not enough, follow my instructionster. We¡¯ll adapt as needed.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± ¡°Provide me with Phoebe¡¯s hospital address.¡± ¡°Okay, Ms. Lawson.¡± Upon receiving Phoebe¡¯s hospital location, Sheena immediately hailed a taxi. Phoebe had been through hardships, and Sheena believed she would not resort to suicide unless something extremely serious had happened. The situation unfolded suddenly, and Sheena, in her haste, forgot to send a message to Elliot, who was on his way to pick her up. Chapter 479 Chapter 479 Chapter 479 After rushing to the hospital, Sheena instructed Ford and Paul to stand guard at the entrance to prevent any paparazzi or eavesdroppers. As she entered the ward, Phoebe was already awake, gazing wearily out of the window. Upon hearing the closing door, Phoebe did not turn around. ¡°Sheena, I wish I Had died today.¡± Sheena sat by the bedside, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. On the way to the hospital, Sheena had gathered a rough understanding of what had transpired. Caleb Mendez, once a rising star in the entertainment industry, had actively pursued Phoebe after her breakout sess with The Butterflies. They even established a secret romantic rtionship three months ago. However, Caleb turned out to be unfaithful, cheating on Phoebe with Lisa Tucker, one of Phoebe¡¯s teammates in The Butterflies. Lisa intentionally isted and harassed Phoebe within the group, worsening her mental health. Phoebe, burdened by a hectic schedule and the toxic environment, coupled with Caleb¡¯s sudden cold treatment, reached a breaking point. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Sheena felt a sense of self¨Cme, realizing she had been too focused on securing Phoebe with lucrative endorsements and neglected her psychological well¨Cbeing. ¡°Caleb is just a major scumbag,¡± Sheenamented. Phoebe turned toward her, gripping her hand, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Sheena, he ¡°You¡¯re not at fault. He must respect your choice and consent. If he truly loved you, he wouldn¡¯t give up on you for such reasons.¡± Phoebe burst into tears, and Sheena embraced her, allowing her to cry freely. ¡°Today, when I confronted him, I caught him in bed with Lisa, doing¡­ those things. He said I¡¯m just an orphan, unworthy of him. He imed that he got together with me initially because of my fame. But I genuinely liked him¡­¡± Sheenaforted her by rubbing her back, realizing that girls often turned into fools when in love. Phoebe was deeply saddened, but Sheena had to shake her out of it. ¡°Phoebe, it¡¯s no not that he looked down on you. It¡¯s your deep¨Cseated self¨Cdoubt. You have to be strong mentally! Moreover, you¡¯re not at fault. Caleb cheated on you, and Lisa, knowing you were in a rtionship with him, not only failed to restrain herself but also led the others to iste you.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t contemte suicide. Don¡¯t you want to be stronger and make those scumbags pay for bullying you?¡± Chapter 479 2/2 Phoebe shook her head, sinking into self¨Cdoubt. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m not like you. I have nothing. ¦§ ¡°It¡¯s precisely because you have nothing that you can afford to confront them. What are you afraid of losing in this battle? Besides, you have me. Don¡¯t you want to see a future where those scumbags kneel and apologize at your feet Phoebe abruptly stopped crying, gazing at her with newfound determination. Leaving the ward, Sheena called Dark Bell. ¡°Find evidence of Caleb Mendez and Lisa Tucker¡¯s secret affair as soon as possible. I want photos, 4K high¨Cdefinition and uncensored.¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± Sheena was concerned about leaving Phoebe alone in the hospital. Hence, she temporarily assigned Ford and Paul to stay and look after Phoebe. As she exited the elevator from the hospital, Sheena spotted Elliot¡¯s car from a distance. Elliot himself was leaning against the car, wearing a silver¨Cgray mask, his expression unreadable. Surprised, Sheena jogged over. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Elliot¡¯s voice was deep. ¡°Did you forget I wasing to pick you up? You didn¡¯t even bother to tell me you wereing to the hospital.¡± He had been waiting downstairs at Angle for quite some time. Moreover, Sheena had not answered her phone. It was after asking Wendy that he found out that Sheena hade to the hospital. ¡°Oh, right!¡± Sheena awkwardly touched her earlobe. ¡°I was busy and forgot. I¡¯ll pay more attention next time.¡± Next time? Elliot felt a bit annoyed but refrained from saying much. He would address this when they got home. He opened the car door for Sheena, habitually using his left hand to shield the car roof edge, preventing her from bumping her head. They headed back to the Jenkins estate together. During dinner, Sheena remained silent, still thinking about Phoebe¡¯s situation. Elliot felt a pang of jealousy, and he was still holding in his anger from before. Not only that, but he also sensed that Sheena cared more about Phoebe than him. Once dinner was finished, Sheena left for her bedroom without saying a word. Chapter 480 Chapter 480 Elliot was even more furious. Taking advantage of Sheena heading to her room, he snuck back into his own room, grabbing the wooden ruler. Tonight, he was determined to assert his dominance! Approaching Sheena¡¯s door, he hid the ruler behind his back. Since Sheena did not lock the door, he took a deep breath, turned the doorknob with force, and confronted Sheena, brandishing the ruler with a menacing expression. ¡°Sheena! You went to the hospital without telling me. Do you even care about me, your fiance?¡± Sheena, who was on the phone with Dark Bell¡¯s subordinate, looked up at him in confusion. Elliot mmed the ruler forcefully on the bedside table, creating a loud thud that startled even himself. However, he did not n to give up just yet and kept a stern face as he scolded her. ¡°Extend your hand. Tonight, I¡¯m going to teach you a lesson!¡± Sheena stared at him, puzzled. Two minutester, Elliot surrendered under her icy gaze. Kneeling on the carpet beside the bed, he obediently pulled on his own ears, his face defiant but filled with discontent. Sheena sat leisurely on the edge of the bed, casually ying with the ruler he brought. ¡°Not bad, Elliot. Trying to rebel when given the chance? Did you forget what you promised mest night outside the Lawson estate?¡± Elliot choked. Last night, Sheena had said he would be punished worse for his actions. Elliot truly had been too busy and forgot about it. Seeing Elliot¡¯s reaction, Sheena guessed he must havepletely forgotten. Nheless, she could help him rememberter. She measured the thickness of the ruler, finding it thicker than her pinky finger. Elliot was quite ruthless! This wooden ruler was much harder than the one she used on Erin. Since he had brought it over, how could she not indulge his intentions? ¡°There was a tricky situation at Angle Group tonight, and I hadn¡¯t nned on dealing with you. But now, you¡¯ve practically handed yourself to me on a silver tter.¡± Sheena lowered her gaze, imitating his tone from earlier, and said sternly, ¡°Extend your hand. I¡¯m. Chapter 480 going to teach you a lesson!¡± Elliot was in a dilemma, remaining still. ¡°Well?¡± Sheena threatened, giving him a sharp look. ¡°You¡¯re a grown man. Does a promise mean nothing to you?¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Elliot stayed silent, gulping anxiously. After some hesitation, he slowly extended his left hand in front of her, palm open. 2/2 Sheena, not one to hold back, swung the ruler through the air, testing with about fifty percent force, and struck his palm. A muffled thud echoed in the room. Elliot did not flinch, not even a frown.¡± Using a seductively soft voice, Sheena asked, ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Elliot assessed the sensation and replied, ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Having handled guns for years, the insides of his palms were still rough despite the pampered lifestyle in Farlem even though there were minimal calluses that formed. The ruler left a red mark, about two fingers wide, on his palm. Although not severe, it did hurt, but it was within his tolerance. Sheena was not satisfied with his response. It seemed like she went easy on him! Chapter 481 Chapter 481 Chapter 481 Sheena grabbed Elliot¡¯s fingertips, preventing him from instinctively retracting due to pain. Then, she raised the ruler, striking his palm three times. This time, she did not hold back and exerted full force. Elliot hissed in pain. His jawline tensed, and his arm trembled slightly. His palm quickly swelled, turning reddish¨Cpurple, and the distinct marks of the ruler were vividly visible as each strikended in the same spot. Elliot detested this kind of pain. After all, the palm was a sensitive area, and the pain was intense. Since his attempt at asserting dominance backfired, he found himself in pain and frustration. He should not have listened to Lionel¡¯s lousy idea! Using a ruler to establish authority only provided Sheena with a handy tool and a valid reason to spank him! Sheena observed the painful expression in his eyes and repeated her question. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Finally understanding her intention, he uttered, ¡°Yes¡­¡± Sheena nced at his swollen palm and set aside the ruler, massaging away the pain. While rubbing, she tenderly lectured him. ¡°Since you knew it¡¯d hurt, and if it were me getting hit, I might feel even more pain than you. Why would you think of using this thing to bully me?¡± Elliot felt wronged. ¡°I was just trying to scare you. How could I really bring myself to use this to hit you?¡± Yet, Sheena was willing not only to use it but to hit him quite harshly. After finishing the spanking, she even moved on to massaging him. Thisbination of delivering a few ps followed by a sweet reward left him angry and powerless. Feeling even more wronged, Elliot¡¯s eyes turned red. With a serious expression, Sheena continued her lecture. ¡°Even so, that¡¯s not okay! Is that how you¡¯re supposed to treat me? What if my heart couldn¡¯t handle the sudden fierceness and I passed out? Moreover, isn¡¯t a husband supposed to cherish and protect his wife?¡± Elliot remained silent, and she went on. ¡°A real man should be the protector, using his skills to deal with the bad guys outside, not to discipline his own woman. A man who bullies his woman is useless. Is that the kind of man you want to be?¡± Elliot was thoroughly brainwashed by her extensive reasoning, forgetting that he never intended to actually hit her from the beginning. Chapter 481 2/2 Sheena red at him and asked, ¡°Do you admit your mistake?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°So, should you be spanked tonight?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Sheena held his hand by his fingertips again, picked up the ruler from the side, and delivered two more consecutive strikes forcefully. Elliot pressed his thin lips together, watching her ruthlessly strike his palm as it turned pale before quickly swelling. ¡°Two strikes on the palm for scolding me twice with a fierce tone and calling me by my full name. That¡¯s fair, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Seeing his sincere attitude, Sheena set down the ruler. ¡°Wait. Don¡¯t get up just yet. She then went to the living room and quickly returned with a first aid kit. After that, she applied an anti¨C inmmatory ointment to the swelling on his palm, causing a slight stinging sensation. Elliot let out a soft hiss. ¡°Can you blow on it a bit?¡± Sheena frowned, scolding, ¡°Serves you right! You brought this upon yourself, so endure it.¡± Despite her harsh words, she still delicately blew cool air on his palm, soothing the hand that had suffered punishment. While tending to him, she could not help but feel a bit puzzled. ¡°Why did you suddenly be so daring tonight? Did someone say something to you?¡± Elliot pondered for a moment. Albert was an elder and Sheena¡¯s respected father. Hence, he could not me Albert for anything. Chapter 482 Chapter 482 Chapter 482 Thus, Elliot could only¡­. ¡°It was Lionel. It was his lousy idea,¡± Elliot said as he mercilessly shifted the me onto Lionel, detailing every word Lionel had taught him during the day to Sheena. To his surprise, Sheena showed no intention of dealing with Lionel after hearing everything. Instead, she seemed to be eontemting something. ¡°Lionel has a point. Men who don¡¯t listen do need proper discipline. You¡¯ve already provided the punishment. As for the house rules, I¡¯ll think about them carefully ande up with a few for you. How does that sound?¡± Elliot hung his head, silent and considerably frustrated. Confessing was a terrible idea. He felt like he had shot himself in the foot. Satisfied, Sheena said, ¡°Alright, I think you¡¯ve confessed enough.¡± Without waiting for his response, Sheena cleaned the ointment from her hands with a tissue. Then, she used her fingertips to lift his lowered chin. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Cat got your tongue?¡± He did not agree with her suggestion at all! Yet, under the imposing threat of the ruler, he forced a bitter smile. ¡°I¡¯ll follow your lead.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day for tonight.¡± Elliot, sharp as ever, caught the use of ¡®tonight¡® in her words. Did that mean she had not started punishing him for wrongdoings he did in the past few days?Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Elliot stared at Sheena¡¯s delicate face, feeling somewhat uneasy. Seeing his reaction, Sheena smiled, gently caressing his cheek. ¡°Eli, don¡¯t worry. On this special night, I have a big surprise for you be thrilled!¡± Elliot gulped in fear. Thrilled? More like terrified. Every time she gave him a gift, trouble ensued. Last time it was the Freeman family bankruptcy, the employment contract, and the 023 modified drug- What could it be this time? Facing his skeptical gaze, Sheena opened the wardrobe, taking out a washboard. ¡°Tada! To match your status, I speciallymissioned this ckwood washboard! It¡¯s solid and guaranteed to provide the most thoughtful service for Ell¡¯s knees!¡± Elliot stared at the expensive washboard in Sheena¡¯s hands, and his face turned pale. Chapter 482 212 Sheena raised an eyebrow, teasingly asking, ¡°Ell, do you like it?¡± He nodded through gritted teeth, feeling resentful inside. His lips trembled slightly as he muttered, ¡± Nana, you really know how to show your affection.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Sheena handed him the washboard with a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°Here, give it a try.¡± With trembling fingertips, Elliot took the ckwood washboard and ced it on the carpet beside the bed. As he knelt of it, his facial features contorted, and he gasped in pain. Indeed, it was made from hardwood of the best quality! It truly hurt¡­ The sharp edges of the washboard pressed against his knees, causing him to arch his back. His arms boldly encircled Sheena¡¯s legs as he buried his face in her thighs, letting out a low moan. Elliot resembled a wounded and pitiful little creature seekingfort. Sheena gently rubbed the back of his head, feeling a bit sorry for him in that vulnerable state. However, this was about asserting dominance and punishing him for the mistakes he made in the past few days. His injuries were already healing, and this was the least harmful and gentle way. All the lecturing would have been in vain if she showed mercy now. Thinking about it, she steeled her heart and patted his shoulder. ¡°Since when was punishment supposed to befortable? Kneel at a 90¨Cdegree angle and keep your back straight. Behave yourself! You will kneel for thirty minutes before we talk.¡± Chapter 483 Chapter 483 Only 30 minutes? Elliot breathed a sigh of relief. Given how angry Sheena was the other day and considering her previous ruthless behavior, he thought she might make him kneel all night, or at least start with four hours. Compared to the past, Sheena was surprisingly gentle today. It seemed that she still cared about him. Elliot reluctantly lifted his head from Sheena¡¯sp and straightened his back to receive¡¯the punishment properly. In the standard kneeling position, all his body weight pressed onto his knees, and the pain increased. He constantly adjusted his breathing, asionally closing his eyes to pass the time. Seeing that he had calmed down, Sheena opened her phone and continued dealing with Phoebe¡¯s matters. Wendy had sent her numerous messages, and focusing on setting rules for Elliot, she had forgotten to check her phone. Wendy informed her to check the trending topics. Phoebe¡¯s suicide incident could not be suppressed and had surfaced online through bystander videos, making it a trending topic. Despite Angle Group¡¯s PR efforts to mitigate the situation, the public¡¯s interest remained high, consistently staying within the top ten trending topics. As Sheena contemted a solution, Dark Bell sent her many high¨Cresolution photos. The images showed Caleb and Lisa holding hands and kissingte at night, along with clear, uncensored photos taken by the room¡¯s built¨Cin cameras at the hotel, totaling over 20 pictures. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Sheena¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile. These photos arrived at the perfect time! She called Wendy, ¡°Issue a statement on behalf of Angle Group. Present Phoebe as the victim, disclose her previous romantic rtionship with Caleb, and reveal the truth behind her heartbreak leading to suicide.¡± ¡°Additionally, I have a photo here. Blur out the female¡¯s face, but make it clear it¡¯s not Phoebe. Send it to reporters and media outlets, urging them to write articles to boost the trend quickly.¡± After ending the call, she selected a provocative, but not too explicit uncensored photo and sent it to Wendy. Ten minutester, the trending topics rapidly changed, and another headline quickly rose to the top of the trending list. [Caleb Mendez¡¯s Affair Causing Phoebe Chambein¡¯s Heartbreak and Suicide.] Chapter 483 2/2 Caleb¡¯s agency, Zephyr Entertainment, could not sit still. They quickly released a statement denying Caleb¡¯s romantic involvement with Phoebe and categorically refuting any usations of infidelity. They even threw in a legal letter, threatening to sue those spreading rumors. Sheena read through the official Twitter ount of Zephyr Entertainment¡¯s entertainment and tweeted using her own ount. [The truth will always prevail! Did you think that no one will find out as long as they¡¯ve hidden their actions well? Deng all you want. We have evidence! If certain individuals have even a shred of conscience, apologize sincerely to ourpany¡¯s victimized artist and admit your wrongdoings. Otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences!] Shortly after posting this message, Sheena received a call from Caleb¡¯s agent. Dante, the agent, asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, do you really have concrete evidence?¡± Sheena replied coldly, ¡°Over twenty high¨Cresolution uncensored images. What if they appear on the big screen in the square on loop tomorrow?¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t! Please! Our higher¨Cups want to have a talk with you. Since you¡¯ve just entered the Svelton market and are still finding your footing, can wepromise? Let¡¯s each take a step back. You can name your price.¡± Sheena chuckled, ¡°Yourpany can¡¯t afford my price. If it¡¯s too little, I won¡¯t take it seriously. My goal is simple. I¡¯m targeting Caleb. Have him apologize, admit all the mistakes he made, and then leave the entertainment industry. Those are my conditions.¡± ¡°Well, this¡­¡± ¡°You can¡¯t decide on this matter. Ask your Zephyr Entertainment executive whether he wants to abandon Caleb or the entirepany. It¡¯s his decision. I need to see the results by tomorrow. Otherwise, tomorrow¡¯s trending topics will be about Zephyr Entertainment¡¯s incriminating material. After hanging up, Sheena sent another message to Wendy. [Sheena: Suspend the Butterflies¡® group activities temporarily. Except for Phoebe and Lisa, other members may continue with their personal activities. Keep an eye on Lisa, and I¡¯ll deal with her when I have time.] As Sheena focused on typing, her sleeve was gently tugged by someone at her feet. Elliot¡¯s breathing was heavy, with cold sweat covering his forehead. His knees were almost In his silent way, Elliot was reminding Sheena that the time was up! Chapter 484 Chapter 484 Sheena was busy typing away, immersed in her work, paying no attention to him. Feeling helpless and frustrated, Elliot could only weakly call out to her, ¡°Nana¡­¡± Sheena responded without lifting her head, casually acknowledging him. It was evident that her attention was elsewhere. ¡°I¡¯m in pain¡­¡± It had been over 30 minutes! He tugged at her sleeve with increased force. ¡°Alright,¡± she nonchntly replied, still not looking at him. What did she mean? Was he supposed to get up or stay down? Elliot could not understand her attitude. Another ten minutes passed, and Sheena continued staring at her phone. Was the phone more attractive than him, or had she grown addicted to punishing him? Elliot was furious. He quickly got up from the floor, grabbed Sheena¡¯s delicate wrist, and pushed her onto the bed, trapping her. ¡°Hey, my phone!¡± Elliot increased the pressure, preventing her from reaching for the phone. ¡°What¡¯s more important, the phone or me?¡± Sheena frowned. What a ridiculous question. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. How could they bepared? ¡°You¡¯re more important, of course!¡± Elliot snorted, leaning in close. Dangerous glints flickered in his eyes as he licked his lips. With a wicked smile, he asked, ¡°After punishing me for so long, did you enjoy it? Isn¡¯t it my turn now?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Sheena¡¯s tone rose in inquiry, wondering what he meant. Elliot answered her with his actions. He grabbed her arm and turned her overpletely. Chapter 484 2/2 His low, husky voice whispered near her ear, ¡°No matter what you say, nothing can stop me tonight, my love.¡± Sheena sensed the dangerous aura emanating from him and began to understand his intentions. Suddenly feeling anxious, she eximed, ¡°W¨CWait a minute! Your injuries haven¡¯t fully healed. You can¡¯t do this!¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± That night, Elliot felt particrly stifled and angry after enduring the punishment. He had probably been suppressing his frustration for a long time. Elliot genuinely cherished and loved Sheena. Within the bounds of control, he could endure being punished and let her vent her anger. However, there were limits, and crossing those lines would provoke a reaction like this. When those boundaries were breached, he would retaliate fiercely, using his own methods to turn her harsh punishment back on her! Chapter 485 Chapter 485 1/2 The warm light illuminated the room. Sheena seized the chance and flipped her upper body over, using her hands and elbows to keep Elliot at bay and prevent him from getting closer. Her chest heaved heavily due to the recent punishment, breathing in ragged gasps. Noticing her re, Elliot¡¯s handsome face tensed, the corners of his eyes reddened, and his ck eyes glistened, giving him a pitiful look. ¡°Nana, I can¡¯t hold it any longer.¡± Witnessing his helplessness for the first time, Sheena¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Nana¡­¡± After a brief struggle, Sheena sumbed to his exquisite acting skills and persuasion. ¡°Turn off the lights, and no leaving hickeys on my neck!¡± Elliot triumphantly smiled and promptly switched off the bedsidemp with a crisp click. Moonlight shone through the curtains, casting a gentle and sensual touch on the two in bed. Soon, morning came. Sheena slept deeply that night and was awakened by Elliot¡¯s kiss. When she opened her eyes, she found him lying beside her, supporting his head with one hand with his elbow propped on the pillow. He smiled seductively at Sheena, focusing on her. ¡°Did you sleep wellst night?¡± Sheena nced at him, turned over, and continued sleeping. ¡°I¡¯m still so tired and sleepy. Elliot embraced her waist, moved her into his arms, and rested her head in the crook of his arm. Sheena did not resist, quickly drifting back into slumber. Elliot watched her, deeply captivated. His well¨Cdefined fingers slid yfully along her nose. Having her in his life brought him immense happiness, a feeling he would cherish forever. Even if he had to sacrifice his life in the future, he would have no regrets. Her nose twitched from his tickling, and with a slight frown on her forehead, she asked, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Elliot leaned in close to her ear, his deep voice earnest as he suggested, ¡°Nana, how about we establish a few ground rules?¡± ¡°Ground rules?¡± Sheena was still sleepy. Chapter 485 212 ¡°Yeah, from now on, in private, I¡¯ll follow your lead, but in public, try to follow mine, okay?¡± Sheena pondered for a moment. Men, especially someone like Elliot, positioned at the top of the pyramid with many subordinates following hismands, valued their pride. His authority outside was non¨Cnegotiable. He wanted her to y the role of a gentle and delicate wife in public, a request Sheena could understand. ¡°Okay.¡± Elliot kissed her forehead contentedly. ¡°So, how long do you n to stay in bed? Do you have to deal with Phoebe¡¯s trending topic today?¡± ¡°Yes! The trending topic!¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Sheena instantly woke up, reaching for her phone on the bedside table. Last night, she forgot to charge her phone while fooling around with Elliot. It was already low on power then, and by now, it had completely shut down. After charging it for a few minutes, she turned it back on. As soon as the phone restarted, the missed call notifications overwhelmed the screen. Most of them were from Wendy, and some from Ford. Why would Ford call her so many times? Did something bad happen to Phoebe? She returned Ford¡¯s call. ¡°Miss! You finally answered. Reporters have surrounded the hospital, insisting on interviewing Ms. Chambein. Paul and the hospital security are holding them back, but I don¡¯t know how long they canst!¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious instantly. ¡°How is Phoebe¡¯s current mental state? Can she handle an interview?¡± Ford nced into the ward. ¡°She seems a bit unstable, and the reporters¡® questions are usually sharp. Their questions might trigger Ms. Chambein¡¯s sensitive emotions.¡± ¡°Okay, I got it. I¡¯ming over right away.¡± Chapter 486 Chapter 486 Sheena hung up the phone. As she tried to get up, her legs could not stop trembling. She had to steady herself by the bedside to stand firm. Elliot had been too harshst night! He pushed her on for almost half the night, giving her hardly any rest, and it was now a brand¨Cnew day. In contrast, Elliot had a radiantplexion and seemed to have slept like a baby, fully rejuvenated. The difference in physical endurance between men and women was indeed significant! Shaking off her thoughts, Sheena felt someone¡¯s arm gently encircle her small waist from behind, and a chin rested on her shoulder. ¡°Going out?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Would you like some breakfast first?¡± ¡°No thanks. I need to finish getting ready quickly. I have to make a trip to the hospital,¡± Sheena replied while changing into fresh clothes. Elliot did not stop her, just asking, ¡°Need any help? ¡°No need. It¡¯s just a small matter.¡± As she turned to leave the room, Elliot pulled her back into his embrace, pinching her chin and looking at her seriously. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re not alone anymore. You have to learn to make use of your man.¡± He emphasized the word ¡®use¡®, smiling mischievously. Obviously, it had a double meaning. Sheena blushed slightly, choosing to feign ignorance. ¡°Got it. I¡¯lle to you if I have any trouble I can¡¯t handle.¡± Elliot nodded gently, satisfied. Without Elliot stopping her, Sheena freshened up, applied light makeup, and headed out. All hospital entrances were mobbed by reporters due to Phoebe¡¯s stay in the ward. Sheena drove directly into the garage, where crowd control was stricter, leaving only a few journalists at the exit. In Phoebe¡¯s ward, her condition seemed much better than yesterday, though she still appeared pale and worn. Chapter 466 272 ¡°Take a look at this.¡± Sheena handed her the phone, showing the apology Caleb had written hastily. the previous night and posted it on Twitter. Phoebe took the phone, and as she read on, her eyes gradually reddened. She was choking slightly with tears. She was Sheena¡¯s only friend from Farlem Orphanage and seeing her so heartbroken made Sheena equally upset. ¡°Phoebe, this scumbag Caleb is not only Zephyr Entertainment¡¯s ace now, but he alsoes from a well¨Coff family. Just an affair won¡¯tpletely ruin him, especially with so many fans defending him online. If you want him out of the entertainment industry, it¡¯ll take some extra effort. However, if you want that to happen, I can do everything in my power to make him and Lisa pay a devastating price.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Phoebe wiped away her tears. Her swollen and dry eyes looked unusually determined.¡± Sheena, you¡¯ve done too much for me already. I can¡¯t burden you any further. I¡¯ll handle the rest myself. I want to savor the pleasure of revenge personally.¡± When Phoebe saw the apology Caleb personally posted, she was furious. Both in his words and between the lines, Caleb still med her, apologizing superficially while subtly using her and saying he did nothing wrong. What a piece of shit! ¡°You¡¯re holding up well, and I¡¯m d for that,¡± Sheena said, handing her a tissue. ¡°From today, you¡¯re the ace artist Angle Group wholeheartedly supports. I hope you can win this year¡¯s Golden Flower¡¯s Best Actress award with your talent, showing Caleb what he¡¯s missed out on. That Lisa isn¡¯t even worthy of being mentioned alongside you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Sheena.¡± Phoebe hugged her tightly, feeling a rush of emotions. She had no parents, and the only blessing she could count on in her twenty¨Csomething years was meeting Sheena. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The hospital is swarming with media reporters. You won¡¯t get any peace and quiet here. Let me take you to a different ce. We¡¯ll rest for a few days, heal your body, and return stronger. How about that? Phoebe shook her head. ¡°This time, I won¡¯t run away. Let those reporters in. I can handle even the sharpest questions. One day, I want Caleb and Lisa to kneel and bow in front of me in public!¡± Chapter 487 Chapter 487 Chapter 487 Over at the Jenkins Group, Elliot had just stepped into his office when Lionel enthusiastically barged 1. in. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you striding in like a force of nature today. Last night¡¯s exploits must have been quite something, huh?¡± Lionel rubbed his hands together, grinning. A force of nature? All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. After almost an hour of kneeling on the washboard, Elliot¡¯s knees were still swollen and bruised. Indeed, he had to walk faster to get over it quickly. Elliot¡¯s dark eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable. However, he seemed to be¡­ smiling? Lionel was taken aback. It was the first time he had seen Elliot wear such a peculiar expression- somewhere between anger and good mood? Was it a win or a loss? He felt a bit unsure. Breaking his usual routine, Elliot wore all¨Cck leather gloves today. Removing the gloves, he presented his left palm to Lionel, his deep voice betraying no emotion. ¡°How do you think the battle went?¡± Lionel looked at Elliot¡¯s left hand, and as soon as his eyes met the swollen, purplish bruises on the palm, he was shocked to the core. Was he¡­ beaten by Sheena again? With hands this swollen, the beating must have been ruthless! Sheena was indeed a fierce one¡­ Lionel became anxious, already imagining how Elliot had followed his instructions the previous night and how brutal the oue must have been. With Elliot¡¯s cruel and vengeful nature, he probably could not ept defeat and made sure to drag someone down with him. Damn it! Lionel thought he would be rewarded, but it seemed he had walked into a trap! Lionel¡¯s legs gave way. He knelt at Elliot¡¯s feet and clutched Elliot¡¯s right leg, a deste expression on his face. Due to ack of convincing acting skills, he could not manage to shed tears, so he resorted to yelling. ¡°Mr. Jenkins! I¡¯m sorry! It was wrong of me to give you those bad ideas. It¡¯s all my fault! I¡¯m willing Chapter 487 2/2 but please don¡¯t withhold my sry!¡± to ept any punishment! You can temporarily suspend me, Elliot stared at Lionel from above, smiling yfully as he asked, ¡°Who said I¡¯m going to punish you?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lionel¡¯s mournful features froze instantly, looking somewhatical. His face filled with confusion as he asked, ¡°You¡¯re not going to punish me? Could it be that you¡¯re breaking new ground and giving me a raise?¡± ¡°Yes, a raise,¡± Elliot said with a steady tone, sounding entirely truthful. Although Lionel¡¯s¡¯ill¨Cconceived ideas led to Elliot getting a beating, they also provided him with a good start. Last night, not only did he and Sheena have their moment of intimacy, but he also sessfully established the three rules with Sheena. Additionally, the tricky issue with Albert was resolved. Hence, Lionel was not just in the clear. He even deserved credit! Unaware of Elliot¡¯s true motives, Lionel widened his eyes in astonishment, deeply suspicious as he looked at him. Was Elliot knocked senseless from the beating? Or perhaps¡­ did he have a penchant for being submissive? Did Sheena¡¯s beatings fuel his enthusiasm? Chapter 488 Chapter 488 While Lionel stared at Elliot, thetter seemed lost in thought. Elliot recalled the soft and pleading Sheena fromst night while she was being punished, whimpering for mercy. Her sweet demeanor had melted his heart, and he could not help but smile. Witnessing Elliot¡¯s odd expression, Lionel wondered why Elliot¡¯s smile seemed¡­ disturbing. Was he relishing the memory? Was Elliot some kind of masochist? Elliot noticed Lionel¡¯s gaze and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you happy about the raise?¡± + Lionel immediately beamed. ¡°I¡¯m overjoyed! Call me anytime for such good news! If Ms. Sheena can¡¯t satisfy you, I, Lionel, am willing to step in and guarantee your satisfaction!¡± Elliot stared at him strangely, his expression gradually turning into a menacing one. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? Sheena can¡¯t satisfy me? Just what are you thinking?¡± Lionel suddenly understood. ¡°I get it now! It¡¯s Ms. Sheena¡¯s exclusive territory! It¡¯s your little marital y!¡± He shed a very understanding smile and exited the CEO¡¯s office, leaving Elliot bewildered. Why did he feel like he could notprehend Lionel¡¯s words? Meanwhile, on Sheena¡¯s side, the interview in Phoebe¡¯s ward was nearing its end. ¡°My rtionship with Caleb endedpletely when I jumped off the bridge yesterday. I don¡¯t want to dwell on the past, whether it¡¯s been great or not. Once I recover, I¡¯ll fully dedicate myself to work and strive to bring better works to my fans and the audience.¡± The shing lights and shutter sounds echoed as she spoke. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Sheena allowed only a few influential media outlets to conduct the interview. Having heard Phoebe¡¯s statement, the reporters exchanged nces. It seemed like she was not nning to delve deeper into Caleb¡¯s infidelity. One reporter asked, ¡°Ms. Chambein, you must have been devastated when you jumped into theke yesterday due to Mr. Mendez¡¯s infidelity. What gave you the strength to recover from that emotional turmoil so quickly?¡± Another reporter questioned, ¡°Mr. Mendez apologized to youst night. From what you¡¯re saying, are you willing to forgive him now? Could you please reveal who the female star involved in his infidelity is?¡± Chapter 489 2/2 Phoebe fell into a prolonged silence, offering no response. Seeing this, Sheena signaled to her manager, Michelle. Michelle, along with the assistant, Cordelia, skillfully stepped in to interrupt the interview. ¡°Alright, everyone. Phoebe¡¯s body hasn¡¯t fully recovered, and we¡¯ve had enough interviews for today. Let her rest early.¡± The media outlets disbanded. Once everyone had left, Sheena approached Phoebe on the hospital bed and asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t your take the opportunity to expose the wrongdoing of that scumbag and that despicable woman? Let the netizens criticize them.¡± Phoebe shook her head. ¡°Because I know it wouldn¡¯t help. I understand the principle of Pyrrhic victory a victory that¡¯s not worth winning because so much is lost to achieve it. Even if they¡¯re criticized now, what¡¯s the use? After a while, the storm will pass, and they¡¯ll still thrive.¡± ¡°Moreover, the inte never forgets. If I expose their previous insults to me, it will be my dark history, affecting my career. It¡¯s better to downy it for now. Let the public sympathize with me and leave a positive impression on the inte.¡± Sheena was d to hear Phoebe¡¯s exnation. ¡°You¡¯ve grown a lot through this incident.¡± Phoebe smiled, looked at her, and held her hand, expressing deep gratitude. ¡°That¡¯s all thanks to you. You¡¯re more important to me than family and lovers.¡± ¡°Hey! You can¡¯t say that! If your future husband finds out, he might get jealous, you know?¡± The two chuckled. Later in the afternoon, Phoebe insisted on being discharged. So, Sheena called the doctor for a follow- 1. up. Suddenly, Michelle rushed into the ward, looking urgent. ¡°Ms. Lawson, Phoebe, check your phones! Lisa is live¨Cstreaming and crying!¡° Chapter 489 Chapter 489 Sheena and Phoebe exchanged nces, each taking out their phones and opening the live¨Cstreaming app. Lisa¡¯s live broadcast had surpassed ten million views. nany about In front of the camera, Lisa cried pitifully,menting being informed by thepany. suspending her endorsements, indicating thepany might shelve her. She portrayed herself as heartbroken, iming to have suffered a sleepless night. Lisa also indirectly med Phoebe, implying that Phoebe had caused her current state. She further comined about the recent usations due to the resemnce between her and the woman in bed with Caleb. She asserted her innocence, stating that she and Caleb were just ordinary friends. In the ward, as Lisa melodramatically acted before the camera, the atmosphere became especially tense. Sheena checked thements section and noticed that many people were beginning to to sympathize with Lisa. Since Phoebe¡¯s interview had just concluded and had not been posted online yet, Lisa¡¯s performance shifted public opinion, and many uninformedizens criticized Phoebe for being cunning, using her of deliberately seeking attention by jumping into theke. The public opinion on the Caleb cheating incident also swayed drastically, creating a divided view. ¡°This woman is simply shameless! I haven¡¯t even confronted her yet, and she¡¯s already indirectly attacking me!¡± Watching Lisa¡¯s insincere cry on the screen, Phoebe felt disgusted. She wanted to throw her phone but refrained, considering the cost. Being a girl who had experienced hardship, she could not bear to waste money on a new phone. Instead, she pounded the pillow furiously, imagining it was Lisa¡¯s face. Observing Phoebe¡¯s venting, Sheena shook her head with an amused smile. ¡°Why are you getting mad? She¡¯s just trying to disgust you. You¡¯ll be falling right into her trap if you let her get to you like this.¡± Sheena then turned to Michelle. ¡°Ignore Lisa. Let her make a fuss. The more she puts on a show, the more embarrassing her fall will be!¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± Sheena called Wendy and ordered, ¡°Tomorrow, find a major influencer to post on social media. im that the blurred photo has been traced back to its origin, revealing that the woman in the bed with Caleb is Lisa. Half an hourter, use the Angle Group¡¯s official Twitter ount to announce the termination of Lisa¡¯s contract and dere her exit from the Butterflies.¡± Initially, Sheena had reservations about tarnishing Lisa¡¯s reputation, so she obscured Lisa¡¯s identity, nning to let Phoebe handle the matter privately. Little did she expect Lisa to be so audacious and escte the situation. Now, Sheena decided not to give that despicable woman any chances. With all the preparations in ce, Sheena instructed Phoebe to continue packing and prepare to leave the hospital. ¡°In the next few days, the media will probably knock on your door for interviews. My suggestion is that you decline all their interviews, iming that you¡¯ve already made a statement. It¡¯s in your best interest to maintain your silence at this point.¡± Phoebe nodded, saying, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll follow your advice.¡± After some contemtion, Sheena continued, ¡°Your previous apartment is probably swarming with reporters and media staff by now. I¡¯ll arrange a ce for you where nobody would dare to disturb you. ¦° Sheena pondered for a while. Looking across the entire Svelton, the Lawson estate seemed like the only ce where the media would not dare to intrude. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you to Howard¡¯s mansion to stay for a few days. ¡°Mr. Howard¡¯s mansion?¡± Phoebe hesitated, feeling a bit uneasy. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit inappropriate? Might it be too much of a bother for him?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Howard has multiple residences. He rarely returns to his small mansion at the Lawson estate. Even if he does, I¡¯ll exin the situation to him in a couple of days. You can stay there temporarily. It¡¯s quiet, and no one will disturb you.¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Phoebe fell silent. She could temporarily stay for a few days and clean up the mansion before leaving. It would not be a big issue, right? ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll go along with your suggestion.¡± Sheena escorted Phoebe, who was bundled up tightly and fully armed against the cold, out of the hospital. They headed straight for Mountville. Previously, Howard had given Sheena the keys to his mansion, which she handed to Phoebe. After giving her some instructions, Sheena then returned to the Angle Group. Chapter 490 Chapter 490 Just as Sheena reached the CEO¡¯s office on the top floor, she noticed an alluring and morous woman standing by the entrance, engaged in a conversation with Wendy. Wendy hurriedly approached Sheena, saying, ¡°Ms. Lawson, this is Ms. She. She wants to see you. I told her you¡¯re unavable, but she insists on waiting.¡± With her back facing Sheena, She heard themotion and gracefully turned around, wearing a stunning smile. She extended her hand politely, saying, ¡°Hello, Ms. Lawson. I¡¯m She,¡± Sheena neither shook hands nor responded because she noticed a strange look in She¡¯s eyes when She turned around. Moreover, she had a nagging feeling that this woman looked very familiar as if they had met before, but she could not recall where. She was only 19, rtively young, but already a top¨Ctier figure in the entertainment industry. Nheless, Angle Group had not coborated with She before, so her sudden visit likely meant trouble. ¡°What brings you here, Ms. She?¡± Although Sheena did not shake her hand, She seemed unfazed and maintained an elegant smile. ¡°Because our names are very simr, I¡¯ve always wanted to meet you, Ms. Lawson. Now that I¡¯ve seen you, I agree that you indeed look much better than those Z¨Clist celebrities,¡± She remarked, subtly implying that Sheena¡¯s fame was inferior to hers. Sheena, understanding the hidden meaning, simply smiled. She, however, appeared pleased, lifting her chin proudly. ¡°I came today because I¡¯m thetest spokesperson for Project Rossi under the Jenkins Group. I heard Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Lawson have a close rtionship, so I came to look.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve achieved your goal. You may leave now,¡± Sheena said with a polite yet insincere smile. inform you. I She shook her head and looked directly at Sheena. ¡°Ms. Lawson, I have something to inform have my eye on your man and would like topete with you fairly.¡± Before Sheena could respond, Wendy, already angered, spoke up, ¡°Do you think having more fans and higher visibility allows you to swagger around? Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Lawson are already engaged. Who do you think you are to demand fairpetition?¡± She remained unimpressed, saying, ¡°An engagement is just that. Until the marriage certificate is signed, nothing is certain yet. Ms. Lawson, don¡¯t you agree?¡± That was a line she had once said to Katie. Sheena frowned, taking a closer look at She¡¯s face anal The youthful yet alluring countenance was now filled with mockery. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Pouting, She shed a yful smile, ¡°Just making conversation. I know youe from a good background, something I can¡¯tpete with. But don¡¯t underestimate me, Ms. Lawson. I¡¯m young, yet I hold the title of Best Actress. In other words, I also have a powerful figure backing me!¡± She leaned closer to Sheena, whispering, ¡°If you¡¯re willing to give up Mr. Jenkins to me, I¡¯ll share some information with you. How about that?¡± Sheena maintained a stern expression. ¡°My rtionship with him is purely a business alliance, not something easily dissolved. If you think you¡¯re so capable, you can give it a try.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s best to earn something through your own merit.¡± Sheena did not want to waste more words and ordered, ¡°Wendy, escort Ms. She out of here.¡± As she turned to enter her office, She suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist. ¡°Ms. Lawson, don¡¯t you think you¡¯ve been cruel to Mr. Jenkins all along? You¡¯re only in love with yourself. You treat him poorly, and it¡¯s much better if you let go and give him to me.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Upon hearing this, Sheena¡¯s expression grew increasingly serious. She turned back, scrutinizing She earnestly. ¡°How do you know I¡¯ve been cruel to him? Where did you hear that, and what else do you know?¡± Chapter 491 Chapter 491 On the top floor of the Angle Group building, the atmosphere was tense. Sheena stared coldly at the 19¨Cyear¨Cold girl before her, wondering how this young actress could possibly know about her past with Elliot. As she pondered, She puckered her small pink lips and smiled innocently. ¡°Ms. Lawson, why are you so nervous? I was just making casual remarks. It seems you have some secrets, huh?¡± Could it be that she was overthinking things? Sheena maintained a serious expression and remained silent. She continued, ¡°There¡¯s a charity g tonight, and I¡¯ll be attending as Mr. Jenkins¡¯spanion. Ms. Lawson, as his fiancee, you don¡¯t seem to have a seat at the event. Oh dear, he probably hasn¡¯t told you about it yet, has he? It looks like you aren¡¯t that important to him after all.¡± She giggled provocatively and walked away, disappearing into the elevator. Sheena kept her eyes on her until she vanished entirely from the top floor, her face unusually solemn. rmed by Sheena¡¯s expression, Wendy hurried to console her, ¡°Ms. Lawson, don¡¯t overthink it. This woman clearly came to provoke you and sow discord between you and Mr. Jenkins. Your rtionship with him has always been good. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s only bringing her along for work reasons.¡± ¡°Mmhmm,¡± Sheena said without borating. ¡°Go about your tasks.¡± Right after she entered her office, she immediately made a call to Dark Bell. ¡°There¡¯s more to She than she seems. Find out everything about her as soon as possible. I want to know every detail!¡± ¡°No problem!¡± After hanging up, Sheena sat at her desk in a daze. She¡¯s words lingered in her ears, unsettling her, and she could not calm down. For some reason, this woman¡¯s presence felt peculiar, but Sheena could not quite pinpoint what was strange. While she was lost in thought, her phone suddenly rang. ncing at the caller ID, she answered with a less¨Cthan¨Cfriendly tone, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± On the other end, Elliot was momentarily puzzled. Why did the woman who had been sweet and loving with himst night and this morning sound so distant now? ¡°Nana, are you feeling unwell? Are you sick?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m fine,¡± she replied, attempting to keep her tone steady. Thinking about She¡¯s earlier Chapter 491 words, she asked tentatively, ¡°I¡¯ll be at the Angle Group office all afternoon. Are you stilling to pick me up as usual when you finish work?¡± ¡°I called to tell you about that. I won¡¯t be able to pick you up tonight. There¡¯s an event I have to attend, ¡°Elliot exined. Sheena fell silent for a long time. Sensing her displeasure, Elliot, in a gentle tone, added, ¡°Is your back still sore? When I get back tonight, I¡¯ll pers@gally give you a massage. I¡¯ll be your exclusive masseur. How does that sound?¡± Ignoring his suggestion, Sheena asked with a sour tone, ¡°If you¡¯re attending an event, you¡¯ll need a femalepanion, right? Who¡¯s the luckydy?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the new spokesperson for the Jenkins Group, a female celebrity. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep my distance ande back clean and clear!¡± Elliot assured. ¡®Yeah, right! Clean and clear my ass!¡® Sheena sarcastically thought to herself. Changing to a coquettish voice, she softly and sweetly said, ¡°Eli, what¡¯s there to be nervous about? Of course, I trust you.¡± Hearing her return to a normal tone, Elliot finally felt reassured. As soon as they hung up, Sheena¡¯s expression turned cold. To hell with that! While she trusted Elliot, she did not trust She. After all, the woman hade to provoke her earlier in the day, indicating that she was not an easy person to deal with. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Sheena was confident She would cause some trouble at the charity g in the evening. Who knew how capable Elliot was at handling such provocations? Feeling discontented, she suddenly caught sight of a ck and gold invitation on the right side of her desk. It was the invitation to the charity g. Chapter 492 Chapter 492 It would seem that she was also invited to the g. It must have been delivered in the morning, and she missed it while being at the hospital. Well, this was an excellent opportunity for her to join in on the fun! Sheena decided give Skye a call. Although the Zimmer family was not considered a top¨Ctier family in Svelton, Skye¡¯s poprity as an entertainment industry sensation brought its own charisma. Moreover, she had invited Skye to Svelton before, and now it was a perfect chance to pull him in as her plus¨Cone! In the evening, at the top floor of Majesty Hotel, a grand charity g was about to take ce. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. She was dressed in an elegant white gown, and she looked stunning. At this moment, she sat in Elliot¡¯s extended version of a Bentley, heading to Majesty Hotel alongside him. A small table separated She and Elliot¡¯s seats in the car. Elliot¡¯s handsome face was hidden under the mask, appearing annoyed and unapproachabl Although She could not see his expression clearly, she could unmistakably feel the pressure emanating from him. Leaning on her hand, she yfully remarked, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I can¡¯t help but feel envious of you and Ms. Lawson since I saw your newsst time. However, you seem to treat me so indifferently. Do you reserve all your tenderness for Ms. Lawson?¡± Elliot ignored her. Unfazed, she continued with an innocent smile, ¡°Lnever had any siblings growing up. For some reason, I¡¯ve always found myself drawn to you. I have a pitiful background, and I envy Ms. Lawson for being born with a silver spoon.¡± H Elliot barely raised an eyebrow, not considering her words problematic until she startedparing herself to Sheena. Deliberately ying the victim in front of him and subtly criticizing Sheena? Elliot¡¯s expression grew colder, and he chose to remain silent. Undeterred, She continued to yfully and somewhat pitifully say, ¡°If you could share a bit of that tenderness with me, just a tiny bit, I¡¯d be content.¡± She was undeniably beautiful, with an excellent reputation in the entertainment industry, boasting many male fans and even catching the attention of many wealthy young men. Few could resist her charm, yet Elliot did not even spare her a nce. His deep voice cut through the silence as he said, ¡°Anything that belongs to Nana is not to be shared, not even a fraction.¡± She¡¯s expression showed a hint of hurt, and she pretended to be unaffected, saying, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t mind me. I was just joking with you. However, you truly shower Ms. Lawson with affection. She¡¯s so lucky, it¡¯s truly enviable.¡± Elliot remained silent, ignoring her. The car fell into a quiet lull for two minutes, and a subtle hint of awkwardness lingered in the air. Feeling a bit defeated, She, driven by a strong desire to conquer, decided to rekindle the conversation. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what made you choose this car for tonight¡¯s event? I heard that you own the only ck limited¨Cedition SSC supercar in the whole country. I¡¯m curious, as someone like me never had the chance to witness the stunning beauty of that car.¡± Elliot stayed silent. SSC only had two seats, and the passenger seat was reserved exclusively for Sheena. Other women should not even think about getting close. As he remained silent, Lionel, sitting in the front passenger seat, spoke on his behalf, ¡°Ms. She, since you¡¯re the spokesperson for Project Rossi, you¡¯re a guest of the Jenkins Group. Using the business car is a way to show respect to you.¡± She found the response a bit displeasing. To her, it sounded like she was not worthy of the SSC supercar. She pouted, about to retort, when the car arrived at the hotel entrance. Before getting out, Elliot warned her, ¡°Bringing you to the event is merely for promotional purposes. Nana is strict about not allowing other women near me. There will be no hand¨Cholding during the entrance. Am I clear, Ms. She?¡± She was stunned. Chapter 493 Chapter 493 She has attended various film festivals, walked numerous red carpets, and even participated as a prominent guest in various events. However, no man has ever voluntarily refused to hold her hand. during an entrance. That suggestion was no doubt the greatest humiliation she ever faced. Even so, she hid Iter displeasure, quickly putting on a gracious smile as she replied, ¡°Understood, Mr. Jenkins. Rest assured, I won¡¯t make things difficult for you with Ms. Lawson.¡± Elliot nodded and stepped out of the car with an air of cold arrogance. Lionel promptly followed, going around to the other side to assist She in opening the car door. The moment they appeared, they became the focal point of the entire venue, with camera shes going off around them. She effortlessly handled such situations, maintaining a dignified and elegant smile. As they entered side by side, they controlled the distance perfectly, not even grazing each other¡¯s attire. Throughout the subsequent socializing and interactions, She behaved appropriately, maintaining a respectable distance. Consequently, Elliot¡¯s guard against her eased slightly. Sheena had entered the venue earlier, choosing to sit in a corner with Skye, sipping wine. However, Skye had been consuming one ss after another, looking gloomy. Sheena was puzzled and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Who upset you now?¡± Skye pouted in frustration, ¡°Elliot!¡± Sheena found it strange. ¡°You haven¡¯t even talked to him since you came to Svelton, right? How did he manage to upset you?¡± ¡°He hijacked you before I reached the legal marrying age. Now, with the business alliance between the Jenkins and Lawson families, I probably won¡¯t have a chance with you in my entire life!¡± Sheena chuckled and yfully flicked his forehead. ¡°What are you thinking? It¡¯s hopeless between us even if I weren¡¯t engaged to him. I don¡¯t like younger guys!¡± Skye grumbled. ¡°You¡¯re lying. You said you quite liked me before!¡± Sheena sighed, admitting, ¡°You silly boy. I like you as a friend and treat you like a younger brother, not romantically. Don¡¯t harbor such thoughts, or I¡¯ll have to keep my distance from you, and our friendship will suffer.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t!¡± Skye downed the red wine in his ss, consoling himself, ¡°Although I won¡¯t have the luck to marry you in this lifetime, being your confidant is not bad either.¡± Sheena chuckled at his response, shaking her head in resignation. After sitting in the quiet corner without seeing Elliot, she decided to use it as an excuse to leave her seat. Chapter 493 2/2 ¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Meanwhile, Elliot and She had just finished a round of socializing by the fountain pool in the hotel garden. She immediately coquettishly called out, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, how was my n earlier? Are you satisfied?¡± Elliot¡¯s icy expression remained unchanged. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Those two words made her smile like a child who had just received candy. Fine equaled good. Rounded up, that meant he was satisfied. Elliot finallyplimented her! in socializing Her face lit up with happiness. ¡°Could you apany me to find a quiet ce to sit? Standing and talking for so long is a bit tiring.¡± Elliot nced at her twelve¨Ccentimeter¨Chigh heels and agreed. Soon, the two walked on the garden¡¯s pebble path. The surroundings were quiet, the dim lights creating an ambiguous atmosphere around them. Elliot walked in silence, hands in his trouser pockets, exuding arrogance. As long as She did not speak, he would not initiate a conversation. They walked slowly, and the atmosphere became oddly quiet. She pondered on what topic to bring up, but the pebble path was uneven, and suddenly, she misstepped, losing her bnce. ¡°Oops!¡± Instinctively, she leaned toward Elliot. Almost as if by reflex, Elliot took a step back, and She did not even touch the hem of his clothes. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Just as it seemed she was about to fall t, Elliot reached out and steadied her. Chapter 494 Chapter 494 ¡°Mr. Jenkins, that was so close!¡± She¡¯s face turned pale, and she immediately clung to his arm, attempting to snuggle into his embrace. Elliot¡¯s expression changed. He was ready to push her away when he caught a glimpse of a figure in a red dress standing a few meters away. Sheena stood with hands crossed, silently observing, her eyes filled with mockery and coldness. ¡°Nana, please listen to me¡­¡± Before he could finish, Sheena coldly snorted and walked away without looking back. ¡°Nana!¡± Struck by the coldness in her eyes, Elliot felt a pang of pain in his heart. He wanted to catch up, but She, seemingly terrified, clung tightly to his arm, refusing to let go. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I think I sprained my foot. It hurts so much!¡± She cried out. Elliot paid no attention to her pain, and with gloved hands, he grabbed her by the neck, rage burning in his intense ck eyes. ¡°You saw Nana a long time ago, so you deliberately pretended to fall on me, staining my innocence in front of her, didn¡¯t you?¡± She¡¯s expression twisted in pain, her face turning red as she gasped for breath. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what do you mean? I don¡¯t understand. My foot is really sprained. You can check if you don¡¯t believe me¡­ ¡°It better be!¡± ¡± Elliot let go of her, not bothering to verify if she was lying. He had more important matters to attend. to. Sheena was angry, and that mattered more. Turning to go after her, She grabbed his sleeve again. Her demeanor changed from soft to serious. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you don¡¯t understand Sheena at all. You pour all your love into her, but she¡¯ll only hurt you more in the end. Although she¡¯s willing to be with you now, she probably hasn¡¯t told you once that she loves you, right? Don¡¯t you get it?¡± Elliot red at She, ruthlessly shaking off her hand and sprinting to catch up with Sheena. She, still unsteady, was knocked to the ground by him, staining her pristine white gown with mud. Unfazed, her eyes remained fixed on Elliot, sparkling with excitement, and her enchanting face beamed with a radiant smile. Sheena walked away, and Elliot ran after her. Chapter 494 212 As she was about to climb the steps to the banquet hall, Elliot firmly blocked her path. ¡°Nana, can I have a moment to exin, please?¡± Sheena nced at him indifferently. Disgusted by the touch of She¡¯s hand on Elliot¡¯s suit, she tucked her hands in her pockets, attempting to bypass him and enter the banquet hall. Aware of his own dirtied state, Elliot did not dare to touch her. He just stood in her way, preventing her from moving forward. ¡°Nana¡­¡± His eyes were slightly red, and his soft, pleading voice tried to melt her heart. Sheena ignored his pleading gaze, suppressing the surging anger within her, and sternly said, ¡°Get lost.¡± ¦§ Elliot felt a pang in his chest at her harsh words and bit his lip in frustration. Right at the banquet hall entrance, he decisively unbuttoned his suit, swiftly took it off, and discarded it, along with the gloves, into the trash bin. His actions were resolute, without the slightest hesitation. The pure ck silk shirt entuated his well¨Cdefined physique. This peculiar move attracted many curious eyes in their direction. However, Elliot pretended not to notice and promptly lifted Sheena off the ground. Gasps echoed around them. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sheena red at him angrily. ¡°Are you trying to get yourself killed? Put me down!¡± As she was about to struggle, Elliot leaned close to her ear, his maic voice low and seductive as he whispered, ¡°So many people are watching us, Nana. Don¡¯t forget our rules from this morning. Besides, I¡¯ve discarded the tainted clothes, and I¡¯m innocent. Let me exin it to you slowly when we return, okay?¡± ¡°Behave and don¡¯t move. If you fall from my hands, the stock market for both the Jenkins and Lawson Groups will plummet tomorrow.¡± Sheena understood the situation. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Grinding her teeth, she resisted the urge to twist his ear and settled for circling her arms around his neck, creating a loving embrace. Elliot knew she was simmering with anger. With a wicked grin, he said, ¡°Whether the stock market for the Jenkins and Lawson Groups skyrockets or crashes tomorrow depends on how cooperative you are right now.¡± ¡°What else are you trying to do?¡± Sheena urately detected a hint of mischief in his words. His smile deepened. ¡°To make headlines with you, doing what an engaged couple should do!¡± Chapter 495 Chapter 495 Peering through the mask, Sheena caught a glimpse of the intense, threatening gaze in Elliot¡¯s obsidian eyes, akin to that of a hawk. Her heart skipped a beat. Right before the onlookers, Elliot brought his nose close to hers, rubbing it affectionately. In a voice audible only to the two of them, he whispered, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t me me for doing this. I had to resort to this since you wouldn¡¯t listen to my exnation.¡± Before she could respond, Elliot¡¯s thin lips pressed against hers. Sheena remained still, initially intending to go along with him in front of everyone. However, his kiss drew her emotions into it, causing her to close her eyes as their breaths intertwined. The two of them shared a deep and passionate kiss right at the entrance of the banquet hall. The venue erupted with a chorus of astonished gasps. Many people even took out their phones to take pictures. As it was a charity g with invited celebrities, several media outlets were present. The shlights quickly positioned themselves, capturing this moment. Many socialites were almost green with envy! ¡°They¡¯re so sweet! Mr. Jenkins is so domineering! He¡¯s such a wonderful boyfriend! They¡¯re a perfect match!¡± ¡°Wow! It¡¯s so romantic! Why can¡¯t I have a fiance like Mr. Jenkins?¡± ¡°What a heartwarming sight! Why are they showing off their love in front of us?¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m so jealous! May heaven grant me such a sweet romance!¡± Skye had been waiting in the hall for a long time and, not seeing Sheena return from the restroom, came out to find her. He happened to witness this scene and nearly fainted on the spot. Damn it! This was simply unbelievable! It was too much! She had juste out from the garden with her dress stained. She nned to change into a new gown in the car and by chance witnessed the scene at the banquet hall entrance. Standing in the dim light of the path, no one noticed the ironic smile on her face. Amidst the discussions of admiration and jealousy.from the crowd, Elliot and Sheena concluded their lengthy kiss. Sheena¡¯s lipstick adorned Elliot¡¯s lips, the vibrant hue forming a stark contrast with his silver¨Cgray mask. Chapter 495 2/2 In front of the crowd, Sheena used her thumb to wipe off the lipstick mark, maintaining his image. Elliot was very content with her actions, his arm holding her even tighter. ¡°Let¡¯s go home!¡± The media and the crowd instinctively made way, forming a path as all the cameras surrounded the couple, clicking away. Sheena disliked the strange scrutiny and buried her entire face into Elliot¡¯s chest in embarrassment, appearing exceptionally dependent on him tonight. That evening, the series of news about Caleb¡¯s infidelity was overshadowed as Elliot and Sheena¡¯s sweet kiss at the charity g quickly swept through major headlines. The two were hailed as the sweetest couple among the elite. Due to the power of their looks and sweet romance, they quickly gathered fans, hoping they would get married sooner! At this moment, the two had just returned to the Jenkins estate. After getting out of the car, they entered the mansion separately. Chapter 496All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 496 Chapter 496 Elliot hung his head low, silently following Sheena into the room. The domineering demeanor he had at the charity g had vanished, reced by nervousness as he fixated on her slender back. Once inside, Sheena sat on the edge of the bed and started using her phone,pletely ignoring Elliot. Elliot sat beside her, still harboring a hint of hope. He timidly touched her wrist, beginning to exin himself. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°I messed up, but I really kept my distance from her. When you saw us, it was because she had twisted her foot. Considering she¡¯s mypanion and the spokesperson of Project Rossi, a new project for the Jenkins Group, I couldn¡¯t let her fall t. That¡¯s why I helped her.¡± Sheena remained expressionless, continuing to look at her phone,pletely disregarding his presence. Elliot continued, ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought she would try something inappropriate, taking advantage of the situation and clinging to my arm? I was yed by her!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he felt the anger emanating from Sheena. Quickly changing his approach, he added, ¡°I¡¯m not saying all this to shift the me. I failed to keep my promise to you. It¡¯s truly my fault. My skill in dealing with cunning women isn¡¯t good enough. I¡¯ll quickly master it and make sure it never happens again!¡± ¡°Also, tonight at the entrance of the g, I only kissed and hugged you without your permission because you wouldn¡¯t listen to my exnation. Considering we made it to the headlines, benefiting the stock market for both the Jenkins and Lawson Groups, can you not be angry at me?¡± Sheena¡¯s anger showed no sign of subsiding. Her expression turned colder. Seeing that she was not receptive to his persuasions, Elliot felt helpless and lowered his gaze. It seemed she was quite upset, and he had initially hoped to avoid a beating¡­ Elliot stood up and opened the top drawer of the bedside table. Then, he took out the ruler and handed it to Sheena. ¡°Here, your disciplinary tool.¡± Sheena did not take it, so Elliot simply ced the ruler in her hand. ¡°I¡¯ve already discarded the suit and gloves touched by that woman, but if you still have reservations, you can use this to vent your anger. Even if you end up breaking my arms, I won¡¯t make a sound.¡± Sheena remained silent, continuing to focus on her phone. Elliot stood quietly for a while, seeing herck of response. He turned and opened the wardrobe, retrieving the washboard custom¨Cmade by Sheena. He ced it on the carpet beside the bed before rolling up the cuffs of his suit pants, revealing knees marked with bruises from the washboard¡¯s ridges. Chapter 496 2/2 While Sheena appeared engrossed in her phone, she discreetly observed every move Elliot made through the corner of her eye. Unexpectedly, her attention was drawn to his actions as he rolled up his pants, and her cold gaze involuntarily nced at his injured knees. The sight of it shocked Sheena, and she reached out to stop him. Originally, she intended to express concern, but her words came out with a fiery tone. ¡°Why are you rolling up your pants? Are you intentionally showing me your knees, trying some self- pity trick?¡± Elliot smiled wryly, feeling wronged. ¡°No, I just thought rolling up the pants would make it hurt a bit more when kneeling.¡± Sheena¡¯s anger red even more. ¡°Enjoying the pain, are you? So, you like it the more it hurts?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡± He furrowed his brow, his eyes filled with a sense of grievance. ¡°I just thought it might ease your anger if you see me in so much pain. After all, being angry is not good for your health. I hope your fury will subside a bit faster.¡± His words left Sheena with an ufortable feeling. Suddenly, a seemingly unrted statement from She in her office during the day echoed in her ears. ¡°Ms. Lawson, don¡¯t you think you¡¯ve been cruel to Mr. Jenkins all along? You¡¯re only in love with yourself. You treat him poorly¡­¡± Had she been excessively harsh on Elliot, taking advantage of his boundless affection for her? Sheena sighed, softening her tone, and said, ¡°Sit down and let me take a look at the injuries.¡® Elliot noticed the genuine concern in her eyes, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He allowed her to pull him closer to the bed for examination. ¡°It¡¯s only been half an hour, and it¡¯s already bruised. Didn¡¯t you apply any ointmentst night?¡± Sheena asked, her voice gentler now. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 497 Chapter 497 Half an hour? Sheena had ignored him for nearly an hour yesterday when he knelt! However, Elliot would not tell her that. He simply nodded and said, ¡°You personally applied ointment to my hand, and I thought you didn¡¯t want me to apply any to my knees.¡± Worried that he might appear too pitiful and be caught by Sheena, Elliot quickly added, ¡°Actually, it was also because of ourte¨Cnight exercise, and I forgot.¡± Sheena ignored his subtle meanings because She¡¯s words lingered in her mind. It left her with a mix of emotions. ¡°Is your hand still hurting? Show me.¡± Elliot obediently spread out his left hand for her inspection. Despite applying medicine the previous night, his palm was still swollen and tinged with shades of purple. ¡°Was it this seriousst night?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s probably fromst night. My palms were pressed together, and blood cirction was blocked, causing the swelling. But it doesn¡¯t hurt anymore.¡± If it did not hurt now, it indicated that it was indeed quite painfulst night. Sheena wondered how she could have been so cruel¡­ Her heart felt tight and suffocated, apanied by an unprecedented sense of defeat that made her eyes redden. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. She was right. I¡¯ve been treating you so poorly. I promised to spoil you, but I¡¯ve only brought you pain.¡± Although Elliot did not know who the ¡®she¡® in her words referred to, he keenly sensed she was sobbing between words. Using his right hand, he lifted her lowered chin, meeting her teary, glistening eyes. Initially, Elliot had only intended to avoid a beating. He never wanted to make her cry with his self- pity act. Seeing her me herself and feeling heartbroken, he was overwhelmed with guilt. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Elliot tenderly caressed her small face. ¡°Silly girl, how could a few punches from your delicate fists count as pain? You underestimate your man. Besides, it was perfectly reasonable for you to hit me. It¡¯s a couple¡¯s quirk!¡± Sheena turned away, not feeling consoled at all. ¡°You¡¯re just trying tofort me. I know the truth.¡± Elliot adjusted her posture, meeting her gaze. He spoke seriously and affectionately, ¡°I wasn¡¯t intentionally trying tofort you. Your anger tonight stems from jealousy, and I¡¯m actually quite 1/2 12 Chapter 497 happy about it. Even if these hands were crippled by your punches, I¡¯d still find it sweet.¡± 2/2 ¡°And you¡¯ve brought me unprecedented happiness and warmth. Being forgiven by you, cuddling with you at night, hearing you call my name affectionately, and enjoying delightful moments with you¡­ That¡¯s all I need to be content.¡± ¡°Because, Nana, I love you. I really, really love you!¡± ¡°So, do you¡­¡± ¡®Do you also love the in the same way?¡® Thest part of the question got stuck in his throat. Elliot never managed to ask it. She¡¯s words lingered in his mind, making him reconsider all that had happened during this period. While she was willing to give him a chance and be with him, she had never uttered the words ¡®I love you¡®. He suddenly felt afraid. Afraid that if he asked, Sheena¡¯s answer might shatter the hopes he had recently rekindled and plunge him back into despair. Sheena prompted, ¡°Do I what?¡± Elliot concealed the strange emotions in his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. In any case, whether being held, kissed, slept with, or beaten by you, as long as it¡¯s you, I willingly ept it.¡± Sheena felt a warmth in her heart. She fetched the anti¨Cinmmatory ointment from the drawer where she had casually left it the previous night and began applying it to him. As she took care of him, she muttered, ¡°You¡¯re the fool, aplete fool!¡± Elliot just smiled, content to see her concentrating on applying the ointment, gentle and careful in her actions. He was already satisfied with these. ¡°Nana, are you still mad about the charity g incident?¡± Sheena yfully pinched his cheek. ¡°No next time.¡± Elliot¡¯s eyes lit up with delight and excitement within the tenderness, and he carried her off the bed. Chapter 498 Chapter 498 1/2 ¡°Hey, hey? What are you doing?¡± ¡°Since there¡¯s no punishment, how about my bedtime massage service!¡± ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Sheena stopped him, quite confused. ¡°Aren¡¯t we already in the bedroom? Where are you nning to take me?¡± ¡°This is the guest room. I still prefer the master bedroom. It¡¯s spacious and great for other activities!¡± Elliot smirked, mischief gleaming in his dark eyes. ¡°Hold on!¡± Elliot, about to leave the room, stopped again. ¡°What now?¡± Sheena, quietly nestled in his arms, looked up. ¡°Your left hand can¡¯t keep pressing down, or your injury won¡¯t heal. With just one hand, isn¡¯t it a bit difficult? How about¡­ skipping it tonight?¡± Was she insinuating that he could not manage with one hand? Elliot furrowed his brow, his expression growing darker and colder. He spoke arrogantly, ¡°Even with one hand, I can do at least three hundred push¨Cups without breaking a sweat! I¡¯ll show you!¡± ¡°Huh? No!¡± Sheena wanted to say more, but Elliot kissed her, preventing her from saying more. It was another beautiful night for the couple¡­ In the early hours, Howard took a flight back to Svelton. As it was toote, he drove to the small mansion at the Lawson estate. He rarely returned, and there were no arrangements for housekeeping, but George¡¯asionally had the ce cleaned, keeping it tidy. Upon arriving, Howard headed to his room after a shower. Exhausted, he did not notice anything unusual on the bed. He turned off the lights,y down, and closed his eyes. Suddenly, something next to the bed turned over, and a smooth and fair arm rested on his chest. Someone was sleeping in his bed? Howard woke up abruptly, sat up, and swiftly seized the intruder¡¯s neck with a firm grip. ¡°How dare you sneak in here!¡± In the midst of a deep sleep, Phoebe was abruptly awakened and coughed as Howard tightened his Chapter 498 2/2 grip. His ruthless grasp left her face flushed, and she struggled desperately, unable to utter a word. The moonlight shining in through the window allowed Howard to vaguely discern that it was a woman, and he loosened his grip slightly. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m¡­ P¨CPhoebe Chambein¡­¡± Phoebe stammered, her face red, choked, and struggling for breath. Phoebe? The artist under Angel Group, Sheena¡¯s friend from the orphanage? Still in doubt, Howard turned on the light, releasing herpletely only after recognizing Phoebe¡¯s All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. face. ¡°Ms. Chambein, how did you end up in my bed?¡± Still rubbing her neck, Phoebe coughed and tearfully exined, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be back tonight. With the reporters chasing me, my apartment was blocked off. Sheena arranged for me to stay at your mansion temporarily. I apologize for disturbing you.¡± Seeing the marks on her neck, Howard felt a twinge of guilt. ¡°Since Sheena arranged it, you can stay.¡± ¡°Thank you, and I promise not to cause you any trouble,¡± Phoebe said with a respectful bow. Howard nodded gently, his expression bing amiable again. ¡°This room is the master bedroom. You can choose any other guest room to your liking.¡± Phoebe, awkwardly biting her lip, bowed again. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! I¡¯ve never stayed in such a big house before, so I don¡¯t know the rules. Please, rest well!¡± She retreated with small, hesitant steps, reaching the door before turning back. Howard, ready to resume his sleep, looked at her, puzzled. Chapter 499 Chapter 499 Chapter 499 Phoebe bowed twice, then returned to the bed, appearing eager to speak. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯ve slept on all your sheets and covers. You probably don¡¯t like that, right?¡± Howard understood her concern and got ready to get up from the bed. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry for bothering you¡­¡± Phoebe continued her apologies while swiftly collecting the bedding. Bowing once more, she exited the room. Looking at the suddenly emptied bed, Howard chuckled in resignation, pulling out a spare nket from the cab to make the bed himself. In just a few minutes, Phoebe managed to apologize fifteen times and bowed twelve times! Why did she seem oddly cute? The next morning, soft sunlight shone through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the minimalist- style king¨Csize bed in the bedroom. When Elliot woke up, Sheena was already awake, leaning against the bedside and engrossed in her phone. Curious, he asked, ¡°ying with your phone so early? Have you developed a new hobby?¡± ¡°No, but I¡¯m buying something for you.¡± Was Sheena buying him another gift? This time it must be something normal, right? ¡°What are you buying? Let me see.¡± Sheena casually exined, ¡°Just a box of supplements for you, and¡­ Elliot found it increasingly strange as she continued, and his expression turned darker. ¡°What are you buying these things for?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand!¡± Sheena shook her head. ¡°Eli, you saidst night that you could do at least three hundred one¨Chanded push¨Cups, but you couldn¡¯t even make it to a hundred¡­¡± Elliot stared at her in shock. He was not good enough just because he could not reach a hundred? His proudest achievement, questioned by the woman he loved the most! Chapter 499 His pride took a severe hit. Like a calmke suddenly creating a massive wave, the fiery rage in his chest roared. ¡°Sheena Lawson!¡± ¡°Eli! Please!¡± Sheena struggled in vain, deeply regretting her words. 2/2 Howard woke up to the aroma of breakfast wafting in from the window. It smelled like fried eggs. Was Phoebe cooking in the kitchen? He got up, changed into a suit after freshening up, and leisurely walked down the stairs. In the kitchen, a graceful figure bustled around. The dining table was set with hot milk, toasted bread, fried eggs, and fruits. Phoebe then prepared two bowls of oatmeal, and as she emerged, her eyes met Howard¡¯s. ¡°Good morning.¡± She ced the oatmeal on the table, pulled a chair for him, and said, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if my cooking suits your taste. Why don¡¯t you give it a try?¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 500 Chapter 500 1/2 Howard had initially considered going to Albert¡¯s for breakfast. After all, Phoebe was still a stranger, and he was typically wary of strangers. However, he found himself drawn to Phoebe¡¯s harmless and innocent smile, and against his usual caution, he casually walked over and took a seat. The oatmeal was pleasantly soft, the eggs were perfectly prepared. They were unexpectedly delicious. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do all this. If you n to stay here longer, I can arrange for two servants to take care of you.¡± Phoebe looked slightly surprised, gratitude evident on her face. ¡°That¡¯s okay. I¡¯ve already troubled you enough by staying here. I¡¯m good at housework and cooking. I need to do something in return, so I don¡¯t feel like I owe you anything.¡± Impressed by her sincerity and determination, Howard did not press further. After finishing the meal, Howard decided to linger a little, which was out of the norm. He sat on the sofa and started reading the newspaper. It was not until Phoebe tidied up the kitchen and prepared to leave that he spoke. ¡°Are you heading to Bana for a magazine cover shoot today?¡± ¡°Yes, how did you know?¡± Phoebe stood awkwardly, holding her bag. ¡°I checked your schedule just now. Come on, I¡¯ll give you a ride,¡± Howard said, putting down the newspaper. ¡°Oh? No need to trouble you. I can walk down the hill myself. Michelle already prepared a van for me, picking me up at the foot of the hillter.¡± Howard stood up, his handsome features disying warmth, his deep voice calm as he said, ¡°I¡¯m heading out too. I¡¯ll drop you off on the way. You can take the van from there.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case¡­Thank you so much!¡± Mountville was quite vast, and the winding road down the mountain would take at least an hour, making it a time¨Cconsuming and strenuous journey. When they reached the bottom, Phoebe got out of the car and bowed to Howard once again. ¡°Thank you for the ride. Will you being back for dinner tonight? I can prepare it for you in advance. If I don¡¯t repay you for this gesture, I¡¯ll feel indebted to you again.¡± Howard observed her cautious and polite demeanor, knowing she attempted to create a distance between them. Although he had agreed to drop her off as a favor, she did not need to take it to heart. Nheless, Howard could not find the right words to express his thoughts. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. He had looked into Caleb¡¯s infidelity this morning and felt sympathy for Phoebe. Such a pure and kind girl, being hurt by such a scumbag. Chapter 500 2/2 ¡°Sure, go ahead and cook. I¡¯ll probably be done with work by around 7 p.m.¡± ¡°Alright, take care.¡± Another bow. Howard kept track but did not say anything, silently rolling up the car window. In the passenger seat, Yuri stole a nce at Howard¡¯s expression. ¡°Sir, don¡¯t you have a task at the embassy in the afternoon today? Will you be able to make it back by 7.30 p.m.?¡± Howard had forgotten about that. ¡°Then tell the embassy I have something in the evening, and they can either reschedule or move it to another date.¡± Yuri was puzzled. Why not inform Phoebe that he was noting back for dinner? Yuri, stealing a nce at Phoebe who still stood by the roadside through the rearview mirror, suppressed a smile. ¡°Looks like you have special regard for Ms. Chambein.¡® Howard nced at Yuri and replied casually, ¡°She¡¯s Nana¡¯s good friend. She helped Nana a lot back in the orphanage. Since she¡¯s good to Nana, I¡¯m just looking out for her.¡± ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Yuri nodded thoughtfully. After Howard left, Phoebe quickly hopped into the van and set off, unaware that a swiftly moving figure had just passed by on the opposite corner. At the Jenkins Group, Lionel, holding a document, knocked on the door of the CEO¡¯s office. Upon entering, he found Elliot sitting at the desk, deep in thought, staring at his right hand. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what are you looking at?¡± In front of Lionel, Elliot did not hold back and admitted, ¡°I¡¯ve been feeling a bit strangetely¡­ Like my body¡¯s really not as good as before.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lionel earnestly put down the document, sitting opposite Elliot and observing hisplexion and mental state. Lionel became worried as he noticed the slight dark circles under Elliot¡¯s eyes due tock of sleep. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you seem rather pale!¡± Chapter 501 Chapter 501 Elliot remained silent with a poker face. really Ignorant of the situation, Lionel continued, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, not to criticize, but you guys need to exercise some restraint. Excessive indulgence is detrimental to your health! Elliot¡¯s expression darkened swiftly Lionel noticed it, realizing that his recently increased paycheck might be bidding him farewell once more. He hastily changed his tune ¡°I¨CI mean¡­ My point is¡­ if Mr. Corey finds out, Ms. Sheena won¡¯t have an easy time when she returns to the Lawson family. Moreover, considering your current health, another serious injury might be beyond even divine intervention.¡± Those were harsh truths. Though unpleasant, it was undeniably the reality. Elliot was not exactly a tyrannical superior, He finally nodded, expressing his reluctant agreement. On theputer, an urgent email arrived from the National Investigation Bureating the Froania border situation. Elliot opened it, his handsome face instantly bing serious. ¡°There¡¯s trouble brewing at the border again. Pack your things. We leave tomorrow night.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± By the time Sheena woke up, it was almost noon. Aware of her exhaustion, Elliot intentionally refrained from disturbing her, allowing her to rest. As she moved, she supported her back, her legs trembling. The morning¡¯s events had made her acutely aware that challenging a man¡¯s pride in that area could lead to a dire oue! On her phone, Dark Bell¡¯s subordinate had already organized She¡¯s information into a file and sent it over. Sheena opened it, scrutinizing it. She was 19 years old. Her father passed away and she was raised solely by her mother. She entered the entertainment industry at 14, showcasing exceptional talent. Despite her young age, she secured major international awards for Best Actress. Rumors circted about a mysterious backer behind her sess, providing her with excellent resources. Chapter 501 However, the identity of this benefactor remained unknown, as did details about her parents and surname Sheena¡¯s expression turned icy as she stared at the iplete details on the screen. The most crucial pieces of information were missing, leaving her with a bunch of irrelevant and useless data. She immediately made a call, demanding, ¡°Check again! Thoroughly! I want the most detailed information! When did her father pass away, and under what circumstances? We need all the details, including her surname. If she¡¯s hiding it, there must be a significant secret!¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Miss, please calm down. We¡¯ll get on it right away!¡± After hanging up, Sheena continued to re at She¡¯s information on her phone, her eyes growing darker. In all these years, there had never been information Dark Bell could not uncover. If even they were drawing a nk¡­ There had to be influential figures from powerful families backing She. Who could her mysterious benefactor be? This woman was exceptionally adept at hiding her tracks! Since it was still a mystery for now, Sheena could only wait for Dark Bell¡¯s updates. She redirected her thoughts, finished her morning routine, and applied her makeup. Phoebe was scheduled for a shoot at Bana today. It was her first serious venture since the incident. with Caleb. Hence, Sheena decided to drop by and check it out. As she stepped out of the mansion, she spotted Santiago and Grant approaching. ¡°Hello, Grandpa Santiago.¡± Santiago nodded with a smile, walking toward Sheena with his cane. ¡°Sheena, are you adapting well in Eli¡¯s ce these days?¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing pretty good, and Eli treats me well. Don¡¯t worry about it, Grandpa Santiago.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Santiago smiled contentedly, his gaze shifting from Sheena¡¯s face to her stomach. ¡± Your rtionship seems to be progressing well. Why haven¡¯t I heard any news from this belly yet? Don¡¯t take any medications. They can be harmful. Rest assured, if you be pregnant, the Jenkins family will wee you with open arms.¡± Hearing such a private topic brought up by an elder, Sheena blushed slightly, awkwardly smiling. ¡± Okay, Grandpa Santiago.¡± ¡®Pregnant?¡® Sheena wondered. Chapter 502 Chapter 502 She dared not entertain the thought. If Corey found out, her legs would probably be broken before the child even arrived! Santiago gave a few more pieces of advice, mostly revolving around marriage. Sheena politely nodded along Once Santiago left, she nced at her belly. Despite the fear of Corey¡¯s reaction, she found herself curious about having a little baby. Come to think of it, they had not used any form of contraception, so why was her womb still empty? Was it an issue with her body, or perhaps something wrong with Elliot? After the morning¡¯s lesson, she hesitated to ask Elliot directly, fearing he might interpret it as a challenge to his masculinity and retaliate. Maybe her time for motherhood had note yet. Sheena sighed, putting the thoughts aside, and headed straight to the Bana shooting location. Upon arriving, Sheena¡¯s attention was drawn to a hunchback figure in the corner near the entrance. The person wore a mask and a hat, concealing their face, but the short gray¨Cwhite hair suggested an elderly woman. As she got closer, Sheena noticed the woman¡¯s surprisingly smooth and youthful exposed hand. Before she could get a clear look, the ¡®elderlydy¡® slipped into the building unnoticed. On the 22nd floor of the Bana building, Phoebe was in the midst of a shoot. Having sessfullypleted the cover for the weekly magazine, Bana¡¯s CEO, Emma Winter, Impressed by Phoebe¡¯s performance, extended the contract for several columns inside the magazine. All the staff were focused on the shoot, and no one noticed the ¡®olddy¡® discreetly bringing a half- bucket of dirty water from the restroom, appearing behind the crowd. With an aggressive re, she silently moved to a corner closer to Phoebe, reducing her visibility. ¡°Alright, that set is done! Just two more to go. Take a thirty¨Cminute break! Phoebe, you¡¯ve done a fantastic job! Great form!¡± Emma praised Phoebe, looking impressed. The rest of the crew apuded, showing their appreciation. Phoebe bowed to everyone, expressing her gratitude. ¡°Thank you all for your hard work. Michelle has prepared some delicious Stardew¡¯s fruit tea for everyone.¡± The crew cheered and headed to Michelle to get their tea. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Phoebe was focused on her bow. In the corner, the ¡®olddy¡® narrowed her eyes maliciously, finding the perfect opportunity ¡°Phoebel I¡¯ll ruin you!¡± A bucket of dirty water sshed at Phoebe, Unable to dodge in time, she was soaked, and the high- end designer gown provided by Bana was now covered in mud. Mud and sand from the dirty water stuck to Phoebe¡¯s eyes. She rubbed her eyes, but it was too painful to open them. Taking advantage of the distraction while everyone went for tea, the ¡®olddy¡® threw the bucket aside, revealing a hidden dagger. With a vicious intent, she lunged toward Phoebe. ¡°You bitch, go to hell!¡± Many crew members screamed at the sight of the gleaming de, but no one could react in time. ¡°Watch out!¡°¡® There was no immediate bloodshed. The dagger, about to pierce Phoebe¡¯s abdomen, came to a sudden halt. A pair of hands had firmly grabbed the ¡®olddy¡¯s¡® wrist. Chapter 503 Chapter 503 The ¡®olddy¡® turned her head and locked eyes with a pair of icy, determined eyes. ¡°It¡¯s you¡­¡± With a smirk, Sheena interrupted, ¡°Lisa, I never thought you¡¯d end up so miserable, even resorting to such a disgusting act!¡± As she spoke, with a skillful twist of her hand, Sheena gave Lisa¡¯s fragile wrist a forceful twist, resulting in a distinct crack, signaling a broken bone. ¡°Ah! My hand!¡± Lisa, contorting in pain, clutched her injured hand. The dagger slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. Then, Sheena raised her high¨Cheeled shoe and delivered a harsh kick to Lisa¡¯s thigh. Lisa cried out and struggled to get up but failed. Onlookers, including Michelle and Cordelia, were left dumbfounded. ¡°Why are you still standing there? Take Phoebe to wash her eyes!¡± Sheena shouted. ¡°Yes! Right away!¡± Cordelia quickly grabbed a dry towel and wrapped it around the drenched Phoebe, escorting her to the restroom. Lisa, witnessing her n utterly fail, was filled with resentment. She had spent herst savings to obtain Phoebe¡¯s shooting schedule at Bana. In a fit of hysteria, she pointed at Sheena and screamed, ¡°Why did you save her? I¡¯ve been mocked across social media, forced to leave the Butterflies, facing millions in breach of contract penalties, and it¡¯s all her fault! She deserves to die!¡± Sheena sneered with a hint of mockery in her eyes. ¡°I orchestrated the leaked photos, issued the order. your departure, and ruined you. I¡¯m standing right in front of you now. Come and kill me.¡± for Lisa was left bewildered by Sheena¡¯s words, staring at her for a long moment beforeing to her senses. Grinding her teeth, she red and staggered over, picking up the dagger from the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± As she gripped the handle, Sheena¡¯s high¨Cheeled shoe pressed down on the de, preventing her from picking it ¡°Lisa, your cunt situation is a result of your own actions. If you had stayed low¨Ckey, focused on your career jour stardom would¡¯vested much longer.¡± Lisa¡¯s eyes turned red, tears streaming down her cheeks. Chapter 503 1/2 Chapter 503All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. The ¡®olddy¡® turned her head and locked eyes with a pair of icy, determined eyes. ¡°It¡¯s you¡­ With a smirk, Sheena interrupted, ¡°Lisa, I never thought you¡¯d end up so miserable, even resorting to such a disgusting act!¡± As she spoke, with a skillful twist of her hand, Sheena gave Lisa¡¯s fragile wrist a forceful twist, resulting in a distinct crack, signaling a broken bone. ¡°Ah! My hand!¡± Lisa, contorting in pain, clutched her injured hand. The dagger slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. Then, Sheena raised her high¨Cheeled shoe and delivered a harsh kick to Lisa¡¯s thigh. Lisa cried out and struggled to get up but failed. Onlookers, including Michelle and Cordelia, were left dumbfounded. ¡°Why are you still standing there? Take Phoebe to wash her eyes!¡± Sheena shouted. ¡°Yes! Right away!¡± Cordelia quickly grabbed a dry towel and wrapped it around the drenched Phoebe, escorting her to the restroom. Lisa, witnessing her n utterly fail, was filled with resentment. She had spent herst savings t obtain Phoebe¡¯s shooting schedule at Bana. In a fit of hysteria, she pointed at Sheena and screamed, ¡°Why did you save her? I¡¯ve been mocked across social media, forced to leave the Butterflies, facing millions in breach of contract peaked and it¡¯s all her fault! She deserves to die!¡± Sheena sneered with a hint of mockery in her eyes. ¡°I orchestrated the leaked photos, issued the order for your departure, and ruined you. I¡¯m standing right in front of you now. Come and kill me.¡± Lisa was left bewildered by Sheena¡¯s words, staring at her for a long moment beforeing to her senses. Grinding her teeth, she red and staggered over, picking up the dagger from the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± As she gripped the handle, Sheena¡¯s high¨Cheeled shoe pressed down on the de, preventing her from picking it ¡°Lisa, your current situation is a result of your own actions. If you had stayed low¨Ckey, focused on your rare, your stardom would¡¯vested much longer.¡± Lisa¡¯s eyes turned red, tears streaming down her cheeks. Chapter 503 2/2 Sheena continued, ¡°But you chose the wrong path, insisting on walking down a dead¨Cend road. Your isted Phoebe. You knew she was in a rtionship with Caleb, yet deliberately interfered as a third. party. Do you think Caleb would help you if you got into trouble? He¡¯d be too busy saving himself! You two are scum, both equally despicable!¡± Lisa was on the verge of a breakdown, screaming at the top of her lungs. ¡°No! It¡¯s not true! It¡¯s all Phoebe¡¯s fault. We¡¯re all members of the group. Why does she get solo acting opportunities and individual interviews at events? It¡¯s not fair!¡± Sheena remained expressionless and said, ¡°Phoebe is an A¨Clist artist by Angle Group, the face of the company¡¯s future. Your contract with her is different from the beginning, destined to follow a different path. It¡¯s you who failed to acknowledge your ce.¡± Seated on the ground, Lisa wore a face of despair, repeatedly muttering, ¡°No, it¡¯s not my fault. It¡¯s not Sheena withdrew her cold gaze, surveyed the others, and stated, ¡°Everyone, you heard it yourselves. She took out a knife, not only targeting Phoebe but also aiming to kill me. Someone, please call the police and have them take her away. Let¡¯s not soil the air in Bana.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do it! I¡¯ll make the call!¡± A crew member promptly chimed in. Lisa was stunned, realizing she had fallen into Sheena¡¯s trap. If she had only attempted to harm Phoebe, she might have faced at most five years in prison. However, with the additional charge of attempting to harm Sheena, her future looked bleak indeed. Corey was Sheena¡¯s brother, and Elliot was Sheena¡¯s fiance. With this charge on Lisa¡¯s record, neither of these men would easily forgive her if she ended up in jail! Chapter 503 2/2 Sheena continued, ¡°But you chose the wrong path, insisting on walking down a dead¨Cend road. You isted Phoebe. You knew she was in a rtionship with Caleb, yet deliberately interfered as a third party. Do you think Caleb would help you if you got into trouble? He¡¯d be too busy saving himself! You two are scum, both equally despicable!¡± Lisa was on the verge of a breakdown, screaming at the top of her lungs. ¡°No! It¡¯s not true! It¡¯s all Phoebe¡¯s fault. We¡¯re all members of the group. Why does she get solo acting opportunities and individual interviews at events? It¡¯s not fair!¡± Sheena remained expressionless and said, ¡°Phoebe is an A¨Clist artist by Angle Group, the face of the company¡¯s future. Your contract with her is different from the beginning, destined to follow a different path. It¡¯s you who failed to acknowledge your ce.¡± Seated on the ground, Lisa wore a face of despair, repeatedly muttering, ¡°No, it¡¯s not my fault. It¡¯s not Sheena withdrew her cold gaze, surveyed the others, and stated, ¡°Everyone, you heard it yourselves. She took out a knife, not only targeting Phoebe but also aiming to kill me. Someone, please call the police and have them take her away. Let¡¯s not soil the air in Bana.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do it! I¡¯ll make the call!¡± A crew member promptly chimed in. Lisa was stunned, realizing she had fallen into Sheena¡¯s trap. If she had only attempted to harm Phoebe, she might have faced at most five years in prison. However, with the additional charge of attempting to harm Sheena, her future looked bleak indeed. Corey was Sheena¡¯s brother, and Elliot was Sheena¡¯s fiance. With this charge on Lisa¡¯s record, neither of these men would easily forgive her if she ended up in jail! Chapter 504 Chapter 504 ¡°Ms. Lawson, 1 admit my mistake. I truly realize my mistake now. Please give me a chance to change Don¡¯t send me to jail! I beg you!¡± Lisa pleaded, crawling to Sheena¡¯s feet, and reaching out to grab Sheena¡¯s skirt, but Sheena coldly avoided her. Sheena looked down at Lisa with an aloof expression, her eyes utterly indifferent. Meanwhile, Phoebe had cleaned off the dirty water, changed into a clean dress, and wrapped herself in a towel as she emerged from the restroom. Relieved to see Phoebe seemingly unharmed, Sheena told Lisa, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t apologize to me. You should apologize to Phoebe. If she¡¯s willing to forgive you, I might consider letting you off.¡± Lisa¡¯s hope reignited, and she crawled to Phoebe, bowing repeatedly. ¡°Phoebe, I was wrong! I shouldn¡¯t have targeted you intentionally, and I shouldn¡¯t have interfered in your rtionship with Caleb. You can hit me, scold me, anything, just please don¡¯t let Ms. Lawson send me to jail. I truly know I was wrong. Considering our past as teammates, I beg you!¡± Phoebe clenched her fists tightly. Memories of Lisa¡¯s arrogant and triumphant face when she was caught in bed with Caleb shed before her eyes. How could someone whomitted such a horrifying act have the audacity to ask for a second chance? However, looking at Lisa¡¯s pitiful and desperate state, crying with all her might, Phoebe remained silent for a long time. Noting Phoebe¡¯s hesitation, Sheena subtly reminded, ¡°Phoebe, if I hadn¡¯t intervened earlier, she might have taken your life by now. Do you believe she genuinely wants to change? Are you truly willing to forgive her?¡± Phoebe¡¯s momentary hesitation turned into determination. ¡°No, I¡¯ll never forgive her! Lisa, adults should think about the consequences before taking action. Since you¡¯ve done it, you must take responsibility for your behavior!¡± ¡°No! Phoebe, please, save me!¡± Lisa was in utter despair, terrified of facing prison with those two charges on her. This time, Phoebe¡¯s determination remained unshaken, and she silently watched as the police took Lisa away. Approaching Phoebe, Sheena smiled with satisfaction. ¡°Through all these experiences, you¡¯ve indeed grown a lot. Well done!¡± This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 504 272 Phoebe tightly grasped Sheena¡¯s hand, feeling deeply moved. Despite the minor disruption in the filming schedule, Phoebe quickly regained herposure and continued with the shoot. In the evening, Elliot was already home when Sheena returned to the mansion. His legs were crossed, sitting on the sofa, watching TV with an air of unparalleled elegance. Sheena found it a bit strange and asked, ¡°You¡¯re back from work so early today. Isn¡¯t the Jenkins Group busy?¡± Elliot deliberately returned early, exining, ¡°Nana, I have an urgent mission from the National Investigation Bureau. I need to go to the border tomorrow night.¡± ¡°Tomorrow night?¡± Sheena sat down beside him. ¡°You¡¯re leaving so soon. How long will this trip be?¡± ¡°At least three to five days.¡± Sheena lowered her gaze, seemingly distracted. ¡°Alright¡­ I have an appointment at the hospital the day after tomorrow for a check¨Cup. I was thinking of going with you. Elliot pulled her into his arms, carefully checking if she was injured. ¡°You seem perfectly fine. Why do you need to go to the hospital? Is something wrong?¡± ¡°No.¡± Sheena, recalling Santiago¡¯s words, chuckled awkwardly. ¡°I met Grandpa Santiago when I went out today. It seems like he really wants us to have kids. Honestly, I find it strange too. We¡¯ve done it so many times, but why am I not pregnant?¡± Following her gaze, Elliot looked at her stomach but remained silent. Despite their numerous encounters, Sheena had not conceived. It was simply because¡­ something was up with his health. Chapter 505 Chapter 505 1/2 Szo Due to the stubborn $4,0%, virus in his body, even if Sheena were to conceive, there was a high chance of passing the virus onto their child. It would only bring suffering to such a small life¡­ Elliot could not bear to let Sheena take medication, and he feared she might notice something unusual. Since there were medications avable for men with minimal side effects, he always secretly took the medicine beforehand, keeping it hidden from Sheena. Sheena was unaware of his concerns. She just recalled her time in Farlem when she drank alcohol for three days straight, resulting in a period of recovery for her body. She wondered if there might be some lingering health issues from that time that prevented her from conceiving ¡°Eli, you¡¯re strong and healthy. Compared to you, I¡¯m a bit weaker. That¡¯s why I want to go to the hospital for a full¨Cbody checkup so that I can entrust a healthy version of myself to you in the future. It¡¯ll put my mind at ease.¡± Elliot was stunned, and his face gradually paled as he felt a pang of guilt in his heart. Sheena wanted to entrust a healthy version of herself to him, but he¡­ probably would not have the chance to return a healthy version of himself to her. Moreover, he might never have the chance to live a healthy life. He suddenly felt guilty, aching as if his body was being pricked by needles. Did he, by any chance, hinder her? Sheena noticed his troubled expression and gently stroked his cheek, asking, ¡°Eli, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Elliot forced a smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Regr checkups are good, but I have a mission, so I can¡¯t apany you this time. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°It¡¯s okay. When you leave, I¡¯ll return to the Lawson estate for a few days, and I can ask Phoebe or Barbara to apany me,¡± Sheena assured. Elliot nodded, suppressing the mncholy in his heart. ¡°Oh, Eli, the border situation doesn¡¯t seem stable. Are you going there for a battle?¡± Sheena inquired. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then be careful ampleting the mission is secondary. Your safetyes first. Take care of yourself, and please don¡¯t hurt!¡± Elliot nodded weakly. When Howard returned to the mansion, the aroma of the meal managed to reach him through the small garden. It felt strangely wonderful as if a loving wife was waiting for him toe home to Chapter 505 dinner, a person depending on him, missing him¡­. It was a nice feeling Upon opening the door, he found the dining table already set with steaming hot dishes. Phoebe brought thest pot roast dish to the table and inexplicably sneezed a few times. When the turned around, she saw Howard¡¯s handsome face. ¡°You¡¯vee back just in time. I was worried the food would get cold if you werete. Howard took his seat, still thinking about her sudden sneezing ¡°I heard about the incident at Bana during the day. Lisa even sshed dirty water on you. Were you scared?¡± Phoebe chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. I¡¯m used to it from childhood. The more they bully me, the stronger I be! As the saying goes, what doesn¡¯t kill me makes me stronger. Their eyes met, and Howard could not help but be amused by her resilient spirit, feeling a subtle stirring in his heart. The next day, at the Upton family, Katie¡¯s bodyguard, Angus, received news and knocked on Katie¡¯s door. ¡°Miss, the person you sent to monitor Mr. Howard at the Lawson estate has returned.¡± Katie was putting on earrings and gave him a puzzled look. ¡°What did he say? Spit it out. ¡°He said that Mr. Howard has been sending a girl down the mountain every day. The girl then takes the van from there. Our informant doesn¡¯t know the girl, but it seems she might be a celebrity. It looks like she¡¯s living with Mr. Howard.¡± A loud thud could be heard.. Chapter 506 Chapter 506 Katte¡¯s hand trembled, and her earring fell. She stared in disbelief for a long time. ¡°Is there any chance it¡¯s Sheena?¡± Angus shook his head firmly, replying, ¡°It can¡¯t be Ms. Lawson. I heard Ms. Lawson has been living with her fiance at the Jenkins estatetely.¡± The shocking news left Katie dumbfounded as she struggled to digest it. Was Howard cohabiting with another woman? Eating and sleeping together, and even driving down the mountain together? Furthermore, the woman was a female celebrity? ¡°Where did this bitche from? How dare she seduce my Howard!¡± With a loud crash, she overturned all the storage boxes on her dressing table, creating a mess. Angus, as if anticipating her tantrum, took a step back to avoid being hit by the makeup bottles. ¡°I want to see what this bitch looks like! I¡¯ll tear her face apart!¡± She was on the verge of exploding, eager to rush to Mountville immediately and catch them in the act. Angus wisely held her back and advised, ¡°Miss, there¡¯s no conclusive evidence yet. If you go to Mr. Howard now, it will only make him dislike you more.¡± ¡°What should I do then? Am I supposed to watch that woman enjoy his love? Even if I¡¯m not his fiancee in his eyes, I¡¯m still part of the Upton family! How can he treat me like this when I love him so much?¡± Katie was on the brink of a breakdown. All she wanted now was to quickly catch the woman who dared to seduce Howard, tear her apart, and scatter her remains! Katie had always secretly cleared away any potential love interests around Howard. Where did this bitch suddenlye from? ¡°Mies, maybe you can¡­ If she did not deal with her, Katie would not be able to vent her frustration! Aware of her explosive temper, Angus could only silently offer suggestions, After listening to his proposal, Katie gradually calmed down, but her eyes flickered with a vicious With Elhor away at the border, Sheena found staying at the Jenkins estate boring. So, early the next morning, she returned to the Lawson estate to mooch a meal at Howard¡¯s mansion. Besides, she had not tasted Phoebe¡¯s cooking skills in years and was craving it badly. Chapter 506 212 ¡°Howard, when did youe back? Why didn¡¯t you tell me? Did Phoebe staying there with you cause you any trouble?¡± Sheena leaned on her hands, addressing Howard but casting her gaze toward Phoebe, who was busy in the kitchen. Howard sat across from her, also watching Phoebe. ¡°No. Ms. Chambein is very considerate. She¡¯s never caused me any trouble, and her cooking is quite good.¡± Sheena smirked mischievously. ¡°So, should you be thanking me? I brought you such a beautiful little chef to satisfy your taste buds.¡± This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Howard smiled, still staring intently at Phoebe¡¯s figure, but remained silent. When Phoebe finished thest breakfast dish and ced it on the table, she saw the siblings sitting obediently, their eyes fixed on her. It resembled two kindergarten kids waiting to be fed, and the sight amused her. Phoebe held two tes filled with eggs and ham and handed the mostvish one to Sheena. ¡°I knew you wereing to freeload a meal, so I prepared something extra for you. Give it a try and tell me what it tastes like.¡± Sheena¡¯s face lit up with a satisfied smile. ¡°Phoebe, you really love me! Mwah!¡± Phoebe was equally happy and sent her an air kiss. Howard, watching the affectionate exchange, instinctively looked at Sheena¡¯s te and then silently at his own. A sudden twinge of bitterness welled up inside him. Why was the difference so obvious? Both of them shared the same surname, yet why did he not have heart¨Cshaped hams? Chapter 507 Chapter 507 1/2 However, as the older brother, Howard could not possiblypete with his own sister for breakfast, so he had to silently hold back his frustration. The two girls chatted happily, and he did not even get a chance to chime in. It was as if they had blocked him out, making his meal quite gloomy. On the contrary, Phoebe and Sheena enjoyed their meal very much. After breakfast, Howard went to work. Since Sheena was around, Phoebe decided to carpool with her, and for the first time, he did not apany Phoebe down the mountain. Howard looked at Yuri in the passenger seat and asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you think something feels strange?¡± ¡°Strange?¡± Yuri pondered, unable to figure it out. He nced at Howard and added, ¡°No, everything seemed normal.¡± Howard said nothing more, opening hisptop to review the day¡¯s business. As his car left Mountville, just a hundred meters away, Katie¡¯s car quietly parked at the corner, silently watching his luxurious vehicle drive away. Angus said, ¡°The girl didn¡¯t seem to follow Mr. Howard down the mountain today. She should still be in the mansion.¡± Katie gritted her teeth, ¡°That¡¯s perfect. Today, I¡¯m taking away that bitch!¡± Leveraging her status as Howard¡¯s fiancee, Katie had ess to Mountville. In Howard¡¯s mansion, Sheena was washing dishes and chatting with Phoebe when the door was suddenly knocked on. Puzzled, Sheena muttered as she went to open the door, ¡°Howard, don¡¯t you have keys? Can¡¯t even bother to open the door? Did you leave some files on the table? I saw them!¡± The door opened, and she suddenly met Katie¡¯s furious gaze. ¡°Ms. Upton?¡± Katie, equally surprised, blurted out, ¡°Sheena, why is it you? Is there another woman here besides you?¡± Sheena smirked and mocked, ¡°Ms. Upton, did you run over here at this hour just to interrogate me?¡± Uninterested in arguing, Katie pushed past her and stormed into the living room. Phoebe, hearing themotion, had just finished cleaning up and walked out of the kitchen. Her eyes met Katie¡¯s Katie looked her up and down, rage building within her. She charged forward and raised her hand for Chapter 507 a p. ¡°You bitch! How dare you seduce my Howard!¡± Phoebe was raised in an orphanage and had a tough upbringing, ustomed to facing challenges from a young age. Facing the anticipated attack, she instinctively defended herself, gripping Katie¡¯s wrist. Despite Katie¡¯s attempts to break free twice, she could not seed. Katie, a spoilt heiress from a wealthy family, was no match for Phoebe¡¯s strength. Fuming with anger, Katie eximed, ¡°How dare you fight back? Today, I¡¯ll tear your face apart! Angus, come in! Teach her a lesson!¡± Angus, apanied by two Upton family bodyguards, menacingly approached Phoebe. Sheena quickly stepped in front of Phoebe and warned Katie, ¡°Katie, look around. This is the Lawson estate. What madness has gotten into you?¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Katie red at Sheena, fuming with rage. ¡°Sheena! I¡¯m going to be your sister¨Cinw. Why aren¡¯t you helping me? Instead, you¡¯re speaking up for this little tramp living in Howard¡¯s mansion!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t use such foulnguage. Aren¡¯t you the daughter of the prestigious Upton family? Where are your manners?¡± Sheena squinted and continued, ¡°Moreover, Phoebe is my guest. I allowed her to stay here temporarily. Phoebe and Howard are innocent. Don¡¯t just go attacking every woman you see.¡± ¡°Innocent?¡± Katie¡¯s sanity had long been burned away. ¡°She lives, eats, and sleeps with Howard! My people have seen it several times! Do you call that innocent?¡± Katie gritted her teeth, and her resentment extended even to Sheena. ¡°I¡¯ve said it before. As long as you don¡¯t interfere with Howard and me, we can coexist peacefully. But instead of restraining yourself, you¡¯re encouraging this bitch to seduce my Howard! I¡¯m dealing with both of you today!¡± Chapter 50 Chapter 508 Chapter 508 1/2 Katie turned to Angus and ordered, ¡°Beat them and tie them up for me! Bring them back alive!¡± Angus did not dare to move. ¡°Ms. Upton, she¡¯s the daughter of the Lawson family!¡± Everyone knew that Sheena¡¯s father and brothers doted on her. She was the apple of the Lawson family¡¯s eye, making her untouchable! Katie, in her rage, paid no attention. ¡°Do as I say, and I¡¯ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong! If you don¡¯t dare to act, get out of my Upton family immediately!¡± Angus, with no choice, reluctantly signaled the bodyguards. The two pulled out electric batons prepared in advance, closing in on Sheena and Phoebe. Sheena nced at their weapons, shielding Phoebe securely behind her. When she looked at Katie, her gaze turned icy to the core. ¡°If you dare to harm me in any way in the Lawson estate, I guarantee you and your men won¡¯t leave. Mountville standing. Give it a try.¡± The Upton family bodyguards hesitated, reluctant to advance. Katie disdainfully chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m Howard¡¯s fiancee. He¡¯s harboring a mistress in his mansion, an insignificant woman. Even if Uncle Albertes personally, he won¡¯t stop me.¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°As for you,¡± she continued, ¡°if my bodyguards identally injure you, I¡¯ll personally apologize to Uncle Albert. I know you¡¯re skilled in Brazilian Jiu¨CJitsu, but fighting barehanded against electric batons might be a bit challenging, right?¡± Katie giggled. The bodyguards immediately maximized the electric baton¡¯s current and swung it forcefully. From behind, Phoebe forcefully pushed Sheena out of the way, taking the brunt of the electric baton herself. ¡°Phoebe!¡± Sheena, unprepared, staggered back a couple of steps before regaining her bnce. Just as the electric baton was about to strike Phoebe, a swift sound, like a rushing wind, came from the open doorway. In the next moment, the back of the bodyguard¡¯s hand was pierced by a dagger, blood gushing out. The electric baton dropped to the floor, and the living room echoed with his painful howls. ¡°Ms. Upton, how dare you cause amotion in my own home. Aren¡¯t you overestimating yourself?¡± A deep, angry voice resonated from the garden. 272 This familiar voice left Katie breathless with fear. Why was Howard back? She was confident she saw him leaving Mountville moments ago! All eyes turned toward the entrance as Howard walked in. His usually gentle face had now turned gloomy. If he had not forgotten some urgent meeting files and rushed back, he might have remained oblivious to Katie¡¯s disgusting behavior in his mansion. ¡°Howard, our engagement was arranged by our families long ago. Even if you¡¯ve been reluctant to marry me for all these years, attempting to break off the engagement twice, the final oue is clear. Even if you refuse to admit it, I¡¯m your fiancee!¡± Howard did not spare her a nce, walking past her to check on Sheena and Phoebe. ¡°Any injuries?¡± The two shook their heads. Katie, feelingpletely ignored, became even more upset. ¡°Last time in Farlem, you argued with me and wanted to call off the engagement for Sheena¡¯s sake. I endured it because she¡¯s your sister. But this time, you quietly cohabited with another woman. Where do you ce the dignity of both the Lawson and Upton families?¡± Sheena could not help but frown when she heard Katie¡¯s words. Was this woman delusional? She had already rified that Phoebe¡¯s situation had nothing to do with Howard. Sheena was ready to exin, but Howard spoke first, his tone ice¨Ccold. ¡°The dignity of both the Lawson and Upton families waspromised long ago, especially when you schemed to engage with me. Your presence in my life has only bred disgust.¡± His stern gaze fixed on Katie, he continued, ¡°However, you guessed one thing right. I like Phoebe, and I intend to marry her. So, your engagement to me is nothing but a joke. This time, I¡¯ll go to any lengths to call off this marriage.¡± As Howard finished speaking, not only did Katie freeze, but Sheena and Phoebe also stared at him in Chapter 509 hapter 509 Katie staggered back in shock, and Angus quickly caught her. Tearfully, she protested, ¡°What does that bitch have that I don¡¯t? Regardless of family background, appearance, or education, how can shepare to me? I¡¯m the most suitable match for you!¡± ¡°Katie, even if all the women in the world were gone, I still wouldn¡¯t marry you!¡± Howard¡¯s gaze remained frigid, his disgust evident. ¡°Let me be clear with you. Leave with your people, and don¡¯t tarnish my mansion!¡± With tear¨Cstreaked cheeks, Katie red resentfully at Phoebe. ¡°Howard, are you going to end our engagement again for this little tramp? You¡¯ll regret this!¡± Through gritted teeth, she left with her entourage. Once Katie was gone, Sheena approached Howard, asking in disbelief, ¡°Howard, were you serious just now? Do you really like Phoebe?¡± The news was too sudden, and Sheena was still trying to process it. ¡°Did I just set myself up for a bizarre script where my best friend bes my sister¨Cinw? Howard, don¡¯t y with my emotions like this!¡± Howard did not directly answer her question but said, ¡°Nana, it¡¯s gettingte. You should go to work first. I need to talk to Ms. Chambein alone.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Sheena nced at Phoebe, who seemed equally confused. Once the living room was empty except for Howard and Phoebe, he closed the door, striding over to the sofa. ¡°Ms. Chambein, please have a seat.¡± ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Phoebe awkwardly took a seat on the small sofa, maintaining some distance. Perhaps sensing the tension, Howard opened a drawer, retrieved a cigar, lit it, and took a deep breath. Under the swirling smoke, his deep and maic voice became even more captivating. ¡°Please don¡¯t take the recent events too seriously. I just want to discuss a coboration with you.¡± Phoebe looked puzzled. ¡°What coboration?¡± ¡°As you might have noticed, I don¡¯t like Katie. So, I want you to pretend to be my lover and help me break off the engagement with the Upton family. In return, I¡¯ll assist you in securing a stable position in the entertainment industry, help you be a leading actress, expose Caleb, and even hand him over to you if you want to deal with him personally.¡± Phoebe remained silent as Howard continued, ¡°I¡¯m sure Nana has promised you many benefits, but 1 Chapter 509 know you do not like to owe favors. Nana has always been supportive of you, and you feel indebted Moreover, Nana¡¯s career in the entertainment industry is rising, but I¡¯m already at the top. Our coboration is mutually beneficial, with no debts between us.¡± Phoebe sighed in relief, findingfort in his words, Puzzled, Howard asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Smiling, Phoebe shook her head. ¡°Nothing. I just feel fortunate that you don¡¯t genuinely like me. It eases my conscience, as I would have felt guilty for interfering in someone else¡¯s rtionship.¡± Howard remained expressionless. ¡°So, is that a yes?¡± Phoebe nodded, her gaze determined. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m honored to coborate with you!¡± ¡°Good. I¡¯ll have Yuri arrange forwyers to draft the agreement. When the timees, you just need to cooperate with me.¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Howard.¡± Meanwhile, Katie¡¯s anger intensified. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°Bitch! They¡¯re all bitches!¡± Angus tried to console her, ¡°Miss, calm down. Let¡¯s discuss this when we get back. Your engagement to Mr. Howard is a business alliance. Even if he wants to break it off, he has to pass Albert¡¯s approval. It¡¯s not an easy marriage to dissolve.¡± Katie clenched her palm, seemingly on the verge of madness. ¡°As long as I¡¯m alive, he can never break this engagement! But today¡¯s incident is infuriating. I must find a way to teach him a lesson! Let him know that I¡¯m not someone to be trifled with!¡± She gazed out the window as they slowly drove away from Mountville, her eyes filled with malice. ¡°As for Phoebe, she must die! Sheena is not a good person, either. I¡¯ll find an opportunity to deal with them both! Since Howard said he won¡¯t marry anyone in the world, I¡¯ll make sure all the women around him meet their end. Let¡¯s see who he can marry then! He can enjoy the rest of his life on his own!¡± Chapter 510 Chapter 510 Angus was frightened by the viciousness in her eyes, not daring to utter a word. One dayter, in the mountains near the border. A group of people had camouge paint on their faces and were wearing camouge uniforms. Elliot¡¯s extraordinarily handsome face was expertly concealed beneath the camouge They received precise intelligence that two groups would conduct an underground transaction at the gazebo in the center of theke 500 meters away from them. They had been lying in wait for twelve hours: After a while, Lionel, also with camouge paint, stealthily approached, crouching low ¡°Mr. Jenkins, the targets have appeared. They should reach the gazebo in ten minutes at thetest. Elliot¡¯s expression turned solemn. ¡°Good. Inform all surveince personnel to get into position and notify the snipers to be ready. If the transaction urs or if there are any unusual circumstances, they can shoot as a warning, but no one is allowed to take a life. Capture them alive for interrogation.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± || Elliot intended to change his position while standing up. However, his legs feltpletely powerless, and he suddenly copsed toward Lionel. ¡°Mr. Jenkins?¡± All his subordinates instinctively reached out to help him. Hearing themotion, Lionel swiftly turned and caught Elliot¡¯s arm. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what¡¯s wrong? Something seems off with your condition.¡± Elliot took a moment to catch his breath. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I probably sat in that position for too long. feeling a bit lightheaded.¡± ¡°How¡¯s that possible?¡± They were all specially trained, and such issues would not arise even after an entire day and night in a crouched position. Lionel checked Elliot¡¯s pulse and found it normal, but his body temperature was unusually cold. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, is the viis spreading again? Should we return to theb and have Professor Y check on you? Elliot pressed his dey lips together, finally saying, ¡°No need. Prioritize the mission. Let¡¯s deal with the current situation first, and we can address other issues when we return.¡± Chapter 510 2/2 ¡°Understood.¡± Ten minutester, two groups leisurely made their way to the gazebo, each holding a ck suitcase for the exchange. The area around the gazebo was crowded with sunsses¨Cwearing guards on alert. Elliot observed the situation through binocrs, leading his team to close in and tighten the encirclement. Suddenly, a gunshot echoed, startling birds in the nearby woods. One of the guards positioned around the gazebo was hit and fell to the ground. The people inside the gazebo, ready for the transaction, quickly went on high alert. Lionel was taken aback. ¡°Did someone fire prematurely?¡± Elliot¡¯s cold gaze narrowed, pinpointing the source of the sound on the left side of the woods. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The sound came from nine o¡¯clock, 500 meters away. Send a team immediately to capture whoever is there. Capture them alive.¡± The premature gunshot had exposed their position. Elliot¡¯s team was already close to the gazebo, and they had no choice but to proceed. Both sides quickly opened fire. Sparks flew as the chaotic battle unfolded, and the gunshots were deafening. Suddenly, Elliot experienced a momentary ringing in his ears and a splitting headache. His body went limp to the point where he could not squeeze the trigger. Soon, his vision blurred, and he struggled to control his breathing amid the dizzying sensation. In the end, he plunged intoplete darkness¡­. ¡°Mr. Jenkins!¡± Watching Elliot copse beside him, Lionel felt like he was losing his mind! Chapter 511 Chapter 511 ¡°Mr. Jenkins, wake up!¡± Lionel, regaining hisposure, rushed over to check Elliot¡¯s condition. Elliot had no visible injuries nor gunshot wounds. Hence, it could only mean¡­ The virus inside him had red up again. Trembling, Lionel reached for Elliot¡¯s pulse at his neck. Noticing that his pulse was steady, Lionel let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Elliot was alive. He had just passed out. Lionel ced Elliot¡¯s arm around his shoulders, carrying him on his back while calmly directing the evacuation. ¡°Logan and Lance, follow me for an immediate retreat. The rest of you will provide cover for each other. Everyone must be safely evacuated within ten minutes. Return to Svelton and await further instructions within two days.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± With the n in ce, Lionel sprinted through the forest with Elliot lying unconscious on his back. Logan and Lance followed closely, vignt against potential ambushes. They swiftly exited the border area and boarded a helicopter headed straight back to Svelton. On the aircraft, Elliot remained unconscious, hisplexion turning paler, and his body grew colder as time passed. Lionel checked his pulse again¡­ It seemed that his pulse was growing weaker and his breath shallower. ¡°Faster! Hurry up!¡± Lionel roared, his eyes red, choked with emotion. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you can¡¯t die! Just hold on a bit longer. We¡¯re almost at theb, and Professor Y is there. You¡¯ll be fine!¡± Logan and Lance were younger, and they could not control their emotions, shedding tears as they knelt beside Elliot. Attempting to warm his icy body, they rubbed his hands. Three hourster, they arrived at theb in the dead of night. Yosef administered a dose of strengthened suppressants, and Elliot gradually regained a normal complexion. His eyshes trembled as he regained consciousness. As his vision cleared, Elliot surveyed the room. He noticed Lionel¡¯s reddened eyes. It would seem that he had been crying. Yosef was examining Elliot¡¯s blood test results, and he appeared to be on the verge of tears. Chapter 511 ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elliot propped himself up, sitting up The response he received was the heavy silence between the two, and the room was filled with a gloomy, sad atmosphere: Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Yosef, I can sense the state of my body at this point. You don¡¯t need to hide anything from me. Regardless of how bad the results are, I can take it,¡± Elliot said, Yosef held back a sob. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve been useless. I haven¡¯t found a way to treat the virus in your body for so long ¡± Trembling, he handed the test results to Elliot and continued, ¡°You¡¯ve used the suppressant too many times, and your body has developed resistance toward it. From the initial seven day injections to five days, and now, you need injections every three days. Once your body fully adapts to the suppressant¡¯s effects, the virus will be unstoppable.¡± ¡°Furthermore, during this time, the virus in your body has spread. Your recent fainting spell, coupled with the decrease in physical strength you mentioned to Lionel earlier, is due to your body experiencing a degenerative condition.¡± Elliot frowned slightly, his thin lips pale. ¡°How severe can the degeneration get?¡± ¡°In the worst¨Ccase scenario, it could lead toplete paralysis. This is just the currentplication. I don¡¯t know if other issues will arise as the suppressant¡¯s effectiveness against the virus gradually diminishes.¡± Yosef¡¯s eyes were filled with sorrow. ¡°In short¡­ the situation is very grim.¡± After these words, the room once again fell into a prolonged silence. Chapter 512 Chapter 512 In the solemn atmosphere, Elliot chuckled lightly, asking, ¡°So, how much time do I have left?¡± Yosef sighed, reluctantly showing his hand. ¡°I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s less than five months?¡± Elliot asked. ¡°That¡¯s right, assuming your body remains in good condition¡­.¡± Lionel, standing silently nearby, clenched his fists tightly. He lowered his head, fetting the tears silently stream down his face. ¡°Alright, I get it,¡± Elliot said after a long pause, seemingly epting the doctor¡¯s death sentence Yosef, step out for a moment. I need to discuss something with Lionel,¡± Holding back tears, Yosef nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Turning to the motionless Lionel nearby, Elliot lightly chuckled, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t make it so dramatic 1 haven¡¯t kicked the bucket yet. Come over here.¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Lionel wiped away his tears and stood by Elliot¡¯s bedside. ¡°I didn¡¯t cry! You¡¯re just an exploitative superior. Seeing you like this makes me happy!¡± Lionel retorted, his voice filled with suppressed emotion. Elliot, amused, replied, ¡°Good. I can rest easy knowing you have no conscience.¡± Ignoring Lionel¡¯s sullen face, Elliot continued, ¡°Since Nathaniel was fired, the position of the head of the Special Investigation Department has been vacant. In the next few days, I¡¯ll write you a letter of rmendation, putting Logan and Lance under yourmand. With your abilities, you should take office within a month.¡± Lionel red at Elliot in disbelief. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you trying to chase me away?¡± ¡°You¡¯re capable. After I¡¯m gone, it¡¯s the best option for all of you.¡± Lionel shook his head. ¡°But I don¡¯t want to! Unless you kill me, I¡¯m not leaving. And I doubt Logan and Lance would want to follow me either.¡± Elliot weighed the pros and cons with him. ¡°Romello Nicholls is currently the second¨Cinmand at the National Investigation Bureau. He¡¯s ruthless and¨Cbelieves in rooting out problems. He¡¯ll seize the opportunity to take my position if he finds out about my condition. You¡¯ve all been with me for half at lifetime, and he won¡¯t spare any of you.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Lionel said with determination, refusing to budge. ¡°If he wants to kill me, let hime. I¡¯m not leaving ¡± ¡°This is an order!¡± Elliot was serious as he spoke to Lionel, with an unusually calm tone. ¡°Following a reserved and aloof leader like me won¡¯t lead to any good. Look, I myself don¡¯t have a good ending¡­¡± Chapter 512 112 Before he could finish his sentence, Lionel plopped down on his knees. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you mad at me? I was just joking earlier. Learning about your condition, I feel worse than if it were happening to me. For me, you¡¯re not just my superior. You¡¯re my friend and the only family 1 have!¡± Moving g on his knees toward Elliot¡¯s bedside, Lionel gripped the edge tightly. His eyes held a plea of helplessness as if about to be abandoned. ¡°You gave me life, and you have my absolute loyalty! You can¡¯t send me away! Apart from this, I won¡¯t disobey any of your orders. Mr. Jenkins, please don¡¯t send me away¡­¡± He fought back tears, his gaze resolute as he looked at Elliot. Elliot, weary and pale, with spirits low, locked eyes with him. After all, he had known Lionel for many years. Usually exchanging banter, it was the first time Lionel had poured out such sentimental words. Elliot felt a twinge in his heart. Struggling to maintain hisposure, Elliot raised his hand and gently tapped Lionel¡¯s head. ¡°You¡¯re so stubborn. Your temper is even worse than mine! I¡¯ve said so much, yet you just won¡¯t budge, will you?¡± Lionel quickly got up and fetched a cup of warm water, handing it to him. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving, and that¡¯s final. This matter is not up for discussion!¡± Feeling a bit frustrated, Lionel quickly changed the subject and reminded him, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you better think about how to exin things to Ms. Sheena. She was devastated when she thought you were dead six months ago, and now with this¡­¡± Chapter 513 Chapter 513 Lionel stopped mid¨Csentence as he noticed Elliot¡¯s brows almost instantly furrowing, a deep sadness in his dark eyes. ¡°I ced a gag order on the virus inside me before. Remember, not a single word can be uttered to her! ¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lionel was concerned. ¡°But even if you can keep it from her now, five monthster, she¡¯ll have to face the news of your death suddenly. It¡¯ll be devastating for her.¡± ¡°I know. Let me think about it.¡± Elliot lowered his gaze, looking sad. His eyshes trembled slightly as if masking something. Lionel understood that this was the moment when Elliot was most conflicted and distressed. Since it was already deep into the night, Lionel exited the room, allowing Elliot to rest in the ward. In the silence of the night, the trees outside rustled in the wind, and soon, a light rain began to fall. Elliot turned his head, staring nkly at the raindrops on the window as he was lost in his thoughts. His once mysterious and proud face now appeared gloomy and pale. Suddenly, a message notification sounded on his phone. Unlocking it, he saw it was from Sheena. [Sheena: Eli, are you sleeping well at the border? I heard the UV rays there are intense. Will youe back with sunburn? You¡¯ll be as red as a lobster, then! I¡¯ll call you Lobster Eli!] This message made himugh, and he imagined the scene where she smiled charmingly as she made fun of his sunburnt skin. He longed to hold her, never to let go in this lifetime. Another message from Sheena popped up on the phone screen. [Sheena: Are you already asleep? Is it inconvenient to reply there?] All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. [Sheena: No, maybe there¡¯s no signal? I won¡¯t disturb you, good night!] After this message, Sheena¡¯s chat box did not appear again. His slender fingers gently stroked the words Sheena had just sent on the phone screen, and an uncontroble tear rolled down his cheek, silently streaming into the short hair at his temple, disappearing without a trace. In the center of his chest, a sudden wrenching pain erupted. The pain was so severe that every limb uncontrobly trembled. Elliot curled up in bed, sweat beads forming on his nose as he gripped his chest tightly, veins bulging. Each breath sent shudders of pain through his entire body. Chapter 513 2/2 The excruciating, tearing pain continued relentlessly, growing more intense with each passing moment. In agony, Elliot could not help but moan, and his trembling hands tried to reach for the rm on the bedside table. However, due to his weakened state, he tumbled off the bed with a thud. The noise alerted Yosef in the next room. Rushing in, he pushed the door open and was nearly scared out of his wits. ¡°Oh my God! I¡¯ve told you to control your emotions and avoid excitement and sadness. Heart spasms can be deadly when they strike!¡± Yosef muttered while swiftly finding some pills and cing them in Elliot¡¯s mouth. The medication would take time to take effect fully, so Yosef helped Elliot back onto the bed, covering him with a nket. He kept watch for several hours until Elliot, exhausted, finally fell asleep, allowing Yosef to breathe a sigh of relief. That night, Sheena also struggled to sleep. Staring at the ceiling light, she suddenly remembered thest time Elliot went on a mission, narrowly escaping a bullet to the heart and losing a lot of blood. This time, he was headed to the border, rumored to be chaotic and popted by formidable and brutal people. However, Elliot had not replied to her messages. Hence, she could not help but worry if he got hurt or was safe and if the mission had already been settled¡­ Chapter 514 Chapter 514 Lost in her thoughts, Sheena slowly drifted off to sleep. Due to theck of a good night¡¯s sleep, she went to the office the next day sporting a pair of tired eyes. Little did she know that on that evening, the man she missed dearly had returned unexpectedly. Carrying the hem of her dress, Sheena hurried upstairs and pushed open the bedroom door. Elliot was sitting on the bed, engrossed in a book, his gaze focused. His fingers slowly flipped the pages with noble elegance, creating an unmatched presence. Even in a half¨Cleaning position at the bedside, his incredibly handsome face still had the power to make people weak in the knees. Hearing themotion at the door, Elliot nced sideways, his gaze tender as he looked at her. With a gentle, low voice, he softly called, ¡°Nana.¡± Sheena smiled and sat on the bed, crossing her legs over him. With both hands, she lifted his handsome face, observing him closely. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought that you would return from a trip to the border without sunburn? Your honey - toned skin makes me want to take a bite!¡± Sheena yfully pecked his cool, thin lips, like a child who had sessfully schemed for candy. ¡°Eli, why didn¡¯t you tell me you wereing back early? I probably wouldn¡¯t have known you were back if I hadn¡¯t seen Lionel standing at the door. Were you trying to surprise me?¡± Elliot wore a faint smile on his face, concealing the hint of weakness in his eyes. ¡°Yes, a surprise.¡± Although he made a concerted effort to hide it, Sheena sensed a tinge of mncholy in his emotions, and his tone was quite somber. ¡°Eli, did the trip not go well? Why do I feel like you¡¯re not very happy?¡± Elliot pursed his lips and opened his arms to her. Sheena sat on his left side, resting her head on his shoulder. Her cold little hand ventured into his deep ck robe, restlessly exploring his warm, firm waist. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Elliot shivered slightly from the cold but didn¡¯t move, allowing her to y with his skin while wearing an indulgent smile. ¡°I have a senior employee in the high ranks of the Jenkins Group. He has dedicated his entire life to The Jenkins Group, and he and his wife are very much in love¡­¡± His maic voice gently narrated, his expression serene. Sheena noticed that he seemed to have a lot on his mind tonight, so she quietly embraced his waist, lifting her little face to listen attentively. ¡°Recently, he was diagnosed with advanced¨Cstage cancer, and he has only a few months left to live. Chame $14 3/2 He¡¯s afraid to tell his family and especially doesn¡¯t want his wife to know. So, he asked me for advice, but making a choice in such a life and death situation is truly difficult. Listening to Elliot¡¯s words, Sheena¡¯s mood also took a downturn, feeling deeply moved. ¡°With such a strong bond between him and his wife, it would be devastating for her if she found out. And facing the approaching separation from a loved one is the most painful for the one left behind. Elliot¡¯s back stiffened slightly, his longshes trembling as he made a concerted effort to conceal his SOITOW ¡°Yes, for the one left behind, it¡¯s the most painful.¡± Half a year ago, Sheena was heartbroken due to his supposed death. Nothing is more agonizing than losing something you once had. If she had to endure it again, she would surely crumble, right? Unaware of Elliot¡¯s subdued emotions, Sheena was lost in her thoughts about the incident from half a year ago. Just thinking about it made her uneasy, and her eyes reddened. She held Elliot¡¯s waist even tighter and said, ¡°Fortunately, I had a health checkup yesterday, and my body is in good shape. So, you must take care of yourself. No more injuries during missions. Eli, we have a long future ahead.¡± Elliot¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple rolled lightly, and the hand under the nket clenched tightly. Although Sheena¡¯s future was bright and hopeful, his own days were numbered. His pale lips opened and closed several times before he gathered the courage to ask the question he had been avoiding. ¡°Nana, do you¡­ still love me?¡± Lowering his head, he locked eyes with Sheena, nestled in his arms. Once, he had been terrified of this question afraid of Sheena¡¯s answer, fearing it would break his heart. It might render all the sacrifices he had made worthless. Yet, this time, he secretly hoped Sheena would say that she no longer loved him¡­ Cluster $15 Chapter 515 Chapter 515 The sky outside the window had turned pitch ck, and the tablemp in the bedroom cast a warm, dim light. Elliot¡¯s face was turned away from themp, shrouded in shadows. Yet, Sheena felt the intensity of his gaze. She sat up, leaving his embrace, and gently caressed his cheek with her small hand, her sparkling eyes incredibly earnestly. ¡°Eli, I once thought I could let go of my love for you without any reservations, but it was only when I almost lost you that I truly understood myself. I love you. After a moment¡¯s pause, she continued, ¡°Just like how you love me, deeply and sincerely. No matter how many times you ask in the future, my answer will always be, I love you!¡± As their eyes met, both of them had tears in their eyes. Elliot held back his tears and pulled her back into his arms, holding her so tight that his arms trembled. Sheena said she loved him just as deeply as he loved her. Although he would have preferred her to say otherwise this time, hearing her sincere deration moved him deeply. With her saying those words, his life feltplete. Sensing his tension, Sheena gently patted his back, offeringfort. The embracested for a time. So long that Sheena thought he had fallen asleep before he finally released her. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. You should rest early tonight.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sheena was a bit bewildered. It was only 9.30 p.m., and they were going to bed already? Was she getting just a hug? While she was still in a daze, Elliot had already snuggled under the nket. Elliot¡¯s behavior was rather strange. Sheena followed suit, settling into the bed, her head on his arm. yfully, she probed, ¡°Eli, we haven¡¯t seen each other for several days, and you finally returned tonight. Aren¡¯t we going to have a little bedtime massage?¡± long Elliot closed his eyes, his indifferent expression clearly indicating tonight¡¯s restraint, and he did not respond to her words. Sheena felt a bit frustrated. Chapter 515 2/2 After not seeing each other for several days, was he being this aloof right after returning? Did he no longer desire her touch? Was she losing her charm? As if refusing to believe it, Sheena¡¯s hand under the covers once again reached into his robe. Elliot furrowed his brows, gently grabbing her hands and murmuring, ¡°Don¡¯t be naughty. Go to sleep. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Sheena pouted, a bit annoyed. Her cheeks were puffed up like a little pufferfish. ¡°Eli, you came back and haven¡¯t even kissed me. Not only that, but you¡¯re also going to bed so early. What happened?¡± The implication of her words was clear. She used him softly, her yful gaze unabashedly seductive. Elliot closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his dark eyes seemed indifferent. ¡°Sheena, let¡¯s¡­ break our engagement.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sheena was stunned for a moment before realizing what he meant. ¡°What did you say?¡± Moreover, he called her Sheena, not Nana. In his maic and steady tone, there was a hint of detachment. Sheena frowned. She sat up abruptly and stared at him with a cold gaze. With a hint of uncertainty in her tone, she said, ¡°Say that again.¡± Elliot did not sit up. Instead, he tucked his shoulder under the nket and whispered, ¡°I said, let¡¯s break up.¡± His tone was light and calm. Yet, Sheena felt her heart being cut by a sharp knife, aching throughout her body. ¡°Why?¡± She simply could not understand. Why did he feel like a stranger, to the point where she could notprehend what he was thinking? Chapter 515 272 After not seeing each other for several days, was he being this aloof right after returning? Did he no longer desire her touch? Was she losing her charm? As if refusing to believe it, Sheena¡¯s hand under the covers once again reached into his robe Elliot furrowed his brows, gently grabbing her hands and murmuring, ¡°Don¡¯t be naughty Go to sleep Sheena pouted, a bit annoyed. Her cheeks were puffed up like a little pufferfish, ¡°Eli, you came back and haven¡¯t even kissed me. Not only that, but you¡¯re also going to bed so early. What happened?¡± The implication of her words was clear. She used him softly, her yful gaze unabashedly seductive. Elliot closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his dark eyes seemed indifferent. ¡°Sheena, let¡¯s¡­ break our engagement.¡± | ¡°Huh?¡± Sheena was stunned for a moment before realizing what he meant. ¡°What did you say?¡± Moreover, he called her Sheena, not Nana. In his maic and steady tone, there was a hint of detachment. Sheena frowned. She sat up abruptly and stared at him with a cold gaze. With a hint of uncertainty in her tone, she said, ¡°Say that again.¡± Elliot did not sit up. Instead, he tucked his shoulder under the nket and whispered, ¡°I said, let¡¯s break up.¡± His tone was light and calm. Yet, Sheena felt her heart being cut by a sharp knife, aching throughout her body. ¡°Why?¡± She simply could not understand. Why did he feel like a stranger to the point where she could notprehend what he was thinking? Chapter 516 Chapter 516 ¡°Maybe¡­ I¡¯m bored of this,¡± Elliot mumbled with his face covered by the nket, his voice muffled and distant, carrying a hint of unease. Sheena was genuinely angry. ¡°Get up!¡± She grabbed his ear, pulling him up from under the covers. ¡°Elliot, look at me and say that again!¡± Elliot frowned in pain. He evaded his gaze, asionally ncing at her. Sheena¡¯s eyes were bloodshot from anger. ¡°Breaking off the engagement, breaking up, bored¡­ Are you serious? Say it!¡± Sheena practically screamed thest words. Sheena angrily pinched his lowered chin, forcing him to look at her. With a burning rage, she red at him. ¡°Elliot, think carefully before you answer. This is yourst chance. If you miss or waste it, no matter what reasons you have in the future, I won¡¯t forgive you! Never!¡± Her chest heaved with fury. Her eyes sparkled like stars under the dim light, but she stubbornly held back the tears. On her small face, anger mingled with grievances, doubts mixed with disbelief. It was evident that Elliot¡¯s earlier words had hurt her deeply. Elliot met her gaze. He could not stand seeing her upset or crying, and he became uneasy from her gaze. ¡°Speak! Cat got your tongue?¡± Under her furious gaze, Elliot suddenly became timid. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯ll think about it. I¡¯m tired, so I¡¯m going to sleep¡­¡± He broke free from her grasp, retreated back into the covers, turned away, and slept with his back facing her. Sheena stared at him as he feigned his sleep, growing even angrier by the second. He needed to think about it again? What did he need to think about? Whether he wanted to be with her or not? Sheena could not help but wonder if all men were the same, big silly heads who, once they had got something, started taking things for granted! Sheena was never good at expressing love verbally, and tonight was the first time she earnestly told. him she loved aim. Chapter 516 However, he acted indifferently to her heartfelt confession? Not only did Elliot not cherish the chance she gave him, but he also wanted to break up, iming to be bored and needing more time to think things through! It was the first time he turned his back to her, staying as far away as possible, sleeping on the bed as if avoiding a gue! Did those who were favored take it for granted? What did he think of her? Some convenient presence to be summoned at will and dismissed as desired? Did he really believe that her fiery temper was so easy to toy with? The more Sheena thought about it, the angrier she became, and her rage nearly burned away all her reason. ¡°Elliot! You ungrateful jerk!¡± She lifted her leg and forcefully kicked his firm backside. Elliot waspletely unprepared. Moreover, he was already weak to begin with. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. A muffled groan escaped as he tumbled off the bed, rolling on the carpet before struggling to sit up. However, he quickly lowered his head, making sure Sheena did not notice him frowning in pain. Sheena was stunned. Her hands instinctively reached out to help him, clearly not expecting that her kick would send Elliot flying off the bed. Yet, halfway through, she silently withdrew her hands. The entire bedroom was covered with plush carpeting, so even if he fell, it was soft and cushioned. Besides, with his despicable behavior tonight, she felt like giving him a good beating. One kick was already letting him off easy! She snorted, sitting cross¨Clegged at the edge of the bed, hands folded in frustration, looking down at him. This ignorant man! ¡°Get up and kneel properly.¡± Elliot attempted to support his knees with his hands, but his body was too weak. To avoid arousing Sheena¡¯s suspicion, he decided to imitate her posture, casually sitting cross¨Clegged on the carpet, his face expressing a cold and defiant demeanor. Sheena stared at him in shock. ¡°Elliot, you¡¯re so stubborn!¡® Chapter 517 Chapter 517 Elliot looked down, refusing to meet her gaze, emanating an aloof and mncholic aura that made him seem unapproachable. Sheena could not understand him at all. All she could feel was the surge of fury inside her, with one clear thought dominating her mind to beat him until he would not dare mention anything about breaking up ever again! Driven by anger, Sheena stepped down from the bed, heading toward the bedside table to fetch a wooden ruler from the first drawer. However, just as her hand reached for the drawer¡¯s handle, she hesitated. The ruler was too heavy. What if, in the heat of the moment, she failed to control herself and identally hurt Elliot, who did not even dodge her attacks? However, approaching him empty¨Chanded would make her seem foolish. She discreetly turned around to nce at Elliot across the bed. His intense gaze was fixed on her and going empty¨Chanded seemed awkward. Nearby, on the coat rack, hung Elliot¡¯s dark leather belt. She went over, folded it in half, and held the metal buckle before sitting back on the bed. ¡°See this 1 in my hand! Don¡¯t make me whip you!¡± Her sweet voice carried a menacing tone, yfully threatening him. Elliot nced at the belt in her hand, still maintaining an aloof expression. ¡°I had let go back then, but you held on tight and asked for another chance. Now that I¡¯m giving you a chance and want to be with you forever, you¡¯re backing away instead? You need to give me a reasonable exnation! In the warm, muted light of the bedroom, Elliot¡¯s handsome face seemed almost surreal. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed slightly, his head bowed, eyes half¨Chidden beneath his longshes, maintaining silence. A silent resistance. Was he giving her the silent treatment? Sheena bit down on her lower lip, feeling deeply hurt: ¡°Fine. You want more time to think, right? Take your time! Cool down and think it through!¡± She threw the belt onto him, turned around, and mmed the door hard, venting her pent¨Cup frustration. Soon, the entire room was filled with a somber and heavy atmosphere. Sheena returned to the adjacent room, determined that they would sleep in separate beds from now Chapter 517 onl The night was calm, but Sheena felt a constant buzzing in her head. 2/2 Elliot¡¯s indifferent expression haunted her every time she closed her eyes, making it impossible for her to sleep. Frustrated, she sat up in bed and checked her phone. It was already 2 a.m.! Yet, Elliot did note to console her at all. Was he seriously considering breaking up? It was utterly puzzling and irrational! Sheena sighed, burying herself under the covers. It had been so long since she slept alone, and she actually found it rather awkward. That night, both of them spent a sleepless night. The next morning, when Sheena got up, Elliot¡¯s door was still closed, indicating he had not risen yet. She got ready without speaking to him and headed straight to Angle Group. The weather in Svelton these days had been perpetually gloomy, with rain shrouding the tall buildings in an almost ominous atmosphere. Restless, Sheena sat at her desk, chin resting on her palm, gazing nkly at the rain outside. Elliot¡¯s peculiar behavior from the night before reyed in her mind like a stop¨Cmotion animation, distracting her from Wendy¡¯s briefing. Suddenly, she recalled the moment when she kicked Elliot off the bed, and he made a sound. Elliot had always had great endurance, rarely making a peep unless he was intentionally being cute or pitiful. Besides, he was much heavier and had martial arts skills. How could she have easily kicked him off? The more she thought about it, the more something felt off. All the signs pointed to Elliot possibly being injured! His weakened state made him vulnerable, exining why he was unguarded when she kicked him off the bed. Overwhelmed with regret, Sheena mmed her hand on the desk. Last night, in her anger, she had not noticed these. Now, reflecting on the situation, everything about Elliot seemed strange! Chapter 517 712 on! The night was calm, but Sheena felt a constant buzzing in her head. Elliot¡¯s indifferent expression haunted her every time she closed her eyes, making it impossible for her to sleep. Frustrated, she sat up in bed and checked her phone. It was already 2 a.m.! Yet, Elliot did note to console her at all. Was he seriously considering breaking up? It was utterly puzzling and irrational! Sheena sighed, burying herself under the covers. It had been so long since she slept alone, and she actually found it rather awkward. That night, both of them spent a sleepless night. The next morning, when Sheena got up, Elliot¡¯s door was still closed, indicating he had not risen yet. She got ready without speaking to him and headed straight to Angle Group. The weather in Svelton these days had been perpetually gloomy, with rain shrouding the tall buildings in an almost ominous atmosphere. Restless, Sheena sat at her desk, chin resting on her palm, gazing nkly at the rain outside. Elliot¡¯s peculiar behavior from the night before reyed in her mind like a stop¨Cmotion animation, distracting her from Wendy¡¯s briefing. Suddenly, she recalled the moment when she kicked Elliot off the bed, and he made a sound. Elliot had always had great endurance, rarely making a peep unless he was intentionally being cute or pitiful. Besides, he was much heavier and had martial arts skills. How could she have easily kicked him off? The more she thought about it, the more something felt off. All the signs pointed to Elliot possibly being injured! His weakened state made him vulnerable, exining why he was unguarded when she kicked him off the bed. Overwhelmed with regret, Sheena mmed her hand on the desk. Last night, in her anger, she had not noticed these. Now, reflecting on the situation, everything about Elliot seemed strange! CHAWAY $18 Wendy was startled by the sudden ons we caving her to jump the demana sals back to waliny, owly orgazing her bag. ¡°I need to stay out for a moment. If The YAH on worsened. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. At the jenka Growy // office, het by the window, baking weary. His was locked their usue if he had lost some vital de fa Staring at the ran the union, he recalled Methodes¡¯s words back in tem The Prae in your body will cause me over to You¡¯ll 1. up. If a futs out, the might feel sorry for you in the ale wens, but what abour in the long ru ¡°From the moment you were snted, your wed body was destined to be yd het 11 1 Can¡¯t have hey, than you!! Edise stanched this Alsa, hasplicates horden pater, and he spirits dimi Kerhaps, he should put yet it over with and ler Sheene loathe bim, hate hy, and more kida sooner world be the bed for fur. dheit dat elegantly on early safe, mefully pouring herself our tee. As the spokesperare for Bengali Bosni, wie w today to les contract terms with Pilot. Howw, see she stayed Edit Har bean brooding by the window, sering, at the raw for do half an how womit sying word. we ¡°MY Jonkers, it Apps live you¡¯re and a good mood today at me puss it¡¯s probably not work rted to it here had a quered with Me Lawson recently in Antinged, Ellice fromed. ¡°Mind your petion. Some questions are offs on keep your jou Shwi tactfully angled, still waiting a smile ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t ask if there¡¯s mything I can help with, I¡¯m here for you!¡± Dameem¨¢ tez rey delikate unw, kliima deyed heightened muryanar Whey mayor me? What do you wew to say? Once you¡¯re dow, leave¡± the dully, walking to ille jostas Lionel knocked on the door through, and the widely grabbed She¡¯s wrije. Chapter 518 Chapter 518 All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Wendy was startled by the sudden loud noise, causing her to jump. ¡°Ms. Lawson, did I make a mistake somewhere?¡± ¡°No.¡± Sheena snapped back to reality, swiftly organizing her bag. ¡°I need to step out for a moment. If I don¡¯t return, we¡¯ll continue the report tomorrow.¡± The rain in Svelton worsened. In the Jenkins Group CEO¡¯s office, Elliot sat by the window, looking weary. His eyescked their usual glow as if he had lost some vital life force. Staring at the raindrops on the window, he recalled Nathaniel¡¯s words back in Farlem. ¡°The virus in your body will cause consequences over time. You¡¯ll end up disabled. If she finds out, she might feel sorry for you in the short term, but what about in the long run?¡± ¡°From the moment you were sshed, your wed body was destined to be unworthy of her! If I can¡¯t have her, neither can you!¡± Elliot clenched his fists, hisplexion turned paler, and his spirits diminished, Perhaps, he should just get it over with and let Sheena loathe him, hate him, and move on to a better life sooner would be the best for her. She sat elegantly on a nearby sofa, gracefully pouring herself some tea. As the spokesperson for Project Rossi, she came today to discuss contract terms with Elliot. However, since she entered, Elliot had been brooding by the window, staring at the rain for almost half an hour without saying a word. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, it seems like you¡¯re not in a good mood today. Let me guess. It¡¯s probably not work- rted. Is it because you had a quarrel with Ms. Lawson recently?¡± Annoyed, Elliot frowned. ¡°Mind your position. Some questions are off¨Climits, so keep your mouth shut.¡± She tactfullyplied, still maintaining a smile. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t ask. But if there¡¯s anything I can help with, I¡¯m here for you!¡± Unmoved by her delicate tone, Elliot disyed heightened annoyance. ¡°Why are you here? What do you want to say? Once you¡¯re done, leave.¡± She rose gracully, walking to Elliot just as Lionel knocked on the door. ¡°Sir. Ms. She is here.¡± Panic rusha rough Elliot, and he swiftly grabbed She¡¯s wrist. Chander 516 2/2 She, understanding the situation, bent down, bringing her ear close to Elliot¡¯s lips, carefully listening to his whispered words. As Sheena entered, she witnessed this scene, particrly the intimate ear¨Cwhispering, a shocking and painful sight. ¡°Elliot?¡± Hearing Sheena¡¯s voice, She, with an air of feigned innocence, wriggled her wrist out of Elliot¡¯s grasp, took a step back, and stood poised. ¡°Ms. Lawson, what a bad timing for you to drop by¡­¡± Sheena frowned further. ¡°Bad timing? What were you two doing?¡± She stammered a bit, casting a nce at Elliot, her cheeks slightly reddening with embarrassment. Elliot¡¯s deep ck eyes and nonchnt tone added, ¡°Whatever you think we were doing. Trying to provoke her? Sheena took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the anger in her chest, repeatedly telling herself to stay calm! Her icy gaze shifted to She. ¡°You, out.¡± She, not too pleased, coquettishly protested, ¡°Mr. Jenkins¡­¡± Elliot lowered his gaze, staying silent and seemingly acquiescing. She reluctantly exited. Once the office was rid of She¡¯s lingering scent, Sheena stepped forward, noticing Elliot¡¯s slightly paleplexion. Crouching at his feet, she rested her hands on his legs and gazed up at him with a gentle tone. ¡°Eli, did you get injured during this trip? Last night, I kicked you without knowing it, and I¡¯m truly sorry for that, but you¡¯re not alone in dealing with pain. Let me be there for you, cherish you, and learn how to pamper and protect you. Is that okay?¡± Chapter 519 Chapter 519 ¡®Let me be there for you, cherish you, and learn how to pamper and protect you¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s soothing and melodious voice echoed in Elliot¡¯s ears, reying in his mind. Before him was her radiant smile, akin to the sun¡¯s brilliance. The painful ache in his heart seemed to be enveloped by a warm light, melting away all his coldness. His throat tightened, and his right hand instinctively reached to touch her soft little face. However, the hand was still wearing a leather glove and had just touched She. With this realization, he discreetly withdrew his hand, forming a fist on the other side of his thigh, unconsciously clenching it tightly. Nathaniel was right. With her personality, Sheena was like a fiery little sun when dealing with enemies. Touching her would leave you scorched. Yet, when it came to loved ones and partners, she transformed into a soft, adorable kitten, irresistibly lovable and captivating. She was lively, vibrant, and full of energy. Originally, Elliot thought the virus in his body could be well controlled, allowing him to spend a long life with her. Little did he know the virus was spreading, turning those hopes into mere fantasies. Elliot was now just a broken shell, a dying man who was fundamentally unworthy of Sheena¡­. ¡°Eli?¡± Sheena gently called out as he seemed lost in thought. Elliot snapped back, slightly opening his arms, and reverting to his icy demeanor. ¡°I¡¯m not injured. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can check.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. Yourplexion isn¡¯t good, and you can¡¯t deceive me. I want you to tell me in your own words, what¡¯s going on with you? And when I came in, what were you and She really doing? Why do I feel like you¡¯re trying to provoke me¡­¡± ¡°I seem to quite like her.¡± Before she could finish, Elliot coldly interrupted her. ¡°What did you say?¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Sheena blinked, retracting her hands from his legs. She stepped back, looking at him with a sense of unfamiliarity He gazed at the personality. She scene outside the windows, his tone cool. ¡°She¡¯s beautiful and has a gentle elicate and charming. No man can resist such a woman. So, what do you think I was doing with her just now?¡± Chapter 510 212 Sheena took two more steps backward, her clear eyes gradually dimming ¡°Are you sick of me?¡± Sheena asked. Elliot smirked, his eyes chilling. ¡°Compared to her, you¡¯re spoiled, domineering, and ruthless. I chased after you for so long back then. Now, I¡¯m tired and want a change of taste.¡± Sheena stared intensely at his handsome face. ¡°Elliot, you¡¯ve changed¡­ ¡°Men always crave excitement and enjoy pursuing novelty. It¡¯s not that I¡¯ve changed. I was never a good man to begin with. Sheena, now that you see the real me, you can leave. After uttering thosest few wordsced with hostility, the air fell silent for several minutes. Sheena stood still, unmoving. Elliot continued gazing out the window, his cold ck eyes revealing no hint of regret, only an endless sense of detachment and indifference. Yet, in this solemn atmosphere, a suddenughter echoed. Elliot suspiciously turned around to see that Sheena was not at all angry. Instead, she wasughing. Those sparkling eyes showed no trace of anger. Elliot was stunned, but he tried to maintain his icy demeanor, casting a disdainful nce at her. ¡°Is this a joke to you?¡± Sheena walked up to him, hands gripping the armrests of his office chair. She bent down and impulsively nted a kiss on his forehead. His forehead now bore a vivid lipstick mark, the bright color standing out like a sore thumb. ¡°Hey!¡± Chapter 520 Chapter 520 Elliot red at her in anger. ¡°Can¡¯t you understand in words?¡± However, Sheena continued tough, her amusement seemingly unrestrained, as if she had seen through his act long ago.. ¡°Elliot, I almost believed you, but¡­¡± She elongated thest note, and her eyes yfully shifted to his hands resting on either side of his thighs. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. She teased, ¡°If you¡¯re going to act, you should go all the way. Next time you lie, be mindful not to clench your fists so tightly!¡± Elliot was suddenly startled, instinctively hiding his hands behind him. Being exposed like this was a blow to his pride. He could only force aposed expression, but Sheena was relentless. She insisted on breaking through his defensesyer byyer. She lightly hooked his chin, her slender fingers audaciously caressing and teasing, drawing circles on his chin. ¡°Elliot, you underestimate me too much. Did you really think I¡¯m that easy to deceive? Last night, I was genuinely angry and didn¡¯t see through your disguise right away. But today, I¡¯m clear¨Cheaded. Every word and every little gesture of yours are ws in my eyes.¡± ¡°For me, you¡¯ve risked your life several times. Your love for me is so transparent. You can¡¯t possibly hide it. Do you think I¡¯d believe that you¡¯ve quickly fallen for someone else? Are you deliberately acting with her just to provoke me? Now that it¡¯s gotten to this point, don¡¯t you n on telling the truth? Hmm?¡± Thest soft sound was especially pleasant, carrying a seductive charm. Elliot evaded her hand circling his chin. ¡°I was telling the truth just now. You thought I¡­¡± Before he could finish, Sheena bent down again, nting a kiss on his left cheek, leaving another vivid mark Elliot red at her again. ¡°Eli, are you mad?¡± sheena continued, her fingers still tracing circles on Elliot¡¯s chin. Her eyes sparkled with asy and mischievous smile. ¡°Tsk tsk. I¡¯ve x sed the little secrets in your heart. Feeling upset? What can you do about it? I love seeing you angry and unable to get rid of me. It¡¯s so satisfying!¡± Elliot purse is thin lips, his dark eyes narrowing, emitting a dangerous cold gleam. Chapter 520 272 ¡°Sheena, don¡¯t force me toy hands on you. ¡°Do you want to hit me, Eli? I¡¯m so scared!¡± Her coquettish voice was incredibly infuriating, and while she imed to be afraid, her smile was ast bright as the sun. ¡°We¡¯ve fought before. If you¡¯re up for it, let¡¯s have another round. Let me see if your current stamina can beat mine.¡± Elliot felt a bit uneasy. His body¡¯s degenerative condition, coupled with the heart pain he experienced two nights ago, drained all his energy. Moreover, he had not rested wellst night. If they really got physical, he might not be able to overpower Sheena. ¡°A real man doesn¡¯t fight with a woman. I won¡¯t hit you!¡± His gaze was menacing, and his low, husky voice carried a hint of arrogance. Sheena chuckled and took out her lipstick from her bag, swiftly applying a thickyer to her lips, her gaze yful. Tex ¡°Then keep making things up. For every lie you tell, I¡¯ll leave a mark on your face. Let¡¯s see how many marks I can leave.¡± ¡°Sheena, be reasonable!¡± As soon as he spoke, Sheena moved quickly, nting a few more kisses on his cheeks and chin, even taking a couple of yful bites. His face was now covered in vivid lipstick marks. Sheena giggled happily and said with a sweet tone, ¡°Keep going. When you¡¯re ready to stop making up nonsense and speak the truth, then we can reason together.¡± Elliot was left powerless to refute. He felt stifled in his chest, realizing he had underestimated Sheena¡¯s shrewdness. Not only had she seen through him, but she also managed to tease him mercilessly. Yet, despite it all, he found himself unable to do anything about her antics! Chapter 521 Chapter 521 Since there was no way to deal with Sheena, Elliot simply ignored her. He redirected his gaze to the window, his eyes regaining their indifference. His icy, high¨Cand¨Cmighty CEO facade crumbled in Sheena¡¯s presence. Seeing that Elliot remained silent and unresponsive, Sheena decided not to press him further. ¡°Alright, take your time to cool down. But I don¡¯t want to hear any talk of breaking our engagement or breaking up. You insisted on being with me first, and now you want to back out? No way! Elliot, you¡¯re mine for life!¡± ¡°Also, I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m just that domineering. It¡¯s toote for you to realize who I really am!¡± Sheena scoffed, got up, and left with graceful strides. She knew Elliot too well. He was stubborn, and getting him to speak his mind would be a great challenge. Moreover, he preferred to endure in silence, hiding his pain deep inside. As for why he developed such a demeanor, Sheena had already guessed most of it. During the previous banquet, Santiago got angry and even mentioned punishing Elliot in her presence. Elliot¡¯s parents had died in a car ident when he was very young, and Santiago had raised him. Santiago had traditional and strict beliefs, and Elliot likely endured many beatings and punishments. He had been left to endure injuries and pain on his own without anyone to care for him. Moreover, Elliot had always cherished those close to him, and the more he loved someone, the more he hid things from them. Sheena had a hunch. This time, it was not just an injury. He was probably ill! Considering his unusual behavior, the issue seemed far from simple. Although Elliot refused to talk, it did not mean she could not investigate on her own.. Lost in these thoughts, Sheena left the office. Lionel was standing not far away. She walked over and wh pered, ¡°I need to talk to you about something. Come with me quietly.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lionel, observie followed her tox rious expression, felt a bit uneasy. However, unable to refuse, he awkwardly and secure corridor. ¡°Ms. Sheeha, what¡¯s going on?¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Sheena asked, ¡°How many years have you been with Elliot?¡± 212 Lionel thought for a moment. ¡°More than ten.¡± Nodding thoughtfully, she continued probing, ¡°During this recent trip to the border, did Elliot get injured?¡± ¡°No. He has us with him. We won¡¯t let him get hurt so easily. You can rest assured,¡± Lionel replied promptly, lookingposed. Having gained some insight, Sheena asked, ¡°Then it must be an illness.¡± Lionel lowered his head, not responding. ¡°You¡¯ve been with him for so long, so you must know his physical condition well. What kind of illness does he have? Is it serious?¡± Scratching his head, Lionel replied, ¡°Why would you think that? His health has always been fine, no illnesses.¡± ¡°He¡¯s hiding it from me, and you won¡¯t tell me the truth either.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Last night, I managed to kick him off the bed with just a little force. It shows that he¡¯s quite weak. Just now, he appeared so pale. Even if you deny it, I won¡¯t believe you. So, tell me, what¡¯s going on with him?¡± Lionel, visibly distressed, resisted the urge to speak the truth. With a long sigh, he said, ¡°Please don¡¯t press me any further. I really don¡¯t know anything. I¨CI have some work to attend to. Bye.¡± Watching him hurriedly leave, Sheena contemted for a moment before calling one of Dark Bell¡¯s subordinates. ¡°Check Elliot¡¯s recent travels over the past few months. See if he¡¯s visited any hospitals frequently and make it quick.¡± Chapter 522 Chapter 522 ¡°Sure thing, miss.¡± 1/2 Lionel returned to the CEO¡¯s office door just as Elliot called him in. He pushed the door open and found Elliot sitting at the desk, wiping his face with wet tissue in front of a small mirror. The leather gloves he wore to work in the morning were already in the trash bin. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Elliot had wiped off most of the lipstick marks from his face. ¡°Where were you just now?¡± Lionel reported dutifully, ¡°Ms. Sheena was looking for me. She suspected you were sick and wanted me to confirm.¡± ¡°You told her everything?¡± ¡°Of course not! I wouldn¡¯t dare to. I didn¡¯t say anything!¡± Elliot¡¯s dark expression eased a little. Lionel, not entirely understanding, cautiously advised, ¡°But you know how Ms. Sheena is. Once she starts suspecting something, she won¡¯t stop until she finds out the truth. Are you really not going to tell her?¡± ¡°Telling her would only make her suffer.¡± Elliot lowered his gaze, looking mncholic. ¡°I¡¯ll think about this matter again. Regarding the alteration of the S404 virus files, go confirm it again.¡± Lionel sighed, choosing not to push further. ¡°Yes.¡± Sheena had just returned to Angle Group at noon when she received a call. ¡°Miss, Mr. Jenkins has had no records of entering any hospitals in the past few months.. He usually frequents the Jenkins Group, the National Investigation Bureau, and, oh, the warboratory.¡± Sheena thought carefully. ¡°I remember theboratory has a professor from the medical field. How often does Elliot go there?¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°Once every seven days, but recently, it¡¯s been about every five days. Thest visit was three days ago, at night.¡± Three days ago? Sheena trowned, recalling that Elliot was supposed to be still at the border at that time. It seemed odd that he returned to Svelton ahead of schedule and did note to the Jenkins estate at night but instead went to theboratory. Chapter 522 2/2 Her intuition told her there was more to this. ¡°Can you hack into theboratory¡¯s datawork and check Elliot¡¯s information records there?¡± The voice on the other end fell silent for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but these ces are all under the national¨Clevel strict technologywork. We can¡¯t hack into them, and even if we dare to try, it would be instantly detected.¡± ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± Sheena hung up the phone, once again lost in thought. Elliot, being the head of the National Investigation Bureau, held a position simr to Corey¡¯s. If he truly wanted to keep something hidden, even if she asked Corey to investigate, the information might have already been altered. She found herself at a dead end, relying solely on spection. Just as Sheena was hitting a dead end in her investigation, George suddenly called. ¡°Miss, someone called from Svelton High¨CSecurity Prison today, saying Mr. Nicholls wants to see you.¡± ¡°Nathaniel?¡± Sheena was puzzled. Nathaniel had been serving his sentence for the past half year, so why would he suddenly want to meet her? George continued, ¡°Nathaniel says he has a very important secret, and he guarantees you¡¯d want to hear it. It¡¯s about your ex¨Chusband.¡± At the mention of thest few words, Sheena furrowed her brow, her expression growing more serious. ¡°Got it.¡± She quickly ended the call and drove to the high¨Csecurity prison. She wanted to find out what Nathaniel knew! Sheena sat in the visiting room, waiting patiently behind the soundproof ss. Five minutester, Nathaniel was brought in. This was the first time Sheena had seen Nathaniel in over half a year. Chapter 523 Chapter 523 Chapter 523 Nathaniel was bound by heavy handcuffs and ankle restraints, and each step he took was slow. His exposed forearms and neck showed bruising, the skin roughened. Moreover, his once exquisite and alluring appearance was nowpletely transformed. Apart from those still remarkably unique deep blue eyes, Sheena could hardly recognize him. Nathaniel locked eyes with her through the ss, picking up the phone. Sheena followed suit, cing the receiver to her ear. ¡°Nana, long time no see. You seem surprised. Have you already forgotten me?¡± Nathaniel teased. However, Sheena remained expressionless, her voice icy. ¡°I didn¡¯te here for a reunion. If you have nothing to say, I¡¯m leaving.¡± Nathaniel yfully smirked and clicked his tongue twice. ¡°You truly are heartless, giving all your attention to that little pet of yours.¡± Seeing Sheena about to hang up, Nathaniel hurriedly spoke, ¡°Alright, alright! I¡¯ll get to the point!¡± IT His eyes narrowed slightly, a sly and eerie smile ying on his lips as he spoke in a husky tone, Nana, don¡¯t underestimate me just because I¡¯m trapped here. I know better than anyone else that your current fiance, Elliot, is none other than your ex¨Chusband from Farlem, your little pet, isn¡¯t that right?¡± Sheena was taken aback but maintained an indifferent smile. ¡°Where did you hear that? I don¡¯t even know about it.¡± ¡°No need to pretend. I¡¯m just amazed that he had the audacity to propose to you despite carrying such a serious illness.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression instantly became grim, mming her hand on the table. ¡°What else do you know? What serious illness does he have?¡± Nathaniel grinned mysteriously. ¡°I know everything about him, and besides me, there are probably very few who know these things.¡± ¡°As an exchange for these secrets, what are your conditions?¡± Sheena quickly regained her composure, her mind sharp. Nathaniel apuded and praised, ¡°You¡¯re still as clever and charming as ever! Talking to you is always effortless.¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes revealed her disgust, making no attempt to hide it. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear nonsense. Out with it.¡± Nathaniel grinned vickedly, his deep blue eyes unreadable. Drawing closer to the microphone, he whispered in a barely audible voice, ¡°Have Corey bail me out, Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. 1/2 12 Chapter 923 break off the engagement with Elliot, and marry me.¡± Sheena frowned deeply at his words. ¡°I can arrange for Corey to bail you out, but apart from that, forget about any other conditions,¡± Sheena stated firmly. 212 Nathaniel¡¯s eyes drooped slightly, a hint of hurt in them. ¡°It seems you really care about him. Don¡¯t worry. I just need shelter. After my incident, Romello has the entire Nicholls family under his control. He¡¯s willing to give up on me, his brother, for power and reputation. I need the Lawson family¡¯s protection to make aeback.¡± Sheena remained unmoved, her expression ice¨Ccold. ¡°You¡¯re too simplistic in thinking I can decide on breaking off my engagement with Elliot.¡± ¡°Nana, don¡¯t joke with me. You are the apple of the Lawson family¡¯s eye. Ending the engagement is just a small loss of money. If you truly want to end it, I believe Corey would be willing to do so for your sake.¡± Sheena pursed her red lips, choosing to stay silent. Nathaniel continued, ¡°Besides, aren¡¯t you curious about his secrets? I guarantee you¡¯d want to know. Bail me out, break off the engagement, and marry me. These are my conditions, and it¡¯s non- negotiable.¡± Sheena lowered her head, remaining silent for a long time. Her palm clenched tightly, and the blue veins were clearly visible beneath her fair and delicate skin. ¡°So, have you decided?¡± ¡°I have,¡± Sheena replied, meeting Nathaniel¡¯s eyes with unwavering determination. ¡°I hate being controlled by others the most! It¡¯s impossible for me to break off my engagement with Elliot and marry you!¡± Elliot would surely be hurt if he found out she was ending the engagement to marry Nathaniel. After all, Nathaniel had harmed Elliot in Farlem before. Chapter 524 Chapter 524 Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Elliot had sacrificed so much for her, and she did not want to let him down, nor did she want him to misunderstand her. Nathaniel¡¯s smile vanished from his face. He stood there in stunned silence, seemingly not expecting Sheena to decisively reject him. ¡°Well, it seems you and I can¡¯te to an agreement. Goodbye!¡± Sheena ced the receiver down and left without another nce. Nathaniel, full of shock, gradually sumbed to madness. He abruptly stood up, wildly pounding on the soundproof ss, the metallic handcuffs making a ttering sound. ¡°Sheena! Come back! Don¡¯t you want to know about his illness? He won¡¯t live much longer! He¡¯s doomed, Sheena! Is a short¨Clived guy really worth your effort? I¡¯m the most suitable man to marry you!¡± Prison guards quickly intervened, swiftly subduing the frenzied Nathaniel. His head was forced to the ground, and suddenly, a fit of maniacalughter erupted. ¡°Sheena! You¡¯lle back to me sooner orter! You can only be mine in this lifetime!¡± Nheless, the soundproof ss did its job exceptionally well, and Sheena remained oblivious to his screams, never turning back. She sighed softly. Another avenue to learn about Elliot¡¯s health was closed. Perhaps, she thought, there was only onest method to try. In the afternoon, at the Jenkins Group, a monthly board meeting was underway in the afternoon, and Elliot had been in the conference room for half an hour. Lionel, tasked with fetching an important document, was about to return to the meeting room when a slender figure blocked him in the corridor. Seeing Sheena, he felt a pang of anxiety. ¡°Ms. Sheena, is there something you need? Uh, if you¡¯re looking for Mr. Jenkins, you might have to wait a bit. He¡¯s still in the meeting. I need to get back to him. Excuse me.¡± Lowering his hearin od bowing several times, Lionel attempted to maneuver around Sheena. However, with his and graceful determination, Sheena stepped to the right, blocking his path again. ¡°Lionel, this time I¡¯lle to you about this matter. If you¡¯re still unwilling to reveal even a hint, I won¡¯t disturb your work anymore.¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t know anything. Please spare me,¡± Lionel pleaded, lowering his head even further, then turned and walked away, choosing a detour to the conference room. Chapter 524 2/2 Sheena watched his uneasy figure and suddenly spoke, ¡°Today, I went to see Nathaniel. He ims to know, but he has conditions. He wants me to marry him before telling me the truth.¡± Lionel¡¯s steps abruptly stopped, though he did not turn around. Sheena continued, ¡°Lionel, you¡¯ve helped unravel many misunderstandings between Elliot and me. You¡¯ve witnessed how we ended up where we are now. If you don¡¯t speak up, I can only agree to Nathaniel¡¯s conditions. Is that the oue you want to see?¡± Lionel struggled internally, clenching the documents tightly. ¡°Mr. Jenkins has imposed a gag order. It¡¯s a matter of organizational discipline. I can¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll cover for you and ensure he doesn¡¯t find out it was you,¡± Sheena approached, softening her tone. ¡°He¡¯s sick, and enduring it alone is too painful. So, by telling me, you¡¯re helping him.¡± Lionel wavered and eventually said, ¡°Follow me.¡± Sheena followed him into his office. Lionel closed the door behind them and asked her in a hushed tone, ¡°Do you remember the sulfuric acid incident at Eros Bar over half a year ago?¡± Chapter 525 Chapter 525 ¡°I remember¡­¡± Sheena not only remembered but recalled vividly. ¡°Later, I even deliberately looked into the matter. Elliot said it wasn¡¯t sulfuric acid but some S40 potent corrosive agent.¡± Lionel sighed. ¡°Mr. Jenkins didn¡¯t want you to feel guilty, so he lied. In reality, it¡¯s the S404 biohazard virus.¡± Biohazard virus? Sheena frowned, and her heart skipped a beat. Even though she was not versed in medical research, she knew the implications of this term and the severity of the harm it could cause to the body¨Cit was definitely not a minor issue! Lionel continued to sigh, slowly exining, ¡°This virus is terrifying, spreading rapidly, and currently, there¡¯s no cure, not even in theb¡­¡± Ten minutester, in the main seat of the conference room, Elliot listened to Mr. Urie¡¯s report while ncing at his watch. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Lionel was still not back with the documents, and a subtle displeasure emanated from Elliot. Soon, an unsettling aura filled the meeting room. The other executives held their breath, trying to diminish their presence, as they noticed Elliot¡¯s unusually irritable mood today, and he seemed on the verge of flying into a rage. Suddenly, amotion erupted outside the meeting room. ¡°Ms. Lawson! Mr. Jenkins is in a meeting. You can¡¯t go in!¡± Shortly after, the meeting room door was forcefully pushed open. Sheena stood at the entrance, her gaze fixed on Elliot. The entire Jenkins Group knew her identity, and the guards dared noty a hand on her. One of them exined, sounding a bit aggrieved, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Ms. Lawson insisted on entering¡­¡± Dozens of eyes in the meeting room turned to Sheena. However, she seemed oblivious to their presence, her eyes glued to Elliot. Elliot did not turn his head to look at her. Instead, he picked up the coffee on the table, elegantly took a sip, and then spoke calmly, ¡°Ms. Lawson, if you have something to say, wait until I finish the meeting. Security, escort Ms. Lawson to the office.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± The security guard, respectful in demeanor, prepared to escort Sheena out but was met with an icy re from Sheena. Chapter 525 2/2 Sheena bypassed them and walked directly toward the man in the main seat of the conference room. ¡°Elliot, did you call me Ms. Lawson again?¡± Her tone carried a hint of grievance, and her voice trembled slightly. Elliot¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he turned to look at her. However, when his gaze met her misty, sparkling eyes, he could not help but feel a surge of panic. ¡°Nana¡­¡± Sheena had already briskly walked up to him. In front of everyone in the meeting room, she leaned down and kissed his cold, pale lips. Everyone in the meeting room was shocked by the scene. They were all aware of the recent news about the two of them sharing a passionate kiss at the charity g. However, no one expected that a routine meeting at the office would also turn into a public disy of affection! After all, they were in a professional setting, the conference room, with so many executives and guards watching. Coupled with his intention to maintain a distance from Sheena, Elliot resisted sumbing to her kiss. With a clear mind, he leaned back in his chair, avoiding her lips, and prepared to grab her hands to stop the unexpected kiss. ¡°This is the Jenkins Group¡¯s conference room. Don¡¯t act recklessly!¡± Unexpectedly, as soon as he made a move, Sheena, as if anticipating it, swiftly seized his wrist, lifted it over her head, and pressed his hands firmly against the back of the office chair. Elliot struggled for a moment, but hecked the strength to resist Sheena¡¯s skilled moves. Sheena raised an eyebrow, and after enduring Elliot¡¯s recent coldness and using formal addresses, she feltpelled to kiss him again. Chapter 526 Chapter 526 However, this time, it was a punishing kiss filled with rough, predatory intensity. Sheena¡¯s snow¨Cwhite teeth tore and bit into his lip. Elliot winced in pain, furrowing his brow, and involuntarily let out a slight groan. Everyone in the conference room stared in shock. Some covered their mouths in disbelief, and others swallowed hard, envious yet feeling a tinge of bitterness. Some awkwardly covered their faces, sneakily peering through their fingers. They were not prepared to witness their usually powerful CEO being overpowered by his wife in such a manner! This was simply too exciting! Lionel, pretending to rush in with files, saw the scene at the main seat and promptly took action to clear the room. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°Mr. Jenkins has some personal matters to attend to. The meeting is postponed until further notice. Everyone, please leave!¡± Reluctantly, people left the room in an orderly fashion under Lionel¡¯s direction. Once everyone was gone, Lionel considerately closed all the doors and windows, leaving the room inplete silence. The kiss lingered for a long time, only stopping when a soft whimper escaped from Elliot. Sheena ceased her punishment. Elliot¡¯s lips were swollen, and his originally pale lips now bore the bright imprint of Sheena¡¯s lipstick, creating a vivid contrast. Sheena gently removed the mask covering the upper half of his face, still restraining his hands to prevent any movement. Sheena¡¯s lipstick had smudged, and she delicately licked the top of her teeth, making her resemble a beautiful, just¨Cfed vampire. ¡°Had enough? Let¡¯s see if you dare address me so formally again!¡± Despite her stern one, her sparkling eyes were tearful as she looked at him with concern. Seeing her like Elliot knew he was caught and looked away nervously. Without the earlier confidence, he mumbled, ¡°You¡­ found out so quickly¡­¡± ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Sheena continued to hold his hands, preventing him from escaping. ¡°If I were still in the dark, were you nning to keep it from me and quietly find a ce to die?¡± Chapter 525 212 Elliot avoided her gaze, not answering her question. Instead, he asked, ¡°Who told you? Was it Lione!?¡± Sheena decisively shook her head. ¡°No, he refused to tell me. I found out on my own. You underestimated me!¡± He pressed his lips together, remaining silent. Sheena recalled the harsh reality she learned from Lionel moments ago. Tears glistened in her sparkling eyes as she spoke with a slightly choked voice, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me about such a serious virus? Were you afraid I¡¯d feel guilty or repulsed by you?¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve held you back¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s heart twinged with guilt, trembling hands cradling his face. ¡°Silly boy, you didn¡¯t hold me back. It¡¯s me¡­ I held you back. If not for me, you wouldn¡¯t have to endure this pain. I should be the one apologizing.¡± Elliot saw her warm tears falling, and his heart softened. There was an impulse to pull her into his arms, tofort her and gently kiss away her tears. However, Nathaniel¡¯s words lingered in his ears, creating a tangled mess in his heart. Suppressing his urge, he spoke with a mncholic tone, ¡°This was all voluntary on my part. It¡¯s none of your fault. And¡­ I don¡¯t need your pity. I don¡¯t need you to take care of me out of guilt.¡± Over time, she would grow tired of it. He did not want to bind her with the chains of guilt, nor did he want her to witness his painful breakdown by his side. Sheena gradually frowned as she listened, growing more and more infuriated. ¡°Elliot! What nonsense are you talking about? Have you not been hit in a while? Are Chapter 527 Chapter 527 Detecting the threatening aura emanating from Sheena, Elliot, now with freed hands, immediately guarded against her approach. However, Sheena, well aware of his deteriorating health, paid no attention to his feeble resistance. In her eyes, he was just a frail and ailing man who, despite his stubbornness, could not match her strength. Once again, she expertly seized his restless hands, her tongue gently licking her lips, a mischievous smile on her face. With a deliberately teasing tone, she quipped, ¡°Oh, Mr. Jenkins, too weak to break free? You¡¯re left with no choice but to be bullied by me. What should we do? Maybe I should straighten you up a bit?¡± Elliot felt frustrated. As a man, the desire to assert dominance in physical strength urged him not to yield. However, reality forced him to bow to Sheena¡¯s physical force. Despite his internal struggle, Elliot assumed a defiant posture, coldly huffing as he turned his face away. Unable to win against her, he had no other option but to endure the humiliation, leaving him annoyed and resentful. Seeing his continued resistance, Sheena grabbed his jaw,pelling him to look at her. ¡°It seems the punishment earlier wasn¡¯t enough. Do you want to see some blood?¡± As she spoke, Sheena locked onto his lips, swiftly leaning in, preparing to deliver a fierce bite to his already swollen lip. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s teeth had already sunk into the soft flesh of his thin lips, but upon hearing his low groan, she could not bring herself to continue. Ultimately, she opted for a gentler approach, kissing away the pain on his lips. Their breaths intertwined, lips lingering together. After the prolonged kiss, Sheena adjusted her rapid breath, once again cupping his face and gazing at him seriously. ¡°Elliot, listen carefully! This is the only time I¡¯ll say it! I¡¯m not a casual woman. If it¡¯s just out of guilt, I canpensate without sacrificing my whole heart and a lifetime!¡± there are many ¡°Also, this is no ut of pity for you. It¡¯s my genuine concern. No matter how difficult the road ahead, I want to be with you, share your pain, and walk by your side. I¡¯ll find a way to cure you! I won¡¯t watch you die. I¡¯m not as fragile as you think, and I won¡¯t easily fall apart!¡± ¡°This time, please believe me! Our future is not confined to these short five months. We¡¯ll walk a long Chapter 527 and beautiful path together. I¡¯ll create a future for you!¡± Sheena had never been more sincere than at this moment. Elliot and Sheena locked their gazes, and he was deeply moved. Especially the phrase ¡®I¡¯ll create a future for you!¡® made him greedily fantasize and anticipate the days ahead, filled with herpanionship, care, and love. Sheena seemed to be his panacea, redeeming him from all his self¨Cdoubt, depression, and pain. Gradually, a mist formed in his ck eyes, the corners turning red, and his long, curledshes dampened by the mist. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Nana¡­¡± ¡®With you, I¡¯m blessed beyond measure in this lifetime,¡® he continued internally. 2/2 Elliot wrapped his arms around Sheena¡¯s slender waist, burying his head in her embrace, savoring the warmth she exuded. Sheena gently patted his back with one hand while the other traced through his short hair, soothing him carefully. The lingering sunset spilled through the ss window, casting a warm golden glow on the tightly embraced couple. The moment of tranquility was ended by Elliot¡¯s soft sigh. With her keen ears, Sheena noticed a subtle change. She became aware of the tension in his back muscles, and even his arms around her trembled slightly. Something was wrong! ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sheena immediately released Elliot¡¯s hand, checking his forehead. No fever, but his face suddenly turned pale, devoid of any trace of color, and his dampenedshes were trembling uncontrobly. Chapter 528 Chapter 528 ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nothing¡­¡± Elliot spoke weakly, his voice feeble and strained, attempting to both endure and conceal his pain. Sheena knew him all too well. Despite his penchant for pretending to be pitiful for sympathy in the past, he was always reluctant to share his genuine suffering to avoid worrying her. The more he resisted, the worse Sheena felt. Noticing his hand clutching his chest, she asked, ¡°Is it your angina? Do you have the medicine?¡± Elliot, in agony, broke into a cold sweat and shook his head. Sheena rushed out of the meeting room and approached Lionel, who was standing nearby. ¡°Where¡¯s the medicine to alleviate his angina?¡± ¡°It should be in the office.¡± ¡°Get it immediately! Quick!¡± ¡°Y¨CYes!¡± Startled by her anxious expression, Lionel realized the urgency and sprinted upstairs. Just as Sheena was about to return to Elliot, a dull thud came from behind. Elliot had fallen from the office chair. The pain in his chest intensified. He curled up on the floor, trembling uncontrobly, veins bulging in his neck. ¡°Eli!¡± Sheena rushed to him, kneeling beside him, carefully moving him into herp, and massaging his chest in an attempt to alleviate his suffering. Lionel quickly returned with the medicine. Yet, even after taking a pill, Elliot¡¯s condition did not improve much. Relief from symptoms would take time. Elliot, with a pale, weakened face,y in Sheena¡¯s embrace, enduring the pain until the medication took effect. Watching his sel It was also La himself for not be Sheena¡¯s heart felt like it was pierced, causing every part of her to ache. st time witnessing Elliot¡¯s angina attack. He paced back and forth, hating able to bear the suffering for him. Unable to watch any longer, Sheena rolled up her sleeves and offered her slender arm to Elliot¡¯s mouth. Chapter 528 2/2 ¡°Eli, don¡¯t resist and just bite me! Let me share the pain with you!¡± Elliot clenched his lips, steadfastly refusing, gripping her sweaty palm, and intertwining their fingers. Lionel crouched down, promptly rolling up his sleeves and extending his arm. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, bite me instead. Ms. Sheena is delicate, but I¡¯m tough. I can handle the pain!¡± Elliot buried his face in Sheena¡¯s embrace, refusing to bite Lionel¡¯s arm. Seeing his stubbornness, Sheena sighed. How much longer would he endure this pain on his own? She struggled to regain herposure and calmly looked at Lionel. ¡°He¡¯s waiting until the medication takes effect. This isn¡¯t a sustainable solution. Can we give him a pain¨Crelief injection?¡± Lionel was frustrated. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Mr. Jenkins having an attack before. I don¡¯t know!¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Hence, he left Sheena to take charge. ¡°Come over and help me carry him. We¡¯re going to theb right now!¡± Fifteen minutester, they arrived at theb. The painkiller gradually stabilized Elliot¡¯s breathing, and he fell into a tired slumber. Sheena stood by his bedside, gently stroking the furrowed space between his brows. Yosef entered, handing her a record of all the previousb results. ¡°In the future, please be careful with his emotions. No extreme highs or lows. Each time he has angina, his energy is drained by the pain. When he¡¯s weak, the virus spreads faster. Also, the painkiller injection has side effects. If used frequently, it¡¯ll double the harm to his body.¡± Sheena nodded, listening attentively while checking Elliot¡¯s health data. The ring red gs in the test results were distressing. She took a deep breath, swallowing her guilt, and then asked Yosef, ¡°Is there really no way to deal with this virus? Even if we can¡¯t cure itpletely right now, we should at least find a way to extend his time.¡± Yosef shook his id Elliot was still scious, so he chose to be straightforward with Sheena. ¡°I didn¡¯t tell him the ?ht truth, fearing it right discourage him. In reality¡­¡± Chapter $29 Chapter 529 Chapter 529 1/2 In the evening, in theb ward. Yosef gently shared, ¡°Actually, when I mentioned five months to him earlier, it was an optimistic estimate. He would need to maintain good overall health for that time frame to be possible. The virus. in his body is nearly beyond the control of the suppressants. If he has a few more angina attacks, he may not have even a month left¡­¡± Sheena felt a shock within, her hands tightly wrinkling theb records. Trying to steady herself, she said, ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll make sure he takes care of his health. I refuse to believe he only has a few months left. I want him to live a long and healthy life!¡± Seeing the determination in Sheena¡¯s eyes, Yosef was pleased. ¡°Ms. Lawson, rest assured, I¡¯ll do my best to treat him. I¡¯ll write up some guidelines for you. If he follows the precautions, with regr exercise, proper nutrition, and emotional well¨Cbeing, it should provide significant assistance.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee. It¡¯s my duty.¡± Yosef took theb data back from her and left, closing the door behind him. Sheena turned back, looking at the man on the hospital bed, only to be unexpectedly drawn into a pair of deep ck eyes. ¡°Woke up so soon? Did our conversation disturb you?¡± Elliot¡¯s pale lips curved into a slight smile as he shook his head. ¡°I wasn¡¯t really sleeping. Your voice gave me peace.¡± Sheena gently caressed his face, each movement full of patience. ¡°From now on, when you¡¯re hurt or in pain, don¡¯t keep it to yourself. Keeping secrets hurts me more, okay?¡± He obediently nodded. ¡°Nana, I want a hug¡­¡± Sheena kicked off her beels, turned around, and squeezed into his nket, cradling him affectionately Breathing in her Rememberin We need toise N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. et scent, Elliot closed his eyes contentedly. ething important, he said, ¡°By the way, my condition can¡¯t be disclosed for now. from the Lawson family too.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell them.¡± Chapter 529 212 Elliot¡¯s influence in Svelton and even throughout Froania was substantial. If news of his critical condition spread, it would cause significant turmoil for the National Investigation Bureau and the Jenkins Group, especially with Peter, who would definitely stir up trouble. Hence, keeping it a secret was crucial to avoiding a major upheaval. Elliot closed his eyes again, quickly sumbing to a deep sleep under herforting presence. Sheena lowered her head, gazing at his handsome sleeping face, but her mind drifted into contemtion. Initially, she had no idea that the incident at Farlem¡¯s Eros Bar would have such a detrimental impact on Elliot¡¯s health. Now that she knew, her anger toward Nathaniel deepened. Especially today, Nathaniel had the audacity to use this matter as a threat against her! Bail him out, break off the engagement with Elliot, and marry him? He was absolutely delusional! Elliot suffered in agony because of him, and yet Nathaniel only faced a stint in prison, at least living a rtively peaceful life. What Nathaniel paid back was far from one¨Cthousandth of the harm Elliot endured. The more Sheena thought about it, the angrier she became. A fierce determination shed in her eyes as she contemted her next moves. Letting Nathaniel off the hook was not an option! Late at night, the Upton mansion echoed with sharp sounds of smashing and banging. Katie, once again, unleashed her fury, leaving the entire room in disarray. Angus stood awkwardly in the corner, afraid to make a sound. However, just throwing things did not seem enough to vent Katie¡¯s burning rage. Chapter 529 2/2 Elliot¡¯s influence in Svelton and even throughout Froania was substantial. If news of his critical condition spread, it would cause significant turmoil for the National Investigation Bureau and the Jenkins Group, especially with Peter, who would definitely stir up trouble. Hence, keeping it a secret was crucial to avoiding a major upheaval. Elliot closed his eyes again, quickly sumbing to a deep sleep under herforting presence. Sheena lowered her head, gazing at his handsome sleeping face, but her mind drifted into contemtion. Initially, she had no idea that the incident at Farlem¡¯s Eros Bar would have such a detrimental impact on Elliot¡¯s health. Now that she knew, her anger toward Nathaniel deepened. Especially today, Nathaniel had the audacity to use this matter as a threat against her! Bail him out, break off the engagement with Elliot, and marry him? He was absolutely delusional! Elliot suffered in agony because of him, and yet Nathaniel only faced a stint in prison, at least living a rtively peaceful life. What Nathaniel paid back was far from one¨Cthousandth of the harm Elliot endured. The more Sheena thought about it, the angrier she became. A fierce determination shed in her eyes as she contemted her next moves. Letting Nathaniel off the hook was not an option! Late at night, the Upton mansion echoed with sharp sounds of smashing and banging. Katie, once again, unleashed her fury, leaving the entire room in disarray. Angus stood awkwardly in the corner, afraid to make a sound. However, just throwing things did not seem enough to vent Katie¡¯s burning rage. Chapter 530 Chapter 530 Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Katie grabbed a bottle of expensive toner,manding Angus, ¡°You¡¯re so useless! Don¡¯t dodge!¡± Angus had no other choice but to stand still obediently as Katie viciously hurled the toner at him. A muffled thud echoed through the room as the bottle struck Angus¡¯s forehead, creating a lump, and scrapping his skin, leaving scattered drops of blood on the floor. Enduring in silence, Angus said nothing Katie, seeing the blood, found some relief in her manic mood. ¡°This mess is all because of your ipetence! You suggested I spread the scandal about Howard¡¯s affair, using public opinion to force him topromise. Yet, what happened? What a bunch of idiots! I must have lost my mind to listen to you!¡± After all, Howard held considerable influence over a significant part of the entertainment industry, and a wave of his hand could reshape thendscape of showbiz. Despite Katie having the announcement ready, no media dared to publish it. Even if she paid some audacious small mediapanies, any news they released quickly lost momentum, sinking like a stone in the ocean, Fuming, Katie continued her destructive rampage, refusing to ept the fact that Howard and Phoebe were enjoying their love affair right under her nose. Themotion she caused attracted Colin¡¯s attention, prompting him to check on her. As he opened the door, an object flew straight at him, apanied by Katie¡¯s explosive shout, ¡°Get out! If you don¡¯t want to get hit, don¡¯t bother me!¡± Just as Colin was about to take a direct hit, Angus swiftly intervened, taking the blow on his forehead, resulting in another bruise. ¡°Mr. Upton.¡± Angus bowed to Colin. Katie turned to look. ¡°Colin? I thought it was those ignorant servants again.¡± Colin sighed. ¡°If I hadn¡¯te, how long were you nning to keep smashing things? If you wake Dad up, you¡¯ll be grounded again.¡± Then, he be dAngus on the shoulder and added, ¡°You¡¯ve done well. Go downstairs, settle your ses and compensation with the butler, tell him it¡¯s my order, and im double.¡± Mr. Upton.¡± a Katie¡¯s bed, but before he could say anything, Katie clung to his arm, acting all uate. ¡°Colin, you have to help me this time. Howard would rather have that bitch than me. If we let him Chapter 530 continue this way, it¡¯ll be a disgrace to the Upton family¡¯s reputation!¡± Colin gently stroked her head, remaining silent. 2/2 Katie persisted, ¡°By the way, you fancy Sheena, right? Help me win Howard¡¯s heart, and I¡¯ll assist you in pursuing Sheena!¡± Colin chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t bother with those tricks. You and Sheena don¡¯t get along anyway! Just stay away from her, and that¡¯s helping me enough.¡± Katie pouted, unconvinced. She had no intention of letting Sheena off the hook and was already plotting schemes against her and Phoebe in her mind. Meanwhile, Colin was earnestly brainstorming solutions. ¡°How about this? Your birthday ising up in half a month. I¡¯ll suggest to Mom and Dad to make it a grand celebration. You can invite some celebrities to perform in the entertainment industry. What do you think?¡± Katie¡¯s eyes lit up. Phoebe was a celebrity, and if she managed to get her to attend, she could easily handle Phoebe. Colin continued advising her, ¡°asionally show a softer side to Howard. Be a bit vulnerable and sincerely invite him to your birthday bash, and then you can¡­¡± Katie listened attentively, realizing her uing birthday celebration was an excellent opportunity! On that day, not only could she teach Phoebe a lesson, but Sheena, being her fiance¡¯s sister, would also be obliged to attend. It seemed like the perfect chance to deal with both troublesome women in one go! Her malicious n took root and flourished in her mind. Chapter 531 Chapter 531 Chapter 531 Sheena spent the night apanying Elliot in theboratory ward. Early the next day, she took Elliot back to the mansion. Then, she drafted a n for him following the guidelinesid out by Yosef. The main points were no smoking, no alcohol, avoiding intense physical activities, consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, and incorporating half an hour of light morning exercise each day. Elliot, observing Sheena¡¯s enthusiasm, epted her arrangements without objection. Back at the mansion, Sheena headed straight to the kitchen to prepare a pot of soup. After breakfast, she casually mentioned, ¡°I have some matters to attend to at the Lawson estate today. You shouldn¡¯t go to the Jenkins Group for the time being. If there are any documents needing your signature, have Lionel bring them over.¡± Elliot, slightly puzzled, asked, ¡°Since you¡¯re going to the Lawson estate, should I apany you?¡± ¡°No need,¡± Sheena replied as she served him another bowl of soup, concealing the unease in her eyes. ¡°You experienced angina just yesterday, and your body hasn¡¯t fully recovered. So, you should rest for a few more days.¡± Elliot could not help but feel worried, especially when he noticed that Sheena had changed into a different outfit after returning. She usually favored dresses, but this day, she surprisingly wore a pair of sturdy jeans and a crisp white T¨Cshirt, showcasing her slender and clean silhouette. Yet, there was something off, something he could not quite put his finger on. ¡°I think Corey is still in Svelton. I can¡¯t help but worry if you¡¯re going back alone,¡± Elliot expressed. Sheena chuckled. ¡°Corey spoils me the most. Do you think he¡¯ll really beat me up?¡± Elliot fell silent, plunging them into a heavy atmosphere. Sheena kissed his forehead and ran her fingers through his short hair. ¡°Rx, I won¡¯t let him find out about us. You stay home, and I¡¯ll be back as soon as I¡¯m done, okay?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Elliot¡¯s restless mood eased under her reassurance. Satisfied, Sheena left the house, driving back to Mountville alone. Instead of heading to Albert¡¯s mansion, she went directly to see Corey. Standing in Trol of Corey¡¯s mansion, Sheena hesitated for a while. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Taking several deep breaths and checking the thickness of her jeans, she mustered the courage to ring the doorbell. Just as her hand reached for the doorbell, the entrance swung open from the inside. Sheena¡¯s fingers froze in ce as she met Corey¡¯s piercing eyes. Chapter 531 2/2 Corey wore an elegant navy blue suit, exuding amanding and formidable presence. ¡°Hey, Corey! What a coincidence! Heading out? Have you and Barbara had breakfast?¡± Awkwardly retracting her hand, Sheena smiled sweetly, Corey squinted his eyes. ¡°Not really a coincidence. I just came downstairs and saw youing in sneakily from the garden. What are you up to?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Come on, you¡¯re exaggerating. I¡¯m just paying a visit. I didn¡¯t sneak around.¡± Corey, knowing her too well, chose not to expose her. He turned and sat back on the living room sofa. Sheena followed him into the house, ncing upstairs. ¡°Is Barbara not at home today? She¡¯s out so early!¡± Nervously sweating in her palms, she dreaded the thought of Barbara not being there. That would spell trouble for her. ¡°She¡¯s upstairs in the study. Are you here to see her?¡± Corey asked casually, opening the drawer and grabbing a cigarette. However, remembering Sheena¡¯s dislike for smoke, he silently put it back, lifting his gaze to meet Sheena¡¯s. Just as Sheena sighed in relief, she caught Corey¡¯s intense gaze. Already feeling guilty, her legs started trembling uncontrobly. Chapter 532 Chapter 532 Instantly, her knees went weak, and Sheena knelt down immediately. The living room¡¯s sofa had a round rug underneath, and she deliberately chose a soft spot. Corey smiled when he witnessed her dramatic action, but his gaze remained cold. ¡°So obedient, eh? Didn¡¯t I make myself clear before?¡± Sheena lowered her gaze, sounding somewhat sad as she said, ¡°You said that if I slept with him again, you¡¯d break my legs. No amount of persuasion would change your mind.¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson, how many times have you done it after that?¡± Corey mocked, using a formal address as a stormy prelude. Sheena sensed trouble brewing and felt a shiver down her spine. ¡°Probably¡­ four or five times?¡± As soon as those words left her lips, she felt the sharp chill emanating from Corey. She hastily added, ¡°I understand that your requests are for my own good, fearing that if Elliot and I don¡¯t end up getting married, rumors of us living together and sleeping together might tarnish my reputation in our circles.¡± ¡°But I¡¯ve never cared about what others think. As long as I live as I want, that¡¯s enough. And besides, Elliot has been good to me¡­¡± Corey interrupted her with a scoff. ¡°I heard he¡¯s been getting close to that celebrity spokesperson from the Jenkins Grouptely, showing no regard for decency. Do you call that treating you well?¡± Sheena was taken aback. ¡°Where did you hear that?¡± ¡°The agent of that female celebrity spilled the details of your argument at the Jenkins Group. If it weren¡¯t for Howard and me intervening, the affairs between you two would have shaken the stock markets of both the Jenkins and Lawson families for a couple of days.¡± That She was such a troublemaker! Despite Sheena¡¯s disdain, there were more pressing matters at hand. She lowered her head, unsure how to exin the situation to Corey, especially since Elliot¡¯s illness could not be disclosed yet. With his elegant and poised movements, Corey stood up, adjusting his suit cuffs. His tone N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. nning ¡°I would serious as he asked, ¡°In that cunning little mind of yours, what excuse are you to fool me?¡± are!¡± Seeing him gearing up for a confrontation, Sheena looked visibly intimidated. ¡± it of a misunderstanding between Elliot and me a few days ago. We did argue, but we reconciledst night. I believe Elliot wouldn¡¯t dare betray me. There wa Chapter 532 2/2 ¡°He betrayed you once before, and you believe him? I don¡¯t. You just patched things up, and he¡¯s already picking fights with you, messing around with a female celebrity. I won¡¯t let him off the hook!¡± Corey¡¯s jawline tensed, and he crouched in front of Sheena, surprisingly using a gentle tone. ¡°Nana, I won¡¯t hit you this time. I¡¯ll help you end this marriage and figure out a way to deal with him. If you can¡¯t marry into a prestigious family in the future, I¡¯ll take care of you for the rest of your life.¡± ¡°No, please!¡± Seeing the murderous intent in Corey¡¯s eyes, Sheena resigned herself, ¡°I won¡¯t end the marriage, and it¡¯s always me who initiates. It¡¯s my fault. Don¡¯t think about his life. Just¡­ hit me instead!¡± The air seemed to freeze instantly. Sheena lowered her head, struggling to breathe under Corey¡¯s furious aura. Despite being the pampered princess of the Lawson family, her fear of Corey was ingrained. When they were younger, both she and Howard, close in age, were unruly, and their parents could not control them. They were forcefully disciplined by Corey, leaving lingering fear in her to this very day. Sheena was terrified. However, crossing this hurdle was crucial for her to bring up Nathaniel¡¯s matter. Corey stood up in silence, wearing a stern expression with a menacing gaze. ¡°Seems like you intentionally came here asking for trouble. Fine, I¡¯ll do as you wish.¡± He unfastened his belt buckle, swiftly pulled it out, folded it, and gestured toward the sofa armrest. His tone was icy as he ordered, ¡°Get down.¡± Chapter 533 Chapter 533 Sheena gazed at his stern face, feeling incredibly nervous. Slowly, she got up from the carpet and reluctantly crawled onto the sofa armrest. Just as she settled in, she caught a glimpse of Corey approaching her, along with that intimidating aura. Her face turned pale. ¡°W¨CWait a minute!¡± ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°H¨CHow many times are you nning to hit me?¡± She needed to prepare herself mentally in advance, especially considering she still had to deal with Nathaniel¡¯s matter andter return to see Elliot. Corey raised an eyebrow, looking stern. ¡°You slept with him about five times, so let¡¯s start with fifty. What do you think?¡± Fifty?! Sheena¡¯s heart sank. She thought it would be five at most. With Corey¡¯s strength, if he really went through with it, would she even make it back to Elliot¡¯s mansion today? This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Moreover, it sounded like there was no room for negotiations at all! She weakly turned her head. ¡°Can I refuse?¡± Corey, in the process of removing his watch, unbuttoning his suit, and rolling up his shirt sleeves, shot her a cold nce. ¡°No.¡± As she expected! Sheena feltpletely hopeless as sheid her head against the sofa. However, she caught sight of Corey lifting the belt, and she turned again. ¡°Wait! I have something else to say!¡± Corey frowned. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and asked, ¡°What now?¡± Sheena pinched her own arm, teary¨Ceyed, looking pitifully at him. ¡°It¡¯s been many years since I got a beating. I¡¯m nervous. Can you¡­ go easy this time?¡± Corey, originarious mood, was amused by her pitiful appearance. He smirked. Let¡¯s see if I¡¯m still as strong as before.¡± Seeing her looking so helpless, Corey¡¯s anger had already reduced a lot. He was just teasing her. However, these words took on a different meaning in Sheena¡¯s ears, as if her death sentence had been announced. Chapter 533 2/2 As Corey raised the belt again, she tensed up, dramatically eximing, ¡°Ah, it hurts! Barbara, save me! Corey is going to kill me!¡± Corey was shocked. He had not even started hitting her yet! After all these years, had she forgotten the rules? Trying to preemptively call for reinforcements? Corey¡¯s anger surged again. ¡°Sheena! You can forget about those legs of yours today!¡± The leather belt struck harshly on Sheena¡¯s well¨Ctoned buttocks without any mercy. Sheena¡¯s fake cries abruptly stopped, and she instinctively clenched her teeth. It was just the first strike, but she had already broken out in a cold sweat. Her rear end stung greatly and was throbbing. Corey did not hold back at all! Sheena tightly gripped her arms, silently cursing. She regretted wearing only a thick pair of jeans this morning. It provided no protection at all. If only she had worn severalyers of fleece¨Clined leggings instead! Seeing her go silent, Corey sneered. ¡°Why stop pretending? You were screaming so enthusiastically just now!¡± Just as he said that, the next strike came just as forceful as the first. ¡°Ouch! It hurts¡­¡± Sheena gasped, letting out a pitiful sob, tears welling up from the pain. Chapter 534 Chapter 534 Why was Barbara noting down yet? If Corey went on with this brutality, Sheena could at most endure ten more strikes! ¡°You asked for this, so endure the pain!¡± Corey¡¯s face darkened, and he raised his arm once again. Sheena, anticipating the impending strike, closed her eyes and tensed her body. The next moment, a pair of delicate hands embraced her from behind, shielding her back. Barbara had heard the loud noises from downstairs and rushed down from the fourth floor. ¡°That¡¯s enough, dear. Two hits should be enough. Nana is a delicate girl. Do you really want to break her legs?¡± Barbara tried to reason with Corey, who was still furious. ¡°Furthermore, it takes two to tango. Even if Nana initiated it, Elliot didn¡¯t refuse. Why not teach him a lesson too?¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow at this unexpected turn of events. Why was the me being shifted to Elliot now? ¡°Why would I hit Elliot? I¡¯m taking people to the Jenkins family this afternoon to settle him!¡± Still recovering from the pain, Sheena hurriedly interrupted, ¡°Corey, why do you always want to settle scores so violently? We live in awful society now. Calm down. Hitting your own sister is enough. Leave other people¡¯s kids alone!¡± Corey rolled up his sleeves, sneering. ¡°Fine! Since you¡¯re protecting him, we still have forty¨Ceight more strikes. Let¡¯s continue!¡± Sheena shivered at the mere mention of the number. ¡°Enough! Why are you mad at Nana? Those two hits just now sounded terrifying, even with the door closed upstairs. Nana must be in excruciating pain. If you injure her, you¡¯ll regret itter. Keep your stubbornness in check.¡± Barbara poked at Corey¡¯s weakness. Then, she snatched his belt and skillfully fastened it for him. ¡°I¡¯m also displeased with Elliot for his doings, and you¡¯re forbidding Nana from being with him is for her future. However, after spending some time together, shes are unavoidable. If Nana still chooses him, trust her once more and observe Elliot for a while.¡± Barbara¡¯s words gradually extinguished Corey¡¯s anger, and he coldly sat on the opposite sofa. Barbara rushed toast Sheena, who was still sprawled on the sofa armrest. Tears glistened in na¡¯s sparkling eyes as she gratefully eximed, ¡°Barbara¡­¡± ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Barbara wiped away the cold sweat on Sheena¡¯s forehead, helping her to sit on the Chapter 534 sofa with a limp. 212 As soon as she touched the sofa cushion, Sheena let out a soft gasp. Her features tightened, revealing a look of misery. ¡°Forget it. It hurts even more sitting down. I¡¯m better off standing.¡± Corey sat across from her, observing her keenly. His gaze shifted from sharp to calm and finally softened considerably. Barbara noticed this and could not help but smirk. Someone was beginning to feel sorry for Sheena! Barbara knew Sheena well. With a subtle exchange of nces, she guessed that Sheena had taken the risk ofing over to tell the truth and had another purpose. Hence, she took the initiative to help bridge the gap. ¡°Nana, why are you here so early today? Have you encountered any difficulties recently?¡± Barbara asked. Sheena, supporting her waist, nodded. Then, limping, she walked up to Corey, squatted in front of him, rested on his knees, and coquettishly asked, ¡°Corey, do you remember what happened about six months ago, when Nathaniel stole the drug from theb and harmed me?¡± ¡°I remember. What¡¯s the matter?¡± Sheena bit her lip and continued, ¡°I think letting him stay in the high¨Csecurity prison is too lenient. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Corey was puzzled and asked, ¡°I had someone go in and beat him. enough?¡± ¡°No!¡± up for you before. Wasn¡¯t that Squatting was a bit tiring, especially in this position, causing Sheena¡¯s jeans to tighten, and sweat began to bead on her forehead again. She took a deep breath and added, ¡°Yesterday, Nathaniel asked me to visit him in prison, shamelessly saying he wants to marry me. I just can¡¯t stand seeing him live sofortably!¡°¡® Corey furrowed his brows. ¡°So, what do you want to do?¡± A cold glint shed in Sheena¡¯s eyes as she replied, ¡°I hope you can help me secretly get him out!¡± Chapter 535 Chapter 535 ¡°Nana, that¡¯s a high¨Csecurity prison. Nathaniel is a serious offender. Unless I personally step in for bail, it¡¯s not easy to get him out.¡± Sheena was well aware of that. However, did Nathaniel deserve bail? She began praising Corey with ttery, ¡°Corey, you¡¯ve always been the most amazing in my eyes. I know you¡¯ll find a way. Trust me, I just want to teach him a lesson, make him suffer a bit, and after that, you can put him back.¡± Corey fell silent. He neither agreed nor refused. Resting on his knees, Sheena, with teary eyes, started ying the pitiful card. ¡°Corey, you struck me today. Now that someone is bullying me, you don¡¯t even n to help me out at all? I¡¯m so pitiful. Do you not care about me anymore?¡± Noticing her sweating and in pain, Corey quickly grabbed a wet towel to help her wipe off the sweat. He had indeed hit her quite hard in the heat of the moment. Now, in his calmer state, he felt an overwhelming sense of pity. After all, he doted on her and would give her the stars if she asked. ¡°How could I not care for you? I¡¯ll do it.¡± Having achieved her goal, Sheena breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank you, Corey. So, when do you n to get him out?¡± Corey was about to suggest taking some time to n things thoroughly when Sheena, grinning, continued, ¡°Why wait? Let¡¯s do it this afternoon.¡± ¡°Is it that urgent?¡± Without answering, Sheena cautiously supported her waist, her face filled with a painful expression. ¡°My butt is hurting from beating. Please¡­¡± Corey¡¯s heart fluttered. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll put aside everything and prioritize your matter. I¡¯ll get it done before this afternoon.¡± ¡°Hehe, you¡¯re the best!¡± Corey sighed and gently tapped her nose. ¡°Let Barbara take you to the room. Apply some medicine and take a short rest. I¡¯ll call you when I¡¯m done.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± 6.3% A 1/2 Cantem $15 2/2 Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. With Barbara¡¯s support, Sheena climbed the stairs with great effort. When they reached the corner of the staircase, she cautiously nced at Corey below, ensuring he could not see her. In an instant, she switched back to a normal walking posture. While the spanking was indeed painful, it was only two hits. She rubbed herself a bit, and the pain quickly subsided. Barbara suppressed augh, shaking her head in resignation. She understood Corey all too well, knowing he could easily see through Sheena¡¯s intentions. However, he had genuinely been angry and resorted to physical punishment. For Corey to feel at ease, something needed topensate for that. Sheena, calcting as she was, seized this opportunity and yed him again. Together, they entered the third¨Cfloor guest room, and Barbara closed the door behind them. Sheena expressed her gratitude, ¡°Thanks, but it¡¯s not hurting much now. I¡¯ll pass on the medicine. It¡¯s too much trouble to apply. Can we chat for a bit?¡± Barbara, still concerned, suggested, ¡°Let me apply some ointment. Otherwise, the swelling will take at least two days to go down. I assume you wouldn¡¯t want the person from the Jenkins family to find out when you go back, right?¡± Sheena considered and agreed. Although she currently would not sleep with Elliot due to his illness, there was no guarantee he would not notice. Elliot cherished her dearly, and she was aware of the strained rtionship between Corey and Elliot, mostly due to her. If Elliot discovered she had been beaten by Corey, it would likely cause a major uproar. Moreover, she had just managed to ease Corey¡¯s attitude toward Elliot, so she needed to tread carefully. Corey always kept his promises. By mid¨Cafternoon, Corey had arranged for a few bodyguards to escort Sheena to¡¯an abandoned building on the outskirts of town. Chapter 316 Chapter 536 Chapter 536 On the seventh floor, a man¡¯s grunting echoed from a worn¨Cout room. The building, aged through the years, creaked as the door was pushed open. Nathaniel was bound to a wooden chair with cotton stuffed into his mouth, and a ck cloth covered his head. As he heard someone entering, he stopped struggling As the ck cloth was lifted off his head, the bright light made it hard for him to open his eyes. Gradually adjusting his focus, Nathaniel looked at the person who entered. A smile spread across his face when he saw Sheena. Once the cotton cloth was removed from his mouth, he eagerly said, ¡°Nana, I knew you¡¯de back for me. Quick, untie me.¡± Sheena remained motionless, looking down at him from above. In her eyes, there was nothing but coldness, along with disdain and mockery, devoid of any positive emotions. Nathaniel immediately sensed that something was amiss. He scanned his surroundings and said, ¡°It seems you¡¯re not here to rescue me. Are you here to interrogate me?¡± Sheena produced a small, transparent ss bottle, only the size of two thumbs. Her cold gaze examined the liquid inside the bottle. ¡°I already know about his illness. Now, you hold no value to me. Seeing you live a peaceful life in prison angers me.¡± Nathaniel also stared at the bottle in her hand, feeling that it could not be anything good. He chuckled. ¡°You deliberately brought me out to kill me and avenge Elliot, didn¡¯t you?¡± Sheena red at him. ¡°Dying is an easy way out for you! However, you better pray for Eli. If he dies, I¡¯ll make sure to bury you with him!¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Nathanielughed heartily, quite pleased with himself. ¡°Sounds like Elliot is already on his deathbed! That¡¯s great. Once he¡¯s gone, you can only be mine! I don¡¯t believe you¡¯d kill me. We grew up together. As long as you still cherish our past, you won¡¯t be able to kill me!¡± ¡°Is our past even worth mentioning?¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze turned increasingly icy as she handed the ss bottle to Nathaniel. ¡°This is something I recently obtained from Noah. It¡¯s a sample from his previous research on a rare disease called Aita. I heard it causes the entire body to decay within a few months, covered in ulcers. During the onset, the pain is unbearable.¡± Nathaniel stared at her in disbelief. Chapter 536 212 She continued, ¡°The only advantage of this disease is that it¡¯s not lethal to the body. However, the pain during the outbreak is horrifying, and the disfigurement is severe. Many people can¡¯t bear it, suffer mental breakdowns, and choose to take their own life instead.¡± ¡°Nana! You¡¯re ruthless!¡± Sheena grabbed his prison uniform, anger burning in her eyes. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the same when you used the bio¨Cvirus to harm me and Elliot?¡± She loosened his prison uniform, stepping back as she said, ¡°Come in.¡± Two bodyguards, arranged by Corey, promptly entered, bowing respectfully. ¡°How can we help, Miss?¡± ¡°Feed him the medicine.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The bodyguards took the ss bottle from Sheena¡¯s hand. Sheena leaned casually against the door frame, taking out a wet tissue and elegantly wiping her hands that had touched Nathaniel. Nathaniel, held by the bodyguards, had his jaw forced open, struggling in vain. He looked at Sheena, whose eyes were devoid of warmth and filled with coldness. As the medicine was about to be poured into his mouth, Nathaniel shouted at her, ¡°Nana! Aren¡¯t you curious how, despite being in prison, I know so much about Elliot? Don¡¯t you want to know the secrets behind me?¡± Sheena coldlyughed, unfazed. ¡°I can investigate that myself. Once I find out, they¡¯ll end up like you, brutally tortured!¡± Seeing her determined to make him swallow the medicine, a hint of fear finally appeared in Nathaniel¡¯s deep blue eyes. ¡°Wait! I also know a way to cure Elliot. Don¡¯t you want to save him?¡± Chapter 537 Chapter 537 ¡°Stop!¡± Sheenamanded, approaching Nathanted again. ¡°Speak. What¡¯s the method?¡± The bodyguard immediately released Nathanted, stepping back two paces, ¡°Do you really want to know?¡± He licked his lips, smirking wickedly, ¡°I can tell you, but the conditions remain the same. Just nod, and Elliot¡¯s illness can be cured.¡± Sheena frowned, teeth clenched. ¡°Nathaniel, you¡¯re truly shameless.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tter me, Nana. Think carefully about the conditions. Besides, I¡¯m not inferior to Elliot. If you¡¯re with me, I¡¯ll make you the happiest woman on earth.¡± Sheenaughed. ¡°He¡¯s currently the richest person in Svelton, the CPO of the Jenkins Group, the head of the Jenkins family, and the head of the National Investigation Bureau. Besides having more power and influence than you, he¡¯s more handsome, and his physique is better. And you? You¡¯re just a convicted felon, a prisoner. How can youpare to him?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s face slightly changed. The gap between him and Elliot was indeed considerable at the moment, but it might not stay that way for long. Moreover¡­ ¡°Elliot is dying soon, and on this point, I¡¯ve already won!¡± This statement angered Sheena, She grabbed the gun holstered on the bodyguard¡¯s waist, pressing the cold barrel against Nathaniel¡¯s forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll never agree to your conditions. If you don¡¯t speak, I¡¯ll end you right now!¡± Nathaniel was not afraid at all. His once handsome face now looked rough and weathered. ¡°Nana, be careful. idents happen with guns. After all, if I die, Elliot is as good as dead. You can¡¯t possibly kill me, I¡¯m well aware of that. There¡¯s no point in using such methods to scare me.¡± Nathaniel currently held absolute control. Yet, Sheena did not retract the gun, only sneering. ¡°Nathaniel, you aren¡¯t qualified to negotiate conditions with me. If you don¡¯t speak, I¡¯ll have someone pour this medicine down your throat immediately. The taste of living hell should be terrifying. Care to try?¡± Nathanielughed even more recidessly. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°You won¡¯t use this medicine on me because if I really can¡¯t take it and choose to end my life, the method to save Elliot will be buried with me. You¡¯ll spend your whole life not knowing, only able to watch him die. That should be even more unbearable, right?¡± This time, Nathaniel targeted the issue Sheena cared about the most. Sheena¡¯s nails dug fiercely into her palm, her hand trending tightly as if this was the only way to Chapter 537 bring out her rationality. ¡°Why should I believe you? Perhaps you don¡¯t even know how to cure the $4,04, virus and are just trying to deceive me, seizing the opportunity to survive.¡± 212 Nathaniel proposed apromise, ¡°How about this? You find a way to have Corey bail me out and restore my freedom. In exchange, I¡¯ll tell you the method to case Elliot¡¯s current condition. See if I¡¯m lying, then consider whether to agree to my other two conditions.¡± ¡°Deal!¡± Sheena returned the gun to the bodyguard and continued, ¡°However, I need to n the bail carefully. Asking Corey for help twice in a short period might raise suspicions. I¡¯ll figure out an excuse. Nathaniel shrugged indifferently. ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll tell you on the day I¡¯m released from prison. Unlike someone, my body is fine, so I have plenty of time.¡± He subtly hinted at Elliot¡¯s condition again. Sheena was reluctant to send him back to prison in such good shape. She took a deep breath, offering a sorry smile as she looked at Nathaniel again. ¡°Oh, one more thing. I asked Corey to get you out, iming I wanted to beat you up for venting. If we don¡¯t make it realistic, I¡¯ll have a hard time exining it to Corey. I¡¯m sorry, but I have to make it seem that way.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s smile faded instantly. Sheena pretended not to notice and nced at the nearby bodyguards. ¡°Give him a good beating and then take him back.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± After giving the order, Sheena turned and walked away. Soon, the sounds of punches and kicks echoed behind her. Nathaniel¡¯s mouth was sealed again, asionally letting out muffled groans of pain. The sound of the beating improved Sheena¡¯s mood. However, she did not go far, leaning against the wall near the door, quietly listening and waiting. After half an hour of brutal beating, Nathaniel was knocked unconscious. He was bruised, battered, and covered in blood, but none of the harm he suffered was fatal. Nheless, he did have a broken rib. The bodyguard covered his head with a piece of ck cloth once more, then carried him out and handed him over to the waiting personnel. Sheena never moved during the whole ordeal. Chapter 538 Chapter 538 When the car that came to take Nathaniel back to prison drove away, Sheena turned to the two bodyguards. ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± The two exchanged puzzled nces, both looking bewildered. ¡°You¡¯re Ms. Lawson, Mr. Corey¡¯s sister.¡± ¡°Wrong.¡± With an air of cold arrogance, Sheena corrected, ¡°I¡¯m the youngest of the Lawson family, showered with endless affection, the apple of my brothers¡® eyes.¡± The two remained puzzled. Sheena continued, ¡°Corey sent you here to assist me and ensure my safety during my conversation with Nathaniel. If Corey or anyone else in the Lawson family finds out about my talk with Nathaniel today, what do you think would happen to those who don¡¯t follow the rules, gossip, and meddle in our family affairs?¡± The two guards went pale, instantly understanding the gravity of the situation. ¡°Miss, rest assured, we didn¡¯t hear anything.¡± Sheena nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Remember your words. If Corey inquires, stick to your duties. He might scold you, but if anyone dares to spread rumors, I promise to make them regret it.¡± ¡°Yes, miss. You can trust us.¡± ¡°Good. There¡¯s no need to apany me. I¡¯ll make my own way back to the Jenkins estate.¡± By the time Sheena returned, it was already evening. The vintage¨Cstyled walls and wooden carvings of the Jenkins estate were bathed in the red dusk, exuding a ssical charm. During this time, Sheena had be familiar with the route to Elliot¡¯s mansion. Passing through winding alleys, she reached the entrance. The mansion¡¯s garden was lively. Elliot sat in a chair with a brand¨Cnew mahogany que on the table before him. He held a gold- ted brush in his hand, writing on the que. Lionel and Logan were present, along with Ford, Paul, and Sheena¡¯s other bodyguards, all gathered in the garden watching Elliot write. Sheena observed the scene from a distance. The group of handsome men was indeed pleasing to the Chapter 538 2/2 eyes. Among these eight attractive men, Elliot stood out the most. Beyond his strikingly handsome face, his overall aura was also exceptional. With just a nce, Sheena found it impossible to look away. She approached quietly, blending into the back of the crowd, and sneaking a peek at the characters Elliot was writing on the que. ¡°E&S Haven?¡± Hearing her voice, everyone turned to look at her. ¡°Ms. Sheena.¡± ¡°Miss, you¡¯re back.¡± Among them, Elliot¡¯s gaze was the most passionate. ¡°Nana,e here.¡± Sheena walked over, and Elliot embraced her, seating her on hisp. He handed her the brush, cing his hand over hers. Together, they finished thest few alphabets. Elliot was pleased. ¡°You guys, hang this que outside. Lionel, find someone to customize a doorte with these characters and ce it in the garden.¡± ¡°Got it. We¡¯ll get on it right away.¡± The group of young men quickly shifted their focus. Elliot held Sheena¡¯s hand and led her into the mansion. Sheena let him guide her to the couch and teased, ¡°Do you n on calling this ce E&S Haven from now on? What era are we in? Isn¡¯t that embarrassing?¡± ¡°This is a testament to our love. Everyone would be envious of us!¡± Sheena justughed, feeling a warmth in her heart. Elliot seemed to recall something and immediately turned serious, carefully examining her palms, arms, and back for any signs of injuries. Tickled by his actions, Sheena giggled. ¡°Eli, what are you doing? Why are you checking me like you¡¯re investigating a suspect? I really didn¡¯t get beaten up, I promise!¡± Elliot did not believe her. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Last time, when they were caught sleeping together, Corey¡¯s reaction near theb was overwhelming. Given they had slept together quite a few nights recently, how could Corey let her off so easily? Not finding any injuries, Elliot¡¯s gaze shifted down, focusing on her sturdy denim pants. ¡°Did he hurt your legs? Let me check them in the room!¡± Chapter 539 Chapter 539 Sheena was shocked at how sharp Elliot¡¯s mind was! She pondered how to deceive him but allowed him to lead her back to the master bedroom Just as she sat on the bed, Elliot approached her, his well¨Cdefined fingers reaching for the zipper of her jeans. Sheena stared at him in disbelief, asking, ¡°Are you trying to undress mepletely and perform a medical examination?¡± ¡°Why not? Show me your calves, thighs, and even your butt,¡± He would not be at ease until he personally confirmed she was fine! Sheena clung tightly to her jeans, moving her butt away from him, keeping a safe distance. Summoning her courage, she used him, ¡°Elliot, you¡¯re such a pervert! I don¡¯t believe you¡¯re interested in checking for injuries. You¡¯re sick, yet you¡¯re so naughty. How shameless!¡± This time, Elliot genuinely had not considered such intentions. He was solely focused on making sure Sheena had not been harmed, ¡°That¡¯s not it! Besides, I¡¯ve seen every part of your body, What¡¯s wrong with letting me take a look? Are you feeling guilty?¡± Sheena frowned. It seemed like Elliot was not giving up easily today! She bit her lip, her eyes filled with grievances as if his words had hurt her deeply. ¡°Why would I feel guilty? I just said Corey didn¡¯t trouble me, and you actually don¡¯t believe me!¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. As if getting angrier as she spoke, she suddenly attacked him, pushing him onto the bed and straddling him, holding his wrists to restrict his movements, Honestly, she quite liked Elliot in this vulnerable state! He was easy to overpower, fun to tease, and delightful to bully. It allowed Sheena to gain absolute dominance instantly. ¡°You sure have grown bold. How dare you start doubting me! Is your trust in me so fragile? Think about yesterday. You said many hurtful things, but I trusted you and didn¡¯t leave. What about you? It¡¯s only a minor matter, yet you suspect I¡¯m lying!¡± Sheena scolded him, listing his wrongs. Elliot, criticized by her, paled even further. He was doubting Corey, not Sheena. Nevertheless, Ellot could not withstand Sheena¡¯s pitiful expression and usatory tone, especially 212 considering his guilty conscience from the previous day¡¯s events. Unable to defend himself, Elliot pursed his thin lips, his eyshes quivered slightly, and hung his head low Sheena¡¯s slender fingers moved to Elliot¡¯s pale cheek, soothing his gloomy mood. Suppressing the urge tough, she spoke with a solemn tone, ¡°If you know how to admit your mistakes, you¡¯ll be forgiven and rewarded with a kiss. But if you refuse to admit mistakes, you¡¯ll face disciplinary measures. So, do you realize your mistake?¡± Elliot sounded wronged as he replied, ¡°Yes, I was wrong,¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°For not trusting you and even suspecting you.¡± ¡°So, are you going to keep undressing me?¡± Elliot obediently shook his head. ¡°Good boy!¡± Sheena was satisfied, although she did not show it on her face. In reality, she wasughing hysterically inside. Elliott, being delicate and weak, was just too easy to tease! She simply could not get enough of this. She loved it! Sheena fulfilled her earlier promise, leaning down to kiss his thin lips. With patience, their tongues entwined. Elliot became entranced in her kiss, losing all sense of reason. He could not think whether he was being manipted. Soon, his breath grew more urgent. He felt like he was reaching a point of no return. Just when his restless hands were about to explore further, Sheena ended the kiss in a timely manner. ¡°Nana¡­¡± Elliot felt frustrated. He wanted more but could not have it. Ugh, it felt so ufortable! Seeing the desire in his eyes, Sheena spoke firmly, ¡°No! This is for the sake of your health. Once you¡¯re better, you can do whatever you want.¡± Chapter 540 Chapter 540 Elliot lowered his gaze, remaining silent. His illness probably was not going away anytime soon¡­. Was he condemned to a life without fulfilling his desires? ¡°Before dying, you might as well let me have you so I can at least die feeling contented,¡± Elliot remarked half¨Cjokingly. Sheena immediately frowned, pinching his cheek slightly, and warned, ¡°No more talk of death! As long as I¡¯m here, you¡¯re not allowed to give up hope of living. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± Elliot responded softly. He knew his health condition best, but he did not want to worry Sheena. Feeling his half¨Chearted response, Sheena applied a bit more pressure to the pinch. ¡°Louder. I didn¡¯t hear clearly!¡± ¡°I got it.¡± Sheena released her grip, massaging the cheek she had just pinched. Her thoughts, however, wandered as Nathaniel¡¯s situation came to mind. Though unsure of the authenticity of Nathaniel¡¯s words, it seemed the only breakthrough avable at the moment. She had to choose to trust Nathaniel at least once. Yet, if it was true, should she agree to Nathaniel¡¯sst two conditions? The more she thought, the moreplex Sheena¡¯s emotions became. To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings with Elliot in the future because of this matter, she cradled Elliot¡¯s face in her hands, speaking with the utmost caution. ¡°Eli, we should trust each other the most. So, from now on, no matter what happens, you must trust me and my heart unconditionally. Can you promise me that?¡± Elliot met her gaze without hesitation, nodding earnestly, ¡°I will.¡± Sheena, satisfied, lightly kissed his forehead. ¡°Did you take your evening medication?¡± Elliot immediately frowned, shaking his head. ¡°Be good and wait here.¡± Sheena exited the room. A minuteter, she returned with a cup of lukewarm water and Elliot¡¯s pillbox. Elliot¡¯s eyes dulled, looking annoyed as he observed the assortment of colorful pills she picked out. He did not see the point, and they tasted awful. Chad D 212 He did not like it ¡°My stomach is pretty full right now, and I¡¯m not really in the mood for water. Can I take themter?¡± Seeing through his attempt to skip the medication, Sheena stood her ground, extending her hand with a determined gare ¡°Be good and take your medicine.¡± Elliot shook his head, wrapping his arms around her waist, nuzzling his head against her embrace, murmuring softly, ¡°I really don¡¯t want to take them¡­¡± Sheena felt frustrated. This guy was now resorting to being cute, not taking his health seriously at all. ¡°You must take it!¡± Sheena asserted sternly. Elliot tightened his grip around her waist. Despite her scolding, he looked at her with soft, pleading eyes. His pale face appeared fragile and vulnerable. Sheena sighed. When it came to ying the victim, it seemed she was far from matching Elliot¡¯s skills. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and resisted the urge to tie him up and force¨Cfeed him the pills. Reminding herself that he was currently a patient, she had to be gentle, patient, and indulgent! Hence, Sheena steadied her tone, smiling warmly. ¡°What can I do to make you eat them?¡± Elliot thought for a moment, replying innocently, ¡°Feed me.¡± ¡°No problem with that! Come on, I¡¯ll feed you. But first, take a sip of water,¡± Sheena said, offering the water cup. Elliot frowned, shaking his head, and leaning away from the water she brought to his lips. Sheena tightened her grip on the cup, reminding herself once again to be patient. ¡°Still not going to take it? How do you want to be fed?¡± This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Elliot smiled yfully: ¡°Nana, your feeding isn¡¯t sincere. It has to be with your mouth.¡± Sheena was puzzled. Chapter 541 Chapter 541 After a brief moment of confusion, Sheena grasped his meaning. Elliot¡¯s dark eyes gleamed with a mischievous light, eagerly watching her. Who the heck was the mastermind here? Why did she feel like she was the one being yed instead? Oh well, she chose this man, so she might as well indulge him! After a brief sigh, Sheena took a sip of water, leaned down, and gently lifted Elliot¡¯s chin with her fingertip. Elliot closed his eyes, parting his lips slightly, allowing Sheena to pour water into his mouth smoothly. Having given him water, Sheena swiftly inserted a pill into his mouth. ¡°Swallow it!¡± Elliot swallowed the pill happily. ¡°More.¡± Sheena shook her head with a wry smile, wiping away the water stains at the corner of his mouth. ¡°You enjoy this, huh?¡± Elliot nodded eagerly. ¡°It¡¯s great!¡± ¡°What a strange habit!¡± Sheena was exasperated, but what could she do? Spoiling him was the only option! After all, these medications were meant to control angina, treat degenerative diseases, and enhance resistance. Only by consistently taking them and using suppressants could they maximize dying the virus¡¯s spread within Elliot¡¯s body. With these thoughts in mind, Sheena drank another sip of water and kissed Elliot, feeding him the pills repeatedly until they were all gone. She wiped the water stains from the corner of his mouth with a tissue, sealing it with another kiss. Bending over a dozen times in a row, especially after today¡¯s beating and a busy day, had left her a bit tired. However, these medications needed to be taken three times a day, and she could not feed him like this every time. Moreover, she had daytime responsibilities at Angel Group, and she could not stay home around the clock to supervise his medication. Chapter 541 212 Thinking about this, she set three rms on her phone and repeated the same for Elliot¡¯s phone. ¡°I won¡¯t be home for lunch, but you still need to take your medicine properly. I¡¯ll remind you, and if you dare to be as stubborn as today, y any tricks, skip a pill, I¡¯ll give you a good spanking when Ie back, got it?¡± For her, a little spanking was the least harmful and gentlest way to discipline him. Rules had to be set, and only then would heply. ¡°Nana¡­¡± Elliot was not too thrilled. Facing the choice between taking medicine or getting a spanking seemed utterly unfair. And to make matters worse, the proposed punishment was akin to disciplining a child, leaving him ufortable all over. ¡°Why do I feel like you¡¯re treating me like a child? I¡¯m supposed to be your fiance!¡± Sheena gently ruffled his hair, soothing him. ¡°Is there a difference? Since you can¡¯t beat me right now, you have to follow my arrangements. Not only taking medicine, but also the schedule I preparedst time needs to be implemented simultaneously!¡± Elliot wore a bitter expression, too powerless to argue. He just lowered his head, exuding an air of mncholy. Sheena nted kisses on his forehead, eyebrows, cheeks, and lips, each touch gentle and sincere. ¡°Be good. I really don¡¯t want to scold you, and I feel sorry for you too. So, as long as you behave, every night when Ie back, I¡¯ll personally feed you medicine, kiss you, hold you, and pamper you. How about that?¡± These wordsforted Elliot, who nodded obediently.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Sheena was quite satisfied with her disciplinary method. Indeed, abination of kindness and firmness proved to be the most effective. She led Elliot downstairs, personally preparing dinner for him, and before bedtime, shey with him in the master bedroom, spending some time ying on their phones. As it neared 11 p.m., she finally got up, ready to sleep in the adjacent room. Elliot was surprised, grabbing her arm. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, so I¡¯m going back to my room to sleep.¡± Elliot was confused. Chapter 542 Chapter 542 Was she nning to sleep in a separate room from him? Sheena sensed his confusion and exined, ¡°Both of us can¡¯t resist tempting each other and might end up not sleeping properly when we share a bed. For the sake of your health, I think it¡¯s better for us to sleep separately, at least for now.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m used to it. I can¡¯t sleep without you!¡± Taking on his tone, Sheena replied in a spoiled manner, ¡°Habits can be changed. At most, two nights, and you¡¯ll get used to it.¡± ¡®Ugh¡­¡® Elliot groaned internally. Sheena used Elliot¡¯s exact words and threw them back at him. Elliot felt frustrated, unable to utter a single word, only looking at her with eyes full of grievances. Sheena kissed his lips, a prolonged kiss that left a lingering taste. ¡°Goodnight, Eli. See you in the morning!¡± Elliot watched her leave the room, feeling as if she had taken away all the warmth. Following Sheena¡¯s rules, Elliot obediently took his medicine under Lionel¡¯s supervision for a whole week. One noon, while handling official matters remotely in the study, Sheena video¨Ccalled him right after the rm went off. ¡°Eli, it¡¯s time for your medicine!¡± Suppressing the annoyance in his eyes, Elliot responded in a subdued yet steady voice, ¡°Alright.¡± Before he could end the call, Lionel entered with warm water and the piflbox, showing an attentive demeanor. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, your medicine is here.¡± ¡°You are quite¡­ dedicated,¡± Elliot said coldly, casting a disdainful nce at him. He took the water jonel offered, poured all the pills into his mouth, and swallowed them in one swift and decisive moboa It was bitter! All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. With a pak face and a slight frown on his forehead, Elliot forcefully pushed down the nauseating feeling. He smiled faintly at the camera assuring Sheena that he had taken all the pills, and she ended the video call with relief. Chapter 542 2/2 The screen went ck, and Elliot rushed to the bathroom sink, experiencing a fit of intense dry heaving that seemed to tear his chest apart. However, nothing came out. Medications often brought certain side effects, including nausea, loss of appetite, and a bitter taste in the mouth when taken in excess. Watching him, Lionel could not help but feel sympathy. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, enduring this difort every time you take your medication isn¡¯t a sustainable solution.¡± After rinsing his mouth and swallowing some water, Elliot still had a lingering taste of bitterness. His mouth was bitter, but his heart was even more so. Only thoughts of Sheena¡¯s radiant and enchanting beauty brought a hint of sweetness. Sitting back in his office chair, he sighed softly and asked, ¡°Got a cigarette?¡± Lionel was taken aback. ¡°Isn¡¯t Ms. Sheena against you smoking?¡± Without saying a word, Elliot turned his hand upward, signaling for Lionel to hand him a cigarette. Lionel reached into his pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes he had bought that morning. They were quite expensive, and even he hesitated to smoke them. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯ll need to reimburse me for these!¡± Elliot casually nced up, simply nodding. Opening the pack, Lionel took a cigarette and extended it to Elliot. However, midway through, he hesitated, looking troubled. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you sure about this? If Ms. Sheena finds out, she might skin you alive! And I might suffer too!¡± Elliot¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°If you keep babbling, you¡¯ll be the one suffering right now.¡± Realizing there was no room for further argument, Lionel handed it over. He consoled himself, thinking it was just one cigarette, unlikely to be discovered. Moreover, he understood that Elliot needed something to help alleviate his mental stress. Little did he expect that Elliot was actually nning to do something totally different and much simpler! Chapter 543 Chapter 543 In a minimalist, monochrome¨Cthemed study, Elliot took the cigarette Lionel handed him, brought it to his nose, and elegantly took a few sniffs. This action might seem slightly questionable if done by someone else, but Elliot¡¯s every move exuded grace and nobility, an aura of coldness and distinction, almost as if he were savoring fine champagne. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. After taking a few breaths, Elliot nonchntly tossed the cigarette into the trash can. Lionel had the lighter ready and was stunned to see Elliot simply throwing the cigarette into the trash can. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, a¨Caren¡¯t you going to smoke it?¡± Elliot sighed. ¡°Smoking will leave lingering odors on my clothes and the study. She¡¯s too clever, always able to detect the slightest traces. Besides, smoking isn¡¯t a good habit.¡± A quick whiff of satisfaction was enough. Lionel nodded thoughtfully. ¡°When you leaveter, remember to take the trash from the study with you.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Perhaps as a form of self¨Cconstion, Elliot felt more at ease after smelling the cigarette. He thought this method was quite effective and less likely to be discovered by Sheena. Hence, he decided he would indulge a bit more. ¡°The brand of this cigarette is not bad. Lionel, if you have time this afternoon, buy me some more cigarettes and hide them all in a drawer.¡± ¡°In the mansion?¡± Lionel gasped in shock, grinning. ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve! Aren¡¯t you practically committing a crime right under Ms. Sheena¡¯s nose?¡± He was tiptoeing along the edge of getting hit, constantly pushing his luck! Elliot gently massaged his forehead, unfazed. ¡°Nana is upied during the day, and she rarely checks drawers when she returns at night. Just find a discreet corner. She won¡¯t notice it.¡± Really? Lionel found this n a bit unreliable. Or was Elliot subtly hinting to himself that he was itching for a beating after a few days without one from Sheena? After all, he thought Elliot was someone with a penchant for masochism¡­ Thest time Elliot was beaten up, Lionel got a raise. He sighed inwardly but dared not directly ask. Someone as proud and aplished as Elliot would never admit to having any peculiar preferences in that regard. Nevertheless, if Elliot liked it, as a Chapter 543 subordinate and friend, Lionel felt obliged to lend a hand! Noticing Lionel¡¯s silence, Elliot cast a cold nce to the side and raised an eyebrow slightly. ¡°Is my message not clear enough?¡± 212 Lionel, catching onto the subtle eyebrow gesture, nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! As long as you like it, I won¡¯t disappoint you. But¡­ are you really sure you¡¯ve thought this through¡­¡± What if Sheena went berserk after discovering itter? Could Elliot handle a beating? Lionel was genuinely concerned, having mixed feelings about the situation. Elliot listened with a puzzled expression, his cold gaze fixed on Lionel. ¡°I get it! I¡¯ll get it done immediately, and I promise it¡¯ll be handled properly!¡± Exiting the study, Lionel gently closed the door behind him. Elliot nced toward the door. For some reason, Lionel gave him an extremely unreliable feeling today. Phoebe was busy filming a new dramately. It was a period -piece inspirational growth story centered around a female protagonist. They had an excellent script, and the director was well¨Cknown in the industry. Thanks to Howard, Phoebe secured the leading role in the drama. If she utilized this opportunity well, she might have a chance topete for the Golden Flower¡¯s Best Actress Award at the end of the year. Chapter 544 Chapter 544 Sheena was genuinely happy for Phoebe and decided to pay a visit to Svelton World Studios in the afternoon. When she arrived, it happened to be break time on the set. Still adorned in the exquisite costume, Phoebe greeted Sheena with a radiant smile, waving her hand. The delicate ornaments on her jingled as she moved. Smiling, Sheena walked over and took a seat nearby. The two talked about their recent activities when Phoebe suddenly remembered an important matter. ¡°Sheena, this morning, the Butterflies received an invitation from the Upton family to Ms. Upton¡¯s birthday party. The Upton family invited us to perform a few acts. Did you hear about it?¡± Sheena furrowed her brows. ¡°This morning? Your agent hasn¡¯t reported it to me yet.¡± Phoebe gave it a thought and replied, ¡°Considering Ms. Upton¡¯s personality, I feel like it¡¯s a trap. How do you see it?¡± ¡°Katie has always been proud and looks down on celebrities from the entertainment industry. The fact that she¡¯s inviting you to liven up the party clearly indicates she¡¯s targeting you.¡± Phoebe lowered her head, remaining silent. Sheena patted her shoulder reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s good to take a look. With Howard and me around, we¡¯ll keep an eye out for you.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯m not afraid. I trust you. Sheena smiled, a gleam in her eyes when thinking about Katie. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I stirred up some trouble. If Katie dares to cause a scene at her own party, I¡¯ll help her again and turn the Upton family upside down!¡± Phoebe stared at her intently, captivated by her sparkling eyes. Sheena snapped back to reality and, remembering Phoebe and Howard¡¯s situation, could not help but ask, ¡°Phoebe, tell me honestly, do you truly like Howard? Do you really¡­ want to be with him?¡± Phoebe lowered her head, recalling her agreement with Howard, and nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll do what he says. If he gives up on our rtionship in the future, I¡¯ll give up too.¡± Sheena sighed softly, not saying more. Albert always ced great importance on social status. When she married ¡®Elijah¡® in Farlem, Albert opposed it strongly, but due to his affection for her, he gave her more leniency. If Albert found out about Howard and Phoebe¡¯s affair in the future¡­ Chapter 584 She wondered if Howard would receive the same treatment as she did. 944 212 After a busy day, Sheena returned to the mansion on time. In the garden, the custom¨Cmade que stone Elliot ordered in the garden had been delivered, bearing the inscription ¡®E&S Haven¡® in red. Sheena suddenly felt a warm sensation in her heart, and her steps quickened. Not having seen her adorable and clingy sweetheart the whole day, she was starting to miss him. As she opened the grand entrance of the mansion, without even taking in the state of the living room, a tall and handsome figure leaped from behind the door, tightly embracing her waist. ¡°Nana, I missed you¡­¡± The man¡¯s maic voice softly expressed his longing. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Sheena felt a sweet sensation in her heart. Her slender and fair hand caressed his back gently, patting and soothing him. ¡°Then, how about I take a day off tomorrow and stay home with you?¡± Elliot smiled. ¡°Sounds wonderful.¡± It would be even better if he could hold her while sleeping at night¡­ Nheless, he was content. After dinner, the rm clock rang, signaling Elliot¡¯s time to take medication. Sheena walked down from the bedroom, poured water, and, in the cab stacked with numerous pillboxes, opened the corresponding one, took a few pills, and ced them into a transparent medicine container. However, she noticed the bottom drawer had been slightly ajar. Curious, she opened the drawer and saw¡­ cigarette boxes. Chapter 545 Chapter 545 In the bedroom, Elliot waited for quite a while, but Sheena never came upstairs with the pillbox. ¡°Nana?¡± Despite the lights being on downstairs, there was no response. Filled with suspicion, Elliot got out of bed, put on his slippers, and went down the stairs to investigate. As soon as he reached the lower floor, he turned his head and spotted Sheena standing in front of the cab, closely examining a cigarette box in her hand. The drawer in the corner was wide open, filled to the brim with cigarette boxes. A sudden jolt hit him, and his handsome face turned a few shades paler. Lionel had bought those this afternoon, mentioning the drawer¡¯s location before leaving. However, he had not had the chance to open it personally as he was busy with a remote meeting all afternoon. Damn it! Sheena never went through the drawers usually. Was he just unlucky to get caught today? Moreover, Lionel had bought so many! His spine stiffened, and frustration boiled within him. Sheena, holding a cigarette box, turned around and walked to the sofa, sitting down with an icy demeanor. ¡°Care to exin?¡± Still standing on the staircase, Elliot denied without batting an eye, ¡°It¡¯s not mine. I never use this brand. It must be Lionel¡¯s.¡± Sheena found this amusing, staring into his eyes with a mocking smile. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying Lionel conveniently ced his cigarettes in your mansion, living room, and drawer. What¡¯s his purpose? To entice you into smoking with him?¡± Elliot fell silent, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing as his longshes trembled. Sheena continued, her tone gradually turning colder, ¡°Eli, what are you thinking?¡± She kept a tight gaze on him, a storm raging in her eyes. ¡°Are you trying to figure out how to smooth¨Ctalk and fool me?¡± With a loud thud, she mmed the cigarette box onto the coffee table, bursting into a fit of rage. With the sudden and unexpected loud thud, Elliot almost instinctively sank to both knees, kneeling on the floor right away. He lowered his gaze, preparing to confess and beg for leniency. Chapter 565 217 He appeared both aggrieved and honest ¡°I was wrong! Please, let me exin!¡± Sheena¡¯s cold gaze softened slightly. When he knelt, there was a muffled sound, and she heard it. Moreover, he knelt on the icy marble floor. Even though she pitied him, she resisted the urge to go and help him with his knees and kept her gaze on the cigarette box on the coffee table. She pointed to the soft carpet at her feet and said, ¡°Come here.¡± Due to his forceful movement earlier, Elliot¡¯s knees had indeed taken a hard hit. When he stood up, he staggered for a moment, his brow furrowed in pain. He quickly concealed the pain in his eyes and slowly approached Sheena. Sheena observed him closely, noticing every subtle movement. Just as Elliot was about to kneel again, Sheena spoke, ¡°Take a knee, just like in the military.¡± Huh? Take a knee? Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Elliot paused momentarily, feeling puzzled. Sheena looked at him and said coldly, ¡°Didn¡¯t hear it clearly? Do I need to repeat?¡± ¡°I heard it.¡± He promptly assumed the most standard military kneel position, with one knee on the ground, thumbs together, and his spine straight. In this posture, he exuded a sense of righteousness and pride, but due to being caught for his wrongdoing, he appeared somewhatcking in confidence, overshadowed by Sheena¡¯s strong aura. Sheena gestured to the cigarette box on the coffee table, saying, ¡°This is yourst chance to exin. Think carefully before you speak.¡± Chapter 546 Chapter 546 Chapter 546 Elliot nodded obediently and said, ¡°Thank you.¡± He began to carefully choose his words, confessing honestly, ¡°The cigarettes are indeed mine. I asked Lionel to buy them, but I didn¡¯t intend to smoke them.¡± The simmering anger in Sheena¡¯s chest continued to charm. She took a deep breath, holding her anger back. ¡°Still not telling the truth? It seems you¡¯ve been secretly doing this behind my back many times. Come clean. How many cigarettes have you smoked?¡± Elliot felt wronged. ¡°I only instructed Lionel this afternoon and was already caught by you in the evening. I really didn¡¯t smoke any.¡± Sheena suppressed her anger once again, picked up the cigarette box from the table, opened it, and showed it to him. ¡°When I came over, the cab drawer was slightly open, as if it had just been opened today. And this top box is clearly missing one. Do you still want to deny it?¡± Elliot was taken aback. So, that was how it was discovered! Moreover, Lionel even put the pack of cigarettes he had used the day in the drawer. Was he just careless, or did he have malicious intentions? Suppressing the urge to confront Lionel immediately, Elliot consciously changed his crouching posture into a kneeling one. ¡°I did use one cigarette today, but I only smelled it. I didn¡¯t even light it at all. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can check if there¡¯s any smell on me. I really didn¡¯t smoke!¡± Sheena squinted her beautiful eyes and sneered, ¡°You could¡¯ve just taken a shower and changed your clothes after smoking it. I won¡¯t smell it that way.¡± She did not believe him at all¡­ Elliot felt a pain in his chest, and the corners of his eyes turned red with frustration. He delicately grasped her sleeve with his fingertips as if seeking a bit offort. ¡°Nana, you saidst time that we should trust each other. I¡¯m telling the truth, please believe me this time.¡± ¡°Then why did you deny that the cigarettes were yours just now? So, which statement should I believe?¡± Elliot was speechless, trapped by Lionel and his own momentary wishful thinking. Chapter 546 He bit his lower lip hard, feeling a heavy difort from his inability to exin anything, Sheena quickly noticed the tears in his eyes, a sign of immense grievance, pity, and helplesstiese, Soon, a row of faint blood imprints marked his bitten lower lip. ¡°Let go!¡± Sheena snapped, suddenly pinching his cheek with her fingertips, forcing him to open his mouth. His handsome face was pale as he lowered his gaze, and the bright red bloodstains on his thin lips were particrly striking, adding a touch of misery. ¡°You made a mistake, yet you¡¯re feeling victimized?¡± Sheena sighed, feeling a bit of pity. She bent and kissed his lips, her tongue gently soothing the pain on his lips. A faint taste of sweetness and iron lingered in their mouths. After the kiss, Sheena continued pinching his face, meeting his gaze up close. Secretly unable to bear looking at him in this situation, she offered him a way out. ¡°Since you insist that you didn¡¯t smoke, the intact cigarette should still be there. Find it, and I¡¯ll believe you.¡± Finally, a glimmer of light appeared in Elliot¡¯s dark eyes. ¡°Good! It¡¯s in the study¡¯s¡­¡± His words abruptly stopped. Damn it! He had Lionel pack the cigarette together with the garbage from the study. Where the hell could he find it now?! Sheena tightened her grip on his face. ¡°Where in the study?¡± ¡°I threw it in the trash, and Lionel took it away when he left¡­¡® 11 Sheena raised an eyebrow. ¡°Isn¡¯t that just too convenient?¡± Really, it was just that convenient! Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. It was almost impossible to clear his name at this point! Elliot was exasperated and stared at Sheena with misty eyes. ¡°I have no physical evidence, but I have a witness. I¡¯ll make Lionel testify to my innocence!¡± Sheena arrogantly nced at him and released his chin, tacitly agreeing. One minuteter, Lionel¡¯s phone was answered. Without waiting for Lionel to speak on the other end, Elliot¡¯s rage surfaced as he scolded through gritted teeth, ¡°You¡¯ve got fifteen minutes! Get your ass over here immediately!¡± Chapter 547 Chapter 547 Lionel was about to arrive, and Sheena did not want Elliot to lose his dignified presence and respect in front of others. Hence, she gestured toward the small sofa nearby. ¡°Sit there.¡± Elliot remained unmoved, angrily lowering his head. Concerned about his tendency for angina, Sheena quickly patted his cheek, soothing his emotions gently. ¡°Be a good boy and take a seat. You might clear your name soon.¡± Only then did Elliot restrain his raging emotions and sat on the adjacent sofa. Fifteen minutester, Lionel rushed in. The chilling and intimidating atmosphere in the living room made him shiver as soon as he entered. Seeing the cigarettes on the coffee table, he knew what was happening. His well¨Cthought¨Cout n worked brilliantly! Elliot was caught red¨Chanded so quickly. He stood behind the coffee table, feeling a bit delighted. Moreover, Elliot was even smiling at him! Suppressing his internal fury for Sheena¡¯s sake, Elliot calmly said, ¡°Nana saw the cigarettes you left in the drawer. You better exin to her honestly. If you dare utter a single lie, I¡¯ll carry you to the interrogation room tomorrow with a polygraph and a taser!¡± So ruthless! Why was it not following the script he had anticipated? This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Was Elliot not looking forward to being punished? Should he not be happy? Lionel was stunned, too scared to utter a word. Frowning, Sheena red at Elliot and asked, ¡°Why are you threatening him?¡± ¡°I¨CI¡¯m not¡­¡± Elliot¡¯s tone instantly lost its force. Nheless, Sheena did not n to make it hard for Elliot. Hence, she redirected her focus to Lionel, asking calmly, ¡°Lionel, be honest with me. Did Elliot smoke today?¡± Lionel hesitated, ncing at Elliot beside him. Chapter 547 212 Elliot yfully reminded, ¡°Taser.¡± Lionel shuddered and replied, ¡°He didn¡¯t smoke! Mr. Jenkins asked for a cigarette and just smelled it before throwing it away.¡± Sheena crossed her hands before her and nced at the two men. It seemed she was not entirely convinced. ¡°Lionel, don¡¯t be afraid. With me here, as long as you¡¯re telling the truth, I guarantee Elliot won¡¯t dare to harm you.¡± With Sheena¡¯s assurance, Lionel breathed a sigh of relief, raising his right hand as if making a solemn oath. ¡°Ms. Sheena, I promise every word I say is absolutely true!¡± ¡°Good.¡± Sheena nodded, seemingly convinced. Elliot let out a breath of relief. However, before he could fully rx, Sheena continued questioning, ¡°What about the cigarettes in the drawer?¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins asked me to buy them for him this afternoon and told me to hide them all in a drawer.¡± Sheena noticed a crucial detail, narrowing her eyes. ¡°Hide?¡± Lionel nodded. ¡°Mr. Jenkins said you¡¯re busy during the day and rarely check the drawers. He asked me to find a corner drawer to stash them away so you wouldn¡¯t notice.¡± Sheena chuckled, casting a meaningful nce at Elliot. ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s the n. To avoid my discovery.¡± Elliot was raging inwardly. The more Lionel exined, the deeper he dug himself. It was almost impossible to clear his name at this point! ring fiercely at Lionel, Elliot gritted his teeth and warned him, ¡°I told you to confess, not to narrate every single word I said before! You¡¯re here to clear my name!¡± Lionel finally grasped the situation. Chapter 548 Chapter 548 Lionel finally realized he had misunderstood Elliot¡¯s intention. He thought Elliot was intentionally courting trouble. It turned out Elliot genuinely wanted to keep it from Sheena! In contrast to Elliot¡¯s rage, Sheena smiled warmly. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. You confessed well. With me around, feel free to speak boldly.¡± However, Lionel, realizing he had erred and harmed Elliot, did not feel as confident as before. He needed to consider carefully how to make amends. Otherwise, he might be in serious trouble. If Elliot erupted in anger, Sheena¡¯s pardon might not be enough to save him! After pondering for a while, Lionel spoke sincerely, ¡°Ms. Sheena, Mr. Jenkins was wrong to hide it from you, but he truly remembered the schedule you customized. He never intended to actually smoke.¡± ¡°He¡¯s been taking medication three times a day. Those pills are bitter, and an overdose can cause loss of appetite and nausea. He just wanted a way to ease the difort after taking the medicine. He simply used the wrong method.¡± Lionel¡¯s detailed exnation was heartfelt, and Elliot¡¯s gloomy expression gradually softened as he finally heard someforting words from Lionel. With an unreadable expression, Sheena left them guessing whether she believed him or not. Lionel cautiously added, ¡°Ms. Sheena, don¡¯t be angry with Mr. Jenkins, please?¡± After all, with an outsider present, Sheena refrained from mentioning Elliot¡¯s earlier attempt to deceive her. She smiled at Elliot, saying gently, ¡°It¡¯s a small matter, nothing to get upset about. Right, Eli?¡± Elliot nodded, looking genuinely remorseful. Shifting her gaze back to the cigarettes on the table, Sheena continued, ¡°But in the future, let¡¯s not keep these cigarettes around. They¡¯re not good. Lionel, clear out the drawer and sell all the cigarettes at a low price.¡± ¡°At a low price!¡± Lionel¡¯s eyes widened. Thosex Mor mium imported cigarette boxes, quite expensive! vas his favorite brand, and selling them at a low price would be a heartbreaking loss! d at him, ¡°Listen to Nana. Take all these cigarettes away tonight. I don¡¯t want to see this un!¡± Lionel looked miserable, ¡°Yes, Jenkins.¡± Chapter 548 272 While Lionel dealt with the cigarettes in the living room, Sheena stood up and grabbed Elliot¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs.¡± Even though her tone was calm, Elliot¡¯s heart still skipped a beat. After all the effort to exin, was he still going to get a scolding? Nheless, he let Sheena lead him back to the master bedroom. ¡°Sit,¡± Sheenamanded, and Elliot obediently took a seat, feeling quite apprehensive. He could not determine if Sheena was still angry, but he knew he really, really hated getting spanked! If not for fear of Sheena¡¯s anger, Elliot would have thrown the ruler in the drawer and the washboard in the wardrobe into the ocean, never to be recovered! Lost in these gloomy thoughts, he saw Sheena turn toward the bedside table, cing her hand on the first drawer as if she was about to open it. He knew exactly what was inside! Without waiting for Sheena to open the drawer fully, he clutched his chest, furrowing his brow, and weakly called out, ¡°Nana, I¡­ feel ufortable¡­¡± This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Sheena immediately rushed over to check his condition. ¡°Does your chest hurt? Is it another episode of angina? How did this happen? You¡¯ve been taking medicine for a week. It shouldn¡¯t happen so easily.¡± Weakly, he breathed, eyshes drooping, his handsome face pale and sickly as he leaned against her. Sheena, concerned, said, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t endure an attack. Let me get the medication that specifically suppresses angina attacks for you!¡± ¡°No need!¡± Just as she was about to get up, Elliot grabbed her wrist. His grip was calm, showing none of the trembling weakness from before. Realizing he might have been too intense, Elliot weakly let go, burying his head in her embrace, and murmured, ¡°What I meant is, with you holding me, I feel much better¡­¡± Sheena fell silent. She lowered her head, restrained her cold gaze, and quietly stared at his head. She had a sense of what was going on. Not only did he deceive and hide things from her today, but now he was also putting on an act! Initially, she wanted to let him off the hook, fetch the anti¨Cinmmatory cream from the drawer, and personally help him with his knees. However, she had to reconsider that n now! Chapter 549 Chapter 549 Sheena gently patted his back without a hint of emotion, soothing him carefully. Afterforting him for a few minutes, she finally asked, ¡°Still feeling unwell?¡± The paleness on Elliot¡¯s face persisted, but he pretended to be strong and nodded. ¡°I¡¯m okay with you by my side.¡± Sheena secretly admired his theatrical performance. She helped him lie down at the head of the bed, propping up a pillow and tucking him in with the nket. ¡°We wasted half an hour just now, and you haven¡¯t taken your evening medication. Wait for a moment. I¡¯ll go get it for you.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. In less than two minutes, Sheena ced a cup of warm water and the pillbox on the bedside table. She first closed and locked the door before sitting back by the bedside. Elliot looked at the pills in disgust. ¡°Nana, can I have your medicine¨Cfeeding service tonight?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression remained calm as she handed him the water, questioning, ¡°How do you think you performed tonight? Do you deserve a reward?¡± He instantly lowered his gaze, knowing he was in the wrong. He would consider himself fortunate if he could escape a beating tonight. It was more realistic for him to forget about the rewards. After suppressing his disappointment, he took the cup from Sheena and, in a fit of irritation, swallowed dozens of pills at once. However, his haste caused him to choke and cough. Sheena hurriedly patted his back to ease his coughing. Then, she scolded, ¡°Silly boy, you should¡¯ve swallowed about three pills at a time with water. How do you expect it not to taste bitter if you take them all at once?¡± She took a pack of milk candies from her pocket, a special treat she had bought him that day. After tearing open the packaging, she picked one, leaving the rest on the bedside table. After that, she unwrapped the candy and gently ced it in Elliot¡¯s mouth. ¡°No more mistreating your body like this. If the medicine tastes bitter, just eat a candy. Using cigarettes to cope is unrealistic and harmful. You mustn¡¯t entertain such thoughts, understand?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Elliot, with a candy in his mouth, mumbled a muffled reply. He savored the taste of the candy, finding Chapter 549 it sweet and milky. Moreover, Sheena personally chose this milk candy and fed it to him, making his heart feel sweet and warm. While enjoying the candy, Elliot extended his arms toward Sheena, seeking a hug. The usually stern eyes sparkled innocently. There was no hint of hostility when facing Sheena. With cheeks puffed due to the candy, he unexpectedly looked a bit cute and vulnerable. Sheena chuckled and shook her head, gently flicking his forehead. ¡°Even though you¡¯re five years older than me, you eat milk candies like a three¨Cyear¨Cold. Is this candy really that good?¡± Elliot nodded. ¡°Well, let me taste it too.¡± She turned around to grab a candy from the bedside table, but Elliot swiftly caught her arm, pulling her toward him. His lips pressed down, and their tongues entwined. The sweet, milky fragrance lingered in the air between them. Elliot smirked. ¡°Is it delicious?¡± Sheena, with a sultry smile, replied, ¡°Not bad.¡± Her fingertips caressed Elliot¡¯s face again, her smile turning mischievous as she teased, ¡°Now that we¡¯ve finished the medicine and tasted the candy, should we move on to the next thing?¡± Confused, Elliot furrowed his brow, sensing something amiss from her expression. Sheena, not giving him a chance to react, got up and quickly opened the first drawer of the bedside table, taking out a ruler. With a sly smile and a dominating aura, she held the ruler in her right hand, tapping it. Elliot stared at the item in her hand, his face turning pale, and suddenly, the candy in his mouth did not taste so sweet anymore. After going around in circles, he found himself back in a situation where he was about to get punished. One moment he felt like he was in heaven, and the next, it was a nightmare from hell. ¡°Nana¡­¡± He clutched his palm, feeling quite distressed. ¡°I was wrong¡­¡® Sheena remained unfazed. ¡°If you know you¡¯re wrong, you should ept the punishment so that you won¡¯t repeat the same mistake. Now, show me your hand!¡± Chapter 550 Chapter 550 Elliot frowned and took a deep breath, knowing he could not escape punishment. He should not have entertained any hopeful thoughts. His momentary relief was just a fleeting delusion. Sheena emphasized her tone. ¡°Hmm?¡± Under her piercing gaze, Elliot slowly extended his left hand, the end of the ruler now resting in his palm, but Sheena did not rush to use it. Sheena continued, ¡°Hiding cigarettes, lying to me by ming Lionel, trying to put on an act and avoid punishment by making me worry. How many spanks do you think you deserve?¡± Elliot¡¯s heart sank. She had seen through his deliberate attempt to gain sympathy. Her mind was as clear, listing each of his wrongdoings today. ¡°Speak up. How many?¡± Sheena lightly tapped the palm of his hand with the ruler, bringing his focus back. Biting his lip, Elliot replied weakly, ¡°Uh¡­ just one?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned icy, and she said coldly, ¡°One hundred.¡± Elliot¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly negotiated, ¡°How about five?¡± Sheena remained unfazed. ¡°Fifty.¡± Feeling he was catching on to her pattern of reducing the count each time, Elliot continued to test the waters. ¡°Ten?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Sheena paused for a moment before saying, ¡°Twenty.¡± Reluctantly epting this oue, Elliot mumbled, ¡°Alright, twenty it is. Hit me.¡± Sheena did not move, raising an eyebrow and sporting a mischievous smile. ¡°You misunderstood. The rule is to add your count to mine. So, it¡¯s forty spanks. Coincidentally, I just counted, and you made four mistakes! We really get each other!¡± Elliot stared nkly at her, feeling like he was on the verge of breaking down. That was not how things were supposed to y out! Feeling a tightness in his chest, he weakly asked, ¡°How hard are you going to hit?¡± If she applied the same force as thest time she disciplined him, forty hits would render his left hand Chapter 550 22 useless! Sheena remained solemn, stating, ¡°This is punishment. If I go easy on you, will you really remember your lesson?¡± Elliot¡¯s spirit was crushed. The end of the ruler was still resting on his left palm as if preparing to unleash intense pain at any moment, radiating a menacing presence. He hung his head dejectedly, on the brink of tears, as he secretly grumbled at how Sheena did not care for him at all¡­ Suddenly, the ruler left his hand. In the next moment, the ruler, apanied by a swift sound, struck his palm repeatedly, denying him any chance to catch his breath. Elliot¡¯s fingertips trembled, jaw clenched tightly, resisting the urge to retract his hand. Though he felt unfairly treated, he obediently endured it. The night was unusually quiet, and the continuous sound of the ruler striking added an eerie atmosphere. Sheena, who had imed not to go easy, instinctively applied only a fraction of her strength. Each strike was painful, but it did notpare to the intensity of the previous five. After forty strikes, Elliot¡¯s left palm was swollen and tinged with a purplish¨Cred hue. Elliot knew she had not hit him too hard this time, but he still could not help butin, ¡°I thought you really didn¡¯t care about me anymore.¡± Sheena cradled his left hand, and with soft lips, she kissed his burning palm inch by inch, gently and patiently. In her own way, she sought to erase all his pain. Chatper 551 Chapter 551 Sheena closed her eyes, silently expressing her affection for him. Elliot, staring in awe, felt a profound emotional response within. After the kisses, Sheena asked, ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Elliot initially intended to say ¡®not much¡¯, but recalling the excruciating price he paidst time for such an answer, he quickly changed his answer. He pouted, ¡°It hurts¡­¡± With an approving gaze, Sheena teasingly remarked, ¡°Oh, so you¡¯ve learned your lesson! This time, you know to say it hurts. Looks like enduring it wasn¡¯t in vain.¡± After a few more kisses to his palm, Sheena stood up, returned the ruler to the drawer, and retrieved the anti-inmmatory ointment. She applied the ointment to his palm and knees, blowing kisses on them. ¡°In the future, just tell me when something¡¯s bothering you. If the medicine tastes bitter, discuss it with me earlier. There¡¯s no need for all these troubles, alright?¡± Elliot nodded, looking at her with tender eyes, feeling content. Days with her were sweet, even with the small conflicts. Just as he was immersed in the moment, Sheena¡¯s next wordspletely caught him off guard. She said, ¡°Actually, I had nned to let you off tonight. Bringing you back to the room was just to apply ointment to your knees. Who knew you¡¯d enjoy acting so much, clueless about your mistakes and eager to be punished.¡± His spine stiffened as he stared nkly at his left palm. So, Sheena was telling him that this beating was a result of his own performance?? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. His inner turmoil reached a new height, and the wounds on his palm seemed to ache even more. Weakly, he retreated into Sheena¡¯s embrace, his handsome features expressing sorrow and distress. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t leave. Sleep with me. Please?¡± Sheena was momentarily stunned. She wiped the remaining ointment off her fingertips with a wet wipe and then gently touched his face. ¡°No. Wait until you¡¯re feeling better. If you really want to share a bed, thenmit to taking your medicine and exercising. Get well soon.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Winter was approaching, and given his health condition, he was not sure if he could make it through Chapter 551 2/2 until next spring. After much contemtion, he decided not to say anything, just watching Sheena leave the room. Since Sheena had a day off the next day, she stayed with Elliot at the mansion all day. As a result, Lionel did not get a chance toe and apologize. Anxious and sleepless for two nights, Lionel waited until the third day when Sheena went back to work. He came to supervise Elliot taking his medication at noon. He knocked on the study¡¯s door, feeling uneasy. ¡°Come in,¡± came a deep and steady voice, devoid of any emotion. Lionel took a deep breath and cautiously opened the door, lifting the bead curtain as he approached Elliot with heavy steps. Elliot stopped typing on his keyboard, looking at Lionel coldly. Lionel shivered, but he still put on a smile, trying to appease Elliot. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, about the night before yesterday¡­ H-How did it go with you and Ms. Sheena?¡± ¡°Quite well. Thanks to you, I got a spanking of forty strokes from Nana!¡± Elliot¡¯s gaze was as cold as ice, and he did not spare any mercy, cing the me squarely on Lionel. Lionel was stunned, and he felt a pain in his hand. Before he could start his act of crying and begging for mercy, Elliot continued, ¡°I heard there¡¯s a small country called Thiran that¡¯s recruiting a lot of coal minerstely. I think you¡¯d be a good fit. How about I transfer you there?¡± ¡°What?¡± Chatper 552 Chapter 552 Lionel was in aplete mess, throwing himself at Elliot¡¯s feet, hugging his sturdy thighs, and wailing at the top of his lungs: ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I¡¯m sorry! It¡¯s all my fault. Can¡¯t you just give me a double beating? I don¡¯t want to go to Thiran to mine coal! I¡¯d rather die than leave you! Considering the many years of hard work and loyalty I¡¯ve dedicated to you, please give me another chance to make amends!¡± At the end of his plea, he made sure to add a little spit near his eyes, looking sorrowful as his how seemed genuinely heartfelt. Elliot thought, ¡®Here we go again¡­¡® He was thoroughly disgusted by this performance and gave Lionel a gentle kick. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving! I¡¯d rather die than go to Thiran, so you might as well kill me! Dying at your hands would be my blessing!¡± Lionel clung to Elliot¡¯s legs, refusing to let go, swaying back and forth with each kick. Elliot was annoyed, yet he could not help butugh at Lionel¡¯s shameless antics. In an angry tone, he said, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be sent to Thiran, then get lost. Don¡¯t bother me these next few days! Get the hell out of here right now!¡± ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll go now!¡± Lionel left the room. Elliot sighed, watching Lionel leave. Nheless, the fire in his heart had eased a bit thanks to Lionel¡¯s shameless performance. However, as soon as he redirected his attention to the screen, something grabbed his calf before his hands could start typing. Elliot nced down, furrowing his brow. ¡°Why are you back so soon?¡± Lionel spoke with a straight face, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, just now, it was Lionel, the captain of the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s Fourth Team. Now, the one who has returned is Lionel,manded by Ms. Sheena to supervise your medication. I¡¯m under Ms. Sheena¡¯smand now¡­¡± ¡°Lionel!¡± Elliot was furious, clenching his teeth. He picked up the coffee cup on the desk, ready to throw it at Lionel. Lionel simply shielded his head, not daring to dodge. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, go ahead and vent! I have a sturdy body, like a sandbag, ready to be punched! But I won¡¯t leave. Otherwise, I won¡¯t be able to report to Ms. Sheena, and I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t want her to find out about you settling scores with me, right?¡± After all, Sheena gave him a get¨Cout¨Cof¨Cjail¨Cfree card that day! ¡°Wow! With someone backing you up, you dare to threaten me now?¡± Chapter 552 2/2 Elijah¡¯s chilling aura filled the room. Lionel responded, ¡°No way! But¡­ if I leave, and Ms. Sheena finds out, she¡¯ll surely think you never admitted fault and intentionally shifted me onto me. She¡¯s bound to be mad at you!¡± ¡°It¡¯s all for your own good! My loyalty to you is unwavering!¡± Lionel crawled up from the floor, squatting by Elliot¡¯s feet, earnestly massaging his legs. Elliot was in disbelief. ¡°How are you bing so shameless? Who did you learn from?¡± ¡°Of course, I learned from you-¡± Lionel quickly changed his choice of words. ¡°Youtube! They have everything there. Besides, I¡¯ve always been shameless!¡± Elliot was both angry and amused, shaking his head in resignation, choosing to ignore him and redirecting his thoughts to official matters. In the end, Lionel did not leave. He remained kneeling on one knee by Elliot¡¯s feet, diligently massaging his legs. After a whole morning of trying to please him, Elliot finally calmed down. Days passed peacefully with yful banter and antics. A few dayster, it was Katie¡¯s birthday banquet. Sheena was helping Elliot with his tie, her brows furrowing. ¡°The weather is getting colder, and I don¡¯t really want you to attend the Upton family event.¡® ¡°1 Elliot caught her fingertips. ¡°It¡¯s precisely because it¡¯s not a simple event that I must attend.¡± If Sheena wanted to murder someone, he would hand her the knife. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. If Sheena wanted to cause trouble, he would thoroughly stir up trouble for the Upton family! Chatper 553 Chapter 553 Sheena remained silent, her expression serious, still visibly concerned, Elliot added, ¡°I¡¯ve been resting at home for almost half a month. If I stay Indoors any longer, it might raise suspicions.¡± Sheena reluctantly conceded, ¡°Fine, but no drinking at the party. You can only have juice. If I catch you secretly drinking and hiding it from me, you¡¯ll face my wrath!¡± She huffed a couple of times, ring at him with her cute face. She was like a little wildcat extending its ws, capable of teasing and irresistibly tickling one¡¯s heart. Elliot¡¯s slender fingers slid into her silky ck hair, gently cradling the back of her head. Leaning in, he kissed her with his soft lips. After the lingering kiss, he smirked, savoring the moment. ¡°No juice or fine wine canpare to my Nana¡¯s sweetness.¡± Sheena helped him put on the mask and yfully shoved his shoulder with a pout. ¡°Smooth talker!¡± yfully bickering, they leisurely left, driving the ck limited¨Cedition SSC, heading to the Upton mansion together. Katie¡¯s birthday party officially began at 7 p.m., and Sheena and Elliot arrived half an hour early. When they entered, there were rtively few guests around. Seeing the couple walking hand in hand, Katie discreetly rolled her eyes and feigned enthusiasm as she approached. ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re here early.¡± Sheena merely smiled faintly, not bothering to respond. Elliot, on the other hand, did not spare Katie a nce. With deep, aloof eyes beneath the mask, he exuded a mysterious aura. Feeling ignored, Katie grew a bit irritated and dropped the act, turning away to chat with some familiar socialites. Sitting alone and drinking quietly not far away, Colin perked up upon noticing Sheena¡¯s arrival. However, she behaved as if she had not seen him, exchanging pleasantries with his parents, Ron and Nicole, and yfully engaging with Elliot. Feeling increasingly frustrated, he decided to approach her, attempting to strike up a conversation. ¡°Sheena, it¡¯s been a while. How have you beentely?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression remained calm, her voice distant as she replied, ¡°Mr. Upton, there¡¯s no need for formalities. I¡¯m doing well.¡± Chapter 553 212 Colin felt quite disheartened. ¡°You won¡¯t even call me Colin now? Why do things suddenly feel so distant between us?¡± Sheena frowned, finding Colin¡¯s words implying a closeness that did not exist, Was he intentionally trying to provoke Elliot? As expected, Elliot¡¯s mood worsened, and his gaze turned sharp and menacing. Seizing the moment before he erupted, Sheena straightened his cor, intimately running her fingertips along the back of his neck. She addressed Colin, ¡°Mr. Upton, I believe there¡¯s a misunderstanding. You and I have always been just friends, and we¡¯ve never been that close. Besides, my fiance here can be quite a jealous person, so please refrain from saying things that might give him the wrong impression.¡± With Sheena¡¯s soothing words, Elliot¡¯s expression returned to normal, his hand wrapping around her slender waist. Colin was disheartened. Dealing with Elijah was already a formidable task, but now he had to contend with Elliot, who proved even more challenging. Moreover, Sheena seemed to have fallen for Elliot in this short time, even choosing to move in and live with him. Colin believed he was the most suitable partner for her since he had loved Sheena for over a decade. He simply could not ept the fact that he had no chance to pursue her. ¡°Sheena, I have a few things I¡¯d like to discuss with you privately. I promise not to bother you afterward. Can we, for the sake of our friendship?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Sheena immediately rejected the request without much thought. ¡°Mr. Upton, you should know that Elliot and I were in the news recently, hailed as the sweetest couple. Today, Ms. Upton¡¯s party has invited several celebrities, and I presume the media will be present too.¡± Chatper 554 Chapter 554 ¡°If anything gets captured on camera, it might be hard to exin. So, Mr. Upton, feel free to say whatever you want here. There shouldn¡¯t be anything Mr. Jenkins isn¡¯t privy to,¡± Sheena calmly asserted. Elliot¡¯s restless heart gradually calmed, and he took the initiative to tighten his grip on Sheena¡¯s hand, their fingers intecing. They exchanged a knowing smile, openly disying their affection, unfazed by the surroundings. Colin, thoroughly provoked, blurted out, ¡°Sheena, for your sake, I¡¯m not afraid of offending the Jenkins family. Do you know that the women arranged for Elliot by Mr. Santiago Jenkins were all left battered and bruised? He¡¯s ruthless and rumored to have a penchant for mistreating women!¡± ¡°His current show of affection toward you might just be for the Lawson family¡¯s sake. Marrying him could be a nightmare! I¡¯ve known you since childhood. I won¡¯t hurt you!¡± Elliot remained expressionless, listening to Colin¡¯s baseless usations calmly. However, a hint of curiosity flickered within him. After all, despite his questionable reputation in the past, Sheena had never questioned him about it. The two men turned their gaze toward Sheena. Sheena hesitated for a moment, then gracefully chuckled. ¡°Those are just rumors, Mr. Upton. Why are you taking them so seriously? Besides, with Mr. Jenkins¡® capabilities, those rumors were probably spread deliberately. It¡¯s his way of protecting himself, and apart from me, he doesn¡¯t dare touch other women.¡± Colin¡¯s expression darkened dramatically as he was rendered speechless. Sheena continued, ¡°Mr. Upton, there¡¯s still some time before the party starts. Mr. Jenkins and I would like to take a stroll in private. Please excuse us. ¡°1 With that, she pulled Elliot away, leaving Colin standing disheartened. Nearby, on the second¨Cfloor balcony, Katie watched Colin with pity. However, her gaze turned ruthless when itnded on Sheena¡¯s figure. ¡°Bitch!¡± She, beautifully dressed up, stood by her side,forting her with a light pat on the shoulder. Her eyes were fixed on Sheena and Elliot, a mysterious smile ying on her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ve arranged quite a spectacle for the night. Stayposed.¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. In the garden, Sheena and Elliot leisurely wandered through the Upton family¡¯s grand mansion. Elliot asked, ¡°Nana, do you really trust me this much? Aren¡¯t you afraid that in the six months we Chapter 554 were apart, I might have done something¡­ cruel to other women?¡± 2/2 Taking advantage of theck of onlookers, Sheena grabbed his ear forcefully, scolding, ¡°It seems like you¡¯ve thought about doing such things?¡± ¡°Ouch! It hurts! I was just kidding¡­ Be careful, if this gets caught on camera, tomorrow¡¯s headline will be about you abusing me. Elliot frowned in pain,ining with a hint of grievance. Though he said that, he instinctively bent, almost as if it were natural, fearing Sheena might strain her arm. ch Sheena chuckled, releasing his ear and massaging it. ¡°If it really makes the headlines, you¡¯ll be forced to admit that you¡¯re afraid of your wife! I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a bad thing for me, after all.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯ll be bad for me! Then, I¡¯ll have to find a way to discipline you!¡± Elliot retorted. ¡°You can keep dreaming,¡± Sheena replied smugly. She knew exactly what he meant by that and rolled her eyes at him yfully before taking the lead towards the small path ahead. Elliot immediately followed, holding her hand tightly as if he was careful not to lose her. Even though Sheena had never questioned the scandalous rumors surrounding him, he took the initiative to rify as they walked. ¡°In the past, Grandpa did send a woman to my bed, but I had Lionel y a ghost to scare her away. She fainted and was carried out of the Jenkins estate. The incident waster intentionally leaked by Peter to tarnish my reputation, spreading rumors and gradually demonizing me.¡± As they conversed, Anita, the assistant of the Butterflies, suddenly approached. ¡°Ms. Lawson! We finally found you. There¡¯s an issue backstage with Phoebe and the others. Please come and take a look!¡± Chatper 555 Chapter 555 Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious almost instantly. Katie sure was quick to act. Was she rumming out of patience already? She first looked at Elliot, instructing, ¡°Eli, backstage is full of girls. It¡¯s not suitable for you to go. I¡¯ll find youter. Remember, no drinking!¡± In front of others, she just raised an eyebrow as a signal, and the mischievous threat in her eyes spoke volumes. Elliot smiled and nodded obediently. Only after Sheena left with Anita did Elliot¡¯s face gradually turn stern. Before long, he called Lionel over and whispered, ¡°Have Logan discreetly watch over Nana¡¯s safety while you keep a close eye on the Upton siblings. Report any suspicious activity promptly.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins!¡± After Lionel left, Elliot looked toward the Upton mansion with a stern gaze. As he turned, he saw Howard walking toward him. Howard had already learned from Sheena that Elliot was Elijah from the past. His expression was not very friendly, but not as hostile as Corey¡¯s. In the future, Elliot would undoubtedly have to face the challenges of his brothers¨Cinw. Having witnessed much of what he and Sheena went through in Farlem, Howard was likely the easiest to get along with. Thinking of this, Elliot smiled and yfully greeted, ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t it my brother¨Cinw? Were you looking for me?¡± Howard was a bit displeased, ¡°Who¡¯s your brother¨Cinw? You two are just engaged. You¡¯re not even officially married yet.¡± Elliot did not argue, just smiled. ¡°Wanna chat?¡± Sheena followed Anita into the mansion, heading to the Butterflies¡® dedicated dressing room. Before entering, the girls¡® loud and somewhat tearful voices inside reached her ears. Anita pushed open the door, revealing several girls huddled together with their backs to the entrance, seemingly focused on something. Sheena walked over, asking, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Chapter 555 217 As they heard her voice, the girls turned around. Meredith Pearson, who had debuted in fourth ce, hurriedly ran over to grab Sheena, ¡°Ms. Lawson, look at this! Phoebe¡¯s stage costume is ruined, and the party is about to start in about ten minutes. What should we do?¡± The other girls were equally anxious. Since Lisa¡¯s departure due to the cheating scandal, leaving the group with only six members, they had lost some fans. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Although today¡¯s performance was just a routine part of the event, many of them were hoping to catch the eye of a wealthy and handsome heir among the distinguished guests, hoping to leap into the world of high society. In a group performance, if one person made a mistake, everyone suffered the consequences, Sheena, aware of their thoughts, remained silent, moving forward to inspect the damaged outfit. The originally exquisite dress had been brutally cut into scraps, with no chance for repairs or alterations. Phoebe, the person directly involved, was sitting calmly on the couch. Among all the members, she seemed the mostposed, as if she had anticipated everything that happened. Sheena turned to her, asking, ¡°Phoebe, what¡¯s your opinion?¡± Phoebe replied, ¡°Since the costume is ruined and I can¡¯t go on stage, we can just say that I¡¯m sick. The other five can still perform.¡± Chapter 556 Chapter 556 Meredith led the opposition, shouting, ¡°No way! Our routine is a group dance. Missing one person means we have to rearrange the positions. With just ten minutes left to the party, we don¡¯t have time for that. Moreover, going on stage with a messed¨Cup routine will surely be embarrassing.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! It¡¯s better not to perform at all than to ruin our image!¡± ¡°Absolutely! Ms. Lawson, please help us!¡± After contemting for a while, Sheena called their manager, Jaime, aside for a private conversation. ¡°How much did you negotiate for the appearance fee with the Upton family for this event?¡± Jaime replied, ¡°The Upton family was generous, agreeing to 7.5 million. If we breach the contract now, the penalty is ten times that amount, totaling 75 million. Ms. Lawson, please reconsider!¡± Sheena scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to breach the contract. Does Katie think she deserves my money?¡± Jaime puzzled, ¡°Ms. Lawson, what¡¯s your n?¡± Without answering. Sheena stopped a servant passing by in the hallway. ¡°Get Katie here. I need to discuss something with her in person.¡± The servant hesitated, saying, ¡°The party is about to start, and she¡¯s probably in her room doing touch¨C ups. She¡¯s not receiving guests.¡± ¡°Tell her that if she doesn¡¯te, I¡¯ll announce in front of all the media and guests that the party will be dyed until she decides toe and resolve the issue.¡± Forced dys were a significant taboo, and the servant was intimidated by the sternness in Sheena¡¯s eyes. Hence, she quickly ran upstairs. Within a few minutes, Katie came down. Then, she asked in an irritated tone, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Jaime stepped forward to exin, ¡°Ms. Upton, one of our team members¡® Costumes got damaged, and we can¡¯t proceed with the performance. As the costume was provided by your side to match your party theme, could you please allow them.. Interrupting Jaime, Katie scoffed. ¡°These costumes were custom made, and voe handed them to you well in advance. You ruined one, and now you have the nerve toe to me?¡± She snorted and looked at Sheena provocatively, ¡°if they can¡¯t perform, just leave my house and pay the penalty for breaching the contract,¡± Jaime, unable to handle the situation, looked to Sheena for assistance Sheena chuckled and threw the pile of torn fabric onto Katie. Katie was instantly angered and backed out of the way. ¡°Sheenal Do you even know how expenses Chapter 556 2/2 this gown is? If you ruin it, I won¡¯t let you off!¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Sheena¡¯s smirk deepened, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she responded, ¡°Oh, it seems you¡¯re aware that this performance costume got sshed with red ink.¡± Katie was stunned but quickly regained herposure. ¡°Why would I know about that? Even if it¡¯s not stained with red ink, it¡¯s still filthy and beneath me!¡® As she spurted thest few words, she gritted her teeth, her gaze vaguely pointing toward Phoebe. Sheena frowned, uninterested in further argument. Instead, she raised her phone to Katie¡¯s eye level. She showed a video of all the members surrounding the damaged costume, acting helpless and distressed ording to Sheena¡¯s prearranged script. Katie was puzzled. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Sheena smirked, ¡°With only ten minutes left until their performance at the Upton family¡¯s party if the Upton family doesn¡¯t send the recement costume, this video will be broadcast on therge screen in the garden and will appear online overnight. I¡¯ve even had a little essay written, subtly pointing fingers at the Upton family.¡± Katie scoffed. She was not afraid at all. Destroying Phoebe¡¯s costume was just an appetizer, and the main event she prepared had yet to come. After all, Katie had celebrated tons of birthday parties, and she was getting bored of it. In truth, she nned to use this birthday banquet to settle scores with all the people she despised. That would be the true payoff to her nning! ¡°Sheena, you underestimate me. Do you think I care about these things? So what if the Upton family¡¯s stock market wavers for a few days? If the Upton family loses some money, we¡¯ll just make it back in the future!¡± Chin slightly raised, Katie continued with a triumphant tone, ¡°After all, the costume was provided by my people. If they can¡¯t protect it, it¡¯s their problem. If you don¡¯t want Phoebe to embarrass herself on stage, just breach the contract!¡± Sheena narrowed her beautiful eyes, observing Katie¡¯s reaction. Compared to half a year ago, Katie seemed more cunning this time. Was someone advising her behind the scenes? Chapter 557 Chapter 557 Who could be helping her? For some reason, She¡¯s face appeared in her mind¡­. That woman seemed to know a lot about her past in Farlem. Seeing Sheena remain silent, Katie bragged, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Sheena? Found out your tough tactics don¡¯t work on me? Feeling a bit uneasy, aren¡¯t you?¡± Sheena¡¯s aura did not diminish due to Katie¡¯s provocations. If anything, it became more intense. She elegantly replied, ¡°I love a good challenge. Since you don¡¯t attach great importance to the matter, let¡¯s turn this party into a show. But I believe your family can¡¯t take it as lightly as you do.¡± She checked the time and continued, ¡°Eight more minutes to your birthday celebration. If it turns into a joke among the elite families, let¡¯s see if your parents will really let this slide.¡± ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re intentionally making trouble for me!¡± Katie¡¯s expression twisted with anger. Both stood their ground, disying unwavering determination. In front of Anita and Jaime, Katie could not easily back down. Until Colin¡¯s voice echoed from the corridor¡­ ¡°Katie, Sheena, what¡¯s going on?¡± Sheena remainedposed, leaning gracefully against the doorframe. Colin looked at Katie, who remained silent. Finally, Jaime stepped forward, quickly exining the situation to him. After hearing the details, Colin said with a polite smile, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. Today is Katie¡¯s birthday. There¡¯s no need for hostilities. I remember Katie has other custom¨Cmade performance costumes stored in the storeroom.¡± He turned to a servant, instructing, ¡°Check the storeroom immediately and provide new sets of costumes for all the members. Be quick.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Upton.¡± Katie felt disgruntled but said nothing, rolling her eyes a few times, and then walked away. Colin was still smiling warmly like a courteous gentleman. He apologized to the girls in the room, ¡°This is an oversight by our family. I¡¯ll personally make amends and offer a toast to each of you at the banquetter.¡± Chapter 557 2/2 ¡°Thank you, Mr. Upton, you¡¯re so kind.¡± All the girls, except Phoebe, nodded shyly, their fondness for him skyrocketing instantly. Since Colin yed the peacemaker, there was nothing Sheena could say. She turned away, and Colin quietly followed, walking beside her. ¡°Sheena, it¡¯s nice to finally have a private chat with you,¡± Colin said, trying to catch up. Sheena ignored himpletely, walking even faster. The Upton mansion was vast, and their footsteps echoed through the wide, quiet corridors. Colin took a deep breath, gathered his determination, and stepped before her. ¡°Sheena, I swear this is thest time. I just can¡¯t ept it. Even if you¡¯re determined to reject me, you should give me a reasonable exnation.¡± ¡°I admit I might not be as influential as Elliot, but where am Ickingpared to him in character and family background? Why did you choose him over me after your divorce?¡± Sheena disliked this persistent behavior, especially from Colin, with whom she had talked many This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. times before. Today, she decided to make him give up for good. ¡°Colin, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any aspect where you can surpass Elliot. Moreover, I don¡¯t love you! You don¡¯t love me either!¡± ¡°You know it very well. Your feelings for me stem from childhood obsession and familiarity. You¡¯re fooling yourself. Even without Elliot, we could never be partners. If you keep pestering me like this, we can¡¯t even be friends anymore.¡± Colin looked at her nkly, deeply hurt, his face showing defeat, but he had no words to counter. Sheena observed his expression, her sparkling eyes were devoid of any other emotion. She turned to leave just as urgent footsteps approached. It was a male servant from the main hall. ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Jenkins was looking for you everywhere. It seems like he has something urgent to discuss. Pleasee with me!¡± Chapter 558 Chapter 558 1/2 Sheena stood still, sizing up the male servant from head to toe. A subtle smirk yed on her lips, and the amusement in her eyes grew more apparent. Elliot would not casually send someone from the Upton family to find her, so what could Katie possibly want with her at the Upton mansion? This was getting interesting¡­. Sheena smiled and nced back at Colin, still lost in sadness. Then, she told the male servant, Alright, lead the way.¡± The servant bowed slightly, gesturing for her to follow. Sheena elegantly lifted the hem of her long gown and took the lead. Behind her, a threatening presence gradually approached. She remained indifferent, secretly amused. The servant¡¯s footsteps softened, and his long arms quickly wrapped around her delicate neck, covering her nose and mouth with a white handkerchiefced with a sedative. Sheena struggled for just a couple of seconds before sumbing to unconsciousness. Colin, who had been standing in sorrow, witnessed the servant attempting to drag the unconscious Sheena away. He rushed forward to intervene. ¡°What are you doing? Let her go!¡± The servant ignored him. Colin attempted to forcefully intervene when Katie suddenly emerged from behind, blocking his way. ¡°Colin, I asked him to do this. You can¡¯t stop me.¡± ¡°Katie, are you out of your mind? If something happens to her in the Upton mansion, it will bring severe consequences! Do you even realize that?¡± Katie remained calm. ¡°I know, but I won¡¯t harm her in the Upton mansion. Don¡¯t worry. I know you like Sheena a lot. Don¡¯t you want to have her?¡± Colin froze, a sense of foreboding washing over him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I had her drugged to deliver her to your bed.¡± ¡°Katie, how could you do something like this?¡± Colin eximed, shocked. His own sister, stooping to such malicious levels? ¡°You¡¯re a girl yourself, yet you resorted to such schemes. How could you even think of doing this?¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 558 2/2 Katie scoffed. ¡°Well, what¡¯s the alternative? Without this method, Colin, you can forget about ever having her. If you sleep with her and she bes tainted, Elliot won¡¯t want her anymore. Once Sheena¡¯s disgraceful act is exposed among the socialites, who would dare marry her? She¡¯d be stuck with you.¡± Colin was stunned, unable toprehend the actions of his beloved sister. ¡°You¡¯re unreasonable!¡± The typically gentle features of his handsome face turned red with anger. He raised his palm, intending to strike Katie. Instead of dodging, Katie lifted her chin, provoking him, ¡°Colin, can you really bring yourself to hit me? I¡¯m doing this all for your own good! Is this how you repay me? Then go ahead, hit me!¡± Colin¡¯s aura waspletely suppressed by hers, and he could not bring himself tond the blow. He helplessly watched as the male servant carried the unconscious Sheena upstairs. Katie patted his shoulder, softening her tone. ¡°Colin, I know you have a kind heart and can¡¯tmit a sinful act when you¡¯re in your right mind. I can help you with that!¡± As she spoke, she grabbed a ss of champagne from a passing servant¡¯s tray. Right in front of Colin, she dropped a white pill into the champagne, shook it until it disappeared, and handed the ss to Colin. She continued to tempt him, ¡°Colin, trust me, this is yourst chance! As long as you take this step, Sheena will be yours!¡± ¡°Sheena looked down on you and the Upton family. You¡¯ve loved her for decades, and she has treated you heartlessly. Are you really willing to ept that? Why not give it a try?¡± Colin¡¯s gaze lingered on the champagne ss, his emotions in turmoil. Chapter 559 Chapter 559 The party was about to begin. In the garden, guests gathered, creating a lively atmosphere with the soothing sounds of violins and pianos in the background. Meanwhile, inside the grand mansion, Colin found himself facing a difficult decision in the quiet hallway. Katie decided to push him a bit further. ¡°Colin, have a drink! I¡¯ve already taken care of it. You have no way out. If Elliot and Howard find out in advance, how do you think they¡¯ll retaliate against the Upton family?¡± Katie pressed ¡°But if you seed, Elliot will be disgusted by Sheena and divorce her, and the Lawson family will be too embarrassed to seek retribution from the Upton family. We¡¯ll have the final say! Then Sheena will be yours, won¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Colin!¡± Forced into a corner, Colin finally gathered the courage and took the champagne Katie handed him, downing it in one go. Satisfied, Katie smiled gleefully. ¡°Go upstairs quickly. Tonight, she¡¯s yours to enjoy!¡± Colin¡¯s emotions wereplicated as he ascended the stairs, moving slowly with the support of the railing. Observing his retreating figure, Katie silently took out her phone and sent a message. [Katie: Done]. She then followed up with another message. [Katie: Make sure everything¡¯s ready for the medicine prepared for Phoebe. Go with the n. I want her reputation and life ruinedpletely!] Meanwhile, Sheena was being carried into Colin¡¯s room, and the male servant prepared to undress her on therge bed. Before he could touch her, his wrist was seized by a pair of delicate hands. Startled, he looked up to find Sheena, who had awakened at some point. Her sparkling eyes, reflecting the various colors of the garden lights outside the window, gleamed with endless coldness, and her alluring red lips curled into an audacious smile. ¡°When did you wake up? Weren¡¯t you drugged?¡± Chapter 559 2/2 The male servant was momentarily stunned, then quickly reacted. His gaze turned malicious, and he swiftly freed his hand, ready to strike her neck and render her unconscious. Sheena¡¯s cold eyes narrowed slightly as she prepared to take action, but someone was faster than her. A muffled thud echoed through the room. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. The male servant, unaware, was struck from behind and slumped halfway onto the bed, unconscious. As he fell, Logan appeared. Sheena was somewhat surprised and asked, ¡°How did you get here? Did Eli send you to follow me?¡± Logan nodded, crouching by the bed to check on her. He noticed the faint red marks on her neck and became anxious. ¡°Oh no! Did I arrive toote? You¡¯re injured! Ah, Mr. Jenkins will kill me!¡± Sheena chuckled at his frantic and distressed appearance. ¡°I¡¯m not injured. These red marks will disappear in a moment. You arrived just in time. Help me out a bit.¡± Logan scratched his head. ¡°What are you nning?¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, a mysterious glint in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon!¡± In the garden, the party was in full swing. Ron was giving a speech on stage, and Elliot sat alone at a table, his cold aura deterring anyone from approaching. Sheena had been gone for quite a while without returning, and there was no word from Logan. Elliot¡¯s restless thoughts churned within him. Soon, the seat next to him was pulled open. ¡°Nana¡­¡± He turned his head, his expression instantly freezing, and his aura became extremely terrifying. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Today, She wore an extravagant couture dress from the Diar. Beneath her exquisite makeup, her skin was as smooth as cream, captivatingly beautiful. Chapter 560 Chapter 560 Many wealthy young men were captivated by her appearance, but their hearts sank as they saw her sit next to Elliot This extraordinarily beautiful woman could easily draw attention, but Elliot did not spare her a nce Cameras started clicking and shing as she sat down, and She remainedposed and graceful In front of the lenses. Under the camera¡¯s gare, she stayed calm, smiling gently. She whispered, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, the cameras are on you. Don¡¯t look so fierce.¡® Elliot continued to ignore her. Undeterred, She poured herself a ss of red wine and lightly clinked the juice¨Cfilled cup in front of Elliot, producing a crisp sound. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you looking for Ms. Lawson? I just saw her a moment ago.¡± She took a sip of the red wine, maintaining her seductive elegance before adding, ¡°She was talking to Mr. Upton in the corridor.¡± Elliot stayed silent, disregarding her existence. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, do you trust her that much? She ims not to spend time alone with Mr. Upton to avoid your misunderstanding, but I happened to see them talking, even going upstairs together. Aren¡¯t you curious about what they¡¯re doing upstairs?¡± Elliot¡¯s dark eyes turned cold, and he regarded She with a scornful tone, ¡°I don¡¯t tolerate deceit. Your tricks are nothing more than the ones I¡¯ve seen in the past.¡± She¡¯s expression froze slightly. Elliot, disinterested, walked away toward the mansion Lionel approached him and whispered something in his ear. The cameras followed Elliot, capturing his increasingly chilling expression. In a fit of rage, Elliot grabbed a ss from the table and smashed it onto the floor. A sharp crash echoed, startling everyone. Ron, who was giving a speech on stage, was also drawn to the noise. The garden fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Elliot, who was enraged. No one dared to speak. Elliot¡¯s gaze was icy as he looked at Ron on the stage. ¡°Well done, you guys from the Upton family!¡± Chapter 560 2/2 Ron and Nicole looked bewildered, while the rest of the guests were too scared to utter a word in the face of Elliot¡¯s fury. Was Elliot really going to disgrace the Upton family publicly? Katie had a bad feeling about this. Before Lionel could speak, she signaled to a nearby servant. A maid rushed out of the mansion in a panic, ¡°Oh my! Something bad happened!¡± Due to her haste, she even stumbled and fell. Katie pretended to ask, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Today is my birthday. It¡¯s a wonderful day! How dare you say that?¡± The trembling servant stuttered, ¡°Miss, just now, Ms. Lawson drank too much. She actually went into Mr. Upton¡¯s room and¡­ and she, she slept with Mr. Upton!¡± ¡°What?!¡± Ron and Nicole, along with Howard, eximed almost simultaneously. All eyes instantly focused on Elliot, whose face turned dark. He stormed into the mansion with murderous intent along with Lionel. Howard followed closely, and Katie brought a few muscr bodyguards and joined the pursuit. The other guests were in chaos. Ron and Nicole were forced to stay behind to appease the guests, putting on a brave face for the star- studded performance, attempting to divert everyone¡¯s attention. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. She remained the calmest. She was sipping her red wine, seemingly smiling as if enjoying a show. Elliot, apanied by Lionel, headed straight for Colin¡¯s bedroom. The room¡¯s soundproofing was excellent. No sound came from inside. However, the tightly closed door made it apparent that something suspicious was happening within! At t At the door, Elliot stood for a moment, waiting until he heard the hurried and mixed sound of high heels coming from the stairwell. Only then did his icy gaze narrow, instructing Lionel, ¡°Bust in!¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Chapter 561 Chapter 561 Katie panted heavily from the running. She quickly instructed the Upton family bodyguards to guard the door, blocking Elliot, Howard, and Lionel from entering. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Howard, since Sheena has chosen to be with Colin, we should respect her wish. Now that this matter is known to all the prominent families, we should think about how to face the media and calm tomorrow¡¯s storm.¡± Elliot instantly turned hostile and uttered coldly, ¡°Get lost!¡± Katie remained unmoved, her malicious eyes hiding a hint of sarcasm. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, once their adultery is exposed, Sheena¡¯s reputation will be ruined. She is your fiancee, after all. Are you going to treat her so harshly?¡± ¡°I only believe in what I see with my own eyes, Katie. If Sheena is not inside and I find out that the Upton family is intentionally tarnishing my fiancee¡¯s reputation, I¡¯ll definitely make you pay!¡± Elliot¡¯s tone was ruthless as if he had long seen through everything. Howard, believing that his beloved sister could not do such a thing, looked at Katie with disdain. ¡°You better pray that this has nothing to do with the Upton family. Otherwise, the Lawson family will not let this slide so easily!¡± Katie was stunned.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Elliot, uninterested in further discussion, turned to Lionel. ¡°Kick the door down. If they don¡¯t let us in, force your way in!¡± Lionel¡¯s knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. The Upton family bodyguards were nothing in his eyes. He easily subdued them with a few moves. With a fierce kick, the lock on the door was instantly destroyed. Katie smirked. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you better stay calm. Even though you¡¯ve been cuckolded, this is Sheena¡¯s initiative, and it has nothing to do with Colin. Make sure you vent your anger on the right person!¡± Elliot paid her no attention. Apanied by the pacified guests, Ron and Nicole rushed upstairs. The door was forcibly kicked open. The bedroom was pitch ck, and the curtains were tightly drawn, yet a subtle scent lingered in the air. Lionel turned on the lights. Chapter 561 2/2 On therge white bed, two bodies were entwined tightly under the covers. Nicole, covering her eyes, sighed deeply, ¡°Oh! What a nightmare! These two are really. Lionel received a signal from Elliot and stepped forward to lift the quilt. However, Sheena was nowhere to be found. The two entangled figures were actually two men! Everyone stared in shock at the explicit scene on the bed. Colin¡¯splexion was strange, indicating he was not fully conscious. The other man had his hands and feet bound, his mouth gagged, and his entire body was covered with hickeys. Lionel touched his nose, stifling a lightugh. ¡°Mr. Upton¡¯s taste is truly¡­ unique!¡± Expecting Elliot to erupt in fury, Katie was surprised to see him remarkably calm and became suspicious. It was not until she saw who was on the bed that she was shocked to her core. ¡°What are you doing here? Where¡¯s Sheena?¡± On the bed was Sam, the male servant she had sent to drug Sheena! Ron and Nicole were equally distressed. Ron was furious, ¡°Colin, you disgraceful bastard! How dare you ruin the Upton family¡¯s reputation!¡± Even Nicole was flustered, shouting, ¡°Quickly cover them up!¡± However, the people who entered were shocked by the scene on the bed and paid no attention to her command. Amidst Sam¡¯s terrified, muffled sounds, the room was filled with chaotic noise. Colin, seemingly deranged, passionately kissed Sam, mumbling, ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re finally mine! Sheena, Sheena¡­¡± Elliot¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot, instantly filled with murderous intent. ¡°Stop calling my fiancee¡¯s name with your dirty mouth! Beat him to a pulp!¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins!¡± Chapter 562 Chapter 562 Lionel swiftly stepped forward, delivering a couple of punches. Colin¡¯s face was bruised, his lips split, and was clearly disoriented. Then, Lionel grabbed his hair, pointing toward Sam. ¡°Mr. Upton, take a good look and see who you slept with!¡± Under the influence of drugs, Colin¡¯s mind was still a mess, repeatedly chanting like a broken record, ¡°Sheena! My Sheena! You must marry me¡­ Feeling utterly humiliated, Ron was nning to send Elliot and Howard away, considering it a family matter for the Upton family to handle privately. However, a clear and gentle voice rang outside the door before he could speak. ¡°Oh, did someone call me? I just took care of a little private matter. Did I miss something exciting?¡± Sheena smiled mockingly and elegantly raised her neck, appearing as poised and aloof as ever. However, she was not alone. Apanied by several media personnel from the garden, their camera shes were directed at the bed, capturing the scandalous scene. Logan, wearing a cap, blended in, recording the scene with the camera he was holding, which was connected to the live feed downstairs in the garden. Therge screen in the garden disyed a famous entertainment industry singer performing on stage. Suddenly, the screen switched to the intertwined figures in the bed. The entire venue erupted into shock, and many people were left dumbfounded. Socialites, witnessing the image of two men lying intimately together for the first time, were horrified and screaming at the top of their lungs. ¡°Good Lord! Wasn¡¯t it said that Ms. Lawson slept with Mr. Upton? Why is this a man?¡± ¡°Mr. Upton turns out to be¡­ Oh my goodness! This is unbelievable!¡® N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°To engage in such behavior at one¡¯s sister¡¯s birthday party is outrageous!¡± ¡°The Upton family is shameless for wanting to ruin Ms. Lawson¡¯s reputation!¡± Colin, once regarded by everyone as a modest gentleman, friendly, and full of positive energy, had his decades¨Clong good reputation shattered in the live broadcast. Some people were mocking, and others enjoyed the drama unfolding, capturing the scene with their phones. Those with explosive tempers in the noble families began smashing sses, shouting about severing their business ties with the Upton family. 2/2 inside the manston, the situation was not any better. Seeing Sheena enter, Elliot swiftly stepped in and shielded her, covering her eyes to prevent her from Witnessing the situation. Sheena was not too pleased, pouting as she asked, ¡°Let me seel What¡¯s so unusual?¡± Elliot, with a displeased expression, lifted her off her feet and spoke in a low, gentle voice, ¡°You¡¯re the youngest here. There are things that may not suit you. We¡¯re going back.¡± Sheena hugged his neck tightly, not resisting or arguing. As the exited, Elliot suddenly stopped, delivering a cold and ominous message to Ron, ¡°Tonight¡¯s events won¡¯t go unanswered. The Upton family better be ready to face the consequences!¡± Ron and Nicole called for servants, busy dispersing the media and stopping cameras from recording. It was turning into one big headache. ¡°This situation¡­¡± Elliot was not interested in Ron¡¯s exnations and carried Sheena away. Holding onto his arm tightly, Sheena nced back at Howard, her eyes filled with worry as she silently mouthed at him, sending a message. Howard quickly understood. She was saying, ¡°Keep a close eye on Phoebe.¡± Howard frowned. After thinking about the situation, he soon realized something and immediately ran in the opposite direction, searching for Phoebe. Katie blocked him. ¡°Howard, where are you going?¡± Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 563 Chapter 563 ¡°Don¡¯t touch me! You guys are disgusting! Katie, If you dare to do anything to Phoebe, I won¡¯t spare you!¡± Howard shook off Katie¡¯s hand and sprinted downstairs. Watching him leave, Katie¡¯s features twisted in anger, and she knocked over a massive porcin vase in the hallway. She knew very well that Sheena dodged a bullet while Colin¡¯s reputation waspletely ruined! Moreover, the Upton family might face a heap of trouble! Yet, none of that mattered to Katie. Even if she could not ruin Sheena, she would at least destroy Phoebe!! Behind her, Nicole was managing the media in Colin¡¯s room, and Ron had already gone downstairs to deal with the chaos in the garden. The towering cake had not even been brought out yet, but more than half of the guests, unable to tolerate the stimting scenes on the big screen, insisted on leaving. Unfazed, Katie, acting like a madwoman, rushed down another staircase, intending to beat Howard to it and take a shortcut to deal with Phoebe personally. Just a moment ago, after finishing her performance, Phoebe, along with a few members, raised their sses backstage in their room, sipping on juice. Little did she know that within minutes, she would start feeling ufortably warm, and despite enduring the difort, she decided to make a quick visit to the restroom. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Phoebe wandered through the corridor with her hands on the wall. However, she was suddenly scooped up by a rough¨Clooking man with a scruffy beard and carried down to the basement. The basement door was tightly shut, with asional faint sounds escaping. Katie, apanied by five bodyguards and holding a camera, hurried over, nning to capture some compromising photos of Phoebe. When the door opened, the sight inside left her greatly disappointed. Phoebe, propped against the corner, had blood¨Cstained hands gripping a steel rod. Despite trembling all over and her performance costume torn to pieces, her eyes were resolute, showing no signs of distress, only a fierce determination to fight to the end. Besides, she had only taken a sip of the drugged juice, and the drug content was not too potent, allowing her to barely maintain a semnce of consciousness. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why hasn¡¯t anyone started yet?¡± Chapter 563 2/2 Katie was on the verge of exploding. She even began to suspect if she was going through a streak of bad luck, with everything going wrong! The man, who had been beaten to a pulp by Phoebe, cautiously approached her. Upon hearing Katie¡¯s voice, he limped over to Katic. ¡°Miss, this woman is too fierce, and she¡¯s surprisingly strong. I really can¡¯t handle her!¡± ¡°Worthless piece of shit!¡± Katie pped him mercilessly, her venomous gaze fixed on Phoebe in the corner. She barked at the bodyguards behind her, ¡°Everyone, go at her together! Take turns! Each of you gets a bonus of 150 thousand dors!¡± Upon hearing this, the bodyguards¡® eyes turned hostile, and they charged toward Phoebe. ¡°Don¡¯te any closer! Stay back!¡± Phoebe swung the rod wildly, but she could not resist thebined strength of the bodyguards, and her weapon was instantly taken away. She sank into extreme panic and despair. However, she would rather die than be touched by these filthy men! Summoning herst bit of strength, Phoebe nned to bite her tongue to end it all. However, before the bodyguards couldy a hand on her shoulder, Howard arrived and kicked them. down one by one. Arms snapped with a bone¨Ccrushing sound as they hit the ground, and howls and cries echoed one after another. Katie, leaning against the doorway, pocketed hands, had not even processed what was happening when she realized all the bodyguards were down. Howard was so fast that she did not even see him move! Howard crouched down, swiftly removed his suit, tightly wrapped Phoebe, and forcefully pinched her face, making her open her mouth and preventing her from biting her tongue. ¡°Phoebe, it¡¯s me! I¡¯m sorry for beingte!¡± Chapter 564 Chapter 504 Phoebe, who has been struggling desperately, finally let out a sigh of relief upon hearing his familiar s. With thest bit of strength, she was holding onto now released, she copsed in his arms, Howard gently pattes her back, trying to soothe her overwhelmed emotions. However, he himself was on the brink of fenated madness, his entire being emanating an ley and menacing aura. Witnessing the intimate scene between the two, Katie¡¯sst shred of sanity waspletely gone. She rushed forward, desperately pulling at Howard, attempting to separate the two. Her expression contorted with extreme jealousy as she shouted, ¡°Why do you treat me like this? Why! I¡¯ve liked you since childhood, and it took so much effort to get engaged to you. Yet, you repeatedly push me away, treating other women better than me! Howard, why do you have to treat me like this?¡± Growing angrier as she spoke, she hammered Howard¡¯s arms with her hands in a frenzy. Howard stayed in ce, his gaze bing increasingly sinister. Unable to bear it any longer, he retaliated with a harsh p across her face. Katie, a delicate and spoilt heiress, could not withstand the force and was sent sprawling. The p was merciless, leaving a bright red bruise mark on Katie¡¯s face. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Dazed and covering her face, she stammered, ¡°Y¨CYou hit me? You actually hit me?¡± Howard¡¯s eyes were filled with rage and disgust when he looked at Katie. ¡°I¡¯ve never hit a woman, but you¡­ you¡¯re worse than a beast!¡± With these harsh words, he reached out, effortlessly scooped up the increasingly unconscious Phoebe, and turned to leave the basement. ¡°Howard! Howard¡­¡± Katie reached for the cuff of his pants but missed, only able to watch Howard carry Phoebe away. She screamed in madness, hands over her head. Weeks of careful nning had been ruined. She was on the verge of a breakdown! Howard emerged from the grand Upton family mansion, cing Phoebe back in the car first and instructing the driver to look after her for a few minutes before turning back toward the mansion. The situation in the garden had calmed down somewhat. Ron, swallowing his pride, issued apologies, and managed to bring back many guests. However, a significant number of them had already left. What was supposed to be a splendid event turned into chaos within minutes, and everyone¡¯s mind. Chapter 564 was upied with their own thoughts. 272 With an icy demeanor, Howard walked into the garden, took the stage, and grabbed the microphone without hesitation. Addressing the audience below, he angrily spoke, ¡°1, Howard Lawson, will now officially break off my engagement with Katte Upton. Furthermore, all businesses under my name will permanently sever ties with the Upton family. To the Upton family, prepare yourselves for the consequences of your actions!¡± Then, he threw the microphone to the ground, producing a muffled thud that was followed by a loud screech. The atmosphere was stirred again, and the guests erupted into chaos with Howard¡¯s announcement! Outside the Upton mansion, Elliot emerged with Sheena in his arms, preparing to get into the car when they overheard Howard¡¯s announcement. Sheena raised her thumb, praising, ¡°Howard is so imposing! As expected of my brother!¡± ¡°I agree. I¡¯m sure it runs in the family!¡± Elliot chuckled, gently cing her in the back seat. Sheena shifted aside, allowing him to get in. As the car door closed, the chaotic sounds from the Upton mansion were shut out. Lionel took the driver¡¯s seat, ignited the engine, and headed toward E&S Haven. Curious about the recent events, Sheena looked at Elliot with a sly gleam in her eyes and asked, ¡°Eli, when you were in Colin¡¯s room, how were you so certain that the person inside wasn¡¯t me?¡± Chapter 565 Chapter 565 Elliot yfully tapped on Sheena¡¯s perky nose, his ck eyes filled with indulgence. ¡°Because only I know that even if you¡¯re drunk, you¡¯ll only want my body.¡± After all, he had firsthand experience! In a recent hotel encounter, she waspletely intoxicated, mistaking him for a stranger with a mask andunching a fierce attack, even attempting to harm him seriously. It was a terrifying experience, almost like a nightmare! However,ter, Sheena removed his mask, rediscovered their familiarity, and treated him tenderly for the first time. Thinking about it still brought a sweet feeling to his heart. Of course, if Sheena had known that she would behave like a feisty little lioness when she was drunk, ready to bite strangers, she would probably have wanted to dig a hole and hide. Nheless, Elliot had no intention of letting her know. He wearily rested his head on her shoulder, his arm encircling her slender waist from behind. ¡°I told youst time that I¡¯ll trust you unconditionally. How could I ever doubt you?¡± Sheena raised his chin with her fingertip, leaning down to gently kiss his lips as a small reward. In the front seat, Lionel asionally nced through the rearview mirror, enjoying the lovey¨Cdovey scene. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. He admired how well Elliot could sweet talk before Sheena. In truth, Elliot had received Logan¡¯s report and was already aware of the truth! Lionel peeked at the rearview mirror again. Oh well, he was used to it by now. Let them kiss and burn in the desire. Elliot had sessfully ignored Lionel, cuddling with Sheena as if no one else was around. ¡°Nana, my arm is so sore. Can you give it a little massage?¡± Elliot half¨Clifted his right arm, appearing deliberately weakened. Sheena earnestly massaged him. ¡°Am I too heavy? You carried me all the way down the stairs, only putting me down when we got into the car. It must have been tiring for you.¡± Elliot shook his head, a slight frown on his forehead. Chapter 563 2/2 She was essentially saying hecked stamina! ¡°As a man, carrying his fiancee is only natural. Besides, you¡¯re so light; picking you up is like holding a bunch of cotton. Perhaps¡­ it¡¯s because I took some medicine before leaving, and it¡¯s been a while since Ist went out. Feeling a bit weak, you know.¡± Sheena knew he was making excuses but chose not to expose him. She lightly kissed his forehead and said, ¡°Then sleep in my arms for a while. I¡¯ll wake you up when we arrive.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± His voice was hollow, burying his face in the crook of Sheena¡¯s neck, unabashedly inhaling her delightful scent. Soon, exhaustion overcame him, and he fell asleep. Sheena gently embraced his back, asionally patting and soothing him with her hand, her thoughts drifting as she stared at the receding streetlights outside. Seeing Elliot asleep, Lionel slowed down the car, making the ride smoother. After more than half an hour, the car came to a steady halt in the courtyard of the Jenkins estate. Due to the vintage style of the estate, all cars had to be parked in a designated garage. To reach E&S Haven, one had to traverse winding paths around the estate walls. Elliot was in a deep sleep, weakened by the progression of his condition. Sheena, not wanting to disturb him, nned to carry him back quietly. Lionel was surprised and reached out, ¡°Ms. Sheena, let me do it?¡± ¡°No need.¡± Sheena declined, securing the soundly sleeping Elliot in her arms and heading toward E&S Haven. Lionel stared at her retreating figure in astonishment, taking a while toprehend. Did Elliot just get carried like a princess? It was simply unimaginable! Elliot, towering at 188cm, tucked into Sheena¡¯s petite arms, seemed strange yet well¨Cmatched. Lionel felt rather emotional, and he was genuinely happy for Elliot. Chapter 566 Chapter 566 Lionel held back tears and hurriedly caught up to them. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Sheena, wearing high heels and struggling with Elliot¡¯s considerable weight, had to navigate through the winding paths around the estate walls to reach E&S Haven. Lionel keenly noticed sweat beads forming on her forehead, and the echoing clicks of her high heels tugged at his heartstrings. Ms. Sheena, how about letting me take over?¡± Lionel suggested. Sheena remained silent, adjusting her breath, and marching forward without looking aside. Lionel continued, ¡°The virus doesn¡¯t affect his weight. He¡¯s¡­ quite heavy. If you keep carrying him, your arms will be incredibly sore tomorrow. Let me carry him for you.¡± Sheena gently hushed him, lowered her head, and gazed at the peacefully sleeping Elliot in her arms, her eyes filled withpassion. ¡°I need to experience it myself to understand how exhausting it is for him to carry me all the way from the Upton mansion.¡± Touched by her words, Lionel decisively took over and effortlessly lifted Elliot onto his back. Sheena was surprised. Lionel smiled, ¡°Mr. Jenkins values you more than life itself. If your arms hurt tomorrow, he¡¯ll feel distressed and guilty. So, Ms. Sheena, please don¡¯t argue with me about this.¡± He walked faster than Sheena, who asionally supported him from behind. After settling Elliot in the bedroom, Lionel left the mansion while Sheena sat by the bedside, massaging her sore arms. Gazing at Elliot¡¯s handsome sleeping face, her thoughts drifted once again. During this time, she secretly researched a lot of rted information, and found the S404, bio¨Cvirus was currently a prohibited drug. They had minimal knowledge about its effects, let alone a cure. Despite taking Yosef¡¯s medication for over half a month, it proved to be only a supplement, offering negligible relief to Elliot¡¯s condition. Should she¡­ consider Nathaniel¡¯s solution? ith What if he truly knew something? Sheena felt conflicted and deeply entangled in her thoughts. That was currently her only option. She had to muster the courage and take the risk! Chapter 566 On that evening, the Upton family remained the hottest trending topic online. Howard even gave a heads¨Cup, resulting in the top ten trending topics all being rted to the Upton family. Ron spent the entire night contacting various PR teams, attempting to force the heat down. However, none of his efforts worked, especially with Howard¡¯s announcement to break off the engagement and Colin¡¯s scandal, which only fueled more interest. The news gained so much traction that social media apps almost crashed from the sudden influx of inte traffic. Its effect wasparable to a celebrity confirming a rtionship. Early the next morning, more bad news followed suit for the Upton Group. Elliot took the lead in terminating all previous coborations with the Upton Group. The Jenkins family now stood as Froania¡¯s wealthiest, and Elliot, in control of the Jenkins family, solidified his position as the richest. With just one move, he exerted significant influence. Inspired by him, manypanies immediately severed ties with the Upton Group. The Upton Group¡¯s stock market experienced an overnight crash, plummeting by more than ten percent, and showed a continuous downward trend. This joint effort by Elliot and Howard caused Ron to lose billions overnight. At that moment, in the Upton family garden, Colin was finally fully awake and sobered up. He was suspended from a tree and beaten by his own father for the first time. The whip left his body covered in blood, and Colin¡¯s painful moans, coupled with theshing sound, created a haunting atmosphere. Chapter 566 2/2 On that evening, the Upton family remained the hottest trending topic online. Howard even gave a heads¨Cup, resulting in the top ten trending toples all being rted to the Upton family. Ron spent the entire night contacting various PR teams, attempting to force the heat down. However, none of his efforts worked, especially with Howard¡¯s announcement to break off the engagement and Colin¡¯s scandal, which only fueled more interest. The news gained so much traction that social media apps almost crashed from the sudden influx of inte traffic. Its effect wasparable to a celebrity confirming a rtionship. Early the next morning, more bad news followed suit for the Upton Group. Elliot took the lead in terminating all previous coborations with the Upton Group. The Jenkins family now stood as Froania¡¯s wealthiest, and Elliot, in control of the Jenkins family, solidified his position as the richest. With just one move, he exerted significant influence. Inspired by him, manypanies immediately severed ties with the Upton Group. The Upton Group¡¯s stock market experienced an overnight crash, plummeting by more than ten percent, and showed a continuous downward trend. This joint effort by Elliot and Howard caused Ron to lose billions overnight. At that moment, in the Upton family garden, Colin was finally fully awake and sobered up. He was suspended from a tree and beaten by his own father for the first time. The whip left his body covered in blood, and Colin¡¯s painful moans, coupled with theshing sound, created a haunting atmosphere. Chapter 567 Chapter 567 In the Upton mansion, Bon sat on the sofa with a stern expression, still angry. He closed his eyes, calmly listening to the sounds ofshes from the garden. Nicole held a handkerchief, crying continuously, her voice now hoarse. However, Kon was truly furious this time,pletely ignoring her pleas. Katie, with half of her face still swollen from the pst night, knelt on the cold tiles of the hall. Tear streaks remained on her face, giving her a pitiful appearance. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Ron had always spoilt both Katie and Colin since they were young. This time, he was ruthless. The tense and oppressive atmosphere lingered for another two minutes. In the garden, Colin was suspended and beaten, letting out increasingly pitiful screams. It seemed like he was on the verge of passing out! Enduring the intense pain in her knees, Katle crawled to Ron¡¯s feet, clutching his pants, and pleading. through tears. ¡°Dad, spare Colin! He can¡¯t take it anymore. He was deceived by that vile Sheena! How can you treat your own child that way? You should deal with Sheena and finish off that Phoebel¡± Ron stared at her in shock. Her words angered him, and he shoved her hands away. ¡°How did I raise such a daughter? Arrogant,wless, twisting right and wrong, and heartlessly scheming to harm others! This is unbelievable!¡± Thrown to the ground by him, Katie stared at him nkly, coldly smirking. ¡°Isn¡¯t this all your fault? You told me to be ruthless to secure a stable and longsting position. My only mistake is that I didn¡¯t n thoroughly enough!¡± ¡°Katie!¡± Ron was so furious that he was left speechless. Katie continued, ¡°If I seed in this, Colin might be able to marry Sheena. She¡¯ll be the Lawson family¡¯s sessor, and all her family fortune will belong to the Upton family once they¡¯re married! We won¡¯t have to endure being at the bottom of the four major families and be looked down upon by others anymore!¡± ¡°Dad, I was only thinking for the good of the Upton family. You shouldn¡¯t treat Colin and me this way! Besides, Colin is unaware of this whole n. He shouldn¡¯t be subjected to such punishment!¡± Ron snorted heavily, ¡°As your elder brother and a source of pride for the Upton family, he should¡¯ve advised you against doing such things. However, the fact that he actively participated in such disgraceful actions and tarnished the honor of the Upton family, he deserves to be taught a lesson!¡± ¡°Dad!¡± 2/2 Bon turned away, unmoved. Panicked servants from the garden hurriedly entered, ¡°Sir, Mr. Upton has fainted again! If you continue beating him after waking him up, he might not survive. Spare him, please! Katie and Nicole were both startled. Ron¡¯s gaze became slightlyplex, but he remained silent. Nicole, with a determined look, quickly grabbed a fruit knife from the coffee table and pressed it against her own neck. ¡°Mom, what are you doing?¡± ¡°Dear! What are you doing? Put the knife down!¡± Both Ron and Katie eximed. Instead of lowering the knife, Nicole pressed it against her skin, leaving a shallow cut on her neck. ¡°Ron! Colin¡¯s my son! If you want to kill him, I¡¯ll die with him! You might as well just kill the three of us, find a new wife, and have sons again!¡± ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t hit him anymore! Put the knife down, and let¡¯s talk things out!¡± Faced with his wife¡¯s desperate act, Ron finally gave in. The servants carried Colin back to his room, and Katie, worried about Colin, followed upstairs to tend to his injuries. The hall was soon left with only the couple. Having already vented his anger, Ron was now calmly smoking a cigarette. Nicole racked her brain, trying to figure out a solution as she suggested, ¡°Honey, for now, we need to take down all the trending topics to control the stock market downturn.¡± Chapter 568 Chapter 568 ¡°Regarding Elliot, we should wait until Colin is healed, and we¡¯ll have him personally apologize to the Jenkins family. Out of respect for Santiago Jenkins, Elliot should be able to handle it gracefully, letting them off lightly.¡± ¡°Once we¡¯ve dealt with Elliot, thosepanies that terminated their cooperation with us will naturally come back.¡± Obviously, Ron knew exactly how to handle the situation. Elliot was still hot¨Cheaded, so it would be better to wait until he cooled off in a few days before addressing the matter. Ron sighed deeply, his voice weathered and steady as he said, ¡°As long as Howard doesn¡¯t give in, it¡¯ll be challenging to remove the trending topics. But you¡¯ve seen his attitude. He publicly announced the breaking of their engagementst night, causing immense disgrace to the Upton family!¡± Nicole fell silent. Howard¡¯s actions were especially extreme, indicating his anger matched Elliot¡¯s. Hence, he would not easily back down. ¡°Dad, this decision is for the Lawson family to make, not Howard¡¯s alone. His intention to break off the engagement won¡¯t be enough as it requires Uncle Albert¡¯s approval,¡± Katie pointed out as she elegantly walked down the stairs. ¡°You mentioned before that Uncle Albert owes you a favor. If you personally plead with him, I believe he would consider helping us persuade Howard. Also, imagine what would happen if Uncle Albert found out about Howard and Phoebe¡¯s affair,¡± Katie continued. Back then, Katie took advantage of this favor to secure her engagement with Howard despite his refusal. Since she could no longer marry Howard, the favor remained unsettled! Asking for a few more favors was only fair. Ron was troubled and remained silent. Perhaps he had no choice but to swallow his pride and try this approach! At E&S Haven, the aroma of chicken soup woke Elliot. Opening his eyes, blowing it. he found Sheena sitting beside him holding a steaming bowl, gently stirring and The scene felt familiar. More than half a year ago, he had knelt in the garden all night in the rain due to the misunderstanding between him and Sheena regarding Jennifer¡¯s situation. Later, when Sheenal realized she had misunderstood him, she personally cooked and cooled the soup in a simr manner. Charles had 212 The difference was that during that time, Sheena had considered him a target of revenge, her eyes icy without a trace of mercy. This time, het gaze was tender, every movement filled with affection. ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± Sheena set down the bowl, helped prop up his pillow, and assisted him in leaning against the headboard. Elliot¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed lightly, ¡°How did I get backst night? Weren¡¯t you supposed to wake me up?¡± Sheen picked up the chicken soup again, continuing to stir and cool it. ¡°I had Lionel carry you back. You looked so peacefully asleep that I didn¡¯t want to disturb you.¡± Scooping a small spoonful of soup, she brought it to Elliot¡¯s lips. ¡°Here, drink slowly. Be careful, it¡¯s hot.¡± Elliot was stunned, but he obediently opened his mouth. ¡°Why this sudden attentive service early in the morning? It feels a bit unusual.¡± Sheena lowered her gaze, concealing the unusual emotion beneath, and offered another spoonful. ¡°You did a lotst night. Consider it a little treat for you today, okay?¡± Elliot was at a loss for words. Her statement easily led others to think in a different direction! He was only carrying her! He needed to correct her choice of words! As the two engaged in discussion, her words caused a heated conversation, and the bowl of chicken soup quickly emptied into Elliot¡¯s stomach. Today, Sheena had delegated thepany matters to Wendy and nned to spend the day at home. with Elliot. In the afternoon, Sheena sat cross¨Clegged on the sofa, engrossed in watching a drama. Meanwhile, Ellioty with his head on herp, handling business matters on his tablet. Suddenly, the front door was urgently knocked. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. It was Ford. ¡°Miss, something bad happened! Mr. Howard and Old Man Lawson are having a heated argument. It doesn¡¯t look good. You should go back and check!¡± Chapter 569 Chapter 560 Sheena immediately god up to answer the door. ¡°What¡¯s going on? How did they end up arging out of the blue?¡± Catching his breath, Ford exined, ¡°Katie¡¯s parents came over this morning I don¡¯t know what they told Old Man Lawson, but Mr Itoward was still upset aboutst night¡¯s events, probably because of the engagement and Ms. Chambein ¡± Sheena frowned. Albert already found out about Howard and Phoebe? No wonder they were arguing! She needed to go back quickly. Otherwise, Howard might end up losing the argument. ¡°Eli, I mighte backte tonight,¡± Sheena informed Elliot as she put on her shoes. Elliot stood up, calmly ced his tablet down, and walked over to Sheena. ¡°Since it¡¯s serious, I¡¯ll go with you ¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Without much thought, Sheena replied, ¡°This is my family¡¯s internal affairs. It might not be appropriate for you to get involved. Stay home and rest. Remember to take your medicine!¡± Elliot seemed a bit displeased but did not say anything more. He took a white windbreaker from the rack and helped Sheena put it on. ¡°Winter is just around the corner. Don¡¯t catch a cold.¡± Sheena tiptoed and nted a kiss on his cheek before swiftly leaving with Ford to return to Mountville. As Sheena¡¯s car ascended the hill, she spotted Phoebe¡¯s slender figure anxiously pacing back and forth in front of Albert¡¯s mansion. She got out of the car and walked over, calling out, ¡°Phoebe.¡± Upon hearing her voice, Phoebe immediately ran over. ¡°Sheena, during lunch today, Old Man Lawson had someone summon Mr. Howard. He hasn¡¯te. out since, and they won¡¯t let me in. I¡¯ve been waiting outside, clueless about what¡¯s happening inside! Sheena grabbed Phoebe¡¯s hand, patting it gently. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With me here, I¡¯ll make sure to help Howard. Let¡¯s go in.¡± With Sheena backing her up, the bodyguards at the entrance did not dare to stop them. Chapter 569 217 When George heard that she had returned, he hurriedly ran over to greet her. Sheena inquired, ¡°Uncle George, where¡¯s Corey?¡± ¡°Mr. Corey and Ms. Barbara haven¡¯t been in Svelton recently. They took a flight somewhere. I don¡¯t know when they¡¯ll be back,¡± George replied. Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious as she remembered the crucial matter. She turned to Ford, saying, ¡°Go contact Corey. If he doesn¡¯t answer, call Barbara. Tell them to return to Svelton within the next two days. I need to talk to them.¡± ¡°Yes, miss,¡± Ford responded, turning to attend to the task. Holding Phoebe¡¯s hand, Sheena made her way to the hall entrance. Therge doors were tightly closed, and the sharp sound of smashing teacups emanated from inside, indicating a heated. argument. She furrowed her brow and was about to push the door open when George stopped her. ¡°Miss, you can enter the hall anytime, but Ms. Chambein is an outsider. She can¡¯te in.¡± Phoebe, not wanting to cause any trouble, chimed in, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I won¡¯t go in. I¡¯ll wait for you outside. ¦° Sheena nodded and immediately pushed open the doors. Inside the hall, Albert sat in the main seat, visibly upset. Lauren upied a chair on the side, appearing nonchnt as if watching a drama unfold. Howard stood in the center of the room with his back straight, unwavering in his conviction despite Albert¡¯s furious reprimands. Chapter 570 Chapter 570 1/2 Howard¡¯s suit was stained with tea and water, clearly indicating that the sound of shattering teacups Sheena heard outside was Albert¡¯s way of expressing his anger toward Howard. The argument in the hall ceased as Sheena entered. Lauren nced at her with a hint of disdain and displeasure. Albert¡¯s gaze softened a bit, and he spoke in a milder tone, ¡°Why are you back? Are you here to support Howard?¡± ¡°Dad,e on, it¡¯s my home. Can¡¯t Ie back to take a look?¡± Sheena responded. She pulled out a wet wipe and began wiping off the stains from Howard¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Howard, was the tea just boiled? Is it too hot? Unbutton your shirt and let me see your shoulder.¡± Howard shook his head. ¡°It was just warm tea. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Albert grunted discontentedly, feeling a bit jealous. His beloved daughter had returned, but she was only concerned about Howard. Why did she not ask him how he was or if Howard had upset him? Sheena overheard and immediately squatted down next to Albert. She crossed her arms on his legs, draped with a nket, and smiled sweetly at Albert. ¡°Dad, you usually have a gentle temper. What happened today? Getting so angry that you¡¯re smashing teacups at Howard?¡± Albert was irritated by this topic and red at Howard before saying, ¡°He decided on his own to break off the engagement with the Upton family and, knowing he had a fiancee, started an affair with that young actress.¡± ¡°Ron personally came and begged me to advise this brat against opposing the Upton family. He even asked for his help in removing them from the trending topics.¡± Howard clenched his fists inside his sleeves and growled, ¡°I¡¯ve been generous enough not to add salt to their wounds. Now they want me to help? They can dream on!¡± ¡°Howard-¡± Albert¡¯s face instantly turned red, and he started coughing violently. ¡°Dad, calm down. Howard isn¡¯t unreasonable,¡± Sheenaforted as she hurriedly patted his back to soothe him. Then, she signaled to Howard not to worsen the situation. Howard¡¯s expression darkened, but he remained silent. ¤Ê 21/2 With Sheena¡¯sfort, Albert gradually eased his anger. She was about to start persuading him when she noticed Lauren. ¡°You should leave. I need to talk to Dad and Howard about something Initially reveling in the drama, Lauren suddenly found herself singled out and was visibly displeased. ¡°Sheena, are you trying to kick me out? I¡¯m part of the family. Is there anything I can¡¯t hear here?¡± Sheena red at Lauren. ¡°So what? They are my biological father and brother. I want to have a private conversation with them. What¡¯s it got to do with you?¡± Unable to argue with Sheena, Lauren sought help by appealing to Albert, pouting, ¡°Honey, look at her. Is she really saying I¡¯m an outsider? Aren¡¯t you going to do anything?¡± With a gentle expression, Albert joined Sheena in persuading, ¡°Dear, maybe there¡¯s something that needs to be discussed privately. You should leave first. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here. No one in the Lawson family would dare treat you as an outsider.¡± ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. With things reaching this point, if Lauren did not leave, she might face another round of Sheena¡¯s mockery. Left with no choice, Lauren stomped her foot in frustration, mmed the door, and left. Once she was gone, Sheena turned to Albert and continued, ¡°Dad, you might be unaware of this, but due the reason Howard despises Katie so much is she repeatedly tried to kill me back in Farlem. Yet, to the Upton family¡¯s influence, she got away with it every time, washing away any suspicion. I couldn¡¯t find much evidence, so I never brought it up.¡± Albert was taken aback. ¡°Really?!¡± ¡°Yes, Dad.¡± Sheena massaged his legs and added, ¡°At Katie¡¯s birthday partyst night, she drugged. me while I was talking to Colin, intending to frame me by making me sleep with him. If I hadn¡¯t been alert, I would¡¯ve been in the news you saw this morning!¡± ¡°What?!¡± Albert¡¯s eyes widened, and he mmed the table, fury burning. ¡°The Upton family clearly thinks I¡¯m an old fool whom they can toy with!¡± When Ron and Nicole came over this morning, they avoided mentioning the real reasons behind the Upton family¡¯s situation. Instead, they selectively brought up Howard breaking off the engagement and affair,ying all the me on the Lawson family. Now, looking back, it was truly despicable! Chatper 571 Chapter 571 However, Albert quickly recalled something that cased his anger. ¡°Sweetheart, Ron saved me when we were young. So, I made him a few promises, and he brought up the favors this time, L¡­¡± Sheena reasoned, ¡°Dad, you¡¯ve supported the Upton family in many ways over the years, and Katie trying to harm me wasn¡¯t a one¨Ctime thing. You¡¯ve more than repaid the favor and don¡¯t owe the Upton family anything. ¡°As far as I see it, if Howard wants to break off the engagement, let him. Do you really want him to marry a malicious woman like Katie, letting her hurt me?¡± ¡°As for the Upton family¡¯s crisis this time, you don¡¯t have to worry about it. Let them face the consequences of their own actions, be it bankruptcy or removal from the list of wealthy families. It¡¯s their own doing, and it¡¯s none of your concern.¡± Albert listened calmly, pondered for a moment, and eventually nodded in agreement. ¡®Alright. Let¡¯s do it your way since Katie tried to harm you. I¡¯ve done my part by not adding fuel to the fire this time.¡± Sheena smiled sweetly, agreeing on the surface while thinking of other ns. Albert might have settled his score with the Upton family, but Sheena¡¯s feud with Katie was not as easily resolved. This time, the Upton family was in for a storm from all directions.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. After using her sweet words to praise Albert a little more, Sheena sessfully calmed his temper. Howard stood silently, his expression cold as he observed the loving scene of the father¨Cdaughter duo. Albert noticed Howard standing like a log and softened his tone, saying, ¡°Howard, it¡¯s fine if you want to break off the engagement. However, I disagree with you marrying that woman, Phoebe!¡± Howard, feeling indignant, retorted, ¡°Are you trying to find me a new elite e among t families? Marriage is a lifetimemitment, and I¡¯ll choose someone I like. You can¡¯t control my life this time!¡± ¡°Are you trying to anger me again?¡± Albert¡¯s temper red up once more. ¡°That starlet of yours has an unknown background! She¡¯s only an orphan raised in an orphanage with a low education level. What benefit does she bring to you? People will mock me and the Lawson family, won¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Benefit?¡± Howard was also furious, mocking, ¡°Am I marrying a wife or buying merchandise? Why you so calctive? Back then, you disregarded our objections and insisted on marrying Lauren, a worthless woman.¡± are Chapter 521. 2/2 ¡°Giving your mistress a status is fine, but marrying a woman I like is wrong? What does social standing mean to you?¡± Albert, trembling, pointed his fingers at Howard, his chest heaving violently, struggling for breath. ¡°You brat!¡± If Albert was not stuck in a wheelchair because of his immobility, he might have stepped forward and pped Howard. Unable to reach him, Albert grew even angrier, shouting to the door, ¡°George! Fetch a whip and give this rebellious son a thrashing! Whip him until he apologizes!¡± Howard, defiant, began unbuttoning his shirt and removing his suit. ¡°I¡¯ll never apologize! You better beat me to death today, and I¡¯ll return this life to you. I don¡¯t want to be your son in the next life!¡± Ever since Albert insisted on arranging the engagement between him and Katie more than two years. ago, Howard¡¯s rtionship with Albert had soured, and it remained strained. ¡°How audacious! You¡¯re such an ungrateful child!¡± Albert¡¯s face turned purple, veins bulging the strain. George hesitated, unsure whether to proceed or not. ¡°Sir, please calm down. Mr. Howard¡­¡® Albert red at him. ¡°Go now! Tie him up and beat him to death!¡± ¡°No, don¡¯t go!¡± Sheena intervened, speaking up to stop the madness. She signaled at George, signaling him to step back. Chatper 572 Chapter 572 ¡°You¡¯re rebelling against me too?¡± Both angry and hurt, Albert looked at his beloved daughter by his side. ¡°How could 1, Dad?¡± Sheena soothed him with her hand, gently calming his heaving chest. Her tender touch was like a soft cat¡¯s paw, her tender touch smoothed out his ruffled emotions. She intervened, ¡°Dad, Howard did speak too aggressively just now, but he¡¯s just upset about Katie¡¯s situation. He didn¡¯t mean to argue with you. I¡¯ll apologize on his behalf.¡± Sheena forced a smile, secretly relieved. Fortunately, the Lawson family was rtively open¨Cminded, without strict family rules like the Jenkins family. Otherwise, Howard might have faced severe punishment today. Under Sheena¡¯s reassurance, Albert¡¯s breathing gradually steadied. However, when he looked up. saw Howard still taking off his shirt as if he were openly challenging his authority. ¡°Look at him! What¡¯s the use of your apology? He¡¯s not remorseful at all!¡± Albert suddenly had a coughing fit. Sheena immediately turned and red at Howard. ¡°Howard, stop fooling around. It¡¯s so cold. Put your clothes on. If you catch a cold, Dad will be the first one to be worried about you!¡± She raised her eyebrows at Howard. Howard hesitated, but he eventually began to put his clothes back on.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. he Albert huffed, ¡°I won¡¯t worry about him. If he gets sick and dies, that¡¯s on him. I should have worn protection back then!¡± Unable to contain herughter, Sheena chuckled. Trying to lighten the mood, she said, ¡°Dad, what are you thinking? Without Howard, the order would be messed up, and you wouldn¡¯t have your wonderful little daughter¨Cme!¡± ¡°That¡¯s true¡­¡± Albert¡¯s tone softened. ¡°For your sake, I¡¯ll let him off.¡± Sheena was pleased, knowing he was giving Howard a way out. ¡°Howard, Dad is no longer angry with you. Why don¡¯t you thank Dad?¡± Howard remained silent. Seeing that Albert was about to get angry again, Sheena quickly intervened, saying, ¡°Dad, you¡¯ve always been a kind father, never scolding any of us siblings. There¡¯s no need to be upset with Howard this time. Maybe Howard wille around in a few days.¡± Her words seemed to ease Albert¡¯s mind a bit, and his expression gradually softened. Chapter 572 He spoke sincerely, ¡°Howard, remember, I¡¯ll never intend to harm you. I¡¯ve lived to this age and experienced more than you. Arranging a marriage suitable for your status is for your own good.¡± Howard scoffed and was ready to continue his retort when Sheena swiftly covered his mouth. ¡°Dad, let me handle Howard. I¡¯ll make sure to persuade him for you!¡® She grabbed Howard¡¯s arm and led him out, sweetly smiling at Albert. ¡°Okay, Dad, we¡¯ll take off now!¡± 2/2 Sheena dragged Howard out forcefully. Howard was in a bad mood, and before Sheena could speak, he made his stance clear, ¡°You insisted on marrying into the Freeman family because you didn¡¯t want your life dictated. I¡¯m the same. This matter isn¡¯t up for negotiation, and I won¡¯t let him control my life.¡± Sheena blinked her starry eyes. ¡°Who said I was going to persuade you?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say that to Dad?¡± to him Sheena clicked her tongue. ¡°Oh, my silly brother! Dad is in a bad mood, and whatever you say right now is just asking for trouble. If you want him to agree to you marrying Phoebe, you need to act strategically and take it slow.¡± She continued with a serious tone, ¡°You have to let him know that Phoebe is a kind and good¨Chearted. girl, not some scheming woman trying to marry into a wealthy family. Think about how to approach this from a different angle and get his approval.¡± Chatper 573 Chapter 573 Howard fell silent for a moment and sighed. ¡°You make it sound easy, but Dad is stubborn. Trying to change his views is like trying to move mountains.¡± ¡°Challenges make it interesting, Howard. Are you scared?¡± Sheena patted his shoulder reassuringly, ¡± Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll talk to him for you. Besides, he may control your engagement and marriage registration, but he can¡¯t dictate who you date. Just do as you want, but don¡¯t sh it.¡± Howard contemted her words, finding them rather reasonable. As they walked and talked, they unknowingly approached the main gate. Looking at the empty entrance, Sheena suddenly realized she had forgotten someone. ¡°Oh no! I got so carried away chatting with you that I forgot about Phoebe! She said she would be waiting for you at the gate!¡± Howard was surprised. ¡°She came along?¡± ¡°Mhm. She said she was worried about you.¡± Sheena contemted whether to go back and check. ¡± Phoebe is usually true to her words. She wouldn¡¯t leave before you arrived, unless¡­¡± The two exchanged nces, their expressions turning serious, both thinking of the same possibility! Howard turned around first, sprinting back toward his mansion. Sheena immediately followed, descending from the mountaintop halfway down. Pushing open therge iron gate surrounding the mansion, Phoebe had just finished packing all her belongings and stepped out. Howard asked her, ¡°What are you doing packing your bags?¡± Phoebe lowered her head, feeling somewhat guilty, ¡°I¡¯ve caused you much trouble these days. It¡¯s been almost a month since Caleb¡¯s affair, and the inte has long forgotten about it. It¡¯s time for me to move back to my apartment.¡± Howard tightened his grip on her wrist, forcefully taking the suitcase from her hands. ¡°I disagree.¡± ¡°Mr. Howard, you have no right to stop me from leaving! You¡¯ve achieved your goal of breaking your engagement with Ms. Upton, and our agreement is now void!¡± Phoebe was a bit irritated. That was the first time she spoke assertively in front of Howard. Howard remained quiet, his expression cold. After a moment of contemtion, he said, ¡°Did Lauren say something to you?¡± Phoebe did not argue and exined, ¡°She¡¯s right. Our lives are different. It¡¯s like night and day. I Chap 573 Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. 272 don¡¯t deserve you. I¡¯m just a pretend lover you hired to y a part. I shouldn¡¯t have developed real feelings, let alone hold you back. I¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Howard kissed her, silencing all her apologies. Sheena had just entered the mansion and witnessed this loving scene. She smiled with contentment, shook her head in resignation, and quietly left. The domineering kiss ended Phoebe¡¯s struggle. Howard exined, ¡°I was the one who fell for you first, and I¡¯m the one who should apologize. Last night¡­ you were drugged, and I shouldn¡¯t have treated you that way, but I¡­¡± The previous night, he had carried Phoebe back to the mansion, intending to take her to the bathroom for a shower and then find medicine to ease her difort. Little did he know, the medication had consumed all her rationality, and she recklessly pressed her body against his. He could not control himself, lost in confusion and desire. He had abstained for years but finally sumbed to Phoebe¡¯s touch. Memories of the unbelievable scenes fromst night flooded Phoebe¡¯s mind, and she blushed. instantly, feeling embarrassed. ¡°Well¡­st night was just an ident, Mr. Howard. You don¡¯t need to worry too much. I¡¯ll never use something like this to threaten you. Let¡¯s pretend it never happened!¡± Howard stared at her in frustration, ¡°Phoebe, how can you do this to me? You slept with me but brushed it off when I mentioned it?¡± ¡°What?!¡± Well, that was unexpected. Howard, usually refined and dignified, had just uttered something shameless. Phoebe was taken aback, struggling to find the right words before finally asking, ¡°Mr. Howard, was that¡­ your first time too?¡± Howard¡¯s face turned cold, and his ears reddened at her question. Chatper 574 Chapter 574 ¡°What else could it be?¡± ¡°Well¡­ since it was both our first time, why not¡­ consider it a mutual offset?¡± Phoebe blushed, trying to slip away, but Howard swiftly caught the back of her neck. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going? I¡¯m not a promiscuous man, Phoebe. Since we slept together, I¡¯ll take responsibility,¡± #BUL ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°No ¡®buts¡°! His gaze was exceptionally determined. ¡°I¡¯ll clear all the obstacles on our future path. You won¡¯t be alone anymore as I¡¯ll cherish and adore you. Just focus on chasing your dreams in the entertainment industry and leave your happiness and joy to me!!! Phoebe stared at him in a daze, deeply moved. Despite thinking she had securely shut her heart after Caleb¡¯s infidelity, Howard had managed to sneak in. To be cherished and loved, to have a home of her own¡­ they were things she had never dared to dream of. ¡°Can you please not be so nice to me?¡± She sniffled, her voice tinged with tears. Howard cupped her face, asking, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid¡­ She was afraid of getting too deeply involved, afraid of experiencing a worse blow to her heart than Caleb¡¯s betrayal, falling into an even deeper abyss¡­ Howard seemed to understand what she was thinking and chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not Caleb. I¡¯m Howard Lawson, and my word is my bond.¡± Holding back tears, Phoebe cautiously reminded him, ¡°But please think it through. Do you really want to be with me? I¡¯ve never seen what my parents look like. I¡¯ve lived in Farlem Orphanage for as long as I can remember, and there¡¯s no information about my parents there. I¡¯m an abandoned child, a mistake from birth.¡± ¡°It¡¯s their loss for abandoning you. With me, you¡¯ll always be cherished.¡± He caressed her hand, gently kissing the back of it, and with a serious gaze, he continued, ¡°Ms. Chambein, I¡¯d like to propose a new agreement. This time, you get to set the terms.¡± Phoebe froze. Chapter 574 212 Howard was relinquishing all control to her, allowing her to change her mind whenever she wanted. Was this to protect her sense of security? In the approaching winter ofte autumn, the wind was chilling. However, Phoebe felt a great warmth wash over her soul. Howard had warmed her heart. Sheena sat in the car, gradually leaving Mountville. She looked at the passing scenery, feeling a bit sentimental. If only she and Elliot could have a healthy and smooth rtionship, like Corey and Barbara, or Howard and Phoebe, enjoying simple and ordinary days of love. While she appeared rxed, her usually bright eyes lost their luster for the first time. Lost in thought, her phone suddenly rang. It was Corey. ¡°Nana, Ford told me you need something.¡± Sheena took a deep breath and said, ¡°Yes¡­¡± Looking at his schedule, Corey informed her, ¡°I have a lot on my te in the next two days, so I may not be able to return to Svelton. Tell me what you need over the phone, and if I can handle it, I¡¯ll take care of it for you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Corey.¡± Sheena hesitated for a long time before adding, ¡°Corey, I hope you can help me get Nathaniel released from the high¨Csecurity prison on bail!¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Corey remained silent, seemingly surprised by her request. Chatper 575 Chapter 575 Three hourster, Sheena finally returned to E&S Haven as the sky darkened. Elliot immediately noticed the bags in her hands, stacked high enough to rival her own height. ¡°What¡¯s all this? Did you rob a mall?¡± Sheena awkwardlyughed, saying, ¡°Well, you know, girls can¡¯t resist discounts or offers like buy one get one free, buy two get three free, and all that. I thought they were quite affordable, so I bought them all.¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow, seeing through her tale. ¡°You¡¯re not short of money, so why would you care about those petty discounts in the mall? ¡°Nonsense! Who wouldin about having too much money? If I can get things cheaper, why pay the full price? I¡¯m not a fool!! Elliot admired her thriftiness, ¡°Nana, you really know how to budget! You¡¯ll be a thrifty and wise wife! Sheena chuckled at his serious expression. ¡°Enough talking. Come help me unpack these bags. I bought a lot of winter clothes for you too.¡± He looked at the pile of exquisite shopping bags in disbelief. ¡°You bought all these for me?¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, lying with a straight face, ¡°Well¡­ most of them were buy one get one free, and there was a 50% discount on everything. I haven¡¯t seen you wear this style much, so I identally bought too many. While she spoke, she took out a light gray wool sweater from one of the bags and handed it to him. ¡°Come on, try it on and see if it fits.¡± Elliot frowned, rejecting the sweater in her hands. ¡°I never wear this kind of thing in winter, especially not turtlenecks.¡± ¡°That was before. With me around, you have to wear it. Warmthes first! Your physique is great, and you¡¯ll look good in anything.¡± She held the wool sweater, poking his muscr waist. ¡°Listen, put it on. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve personally bought clothes for a man. Are you really going to refuse?¡± Although she had a smile on her face, her second sentence was clearly said through gritted teeth, carrying a subtle threat. Elliot sighed, epted the sweater, and quickly removed his suit and shirt, obediently putting on the wool sweater. 2/2 Sheena then handed him a dark gray wool coat. This time, he did not dare to refuse and put it on too. Afterward, Sheena helped him wrap the new scarf she had bought. With his suit removed, Elliot lost some of the domineering CEO vibes, appearing quite gentle and gaining a touch of friendliness, almost resembling an artsy young man. However, his facial features were too refined. He looked handsome, unlike an ordinary young man. Sheena was extremely satisfied, affectionately pinching his handsome face. ¡°You look so good, Eli. From now on, you should dress like this. I¡¯m tired of seeing you always in suits and ties¡± Elliot lowered his head, examining his outfit. Suddenly, a fearful thought crossed his mind. Nana, you didn¡¯t¡­ buy me a down jacket, did you?¡± He would not be caught dead wearing those thick clothes! However, his inner turmoilsted only a few minutes before he saw Sheena unpacking other shopping bags. She took out two down jackets, both in ck but with different designs. Sheena said, ¡°Eli, you do know me well. Not only do I have down jackets, but also several sets of autumn clothes, thermal underwear, thick cotton pants, thick cotton socks, and two ck fox fur coats. These are super warm, perfect for the coldest snowy days¡­¡± She kept talking, and Elliot was stunned! His face turned paler with each passing second. Autumn clothes, thermal underwear, down jackets, thick cotton pants¨Cjust the thought was enough to give him nightmares! He would not wear them! Absolutely not! However, he underestimated his psychological endurance. Sheena coaxed, ¡°Come on, Eli, all the clothes are coordinated sets. Let me see you in them tonight. I want to take photos to make some memories with you!¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chatper 576 Chapter 576 Elliot was stunned into silence once again! Not only did he have to wear those clothes, but he also had to be photographed by her! That was worse than killing him! His chest felt tight, and he red fiercely at the pile of shopping bags, gritting his teeth. ¡°Are you trying to push my buttons?¡± Sheena elegantly sat on the sofa, crossing her hands and legs, exuding a hint of mischief while maintaining her grace and arrogance. Her slender fingers tapped her arm rhythmically, and she raised an eyebrow, gazing at him provocatively. ¡°What if I am? Are you going to wear them or not?¡± Elliot¡¯s cold, sharp gaze locked onto hers. After a minute of deadlock, Elliot gave in. ¡°I¡¯ll wear them! I¡¯ll always listen to you.¡± Then, he smiled and added in a soft tone, ¡°After all, it¡¯s an honor to have you personally buy them for me!¡± Sheena chuckled, rewarded him with a peck on the lips, then took his hand, leading him to the bedroom with the pile of newly bought winter clothes. She turned on the bedroom heater. With a camera in hand, she sat on the edge of the bed, quietly enjoying Elliot¡¯s strip show and his bitter expressions as she snapped pictures. This process was torture for Elliot. However, it was pure delight for Sheena as she could admire his handsome face and perfect physique, asionally pinching his abs and teasing him shamelessly. After nearly half an hour of antics, Elliot finally finished trying on the set of clothes Sheena had bought. Sheena leisurely sat cross¨Clegged in the middle of the bed, flipping through her photo gallery, admiring the photos she had just taken. Her expression was particrly focused, with a hint of delight shining in her eyes. Elliot rested his chin on her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, weary. looking ¡°Nana, I¡¯ve worn everything you wanted me to. Seeing how hard I¡¯ve worked, can I get a little reward tonight?¡± Chapter 576 His voicecked energy, soft and tender, truly evoking a sense of sympathy. Sheena set her phone aside, turned around, and let him lean against her. His head rested on her shoulder as his fingers lightly toyed with the silk edge of her garment, a bit spiritless, showing signs of genuine exhaustion.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Sheena softened her tone and asked, ¡°What other little reward do you want?¡± He felt a surge of joy, but before he could speak, Sheena added in advance, ¡°Except for moving back to sleep with you, everything else is fair game.¡± Elliot¡¯s face instantly fell, looking quite disheartened. ¡°You clearly know I only want that¡­¡± ¡°Be a good boy.¡± Sheena caressed his face and kissed him between the brows. Elliot grumbled softly, sulking in silence. This time, Sheena did not soothe his emotions as usual. Instead, she covered up the unusual emotion in her eyes and spoke seriously, ¡°Things at Angle Group might get a bit busy these days, and I might not be able to video call you during lunch to supervise your medication. I mighte homete. Maybe¡­¡± Elliot looked at her. ¡°Maybe what?¡± She pursed her lips and smiled, ¡°Nothing. It¡¯ste. You should get some rest. Elliot held onto her small waist, unwilling to let go, frowning in grievance. ¡°You haven¡¯t fulfilled the reward you promised me! I can¡¯t sleep!¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± He thought seriously, hid the sly glint in his eyes, and weakly rubbed against her neck. ¡°Changing clothes is really exhausting. I¡¯ve even sweated a bit. How about¡­ you help me bathe?¡± Chatper 577 Chapter 577 Sheena became anxious. When Elliot tried on the clothes just now, she was already feeling flustered. Moreover, baths usually involve beingpletely bare, and she could not guarantee she could keep herposure. As she was about to find a reason to refuse, Elliot quickly cut her off, ¡°It¡¯s just a bath. If you don¡¯t agree to this, I¡¯ll be upset, and my angina might act up!¡± He spoke with a mournful look, fingers clutching his chest, leaning against her as he softly whimpered. Sheena sighed helplessly. Ever since she knew about Elliot¡¯s condition, he had be adept at ying the pity card. Unfortunately, there were times when she fell for it. ¡°Stop pretending. I¡¯ll go help you with the hot water.¡± Elliot grinned mischievously. Sheena got up and went to the bathroom to adjust the bathroom¡¯s temperature. Then, she filled the bathtub with water and squeezed shower gel into the tub, stirring up bubbles. When the bathroom wasfortably warm, Sheena called out to him, ¡°It¡¯s ready,e in.¡± Wearing the cotton robe Sheena had recently bought, Elliot went to the bathroom. Sheena checked the water temperature again; it was just right. Turning around, she noticed him still standing there. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you undressed?¡± Elliot half¨Craised his arm, fingers hanging limp, gazing at her with a pitiful look. ¡°I don¡¯t have the strength¡­¡± ¡°Look at how spoiled you are!¡± Sheena scowled, quickly undressing him as she grumbled, ¡°I¡¯ll let it slide since you¡¯re sick now! But once you¡¯re well, you better be ready for what¡¯sing!¡± Elliot, hearing this, looked dejected. His eyes went lifeless as he slumped onto her, resting his chin on her shoulder. He mumbled weakly, ¡°Why are you scolding me? This illness of mine might never get better¡­¡± ¡°Nonsense!¡± Sheena red at him, annoyed, and pinched him hard on the back Elliot winced in pain and buried his face into her shoulder, silently swallowing all the bitterness and emotions. Sheena adjusted his body, lifting his face with both hands as she earnestly said, ¡°Elliot, I¡¯ll always be Chapter 577 here for you! You¡¯re not allowed to give up hope of living!¡± She was determined to make him live healthily! No matter the cost! Elliot felt conflicted. 2/3 Tofort Sheena, he smiled and nodded, diverting the topic. He held her hand and gently ced it on his chest. In his eyes, a mischievous glint sparkled. ¡°Do you like it?¡± Sheena nodded earnestly. Elliot immediately frowned, once again looking despondent.. Was that it? Feeling his sadness, Sheena kissed his thin lips, helped him into the bathtub filled with bubbles, and wet his shoulders and neck. The foamy bubbles covered his honey¨Ctoned, sensual skin. ¡°Soak for 15 minutes, and I¡¯lle in to help you scrub your back.¡± She dried her hands with a clean towel and turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly seized by the man in the bathtub. With force, he pulled her toward him. ¡°It¡¯s warmer when we soak together!¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Caught off guard by the sudden strength, Sheena could not resist the unexpected pull and fell backward into the bathtub. Elliot, well¨Cprepared, exerted force with his other hand, securely catching her, easing the impact as she fell into the bathtub. With his palm cushioning the fall, there was no particrlyrge ssh when Sheena¡¯s body entered the water. However, the water level, previously well¨Cadjusted, immediately overflowed due to the additional person, apanied by a loud sshing sound. Sheena lowered her head, looking at her now¨Csoaked silk robe, gritting her teeth as she red at him. ¡°Elliot! Can¡¯t you behave yourself for one moment?¡± He leaned back,zily reclining, arms resting on the edges of the bathtub on both sides with his legs wide open. It was as if he was challenging her to make him submit. ¡°Nana, it would be a pleasure to let you do whatever you want to me in this bathtub.¡± As he spoke, he raised an eyebrow, showing a sly and mischievous grin. Chatper 578 Chapter 578 Sheena rolled her eyes at him. Elliot was simply too shameless! Seeing Sheena ignoring him, Elliot appeared dissatisfied and repeatedly pinched his abdominal muscles. His abs were still there, an impressive eight¨Cpack! So why¡­. He felt a bit aggrieved. ¡°Nana, I¡¯m still the same as before! Don¡¯t you want to touch my abs?¡± In the mist¨Cfilled bathtub, his handsome face acquired a hazy allure. Bubbles clung to his well- defined honey¨Ctoned skin, and the damp curls of his eyshes glistened with water droplets. His deep ck eyes shimmered with anticipation, fixed on Sheena. Sheena closed her eyes, refusing to look at him, and took a deep breath. She knew this troublemaker could not be trusted when given the chance. She should not have agreed to help him bathe. She almost fell into his trap again! Her inner voice kept reminding her, ¡®Elliot is sick! Sick! Sick! No touching! No messing around!¡® While she continued taking deep breaths, Elliot was not idle. She kept enduring, but her patience had limits. ¡°Elliot! Your hands are so restless! Let me help you with that!¡± She turned around, grabbed a wooden bath brush from the shelf, and red at him threateningly. Ten minutester, the bathroom was filled with thick white mist, creating an atmosphere that felt somewhat out of the ordinary. Sheena put down the wooden bath brush, released a long sigh, and felt a sense of relief. After giving Elliot a sound thrashing, he became more obedient, and she felt much better. However, Elliot was not coping as well. He stared at his hands, carefully soothing the reddened and swollen palms. Sheena just coldly nced at his palms and continued to focus on scrubbing his back. That was the first time Sheena did not immediately console Elliot after punishing him, and he felt aggrieved. ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Intense unwillingpelled him to raise his hands slightly, and his ck eyes conveyed a sense of grievance, silentlyining to her that it was hurting! Chapter 570 2/2 With a poker face, Sheena acted as if she did not understand. She red at him coldly and asked, Was that not enough? Do you want more?¡± As she spoke, she pretended to grab the bath brush again. Elliot promptly withdrew his hands, hiding them in the water, obediently lowering his head. He was upset, yet he dared not provoke her. Sheena did not know what he was thinking, but seeing that he had finally stopped making trouble, she let out a sigh of relief. Elliot pretending to be well¨Cbehaved was the most pleasing treat to her eyes! After scrubbing his back, she nced at the shampoo nearby, squeezed a handful into her palm, and then applied it to his head. Sheena was rough and forceful, rubbing his head randomly, much like bathing a pet. Elliot frowned. ¡°Be gentle.¡± Sheena was displeased. ¡°Now you¡¯re trying to order me around? Why don¡¯t wash it yourself?¡± ¡°No¡­ It¡¯s fine! Continue. Elliot endured the difort, letting her have her way. Chatper 579 Chapter 579 After a while, Sheena shook her sore wrists. She never expected that taking a bath could be so exhausting. Her entire body was soaked. Not only did she need to wash Elliot, but herself too! Suppressing her frustration, she helped Elliot out of the bathtub. After drying him off, she set him onto the dry tiles and tossed his robe into his face. ¡°Put it on yourself!¡± Elliot remained motionless, letting the robe slip off his face and fall to the floor. ¡°My arms are weak, and my hands hurt,¡± heined, unable to dress himself. Sheena red at his delicate appearance, gritted her teeth, and felt her anger escting, Who was pushing whose buttons now? Faced with his continuous disy of misery and attempts to test her limits, she gave him a fierce look. ¡°You have one minute. Pick it up and put it on immediately. After that, get a clean robe for me. If you dare to exceed the allocated time, I¡¯ll make you recall the taste of ourst rule¨Csetting session! Also, I¡¯ll permanently cancel the nighttime medicine service!¡± Elliot became nervous. Suddenly, his knees felt painful, and his hands hurt even more. Moreover, she was canceling the medicine service? No, that was uneptable! Sheena continued to rub her body, heartlessly counting down, ¡°You have fifty¨Ceight seconds left!¡± He shuddered, quickly bent down to pick up the robe, expertly fastened it, opened the door, put on his slippers, and sprinted to the adjacent wardrobe. In no time, he grabbed a clean women¡¯s robe. ¡°Ten, nine, eight¡­ Sheena¡¯s countdown echoed in the bathroom, sounding like an emotionless timekeeping machine. As she reached thest second, Elliot precisely hung the robe on the bathroom rack. Sheena nced at him mockingly. ¡°Well, it seems you have quite a lot of potential when pushes. to shove!¡± Elliot remained silent. That night, all his little schemes had been unraveled by Sheena! Nothing had worked out! Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. 212 He felt extremely annoyed and mmed the bathroom door shut as if venting all his frustration onto the door. Sheena gazed at the immature man sulking behind the door, chuckled, and sighed with a helpless look in her eyes. Winter arrived two dayster. Svelton was covered in dark clouds, and the air was misty. Soon enough, rain began to fall. The cold wind, mixed with drizzle, brought the temperature down by dozens of degrees. Walking on the streets, one could feel the shivers of the freezing weather. The massive iron gate of the high¨Csecurity prison slowly creaked open, emitting a dull groan. Nathaniel changed out of his prison uniform, now wearing a crisp but thin white shirt. He carried a ck bag containing the few clothes he had when he entered prison. Walking slowly, he was pushed out of the prison gate by the guards. ¡°Treasure the opportunity you¡¯ve got for parole. When you go out, start anew and be a decent person! Nathaniel staggered a few steps and suddenly raised his head to look at the gloomy sky, letting the icy rain fall on his face. The once rugged and weathered face gradually revealed a hint of a smile. Start anew? Yes, this would be his brand¨Cnew beginning! Suddenly, a ck van pulled up from the end of the street and stopped in front of him. John and Sawyer got out without saying a word, covering his mouth and forcibly shoving him into the back seat of the van. Chatper 580 Chapter 580 Nathaniel¡¯s knees hit the car seat hard, and he let out a muffled groan. While lowering his head, he caught sight of a pair of delicate high heels. His heart skipped a beat as he looked up, finding Sheena seated beside him, separated by a small table. Beneath her exquisitely charming appearance, her gaze was icy, filled with endless disdain. Nathaniel supported his knees, shifting onto the car seat. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you for almost half a month, Nana, and you¡¯re still as stunningly beautiful as ever, making my heart race.¡± Sheena, resisting the urge to throw up, cut straight to the point, ¡°Where¡¯s the medicine?¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°What medicine?¡± Nathaniel feigned ignorance, but Sheena¡¯s entire demeanor radiated an intense chill. She e pulled out a handgun, loaded it, and pressed it against Nathaniel¡¯s forehead. ¡°Are you ying games with me? I can release you, but I can also put you back in!¡± Sheena jabbed the gun at Nathaniel forcefully, making his head tilt slightly. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t be hasty. I¡¯ll keep my promise to you. We agreed that by bailing me out, I¡¯d provide you with a remedy to alleviate the effects of the virus on his body. However, I¡¯ve juste out of prison. There¡¯s no way I have it on me.¡± Sheena¡¯s gun remained pointed at him, her icy tone unwavering. ¡°Where is the medicine? Take me there.¡± Nathaniel chuckled lightly. ¡°Sorry, but I can¡¯t do that. If I take you, I would be revealing the secret that¡¯s keeping me alive. I¡¯m still looking forward to you willingly marrying me.¡± Ford and the other bodyguards could not stand hearing this shameless and cunning man. They wished they could just beat him up on the spot. Sheena fell silent for a moment before asking, ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡± Nathaniel looked at the drizzling rain outside the car window, appearing calm and rxed. ¡°Do you have a pen?¡± Sheena signaled Ford. Ford took out a pen from his suit pocket and found a piece of scrap paper in the car, handing both to Nathaniel. Nathaniel quickly wrote down a phone number. Chapter 550 2/1 ¡°Tomorrow night, I¡¯ll contact you using this number. Follow my instructions,e to the designated location, and you¡¯ll get the remedy.¡± Sheena examined the number carefully, her cold gaze revealing no emotions. ¡°Nathaniel, if you try anything fimmy, I promise to make you suffer.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare. As long as I get what I want, you¡¯ll surely get what you He chuckled, gently pushing away her gun with his finger. want!¡± Sheena retracted the gun, handed it to Ford, and continued asking, ¡°Where do you n to go now? Back to the Nicholls?¡± ¡°No,¡± Nathaniel replied as he observed the geographical location outside the car window. His eyes showed no emotions as he added, ¡°Just find a ce to park and drop me off on the roadside. I have some matters to attend to.¡± Paul, the driver, swiftly pulled over to the side. John and Sawyer immediately opened the car doors, ready to toss Nathaniel out. ¡°Hold on!¡± Nathaniel stopped them. Sheena raised an eyebrow, clearly impatient. ¡°What now?¡± Pretending not to notice, Nathaniel smiled and said, ¡°I don¡¯t have any money on me, but I want to buy some warm clothes, have a decent meal, and maybe grab a pack of cigarettes. Can you spare me some change?¡± Suppressing her anger, Sheena nced at Ford. ¡°How much cash do you have on you?¡± Ford promptly checked his suit lining and patted his pants pocket. ¡°I¡¯ve got 75 dors.¡± ¡°Give it to him.¡± With visible displeasure, Ford tossed the bills onto Nathaniel¡¯s chest. ¡°Ms. Lawson is being generous. Take it and get lost!¡± Nathaniel did not seem bothered and bent down to pick up the money. Just as he finished, John and Sawyer mercilessly kicked him, sending him tumbling out of the van. Then, they quickly mmed the doors shut and sped away. Sawyer spat out in frustration. Still fantasizing about marrying Sheena? How delusional! Sheena did not intervene in their somewhat aggressive actions. Instead, she stared at Nathaniel in the rearview mirror, gradually getting farther away but still standing in ce. Chapter 580 1/3 She instructed Ford, ¡°Find two skilled individuals to tail him discreetly. I want to know where he goes. Chatper 581 Chapter 581 Ford nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± Sheena looked at the phone number Nathaniel had written and added, ¡°Contact Dark Bell and have them investigate this number.¡± ¡®Yes, miss.¡® Meanwhile, at Santiago¡¯s mansion¡­.. ¡°Grandpa, you wanted to see me?¡± Elliot stepped into the hall and bowed respectfully at Santiago. At first nce, Santiago failed to recognize Elliot as he was wearing a wool coat. ¡°You¡¯ve changed a lot now that someone¡¯s looking after you. Look at that outfit. It shows so much more character than before,¡± Santiagomented as he curiously inspected him from top to bottom, smiling with satisfaction. Elliot did not respond, just standing there with a calm expression. ¡°Take a seat.¡± Running his wrinkled hand over the cane¡¯s head, Santiago hesitated before saying, ¡°Actually, I called you here today because someone wants to meet you. They wanted to apologize in person, and I had to be the mediator.¡± Just as Elliot settled into the adjacent sofa, he frowned at those words. Clearing his throat, Santiago continued, ¡°Come in,¡± Ron entered, and Colin followed closely behind with his head lowered. The injuries he sustained a few days ago had mostly healed up. Elliot did not look at them, still appearing indifferent. Then, he elegantly poured himself a cup of tea and calmly took a sip. After Ron came in, he sat on the sofa opposite Elliot, smiled, and then greeted Santiago, trying to get on his good side. Later, he turned to Elliot and asked, ¡°How have you been these past few days?¡± Elliot ignored him, not bothering with the pleasantries. Santiago tapped his cane lightly and reminded Elliot, ¡°Eli, is this the proper attitude you show your elders? Hurry up and show some respect.¡± ¡®Respect for elders who don¡¯t deserve it? Elders who raise such beasts for children? Do they deserve it? I know well who deserves respect and who doesn¡¯t.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Colin stood beside Ron, and upon hearing Elliot insult his father, his temper red, shouting, ¡°Elliot! Chapter 581 2/2 ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Ron smiled warmly, seemingly unaffected. He lowered his posture, speaking softly to Elliot, ¡°Elliot, about what happened¡­ Colin did act inappropriately, and I gave him a good beating afterward. I brought him here to apologize to you in person. If you still feel unsatisfied, feel free to whip him as you see fit! I have no objections whatsoever!¡± As he reached the end of his statement, he exchanged nces with Colin. Colin, suppressing his humiliation, circled the coffee table and approached Elliot. Then, he bent down, maintaining a deep bow. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I apologize for what happened that day. I was drugged and was not in my right mind when I called out Sheena¡¯s name. I didn¡¯t intend to tarnish her reputation, and I genuinely respect the rtionship between you and her.¡± Elliot scoffed when he heard Colin¡¯s words. He set down his teacup, giving him a cold, disdainful look. ¡°Do you take me for a fool? Both you and I know that this dramatic apology is unnecessary. It¡¯s a waste of time.¡± He stood up, addressing Santiago, ¡°Grandpa, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll head back. There¡¯s an online meetingter.¡± Santiago noticed his determination and sighed. The Upton family had already pleaded before Santiago, yet Eliot was still so stubborn. Though a bit annoyed, Santiago remainedposed. ¡°Alright, go ahead. The Jenkins family is under your control now. Do as you see fit. Chatper 582 Chapter 582 Since Santiago gave the approval, Elliot turned and walked away. Unwilling to ept defeat, Colin called out to him, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you not going topromise? I admit my mistake in this matter, but there¡¯s been no harm to you or the Jenkins family. It hasn¡¯t tarnished Sheena¡¯s reputation either. Can¡¯t you let go of the grudge against the Upton family? Can¡¯t we come to an understanding?¡± ¡°Am I required to forgive you just because you apologized? I don¡¯t recall having such a rule to live by.¡± Elliot scoffed and left the room. Angered by his dismissive attitude, Ron could only instruct Colin in a mild tone, ¡°Go talk to Elliot privately. Have a civil conversation, and don¡¯t be too aggressive. I¡¯ll have a chat with Mr. Santiago Jenkins.¡± ¡°Alright. ¡°Colin nodded and immediately followed Elliot outside. It was drizzling, but Colin did not bother with an umbre as he ran toward Elliot. ¡°Mr. Jenkins!¡± Elliot did not turn around, Lionel assisted him with the umbre, and they continued walking. Unable to make headway, Colin changed his tone, ¡°If you¡¯re so bothered by me calling her name that day, why aren¡¯t you bothered that she¡¯s been married before? It¡¯s not her first time either!¡± Noticing that Elliot showed a slight reaction to his words, Colin caught up to him and continued, Regardless of whether you genuinely like her, it¡¯s not wise to sever all ties with the Upton family over her.¡± ¡°Although we¡¯re going through tough times now, our foundation is still strong. Weathering through this crisis is just a matter of time. Why not extend a helping hand to the Upton family? Isn¡¯t mutual benefit a good thing?¡± Elliot narrowed his eyes, radiating danger. Instead of an immediate answer, he called out, ¡°Lionel. Lionel understood his intention and handed him the umbre, then stepped forward, delivering at powerful punch to Colin¡¯s face. Colin was no match for Lionel¡¯s strength, falling to the ground with a swollen mouth and two loose mrs. He spat out a mouthful of blood, puzzled. ¡°What was that for?¡± Elliot, umbre in one hand,zily tucked the other into the pocket of his wool coat, casting a disdainful nce at him. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Chapter 582 2/2 ¡°Colin, it¡¯s best to steer clear whenever you see me. Otherwise, every time I see you, I¡¯ll make sure to give you a beating.¡± ¡°Why? Is it because I said a few not¨Cso¨Cnice things about Sheena?¡± Elliot frowned, overwhelmed with rage. Lionel understood his intent, delivering a vicious kick to Colin¡¯s stomach. Colin let out a howl, clutching his abdomen and curled up in pain. Elliot enjoyed Colin¡¯s suffering, and the rage in his eyes calmed slightly. ¡°Extend a helping hand to the Upton family? Mutual benefit? Hah! The Upton family will never have such a chance anymore. Such scum aspiring to be on par with my Jenkins family, one of the four major families? What a disgrace! Not only that, but you still dare to dream of getting your family back to how it was before?¡± Colin retorted angrily, ¡°Elliot, act all high and mighty you want now, but the higher you get, the harder you fall! I¡¯ll be waiting for that day!¡± Elliot did not argue. Instead, he reached out to Lionel for money. Lionel pulled out a wallet, counting the bills, only for Elliot to snatch it away. ncing briefly, he noticed that there was not much money inside, totaling just a few thousand dors. However, it was more than enough for the currently struggling Upton family. He pulled out the bills and tossed them all at Colin. The bills scattered on the ground, quickly dampened by the rain¨Csoaked earth. ¡°This is for the medical expenses. If you think it¡¯s too little, go to the Jenkins Group and ask the finance department to settle your medical bills. Don¡¯t say I¡¯m not taking responsibility for beating you up.¡± After leaving a sarcastic remark, Elliot walked away. Lionel slyly leaned in, chuckled, and said, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, the way you just threw money around is starting to resemble Ms. Sheena more and more! Is this simr behavior because of your strong bond with each other?¡± Chatper 583 Chapter 583 Elliot was very pleased with thement. ¡°Well said. I¡¯ll give you a raise when we get back.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Jenkins! You and Ms. Sheena are truly made for each other¡­¡® Colin watched as the two walked away, his eyes turning red, frustration building up as he punched the ground. Upon returning to E&S Haven, Elliot immediately became serious, instructing Lionel, ¡°Keep the pressure on the Upton family. Within three days, I want you to make sure of their bankruptcy and liquidation. Seize all their properties and make no exceptions. I want the Upton family to never rise again!¡± ¡°Understood.¡± He continued, ¡°Katie has done a lot of wicked things before, and the Upton family covered for her each time. Now, with a hefty reward on the dark web, I want to dig up evidence against her and help Nana send Katie to prison!¡± Now that the Upton family was in a desperate state, many people were eager to kick them while they were down. The years of umted grudges would undoubtedly fuel many to take advantage of this golden opportunity. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, rest assured. All will be handled appropriately!¡± After taking care of that, Elliot nced at the sky outside. Winter had officially arrived, and coupled with the constant gloomy rain, the sky became dark unusually early. At this hour, it was already pitch¨Cck outside. Elliot lowered his gaze, a hint of mncholy settling in. Lately, whenever Sheena went out, she would be gone the entire day without a single phone call. Checking the time, it was already past seven. Another day of Sheena returningte. Elliot slouched on the couch, feeling drained, as if a part of him was missing. Lionel, observing his lifeless demeanor, sighed. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you missing Ms. Sheena again?¡± Ignoring him, Elliot gazed out at the peacefully quiet garden path through the window. Sheena¡¯s car was parked at the corner, about two hundred meters from the entrance to the Jenkins estate. Her face was stern as she sat quietly in the car, listening to Ford¡¯s report. ¡°Sorry, miss. Once he realized our people were tailing him, he shook them off after a few detours. We couldn¡¯t keep up.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression darkened even further. Ford¡¯s head hung even lower, clearly frustrated. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry¡­¡± ¡°Forget it. He¡¯s extremely cunning and trained in the elite forces. It¡¯s too easy for him to shake you off,¡± Sheena replied, ncing at the scrap of paper with the unfamiliar number Nathaniel had left. She silently repeated the number in her mind. ¡°How did the investigation go with this number?¡± ¡°The serial number does belong to Froania. Although it¡¯s not registered under a real name, our team traced the number¡¯s current location. It¡¯s in Laubabwe.¡± Laubabwe? Sheena squinted, pondering carefully. She remembered Nathaniel¡¯s mother being from Laubabwe, but in all her time with him, she had never heard him mention his mother or utter a single word about Laubabwe. Could he¡­ have some secret connections in Laubabwe? Was he hiding something? ¡°Look into Nathaniel¡¯s mother. I want detailed information. Also, check the flights from Laubabwe to Froania in thest six months. See if there are any suspicious arrivals. Provide me with a listter.¡± Ford hesitated. ¡°Miss, the flight data for six months is extensive, and there are many people. It¡¯ll be time¨Cconsuming. Even if Mr. Corey personally looks into the data, it won¡¯t be easy to find.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Take your time. I¡¯m not in a rush for this particr task.¡± Suddenly, her phone rang, and she found it was Elliot calling. Sheena did not realize it was already past 8 p.m., and she guessed that Elliot had probably been waiting anxiously. Thinking of him, a hint of sweetness filled Sheena¡¯s heart. She silenced the phone, not answering, and said to Paul in the driver¡¯s seat, ¡°Turn around, head to Mia¡¯s Eatery nearby, then back to the Jenkins estate.¡± In the living room, Elliot was waiting anxiously when he finally heard the sound of the door being unlocked. He rushed to the door. As soon as he saw Sheena, he pounced on her, wrapping his arms around her waist so tightly that his arms trembled. Chatper 584 Chapter 584 The whole day had been unbearable! Sheena, caught off guard by Elliot¡¯s embrace, took a step back before regaining her bnce. Worried about any sudden movements that might spill the stew she was holding, she quickly raised her arm to keep the container at a safe distance. In order tofort him, she spoke in a softer tone, ¡°It¡¯s the first day of winter, and it¡¯s getting really cold. I nned to make beef stew, but I got off work toote and didn¡¯t have time to cook it myself. So, I went to the nearby restaurant to buy it, and that¡¯s why it took a bit longer. Elliot buried his face in her neck, savoring the delightful scent on her, his voice husky and muffled as he replied, ¡°I don¡¯t want to eat beef stew¡­. ¡®I just want you!¡® Elliot finished his sentence in his mind. Sheena sighed quietly, intending to console him by patting the back of his head, but she realized both her hands were upied with takeout bags. Helpless, she could only use words to soothe him, ¡°Now, now. Are you hungry? Let¡¯s go inside and eat. Once I get through this busy period, I¡¯ll be with you every day, alright?¡± ¡°How long are you going to be busy?¡± ¡°Probably¡­ just these few days. Elliot¡¯s displeasure was obvious. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Angle Group recently? Why do you still need to be busy for a few more days?¡± His questions caught Sheena by surprise, and she thought for a moment before responding, ¡°I recently recruited a new batch of artists, and I¡¯m still training them. Since they¡¯re all neers, I need to personally handle it to ensure they¡¯re on the right track. Also¡­ I¡¯m nning some new coborations, so it¡¯s quite busy.¡± Elliot was annoyed, sulking against her shoulder. long time. Sheena was highly career¨Coriented, a fact he had known for a long However¡­ his time on earth was dwindling away with each passing second. During this precious time, could she not apany him more? Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Nheless, Elliot would never voice these personal and emotionalints. He supported any decision or choice she made. Even if she said she wanted to leave him now, he would not stop her. Sheena, lost in her thoughts about Nathaniel, snapped back when a twinge of pain shot through her lower back in this position. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s eat our beef stew.¡± Chapter 584 23 During dinner, both had something weighing on their minds After the meal, as per their routine, Sheena went to his bedroom to spend a few hours with him until he fell asleep, then returned to her own room to rest. Just as Sheena settled onto Elliot¡¯s bed, a sudden realization struck her¨CLionel had not reported on his medication. Concerned, she asked, ¡°Did you take your evening pills?¡± Elliot froze up slightly. There was a hint of guilt in his eyes. ¡°No.¡± Those pills were hardly effective, and they tasted bitter. He just did not want to bother with them. ¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll get them for you. Sheena got up and, within a few minutes, returned with warm water and the pill organizer. Looking up at her, Elliot adopted a weak tone and asked, ¡°You came back sote tonight. How about some special medication service as a reward for waiting for you? ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll feed you. She sat down, indulgently massaging his head, drinking the water, and kissing him as she swiftly inserted two pills into his mouth in one go. Despite her attempts to make it go as smoothly as possible, Elliot still caught on. Elliot swallowed and immediately frowned. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re trying to take the easy way out! You must feed me one by one!¡± Having worked tirelessly all day, Sheena intended to rx slightly. She retorted, ¡°We kiss every day. Feeding you one by one means more than a dozen kisses. Aren¡¯t you tired of that?¡± Elliot¡¯s face turned pale instantly. ¡°Are you¡­ already tired of it?¡± Noticing his change in mood, Sheena immediately realized that patients tend to be a bit more suspicious and sensitive. Hence, it was necessary to stroke their ego gently. She quickly nted two kisses on him andforted him. ¡°How could I ever get tired of it? I enjoy it every day. Come on, let¡¯s continue!¡± Just as they were about to continue, her phone rang. She nced at it¨Cno caller ID, an unknown number. However, as she silently recited the digits, her gaze turned icy. Why would Nathaniel call her sote at night? Chapter 584 Elliot turned to look. ¡°Who¡¯s calling you at this hour?¡± Chatper 585 Chapter 585 Sheena¡¯s eyes widened, appearing anxious. ¡°Perhaps¡­ it¡¯s a¡­ wrong number. Let¡¯s forget about it. and take the medicine first.¡® ¡°Wrong number?¡± Elliot, being sharp¨Ceyed, noticed her unease. Doubts began to sprout in his mind. The ringtone persisted, indicating a caller determined to reach them. Wearing a stern expression, Elliot stood up to grab her phone. ¡°Let me answer it.¡± ¡°No need!¡± Sheena firmly pressed down on his hand, surprising him. Why such a strong reaction? Realizing she might have overreacted, Sheena quickly pulled him back to sit. ¡°Oh, it should be a call from today¡¯s business partner. I forgot to save the number.¡± His suspicion persisted. ¡°It¡¯s already 9.30 p.m. What business partner would call at this hour?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ Let me just answer and check.¡± Setting aside the water ss, Sheena took a moment to calm her pounding heart. ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. As she answered, she lowered the volume. ¡°Hello, what is it?¡± Nathaniel, on the other end, was surprised to hear her tone. However, he quickly understood the situation. ¡°Nana, is Elliot with you? Oops, did I call at an inconvenient time, disturbing your lovey¨Cdovey moment?¡± Sheena took a deep breath and nced at Elliot, who was staring intently at her. Then, she walked to the balcony, adopting a colder tone. ¡°Get to the point.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Nathaniel smirked and continued, ¡°Tonight,e to the abandoned chemical factory in the eastern suburbs of Svelton before 11 p.m. You can bring bodyguards, but remember, only you can enter Room 302 on the fifth floor!¡± Sheena did not respond immediately. Instead, she looked back at the bedroom. Elliot was sitting on the bed, unmoving, seemingly lost in thought, and not paying attention to her. She covered the phone and whispered, ¡°Not now. Let¡¯s talk tomorrow.¡± ¡°Tomorrow?¡± Nathaniel was obviously displeased. ¡°Do you realize how much effort it took for me to this medicine? If you miss tonight, there won¡¯t be another chance. Even if you threaten to send me get Chapter 585 back to the high¨Csecurity prison again, I won¡¯t be able to get it!¡± His tone sounded earnest, not like someone deliberately lying. Sheena pondered for a moment and gave in. ¡°Alright, got it.¡± After the call ended, she approached Elliot with heavy steps. 212 ¡°Eli, I have some urgent business to attend to. I might be back veryte¡­ Make sure you rest early, and don¡¯t wait for me.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression turned stern as he caught her hand. ¡°It¡¯s cold outside, and it¡¯s quitete. It¡¯s not safe for a girl to go out alone. I¡¯ll apany you.¡± ¡°Did you forget I know martial arts? Not everyone can get close to me. Besides, you¡¯re the one who shouldn¡¯t be going out at night. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± She cupped his face, leaned down, and kissed his forehead. ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll take your medicine and go to bed early.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± His serious expression remained unchanged. Sheena rewarded him with another kiss before picking up a coat from the coat rack. Elliot stood on the balcony, watching her leave. Once her figure disappeared beyond the courtyard walls, he turned and sat on the bed. ncing at the bedside table, he saw the medicine box with more than a dozen pills left. What could be so important that she left without finishing giving him his medicine and rushed out so urgently at thiste hour? Moreover, Sheena seemed strange tonight, as if she were¡­ lying. Not only that, but he seemed to have heard a man¡¯s voice on the phone¡­. His suspicion led him to call Lionel. ¡°Find out what Nana has been busy withtely, where she goes during the day, what she¡¯s up to, and also¡­¡± Chatper 586 Chapter 586 He pondered for a moment, ¡°Tonight, she¡¯s probably driving the Maserati MC77 with license te FRA04551. Check the surveince, track the car¡¯s movements, and have someone follow her.¡± On the other end of the phone, Lionel remained silent for a long time, as if he had heard something horrifying. ¡°Lionel?¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, a¨Cam I hearing you correctly? Are you nning to investigate Ms. Sheena?¡± Lionel was stunned, muttering, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you sure? If Ms. Sheena finds out, won¡¯t she feel betrayed? Wouldn¡¯t she be very upset?¡± Elliot fell into silence. Lionel continued to borate, ¡°As you should know, Ms. Sheena is incredibly clever. It¡¯s almost impossible to keep it a secret from her if we investigate her. This could create a rift between you two, Mr. Jenkins. Are you really going to do this?¡± Elliot hesitated. He was caught in a dilemma. Not long ago, Sheena told him to trust her no matter what happened and have faith in her feelings for him! Hence, he should believe her! However, the anxious signs Sheena disyed tonight kept reying in his mind. All of them indicated that she was lying, that she had secrets, that she was hiding something from him¡­ ¡°Mr. Jenkins?¡± After a few minutes, Elliot sighed and said, ¡°Forget it. Don¡¯t investigate. I trust her.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Ending the call, his gaze returned to the pile of pills. After dutifully taking them, he headed to the bathroom to freshen up. In the depths of the night, a Maserati MC77 smoothly parked at the entrance of the abandoned chemical factory on the outskirts. Ford opened the car door for Sheena. Sheena tightened her coat, instructing, ¡°I¡¯ll go in alone. Guard the entrance well. If anything unusual happens, pay attention to my signals.¡± Chapter 586 2/3 ¡°Yes, miss¡± Without further dy, she swiftly entered the factory, climbed to the fifth floor, and arrived at the door of Room 302. As she was about to knock, she caught sight of a shadow lurking in the corridor, stealthily approaching. Sheena immediately pulled out her gun, swiftly aiming it at the figure. That lurking figure immediately stopped when he sensed the threat. He removed the ck hat, then took off the mask and sunsses, revealing Nathaniel¡¯s blue eyes. ¡°Nana, it¡¯s me.¡± Sheena did not put away her gun and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s the antidote?¡± Nathaniel seemed a bit displeased. ¡°Nana, is there nothing else you want to talk about? Aren¡¯t you curious if I faced any danger today? If I got hurt?¡± She did not want to know. The fact that she did not give him a few stabs on the spot was already her way of showing him mercy, on the grounds that he could provide the antidote. ¡°Cut the crap. Give me the antidote.¡± ¡°Alright, fine. Here you go. Nana, you¡¯re truly heartless to me. He teased as he stood up, unzipping the ck zipper on his clothes and taking out a blue cooler case from inside. Then, he handed it to her. Sheena opened and inspected it. Inside was a slender syringe, and the liquid inside it was also blue. ¡°What kind of medicine is this?¡± ¡°You¡¯re clever, so why not check for yourself?¡± Sheena did not say anything. She closed the cooler case and turned to leave. Nathaniel stopped her, ¡°Nana, when are you nning to fulfill my other two conditions?¡± She squinted, her tone icy as she replied, ¡°I¡¯ll consider that after verifying the authenticity of your antidote. You better ensure this antidote is genuine, or else¡­¡± The threat was implicit in her words. Nathaniel was not afraid of her inspection. He just watched her retreating figure and warned carefully, ¡°Nana, you¡¯d better think fast. This antidote only provides relief. I¡¯m the only one who knows the cure to this virus!¡± Chatper 587 Chapter 587 Under the dim moonlight, Nathaniel shed a sinister smile. His deep blue eyes obsessively followed Sheena¡¯s graceful silhouette as she walked away. She heard his words but did not look back, moving swiftly since she had already obtained the antidote. Now, she needed to hurry to theb. Since it was alreadyte at night, she was worried that returning toote might raise suspicions from Elliot. Elliot finished his bedtime routine and obedientlyy down to sleep. However, he could not sleep. Staring at the pitch¨Cck night outside the window, his mind was filled with Sheena¡¯s anxious expressions before she left. Unable to sleep, he kept his eyes open, staring nkly outside. It had been two hours, and Sheena had not returned. He felt uneasy, and a hollow feeling settled in his chest. Sitting up, he reached for the phone on the bedside table to call Sheena, wanting to ensure her safety when Logan¡¯s call came in. Logan¡¯s reaching out to him at thiste hour indicated that it was not a minor issue, so he answered the phone. Logan immediately said, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I apologize for the oversight. I just discovered a new update at the high¨Csecurity prison!¡± Elliot frowned and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Just yesterday, Nathaniel was released on bail!¡± Elliot¡¯s expression turned incredibly stern, and a murderous intent flickered in his ck eyes. ¡°Who bailed him?¡± ¡°It was the National Affairs Bureau¡¯s¡­ Mr. Corey!¡± Corey? Elliot¡¯s fingertips trembled, and before he could hang up the phone, it slipped onto the bed. He felt suffocated as if his heart was being violently squeezed and torn apart. On the other end, Logan did not hear him speak and became concerned. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, please control your emotions! Your health is important, and we can¡¯t afford another episode. Maybe¡­ there¡¯s a misunderstanding here!¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. 212 Elliot remained silent, prompting Logan to continue his persuasion: ¡°Ms. Sheena knows how much you despise Nathaniel. Perhaps she has her reasons for making this decision. You¡­¡± All that was left for Logan was the busy tone. Elliot was annoyed by the call, so he ended it. Suddenly, he recalled the strange expressions Sheena had been disyingtely, but he did not dwell on it each time. Just now, he unmistakably heard a man¡¯s voice on her phone. Overwhelmed by suspicions, he eventually asked Lionel to investigate Sheena¡¯s recent activities. Half an hourter, he stared at the information Lionel sent to his phone. Sheena personally went to pick up Nathaniel after his release yesterday. So, was herte¨Cnight outing tonight also rted to meeting Nathaniel? Sheena emerged from the abandoned chemical factory and hastily headed to theb. Still in his slumber, Yosef was forcibly awakened by her to start working. Sheena handed the blue antidote to Yosef for examination, anxiously waiting outside. After about ten minutes, Yosef came out. ¡°This antidote is problem¨Cfree. It¡¯s a good drug. The initial test results show that it containsponents that relieve the S404, virus, and the injection doesn¡¯t harm the body.¡± Yosef handed her the printed ingredient data sheet. ¡°This is fantastic, Ms. Lawson. Where did you find such a remedy?¡± Sheena, equally surprised, took the sheet but did not answer Yosef¡¯s question. He continued, ¡°However, the origin of this blue antidote is unknown as I couldn¡¯t find simr data in the database. I suggest you don¡¯t rush to administer it to Elliot, Leave the drug with me and let me thoroughly examine it for a few more days.¡± Chatper 588 Chapter 588 ¡°Sure. I appreciate your help.¡± Yosef sighed, ¡°It¡¯s my duty, so don¡¯t feel bad about it. You, on the other hand, are going the extra mil for Elliot despite thete hour. He¡¯s really fortunate to have you in his life.¡± Sheena just smiled and nced at the clock. It was already past midnight. ¡°Thanks for tonight. I have to go now. Please let me know as soon as possible if there are any developments with the antidote.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Yosef nodded, watching her hurried departure. Sheena rushed back to E&S Haven. Suppressing her excited emotions, she stood at the doorstep, adjusting her slightly messy hair and attire. Then, she calmly turned the lock and opened the door. The living room remained unlit, but she could feel the chilly aura in the pitch¨Cck room. Sheena flicked on the lights, instantly drawn to the figure sitting on the sofa. It was already early morning, and the indoor temperature was low, yet Elliot was dressed in a thin cotton robe. Despite the freezing conditions, he seemed oblivious to the cold, sitting motionless like a statue, expressionless. ¡°I told you to go to bed early. Why are you sitting on the sofa waiting for me? And why didn¡¯t you turn on the lights or wear warmer clothes?¡± Sheena immediately grabbed a coral fleece pajama from the coat rack and helped him put it on. Upon touching his body, she discovered he was cold all over. Annoyed and concerned, Sheena covered his hands, blowing warm air on them and rubbing them to generate heat. Elliot did not resist, just silently gazing at her. His voice was hoarse and deep as he said, ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep. I can¡¯t help but worry until you¡¯re home safe.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m back now. Let¡¯s go upstairs and get some sleep.¡± He remained still, only asking, ¡°Where did you go tonight?¡± Sheena had already prepared an excuse, ¡°Howard wasn¡¯t at home, and Phoebe had a bit too much to drink. I went to the Lawson estate to look after her, calmed her down, and came back.¡± Elliot remained silent, his head lowered. His hands were hidden in his sleeves, clenched into fists Chanter 580 Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. with veins bulging on his arms. Sensing something amiss in his demeanor, Sheena forcefully lifted his chin. To her surprise, she found his eyes reddened with tears.. 2/2 Elliot¡¯s expression grew colder, pushing her hand away. ¡°You¡¯re still trying to hide it from me. Did you meet Nathaniel tonight?¡± Sheena was stunned. ¡°You already knew¡­¡± With her confirmation, Elliot felt horrible, an overwhelming sadness like never before. Tears blurred his vision, and intense grief tightened its grip on him. For the first time, he shed a tear before Sheena. Sheena¡¯s eyes also welled up with tears. Realizing he had misunderstood, she hurriedly exined, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to hide it from you. I know these things can¡¯t be kept from you. I just hadn¡¯t figured out how to tell you yet.¡± She had intended to wait until the antidote was confirmed safe, find a reason to sever ties with Nathaniel, and then share the good news of the antidote with Elliot. She had not expected him to find out so soon. ¡°Eli, I¡­¡± Sheena reached out, wanting to wipe away his tears. However, Elliot fiercely gripped her wrist, his fingers trembling in tension. He was in so much pain, and his voice choked with emotion. ¡°Nana, I know my time is running out, and I never wanted to hold you back. Even if you choose to leave me and find someone else, I won¡¯t stop you. ¡°I understand that after I¡¯m gone, you¡¯ll find a new man, have someone else to love and care for you. But why¡­ Why did you have to choose Nathaniel?¡± Chapter 580 A pang of pain shot through Sheena¡¯s chest. So, this was what he had always believed, that he was a burden, clinging to their rtionship with the mindset that he was living on borrowed time. Sheena sighed softly, reaching out to touch him. ¡°Eh, let me exin¡­¡± Elliot shook off her hand, turning away from her. He choked back tears, his shoulders trembling. Finally, he mustered the courage to speak, ¡°I know he¡¯s your first love, and you share a past. If you¡­. still love him and insist on choosing him, I¡¯ll step aside!¡± Without looking back, he walked up the stairs with determined steps. Sheena felt a mix of confusion and frustration, running after him. ¡°Elliot! What nonsense are you spouting?¡± Elliot¡¯s pace quickened, reaching the third floor swiftly. He mmed the door shut with a resounding thud, locking it. Sheena arrived just in time, almost stubbing her foot as her head collided with the door. Fuming, she stared at the firmly closed door. ¡°Elliot, have you lost your mind? How dare you lock me out? What tantrum are you throwing? Open the door! If you don¡¯t want to hear my exnation, that¡¯s your choice. Take a couple of days to calm down before talking to me.¡± However, her words were met with silence. Sheena gave up, turning away to return to her adjacent room. Behind the closed door, Elliot finally sank to the floor with his back sliding against, the door, and he hugged his knees tightly in the darkness. He did not turn on the lights, enveloping himself in the shadows. Although he had avoided an episode of angina due to the medication, every part of him ached. The air around him was eerily quiet, unsettlingly empty. Leaning against the door, he listened intently to the stillness outside. It seemed strangely quiet. Had Sheena gone to sleep so quickly? Just as Elliot pondered, the room¡¯s light flicked on with a sharp click. Chatper 589 Chapter 589 21/2 The sudden brightness made it difficult for him to open his eyes. In a daze, he realized his wrists were tightly bound with a belt, and Sheena¡¯s beautiful face was inches away. ¡°Nana?¡± he eximed. Sheena¡¯s captivating eyes locked onto his, a challenging smile ying on her lips. ¡°That¡¯s what you get for not closing the balcony door! I hopped in from the next room. Aren¡¯t I clever? Elliot was annoyed, struggling against the tight restraint of the belt. ¡°Untic me!¡± ¡°What? Do you really n to take some time alone to calm down? If I leave you alone, will you be able to sleep? Were you nning to sit by the door all night?¡± Sheena teased, her fingers lightly lifting his chin. He turned his face away, obviously filled with jealousy. ¡°After meeting Nathaniel in the dead of night, do you think I can sleep peacefully? You can pack your things and go to him tomorrow.¡± Sheena frowned. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? Can¡¯t you just listen to my exnation?¡± ¡°You came back and lied to me. Do you expect me to listen to more of your excuses? I only trust my investigation results.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Sheena¡¯s anger red up again. ¡°Have I been too easy on youtely? Are you picking a fight with me for no reason? Can¡¯t we talk reasonably? Since you won¡¯t listen, do you want to get physical?¡° Chatper 590 Chapter 590 Elliot let out a cold snort, refusing to even look at her, radiating an icy aura. Sheena, equally unyielding, swiftly opened the wardrobe, grabbed a random white shirt, crumpled it, and forcefully stuffed it into his mouth. Then, she carried him and mercilessly tossed him onto therge bed. The bed was soft, and Elliot was not hurt by the impact. After rolling around on the bed for a bit, he made a few muffled sounds, ring at her. Sheena paid him no mind. Instead, she picked up a leather belt from the coat rack, securing his restless ankles. She then raised his hands above his head and used another belt to tie them to the corner post of the bed. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t move! Struggling will hurt, and if you bruise yourself, I¡¯ll have to apply ointment!¡± Elliot was fuming with anger, and his chest heaved violently as he shot angry res at her, a level of fury he had never directed at her before. Seated on the edge of the bed, Sheena calmly observed his vain struggles. She soothed his chest with one hand and taunted, ¡°Your intense re won¡¯t hurt me, so don¡¯t waste your effort. Since you¡¯re unwilling to listen to my exnation, I¡¯ll have to enforce it my way. ¡°I hate being misunderstood the most, so don¡¯t dream of using me blindly!¡± Under her calming touch, Elliot¡¯s breathing gradually steadied, though his wrists remained restless. She sighed and added earnestly, ¡°Listen carefully. I¡¯ll exin it once. You¡¯re not a burden, nor have you held me back. Since I chose you, I¡¯mmitted to being with you, no matter how difficult it may be.¡± ¡°As for Nathaniel, I only had admiration and respect for him during my youth. However, those feelings have long since disappeared. He caused you to suffer from the virus, and my views on him are nothing but disgust and a deep¨Cseated hatred.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been through a lot recently. Are you still unaware of my feelings for you? Why would you think I¡¯m choosing Nathaniel due to a change of heart? Do I seem like such a fickle woman?¡± ¡°I did meet him tonight, and it¡¯s true that I arranged for Corey to bail him out. He imed to know a way to cure the virus within you. It has nothing to do with anything else. I just wanted to save your life.¡± As Sheena finished her exnation, Elliot gradually stopped struggling. He lowered his gaze, his long eyshes wet with glistening droplets. As he was bound to the bed, his handsome face took on a pitiful appearance as if he were being bullied, and Sheena resembled a domineering thug. Sheena caressed his face, tears shimmering in her eyes, and her gaze softened. Chapter 590 2/2 ¡°Are you still angry?¡± He shook his head. Sheena removed the shirt from his mouth and massaged his slightly sore cheeks. ¡°Don¡¯t you have any questions for me?¡± His Adam¡¯s apple rolled lightly, and he uttered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Silly boy, I forgive you. In an argument, it¡¯s unavoidable to say some unpleasant things. Don¡¯t take them to heart.¡± How could she possibly argue with a patient? Elliot felt much more relieved, wanting to snuggle into her embrace, but then he remembered his hands were still bound. ¡°Nana, untie me.¡± Once freed, he immediately wrapped his arms around her petite waist, contentedly burying himself in her embrace. ¡°Are you sure you have nothing you want to ask me?¡± Sheena repeated. After some thought, Elliot¡¯s gaze regained seriousness. He left her embrace and locked eyes with her. ¡°I found out that you visited Nathaniel in prison about half a month ago. Did he tell you about my illness?¡± Sheena was stunned. Lionel had mentioned that Elliot had issued a gag order. It was a matter of organizational discipline, and the consequences for leaking information would be severe. Considering this, she replied firmly, ¡°Yes.¡± Elliot frowned, logically analyzing the situation, and asked, ¡°Even Yosef has no solution for the S404. How could Nathaniel know a cure? Even if he does, he¡¯s not one to take losses. Did he use this information to exchange something with you?¡± Sheena froze, taking a deep breath. Her man was truly remarkable, quickly catching the main point with just a couple of sentences, leaving her in a dilemma! Chatper 591 Chapter 591 Noticing her silence, Elliot¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Nana?¡± Sheena snapped out of her thoughts, exining seriously, ¡°I have a hunch that he¡¯s hiding a bigger secret, and it¡¯s not as simple as it seems. But tonight, I took the medicine he gave to theb for testing, and it¡¯s indeed effective. Perhaps he really knows a way to cure you.¡± ¡°What conditions did you agree to in exchange for the medicine?¡± ¡°Bail him out and return his freedom.¡± Elliot was not entirely convinced. ¡°Just that?¡± ¡°Yes, but I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s plotting. Even so, he¡¯s isted and powerless now, and I doubt he can stir up much trouble,¡± Sheena said, discreetly pinching her palm and changing the subject. ¡°Eli, it¡¯s very late. Let¡¯s sleep for now, and we can think about these matterster.¡± Elliot remained serious, not swayed by her attempt to redirect. ¡°If he really knows the antidote for $404, he holds my life in his hands. With such a significant bargaining chip, why would he only discuss the condition of his release with you? ¡°I¡­¡± Sheena concealed the unease in her eyes, chuckling softly. ¡°How would I know? Maybe he has other ns, but he just hasn¡¯t told me yet.¡± If Elliot had learned about Nathaniel¡¯s other two conditions, he would surely have resisted, unwilling to take the medicine Nathaniel provided. Moreover, she also needed to carefully consider how to continue dealing with Nathaniel, trying to extract more useful information about the whereabouts of the antidote. Seeing that Elliot was not giving up and wanted to continue probing, shezily massaged her shoulders, fatigue evident in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve been busy the whole day, and I¡¯m exhausted. Let¡¯s talk about thister. I¡¯m going to bed.¡± ¡°Nana¡­¡± Elliot was unwilling to let go. Sheena cupped his face and nted a kiss on his lips. ¡°Be good, Eli. Goodnight. ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Reluctantly, Elliot responded, ¡°Goodnight.¡± Sheena added, ¡°Go to sleep. I¡¯ll wait until you¡¯re asleep before returning to the next room.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Elliot obediently snuggled under the covers, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep. Chapter 591 2/2 Sheena silently watched his peaceful sleeping expression for a while. As his breathing gradually. became steady, she turned off the light, closed the door, and returned to the adjacent room. As soon as she left, Elliot slowly opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. Sheena was not good at lying. He could see through all her subtle actions. Tonight, her performance indicated that there was something she was hiding, unwilling to tell him. The more she refrained from speaking, the more it suggested that Nathaniel¡¯s conditions for exchange were not as simple as she portrayed. Nheless, he knew that Sheena was truly going through a tough time for his sake, and he felt a pang of sympathy for her. Since she was not nning to reveal the whole truth, he would not pry further. Instead, he could investigate on his own! While contemting this, Elliot heard the sound of the door closing from the adjacent room. Though subtle, in the quiet night, it was quite noticeable. Elliot immediately sat up, carefully closing the balcony doors and windows before calling Lionel. Lionel, who had just fallen asleep not long ago, was awakened by Elliot¡¯s call again, feeling rather exasperated. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, can¡¯t you give all your orders at once? Three calls in one night, and theye every few hours. I can¡¯t take it!¡± In a hushed voice, Elliot replied, ¡°It sounds like you don¡¯t like this job, eh?¡± Lionel panicked. ¡°No, not at all! I absolutely love this job! I¡¯ve decided not to sleep tonight and y games all night. I¡¯ll be at your beck and call anytime!¡± Elliot paused, softening his tone. ¡°This will be considered as overtime for you. Tomorrow, go to the finance department and im a double allowance yourself. Don¡¯t say that I mistreat you.¡± Lionel¡¯s drowsiness vanished instantly, and he became enthusiastic. ¡°No way! Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re the most generous superior in the world. I love you so much!¡± Elliot furrowed his brow, nearly repulsed by thest part of Lionel¡¯s statement.. ¡°Don¡¯t love me. It¡¯s pointless.¡± Chatper 592 Chapter 592 He belonged to Sheena! He would not give even a strand of his hair to anyone else, and men were definitely out of the question! Lionel choked and coughed, saying, ¡°I was just too excited! Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t get me wrong. Rest assured, I¡¯m a straight guy! As straight as theye!¡± Not bothering to continue bantering with him, Elliot spoke seriously, ¡°Send someone to investigate Nathaniel¡¯s whereabouts after his release and capture him at all costs. I want to interrogate him. This matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible and try not to rm Nana.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins!¡± Because she stayed uptest night, Sheena slept soundly. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Elliot rose early and personally went out to select fresh fish and shrimp. After spending several hours. busy in the kitchen, there was still no sign of Sheenaing downstairs. He tiptoed into her room, silently slipping into her warm bed. Sheena slept in a daze, and the sudden cold air into her quilt made her shiver slightly. Sensing something moving in the covers, she opened her eyes slightly and saw a head of clean¨Ccut dark hair poking out. Elliot was quietly hiding under her nket as if he had not been noticed. Amused by his childish behavior, Sheena closed her eyes, pretending to sleep. As Elliot cautiously shifted closer, she immediately pressed against him, pulling him into her arms. Elliot quietly raised his head, opened a small gap in the nket, and stole a nce at her. Seeing that she was still asleep, he boldly pressed his lips against her neck. Then, he inhaled deeply! Damn, she smelled so good! Sheena, pretending to be asleep, was left speechless. What was he doing? Were all men this perverted? Then again, she was also someone who valued looks and physique. Two could y this game! Her hand, which had been casually draped over Elliot¡¯s shoulder, nonchntly descended, gliding Chapter 592 over his firm waist, and finallynding on his well¨Ctoned bottom. Suddenly, she grabbed it hard! Suppressing a smile, she pretended to mumble in her sleep, ¡°You¡¯re really nice to touch!¡± Elliot, who was about to continue breathing in her scent, found his chest tightening. Could it be that Sheena was thinking about other men while holding him? She imed not to mind, but deep down, did she truly resent his illness? Now that he was sick, he was no longer how he was before¡­ Sheena was struggling to contain herughter when she noticed the man in her arms growing increasingly tense. Realizing that something was amiss, Sheena instantly sat up and lifted the quilt. Elliot promptly rolled over, facing away from her. He curled up into a ball and wrapped his arms around his head. Unable to see his expression, Sheena could only poke at his arched back. ¡°Eli?¡± 2/2 Elliot took a deep breath, and his back rose and fell with his breathing. As his arms covered his entire face, his maic voice was muffled. Do you¡­ have someone else out there?¡± Chatper 593 Chapter 593 Sheena was dumbfounded by his question! What kind of bizarre thought process was that? 1/2 She just reassured himst night that she was not the fickle type! Had he already forgotten, or did he simply not believe her? Feeling frustrated, she sat next to Elliot, intending to use a bit of force to pry open his arms and give him a proper lesson on trust. However, she suddenly noticed his curled¨Cup posture. It triggered a memory fromst night when she entered his room, finding him in the dark, huddled near the floor and door. Having studied psychology before, Sheena understood that this was an extreme disy of anxiety and a severeck of security, and her heart ached¡­ Since Elliot fell ill, the physical and mental torment seemed to have taken a toll on his mind. In her presence, he became sensitive and gued by self¨Cdoubt. Despite fearing the loss of her, he felt undeserving of having her. His internal struggles were apparent. During this period, Sheena found it increasingly difficult to recall who he used to be. The former Elliot, aloof and indifferent, seemed always high and mighty, an arrogant and decisive figure both in the business world and as a cold¨Cblooded CEO. Such a proud man was now humbling himself to dust before her. It hurt Sheena so bad that it felt almost impossible for her to breathe. Sheposed herself andy down behind him, her arm tightly around him, gently whispering, ¡°No. matter what, it¡¯ll always be you. I only want you for the rest of my life.¡± The man she held gradually rxed. As he moved his arm, revealing his handsome face. Elliot asked cautiously, ¡°Really?¡± Sheena held him even tighter, resting her chin on his shoulder, gently leaning her head against his. Cheek to cheek, they felt the love they shared for each other. ¡°Whenever you hesitate or feel uncertain, you can always ask me. My answer will never change,¡± Sheena spoke patiently. Her words had a soothing effect on Elliot¡¯s restless and anxious heart. ¡°Nana, thank you.¡± Sheena smiled, reminding him softly, ¡°We¡¯re a couple, lovers, each other¡¯s soul mate. We¡¯re ant Chapter 593 engaged couple known to the entire nation. You don¡¯t need to thank me. Elliot turned around, nestling into her embrace, feeling content. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. 2/2 After lying in bed for a while, the two went to the kitchen together to continue preparing lunch. Elliot cooked, and Sheena managed the seasonings, creating a pleasant division ofbor for the simple and everyday task. As she woke upte, Sheena took a half¨Cday off, choosing to spend time with Elliot. The next day, they made breakfast together. While eating, Sheena checked the trending topics and stumbled upon the Upton Group¡¯s bankruptcy announcement. Intrigued, she clicked into the news. Although the Upton family¡¯s wealth and roots were notparable to the Lawson, Jenkins, and Nicholls families, they were still significant and well¨Cestablished. Sheena anticipated this would be an epic disaster for them, but she did not expect the Upton Group to face bankruptcy and liquidation in just a few days. She nced at Elliot, who was focused on his breakfast. Handing him the phone, she asked, ¡°Eli, is this your doing?¡± Chatper 594 Chapter 594 Elliot did not even look at the screen, simply replying, ¡°The Upton family brought it upon themselves. Sheena nodded, agreeing, ¡°Mmhm. They reaped what they sowed. The atmosphere between them remained peaceful as they continued their meal. Midway through, Elliot¡¯s phone pinged with a message from Lionel. He nced at it and then at Sheena, who was absorbed in checking the trending topics. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Nana, besides theirpany¡¯s bankruptcy, the bank will probably go to the Upton mansion today to assess the property rights. Do you want to go over and see themotion?¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, looking at him oddly. ¡°Do I look like someone who¡¯d kick someone when they¡¯re down?¡± He smirked. Although he did not confirm or deny it, his expression conveyed the obvious. Opening his phone, Elliot pushed it toward Sheena. Earlier, he had instructed Lionel to purchase information on Katie from the ck market, and Lionel had compiled all the evidence, sending an electronic copy to Elliot¡¯s phone. ¡°Take a look at this. Don¡¯t you want to send her to jail personally?¡± Sheena looked at the evidence on his phone and chuckled. ¡°I may not be one to kick someone when they¡¯re down, but a few extra stabs? That I can manage! I¡¯ll go check out the scer!¡± She had some matters to attend to before sending Katie to prison. After finishing their meal, Sheena quickly tidied up and left. Elliot stood in the garden, watching her departure. For the first time, he did not insist on apanying her. Once Sheena was gone, his indulgent smile turned instantly cold. Lionel entered through a small alley to avoid bumping into Sheena. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, we caught Nathanieltest night. He¡¯s currently located in the suburbs. Do you want to go see him?¡± Elliot nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be ready to leave in half an hour.¡± After half an hour, Lionel drove them to the suburban location. Nathaniel was held in a secluded interrogation room in a small cottage. When Elliot arrived, Nathaniel was bound to a cross¨Cshaped post, unconscious. Lionel threw a bowl of cold water at him, and as he abruptly woke up, he saw Elliot sitting in the Chapter 504 opposite chair, exuding an icy, disdainful demeanor. 212 ¡°Wow! What an honor to be caught by Mr. Jenkins of the National Investigation Bureau twice. Truly a privilege,¡± Nathaniel remarked with a hint of sarcasm. Elliot, expressionless and uninterested in Nathaniel¡¯s banter, cut to the chase. ¡°Do you know where the antidote to the virus in my body is?¡± Nathaniel was taken aback. ¡°It seems Nana has already informed you,¡± he admitted without intending to conceal the fact. ¡°Yes, I know. I¡¯ve known from the very beginning.¡± Elliot pressed on, ¡°So, back at Eros Bar, you knew my identity early on and were intentionally targeting me?¡± Nathaniel chuckled. ¡°Not really. Who would have thought you¡¯d stoop so low as to bing an ordinary CEO in a small ce like Farlem? When ites to hiding, you¡¯re indeed the best.¡± Elliot, unfazed and still clear¨Cminded, continued, ¡°So it was all about targeting Nana. You nned to ept the cooperation with Barrett and Keanu for benefits while pretending to have the antidote to gain Nana¡¯s gratitude.¡± Nathanielughed even louder, taunting, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, are you a mind¨Creader? You¡¯re surprisingly urate in analyzing my thoughts at that time.¡± As he finished speaking, Elliot¡¯s brows suddenly furrowed, and a cold, ominous aura enveloped him. Lionel, understanding the cue, immediately fetched a stick and delivered two heavy blows to Nathaniel¡¯s abdomen. Nathaniel gritted his teeth, emitting a muffled groan, blood soon trickling down from the corner of his mouth. The pain was evident in his blue eyes. decided Elliot poured himself a cup of tea, savoring it leisurely as he admired Nathaniel¡¯s expression. He added, ¡°You thought your n was foolproof, but who would¡¯ve guessed I¡¯d appear? So, you to go all out and kill me.¡± ¡°If you¡¯ve already figured it out, why bother asking me?¡± Elliot poured a second cup of tea. ¡°What deal did you make with Nana?¡± Chatper 595 Chapter 595 Nathaniel squinted, locking eyes with Elliot, and suddenly burst into an especially wildughter. ¡°So, it turns out Nana hasn¡¯t told you everything, keeping our previous deal a secret! Your rtionship with her is fragile and sensitive to the slightest blow.¡± Elliot¡¯s hand, pouring the tea, shook slightly, causing the hot liquid to spill onto his hand, reddening his fingertips. ¡°Did I hit the mark?¡± Nathaniel smirked even more triumphantly. ¡°Tsk tsk, you¡¯ve sacrificed so much for her, endured the torment of illness for so long. If she ends up with me in the end, you¡¯ll only face a pitiful fate! Quite a tragedy!¡± Expressionless, Elliot gracefully lifted a tissue from the table, wiping away the tea stains and applying a coldpress to his reddened fingertips. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°Not talking? Then we¡¯ll continue the beating.¡± With that, Lionel immediately raised the stick. Nathaniel yelled, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll talk!¡± In fact, he was eager for Elliot to know. It would make things even more entertaining! ¡°In exchange for the antidote, she¡¯ll cancel the engagement and marry me. Just a couple of days ago, when I gave her the remedy to alleviate your symptoms, she had already agreed to the conditions!¡± Just as he said that, there was a loud crash. Elliot had thrown the entire teapot at Nathaniel¡¯s feet. Shattered porcin flew, and tea sttered everywhere. The sharp shards cut Nathaniel¡¯s lower leg, leaving behind gruesome bloodstains. Witnessing Elliot¡¯s fury, Nathanielughed maniacally and mocked, ¡°So what if you manage to survive? You¡¯ll watch me have her while you lose her forever. It must taste worse than death to you!¡± Elliot¡¯s violent rage began to surface, and his eyes turned bloodshot. Soon, a strong g sense of murderous intent emanated from him. Lionel sensed the impending danger and, before Elliot could give an order, pointed at Nathaniel, instructing the guards by the door, ¡°Avoid vital organs. Beat him to a pulp! Make use of those tools on the wall, but don¡¯t kill him!¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Since Lionel gave themand, Elliot did not say anything and left the interrogation room. Chapter 595 2/2 Lionel immediately followed him. In the background, Nathaniel continued tough and teased, ¡°Poor Mr. Jenkins, truly pitiful! When you recover, Nana will be mine! Haha, that¡¯ll be delightful!¡± Elliot clenched his fists, veins popping on his forehead, radiating a terrifying aura. Lionel quickly approached to console him, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t listen to him. The Special Investigation Department specializes in psychological warfare, and Nathaniel, being the former leader, is exceptionally skilled at it. We¡¯ll slowly verify the truth behind his words.¡± Down in the basement, Nathaniel¡¯s screams soon echoed, mixed with his chillingughter. From a distance, it sounded eerie. Elliot suppressed his anger and left without looking back. Sheena had just arrived at the entrance of the Upton mansion and saw a gray truck parked nearby. Ron and Nicole were loading luggage onto it. It seemed they had dismissed all the servants and bodyguards. Once known as the model couple, Ron and Nicole were now reduced to personally moving their belongings, evidently because of Elliot¡¯s doing. Sheena¡¯s Maserati MC77 pulled up right beside them, a million¨Cdor luxury car forming a sharp contrast with the modest truck. Chapter 596 Chatper 596 Chapter 596 Nicole was the first to notice her, and she uttered with great displeasure, ¡°Our family is already in a tough situation. Ms. Lawson, are you here to rub salt in the wound?¡± ¡°Dear, mind your manners.¡± Ron shot her a look and turned to Sheena with a calm tone. ¡°The Upton and Lawson families go way back, so Ms. Lawson is always wee here. Why would she, as a guest, make things difficult for us?¡± Sheena just smiled. Ron was indeed much wiser now. ¡°Uncle Ron, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not here for any other reason today. I just want to find Katie and have a private chat.¡± Nicole¡¯s expression softened a bit. ¡°She¡¯s upstairs packing.¡± Sheena nodded and entered the mansion, going up to the third floor and arriving at Katie¡¯s room. The door was ajar. Sheena gently pushed it open and found Katie arranging her branded bags and jewelry, appearing to be in a dilemma. Sheena lightly knocked on the door and casually reminded her, ¡°These valuable items are also confiscated. The bank will sell them, using the proceeds to offset your family¡¯s outstanding loans. So, you do no need feel so troubled, as you won¡¯t be taking any of these with you.¡±? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Hearing her voice, Katie instantly looked up. As soon as she confirmed it was Sheena, her gaze turned intensely hateful. ¡°What are you here for? To witness my downfall?¡± Sheena did not hide her intentions and nodded. ¡°Of course. After all, this might be thest time I see you.¡± Katieughed upon hearing this. ¡°I thought you might exchange a few polite words and pretend to be a good person. I didn¡¯t expect you to speak to me so directly. Unfortunately for me, I spared you back in Farlem, letting you live until now.¡± She threw down what she was holding, stood up, and raised her chin arrogantly. Katie would never admit defeat before Sheena! Sheena looked at Katie, who was struggling to maintain her pride, and also noticed the malicious light in her eyes. She was obviously unremorseful of what had happened. ¡°Your parents worked hard all their lives, only to end up living in an eight¨Csquare¨Cmeter residence in their old age.¡± Chapter 596 2/2 ¡°Colin, who had a good reputation, had it all ruined by you. Even with an outstanding academic. background, no majorpany dares to hire him. He can only work on construction sites or be a car washer, barely making ends meet.¡± ¡°All of that happened because of you. Don¡¯t you feel a shred of shame?¡± Katie snorted. ¡°Might makes right, as simple as that. As my family, they couldn¡¯t help me achieve sess, so it serves them right to end up like this. Besides, I may have lost, but don¡¯t be too smug. I¡¯m waiting for someone else to deal with you!¡± Sheena approached her and whispered, ¡°By ¡®someone else,¡® do you mean She?¡± Katie¡¯s expression froze, staying silent as she stared at Sheena. ¡°Someone must have nned the incident at your birthday party for you. That person is She, isn¡¯t it?¡± Sheena had harbored suspicions since the first time she met She. Katie arrogantly withdrew her gaze and sneered. ¡°You mean that female celebrity? Who is she? Do you really think I¡¯ll listen to someone like her?¡± Sheena did not believe her at all. ¡°Whether you admit it or not doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll find out sooner or She took out printed evidence from her bag and began reading casually, ¡°Five years ago, you killed someone in a drunk¨Cdriving ident. Ron falsified your psychiatric evaluation and paid off your charges. When the victim¡¯s family expressed discontent online, you went to their door with bodyguards, arrogantly beating them up, causing severe injuries to two individuals. And, as always, Ron helped you settle it.¡± Katie widened her eyes, dumbfounded. ¡°How did you find out?¡± Sheena did not answer her question and continued, ¡°Four years ago, at a socialite tea party, you. disliked the attitude of a hotel waiter, so you privately had someone beat him up, resulting in multiple fractures all over his body¡­ In the same year, you¡­ ¡°Enough!¡± Katie angrily shouted, snatching the evidence from Sheena¡¯s hand and tearing it apart fiercely. ¡°These are just your words. I absolutely refuse to acknowledge them!¡± With a cold and arrogant expression, Sheena tucked her hands into her pockets and teased, your words for your time in prison.¡± ¡°Save Katie felt a chill down her spine, sensing that something was amiss. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She had barely finished speaking when she heard themotioning from downstairs. Chatper 597 Chapter 597 In the Upton mansion¡¯s garden, a team of police in special uniforms showed Ron and Nicole their credentials and exined their purpose there. Katie rushed to the window and, seeing that it was the National Investigation Bureau, gnashed her teeth in hatred. ¡°Sheena! You actually called the police on me? You¡¯re despicable!¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m seeking justice for the countless victims. It¡¯s not baseless. Also, ¡®despicable¡® suits you better.¡± Katie trembled all over, finally feeling fearful. The Upton family¡¯s bankruptcy was one thing, but if she went to jail, it would be the end of her. She would be tortured to the point of wishing for death! She needed to escape! She could not just wait for her doom. She would definitely help her! ¡°Sheena! Just you wait!¡± If she ran out from the mansion¡¯s back door now, she could make it! Sheena grabbed her wrist, applying subtle force, rendering her unable to move. ¡°How naive. Do you really think you can escape when the National Investigation Bureau is involved? If you don¡¯t want to go to jail, I can consider helping you. Just tell me She¡¯s identity.¡± Katie sarcastically retorted, ¡°Aren¡¯t you a capable person? Can¡¯t even investigate her background on your own?¡± ¡°It seems you have a good rtionship with her, enough to be willing to go to jail instead of betraying her. Well then, be my guest.¡± Sheena let go of her. Katie, still trying to escape, was already surrounded by the police rushing upstairs. They quickly put electronic handcuffs on her and were ready to take her away. Katie struggled desperately. As the police pushed her out of the room, she red back at Sheena. ¡°Sheena! She¡¯s someone you can¡¯t mess with! You¡¯ll never surpass her! I¡¯ll be waiting for your downfall!¡± The intense hatred was undisguised, and her words seemed to have a deeper meaning Sheena remained silent, watching as the police forcibly took the struggling Katie away. Chanter 597 7/2 She surveyed Katie¡¯s room and found a photo album in a drawer of her dressing table. Opening it, she saw a picture of Katie and She in front of Francis University. She stared at the photo, focusing on She¡¯s smiling face. The familiar sensation washed over her once again. The first time Sheena met She, she felt that something was off, especially when She knew about her past in Farlem. Now, thinking about She¡¯s close rtionship with Katie, it seemed like She intentionally wanted to reveal something to her. What game was this girl ying? As Sheena left the Upton mansion, Katie was already escorted into the police car. Ron and Nicole were talking to a man with his back turned to her, seemingly pleading for leniency. Nicole even seemed to be on the verge of tears. Sheena thought the man¡¯s figure resembled Nathaniel¡¯s and walked over withposure. When Romello heard footsteps, he turned to look at her. ¡°Ms. Lawson, do you Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. still remember me?¡± Besides the color of their eyes, Romello and Nathaniel looked rather simr. Romello, second in line in the Nicholls siblings and second inmand at the National Investigation Bureau, held a position just below Elliot. Sheena politely smiled and replied, ¡°Mr. Romello, it¡¯s hard not to know you now that you¡¯re in charge of the Nicholls family. Romello was nostalgic upon seeing her and reached out to touch her head. ¡°You used to love ying with Nathaniel and visiting the Nicholls family. It¡¯s been a few years since we last met. You¡¯ve grown even more beautiful.¡± Sheena took a step back, decisively avoiding his hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have a possessive fiance at home. He wouldn¡¯t be pleased if he knew another man was touching my head.¡± Romello chuckled. ¡°What an enviable couple.¡± Chatper 598 Chapter 598 Romello withdrew his hand, offering a friendly smile, seemingly unfazed. ¡°It¡¯s been quite a while since Ist saw Mr. Jenkins, and he hasn¡¯t returned to the National Investigation Bureau either, I wonder how he¡¯s beentely?¡± Sheena slightly squinted, scrutinizing the subtle probing undertones in his words. Both Lionel and Logan were Elliot¡¯s colleagues at the National Investigation Bureau, and they were aware of his health condition. Did Romello genuinely have no knowledge of it? In a casual tone, Sheena replied, ¡°Of course he¡¯s fine. He¡¯s always been healthy, not one to fall ill, unlike me.¡± ¡°Well, Ms. Lawson, take care of yourself, and please send my regards to Mr. Jenkins.¡± After some small talk, Nicole, who had been tearful before, interrupted. ¡°Romello, Katie is young. She made mistakes due to herck of understanding, and she was even diagnosed with a mental disorder before. You must help her!¡± Romello reassured her with a smile, ¡°Auntie Nicole, rest assured, the National Investigation Bureau never falsely uses anyone. She won¡¯t be mistreated during the investigation.¡± With nothing more to discuss, Sheena turned to leave. Colin suddenly emerged from the mansion. Due to the injuries inflicted by Lionel, he could only lean on the door frame and call out to her from a distance. ¡°Sheena! Are you really teaming up with Elliot against the Upton family? Can¡¯t you spare Katie, given our past acquaintance?¡± All eyes in the garden turned toward Sheena. Without looking back, she responded with a hint of coldness, ¡°Colin, the consequences she¡¯s about to face are what she deserves. You can me it on your Upton family for spoiling and tolerating her atrocities since childhood.¡± She took a couple of steps, seemed to recall something, and turned to Romello, saying, ¡°If Katie indeed has a mental disorder, she should be sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment and not allowed to use it as an excuse to evade responsibility. What do you think, Mr. Romello?¡± Romello chuckled. ¡°Certainly.¡± Nicole, emotionally overwhelmed, muttered, ¡°My poor daughter¡­¡± She almost stumbled but was steadied by Ron¡¯s support.. Sheena could not be bothered with the Upton family¡¯s theatrics and left. Just as she got into her car, Chapter 598 ready to return home, her phone rang N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. It was Yosef calling 212 ¡°Ms. Lawson, after repeated tests, the blue serum is safe. It will significantly alleviate Elliot¡¯s symptoms of the virus induced degenerative conditions and angina, possibly leading to symptom reduction or disappearance. Sheena was overjoyed. ¡°Great! I¡¯lle over shortly.¡± After ending the call, she first returned to E&S Haven. Still in his thick robe, Elliotzily sat on the couch reading a book. Upon her return, Sheena gleefully cupped his face and showered him with kisses. nout.¡± ¡°Eli, change your clothes quickly. We¡¯re going out.¡± ¡°Where are we going?¡± Sheena grinned mysteriously. ¡°You¡¯ll find out when we get there!¡± Seeing her excitement, Elliot did not press for details. He immediately went upstairs to change, allowing her to lead him out by the hand. Together, they arrived at theboratory. Observing the blue liquid in Yosef¡¯s syringe, Elliot¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Is this what you traded with Nathaniel for?¡± Sheena nodded, gently caressing his face. Her tone was cheerful as she replied, ¡°Yosef has conducted multiple tests, and the serum is safe. Injecting it will help you recover, Eli!¡± Lionel chimed in happily, ¡°Time to bid farewell to degenerative conditions!¡± Despite the lively atmosphere in theb, Elliot kept his eyes fixed on the blue serum. His tone was resolute as he said, ¡°I won¡¯t take it, Yosef. Take it away. Chatper 599 Chapter 599 The entire room fell into silence. Lionel sighed quietly. Sheena, sitting beside Elliot, was baffled. ¡°Why? The illness has been bothering you for so long. Don¡¯t you want to treat theseplications. and lead a normal life?¡± Elliot did not want to exin. He merely held her hands tightly with a determined look in silence. Seeing his demeanor, Sheena seemed to understand something and motioned for Lionel and Yosef to leave. ¡°I need to talk to Eli alone. Close the door when you leave, but don¡¯t go too far,¡± Sheena instructed. Lionel and Yosef left. Once the room waspletely quiet, Sheena asked, you everything?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Elliot replied without hesitation. Sheena sighed. d you capture Nathaniel? Did he already tell It seemed that nothing could escape Elliot¡¯s keen awareness. Despite his illness, his mind was sharp, and he could not be easily fooled. Sheena sped his hands in return. ¡°Don¡¯t believe him. L¡­¡± ¡°His condition was for you to break off our engagement and marry him, right?¡± Elliot interrupted her, his tone icy. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°Eli, you need to understand that Nathaniel¡­¡± Elliot furrowed his brows, cutting her off again. ¡°Just answer me. Is what he said true?¡± Sheena hesitated, lowered her head, and sighed, ¡°Yes.¡± Elliot lowered his head, concealing the surging resentment and murderous intent in his eyes. ¡°He wants me to sacrifice your future happiness to regain my health. I¡¯d rather die!¡± Sheena immediately covered his mouth, scolding him, ¡°Don¡¯t say such nonsense! No more talk about death, understand?¡± He held her hands, gripping them tightly, his expression serious. ¡°Nana, if the cost of staying alive is losing you and watching you marry that scumbag, then I truly prefer death!¡± Sheena crouched beside him, offering a reassuring smile. ¡°Eli, staying alive is more important than anything else. Let¡¯s first use the medicine to cure the illness, and we can figure out the restter, Chapter 5900 Elliot shook his head. He would notpromise on this matter. ¡°I won¡¯t take Nathaniel¡¯s medicine! Never!¡± ¡°KH¡­ Elliot did not want to hear it. He withdrew his hands from hers, turning his head away with a stern expression, obviously implying that there was no room for negotiation. Sheena knew his stubborn nature. Once he made up his mind, nothing could sway him. Opting not to persuade him further, she stood up, casting an apologetic look at him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t bring you to theb today to discuss this matter. If you¡¯re unwilling, I¡¯ll have to use force.¡± ¡°Nana!¡± Elliot guessed her intentions and tried to grab her wrist. However, she evaded him by stepping back, turning to the door, and calling out, ¡°Lionel,e in.¡± The door opened promptly, and Lionel peeked in, his face filled with surprise. ¡°Ms. Sheena, that was quick! Did you manage to convince Mr. Jenkins already?¡± Sheena did not respond. Instead, she pointed at Elliot. ¡°Hold him down. Don¡¯t let him move.¡± ¡°Nana!¡± Elliot called out again, his expression growing colder. Lionel was stunned, clinging to the doorframe. ¡°I¨CI must have misheard, right? Are you resorting to force?¡± Sheena took a deep breath, standing her ground. ¡°You heard right. Hold him down.¡® Nervously, Lionel entered the room but was halted by a fierce look from Eliot. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Elliot red at Lionel and taunted, ¡°Don¡¯t forget whose side you¡¯re on and whose orders you should follow!¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, 1¡­¡± Chatper 600 Chapter 600 Lionel gulped nervously, never imagining that he would make such a choice one day. ¡°This medicine is beneficial for your illness. Just listen to Ms. Sheena, please!¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Elliot, stubborn and unyielding, refused, ¡°No way! I¡¯ll ask you again, whose orders do again, whose orders do you follow?¡± ¡°He should listen to me,¡± Sheena answered for Lionel, arching an eyebrow, and shing a teasingly dominant smile. ¡°You¡¯re my man. Naturally, your subordinates should listen to me first!¡± Elliot was left speechless by her illogical reasoning! Sheena turned to Lionel, reassuringly saying, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. With me here, he can¡¯t touch you. Go ahead.¡± With her assurance, Lionel took a deep breath and confidently approached Elliot. Elliot, emanating an icy aura, promptly kicked him as he approached. Unable to dodge, Lionel yelped and held his leg, hopping in pain. ¡°Ouch! Ms. Sheena, he hit me!¡± ¡°You little tattletale! Now you¡¯ve learned toin in front of me?¡± Elliot, furious, looked like he wanted to murder someone. Lionel, thoroughly intimidated, backed away, seeking refuge behind Sheena. Sheena sighed and had to ask Yosef for a rope, personally tying Elliot¡¯s legs. Lionel stepped forward, restraining Elliot¡¯s hands, and called Yosef to administer the injection. Despite being restricted, Elliot¡¯s chilling presence made Yosef hesitant to get too close. ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Sheena said, reaching out. Yosef sighed in relief, handing her the syringe. Elliot met her gaze and said, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t force me.¡± Sheena leaned in, gently kissing his lips, soothingly murmuring, ¡°I¡¯ll be gentle and try not to hurt you. This time, let¡¯s get rid of theplications in your body. Next time, we¡¯ll heal the virus inside you. ¡°Nana¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you look forward to a future where we live a normal life together? Maybe we¡¯ll even have a lively and cute baby. Our future will be incredibly beautiful from the moment we cure you. Their eyes locked. Charter 600 217 Elliot listened attentively as Sheena spoke, captivated by her clear, sparkling eyes. Seizing the opportunity, Sheena carefully inserted the needle into the vein on his neck, gently pushing the medication into his body. Within a few seconds, the drug began to take effect. Elliot became limp, eyelids heavy, and his once intense gaze grew weak, enveloped in weariness. ¡°Yosef, what¡¯s happening?¡± Sheena turned to Yosef. Yosef promptly examined Elliot¡¯s conditio ¡°No worries. This blue serum induces fatigue right after injection. It¡¯ll pass once he takes a nap.¡± Sheena and Lionel both breathed a sigh of relief. Lionel arranged Elliot on the bed and, along with Yosef, left the room. Once everyone was gone, Sheena kicked off her shoes,y on the bed, and cradled Elliot in her arms, letting him drift off to sleep. As she caressed his face, her gaze wandered to the banana trees outside the window. She whispered, ¡°Do you know when I fell for you? It was the day Old Man Freeman brought me into the Freeman family. You were the one who smiled at me that day, and since then, I couldn¡¯t help but be infatuated with you. I¡­¡± Elliot smiled when he heard her sweet and gentle voice. Memories of the past flooded back as she narrated. The banana leaves outside rustled in the wind. Struggling to keep his fading consciousness, Elliot asked, ¡°Nana, will you really break off our engagement and marry Nath-¡± Before he could finish the question, he slipped into a gentle slumber. Sheena continued gazing out the window, her expression unreadable. ¡°Sleep well. When you wake up, everything will be better, and our days ahead will only get brighter.¡± Chatper 601 Chapter 601 Once Elliot was sound asleep, Sheena carefully settled him onto the hospital bed, tucked him in, and quietly left the room. Then, she looked for Yosef and asked, ¡°Yosef, since theb already has the blue serum, can we replicate something simr or develop an antidote based on itsponents?¡± With a serious expression, Yosef contemted for a moment before shaking his head. ¡°Several ingredients in this drug aren¡¯t found in ourb data. I¡¯ve checked, and it doesn¡¯t seem to be a drug from Froania.¡± Pausing, he continued, ¡°The S404 bio¨Cvirus requires a specific antidote. If Nathaniel can provide a targeted solution, it¡¯s definitely not domestic and likely involves industry secrets.¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. However, this was just spection on Yosef¡¯s part, given that he had not seen the actual drug. Sheena pondered his words. She decided to observe Elliot¡¯s condition after using the blue serum before considering further dealings with Nathaniel. ¡ª Elliot slept for a full day and night. When he woke up, Yosef immediately conducted a thorough examination of his body. Elliot, cooperative but with a cold demeanor, did not even spare a nce at Sheena. His body had absorbed the medication effectively. The degenerative symptoms werepletely gone, and even the extent of the virus spread had reduced significantly. Everyone else was thrilled, but Elliot¡¯s face remained expressionless. On their way back to E&S Haven, Sheena attempted to support him, but he avoided her, his expression indifferent. ¡°No need. My body has recovered. I don¡¯t need assistance,¡± Sheena stood frozen in ce, watching his tall figure enter the mansion alone. Lionel approached and whispered, reassuring her, ¡°Ms. Sheena, don¡¯t worry. That¡¯s just his character. Nobody has ever dared to force him into anything. Moreover, it¡¯s quite a serious matter this time, and he¡¯s likely nursing some resentment. Give him a few days. He¡¯ll be fine after that.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Silently, Sheena followed into the mansion. Elliot went straight upstairs, closing his door without a word to her. Sheena felt a bit uneasy but said nothing, retreating to her own room in silence. Chapter 601 2/2 Early the next morning, the sounds in the garden woke Sheena. Stepping onto the small balcony, she saw Elliot in just a thin ck shirt, sleeves rolled up, revealing his muscr arms. He was engaged in a disciplined workout, executing a series of precise punches. His handsome face seemed to have returned to its former aloofness. Sheena watched intently, apuding his agile movements. Upon hearing the apuse, Elliot paused but did not turn to acknowledge Sheena on the balcony. Instead, he headed into the mansion, quickly changed into a suit hanging in the foyer, and soon left E &S Haven. Sheena remained on the balcony, watching him depart. This was the first time Elliot had given her silent treatment for so long. She leisurely tucked her hands into her pockets, smiling. She was curious to see how long Elliot could hold out this time. Upon arriving at the Jenkins Group, Elliot, settling into his office chair, was abruptly interrupted by Lionel¡¯s urgent knocking. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Nathaniel has gone missing!¡± ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°The guards were knocked unconscious, and Nathaniel, who was tortured to the brink of death, was taken away. When our team went to check this morning, the blood in the room had all dried up, indicating he escaped at least a day ago.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression remained stern. Chatper 602 Chapter 602 Being able to knock out the guards of the special interrogation room was not something an ordinary person could achieve unless they were someone within the organization. ¡°What has Romello been up totely?¡± Lionel checked the attendance records and reported, ¡°Mr. Romello has been upied with Katie¡¯s casetely. He can¡¯t spare any time.¡± Elliot scoffed. ¡°What¡¯s there to investigate in Katie¡¯s case? Does it require him to be busy for so many days?¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what are you implying?¡± Elliot¡¯s tone remained cold, saying, ¡°Nothing much. They¡¯re brothers, after all. Since he¡¯s released, let him be. Being able to capture him and beat him up to vent my anger was enough.¡± Nathaniel still had the secret to the S404¡¯s antidote. Hence, Elliot would not kill him for now. and that was why he was unwilling topromise. Of course, Nathaniel was well aware of this too, aware of this too, and that was v ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Not leaving immediately, Lionel hesitated before asking, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what are your ns regarding Ms. Sheena? When do you intend to make amends?¡± Elliot showed no expression and remained silent. Lionel, gathering courage, continued, ¡°If you find a way out now, while Ms. Sheena isn¡¯t angry, reconcile with her, you can continue your sweet rtionship. ¡°But if you wait for a couple more days and she gets upset, then it¡¯ll all be your fault¡­¡± and Elliot frowned, an icy aura enveloping him. Without a word, he forcefully knocked the coffee cup off his desk, creating a loud crash. Lionel¡¯s face turned pale, and he quickly stepped back to avoid being sshed by the coffee. ¡°I¡¯ve not even punished you for not following my orders the other day!¡± Lionel pleaded, ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding! Even you listen to Ms. Sheena. How could I dare not listen to her? But rest assured, my loyalty lies with you!¡± Elliot, with a stern expression, questioned, ¡°If the next time there¡¯s a disagreement between me and her, whose side will you take?¡± Lionel responded decisively, ¡°I¡¯ll stand with you!¡± Secretly, Lionel was still inclined to take Sheena¡¯s side! ¡°If I have a disagreement with her, whose side would you be on?¡± Chapter 602 2/2 Lionel quickly responded, ¡°Yours, of course! Do I even need to think about it? I¡¯ll definitely help you persuade Ms. Sheena!¡± Elliot mmed the table and scolded, ¡°Then hurry up and find her! Let her take the initiative to give in first this time!¡± Lionel understood. The day Elliot was forcefully injected with the drug, he had been so stubborn. However, if he eagerly ran over to please Sheena within a few days, it would be rather embarrassing! ¡°Mr. Jenkins, rest assured, I¡¯ll cherish the opportunity!¡± Lionel grinned, showing his loyalty. ¡°Wait.¡± Elliot regained hisposure and stopped him. ¡°Clean up the mess on the floor before leaving.¡± Though Lionel felt frustrated, he maintained a cheerful expression and said, ¡°Sure thing, Mr. Jenkins! I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s spotless in just two minutes!¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Elliot muttered, reminding him in a low voice, ¡°Don¡¯t mention that it was my idea. Do you understand?¡± ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Absolutely, I won¡¯t tell her a thing!¡± A few minutester, Lionel tidied up the CEO¡¯s office and quietly returned to his own workspace. Then, he immediately took out his phone and called Sheena. As soon as she answered, he began a pitiful fake sob, ¡°Ms. Sheena! Mr. Jenkins got really angry vented his frustration on me, threatening to cut my sry. Please help me out!¡± Sheena was startled by the dramatic crying at the end of the call. It was hard to imagine the imposing figure of Lionel, who stood over 180cm tall, making such exaggerated expressions. and She cleared her throat to ease the awkwardness, saying, ¡°Okay. In a couple of days, I¡¯ll make him give you a bonus. But did you convey what I told you to him?¡± Lionel continued to wail, ¡°I did! But he refused, and he said this time, you need to give in first. Why don¡¯t we¡­promise a little this time?¡± Chatper 603 Chapter 603 Give in? Compromise? Sheena felt a bit conflicted. ¡°How can I give in? Look, he hasn¡¯t spoken a word to me in the past two days. I¡¯ve offered him a way out several times, but he just bes even more stubborn!¡± Lionel was at a loss for words. These two people in love were trying to ask a perpetually single guy like him for advice? He felt quite awkward being stuck in the middle like this. The more Sheena thought about it, the more frustrated she became. Elliot had been giving her the cold shouldertely, and just as he was recovering, he started throwing an attitude at her. He was simply disobedient! ¡°Forget it. Let him be. If he wants to continue this cold war, I¡¯ll y along!¡± Sheena said, about to hang up the phone. Lionel quickly shouted, ¡°Wait! Ms. Sheena, I¡¯ll figure something out!¡± ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± Lionel pondered for a while, secretly using the search engine on his tablet to search for [How to calm an angry boyfriend?]. After scanning through the search results, he came up with an idea. ¡°Mr. Jenkins actually likes surprises from you. How about you give him something special this time?¡± ¡°Something special?¡± Sheena frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Lionel covered his mouth with his fist, clearing his throat. ¡°Like¡­ adding a bit of romance to each other¡¯s lives!¡± As an innocent guy, he felt a bit embarrassed suggesting such things. ¡°He¡¯s been talking about you moving back to the master bedroom. If you not only move back but also dress up¡­ a bit seductively? With your figure, no man would be able to resist your allure, especially not Mr. Jenkins!¡± Sheena understood. ¡°So, what should I wear?¡± ¡°Um¡­ When the timees, just use a sweet and coquettish tone to talk to him, and Mr. Jenkins. won¡¯t be angry anymore. He¡¯ll practically be at your mercy!¡± Lionel exined. Sheena took a deep breath, feeling her face turning a bit red. Lionel, a rough and tough on who had noue haan in Chapter 603 72/2 The images suddenly popped into her mind¡­ How embarrassing! ¡°Forget it. I can¡¯t handle this kind of thing. Let¡¯s talk about it in a couple of days,¡± Sheena said, restraining her pounding heart, and quickly ended the call. When she looked at theputer screen, the images of what she had never tried before were still in her mind. Summoning courage, she opened a popr online shopping tform, entering relevant keywords. The variety of styles avable left her dumbfounded. Were young people into these things now? She felt so naive! It was like discovering a whole new world! N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Would Elliot appreciate something like this? She carefully selected an item and added it to her shopping cart. All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door. ¡°Ms. Lawson, are you there?¡± The sudden sound startled Sheena, almost causing her to drop her phone. She calmly closed the online shopping tform, called Wendy in, and discussed work seriously. As the end of the workday approached, Lionel was once again summoned into Elliot¡¯s office. Elliot typed on his keyboard, eyes fixed on theputer, casually asking, ¡°How did it go?¡± Lionel knew what he was referring to and appeared dejected, shaking his head repeatedly. Upon seeing Lionel¡¯s expression, Elliot¡¯s face grew colder, his mood gloomy. Suppressing the difort in his chest, he nonchntly said, ¡°Fine. It¡¯s not like she¡¯s the only option. Check my recent schedule. Are there any social events or gatherings?¡± Lionel promptly opened his tablet. Chatper 604 Chapter 604 ¡°There¡¯s one tonight at Hedone Bar hosted by Mr. Kash from Parkway Group,¡± Lionel said with a troubled expression. ¡°But considering Mr. Kash¡¯s coboration with us on Project Rossi, it might be necessary to bring Ms. She along if you attend. I initially thought you wouldn¡¯t go and had already declined on your behalf.¡± ¡°We¡¯re going, of course,¡± Elliot replied without hesitation, his gaze sharp and unwavering. ¡°But¡­ it might endte. Should I inform Ms. Sheena in advance?¡± Lionel asked, still uncertain. ¡°No need.¡± Elliot stood up, elegantly adjusting his shirt and tie, then left the office. Lionel watched his retreating figure and punched the air in frustration. ¡°These two are so annoying! Is this apetition to see who gives in first? It¡¯s so annoying!¡± Night fell, and the Hedone Bar was aglow with colorful lights. In a luxurious VIP room, a few suited business elites, apanied by their partners, enjoyed their drinks, reveling in the atmosphere. Seated in the center, Elliot, with a cold expression, exuded an aura of regality. He silently drank his liquor, disying no interaction, and even maintained a considerable distance from She beside him. Observing his demeanor, She poured a ss of red wine and offered it to him. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, when you¡¯re out for fun, you should enjoy yourself. Would you honor me with a few drinks?¡± She initially thought that in front of so many CEOs and as the spokesperson for Project Rossi, Elliot would at least consider thepany¡¯s reputation, drinking a few sses with her. However, She was in for a surprise. Elliot merely gave her a cold nce and continued drinking without a word. He did not even bother to come up with a polite refusal. She¡¯s expression soured slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. Hence, she had to change the topic. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you seem like you came out tonight to blow off some steam. Did you have a fight with Ms. Lawson?¡± Elliot¡¯s hand that was gripping the wine ss paused slightly. The once lively atmosphere instantly turned somber due to this question, and several CEOs sitting nearby all turned their attention toward Elliot. Everyone knew about Elliot and Sheena¡¯s loving rtionship, and many present had witnessed the Chapter 604 ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. 2/2 public disys of affection during the recent charity g. All eyes were on Elliot, yet he remained silent, tilting his head back to finish the contents of his ss. His silence meant acquiescence. Indeed, even the imposing Elliot could still have trouble at home, arguing with his beloved fiancee. Justin Kash took the initiative to support Elliot in responding to She¡¯s question. ¡°No way! Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Lawson are inseparable. They can¡¯t possibly have a fight. I bet before long, we¡¯ll all be toasting at Mr. Jenkins¡¯s wedding!¡± Elliot furrowed his handsome brows, his back gradually stiffening. Something troublesome yet particrly piercing had been stirred up, and his dark eyes shed with a chilling light as he violently picked up the red wine ss on the table and smashed it against the wall. Except for She, several femalepanions in the room were startled by the sharp noise, their graceful expressions turning pale as they screamed. The few CEOS were also stunned, afraid to speak in the face of Elliot¡¯s overwhelming aura. Justin called out, ¡°Mr. Jenkins?¡± Elliot¡¯s gaze turned fierce, and he growled, ¡°Everyone, get out!¡± ¡°Yes, right away!¡± Within seconds, everyone in the private room, except for She, hastily left, fearing the unpredictable guy might turn his fiery temper on them. Elliot emptied an entire bottle of red wine and vented his frustration by throwing it against the wall again. She remained unfazed, maintaining her beautiful smile as she calmly poured herself a drink, apanying him. ¡°Why are you still here?¡± Elliot noticed her, his tone filled with a sense of hostility. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to end up like those two bottles of wine, get out now!¡± She chuckled. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re such a funny guy. You¡¯re not a wild beast, so I¡¯m not afraid. But are you angry because Mr. Kash mentioned your marriage with Ms. Lawson?¡± Elliot¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, and as he turned around, he swiftly took action. Hisrge hand, d in ck leather gloves, ruthlessly mped around her neck. The look in his eyes. was brutal, showing no mercy. She¡¯s face gradually turned red, a hint of pain visible. Yet, she continued to smile, saying, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I must¡¯ve touched a sore spot. I¡¯m not inferior to Ms. Lawson. When ites to marriage, you can still consider a different choice.¡± Chatper 605 Chapter 605 Outside the VIP room, Lionel noticed that everyone had left except for She and Elliot. He quietly opened the door, leaving it slightly ajar as he listened closely along the wall. He happened to catch She¡¯sst words. His face turned pale in shock, and he quickly ran to a quiet corridor to call Sheena and give her the heads up! If Sheena did note soon, Elliot might get drunk, and who knows what might happen with She around! Inside the private room, Elliot still had his grip on She¡¯s neck, sneering. ¡°Do you evenpare to her?¡± She¡¯s smile gradually vanished, and she struggled to breathe under his grip. Uninterested in her reaction, Elliot withdrew his hand, saying, ¡°If you still want your spokesperson position, get lost!¡± She, holding her neck, coughed a few times, picked up her purse, and left. After she departed, Elliot downed several more bottles of alcohol. Due to the haste of his drinking, intoxication quickly took hold. Almost habitually, he removed his gloves and threw them away, reclining on the sofa,pletely unconscious. When Sheena arrived in a hurry, she coincidentally saw She at the entrance of the Hedone Bar. She greeted her with a brilliant smile, ¡°Ms. Lawson, what a coincidence! The party just ended, and here you are.¡± ¡°Not a coincidence. I¡¯m here to find my man.¡± Sheena raised her head slightly, maintaining her noble and aloof demeanor. Thest few words were a clear deration of authority. She¡¯s face changed slightly, but she quickly put on another smile. ¡°I can¡¯t help but envy when I see your loving rtionship. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.¡± ¡°Thank you for your good wishes, Ms. She.¡± Sheena understood the sarcasm in She¡¯s words but could not fathom how much she knew about their situation. As She was about to leave, Sheena gently grabbed her arm as they brushed past each other. ¡°Ms. She, I¡¯m curious about the benefactor behind you. Would it be possible for you to share that privately with me?¡± 2/3 She looked pleasantly surprised. ¡°Ms. Lawson, do you really want to know? As long as you give Mr. Jenkins to me, I¡¯ll tell you all my secrets!¡± ¡°It seems there¡¯s nothing to discuss. You better keep those secrets to yourself forever.¡± Sheena retracted her hand, elegantly crossing her hands. ¡°Hiding secrets for a lifetime isn¡¯t much fun.¡± She squinted, her expression unusually innocent. Ms. Lawson, rest assured, you¡¯ll know my secrets sooner orter. Don¡¯t be too surprised when the time She raised her eyebrows yfully, hinting at something deeper, and quickly swayed her slender waist as she walked away. Sheena turned, watching her silhouette, her expression gradually bing serious. It was not until She disappeared into the night that Sheena snapped back to reality, turning around, and entering the bar. Outside the private room, Lionel was anxiously walking in circles. As soon as he saw Sheena, he rushed over. ¡°Miss, please don¡¯t misunderstand! It was just a social gathering! Inviting Ms. She was due to her being the spokesperson¡­ Without waiting for him to finish, Sheena, with a stern face, casually nodded and walked past him into the room. Seeing her clearly upset, Lionel could only sp his hands together, silently praying for Elliot. Inside the room, Sheena immediately saw Elliot sprawling on the sofa in a drunken state. She sat beside him, lightly patting his face, and tentatively calling, ¡°Elliot?¡± No response. He was genuinely drunk. Sheena smelled the alcohol emanating from him, and the anger inside her surged in waves. This unruly man! Not only did he not inform her of this event, but he also started acting up right after recovering from his illness. Moreover, he was alone with She and even got drunk! With such low vignce, was he not afraid that if She had not left, she might take advantage of his being unconscious to do something inappropriate? Sheena spent the entire afternoon, even during the meeting, distracted, thinking about how to surprise him when she got home and improve their love life together. Now, it seemed like giving in and improving anything was pointless. Chapter 605 ¡°Elliot, I¡¯ll teach you a lesson on how unpredictable people can be!¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. The more she thought, the angrier she became. Sheena opened her bag and took out the waterproof lipstick she had just bought, and a mischievous. glint shed in her beautiful eyes. Chapter 606 Chatper 606 Chapter 606 Sheena unbuttoned all the buttons on Elliot¡¯s top, revealing his perfect abdominal muscles. With the lipstick, she wrote a few words on his chest. Then, she applied lipstick to her own lips and nted red kisses all over his neck and abdomen. The bright red lip prints stood out on his gorgeous, tan skin. Especially against his exceptionally handsome face, he looked like a divine being, adorned with lip. prints all over. He definitely needed to be taught a lesson! As if feeling it was not enough, Sheena added another lip print on his left check before silently admiring her work. It was truly a piece of art! ¡®Elliot, get ready for my ultimate move,¡® she thought. Sheena then left the private room and approached Lionel. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, ¡°Later, just say¡­ in this way¡­! Lionel listened, feeling a chill running down his spine. ¡°Isn¡¯t this a bad idea? If Mr. Jenkins finds out I helped you deceive him, he¡¯ll kill me!¡± Recently, Lionel learned a lesson: never provoke women, especially not someone as cunning as Sheena!N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. His naive superior was about to fall into Sheena¡¯s trap! Sheena patted Lionel¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. ¡°With me around, you won¡¯t die!¡± Lionel, feeling both reassured and anxious, hesitated. ¡°Go on, don¡¯t be afraid! Don¡¯t you want to enjoy his reaction?¡± Sheena¡¯s mischievous side awakened Lionel¡¯s inner demons. He took a deep breath, holding the handle of the private room door. After calming his emotions, he burst into the room. Despite being mentally prepared, the vivid lip prints all over Elliot still startled him. Lionel shook Elliot awake, panic written all over his face. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, stop sleeping! Wake up!¡± Elliot, with blurred vision and a drunken haze, looked at him. ¡°Mr. Jenkins! You need to sober up. This is serious! Look!¡± Chapter 606 Lionel opened his phone, turned on the selfie mode, and showed it to Elliot. Elliot¡¯s drowsiness vanished in an instant as soon as he saw the words on his chest. He lowered his head to find his clothes somehow undone. The cold room and vibrant red lip prints sent shivers across his skin. ¡°What¡¯s written here? Who did this?¡± Lionel helped him read, ¡°It says, ¡®Mr. Jenkins, I had a great time tonight. Until next time.¡® Sir, thest person to leave the private room was Ms. She.¡± Lionel was immediately horrified, covering his mouth in shock. ¡°Oh no! Mr. Jenkins, were you¡­ My goodness! There are lip prints on your face too!¡± ¡°She?¡± Elliot tried to recall, remembering She leaving the room rather decently. Could it be that he cked out? ¡°Damn it! Am I¡­ tarnished?¡± He was not okay at all! Not only that, but he also discovered something even more rming. Despite knowing She had left such marks on him, he surprisingly did not feel repulsed by these lip prints at all¡­ He struggled to breathe, feeling like he might pass out on the spot. It was bad. He was not only physically soiled, but also mentally unfaithful! He felt guilty toward Sheena. ¡°Eli!¡± Just as Elliot was about to burst into anger, Sheena¡¯s anxious voice echoed from the corridor outside. ¡­ Doward! Chatper 607 Chapter 607 1/2 Hearing the familiar voice outside, Lionel was the first to panic. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, it¡¯s Ms. Sheena!¡± ¡°Block the door! Don¡¯t let Nana in!¡± Elliot ordered, grabbing wet tissues from the table, and hastily wiping away the marks on his body. His eyes showed intense frustration as he vigorously rubbed his skin, almost wishing to peel it off. Sheena¡¯s voice echoed again outside the door, ¡°Eli, open the door.¡± Lionel leaned against the door, looking uneasy. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I can¡¯t hold on much longer!¡± ¡°Hold on, damn it!¡± Elliot became increasingly anxious. ¡°Why can¡¯t I get it clean!!¡± What would Sheena think when she sees this? Would she believe in his innocence with such tant evidence all over him? He was no longer innocent! He was tainted. Would Sheena reject him? His eyes reddened, and he felt like he was on the brink of a breakdown. Lionel saw his desperate expression and silently mourned for him. ¡°Mr. Jenkins! I can¡¯t take it anymore!¡± Lionel lunged forward, stumbling several steps before. steadying himself as if someone were kicking the door from behind. In the instant the door opened, Elliot¡¯s mind went nk. He frantically directed his gaze toward the small bathroom inside the private room. When Sheena entered, Elliot had slipped into the restroom, locking the door behind him. He was so fast that Sheena only saw a fleeting figure. Amused, she pretended not to notice and asked Lionel, ¡°Where¡¯s Eli?¡± Lionel scratched his head, feigning ignorance, ying the role of a clueless agent. ¡°I saw Mr. Jenkins in here just now¡­ Maybe I was mistaken. He might have left already,¡± he said with a poker face. ¡°Oh? I didn¡¯t see him on my way here.¡± ¡°Perhaps he went to the restroom, in the opposite direction,¡± Lionel suggested. ¡°Isn¡¯t there a restroom in the private room?¡± Sheena asked, puzzled. Hearing her words, Elliot held his breath with his back against the door, struggling silently with the Chapter 607 This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. lip prints on his face and neck. His skin was now red from the intense rubbing, but the lip prints had faded slightly. Damn it! Which crappy lipstick brand was the Why couldn¡¯t he remove the stains properly? He would make sure this manufacturer goes out of business tomorrow! 2/2. Elliot was fuming, and just as he thought about that, he heard the sound of the door handle turning from outside, followed by a knock. ¡°The door¡¯s locked? Eli, are you inside?¡± Elliot remained silent, frozen in ce, not daring to make any noise for fear of being heard. However, Sheena pressed against the thin ss door, and she could hear his rapid breath. Even the door seemed to tremble with the vibrations. Was he that anxious? She silently chuckled, calming her emotions before speaking seriously, ¡°Lionel, did Eli drink a lot tonight? Could he have passed out in the restroom?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Sheenaposed herself and continued solemnly, ¡°I read online that some drunk people put their heads in the toilet bowl and drank toilet water! Eli has a huge head¡­ What if he identally gets his head stuck in the toilet and gets choked by toilet water?¡± Lionel almost burst intoughter, covering his mouth just in time to avoid making a sound. Sheena was so mean! Elliot would never be in such a situation. However, the image was too hrious, and Lionel could not help but imagine the what¨Cifs. Facing the overly dramatic Sheena, Lionel could not help but give her a thumbs up. Sheena looked at Lionel, signaling her appreciation. Then, she continued urgently, ¡°Hurry up and go get the staff to unlock the door. If we wait any longer, it might end up as a significant threat to Eli¡¯s life!¡± Before Lionel could respond, a faint cough came from the bathroom. Elliot steadied his anxious mind, pressed his throat, and tried to use the cold tone he had adopted a couple of days ago. ¡°I¡¯m fine. A little alcohol won¡¯t do anything to me. I¡¯ll head back in a whil You don¡¯t have to wait for me.¡± Chatper 608 Chapter 608 ¡°I specifically came to pick you up to go back to E&S Haven, and you won¡¯t evene out to see me? Isn¡¯t that unappreciative?¡± The response to Sheena¡¯s remark was a prolonged silence, seeming like an acknowledgment. Sheena shrugged with an indifferent smile, saying, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m leaving Hearing this, Elliot breathed a sigh of relief. He waited a few more minutes until he heard the sound of the room door closing. The atmosphere outside seemed tranquil and silent; only then did he cautiously ask Lionel, ¡°Is Nana gone?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± With the confirmation, Elliot tentatively opened the door. Seeing Lionel standing outside the bathroom door, hepletely let down his guard and walked out. However, just around the corner, he was forcefully pressed against the wall. Sheena gripped his jaw, observing the lip prints on his face and neck, teasingly saying, ¡°Well, no wonder you dare not face me. Look at these cute lip prints. That¡¯s quite a party, Elliot!¡± ¡°Nana, L¡­¡± He trailed off, his eyes turning red, pale in shock as he could not find the words. Sheena originally thought about lifting his clothes for another round of mockery, but upon second thought, she was afraid of taking things too far and genuinely upsetting him. So, without saying a word, she turned around and left the room without looking back. Elliot was about to chase after her when Lionel immediately held him back. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t worry! 1¡¯ll make sure to persuade Ms. Sheena toe back!¡± After saying that, Lionel ran out, quickly catching up with Sheena. The two of them reached an empty corridor, and theughter they had been holding in burst out uncontrobly, echoing through the passage. Lionel, holding his stomach, was on the verge of cramps. It was the first time he had yed such a prank on Elliot, and it was so much fun! However, amid the amusement, Lionel still had some concerns. ¡°Ms. Sheena, how do you n to smooth things over? He¡¯s stubborn, and if not handled well and he gets too angry and loses his rationality, he might make extreme decisions.¡± Sheena also knew when to stop but thinking about the little ything she had seen on a certain online marketce during the day, she feltpelled not to let Elliot off too easily. Chapter 608 72/2 Giving in first? Not a chance. Sheena yfully hooked a finger toward Lionel, her lips forming a mischievous smile, ¡°When you go in, just tell him.. Listening to her n, Lionel gasped a few times. Silently, he raised both thumbs, genuinely admiring her. ¡°You¡¯re too good at this!¡± While Lionel and Sheena were enjoying this little show, Elliot was not feeling the same. When Lionel returned to the room, he saw Elliot slouched on the sofa, looking utterly dejected, his face ashen yet still handsome. Elliot¡¯s eyes were dull,cking any luster, as he uttered, ¡°Will she ever forgive me? Well, it¡¯s understandable. I¡¯m tainted, and I can¡¯t even forgive myself.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not tainted, not tainted at all!¡± Lionel hurriedly approached, sitting beside him. He pulled out a pack of makeup wipes from his pocket and began removing the lipstick marks from Elliot¡¯s face. ¡°Ms. Sheena gave these. Let¡¯s wipe them off, and you be clean again.¡± Elliot remained unmoved, and his eyes were still emotionless. Lowering his voice, Lionel continued coaxing, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I pulled out all the stops exining to Ms. Sheena. She believes you didn¡¯t betray her but were deceived!¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Really?¡± Elliot finally showed some reaction. ¡°Of course!¡± Lionel¡¯s tone shifted as he continued, ¡°However, she¡¯s still furious. She said you went out drinking without telling her, got drunk, and even dared to be alone with another woman. You deserved to be deceived. You¡¯re really pushing your luck!¡± Elliot pressed his lips together tightly, staying silent. He took Sheena¡¯s criticism seriously and began contemting his mistakes. Seeing Elliot genuinely reflecting on his error, Lionel suppressed his amusement and added with a serious ton ¡°I told you, if you had given in earlier, there wouldn¡¯t be all this fuss. Now, she has even more reason to give you the silent treatment! Women¡¯s anger doesn¡¯t cool overnight!¡± ¡°Do you have a n?¡± Elliot looked at Lionel. Lionel confidently patted his chest. ¡°Of course! I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve! I guarantee she¡¯ll cool off tonight!¡± Chatper 609 Chapter 609 ¡°Tell me the n. Lionel immediately leaned in close to his ear and whispered a few words. After a moment of consideration, Elliot decisively stood up. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to E&S Haven!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Lionel silently followed suit. Elliot recalled something as they reached the doorway and said coldly, ¡°That She is absolutely despicable! Terminate her endorsement, leverage the Jenkins Group¡¯s connections, and seize all her resources and contracts. I want her drowning in breach of contract penalties, living on bread and water for a month!¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins¡­¡± Lionel felt a bit guilty. She was indeed in for a rough time this round. With a dangerous squint in his eyes, Elliot asked, ¡°Feeling sympathetic? How about deducting her breach of contract penalties from your sry and bonuses?¡± With a disdainful snort, Elliot swiftly strode out of the Hedone Bar. Lionel immediately lost all the sympathy had and caught up with Elliot, pleading, ¡°Wait, Mr. Jenkins! She¡¯s indeed senseless, and a bit of reprimanding is due! I¡¯ve been tirelessly brainstorming ideas for you. I¡¯m an invaluable asset, so you can¡¯t treat me like this!¡± The two snuck back to E&S Haven. Sheena¡¯s door was closed, securely locked. The light in Elliot¡¯s eyes dimmed when he noticed that. He first went to his room and freshened up. When the sound of rushing water from Sheena¡¯s adjacent bathroom echoed through, he and Lionel sneaked into Sheena¡¯s room through the small balcony. He discarded his robe, hid it under the pillow, and then carefully lifted the quilt, lyingpletely bare. Lionel, dragging his feet, earned a stern look from Elliot. Then, he silently mouthed at Lionel and scolded, ¡°Hurry up!¡± ¡°Yes, yes!¡± The sight of Elliot¡¯s tempting physique and that divine face was too much to handle. Even Lionel thought it was a beautiful sight! Chapter 609 2/2 The sound of water from the bathroom ceased. Seeing Sheena about to emerge, Elliot urgently mouthed at Lionel, ¡°Quick!¡± Lionel nodded hastily. Afterpleting their preparations, Elliot signaled with his eyes, ¡°Go, go, go! Hurry!¡± Lionel immediately covered him with the quilt, even tucking his head inside, and then turned off the lights. By the time Sheena emerged from the bathroom, Lionel had just finished, pretending to climb out of the balcony. Outside, the leaves in the garden rustled gently in the breeze. Without rushing to turn on the lights, Sheena dried her damp hair with a towel. She walked to the window, locked it, and drew the curtains. The room plunged intoplete darkness, yet an unusual atmosphere lingered. Sheena feigned ignorance, heading to the bathroom to blow¨Cdry her hair. Then, she went on with her thorough skincare routine, leaving Elliot hidden in the covers for nearly half an hour. From initially feeling his heart race with nervous tension, Elliot gradually found his breath calming down. With the alcohol he had consumed that night, and thefortable cotton quilt embraced him, waves of drowsiness swept over him. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Just as he was on the verge of falling asleep, someone turned on the bedsidemp, and the quilt covering him was lifted. The rush of cold air caused a gentle shiver across his skin. Blinking his eyshes, Elliot locked eyes with Sheena¡¯s clear, sparkling eyes the moment the quilt was lifted. ¡°Why are you in my bed?¡± Even though Sheena was mentally prepared, Elliot¡¯s appearance still stunned her. His once profound ck eyes now glistened, his face disying an unexpectedly adorable and silly expression. Chatper 610 Chapter 610 This was indeed¡­ quite a different and exciting experience. Sheena¡¯s heart fluttered slightly as Elliot¡¯s current appearance made her feel a twinge of guilt. How could she bear to bully such an adorable fiance? She had not even showered him with enough affection yet! She gently lifted his chin with her palm and kissed his thin lips. After a lingering and warm kiss, Sheena straightened up, covered him with the quilt, and asked knowingly, ¡°You haven¡¯tmitted any crime, so why this?¡± Elliot appeared sad as he spoke with a sense of defeat, ¡°It¡¯s already my fault for making you angry. What happened tonight was my carelessness, my mistake. If it helps, you can hit me to vent your frustration.¡± !! His sincere apology left Sheena conflicted. She checked his wrists and noticed they were slightly red. Regret crept in, considering she had left him for half an hour in the quilt. ¡°Do th they hurt? Where¡¯s the key? I¡¯ll unlock it for you. Elliot evaded her attempts to unlock the handcuffs, and his eyes reddened. ¡°You¡¯re not willing to do it yourself anymore? Does this mean you won¡¯t forgive me? Are you still considering canceling the wedding and marrying Nathaniel?¡± Sheena was taken aback. What was he even talking about? Had hepletely forgotten everything she had said before? ¡°Why are you bringing up these things again?¡± Sheena¡¯s tone became more intense. With teary eyes, Elliot questioned, ¡°Why can¡¯t I bring them up? You¡¯re being indecisive, which shows you have such intentions!¡± Sheena was momentarily speechless. Indeed, she had considered Nathaniel¡¯s proposal to cure Elliot¡¯s body of the virus. ¡°I just haven¡¯t made up my mind yet. I can¡¯t make a decision, but I¡¯ll find a foolproof solution to address these matters,¡± Sheena said, unable to face Elliot on this matter. Moreover, she was not in the mood to continue ying around with him. She pretended to search for the key everywhere, eventually retrieving it from under the deskmp, after which she helped him unlock the handcuffs. Chapter 610 ¡°Go back to your room and sleep. We can talk about itter.¡± Elliot clenched his fists, growling, ¡°This again! You¡¯re just running away from the problem! Ever since Nathaniel¡¯s matter, you¡¯ve been avoiding the truth! You¡¯ve never uttered a single honest word!¡± ¡°You made a mistake, and now you¡¯re yelling at me?¡± Sheena, too, was provoked by him. After enduring and holding back, she said, ¡°Forget it. I don¡¯t want to argue with you tonight. If you want to use this room, then I¡¯ll find a guest room downstairs to sleep.¡± A guest room? Was she trying to distance herself by treating herself as a guest? What was initially a casual remark turned into a timed bomb that destroyed his rationality. Just as Sheena turned to leave, he quickly sat up, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, holding her so tightly that his arms trembled. ¡°Don¡¯t go, Nana! Don¡¯t leave me!¡± Sheena halted her steps, attempting to break free from his embrace. The gesture seemed as if she was pushing him away. He had just regained her love, and the prospect of losing her again filled him with a sense of suffocation. His arms tightened even more, his forehead pressing against her back, his voice choked and helpless. ¡°Please, don¡¯t¡­¡± Sheena froze on the spot, feeling a sharp pain in her heart. Her heart seemed pierced by a thousand needles, making it almost difficult to breathe. It was over half a year ago¡­ Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. For her sake, Elliot had endured punishment and whipping from the Jenkins family, left heavily wounded. That evening, he clung to her waist despite the intense pain, using a humble tone to plead with her not to leave¡­ Chatper 611 Chapter 611 Guilt, self¨Cme, and sympathy gripped Sheena¡¯s heart. She decided to let him be. Sheena let out a long sigh, gently patting the arm that Elliot wrapped around her waist, trying tofort him. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. I will never leave you. She turned around, and Elliot nestled into her embrace, burying his face in her waist, his voice incredibly soft as he cooed, ¡°Can you stay with me tonight? Don¡¯t leave me¡­ ¡°Okay. From tonight onward, I¡¯ll always be with you and put you to bed, alright?¡± She rubbed his short, soft hair. Elliot nodded gently. Sheena took out the robe hidden under the pillow and helped him put it on. ¡°It¡¯s winter, and your body has just recovered a bit. It¡¯s better not to sleep naked. You might catch a cold.¡± Elliot curled up contentedly in her arms, smelling the pleasant fragrance from her neck. The restlessness and unease in his heart gradually went away. Sheena turned off the bedsidemp, holding him in her arms as she gradually fell asleep. However, just as she dozed off, she was awakened by the muffled sobbing next to her. In the dim light, she could vaguely see Elliot, lowering his head, sleeping on her arm. Curious, she touched Elliot¡¯s face and unexpectedly felt the tears on his long eyshes. ¡°Eli? Why are you feeling sad again?¡± Elliot hugged her even tighter, his voice thick with nasal tones, murmuring, ¡°Nana, I don¡¯t know how those lip prints got on my body. I really think I¡¯m disgusting, but please don¡¯t reject me¡­¡± ¡°So, that¡¯s what he¡¯s troubled by,¡® Sheena mused. Discovering his vulnerability, Sheena felt a twinge of guilt. She wanted to tell him the truth but did. not know how to start. Would he get furious if he found out he had been pranked? After some contemtion, Sheena lightly patted his back with her palm, soothing his mncholy mood. ¡°How could I not want you? Of course I¡¯d want you. Besides you, I don¡¯t want any other man in my life. You¡¯ll always be my one and only.¡± Chapter 611 2/2 Sheena gently kissed his eyes, following his earlier example, patiently kissing away the tears on hist longshes. Elliot quietly enjoyed her love, yet his heart remained somewhat uneasy. ¡°If what happened tonight bothers you, you can hit me or scold me. I¡¯ll ept any punishment from you. But please, no more silent treatment¡­ It¡¯s really hard to bear.¡± Sheena instantly stopped her actions, a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth. Then, her tone gradually became more serious. ¡°You have the nerve to say that? Who was the one threatening to call off the engagementst time, saying you didn¡¯t love me anymore, tired of me, and started giving me the silent treatment? And now, who immediately ignored me for two days after the injection of the blue serum?¡± Elliot was speechless. He was indeed guilty of that. He spoke softly, sounding a bit aggrieved, ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree not to bring up old issues?¡± Sheena chuckled, her sympathy for him was quickly reced by the frustration of these past few days. Love was love, but it did not stop her from keeping a mental score. ¡°So, you¡¯re allowed to bring up old issues and throw a tantrum, but I can¡¯t mention anything? I can let go of the engagement incident, but can the silent treatment a couple of days ago be considered an old issue? It¡¯s still recent!¡± Elliot buried his head under the nket, unable to argue. The more Sheena thought about it, the angrier she became. He had been sick for a while, and she had not dared to dwell on those things that had made her feel suffocated. Now that he was much better, perhaps it was time to settle the score. If she did not straighten him out a bit, she might not sleep well tonight. Hence, Sheena sat up, turned on the bedmp, and stared at him. ¡°Did you just say you¡¯ll ept any punishment from me?¡± Elliot was at a loss for words. Five minutester¡­. Chatper 612 Chapter 612 The bedroom regained its harmonious and quiet atmosphere. The handsome Elliot, wrapped in a plush, dark gray robe, sat at Sheena¡¯s makeup table. The table was illuminated by a deskmp, with Sheena¡¯s phone disying her WhatsApp OR code. Holding a ballpoint pen, Elliot erged the QR code on her screen, diligently copying it onto a piece of paper. A limited¨Cedition toner that he had given Sheena was ced on his head with its cap unscrewed. The toner was almost full to the brim, but Elliot, with exceptionalposure, did not spill a drop. Sheena leaned against the bedhead, silently observing him. She could not bring herself to hit him, nor could she bear to see his knees hurt from kneeling on the washboard. Hence, she simply found a way that was both amusing and consuming, a way to drain his excess energy. ¡°Take your time with the drawing. Make sure not to spill my toner. It¡¯s precious. You¡¯ll have to draw an extra sheet for each drop you spill,¡± Sheena remarked, letting out an elegant yawn. She watched him meticulously draw the QR code while admiring his handsome side profile, perfect jawline, and straight posture. When Elliot was serious, his entire demeanor turned icy. After enjoying the scene for a while, she nced at him and soon found herself getting drowsy. Soon, she curled up in the warm nket and continued to sleep. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Elliot, catching a glimpse of her sleeping, sighed silently. Sheena had just fallen asleep when the sudden cold air rushing into the nket woke her. She shivered slightly as a chilly lump hugged her from behind. Elliot was being punished, yet she wasfortably asleep¡­ Feeling disgruntled, Elliot used his ice¨Ccold face to nuzzle her warm cheek. In her drowsy state, Sheena curled her toes due to the cold, asking, ¡°What are you doing? Are you done with the drawing?¡± Elliot continued to rub against her, shamelessly seeking warmth from her body. ¡°Mmhmm. I finished it in half an hour.¡± Having received artistic training during his military service, Elliot had a solid foundation in drawing. Chapter 612 Applying a bit of creativity, he quickly found an easy and fast way to draw the QR code. Such tricks were no challenge for him. Sheena was exhausted and responded with a soft, ¡°Okay, let¡¯s sleep.¡± 2/2 Almost out of habit, she gently held his ice¨Ccold hand, moving her back into his embrace to help him warm up quickly. Elliot, embracing the warm bundle in his arms, seemed unsatisfied. His icy lips wandered restlessly, kissing her earlobe. Feeling his gentle breaths on her ear, Sheena felt ticklish and rubbed it. The man behind her then spoke with a deep, husky voice, ¡°Nana, I can¡¯t sleep.¡± ¡°If you can¡¯t sleep, continue drawing until you get tired.¡± Elliot, dissatisfied, murmured, ¡°But I¡¯m hungry.¡± ¡°There¡¯s food downstairs. Go get it yourself,¡± Sheena mumbled in response. ¡°But¡­¡°. His voice trailed off, and a dangerous aura gradually approached. Sheena was waiting for him to make sense when suddenly, she was forcefully flipped over. He yfully rubbed her nose and said, ¡°But I miss you!¡± Sheena was puzzled, ¡°What?¡± However, she quickly understood what he meant and woke up instantly. ¡°Wait a minute! You can¡¯t do this!¡± It was toote! What was supposed to be apanying him to sleep turned into something else entirely! Elliot was just a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing! Her resistance seemed insignificant before him. Chatper 613 Chapter 613 Sheena wanted to settle the score with Elliot. Yet unexpectedly, he was acting considerate, offering massages and being unexpectedly obedient, making it difficult for her to find fault. Due to herck of rest fromst night, she was exhausted in the morning. Elliot did not interrupt her sleep and prepared breakfast before quietly leaving for the office. As soon as he settled into his office chair, Lionel came in, beaming with delight. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, how wasst night? Was my method effective? Did Ms. Sheena calm down?¡± Looking quite pleased, Elliot responded generously, ¡°You¡¯re getting a raise and bonus. Report to the finance department the amount you like.¡± Lionel was overjoyed. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re truly kind! Today, you exude an especially majestic presence, just like my hero. You¡­¡± Before he could finish his ttery, the CEO¡¯s office door was knocked. The assistant announced, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Ms. She is here. She insists on seeing you today.¡± The pleasant atmosphere was instantly ruined. Elliot¡¯s expression turned cold as he replied, ¡°I¡¯m not avable.¡± Feeling a bit uneasy, Lionel chimed in, ¡°Mr. Jenkins is busy now and doesn¡¯t have time to see her. She¡¯s no longer the spokesperson for Project Rossi, so please don¡¯t casually bring her to the top floor.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± The assistant nodded, about to open the door to leave. ¡°Step aside!¡± She squeezed through the opening, directly entering the room. Elliot¡¯s face grew increasingly grim, not bothering to look at her. ¡°Ms. She, intruding like this is very impolite. As the yearly award¨Cwinning top actress, you should. understand such etiquette.¡± She¡¯s gaze was firm as she responded, ¡°Entering without permission was my mistake, but Mr. Jenkins, isn¡¯t your behavior somewhat dishonorable?¡± Elliot frowned and stared coldly at her, unbothered to exin. Lionel sensed trouble was brewing and spoke first, ¡°Uhm¡­ there might be a misunderstanding. Mr. Jenkins is currently busy. Ms. She, why don¡¯t youe out with me? I¡¯ll exin it to you slowly.¡± ¡°You?¡± She gave him a sarcastic nce, then turned back to Elliot. ¡°Your exnation is useless. I want Mr. Jenkins to give me a reasonable exnation for this matter!¡± Chapter 613 Elliot¡¯s disdain remained evident as he casually sipped his coffee. ¡°How am I dishonorable?¡± She gracefully took a seat in the guest chair opposite him. ¡°Perhaps I said something wrongst night that displeased you, Mr. Jenkins. However, aren¡¯t you acting overboard for canceling my endorsement, causing my fans to quarrel online, and even blocking many of my recent opportunities? ¡°Not at all,¡± Elliot replied nonchntly. ¡°You knowingly manipted me, causing misunderstandings with Nana. Since you dared to plot against me, you should be prepared for the consequences.¡± ¡°Plot against you?¡± She looked puzzled. ¡°Where did I plot against youst night? You asked me to leave, and I left. I simply exchanged a few words with Ms. Lawson at the Hedone Bar entrance. I know how to speak appropriately, without any rude remarks.¡± She was confident as she spoke, refusing to bear the me unjustly. ¡°Since my debut, I¡¯ve never bothered creating fake rtionships with male celebrities for publicity. Even as the spokesperson for Project Rossi, I¡¯ve always behaved appropriately.¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°Let me be blunt, Mr. Jenkins. If I wanted to plot against you, I would¡¯ve done it more cleverly. I wouldn¡¯t have chosen such an obvious setting likest night, digging my own grave. I don¡¯t understand why you would misunderstand me like this!¡± Elliot furrowed his brow, sensing something amiss. Last night, he was drunk, and his anxiety got the better of him too quickly. Reflecting on it now, many details fromst night did not hold up upon closer inspection. Elliot turned to Lionel, who was avoiding eye contact and subtly inching toward the door, attempting to make a swift escape. ¡°Stop right there.¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I uh¡­ have some business¡­ Seeing Lionel¡¯s slightly panicked expression, Elliot knew what was going on. ¡°No rush. You can deal with itter.¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± Chatper 614 Chapter 614 Elliot turned his attention back to She. ¡°I¡¯ll investigatest night¡¯s incident. If you¡¯re innocent, I¡¯ll restore your endorsement and the missed opportunities.¡± ¡°Merely returning them? After carrying such a big me, shouldn¡¯t you offer somepensation?¡± Elliot¡¯s dark eyes flickered with a touch of disgust, his tone growing stern. ¡°Being too greedy isn¡¯t a good thing. Mr. Holst, escort Ms. She out.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± As the two left, Lionel fell to his knees right when the door closed. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I¡¯m innocent! I haven¡¯t even had a chance to report the bonus to the finance department yet. I¡¯m just an aplice!¡± Elliot¡¯s cold expression remained unchanged. ¡°Who is the mastermind?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± Lionel lowered his head. Sheena had mentioned that he could pin everything on her if things went wrong. After all, Elliot did not dare to harm Sheena, but he could make Lionel pay for it! He lifted his head and replied resolutely, ¡°It¡¯s Ms. Sheena! The lipstick marks on you were left by her, and she also wrote the words on your chest. I just yed a part in her little drama!¡± Elliot stared at him in disbelief, an ominous chill filling the air. ¡°Exin that night¡¯s events clearly and thoroughly. If you miss a single word, I¡¯ll take you to the interrogation room and personally make you spill.¡± The sharpness in his eyes made Lionel tremble with fear. ¡°No, Mr. Jenkins, I wouldn¡¯t dare! I¡¯ll talk! I¡¯ll confess everything!¡± Meanwhile, Sheena walked through the winding alleys of the Jenkins estate, heading toward the garage. While on the way, she unexpectedly sneezed twice. ¡°Who¡¯s been thinking of me?¡± Ford, serving as her driver today, looked at her with concern. ¡°The temperature has been dropping every day recently, miss. You¡¯re not catching a cold, are you?¡± Sheena waved her hand dismissively. ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. But¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± Ford inquired. She strolled, attentively feeling her back. ¡°I¡¯ve been feeling chills running down my spine. This Chapter 614 doesn¡¯t seem like a good sign! Looks like something big is going to happen today!¡± Ford was speechless. When did Sheena be so superstitious? 2/2 ¡°Miss, please don¡¯t make jokes like that. You must have caught a cold. How about taking the day off and resting at home?¡± Sheena shook her head, declining the suggestion. Elliot¡¯s car pulled up as they approached the garage door, stopping right in front of them. With a stern expression and suppressed anger, he stepped out of the car. Sheena, puzzled, looked at him. ¡°Eli, didn¡¯t you go to work? Why are you back?¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Elliot remained silent, walking up to her, bending down to lift her off her feet, and throwing her over his shoulder. Then, he headed back in the direction of E&S Haven. ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± Elliot¡¯s tone was icy as he spoke, ¡°Going home. I have something to ask you.¡± ¡°But¡­ I need to go to Angle Group. There¡¯s important work today!¡± Elliot remained unbothered, continuing to walk. ¡°Take a day off. I¡¯ll have Lionel stand in for you.¡± ¡°Lionel? He doesn¡¯t understand the entertainment industry. Can he handle it?¡± Elliot narrowed his cold eyes. ¡°He can handle it. Instead of worrying about others, you might want to worry about yourself!¡± She had so much fun pranking him, causing him to feel guilt and difort for quite a while. Well, today, he would set things right! Chatper 615 Chapter 615 Sensing the anger in his tone, Sheena nervously covered her face. She dared not struggle and let him carry her. Ford stood frozen on the spot. ¡°Miss¡­ Should he follow them back to the mansion, be a third wheel, and witness some romance, or should he head to Angle Group? ¡°Go to Angle Group and call John to see if Lionel needs any help.¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°Alright, Miss!¡± As Ford left, the alley became unusually quiet, enveloped in Elliot¡¯s distinct aura. Lacking confidence, Sheena timidly asked, ¡°You found out?¡± Elliot did not respond, silently moving forward. Feeling uncertain, Sheena thought Elliot must be furious! She had expected him to be furious once he knew the truth, but she did not anticipate it happening so quickly, leaving her mentally unprepared. Elliot carried her back to E&S Haven swiftly. Sheena had initially thought of walking herself, but Elliot remained silent, carrying her all the way up to the room. Entering the bedroom, Elliot had initially considered tossing her onto the bed as she had done to him last time. However, with her soft waist in his hands, he hesitated, afraid of causing her even the slightest pain. In the end, he opted to sit her by the edge of the bed. The journey back was quite a workout, causing him to sweat. Hence, he removed his tie, throwing his suit onto the bed. Rolling up his sleeves casually, he asked, ¡°Do you want to confess on your own, or do I need to interrogate you?¡± Sheena took a deep breath, watching him roll up his sleeves with an absent¨Cminded gaze. Corey would usually make this expression when preparing to hit someone. However, she could bet with her life that Elliot would not darey a hand on her. Even if he had mischievous thoughts, he could not bear hitting her. Regaining her confidence, she calmly said, ¡°Yes, I did it because you were being disobedient, going out for drinks without telling me and spending time alone with She. I¡¯m teaching you a lesson Chapter 615 about how unpredictable people can be! You can¡¯t just get drunk casually!¡± 2/2 Elliot¡¯s face remained cold. ¡°With Lionel guarding the door, who would dare to do anything? I should¡¯ve realized that night that besides you, Lionel would never allow any woman to mess around with me.¡± Raising Sheena¡¯s delicate chin with his slender fingertips, his tone became even colder. ¡± Furthermore, do you know why I went for a drink? It¡¯s because you¡¯re making deals with Nathaniel and even considered marrying him!¡± The mere thought of this situation made him feel like he was being stabbed in the heart. During the past two days of silent treatment with her, he had repeatedly wanted to give in ande to her. However, Nathaniel was like a thorn in his heart, and not getting an answer from Sheena meant that the thorn would never be pulled out! Sheena avoided his gaze. ¡°Why do you keep bringing this up again? Can¡¯t we just get over it?¡± ¡°No, we can¡¯t get over it! I want you to tell me in person that you¡¯ll never agree to hisst two conditions!¡± Sheena fell silent. Grasping her slender shoulders, Elliot spoke solemnly, ¡°Nana, even if I can¡¯t live through the winter, you can marry anyone you want, just not Nathaniel!¡± ¡°Alright, I promise you,¡± she conceded, raising her eyebrows slightly andpromising. Then, she lowered her gaze to her shoulder, saying, ¡°You can let go now. You¡¯re hurting me. Immediately, Elliot loosened his grip, gently massaging her shoulder. His dark eyes softened remarkably. Sheena secretly smirked. He was obviously soft¨Chearted when it concerned her, so why bother trying to be stern with her? Suppressing her amusement, she redirected the conversation. ¡°Well then, weren¡¯t you nning to settle scores with me today? What are your ns for that?¡° Chatper 616 Chapter 616 Elliot stopped massaging her shoulders, returning to his intense gaze. ¡°You conspired with Lionel to trick me, making me feel guilty all night. You even gave him some rotten ideas, convincing me to put myself in your bed. Do you admit it?¡± ¡°I do.¡± Sheena smiled lightly. ¡°But I¡¯d do it again!¡± ¡°Nana!¡± Elliot¡¯s anger was reignited by her words. ¡°It seems you had quite a st ying tricks on me. Fine, today, we¡¯ll settle everything!¡± She spoke yfully, extending her delicate wrist toward Elliot. ¡°Just be mindful.¡± Elliot looked at her wrist, slender as if it could snap with a gentle squeeze. Realizing he already felt unwilling before he even started settling the scores yet, he reasserted his dominance. With a stern tone, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be sympathetic this time!¡± Sheena just chuckled, not bothering to expose him. Elliot, feeling a bit uneasy under her gaze, darkened his expression. ¡°It¡¯s time to pay for when you smacked my palm before! Hold out your hands!¡± Sheena obediently presented her open Still smiling as she stared at him. ¡°Do you want a ruler? It¡¯s in the drawer, you know!¡± Annoyed by her teasing, Elliot retorted, ¡°I won¡¯t use that thing!¡± His hands slid down to his waist, making a move to unfasten the metal buckle on his belt. ¡°Eli, are you really thinking of spanking me?¡± Sheena, holding out her palms, warned him, ¡°You better think twice. There¡¯s a saying: what goes aroundes around. If you make another mistake, don¡¯t get caught by me next time!¡± Elliot¡¯s hands abruptly stopped. Seeing his reaction, Sheena gave him a sly look, provocatively saying, ¡°You know how well I hold grudges. If I¡¯m in a bad mood next time, I might repay you a hundred fold or thousandfold. Eli, bet mentally prepared!¡± Elliot¡¯s cold expression did not waver, but the hand on the belt buckle remained unmoving. He stared. at Sheena, feeling quite stifled. He seemed destined to be yed around by this little rascal,pletely outsmarted! ¡°My arms are getting tired. Don¡¯t just stand there. Hurry!¡± ¡°You¡¯re rushing me now? Am I the one punishing you, or are you the one punishing me? Learn from Chapter 616 my usual attitude when admitting mistakes; you must straighten up!¡± Elliot gritted his teeth. Sheena frowned and red at him. ¡°I¡¯ve been quite well¨Cbehaved. Stop taking your time and get it over with!¡± She was driving him up the wall! Just as Sheena had mentioned getting back at him, his hand refused to cooperate, stuck in ce and unresponsive. However, Sheena¡¯s arrogant attitude left him feeling stuck, and no matter how he acted, it seemed wrong. Right as the situation reached a stalemate, a knock on the door interrupted them. It was Paul. ¡°Miss, there was a delivery person at the door. Since it¡¯s marked as a confidential package and urgent, I brought it to you. Do you need it now?¡± Seizing the opportunity, Elliot fastened his belt, looking at Sheena in confusion. ¡°A confidential package? What did you buy?¡± Sheena blushed. In the past few days, she had indeed purchased something, intending to use it on Elliot. However, she forgot to track the delivery time. How could this happen? Of all times, it had to arrive now! ¡°Uh, Paul, put it in the room next door. I don¡¯t need it right now.¡± ¡°One moment.¡± Elliot, noticing her flushed cheeks, raised an eyebrow. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Why was her reaction so big? Feeling suspicious he onened the door and took the delicate how from Paul Chatper 617 Chapter 617 When Sheena lunged forward to snatch it, it was already toote.. Elliot had opened the box, and Paul, being equally curious, also peered into the box. It was a ck and white dress with a unique style, unlike Sheena¡¯s usual preferences. Elliot, puzzled, asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you usually dislike this kind of style? And why are you so nervous about a dress?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m not nervous. Can¡¯t I asionally change my dressing style?¡± She was about to casually take the box and hide it in the adjacent room. However, Paul uncovered something underneath the dress¨Cck stockings. ¡°Wow! So romantic!¡± Paul eximed. Sheena froze in ce. Elliot also realized that it was not just a simple dress. He examined the contents of the box more seriously. The moment he saw the ck stockings, he understood what was happening. Without showing any emotion, he closed the box and turned to Paul. ¡°Get Sawyer and help Lionel at the Angle Group. Tell the other guards at the mansion that, no matter what they hear, they¡¯re not allowed to disturb us!¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± no Once Paul left, Elliot immediately locked the door. He smiled as he picked up the box, disying the ck stockings to Sheena. ¡°Nana, care to exin?¡± Sheena embarrassedly looked away, muttering, ¡°Maybe¡­ I bought the wrong thing. I don¡¯t even know what it is.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Elliot did not believe her for a moment, staring intently at her. ¡°I suddenly have a better. idea of how to deal with you.¡± ¡°How?¡± Sheena became uneasy. Elliot handed the box to her and said, ¡°Put it on.¡± ¡°I bought the wrong thing. I¡¯ll contact the storeter to return it!¡± Sheena reached out to take it, but Elliot quickly pulled the box away. ¡°Since you¡¯ve already bought it, shouldn¡¯t you try it on? You just admitted to ying a trick on me, so if you acknowledge it, shouldn¡¯t you listen to me?¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°So, this is the punishment?¡± Elliot shook his head, a slight smile ying on his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s consider it a little reward from you to me.¡± That sounded much better. Sheena took the box from his hands, yfully asking, ¡°So, you¡¯re not punishing me anymore?¡± Elliot continued to shake his head. ¡°Nana, you probably bought this because you were ready to admit your mistakes and give in, right?¡± He was genuinely touched by Sheena¡¯s thoughtful gesture, and besides, he could not bring himself to be stern with her. ¡°The fault lies with me, so I should be the one to get punished.¡± Sheena held his face, tiptoed, and gave a light peck on his lips. ¡°Spoiling me like this will ruin me!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not enough. You¡¯re my true love that I worked so hard to win back. I¡¯ll spoil you for a lifetime!¡± Feeling all giddy inside, Sheena took the box and headed to the bathroom to change. ¡°Wait for me.¡± During these few minutes, Elliot was not idle either. He closed the windows and turned on the heater to ensure Sheena would not catch a cold. After the preparations, he sat on the edge of the bed, filled with excitement and anticipation. After a few minutes that felt like an eternity, Sheena emerged from the bathroom. Elliot slowly raised his gaze, and his heart skipped a beat. The image left him stunned and speechless. Sheena looked stunningly beautiful, bncing cuteness and allure, yfulness, and charm. The ultra¨C short skirt showcased her graceful figure in all its glory. Chatper 618 Chapter 618 Elliot¡¯s throat turned dry, as he suppressed the turmoil within. Seeing him lost in thought, Sheena swayed in front of him and nced down at her outfit, asking,¡± Do I not look good in it?¡± ¡°You look amazing.¡± Elliot gulped. Sheena smiled, ¡°Stop spacing out!¡± ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. From now on, she would only be his! ¡°Do I really look that great? Your eyeballs are almost popping out.¡± Elliot patted her fluffy hair, nodding sincerely. ¡°I want to see you dance in this.¡± ¡°What dance?¡± Elliot thought for a moment, replying, ¡°Dance to ¡®Lover¡®. Back then, you amazed me with that dance.¡± She would definitely look out of this world dancing the sexy tango! Sheena was in high spirits today, quickly agreeing, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll dance a bit for you to feast your eyes. Elliot turned on the stereo, yed the song, and sat quietly on the bed, enjoying the show. As the prelude began, Sheena immediately entered her element. The familiarity with ¡®Lover¡® seemed engraved in her soul. Even with her eyes closed, she could pull off every precise movement wlessly. Unlike thest time when she wore a flowing dress and resembled an enchanting pixie, she looked more like a bewitching little fairy that could captivate souls this time. After finishing the first part of the dance, Sheena prepared to stop. However, a pair of hands embraced her slender waist. Elliot sped her hands, transforming her originally adapted solo dance into a duet. her Thest time she danced this, he did not have the chance to hold her waist and dance together. This time, he would never let go. With no rehearsals, the two danced in perfect harmony, wlessly presenting the most challenging tango of ¡®Lover¡®. As they looked into each other¡¯s eyes, love filled the air, and they immersed themselves in the beauty of the moment. As the dance reached its climax, Sheena was about to perform a spinning movement when Elliot Chapter 618 2/2 swept her off her feet. ¡°Are we not finishing the dance?¡± Sheena asked, wrapping her arms around Elliot¡¯s neck. ¡°Here is where it ends.¡± Sheena instantly understood his intentions, and her ears turned slightly red. ¡°Dream on! We already did thatst night!¡± Elliot gently brushed against her nose, his dark eyes revealing the imminent eruption of his restrained desires. ¡°It was not enough. Nana, you look so beautiful today. I can¡¯t just let you go without savoring a bit more.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± He kissed her forehead, his gaze full of tenderness. ¡°Be good.¡± The room was filled with romance. They continued their absurd antics throughout the morning until Sheena, exhausted, fell asleep, marking the end of their perfect adventure. Elliot carried her to the bathroom, personally helped her with a bath, and then changed her into a robe before settling her back into bed. ¡°You must be tired, Nana. What would you like for lunch? How about I make you a chicken soup for a quick recovery?¡± Sheena, half¨Casleep, spoke weakly, ¡°I want seafood soup. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll make that for you.¡± Elliot patted her tiny face with satisfaction, got out of bed, and put on his slippers. However, his vision was suddenly shrouded in darkness when he stood up, and he could not see the way ahead. In just a few seconds, his vision cked outpletely. He stumbled back to the bed, preventing himself from falling to the ground. After a few minutes of stillness, the terrifying darkness gradually went away. He looked at his hands in disbelief. Was this¡­ the ominous sign of the virus spreading through his body once more? Chatper 619 Chapter 619 Nathaniel¡¯s blue serum¡­ ¡°Eli, what are you thinking about?¡± Sheena, still half¨Casleep, gently tugged on the hem of his shirt, interrupting his thoughts. He turned to grasp her hand, his tone casual as he replied, ¡°Nothing much, just contemting what delicious dishes I should prepare for you. ¡°Your culinary skills were expertly honed by me back in Farlem, and I love anything you cook, Sheena murmured with a smile. ¡°Speaking of which, the employment contract we signed back then hasn¡¯t expired yet.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression stiffened. The mention of that embarrassing past, the forced employment contract, prompted him to lift the covers and press Sheena down. ¡°Nana, are you still nning to dominate me for a few more months?¡± Sheena, with a hazy look in her eyes, chuckled. ¡°No. Elijah Freeman was the name on the agreement. It has nothing to do with you.¡± Besides, her mindset was different now, and she could not bear mistreating him. All she wanted was to completely cure the virus in his body and live happily and healthily. Satisfied, Elliot kissed her forehead. ¡°Rest a bit more. I¡¯ll wake you when the food is ready.¡± He then got out of bed and went to the kitchen to cook. Two days passed peacefully. Until the third day. In the afternoon, while Sheena was busy in her office, she received an international call on her phone from an unknown number. ncing at the screen, she knew it was Nathaniel, and the good mood she had been in for the past days was shattered instantly. Sheena answered with an unfriendly tone, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± few Nathaniel chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s been many days, Nana. Missed me?¡± Feeling nauseous, Sheena retorted, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing important, I¡¯m hanging up.¡± ¡°Come on, I¡¯m just asking. Have you reconsidered myst two conditions?¡± Sheena remained silent before finally saying, ¡°Not yet. I need more time to think.¡± Chapter 619 ¡°Still need more time?¡± Nathaniel sounded a bit displeased. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t y me for a fool. I¡¯m not that easy to deceive.¡± Her tone turned cold. ¡°You should know that once the engagement with Elliot is called off, it will stir up a storm. I have to arrange the aftermath in advance and minimize the losses for the Lawson Group. ¡°Fine, whether you¡¯re trying to deceive me or just buying time, I¡¯m not afraid. You¡¯lle to me sooner orter!¡± He deliberately lowered his voice when he said thest sentence, sounding This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Sheena was incredibly displeased. Once Elliot was truly cured, she would not let Nathaniel off the hook! She would make him endure torment a thousand times worse than Elliot¡¯s! ominous. About to hang up the phone, she suddenly noticed that the caller ID showed the call as an international call. ¡°Nathaniel, did you leave the country?¡± ¡°Yes, that clingy dog of yours keeps trying to catch me. He nearly killed me, and I¡¯ve just recovered from my injuries. To ensure I can marry you with all limbs intact, I decided to take a breather abroad.¡± He coughed twice, his tone casual. Sheena gritted her teeth, not mincing words. ¡°If he¡¯s a dog, then you¡¯re even worse than a dog!.. Nathaniel, I didn¡¯t expect that after spending half a year in the high¨Csecurity prison, your manners would decline to this extent.¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s my bad. I should address him as Mr. Jenkins. Don¡¯t get angry.¡± Sheena suppressed her anger and continued with a probing tone, ¡°Where are you? Laubabwe?¡± Nathaniel was pleased. ¡°It warms my heart to hear your concern, but that information is a secret. Anyway, I¡¯ll wait for your answer!¡± If he would not divulge his location, there would be nothing more to discuss between them. Sheena immediately hung up and called Ford into the room. Chatper 620 Chapter 620 ¡°Did we make any progress on investigating Nathaniel¡¯s mother?¡± Ford shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s still no information from Dark Bell. It¡¯s difficult to investigate matters in a foreign country. However, I have a feeling that Nathaniel¡¯s mother¡¯s identity is that simple, or she wouldn¡¯t be so well hidden.¡± Sheena fell silent for a moment. ¡°It seems I¡¯ll have to find a time to ask the Nicholls family myself.¡± Last time, Yosef mentioned that the blue serum did not seem to be a product of their country. Sheena wondered if she could start with Nathaniel¡¯s mother and try to find a cure for the 50%, bio¨Cvirus on her own. Ford seemed skeptical of the whole ordeal. ¡°Will Mr. Romello talk? He stood out among his brothers and took control of the family. He should be ¡­ capable.¡± Sheena did notment on that, saying, ¡°Romello isn¡¯t the only one in the Nicholls family. Arrange dinner for me with Gabrielle and Naomi tonight. Just tell them that it¡¯s a treat from me.¡± ¡°Of course, Miss.¡± After Ford left, Sheena sent a message to Elliot, letting him know she would not being home for dinner tonight. After a few more hours of busy work, Sheena packed up and left as the end of the workday approached. The two young girls, ustomed to the taste of five¨Cstar hotels, were taken by Sheena to a barbecue restaurant on themercial street. As soon as they entered the private room, the atmosphere became lively. Gabrielle teased, ¡°Nana, I thought you¡¯d long forgotten about us old friends now that you and Mr. Jenkins are dating. Why did you suddenly invite us to dinner?¡± Sheena just smiled, remaining silent. Naomi chimed in, ¡°It looks like your rtionship with Elliot is going well! You¡¯re glowing. Will I have a nephew or niece in a while?¡± ¡°What are you talking about? Hurry up and order!¡± Sheena blushed slightly, lightly tapping Naomi¡¯s forehead. Subconsciously, she touched her belly. There was a time when she looked forward to having a child, but now, she did not want that. At the moment, Elliot¡¯s illness was the most important thing. Thinking of this, she casually asked Gabrielle, ¡°Gabrielle, how¡¯s Nathaniel doingtely?¡± Gabrielle rested her chin in her hands, her face instantly clouded with worry. Chapter 620 2/2 ¡°Please don¡¯t bring that up. I never could¡¯ve dreamed that Nathaniel would actually plot against you. Isn¡¯t he still serving time in the high¨Csecurity prison? Why are you suddenly asking about him?¡± Sheena was surprised that Gabrielle was unaware of Nathaniel being released on bail.Original from N?velDrama.Org. Was Romello preventing any information about Nathaniel from reaching the Nicholls family? Sheena calmly took a sip of tea before continuing, ¡°I sometimes recall the days of visiting the Nicholls family as a child. I can¡¯t help but think it¡¯s such a shame that things have changed.¡± Gabrielle sighed along, ¡°Yea¡­ Romello has had me learning in thepanytely. I have fewer chances to meet my brothers and friends. As for Nathaniel, Romello won¡¯t even let me visit him. I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll get to see him.¡± It was indeed Romello¡¯s doing. Sheena maintained herposure and went on, ¡°Speaking of which, I¡¯ve never heard about Nathaniel¡¯s mother.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t seen her either. Dad met Auntie Kelly on a business trip to Laubabwe, and he identally had Nathaniel with her. Originally, they were going to get married when Dad returned to the country. I don¡¯t know what happened in between.¡± ¡°When Dad came back, he only brought Nathaniel with him. Over the years, there haven¡¯t been any photos or information about Auntie Kelly at home. Nathaniel doesn¡¯t talk about her much either. If you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I might have even forgotten that Nathaniel is my half¨Cbrother.¡± Sheena pondered for a moment, asking, ¡°Kelly is just a name, right? What¡¯s herst name? Is she still alive?¡± ! Gabrielle innocently shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I overheard her name by ident. These are all secrets of the Nicholls family. Don¡¯t go spreading them around, okay?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Naomi nodded in agreement. At the barbecue restaurant, each table had a waiter to help customers with grilling. When a handsome man walked into their private room carrying a tray of vegetables, both Gabrielle and Naomi were momentarily stunned. Naomi, less pleased, even frowned. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Chapter 621 Chapter 621 Sheena had been discreetly messaging Ford, Instructing Dark Bell to investigate all women named Kelly in Laubabwe and find someone whose experiences resembled Nathaniel¡¯s mother. Naomi¡¯s sudden exmation caught her attention, and she looked up, meeting Colin¡¯s familiar face. ¡°Colin?¡± Having not seen him for a few days, he seemed to have changed a lot. His eyescked the previous vibrancy and now appeared numb and reserved. Surprised to see him in a waiter¡¯s uniform, Sheena asked, ¡°Have you been working heretely?¡± Colin stood frozen, looking embarrassed. He did not answer Sheena¡¯s question and turned to leave. Sheena called out to him, ¡°Considering our friendship over the years, Mr. Upton, why don¡¯t you sit down and have a drink with us?¡± Naomi, still holding a grudge against the Upton family for their previous harm to Sheena, chimed in, ¡°Sheena, the Upton family has fallen from grace. He doesn¡¯t deserve to be addressed that way. Besides, ever since he helped Katie plot against you, he¡¯s no longer my friend.¡± Colin, originally at the door, turned around upon hearing Naomi¡¯s words. ¡°I didn¡¯t help Katie harm you. Also, Katie is now in the women¡¯s prison. Haven¡¯t she suffered enough by now?¡± Both Gabrielle and Naomi were ready to explode, but Sheena held them back to prevent an immediate confrontation. Sheena chuckled lightly, saying, ¡°Originally, I didn¡¯t intend to bother with her after she was sent to prison. But hearing you say that, I think she¡¯s having it a bit too easy.¡± Colin was shocked. ¡°Sheena, I never thought you could be so heartless. She¡¯s just an ignorant girl. She¡¯s already received the punishment she deserves.¡± Sheena took a sip of juice, her beautiful eyes indifferent, choosing not to respond. Naomi was the first to express her displeasure, ¡°Why don¡¯t you say how wicked your sister is? She¡¯s. an adult, yet she ims to be ignorant. She¡¯s nothing more than a spoiled brat raised by your family!¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Gabrielle followed, angered. ¡°You know very well what you all did during Katie¡¯s birthday party. No matter how Sheena treated Katie, it was never excessive!¡± Colin felt hopeless. These past few days had been like living in hell for his family. They don¡¯t even have enough money to bribe the prison guards to visit Katie. Nicole cried every day,menting her daughter¡¯s suffering. Even in his old age, Ron tried to find Chapter 627 212 work, but due to Elliot¡¯s influence, nopany dared to hire him. The entire family struggled to get by in a cramped the apartment. No matter what sins Katiemitted before, this should be enough to settle the score, right? Colin held the tray with both hands, gripping it tightly. He endured as much as he could, but eventually lowered his pride to plead with Sheena. ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Sheena, for the sake of our friendship over the years, I beg you to spare Katje. Bail her out, and we¡¯ll take her to the countryside to live peacefully. I promise we won¡¯t disturb your life Sheena remained expressionless. ¡°Considering our friendship, I¡¯ll pretend I didn¡¯t see you today. I¡¯ll let you continue working here peacefully. Katie¡¯s fate is her own doing. I¡¯m not a saint, and I can¡¯t help, nor do I want to help.¡± Naomi promptly ushered him out. ¡°Did you hear that? Get out. Let your manager send another waiter. Colin lowered his head, hiding the frustration and resentment in his eyes, and left the private room. He walked through the restaurant¡¯s aisle with a heavy, zombie¨Clike pace. Fred, the waiter temporarily assigned to manage this room, passed by Colin, and muttered discontentedly. ¡°As expected from a spoilt kid from a wealthy family. He can¡¯t do any job right and offended the customers again, yet he still insists on exploiting my working hours.¡± Colin heard every word clearly and turned to re at him. Growing even more displeased, Fred retorted, ¡°What are you looking at? I was just stating facts!¡± As the cursing voice faded away, Colin¡¯s face was a mask of despair. Being suppressed by Elliot and ridiculed by everyone over the days had taken a toll on him. Katie¡¯s words before she went to jail echoed in his ears¡­. Chapter 622 Chapter 622 She said, ¡°Colin! I don¡¯t want to eat prison food for the rest of my life. Once I¡¯m inside, they¡¯ll target and bully me. I¡¯ll live a life worse than death!¡± ¡°The Upton family has ended up like this because of Sheena and Elliot. You must help me kill them! Otherwise, I won¡¯t consider you my brother for the rest of my life! Mom and Dad won¡¯t be happy either!¡± Moreover, She also came looking for him a couple of days ago. Thinking about it, Colin walked toward the kitchen. When others were not paying attention, he stole a pack of rat poison from the storage room and tucked it into his pocket. As Fred, the male waiter, prepared to deliver juice to the private room, Colin stopped him. Colin forced a smile and said, ¡°Let me do it. I feel guilty for upsetting the lovelydies in the private room just now. I want to go and apologize.¡± ¡°Apologize? You must be kidding. You¡¯ll mess it up again, and I¡¯ll have to clean it up.¡± Colin grabbed the juice tray from his hand and did not let go. ¡°I truly feel bad about involving you in serving the customers in the private room for free. I¡¯ll pay you my hourly wage for today as Fred was pleased. ¡°Now that¡¯s more like it! Go ahead.¡± Colin took the tray. Before entering the private room, he looked around nervously. Then, he took out the rat poison. It was the first time he had done something so harmful, and his hands were shaking. he However, as he thought of She¡¯s promise, he mustered the courage. When no one was around, tore open the packaging with his back to the camera and watched the white powder dissolve into the juice. Yet, within a few short seconds, before he could finish pouring all the powder, his wrist was grabbed by someone. Panicking, he looked up and saw Lionel. Lionel asked sternly, ¡°What did you put in there?¡± A few steps away, Elliot, with a dark expression and a murderous aura, walked toward them. Colin was frightened, and he was obviously fearful of Elliot. Lately, every encounter with Elliot resulted in a beating! ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. In a desperate situation, he forcefully poured the juice onto Lionel¡¯s face while he was distracted. Chapter 622 Lionel got sshed all over. Taking advantage of the distraction, Colin struggled with all his might, broke free, and sprinted away. Elliot remainedposed and ordered Lionel, ¡°Go after him. If a fragile guy like him escapes from your hands, I¡¯ll hold you ountable for it along with all your past transgressions.¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t worry!¡± Lionel shuddered and swiftly chased after Colin. In the private room, a group of girls were enjoying their meal and chatting happily. Suddenly, the door was pushed open. Naomi, closest to the door, thought it was a waiter. Without lifting her head, she said, ¡°Finally! Please help me grill this beef!¡± The man behind her remained still, his cold voice saying, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about me helping you grill meat. I¡¯m here to find my fiancee.¡± Upon hearing this voice, everyone turned their heads. Naomi was too scared to say anything. Sheena was a bit surprised. ¡°What are you doing here? Did you decide to join us for dinner?¡± Feeling quite displeased, Elliot spoke with a sour tone, ¡°You¡¯ve clearly eaten. Why didn¡¯t you ask if I was hungry?¡± After waiting and waiting for her toe home after work, he was so frustrated that he was on the verge of tearing the house apart! Driven by anger, he approached Sheena without hesitation, directly lifted her in a dominant manner, hugged her, and walked away. ¡°We¡¯re going home! I¡¯ll personally grill some meat for you to eat!¡± Elliot huffed. Chapter 623 Chapter 623 ¡°I sent you a message telling you that I¡¯d be eating out tonight and would be backter. Why did you come out looking for me?¡± Elliot¡¯s handsome face darkened, expressing his displeasure. ¡°I got anxious. I didn¡¯t see you all day and waiting until evening felt unbearable,¡± In front of Naomi and Gabrielle, Sheena blushed and struggled a bit. ¡°C¨CCan you please put me down. Elliot held her even tighter, leaned close to her ear, and lowered his voice to a soft whisper, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t forget about the three rules we agreed upon.¡± They had agreed that outside, Sheena would pretend to go along with whatever he said. Once they were home, she had full control. Sheena immediately stopped struggling and whispered, ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten enough. You said you¡¯d grill meat for me at home. What kind of meat are you nning to grill?¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow, smiling mischievously. ¡°Make a guess. That expression¡­. It was definitely not the kind of meat she had in mind! Next to them, Naomi and Gabrielle, being rtively young, could not understand what the couple was saying. However, witnessing their intimate car¨Cbiting and affectionate behavior, they could not help but feel envious. Suddenly, the grilled meat on their tes seemed less appetizing! Sheena blushed at the situation, feeling a bit embarrassed. ¡°You two enjoy your meal. I¡¯ll leave my card at the front desk to settle the bill. Order anything you want. I¡¯ll be leaving first!¡± ¡°Hurry up!¡± Gabrielle teased, looking envious. ¡°If you don¡¯t leave soon, Naomi and I¡¯ll no longer be in the mood to eat!¡± Elliot smirked as he looked at Sheena. ¡°Did you hear that? They¡¯re telling us not to disturb them while they¡¯re eating. Let¡¯s go home!¡± He carried Sheena out of the restaurant, allowing Ford to take the car Sheena had arrived in back to their ce while Sheena rode in Elliot¡¯s car. During the drive, Elliot told Sheena about the encounter with Colin in the hallway. ¡°Colin wanted to poison me?¡± Sheena was somewhat dumbfounded when she heard it. ¡°I¡¯ve known. him for many years, and I understand him quite well. He doesn¡¯t seem like someone who would do such a foolish thing.¡± Chapter 623 212 Moreover, with Katie in jail, the Upton family was relying solely on him. What he did, regardless of the oue, was self¨Cdestructive. This reckless move was very out of character for him. Unless¡­ ¡°Someone must be trying to egg him on and promise him some benefits. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t take such a desperate gamble.¡± Elliot nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll have Lionel investigate this. But I¡¯m curious. How do you want to handle the Upton family matters?¡± Sheena rubbed her temples, feeling a bit tired, and spoke casually, ¡°Once we catch Colin, he¡¯ll be charged with attempted murder. As for the Upton family affairs, deal with it however you feel like.¡± She had no energy left to deal with that. At the moment, she just wanted to resolve Nathaniel¡¯s situation as soon as possible. Thinking about all this, Sheena asked, ¡°How¡¯s your healthtely? Feeling okay? Should I find time to apany you to theb for another check¨Cup?¡± ¡°No need,¡± Elliot replied bluntly. He gripped the steering wheel, and his pitch¨Cck eyes were fixed on the road ahead. The yellow glow from the streetlights outlined his handsome face. Lately, his vision would go ck for a moment every day, irregrly urring at any time, and the periods of darkness were bing longer. He did not know when his eyesight wouldpletely fail perhaps even the very next day¡­ If he told Sheena, she would undoubtedly do whatever it took to fulfill Nathaniel¡¯s conditions for his cure. However, that would leave him in a state worse than death. ¡°Eli, what are you thinking about?¡± While lost in thought, Sheena¡¯s small hand caressed his face. Elliot controlled the steering wheel with one hand while the other gently held hers, fingers intertwined. ¡°Just thinking about you.¡± Sheena blushed instantly. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Luckily, Lionel had gone to chase after Colin tonight, and Elliot was driving, leaving the car to the two of them. Otherwise, she would probably die of embarrassment. Chapter 624 Chapter 624 Elliot smirked, his lips exuding an audacious charm. ¡°Nana, do you know what your cutest trait is? No matter how many times we¡¯ve slept together, you still blush whenever I bring it up.¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m as thick¨Cskinned as you?¡± Sheena scoffed, avoiding eye contact as she gazed out the car window. The atmosphere inside the car regained its harmony. Back at E&S Haven, their uninhibited and delightful night activities had only just begun. On the same night, Katie, confined in the Svelton¡¯s women¡¯s prison, was not living asfortably. As everyone went to bed, Katie found herself locked in a pitch¨Cck solitary confinement room. The floor was damp and chilling, and she huddled in a corner, unable to sleep. Over time, her legs had be numb from the cold ground, but she refused to lie down in the wet mud. That was thest vestige of her stubbornness. Without even a bed sheet, she clung to herself in an attempt to stay warm, the pain from her injuries throbbing throughout her body. Each day felt like a nightmare. During lunchtime, the prison¡¯s tough girls intentionally harassed her, spitting into her food and even stomping her face into the ground, forcing her to eat the saliva¨Csoaked meal. Resisting firmly, she not only endured a beating but was also punished with a three¨Cday solitary confinement for wasting food. Helpless, she hugged her shoulders, sobbing quietly. She had cried so much that her eyes had swollen, but she did not bother to wipe her tears. It was too cold, and she was shivering uncontrobly. Just a few days inside the prison, she had already faced daily beatings, puqishments, and forcedbor. She could feel herself slowly losing touch with her sanity. ¡°Sheena! I hate you! I hate you so much! It¡¯s because of you that I¡¯m like this! You¡¯ll have a miserable death! Even in the afterlife, I won¡¯t let you off!¡± ¡°I want to drink your blood and eat your flesh! You f*cking bitch!¡± Her swollen mouth made her words unclear, but she repeated them over and over through gritted teeth. If not for the intense hatred and anger sustaining her, she might have already sumbed to the mental strain of living this way. The heavy iron door of the solitary confinement room swung open with a creak. Chapter 624 212 In the quiet night, the sound seemed especially abrupt. ¡°Inmate 0437, someone wants to visit you secretly. Get up ande with me.¡± A beam of shlight illuminated Katie¡¯s bruised face, the light too bright for her to open her eyes. Katie felt a strange mix of emotions. Who could be visiting her in the middle of the night to check on her in prison? Which influential figure had arrived? Katie was freezing from the cold, and she could not stand up even after a few attempts. In the end, the impatient prison guard helped her up and escorted her out of the solitary confinement room. On the way, Katie asked, ¡°After the visit, do I need toe back here?¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you? You can¡¯t be released from solitary confinement until three dayster. Cherish the opportunity for this visit!¡± The guard¡¯s words seemed to carry a hidden meaning. Katie was confused, shivering as she followed behind, taking hesitant steps. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. For a secret visit, they would not go to a designated visiting room but to an isted soundproof room, devoid of any surveince or recording devices. Arriving at the door, Katie was pushed inside, and the heavy clinking of her handcuffs and shackles echoed. She stumbled several steps before managing to stand somewhat steadily. In the middle of the soundproof room stood a person. When that person turned around, Katie¡¯s eyes widened, and she eximed in disbelief, ¡°What are you doing here?!¡± Chapter 625 Chapter 625 The next day. The window in the bedroom was open. On this winter morning, a thick white fog enveloped everything, and a gentle breeze brought in the cold, causing Sheena¡¯s small face to feel icy. She turned around and hugged Elliot next to her After another absurd night, she appeared particrly exhausted, not fully awake The rm clock on the bedside table rang It was Phoebe¡¯s wrap¨Cup day on the set, a significant asion. Sheena had to get up early to go and offer her congrattions and a wrap¨Cup gift. Despite her weariness, she forced herself to get up and freshen up Elliot woke up too. His eyshes trembled slightly as he half¨Copened his eyes, frowning slightly In his line of sight, there was only darkness, no hint of light. He had not realized what was happening yet and asked, ¡°Nana, did you close the window? It¡¯s a bit dark in here.¡± In front of the makeup table, Sheena heard this and paused in surprise. Turning her head toward the wide¨Copen window, she said, ¡°No, the window is open. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Elliot¡¯s heart sank suddenly. Did he lose his vision again? How long would it take to recover this time? His tone remained steady, showing no signs of panic as he replied, ¡°It¡¯s okay. Maybe I¡¯m still not fully awake fromst night. I¡¯ll go back to sleep for a bit.¡± He closed his eyes again and calmly retreated under the covers. Sheena chuckled, sat on the edge of his bed, and gently stroked his face. ¡°You¡¯re always talking about sleeping with me, but it seems even the naughty boyfriend can get tired sometimes.¡± Elliot responded with a faint smile, still keeping his eyes closed. ¡°You go ahead and do your things. No need to leave breakfast for me. I¡¯ll make it when I wake up.¡± ¡°Alright, take care. Have the next two days off to rest and recover. Stop thinking about sleeping with ¡°Alright, take care. Have th me all the time!¡± Elliot obediently nodded. ¡°Got it.¡± Chapter 625 312 Sheena cupped his face, nted a kiss, and then got up to continue with her makeup. For Sheena, a daily makeup routine took only ten minutes. When she finished, Elliot was still sound asleep. Not wanting to disturb him, she left the room with light footsteps. On the way out from E&S Haven, Sheena, apanied by Ford, had just reached the garage door when she suddenly stopped. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Miss?¡± Ford inquired, puzzled. Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious. She reyed Elliot¡¯s words from when she woke up in her mind. ¡°Something¡¯s not right.¡± ¡°Miss, who¡¯s not right?¡± Ford asked. Sheena did not bother answering him. Instead, she turned around and sprinted back toward E&S Haven. ¡°Eli!¡± She rushed upstairs, pushing open the bedroom door. ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Elliot, who had been sleeping on therge bed, was nowhere to be seen. The room was empty, showing no signs of recent upancy. Sheena was baffled. How could Elliot have gotten up so quickly when she had only been gone for a short while? ¡°Eli?¡± As she called out, she reached out to touch the bedding. There was still warmth, indicating that he had just gotten up. However, the entire mansion was eerily quiet, with no response to her call. Sheena searched every room, but there was no sign of Elliot. Had he left the house so quickly? If so, why did she not see him on her way back? She immediately called Lionel, ¡°Did Eli go to work?¡± Lionel was puzzled. ¡°No. I¡¯m on my way to E&S Haven right now.¡± Sheena suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of unease. Sensing her distress, Lionel asked, ¡°Ms. Sheena, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Eli¡­ I think he¡¯s gone missing. Chapter 626 Chapter 626 With this statement, the entire E&S Haven erupted in chaos! Lionel, apanied by Ford and Paul, quietly searched everywhere in the yard. In their search, Sheena, along with John and Sawyer, turned the entire mansion upside down. They even reviewed surveince footage and checked the garage, yet Elliot was nowhere to be found. Moreover, his phone was switched off, adding to the mystery. The group tried their best to avoid rming others in the Jenkins estate. Yet, they had no leads even after searching for over half an hour. Sheena¡¯s sense of unease grew stronger. Half a year ago, she had returned to Ocean Avenue and searched the mansion inside out upon learning of Elliot¡¯s death, only to find no trace of him. She sat dejectedly on the edge of the bed, her fingertips trembling, revealing the turmoil within. Suddenly, she noticed that Elliot¡¯s household slippers were still ced on the room¡¯s carpet. Sheena furrowed her brow, wondering why he would go out without wearing his shoes on such a cold day and why he would hide. As she became overwhelmingly anxious, she spotted a slightly ajar closet door. She was about to take a closer look when Lionel entered. ¡°Ms. Sheena, there¡¯s really no sign of him. I checked with the Jenkins Group, and Mr. Jenkins is not there. He should still be in the Jenkins estate.¡± ¡°Got it. Keep searching everywhere thoroughly. Even if you have to turn the world upside down, find him!¡± Sheena instructed. ¡°Yes, Ms. Sheena.¡± Once Lionel left, Sheena silently approached the closet door, opening it without making a sound. There, curled up in the corner, was a man bent at the knees, hugging himself tightly as he gripped the sleeves of his robe. It was Elliot! Seeing that familiar, handsome face, Sheena breathed a sigh of relief. They had searched for almost a whole morning, only to find him hiding in the closet. What was going on? Sheena crouched down gently, not wanting to startle him, and carefully observed his condition. However, she realized that Elliot seemedpletely unaware of her presence. Those once intense ck eyes now appeared empty and lifeless, losing focus when looking at Chapter 626 something, wandering aimlessly. She suddenly had a very ominous feeling and waved her hand before his eyes. Yet, those eyes showed no reaction. Sheena covered her mouth, her eyes red as tears streamed down her face. Elliot¡­ was blind? She fought the suffocating feeling in her chest and cautiously extended her hand toward Elliot. ¡°Eli¡­¡± Upon hearing her voice and feeling her touch on his wrist, Elliot gently trembled, quickly raising his arm to shield his face, keeping Sheena from noticing his eyes. ¡°How did this happen?¡± Sheena wiped away her tears, stifling a sob, reaching out to embrace him. Eli, don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here for you¡­¡± Elliot resisted, refusing her embrace. ¡°You¡¯ve found out¡­ Yes, I¡¯m blind. I don¡¯t need anyone¡¯s pity. Just go!¡± He had thought today would be like the previous days, with his vision slowly returning as he secluded himself for a while. However, it did not happen this time. The blindness came too fast, and he did not even have time to prepare anything to ensure Sheena¡¯s well¨Cbeing. ¡°Eli, I¡¯m not going anywhere. I won¡¯t leave! How could I pity you? I love you, and I¡¯m worried about you!¡± Sheena tightened her grip on his hand, desperately providing reassurance. ¡°I will cure you. Believe me, you¡¯ll be fine! You¡¯ll be healthy and live a long life! We¡¯ll lead a happy, ordinary life!¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Elliot shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s impossible, Nana. I don¡¯t have a chance anymore.¡± The virus had spread within him, and he waspletely blind now. Soon, he would lose his hearing, and the virus would slowly erode his brain nerves. It seemed he would not be able to survive the winter. Sheena cradled his cold face, repeating over and over, ¡°It¡¯ll get better! Everything will be fine! We¡¯ll find Yosef. If he can¡¯t help, I¡¯ll bring Noah back. Noah can surely cure you. ¡°Eli, if your eyes can¡¯t recover, let me be your eyes. I¡¯ll still marry you and have a few adorable babies with you! I¡¯ll never, ever abandon you!¡± Chapter 627 Chapter 627 With Sheena¡¯sforting words, Elliot finally calmed down. He tightly grasped her hand, finding a deeply reassuring presence in her. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t go to Nathaniel! Don¡¯t agree to his conditions!¡± Sheena hesitated. ¡°Nana! Promise me! We had an agreement!¡± Elliot gripped her hand so tightly that it left red marks on her skin. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t marry him, but¡­ I¡¯m sorry!¡± In an instant, her free hand swung fiercely toward the back of his head, delivering a powerful blow that rendered him unconscious. Then, she cradled him in her arms, her small face pressed against his forehead, gently caressing him. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Tears streamed from her eyes, disappearing into her hair, leaving no trace. She whispered, ¡°Sleep, Eli. Leave the rest to me.¡± Lionel hurriedly ran up the stairs once again, witnessing the scene in the corner of the closet. He was shocked and eximed, ¡°Ms. Sheena, what happened?¡± Sheena did not have time to exin; she just said, ¡°Come help me carry him. We¡¯re going to theb.¡± Lionel did not hesitate, immediately squatting down to receive the unconscious Elliot from Sheena. After that, they swiftly headed to theb, where Yosef promptly conducted tests on Elliot¡¯s body. The atmosphere in the room was tense. Yosef furrowed his brows, sighing continuously. ¡°Elliot¡¯s condition is very grave. The blue serum has already lost its effectiveness and even brought side effects, elerating the spread of the virus.¡± ¡°If we don¡¯t quickly administer the next blue serum or find aplete cure, Elliot¡¯s body won¡¯tst another month!¡± Lionel was horrified. ¡°What! Not even a month?¡± In the somber atmosphere, Sheena appeared much calmer. No one noticed her hand hidden in her sleeve, nails digging fiercely into her palm, striving to maintain a composed tone. ¡°You two keep an eye on Eli. I have something to attend to.¡± Exiting theb, she sat in her car and dialed Nathaniel¡¯s number. Chapter 627 2/2 haniel¡¯s tone perked up with delight. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t expect you to call me so soon. Let me guess, Sheena¡¯s gaze held a mixture of coldness, suppressing the fiery anger in her chest. ¡°Nathaniel, you¡¯re truly despicable.¡± ¡°How am I despicable? I told you early on that you needed to make a decision quickly. Now that something unfavorable has happened, I won¡¯t take responsibility for it!¡± Nathaniel answered in a light¨C hearted tone. Sheena¡¯s urgent call indicated that Elliot¡¯s condition was dire. If that was the case, it was absolutely wonderful news for Nathaniel! Sheena restrained the urge to immediately end him, asking, ¡°Where is the antidote?¡± ¡°So, you agreed to my terms?¡± She neither confirmed nor denied, asking instead, ¡°You won¡¯t even tell me the name of the antidote. Why should I believe you really know it? I need to ensure you¡¯re not ying games before considering your offer.¡± ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll tell you. After all, without me, you won¡¯t get it,¡± Nathaniel readily responded. ¡°Currently, the only cure for the S404 bio¨Cvirus on the market is Laubabwe¡¯s super¨Cvirus drug, Clear.¡± Sheena squinted, silently noting the name of the medication. Nathaniel continued, ¡°If you consider epting my conditions,e to Laubabwe to find me. I want to arrange a unique, exotic wedding with you.¡± ¡°I must remind you, only you¡¯re allowed toe over. If I find out that Corey or Noah dares to follow you, you¡¯ll face the consequences.¡± His tone became threatening toward the end. Sheena contained her anger and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll contact you after verifying the truth of your words.¡± ¡®Sure, I¡¯ll be waiting for your call. Nana, don¡¯t keep me waiting! Sheena immediately hung up and contacted Noah. Chapter 628 Chapter 628 1/2 Noah was familiar with the drug ¡°This super¨Cvirus drug, Clear, was developed by a biochemist many years ago. It¡¯s highly effective against all bio¨Cviruses, but it¡¯s extremely rare.¡± ¡°Laubabwe, being a constitutional monarchy, holds the medicine within the royal family. It¡¯s not easy to come by, Nana. Why do you suddenly bring this up?¡± Unable to hold back her emotions, Sheena¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°Noah, I need you.¡± Perhaps due to the effects of the virus in his system, Elliot remained unconscious for a day after being knocked out. While he slept, Sheena kept herself busy, taking various actions. Noah had recently gone on a business trip to the neighboring town of Anville. It was not far away, and he swiftly returned to Svelton within an hour by ne. Sheena also summoned Corey and Howard, arranging a meeting in theboratory¡¯s reception area, bringing all three brothers together after a long time. The three distinctively different men sat in chairs, looking at their beloved sister standing in the middle of the carpet. Noticing the Tedness in Sheena¡¯s eyes, Corey was the first to ask, ¡°Nana, what¡¯s going on?¡± Sheena pursed her lips, silently bending her knees and kneeling. The three men, puzzled by the gesture, rose from their seats. Howard moved to support her, saying, ¡°Nana, what¡¯s happening? Tell me, I¡¯ll help you!¡± Sheena refused to get up, her tone heavy as she spoke, ¡°This is the first time in my life that I¡¯m pleading for your help. I¡¯m really desperate!¡± The three men exchanged nces, remaining silent, attentively listening to her exnation. ¡°Elliot has contracted the S404 bio¨Cvirus. His body is nearing its limit, and the reason he¡¯s in this state is because of me. So, I must save him, and I need the help of my brothers.¡± Corey and Noah both stayed silent. Howard asked, ¡°How do you want us to help you?¡± ¡°In the next few days, I¡¯ll be heading overseas. During my absence, I hope Corey can help me monitor Elliot. As the head of the National Investigation Bureau, his prolonged absence from public affairs would raise suspicions from both Romello and Peter¡¯s sides,¡± Sheena exined. ¡°I also need Noah and Howard to take care of Elliot. Due to the virus, he has lost his eyesight, and I can¡¯t trust anyone else with him. I have to rely on you! I also hope you can keep the matter Chapter 628 confidential.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Noah frowned, asking, ¡°So when you inquired about Clear today, were you nning to go to Laubabwe personally to get the antidote for Elliot?¡± Clear indeed had the potential to cure the virus in Elliot¡¯s body, but acquiring the medicine was no easy task. Sheena did not deny it. Corey¡¯s expression turned stern. ¡°No, it¡¯s too dangerous. You¡¯re not allowed to go!¡± Despite his high military authority within Froania, he could not guarantee Sheena¡¯s safety outside the country. Moreover, she was going to Laubabwe and attempting to secure the antidote from the royal family. It was an impossible mission! ¡°Corey, I made up my mind. You know me well enough. You can¡¯t stop me once I¡¯ve made my decision! Corey remained resolute. ¡°Absolutely not. I never expected Elliot to sacrifice so much for you, and 1 appreciate that, but it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll watch you risk your life for his.¡± ¡°You can call me selfish or a pessimist, but I only care about your safety. If you insist on going, I¡¯ll have to resort to forcefully locking you up at the Lawson estate.¡± Noah stayed silent, seemingly agreeing with Corey¡¯s sentiment. Howardcked much say in front of Corey. After many dilemmas, he looked at Sheena and suggested, ¡°Nana, maybe it¡¯s best to listen to Corey¡­¡± Sheena was shocked and felt a sense of despair. She had refrained from telling her brothers earlier, fearing the information would leak or that they would, despite gratitude, pro her from continuing her rtionship with Elliot. Things yed out just as she feared they would. Chapter 629 hapter 629 However, Sheena had already told them everything. She had no other choice than to persuade them otherwise! She bit her lip, tears uncontrobly streaming down her cheeks as she choked out, ¡°Is my life more important? Is Elliot¡¯s life not worth saving? He¡¯s in this state because of me. If it weren¡¯t for him, I¡¯d be the one lying in that hospital bed now. How can you be so heartless toward him?¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. The three men fell into silence. Howard, aware of the events in Farlem and having interacted with Elliot during Katie¡¯s birthday party, where he found the young man likable and sincere, felt guilty. He stood up, wanting to help Sheena up. ¡°Nana, you need to give Corey and Noah some time to think about this.¡± Sheena rejected his assistance. Corey and Noah had plenty of time, but Elliot¡¯s time was running out. She remained resolute, taking two steps on her knees toward Corey. ¡°Elliot lost his parents at a young age, raised under the strict Santiago Jenkins. He grew up in loneliness, unlike me, adored by you and our parents, surrounded by a loving family.¡± ¡°So, he values the love people give him immensely. He always gives his heart and soul, afraid I might reject him.¡± ¡°He realized he didn¡¯t have much time left and never intended to burden me with his gratitude. Instead, he nned to find a ce to die quietly, fearing my sadness. If I hadn¡¯t discovered his condition, I¡¯d probably still be in the dark.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll never meet a man who loves me as wholeheartedly as he does. If he dies, my heart dies with him. Taking care of him now and epting him is the true show of affection you have for me, your sister!¡± ¡°Please trust me. I¡¯m not a child anymore. I¡¯ll protect myself, bring back the Clear, and return safely. Consider it my journey of growth. I won¡¯t let anything happen to me.¡± Noah and Howard sighed, their resolve wavering. They looked at Corey, who kept his gaze lowered. His expression wasplex, hesitating to give a response. ¡°Corey, I¡¯m begging you!¡± Sheena¡¯s tone intensified. Her tear¨Cstained face showed an undeniable mix of sadness and determination. Seeing Corey still hesitating, she bent down, about to prostrate herself. Corey quickly moved forward to stop her. Chanter 629 2/2 His little sister, whom he had cherished for decades, was crying in front of him, pleading, kneeling, and even about to prostrate herself. It was impossible not to be moved. Coreypromised, ¡°I promise you. Do what you need to do. We¡¯ll have your back, so you don¡¯t have to worry. But remember, if you can¡¯t get your hands on Clear, you must return. Your safety is of utmost importance. No toughing it out and absolutely no extreme measures!¡± ¡°Corey¡­¡± Sheena hugged him, crying freely in his embrace, disying her vulnerable side without reservation. Her cry was heart¨Cwrenching, bringing tears to the eyes of her brothers as well. After a good cry, Sheena quickly regained herposure and calmly assigned tasks to her brothers. Howard went to the ward to learn how to care for Elliot. Noah found Yosef, examined Elliot¡¯s medical records, and figured out a n to treat his eyes. Corey arranged his men and discreetly ced protective surveince around E&S Haven. Drying her tears, Sheena touched up her makeup and went to find Lionel in the reception area. Despite her still exquisite appearance, Lionel noticed her unmistakable red eyes, a clear sign that she had been crying. Chapter 630 Chapter 630 ¡°Ms. Sheena, take care of yourself. Now, you¡¯re the pir keeping Mr. Jenkins together,¡± Lionel expressed his concern. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not that fragile,¡± Sheena reassured him She assigned tasks to Lionel, saying, ¡°After I leave, move into E&S Haven as well. Take care of him with Howard. In my absence, his emotions will likely be fragile, so help me calm him down.¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. She continued, ¡°Also, since he can¡¯t see, he won¡¯t be able to handle any National Investigation Bureau tasks for a while. Make sure things to handle things with Romello. During this time, nobody except my brothers can see Elliot. Not even Santiago Jenkins.¡± Lionel hesitated before asking her, ¡°Are you nning to go overseas and deal with Nathaniel alone?¡± Sheena readily admitted, nodding. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you. Consider it as bringing a bodyguard along. It shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± Lionel responded decisively without much thought. Sheena was a bit surprised. ¡°You¡¯re not staying to be with Eli? I can tell he really appreciates you, treating you like his own brother. I¡¯ll be very relieved if you stay and take care of him.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve long considered Mr. Jenkins as my elder brother too, but this trip is too dangerous. He will only have hopes for the future if you¡¯re alive. I want to protect your safety on his behalf.¡± Sheena hesitated. ¡°But¡­ What about Eli?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him. With your brothers here, he won¡¯t be in any danger. Ms. Sheena, please don¡¯t refuse. Let me apany you! Seeing his determination, Sheena agreed. After making arrangements, Sheena contacted Nathaniel again, purchasing two tickets for the earliest flight to Laubabwe¡¯s capital, Kyafa, the next morning. In the evening, she returned to Elliot¡¯s ward. Howard was sitting by the bedside, dozing off. Sheena tiptoed in, but Howard, being a light sleeper, woke up. ¡°He hasn¡¯t woken up yet, but he called your name several times in his sleep. Seems a bit restless.¡± ¡°Howard, thank you for your help. Get some rest. I¡¯ll stay with him.¡± Howard was concerned for her, saying, ¡°You have an early morning flight tomorrow, so you should grab some sleep instead of looking after him. I¡¯m here; you should go rest.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t sleep. Maybe I¡¯ll manage to sleep after staying with him for a while.¡± Chapter 630 2/2 ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t disturb you then,¡± Howard relented, getting up and leaving. He closed the door behind him to give her some privacy. Ellioty on the hospital bed, still asleep. Even though he had not awakened, he was frowning as if he was troubled by something. Sheena carefully lifted the nket, slid in beside him, and gently moved him into the cradle of her arms. Her fingertips delicately smoothed the furrowed lines on his forehead. As if recognizing a familiar scent, Elliot unconsciously nestled closer, but his brow furrowed even tighter. Sheena stroked the back of his head, nting tender kisses on his forehead, softlyforting him, I¡¯m here. I¡¯m sleeping with you.¡± He clutched the hem of her shirt tightly, his hoarse voice murmuring in his dreams, ¡°Don¡¯t go¡­ Don¡¯t agree to Nathaniel¡¯s conditions¡­ Don¡¯t marry him, Nana¡­ Don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°No, I won¡¯t. I¡¯ll only marry you. You¡¯re the only one I want in my life,¡± she repeated tirelessly, pressing her face against his forehead. With the pleasant fragrance emanating from her, Elliot¡¯s furrowed brow gradually rxed, and he slept peacefully. Sheena maintained her half¨Cleaning position at the bedside and eventually drifted into slumber. Several hourster, just as dawn was breaking, Lionel contemted knocking on the door. However, fearing it might disturb Elliot, he decided to open it silently. The heartwarming scene on the hospital bed greeted him. Unfortunately, he had to be the bad guy and ruin the moment. Chapter 631 Chapter 631 Lionel bit the bullet and approached them, whispering, ¡°Ms. Sheena, wake up. It¡¯s time to leave.¡± As the position was rather ufortable, and Sheena had not slept well, she immediately woke up when she heard Lionel¡¯s voice. She rubbed her sore lower back and arms, carefully shifting out of the nkets with Lionel¡¯s assistance. She put on her slippers and stood up, only to notice that Elliot¡¯s hand was still clinging to the hem of her clothes. Moreover, Elliot, whom she had carefully ced on the pillow, furrowed his brows again, making restless sounds. Seeing Elliot in this state, Lionel sighed heavily, feeling a pang of difort. Sheena, too, could not bear it, wishing she could immediately embrace him, kiss him, and be with him forever. Original from N?velDrama.Org. However, time was running out, and she and Lionel had to hurry to the airport for their flight. She attempted to release Elliot¡¯s grip on her clothes but failed twice. His hold was firm. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t go find him¡­ Don¡¯t leave¡­¡± He kept murmuring these words persistently in his dream. Sheena¡¯s fingers trembled, trying hard not to burst into tears. She was afraid to exert too much force on his hand for fear of waking him. Howard entered unexpectedly, reminding her, ¡°Nana, if you don¡¯t leave now, you might miss the flight. With Noah and me here, he¡¯ll be fine.¡± Sheena steeled herself and, in a calm tone, tried tomunicate with the still¨Cunconscious man on the hospital bed, ¡°Eli, be good. I¡¯m not leaving. I¡¯m just going to the bathroom. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± After she said that, she ignored the others in the room and bent down to kiss Elliot¡¯s thin lips, comforting him. The atmosphere was sweet yet mncholic. Lionel stared nkly, awkwardly rubbing his nose and ncing at Howard, who wore a displeased expression but did not say anything. After the kiss, Elliot seemed more at ease, and the strength in his hand gradually loosened. Sheena seized the opportunity to pull her clothes, yanked Howard closer, and handed over the hem of his suit to Elliot. ¡°Nana, what are you doing?¡± Sheena ced a finger to her lips, signaling him to stay quiet. Left with no choice, Howard pulled a long face as he sat beside the bed, letting the dreaming Elliot hutch onto his suit. Before leaving, Sheena took onest good look at the handsome man on the bed, the one she deeply loved. In less than half a month, she would bring back the antidote! Elliot had to wait patiently for her return! She collected her thoughts and left theb with Lionel. The affluent district of Svelton in Froania to Laubabwe¡¯s capital, Kyafa, was a distant journey of 15,116 kilometers, and the quickest direct flight would take 13 hours. Sheena could only catch up on sleep during the flight, and Lionel joined her in getting some rest. When Elliot fully regained consciousness, Sheena had already been on the ne for about three hours. ¡°Nana!¡± He opened his eyes abruptly, but all he saw was darkness. Unable to see anything, he instinctively tightened his grip on the fabric. However, he keenly sensed that this material was not Sheena¡¯s; it felt more like a man¡¯s suit. He immediately retracted his hand and asked, ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Howard,¡± the man sitting by the bedside replied in a low, emotionless tone. ¡°Why are you here? Did she tell you about my illness?¡± Elliot propped himself up, feeling around the bed. Realizing it was a narrow bed, not the one at E&S Haven, he guessed it was theb¡¯s ward. Howard replied honestly, ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Elliot immediately asked in a stern tone, ¡°And where¡¯s Nana?¡± ¡°She¡¯s¡­¡± Chapter 632 Chapter 632 Howard pondered for a moment before exining, ¡°She¡¯s got some personal matters and needs to leave for a few days Elliot¡¯s heart sank abruptly, his fists clenched. ¡°Personal matters? What personal matters could she have? Is she on her way to Nathaniel? She promised me not to go to him! She can¡¯t go to him!¡± His emotions escted, and he seemed on the verge of losing control as he attempted to get out of bed. Due to his blindness, he missed his footing and was about to fall to the floor. Howard hesitated, initially unsure whether to assist. However, he quickly considered the possibility of Sheena returning and finding Elliot injured due to his fall. In the nick of time, he reached out to steady Elliot. ¡°What¡¯s your problem? I told you it¡¯s just a few days. Stay put. She might be back sooner than you think!¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°Let go!¡± Although blind, Elliot¡¯s reflexes were unaffected. He pushed forcefully, catching Howard off guard, and forcing him to step back. ¡°I took care of you for half the night, and this is how you repay me?¡± ¡°Nana! I must see Nana immediately!¡± Blindly feeling his way, Elliot recklessly walked forward, tripping over a chair again. ¡°For heaven¡¯s sake! What the hell is going on with you?¡± Howardined bitterly, but at thest moment, he caught Elliot before he hit the ground. ¡°Stop this nonsense! Look at yourself. You can¡¯t even find the door. How are you going to find her?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression turned cold, his tone resolute. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help.¡± Getting frustrated, Howard retorted, ¡°You¡¯re so ungrateful! Fine! Go! Let¡¯s see how far you can get!¡± It was winter, and Elliot walked barefoot on the icy floor, his feet turning red from the cold. However, he seemed oblivious to the chill, his expression determined, with only one thought in his mind. He must find Sheena! Howard watched as Elliot stumbled all over, feeling annoyed. However, he became sympathetic when he noticed Elliot¡¯s reddened feet due to the cold. Howard toughened his stance. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this! I refuse to believe I can¡¯t handle a visually impaired patient!¡® Approaching Elliot, he grabbed his arm, attempting to pull him back. Chapter 632 277 In a swift reaction, Elliot counterattacked. The two of them erupted into a sudden fight. Howard was a skilled fighter, but he truly could not match Elliot this time. He consistently held back due to Elliot¡¯s blindness, showing restraint in his actions. Yet, Elliot was different. Each strike carried a strong sense of anger. Moreover, he was naturally a bit more skilled than Howard. Howard quickly found himself at a disadvantage, with his right shoulder dislocated and excruciating pain shooting through him. He had no choice but to call in Noah. Together, the two brothers managed to subdue Elliot, who had gone mad in his search for Sheena. While Elliot was unconscious, they quickly took advantage of the situation and tied his hands and feet, securing him to the bed. Finally, there was a moment of peace. Noah promptly attended to Howard¡¯s injuries, resetting his dislocated shoulder. Howard endured the pain, and with Noah¡¯s skilled hands, Howard¡¯s shoulder was quickly set back into its proper position. However, Howard¡¯s shoulder was still swollen, requiring some pain¨Crelief ointment and a couple of days of rest. Noah was angry that Howard was being hurt for no reason. ¡°I¡¯ll wake him up and give him a beating.¡± While taking care of Elliot was a priority, it did not mean they would let Elliot get away with bullying. Howard, enduring the pain, stopped Noah, saying, ¡°Let it go, Noah. There¡¯s no need to argue with a sick person. Besides, I owed him a bit for what I did to him before.¡± Back in Farlem, Howard took credit for Elliot¡¯s heroic rescue of Sheena from jumping off Clear Crane Bridge. He even locked Elliot in the basement without food. Later, he found out that Elliot had a high. fever that day. Deep down, Howard felt a lingering sense of guilt for that incident. Chapter 633 Chapter 633 12 Noah remained silent, simmering with unspoken frustration. While unaware of the incidents in Farlem, he knew that Sheena had endured hardships during her three years in the Freeman family When Noah discovered that Elliot was Elijah, Sheena¡¯s ex¨Chusband, he opposed the marriage arrangement. Even after Sheena had Elliot repay all the debts, Noah¡¯s dislike for his prospective brother¨Cinw ran deep. His v willingness to stay and treat Elliot¡¯s eyes stemmed solely from his concern for Sheera, and his respect for her wishes, Although Noah harbored anger, his reserved nature kept him from expressing it. Without uttering a word, he left the room. A few minutester, he returned with the prescribed pills and capsules, cing them on the bedside table. After pouring a ss of water, he left once again. Watching Noah¡¯s indifferent exit, Howard sighed silently, aware of his brother¡¯s temperament. As it was time for medication, Howard had no choice but to wake Elliot. ¡°Nana!¡± Just awakened, Elliot¡¯s consciousness was still blurry, repeatedly calling out for Nana. Howard was somewhat moved. Elliot¡¯s love for Sheena was evidently profound. ¡°Elliot, it¡¯s time for your medicine,¡± Howard said gently, holding up the ss of water. Though Elliot was three years Howard¡¯s senior, he was dating Sheena, the youngest of the Lawson. siblings. Hence, Howard treated Elliot like his junior in this regard, and treating him amiably was the best he could do. Struggling to sit up, Elliot noticed his limbs were restrained, his face contorting with anger. ¡°Let me go! I need to see Nana!¡± He was resolute, his tone stubborn andced with hostility. ¡± Howard sighed. ¡°I told you, she¡¯s not here. Can you please take your medicine? Stop moving! Noah tied you up, and the more you struggle, the more it hurts!¡± Elliot paid no heed to Howard¡¯s warning. His dark eyes burned with rage, and his actions grew increasingly frenzied. His fists clenched, veins popping on his arms, and wrists and ankles quickly bearing red marks from the struggle. Howard observed Elliot¡¯s frantic movements, silently massaging his forehead. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Do you enjoy getting hurt? If you keep this up, I¡¯ll run out of patience and get Noah to force¨Cfeed you the medicine!¡± ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Chapter 633 2/2 ¡°Call Nana. Put it on loudspeaker! I want to hear her say it!¡± Call Sheena? Howard checked his watch. She was still on the ne at this hout, and it was impossible to get through to her. ¡°I won¡¯t take the damn medicine if I can¡¯t see Nana!¡± Elliot roared, blood streaking from the wounds. on his wrists, staining the ropes. Howard, noticing the blood on Elliot¡¯s wrists, sighed. It was only the first day, and Elliot was already resisting the treatment so stubbornly. Moreover, they could not keep tying him up every day. If Sheena returned and saw Elliot covered in injuries¡­ Feeling exasperated, Howard pped his own head as if venting his frustration. It was infuriating! Too infuriating! ¡°Elliot, damn it! Nana is on a ne right now. How the hell am I supposed to get her on the phone? And if you hurt yourself from all this struggling, Nana will be upset! Can¡¯t you just behave a bit?¡± ¡°Why is Nana on a ne? Where did she go?¡± ¡°Do you really want to know?¡± Howard had an idea. ¡°As long as you promise not to mess around, I¡¯ll untie you and tell you where Nana went. How about that?¡± The aggressive man on the hospital bed almost instantly quieted down, his heaving chest indicating the recent intensity of his outburst. Howard breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, only Sheena¡¯s affairs could subdue him. ¡°Don¡¯t move, okay? Don¡¯t you dare move! I¡¯ll untie you, but if you cause trouble or try to fight me again, you won¡¯t find out where Nana went!¡± With this threat, Elliot obedientlyplied. Chapter 634 Chapter 634 Chapter 634 During the quiet moments, Elliot¡¯s pitch¨Cck eyes drooped slightly, and a faint paleness tinted his handsome, sickly face. Howard untied the ropes, then used alcohol to disinfect Elliot¡¯s wounds. The stinging pain intensified as the alcohol hit the wounds. Now that Elliot was blind, the pain seemed to have magnified many times over. However, he merely furrowed his brow, offering no audible comint. If not for the uncontroble trembling of his fingertips, Howard might have thought the virus had numbed Elliot¡¯s pain receptors. ¡°Does it hurt? If it hurts, it means you¡¯re still alive. As a patient, can¡¯t you be more self¨Cconscious?¡± Howard lectured in a low tone while applying bandages. Elliot remained expressionless, not bothering to argue, only asking, ¡°Where did Nana go?¡± ¡°She went abroad,¡± Howard replied. ¡°Abroad?¡± Elliot sat up, leaning against the head of the bed. ¡°Why did she go abroad? Why is she going so far so suddenly? What is she nning?¡± ¡°Do you really want to know?¡± Howard raised an eyebrow. Elliot nodded, regaining some rationality, his face returning to its usual coldposure. Using the same trick, Howard said, ¡°Since you want to know the truth, then be a good patient and take your medicine. If you can behave for the whole day today, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Then, he handed over the pills and capsules from the bedside table, along with the ss of water. ¡°Take it, don¡¯t spill the water.¡± Without hesitation, Elliot poured over a dozen pills into his mouth, swallowing them with the water. The intense bitterness filled his entire mouth, so bitter that Elliot¡¯s face turned pale¡­ He endured the urge to throw up several times. Howard keenly noticed that something was off in Elliot¡¯s expression and furrowed his brows. ¡°Is it this bitter?¡± Just as he said that, he quickly realized that it had to be Noah¡¯s doing. Noah, the man of few words with an aloof and peculiar temperament, nicknamed the Medical Freak, was even more terrifying than Corey. He always managed to make people suffer in silence! Feeling a bit guilty and recalling Sheena¡¯s instructions before she left, Howard took out a piece of Chapter 634 candy from his suit pocket and handed it to Elliot. ¡°This is from Nana. She said you love this vor and bought a lot to stock up. She instructed me to give you one every time I watched you take your medicine. Anyway, I¡¯ve done my part. Whether you eat it or not is up to you.¡± Howard could not fathom how a 28¨Cyear¨Cold man, the decisive leader of the Jenkins family, known for his ruthlessness, still liked to eat milk¨Cvored candy. It seemed utterly perplexing. Elliot elegantly caressed the candy wrapper with his slender fingers. Gradually, his expression softened, shedding the hostility from earlier. Reaching the edge of the wrapper, he tore it open and brought the candy to his mouth, silently savoring it. The familiar taste of milk melted delicately in his mouth, guiding his thoughts back to every night when Sheena fed him medicine mouth¨Cto¨Cmouth and to the sweet moments they shared over the past month. Howard noticed the slight redness at the corners of Elliot¡¯s eyes and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong the taste, or is something hurting?¡± Without exining, Elliot¡¯s eyelids drooped with a mncholic expression. now? Is it Howard cautiously reminded him, ¡°You caused the injury to your wrists yourself. When Nanaes back, don¡¯t go ming me. Besides, you even hit me today, and my right shoulder still hurts.¡± Elliot huddled under the nket, turning away from Howard. ¡°I want to be alone for a while.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Howard stood up. ¡°Alright, what do you want for breakfast? I¡¯ll have it prepared, and I¡¯lle back in an hour.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not eating. Ellioty on his side and closed his eyes. ¡°That won¡¯t do. You must eat. Do you want to know about Nana¡¯s situation or Chapter 635 Chapter 635 172 Elliot was annoyed and said through gritted teeth, ¡°Howard, I hate getting threatened the most!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to threaten you. It¡¯s just a simple exchange. If you¡¯re not interested in Nana¡¯s affairs, you can choose not to eat the breakfast I¡¯m bringingter.¡® Knowing that Sheena was Elliot¡¯s lifeline, Howard felt a strange satisfaction. His charismatic, deep voice carried a slightly teasing tone, ¡°But in that case, I won¡¯t tell you anything about Nana. If you want to know, you¡¯ll have to listen to me! Let me know if you have any dietary restrictions. Otherwise, I¡¯ll simply arrange your breakfast.¡± Elliot remained silent. ¡°If you don¡¯t object, I¡¯ll take it as your agreement.¡± As the door closed, Howard was secretly pleased. Did Elliot really think he had no way to handle him?! ¦§ ¡°I haven¡¯t personally taken care of anyone like this besides Nana. Enjoy it while itsts.¡± Once the door was closed, Elliot curled up, covering his head under the nket, feeling depressed. Howard had just stepped out of the ward when he received a call from Phoebe. Answering the phone, his deep voice instantly softened. ¡°Miss me? No press release today?¡± ¡°Yeah, I couldn¡¯t sleep wellst night without you. I want to see you before going to work.¡± Phoebe¡¯s voice sounded sad, and she continued to express concern, ¡°How¡¯s everything on your end? I¡¯m outside theb now, but the security won¡¯t let me in.¡± ¡°I¡¯lle out to pick you up.¡± Howard walked quickly and spotted Phoebe at the entrance. She was dressed in an evening gown for the photoshootter, with a white fur stole wrapped around her arms. The contrast between her innocent and adorable face and the elegant dress created a unique charm, distinct from Sheena¡¯s alluring, domineering, and arrogant style. ¡°It¡¯s winter! Why aren¡¯t you dressed more warmly?¡± Howard immediately removed his coat, wrapped it around her shoulders, and rubbed her hands to warm them. Phoebe was touched. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not cold. How¡¯s Mr. Jenkins doing? Has Sheena mentioned when she¡¯ll be back?¡± ¡°He¡¯s like an irritating mad dog, but I¡¯ve managed to find a way to handle him. I can¡¯t return to the Caster 635 mansion for a while, so take care of yourself. Nana hasn¡¯t mentioned when she¡¯ll be back, but I¡¯lle to the mansion when I have some free time to be with you.¡± 22 ¡°No worries. I miss you, so I came to find you. Mr. Jenkins is the priority. You must take good care of him on Sheena¡¯s behalf.¡± Phoebe smiled softly, gently caressing Howard¡¯s face. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Howard frowned, feeling a bit jealous. ¡°You keep mentioning Elliot. Don¡¯t you care about me?¡± After all, he got hit by Elliot, and Phoebe did not seem to ask how he was doing It felt as if his shoulder was hurting more now! ¡°How could I not care? You¡¯re my favorite!¡± Phoebe immediately cupped his face in her hands, tiptoed, and gently kissed him on the cheek. However, her mood gradually turned blue when she thought of Sheena. ¡°I just feel sorry for Sheena and Mr. Jenkins. If I were her, I don¡¯t know how devastated I would be. She¡¯s stronger than me, but that means she has to bear more pressure. I truly feel for her.¡± Howard hugged her waist tightly,forting her, ¡°It¡¯ll be okay. Everything will get better, and we¡¯ll all be well.¡± She nodded. ¡°With Sheena away, Mr. Jenkins must be feeling uneasy. That¡¯s why you have to be more amodating and not bully him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to pick on a sick man, am I?¡± Howard felt more and more aggrieved. What a miserable job! Besides, it was Elliot who made a fuss! Nheless, he did not want to worry Phoebe, so he never mentioned the little injuries he sustained. After twelve long hours, Sheena and Lionel finallynded. The capital of Laubabwe, Kyafa, was far from Froania, with a time difference of over ten hours. It was daytime here, while in Froania, it was deep into the night. Upon arriving at the airport, before Sheena could call her brothers, she bumped into a bodyguard dressed in ck. Chapter 636 Chapter 636 The tall man was wearing sunsses and politely approached Sheena, bowing to her. ¡°Are you Ms. Sheena Lawson from Froania¡¯s Svelton?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by his fluent English. Other than that, her face remained expressionless. The bodyguard bowed respectfully, gesturing with both hands. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you can call me Jamie. Please follow me. Your amodation has been arranged. You¡¯ve had a long journey, take a day to rest.¡± Sheena was not keen to dilly¨Cdally, asking, ¡°Where¡¯s Nathaniel? I want to see him now.¡± Jamie was taken aback, replying, ¡°I don¡¯t know the person you¡¯re mentioning. I¡¯m here to assist you on behalf of my boss, Mr. Lance.¡± ¡°Mr. Lance?¡± Sheena sneered, ¡°What scheme is he up to now?¡± ¡°His full name is Charles Lance.¡± Sheena frowned. Anything rted to Nathaniel disgusted her, and she spoke with a less¨Cthan¨Cpleasant tone, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in knowing whatever name he goes by. Just tell him I¡¯m here, and I want to see him today!¡± ¡°Alright, Ms. Lawson. Please follow me to your residence. I¡¯ll pass the message to Mr. Lance.¡± Sheena followed him in silence as Lionel trailed behind, secretly using his phone to check the surname Lance. Lionel discovered it was not a simple name. Surprisingly, it was used by the Laubabwe royal family. On the ne, Sheena had mentioned that Nathaniel¡¯s mother was named Kelly. Could it be that Nathaniel adopted his mother¡¯s surname here, and her name was Kelly Lance? Lionel immediately checked the dark web and Und a Kelly Lance in the Laubabwe royal family. She held a notable status, being the current king¡¯s sister and titled as the Princess Royal. However, the information showed that the Princess Royal was already married. So, what did that make Nathaniel? The illegitimate son of the royal family¡¯s Princess Royal? Lionel pondered over it, too distracted to notice he had been following Sheena and the bodyguard. Jamie to the airport parking lot. A stretched ck Bentley awaited them. Before getting into the car, Jamie noticed the man behind Sheena. ¡°Ms. Lawson, is this person apanying you?¡± Chapter 636 2/2 Sheena nced at Lionel. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s my bodyguard.¡± Jamie looked somewhat uneasy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Lawson. Mr. Lance specified that we¡¯re only picking you up, and extra individuals won¡¯t be amodated.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just a bodyguard. Isn¡¯t he being overly cautious?¡± Sheena reasoned, appealing to his sensibilities. ¡°I¡¯m a young woman who traveled far from Froania to Laubabwe. Wouldn¡¯t I be risking my safety if I can¡¯t even bring a bodyguard with me?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± ¡°You can¡¯t decide on this, and I won¡¯t trouble you. Immediately call him for approval. If he disagrees, I¡¯ll buy a ticket and return to Froania! Is this how he intends to approach our marriage?¡± Sheena arrogantly crossed her hands, maintaining a firm tone. Lionel kept his head low, silently giving her a thumbs¨Cup. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Indeed, Sheena was assertive, never willing to be at a disadvantage. Jamie bowed repeatedly. ¡°Please wait, Ms. Lawson.¡± He took out his phone from his ck trousers and quickly dialed a number, rying Sheena¡¯s words to the person on the other end in hushed tones. A minuteter, he respectfully bowed to Sheena again, opening the car door for her. ¡°Mr. Lance has agreed, Ms. Lawson, please.¡± During the half¨Chour drive, they headed to the outskirts, finally stopping in front of a European¨Cstyle standalone apartment. Jamie escorted Sheena inside. ¡°Later, a dedicated chef will provide lunch for you and your bodyguard. Feel free to explore or rest during your free time, but please do not leave.¡± Sheena remained expressionless. Lionel was the first to ask, ¡°Are you implying that you¡¯re restricting our freedom?¡± Chapter 637 Chapter 637 Jamie did not argue, merely exining, ¡°Ms. Lawson, it¡¯s your first visit to Kyafa, and you¡¯re unfamiliar with the area. Mr. Lance is just concerned about your safety.¡± Sheena had no ns to go out anyway; she was not interested in exploring the local culture of Laubabwe. Instead, she was more concerned about Nathaniel¡¯s appearance, asking, ¡°When does he intend to see me?¡± ¡°I reckon Mr. Lance will arrive after you finish lunch,¡± Jamie replied. After that, he signaled to the other two bodyguards behind him, and they immediately approached, intending to search Lionel. Lionel was wary. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Sheena stepped forward, blocking Lionel, and questioned, ¡°What does he mean by this? Does he not trust me, or is he afraid I might pose a threat to Laubabwe?¡± Jamie exined, ¡°Ms. Lawson, I hope you and your bodyguard can be cooperative. Since you¡¯re in Laubabwe, checking for controlled weapons and firearms is necessary.¡± ¡°They already checked those before we boarded the ne. There¡¯s no need for this extra step,¡± Sheena sneered. ¡°My apologies, but please cooperate with our work,¡± Jamie said without further exnation. Then, the other two bodyguards quickly stepped forward to conduct a search. Given that Sheena was a woman, they did not dare touch her and called a servant to inspect her. As expected, they found nothing. Jamie then had the luggage opened. Inside Sheena¡¯s suitcase was a delicate small ne that caught Jamie¡¯s attention. He was about to bend down and examine it closely when Sheena stopped him. ¡°Careful! That¡¯s a little toy my own brother gave me. It¡¯s quite expensive, and if you damage it, event your boss, Mr. Lance, can¡¯t afford it, let alone you!¡± Jamie was taken aback and stopped checking the ne. After confirming there were no dangerous items, he instructed the bodyguards to take away all communication devices from the suitcase¨Captop, Bluetooth earphones, and a pen with a recording function. Finally, he requested Sheena and Lionel to surrender their phones, even confiscating Lionel¡¯s electronic watch. That was thest straw! 2/2 Sheena¡¯s gaze turnest cold, saying, ¡°Being without a phone in this day and age is like losing a sense of security Isn¡¯t he going too far with this?¡± This time, Jamie remained unmoved. After bowing deeply, he said, ¡°Ms. Lawson, please forgive us. e¡¯re just following orders. When Mr. Lance arrives, you can ask him about this.¡± ¡°Get out. I want to rest.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. If there was no room for negotiation, there was no need to put on a good front. Hence, she directly had Lionel usher everyone out. Lionel forcefully closed the door. The two stood behind the thin white curtains, silently watching. Outside the small apartment, Jamie left in the Bentley, leaving the two bodyguards to guard the entrance. In addition to the two bodyguards, there was also a servant cleaning the yard. While Sheena observed the situation outside, Lionel was not idle. He expertly checked under the tables, in the corners of the beds, on the ceiling lights, and even inside the vases of all the rooms. In the end, he found three small listening devices and ced them on the coffee table. Once she was done observing outside, Sheena closed the windows, locked them, and then sat on the sota, picking up one of the listening devices. ¡°He¡¯s quite sneaky! I can¡¯t believe he even wants to monitor a woman¡¯s bedroom. What a pervert, scum!¡± With that, she ruthlessly threw the listening device. Lionel caught it steadily in his hands. ¡°Don¡¯t throw them. I remember where he ced the devices. Once we finish talking, I¡¯ll put them. back. Nathaniel is both cumming and suspicious. Even if you confront him about this, he may agree on the surface but find other ways to monitor you in secret.¡± Sheena nodded and calmly organized her thoughts. ¡°Open the suitcase. Let¡¯s check how much they confiscated.¡± Lionel immediately pushed the suitcase over. The group was cautious and searched her luggage thoroughly, leaving only Corey¡¯s small ne he had given Sheena a long time ago. Sheena did not understand the significance of this toy until a few days ago. It turned out to be a new type of small bomb, requiring unique operations to detonate. Moreover, the casing of the small ne was made of a special material that could not be detected by any security checks. nese were simple tricks for Corey, the world¡¯s top pilot. heena tapped the emerald ring on her right hand, deep in thought. Chapter 638 Chapter 638 Lionel sighed. ¡°Now, besides the two self¨Cdefense tools from Mr. Corey and Mr. Noah, everything else is gone. If we try to forcefully snatch Clear, it might not work.¡± ¡°And withoutmunication devices, we¡¯repletely cut off from Proania. Ms. Sheena, what¡¯s your n?¡± Sheena remained silent for a long time. This trip turned out to be much more challenging than she had imagined. However, she loved facing challenges head¨Con! ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? Since we¡¯re here, let¡¯s arrange things after meeting Nathaniel.¡± Lionel nodded and then provided Sheena with detailed information about the Laubabwe royal family that he had gathered on their way. At the same time, in Froania, Svelton. The night had cast a deep silence over the city. At the National Investigation Bureau, Romello¡¯s office was still illuminated. ¡°Mr. Romello, Mr. Jenkins returned to the Jenkins estate from theb in the afternoon, apanied by Mr. Noah and Mr. Howard from the Lawson family¡­¡± Romello, dressed in military attire, sat in his chair. Listening to the report, he casually smoked a cigar. ¡°The two from the Lawson family also went to the Jenkins estate with him? They didn¡¯t get off midway?¡± ¡°No, they didn¡¯t¡± ¡°That¡¯s strange.¡± Romello casually extinguished his cigar, and his amber eyes thoughtfully considered the situation. ¡°How did Elliot look when he left theboratory?¡± ¡°He wore a ck fox fur coat and sunsses, exuding a powerful aura. He¡¯s still as handsome as ever Romello raised an eyebrow, impatiently tapping the table to remind, ¡°I¡¯m asking about his condition! His subordinate shivered a bit, seriously recalling and reporting, ¡°Mr. Howard assisted him, and they walked quite fast. It didn¡¯t seem like there was any problem, and he appeared to be in good spirits.¡± ¡°Assisted?¡± Romello keenly caught the keyword and smiled. Chapter 639 ¡°The more normal he appears, the more issues are likely hidden beneath the surface!¡± He closed his eyes. ¡°Continue surveince and arrange a team to visit the Jenkins estate by using an excuse that they¡¯re there to report tasks from the bureau over the past month. Try to meet him and see what¡¯s really going on with him.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Romello.¡± Once his subordinate left, Romello continued pondering on the matter. At E&S Haven, when Howard got up in the middle of the night, he felt a bit uneasy and decided to check on Elliot in the master bedroom. Yawning, he rubbed his eyes, relying on the faint light outside to notice that therge bed in the master bedroom was empty. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Elliot?¡± Howard was wide awake and turned on the bedroom light, only to find Elliot sitting on the balcony, wearing thin pajamas, unmoving. ¡°Don¡¯t you know howte it is now? Why are you not sleeping and instead gazing at the moon on the balcony?¡± Moreover, it was deep winter, and there was no moon to be seen¡­.. Not to mention, Elliot was also blind! Suppressing his anger, Howard quickly grabbed a plush, thick robe from the coat rack and draped it around Elliot. Elliot¡¯s thin lips were almost purplish from the cold, his body as cold as ice, devoid of warmth. However, his indifferent face seemed already numb. If not for the asional blink of his eyes, Howard might have thought Elliot was lifeless. The more Howard thought about it, the more frustrated he became. Howard, feeling the anger building up, was practically about to explode! ¡°Elliot, if there were awards for this, I¡¯d definitely give you one for the Most Troublesome! Agreeing to take care of you is the biggest regret of my life!¡± Elliot¡¯s unfocused ck eyes stared into the night outside, ignoring Howard¡¯s buildin extended his long, cold fingers beyond the balcony, silently feeling the environment. His hoarse voice was weak as he asked, ¡°Is it snowing outside?¡± Howard rubbed his forehead, almost losing hisposure. ¡°It¡¯s three in the f*cking morning! And you¡¯re here appreciating the snow? Seriously?¡± anger. He Chapter 639 Chapter 639 Elliot paid no attention to Howard¡¯sints and continued asking, ¡°Is the ground covered in Howard¡¯s frustration waspletely ignored, and with nowhere to vent his pent¨Cup anger, he impatiently nced at the snowkes swirling in the garden. ¡°The snow just fell tonight, and the ground is not covered with thick snow yet. It has umted on the leaves, though.¡± Elliot listened quietly, envisioning the scene. Soon, a faint smile graced his pale, weak lips. ¡°Is it beautiful?¡± The dim streetlights reflected against the falling snow in the garden, creating a picturesque view. However, Howard had no interest in appreciating it; he was yawning repeatedly and just wanted to crawl back under the covers to continue sleeping. Yet, Elliot seemed unusually excited. He opened his palm to catch the snowkes outside the balcony. ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s snowing in Laubabwe too? If Nana is watching the snow like me?¡± Howard, realizing Elliot was thinking about Sheena again, felt a little emotional too. He sighed softly without saying a word. ¡°We¡¯re looking at the same sky. Can she feel that I miss her? I really, really miss her¡­¡± His voice had turned so low that it was almost inaudible, resulting from enduring the freezing wind for who knows how many hours. However, when expressing his longing, his otherwise vacant ck eyes seemed to twinkle with faint starlight. Howard, moved by the scene, softened his tone, ¡°Although it¡¯s the same sky, it¡¯s daytime on her side. If she knew you came out in the middle of the night, torturing yourself in this cold, she¡¯d surely bet heartbroken. What you should do now is cooperate with the treatment, take care of yourself, and wait for her return.¡± ¡°Should I help you back to the room? Later, I¡¯ll make a cup of tea to warm you up. If you catch a cold and fever tomorrow, both Noah and I will be busy, and Nan will worry too.¡± Elliot continued feeling the snow falling into his palms, asking, ¡°This morning, you mentioned she wouldn¡¯t marry Nathaniel for Clear. Is that true?¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Well¡­ Howard was not entirely sure, but to reassure him, he had to forge ahead. ¡°Of course. Nana said she already has a foolproof n to get Clear. You just have to wait for her for another half a month, and she¡¯ll be back. Besides, there¡¯s Lionel. You guys are elites nurtured by the National Investigation Bureau for decades. You should trust them.¡± Hearing Howard¡¯s reassurances, Elliot indeed felt more at ease. He knew that with Lionel¡¯s Chapter 63 personality, he would risk his life to protect Sheena. Nheless, Elliot hoped both of them would return safely. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the bedroom. Howard helped Elliot to his feet, guiding him back to the room. He turned on the heating and then went downstairs to prepare some tea. Laubabwe, outskirts of Kyafa. At noon, the chef came to deliver the meal. Sheena, not ustomed to the local vors, took a few bites just to get by. In the afternoon, the temperature suddenly dropped, and soon, snow began to fall. The snowfall intensified rapidly, nketing the entire yard in ayer of snow within half an hour, creating a beautiful, vast silver¨Cwhitendscape due to the expansive surroundings in the outskirts. Sheena stood by the window, watching the snowfall, lost in thought. Lionel walked over, handed her a thick cloak, and closed the window for her. ¡°It¡¯s much colder here than in Froania. Put on something warmer.¡± 212 Sheena did not refuse and draped the cloak over herself. She had an essential task toplete, and she needed to take care of her health. Falling ill was not an option. Observing her mncholy expression, Lionel softly asked, ¡°Ms. Sheena, are you missing Mr. Jenkins? Chapter 640 Chapter 640 Sheena nodded, her gaze still fixed on the snow outside the window, ¡°What a beautiful scene. I was nning to take a photo to share with him when I return. But then, I remembered my phone was confiscated, and¡­ he¡¯s also blind now.¡± Lionel felt a pang of sadness, and seeing Sheena depressed made him even more uneasy. If even he felt this way, Sheena must be going through something indescribable. The atmosphere in the room turned significantly somber after this revtion, carrying a subtle sense of mncholy. Lionel initially wanted to console her, but when the words reached his lips, he hesitated on how to xpress them. The silence in the living room was finally shattered by a knock on the door, and both of them snapped back to the present. Sheena nced at the monitoring devices on the table, and Lionel, understanding her signal, quickly repositioned all the devices. He then hurried upstairs, returning to his room, and locking the door. The knocking grew more urgent, hinting at impatience. Sheena calmly approached the door. As it swung open, Sheena saw Nathaniel adorned in a luxurious mink coat, and he did not appear as if he had once been tortured in a high¨Csecurity prison, gaining back the refined charm he once had. When he smiled, his sapphire¨Cblue eyes slightly narrowed, and he appeared warm yet sinister. There was snow on his coat, and it seemed he had rushed here excitedly. Seven years ago, Sheena might have been dazzled by this face. However, regardless of the alluring appearance, she was now utterly disgusted. ¡°It¡¯s been nearly a week since west met, and you¡¯ve cleaned up quite well. Too bad, under this appearance lies a filthy heart, a creature worse than a beast.¡± Rather than getting offended, Nathanielughed heartily. ¡°Nana, you have such a sweet mouth, like it¡¯s coated in honey. Even after all this time, you¡¯re still so beautiful. Truly the woman I set my eyes on.¡± Sheena kept a cold expression, turning her head to look at the snow outside and ignoring his remarks. Nathaniel casually entered the living room, unbuttoning his coat and tossing it onto the sofa. ¡°Are you getting used to living here? Was lunch to your taste? If not, I can rearrange everything.¡± Sheena walked to the side sofa, poured herself a cup of tea, and replied, ¡°The only thing unpleasant here is you. Why don¡¯t you take a knife and kill yourself?¡± Chapter 640 2/2 ¡°If I die, how can I marry you? Moreover, you won¡¯t get Clear, and Elliot will die too. When you think about it, my life seems quite valuable, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s remarks were making Sheena increasingly disgusted. ¡°I was definitely blind before for not seeing through your twisted heart. Back when you taught me to shoot, I should¡¯ve turned around and shot you dead.¡± Nathaniel found her provocations amusing andughed. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re truly adorable. The days after our marriage will be so much fun!¡± As he spoke, his deep blue eyes stared directly at Sheena. Uninterested in hearing more of his trash talk, Sheena interrupted, ¡°I¡¯m here now. When am I getting Clear?¡± ¡°No rush. Once you¡¯ve familiarized yourself with this ce for a few days, we¡¯ll get the certificate first, then n the wedding. On the night we share a bed, I¡¯ll personally hand Clear over to you.¡± Sheena immediately clenched her hands underneath the white woolen cloak. Share a bed? N?velDrama.Org owns all content. She would feel sick even if he touched a strand of her hair. If such a night ever arrived, she would rather die and drag him along! Suppressing the impulse to kill him immediately, Sheena regained someposure and coldly retorted, ¡°It seems like you¡¯re not entirely sure you can get Clear, right? I¡¯ve heard beforeing here that it¡¯s a royal possession, and there¡¯s only one in Laubabwe. How could the current king possibly give you the medicine?¡± Chapter 641 Chapter 641 Nathaniel¡¯s hand, holding the hot tea, paused momentarily. His eyes were hidden underneath his long lashes, making it hard to gauge his emotions, Sheena pretended not to notice his visibly displeased expression and continued probing, ¡°In Proania, you¡¯re the fourth son of the Nicholls family, a wealthy and influential n. What status do you have here? Why should I believe you can really get Clear for me?! Nathaniel calmly took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and then replied, ¡°It¡¯s true that I have no significant standing here, but my mom is the current king¡¯s only sister.¡± Sheena was taken aback, not expecting him to be so straightforward. He continued, ¡°You just arrived and don¡¯t understand the situation in Laubabwe. My mom holds an imposing position as the current king¡¯s sister. As she didn¡¯t raise me all these years, she felt guilty, and she promised me one request. Getting my hands on Clear is simply too easy for me.¡± Sheena thoughtfully processed this information,menting, ¡°So, your mom didn¡¯t return to Froania with your dad because she¡¯s the royal princess, and she couldn¡¯t leave?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s expression grew increasingly serious as he spoke of Kelly, replying, ¡°No, it¡¯s because she was already engaged at that time.¡± Sheena remarked, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, your mom has likely been married for years, perhaps with children of her own. While she can make promises to you, her current husband might not easily agree, right?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s face darkenedpletely. ¡°I confessed my background to you because you¡¯ll eventually marry me, and I wanted to be honest between us. But if you¡¯re trying to get to the bottom of this and sow discord, there¡¯s no need to continue this topic.¡± Sheena was surprised. Was Nathaniel upset? It seemed Nathaniel and Kelly¡¯s husband did not have a good rtionship.¡± Perhaps she could use this to her advantage. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to answer, that¡¯s fine,¡± Sheena said, shifting the topic effortlessly. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a real European¨Cstyle grand pce. What does it look like? Staying cooped up here isn¡¯t very interesting. When can you take me for a stroll?¡± ¡°No problem,¡± Nathaniel responded promptly. ¡°You¡¯ve had a tiring journey today. Rest early, and tomorrow, I¡¯ll arrange for you to visit the pce and meet my mom. She¡¯s been eager to meet you ever since she heard we¡¯re getting married.¡± The constant mention of marriage irked Sheena. 212 She promptly ordered him to leave, saying, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, and I¡¯m sure you have other matters to attend to. I won¡¯t keep you for dinner here,¡± ¡°I do have other matters to attend to. Nana, you truly understand me!¡± Nathaniel smirked, picking up his coat from the sofa. ¡°Anyway, have a good night¡¯s sleep, and we¡¯ll meet tomorrow. Oh, by the way! Remember to call me Charles.¡± Sheena remained silent, showing no intention to apany him or see him off. Nathaniel did not expect a more enthusiastic farewell, turning toward the door. Just a few steps away, he recalled something and turned back with a skeptical look at Sheena. ¡°I heard from Jamie that you brought a bodyguard. Why haven¡¯t I seen him?¡± ¡°He¡¯s traveling abroad for the first time and having a hard time adjusting. He¡¯s down with stomach issues and throwing up all day. He¡¯s resting now,¡± Sheena exined. Nathaniel nodded thoughtfully. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Sheena poured herself some tea. However, she noticed that Nathaniel not only had not left, but he had also walked back to stand in front of her. Perplexed, Sheena asked, ¡°Want another couple of cups of tea?¡± Nathaniel smiled, slightly bending forward, pointing to his left cheek. ¡°Before I go, I¡¯d like a little parting gift, a kiss from you!¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze instantly turned ice¨Ccold, and a surge of anger burned within her chest. Without hesitation, she emptied the remaining tea from her cup onto his face. ¡°Is that sobering enough for you? If not, I have a whole pot here! I can even boil some water to help you freshen up!¡± Nathaniel did not seem bothered at all; in fact, he appeared to relish it. ¡°Tea that you have tasted is fragrant even in its scent!¡± His remarks repeatedly tested Sheena¡¯s patience, and she clenched her fists. ¡°Get out!¡± ¡°Sure, I¡¯m leaving.¡± Nathaniel took a tissue from the coffee table, wiped the tea stains off his and strolled away casually. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re truly a feisty little beauty. I¡¯m growing fonder of you!¡° Chapter 642 Chapter 642 Nathanielughed out loud and left. ¡°Nathaniel, you¡¯re just a sick pervert!¡± 1/7/2 Sheena gritted her teeth in frustration, hurling the teacup in her hand. Nathaniel had closed the door, avoiding the cup. With the sound of the car engine, Nathaniel¡¯sughter finally faded away. Sheena called in the servant Nathaniel had arranged and ordered, ¡°Change all the sofa covers and tea sets, Clean every corner of the living room and get rid of that nauseating smell from Mr. Lance¡¯s body! The servant was stunned, seemingly surprised by Sheena¡¯s request due to her dislike for Nathaniel. After giving the instructions, Sheena did not linger in the living room for a second, swiftly heading upstairs and knocking on Lionel¡¯s door. As the servant was downstairs, she deliberately spoke loudly, ¡°It¡¯s me. Are you feeling any better? Stomach issues can be quite severe. Let me check on you. The door opened quickly. In a weak voice, Lionel replied, ¡°Miss, pleasee in. I¡¯ve just thrown up twice.¡± This can¡¯t go on. Tomorrow, Mr. Lance and I are going to the pce. If you¡¯re feeling this bad, how can you protect me¡­¡± The exchange of words abruptly stopped as the door closed. The servant redirected her attention to cleaning the living room and picking up the broken pieces near the door. Upstairs, Lionel made a shushing gesture, cautiously locking the door and turning off the hidden. listening device under the bed. Afterpleting these tasks, he asked Sheena in a low voice, ¡°Do you have a n for tomorrow at the pce?¡± Sheena nodded, and they sensibly discussed their roles for the next day. The next day, in Froania. Early in the morning at E&S Haven, Elliot¡¯s wrenching cough echoed from the master bedroom. Despite having tea the previous night, Elliot had caught a cold. Howard sat by the bedside, applying a fever patch while teasing him, ¡°Elliot, look at how delicate you are. You¡¯re sick, and all three Lawson family heirs are here to keep youpany. You¡¯re truly the favorite of our Lawson family, huh?¡± Chapter 642 ??? Howard was annoyed. Sporting slight dark circles from a sleepless night, he nced at the man standing at the foot of the bed. Corey, leaning against the wall at the foot of the bed, had a dark and menacing expression, radiating a threatening aura. Meanwhile, Noah, facing away from the bed, stood by Sheena¡¯s vanity table. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Once adorned with cosmetics, the tabletop was now cleared, reced by an array of neatly organized medicine boxes. Noah was engrossed in preparing medication, his cool demeanor showing no hint of emotion. Inside the room, apart from the chilling anger emanating from Corey, the only other sound was Elliot¡¯s persistent coughing. Corey said, ¡°Elliot, the more I see of you, the more I dislike you. If it weren¡¯t for Nana, you would¡¯ve been dead by my hands a thousand times over!¡± Between coughs, Elliot chuckled and sarcastically remarked, ¡°Do you need me to hand you a knife? If you want to kill me, you can do it right now. Would you dare to?¡± Corey¡¯s explosive temper erupted from Elliot¡¯s obvious provocation, and he stormed out of the room. Thinking that Corey had left in anger, Howardined to Elliot in a hushed voice, ¡°Can¡¯t you keep your mouth shut for once? Do you still want to get on his good side or not?¡± Elliot continued coughing, remaining silent. Not two minutester, Corey returned with a hanger, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent. ¡°I may not be able to kill you right now, but that won¡¯t stop me from beating some sense into you!! Chapter 643 Chapter 643 When Corey entered with a hanger, Noali nced at the menacing weapon, showing no expression seemingly in support. By the bedside, Howard was visibly frightened and immediately stood up to stop Corey ¡°Corey, stop! Don¡¯t hit him! He¡¯s running a fever, and he¡¯s at his weakest now. You¡¯re letting your rage get to your head. What if you identally kill him? How will you exin it when Nanaes back?¡± Using Sheena as a shield always proved to be the most effective tactic. Corey¡¯s rationality returned somewhat. However, before he even lowered the hanger in his hand, Elliot unexpectedly spoke up. ¡°With the old grievances between us, what¡¯s the point of just beating me up to vent your anger? If you have the guts, just kill me.¡± That was a tant provocation! The rage in Corey¡¯s chest surged, more powerful than ever before. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll grant your wish. If I can¡¯t kill you today, I¡¯ll eat my hat!¡± ¡°Corey, don¡¯t hit him! Stay calm! He¡¯s just a patient. You should just treat him like he¡¯s out of his mind. Don¡¯t stoop to his level!¡± Howard desperately intervened, then turned back to re at Elliot. ¡°Keep your mouth shut! Even I¡¯m tempted to hit you myself!¡± Elliot remained silent. Competition and hostility existed between Corey and Elliot. Moreover, Corey had previously attempted to kill him in the mountains in Luivine, resulting in severe injuries. When he returned, Sheena had already acquired the Freeman Group. He would have fought Corey head¨Con long ago if it were not for not wanting to upset Sheena. Moreover, Corey took advantage of his illness and came to taunt him. Hence, with Sheena absent, there was no need to be falsely polite to Corey. Thanks to Howard, Corey did not hit Elliot, only swinging the hanger aimlessly in the air. The chil chilling sound continued, creating a tense atmosphere, but not a single hit was delivered. Elliot, with a fist against his mouth, continued coughing. His pale face showed no fear, and he remained motionless, awaiting what woulde next. Unable to strike anyone, Corey, aware that bullying a sick man was not honorable, decided to vent his Chapter 643 2/2 pent¨Cup anger on Howard. Raising his hand, he delivered a harsh smack with the hanger,nding it on Howard¡¯s arm with a crisp sound. ¡°Ouch! That hurts! Corey, watch where you hit! You got me!¡± ¡°I¡¯m hitting you on purpose! You¡¯ve been taking care of him for just a few days, and you¡¯ve already betrayed me. If you¡¯re protecting him, then take the hit for him!¡± Howard, rubbing his sore arm, was utterly bewildered. What the hell? Yet, the fear ingrained in him from Corey¡¯s past beatings left Howard too frightened to dodge. In the end, he could only use his arm to shield his head. Hearing that Corey intended to hit Howard, Elliot weakly tried to sit up, attempting to intervene. Before the hanger could strike down again, Noah reached from behind and firmly seized it. ¡°Stop acting like fools.¡± Noah¡¯s voice was cold andposed. Then, he snorted and added somewhat sinisterly, ¡°Dealing with Elliot is simple. I have medicine that can make anyone suffer, rendering them incapable of causing trouble, and it¡¯s also not harmful to the body. Interested in giving it a try?¡± Elliot, just about to stand, froze at Noah¡¯s suggestion. Lacking strength, he weakly fell back onto the bed. Corey, loosening his grip on the hanger, allowed Noah to take control. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Seeing Elliot no longer provoking, his fiery demeanor seemed to subside. He agreed with Noah¡¯s proposal. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea! That madman just loves to provoke and pretend to be tough. He should be treated like this!¡± Chapter 644 Chapter 643 When Corey entered with a hanger, Noali nced at the menacing weapon, showing no expression seemingly in support. By the bedside, Howard was visibly frightened and immediately stood up to stop Corey ¡°Corey, stop! Don¡¯t hit him! He¡¯s running a fever, and he¡¯s at his weakest now. You¡¯re letting your rage get to your head. What if you identally kill him? How will you exin it when Nana comes back?¡± Using Sheena as a shield always proved to be the most effective tactic. Corey¡¯s rationality returned somewhat. However, before he even lowered the hanger in his hand, Elliot unexpectedly spoke up. ¡°With the old grievances between us, what¡¯s the point of just beating me up to vent your anger? If you have the guts, just kill me.¡± That was a tant provocation! The rage in Corey¡¯s chest surged, more powerful than ever before. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll grant your wish. If I can¡¯t kill you today, I¡¯ll eat my hat!¡± ¡°Corey, don¡¯t hit him! Stay calm! He¡¯s just a patient. You should just treat him like he¡¯s out of his mind. Don¡¯t stoop to his level!¡± Howard desperately intervened, then turned back to re at Elliot. ¡°Keep your mouth shut! Even I¡¯m tempted to hit you myself!¡± Elliot remained silent. Competition and hostility existed between Corey and Elliot. Moreover, Corey had previously attempted to kill him in the mountains in Luivine, resulting in severe injuries. When he returned, Sheena had already acquired the Freeman Group. He would have fought Corey head¨Con long ago if it were not for not wanting to upset Sheena. Moreover, Corey took advantage of his illness and came to taunt him. Hence, with Sheena absent, there was no need to be falsely polite to Corey. Thanks to Howard, Corey did not hit Elliot, only swinging the hanger aimlessly in the air. The chil chilling sound continued, creating a tense atmosphere, but not a single hit was delivered. Elliot, with a fist against his mouth, continued coughing. His pale face showed no fear, and he remained motionless, awaiting what woulde next. Unable to strike anyone, Corey, aware that bullying a sick man was not honorable, decided to vent his Chapter 643 2/2 pent¨Cup anger on Howard. Raising his hand, he delivered a harsh smack with the hanger, landing it on Howard¡¯s arm with a crisp sound. ¡°Ouch! That hurts! Corey, watch where you hit! You got me!¡± ¡°I¡¯m hitting you on purpose! You¡¯ve been taking care of him for just a few days, and you¡¯ve already betrayed me. If you¡¯re protecting him, then take the hit for him!¡± Howard, rubbing his sore arm, was utterly bewildered. What the hell? Yet, the fear ingrained in him from Corey¡¯s past beatings left Howard too frightened to dodge. In the end, he could only use his arm to shield his head. Hearing that Corey intended to hit Howard, Elliot weakly tried to sit up, attempting to intervene. Before the hanger could strike down again, Noah reached from behind and firmly seized it. ¡°Stop acting like fools.¡± Noah¡¯s voice was cold andposed. Then, he snorted and added somewhat sinisterly, ¡°Dealing with Elliot is simple. I have medicine that can make anyone suffer, rendering them incapable of causing trouble, and it¡¯s also not harmful to the body. Interested in giving it a try?¡± Elliot, just about to stand, froze at Noah¡¯s suggestion. Lacking strength, he weakly fell back onto the bed. Corey, loosening his grip on the hanger, allowed Noah to take control. Seeing Elliot no longer provoking, his fiery demeanor seemed to subside. He agreed with Noah¡¯s proposal. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea! That madman just loves to provoke and pretend to be tough. He should be treated like this!¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 645 Chapter 645 Elliot suffered in silence, unable to speak as the bitterness lingered in his mouth. Downing a whole ss of water, he managed to relieve the taste somewhat. The medicine further depleted his already weakened strength. Feeling exhausted from the illness and medication, Elliot leaned against the headboard, his eyshes fluttering. Howard tucked the corner of Elliot¡¯s nket and rolled up his sleeves, inspecting the red marks on his arm. ¡°Look! Corey hit me with the clothes hanger because of you. It¡¯s swollen.¡± Realizing Elliot could not see, Howard guided Elliot¡¯s hand to feel the bump on his arm. ¡°Feel it properly. It¡¯s pretty swollen. Aren¡¯t you being unfair to me if you keep stirring up trouble? Elliot promptly withdrew his hand, asserting, ¡°I don¡¯t have the habit of touching men.¡± Howard chuckled, teasing him, ¡°So, you only have the habit of touching women?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t touch any other woman except for Nana!¡± Elliot said firmly without hesitation. Howard nodded in satisfaction. ¡°That sounds good. Remember, Nana is the darling of my Lawson family. If you dare to mistreat her or make her sad, all three of us won¡¯t let you off easily!¡± Elliot suppressed a smile. Mentioning Sheena always brought him immense joy. Downstairs, at the mansion¡¯s entrance. The National Investigation Bureau officials, blocked by the bodyguards, were confused when Corey emerged. ¡°Mr. Corey, what are you doing here? Where¡¯s Mr. Jenkins?¡± ¡°ME. Wearing a stern expression, Corey replied, ¡°He has a cold and fever. I¡¯m taking care of him on behalf of my sister. If you have any business, speak to me. Perplexed, the officials hesitated. ¡°Mr. Corey, you oversee the National Affairs Bureau, and Mr. Jenkins usually handles matters for the National Investigation Bureau. Moreover, this involves the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s ssified information. Please let us in to meet Mr. Jenkins.¡± Corey maintained his fierce demeanor, eyeing the documents they held. Slowly extending his hand, he said, ¡°Give me the files. I¡¯ll personally deliver them to him.¡± ¡°No, besides passing the files, we must report to Mr. Jenkins in person!¡± Corey frowned, obviously displeased, and the atmosphere turned tense. Chapter has 7126 ¡°No need for a report as he can review the files himself. I have no interest in your National Investigation Bureau documents. Unless¡­ you¡¯re doubting me?¡± ¡°No way! Mr. Corey, you would never do such a thing¡­¡± Corey was uninterested in listening to nonsense. ¡°Hand them over!¡± Under his imposing pressure, the officials reluctantly handed over the documents. ¡°Now get lost,¡± Corey dismissed them, turning to head back into the mansion. Just a few steps in, the entrance stirred withmotion again. Peter arrived, apanied by his men, and Stanley trailed behind. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Elliottely? Even Uncle Grant can¡¯t reach him. Why is he putting up such airs? I¡¯vee to invite him personally, and if he dares to stall me, his grandpa might have toe next!¡± Peter scolded the bodyguards sternly, intentionally speaking loudly. Corey furrowed his brow even tighter, walking back to the entrance. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Seeing Corey, Peter was slightly surprised but greeted him with a smile. ¡°Oh, what are you doing here?¡± Considering Peter was an elder of the Jenkins family, Corey controlled his anger and responded politely, though not without irritation. ¡°It¡¯s getting cold these days, and Elliot caught a cold and has a fever. Nana has been busytely, so I came to help take care of him.¡± Peter nodded politely. ¡°I see.¡± On the side, Stanley muttered, ¡°Why is he acting like he¡¯s bedridden? It¡¯s just a minor illness, and he can still walk. Grandpa has invited him multiple times, yet he keeps finding excuses not toe. He¡¯s clearly doing it on purpose!¡± ¡°Mr. Corey is right here. Don¡¯t speak recklessly!¡± Peter reprimanded him after he finished, feigning concern. He then smiled again at Corey, adding, ¡°But it¡¯s true that Elliot keeps avoiding the senior members of the family, and it¡¯s rather impolite.¡± Chapter 646 Chapter 646 Corey stood proudly, expressionless and silent. Peter continued, ¡°If Elliot¡¯s condition isn¡¯t too severe, I¡¯d appreciate it if you could make way. We have a family gathering at noon, and as the current head of the Jenkins family, Elliot must attend.¡± After speaking, Peter signaled to his apanying bodyguards. They moved swiftly, but E&S Haven¡¯s bodyguards blocked them firmly Two particrly audacious ones who attempted to force their way were promptly subdued with electric batons. Original from N?velDrama.Org. With hands casually tucked in his suit pockets, Corey calmly questioned, ¡°Mr. Peter, what if I insist on not letting them in?¡± Peter¡¯s expression darkened, yet before he could respond, Stanley jumped in, demanding, ¡°Corey, this is the Jenkins estate! You¡¯re an outsider; what gives you the right to act so arrogantly on the Jenkins estate?¡± ¡°Indeed, I am an outsider,¡± Corey sneered. ¡°But considering Elliot is engaged to Nana, and I, as his future brother¨Cinw, am here to express my concern for his well¨Cbeing. It¡¯s disappointing that his family only cares if he¡¯s too ill to move.¡± Peter¡¯s face stiffened. He was about to offer an exnation, but Corey interrupted, ¡°You know well if Elliot wants to meet you. Anyway, goodbye, and I won¡¯t see you off.¡± ¡°Corey, this¡­¡± Peter began. Corey did not want to listen, his face clearly expressing no room for negotiation. When he was serious, no one would dare to defy him. Peter did not want to escte tensions with the Lawson family and had to relent, leaving with his group of people, feeling somewhat disgruntled. Just as Corey finally had some peace, Logan arrived, presenting his identification to Corey. ¡°Mr. Corey, I¡¯m directly under Mr. Jenkins, the captain of the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s seventh team. I¡¯ve been on missions with Mr. Jenkins for nearly a decade. Please trust me and let me in.¡± Corey scrutinized his credentials, cautiously asking, ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°The charges against Colin are finalized, and I¡¯vee to report to Mr. Jenkins. Also, I¡¯d like to ask if we need to arrange ¡®special treatment¡® for Colin.¡± ¡°Understood. Since the charges are settled, there¡¯s no need for a report. I¡¯ll pass the message along. As for special treatment¡­¡± Corey pondered for a moment. Recalling the events during Katie¡¯s birthday celebration organized by Chapter 645 212 Logan, even though he was not in Svelton at the time, he had heard about what happened that day. ¡°I¡¯ll take charge. Give him the special treatment and let him experience some ¡®love¡® in prison.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Unable to see Elliot, Logan remained anxious and insisted, ¡°Mr. Corey, let me meet Mr. Jenkins. Is he not in good healthtely? I can stay and take care of him.¡± Corey remained unmoved. ¡°He doesn¡¯tck caretakers. Since you¡¯re his direct subordinate, you should know better than to ask and talk too much!¡± Corey only trusted his own people; Elliot¡¯s subordinates were not to be trusted. As Corey walked into the mansion, Logan sighed silently, ncing worriedly at the balcony of the master bedroom on the third floor. Several hourster. In Laubabwe, Sheena was picked up by Jamie to go to the royal pce after she was done getting ready. Lionel apanied her. After over half an hour, Sheena finallyid eyes on the magnificent castle, the grand royal pce. The Bentley circled around the defensive walls and eventually stopped at the eastern gate. From a distance, Sheena could already see Nathaniel, who was exceptionally dressed today, wearing an elegant deep blue gentleman¡¯s suit. With those exquisite blue eyes, he did appear somewhat like a noble exotic prince, captivating anyone who set eyes on him. Unfortunately, Sheena had no time to appreciate even the most handsome face. Jamie got out of the car first and opened the door for her. Nathaniel immediately walked over. Upon seeing her casually dressed in a coat, his smile gradually faded. ¡°This is your first time meeting my mom, and you chose to wear this?¡± Chapter 647 Chapter 647 Sheena was puzzled. After all, she was not here to meet her future mother¨Cinw, so why the need for borate dressing? Nheless, she was well aware that she still had to continue dealing with Nathaniel after this. Hence, she politely exined, ¡°I didn¡¯t bring many clothes with me for this trip abroad, so I don¡¯t have a more suitable outfit.¡± Hearing her exnation, Nathaniel¡¯s initial disappointment in his eyes gradually faded, reced by a hint of regret. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. This is my oversight. I should have prepared a suitable dress for you in advance. Don¡¯t be upset, I won¡¯t let it happen again.¡± Sheena averted her gaze, saying, ¡°It¡¯s okay, there¡¯s no need to apologize.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll head inside first. I¡¯ll show you around, and before noon, I¡¯ll have someone bring some dresses for you. We can then have lunch with my mom. Nathaniel smiled warmly, his eyes affectionate and fixated on her face, reaching out to hold her hand. However, Sheena slightly furrowed her brow, instinctively pulling her hand back before their hands could touch. This action seemed to trigger a sensitive nerve in Nathaniel. He abruptly moved forward, grabbing Sheena¡¯s chin forcefully. ¡°We¡¯re getting married soon. Why do you resist me like this? Why is it that Elliot can publicly kiss you, but I can¡¯t even hold your hand?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not married yet. We have no rtionship. Why do you feel entitled to hold my hand in public? ¡°Sheena countered, her cold gaze unwavering. Lionel, who was about to step out of the car, witnessed the scene. Acting decisively, he approached, seizing Nathaniel¡¯s wrist. ¡°Let go! Don¡¯t hurt her!¡± Nathaniel released Sheena¡¯s chin, but Lionel continued to grip his wrist tightly. Despite Nathaniel¡¯s attempts to free himself, he could not seed. ¡°Are you the bodyguard Nana brought this time?¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. Nathaniel scrutinized Lionel, who had disguised himself for the outing with arge red birthmark on his left cheek and a prominent ck mole at the corner of his right eye. es covered his face, and makeup was used to enhance the structure and tip of his nose. Looking a bit bizarre, Nathaniel could not recognize him. Under his direct scrutiny, Lionel remained calm. ¡°Yes, Mr. Lance. I¡¯m Nell, Ms. Sheena¡¯s bodyguard. Nathaniel nced at Lionel once and withdrew his gaze, unable to look at Lionel¡¯s rather bizarre face any longer. Then, he looked at Sheena doubtfully and asked, ¡°Nana, you always had high standards for your bodyguards¡® appearances. When did your taste change, hiring someone who looks this ugly?¡± Sheena took another nce at Lionel, admittedly finding him quite unattractive. ¡°He didn¡¯t look this ugly originally. The e on his face is due to not adapting well to the local environment. Although he¡¯s not handsome, he has a good physique and is skilled. Don¡¯t underestimate him.¡± Ignoring Lionel¡¯s face, Nathaniel nced at his physique and said in a rather jealous tone, ¡°Decent proportions, but plenty of men have good bodies. Besides, you haven¡¯t seen him without clothes. He might not even have abs.¡± Caught in the middle of their discussion, Lionel felt a bit embarrassed and lowered his head. He discreetly touched his stomach and let out a long sigh. Thankfully, Elliot was not around. If Elliot knew that Sheena praised his physique, he would probably be jealous and promptly send him far away to mine coals, ensuring Sheena never saw him again. Seeing Nathaniel¡¯s attentionpletely focused on Lionel, Sheena changed the subject and said, I¡¯m getting tired from the standing. Let¡¯s go.¡± Without waiting for Nathaniel¡¯s response, she walked ahead, avoiding any attempts by Nathaniel to hold her hand again. Lionel quickly caught up. Most European¨Cstyle buildings were predominantly white and gold, exuding an air of dignity and nobility. The walls were adorned with porcin murals, a stark contrast to the style of architecture back in Froania. Nathaniel walked alongside Sheena, guiding her through the grandeur of the pce while providing exnations. ¡°I hold a privilege token given by my mom. Apart from areas like the king¡¯s bed¨Cchamber, study, and council chamber, which are restricted, you¡¯re free toe and go anywhere else.¡± Chapter 648 Chapter 648 Sheena raised an eyebrow, curious. ¡°But I want to visit the king¡¯s bed¨Cchamber, see his bed, and find out how it differs from ours.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s gaze turned serious, and he softly scolded, ¡°Nana, stop fooling around.¡± ¡°Fine. Forget about it. I¡¯m getting a bit tired. I¡¯d like to rest for a while.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you to the Alzer Pce, where I¡¯m temporarily staying. I¡¯ll have the dresses sent there N?velDrama.Org owns all content. as well.¡± Sheena nodded, stealing a nce at Lionel. Lionel immediately frowned, clutching his stomach, and looking distressed. ¡°Miss, Mr. Lance, my stomach doesn¡¯t feel well. Can I go to the restroom? Sheena replied, ¡°If you knew you had such severe stomach issues, I wouldn¡¯t have brought you out today. Go ande back quickly.¡± ¡°Okay, Miss. ¡°Wait, stop!¡± Lionel had just turned around when Nathaniel called him back. He had to turn around, his face red as he endured the difort, ¡°Mr. Lance?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°You can use the restroom in the Alzer Pce, so hold on a little. longer.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lionel, holding his stomach, appeared anxious. ¡°I have diarrhea, and I really can¡¯t hold it. Mr. Lance, please let me use a toilet nearby. Don¡¯t worry, my duty is to protect Miss. I won¡¯t cause us any dys.¡± Sheena looked at Nathaniel, saying with a hint of criticism, ¡°Why are you making it difficult for him? Diarrhea is amon thing, and he¡¯s not doing this intentionally.¡± Although Nathaniel was not pleased, hepromised for Sheena¡¯s sake. ¡°Jamie, take him. Keep a close eye on him. Don¡¯t let him get lost. If he¡¯s caught by the patrol guards, it won¡¯t be easy to exin. ¡°Yes, Mr. Lance.¡± Once Jamie and Lionel left, Nathaniel stealthily moved closer to Sheena. Sensing his approach, Sheena¡¯s hand, hidden in her sleeve, subconsciously touched the emerald gemstone ring on her knuckle, and her expression turned grim. ¡°This is the pce, crowded with people. Currently, I have an engagement with Elliot, so mind your actions.¡± Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, his tone instantly turning unfriendly. ¡°Nana, why haven¡¯t you canceled the engagement with him until now? Are you trying to y games with me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± Sheena calmly exined. ¡°I¡¯m just protecting the interests of my Lawson family. Besides, you mentioned wanting to have an exotic wedding. By the time the wedding is over, what does it matter if my engagement in Froania is canceled or not?¡± ¡°That¡¯s true. When Elliot suddenly finds out afterward that you¡¯re already mine, he should be pleasantly surprised!¡± Nathaniel smirked, excitement gleaming in his blue eyes. For Nathaniel, this wedding was not just about extravagance but about making sure the entire world knew that Sheena was marrying him. Especially Elliot! Sheena red at him. ¡°Nathaniel, you better get rid of that disgusting smirk on your face! If I find out you intentionally use these things to provoke Elliot, I won¡¯t let you off the hook!¡± Even a worm would turn, let alone Sheena, who had a fiery temper! Seeing her angry, Nathaniel quickly smiled to calm her. ¡°Okay, as long as you willingly marry me, I¡¯ll listen to anything you say.¡± Sheena remained silent, continuing to walk forward. Soon, they arrived at the Alzer Pce. Chapter 649 Chapter 649 On the way to Alzer Pce, Nathaniel had everything arranged. Inside the room, there was a luxurious lounge chair draped with a white fox fur nket, and the coffee table disyed exquisite pastries, fruit snacks, and honey fruit tea. Three rows of clothing racks stood nearby, showcasing various styles of exquisite gowns, and two rows of high heels were disyed on the plush carpets that lined the floor. The stylist and makeup artist had been waiting for a while. As Nathaniel led Sheena into the room, both professionals greeted them with standard court etiquette. Sheena was not pleased andmented, ¡°I¡¯m not used to having others dress me up and do my makeup.¡± Nathaniel immediately waved his hand at the two. ¡°You may leave. ¡°Nana, these are special pastries from Laubabwe, very delicious. I had them freshly made and brought over. Would you like to try?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. He approached the coffee table, holding a te of pastries, extending it toward Sheena with courtesy. Sheena nced at the pastries and, for some reason, not onlycked appetite but also felt a bit nauseous. ¡°I haven¡¯t been in the mood for sweetstely. You go ahead and enjoy them.¡± She walked over to the rows of dresses, beginning to pick out a gown. Nathaniel quickly set down the pastries and came over to help her choose. Holding up a silver¨Cthreaded, aqua¨Cblue couture gown for autumn and winter, he suggested, ¡°How about this one? The blue is gentle and pleasant. With the silk long sleeves and a white fur stole, it won¡¯t be too cold.¡± Most importantly, this gown was in the same color scheme as his own deep blue suit, and their outfit would match like a couple. He had never worn matching outfits with Sheena before. Nathaniel¡¯s eyes sparkled with anticipation. When Sheena did not respond, his hand moved closer to her. ¡°Nana, be a good girl and wear this one.¡± Sheena also keenly noticed that Nathaniel had chosen a gown in the same color scheme as his suit. She did not bother to consider it, turning to another rack to randomly select a dark red velvet long dress. ¡°No, I prefer this one. I¡¯ll change next door.¡± 212 Nathaniel¡¯s face darkened almost instantly. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her back, emphasizing in a stern tone, ¡°I said, wear this!¡± ¡°Let go!¡± Sheena was annoyed. ¡°Nathaniel, you know me well. Your controlling tendencies don¡¯t work on me!¡± His fierce gaze almost instantly softened, and his tone followed suit, weakening. ¡°Nana, you don¡¯t know how happy I am that you came to Laubabwe. It feels like a romantic getaway for the two of us. I¡¯ve been trying to fulfill your wishes and bepliant these past few days without imposing any conditions on you. I¡¯m not using any conditions to force you this time. Can you just amodate me once and wear the gown I chose?¡± Sheena¡¯s face remained icy as she locked eyes with him. ¡°But I don¡¯t like it.¡± Those few yet cold words seemed to strike a chord in his sensitive heart. ¡°Do you dislike this dress, or do you dislike me as a person? If Elliot were here today and picked this dress for you, would you still refuse?¡± He was furious, his eyes narrowing, revealing a menacing re. He gripped Sheena¡¯s hand forcefully, tossing her onto the lounge chair, then pressed over her. ¡°Don¡¯t move! If youe any closer, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± As he attempted to press down, Sheena decisively revealed the silver needle on her ring, pressing it firmly against Nathaniel¡¯s throat. Nathanielughed, augh that almost brought tears to his eyes. His hands rested above the lounge. chair, and because of the silver needle, there was always a distance between him and Sheena, preventing him from crossing over. ¡°If it were Elliot, would you have the heart to hurt him?¡± His tone carried a hint of sorrow, and hisughter became increasingly eerie. ¡°If I insisted, would you really dare to kill me? If I die today, you won¡¯t be able to leave this pce, and Elliot will perish with us. Do you really dare to do it?¡± Sheena fell silent. Chapter 650 Chapter 650 Indeed, she could not kill him before obtaining Clear. However, Nathaniel simply misunderstood her past with Elliot, leading to his misguided words. She and Elliot had fought, almost losing their lives. Moreover, this silver needle was once stained with Elliot¡¯s blood. However, the crucial difference was that she had loved Elliot for six years, and she had never loved Nathaniel! ¡°You are different from him. Your love has been consistently selfish and warped! Your perverse need for control and possession suffocates me! You force upon me what I don¡¯t want and use conditions to coerce me! Your love is filled with maniption, using harm and rescue to make me feel grateful.¡± She continued, ¡°Elliot, on the other hand, will only y the victim or act weak at most to seek my attention, but he would never hurt me! You know deep down, we started as a transaction of equals Even if I do marry you, my heart will never be yours. I will never, ever love you!¡± Nathaniel froze on the spot. The brilliance in his blue eyes gradually dimmed. Each step, each scheme¡­ He had indeed calcted everything, harboring inappropriate intentions to possess her. He could not find words to counter her usations. Seizing the opportunity while he was still stunned, Sheena forcefully pushed him away and stood up. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood to meet Princess Kelly today. We¡¯ll talk another time.¡± ¡°No! Nana!¡± Nathaniel tried to grab her wrist again, attempting to keep her. This time, Sheena was prepared. Before he could touch her, she swiftly turned around and delivered a resounding p across his face.. ¡°Nathaniel, I may not kill you, but I can certainly fight you!¡± She put considerable force into the p, leaving Nathaniel¡¯s face turned away, a hint of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Original from N?velDrama.Org. His fairplexion made the injuries more apparent. Sheena sneered at him, her tone chilling. ¡°Sorry for hitting you so hard, but with wounds on your face, how can we meet Princess Kelly? I think it¡¯s better to postpone it to another day.¡± After that, she left without looking back. Nathaniel watched her graceful figure with a bitter, self¨Cmocking smile. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and with a sigh, he lowered his gaze, concealing the unreadable emotions in his Chapter 650 2/2 Moves. Upon hearing hisughter, Sheena unconsciously quickened her pace. Just as she stepped out of Alzer Pce, she encountered Lionel and Jamie walking toward her. Seeing Sheena alone, Jamie asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, where¡¯s Mr. Lance?¡± Sheena exchanged a silent nce with Lionel before responding to Jamie, ¡°He¡¯s still inside. It seems he won¡¯t be meeting Princess Kelly today. Kindly arrange for someone to take us back to our residence. ¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Jamie was surprised. ¡°Why the sudden change? Did he agree?¡± ¡°You can go in and ask him yourself.¡± While Jamie went inside, Lionel approached Sheena quietly, whispering, ¡°Lord Gale willeter. Miss, you can¡¯t leave yet. Lord Gale? Lionel could sense her confusion, so he exined further, ¡°Harrold Gale, Princess Kelly¡¯s husband.¡± Since he was Kelly¡¯s husband, Sheena must find an opportunity to meet Harrold. If she missed it today, there might not be another chance to encounter him. But¡­ She had just pped Nathaniel and mentioned postponing the meeting. How could she smooth things over now? Chapter 651 Chapter 651 N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Sheena was standing at the doorway, contemting a solution, when Nathaniel suddenly rushed out of the pce. Seeing Sheena still there, he was relieved and overjoyed, approaching her, and tightly gripping her Wrist ¡°What are you doing?¡± Sheena looked at her hand, puzzled. When she raised her head, she met Nathaniel¡¯s tear filled, blue eyes. It was the first time she had witnessed Nathaniel in such a heartbroken state. His eyes, unexpectedly clear and sincere when filled with tears, were a stark contrast to his usual self. Ignoring Lionel¡¯s presence, Nathaniel choked back tears and pleaded, ¡°Nana, I¡¯ll seriously reflect on what you said, and I¡¯ll change for the better. If you can give Elliot a chance, can¡¯t you grant me one too?¡± Sheena gazed at him in silence. Nathaniel¡¯s eyes were earnest as he continued, ¡°I¡¯ll prove to you that I¡¯m the man who loves you the most in this world! We¡¯re already here, and my mom is waiting for us to join her for lunch. Please, don¡¯t leave.¡± Sheena nced at Lionel. Thinking about Harrold¡¯s matter, she softened her tone. ¡°But the injuries on your face¡­¡± Nathaniel casually touched his face with a nonchnt smile. ¡°I¡¯ll just apply some iceter. If there are any visible marks, you can help me with makeup. It¡¯s not a big deal.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Sheena secretly breathed a sigh of relief, not expecting it to be so easy to get through. ¡°But I don¡¯t like that blue dress. If you insist on making me wear it. I¡¯ll still leave ¡± She did not want to match outfits in the same color scheme; that was her bottom line. Nathanielpromised, ¡°Fine, as long as you don¡¯t leave, I won¡¯t insist anymore. You make the choice you like.¡± Sheena nodded. The two re¨Centered Alzer Pce, with Lionel and Jamie silently trailing behind. Froania. National Investigation Bureau, Romello¡¯s office. Seated at his desk, Romello narrowed his eyes, and his entire face was grim as he listened to the Chapter 651 report from his subordinate 2/2 Afterward, he clenched his cigar and abruptly picked up the ashtray on the desk, smashing it toward his subordinate without warning. ¡°You useless piece of shit!¡± The subordinate bowed his head, enduring the pain, trembling from the berating. Romello¡¯s harsh words silenced him, preventing any response. ¡°Why was Corey at Elliot¡¯s house? Even Elliot¡¯s closest subordinate isn¡¯t allowed inside. There¡¯s a problem here! Keep investigating. We must find out what¡¯s wrong with Elliot!¡± big ¡°But¡­ our people have been watching the Jenkins estatetely, and we¡¯ve even contacted Mr. Peter to arrange for his people to monitor Mr. Jenkins¡¯s mansion. With the Lawson family¡¯s heirs being there, we couldn¡¯t find an opportunity,¡± the subordinate replied nervously. As soon as he spoke, Romello sent a teacup flying in his direction. ¡°Keep a tight watch! Corey will eventually leave. If necessary, force your way in! We must confirm Elliot¡¯s condition with our own eyes!¡± Romello ordered sternly. ¡°Y¨CYes, understood.¡± After the subordinate left, Romello, lost in thought, traced his fingers over the que on his desk bearing the title of Deputy Chief. Not long ago, Romello had rescued Nathaniel from Elliot¡¯s grasp and learned about Elliot¡¯s illness from him. Moreover, he was also informed that the S404 bio¨Cvirus invasion had reached an advanced stage, causing severeplications. Romello hoped that Elliot would be left with a permanent disability! ¡°Elliot, you¡¯ve held the top position for so many years. It¡¯s time for a change,¡± he said with a sinister smile, his amber eyes revealing his unabashed ambition. The Princess Royal, Kelly Lance, was the most esteemed woman in the Kingdom of Laubabwe. At noon, a finely dressed Sheena and Nathaniel headed to Kelly¡¯s pce. Chapter 652 Chapter 652 Before reaching the entrance, they spotted the dignified Harrold emerging from the pce. Behind him was a fair ¨C skinned, azure¨Ceyed, handsome young man. Harrold was engaged in lively conversation with the youth beside him, but his wrinkled face instantly turned cold upon seeing Nathaniel. Original from N?velDrama.Org. With a disdainful snort and face full of displeasure, he ignored Nathaniel, intending to depart in the opposite direction. ¡°Sir!¡± Sheena smiled, calling out to him, ¡°Why are you leaving when you see us?¡® Initially nning to act as if he had not seen them, Nathaniel could only reluctantly step forward and how to Harrold. He then quietly introduced him to Sheena, ¡°Nana, this is Lord Gale, and the one behind him is his son, Caesar Gale.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Sheena, mimicking Nathaniel¡¯s etiquette, slightly bowed to both of them, ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Just as she finished speaking, Caesarughed cheerfully, ¡°Miss, you¡¯ve got the manners wrong. Here in Laubabwe, the etiquette for girls and boys is different.¡± Sheena, looking puzzled, nced at Nathaniel beside her and charmingly smiled. ¡°Is that so? It¡¯s my first time here, so I¡¯m still unfamiliar with the local culture.¡± ¡°It¡¯s your first time here, yet you¡¯re so well¨Cspoken.¡± Caesar approached, taking Sheena¡¯s hand, and politely kissing the back of it, marveling at her beauty. ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful and intelligent. I really like you.¡± ¡°Caesar!¡± Nathaniel pped away his hand. ¡°That¡¯s a strong word to use, and and you shouldn¡¯t use it casually. Besides, she¡¯s mine¡­¡± ¡°No worries!¡± Sheena interrupted him, stepping forward and extending her right hand toward Caesar. ¡°I was just following the social etiquette in Laubabwe earlier. Shaking hands is the custom in Froania.¡± Caesar¡¯s azure eyes shimmered with excitement, and his handsome face lit up with a smile. He extended his right hand, shaking hers courteously. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Sheena Lawson. I look forward to visiting you and Lord Gale personally at your mansion next time,¡± Sheena said with a raised eyebrow, locking eyes with Caesar. Caesar stared nkly at the hand he had just shaken, looking somewhat bewildered, as if he had grasped something. The harmonious atmosphere was once again interrupted by Nathaniel. Chapter 652 212 ¡°Alright, it was just a handshake. You don¡¯t need to keep holding Nana¡¯s hand. That¡¯s quite impolite!¡± Due to his words, the two quickly withdrew their hands. Nathaniel, his displeasure apparent, said, ¡°Nana, we should go inside. Let¡¯s not keep the Princess Royal waiting.¡± In Harrold¡¯s presence, Nathaniel addressed Kelly with utmost respect. Harrold sneered, casting a disdainful nce at Nathaniel. ¡°It seems like you should learn some manners. Even the girl you brought has better manners than you! Caesar, let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Yes, Dad.¡± Caesar, reluctant to part, cast a few more nces at Sheena. ¡°Ms. Lawson, I look forward to our next meeting!¡± Sheena smiled and nodded. As Harrold and Caesar left, Nathaniel, with a stern face, cautioned Sheena, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t trust any other men except for me in Laubabwe, especially not Harrold. Stay away from them in the future.¡± Sheena remained silent, secretly rolling her eyes at Nathaniel¡¯s statement. Trust anyone but him? He was one who constantly spouted nonsense and exhibited paranoid tendencies! However, to avoid provoking him, Sheena refrained from sarcastic remarks, following Nathaniel up the Steps. As they walked, Sheena discreetly nced in the direction Harrold and Caesar had taken. Meeting Caesar for the first time, she had a feeling that he was a kind¨Chearted young man. She hoped he would understand her silent plea for help! Chapter 653 Chapter 653 On the way back to their mansion, Caesar was bubbling with excitement in the car, reminiscing about his encounter with Sheen?. ¡°Dad, I think I understand what love at first sight feels like. When I saw Ms. Lawson just now, my heart skipped a beat. I believe I¡¯ve fallen for her, and I want to pursue her!¡± Stroking his beard, Harrold responded with seasoned wisdom, ¡°That won¡¯t be appropriate. Your mom mentioned that Charles brought a girl home a while back, and they¡¯re getting married soon. It must be her.¡± Caesar¡¯s expression fell. ¡°So, is she my future sister¨Cinw?¡± ¡°Hold your tongue! Charles is just a bastard. I¡¯ll never ept his existence.¡± Harrold¡¯s fists clenched, emanating an angry aura in the car. Caesar, fearing his father¡¯s wrath, shrunk his shoulders and cautiously suggested, ¡°But I don¡¯t think Ms. Lawson likes Charles. When she looked at me just now she was forced.¡± it seemed like she was seeking help, like ¡°That¡¯s none of your business. You¡¯re not allowed to mention it again.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± With a sad gaze, Caesar pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket. ¡°This is what she handed me during the handshake.¡± Harrold turned and nced at the note in Caesar¡¯s palm, then swiftly took it and read it. ¡°What did she say?¡± Caesar leaned in closer, but Harrold immediately tore the paper into pieces, and his aged face. revealed no emotion. ¡°She wants to coborate and exchange some benefits.¡± ¡°Really? How about letting me handle the coboration? Consider it part of my training.¡± ¡°Nonsense!¡± Harrold sternly rebuked him. Caesar instantly lowered his head, cautiously observing his father. ¡°Are you not nning to ept her coboration request?¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Harrold remained silent, but his eyes sparkled. As soon as Kellyid eyes on Sheena, she was delighted, holding her hand and asking numerous questions about Froania enthusiastically. Sheena politely answered each one. Chapter 653 Kelly, at the age of forty¨Cfive, had remarkably well¨Cmaintained skin, showing hardly any signs of aging on her face. If Sheena had not known in advance that Kelly was the mother of two adult sons, she might have thought Kelly was only in herte twenties. During their conversation, Sheena sensed that Kelly was curious about everything rted to Froania, likely still fond of Nathaniel¡¯s father, which would exin her affection for Nathaniel as well. Lost in thought, Sheena was gently brought back by Kelly¡¯s light pat on her hand. ¡°Nathaniel has quite the eye. I instantly like you, my dear.¡± Sheena smiled. Nathaniel was pleased and said, ¡°Sheena came to Laubabwe specifically for a grand exotic wedding with me. I¡¯ll need your help with the wedding arrangements when the timees.¡± ¡°Of course! I¡¯ll make sure only the best for your wedding! Sheena listened silently as they discussed various details about the wedding, feeling sorry for dampening Kelly¡¯s excitement. Even if there were a wedding someday, she intended to turn the ceremony into chaos. ¡°Your Highness, my brother is involved in medical research. He has heard about a medicine in Laubabwe called ¡®Clear¡® that can cure any bio¨Cvirus. Since I¡¯m here, I wanted to inquire about it for him.¡® ¡°Yes, such a medicine exists, but¡­¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Chapter 654 Chapter 654 Nathaniel interrupted her, standing up to bow. I¡¯s gettingte, and I¡¯ve arranged for Nana to stay in a small apartment on the outskirts. It might be inconvenient to go back after dark, so I¡¯ll bring her to visit you next time. Kelly met his gaze, nodding with a smile, ¡°Alright. There¡¯s a pce banquet in five days, and you both shoulde and join the festivities¡± ¡°Of course. We¡¯ll take our leave now,¡± Nathaniel responded, Though reluctant, Sheena had no choice but to stand and bid farewell to Kelly Nathaniel hurriedly pulled her arm to leave, and while Sheena disapproved, she refrained from saying anything in front of Kelly. As soon as they exited the pce, Sheena forcefully shook off his hand. ¡°Nathaniel, why didn¡¯t you let Princess Kelly finish? What else haven¡¯t you told me about the medicine?¡± From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°If you want to know something, just ask me. But don¡¯t bring up this matter in front of my mom. know what you¡¯re trying to find out.¡± At the mention of this matter, he became stern. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t entertain any crooked ideas. That medicine is stored in the royal treasury, and unless you marry me, you have no other way to obtain it.¡± Sheena red at him, her expression cold, ¡°Nathaniel, if you dare to deceive me, I will kill you.¡± ¡°How could I? We¡¯re getting married; I¡¯ll be honest,¡± he reassured her, smiling gently, attempting to hold her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll discuss our wedding date with Mom soon. At the uing banquet, she¡¯ll announce our engagement. Now that we¡¯re officially a couple, is holding hands too much?¡± ¡°You¡¯re nothing until it¡¯s a done deal,¡± Sheena retorted, leaving him behind, and Lianel quickly caught up. Before long, Nathaniel escorted Sheena and Lionel back to their amodation on the outskirts. Sheena, unwilling to hear any more nauseatingly sweet words, quickly sent him away, anxiously awaiting Harrold¡¯s arrival. She waited until the night was pitch dark. The snowkes drifted outside, and the suburban road remained serene. Yet, Harrold was nowhere to be seen. Lionel quietly entered her room, assisting her in disabling the miniature listening device on the ceiling light. Chapter 654 2/2 Sheena sat on the edge of the bed, feeling disappointed. ¡°It seems Lord Gale is not willing to cooperate. Lionel sighed in agreement, offering encouragement. ¡°Don¡¯t be discouraged. It¡¯s the first meeting, and Harrold seems to be a cautious person. Hisck of trust is normal.¡® ¡°Mm.¡± Sheena nodded with determination. ¡°At the pce banquet in five days, I¡¯ll surely earn his trust!¡± Lionel kept his gaze fixed on her delicate face, wholeheartedly trusting each decision she made. ¡°What would you like for dinner tonight? I¡¯ll inform the servants in the courtyard to coordinate with Nathaniel for the meal.¡± At the mention of food, Sheena instantly became ufortable. Though the lunch was exquisitely prepared, she had little appetite. However, she had to pretend it was delicious and force herself to eat a few bites in front of Kelly. Now, the thought made her nauseous, and she rubbed her chest to shake off the lingering difort. ¡°I don¡¯t have any particr cravings, and I¡¯m not hungry either. Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m in a different ce, and I just can¡¯t seem to find the taste here that suits me. Let the servants arrange anything. I don¡¯t mind.¡± Sheena massaged her temples, visibly exhausted. me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m quite tired. I¡¯ll take a short nap. When dinner arrives, you can wake me. ¡°Sure, get some rest. You¡¯ve walked around the pce all day; it¡¯s indeed tiring.¡± Lionel turned on the listening devices, closed the door, and left. Sheena had been unusually sleepy these past two days. Perhaps the stress in Laubabwe was taking a toll on her mental well¨Cbeing. Chapter 655 Chapter 655 Sheena did not pay much attention and quicklyy on the bed. In just a few minutes, she fell into a deep sleep The next day in Froania, around mid¨Cafterno After several days of targeted medication, Noah opened the curtains in the master bedroom and turned to Elliot, who was sitting on the bed. ¡°How is it? Do you feel like you can somewhat see some objects?¡± Elliot¡¯s eyes roamed aimlessly in the darkness as he shook his head. Howard, standing nearby, refused to take no for an answer. ¡°Give it another try. Can¡¯t you sense even a glimmer of light?¡± Elliot shook his head again, lowering his longshes, surrendering to the darkness. ¡°Noah, what should we do? What about surgery?¡± Noah¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°His condition is different from ordinary blindness ¡± After giving it a thought, he added, ¡°Let¡¯s visit theb, run a full¨Cbody test, and check the virus spread. Only then can I decide on the next course of treatment.¡± ¡°Theb?¡± Howard turned serious too. He walked to the window, ncing at the garden outside. Corey just left Svelton for business yesterday and won¡¯t return for a few days. With Elliot being watched everywhere, isn¡¯t that too risky?¡± Noah fell silent, and the room sank into solemn silence. In the end, it was Elliot who made the decision. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Even if I continue hiding here, they¡¯ll eventually find out the truth. It¡¯s better to be proactive rather than reactive.¡± Lately, Elliot felt uneasy, sensing something significant was happening at Sheena¡¯s end. It had been almost a week since hest saw her, and the yearning for her was driving him almost insane! He wanted to recover his eyesight quickly and go to Laubabwe to find Sheena! With Elliot taking the lead, Howard reluctantly agreed. ¡°Let¡¯s wait until nightfall when it¡¯s less obvious. We¡¯ll draw too much attention if we go during the day.¡± The main challenge was the five¨Cminute journey from E&S Haven to the garage near the entrance of the Jenkins estate. The path involved winding through numerous alleys, closely monitored by Peter¡¯s Chapter 655 212 men. Elliot, unable to see, would stand out significantlypared to a sighted person when walking this long distance. In winter, the days grew dark quickly.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. By 7 p.m., the sky was already pitch ck. Snowkes gently floated down, quickly nketing the Jenkins estate in a continuous stretch of white. Howard tossed a mink fur coat in the bedroom to Elliot, instructing him to gear up. To minimize attention, Noah and Howard led Elliot discreetly through the back entrance. However, before they could reach the garage, news had already reached Peter. He stood up abruptly, asking, ¡°Are they really sure? Is it really Elliot?¡± A bodyguard replied respectfully, ¡°Just now, three individuals exited Mr. Jenkins¡¯s mansion through the back door. Two men were confirmed to be Mr. Noah and Mr. Howard from the Lawson family, and one, supported by Mr. Howard, wearing a mask and sunsses, seemed to be Mr. Jenkins.¡± ¡°Screw it! If Noah and Howard are personally escorting someone, it must be Elliot!¡± Peter was overjoyed. ¡°Contact Romello; inform him that Elliot has left. Keep a close eye on their subsequent movements.¡± A little over ten minutester, Noah, braving the snowy winds, arrived at theboratory at top speed. Yosef was still at work and conducted a blood test on Elliot. Chapter 656 Chapter 656 Original from N?velDrama.Org. Once the results were out, Noah looked at theb report with a stony face. Howard was taken aback by his serious demeanor and asked, ¡°Noah, say something. How are Elliot¡¯s test results?¡± Elliot sat quietly on the hospital bed, waiting for Noah to speak. Noah remained focused on theb report for a while. After some time, he finally said indifferently, ¡°The medication I¡¯ve prescribed recently has been effective in slowing down the virus¡¯s spread. However, I still need to take a scan of his head.¡± ¡°That sounds like good news. Noah, when will you show a bit more emotion on your face?¡± Howard commented, shaking his head in exasperation. Noah did not respond and left to find Yosef to arrange a head scan for Elliot. As Noah walked away, Howard murmured, ¡°I can¡¯t help but wonder if there¡¯s any girl that can make you drop this aloof demeanor.¡± Just outside the door, Noah heard every word and stopped in his tracks. For the past six months, a persistent girl had confessed her feelings to him countless times. Due to Elliot¡¯s situation, he had not seen her for almost a week. She had probably given up and returned to Farlem. Noah¡¯s gaze turned cold, and he quickly readjusted his focus and strode away. Another half¨Chour passed, and Noah returned with Elliot¡¯s brain CT scan. ¡°He lost his sight because, after the blue serum failed, the virus spread rapidly, causing a tumor to develop in his brain, putting pressure on the central nervous system,¡± Noah exined. ¡°A tumor?¡± Howard was stunned. Although he was not well¨Cversed in medical matters, he knew that anything rted to tumors was not a good sign. He instinctively nced at Elliot on the hospital bed. Noah continued, ¡°It¡¯s benign, just a small tumor. We can remove it through surgery, and with post- operative medication, his eyes should recover.¡± Howard breathed a sigh of relief, saying, ¡°Noah, can you please exin everything in one go next time? You scared the hell out of me.¡± Hearing the best¨Ccase scenario, Elliot finally smiled and teased, ¡°Seems like doctors enjoy scaring their patients.¡± Chapter 656 2/2 Noah ignored their banters, standing by the bedside table and organizing Elliot¡¯s medical records. Then, he calmly exined the arrangement, ¡°I rmend doing the surgery as soon as possible. Take him to the general hospital in town tomorrow afternoon. I¡¯ll be there earlier for preparation, and we¡¯ll conduct the surgery secretly.¡± Howard nodded. ¡°Alright.¡± It was nearly 10 p.m. when they left theb. The snowfall outside intensified, and Noah held an umbre to shield them from the snowstorm while Howard assisted Elliot. The three hurried toward the outdoor parking lot. Suddenly, with a whooshing sound, a snowball flew from the rear, heading straight for the back of Elliot¡¯s head. Sensing it keenly, Noah quickly used the ck umbre in his hand to block it. ¡°Who¡¯s that? Trying to attack others from behind? Are you asking for trouble?¡± Howard spoke with a hint of menace, narrowing his eyes. A young couple emerged from a ck van behind them. The girl jogged over, bowing in apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, we were having a snowball fight and identally hit you. Is this gentleman okay?¡± As she spoke, she approached Elliot. Noah swiftly blocked her line of sight, stating, ¡°He¡¯s fine.¡± Howard was far from convinced and scoffed, ¡°This is the entrance to theb, and you¡¯re ying games here in the middle of the night? Who are you trying to fool?¡± Chapter 657 Chapter 657 The girl, feeling upset, lowered her head, appearing unsure how to exin. Elliot spoke in a stern tone, ¡°Let it go. Let¡¯s go back.¡± Scolded by Elliot, the girl¡¯s boyfriend became unhappy and retorted, ¡°Do you think you¡¯re all that just because you¡¯re rich? It wasn¡¯t intentional, so why were you being so aggressive?¡± As he finished speaking, he swiftly threw a snowball toward Elliot when Noah and Howard were not paying attention. The snowball burst near Elliot¡¯s heels, leaving snowkes on his elegant ck shoes. Elliot showed no reaction, guided by Howard, his gaze straight ahead, without looking to the side throughout the incident. However, Howard was genuinely annoyed. After entrusting Elliot to Noah, he instructed the security. at the entrance to apprehend the couple, and they were swiftly caught. Howard red at the two, instructing, ¡°Take them to the station, charge them with intentional harm and attempted assault!¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Howard!¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all content. With the arrangements made, Howard turned and walked away, quickly boarding Elliot¡¯s car, and racing back to E&S Haven in the heavy snow. However, shortly after the couple was taken to the station, they were picked up by the National Investigation Bureau. The man who threw the snowball at Elliot stood respectfully in Romello¡¯s office. ¡°Mr. Romello, it seems like Mr. Jenkins is blind.¡± Romello instantly put down his legs, sitting up seriously. ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t see it wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure. He needed assistance throughout. Even though he wore sunsses, a normal person would have nced down when the snowball was thrown at them, but he had no reaction.¡± Romello leaned on the table, supporting his chin with his fist, pleasantly surprised. ¡°How can he continue to lead the National Investigation Bureau if he¡¯s blind? He should step down from his position.¡± Finding it amusing, he added, ¡°Good news should not be kept to ourselves. Tell Peter. As for what he does next, it¡¯s not my concern.¡± Back at E&S Haven, Noah and Howard initially nned to retire to their rooms but were summoned Chapter 657 by Elliot into his bedroom. Elliot spoke seriously, ¡°Tonight¡¯s incident at theb entrance was either arranged by Peter or Romello, and they probably found out about my eye condition.¡± Noah and Howard did not refute this; they were both smart individuals who, upon returning, could easily piece together the situation. Elliot continued, ¡°Regardless of who among them knows this news, they¡¯ll be eager to pull me down. Tomorrow, the surgery might not proceed smoothly.¡± Noah and Howard, with serious expressions, exchanged a nce before turning their gaze to Elliot. Howard asked, ¡°Since you¡¯ve brought this up, do you have a n already?¡± Elliot lowered his gaze, and a faint smile appeared on his face. While it waste at night in Froania, it was broad daylight in Laubabwe, nearing noon. Sheena sat by the bedroom window, idly gazing at the pleasant scenery outside. Calcting the time difference, she wondered if Elliot was asleep and if he dreamed of her. The door was knocked, and Lionel entered with lunch. ¡°Miss, it¡¯s time for lunch.¡± Due to the overhead listening device, Lionel praised Nathaniel with some ttering words. ¡°Mr. Lance mentioned that you didn¡¯t like the food here, and your appetite hasn¡¯t been good. So, he specially ordered dishes from Froania¡¯s style restaurant in Laubabwe.¡± Hearing it was Froania¡¯s vor, Sheena got up and walked to the table to check. Barbecue ribs, steak and gravy, casserole¡­ The presentation of the dishes was good, but Sheena, smelling the greasy aroma, inexplicably found it nauseating. She endured until her face turned pale but ultimately could not hold back, rushing to the bathroom. Chapter 658 Chapter 658 In the morning, Sheena barely ate a fro bites Now, her stomach acid surged as she vortitted, burning her throat. Lionel nced at the bathroom with a frown, vaguely sensing something After Sheena finished vomiting and came out of the bathroom, Lionel had already turned off the listening device and locked both the door and the windows With a serious expression, he hesitated twice before gathering the courage to ask, ¡°Me. Sheena, have. you noticed any changes in your body recentlypared to before? Sheena, still soothing her chest, pondered his question. ¡°It does feel a bit different. I always have no appetite, feel nauseous at the smell of grease, and constantly feel tired.¡± Initially, she thought she would lose sleep being in a foreign ce, yearning for Elliot every night. Yet, she had not Every time shey down, she quickly drifted into a deep sleep. Lionel silently directed his gaze toward her abdomen. ¡°Is it possible¡­ that you¡¯re pregnant?¡± ¡°Pregnant?¡± Sheena was taken aback, almost dismissing the possibility. ¡°How could that be? Eli and I had done it so many times before, but I didn¡¯t get pregnant. It¡¯s impossible that it happens now¡­ As she reached the end of her sentence, her entire body stiffened. Upon careful consideration, her menstrual cycle seemed to have been dyed for more than half a month, and her recent symptoms did seem a bit like pregnancy. Sheena moved her hands downward, resting them on her stomach as she looked at her belly. If it were true, this little baby came at the most inconvenient time. Fate really enjoyed ying tricks on her! When she wanted it, she could not have it, and when she least desired it, this little one arrived¡­ The food¡¯s greasy smell brought another wave of nausea. Sheena had already emptied from vomiting, and she could only lean over the sink, dry heaving. Lionel, realizing the situation, immediately covered the dishes on the table and turned on the room¡¯s air purifier. From N?velDrama.Org. Ufortable all over and unable to vomit, Sheena could only endure the nausea and said hopefully, ¡°This matter is not certain yet. Maybe these symptoms are due to the change in environment and pent Chapter ASE -up emotions, not pregnancy.¡± Seeing her difort and unable to help, Lionel sighed. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we find a way to verify? Let¡¯s check if you¡¯re sick or if you¡¯re pregnant?¡± Sheena sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought, not answering Lionel 7/2 They were not only deprived of their freedom and confined but alsopletely cut off from the outside world without even a phone. They would not be able to purchase even a simple pregnancy test. Wanting to hide the matter from Nathaniel and secretly test if she was pregnant seemed like an impossible task under their current circumstances! Lionel was well aware of this dilemma. ¡°If you¡¯re pregnant, keeping it from Nathaniel over time won¡¯t be easy. He¡¯s nning to marry you. If he finds out about the pregnancy at this crucial moment, what would he do?¡± Given Nathaniel¡¯s obsessive nature, it was like having a time bomb beside Sheena. No one could tell if Nathaniel would fly into a rage and do something extreme if he found out. ¡°We can¡¯t hide this matter even if we want to. Let me think about it.¡± Sheena clutched the nket, and Lionel fetched a chair, silently sitting beside her, observing. He genuinely felt sorry for her¨Ca young girl leaving home for and far away for Elliot¡¯s sake. Moreover, she could never let her guard down due to Nathaniel. As a princess of the Lawson family, she would have been doted on by everyone if they found out she was pregnant. However, now she had to navigate Nathaniel¡¯s twisted mind due to this situation. While Lionel kept a steady gaze on Sheena, she lowered her eyes to the floor, contemting seriously. After a moment of reflection, her eyes narrowed with determination. ¡°Since I can¡¯t hide it anyway, I¡¯ll let him help me confirm the pregnancy while facing the reality!¡± Chapter 659 Chapter 659 Lionel, captivated by her determined gaze, asked hesitantly, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Sheena smiled, her eyes sparkling as she replied, ¡°The uing pce banquet in a few days is bound to be very interesting!¡± That day, not only did she have to get Harrold to agree to cooperate with her, but she also nned to present Nathaniel with the surprising news of her possible pregnancy! Lionel stared at her charming face and felt a subtle unease creeping into his heart. Froania. This night was destined to be sleepless for the entire E&S Haven. The next morning, Howard, sporting slight dark circles under his eyes, looked exhausted as he lethargically propped his cheek and ate breakfast. When Noah came downstairs, Howard immediately nced up at him. He was still in his typical icy demeanor, not appearing to have had a sleepless night. ¡°Noah, I envy you. You seem to live without a care, not bothered by anything,¡± Howard remarked. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Noah remained silent, walking to his own te, and began his breakfast without saying a word. After they finished, Howard carried Elliot¡¯s prepared breakfast upstairs. Just as he reached the staircase, he heard amotion from the garden outside. ¡°They¡¯vee so quickly? Can¡¯t even let people eat in peace!¡± Howard stopped in his tracks, ready to go outside, but Noah stopped him. ¡±???? 1. go. You take the food upstairs.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Howard pushed open the door to the master bedroom. Elliot was already up, dressed neatly, standing by the windows. Separated by the curtains, he listened to themotion outside. ¡°Noah¡¯s dealing with it. Don¡¯t worry about it for now and finish your breakfast first. Elliot did not respond or move. Howard took his arm and guided him to sit in a chair. Downstairs, outside the front gate, a crowd had gathered. When Noah came out, he quickly surveyed the scene. Peter and Stanley led the way, apanied by a few bodyguards and some distinguished directors from the Jenkins Group. Even Romello was there, bringing along a few National Investigation Bureau personnel. Chapter 659 2/2 What a crowd. Seeing Noah emerge, Romello took the lead, greeting him with a smile, ¡°Mr. Noah, what are you doing here? Mr. Jenkins hasn¡¯t returned to the National Investigation Bureau for quite some time. Is he unwell?¡± Noah detested this kind of pretentious talk and could not be bothered to indulge in it. ¡°Cut the nonsense. I don¡¯t have the patience for it. Just get to the point.¡± Romello was taken aback,ughing to mask the awkwardness. ¡°Mr. Noah, you¡¯re just as the rumors described.¡± Noah, hands in his pockets, listened expressionlessly to Romello¡¯s nonsense. The atmosphere grew a bit tense. Peter stepped forward and said, ¡°Noah, I¡¯m here to see Elliot for an important family matter. Please allow me to pass. Noah responded bluntly, ¡°Not happening. Elliot has the flu. No visitors.¡± Stanley, standing behind Peter, red at Noah. ¡°It¡¯s been days. Can¡¯t youe up with a new excuse? Even with you around, his cold somehow doesn¡¯t get any better. Isn¡¯t that going to ruin your reputation, Noah?¡± Noah remained unfazed by the attack, speaking calmly, ¡°He has highly contagious influenza. If you have anything, tell me, and I¡¯ll ry the message to him.¡± Highly contagious iInfluenza? Peter and Stanley exchanged a skeptical nce. Stanley, impatient with Noah¡¯s excuses, cut to the chase. Chapter 660 Chapter 660 ¡°We heard that Elliot went blind. Is that true? The Jenkins family rules say that one with disabilities. shouldn¡¯t hold power and lead the family. Due to his health reasons, Elliot often neglects his duties at the Jenkins Group, causing a decline in profits over the past month. Shareholders and directors are all frustrated!¡± The several directors purposely called in all chimed in, ¡°Exactly! Since Mr. Jenkins can¡¯t ensure our profits, the position of CEO should be given to someone else!¡± Seeing Noah remaining silent, Stanley grew more emotional, deliberately raising his voice, ¡°A blind man can¡¯t be the head of the Jenkins family. It¡¯s an embarrassment to our family! We¡¯re here today to summon Elliot, to have him relinquish control in front of all the Jenkins family elders!¡± Noah chuckled, showing a rare change in expression. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Elliot, the Jenkins family wouldn¡¯t have the status of today¡¯s new richest family. What he brought to the Jenkins family and the Jenkins Group is unprecedented glory. What have you. contributed to the Jenkins Group? Do you have the qualifications to stand here and shout?¡± Stanley was left speechless by Noah¡¯s retort. Throughout the Jenkins Group, employees were only aware of Elliot, rarely hearing about his father, Peter, let alone Stanley. Peter, standing nearby, had a pained expression. ¡°Ah, Noah is right. Elliot is a good kid. I¡¯m heartbroken over the troubles he¡¯s facing. If it weren¡¯t for the family rules, he would be the most suitable leader for the Jenkins family!¡± ¡°Heartbroken?¡± Noah¡¯s tone was sarcastic. ¡°If you truly care, why not blind your eyes now? You¡¯d gain a reputation for loving your nephew if you do so. But you won¡¯t dare because you are ungrateful, unkind, and have selfish ambitions.¡± Peter remained silent, and the other Jenkins family members looked pale. Noah spared no respect for them, relentlessly confronting them. However, the crowd knew about his reputation, making them unable to argue back. Seeing the Jenkins family members silent, Noah turned his gaze to Romello, coldly asking, ¡°What about you?¡± Romello just smiled, casting a sidelong nce at his subordinates behind him. The captain of the Ninth Division of the National Investigation Bureau, Jacob Levy, stepped forward immediately to exin, ¡°Mr. Noah, Mr. Jenkins has lost his sight. It¡¯s feared he may not be fit to continue as the head of the National Investigation Bureau. All the captains and vice officers of the National Investigation Bureau jointly request Mr. Jenkins to step down and propose Mr. Romello as the new bureau chief.¡± Noah gazed at Romello, saying, ¡°Since it¡¯s your idea, care to share a few words?¡± Chapter 660 272 With a faint smile, Romello replied calmly, ¡°Since Mr. Jenkins is unwell, he should relieve himself of the burden and rest at home. What I¡¯m doing is for the better future of the National Investigation Bureau.¡± Noah chose to remain silent. Although Romello¡¯s ambitions were clear, he was more upfront about them than Peter. Outside the main gate, the situation remained tense. Seeing Noah no longer engaging in confrontation, Stanley resumed his mor, ¡°Mr. Noah, I don¡¯t know what Elliot offered you to make you support him like this, but if we can¡¯t see Elliot today, we¡¯ll have to force our way in!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the bodyguards Corey had previously arranged, hidden in the shadows, jumped out, surrounding them. There was a loud thud, startling Stanley. Peter furrowed his thick brows, obviously displeased. ¡°Elliot is the head of the Jenkins family. If Mr. Santiago Jenkins finds out that things got out of hand today and turned into a brawl, Elliot will be held responsible. As the Lawson family members, do you really dare to intervene?¡± Noah remained stern, still refusing to speak. The balcony door on the mansion¡¯s third floor suddenly opened, and Elliot¡¯s maic, hoarse voice sounded, ¡°Uncle Peter, are you that eager? If all you want is power, I can give it to you!¡± Original from N?velDrama.Org. All eyes below turned toward the third¨Cfloor balcony and found Elliot standingzily by the railing. Despite wearing a cute, fluffy gray robe, he exuded a cold, majestic aura. He was wearing sunsses, and his expression was calm andposed as he tilted his head slightly, looking as if he was observing the group at the main gate. With his appearance, Romello narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the eyes beneath Elliot¡¯s sunsses from a distance. Chater 2/2 With a faint smile, Romello replied calmly, ¡°Since Mr. Jenkins is unwell, he should relieve himself of the burden and rest at home What I¡¯m doing is for the better future of the National Investigation Bureau.¡± Noah chose to remain silent. Although Romello¡¯s ambitions were clear, he was more upfront about them than Peter. Outside the main gate, the situation remained tense. Seeing Noah no longer engaging in confrontation, Stanley resumed his mor, ¡°Mr. Noah, I don¡¯t. know what Elliot offered you to make you support him like this, but if we can¡¯t see Elliot today, we¡¯ll have to force our way in!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the bodyguards Corey had previously arranged, hidden in the shadows, jumped out, surrounding them. There was a loud thud, startling Stanley. Peter furrowed his thick brows, obviously displeased. ¡°Elliot is the head of the Jenkins family. If Mr. Santiago Jenkins finds out that got out of hand today and turned into a brawl, Elliot will be held responsible. As the Lawson family members, do you really dare to intervene?¡± Noah remained stern, still refusing to speak. The balcony door on the mansion¡¯s third floor suddenly opened, and Elliot¡¯s maic, hoarse voice sounded. ¡°Uncle Peter, are you that eager? If all you want is power, I can give it to you!¡± All eyes below turned toward the third¨Cfloor balcony and found Elliot standingzily by the railing. Despite wearing a cute, fluffy gray robe, he exuded a cold, majestic aura. He was wearing sunsses, and his expression was calm andposed as he tilted his head slightly, looking as if he was observing the group at the main gate. With his appearance, Romello narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the eyes beneath Elliot¡¯s sunsses from a distance. Chapter 661 Chapter 661 Elliot¡¯s arrival brought a momentary hush to the entrance. With his hands casually tucked in his pockets, Elliot continued, ¡°The position of the head of the Jenkins family, the Chief of the National Investigation Bureau, and the CEO at the Jenkins Group. Do you want it? That¡¯s fine. In five days, I¡¯ll hold a meeting and give everyone an exnation.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Stanley was pleasantly surprised. However, knowing Elliot¡¯s cunning nature, it was unlikely he would easily relinquish all power. Stanley expressed skepticism, ¡°Elliot, why are you wearing sunsses in broad daylight? Show us your eyes! And why wait for five days to exin? What game are you ying?¡± Elliot scoffed. ¡°My affairs are none of your concern.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Stanley¡¯s face turned red with anger. Elliot continued addressing the others, ¡°With so many matters at hand, I¡¯ll definitely need more than two days. If you can¡¯t even wait for five days, it shows that you won¡¯t achieve anything significant because of your impatience. Get out now!¡± The crowd at the entrance fell silent. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. With some free time in her schedule, Phoebe hade to see Howard at the Jenkins estate, and she encountered¨CLogan and Lance on the way. The three arrived together. They had heard the disputes clearly. Behind the crowd, Logan said, ¡°It¡¯s only five days. The oue was destined long ago, and the result won¡¯t change. Mr. Romello and Mr. Peter aren¡¯t scared, are they?¡± Peter remained silent. In the tense atmosphere, Romello chuckled andmented, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait. Let¡¯s.go.¡°. He turned and left with his entourage. Passing by Phoebe, he unexpectedly gave her an extra nce. ¡°Miss, you look familiar. What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°What year is this? You¡¯re still trying to pick up girls this way. Isn¡¯t it a bit outdated?¡± Phoebe disdainfully stared back at him. She never treated anyone who tried to bully those close to Sheena nicely. Romelloughed heartily, studying her features. ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll remember you.¡± With a teasing remark, Romello departed with his people. Chapter 661 2/2 Since Romello had left, there was no longer any reason for Peter to stay. ¡°Elliot, I¡¯ll be waiting for your exnation in five days!¡± Just as Peter was about to lead his people back, Elliot called him out, ¡°Hold on.¡± Elliot leisurely leaned against the balcony railing and calmly instructed, ¡°Logan and Lance, hand Stanley over to Uncle Grant. He was disrespectful and insulted me, the head of the family. Uncle Grant knows how to handle this.¡± Stanley immediately protested, ¡°Elliot! You¡¯re about to step down from your position, and you still want to fight me?¡± ¡°Your upbringing iscking, so I have to help Uncle Peter discipline you properly,¡± Elliot said with an icy tone. ¡°Logan, inform Uncle Grant to add five moreshes.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± ¡°Dad, save me! Elliot wants to kill me! Dad!¡± Logan and Lance dragged Stanley away. The bodyguards Peter brought tried to intervene but were no match for Logan and Lance. Peter clenched his fists, resisting the urge to rush forward and rescue his son. Stanley¡¯s words just now were indeed a bit too harsh, but since Elliot had not truly relinquished power yet, Peter could not intervene. Hence, he could only watch as Stanley was dragged away. Peter red at Elliot on the balcony, uttering, ¡°Elliot, I¡¯ll remember this and pay you back with interest!¡± Elliot casually replied, ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± Peter snorted heavily and immediately led his people, following in the direction where Logan and Lance dragged Stanley away. Once everyone was gone, the entrance bodyguards let Phoebe through. Chapter 662 Chapter 662 Howard immediately came out to greet her. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I finally got a day off and felt uneasy about your situation, so I thought I¡¯de and check on you,¡± Phoebe said, lowering her head timidly. Howard ruffled her hair. Recalling Romello¡¯s words he had heard earlier, he asked, ¡°Have you met Romello before?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t know him at all. He speaks inappropriately, and it¡¯s quite annoying,¡± Phoebe replied decisively. Relieved to hear her dislike for Romello, Howard held her hands, rubbing them to warm them. ¡°Feeling cold?¡± Phoebe smiled contentedly, shaking her head. ¡°Ahem!¡± Noah cleared his throat, and his gaze was cold. ¡°If you want to act affectionately, go somewhere else.¡± Howard finally realized their public disy of affection and nced at the empty balcony on the third floor. Elliot had returned to his room, closing the windows. Thinking about how Elliot was being separated from Sheena and could not meet her no matter how, Howard felt terrible for acting lovey¨Cdovey with Phoebe so publicly¡­ Phoebe suggested, ¡°Men are not usually as attentive when caring for others. Do you need any help with Mr. Jenkins?¡± Considering that they would need to take Elliot to the hospital for surgeryter in the evening, and with Noah as the surgeon and various other tasks to manage, Howard found himself stretched thin. ¡°It¡¯s great that you¡¯re here. Noah and I are terrible at cooking, and these next few days will be hectic. We were nning on ordering takeout for Elliot, but since you¡¯re here, it would be great if you could prepare some post¨Csurgery nutritious meals.¡± ¡°No problem!¡± Initially, they had nned to take Elliot to Svelton General Hospital in the afternoon, but Peter and Romello¡¯s people arrived early, and they had just left. In other words, this was the best time to leave for the hospital as the monitoring on E&S Haven was most rxed. Ten minutester, Noah left first. Chapter 662 2/2 Being a major shareholder in most of Froania¡¯srge hospitals, Svelton General Hospital was practically his second home. Five minutester, Howard discreetly took Elliot out from the back door of E&S Haven. After handing Stanley over to Grant, Logan and Lance quickly returned to E&S Haven. Logan was much taller and resembled Elliot in stature, and he disguised himself to appear as if Elliot was still at home. After arriving at Svelton General Hospital, Howard and Elliot promptly made their way to the ward Noah had prearranged. Brain surgery required shaving the head, and since Elliot disliked the service of the nurses, Howard had to take matters into his own hands. Elliot appeared gloomy, and his dark eyes were vacant and dim. ¡°Nana is all about appearances. If she sees me next time with no hair, will she be disgusted?¡± ¡°What the hell are you thinking!¡± Howard was astonished by Elliot¡¯s thought process. ¡°Although Nana cares about appearances, she values character first and looks second. Besides, your hair will grow back in no time.¡± As they chatted, the shaving was quicklypleted. Howard admired his handiwork and clicked his tongue twice. ¡°Your concerns are unnecessary. You still look handsome! But your head really does look like an egg!¡± Quickly trying to make amends, he added, ¡°No, no, it¡¯s a big, handsome egg!¡± Elliot responded with a deadpan expression. He was notforted at all! In the afternoon, Elliot was quietly ushered into the operating room. Before entering, he gripped N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Howard¡¯s arm as if he had something to entrust. Thinking Elliot was worried about the surgical risks, Howard reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. For Noah, a benign brain tumor is just a minor surgery. You won¡¯t be in any life¨Cthreatening danger.¡± Elliot shook his head. ¡°Nana has been gone for a week and hasn¡¯t replied to my messages.¡® Whenever he thought of Sheena, he felt anxious, as if she might be in danger. Chapter 663 Chapter 663 1/2 Howard felt a bit guilty. In fact, he had called Sheena several times recently, all of which went to voicemail. Corey had even investigated Sheena¡¯s safety due to this reason. However, Howard could not speak the truth at this crucial moment of Elliot¡¯s surgery. Instead, he had to fabricate a story to ease Elliot¡¯s mind. ¡°Nana is fine. She messaged me the day before yesterday. Focus on your surgery, and don¡¯t think about anything else. You should deal with Peter and Romello¡¯s matters first. Nana will be okay.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Elliot continued to grip his arm, questioning, ¡°Did she message you? What did she say?¡± Howard was taken aback, but he quickly came up with a lie. ¡°She said everything is in order over there, asked us not to worry, and¡­ she inquired about your health. Anyway, once your vision is restored, you can personally read the messages she sent. Isn¡¯t that great?¡± Elliot fell silent, frowning. The uneasiness in his heart persisted. Seizing the moment when Elliot¡¯s grip loosened a bit, Howard quickly pulled his hand away from his arm, allowing the nurses to push him into the operating room. As Elliot went inside, Howard sat in the corridor, staring fixedly at the red light above the operating room, also contemting Sheena¡¯s situation. Seven days had passed since she left¡­ Sheena had promised to return within two weeks with Clear. She must be safe! With Noah personally performing the surgery, everything went smoothly. In just over three hours, Elliot was out. Still under the influence of anesthesia, he was wheeled into the observation ward. Howard followed and watched over Elliot for the entire day. However, Elliot did not wake up, and Phoebe even brought two meals over during this time. Sensing something amiss, Howard called Noah over. ¡°Noah, how can a normal person sleep for so long under anesthesia?¡± Wearing a mask, Noah absentmindedly replied while monitoring Elliot¡¯s vital signs, ¡°You¡¯re talking about a normal person. Elliot has the virus in his body. Can we consider him normal?¡± Chapter 663 2/2 Howard fell silent, ncing at Elliot lying unconscious on the hospital bed. He whispered, ¡°Noah, why do I feel like you¡¯re scolding him?¡± Noah remained silent, closing the door after finishing his notes. Howard shook his head in resignation, secretly sympathizing with Elliot, his soon¨Cto¨Cbe brother¨Cin- Corey might appear fiery, but he was easy to get along with. On the contrary, Noah, though reserved, seemed indifferent but held grudges and was cunning. If Elliot were to marry Sheena in the future, dealing with Noah would likely be the toughest challenge. Two dayster, in Laubabwe, Nathaniel sent ten sets of exquisite couture evening gowns for Sheena to choose from in the afternoon. Sheena immediately fancied a light green chiffon dress paired with a snowy white fur stole, giving off a hint of an ethereal, enchanted forest nymph. Lionel stood in the living room, waiting. When Sheena came downstairs, dressed in the gown, and fully made up, Lionel could not look away. She was simply breathtakingly beautiful! He quickly lowered his head, repeatedly trying to wake up his rationality. Sheena was Elliot¡¯s! She could only be Elliot¡¯s! No matter how beautiful she was, he should not stare at her! Sheena noticed that Lionel had only nced at her once and averted his gaze. Then, she looked at herself, asking, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Does it not look good?¡± ¡°No¡­ It¡¯s beautiful,¡± Lionel replied, and his ears slightly reddened. Regaining hisposure, he quickly noticed the gown¡¯s color and whispered, ¡°But why this color?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter whether he likes it or not. I like it, and that¡¯s what matters.¡± Chapter 664 Chapter 664 As Sheena finished speaking, a knock on the door echoed through the room. Lionel, sporting his previously unattractive face, went to answer it. Nathaniel stood there, holding a bouquet of white roses, one hand leaning against the door, elegantly inhaling the fragrance of the roses. ¡°Nana, are you ready?¡± He handed the roses over, slowly raising his gaze. However, his mood was instantly ruined upon meeting Lionel¡¯s extremely unattractive face. ¡°Ugh! Why does it have to be you?¡± He narrowed his eyes with a sinister re, not wanting to spare Lionel a second nce. Observing Nathaniel¡¯s reaction, Lionel stifled augh and said, ¡°Mr. Lance, Miss is all set and ready. We can leave now.¡± After speaking, Lionel took a big step to the side, clearing the line of sight. Nathaniel immediately saw Sheena¡¯s beautiful face. With Lionel¡¯s unattractive face in the same room, Sheena¡¯s beauty was instantly elevated, and she was breathtaking. Nathaniel¡¯s blue eyes sparkled as he gazed at Sheena, enchanted and delighted. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re truly an otherworldly beauty. Every move you make can easily intoxicate me.¡± Sheena frowned, not particrly liking his intense gaze or his cheesy words. She lowered her gaze, saying indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s go. Don¡¯t waste time.¡± She bypassed Nathaniel, brushing past him, but the exquisite white roses in his hands blocked her view. Nathaniel handed the white roses to her. ¡°White roses are elegant, a perfect match for Nana.¡± Sheena turned to meet his gaze, understanding the implied meaning in his words. Under normal circumstances, she might have sarcastically retorted, questioning how a monster could decide what a perfect match for her was. Nheless, she had many important tasks ahead and could not afford to anger Nathaniel for now. With these thoughts, she epted the roses from him, but her expression was still cold. Then, she headed toward the direction of the car without looking back. Nathaniel had prepared himself for potential mockery but was pleasantly surprised when Sheena Chapter 664 silently epted the roses. Overjoyed, he turned to Lionel, who stood motionless by the door. ¡°Nana epted my flowers. Does this mean she¡¯s starting to ept me?¡± Lionel kept his head low. ¡°Sadly, I can¡¯t read her mind.¡± Nathanielughed heartily, interpreting the situation as he pleased. He immediately caught up with Sheena¡¯s steps, and Lionel silently followed. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the pce. 212 Last time, Nathaniel had taken her in through the east side door. However, the grand pce gates were wide open for this banquet, and elegantly dresseddies and gentlemen chatted as they slowly. entered the pce. The garage was filled with various luxury cars, all belonging to influential aristocrats of Laubabwe. Nathaniel reminded Sheena in a hushed tone, ¡°There are many people at the banquet, so you must stick close to me. Be careful not to get lost.¡± Sheena nodded gently, but her eyes discreetly scanned the crowd, searching for Harrold¡¯s figure. Harrold was nowhere to be seen, but Caesar approached, taking the initiative to strike up a conversation. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you look wonderful tonight. This pale green dress is truly the most unique and stunning sight!¡± Sheena chuckled. Among the women present, the marrieddies sought to please, and the youngdies hoped to catch the eye of a duke at the banquet. Not many chose green as not everyone could look great in the color. Nathaniel noticed that she actuallyughed. Since their parting seven years ago, he had not seen Sheena smile at him. Yet, a casualment from another man could easily bring out herughter? His displeasure was evident on his face. ¡°Caesar, I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re trying to strike up a conversation with mypanion. You¡¯re simply disrespecting me.¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 665 Chapter 665 Caesar truly regarded Nathaniel as his brother, so he remained silent. Harrold, engaged in light conversation with other dukes nearby, unexpectedly noticed the situation. He approached with a stern expression, his steps heavy, ¡°Charles, don¡¯t forget your lowly status! Do you even deserve Caesar¡¯s respect?¡± Nathaniel was displeased at Harrold¡¯s arrival and retorted, ¡°Lord Gale, please don¡¯t forget that Princess Kelly adopted me. In a way, I am Caesar¡¯s brother.¡± Bringing up this matter only worsened Harrold¡¯s expression. He snorted and walked away with a champagne ss. The magnificent banquet hall featured a string quartet ying elegant melodies that quickly dispelled the earlier unpleasant atmosphere. In Caesar¡¯s sky¨Cblue eyes, there was only Sheena. He gracefully extended his hand and asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, may I invite you to a dance?¡± Sheena was about to respond, but Nathaniel interrupted, ¡°Inviting mypanion to dance? Caesar, are you serious?¡± He cast a cold nce at Caesar and slowly reached out his hand to Sheena. ¡°Nana, everyone¡¯s having fun on the dance floor. Should we join them?¡± Observing both men, Sheena looked from one to the other, grabbed the cuffs of their suits, and ced their hands together. ¡°I¡¯m not very good at dancing. You two have fun. I¡¯ll take a quick trip to the restroom and be back soon.¡± Nathaniel, concerned, insisted, ¡°The pce is huge, and you might lose your way. Let Jamie escort you.¡± Sheena frowned. ¡°Having Jamie, an adult man, apany me to the testroom? That¡¯s too strange. I can find my way. If I can¡¯t, I¡¯ll ask a servant along the way.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Nathaniel, still worried, suggested, ¡°How about I apany you, then? I¡¯ll wait outside.¡± Silently trailing behind them, Lionel quietly gasped. Nathaniel¡¯s vignce was formidable, and he was not easily fooled. Just as Sheena pondered how to refuse without arousing Nathaniel¡¯s suspicion, Kelly¡¯s servant approached Nathaniel. ¡°Sir, Princess Kelly wants to talk to you.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Chapter 665 2/2 Sheena seized the chance, saying, ¡°Princess Kelly must have something important to discuss. Go ahead, I¡¯ll just head to the restroom. What¡¯s the worst that could happen?¡± Nathaniel, torn, ultimatelypromised. ¡°Alright, stay safe. I¡¯ll find you soon.¡± Sheena nodded in agreement. Nathaniel immediately followed the servant out. With him gone, Sheena approached Caesar, whispering, ¡°Where did Lord Gale go? Please take me to him. I have urgent matters.¡® 11 Caesar nodded solemnly. ¡°Ms. Lawson, follow me. Harrold had been waiting in a separate lounge. Once Sheena entered, Lionel casually patrolled the corridor, keeping watch. Caesar was also dismissed by Harrold, and he chatted with Lionel outside. In the room, Sheena greeted Harrold, ¡°Hello, Lord Gale. Time is ticking, so let me get straight to the point.¡± Harrold sat upright, nodding. ¡°I believe you¡¯re willing to meet with me because you¡¯ve already investigated my background. Our cooperation is straightforward. I help you secure the tax¨Cfree trade privilege for Froania from my brother, and you help me obtain what I want. A mutually beneficial arrangement.¡± Harrold stroked his beard, his murky eyes fixed on her. ¡°As you¡¯ve seen, as a duke and Princess Kelly¡¯s husband, my status is exceptional, and the tax¨Cfree trade privilege doesn¡¯t particrly interest me.¡± Sheena smiled. ¡°No need to beat around the bush, Lord Gale. You¡¯ve been suppressed by Princess Kelly¡¯s status for half a lifetime, and gaining the tax¨Cfree trade privilege means you can quietly establish economic independence under her watchful eye, eventually breaking free from her control.¡± She paused for a moment, then continued, ¡°Or, if you find this offer not enticing enough, I can help you¡­ kill Charles!¡± Harrold¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, disying confusion. ¡°He¡¯s about to be your husband, yet you want to kill him?¡± Chapter 666 Chapter 666 Sheena was actually willing to be a widow on her wedding night? What a ruthless woman! Sheena did not answer but countered, ¡°Charles¡® existence is an evesting shame and disgrace for you. Helping you get rid of him should bring you great satisfaction, right?¡± Harrold burst intoughter. ¡°Hahaha, interesting! You¡¯re a fascinating yet dangerous woman. Alright, I agree to cooperate. So, what do you want in return?¡± Sheena smiled and replied determinedly, ¡°I only want ess to Clear, which is stored in the pce vault!¡± Lionel and Caesar were engaged in a friendly chat in the corridor near the entrance. ¡°Mr. Caesar, don¡¯t you find me quite ugly? Why aren¡¯t you disgusted and still willing to chat with me? ¡°I Caesar earnestly re¨Cevaluated Lionel¡¯s face, replying, ¡°It¡¯s indeed unpleasant to look at, but looks are given by our parents. It¡¯s your inherent w, nothing to me yourself for.¡® 11 Lionel suppressed augh, finding Caesar¡¯s candid yet kind words quite unusual. Caesar continued, ¡°Moreover, being chosen as Ms. Lawson¡¯s bodyguard indicates you must have exceptional qualities!¡± ¡°Exceptional qualities?¡± Holding backughter, Lionel self¨Cdeprecatingly added, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just that compared to other bodyguards, I¡¯m exceptionally ugly!¡± Caesar chuckled, and the two continued their lively conversation, creating a cheerful atmosphere. Soon, the room door opened. Lionel immediately stopped chatting and approached Sheena, only to notice she seemed troubled. He had a hunch that something was wrong and quietly asked, ¡°Miss, did Lord Gale disagree?¡± Sheena shook her head. Many people were around them, and it was not a great time to exin. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Nathaniel is probably looking for me.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Observing her expression, Lionel knew something unpleasant had happened but refrained from saying more. As Sheena returned to the banquet hall, Nathaniel had juste out from Kelly¡¯s lounge. Seeing Sheena sitting alone in a corner with a cup of juice with no one taking advantage to strike up a conversation, Nathaniel¡¯s uneasy heart finally rxed. ¡°Nana.¡± Nathaniel smiled as he walked over to Sheena, whispering, ¡°Mom will publicly announce our wedding date shortly, and we¡¯ll be called on stage. All you have to do is stand by my side quietly.¡± 1/2 12 Chapter 666 2/2 Sheena remained silent, appearing quite indifferent. Despite herck of response, Nathaniel was in exceptionally high spirits and continued, ¡°We¡¯ll proceed with the wedding first. After returning to Froania, we can get the marriage certificate. How does that sound to you?¡± Sheena, concealing her disdain, replied calmly, ¡°You¡¯ve already made all the arrangements. Why bother pretending to ask for my opinion? Just do it ording to your n.¡± She did not refuse, which delighted Nathaniel even more. Noticing that she was drinking juice, Nathaniel poured a ss of wine and handed it to her. ¡°It¡¯s a night worth celebrating, and you should have some wine. This is the best wine in Laubabwe, and it¡¯s rich and aromatic, exclusively supplied to the royal family. Give it a try?¡± Sheena did not spare a nce, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve got a slight cold recently, and I don¡¯t want to drink.¡± ¡°Cold? Do you feel unwell?¡± Nathaniel promptly took off his suit jacket, wrapping her slender shoulders snugly. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. The weather has been quite coldtely. I promise to be more attentive in the future! I won¡¯t let you catch a cold or get sick!¡± Chapter 667 Chapter 667 Nathaniel¡¯s blue eyes sparkled with a smile, gazing warmly at her, Sheena turned her face away, not meeting his gaze. Forced to drape herself in his coat, she felt no warmth; instead, she felt a chill all over, N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Sheena removed the suit jacket and returned it to him, saying, ¡°The banquet is about to begin, and you¡¯ll be going on stageter. You should wear it instead. The hall has heating, and I¡¯m not cold.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s eyes gleamed with surprise and joy as he stared at her. ¡°So, Nana, does this count as you caring about me?¡± Sheena lightly furrowed her brows, her longshes drooping, concealing the disdain and anger in her eyes. Then, she forcefully thrust the suit jacket into his hands. Nathaniel took it, obediently putting it on. With a delightful smile on his handsome face, he said, ¡°This feels great. I¡¯m looking forward to our future life even more.¡± Sheena pursed her lips, ignoring him. Thinking about the n forter, she silently gritted her teeth. Nobles and dignitaries filled the vast banquet hall space. The adjacent violin performers suddenly changed the tune, and the lights dimmed abruptly, leaving only the flickering mes on the long table. The spotlight illuminated, and everyone¡¯s attention focused on the spiral staircase. Kelly stood at the highest step, adorned in an elegant gold¨Ctrimmed gown, gracefully waving to the people in the hall with a smile. She hosted tonight¡¯s banquet, and she was the main character. With her appearance, apuse and praises resounded through the hall. She walked down the stairs, supported by the marble railing, moving slowly toward the opposite stage. There was a microphone in the middle of the stage. Kelly raised her hand, and the previously noisy apuse and cheers abruptly stopped. Sheena watched casually, listening quietly as Kelly delivered the necessary formalities and asionally pping along with the crowd. ¡°In fact, besides inviting everyone to have a great night tonight, there is another major announcement to make.¡± Kelly¡¯s gaze swept across the crowd below, finallynding on Nathaniel and Sheena. The spotlight followed her gaze, shining on them. Chapter 667 Nathaniel immediately grabbed Sheena¡¯s hand. Sheena almost instinctively tried to pull away, but he held on tightly this time, denying her the chance to struggle. Being looked at by everyone, Sheena quickly regained herposure. An elegant, faint smile appeared on her face, turning her reluctance into a shy and awkward demeanor. Then, the crowd instinctively cleared a path on the red carpet, allowing Nathaniel to lead Sheena step by step toward the stage. On the stage, Kelly continued her announcement, ¡°My adopted son, Charles Lance, and Ms. Sheena Lawson from Froania, are set to have their wedding ceremony in the Florence Cathedral seven days from now!¡± Enthusiastic apuse erupted. Nathaniel released Sheena¡¯s hand, embracing Kelly, and presenting a heartwarming scene of mother and son. Back then, the royal family had skillfully concealed Kelly¡¯s pregnancy. Given Kelly¡¯s status as the current king¡¯s only sister and the most esteemed woman in all of Laubabwe, even if some noticed a resemnce between Nathaniel¡¯s features and Kelly¡¯s, no one dared to question his true identity. Everyone marveled at Nathaniel¡¯s great luck as an adopted son, but Harrold sat there, drinking in silence. At this moment, all eyes were drawn to the spotlight, and no one noticed his dark expression and the mes of anger in his eyes. Beside him, Caesar rested his cheek on his hand, gazing sadly at Sheena on the stage, sighing silently. On the stage, Nathaniel and Kelly concluded their embrace. Taking the microphone from Kelly¡¯s hands, Nathaniel continued, ¡°I met Nana over a decade ago, silently harboring feelings for her for more than ten years. Now, I finally have the opportunity to be her husband, and I¡¯ll love her for a lifetime.¡± He turned to look at Sheena affectionately, slowly extending his hand. ¡°Come, stand by my side.¡± Sheena stood in ce, silently locking eyes with him. Chapter 668 Chapter 668 At this moment, all eyes were on the stage. The music in the hall came to a stop, and Sheena heard the admiring voices of the nobledies present. ¡°She¡¯s so beautiful! They both make such a handsome couple! They¡¯re perfect together!¡± ¡°They¡¯ve been in love for over a decade! What kind of fairy¨Ctale romance is this? It¡¯s so sweet!¡± Perfect match? In love for over ten years? Sheena scoffed. Did Nathaniel fall for his own sugar¨Ccoated lie? ¡°Nana, don¡¯t be shy. Come over,¡± Nathaniel said. His tone was gentle, and his blue eyes were filled with indulgence. Sheena adjusted her emotions and quickly shed a beautiful smile, gracefully walking toward Nathaniel in her high heels. Extending her fair and slender hand, she pretended to be about to ce it in Nathaniel¡¯s palm. However, just before their contact, she frowned and covered her mouth ufortably. The microphone was rtively close, and the sound of her retching was amplified immensely. In the vast pce, everyone heard it loud and clear. Nathaniel¡¯s smile disappeared, and his hand froze in ce. In front of everyone, Sheena said bashfully, ¡°Originally, I nned to share this good news with you after the wedding, but it seems the baby has other ns¡­¡± The feeling of nausea surged again, and she turned to run off the stage, sprinting to the restroom. Nathaniel stood motionless on the stage. Only he knew the irony behind Sheena¡¯s words! His eyes reddened, and his entire body stiffened, remaining in a daze for a long time. The nobles below were oblivious to the true situation. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Seeing Nathaniel¡¯s stunned expression, they thought he was overwhelmed with joy. ¡°Your Highness, congrattions! You¡¯re about to be a grandmother!¡± ¡°Mr. Charles and Ms. Lawson are both so good¨Clooking. With those wonderful genes, the baby will surely be adorable!¡± ¡°Congrattions, Princess Kelly and Mr. Charles!¡± Chapter 668 2/2 Kelly nced at Nathaniel¡¯s expression, sensing that something was amiss. Facing everyone¡¯s well wishes, she could only smile and respond, ¡°Thank you!¡± Nathaniel clenched his fists, his rage nearly consuming his reason. In front of so many people, he had to suppress the urge to explode and forced himself to look at Kelly. ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll go check on Nana.¡± Kelly nodded. After being granted approval, Nathaniel immediately ran off the stage, heading toward the restroom. Just as he reached the door, he saw Sheena standing outside the restroom corridor, leaning against the wall, calmly waiting for him to approach. The color of his face was the same as the shade of the pale green dress she wore, seeming to mock him silently. They were about to get married, yet his bride was carrying someone else¡¯s child! How ridiculous! Furious, Nathaniel red at Sheena and grabbed her wrist, dragging her into his private lounge. He shoved her inside, closed the door, and locked it. Unable to withstand his anger¨Cfueled force, Sheena fell to the ground. Fortunately, the room had a thick carpet, preventing her from being hurt by the fall. Trembling with clenched fists, Nathaniel suppressed the anger and resentment within, ring down at her. ¡°Are you really pregnant?¡± Chapter 669 Chapter 669 ¡°Maybe. It¡¯s my first time too, and I don¡¯t have experience with pregnancy,¡± Sheena said indifferently. Then, she stood up and casually walked over to the sofa. Nathaniel took a deep breath and quickly instructed Jamie to call the pce¡¯s on¨Cduty doctor to examine Sheena¡¯s body. After a brief check¨Cup, the doctor bowed at Nathaniel and informed him, ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Charles. Ms. Lawson is two and a half weeks pregnant. You¡¯re going to be a father!¡± He was going to be a father? The irony! Nathaniel red at the doctor, his eyes filled with rage as if he wanted to destroy everything. He violently swept the teacups off the table to the floor. ¡°Get out, all of you!¡± The doctor was frightened and quickly left with Jamie. When only Nathaniel and Sheena remained in the room, he approached her, gripping her chin to confirm. ¡°Is it Elliot¡¯s?¡± ¡°Who else could it be?¡± Sheena sneered. ¡°Certainly not yours. Nathaniel gritted his teeth, and his fierce eyes were terrifying. ¡°We¡¯re aborting that child tomorrow!¡± ¡°Why should I?¡± Sheena pushed away his hand, adopting a firm stance. ¡°Nathaniel, this is my child. You have no right to decide its life or death!¡± ¡°But he¡¯s also Elliot¡¯s child!¡± His eyes were red, and he roared, ¡°You¡¯re marrying me soon! You¡¯re my woman! I won¡¯t allow this child to live in this world!¡± ¡°Nathaniel, I forbid you from touching this child!¡± Sheena stared back at him unyieldingly. ¡°Now that everyone in the pce knows I¡¯m pregnant, they think it¡¯s your child. You deliberately created an illusion of our happy rtionship on stage today. If something happens to me now, how do you think others will view you? Do you want everyone to turn against you?¡± ¡°So, you deliberately nned to scheme against me?¡± Nathaniel btedly realized the truth, and uncontroble anger surged within him. He grabbed her neck, forcing her down onto the sofa. Chapter 669 2/2 ¡°Sheena, why would you treat me like this? I chose my career over you seven years ago, but I regret it now. I¡¯ve been trying to make amends for all those years. Why can¡¯t you give me another chance?¡± He red at her angrily. Yet, the tears falling down his cheeks betrayed his true emotions. ¡°Lately, your attitude toward me has improved, and you even epted my flowers tonight. I thought my efforts were finally being recognized, that you were trying to ept me. But you just used reality to tell me that my wishful thinking is nothing but a joke!¡± Nothing was more despairing than having hope and being thrown back into the abyss by reality! Despite feeling suffocated and being pushed down, Sheena scoffed. ¡°You say I schemed against you, but how many times have you schemed against me? You promised not to deceive me again once I came to Laubabwe, to treat me honestly. Have you lived up to that promise?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s grip loosened slightly. Faced with her questioning, he awkwardly averted his gaze. Sheena stared at him with a glint of hatred in her eyes. Tonight, she talked to Harrold about Clear. Harrold revealed that Kelly had given the medicine to Nathaniel half a month ago, and it was now in Nathaniel¡¯s possession. However, Nathaniel lied to her, iming the medicine was still stored in the pce storage, using this to consume Elliot¡¯s remaining time and deceive her into continuing the charade. When Elliot¡¯s body could not endure any longer, Nathaniel would have achieved his goal¨Cpreserving Clear and marrying her, leaving Elliot to die miserably. He was simply too cunning! N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°Nathaniel vou¡¯re nothing more than a beast! A despicable creature worse than any animal!¡± Chapter 670 Chapter 670 Nathaniel¡¯s rationality was once again consumed by rage, and the pressure in his grip intensified, mercilessly squeezing Sheena¡¯s neck. From N?velDrama.Org. He leaned in, speaking harshly by her ear, ¡°You¡¯re right, I¡¯m a beast. So, please don¡¯t provoke me!¡± The air grew thinner, and Sheena felt suffocated, her struggles weakening. During this period, her waning appetite due to pregnancy meant she had not eaten properly in a long time, leaving her physically unable to resist Nathaniel¡¯s strength. Nathaniel stared at her expression,ughing recklessly. However, tears streamed down his face. He released his grip and ruthlessly ripped at his own shirt like a madman. Fresh air rushed back into Sheena¡¯s lungs, and she immediately clutched her throat, coughing She noticed Nathaniel¡¯s actions and shouted, ¡°What are you doing!¡± Ignoring her, Nathaniel tossed the torn shirt and suit jacket aside, standing bare¨Cchested. Sheena averted her gaze, refusing to look at him. He grabbed her chin again, forcing her to look at his body. ¡°Sheena, what are you afraid of? I want you to open your eyes and take a good look!¡± On his healthy, honey¨Ctoned skin were numerous healed scars. What should have been a muscr and attractive physique now appeared incredibly monstrous. Many scars were visible, and even though they had scabbed over, the skin would never fully recover. ¡°Have you taken a good look? All of these are thanks to Elliot! ¡°Beingshed with a heavy whip dipped in saltwater, burns from cigarettes and branding irons, my back sshed with two bottles of sulfuric acid by Elliot, and four hundred and four knife wounds. How many times have my ribs broken? I lost count! ¡°For six months in that high¨Csecurity prison, I had to lick others¡® leftover food every day. At night, I either slept in a filthy toilet or was confined to a cold and damp cell. The slightest mistake would result in a beating. I was tormented to madness by those hellish days! ¡°You call me a beast? Yes! Only a beast takes revenge. If my life is miserable, I¡¯ll drag Elliot down to hell with me!¡± Sheena stared nkly at the wounds on his body, her eyes turning red. It was indeed frightening¨Ceach scar revealed the inhumane torture he had endured. Even so, she did not feel any sympathy for him. Chapter 670 He deserved it for using the S404 against Elliot. He deserved all of it. ¡°Elliot has been suffering for the past six months because of you. He isn¡¯t much better than you!¡± Sheena held back her tears and proposed a solution, ¡°If you¡¯re willing to hand over Clear without conditions, I¡¯ll consider the debts between you settled. I can guarantee that, from now on, you and Elliot won¡¯t interfere with each other, won¡¯t harm each other, and can coexist peacefully.¡± Nathanielughed, theughter manic and eerie. ¡°Debts settled? Coexist peacefully?¡± He scoffed lightly, releasing her chin. ¡°Nana, I hate him to the core, and he despises me just as much. The hatred between us can only end in one of us dying. There will never be a reconciliation. Originally, I meticulously nned to marry you, intending to torment you after marriage, seeking the pleasure of revenge. I wanted Elliot to witness the woman he loved being degraded by me!¡± He paused for a bit, then continued, ¡°But, after meeting, I gave up on that idea. Nana, I truly love you! My love for you is no less than that of Elliot! Why can¡¯t you share even a little bit of the affection you give to Elliot with me?¡± He roared, furious and dejected. His entire being was agitated and sorrowful, tears continuously streaming down. He resembled a desperate beast, driven toplete insanity. Chapter 671 Chapter 671 Sheena turned away, ignoring him, a tear silently falling from the corner of her eye, seamlessly blending into her hair. She could never give Nathaniel what he wanted, and it was impossible for her to do so! In this lifetime, she would only love Elliot! Nathaniel sat defeated on the side, crying andughing, but his gaze caught the sight of Sheena lying on the sofa behind him. There was a vivid red bruise on her originally fair neck, ringly noticeable. It was the mark he had just left¨Chis recent outburst. Gradually regaining his senses, Nathaniel apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nana. I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you.¡± He reached out with apassionate look, intending to touch the red mark on her neck. Sheena evaded and turned around, her back facing him. Nathaniel¡¯s hand froze mid¨Cair. The next moment, his expression turned cold again, and he used force to turn her shoulders, forcing her to face him. His entire demeanor reverted to its previous sinister and chilling aura. ¡°Nana, I¡¯ll give you another choice. Do you want the life of the child in your womb, or do you want Elliot¡¯s life?¡± ¡°Why do you always enjoy forcing me to make choices, Nathaniel?¡± Sheena red at him. He raised an eyebrow and smirked, ¡°Because it¡¯s entertaining, isn¡¯t it? Nana, if you choose Elliot, you¡¯ll obediently get rid of this child tomorrow. We¡¯ll proceed with our original n, and I¡¯ll take care of those tycoons and dukes who won¡¯t shut up! If you choose this child, I can set you free and cancel our wedding, but Elliot must die!¡± He shed a mocking smile, eager to see just how much weight Elliot held in her heart. Sheena red at him with resentment but noticed Lionel from the corner of her eye, silently entering through the window not far behind Nathaniel. She narrowed her eyes, a glint of coldness flickering. ¡°Nathaniel, I won¡¯t choose. I want both!¡± As the words left her lips, there was a dull thud in the room. Lionel had taken a golf club from the corner and struck Nathaniel hard on the back of his head. Nathaniel immediately copsed, passing out on the floor. Noticing the bruise on Sheena¡¯s neck, Lionel tossed the golf club and rushed over to check on her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I waste!¡± 2/2 Sheena smiled reassuringly, saying, ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡± Lionel reluctantly breathed a sigh of relief and nced at the unconscious Nathaniel on the ¡°Now that Nathaniel knows you¡¯re pregnant, what¡¯s your next step?¡± carpet. Sheena also looked at Nathaniel, lost in thought for a moment. ¡°Harrold told me that Clear is in Nathaniel¡¯s possession. Where do you think he would hide it?¡± Lionel lowered his head in contemtion. Sheena continued, ¡°He has been residing in Alzer Pce. Rather than hiding it outside, the pce would be the safest ce. Perhaps he has hidden the drug in his own chambers. Tonight might actually be a good opportunity! I¡¯ll go and steal the medicine!¡± ¡°Tonight?¡± Lionel expressed concern. ¡°But it¡¯s the pce banquet, and there are too many people!¡± ¡°It¡¯s precisely because of the crowded environment that it¡¯s easier to go unnoticed. If it were any other day, we wouldn¡¯t stand a chance with the tight pce security,¡± Sheena exined. From N?velDrama.Org. Lionel felt conflicted, but he knew this was Sheena¡¯sst resort! Now that Nathaniel knew about her pregnancy, he would likely tighten his restrictions on her further. After tonight, finding another way to obtain Clear would only be more challenging. ¡°Alright, but sneaking in is too risky, especially considering you¡¯re pregnant. Let me go!¡± Lionel looked at her with a determined gaze. Chapter 672 Chapter 672 1/2 ¡°You?¡± Sheena frowned, rejecting the idea. ¡°No way! Princess Kelly publicly announced my wedding date with Nathaniel, and everyone knows about our rtionship. I can enter Alzer Pce without any trouble, but it¡¯s different for you. It¡¯s much more dangerous if you go!¡± ¡°But what about Nathaniel? I just knocked him out, and he¡¯s trained and in good shape. He¡¯ll probably wake up soon. If you¡¯re not with him, he¡¯ll immediately catch on!¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Sheena hesitated, worried about his safety. ¡°Enough with the ¡®buts¡®. With you helping me handle Nathaniel, I have a better chance of sess than you doing this on your on. Trust me, I¡¯ll give it my all, even if it means risking my life, to get Clear!¡± ¡°No, you can¡¯t! If you get caught, you¡¯re not allowed to go all out! As long as Clear is still there, even if it doesn¡¯t work out tonight, we can still figure something else out. However, there¡¯s only one you in this world, so you must stay alive!¡± Lionel met her gaze, deeply moved by the seriousness in her eyes. He lowered his eyes, teary. ¡°Thank you. Besides Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re the kindest person to me.¡± At the mention of Elliot, Sheena turned serious, saying, ¡°Although Eli usually teases you, he has always regarded you as family. I believe if it were him, he would also prioritize your safety.¡± Lionel lowered his head, wiping his nose with his fingers, holding back the urge to cry. Sheenafortingly patted his shoulder and earnestly nned, ¡°Once you get Clear, don¡¯t worry about me. Find a way to return to Froania immediately and bring the medicine back to Svelton!¡± Shocked by her decision, Lionel asked, ¡°But what about you? You¡¯ve already been confined, and now you¡¯re pregnant! Nathaniel is insane. Once he loses it, he might harm you!¡± ¡°He won¡¯t hurt me. The injury on my neck was just an ident. Nathaniel¡­ will never take my life.¡± Lionel remained silent, torn inside. Sheena did not give him a chance to continue thinking. ¡°Let¡¯s not waste time. Go now! Be sure to stay safe!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Lionel gathered his thoughts and crawled out of the window. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. After three days of unconsciousness, Elliot finally woke up. He tried to blink but found his eyes covered with bandages. When he touched his head, he discovered it was also wrapped in thick bandages. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Howard scolded. ¡°You still have an IV in your hand! Just stay put!¡± Chapter 672 2/2 Elliot lowered his hand, propping himself up to a sitting position. Once he recollected his thoughts, he immediately asked, ¡°How long have I been asleep?¡± ¡°Three days. As you didn¡¯t wake up and we couldn¡¯t administer the medicine orally, Noah switched to IV. Does your head hurt?¡± Elliot quietly focused and then shook his head. Following up, he asked, ¡°How¡¯s Nana doing?¡± Howard fell silent for a moment. Today, Laubabwe issued international news, and among them was the announcement of the uing wedding of Princess Kelly¡¯s adopted son, Charles Lance, and Sheena, scheduled to take ce in seven days. He had already ordered a domestic ban on this news to prevent it from spreading. Otherwise, with Sheena still engaged here, news of another wedding abroad would stir up quite a controversy. However, exining this to Elliot¡­ would be a difficult conversation. ¡°Howard? Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± Elliot waited for a long time without hearing a response, and his sense of unease deepened. ¡°Has something happened to Nana? I need to leave the hospital! I¡¯m flying to Laubabwe today!¡° Chapter 673 Chapter 673 As Elliot said so, he immediately lifted the covers, ready to get out of bed. Howard quickly stopped him, scolding, ¡°Stop messing around! If you leave at this critical moment, how will you exin things to Romello and Peter the day after tomorrow?¡± Elliot, supported by Howard, sat back down. Howard, choosing to appease him temporarily, tried to conceal the truth, adding, ¡°Nothing is wrong on Nana¡¯s side. Corey has already traced her whereabouts, and Nathaniel has not mistreated her. She¡¯s currently safe.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Of course. Why would I lie to you?¡± Howard hid the uneasiness in his eyes, silently relieved that Elliot could not see his expression. Elliot continued to ask, ¡°But Nathaniel has always wanted to marry Nana. How is it possible for him not to take any action?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Just as Howard struggled to answer him, Noah knocked on the door and entered. Howard immediately stood up to greet him, ¡°Noah, how is it going?¡± ¡°Everything looks normal. We can remove the stitches and take a look.¡± Noah said as he walked to the window, pulling open the curtains. Howard returned to the bedside, but Elliot raised his hand to refuse. ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± He reached behind his head, unraveling the bandages in circles. Noah stood at the foot of the bed, reminding him, ¡°Take off thest two rounds slowly and don¡¯t open your eyes too quickly. Gradually adapt to the light.¡± Elliotplied, and after removing the bandages, he blinked his longshes. Looking down at his hands, his vision seemed shrouded in a ck mist, faintly distinguishing the edges of his hands. Compared to the pitch¨Cdark sight he had experienced for some time, there was already some improvement. Howard approached eagerly and waved his hand in front of Elliot¡¯s eyes. ¡°Can you see?¡± ¡°Not clearly, but I can slightly distinguish the direction,¡± Elliot replied truthfully. ¡°Now, look at me. Can you see my face? Can you see what expression I¡¯m making?¡± Howard bent Charter 673 N?velDrama.Org owns all content. down, bringing his face close to Elliot. After staring at Howard for a while, Elliot shook his head. Howard sighed, turning to look at Noah. ¡°Noah, what should we do? He has to hold a meeting the day after tomorrow to exin to Homello and Peter, yet he still can¡¯t see clearly. Those people are very shrewd. They¡¯ll surely notice¡± Noah remained expressionless as he filled out Elliot¡¯s observation form, saying, ¡°What¡¯s the rush/ We still have tomorrow.¡± Afterpleting the paperwork, he took out a prescription pad, casually telling Howard, ¡°A nurse will deliver the medicationter. Make sure to watch him take It.¡± Howard nodded. Noah tore off a page from the prescription pad, then turned and left. Elliot called after him, ¡°Noah, there¡¯s one more thing. I need a favor from you.¡± Laubabwe. The banquet hall was lively. When Lionel sneaked out of Nathaniel¡¯s lounge, he took advantage of the opportunity to grab an expensive suit. By the time he strolled through the pce corridor again, he had shed the ugly appearance from earlier, reverting to his charming and handsome self. Passing pce servants noticed his attire and greeted him, giving way. Following the route he took during his previous visit to the pce, Lionel found Alzer Pce. In contrast to the lively main banquet hall, this area was quiet. There were few people passing by, and the lighting was dim. As he observed Alzer Pce, two guards emerged from the shadows. ¡°Who is it?¡± Upon seeing Lionel¡¯s attire, they immediately adopted a respectful attitude and said, ¡°Sir, you must be lost. The banquet hall is over there. This is Mr. Charles¡¯s private residence.¡± Chatper 674 Chapter 674 Lionel scanned the two guards. Surprisingly, Nathaniel had people secretly guarding his residence, suggesting that Clear might Indeed be hidden here. He collected his thoughts, feigned an embarrassed smile, and replied, ¡°Sorry about that.¡± The two guards smiled and saluted, watching as he turned and left. However, after a couple of steps, one of the guards sensed something amiss. ¡°Sir, your ent is quite different. Which family are you from? Have you recently returned from studying abroad?¡± Lionel stopped in his tracks, clenching his fists discreetly. Then, he pretended to be irritated and approached one of the guards, fiercely grabbing his cor.. ¡°Open your eyes wide and figure out who I am! How dare you not recognize me!¡± Both guards were startled by his sudden outburst, looking at each other in confusion. The guard being held by Lionel weakly replied, ¡°We¡¯re newly recruited guards by Princess Kelly, directly assigned to Mr. Charles. We truly don¡¯t recognize you!¡± Lionel scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Seizing the opportunity while the guards were stunned, he swiftly took a Taser from one of them, rendering both unconscious within seconds. To be on the safe side, he delivered a few more shocks to their abdomens. After stripping them down to their underwear, stuffing their shirts into their mouths, and using their outerwear and pants as makeshift ties, Lionel hid them in a secluded corner of the Alzer Pce restroom. The entire process took only five minutes, efficient and thorough. Evading the surveince at the entrance, he climbed through a window into Nathaniel¡¯s bedroom, initiating a thorough search. Nathaniel woke up. Feeling a dull pain at the back of his head, he furrowed his brows and instinctively rubbed the back of his neck, discovering bloodstains. Sheena sat on the nearby sofa, sipping juice. Surveying the room, Nathaniel sat up and asked vigntly, ¡°Nana, who was here just now?¡± Sheena did not respond to his question but counterest, ¡°Nathaniel, have you actually ever considered giving me Clear sie bestiated, danger gleaming in his narrowed eyes. ¡°It seems you already know something.¡± Setting aside het juice, Sheena did not beat around the bush, saying, ¡°You¡¯ve been sharing so many brychs with me today, yet you chose to hide the truth about Clear. Do you still think of me as the naive gal frown over a decade ago, oblivions, and blindly following you?¡± Nathaniel lowered his head. I hadn¡¯t nned on handing over Clear because I wanted to possess you. Only if Elliot dies can your entire being, your entire heart, possibly return to me,¡± Sheena scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. If he dies, my heart dies with him. If he¡¯s dead because of you, I¡¯ll only despise you and send you to hell!¡± Nathaniel¡¯s eyes fixed intensely on her, opting to stay silent. Sheena attempted to y the emotional card. ¡°Seven years ago, I admired and respected you. In my eyes, you were the epitome of justice, and I worshipped you. Now, the ruthless, crazed person you¡¯ve be is a stark contrast.¡± Nathaniel immersed himself in memories, his gaze dropping as he remained silent. ¡°What¡¯s the point of us to continue hurting each other like this? If you¡¯re willing to hand over Clear, I¡¯ll be grateful, and we can return to how we used to be. Isn¡¯t that great?¡± Nathaniel raised his eyes to meet hers. A few seconds of silence lingered, broken only by Nathaniel¡¯s softughter. ¡°Nana, are you telling me a joke? Going back to how we were before¨Cfriends or lovers? Both Elliot and I want you. Are you asking me to let go, or is he the one who should?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Sheena took a sip of her juice without saying a word. Nathaniel, amused by her seemingly naive proposition,ughed until the pain at the back of his head reminded him of his recent unconsciousness. He touched the blood on the back of his head and looked at Sheena with deep suspicion. ¡°Nana, why do I feel like you¡¯re intentionally buying time?¡± Chatper 675 Chapter 675 Sheena¡¯s hand, holding the juice, suddenly froze. She shed a nonchnt smile and said, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking. Why would I want to buy time? What¡¯s in it for me?¡± Nathaniel did not believe her at all. Suddenly, he recalled the argument with Sheena before he passed out when she said, ¡°You promised not to deceive me again once I came to Laubabwe, to treat me honestly. Have you lived up to that promise?¡± He had not given it much thought in the heat of the moment, but now it seemed like there was a hidden meaning behind her words. Considering this, Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. ¡°Did you already know that Clear is in my hands?¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. ¡°Clear is in your hands? Weren¡¯t you supposed to keep it in the pce storage?¡± Nathaniel stared at her expression, feeling a growing sense of unease. He immediately reached for his phone and tried contacting the guards he had stationed outside Alzer Pce, but no one answered. No response meant trouble! Next, he called Jamie. ¡°Come back to Alzer Pce immediately and check for any intruders! After hanging up, he got dressed and was about to leave when Sheena grabbed his sleeve. ¡°Where are you going? We haven¡¯t finished discussing our matters!¡± Brushing off her hand, Nathaniel said, ¡°We can talk about your pregnancyter!¡± With these chilling words, he turned and walked away. Sheena inwardly cursed. Nathaniel was exceptionally vignt. She tightened her grip on the ring in her hand and hurriedly followed him. Meanwhile, Lionel was conducting an extensive search at Alzer Pce. The entire ce had been turned upside down, but there was no trace of Clear. If Nathaniel had obtained Clear, the pce would be the safest ce. Where else could he hide it? Though the potion was small, it typically required refrigeration. If left in the cooler box for an extended period, the temperature fluctuation would render it ineffective. Chapter 675 2/2 Hence, the only usible option was¡­. Lionel looked at Alzer Pce¡¯s small kitchen and meticulously searched again. Finally, he found a silver¨Cgray cooler box at the bottom of the refrigerator. Opening it up and inspecting it closely, he discovered a transparent serum, a syringe about the thickness of a thumb and ten centimeters long. Sure enough, it was Clear! Lionel was overjoyed and quickly stripped off his suit, wrapping the cooler box. Then, he meticulously restored any signs of searching in the room and once again leaped out of the window. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. However, as soon as hended, the cold muzzle pressed against his back. Immediately after, there was the crisp sound of a bullet being chambered. Five guards beside him aimed their tasers at him. The gun against his back slowly moved up, now pressing against his head. Jamie¡¯s voice echoed, ¡°Drop what you¡¯re holding, raise your hands, and turn around!¡± Lionel remained motionless, tightened his grip on the cooler box, and instead of letting it go, he hugged it to his chest, showing a stubborn determination. Jamie sneered. ¡°Even if you manage to escape us, you can¡¯t leave this pce tonight once the rm is triggered. What¡¯s in your hands won¡¯t go anywhere, either. If you don¡¯t want a bullet in your head, drop it and turn around!¡± Lionel still did not release his hold, slowly turning around. Nathaniel had just arrived. He could clearly see Lionel¡¯s face under the dim streetlight and was surprised. Chatper 676 Chapter 676 ¡°What a surprise!¡± Nathaniel smirked. ¡°You lied to me, iming to be Sheena¡¯s bodyguard. You know, it¡¯s funny that I didn¡¯t recognize you, letting you dance around right under my nose all these days!¡± Lionel mocked, ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re just too dumb.¡® Nathaniel¡¯s smile vanished instantly, reced by a cold and icy demeanor. Jamie asked, ¡°Sir, what should we do with him?¡± ¡°Put away the guns. They¡¯re too loud. Take him to a secluded ce and deal with him quietly,¡± Nathaniel casually instructed. Lionel chuckled and taunted, ¡°Nathaniel, do you really think your minions can kill me?¡± Nathaniel provocatively raised an eyebrow, saying, ¡°Why not give it a try?¡± As soon as he said that, Jamie immediately started attacking. Lionel¡¯s eyes turned fierce as he evaded the attack and swiftly retaliated. It was six against one, yet in a matter of seconds, Lionel, with incredible speed, took down two opponents. However, his movements were rather restricted as he was holding the cooler box. Moreover, he had no weapons. Lionel was soon hit in the back with a taser. An intense electric shock surged through his body, causing uncontroble convulsions. Jamie took the opportunity to deliver a strong blow to the back of Lionel¡¯s knee with a baton. Lionel grunted, using one hand to support himself, avoiding a humiliating fall, with the left arm still tightly guarding the cooler box. Nathaniel clicked his tongue, uttering, ¡°I know you¡¯re skilled and have a robust physique, trained personally by Elliot. But facing a taser barehanded is still quite challenging.¡± The gentle sounds of violins from the main banquet hall faintly reached them. Nathanielzily rubbed the wound on the back of his neck, growing impatient. ¡°Forget it. Just shoot him with the gun. I¡¯ll exin to Momter.¡± ¡°Yes. Jamie pulled out the gun again, aiming at Lionel¡¯s head, ready to pull the trigger. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Stop! Everyone, freeze!¡± Chule 676 2/2 Sheena suddenly appeared behind Nathaniel, swiftly restraining his hands in a reverse grip. The silver needle on her ring pressed firmly against his neck, and blood trickled down his throat. sheena threatened, ¡°This silver needle is incredibly sharp. If you don¡¯t want me to slit his throat, don¡¯t move!¡± Seizing Jamie¡¯s moment of hesitation, Lionel took the chance, snatched the gun from him, and pressed it against his forehead, The situation instantly reversed, leaving the remaining three guards uncertain about what to do. In the tense atmosphere, Nathaniel was the first tough. ¡°Nana, this isn¡¯t fair, is it? We were conducting a legitimate trade, and you resorted to theft. If you manage to steal it, won¡¯t I be on the losing end, losing you and Clear?¡± ¡°Is there such a thing as ¡®fairness¡® when dealing with a monster like you? Weren¡¯t you scheming to both keep me and withhold Clear?¡± After mocking him, she immediately became serious. ¡°Free Lionel and I¡¯ll stay.¡± ¡°No can do. The wedding is just seven days away. If he takes Clear back to Froania now and cures Elliot, won¡¯t that bastarde over to snatch you?¡± Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly, signaling the three remaining guards. Three tasers were aimed at Lionel¡¯s back. Another shock would surely bring him down! Nathaniel, utterly unafraid of the concealed weapon pressing on his neck, shed a charming smile at Sheena. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t be unreasonable. You won¡¯t kill me. I¡¯m holding an rm. If I die, you and Lionel won¡¯t be able to leave, and Elliot will be beyond cure. In the end, we¡¯ll all perish together.¡± Sheena did not back down, and the ring closed another two millimeters. Blood droplets once again trailed Nathaniel¡¯s neck, staining the cor of his pristine white shirt with red. Sheena defiantly stated, ¡°Indeed, I won¡¯t kill you. But before I came here, I learned some techniques from Noah. I can guarantee someone¡¯s life but leave the lower half of their body paralyzed. I wonder if that¡¯s important to you.¡± Chatper 677 Chapter 677 Nathaniel¡¯s expression froze. Of course, it was important! If he proved impotent, he would not be much of a man. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. The room turned quiet again. After a moment of contemtion, Nathaniel spoke seriously, ¡°Let¡¯spromise. I definitely can¡¯t free Lionel now, but I won¡¯t kill him.¡± Sheena frowned, saying, ¡°I want you to record a statement swearing not to take Lionel¡¯s life. After the wedding, you had better surrender Clear. Otherwise, you¡¯ll live the rest of your days in misery! ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll y by your rules,¡± Nathaniel said with a faint smile. Sheena took a phone out of Nathaniel¡¯s pocket and started recording. Nathaniel, following her instructions, solemnly made the oath. Sheena thought the pledge needed more bite and added, ¡°I want you to state that if you break this promise, Princess Kelly and Uncle Wesley will meet the same fate as you!¡± At the mention of his parents, Nathaniel¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Nana, isn¡¯t that a bit too harsh?¡± ¡°Not harsh enough. How can I trust you to keep your word if you don¡¯t have something dear to you at stake? I know you love Princess Kelly and Uncle Wesley. Swear on them, and I might believe you.¡± Nathaniel fell silent. Sheena lightly cut a small blood trail on his neck, a silent threat. With a wry smile, Nathaniel reluctantly said, ¡°Okay, I swear. He repeated the oath earnestly, following Sheena¡¯s guidance. Sheena sent the recording to her cloud storage and stored it securely before retracting the silver needle on the ring. A sizzling sound filled the air. Sheena looked up to see the guards using their tasers. As Lionel was holding Jamie hostage, both he and Jamie were stunned and copsed on the ground, unconscious. ¡°Nathaniel!¡± Sheena was furious. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t misunderstand. He attempted theft, and he needs to be temporarily detained as a punishment. Otherwise, I can¡¯t exin it to Mom. But rest assured, I¡¯ll keep my promise this time! The guards carried the unconscious Lionel away. At the same time, they also retrieved the cooler boz which contained Clear. Nathaniel, with bloodstains on his clothes, needed to change before returning to the banquet hall. However, Sheena was exhausted and had no intention of continuing with the festivities. The night sky turned pitch ck, and snow began to fall again. The blowing snow caused the temperature to drop by a few degrees. Sheena hugged herself, feeling cold, and said, ¡°Take me back to my ce. I need some rest.¡± Nathaniel promptly took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her. A guard brought an umbre, and Nathaniel personally shielded her from the snow. Sheena did not refuse his jacket as she absolutely could not afford to fall ill. She needed to conserve her energy and find other solutions before the wedding Nathaniel observed her expression silently. Ensuring Sheena made it back to her apartment, Nathaniel instructed the servant to attend to her needs and report any situation immediately. In the bedroom with the heater on, Nathaniel sat on the edge of the bed. Sheena, facing away from him, breathed steadily, pretending to be asleep. Chatper 678 Chapter 678 Though incredibly tired, Sheena could not sleep well with Nathaniel watching over her. Nathaniel quietly gazed at her profile for a while, contemting discussing the matter of the child in her belly. However, seeing how exhausted she seemed, he hesitated. After much hesitation, Nathaniel decided not to wake her and left the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He then drove straight to the dungeon, using the privileges granted by Kelly, which ensured a smooth and unobstructed journey. The dungeon was dim and damp, with flickering oilmps on the gloomy walls. The sound of a heavy whip cracking against flesh became clearer as he advanced further. Yet, despite the relentless beating, there were no cries or pleas for mercy, creating an eerie atmosphere. The guard opened the cell door, and the overwhelming scent of blood greeted Nathaniel. He leisurely walked in, in a rather good mood, enjoying the sight of Lionel¡¯s misery. From N?velDrama.Org. Lionel¡¯s hands were suspended, and his feet did not touch the ground. After a severeshing, his entire body was covered in blood. Even though he seemed disoriented, he remained silent. Nathaniel extended his hand toward the person whipping Lionel, who respectfully handed over the whip handle. He gripped it tightly, casually stirring it in a nearby bucket of saltwater to cleanse the blood. The water in the bucket turned red. ¡°Lionel, how many times did you strike me before? Now, I¡¯m returning the favor. How does it feel? Are you satisfied with their service?¡± Lionel, panting heavily, responded disdainfully, ¡°I¡¯m enjoying every moment! Your people are weak, just like you!¡± Despite being trapped and beaten, Lionel continued his defiant attitude in front of Nathanfel. Unhappy, Nathaniel furrowed his brow and swung the whip, personally delivering two harshshes. If the saltwater soaked into one¡¯s torn and battered skin, it could definitely cause spasms and agonizing cries. Yet, Lionel gritted his teeth, refusing to show any signs of humiliation. If it were not for the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, Nathaniel would actually believe that Lionel knew no pain. Impressed, Nathaniel remarked, ¡°How admirable! Just as expected of someone who has been with Elliot for years! But, under severe punishment, even the bravest falter. Our time together is far from over. We have branding irons, needles, clubs, sulfuric acid¡­ Let¡¯s go through it all in these seven days! Lionel spat blood onto the ground, sneering, ¡°You truly are a beast! Whatever Mr. Jenkins did to you before, you¡¯re giving it back to him. How creative!! Nathaniel¡¯s face darkened, an expression of unparalleled gloom. He scooped up adle of saltwater and sshed it onto Lionel¡¯s body. A loud ssh echoed through the dungeon. The blood on Lionel¡¯s shirt diluted significantly, but the muscles along his jaw trembled, and his face paled. ring at Lionel with intense malice, Nathaniel gritted his teeth. ¡°I promised Nana to spare your life. Feel free to be arrogant. It¡¯ll only make my torment more ruthless!¡± Still recovering from the intense pain brought by the saltwater, Lionel tried to calm his breathing, staying silent. Nathaniel noticed Lionel¡¯s stubborn expression and continued his verbal assault, ¡°What¡¯s so great about Elliot? Why is everyone sacrificing themselves to save him?¡± Lionel held back the pain, shouting, ¡°Of course, you can¡¯t understand! You¡¯re not even remotely comparable to Mr. Jenkins! In this life, the next, or the one after, Ms. Sheena will never love a beast like you!¡± Nathaniel lost his mind and grabbed Lionel¡¯s hair, hysterically screaming, ¡°Why doesn¡¯t she like me? Why! I love her so much!¡± Lionel scoffed, ¡°If you truly loved her, you wouldn¡¯t hurt her. Do you know the physical toll an abortion takes on a woman? You im to love her, yet you care nothing for her well¨Cbeing. In the end, your obsession is just a sick fixation because you couldn¡¯t have her.¡± ¡°No! It¡¯s not true! I love her! I¡¯m the man who loves her the most in this world!¡± His eyes were deep red, repeatedly wailing Lionel disdainfully nced at him and continued, ¡°No matter how severe Mr. Jenkins¡¯s own injuries were, or even when his body was affected by the 023 serum, as long as Ms. Sheena is in danger, he¡¯s ready to sacrifice himself without hesitation. He values Ms. Sheena more than his own life. Yet, he never uses this to manipte her into being with him. He silently guards and sacrifices.¡± After a dramatic pause, Lionel said, ¡°Nathaniel, can you do the same if you were in his shoes?¡± Chatper 679 Chapter 679 Nathaniel was stunned, staying silent for a long time. The concept of silently giving without expecting anything in return struck him hard. If he had already given, why should he not expect something in return? What kind of logic was this? He released Lionel, wiped his hands with a wet cloth, and replied coldly, ¡°Regardless of whether she loves me or not, she can only be mine. As we spend more time together, she¡¯ll be moved. I¡¯ll make her willingly marry me!¡± Discarding the wet cloth, he nced at the others nearby, ¡°Continue. Take good care of this gentleman.¡± After giving the orders, he turned away without looking back, leaving the dungeon. The sharp sound of whipping, apanied by the tearing of flesh by the whip, soon filled the air, chilling to the bone. The next day dawned, and the noise of car engines outside disturbed Sheena¡¯s sleep. Groggy, she ignored it, turning over to continue sleeping. In the past, she would not have been able to sleep through such a critical moment. However, the physical burden of pregnancy was beyond her control. Five minutester, there was a knock on the bedroom door. It was Nathaniel. ¡°Nana, get ready. I¡¯ll take you to the dungeon to see Lionel. Sheena, still half¨Casleep, s¨¢t up in bed, asking through the door, ¡°Are you serious?¡± She found it hard to believe he would let her see Lionel so easily. Was he nning something else? Nathaniel¡¯s tone was cheerful, a slight smile ying on his lips. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m serious. I¡¯ll wait for you in the living room downstairs. Come down when you¡¯re ready.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Sheena quickly got out of bed and started to freshen up. Regardless of Nathaniel¡¯s intentions, being able to see Lionel and ensuring he was safe was always a good thing. She did not bother with makeup, going downstairs bare¨Cfaced with a snow¨Cwhite fox fur coat. When Nathaniel saw her, he was momentarily taken aback. It felt like time had rolled back, and the innocent, adorable, and cheerful Sheena from seven years ago Chapter M had returned to him He stood up, adjusting her coat as he said, ¡°Let¡¯s go ¡± Before leaving, he thoughtfully handed her a hand warmer ¡°The dungeon is cold and damp. You have to be extra careful during the first few months of pregnancy. Don¡¯t catch a cold ¡± Sheena stared at him with doubt but remained silent. Nathaniel, with a smirk, added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I deliberately chose something harmless for pregnant women¡± Sheena epted it. Then, the two of them got into the car in silence and headed to the dungeon. The stench of blood and the intense dampness greeted them as they entered. Sheena suppressed the urge to vomit, quietly following Nathaniel to a cell at the end of the dungeon. The small window on the iron door already in a semi¨Cconscious state, and she saw Lionel being hung by a rope, bloodied and ¡°Nathaniel, you¡¯re too cruel!¡± breath weak. Sheena¡¯s eyes turned red, and she raised her hand as if to p him, but he firmly grabbed her wrist. ¡°Just a fewshes, but he won¡¯t die for now. Nana, you seem to care more about theckeys around Elliot than you do about me. It really makes my heart achel¡± Thest few words were uttered through gritted teeth, and Nathaniel¡¯s eyes turned fierce. ¡®Nana, I know you¡¯re still figuring out how to get Clear before the wedding. If you¡¯re not marrying me, I won¡¯t keep my promise! If you try to deceive me, the sulfuric acid Elliot sshed on me will be Lionel¡¯s reward too. I¡¯ll also make him go through all the other punishments he put me through! He gently released Sheena¡¯s wrist, showing restraint, considering her condition. Chatper 680 Chapter 680 Sheena remained silent, het gare fixed on Lionel, who was barely clinging to life. She felt a suffocating heaviness in her chest, and she dug her nails into her palm to suppress the roaring anger within her. Nathaniel continued, ¡°You can choose to keep the child, but for the next few days, you must stay in the small apartment and behave. No tricks on our wedding day. After the ceremony, I¡¯ll release Lionel immediately and send him back to Froania with Clear. I mean what I say this time.¡± Sheena bit her lip. Het alone against the safety of her unborn child, Lionel, and Clear. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. The conditions seemed favorable to her. ¡°Alright, but you can¡¯t torment Lionel anymore. To show my sincerity in marrying you without any tricks¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s words trailed off as she voluntarily removed the emerald ring from her finger, cing it in Nathaniel¡¯s hand. It was her only personal weapon, and surrendering it was a genuine disy ofmitment. Nathaniel was pleased. ¡°Alright, no more beating him. I¡¯ll send a doctor to treat himter, and he¡¯ll be well taken care of. Is that arrangement satisfactory to you?¡± ¡°You better keep your word.¡± ¡°Rest assured.¡± Nathaniel smiled, checking the temperature of her hand warmer. ¡°Let¡¯s go. The dungeon is too cold, especially for someone pregnant. It¡¯s not suitable for a long stay.¡± Sheena did not say anything more and cast a lingering, concerned look at Lionel before leaving. As they left, Lionel¡¯s hands, suspended all night, were finally let down. His body hit the ground, and the pain woke him. His arms felt dislocated, making it difficult for him to move. ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± ¡°Are you still alive?¡± ¡°Hey, if you can hear me, please respond.¡± ¡°Hey¡­¡± Concerned voices from the neighboring cell echoed incessantly¨Ca girl with an ent simr to theirs. Chapter 680 pter 6 Lionel¡¯s hazy consciousness was awakened, and he croaked a dry ¡°hm¡± as a response. Through the small iron window high on the wall, the relieved voice of the girl next door reached him. ¡°Why were you thrown in here for such a serious punishment? What did you do? Lionely t, weakly gazing at the plich¨Cck ceiling ¡°I tried to steal something from the pce. They caught me. But, even if I hadn¡¯t done that, that monster would still torture me.¡± The girl sighed. ¡°So, are you okay? Are you hungry? The guards brought food yesterday, and I secretly hid a bun. If you want it, I can toss it over to you. In the dungeon, they only served meals once daily, and missing it meant going hungry until the next day. Lionel nced at the small iron window high on the wall. Considering the girl¡¯s voice, she seemed to be around neen. Could she really throw something over? ¡°No need, I¡¯m not hungry. Keep it for yourself. He was curious about the girl¡¯s initiative to talk. ¡°Were you scared by themotionst night? I dared to steal from the pce. Aren¡¯t you afraid of me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of you, butst night was terrifying. I couldn¡¯t sleep the whole night.¡± She curled up against the wall, holding back tears. ¡°I¡¯ve been locked up for several days. Last night, I overheard you talking to that bad guy. It¡¯s so rare to encounter someone with a simr ent to mine. I was afraid you¡¯d be beaten to death.¡± If he were really killed, she would be alone again, with no one to talk to. Lionel smiled faintly. ¡°You¡¯re so young. Why are you locked up here? What did you do?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know why they locked me up. A few days ago, my dad and I went abroad for a trip. I fell asleep in the hotel, and when I woke up, I was here.¡± Lionel listened quietly. ¡°Where¡¯s your dad?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Since I got locked up, I haven¡¯t seen him. I shouted at the door every day for the first few days, but no one responded. Maybe he¡¯s not here.¡± Lionel remained silent, contemting the girl¡¯s ordeal. Her story sounded like an international trafficking case. Chapter 681 Chapter 681 The girl became a little anxious when Lionel did not respond. ¡°Are you still there? Did you faint or something?¡± ¡°No.¡± Lionel wearily closed his eyes and spoke in a frail voice, ¡°I¡¯m very tired, and I just to rest for a while.¡± ¡°No, you mustn¡¯t sleep!¡± The girl frantically knocked on the wall separating them, attempting to rouse his consciousness. ¡°With such severe injuries, if you fall asleep and lose too much blood, you might never wake up again!¡± Lionel was amused. He had trained with Elliot in the military since he was young. With such great form, he would not die so easily. Nevertheless, she was the first stranger besides Elliot and Sheena to show such concern for him, and it warmed his heart. ¡°Did you really fall asleep? Or are you close to death?¡± The banging on the wall echoed again. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­¡® The girl sighed in relief, saying, ¡°If you¡¯re really sleepy, I can keep youpany, talk to you, or even tell you stories!¡± ¡°Do you know any horror stories?¡± ¡°Um¡­ Aren¡¯t we living in a horror story now?¡± Lionel weakly scanned the cell, chuckling. Indeed, their surroundings were quite eerie. N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you someme jokes!¡± ¡°Our situation is bad enough as it is¡­¡± ¡°Well, nothing but someme jokes to lighten the mood!¡± Lionel was left speechless by her reply. As they chatted, they became more and morefortable with each other, chatting for almost half an hour. It was only when the doctor Nathaniel called in arrived that they stopped. Chapter 681 212 Nathaniel once again sent Sheena back to the small apartment on the outskirts, restricting her movements from the entire apartment to just staying in her room. Sheena did notin or express dissatisfaction. She simply asked him for two parenting books to pass the time during these boring days. In terms of food, Nathaniel went out of his way to fulfill her requests. As Sheena was already having morning sickness and increased sleepiness despite being only two and a half weeks pregnant, Nathaniel arranged for a female gynecologist to visit daily in the afternoons to examine her and provide targeted care. At noon, Nathaniel was summoned by Kelly. ¡°Mom.¡± He stood respectfully in front of Kelly, separated by a coffee table. Putting down her coffee cup, Kelly¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Tell me honestly, is Ms. Lawson pregnant with your child?¡± Nathaniel hesitated, his gaze fixed on the floor before answering, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You still want to protect her and not tell the truth?¡± Growing impatient, Kelly overturned the partially consumed coffee cup on the table, and some of the coffee identally sshed onto her hand. Since the table was over a carpet, the noise was not loud. Observing this, Nathaniel immediately went around the table, crouched at her feet, and used a wet tissue to wipe her hands. Seeing his obedient and filial demeanor, Kelly¡¯s anger subsided a bit. She advised, ¡°Nate, you¡¯re being foolish! I¡¯ve already investigated and found she was engaged in Froania long before. Judging by your expressionst night, this child is most likely from her fiance in Froania, right?¡± Nathaniel kept his head low, staying silent. Kelly was frustrated, and her favorable impression of Sheena from before waspletely shattered. Chapter 682 Chapter 682 ¡°She¡¯s obviously not a loyal woman,pletely unworthy of you. Did she put a spell on you? Why are you so blindly devoted to her?¡± Kelly continued expressing her disapproval while Nathaniel kept his head down, earnestly wiping her fingers in silence. Nheless, she was aware of Nathaniel¡¯s unwavering determination when he desired something. She sighed and added, ¡°Either find another woman to marry or make her get rid of this child.¡± ¡°No!¡± Nathaniel immediately raised his head. ¡°She¡¯s the only one I will marry in this lifetime!¡± Thinking about the child in Sheena¡¯s belly, he avoided eye contact and softened. his tone, saying, ¡°Aborting the baby would harm her, and I want her to give birth If, after marriage, I truly can¡¯t stand it, I¡¯ll send the child back to Froania for his father to raise.¡± Kelly was in disbelief. ¡°You actually want her to give birth? Do you intend to let this shame exist forever? Won¡¯t you feel repulsed when you see this child in the future? What does this kind of woman have that¡¯s worthy of your affection?¡± Kelly¡¯s words pierced deep into Nathaniel¡¯s heart, awakening long¨Csuppressed emotions. He smiled self¨Cdeprecatingly and questioned, ¡°Mom, am I not an existence of shame? Weren¡¯t you the same back then? So, are you also the same woman as her?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°Nate! How dare you!¡± Shocked, Kelly red at him and angrily pped him. After the p, she looked at her son, the one she felt most guilty and pitied of, with regret and rubbed his face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was wrong, and I¡¯ve made you suffer over these years!¡± Nathaniel held her hand,forting her with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m not hurt.¡± The days of pain and feeling unjust had long passed for him. Kelly, teary¨Ceyed, continued, ¡°Nate, since you know what I went through, you should understand that it¡¯s unfair to the child in her belly. Do you really want her child to end up like you?¡± Nathaniel did not answer. Deep down, that was precisely the scenario he wanted. Chapter 682 2/3 What was wrong with that? It was Sheena and Elliot¡¯s child. If the child turned out to struggle and suffer like him in the future for being a bastard, would that not be interesting? ¡°I only know that I love her, and I¡¯ll marry her.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Kelly felt even more pity for him. ¡°But Nate, she doesn¡¯t love you! Just like I¡¯ll never love Harrold. Will you truly be happy with her?¡± Leaving Kelly¡¯s pce, Nathaniel could not shake off thest words Kelly had said to him. He also recalled what Lionel said, as well as Sheena¡¯s words¡­ Everyone kept reminding him that Sheena would never ever love him. If he truly loved Sheena, he should let go. He should let her be happy! However, love was inherently selfish and possessive, and he did all this just to have her. He could make her happy! Why did everyone say he was wrong? He could not ept it! The thought of Sheena¡¯s child, conceived through love with Elliot, and the image of them kissing and being affectionate, erased his rationality. Jealousy and unwillingness wrapped around his heart like venomous snakes, making it hard for him to breathe, and he had an impulse to destroy everything! If he could not have her, then everyone would perish together! Jamie noticed Nathaniel¡¯s expression and cautiously asked, ¡°Sir, are we heading back to Alzer Pce?¡± Nathaniel rubbed his temples, the pain in his head almost unbearable. ¡°Nah. Let¡¯s go to a bar.¡± ¡­ Late at night, Sheena had already fallen asleep. In a daze, she heard the roaring sound of a car on the road below, but she paid no attention and continued sleeping. Soon after, an urgent knock sounded, Chapter 682 3/3 apanied by Jamie¡¯s anxious voice. ¡°Ms. Lawson! Wake up! Mr. Lance is drunk and keeps mentioning your name. Pleasee out and check on him!¡± Chapter 683 Chapter 683 Chapter 683 Sheena was awakened in the middle of the night and frowned slightly, ignoring themotion as she turned over. Jamie continued knocking, determined to keep doing so until she opened the door. Growing annoyed, Sheena threw off her nket, slipped on slippers and a thick robe, and went to open the door. ¡°What is it now?¡± Sheena asked, ring at Jamie in annoyance. ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Lance is not pulling any tricks this time. He went to the bar in the afternoon, drank the entire time, and even drove us away. When I went to pick him up at night, I found him passed out in the snow, constantly calling your name. So, I had to bring him here,¡± Jamie exined. Sheena remained expressionless and cold, saying, ¡°If he¡¯s drunk, give him some hangover pills or have a doctor look at him. There¡¯s no point bringing him here. I¡¯m not a doctor.¡± She was about to close the door, but Jamie quickly held onto the doorframe. ¡°Just take a look at him. With you around, he¡¯ll be at ease.¡± Sheena remained ice¨Ccold and replied, ¡°I¡¯m restricted by him. Besides this room, I¡¯m not allowed to go out. What if he uses me of misbehavior once he sobers up? Won¡¯t that be unfair to me?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Jamie hesitated, seriously considering the situation. ¡°How about¡­ I carry him to your room?¡± ¡°No! He reeks of alcohol, and I can¡¯t stand it. Take him back to Alzer Pce immediately,¡± Sheena insisted. Jamie fell silent. ¡°Nana, Nana¡­¡® From the downstairs living room, Nathaniel¡¯s drunken voice echoed, carrying a hint of sadness. Jamie was desperate, suggesting, ¡°Ms. Lawson, just go down and check on him. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll exin everything to him. You don¡¯t want to be kept awake by him all night, right? I¡¯m begging you!¡± Sheena sighed, concealing her displeasure. Chapter 683 2/2 12/2 She instructed him, ¡°Go wake up the servant and have her prepare some tea for his hangover.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson!¡± Jamie rushed downstairs. Sheena tightened her furry robe and casually followed suit. Nathaniel had copsed on the sofa. His handsome face was red, and consciousness blurred. Sheena covered her nose with her sleeve and sprayed some non¨Ctoxic air freshener, masking the entire living room¡¯s alcohol odor. Then, she approached Nathaniel and kicked his knee with the sole of her slipper, attempting to wake him. ¡°Wake up, Nathaniel! This is not where you sleep. Finish your hangover tea and quickly return to your Alzer Pce!¡± Nathaniel¡¯s eyshes trembled lightly, and his unclear consciousness gradually returned. Upon hearing Sheena¡¯s voice, his hand subconsciously sought the direction of the sound, grabbing hold of the hem of her robe. The disgust in Sheena¡¯s eyes was apparent as she immediately tried to pull her robe away from his grip. ¡°Let go!¡± Nathaniel held on tightly, exerting considerable force. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Sheena took a deep breath. She remembered the sight of Lionel covered in blood in the dungeon this morning, infuriating her. Taking advantage of Jamie being away to find the servant, Sheena raised her hand and delivered two resounding ps to Nathaniel¡¯s handsome face, showing no mercvV. Chapter 684 Chapter 684 Two crisp ps echoed loudly in the room. Nathaniel was jolted awake, finally releasing her robe from his grip as he sat up on the sofa. Rubbing his throbbing head and stinging cheeks, he looked up at Sheena, still in a daze. ¡°Nana?¡± Sheena raised her chin coldly, her eyes fixed on him without a hint of sympathy. ¡°You barged into my ce in the middle of the night and disturbed my sleep! Now that you¡¯re awake, get out!¡± Nathaniel lowered his head, seemingly ignoring her words. Suddenly, he started sobbing softly. His tear¨Cfilled, helpless blue eyes met Sheena¡¯s gaze, and his face bore the imprints of her ps. Sheena observed his tearful disy without a flicker of emotion. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°Stop pretending! Just leave. Your stench fills the air, and no air freshener can mask it!¡± With a hint of disgust in her eyes, she turned to leave, but Nathaniel grabbed onto her robe again. ¡°Nana, do you remember seven years ago? In spring, I took you to the field for horse racing. In summer, I jumped into the pond to pick lotus flowers for you. In autumn, I taught you archery and target shooting. In winter, we built snowmen and had snowball fights. Back then, we were carefree¡­¡± Sheena halted but did not turn around. Nathaniel seemed to be lost in his wonderful memories, and his tears intensified. ¡°I¡¯m a bastard child. My dad tried to hide my identity, but I have many half- siblings in the Nicholls family, and I had no status there. Dad was too busy to care, and I had to endure the bullying alone. I understood from a young age that if I wanted something, I had to fight for it! To be worthy of your status as the heiress of a wealthy family, I chose to leave you temporarily and join the Special Investigation Department.¡± He continued in a sobbing mess, ¡°The training days were tough, incredibly tough! But as long as I thought of you, I could endure it. I always believed that if Chapter 684 2/2 you waited a bit longer, a few more years, I would return after rising to the top of the Special Investigation Department, and we could finally get married once I returned, but¡­¡± Nathaniel¡¯s voice choked, and he cried uncontrobly. For years, he had silently borne all the pain alone, never disying such heartbreak in front of others. ¡°But I never expected you to encounter trouble the next year and end up in Farlem, even falling in love with Elliot! I regret it so much! I regret not holding onto you tighter back then! Why did I let go!¡± Countless images of bygone days shed before Sheena¡¯s eyes. Sheena sighed silently. ¡°Once you missed the chance, it¡¯s gone. There¡¯s no way to go back. Life is about moving forward, yet you willingly got stuck in a dead¨Cend, refusing to see things differently.¡± She stood quietly in ce, listening to him pour out his feelings. ¡°Didn¡¯t Elliot miss the chance at first? Why can you forgive him but not me? ¡°The image of you flirting with him and treating him with love is an image I can¡¯t forget in my entire life! I truly hated that the man sitting in yourp was not me! I was insanely jealous! That¡¯s why I arranged for someone to ssh the S404 biochemical agent, naively thinking that if he died, you might turn back and look at me again.¡± He paused to take a breather, then continued, ¡°However, I never expected him to be the head of the National Investigation Bureau. With Professor Y¡¯s help, he even managed to survive for another six months! I never expected it would make you love him even more, with your heart and eyes only on him¡­¡± As he spoke of these incidents, Sheena¡¯s hatred surged again. She coldly pushed away his hand that was holding her robe. ¡°You¡¯re drunk! The servant will bring you a hangover teater. Once you¡¯ve had it, let Jamie take you back to Alzer Pce. I¡¯m tired. I¡¯m going upstairs to sleep.¡± She walked away without looking back. Just as she reached the staircase, Nathaniel¡¯s desperate, low howl reached her ears. ¡°Nana, what do you want me to do to get another chance? If I were like Elliot, willing to risk my life for you, would you spare me a nce?¡± Chapter 685 Chapter 685 1/2 Sheena did not look back. Her gaze and tone were cold as she uttered, ¡°Sacrificing your life once might not be enough, but if you could die a thousand or a million times, then I might consider it.¡± After saying this, she did not linger. She immediately went upstairs to her room, locked the door, discarded the robe Nathaniel had touched, took a new one from the wardrobe, hung it on the rack, and then went back to bed. However, she could not sleep. When she closed her eyes, scenes of childhood shenanigans with Nathaniel shed in her mind. There were moments of admiration and affection when she used to look him, sweetly calling his name¡­ up at Whether it was due to pregnancy or not, Sheena felt she had be softer. Even toward someone as twisted and beastly as Nathaniel, she could not help feeling slightly reluctant. Sheena buried her head under the nket, forcing herself not to think about it and instead focused on how much Elliot must have suffered in the past six months! Amidst the chaotic thoughts, the sound of a car leaving outside brought relief. Nathaniel must have left. Sheena gradually felt more at ease and soon drifted into a tired sleep. In Froania, Svelton, the five¨Cday deadline had arrived. Early in the morning, Peter arrived at the conference hall that Elliot had arranged in advance. Stanley, who had been beaten quite severely a few days ago, could not make it this time. In addition to the esteemed elders of the Jenkins family, Peter also brought some directors from the Jenkins Group. From a distance, the crowd appeared imposing, as if they were there for a strike. Soon, Romello arrived with several subordinates from the National Investigation Chapter 685 Bureau. The group, d in military attire, stood tall and imposing, instantly suppressing Peter¡¯s earlier presence. Though Peter was somewhat displeased, he remembered they were on the same side and greeted Romello amiably. The two then chatted casually. They waited for Elliot for a few hours, yet he did not show up. Growing impatient, Peter instructed his bodyguards, ¡°Go to E&S Haven and see what Elliot is up to. He¡¯s been keeping everyone waiting for so long!¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Peter!¡± Just as the bodyguard approached the conference hall, the heavy doors suddenly creaked open, prompting everyone inside to straighten up and rise in anticipation. However, to their surprise, only Logan entered. Peter frowned, displeased, and asked Logan, ¡°Why are you the only one here? Where¡¯s Elliot?¡± The directors behind Peter echoed the sentiment, expressing their dissatisfaction. ¡°Yeah! Mr. Jenkins promised to give everyone an exnation today. He better not try to trick us!¡± ¡°Even though we¡¯re all saddened by Mr. Jenkins¡® blindness, the power he should relinquish should still be transferred promptly!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! There has been no word from Mr. Jenkins these days, and his whereabouts are mysterious. To be blunt, if we don¡¯t see Mr. Jenkins soon, I¡¯ll suspect he might have died from illness.¡± Romello, sitting calmly, listened attentively to the Jenkins Group members¡® condemnation of Elliot. On his side of the seating arrangement, everyone remained quiet. Logan nced at Romello before exining to Peter, ¡°Mr. Jenkins had some unexpected matters to attend to. He rescheduled the meeting for this afternoon.¡± ¡°What?¡± The news caused amotion. Peter¡¯s face darkened, and he squinted his eyes, ring disapprovingly at Logan.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Today, many elders from the Jenkins family came to observe the meeting. How can he leave all the elders hanging like this? Who does he think he is?¡± Chapter 686 Chapter 686 Logan remained unmoved, asserting, ¡°I only know that Mr. Jenkins has the final say!¡± The elders behind Peter from the Jenkins family were instantly angered, loudly using Elliot of being disrespectful. Ignoring themotion, Logan tapped the table with his fingers and stated, ¡°If you can¡¯t wait, you¡¯re free to leave. If you want to hear Mr. Jenkins¡® exnation, then sit down quietly and wait!¡± With that, he exited, summoning the soldiers from the seventh division to guard the entrance and prevent disruptive behavior. Peter, observing the stern¨Clooking soldiers, sneered. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll wait until this afternoon. Let¡¯s see what tricks he has left up his sleeves! ¡± Logan¡¯s words implied that leaving the conference hall would be considered a withdrawal, and re¨Centry would not be permitted. At midday, everyone had no choice but to eat in takeouts Logan had arranged. to be delivered. Romello¡¯s subordinates were ustomed to military life, and they did not express any objections. However, those with Peter were used to a life of luxury, and the simple takeouts were simply unbearable. They were visibly irritated. Hank Martin, one of the directors present, mmed his lunch on the ground, stood up, andined, ¡°What is Mr. Jenkins up to? Trying to fool us with this? He sets a bunch of rules, won¡¯t let us leave, and now he¡¯s still not showing up. Is he ying games with us?¡± Logan pointed to the door,/saying, ¡°There¡¯s a five¨Cstar hotel next door. Mr. Martin, you can enjoy your lunch there and not return.¡± Hank fumed, and even nearby directors followed suit, flipping their takeouts and creating a mess on the floor. ¡°Why bother eating? I want to see Mr. Jenkins! I demand a reasonable exnation from him!¡± The atmosphere became chaotic once again. Chapter 686 203 Just as Logan struggled to regain control, therge doors opened again, and a man¡¯s cold and imposing voice echoed. ¡°Very well! Since Mr. Martin wants an exnation, I¡¯ll give it to him!¡± The noise in the conference hall abruptly stopped, and all eyes turned toward the entrance. ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Jenkins!¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins is finally here!¡± Elliot, still wearing sunsses and a ck hat, walked in, dressed in an elegant suit as he had been for the past few days. The bandage on his head was cleverly concealed beneath the hat. Howard and Lance followed closely behind him. Lance positioned himself beside Logan while Howard found a corner to sit and observe. Elliot walked toward the front of the conference hall, looking straight ahead. Everyone attempted to see through his sunsses and catch a glimpse of his eyes. Hank inquired, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, aren¡¯t you blind? Or are you ying tricks on us?¡± Elliot did not respond to this question. Instead, he gestured subtly toward Logan and Lance. ¡°Everyone wants an exnation, and over the past few days, I¡¯ve prepared one for each of you.¡± Logan promptly produced a stack of documents, distributing them with Lance to the respective individuals. Everyone looked at each other, puzzled by Elliot¡¯s actions. However, upon From N?velDrama.Org. reading the contents, their expressions changed immediately. Hank, unable to contain his anger, stood up first and questioned, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re actually nning to remove me from the board? Is this the so¨Ccalled exnation you¡¯re giving me?¡± Each person received a corresponding penalty notice. As the esteemed elders of the Jenkins family were retired at home, Elliot¡¯s punishments targeted their descendants serving in the Jenkins Group. On this side, Peter received the harshest penalty¨Creassignment from the Jenkins Group to a subsidiary in Monteal City, taking on a menial role. Chapter 686 Peter, furious, mmed the table and eximed, ¡°Elliot, this is outrageous! We¡¯ve been waiting for today to transition the authority from your hands. What¡¯s the meaning of these penalty notices? Your blindness haspromised your integrity! Why do you still hold onto these positions?¡± Chaos erupted below, with Elliot maintaining a cold expression. In front of everyone, he removed his sunsses. Chapter 687 Chapter 687 His obsidian eyes shimmered with a subtle glow, capturing the shocked or frightened expressions of everyone. Soon, a faint smirk yed on his thin lips. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°When did I ever admit that I was blind?¡± ¡°H¨CHow is this possible? Your eyes are fine?¡± Peter¡¯s wrinkled face showed a mix of astonishment and confusion. However, he quickly caught on. ¡°Did you purposely set this up?¡± Elliot neither confirmed nor denied. With an indifferent tone, he said, ¡°Thanks to you, Uncle Peter, I¡¯ve managed to clear out a bunch of disloyal people in one go.¡± Unwilling to ept this, Peter protested, ¡°If your eyes are fine, then all these recent events are just misunderstandings. It¡¯s not like wemitted any major wrongdoing. Who are you to punish everyone here?¡± ¡°Spreading rumors of my blindness, deliberately causing trouble at E&S Haven, abusing public office for personal gain, and some even have a messy personal life. Uncle Peter, do you want me to list them all here?¡± Elliot paused for a moment before adding mockingly, ¡°In other words, I call the shots here! Did you really think I¡¯m unaware of those shady things you¡¯ve been up to?¡± In the conference hall, many averted their gaze, afraid to speak. Logan added angrily, ¡°Where there¡¯s smoke, there¡¯s fire! In the past, Mr. Jenkins tolerated your misdeeds, and you really thought you were invincible? Those of you with some sense, take your punishment notices and leave!¡± Now cornered, Peter felt humiliated and had nothing more to say. He had fallen for Romello¡¯s words, and Elliot had outyed him! ¡°Elliot, until next time!¡± Peter snorted and walked away. Unexpectedly, Elliot reminded him, ¡°Uncle Peter, you¡¯re being reassigned to Monteal City for five years. Take care of yourself if you want to meet again.¡± Peter, infuriated by it all, shot him a re and left. With Peter gone, the elders of the Jenkins family and the directors of the Jenkins Group, left without a leader, also left dejectedly. In a matter of minutes, half the people in the conference hall disappeared. Chapter 687 Elliot turned to Romello, who had remained silent. ¡°You haven¡¯t voiced your view. Do you think the punishment is too lenient, and you¡¯re dissatisfied?¡± Romello chuckled lightly. Peter might not know about the virus in Elliot¡¯s body, but he knew. When Romello rescued Nathaniel from Elliot¡¯s grasp, Nathaniel personally told him about the condition in exchange for the rescue. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, do you really think a desperate move can conceal your true condition?¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow lightly. ¡°Even I am not aware of my own condition. Care to share your insights?¡± Romello was about to speak but hesitated, suddenly realizing this was another trap set by Elliot. The records of Nathaniel¡¯s misconduct stated that he stole the highly corrosive S40 experimental substance. If Romello spoke the truth, indicating he knew the truth, Nathaniel¡¯s wrongdoing would implicate him. Elliot believed that even if Romello knew the truth, he could not disclose it. ¡°Well done, Mr. Jenkins! I admit defeat this time!¡± Romello said, standing up, bowing to Elliot, and turning to leave. ¡°Hold on.¡± Elliot signaled to Lance. ¡°Since you¡¯re suspicious of my health, I should rify for you to avoid future unnecessary troubles.¡± Lance promptly handed Romello a set of thirteen examination reports from hospitals, all confirming Elliot¡¯s good health. Romello nced at them, understanding that Noah had helped Elliot with these certificates. It was hard for him to swallow this pride. He chuckled lightly, replying, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you excel in both bureaucracy and business. I truly admire that! Unfortunately, when ites to love, it seems you¡¯re destined to be a lonely man.¡± Elliot frowned, and his face instantly turned cold. Romello feigned surprise. ¡°Oh, it seems you¡¯re unaware. Your fiancee, Ms. Lawson, and Nathaniel announced that they¡¯re having their wedding ceremony at Florence Cathedral in Laubabwe in a few days. It¡¯s already making headlines Chapter 687 internationally. Mr. Jenkins, aren¡¯t you following the news?¡± Chapter 688 Chapter 688 Elliot red at Romello with hostility. His mind was buzzing from the shock, and he clenched his fists so hard that veins were popping out. Romello enjoyed the surprise and rage on Elliot¡¯s face,ughing as he left the conference hall. Soon, only Logan, Lance, and Howard remained in the hall. Howard approached to console Elliot, ¡°Don¡¯t believe Romello¡¯s words. Nana must be doing this to help you secure Clear. She surely doesn¡¯t genuinely want to marry Nathaniel. I suspect it¡¯s a fake wedding!¡± Elliot gazed at him, asking, ¡°You knew all along and intentionally deceived me?¡± Howard avoided his gaze, somewhatcking in confidence. ¡°Yes.¡± Elliot exuded an icy aura, a storm brewing beneath his obsidian eyes. ¡°Arrange a private jet immediately. We¡¯re flying to Laubabwe tonight!¡± As he walked toward the door, intense pain gripped his chest. Suddenly, a metallic taste surged in his throat, and he felt suffocated. After taking a couple of floating steps, he spat blood onto the floor, slowly losing consciousness. ¡°Mr. Jenkins!¡± ¡°Elliot!¡± Logan, Lance, and Howard witnessed him coughing up blood and fainting, and they were all terrified. They quickly had Logan carry him and rushed to Svelton General Hospital, calling Noah to examine him. Due to extreme anger affecting his heart, the virus within Elliot¡¯s body rapidly spread, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood and lose consciousness. Noah administered IV treatment and strengthened his immune system with medication. Elliot slept for a long period, and he only woke up two dayster. ¡°Nana!¡± He woke up in a panic, checked the date, and immediately tried to get out of bed, but Howard stopped him. ¡°Let me go! I need to find Nana! Her wedding with Nathaniel is in three days, and 2/2 Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 688 I can¡¯t watch her sacrifice herself for Clear! Move!¡± With red eyes and a furious roar, Elliot, once again, entered a frenzied state. Howard did his best to prevent him from leaving the bed. Corey returned and stood at the foot of the bed, calmly stating, ¡°A few days ago, Lord Gale from Laubabwe suddenly contacted me, saying that Nana wants to cooperate with him, and the condition is the trade tax exemption for Froania.¡± Elliot instantly quieted down, retracting his hand from the scuffle with Howard. He looked at Corey, quickly grasping the situation. ¡°So, you mean I should handle things with this Lord Gale?¡± Elliot questioned. Corey nodded, ¡°Trade and taxation fall under the National Affairs Bureau, but only your National Investigation Bureau has the authority to deploy the military.¡± Elliot¡¯s forces were the national army, while Corey¡¯s were private security. After a brief silence, Elliot¡¯s restless heart gradually calmed. After discussing with Corey, he formed a n. However, he was puzzled by Corey¡¯s unexpected assistance. ¡°You¡¯ve always disliked me, wanting to find another to rece me as your future brother¨Cinw. Why help me now?¡± ¡°Indeed, I dislike you, but I despise Nathaniel even more. Besides, giving you advice doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ve epted you. You wanting to be my brother¨Cinw is still far off!¡± Elliot understood the personal grudges and managed a rare smile, even saying, Then I better behave well in the future, aiming to win your approval sooner!¡± Howard leaned in, reminding him in a hushed tone, ¡°Don¡¯t forget Noah and me! When you return from Laubabwe, the three of us brothers will definitely give you some challenges before the wedding!¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be ready!¡± The atmosphere in the ward eased into a harmonious one. Chapter 689 Chapter 689 Chapter 689 The days leading up to the wedding were particrly agonizing. Sheena spent thest two days in a daze. On the eve of the wedding, Nathaniel had the wedding gown delivered to her small apartment. She gently touched the expensive couture wedding gown before her, feeling an ironic twist of fate. This was her first wedding ceremony, the second time donning a wedding gown. She had thought she would never have the chance to wear one again, only to find herself marrying a man she did not love. Nathaniel stood at the doorway of her room, silently observing her. ¡°Nana, do you like it? I had Laubabwe¡¯s most renowned designer spend a week creating it. It¡¯s the only one of its kind in the world.¡± Sheena withdrew her hand from the gown, her expression calm as she sat at the edge of the bed. ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°These days, I¡¯ve been keeping my promise and taking care of Lionel ording to your wishes. His injuries have healed considerably. You don¡¯t need to worry about him anymore.¡± Sheena breathed a sigh of relief but did not say anything. Nathaniel exined the n, ¡°Once we officially conduct the wedding ceremony, I¡¯ll release Lionel from the dungeon. During our beautiful night together, I¡¯ll have someone deliver Clear to Lionel, and he¡¯ll be on a flight back to Froania that very night.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Sheena appeared indifferent, pulling back the covers and curling up in bed. ¡°You can return to Alzer Pce. I¡¯m tired and want to sleep.¡± ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t disturb your rest. Goodnight, Nana.¡± Sheena ignored him, and he closed the door behind him as he left her small apartment. As soon as Nathaniel left, Sheena sat up on the bed, staring at the small airne Chapter 689 that Corey had given her on the dressing table. 2/3 Once Lionel had received Clear, she was prepared to die with Nathaniel if he truly intended to sleep with her! This would all be over soon! That same night, at the same time, someone with a special pardon entered the dungeon quietly. In a drowsy state, Lionel heard the sound of the cell door opening. A figure disguised as a guard entered the cell.N?velDrama.Org owns this. Lionel immediately woke up, swiftly sitting up with alert eyes. ¡°That bastard couldn¡¯t wait and sent you to finish me off quietly?¡± The guard pulled the special pardon from his pocket and handed it to Lionel, saying, ¡°You¡¯re being released. I¡¯m here to take you away.¡± Lionel carefully examined the pardon, puzzled. ¡°Why would Lord Gale release me?¡± The guard did not exin, helping him unlock the heavy ankle chains. ¡°Let¡¯s go. You¡¯ll soon find out the answer.¡± Assisted by the guard, Lionel stood up, walking out of the cell with heavy steps. These past few days, Nathaniel had openly brought in a doctor to treat him, but the medications used were far from effective. The pain was excruciating, and his wounds kept reopening and bleeding. After about a week of torment, his injuries had only started to heal a little. The guard led the way, and when Lionel nced back, he noticed that Lionel¡¯s wounds had not healed properly, causing him to walk slowly, trailing far behind. The guard quickly ran back to assist. ¡°Thank you,¡± Lionel politely expressed his gratitude. As they passed the adjacent cell, Lionel stopped and asked the guard, ¡°There¡¯s a girl locked in this cell, Can I request Lord Gale to let me take her away with me?¡± The guard looked hesitant. Lionel continued to exin earnestly, ¡°She probably hasn¡¯tmitted any Chapter 689 3/3 crimes. She got involved in an international human trafficking case. Laubabwe requires women involved in such matters to be at least twenty years old. She¡¯s just a month shy of that, and I assume they don¡¯t want to bear her living expenses for the remaining month, so they threw her in here.¡± ¡°Well, let me contact Lord Gale. If what you¡¯re saying is true, there shouldn¡¯t be an issue with you taking her away.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The guard pulled out his phone and consulted Harrold. Lionel waited in the corridor outside the cell. In just a few minutes, Harrold agreed to the request. Chapter 690 Chapter 690 When the adjacent cell opened, the girl curled up in the corner visibly trembled, not daring to look toward the door, keeping her head buried. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Lionel walked over, crouching before her, gently patting her slender arm. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Hearing his familiar voice, the girl raised her head in surprise. ¡°How did you get into my cell?¡± When she looked up, Lionel¡¯s gaze met with a pair of clear eyes. The girl¡¯s face was dirty, making it hard to distinguish her features, and she seemed severely malnourished as if she had endured prolonged mistreatment. However, Lionel felt that with such beautiful eyes, she would not be unattractive once she gained a bit more weight in the future. He ruffled her hair, his voice soft and gentle as he said, ¡°I¡¯ve been released, and I¡¯m here to take you away.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lionel nodded, taking hold of her hand. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go.¡± In the dungeon corridor, the guard led the way, with Lionel supporting the girl walking behind. Once out of the cell, the girl stared at Lionel¡¯s face, making him somewhat ufortable. ¡°Is there something on my face?¡± The girl shook her head, earnestly and shyly eximing, ¡°You¡¯re really handsome!¡± Lionel chuckled. Compared to Elliot and Nathaniel, his appearance could, at most, be considered pleasant to the eyes. ¡°That¡¯s because you haven¡¯t seen a more handsome man yet.¡± ¡°No. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You¡¯re the most handsome in my eyes!¡± Lionel had never heard someone praise him like this before, and although it was a bit awkward, he also found it sweet. He changed the subject. ¡°What¡¯s your name? What do your parents call you? Once we¡¯re back in Froania, I¡¯ll take you to your parents.¡± The girl did not answer but asked, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Chapter 690 2/3 ¡°I¡¯m Lionel.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll call myself Lucy from now on!¡± Lionel was left speechless. Why was she so nonchnt? Getting a new name made the girl very happy. ¡°Lionel, these days, I¡¯ve actually figured it out. My dad was probably prompted by my stepmother to sell me for money. I don¡¯t want a father like that anymore.¡± ¡°If you disown him, what will you do in the future?¡± The girl tightened her grip on his arm, her sparkling, watery eyes staring at him expectantly. ¡°I want to follow you! I¡¯m easy to take care of! I won¡¯t spend your money recklessly. Just give me a bun for every meal!¡± Her reply stunned Lionel. His life had been filled with training, missions, and Elliot¡­ He had never taken care of a girl before, and he simply could not imagine doing it. Thinking about this, he tried to scare her, saying, ¡°Remember the horror story I told you a couple of days ago? I¡¯m the kind of psychopath who kills without mercy! Following me won¡¯t end well for you! I eat people!¡± He expected the girl to be scared, but she looked at him with admiration. ¡°Wow! Lionel, you must be really skilled. You¡¯re so amazing!¡± Lionel was at a loss for words. Looking at herself, the girl frowned in distress. ¡°I¡¯m too skinny. I must not taste good. Lionel, fatten me up before you eat me, okay?¡± Was she implying something different? Having seen Elliot and Sheena¡¯s affectionate moments too often, he felt like he had lost his innocence! The girl looked at him, not saying anything, and considering he was in the dungeon for theft, she thought he must be extremely poor. ¡°Actually, if you can¡¯t afford to take care of me, I can earn money to support you! But I may not earn much, so you will have to be thrifty!¡± Lionel stayed quiet. Chapter 690 It seemed like she was adamant about being with him! He had never been so speechless in his life! Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! y Chatper 691 Chapter 691 As they chatted, they left the dungeon and got into the car heading to Harrold¡¯s mansion Before long, they arrived at the front gate of the mansion. When Lionel stepped out of the car, his gaze was immediately drawm to the familiar tall figure standing in front of the gate, The man wore a ck coat, stood tall, and exuded a cold, lordly aura. Though his face was hidden behind a mask and hat in the darkness, Lionel recognized him at first nce. In an instant, his eyes reddened, almost forgetting the pain all over his body as he rushed forward, embracing the figure. The man chuckled, patting Lionel on the back, and mocking him, ¡°It¡¯s only been half a month, and you¡¯ve be all soft and mushy?¡± Lionel frowned, not responding, arms tightening around the man, seeking the warmth reminiscent of a brother. The newly¨Cnamed girl, Lucy, walked over to remind him, ¡°Lionel still has whip marks all over his body. Be gentle, or he¡¯ll be in pain!¡± The man nced at Lucy, silently retracting his hand from Lionel¡¯s back ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve gained quite a bit on this trip, even bringing back such a cutie.¡± Lucy giggled. ¡°Hehe!¡± Lionel did not respond. At that moment, Nathaniel was in the car heading back to Alzer Pce. He looked at the pitch¨Cck sky outside the window, his voice cold as he instructed Jamie, ¡°Before sending Lionel off tomorrow night, find a way to kill him and retrieve Clear.¡± ¡°But¡­ he¡¯s skilled. We can¡¯t use guns in public, and we can¡¯t send too many people, or it will attract attention. In that case, our people may not be a match for him.¡± Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, the ruthless expression on his face undiminished. ¡°His injuries haven¡¯t healed, and he can¡¯t fight all of you. Just do as I say.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Just as Jamie acknowledged, his phone suddenly rang with a notification. His expression instantly became serious as he turned to Nathaniel, ¡°Sir, our men sent to the dungeon reported that Lionel is missing!¡± Chapter 691 2/2 Nathaniel was shocked by the news. ¡°Investigate it!¡± Jamie sent the message. Ten minutester, he looked back at Nathaniel with a troubled expression, updating him, ¡°Sir, we couldn¡¯t find any trace. It¡¯s as if he disappeared into thin air!¡± ¡°He was securely locked in the cell, even wearing ankle chains. Are you telling me he grew wings and flew away?¡± Nathaniel yelled, ¡°Keep investigating! Find out who went to the dungeon today and retrieve the visitation records!¡± ¡°Sir, although you have the privilege given by Princess Kelly to enter and exit the dungeon freely, you don¡¯t have the authority to ess visitation records.¡± Nathaniel gradually calmed down. ¡°Forget it, don¡¯t bother checking. He won¡¯t leave Laubabwe without obtaining Clear. He¡¯ll surely show up tomorrow.¡± Calcting the days, Elliot¡¯s body should be nearing its limit, probably only a few days left. Once tomorrow passes, it should be over, right? This night was destined to be a sleepless one for everyone. The next morning, Sheena was awakened early by the servants for grooming. Nathaniel had bought her aplete set of new cosmetics, all of which were additive¨Cfree and safe for pregnant women. However, Sheena preferred doing her own makeup. An hourter, Nathaniel sent a wedding car to pick her up and take her to Florence Cathedral. Inside the church, guests gathered, all from the upper echelons of the royal family. Kelly and Caesar were busy weing guests on Nathaniel¡¯s behalf while Harrold was absent. Looking through the car window at the lively scene in the church, Sheena showed no expression. The wedding car circled to the church¡¯s back entrance, and Sheena entered the rest area prepared in advance by Nathaniel. She was wearing only her wedding dress, with no veil yet. The ceremony was about to begin, and she went to get ab from the table, preparing to start styling her hair. Midway through, a pair of warm hands grabbed hers. ncing up through the mirror, she saw Nathaniel. She immediately withdrew her hand, coldly asking, ¡°Why are you not greeting the guests? What are you doing here?¡± ¡°With Mom and Caesar taking care of things, I can steal a moment toe and help you with your hair,¡± Nathaniel said as he picked up ab from the table, gently styling her hair. Chatper 692 Chapter 692 ¡°You know how to style hair?¡± Sheena asked in disbelief. ¡°A few days ago, I took the time to learn from a stylist,¡± Nathaniel replied indulgently, smiling, His blue eyes, like stars, were particrly serious as hebed through her jet¨Cck hair. Sheena did not stop him and sat quietly, allowing him to y with her hair. His movements were skillful, and he quickly arranged Sheena¡¯s long locks, cing the veil on her head, followed by a dazzling crystal crown. Once he was done, Nathaniel looked at the stunning Sheena in the mirror, imprinting her beautiful image into his heart. ¡°Nana, my most beautiful bride! I¡¯ve fantasized about this moment ten years ago, and in the past decade, the only thing I don¡¯t regret is falling in love with you.¡± Sheena lowered her gaze without responding The servant knocked on the door, reminding her, ¡°Ms. Lawson, the ceremony will begin in fifteen minutes!¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sheenazily replied to the servant and stood up to change into high heels. On her way over, she had initially worn slippers. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Nathaniel pressed her shoulder, urging her to sit back down. Then, he took out a delicate shoebox near the rack and opened it, revealing a pair of white soft¨Csoled t shoes. Sheena was slightly surprised, asking, ¡°When did you prepare ts? It¡¯s your wedding day, and you¡¯ve always wanted a perfect wedding. What bride doesn¡¯t wear high heels during the ceremony?¡± 1 Nathaniel knelt on one knee, slowly squatting by her feet, earnestly cradling the sole of her foot with his palm. ¡°This is our wedding. For me, as long as you¡¯re the bride, it¡¯s already perfect.¡± He helped her put on the t shoes, adding sincerely, ¡°I checkedst night, and it¡¯s best for pregnant women not to high heels; it¡¯s not good for the baby. So, I went outte at night to pick a pair of soft shoes and didn¡¯t have a chance to tell you.¡± Sheena stared at him, feeling a bitplicated inside. If he loved someone else who loved him just as much, he would be happy. Unfortunately¡­ Sheen was moved and felt a tinge of sadness, but she lowered her gaze, suppressing these emotions. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Chapter 692 212 The church was full of guests, and the music yed by violinists and nists resonated¨Ccheerful, sacred, and melodious. Apanied by the music, Nathaniel stepped down the aisle from the church entrance, finally standing beside the priest. Joy could not be concealed in his features, as if this day was the happiest in his entire life. Suddenly, the music changed dramatically. Sheena, adorned in a floor¨Clength white wedding gown and holding a bouquet, appeared at the church entrance. With the solemn wedding march ying, she slowly walked down the red carpet toward Nathaniel. As she reached the priest, he began to ask the vows. ¡°Charles Lance, do you willingly take Sheena Lawson as your wife? Will you love and protect her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, remaining faithful to her until death do you part?¡± Nathaniel gazed at Sheena, his eyes seemingly sparkling with starlight. Without hesitation, he dered, ¡°I do!¡± Seated in the front row, Kelly was moved and relieved, wiping away tears with a tissue. Then, the priest turned his attention to Sheena. ¡°Sheena Lawson, do you willingly take Charles Lance as your husband? Will you love and respect him, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, remaining faithful to him until death do you part?¡± Sheena kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with Nathaniel and not saying a word, sinking into a prolonged silence. The atmosphere became unusually tense, with guests exchanging puzzled looks. ¡°Nana, you need to answer,¡± Nathaniel gently called out to her, using his eyes to remind her of Clear¡¯s situation. The priest repeated the question, ¡°Sheena Lawson, do you willingly take Charles Lance as your husband?¡± Sheena took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and, with a heavy heart, said, ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t!¡± A man¡¯s steady and cold voice suddenly echoed outside the church doors. Chatper 693 Chapter 693 She recognized that familiar voice! Sheena¡¯s eyes reddened almost instantly as she looked with delight toward the entrance. Elliot was draped in a ck coat, weathering the wind and snow, and managing a formidable aura as he walked in. Following him was Lionel, who bore a simrly serious gaze. Immediately after, two military units, dressed in different uniforms, marched in with precision, guns in hand, swiftly surrounding the entire cathedral. The guests were startled, and the scene began to buzz withmotion. Scowling at the man at the end of the red carpet, Nathaniel did not hide his hatred as he ground his teeth and said, ¡°Elliot, you really know how to pick your timing, intentionallying to disrupt us?¡± Elliot¡¯s aura was chilling to the bone, and he sneered, ¡°Well, someone immorally abducted my fiancee to a foreignnd for a forced marriage. Of course, I had toe and take back my woman!¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Nathaniel clenched his fists, and the hatred in his eyes surged like a storm. The audience, mostly royals and nobles invited by Kelly, quickly understood what was happening. The crowd whispered among themselves, casting looks between the two men. Kelly was humiliated. She was about to help Nathaniel exin and salvage the situation when Elliot preemptively spoke. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, my visit today is solely directed at the groom. Innocent bystanders will not be harmed. Lionel, clear the area!¡± In less than five minutes, all the attendees were escorted out, even the priest on the podium. The vast Florence Cathedral now housed only Elliot¡¯s men, Nathaniel, Sheena, and Kelly. The tension in the air was palpable. Furious, Nathaniel red at Elliot and gritted his teeth, uttering, ¡°Did you really think I was unprepared?¡± As he spoke, Kelly rose and pped her hands. Through a small door near the priest¡¯s podium, another armed guard unit burst in, equal in number to Elliot¡¯s. The two sides faced off, rifles raised, escting the atmosphere to a boiling point. ¡°Eli!¡± Observing the standoff, Sheena turned her worried gaze toward Elliot and attempted to run toward Chapter 693 him, but Nathaniel grabbed her wrist. Elliot¡¯s gaze was fixed on the hand Nathaniel used to pull Sheena, an intense hostility emanating from his obsidian eyes. 2/2 Standing beside Kelly, Lionel addressed her, ¡°Take a good look. Mr. Jenkins brought not only Froania¡¯s forces but also Laubabwe¡¯s troops. As the head of Froania¡¯s National Investigation Bureau, if any harm befalls him, your guards may face consequences from the king himself.¡± Kelly¡¯splexion instantly soured, but her tone remained resolute, saying, ¡°I¡¯m merely acting in self¨C defense. If you dare harm Nathaniel, don¡¯t me my people for fighting back with all they¡¯ve got!¡± ¡°Nathaniel¡¯s fate is not for you to decide!¡± Elliot sneered, redirecting his gaze to Sheena on the priest¡¯s podium. He extended his arms, his tone shifting to gentle and indulgent. ¡°Nana,e to me.¡® 11 Seeing him open his arms, Sheena forcibly pulled away from Nathaniel¡¯s grip, lifted her ran toward him at the end of the red carpet. gown, and Nathaniel, staring at his empty hand, was left in a daze. Meanwhile, Kelly was seething. Her most beloved son was being openly robbed of his wedding day, and the bride was running to another man. This was a tant insult to her royal family¡¯s dignity and her beloved Nathaniel! She could not harm Elliot, but she could eliminate this woman who dared to be involved with two met at the same time! Kelly immediatelymanded the guards closest to her, directing them to target Sheena. ¡°Watch out!¡± Nathaniel was the first to notice, swiftly moving to shield Sheena. By the time Kelly attempted to stop the guards, the trigger had already been pulled. A deafening gunshot rang out. Sheena had just reached the middle of the red carpet, and upon hearing the shot, she halted, turning back. Nathaniel¡¯s arm had been hit. He clutched the wound, blood seeping through his fingers. Kelly rushed forward, inspecting his injury. Chatper 694 Chapter 694 He red at Kelly, shouting, ¡°If you kill her, you¡¯re killing me too!¡± Kelly, feeling helpless and heartbroken, relented, ¡°Fine! I won¡¯t touch her. My people will only ensure your safety, okay?¡± Sheena, still standing in ce, was astonished to see him take a bullet for her. Nathaniel noticed her gaze and, with his bloodied hand, imitated Elliot, slowly reaching out to her, his eyes pleading. ¡°Nana,e back, please? This time, I genuinely want to risk my life for you. Can you choose me just this once?¡± Sheena hesitated, rooted to the spot. It was not until Elliot called her from behind, ¡°Nana.¡± Sheena snapped back to reality. She lowered her eyes and softly said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± She removed the crystal crown and veil, let down her hair, lifted her dress, and ran toward Elliot, diving into his broad embrace. The long¨Clost familiarity and Elliot¡¯sforting scent calmed her restless heart. ¡°Eli, did Noah heal your eyes?¡± Elliot tightened his grip around her waist, his other hand gently massaging her soft, dark hair. ¡°Yes. With the care of your brothers, I¡¯m fine. I just¡­ missed you dearly.¡± His voice carried a hint of a nasal tone, having missed Sheena for half a month. Sheena rested her head against his chest, quietly listening to his heartbeat, smelling his scent, and holding his sturdy waist even tighter. ¡°I missed you too. From now on, I never want to be separated from you again.¡°. The two embraced each other, expressing their longing after a long separation, openly sharing their affection. Nathaniel watched from afar, feeling the scene exceptionally dreadful. Then, he nced at the crystal crown Sheena had thrown to the ground. The crystals hade loose and scattered on the floor, losing their former dazzling brilliance. Just like this crown, Sheena would unhesitatingly abandon him and choose Elliot in front of him. No matter how much effort he put in, he could not move her heart, which she had already given to Elliot. Chapter 694 10 He suddenly burst into loud, mad, and desteughter, Even after enduring severe punishment from Elliot before, nearly dying, several times, nothing compared to the despair he felt at this moment. ¡°Elliot, you ruin my ns, preventing me from having her. In that case, don¡¯t you dare think you can have her either!¡± His tone was deste and merciless as he dismantled the altar, revealing a silver¨Cgray cooler boz. Lionel eximed, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, it¡¯s Clear!¡± Nathaniel had actually brought Clear into the church, hiding it beneath the sacred and pristine altar! Sheena and Elliot released their embrace, turning their attention to Nathaniel, Everyone¡¯s focus was Nathaniel, who was focused on Sheena. Lionel discreetly moved behind the military unit, subtly approaching the altar. From N?velDrama.Org. On the stage, Nathaniel opened the cooler box and took out the transparent solution inside, mockingly saying, ¡°Elliot, I¡¯d like to see how many days you have left without this serum. You¡¯ll be the first to die!¡± Heughed maniacally, and his gaze suddenly turned cold as he fiercely tossed the transparent serum toward the seating area. ¡°No!¡± With Sheena¡¯s scream, Lionel lunged toward the direction Nathaniel threw. The guards brought by Nathaniel immediately aimed their guns at Lionel. ¡°Lionel!¡± Amidst the thunderous gunshots, Sheena and Elliot eximed in unison. Chatper 695 Chapter 695 Lionel disregarded everything, rushing forward to secure the vial of serum in his arms. However, his back collided with the hard armrests of the seats, and he tumbled and rolled on the ground. The wounds on his body instantly bled, staining his shirt crimson. Not only that, but the intense pain in his back also made his head spin, his face turning pale as he coughed up a mouthful of blood onto the ground. Despite the injuries, Lionel managed to keep Clear safe in his embrace, avoiding any harm. When Lionel reached for Clear, Elliot¡¯s two military units, keenly aware of Kelly¡¯s guards attempting to shoot him, acted swiftly. Before they could shoot Lionel, Elliot¡¯s men had already taken them out. The situation reversed instantly, leaving Kelly and Nathaniel vulnerable. Nathaniel, consumed by anger, red at the unconscious Lionel in front of him. Fueled by rage, he walked over and kicked Lionel¡¯s stomach with force. Lionel jerked, curled up, coughing up more blood, and then passed out. Before Nathaniel could deliver a second blow, Laubabwe¡¯s military forces, brought by Elliot, restrained him. All the Froanian soldiers rushed toward Lionel, checking his condition. Despite being unconscious, Lionel clung tightly to the serum as if his life depended on it. The troops from Froania, all loyal to Lionel, were furious, moring to attack Nathaniel. Elliot calmly ordered them to carry Lionel out. There was a small emergency room on his private ne. As Lionel left with Clear, Nathaniel lost hisst bargaining chip. Heughed maniacally, letting his hands be restrained, filling the entire church with his eerieughter. Both military forces dared not touch Kelly, and she was not restricted. Desperate to reim Nathaniel from Elliot¡¯s hands, she pulled out a small dagger she carried and aimed it at her own neck, ring at Elliot and Sheena. ¡°The charge of harming a royal princess is significant. If you dare touch my beloved Nate, I promise none of you will leave the borders of Laubabwe!¡± Elliot remained silent. The situation on both sides once again fell into a deadlock due to Kelly¡¯s threat. The atmosphere in the church suddenly quieted for a moment. Chapter 695 From N?velDrama.Org. 2/2 Soon, Harrold arrived with his men, intervening in Kelly¡¯s actions. ¡°Kelly, drop the knife! Stop resisting. Elliot is here with an international arrest warrant. The king has already approved it; you can¡¯t stop him from taking Charles away!¡± ¡°What!¡± Kelly, teary¨Ceyed and in disbelief, eximed, ¡°How can this be? They can¡¯t take away my Nate! Absolutely not!¡± Harrold walked directly toward her, taking the dagger from her hand. Kelly clutched the hem of his suit, lowering her pride for the first time, pleading, ¡°Harrold, please help me! My Nate! If they take him away, they¡¯ll find ways to torture him! Help me kill them!¡± Harrold sighed, ignoring her pleas. Seizing the opportunity, he struck her hard on the back of her head, and she fainted on the spot. Harrold carried Kelly out of the church without even ncing at Nathaniel as if Nathaniel¡¯s life and death were forever irrelevant to him. With Kelly out of the picture, Nathaniel lost hisst lifeline. Elliot¡¯s gaze turned icy, remembering Nathaniel kicking Lionel just moments ago. He erupted in anger, ¡°At this point, do you have anything left to say?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s once vibrant blue eyes lost their luster as heughed loudly, ¡°Everyone¡¯s on your side! I have nothing to say!¡± Elliot coldly ordered his troops, ¡°Put him in handcuffs and restrain his legs with heavy shackles. Take him back to Froania immediately.¡± ¡°Wait.¡± ?? Sheena, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. Elliot removed his dark coat, gently wrapping it around her petite shoulders, and asked tenderly,¡± Nana, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Sheena nced at Nathaniel on the tform not far away, asking, ¡°Eli, what are you nning to do with him?¡± Chatper 696 Chapter 696 Elliot answered without any hesitation, ¡°Take him to a secluded prison cell, torture him day and night, and use every means to make his life worse than death, enduring hell for the rest of his days.¡± As he spoke, there was no fluctuation in his emotions, his gaze fierce and extremely piercing. Nathanielughed even louder, saying, ¡°Nana, I¡¯ve told you! Elliot¡¯s hatred for me is no less than my hatred for him. We can never reconcile.¡± Elliot did not refute his statement. The fact was indeed as Nathaniel stated. Amid Nathaniel¡¯s maniacal yet sorrowfulughter, Sheena spoke up. ¡°Eli, I don¡¯t think imprisoning him in a cell is a good idea. Keeping him alive is always a threat and can easily lead toplications.¡± Elliot furrowed his eyebrows slightly, noticing her change in expression. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Sheena smiled, her small hand encircling his firm waist as she retrieved a gun from his back. ¡°I want to deal with him myself!¡± From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Nana¡­¡± Elliot called out, but after meeting her gaze, he relented. ¡°Fine, do what you want.¡® Sheena loaded the gun, aiming it at Nathaniel. The others immediately released Nathaniel from his restraints. Nathaniel stood straight, emotions visible in his vibrant blue eyes whenever he saw Sheena. He pointed at his heart and said, ¡°Nana, shoot here.¡± Then, he pointed at his forehead, adding, ¡°Or here. Come on, let me see your marksmanship onest time.¡± Sheena¡¯s emotions stirred, suppressing an inexplicable sadness. She mocked him, ¡°Nathaniel, you taught me how to handle a gun ten years ago. I¡¯m sure you never thought that your disciple would be the one to kill you with a gun ten yearster. Nathaniel looked at her affectionately, smiling as he said, ¡°Dying by your hands is my honor. Even if I could start over, I wouldn¡¯t regret falling in love with you for these ten years. Do it.¡± He remained motionless, waiting quietly. Sheena held the gun, fingertips trembling slightly, her eyes slightly red as she stared at him. Nathaniel had wronged and hurt everyone, but he had never harmed her. Yet, his crimes were heinous, and if he returned to Froania, he would face endless torment, living in hell on earth. Elliot had suffered too much, escaping death¡¯s grasp several times, and Sheena felt she had no right to request his mercy for Nathaniel. To repay the debt of him shielding her from the gunshot, she thought it was best to give him a quick death and resolutely pulled the trigger. A thunderous gunshot echoed. As she fired the shot, Sheena understood something from Nathaniel¡¯s relieved gaze¨Cwhy he had hidden Clear in the church and why he had taken it out¡­ If he had not, they might not have found Clear so quickly, and he could have still prolonged Elliot¡¯s demise. He did it intentionally, letting her have it her way! However, he knew that Elliot would not spare him, even if he willingly handed over Clear. So, he deliberately provoked Elliot, seeking a swift death. When Sheena realized this, it was already toote. The bullet pierced Nathaniel¡¯s heart precisely, and blood gushed out, adding a vivid crimson hue to his once pristine groom¡¯s attire. ¡°Na¡­ na¡­¡± Nathaniel struggled to call out to her. Before copsing, he saw tears shimmering in Sheena¡¯s beautiful eyes. Finally, she felt sorrow for him once. That was enough. Chatper 697 Chapter 697 Nathaniel was gone, leaving the world with a smile on his face. It seemed like he departed without any regrets. Sheena felt her whole body go weak, closing her eyes, unable to bear witness to his tragic fall. The memories of their childhood, theughter, and joy shed before her eyes, intensifying the overwhelming grief. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. She had, with her own hands, shot the man who had loved her for a decade. ¡°Eli, take me away. I don¡¯t want to be in Laubabwe anymore,¡± she said as she weakly copsed into Elliot¡¯s arms, her voice choked with emotion. Elliot kissed her forehead tenderly,forting her softly, ¡°It¡¯s all over. He got what he wanted, and you gave him what he needed. It¡¯s the best ending he could hope for.¡± How could he not understand that Nathaniel had nned it this way? Nathaniel was stubborn and proud, and losing Sheena meant losing everything for him. With nothing left to cling to, he would much rather die. of medie Letting him die by Sheena¡¯s hand was the ultimate act of mercy. As for Kelly, they would deal with that when the timees¡­ Elliot held the emotionally distraught Sheena tightly, instructing his people to pack Nathaniel¡¯s body and bring it back to Froania, back to the Nicholls family. Once everything was settled, Elliot carried Sheena away from Florence Cathedral without looking back. On the return journey aboard the private ne, Lionel had already awakened, and Lucy, whom he had brought along, personally tended to his injuries. Clear was secured in a cooler box, intended for further examination of itsposition upon returning to Froania. Sheena had shed the heavy wedding gown and now donned a warm fur coat, but she was still wearing the t shoes Nathaniel had personally chosen for her. She appearednguid, and her eyescked luster, staring at the vast expanse of white clouds outside the ne. Elliot held her, understanding that she had not recovered from the church¡¯s events. Lionel and Lucy sat with them in the first¨Css cabin. In contrast to the quiet Elliot and Sheena, the two of them seemed livelier. ¡°Lionel, all those soldiers called you Captain. You¡¯re so amazing!¡± Lucy eximed, right in front of Elliot and Sheena, making Lionel blush. ¡°On this ne, the most formidable person is Ms. Sheena, followed by Mr. Jenkins, and I don¡¯t even come close to them.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Lucy turned to Sheena, shing a sweet and friendly smile, then asked Lionel, By the way, Lionel, you never told me your full name. What¡¯s yourst name?¡± Lionel hesitated for a moment. Those under Elliot had the same surname, O¡¯Connor, with the first name starting with L as part of their pseudonyms. real name was Jim Miller. However, Lionel was different. He did not have a real name. Elliot from the border when he was ten. Logan¡¯s real name was Oliver Davis, and L After Elliot named him Lionel, which became his only name. He was picked up by ¡°Well, this name actually¡­¡± Before he could finish, Elliot interrupted him and answered Lucy¡¯s question, ¡°Hisst name is Jenkins.¡± Lionel abruptly turned his head, looking at Elliot in a daze, stunned. ¡°Mr. Jenkins?¡± Elliot gave a slight smile, his tone steady as he exined, ¡°I n to officially list you in the family records and register you under my father¡¯s name as an adopted son. In the future, you won¡¯t just be my subordinate but also my brother, Lionel Jenkins.¡± Lionel¡¯s eyes reddened, tears swirling in his eyes. He was shocked and moved by the gesture. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re really nice to me¡­¡± If Sheena were not currently resting in Elliot¡¯s arms, he would have wanted to rush over and give Elliot a big hug. Chatper 698 Chapter 698 Elliot lightly raised an eyebrow, teasing Lionel, ¡°Put away that moved¨Cto¨Ctears look of yours. Don¡¯t embarrass yourself in front of the girl next to you.¡± Lionel quicklyposed himself, putting on a serious expression. Then, he turned to Lucy, not hiding his inner joy, ¡°Did you hear that? I¡¯m going to be a Jenkins from now on!¡± Lucy smiled brightly, genuinely happy for him. ¡°Congrattions, Lionel!¡± ales, creating a cheerful atmosphere, except for The three of them were all smiles, c Sheena. Finally resolving matters in Laubabwe, the intense tension that had gripped her mind rxed. She was so exhausted that she did not want to say a word or utter a syble. While they were joking and having fun, Sheena fell asleep in Elliot¡¯s arms, and she slept soundly. Elliot lowered his gaze, looking at the peacefully sleeping figure in his arms, feeling a bit puzzled by her state. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Nana? It¡¯s been several hours since we boarded the ne, and she doesn¡¯t seem well. How can she sleep through all this noise?¡± Lionel was surprised. ¡°Didn¡¯t you know? She¡¯s pregnant.¡± Pregnant? Elliot was slightly stunned. How could this be? He always took male contraceptives before every encounter! Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°If we roughly calcte, it¡¯s been about three and a half weeks!¡± Noticing that Elliot waspletely unaware, Lionel exined with a somewhatplicated expression, ¡°Lord Gale probably didn¡¯t tell you. When she found out about the pregnancy, she made everyone believe that the child was Nathaniel¡¯s to ensure the child¡¯s safety.¡± Elliot remained silent, lowering his head. That day, he had originally nned to teach Sheena a lesson, but he ended up Chapter 600 acting on impulse¡­ It was all his fault. Seeing that Elliot was not pleased and even looked quite stern, Lionel hurriedly added, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t misunderstand. It was really just an act. In the past half month, Nathaniel hasn¡¯t touched Sheena. This child is yours!¡± ¡°I know.¡± Elliot furrowed his brows, gently caressing the face of the sleeping girl in his arms. Learning from Lionel that Sheena had been experiencing morning sickness and excessive sleepiness for two and a half weeks, Elliot¡¯s frown deepened. Having such intense pregnancy symptoms so early was not a good sign. Elliot hoped this baby woulde into the world healthy and strong, sparing Sheena from suffering too much. Meanwhile, in Froania, as the New Year approached, the entertainment industry was buzzing with year¨Cend award ceremonies. Thanks to the widely acimed and highly¨Crated show ¡°Tales of the Past¡°, Phoebe nailed the Golden Flower Award for Best Actress. After the award ceremony, holding her trophy, Phoebe, along with Michelle and Cordelia; joyfully returned to the dressing room. As they entered, someone from outside gripped the doorknob before Cordelia could close it. ¡°Wait!¡± It was a familiar and pleasing male voice. Phoebe¡¯s smile faded instantly; she recognized it as Caleb¡¯s voice. Though Caleb had been nominated at this year¡¯s awards ceremony, he left empty- handed. Entering the room with a cheerful demeanor, he looked at Phoebe seated at the dressing table. ¡°Phoebe, you¡¯ve grown so much these past few months. Congrattions on winning the Best Actress award tonight!¡± Maintaining a neutral expression, Phoebe continued touching up her makeup, treating him as if he were invisible. Chapter 698 Cordelia and Michelle did not wee Caleb warmly either. The atmosphere in the room turned tense as Caleb, seemingly oblivious to the awkwardness, walked to Phoebe¡¯s side. ¡°Phoebe, what happened before was my fault. I let a despicable person deceive me and overlook your strengths. When we were separated, I finally realized how much I love you. Can you forgive me?¡± Chatper 699 Chapter 699 Phoebe remained silent, her expression unchanged. Cordelia rolled her eyes at Caleb¡¯s attempt, saying, ¡°Mr. Mendez, you¡¯re surely thick¨Cskinned. It¡¯s obvious that you¡¯re nning to ride on Phoebe¡¯s sess after winning the Best Actress award!¡± Ignoring Cordelia¡¯s sarcasm, Caleb kept his gaze fixed on Phoebe. ¡°Phoebe, I truly realize my mistake now. Please give me another chance! Without you, life is not worth living. Come back to me, please!¡± Phoebeughed. She had seen Caleb¡¯s true colors when he cheated on her, and every word he uttered now felt ironic and insincere. Remembering Sheena¡¯s ruthless approach toward unfaithful partners, Phoebe calmly retrieved a delicate little dagger from the drawer, a souvenir from a previous drama shoot. Seeing her y with the dagger, Caleb expressed concern, ¡°Be careful, don¡¯t cut your hand. I would be devastated.¡± Phoebe was disgusted by his fake disy of concern, handing the dagger to him. She was no longer weak and naive, calmly saying, ¡°Since you im life is unbearable without me, prove your love by using this dagger to end your life. Only then will I believe you truly love me.¡± Caleb¡¯s face paled, shocked by Phoebe¡¯s unexpected response. Phoebe was no longer easy to manipte! Caleb reluctantly took the dagger from her but hesitated to make any move that might cause injury. ¡°If I die, we can never be together. Are you really willing to let that happen?¡± Phoebe challenged, ¡°But if you don¡¯t die, how can you prove your love for me or if you¡¯ve truly regretted your actions?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Caleb bit the bullet and pressed the dagger against his wrist, but he still dared not to move. ¡°If you¡¯re not willing to go as far as cutting an artery and shedding enough blood, I won¡¯t believe you. Prove your sincerity.¡± The thought of it was too painful for Caleb. His hands trembled, and the dagger slipped from his grip. He grabbed Phoebe¡¯s gown and begged, ¡°Phoebe, please don¡¯t do this! Let¡¯s go back to how we were. No, I¡¯ll treat you even better than before! Just give me another chance!¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Phoebe kicked him hard with her high heels on. ¡°Get lost! I won¡¯t believe a single sweet word you say! From now on, steer clear of me. If you dare to pester me again, I¡¯ll fight you, and you¡¯ll end up with nothing! Even an instant noodle will be a luxury you can¡¯t afford!¡± Caleb was left bewildered, staring at Phoebe with disbelief as she sternly delivered her harsh words. Was this the same Phoebe he knew from before? ¡°Phoebe, I¡­¡± Caleb began to say, but Phoebe cut him off sharply, ¡°Get lost!¡± Unwilling to hear more of his excuses, Phoebe warned, ¡°If you keep bothering me, I¡¯ll report you for harassment!¡± Michelle and Cordelia immediately put on fierce expressions, ushering Caleb . away. With his departure, the atmosphere in the room became significantly more peaceful. Phoebe, feeling relieved, took out her phone to capture a photo of the award and sent it to Howard. [Phoebe: Thanks for your guidance, Mr. Howard. Are you satisfied?] Howard replied almost instantly. [Howard: Let¡¯s talk tonight.] Phoebe blushed instantly. This man was bing more¡­ Setting aside her phone, she resumed applying makeup. Since Howard would discreetlye to pick her upter, she decided not to take the bus home. Hence, Michelle and Cordelia left first. As the entire dressing room quickly emptied, Phoebe concentrated on her Chapt¨¦: 699 makeup. Outside the door, she heard the sound of a door handle turning. ncing at the door, she noticed a pair of men¡¯s dress shoes standing not far from her. Assuming it was Caleb returning, she spoke with annoyance, ¡°Caleb, are you dumb and deaf?¡± The man standing by the door remained silent and motionless. Feeling curious, Phoebe turned her head to get a better look. To her surprise, it was a stranger. ¡°Who are you?¡± Chatper 700 Chapter 700 The man respectfully bowed and greeted, ¡°Hello, Ms. Chambein. Mr. Romello would like to meet you. Pleasee with me.¡± ¡°Mr. Romello?¡± ded The awards ceremony had ended almost half an hour ago, and the venue was eerily quiet. Howard drove quietly, discreetly arriving to pick up Phoebe and bring her home. After sending a message to Phoebe, he waited in the garage for a while. Yet, even after waiting for five minutes, Phoebe still had note downstairs. He called her, only to find her phone powered off. Worried, Howard put on his mask and went upstairs to find her. The dressing room designated for Phoebe had a sign on the door, and Howard pushed the door open only to find the room empty. Immediately, he called Yuri and ordered, ¡°Investigate the surveince footage; Phoebe is missing!¡± Phoebe was forcefully taken back to the Nicholls residence by the bodyguard. It was dark outside as she stood at the entrance, feeling puzzled. ¡°Why did Romello ask you to bring me here? What does he want?¡°. The bodyguard offered no exnation, gesturing to her to go inside and find out. Phoebe hesitated, wanting to message Howard, but the bodyguard swiftly snatched her phone. ¡°Ms. Chambein, rest assured. Mr. Romello won¡¯t harm you. He is a man of justice within the organization and wouldn¡¯t engage in any uwful activities, especially considering your fame.¡± Skeptical, Phoebe followed the bodyguard inside. Finally, at the entrance to the altar room, the bodyguard opened a small door, go bowing respectfully as he said, ¡°Mr. Romello is waiting inside. Please in.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Phoebe could notprehend what Romello was up to, but she doubted he could do anything malicious in a ce as solemn as the altar room. She entered the room and found the vast altar room illuminated with soft lights. The candle mes flickered around the statues and crosses, and a faint scent of sandalwood wafted through the air, creating a serene atmosphere. Romello knelt on a cushion, his eyes slightly closed as he was engrossed in praying. Upon hearing footsteps, Romello politely bowed before turning around to face Phoebe, who stood by the door. He greeted her with a mild smile, his tone amiable. ¡°Ms. Chambein, do you remember ourst meeting?¡± Phoebe remained indifferent, saying, ¡°Please get straight to the point. I¡¯m very busy.¡± ¡°Sure, I won¡¯t take up much of your time. Let me be brief.¡± Approaching Phoebe, Romello took a photo from his pocket and handed it to her. ¡°Take a look at this.¡± Phoebe epted it, puzzled. It was a photo of a woman in her early thirties gazing at the camera with a gentle smile. Though not strikingly beautiful, she had a clean and pleasant appearance. More importantly, there was a striking resemnce between her and Phoebe. However, Phoebe was certain she had never worn the outfit in the photo, and she had never participated in a modern drama shoot. The woman in the photo could not be her. Doubtful, she looked up to meet Romello¡¯s eyes and asked, ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Romello¡¯s gaze softened with regret as he replied, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve not been a responsible brother to you. I¡¯ve been upied with official matters these years, rarely paying attention to the entertainment industry. If it weren¡¯t for seeing you at the Jenkins estate that day, I might not have any clues by now. I apologize for the unnecessary hardship you¡¯ve endured for over twenty years.¡± ¡°Brother?¡± Phoebe¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she nced at the photo and then back at Romello, finding it hard to believe. ¡°Mr. Romello, you must be mistaken. I¡¯ve been at the Farlem orphanage since I was a child, so I can¡¯t possibly be a Nicholls, nor can I suddenly have a brother.¡± Romello, hands behind his back, shifted his gaze back to the altar, calmly beginning his narrative. ¡°The year you were born, the Nicholls family was in turmoil. I was only eight, and Dad brought back a one¨Cyear¨Cold illegitimate son, Nathaniel, after a business trip to Laubabwe.¡± Phoebe was puzzled, ¡°What does Nathaniel have to do with me?¡± Chapter 701 Chapter 701 The light in Romello¡¯s eyes dimmed slightly, and he continued, ¡°Because Dad insisted on registering Nathaniel under Mom¡¯s name, and she firmly refused. Unable to ept that he not only had an affair but also audaciously brought back a son from it, she left home alone while being eight months pregnant. ¡°You were born while she was out alone. Her anxiety during pregnancy led to some mental health issues, and she identally lost you. She med herself for many years.. Phoebe listened in shock, feeling like everything she had known was being overturned. ¡®Even if I bear some resemnce to your mom, there were no records of my parents or my birth at the Farlem Orphanage. What makes you think I¡¯m a Nicholls?¡± ¡°Indeed. You were too young when Mom lost you. Moreover, she went to Luivine at that time, and no one knows what happened in between. Surprisingly, you ended up being adopted by the Farlem Orphanage. That¡¯s why we couldn¡¯t find you for so many years despite sending many people to Luivine.¡± Romello walked over to a small table nearby and handed Phoebe a document, adding, ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure, so I secretly had people monitor your shooting crew, finding a way to obtain your hair for a DNA test against Mom¡¯s.¡± Phoebe epted the DNA test report from him. As she saw the words ¡°Mother and Daughter¡± written in the lower right corner of the document, tears welled up in her eyes and dropped onto the paper. Romello gazed at her tenderly, saying, ¡°This DNA test report won¡¯t be wrong. You¡¯re truly the heiress of the Nicholls family, my sister, Janice Nicholls.¡± He ced both hands on her shoulders, adding, ¡°How about living with us starting tomorrow? I¡¯ve arranged the room Mom used to stay in, and you can spend more time talking with her during the day. I owe you these years, and I¡¯ll make it up to you in the future.¡± ¡°G¨CGive me some time to process this.¡± She had been an orphan for more than twenty years, and it was suddenly revealed that she was actually the heiress of the Nicholls family! Not only did she have parents, but she also had a group of siblings. The news was too overwhelming, leaving her somewhat bewildered and unable to ept it immediately. ¡°Sure. I understand you¡¯re not used to it. We¡¯ll take it slow. First, we¡¯ll change your name back. If you don¡¯t want to live here, I can arrange amodation for you outside. However, you can¡¯t continue staying with Howard.¡± When Phoebe heard thest part, she raised her head in shock. ¡°Why? Howard and I are a serious couple. In this day and age, isn¡¯t it normal for couples to live together?¡± Chanter 201 Romello patiently exined, ¡°It might be normal for ordinary families, but the true fenly is the third most prestigious family in Svelton. Once t reveal your identity, we must follow the fly rules step by step¡± Phoebe did not fully grasp the situation, but with Sheena and Elliot as examples, she could reppey ¡°Do we have to wait until an official engagement is announced?¡± ¡°Yes. If Howard genuinely likes you, he¡¯ll personally invite Uncle Albert toe and formalize the engagement.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Phoebe understood the issue well. Nheless, as long as she could continue being with Howard, the family rules did not matter. Thinking about changing her name, she continued, ¡°I¡¯ve already gotten used to the name Phoebe. Can I not change it? At most, I¡¯ll change myst name to Nicholls.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Anything you like.¡± Romello tousled her hair, earnestly looking at her face. Among the siblings, she resembled their mother the most when she was young. Phoebe was not used to being touched by men other than Howard, but considering Homello as her elder brother, she suppressed any resistance. Still holding her mother¡¯s photo, her eyes gradually filled with joy. ¡°Does she live in this house? Can I see her now? I¡¯ve lived for over twenty years without experiencing what it¡¯s like to have a mother¡¯s love. I really want to hug her.¡± Romello¡¯s hand, which was patting her head, slightly stiffened. He withdrew his gaze and concealed a subtle hint of unease. However, the bodyguard urgently knocked on the door of the altar room before he could respond. Chapter 702 Chapter 702 ¡°Mr. Romello, Mr. Howard is here! He looks frightening! His people are fighting with our bodyguards! ¡°Oh no!¡± Phoebe eximed and turned to run outside, The bodyguard led the way, and Romello followed leisurely, Chaos ensued at the entrance of the Nicholls residence. Howard, in a fit of rage, had already injured several of the Nicholls family¡¯s bodyguards ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t fight anymore!! Hearing Phoebe¡¯s voice, Howard immediately called off the bodyguards he had brought. Phoebe sprinted to his side, checking if he was injured, while Howard observed her condition. Seeing her with teary eyes, Howard grew furious. When he saw Romello approaching, he went straight to confront him. ¡°Romello! How dare you kidnap my woman! Just because you¡¯re the Deputy Chief of the National Investigation Bureau doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t touch you! What have you done to Phoebe?¡± Romello raised an eyebrow, a slight smile ying on his lips. He casually tucked his hands into his suit pockets, offering no exnation. Phoebe quickly hugged Howard before hepletely lost his temper, saying, ¡°He didn¡¯t do anything to me! He didn¡¯t harm me! ¡°He¡¯s my¡­ elder brother!¡± Howard¡¯s fist nearlynded on Romello, but he managed to stop in time. Romello nced at the hand close to hitting him, teasing, ¡°Howard, you were junt offending your future brother¨Cinw forever!¡± ¡°Future brother¨Cinw?¡± Howard looked questioningly at Phoebe. air away from Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Phoebe said, ¡°This is quite sudden, and it¡¯s a long story. I¡¯ll exin it to you slowly when we get back! After a flightsting over ten hours, Sheena and her group finally returned to their homnd early the next day. Sheena stood on the ne¡¯s stairs, gazing at the expansive scenery, and breathing in the fresh air. Elliot walked up behind her and effortlessly lifted her into his arms. Chapter 702 Sheena immediately embraced his neck, getting lost in his mesmerizing eyes. He lowered his head and gently rubbed her nose, asking, ¡°It must be hard adjusting to the food in Laubabwe. What would you like to eat today? I¡¯ll personally cook for you.¡± Sheena leaned closer to his ear and whispered something only the two could hear. He, unusually serious, responded, ¡°No, we can¡¯t do that. You¡¯re pregnant! After I inject Clear, I¡¯ll apany you to the hospital. Once we confirm you¡¯re all right, I¡¯ll let you have your way to your heart¡¯s content!¡± Sheena pouted unhappily, letting him carry her off the ne. Lionel was used to their public disys of affection and remainedpletely unfazed. Lucy, on the other hand, seemed more curious. ¡°Lionel, what do you think Sheena wants? Mr. Jenkins seemed so serious!¡± Lionel remained silent. Besides their daily banter and teasing, the two rarely delved into more serious conversations. Chapter 703 Chapter 703 ¡°Don¡¯t bother guessing. You¡¯ll understand it eventually,¡± Lionel said as he tapped Lucy¡¯s head. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°But, I¡¯ve never taken care of anyone for free. If you want to be by my side, you¡¯ll have to show me why I should keep you around.¡± Lucy¡¯s pupils slightly widened, and she seriously pondered for a moment. Lionel noticed Lucy¡¯s troubled expression, and he walked ahead with a suppressed smile. In no time, Lucy caught up, grabbed his arm, and said, ¡°How about teaching me martial arts! I can help you with killing others and be the sharpest tool in your team!¡± Lionel was puzzled, wondering why she thought he needed assistance with violence in the first ce. Did she actually believe his earlierment about being a psychopathic killer? ¡°Since you know I¡¯m not a good person, aren¡¯t you afraid of me?¡± Lucy looked into his eyes, her gaze clear and sincere. ¡°I only know that you saved me, and you¡¯re the first person in this world who¡¯s been so kind to me. Even if you¡¯re really a bad person, I¡¯m willing to walk down the dark path with you!¡± Lionel was stunned; he had never heard such words before. Come to think of it, she was the first stranger who had actively shown kindness to him. The two locked eyes, each perceiving the genuine goodwill in the other. ¡°Eli!¡± Sheena¡¯s uncontroble cry interrupted their moment, drawing their attention forward. Elliot had suddenly copsed. Though he held on to thest ounce of strength to carry Sheena to the car, he himself fell by the roadside. Lionel hurriedly approached, helping Elliot into the car, and they rushed to theb with Clear. Yosef analyzed Clear¡¯sponents while Noah meticulously examined Elliot¡¯s condition. Half an hourter, Noah entered the room with the test results. ¡°Noah, how is he?¡± Sheena asked anxiously. ¡°The situation is dire. This trip to Laubabwe was a stretch for him. His body was on the verge of copse. If we hadn¡¯t retrieved Clear in time, he would have been beyond help within three days. Sheena and Lionel exchanged a nce, their faces filled with gravity. Noah handed the test results to Sheena, carefully observing her expression. Chapter 703 ¡°Nana, you don¡¯t look well. Did something happen during this trip?¡± Sheena avoided Noah¡¯s gaze, trying to maintain a natural expression as she replied, ¡°It might be the jet lag. But don¡¯t worry, Noah, my health is definitely not an issue. Nathaniel kept the news of her pregnancy under wraps. Apart from the nobles and royals at the banquet that day, those from the Froania side were unaware of her pregnancy. Sheena could not help but wonder if Corey would be furious and punish her if he found out about her getting pregnant before the marriage. ¡°Noah, I¡¯m really fine. Go check on Yosef and see if he needs any help.¡± Noah did not say anything more and left the room. Yosef was overjoyed with Clear¡¯s analysis and shared it with Sheena and Lionel. ¡°It¡¯s truly a miracle for Elliot! This medicine is amazing. Bringing this back is not only crucial for treating Elliot but also a significant contribution to the future biochemical experiments in our country!¡± Yosef left two milliliters of Clear for further research and administered the rest to Elliot. Clear could only heal the long¨Cstanding virus in Elliot¡¯s body, but it could not address theplications and physical strain brought on by the virus. Chapter 704 Chapter 704 Elliot¡¯s body was too weakened and could not withstand the potent medicine. Hence, Yourd divided the dosage into three injections. Noah was also busy. During the time that Elliot was unconscious, he worked on IV medications address other issues in Elliot¡¯s body. This time, Elliot had slept for a long time, and all aspects of his body were in the recovery phase. Three days after the Clear injections, Sheena took him back to E&S Haven. At that time, Noah, Howard, Lionel, Lucy, and Phoebe were all present, gathered in the living room, chatting away. Phoebe shared her family background with Sheena, informing her that the Nicholls family would host a banquet to celebrate her return in seven days, and she would officially change her name to Phoebe Nicholls. Sheena was genuinely happy for her. This trip back seemed to bring positive developments to everything around her. She nced at everyone¨CElliot and her, Howard and Phoebe, Lionel and Lucy¨Ceach found their own soul mate, but Noah¡­. ¡°Noah, look at you. You¡¯re the only one sitting here all alone. When are you nning to get a girlfriend?¡± Sheena teased, ncing at the empty seat next to him. Noah turned his head, a slight blush coloring his ears. ¡°Mind your own business,¡± he replied coldly, then stood up and went upstairs to check on Elliot. Sheena chuckled at his shy and reserved demeanor, and everyone in the living rm joined in the laughter. Just when the atmosphere was joyous, Ford hurriedly knocked on the door. ¡°Miss! Something major has happened! Lionel opened the door, and the anxious Ford quickly reported, ¡°Princess Kelly from Laubabwe used you of murdering the groom at the wedding and fled in fear! She has filed a case against you at the international court. The trial is set for three days from now!¡± A brief silence fell over the living room as everyone processed this information. tense, and discussions on decision¨Cmaking began. The mood turned With a stern expression, Howard spoke first, ¡°Nathaniel did so many wrongs, and his death was the redemption. It¡¯s considered a favor for him. Princess Kelly is blind!¡± Lionel lowered his head, concealing a hint of unease in his eyes, reducing his presence, returning to his seat on the sofa. N?velDrama.Org owns this. and silently Chapter 204 2/2 Lucy, seated next to him, had been observing him closely. Noticing the unusual look in his eyes, she chose to remain silent and sat down beside him. Noah, hearing themotion, returned to the stairs. ¡°If she wants to involve thew, let¡¯s do it.¡± Howard agreed, saying, ¡°Exactly. If exposed, Nathaniel¡¯s illegitimate status alone would significantly tarnish the reputation of the Laubabwe royal family. I don¡¯t believe Princess Kelly would risk offending the entire royal family just to send you to prison.¡± With her longshes gently lowered, Sheena spoke calmly, ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to send me to prison. She wants a life for a life.¡± Howard, growing angrier, reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Our Lawson family¡¯s legal team is not to be underestimated. If she¡¯s not afraid to bring shame to the royal family, we¡¯ll stand our ground. Sheena bowed her head, choosing silence. Her tranquil gaze betrayed little of her thoughts. Lionel, who had been quiet, finally spoke up, ¡°Since Princess Kelly dared to take the case to the international court, she must believe she has solid evidence. Mr. Jenkins isn¡¯t awake yet, and it won¡¯t be easy to resolve this matter without him.¡± Noah, seated on the adjacent couch, had a cold expression, saying, ¡°Elliot is in the recovery phase, and we shouldn¡¯t trouble him.¡± Lionel wanted to say something but could not find the words. In the end, he lowered his head in silence. The living room was suddenly engulfed in an eerie silence. With only three days left before the international court appearance, they had limited time to prepare. Kelly likely anticipated this, hoping to catch them off guard. Chapter 705 Chapter 705 After several minutes of the somber atmosphere in the living room, Noal broke the silence. He calmly organized a n, saying, ¡°Howard, go to the dark web and see if we can find evidence exposing Nathaniel as a royal bastard and leave other matters to the legal team. I¡¯ll instruct them to draft a n quickly. Nana, follow thewyers¡® instructions when the timees and present your case ordingly.¡± Phoebe, who had been attentively listening, chimed in, ¡°If his illegitimate status has remained hidden for so many years, it suggests that the Laubabwe royal family has tightly sealed off information and evidence. The dark web might not have what we need.¡± Howard turned to her, asking, ¡°Do you have any ideas?¡± Phoebe nodded, saying, ¡°Perhaps I can find the evidence!¡± Romello had hoped she would return to the Nicholls residence, which could be an opportunity for her to assist Sheena in searching for evidence. Even though their father had passed away, his study and bedroom still remained as Romello arranged for daily cleaning, preserving everything as it was. Perhaps she could find some useful information. However, Howard was not too keen on the idea and expressed his concern, ¡°You¡¯ve just been acknowledged by the Nicholls family. Engaging in such risky activities, especially considering Nathaniel is your half¨Cbrother, even if illegitimate, is a matter involving the Nicholls family. If Romello finds out, he won¡¯t let you off easily!¡± Phoebe reassured him, ¡°That won¡¯t happen! Among the Nicholls, Romello treats me the best. He felt indebted to me for the past. Even if he finds out, he won¡¯t harm me. Don¡¯t worry!¡± Due to the tight three¨Cday timeline, Phoebe acted swiftly. That afternoon, she discussed her decision to return to the Nicholls residehce with Romello. Romello was pleased that she embraced her new identity and was willing to settle into the Nicholls family. In the evening, Howard helped her with her luggage and personally escorted Phoebe to the Nicholls residence. Phoebe gathered some information and learned that the current Nicholls residence only had a few upants besides the servants. Their eldest brother and father had both passed away, while their third brother was engaged in foreign trade abroad and rarely came back. The only ones at home were Vanda, Phoebe¡¯s mother, and their unmarried younger sister, Gabrielle. Chapter 705 2012 Romello would also make asional visits. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Phoebe learned from the butler that Romello had official business with the National Investigation. Bureau and might not return home to rest for a few nights. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Phoebe, guided by the butler, explored the entire mansion at night. The butler warned her, ¡°Ms. Phoebe, the sixth floor is off¨Climits. You absolutely cannot go up there at night. Apart from that, you¡¯re free to go anywhere in the mansion during the day.¡± Phoebe was puzzled and asked, ¡°You just mentioned that the sixth floor is where my mom stays and where my dad¡¯s study and bedroom were when he was alive. If that¡¯s the case, why can¡¯t I go up there at night?¡± The butler, looking conflicted, could only lower his head and exined, ¡°This is Mr. Romello¡¯s order. You¡¯ve just returned, and there¡¯s much about the Nicholls family that you don¡¯t understand. Mr. Romello will personally inform you in the future. For now, you just need to obey his orders. Phoebe stared at him, staying quiet. It sounded like there was more to the Nicholls family¡¯s affairs than what Romello had previously told her, and it seemed moreplex than what she currently knew. The butler bowed slightly, making a courteous gesture as he continued, ¡°This is your room. Have a good rest,¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Phoebe replied, closing the door, and sitting on the bed, lost in thought. Why was it fine for her to visit the sixth floor during the day but not at night? There was an air of secrecy about it, and the more restricted it was, the more her curiosity was piqued.. At 3 a.m., the entire mansion was unusually quiet, with everyone fast asleep. Phoebe quietly opened her door, tiptoed from the fourth floor, and ascended the stairs to the top Unfortunately, the top floor was locked. She could only peer through the iron gate, looking at the pitch¨Cck corridor.. ¨C floor. The cold wind of thete winter night blew through the hallway, causing shivers and adding a touch. of eerie mystery to the already chilly sixth floor. Chapter 706 Chapter 706 Phoebe was unwilling to give up and go back empty¨Chanded. The key was probably in Romello¡¯s possession, and there might be a spare key with the butler. If she wanted to explore then on the sixth floor, aside from figuring out how to get the key, she had to take an unconventional route. With this in mind, Phoebe returned to her room on the fourth floor, quietly opened the window, and climbed out. Growing up in the orphanage, she experienced various hardships. From climbing trees to catch birds, to catching fish in the rivers, she had done it all. In fact, Phoebe had strength beyond that of an average girl, and scaling the building from the outer wall¡¯s pipe on the fourth floor to the sixth floor was a piece of cake for her. The window on the sixth floor was closed, but luckily, it was not locked. She sessfully climbed into the room. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. To avoid disturbing Vanda, who was already asleep on the sixth floor, Phoebe refrained from turning on the lights and used the shlight on her phone. After a quick scan of the entire room, she identified it as a study. What a pleasant surprise! She searched the room swiftly, efficiently looking for anything rted to Nathaniel, all the while being careful to restore everything she touched. However, after searching the entire room, there was. no trace of anything rted to Nathaniel. Phoebe then turned her attention to the rows of bookshelves. Recalling Romello mentioning that their father had brought Nathaniel from Laubal ve and insisted. giving status to this illegitimate child, Phoebe wondered if Nathaniel and Kelly We ice deeply in love. With this thought, she scrutinized the rows of books and finally singled out one entirely in a foreign language. Although she did not fully understand, she recognized some simple words. She quickly noticed that one word on the cover hinted at a theme of love. Phoebe stood on her tiptoes, retrieved the book from the third shelf, and flipped through it carefully. Between the pages, she found a photograph of a man and a woman embracing each other sweetly. The woman looked exceptionally beautiful with her captivating blue eyes and exotic charm. Phoebe decisively slipped the photo into her pocket, turned off her phone¡¯s light, and prepared to climb back out of the window. sanddenly, she heard a falut shuffling sound of slippers behind her. Though light, Phoebe could still notice it in the silence, and she swiftly turned around. In the dim moonlight, she saw the other person¡¯s bloodshot eyes, their expression terrifying Startled, Phoebe could not run away in time and was viciously struck on the head with an ashtray. As consciousness waned, she felt someone choking her neck, a sharp voice screaming in her ear. ¡°Why are you still alive? Why did youe back? You¡¯re a disgrace! You shouldn¡¯t be living in this world! You should¡¯ve died¡­¡± Apanied by the violent shouts, Phoebepletely cked out. When Phoebe woke up again, she found herself lying in bed, covered with a soft cotton quilt. She propped herself up, attempting to sit, but her head throbbed unbearably. When she touched her forehead, she feltyers of thick bandages. It also hurt when she gulped. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake. Does it still hurt?¡± Romello was sitting by her bedside, his expression indifferent, with a hint of annoyance in his tone. ¡°Didn¡¯t the butler tell you not to go upstairs at night? Why didn¡¯t you listen to me? You even climbed over the walls. You¡¯re simply too brave!¡± Phoebe gradually recollected her thoughts, reaching for the pocket of her pants. Chapter 707 Chapter 707 Thankfully, the photo was still there. Romello probably had not discovered that she had taken the picture from the study. Phoebe exined, ¡°I was just curious, especially since Mom is there. I haven¡¯t seen her yet, so I wanted to take a look.¡± Romello sighed. ¡°Forget it. I won¡¯t punish you this time, but no more next time. There are rules in This house, and since you¡¯re back, you need to follow them, understand?¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Romello stood up and adjusted his military uniform cor, his tone casual as he said, ¡°You were startled last night. Get some more sleep. I¡¯ll have them bring foodter.¡± ¡°Wait a minute,¡± Phoebe grabbed his sleeve, looking up at him. ¡°Before I passed outst night, someone seemed to hit me on the head with something and wanted to strangle me, saying I shouldn¡¯t live in this world. Was that¡­ Mom?¡± Romello sat back down and patted her shoulder. His tone softened as heforted her, ¡°No, it was not, and no one wanted to strangle you. Your forehead injury was from slipping and hitting the table corner. Perhaps you were too frightenedst night and imagined it. Don¡¯t overthink it.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°But¡­¡± That feeling was too real, and she was perfectly consciousst night. How could it be her imagination? ¡°No ¡®buts¡®. When it happened, Mom was still asleep. When the servant went up to clean the room this. morning, she found you fainted in the study.¡± Was that really the case? Was it just a dream brought on by her high levels of stress? Phoebe was not entirely convinced and asked, ¡°So, when can I see Mom?¡± Romello¡¯s expression stiffened slightly, and hints of sorrow were mixed in his amber eyes. ¡°She caught a cold. She said she didn¡¯t want to infect you. It might take a few days, but you¡¯ll see her at your banquet at thetest. You¡¯ll surely see her, loving and beautiful.¡± ¡°She caught a cold? I can take care of her. My immune system is better than most girls, so I won¡¯t get infected.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re injured now, and it¡¯s when your resistance is at its lowest.¡± Romello narrowed his eyes, and he emphasized solemnly, ¡°Now that you¡¯re back as a Nicholls, you have to obey the rules!¡± Phoebe gave up, nodding silently. Chapter 707 After Romello gave a few more instructions, he left and closed the door behind him. Once he was gone, Phoebe quickly got out of bed and walked to the mirror on the dressing table across from her. On her slender neck, aside from a faint stinging sensation, there were no traces of being strangled Could it be that she imagined it all because she was too scaredst night? ¡°Forget it! Sheena¡¯s situation is more important!¡± She pushed aside her thoughts and took out the photo hidden in her pocket fromst night. After confirming it was intact, she carefully ced it back. Due to the injury on her forehead, Romello forbade her from g out. No matter what excuse she used, the butler would not allow it. He even confiscated her phone, insisting she focus on resting. Phoebe, feeling helpless, was forcefully confined for two days. Everyone was caught up with their busy schedules, and time seemed to pass by even faster. Soon, it was the day of the trial. When Romello left after breakfast, Phoebe, iming her injury had healed, used the excuse of a magazine shoot and left the Nicholls residence alone, taking a taxi to E&S Haven. In the car heading to the international court, the Lawson family¡¯swyer, Ricky Agur, handed Sheena the prepared statement, repeatedly emphasizing, ¡°Ms. Lawson, you must stick to what¡¯s written here. Rest assured, even if the other party is a royal princess, we¡¯ll not let you suffer any losses!¡± Sheena remained silent, nodding in acknowledgment without looking at the statement given by Ricky. Noah, Howard, and Lucy apanied her to court. Corey was busy with official matterstely and did not have the time to return, while Lionel volunteered to stay at E&S Haven to take care of Elliot. When Phoebe hurriedly arrived at E&S Haven, everyone had already left, and it had been half an hour since their departure. As her phone was confiscated before, it had run out of battery on the journey over. Helpless, Phoebe had to borrow some money from Lionel and take another taxi to the international court. As Phoebe left, Lionel returned to the master bedroom and discovered something unexpected¨CElliot had awakened! Overjoyed, he hurriedly approached, ¡°Thank goodness! Mr. Jenkins, you finally woke up!¡± Chapter 708 Chapter 708 Elliot¡¯s eyshes trembled lightly, and he nced at Lionel before quickly surveying the entire room.. ¡°Where¡¯s Nana?¡± Upon hearing this, Lionel became anxious, ¡°They¡¯ve all gone to the international court. Princess Kelly is using her of murdering the royal family, and the trial just started today. Elliot frowned, and his messy thoughts quickly cleared. ¡°Murdering the royal family: ¡°Yes, Charles Lance, Princess Kelly¡¯s adopted son in name, also known as Nathaniel.¡± Elliot immediately threw off the covers and got out of bed, saying, ¡°Get the car and drive us to the international court immediately.¡± ncing at the clock, Lionel grabbed his arm. ¡°The trial is about to start. If we go now, we might be unable to help much.¡± As he spoke, Lionel¡¯s gaze slightly turned serious, and he spoke in a low, cautious tone, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I just received news that¡­ the person¡­ is already out of critical condition.¡± Elliot locked eyes with him and quicklyposed himself. ¡°Let¡¯s go check.¡± Outside the solemn courtroom, a crowd had gathered. As Sheena¡¯s car arrived, various media outlets quickly surrounded her, thrusting microphones in her face. ¡°Ms. Lawson, did you really kill someone?¡± ¡°Although Mr. Nicholls had been to jail, he was also aw¨Cabiding citizen. It¡¯s said for you two were childhood sweethearts. Why would you want to kill him?¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson, please exin. Ms. Lawson¡­¡± The continuous barrage of microphones was shoved to Sheena¡¯s face, apanied by the clicking of camera shes. Just as Sheena was about to respond, Howard wrapped his arm around her shoulder, effectively clearing the area. With him intervening, the reporters and media dispersed within minutes. Howard leaned in close, whispering, ¡°Nana, remember Mr. Agur¡¯s words. As for everything else, don¡¯t overthink it. Noah and I will handle everything for you.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Sheena collected herplicated thoughts and nodded. In the courtroom. Chapter 708 272 The spectator seats were filled with people, and the intiff and defendant seats were in opposition. Before long, Harrold assisted a weary¨Clooking Kelly to the courtroom. Her eyes were slightly swollen, as if she had been crying intensely these past few days. Noticing Sheena¡¯s gaze, Kelly shot her a venomous look, and the intense hatred in her eyes was unmistakable. Sheena remained unfazed, quickly looking away and quietly walking to the spot marked with the defendant¡¯s sign. When themissioner announced the courtroom discipline, Sheena remembered the note herwyer had given her and took a nce. The legal team instructed her to portray Nathaniel as emotionally unstable with severe violent tendencies, iming she killed him in Lionel¡¯s defense. This would imply that she mistakenly killed Nathaniel while trying to save Lionel, justifying it as self¨Cdefense. Yet, this would shift all the me onto Nathaniel, tarnishing his reputation even after his death and making him the scapegoat. On the other hand, she was pregnant. As long as she confirmed the pregnancy in court, she would not have to bear this responsibility for now¡­ However, it was too early in the pregnancy, and elders suggested keeping it private until after three months. Plus, she had not figured out how to tell her family about it. Amidst her tumultuous thoughts, Howard, seated in the spectator seats, noticed the change in her expression after ncing at the note. He whispered to her, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t overthink it!¡± Sheena¡¯s emotions wereplex. Just as she was lost in thought, the judge entered the courtroom. The tumultuous legal battle was about to unfold, Chapter 709 Chapter 709 Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Sheena quietly tucked the note back into her pocket, lowering her gaze in silence. Kelly appeared emotionally distressed, a picture of sorrow and agony. Those unaware of the truth marveled at her profound motherly love. Even though the deceased was her adopted son, they thought Kelly¡¯s grief was heart¨Cwrenching, truly showcasing her kind heart. In contrast, Sheena remained cold and stunningly beautiful but with a ruthless heart. If she had truly committed murder, then perhaps she deserved the consequences. The unsuspecting spectators were now leaning unanimously toward Kelly¡¯s side. ¡°Charles Lance is subject to an international extradition order, and he should have faced trial by the National Investigation Bureau for his wrongdoing. However, the defendant, Sheena Lawson, on the day of the wedding, ruthlessly killed Mr. Lance. She not only took his life but also took away his body. To this day, his remains are nowhere to be found. Given the heinous nature of this act, we request the honorable judge to impose a severe sentence!¡± Sheena was lost in thought when suddenly she heard her name being called by Kelly¡¯swyer. Something in his statement caught her attention¡­ Nathaniel¡¯s body was missing? How could that be? She remembered Elliot instructing someone to return Nathaniel¡¯s body to Froania and handing it over to the Nicholls family. Was it possible that the Nicholls family, driven by their resentment toward her, conspired with Kelly to deliberately hide Nathaniel¡¯s body to bring her down? Sheena¡¯s mind was buzzing. Sheena¡¯swyer, Ricky, raised his hand and said, ¡°Your Honor, regarding the usations from the intiff, our defendant has something to say.¡± Then, he looked at Sheena and continued, ¡°Ms. Lawson, don¡¯t be afraid. What really happened on the day of the wedding at Florence Cathedral?¡± The Lawson family¡¯s legal team was well¨Cprepared. Once Sheena narrated the events ording to the provided note, they would present Lionel¡¯s medical assessment and a series of evidence to the judge. All eyes were now fixed on Sheena, who kept her head down, seemingly still contemting something. Chapter 709 232 ¡°Ms. Lawson, it¡¯s your turn to speak!¡± Ricky called out to her again, quickly bringing her back to focus. He reassured her with a gaze, adding, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Speak freely. The judge will ensure fairness and justice for you!¡± Sheena nced at Ricky, knowing well what he was implying. He was suggesting shifting all the me onto Nathaniel, making him bear the burden, letting him be the scapegoat¡­. After all, Nathaniel was already dead, and these proceedings were just for the living. Once everything was concluded, it would not have any impact on everyone¡¯s lives. However¡­ a thing. Sheena could not bring herself to do such a Though she did not love Nathaniel, she had once respected and admired him, especially considering he had never harmed her. In her eyes, Nathaniel owed her nothing. No one was born knowing how to love, and Nathaniel had just chosen a different approach. ¡°Ms. Lawson!¡± Ricky called her for the third time. Sheena snapped back to reality, instinctively turning her head to nce at Noah and Howard in the spectator seats. Her two brothers gave her firm, reassuring nods, indicating she should proceed with the n. Sheena sighed silently and finally began to speak. She looked at Kelly on the intiff¡¯s seat and calmly asked, ¡°Princess Kelly, do you know Nathaniel¡¯s favorite food? What did he dislike the most? What was his greatest wish?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Not only Kelly, but the entire courtroom was bewildered. All thewyers on the defendant¡¯s side widened their eyes, and Ricky was so frustrated that he snapped a pen in half. Sheena was not following their n! If she lost the case, his bonus would go down the drain! On top of that, his title as Froania¡¯s topwyer was on the line too! Chapter 710 Chapter 710 Sheena ignored the constant signals from the defendant¡¯s seat. She continued, ¡°You don¡¯t know because, over these twenty¨Cplus years, while you may feel indebted to him, you¡¯ve never cared about what he truly wanted. You¡¯ve only forced upon him what you thought was good for him to ease your own guilt. Kelly was slightly stunned, feeling scolded, and red at Sheena with hostility. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m clueless about them. I could¡¯ve taken my time to understand him, but because of you, I lost him forever!¡± Sheena lowered her longshes, steering the narrative back on course. ¡°But here¡¯s what I do know. When I was a little girl, I loved visiting the Nicholls family and tagging behind him. He was a devoted person. Once he made a decision, he wouldn¡¯t change his mind.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Sheena then continued listing, ¡°His favorite fruits were cantaloupe and watermelon. He felt life was already unbearable, so he liked eating sweet things. He didn¡¯t like foie gras and chitterlings. He said no matter how well the chef prepared them, he couldn¡¯t ept the inherent strong smell. His most beloved woman was me, and his lifelong pursuit was being able to marry me.¡± She then paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°But I can never give him those two things in my lifetime. On our wedding day, he ultimately chose to fulfill my wishes, and what you¡¯re doing now is trying to destroy everything he once deeply loved.¡± Upon hearing Sheena¡¯s words, Kelly was stunned. Her gaze met Sheena¡¯s from a distance, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes. She knew Nathaniel¡¯s obsession with Sheena. On their wedding day, he unhesitatingly stood in front of Sheena, ring at her, the woman who was his mother, for the first time, shouting, ¡°If you kill her, you¡¯re killing me too! Even if she were to win the case today and bring down Sheena, Nathaniel wouldnt her. With these thoughts, Kelly considered withdrawing thewsuit. Seeing the guilt on Kelly¡¯s face, the defendant¡¯s side breathed a collective sigh of relief, secretly admiring Sheena¡¯s tactics. Maybe their bonuses were safe, after all. Yet, while Kelly was in a dilemma, thewyer suddenly approached her, whispering a few words in her car. Kelly widened her eyes in disbelief and looked at Sheena with renewed hatred. ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re shameless! ying the emotional card with me on one hand and threatening me on. the other! Fine! Very well!¡± Chader ¡°10 20 She clenched her teeth, mming the table abruptly. The intiff¡¯swyer immediately raised his hand, signaling, ¡°Your Honor, our intiff is emotionally disturbed. We request a recess.¡® ¡°Approved.¡± With the judge¡¯s approval, Kelly quickly left the courtroom. Sheena, apanied by her brothers, returned to their own lounge. Perplexed about Kelly¡¯s sudden loss of control, Sheena asked, ¡°What did you do?¡± Howard exined, ¡°Phoebe found loving photos of Princess Kelly and her dad from their time in Laubabwe. In addition to the pictures, we have other evidence that solidifies Nathaniel not being an adopted son but rather Princess Kelly¡¯s illegitimate child. We¡¯ve already informed theirwyers about this matter. If Princess Kelly insists on proceeding with the case, we don¡¯t mind exposing the royal scandal. We believe she¡¯ll withdraw thewsuit during the recess after weighing the pros and cons. Sheena remained silent, her eyes calm. However, she did not let her guard down.. Considering Kelly¡¯s long¨Cstanding stubbornness, would she reallypromise when threatened? But more than that, Sheena was worried about Phoebe.. ¡°Phoebe delivered the photos personally? Where is she?¡± Howard thought for a moment and replied, ¡°She just said she went to the restr .. She¡¯ll be back in the lounge to join us shortly.¡± In the lounge on this side, Kelly was furious, tossing things around. Harrold, fearing she would damage public property, had the room¡¯s vases and teacups collected, offering her soft cushions to throw. Kelly tore the pillow into pieces in a fit of rage, filling the air with stray cotton and feathers. Harrold rubbed his temples. Okay, they would have topensate for the pillow. He had underestimated Kelly¡¯s destructive. power! Chapter 711 Chapter 711 Harrold cleared his throat, rationally analyzing the situation. ¡°Kelly, take advantage of the recess and withdraw thewsuit. The Lawson family has concede evidence proving that Nathaniel is your illegitimate son. Once exposed, it¡¯ll harm you, me, and the entire royal family. Even the king would not support your decision.¡± Kelly grew angrier, and she stared daggers at Harrold. ¡°Why should I? That bitch killed my son, and she should pay with her life. Do they think threateni me with these old scandals will make me yield? Dream on! I must seek justice for fate. Exposing royal family¡¯s scandals means nothing to me! Even if it means breaking everything apart, I¡¯ll pursu this to the end!¡± Harrold¡¯s persuasion fell on deaf ears, and he did not say more. Phoebe had just left the restroom when Romello¡¯s men took her away. She was escorted to the neighboring hotel and forcefully pushed into Romello¡¯s room. Stumbling a few steps, she managed to regain her bnce. Romello sat casually by the window, puffing on a cigar. The faint smoke failed to conceal the anger in his amber eyes. ¡°So, you agreed to return to the Nicholls family so quickly because you wanted to help Sheena find evidence.¡± His voice was cold, and the room was filled with the scent of tobo mixed with a threatening aun that made it nearly suffocating. Phoebe took a deep breath. Enduring the pressure he brought, she nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± A loud crash echoed through the room just as she finished her answer. The teacup from Romello¡¯s side flew toward her, shattering on the floor near her feet. Phoebe took two steps back to avoid getting hit by the broken pieces. Romello red at her, shouting, ¡°What did the Lawson family give you? What benefits made you sell yourself out for them, even scheming against your own family? You¡¯re an ungrateful traitor!¡± Thest sentence wounded Phoebe deeply, but she met Romello¡¯s oppressive gaze with determination. ¡°I may be ungrateful, but I know the Nicholls family doesn¡¯t wee me. Despite being my rtives, you¡¯re all colder to me than strangers. Sheena, although not my biological sister, has treated me Chapter 711 sincerely. If not for her, I wouldn¡¯t even be alive today! I can¡¯t stand idly by, watching you and Princess Kelly join forces!¡± 2/2 Romello sneered, ¡°No matter how kind she seems, it¡¯s all about her finding you useful. Remember: blood is thicker than water! Sheena killed your brother with her own hands! Even if Nathaniel is an illegitimate child, he¡¯s still half a member of the Nicholls family. We can¡¯t allow the Lawson family to bully us! Moreover, once they expose Nathaniel¡¯s identity, the Nicholls Group will suffer significant losses. Do you understand?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Romello, but I only know that Sheena needed my help,¡± Phoebe said, her eyes turning red. She bowed deeply and added, ¡°I have no feelings for you, Nathaniel, or the Nicholls family, if it really irks you, the banquet to celebrate my return can be canceled. Consider it as if you¡¯ve never found your long¨Clost sister.¡± Romello extinguished his cigar, his eyes narrowing slightly, revealing no discernible emotions. Before leaving, Phoebe left one final remark, ¡°Mr. Romello, you may not understand how important Sheena is to me. I¡¯d rather not be a Nicholls than do anything harmful to her!¡± Lionel drove, swiftly taking the recovering Elliot to the countryside. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. In a simple cottage, the man had just awakened. His chest was wrapped in thick bandages, faintly stained with blood. His lips were pale, and hist complexion was horrible. The pair of blue eyes struggled to open, and his eyshes trembled lightly. He slightly tilted his head and immediately spotted Elliot sitting in a chair beside the bed. ¡°Elliot?¡± Elliot toyed with his wristwatch, not looking at him. He spoke in a calm tone. ¡°Even Sheena is unaware that she was too nervous that day. Her hands. trembled when she fired, and the bullet missed your heart by two centimeters, nor did it hit any arteries.¡± ¡°W¨CWhy?¡± Nathaniel weakly asked, puzzled. Chapter 712 Chapter 712 172 Even if Sheena did not end his life with a single shot, he still would have died from the excessive blood loss Elliot could simply choose to let him bleed to death, and there would be no chance of recovery. Or did Elliot save him so that he could continue tormenting him in secret? ¡°Why did you save me?¡± Elliot understood what he wanted to know and chuckled softly ¡°Over the past six months, I¡¯ve been gued by illness because of you, narrowly escaping death several times. However, I¡¯ve also inflicted the same pain upon you. Under severe punishment, you almost didn¡¯t make it through a few times. Since you handed over Clear, and now that I¡¯m physically recovered, we can consider our past grievances settled.¡± Grievances settled? Nathaniel was stunned. Sheena had said a simr thing back then! Both men were ruthless and bloodthirsty, sworn enemies who could never coexist peacefully. How could Elliot easily let him off? Nathaniel propped himself up, leaning against the headboard. ¡°I handed over Clear because of Sheena. I never wanted to save you. I wished you were dead!¡± ¡°I know,¡± Elliot responded calmly. ¡°In this matter, you were trying to support her wishes. She fired at you not only to fulfill your desire for death but also to help me. She was afraid to put me in a difficult situation. Now, I¡¯m sparing you.¡± Nathaniel looked at him in shock. ¡°Elliot, you know me well to understand that i reversed, if you were in my hands right now, I¡¯d never let you off so easily!¡± were ¡°Unfortunately, there are no ifs in this situation we¡¯re in right now,¡± Elliot remarked. ¡°You don¡¯t have the opportunity to make me your captive. Whether to forgive or continue harboring resentment, the choice is in my hands.¡± Elliot stared at Nathaniel with a smirk, exuding an air of inherent arrogance and elegance.. He was undeniably handsome. Despite having undergone skin graft surgery due to facial burns, Elliot¡¯s face remained exceptionally attractive. Those obsidian eyes exuded both ruthless authority and a righteous aura, and when it came to Sheena, his gaze disyed an unmatchable and sincere affection. 212 Nathaniel chuckled, finally letting go. ¡°I admit defeat. I finally understand why she chose you. In certain aspects, I¡¯m indeed not as good as Elliot smiled, patting Nathaniel¡¯s shoulder. However, his tone grew more serious. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this for now and focus on the main issue. Your mom believes you¡¯re dead and has taken Nana to the international court, demanding an immediate verdict.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°My mom won¡¯t stop until she achieves her goal. Continuing like this will only lead to mutual destruction.¡± Elliot nodded, agreeing, ¡°That¡¯s why this matter can only be resolved by you.¡± The two men locked eyes again, the previous rivalry reced by a shared urgency to find a solution- all because of Sheena. Once enemies due to her, they now unexpectedly shake hands and discuss strategies. The recess had ended. From N?velDrama.Org. Kelly had not withdrawn herwsuit, and everyone returned to the courtroom. The prosecution held onto the usation that Sheena shot Nathaniel dead. ¡°Your Honor, we believe the defendant shot Mr. Lance while he was defenseless, constituting an ambush and intentional murder! Our intiff, as the stepmother, has done her best, while the defendant nders her with baseless usations, showing no remorse. It¡¯s despicable, and we request the court to impose a severe sentence on the defendant!¡± On the defense side, thewyers remained silent. Sheena¡¯s pre¨Crecess revtion hadpletely thrown off all their carefullyid ns. Kelly red at Sheena, teeth clenched. ¡°Sheena, no matter how you twist the facts, it remains that you shot and killed Charles. Do you deny it?¡± Chapter 713 Chapter 713 Sheena lowered her gaze, her expression icy as she chose not to respond. Kelly¡¯swyer raised his hand, continuing to press his well¨Cfounded usations against Sheena, ¡°The defendant¡¯s silence is a sign of guilt. She did shoot Mr. Lance while he was defenseless. Your Honor, we suggest detaining her As thewyer was making hispelling argument against Sheena, the assistant on the defense side received an email on herptop. Reading the first few lines, her eyes widened in shock, and she quickly turned theputer toward Kelly. Kelly read the email attentively, and as she progressed, her eyes reddened, tears streaming down uncontrobly. The assistant interrupted the trial, saying, ¡°Apologies, Your Honor. The intiff is emotionally distressed. We request another recess!¡± Just as the Lawson family¡¯s legal team was ready to unvell their ace¨Cevidence proving Nathaniel was not a legitimate son and that Sheena acted in self¨Cdefense, the trial was abruptly halted again. Everyone present was puzzled. Kelly unexpectedly withdrew thewsuit during this recess. Did she concede in thiswsuit? Sheena, perplexed by the turn of events, wondered about the content on theptop that Kelly grieved over. Was it the weight of the royal scandal that led Kelly to step back? With his arm around Sheena, Howard led her out of the courtroom. As they reached the courthouse lobby, Kelly, apanied by Harrold anti others, opposite side. The two groups confronted each other. Kelly red at Sheena, making no effort to hide her disdain. from the ¡°Sheena, it¡¯s thanks to Nate that you can walk out of here freely. If it weren¡¯t for him, I would never have let you go!¡± Kelly dered with arrogance, then turned around and walked away, denying Sheena any chance to ask further. Thanks to Nate? Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Sheena found the statement puzzling. Howard patted her shoulder gently, saying, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t overthink it. In any case, resolved. the matter is 2:2 Sheena nodded. Exiting the courthouse lobby, Sheena spotted a familiar figure leaning against a luxury car, the handsome silhouette instantly soothing her restless heart. It was Elliot. She hurriedly approached, her small hand slipping through his unbuttoned ck coat, embracing his waist, and feeling the warmth of his body. ¡°When did you wake up? Do you feel pain anywhere? While Noah is still in Svelton, I¡¯ll have him clear away any lingering diforts!¡± Sheena¡¯s words of concern warmed Elliot¡¯s heart. He contentedly tousled her hair, enveloping her slender figure securely within his coat. ¡°I probably woke up when you were in court. Don¡¯t worry, Noah¡¯s medical skills won¡¯t leave any lingering issues in my body,¡± Elliot assured, easing Sheena¡¯s concerns. Drawing close to her ear, he whispered mysteriously, ¡°Nana, I want to take you somewhere.¡± ¡°Where are we going?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll know when we get there,¡± he replied gently, opening the car door, and carrying her horizontally, carefully cing her in the seat. Turning back, he addressed Howard and Noah, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll borrow Nana for a bit. It¡¯s almost New Year¡¯s, and I¡¯ll formally thank you guys on New Year¡¯s Eve.¡± Howard showed an understanding expression, waving his hand impatiently. ¡°Hurry up and stop it with your public disy of affection!¡± Noah did not say anything, just looking at them indifferently. Lionel drove the car and waved at Lucy, who stood quietly behind Noah and Howard. Chapter 714 Chapter 714 Lucy immediately cheerfully opened the passenger seat door, smiling happily as she entered. Once their car departed, Noah stared at the retreating luxury car, obviously displeased. He sarcasticallymented, ¡°iming to borrow Nana means he¡¯ll return her to us, but we know he obviously won¡¯t be doing so.¡± Howard chuckled. ¡°Noah, that¡¯s unfair. Why didn¡¯t you say that in front of Elliot just now?¡± Noah shot him a cold look and replied, ¡°Go find your girlfriend.¡± After saying this, Noah turned and left. Howard watched his receding figure, sighed helplessly, and muttered, ¡°Your temperament is really something else. No wonder you¡¯ve been single for so many years!¡± Lionel drove to a private airport. Sheena looked at the airport building and asked, ¡°Eli, why did you bring me here?¡± Elliot smiled without exining, toward the airport building. Then, he held her small hand, interlocking their fingers, and led her Lucy, looking clueless, was about to get out of the car, but Lionel held her back and shook his head, gesturing for her to stay put. Lucy understood and obediently sat in the car, waiting. Elliot led Sheena all the way up to the fourth floor. Through the ss, he pointed outside. ¡°Nana, look¡± Sheena looked over with a puzzled expression, and through the ss, she saw a stairs of Elliot¡¯s private ne. The silhouette seemed so familiar, almost like¡­ Her eyes turned red, and she stared out the window in disbelief. ¡®king up the When the person reached the top of the stairs, he turned slowly, stood outside the aircraft, raised his arm high, and waved in Sheena¡¯s direction. Although they were quite far apart, Sheena clearly saw the indulgent smile in his deep blue eyes as if silently bidding her farewell. In shock, she did not forget to wave back at Nathaniel. Nathaniel saw her response, contentedly looked away, and entered the cabin. Only after the cabin door closed did Sheena turn to Elliot. ¡°Eli, what did you do?¡± low could Nathaniel be on Elliot¡¯s private ne? How could he survive the shot when she obviously saw him fall¡­ Elliot looked at her seriously. He seemed to understand all her doubts and patiently answered each one. ¡°The grievances between Nathaniel and me have been resolved. Princess Kelly withdrew thewsuit because she received an email from Nathaniel. ¡°I originally nned to take him to court, provide evidence on the spot to prove your innocence. However, he didn¡¯t want to live on as Nathaniel Nicholls or Charles Lance, so he asked me not to reveal that he was still alive. He wants to quietly leave and go to some other country to clear his mind. He reached out, gently caressing Sheena¡¯s cheek, and continued, ¡°On the day at the church, you were so nervous that the bullet missed its mark. I knew deep down you couldn¡¯t bear to see him die. That¡¯s why I spared him.¡± Glistening tears rolled down Sheena¡¯s cheeks, feeling both moved and incredulous. ¡°After everything he did to you, how could you be willing to spare him?¡± Elliot wiped away her tears, his eyes filled with tenderness as he said, ¡°Because I can¡¯t bear to see you suffer and feel guilty for his death.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± She hugged him tightly. Even though she was crying, she was incredibly happy. However, this time, Elliot did not reciprocate the hug. From N?velDrama.Org. Sensing an unusual aura emanating from him, Sheena immediately released the ene and looked up at him. ¡°Eli, what¡¯s wrong?¡± He lowered his gaze, sounding rather annoyed as he replied, ¡°I heard that in court, you could describe Nathaniel¡¯s preferences down to the smallest detail. You really¡­ understand him well.¡± Chapter 715 Chapter 715 He was actually bothered about that! Sheena smiled, gently cing her hands on his cheeks. ¡°Are you jealous?¡± ¡°Mmhmm. I¡¯m a little upset.¡± He turned his gaze away in frustration, and his handsome face seemed to say, ¡®I¡¯m aggrieved, so coax when yours! ¡°Eli, you¡¯re so cute Sheena suppressed a smile, tiptoed, and kissed his thin lips softly, using her soothing voice tofort him. ¡°Now, now. I¡¯ll remember everything about you and forget about others, alright?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression warmed. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to your words.¡± Sheena nodded eagerly, and the two embraced tightly, watching the ne carrying Nathaniel depart from Froania. Outside the airport, as they heard the ne take off, Lionel lit a cigarette and took a drag, the smoke lingering. Lucy observed his expression silently, sensing he was not in a good mood. ¡°Lionel, don¡¯t you want Mr. Nicholls to leave?¡± Lucy asked. Lionel took a deep drag before answering, ¡°He whipped me 113 times back in the dungeon in Laubabwe.¡± It bothered him that he could not ¡°return the favor¡± to Nathaniel for theshes. Lucyughed and said, ¡°Theard you¡¯ve hit him on behalf of Mr. Jenkins several times afraid it¡¯s more than just these 113shes.¡± I¡¯m ¡°That¡¯s true. If you calcte the difference, I still came out on top. So, I¡¯ll reluctantly let him go,¡± Lionel replied with the cigarette in his mouth, sounding generous. Lucy chuckled, silently sighing that despite his ruthless methods, he had a soft heart. Hence, he was definitely not a bad person. The smell of tobo in the car was strong, and it irritated her nose. Unaware, Lionel continued to smoke. Lucy pouted, and her mood instantly soured. Lionel indeedcked experience in caring for people. There was a girl in the car. He should have been more considerate, even while smoking Her clear eyes glinted mischievously as she suddenly leaned over, snatched the cigarette from Lionel¡¯s hand, and smirked, Lionel was puzzled, asking, ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°You look cool smoking. I want to give it a try too!¡± Lucy sounded naive, following his actions, and putting the cigarette in her mouth. ¡°Wait! I¡¯ve already used that one!¡± Lionel¡¯s face changed drastically. He was about to stop her, but Lucy had already put the cigarette in her mouth and took a deep drag, completely unfazed by the fact that it had his saliva on it. She immediately started coughing violently. The consequence of taking a strong drag without knowing how to smoke was that she got choked. Lionel quickly helped her catch her breath. ¡°You¡¯re still young. If you don¡¯t know how to smoke, don¡¯t try. It¡¯s not something fun!¡± Still coughing, she asked, ¡°If it¡¯s not fun, then why do you smoke? If it¡¯s something you like, I want to learn to like it too!¡± Her little face turned red from coughing, and her clear, earnest eyes stared at Lionel. Feeling a slight tug at his heart, Lionel immediately snatched the cigarette from her hand, decisively extinguished it, and threw it away. He then opened the car¡¯s heating system and set it to circte outside, dispersing the smell of smoke. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°I don¡¯t like smoking. I won¡¯t smoke in the future, and you¡¯re not allowed to learn it either!¡± Lucy obediently nodded, hiding the victorious gleam in her eyes. She continued, ¡°So, when will you teach me martial arts?¡± Do you really want to learn from me?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Lucy looked at him earnestly. ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, I want to be the sharpest tool in your hands! In the future, when you go on missions, I want to go too. I want to help you deal with bad people!¡± Lionel initially thought she was joking, but she was actually being serious. Chapter 716 Chapter 716 1/2 ¡°Girls shouldn¡¯t talk about fighting and killing all the time, but if you really want to learn, I can teach you a few simple self¨Cdefenses moves, and I can also teach you how to shoot.¡± Lucy was overjoyed to hear that Lionel was willing to teach her how to use a gun. ¡°Lionel, you¡¯re so good to me! I want to be with you forever!¡± As she spoke, she leaned in again, ignoring the distance between the driver¡¯s and passenger¡¯s seats, and tightly embraced Lionel¡¯s neck, kissing his cheek. It was Lionel¡¯s first time being hugged and kissed by a girl, and his heart skipped a beat. The soft touch on his skin seemed to linger, and his earlobes turned red as he blinked his eyshes in disbelief. After steadying the flutter in his heart, Lionel said, ¡°Y¨CYou can¡¯t be following me forever. You have to tell me your real name. When you can survive on your own, I¡¯ll send you back home.¡± The hand that Lucy had around his neck froze instantly. When she let go, she lowered her teary eyes, hiding the sadness beneath. ¡°Are you¡­ tired of me? Don¡¯t you want to take care of me anymore?¡± Lionel spoke seriously, ¡°That¡¯s not it, but I¡¯m not your legal guardian. I¡¯ll have to send you back to your parents. ¡°But I¡¯m about to turn twenty. I¡¯m an adult, and I can choose my own future. I just want to be with you!¡± Lionel could not bear to see her cry, but ultimately, she did not belong to him. ¡°But I also have the right to choose whether I want you or not. Besides, you¡¯ve never told me your real name this whole time. Who knows how much you¡¯ve been hiding from me?¡± Hearing his questioning tone, she panicked and exined, ¡°I didn¡¯t intentionally hide it from you. My name is Jacintha Finley! I didn¡¯t tell you earlier because I really hate my dad and don¡¯t want to share hisst name!¡± She tugged at Lionel¡¯s clothes, finding a bit offort, and continued to confess sincerely, ¡°I did keep something from you. I¨CI¡¯m not as innocent as you think. But do you believe in love at first sight? From the moment you stepped into my cell, I was fascinated by you. I like you! So recently, I¡¯ve been pretending to be naive, thinking that this way, I could stay by your side forever.¡± After a short pause, she added, ¡°Isn¡¯t it great to have a cute girl like me by your side, caring for me until I¡¯m healthy and have me your way so that I bepletely yours?¡± Lionel was speechless. Chapter 716 2/2 This time, he was thoroughly embarrassed, blushing so hard that even his neck was red and his heart pounding rapidly. ¡°Do you¡­ even know what you¡¯re talking about?¡± ¡°Of course! I¡¯m almost twenty! I¡¯m not naive. I understand everything between men and women!¡± So, it turned out that he was the most innocent one! He was the one getting tricked! Lionel was flustered. ¡°Lionel, what do you think?¡± Jacintha asked with a soft and hopeful tone, her clear and watery eyes staring at him. She looked as if she would be deeply hurt if rejected. Lionel raised an eyebrow and smiled, intentionally teasing her with a casual tone, ¡°Jacintha, how do you think I would react if you¡¯re only being honest with me now?¡± Hearing her real name, tears rolled down her cheeks. She bit her lip and released her grip on his clothes, silently nursing her wounded heart. Seeing her truly upset, Lionel began to panic as he might have gone too far! Just as he was about to say somethingforting, Jacintha decisively opened the car door and ran off without looking back. From N?velDrama.Org. He immediately followed suit. Jacintha did not really run. She saw Sheena and Ellioting out of the airport, and she rushed over to hug Sheena and pour out her heart. Caught off guard by the sudden embrace, Sheena looked at Elliot in confusion before asking, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did Lionel bully you?¡± Jacintha nodded continuously, not providing any reason, and just clung to Sheena, crying in her arms. Just as Sheena was about to pat her back tofort her, Elliot¡¯s face darkened. He firmly grabbed the back of Lucy¡¯s neck, lifting her away from Sheena¡¯s embrace. ¡°She¡¯s my woman! Only I can touch her like that!¡± Chapter 717 Chapter 717 Chapter 717 Jacintha was very light and slim. Her tiny legs kicked as she struggled. However, she could not seem to escape Elliot¡¯s grasp. Lionel ran over hurriedly, nervously rubbing his hands,cking confidence. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, 1-1 was just joking with her.¡± Elliot looked at him, suppressing his anger, and ordered, ¡°Hurry up and take your girl away! If you dare to bully her again, and shees running to Nana toin, I¡¯ll handle it by martialw!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t! No more next time!¡± Bringing out martialw as a threat indicated that Elliot was genuinely angry. Lionel, lookingpletely submissive, took Jacintha back from Elliot¡¯s hands. Jacintha pouted, tightly encircling Lionel¡¯s neck with both hands, her eyes threatening him fiercely. ¡°Did you hear that? I¡¯ve got someone backing me up now. If you dare to casually say you don¡¯t want me again, Mr. Jenkins will use a little whip to straighten you out!¡± Lionel and Elliot were both caught off guard by herment. Sheena covered her mouth and could not help but chuckle. Jacintha was indeed a cunning little troublemaker, with a personality quite simr to hers. Considering Lionel was somewhat clueless and naive in rtionship matters, he might be in for a tough time in the future¡­ Sheena walked over, lightly tapping Jacintha¡¯s nose, and correcting her choice of words, ¡°That¡¯s not how you use that word. It can be a bit ambiguous.¡± ¡°Ambiguous? Like a little fun between a man and a woman?¡± Jacintha thoughtfully nced at Elliot and then at Sheena, mischievously smiling. ¡°Last time, Lionel said you¡¯re harsher than Mr. Jenkins. Does that mean you can straighten out Mr. Jenkins too?¡± Elliot and Sheena did not respond. This time, Lionel could not help but stifle augh. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Why can¡¯t you keep your mouth shut? If you keep going, Mr. Jenkins will get angry! When that happens, he might beat you up!¡± Lionel carried Jacintha and walked toward the car, quickly stuffing her into the passenger seat. Sheena sighed and smiled helplessly, her small hand reaching out to hold Elliot¡¯s fingers tightly intertwined. ¡°El, you¡¯re usually so well¨Cbehaved. How could I bear to straighten you out, right?¡± Elliot¡¯s mood improved considerably, nodding in satisfaction. They both took the back seats together. In no time, the four of them returned to the Jenkins estate. Jacintha kept chattering along the way, entertaining everyone with herme jokes and creating a joyful atmosphere filled withughter. Navigating through the winding alleys of the Jenkins estate, they spotted a graceful figure waiting outside the mansion before reaching the entrance of E&S Haven. Sheena was the first to notice the woman. The woman¡¯s skin was impably cared for, almost ageless, adorned in a couture outfit, disying an elegant demeanor. Yet, Sheena could not ce the face. She had never met her, The woman at the entrance noticed them approaching and smiled, addressing Elliot intimately, ¡°Eli, it¡¯s been a while.¡± The affectionate address made Sheena instinctively furrow her brow. She considered loosening her hand from Elliot¡¯s, but he held onto it tightly. Elliot looked at the woman with a slight surprise in his eyes. ¡°Auntie Tania!¡± Auntie Tania? MOAS Santiago¡¯s youngest daughter, Tania Jenkins, was in her thirties. She had always been abroad and was not keen on marriage. With the approaching New Year, Sheena guessed she had returned for a family reunion.From N?velDrama.Org. Sheena secretly felt embarrassed as she had initially thought Elliot might be involved with another youngdy when she noted that Tania had maintained herself exceptionally well. Taking a step forward, Elliot introduced Sheena to Tania, ¡°Auntie Tania, this is my fiancee, Sheena Lawson.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Auntie Tania,¡± Sheena smiled, greeting politely. Tania then looked at Sheena and froze, disying clear displeasure. ¡°You? You¡¯re actually Eli¡¯s fiancee?¡± Sheena was bewildered, exchanging a nce with Elliot. Neither of them understood Tania¡¯s implication. Chapter 717 ¡°I¡¯ve always been Eli¡¯s fiancee. Auntie Tania, did you hear something outside?¡± Chapter 718 Chapter 718 1/2 Tania¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°Not long ago, at the pce banquet hosted by Princess Kelly from Laubabwe, you stole the spotlight on stage. Perhaps you didn¡¯t pay attention to the audience, but I was there too.¡± Sheena froze. If Tania had been at the banquet, she must have been aware of the wedding between her and Nathaniel, exining the unfriendly attitude. ¡°There were reasons for that event¡­¡± Sheena tried to exin, but Tania ignored her. Instead, she approached Elliot and grabbed his arm. ¡°Come with me alone. I have something to tell you.¡± Elliot was led away. Sheena watched their retreating figures, her eyshes drooping slightly, looking mncholy. Lionel quickly noticed her mood and walked over to console her. ¡°Miss, don¡¯t worry. She doesn¡¯t understand the situation and might say unpleasant things to Mr. Jenkins, but he¡¯ll surely believe in you.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Sheena replied. She was unsure what she feared. Was she afraid that Elliot might doubt the child was truly Nathaniel¡¯s? Impossible. Elliot would not think that way. Sheena caressed her belly. Though the months were still early, and she could not feel the child¡¯s presence yet, she knew a new life was growing inside her¨Cher and Elliot¡¯s baby. Seeing her lost in thought, Lionel signaled Jacintha with his eyes. Jacintha promptly understood his concern, cheerfullying forward to link arms with Sheena and engage her in lively conversation. Sheena¡¯s attention was instantly diverted by the chirpy Jacintha, letting herself be led away by Jacintha into the mansion. In another corner of the garden, Tania pulled Elliot aside. Chapter 718 217 ¡°Auntie Tania, doing this might make Nana misunderstand. There¡¯s nothing, I hide from her. I have From N?velDrama.Org. no secrets.¡± Tania was annoyed. ¡°Are you criticizing me now?¡± Elliot lowered his head, choosing to stay quiet. Silence was acquiescence. Tania was angry but refrained from scolding him due to their close rtionship. He was, after all, her favorite nephew, Instead, she asked, ¡°Do you even know what Sheena did in Laubabwe?¡± ¡°I do,¡± Elliot replied calmly, nodding. ¡°You know?¡± Tania was surprised. ¡°Since you know, why haven¡¯t you canceled the engagement with her? She went to Laubabwe to marry another man and is even pregnant with his child.¡± ¡°That day, she publicly vomited at the banquet. This incident is widely known among Laubabwe¡¯s upper¨Css society. Moreover, she and that man disyed affection openly! How can you tolerate all of this?¡± The remark about their affection irked Elliot for a moment. He quickly concealed his displeasure and calmly said, ¡°Auntie Tania, you¡¯ve misunderstood. The child in Nana¡¯s belly is mine, and her trip to Laubabwe was for me.¡± Tania found it all perplexing, staring at him in disbelief. ¡°Have you lost your mind? Do you like being cuckolded? I saw it with my eyes at the banquet, and she admitted that the child in her belly belonged to that man. Are you nning to care for another person¡¯s child?¡± Elliot was speechless. It was his baby, and he was taking care of his own child! If anyone had considered caring for another person¡¯s child, it would have been Nathaniel. Chapter 719 Chapter 719 1/2 ¡°This matter is quiteplicated. I¡¯ll exin it to you slowly in the future, but it¡¯s not what you think. Nana has a great personality, and you¡¯lle to like her in time.¡± Tania remained silent. Elliot then shifted the topic, remembering Lionel¡¯s situation. ¡°Since you¡¯re back, how about helping me arrange a ceremony for an ancestry registration?¡± ¡°A ceremony for ancestry registration? What are you nning to do?¡± Tania inquired. With sparkling eyes, Elliot replied, ¡°I n to officially include Lionel in the ancestry, recognizing him as my brother adopted by my father.¡± ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve always been decisive. Since you¡¯ve made up your mind, I¡¯ll help you.¡± Tania was efficient in handling matters. Two dayster, she gathered respected elders from the family to witness and record the event. As it involved the internal affairs and traditions of the Jenkins family, Sheena did not join them and waited outside the hall. Inside the hall, Lionel respectfully greeted Santiago, ¡°Grandpa.¡± After the borate ceremony, Lionel was officially registered under Elliot¡¯s father¡¯s name, now known as ¡®Lionel Jenkins¡®. ¡°Lionel, from now on, you¡¯re a member of the Jenkins family. Be honest and upright, refrain from any uwful activities, and remember to heed the guidance of the Jenkins family leader,¡± Santiago advised. ¡°Yes, Grandpa,¡± Lionel obediently responded. ¡°You may go.¡± Santiago tapped his cane, signaling Lionel to Elliot. Lionel approached Elliot, all smiles as he said, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, thank you!¡± Elliot, feeling a bit annoyed, patted his head. ¡°I¡¯m your elder brother now. From now on, you should call me Elliot!¡± Lionel, serving him tea, enthusiastically eximed, ¡°Elliot!¡± Sheena silently watched from outside. Lionel¡¯s return from Laubabwe was rewarding, and she genuinely felt happy for him. After aplicated one¨Chour registration process, the ceremony finally concluded. Chapter 719 2/2 As a gift for joining the Jenkins family, Elliot presented Lionel with a small mansion conveniently located near E&S Haven, just a couple of alleys away. Upon learning about Lionel¡¯s new mansion, Jacintha showered him with congrattions. Then, she dragged him along to procure new items for the new mansion. Once they were gone, Elliot wasted no time. It was time for Sheena¡¯s prenatal checkup, and he personally drove her to the Svelton General Hospital¡¯s obstetrics and gynecology department. Elliot could not enter the ward while the doctor was checking on Sheena. He anxiously sat in the corridor, his inner turmoil evident. This child was conceived when the virus was still present in his body, and there was a possibility that the child might not be normal at birth, carrying the bio¨Cvirus. There was even a risk of transmitting the virus to Sheena, endangering her health. The more he dwelled on these thoughts, the more restless he became. So, he secretly called Yosef. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Surprised by the sudden call, Yosef asked, ¡°Elliot, what¡¯s going on? You never contact me willingly. Is there something wrong again?¡± ¡°Do you want me to be sick so badly?¡± Elliot¡¯s face darkened. Without beating around the bush, he got straight to the point. ¡°If Nana¡¯s child carries the virus, can it be detected at this stage?¡± Yosef asked, ¡°How far along is she in her pregnancy?¡± Charter Pan Chapter 720 Chapter 720 Elliot calcted the time and replied, ¡°sh and a linlf weeks,¡± ¡°We won¡¯t be able to find out. The current testing methods in the country rely on analysis, and at this early stage, it¡¯s impossible to conduct such tests. Unfortunately, we might have to wait until the child is born to confirm,¡± Yosef exined. However, waiting until then might be toote. After a prolonged silence, Elliot finally mustered the courage to ask, ¡°If¡­ we consider termination, is there a way that won¡¯t harm Sheenapletely?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not possible. Any procedure to terminate a pregnancy will have some impact on the mother.¡± Hearing this, Elliot sighed silently. If only men could bear children¡­ If that were the case, he would willingly take on the suffering, and Sheena would only need to focus on her health and happiness. Noticing Elliot¡¯s silence, Yosef continued, ¡°But, if the child is at an early stage, there are medications avable that minimize harm to the mother. After taking them, with proper rest, there shouldn¡¯t be significant issues.¡± ¡°What medication?¡± Elliot inquired. ¡°It¡¯s called Mifepristone. However, this drug was only recently introduced from abroad and is currently restricted in the domestic market. Obtaining it might be a bit troublesome¡­¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elliot promptly ended the call and dialed Lionel¡¯s number. ¡°After you wrap up your tasks in the next couple of days, I¡¯ll arrange for you to go abroad. Help me buy some things¡­¡± Elliot began exining. Though Elliot did not explicitly state the purpose of buying the medication, Lionel felt something was amiss. He quickly checked online and was shocked by what he found. ¡°Are you serious? This medication is for abortion! It¡¯ll harm Sheena¡¯s body!¡± Lionel was deeply concerned. Elliot was also in a dilemma, but nothing was more important than Sheena¡¯s health. He should be the only one suffering the pain caused by the S404 bio¨Cvirus. Elliot simply replied, ¡°Don¡¯t ask more. I have my reasons. Just follow through.¡± komet, still messy, insisted, ¡°You ston¡¯t understand. This child means the world to sheena, During those days in Laubabwe, she went to great lengths to deal with Nathaniel, all to secure this child.¡± Elhor fell into silence, unable to utter a word: Lionel continued, ¡°she really values this baby. If you try to quietly strip her of the right to be a mother and apologise afterward, it probably won¡¯t work, she¡¯ll be very upset, and she might evene to hate you?¡± Thosest few words hit Elliot¡¯s heart hard Just when his mind uses in turmoil, the lights in the examination room suddenly dimmed. me out with the good news. From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Jenkins! Ms. Lawson is expecting twins!¡± Elliot immediately ended the call with Lionel, got up, and went inside to find Sheena. His expression was serious,cking the expected joy of soon bing a father. Even the nurse, who had anticipated receiving a tip, was bewildered, ¡°Nana, do you feel any difort at all?¡± He carefully helped Sheena, nervously checking if any medical instruts had caused her pain. Sheena cupped his face with both hands and kissed his thin lips. Her face radiated joy as she eximed, ¡°Ell, the doctor said the reason for my intense pregnancy symptoms was because I¡¯m carrying twins, causing an excess of hormones. But my body is currently very healthy!! Excitedly, she handed him the report, adding, ¡°Although it¡¯s too early to see now, Eli, in a few months, you¡¯re going to have two little ones all at once! Are you happy?¡± Elliot was stunned, staring at the medical report and then at the joyful expression on Sheena¡¯s face. For a while, he could not find the right words to respond. Chapter 721 Chapter 721 ¡°El, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Sheena waved her hand in front of his eyes, smiling. ¡°Are you nervous because it¡¯s going to be your first time being a father?¡± Elliot snapped back to reality, smoothly answering, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m just too excited.¡± Gently, he arranged Sheena¡¯s hair, crouched down to help her with her shoes, and then lifted her into his arms. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± The curious nurses peeked out, observing the affectionate couple in envy. Sheena blushed and buried her face in Elliot¡¯s neck. ¡°Eli, you don¡¯t always have to spoil me like this. I can walk perfectly fine on my own,¡± Sheena protested. N?velDrama.Org owns this. With a slight smile, Elliot replied calmly, ¡°Even the doctor said we need to be extra mindful because you¡¯re having twins. Your morning sickness might get stronger in the future. I can¡¯t stand by and let you suffer; I have to do something.¡± Feeling sweet inside, Sheena allowed him to carry her through the quiet hospital staff corridor and all the way to the car. Back at E&S Haven, Sheena sat on the bed, still contemting the wonders of life while holding the medical report. Sitting cross¨Clegged beside her with a book on hisp, Elliot seemed engrossed in reading, yet his unblinking gaze suggested his mind was elsewhere. Sheena rested her head on his thighs, yfully asking, ¡°Eli, for the twins, do you hope they¡¯re both boys, both girls, or perhaps a boy and a girl?¡± Elliot did not answer, still staring nkly at the pages. ¡°Eli?¡± Sheena waved her hand in front of his eyes again, bringing him back to the present. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You seem absent¨Cminded the entire day.¡± ¡°Nana¡­¡± Elliot grasped her small hand, locking eyes with her. Recalling Lionel¡¯s words, he took a deep breath, hesitated several times, and finally mustered the courage to ask. ¡°We¡­ will have more children in the future. Can we¡­ terminate this pregnancy?¡± ¡°What are you saying?¡± Sheena did not catch on immediately. She was momentarily stunned. Pulling her hand away from his grasp, a sudden chill seemed to sink into her limbs and bones. ¡°I¡¯m carrying twins this time. How often does one get such an opportunity in life? Why would you¡­ Chapter 731 2/2 She simply could not understand. Remembering Elliot¡¯s recent conversation with Tania and the sarcastic expression on her face, she continued, ¡°so, you believed Auntle Tania¡¯s words? Do you doubt the babies are Nathaniel¡¯s? You don¡¯t trust my feelings for you?¡± ¡°I absolutely believe in your feelings for me. How could I ever think otherwise, Nana¡­¡± Sheena avoided his touch, attempting to leave the bed. Elliot, swift to react, embraced her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder, and urgently exined, ¡°You misunderstood. I impregnated you while the virus was still active in my body. The babies might be born carrying the virus, and there¡¯s a possibility you could get infected too. ¡°Moreover, Clear has only one dose, and considering you¡¯re now pregnant, you can¡¯t receive these vine injections. I just¡­ I can¡¯t risk your health.¡± Sheena¡¯s anxious mood gradually settled. Elliot continued, ¡°So, why don¡¯t we¡­ give up on this pregnancy?¡± She questioned, her gaze calm as she turned to face him, ¡°What are you nning?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a drug called Mifepristone abroad, perfect for terminating pregnancies in the early stages with minimal harm to the body. Rest for a while, and you¡¯ll recover quickly. When your body is healthy again, we can n for another baby. How about that?¡± Sheena fell silent, staring at the medical report. Initially unprepared for motherhood when she had just learned about the pregnancy, she hade to genuinely look forward to the arrival of these two babies. However, Elliot was now cruelly pronouncing a death sentence on them. Chapter 722 Chapter 722 ¡°Nana?¡± Elliot nervously sped her hands, his eyes filled with unease. Sheena contemted for a moment before asking, ¡°Did Professor Y mention that the babies will definitely contract the virus because of this?¡± ¡°Not necessarily. It¡¯s a matter of probability. We can only confirm after the children are born and undergo testing, but I don¡¯t want to risk your health. Sacrificing this pregnancy is the safest option.¡± Hearing this, Sheena quickly made up her mind. ¡°If it¡¯s a matter of probability, then I believe the babies and I are the lucky ones! Besides, when Professor y administered Clear to you, he kept a sample for research. Even if we were unfortunately infected, I trust Professor Y and Noah¡¯s medical expertise to ensure our safety!¡± She grabbed Elliot¡¯s hand and guided it to her belly, urging him to feel. ¡°Since Heaven has sent these two little ones to us, we should cherish and love them. If we lose them, even if we conceive again, it won¡¯t be these two babies.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Elliot gently caressed her currently t abdomen. Despite the absence of any discernible signs of the babies, his unease remained. ¡°Nana, I don¡¯t want to test luck¡­¡± Sheena firmly grabbed his drooping chin, making him meet her gaze. Her tone was serious as he said, ¡°But I¡¯m willing to take the gamble with the babies! With Professor Y and Noah, even if I lose, there won¡¯t be any life¨Cthreatening risks. Eli, I hope you respect my choice. We can¡¯t cruelly deprive these babies of their right toe into this world just because of a probability issue.¡± Seeing the determination in her eyes, Elliot sighed andpromised, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go along with you. We¡¯ll take this chance together!¡± ¡°Mm!¡± Sheena nodded. ¡°Eli, you¡¯ve been through a lot before, and our.bad luck streak has long ended, right? I believe that, at some point, luck will be on our side!¡± Elliot gently tapped her nose, his eyes filled with affection. ¡°What do you feel like eating tonight? I¡¯ll cook.¡± Sheena did not answer immediately. The moment Elliot spoke, he seemed to have a predetermined n, and she found it suspicious. With a sly glint, she questioned, ¡°Eli, you¡¯ve even researched that kind of medication. Did you already have a n in mind?¡± Elliot froze, not expecting Sheena to catch on so quickly and figure out his intentions. He avoided eye contact, intending toe up with a quick lie to divert the conversation. hist then, the phone on the bedside table rang Elliot nced over and saw it was Lionel calling. Remembering the matter of sending Lionel abroad to buy the medicine, he was about to decline the call as he was feeling guilty. However, Sheena took the phone from him. Sheena raised an eyebrow, studying him. ¡°Look at your guilty little act. Why aren¡¯t you answering Lionel¡¯s call?¡± ¡°Elliot began, but Sheena did not give him a chance to make excuses. She decisively answered the call and put it on speaker. Lionel¡¯s anxious voice immediately came through, ¡°Elliot, I really can¡¯t go through with this. My conscience won¡¯t let mel Trying to hide buying medicine from Sheena, if she finds out about this, it won¡¯t just be you in trouble, but I¡¯ll be in a fix too. Besides, this decision is too heartless¡­¡± Elliot lowered his head, his face turning pale as his eyshes trembled, and his Adam¡¯s apple rolled uneasily Sheena gave him a cold nce. On the other end of the call, Lionel continued to advise earnestly. In a stern tone, Sheena interrupted him, ¡°What did Elliot ask you to buy?¡± Chapter 721 Chapter 723 Chapter 723 Upon hearing Sheena¡¯s soft yet icy voice, Lionel was so startled that he almost dropped his phone right then and there. For a while, he dared not speak, holding his breath. Sheena sternly reminded him, ¡°Lionel, you better help Elliote clean, Confession may lighten the punishment, but resistance will only make it worse, Otherwise, you¡¯ll both face the miserable consequences!¡± Herst few words were uttered through gritted teeth, dripping with a sinister tone. Fearing for the worst, Lionel quickly exined, ¡°Actually, Elliot is considering your well¨Cbeing, He loves you too much, and he¡­¡± Amidst a mix of pleading words, Sheena, after two minutes, finally understood the whole story. ¡°Alright, I get it. You handled this quite well, and I won¡¯t give you a hard time. I absolutely won¡¯t let Elliot seek revenge on you secretly. Don¡¯t worry.¡± In truth, Lionel was not as afraid of getting punished, but he actually feared that Sheena might develop resentment toward Elliot. ¡°Sheena, don¡¯t be mad at Elliot. He¡­¡± Uninterested in hearing further pleas, Sheena coldly cut him off, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry. He¡¯ll be fine.¡± With that, she hung up the phone. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. The air suddenly fell quiet, and a chilly atmosphere lingered in the entire bedroom. Sheena turned to Elliot, but something was unexpectedly ced in her hands before she could mock him. Lowering her head, she saw the ruler from the bedside drawer. ¡°Oh, so you even brought out the ruler on your own. What¡¯s the meaning behind this? Longing for some beating, are we?¡± Sheena asked with a knowing smirk. Elliot bit his lower lip, ears slightly red. His voicecked confidence as he uttered, ¡°I messed up. I didn¡¯t think it through. Please don¡¯t be mad at me.¡± Sheena looked at him seriously. ¡°Eli, the babies are ours, and you don¡¯t have the right to make decisions for me.¡± ¡°I know¡­¡± Elliot avoided her gaze. ¡°I was just thinking¡­ That was why I took the initiative to discuss this with you as soon as we got home.¡± Chapter 773 ying with the ruler absentmindedly, Sheena casually exposed him, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Lionel¡¯s interference this time, would you have discussed it with me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Elliot did not know how to argue. Though he did initiate the conversation with Nana himself, saying more would probably make it worse. Hence, it was better to admit it. Thinking about it, he steeled himself and showed her his palms. ¡°As long as it can calm your anger, I¡¯ll ept the punishment.¡± ¡°Eli, just remember that this is something between us. In the future, you have to discuss it with me, and you can¡¯t make decisions alone like it¡¯s a work matter.¡± Sheena stared at him, feeling annoyed. She did not want to hit him, not at all. Besides, such a childish punishment would not faze him, especially considering he had already recovered. He just wanted her to vent her anger. Nheless, what Elliot did today was indeed over the line. That would not stop her from giving him a lesson! Thinking about it, Sheena smirked with a cunning glint in her eyes. ¡°You did cross the line, but did I say I would hit your palms?¡± Elliot suddenly raised his head, sensing a subtle threat in her mischievous expression. Sheena¡¯s smile deepened. She sat cross¨Clegged on the bed and patted the space in front of her. ¡°Get down here.¡± Elliot was momentarily confused. He seemed to understand her intention but was not entirely sure. ¡°Are you suggesting¡­ spanking me on my¡­ buttocks?¡± Sheena nodded immediately. ¡°Eli, you¡¯re so smart!¡± ¡°No way!¡± Elliot¡¯s ears turned red, and his face and neck followed suit. For him, this was not just a punishment. It was humiliating. He would rather die thanply! ¡°Nana, I¡¯m the head of the Jenkins family, the Chief of National Investigation Bureau. Do I not deserve any respect?¡± Elliot protested, biting his lip, and staring at her. Chapter 724 Chapter 724 Chapter 724 Sheena suppressed her amusement and said with a serious expression, ¡°You¡¯re trying to say you¡¯re an adult, and your buttocks are off¨Climits, right?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Elliot replied. She did not share the same opinion, saying, ¡°But I¡¯ve touched, felt, and even spanked your buttocks! Besides, I didn¡¯t ask you to remove your pants, and that¡¯s already respecting you. Moreover, getting a few smacks from your own wife isn¡¯t embarrassing.¡± Elliot had no way to argue, but he could not bring himself to do something like this. ¡°In short, it¡¯s a no¨Cgo.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°It seems you don¡¯t know what you did wrong, nor do you acknowledge the me. I¡¯ll consider going back to the Lawson estate and think about whether I should forgive you. After all, you only have this one chance.¡± Sheena pretended to get up, but Elliot quickly grabbed her. ¡°Don¡¯t go! I was wrong!¡± Hearing the affirmative response, Sheena suppressed herughter, determined to tease him. She pointed to the space on therge bed in front of her. Elliot hesitated and finally, a few minutester, reluctantly assumed the position in front of Sheena¡¯s bed. Sheena enjoyed his embarrassment, wickedly tapping the ruler on his back. ¡°Even if you were never spanked before, you¡¯ve surely done it to others, right? Your posture is wrong! Yes, that¡¯s better!¡± Elliot buried his face in his arms. Even though Sheena could not see his expression, she could sense that he was having a meltdown from how red his ears were. She rolled up her sleeves and yfully teased, ¡°Eli, I¡¯m starting! I¡¯m going all out, so brace yourself!¡± After giving him a heads¨Cup, Sheena held the ruler with both hands and raised it high. Before she could swing it down, Elliot pounced on her, making sure not to press against her stomach. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t hit me¡­¡® He buried his face in her neck, whining. Sheena could feel his burning ear tips against her skin. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. If it were so unbearable, it would surely be unforgettable, right? ¡°Are you still going to make decisions without consulting me in the future?¡± Elliot shook his head earnestly. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to! There won¡¯t be a next time.¡± Having achieved her goal, Sheena mischievously pinched his waist. The room was filled with a sweet atmosphere. In just a few days, New Year¡¯s Eve was approaching. As Sheena¡¯s pregnancy progressed, it became increasingly challenging to keep it a secret. The two discussed finding an opportunity to announce this shocking news. Moreover, Elliot nned to expedite their wedding ns. However, before New Year¡¯s Eve arrived, an unexpected and unlikely visitor appeared at E&S Haven. Noah entered the mansion with a grim expression. When he saw Sheena walking down the stairs, he immediately asked, ¡°You¡¯re pregnant with twins?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± Sheena was taken aback, feeling slightly awkward. She almost forgot that Noah had the controlling stake in all major hospitals in Froania. Hence, any check¨Cup she had at a hospital would not escape his notice. ¡°Noah, you¡¯re the first family member to know about this! Isn¡¯t it surprising?¡± Ignoring her attempt at sounding nonchnt, Noah¡¯s face remained cold and aloof. Elliot promptly pulled Sheena behind him. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. It has nothing to do with Nana.¡± Noah gave him a disdainful nce and retorted, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s your fault. You couldn¡¯t control yourself and didn¡¯t practice adequate safety measures. You must take full responsibility!¡± Chapter 725 Chapter 725 Elliot readily replied, ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll take full responsibility and marry Nana!¡± Noah narrowed his eyes and mocked, ¡°Do you think that everything will be fine by taking responsibility?¡± Sheena knew Noah too well. He was holding a grudge against Elliot! He was petty, and he would not easily let Elliot off the hook, She quickly chimed in, ¡°Noah, it¡¯s my fault too. Eli just recovered from his illness, so please don¡¯t trouble him too much.¡± Noah scoffed, ¡°If he doesn¡¯t learn his lesson once and for all, he won¡¯t appreciate you. Don¡¯t you know you¡¯re the apple of our eyes? Did he really think he could have you just by making you pregnant before marriage?¡± ¡°Noah¡­¡± Sheena prepared to approach him, but Elliot stopped her, calmly stating, ¡°Whatever challenges you want to throw at me, I¡¯ll ept them all!¡± ¡°Good.¡± With his promise, Noah stood up, disdainfully nced at Elliot, and then turned to leave. Sheena hurriedly called out, ¡°Noah, does Corey know about this? You haven¡¯t told him, have you?¡± Noah would never bring himself to punish Sheena, but Corey was different. Since she was young, Corey was the only one who could put her in ce. Hence, Corey would surely not let Sheena and Elliot off the hook. Noah hesitated for a moment and grunted, ¡°On New Year¡¯s Eve, you can apologize to him yourself.¡± Sheena breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Corey was still unaware of the situation. She gently calmed her pounding heart, grateful that she had a couple more days to prepare. Elliot observed her actions and held her hand. ¡°Are you that afraid of Corey?¡± ¡°Once Corey finds out, he¡¯ll fly into a fit of rage! This is not a trivial matter. He won¡¯t even spare me, let alone you!¡± Elliotfortingly touched her head and pulled her into a tight embrace. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With me by your side, no one can harm you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so certain. Your fate will be even worse than mine when the timees.¡± Sheena frowned, obviously uneasy. ¡°No, I have to figure out how to appease Corey before New Year¡¯s Eve!¡± Chapter 725 22 On New Year¡¯s Eve, Sheena, Elliot, and Lionel visited Santiago for a festive lunch. In the evening, loaded with beautifully wrapped gifts, Elliot and Sheena returned to Mountville, heading directly to Albert¡¯s mansion on the mountaintop. The mansion was lively. Lauren, Corey, Barbara, Noah, and Howard were all present. Elliot did not wear the mask this time, and Lauren was utterly surprised to see his face. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I can¡¯t believe how handsome you look! It seems those rumors are false?¡± Lauren remarked, but Elliot remained silent. Sheena sneered, casting a sarcastic nce at Lauren. ¡°Rumors can¡¯tpare to seeing things with your own eyes. Some people just love to believe in baseless gossip. Now that you¡¯ve witnessed Eli¡¯s real face, you must be feeling quite jealous, huh?¡± Lauren red at her, indeed feeling jealous, and not just a little bit. It felt like her chest was about to explode with frustration. However, it was New Year¡¯s Eve, and Albert had warned Lauren to behave. Moreover, Sheena¡¯s brothers were back, and Elliot was present. Thus, Lauren could not snap back at Sheena today. Thinking of this, she snorted, rolled her eyes, and walked away. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Sheena did not bother to argue with her, pulling Elliot into the mansion. As soon as they entered, Barbara grabbed Sheena to prepare the decorations while Howard took Elliot away to set off fireworks outside. Chapter 726 Chapter 726 Albert gave all the mansion staff a day off due to the festive. After the chef prepared dinner, they would also leave to celebrate the New Year with their families. Therefore, tasks like setting off fireworks were done by themselves. The deafening sound of fireworks echoed for a long time, filling the entire mansion with a joyous atmosphere. During dinner, the table was unusually quiet. Though everyone had smiles on their faces, it seemed like their thoughts were elsewhere, contemting their own matters. Sheena cleared her throat, prompting Elliot to gracefully put down the spoon he was using to sip his soup. He elegantly wiped his mouth with a napkin, breaking the silence. ¡°Uncle Albert, besides apanying Nana back for dinner today, there¡¯s another important announcement I¡¯d like to share with everyone.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Hearing him reach the end of his sentence, Sheena instinctively tightened her grip on her spoon, stealing a nce in Corey¡¯s direction. However, Corey appeared deep in thought, seemingly preupied with something else. The air became eerily quiet, with only the crisp sounds of utensils echoing through the room. With a serious expression, Elliot continued, ¡°Nana is pregnant, and she¡¯s about seven weeks in. We¡¯re having twins. Originally, we nned to announce itter, but considering everyone present is family, we thought it would be nice to share the joy on New Year¡¯s Eve.¡± After he finished speaking, Albert and Barbara were pleasantly surprised, while Lauren wore a shocked and envious expression, gazing at Sheena¡¯s belly. Noah, who had known about it a few days earlier, showed no extra emotions. Howard, nervously swallowing his soup, nced in Corey¡¯s direction. ¡®He had learned about the good news a day earlier from Sheena. Among them, Corey had the biggest reaction. He forcefully mmed his utensils on the table, his eyes filled with shock and anger. The sudden loud noise startled Sheena, who was already uneasy. She covered her face awkwardly, and Elliot immediately pulled her into his arms, patting and soothing her. ¡°Is it true?¡± Corey gritted his teeth, staring fixedly at Sheena in Elliot¡¯s embrace. ¡°Sheena, what about the promise you made to me? What is this?¡± Albert cleared his throat, regaining control of the situation. #tile le great neure! What a Messing) fr a few months, I¡¯ll be able to hold my grandchildren! sweetheart, you¡¯re so amazing! Unlike you, Coney. You¡¯ve been married for so long but still childless. You should be the one getting scolded!¡± Barbara blushed, embarrassed, and lowered her head. Corey remained silent. After all, he could not confront Sheena in front of Albert. After lecturing him, Albert turned to Noah and Howard. ¡°And you two¡­ When are you getting married? A bunch of unreliable boys!¡± The brothers kept their heads down, continuing to eat in silence. Nosh, never intending to pursue a romantic rtionship, maintained a cold expression without much reaction. Howard barely spoke to Albert due to the strained rtionship with Albert over his engagement to Katie. Moreover, the Nicholls family had postponed the announcement of Phoebe¡¯s identity until after the New Year. Thus, Howard nned to wait until after the announcement and make amends with Albert. Then, he would ask Albert to propose the engagement arrangement to the Nicholls family. At the dining table, everyone harbored their own thoughts. In the silent atmosphere, Elliot looked at Albert and continued, ¡°Uncle Albert, I want to wait until after the New Year to register our marriage. We¡¯ll n the wedding right after, and as for the pregnancy, we¡¯ll reveal it at a suitable time after the wedding.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ It is indeed time to think about your wedding, but scheduling it right after the New Year is a bit hasty, isn¡¯t it?¡± Under the table, Elliot squeezed Sheena¡¯s hand, locking eyes with her, but his words were directed at Albert. ¡°Uncle Albert, rest assured. During this time, I¡¯ll focus all my energy.on preparing for the wedding. It¡¯s not because of the pressure of the pregnancy, but a decision made with careful consideration. I want to give Nana the best wedding!¡± Pleased Albert said, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, then¡­¡± ¡°I disagree.¡± Before he could finish his sentence, a sharp voice from the side interrupted. Chapter 727 Chapter 727 All eyes turned to Corey, who sternly said, ¡°Elllot, don¡¯t think that getting Nana pregnant means the Lawson family will easily marry her off. Even if she never gets married, the Lawson family can still support her and the children for a lifetime.¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Albert¡¯s expression darkened. Corey continued, ¡°Dad, although you make the decisions in this family, I¡¯ve been guiding her as a mother would since we lost Mom. Regarding her marriage, I hope you can discuss it with me.¡± In truth, Corey was indeed the only one who could manage Sheena. Albert did not agree outright but did not directly refuse elther, only saying, ¡°Let¡¯s eat first, and after dinner, the three of you can have a proper discussion.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The sound of utensils resumed, and everyone silently finished the meal. After dinner, Lauren wheeled Albert upstairs to watch the New Year countdown on TV, leaving Corey, Barbara, Noah, Howard, Elliot, and Sheena in the living room. Knowing that Corey was still upset, Sheena dared not sit and stood on the side, with Elliot standing beside her. Corey sat in the middle of the sofa, maintaining an upright posture, and exuding an intimidating presence. Barbara sat beside him while Noah and Howard upied the side sofas. The atmosphere in the room turned chilly, and it felt like they were in a courtroom hearing judgment. Sheena anxiously lowered her head, feeling suffocated by the oppressive tension. Elliot tightly gripped her sweaty hand, providing reassurance. After a few more minutes, Corey began speaking with a sinister tone, ¡°Sheena, well done! You¡¯ve given me such a big surprise. Do you want to break your hand or your leg? Take your pick.¡± Sheena¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Before she could respond, Howard chimed in, ¡°Corey, the first few months are the most delicate, no violence allowed. Besides, they¡¯re twins!¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. Noah chimed in, ¡°You should put the me on Elliot and break his legs first before deciding anything else.¡± Barbara nodded in agreement. Corey, annoyed, nced at Elliot without immediately passing judgment on his crimes. Instead, he turned his attention back to Sheena. Chapter 727 277 ¡°Let¡¯s count your mistakes first. You acted on your own, yed tricks, and deliberately chose New Year¡¯s Eve to confess, thinking that I wouldn¡¯t be able to deal with you with Dad present?¡± Sheena bit her lower lip, lowering her head even further. Again, Howard broke the solemn atmosphere, reminded, ¡°Corey, they¡¯re twins!¡± Corey red at him fiercely, scolding, ¡°I know! Keep quiet, or I¡¯ll deal with you first!¡± Howard immediately stayed silent. Corey looked at his two brothers once again before spealding, ¡°You two didn¡¯t react much at the dinner table. It seems you knew earlier. Sheena, you audaciously hid the matter from me only, so how should we settle this?¡± On the adjacent sofa, Howard, although silent, extended two fingers, signaling ¡®2¡® to Corey. A silent reminder that Sheena was pregnant with twins! This provocation sessfully reignited Corey¡¯s anger, but it was directed at Howard this time. Before he could put his hand away, Corey kicked him hard, saying, ¡°It¡¯s been too long since you got a beating, and you¡¯re itching for one, huh?¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± Howard winced, rubbing his sore knee, beads of cold sweat forming. He looked at Sheena, saying, ¡°Nana, I took the first wave of Corey¡¯s wrath for you. I did my best!¡± Grateful, Sheena replied, ¡°Howard, thanks! But please, don¡¯t say anything else. I¡¯m afraid Corey might actually beat you up!¡± Howard fell silent, quietly watching as a spectator. Chapter 728 Chapter 728 Barbara chuckled, trying to mediate, ¡°Honey, now that this has happened, what¡¯s the point of punishing Nana? You¡¯re just concerned about Elliot and still harbor some resentment. How about finding a way to teach him a lesson? What do you think? Sheena grew anxious as she heard the conversation. It seemed both Barbara and Noah wanted to ¡®deal¡® with Elliot¡­ She worried that Elliot might end up thoroughly punished with all three brothers involved! Just as Sheena felt uneasy, Elliot stepped forward, saying calmly, ¡°I¡¯m willing to ept any punishment from the three of you, including the part meant for Nana. I¡¯ll bear them all!¡± ¡°Eli, don¡¯t!¡± Thebined tactics of these three were unimaginable! Corey raised an eyebrow and sneered, ¡°Alright, you said it. If you can pass the test, I¡¯ll agree to your marriage with Nana after the New Year.¡± Elliot smiled, meeting Corey¡¯s gaze, ¡°It¡¯s a deal!¡± Sheena realized she had no say in this now¡­ Could they at least consider the opinion of a pregnant woman? N?velDrama.Org owns this. In the living room, the atmosphere thickened with tension. Corey chuckled and said, ¡°Since it¡¯s New Year¡¯s Eve, a joyous festive, let¡¯s just get it over today! If you still can walk back to the Jenkins estate tonight, you pass!¡± Elliot smirked, his expression calm. ¡°Sure.¡± Sheena could not help but panic. ¡°Corey, are you intentionally intimidating him? Take it easy on him! My future happiness is in your hands!¡± Corey remained silent, looking serious. This time, Noah, usually a man of few words, said, ¡°Since it¡¯s New Year¡¯s Eve, we can¡¯t skip the tradition of making a toast. Let¡¯s start with three sses.¡± Elliot tensed, sensing something ominous. Howard immediately joined Noah, heading to the kitchen to prepare the ¡®toasts¡® for Elliot. As he hobbled past Elliot, he gave his broad shoulders a meaningful pat. Once they left, Corey¡¯s stern expression softened, and he gestured toward the sofa on the side, saying, ¡°Have a seat. Tonight might be one of the few chances for you to sitfortably. Cherish it.¡± Facing the unknown challenges from the group, Elliot felt uncertain but obliged to take a seat for now. Chapter 22 Barbara stood up and pulled Sheena to sit beside her, offering aforting whisper. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your brothers know their limits. Everyone has to get through hardship to get what they want. Since he¡¯s determined to marry you, he has to endure this trial. Let him realize how formidable your family is, and he won¡¯t dare to mistreat you in the future!¡± Sheena was left speechless. She understood that her brothers were doing it for her good, but she could not help feeling sorry for Elliot. The entire living room soon fell silent. Suddenly, a bodyguard entered and reported, ¡°Mr. Corey, there¡¯s a girl outside who has been lingering near the entrance for a while. I¡¯m not sure if she¡¯s a guest.¡± ¡°A girl?¡± Sheena was the first to react. ¡°What does she look like?¡± ¡°Very pretty, dressed elegantly, like a star.¡± Sheena figured, ¡°It must be Phoebe, probably invited by Howard.¡± She nced toward the kitchen, where Howard was still busy and had not brought the drinks yet. ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ll go get her.¡± Corey had no objections. Elliot added, ¡°Stay safe.¡± Worried, Sheena nced at him before heading out to greet Phoebe. At the entrance, Sheena spotted the girl gazing around the mansion. However, as she got a clearer look at her, her beautiful eyes widened in surprise. Once confirmed the woman¡¯s identity, she approached and asked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Chapter 729 Chapter 729 Hearing Sheena¡¯s voice, the girl turned to look at her, and her exquisitely beautiful face lit up with a warm smile. ¡°Ms. Lawson, long time no see. How are you and Mr. Jenkins on this New Year¡¯s Eve?¡± ¡°We¡¯re doing well, thank you. It¡¯s New Year¡¯s Eve. Aren¡¯t you participating in any countdown specials? Why aren¡¯t you with your family? Who allowed you to enter Mountville?¡± From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The guards at the foot of the mountain let me in. Ms. Lawson, please don¡¯t misunderstand. My endorsement contract with the Jenkins Group¡¯s Project Rossi is about to expire. When I heard Mr. Jenkins was here, I came personally, hoping he would consider giving me another endorsement opportunity.¡± Sheena narrowed her eyes skeptically. ¡°Ms. She, you¡¯ve been the reigning Best Actress and a popr star. Do you have to personally handle your own contracts now? What are your agent and company doing?¡± ¡°Well, the endorsement contract with the Jenkins Group is not easy to secure. My agent¡¯s team might be unable to handle it, so I didn¡¯t want to miss this lucrative opportunity. Naturally, I had to make a personal visit.¡± Sheena stared at her, clearly not buying her story. If she indeed came looking for Elliot and found her way to Mountville, then her source was impressively urate. She smiled. Despite being under twenty, her gaze was much shrewder than her peer Jacintha¡¯s. ncing at the mansion, She said, ¡°Ms. Lawson, your family gathering today seems lively. Would it be fine for me toe in and join?¡± ¡°We¡¯re all family. It¡¯s not suitable for you to join us.¡± Sheena promptly refused, not bothering with pleasantries. ¡°Alright, it seems you have a deep bias against me.¡± She did not feel awkward and maintained her smile. ¡°It¡¯s getting dark. I¡¯ll have the guards escort you down the mountain. Elliot is busy and probably won¡¯t discuss endorsement coborations with you anytime soon. Please leave.¡± Sheena had no interest in continuing the conversation and dismissed her guest. Inside the mansion, Corey was concerned as Sheena had not returned, so he came out to find her. The moment he saw She, his eyes slightly narrowed. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Chapter 29 Hearing Corey¡¯s questioning tone, Sheena turned, looking puzzled. ¡°Do you two know each other?¡± She remained silent, and Corey showed no extra expressions. ¡°No, we¡¯re not. I just saw her a few times on TV. Nana, it¡¯s cold outside. Come Inside with me.¡± Corey hade out wearing a small fox fur cape, and he promptly draped it over Sheena, holding her close. He then instructed the guards at the entrance, ¡°Escort this youngdy down the mountain.¡± After giving the orders, he tightened his hold on Sheena, leading her back to the mansion without sparing a nce for She. She did not leave. She stood at the entrance for a long time and silently watched them. The cold wind tousled her hair, concealing the chill in her eyes. Only when the two figurespletely disappeared from sight did she turn and leave, apanied by the guard on her way down the mountain. On the way back to the mansion, Sheena had been observing Corey¡¯s expression. She noticed that his face turned grim ever since he saw She, yet it was difficult to discern what he was thinking. Sheena tentatively asked, ¡°Corey, you seem to dislike Ms. She.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about liking or disliking. We¡¯re not acquainted.¡± Corey maintained a stoic expression and added, ¡°Instead of concerning yourself with these trivial matters, why not worry if Elliot will be okay. Indeed, She¡¯s matters were less importantpared to Elliot¡¯s situation. Sheena did not delve into it further and immediately entered the mansion. Noah and Corey had already prepared carefully crafted drinks, cing three neatly arranged sses in front of Elliot. Sheena quickly approached, scrutinizing the liquid in the sses. The color was transparent, resembling fine wine. However, knowing her brothers so well, Sheena was well aware that Noah would not simply let Elliot drink three sses of in wine. Chapter 730 Chapter 730 Chapter 730 Sheena turned to Noah, ¡°Noah, can I drink this? It looks good. How about I taste it for Elliot?¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°No way!¡± Everyone shouted in unison, agitatedly and hastily stopping her. Sheena had not even touched the edge of the ss when Barbara took her arm, guiding her to the sofa. 1 ¡°Nana, I know you care for him, but you can¡¯t interfere in this. Don¡¯t worry, your brothers won¡¯t kill him. He made you pregnant out of wedlock! Whatever happenster, It¡¯s the punishment he deserves! ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Nothing will happen. Trust me.¡± Barbara patted her hand, offering reassurance. Standing calmly behind the coffee table, Elliot looked at Sheena with aforting gaze. He bent down, picked up the ss in the middle, representing Corey, and raised it in Corey¡¯s direction. ¡°Mr. Corey, this is thest time I¡¯ll address you like this. Next time we meet, I hope to call you by your name! Corey raised an eyebrow, his sharp eagle¨Clike gaze locked onto him. Facing the gaze of everyone present, Elliot nced at the liquid in the ss. His Adam¡¯s apple rolled, and he downed the entire ss without hesitation. The liquor was very spicy, burning his entire mouth almost like fire. Maintaining his calm, he forced it down as the pungent taste slid down his throat, burning every part of his body. Was that¡­ wasabi? Frowning at the sensation, his face turned red as he could resist the heat, and he covered his mouth with a fist, coughing softly a few times. Seeing how well Elliot controlled his expression, Corey smirked and asked, After recovering, Elliot chuckled softly. ¡°What a great wine! It¡¯s indeed unique!¡± Corey did not respond but watched to see how long Elliot could endure. The toasting continued. e the taste?¡± Elliot, suppressing the burning sensation in his chest, tremblingly picked up the ss on the right, facing Noah. ¡°Thank you for wholeheartedly treating my eyes. This is a toast to you!¡± This time, he looked at the liquid in the ss without immediately drinking. hapter 734 Corey¡¯s drink was spicy. What about Noah¡¯s? Noah noticed Elliot¡¯s hesitation and looked at him with a sly gaze. Howard, the only one among the three brothers who had already epted Elliot, softly reminded him, ¡°Although the taste is quite unusual, it¡¯s good for your health.¡± N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. After all, Noah could not genuinely subject Elliot to torturous concoctions as Noah truly cared for Sheena, and the three sses were actually health¨Cboosting drinks with a bit of seasoning, With Howard¡¯s assurance, Elliot once again downed the drink. It was bitter! Incredibly bitter! It surpassed the previous asions when Noah deliberately tricked him, making it a hundred times more bitter! Not only bitter but also sour and astringent! As soon as Elliot swallowed it, his stomach churned, making him feel nauseous. To avoid worrying Sheena, Elliot forcibly swallowed the bitter drink, enduring it until his face turned pale and the muscles in his jaw tightened. Sheena, watching by his side, was worried. ¡°Forget it! Stop drinking!¡± This time, it was Howard who spoke up to stop her. ¡°That won¡¯t do. There¡¯s still onest ss. If he doesn¡¯t finish it, he would¡¯ve suffered the first two sses for nothing Sheena locked eyes with him and understood the hint in his gaze. She silently released her tightly clenched hands. Chapter 731 Chapter 731 Elliot caught his breath and raised the final ss of liquor. He turned to Howard and said, ¡°Mr. Howard, you took care of me before, yet I hit you. This drink is my way of apologizing.¡± Howard nodded, his expression calm and serene, as if saying, ¡®I¡¯m a forgiving person and won¡¯t hold it against you.¡® Without hesitation, Elliot finished thest drink. Surprisingly, it tasted sweet, like a mild fruit wine, very pleasant. Slightly astonished, Elliot nced at Howard, seemingly understanding the intentions of the three brothers. After the pain, struggles, and uncertainties, once past the toughest challenges, life became sweet and beautiful. Beyond the apparent meaning, there was also a warning. If Elliot mistreated Sheena in the future, the three brothers would not mind making him experience pain again. In other words, he had to cherish their beloved sister to ensure a peaceful life. Quickly grasping this, Elliot looked at the three men across from him with a sense of gratitude. ¡°I know how much you cherish Nana, and I promise I won¡¯t disappoint you. Nana will be the only love of my life!¡± Elliot¡¯s gaze was sincere and determined. Corey reluctantly nodded in approval, scoffing. ¡°Remember the promise you made to me. If you betray it and hurt Nana again, I¡¯ll take your life!¡± His reply essentially meant Elliot had passed his test and gained his approval. Sheena breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Noah, who had been silent throughout. ¡°Noah, don¡¯t you have anything to say?¡± Sheena prompted, signaling desperately with her eyes. Corey had epted him. It was time for Noah to give his approval too. Noah ignored her pleadings, his expression cold and unyielding. He stood up, adjusted his clothes, and calmly stated, ¡°Since the drinks are finished, if you may.¡± Elliot followed him upstairs without hesitation, with Corey and Howard trailing behind. Sheena was taken aback by Noah¡¯s cruelty. It turned out that this was the real trial for Elliot! Did he really have to pass such a challenging test? Chapter 731 2/2 Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Sheena quickly stood up, ready to follow them, but Barbara held her back. ¡°Nana, calm down. Just sit here with me for a while. Let the men handle their business,¡± Barbara advised in a soothing tone. Sheena anxiously replied, ¡°What if they n to gang up on him? That¡¯s not okay! They¡¯re all skilled fighters, and they might go too hard on Ell. What if something bad happens? No, I can¡¯t just sit here! I have to check on them!¡± ¡°Nana, even if they do give him a beating, it won¡¯t be anything serious. We can¡¯t risk leaving the twins ¡®dad disabled, right? Just sit tight. Everything will be fine,¡± Barbara reassured, speaking genuinely. Though the words wereforting, Sheena could not shake off her worries. If her brothers really went after Elliot, it would hurt her deeply. After all, he had been so well¨Cbehavedtely that even she could not bring herself to scold him. How could her brothers possiblyy a hand on him? Sweating with concern, Sheena anxiously waited. Meanwhile, Elliot was led to Noah¡¯s childhood bedroom in the mansion. The room had undergone a transformation, now filled with professional medical equipment. On the table, an array of chilling surgical toolsy neatly on a tray, while the walls were adorned with diagrams illustrating various human organs. Chapter 732 Chapter 732 It was a sight that would send shivers running down one¡¯s spine. Even Elliot, who had faced gruesome situations before, felt a lump In his throat. Was Noah nning to dissect him without anesthesia, experiencing what it would feel like to be on the edge of life and death? Just as Elliot was letting his imagination run wild, Noah finally spoke. ¡°You caused the unexpected pregnancy. It¡¯s clearly your fault forcking proper precaution, yet Nana will have to endure the pain of childbirth alone. As for your punishment for not being careful enough, I¡¯ll let you experience a level ten childbirth pain.¡± After Noah said that, Howard stepped forward, helping to unveil the white cloth on the seat. Abor pain simtor was ced just next to the seat, which Noah had arranged to be urgently delivered from the general hospital. ¡°If you refuse now or even want to withdraw during the experience, it¡¯s fine. I respect your choice,¡± Noah stated with a cold, mocking glint in his eyes. Elliot locked eyes with him, his calm gaze showing no sign of fear. ¡°I¡¯m willing, and I won¡¯t withdraw.¡± ¡°Good. I hope you can stay toughter. Please, take a seat,¡± Noah said with a smirk. Elliot walked over and sat down, and Noah swiftly fitted thebor pain simtor on him. ¡°Level one. is akin to a needle pricking your hand, a mosquito bite. For someone like you, a military man, it should be easy. So, let¡¯s start from level five.¡± Noah spoke and, without giving him a chance to react, pressed the button on the machine. The pain hit without warning, causing Elliot to tighten his brow instantly and grip the armrests, enduring silently. Seeing Elliot gradually adapt to the pain, Noah increased the intensity.¡± By level seven, the persistent pain spread throughout his limbs, making every part of his body ache. Veins bulged on Elliot¡¯s arms, fingertips trembled, his face paled, and cold sweat formed on his forehead. Elliot clenched his jaw, still not uttering a sound. From N?velDrama.Org. Following Noah¡¯s instructions, Howard pushed a table in front of Elliot. Corey ced a pen, a notebook, and a printed A4 paper on the table. While enduring the pain, Elliot looked suspiciously at Noah beside him. Chapter 232 Noah exined, ¡°This is the Clentleman¡¯s Rules, viral online. I heard you have a talent for beautiful penmanship, so I¡¯ll trouble you to write it word for word.¡± Elllot nced at the content on the paper. [My wife has thest say, and I¡¯ll prioritize my wife¡¯s matters; Consciously doundry, cooking, and housekeeping, ensuring not a speck of dust on my wife¡¯s delicate hands; ¡­Be attentive to her mood and never raise my voice or Insult her.] A total of fifty rules, copying it would be around a few hundred words. Seeing Elliot in a daze, Noah kindly reminded him, ¡°If you can¡¯t do it, you can choose to give up.¡± Elliot immediately reached for the pen, signifying his eptance of this challenge. As he held the pen, his fingertips trembled uncontrobly. Noah exined the rules, ¡°Women usually have to endure about three hours of pain or even longer during childbirth. Including the time you¡¯ve just experienced, I¡¯m giving you one and a half hours to copy the Gentleman¡¯s Rules. If you have any objections, you can protest.¡± Elliot adjusted his breathing and took a moment to speak with effort, ¡°I¡¯ve only experienced the pain of childbirth for an hour and a half. In the future, Nana will have to endure twice the pain. I have no objections. I¡¯ll copy the Gentleman¡¯s rules word by word.¡± Chapter 733 Chapter 733 Elliot¡¯s words actually earned him a higher regard from the other three men in the room. To have such determination was truly admirable. He seemed like a rare find, a genuinely good man. Elliot only had two things in his mind¨Cenduring the pain and finishing the Gentleman¡¯s Rules. He had no mental space to pay attention to the expressions of the other three men in the room. He took a deep breath, trying hard to adapt himself to the persistent pain. However, when he started writing, every alphabet trembled, resembling wiggling tadpoles. The room fell unusually silent, with only Elliot¡¯s heavy breathing filling the air. Noah, observing his shaky hands, waited until he neatlypleted the first rule, seemingly adapting to the pain at level seven, and abruptly raised it to level eight. The pain in his abdomen intensified without warning, swiftly spreading throughout his entire body. Elliot trembled violently, shaking even more, and the word he was currently writing got crooked. His trembling right hand struggled to maintain a grip on the pen. He lifted his eyes, looking toward Noah, seated beside thebor pain simtor. Noah caught his gaze and mocked again, ¡°Can¡¯t handle it? If you want to quit now, it¡¯s still an option. Corey and Howard sat across from him in silence, and the light in their eyes quickly dimmed. Anyone could brag, but not everyone could endure real torment and agony. Despite the disappointed atmosphere, Elliot shook his head and, with great effort, uttered through clenched teeth, ¡°I just wanted to ask, do you have any requirements for the handwriting? Mine¡­ isn¡¯t. very neat. If it¡¯s not good enough, I can¡­ rewrite.¡± Noah was briefly taken aback, staring at him. Clearly, he had not expected Elliot to be concerned about this. ¡°No requirements. You just need to copy the rules.¡± Under this kind of pain, asking for clear and neat handwriting would be an almost impossible task. Though Noah had subjected Elliot to this tough test, he was notpletely heartless. Elliot breathed a sigh of relief, bit his lower lip, and continued writing. His entire body was soaked in cold sweat, beads of perspiration collecting on the tip of his nose, dripping onto the paper and smudging some of the words. Time passed by with each fleeting second, and Howard stood silently on the side, observing. Chapter 243 He noticed Elliot¡¯s hand was shaking more violently than before, and it was obviously getting harder for Elliot to continue writing. It tugged at Howard¡¯s empathy, and he looked at Noah, considering making a plea. ¡°Noah¡­¡± Noah furrowed his brow lightly, ignoring Howard, and addressed Elliot, ¡°When the pain reaches level ten, it¡¯s equivalent to the excruciating agony of twenty ribs fracturing simultaneously. I¡¯ll start increasing the intensity.¡± This time, instead of abruptly escting the pain without warning, Noah had given Elliot a heads¨Cup, allowing him some mental preparation. As he increased the pain, he did it with measured increments, providing Elliot with a buffer. However, when the pain gradually peaked, transforming into a heart¨Cwrenching agony, Elliot¡¯s features tightened. N?velDrama.Org owns this. Even his clearly defined eyshes trembled intensely. The intense pain made him groan involuntarily, and his consciousness started to blur. He could not concentrate on writing anymore, and the pen in his hand slipped away. In the living room, Sheena was growing restless, feeling uneasy all over. ¡°Why aren¡¯t theying down yet? Eli couldn¡¯t have been knocked unconscious, could he?¡± Barbara tried to reassure her, saying, ¡°No way. Besides, Noah is up there, so you can rx. Once today is over, he¡¯ll be able to marry you without worries. You should trust Elliot and your brothers.¡± Sheena sighed in resignation. Barbara quickly tried to engage her in casual conversation, attempting to divert her attention. Gradually, the sky outside darkened, and snowkes drifted down in the garden. Checking the time, Sheena realized that almost two hours had passed since they went upstairs, but Elliot was still upstairs. Something was definitely wrong! Chapter 734 Chapter 734 Sheena could not alt still anymore. Ignoring Barbara¡¯s attempts to stop her, she sprinted upstairs, reaching Host¡¯s room. Just as she was about to knock, she heard the sound of the doorknob turning from inside, and the door opened just in time. Corey was the first to step out, his broad figure blockding the view of what was happening inside. After he emerged, he gently closed the door. Sheena tried to peek inside but could not see anything, no she questioned him. ¡°Corey, what on earth were you doing in there? Did you guys hurt him?¡± ¡°No.¡± Corey¡¯s tone remained t and calin. Sheena could not make sense of the situation, asking, ¡°So, did he pass the test or not?¡± ¡°Have Elliote to my mansion tomorrow to discuss your wedding date after the New Year.¡± He spoke matter¨Cof¨Cfactly, ruffled Sheena¡¯s hair, then went downstairs. Sheena stood there in confusion, only realizing afterward that Elliot had indeed passed the test! Overflowing with joy, she shouted after Corey¡¯s departing figure, ¡°Thank you, Corey!¡± Before she could enter the room to find Elllot, Noah emerged again, still looking aloof as always. Simr to Corey, he also casually closed the door behind him. ¡°Noah, Corey just agreed to set a wedding date. Surely, Elliot passed the test, right?¡± Noah did not exin. Instead, he handed her a book and said, ¡°Take a look. How¡¯s the writing?¡± Sheena opened the book with doubt, but she frowned in frustration when she saw the poorly written Gentleman¡¯s Rules. ¡°This handwriting is too ugly. Did you make Elliot write this?¡± Many words on the paper were crooked, and some were smudged, making it look rather messy. Noali agreed, ¡°I also think it¡¯s ugly.¡± He pinched Sheena¡¯s cheek, adding, ¡°Consider using it as your family rules for Elliot after marriage.¡± Then, he turned and walked away, still as cold. Nheless, Noah mentioned ¡°after marriage¡°, so Elliot seemed to have passed the test. However¡­ With keen awareness, Sheena reread the words in the book and stared at Noah¡¯s cold and proud figure Chapter 734 2/2 as she vented her frustration, ¡°You three are way too harsh! What on earth did you do to him to make his beautiful handwriting turn out like this?¡± Just a while ago, Corey hinted at settling the score, suggesting breaking Elliot¡¯s hand or leg Sheena became increasingly worried about Elliot¡¯s condition. Next, Howard came out. He patted Sheena¡¯s shoulder with a contented face and spoke in a deep and steady voice, ¡°Not bad!¡± Sheena nced at Howard¡¯s brisk figure, feeling bewildered, and quickly opened the door. ¡°Nana.¡± A hand with distinct knuckles but a deathly paleplexion suddenly grasped the doorframe. Sheena immediately looked up and met Elliot¡¯s warm yet extremely weak gaze. Sensing his less¨Cthan¨Coptimal condition, Sheena hurriedly approached and supported him, then turned his palms to inspect any injuries. To her surprise, his palms were clean, devoid of any signs of redness or bruising. ¡°Huh? They didn¡¯t hit your hand? Then why did you write so poorly? How did they torture you?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°They didn¡¯t torture me.¡± Elliot did not borate much. He just leaned his head wearily on her shoulder, softly cooing, ¡°Nana, I want to go back to E&S Haven. I want to hold your waist and sleep.¡± Chapter 735 Chapter 735 ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go back,¡± Sheena said without probing further, intending to discuss things when they returned. She supported Elliot¡¯s arm, helping him limp away from Mountville. Back in the bedroom at E&S Haven, Sheena immediately took charge and stripped him. Only then did she notice that he had changed clothes in Noah¡¯s old bedroom. The suit on him matched Noah¡¯s style and looked brand new. Moreover, he smelled fresh. Had he taken a shower in Noah¡¯s bathroom? Sheena was shocked and wondered what exactly her brothers had done to him. ¡°Where did they hit you? Why don¡¯t I see any injuries? Did Noah perform special needle treatment or poison you?¡± Elliot was utterly exhausted and stayed silent, allowing her to inspect him without offering any resistance. After enduring an entire hour and a half ofbor pains and transcribing the Gentleman¡¯s Rules, his body had no strength left to resist. He finally understood why women needed to rest for a whole month after giving birth. It was simply¡­ too painful. Nheless, being a man, he had to stand and walk back home.. After thoroughly searching his body, Sheena still could not find a single injury. However, Elliot¡¯s exhausted state made her anxious, and she lightly patted his cheek to rouse his drowsy consciousness. ¡°Eli, don¡¯t sleep just yet. What happened?¡± Elliot weakly moved the corners of his mouth, clutching her small hand. His voice was extremely faint, ¡°Well¡­ They let me experience¡­ the pain of childbirth.¡± Sheena was shocked. ¡°Noah had you experience level ten childbirth pain and copy the Gentleman¡¯s Rules?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Sheena fell silent. This was very much Noah¡¯s style, quite merciless! However, since they took this approach, she reluctantly breathed a sigh of relief. Even if the brothers had not done this, she had nned to have Elliot experience the pain of childbirth before she actually went through it. After all, this was her first time being pregnant, and she was a bit scared andcked experience. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. ¡°Well, how did it feel?¡± Chapter 735 2/2 ¡°It¡¯s painful. I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Elliot nestled into her embrace, resting his head on herp, deliberately avoiding her belly. Sheena gently caressed his face, feeling a bit fearful. ¡°What should we do? If it hurts even for you, I might pass out halfway through giving birth.¡± Elliot was not a doctor and did not know what could be done. He forced himself to stay awake,forting Sheena, ¡°I¡¯m here for you. If it makes you feel better, I¡¯ll experience the childbirth pain again with thebor pain simtor when you¡¯re giving birth, and we¡¯ll endure it together.¡± Alright. Having him there to share the pain eased Sheena¡¯s mind. ¡°You¡¯re so nice to me.¡± Sheena leaned down, giving him a kiss on the forehead. Then, she helped him change into pajamas. and was about to cuddle him to sleep when the phone on the bedside table rang. It was Paul. ¡°Miss, a delivery person came by just now with an international package. I¡¯ve taken it and ced it on the living room coffee table.¡± ¡°An international package? Isn¡¯t itte for a delivery?¡± Sheena pondered for a moment, confirming that she had not ordered anything online recently. Paul answered, Nicholls.¡± ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s an urgent delivery, air¨Cshipped from Harbor City, and the sender is Mr. ¡°Alright, I got it.¡± Sheena quickly hung up the phone. Why would Nathaniel suddenly send something over? Was it something important? Sheena also could not help but wonder how Nathaniel was doing over there in Harbor City. Chapter 736 Chapter 736 Sheena contemted, cautiously tilting her head to nce at Elliot. Elliot was nestled in the curve of her arm, also looking at her with a slightly disgruntled expression. ¡°Nana, do you want to go downstairs now and see the gift Nathaniel sent you?¡± ¡°Um¡­ can I?¡± Sheena asked. The sparkle in Elliot¡¯s eyes fadedpletely, and he left Sheena¡¯s embrace, turning away from her. With a tone full of jealousy, he retorted, ¡°It¡¯s not meant for me, so if you want to see it, just go ahead.¡± Sheena tentatively poked his back. ¡°Are you upset?¡± ¡°No, justmenting at life. You¡¯re busy reminiscing about someone from your past, sparing no time to coddle your soon¨Cto¨Cbe husband before bed.¡± Sheena clicked her tongue lightly. ¡°Oh my, someone¡¯s jealous!¡± Elliot frowned, not responding to her. He closed his eyes and brooded alone. ¡°Alright, stop being jealous. The package isn¡¯t as important as you are. I¡¯ll open it tomorrow. Besides, you¡¯ve had a tough day. I need tofort my little puppy to sleep!¡± Her voice was gentle and soothing, and her small hand gently patted his shoulder to soothe his little mood. Elliot felt much better after hearing her words. Satisfied, he turned over, snuggling into her arms. However, he suddenly sensed something off in her words. ¡°Wait, little puppy?¡± Sheena quickly kissed him. ¡°No, no, I misspoke. You misheard. It¡¯s Eli!¡± Close enough. Elliot hugged her tightly and soon drifted into a peaceful sleep. The two enjoyed a restful night. Early the next morning, Sheena went downstairs to open the package. Nathaniel had sent various specialties from Harbor City, carefully selecting healthy snacks suitable for pregnant women for Sheena to enjoy.. In the package, there was also a letter. Sheena opened it and began reading it attentively. Elliot, supporting himself on the railing, walked down the stairs slowly. He could already see sheena engrossed in the contents of the letter. ¡°What did he say?¡± Elliot asked with a slightly strange tone. ¡°He mentioned that the culture in Harbor City is quite harloward, so he decided to be a teacher in the mountainous area. He ims to lead a fulfilling and content life. Nathaniel expressed regrets that he might not be able to return to celebrate when our twins are born but assured that he¡¯ll send us gifts, ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s it.¡± Elliot was skeptical. ¡°Didn¡¯t he say anything cheesy like ¡®miss you¡®, ¡®thinking of you¡®, or ¡®dreamed of you¡®?¡± Sheena closed the letter and exined calmly, ¡°No, he knows the boundaries.¡± Elliot reluctantly believed her and did not press further. Then, he went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Sheena. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Taking advantage of this break, Sheena wrote a letter informing Nathaniel about her uing. marriage. She also casually included two unopened local seasonings from home as gifts, asking Paul to send them to Nathaniel based on the address on his package. After breakfast, as per their prior agreement, they went to Corey¡¯s mansion to finalize the wedding date. It was set for a monthter. Elliot took the initiative to handle the wedding nning, even expressing his intention to temporarily set aside work to focus on preparations, ensuring Sheena the best wedding experience. Hence, Sheena did not have to worry about wedding arrangements. After the New Year, Sheena resumed her work with a peaceful mind, asionally dealing with morning sickness and increased sleepiness, but overall, her health was good. As spring approached, Sheena hurriedly finished breakfast, checking her messages while putting on her shoes at the entrance. Elliot embraced her from behind,zily resting his chin on her shoulder, his expression showing a hint of displeasure. ¡°Nana, you¡¯ve been so busytely, alwaysing homete¡­¡± He had not been spending quality time with her, making him feel like a housewife waiting for the husband toe home. Chapter 737 Chapter 737 ¡°Are you really not going to ask about the wedding at all?¡± Elliot, full of grievances, murmured discontentedly. Sheena turned around, cupping his cheeks, and lightly kissed his thin lips. ¡°You said you wanted to give me a breathtaking wedding. If I get involved now, wouldn¡¯t it lose its sense of surprise?¡± That made sense, but with Sheena being upied with her career all the time, Elliot could not help feeling upset, very upset! Sheena patiently exined, ¡°I recently invested in a new TV series. I personally selected the script, so I have high expectations for it. Today is the kickoff ceremony, and as an investor, I have to be there. Be good. I¡¯ll be back to apany you tonight.¡± She caressed his face, gently kissing his forehead, eyebrows, nose, and finally his thin lips. Elliot understood her ambitious nature too well. Unable to stop her, he could only caution her carefully, ¡°Stay safe, don¡¯t wear high heels, don¡¯t catch a cold, don¡¯t drink alcohol, don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°I know, I know. I¡¯ll be careful.¡± In recent days, Elliot would remind her of these few things every time she went out, and she had memorized them by heart. Sheena quickly agreed and left the Jenkins estate. Elliot watched her graceful figure disappear beyond the courtyard walls, feeling helpless. Shortly a ter Sheena left, Lionel arrived. However, he seemed serious. Elliot noticed his mood and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Elliot, Katie is missing from prison. The method used is simr to how Jennifer was transferred out before.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression immediately turned grave. ¡°Have you investigated?¡± ¡°We did, but there are no clues. It was done quite cleanly.¡± Elliot sat on the sofa, examining the information Lionel handed over. Lionel shared his deduction, ¡°Is it possible that Mr. Romello is behind this? After all, he knew about Nathaniel sshing S404 back then. But if that¡¯s the case, it means Mr. Romello was also involved in Jennifer¡¯s case. Initially, a group of people was responsible for framing Sheena, not just one person. Chapter 212 2/2 The ones already Identified were Barrett, Kean, and Nathaniel. Elliot furrowed his brows, and a chill swept through his obsidian eyes. Regardless of Romello¡¯s Involvement, he had a feeling that there were still unidentified members of the Lawson family, and they were significant figures. ¡°Continue the ion. This Isn¡¯t Parlem, and Svelton has much stricter surveince. There N?velDrama.Org owns this. aren¡¯t many people in Froania this capable, Romello, Corey¡­ those few with military ranks. Even if it¡¯s a process of elimination, we should be able to find some clues.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll instruct the team immediately.¡± As Lionel turned to leave, Elliot stopped him. ¡°Assign a few more people to follow Nana secretly. Ensure her safety outside. Not even a finger should beid on her. Otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences!¡± ¡°Yes, you have my word! Sheena¡¯s safety is the top priority!¡± ¡°Good, go ahead.¡± Lionel swiftly left to carry out his duties. Elliot remained alone on the sofa, still examining the information about Katie¡¯s disappearance. It was evident that this incident was targeted at Sheena. He hoped the opening ceremony on her end today could proceed smoothly. Sheena hurried to the venue of the kickoff ceremony, deliberately arriving fifteen minutes early before the ribbon¨Ccutting event. Chapter 738 Chapter 738 The new TV series was a grand historical show with a motivating theme, depleting the transformation of a once delicate youngdy from a prominent family. After parting ways with her husband, her career flourished, ultimately bing the wealthiest figure in Northwharf City. The male lead was an audacious character who realized the leading to humorous and heartwarming attempts to win her back. e of his wife only after separation, Sheena loved the script instantly and being the major shareholder, decisively invested in the production. Having recently secured the Best Actress award, Phoebe was promptly cast as the female lead. Aware of Sheena¡¯s pregnancy, Phoebe took extra care of her safety on set, escorting her to the lounge before the ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony. As they chatted in the lounge, Sheena brought up an old topic. ¡°Phoebe, when I returned from Laubabwe, you mentioned the Nicholls banquet for you. It¡¯s been a while; why haven¡¯t I received an invitation?¡± was nning a Phoebe smiled and replied nonchntly, ¡°I¡¯m not nning to return to the Nicholls family for now, so I asked Mr. Romello not to organize a banquet.¡± Sheena tightened her grip on Phoebe¡¯s hand, saying, ¡°That won¡¯t do. You¡¯re the Nicholls family heiress; eventually, you¡¯ll be registered in the ancestry. The Nicholls family owes you for all these years, and when you go back, they should treat you well.¡± Phoebe concealed her sadness. ¡°But there¡¯s nothing connecting them and me besides our blood rtion. They don¡¯t feel like family. You and Howard are closer to me than they are.¡± Except for Romello, the Nicholls family members, especially Gabrielle, did not wee Phoebe. In fact, her return disrupted the attention and care Gabrielle had received as the youngest daughter. During Phoebe¡¯s stay, Gabrielle was never friendly to her. Moreover, Phoebe sensed that the Nicholls family was not as simple as it appeared. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. The incident in her father¡¯s study, where she found hidden photographs, troubled her. Despite feeling someone had indeed choked her, Romello assured her that nothing had happened. Thinking about this, she asked Sheena, ¡°Did you often go to the Nicholls family to y with Nathaniel or Gabrielle when you were a child? Have you ever met my mom?¡± Sheena gave it a thought and said, ¡°Not very often, just asionally, usually during the Nicholls family events. Auntie Vanda seemed unwell, rarely leaving her room, especially during family. gatherings.¡± Phoebe was puzzled. ¡°Has it been like this for so many years?¡± Chapter 738 ¡°Yes,¡± Sheena nodded, then asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? If you have any doubts, you can tell me, and I¡¯ll have someone look into it.¡± ¡°Forget it, too much trouble. Maybe I¡¯m just being overly suspicious. If there¡¯s really an issue, we¡¯ll find out sooner orter.¡± As they were discussing, staff members came to invite them as it was almost time for the ribbon- cutting ceremony. Phoebe redirected her focus, taking Sheena with her to the scene. Since it was a period drama, the kickoff took ce beneath the ancient city wall at Svelton World Studios. As they arrived, firecrackers resounded. When the firecrackers subsided, over a hundred people entered one after another, including the director, producers, lead actors, and prop crew. Once everyone was present, it was time for the ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony. As the biggest investor and representative of the drama¡¯s financial support, Sheena stood in the center, with the director and lead actors on each side. An usherette held a tray with golden scissors, presenting them to everyone. Cameras and several media outlets surrounded them, capturing the moment with the clicking sounds of shutters. However, before Sheena could make the first cut, there was suddenly amotion from the side. ¡°Oh my gosh! Why is someone standing on the edge of the wall? Are they nning to jump?¡°. Chapter 739 Chapter 739 The statement instantly caused chaos among everyone present. Heads turned toward the city wall, where a ragged, filthy woman stood. The crucial point was that nobody at the scene had noticed when she had climbed onto the city wall, as all attention had been focused on the kickoff ceremony. Many media cameras immediately zoomed in on the woman on the wall, diverting everyone¡¯s attention, and most staff members were anxious. ¡°What do we do now? Someone is trying to jump during the kickoff ceremony. It¡¯s a bad omen if there¡¯s any bloodshed!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! Does this mean the end for this drama?¡± ¡°The stock market for the entertainmentpanies invested in the drama is going to plummet, right?¡± Sheena listened quietly to the discussions below, maintaining a neutral expression. She calmly instructed the nearby staff, ¡°Call the police immediately and contact the fire department to set up safety air cushions.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to call the police or leave! If anyone leaves, I¡¯ll jump immediately!¡± Just as Sheena finished speaking, the woman on the city wall shrieked hysterically. This voice¡­ sounded so familiar. Sheena furrowed her brow and uncertainly asked, ¡°Katie?¡± The woman hesitated for a moment before bursting intoughter. ¡°Sheena, I didn¡¯t expect you to remember me. Isn¡¯t it a pleasant surprise to see me here?¡± Under her disheveled hair, her eyes, filled with bloodshot veins, gleamed maliciously as she stared. directly at Sheena below. Sheena narrowed her eyes without saying a word. Katie turned to the group of reporters and used fiercely, ¡°I¡¯m Katie Upton, the former heiress of the Upton family. It¡¯s because of this woman¡¯s framing that I was sentenced and sent to prison! ¡°Even so, she didn¡¯t let me off. She sent people to prison to beat me relentlessly day and night, ruining my life! Sheena! Remember this: even if I die, I¡¯ll make sure your days are uneasy! Today, my blood will stain this ce. Even with Howard supporting you, I want you to be condemned by the inte for taking someone¡¯s life!¡± She then turned to Katie and said, ¡°And you, Phoebe! Interfering in my rtionship with Howard, being a third party! You¡¯re such a despicable woman, and you should get out of the entertainment Chapter 739 2/2 Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. industry! How are you so shameless to face your adoring fans and continue appearing on the screen?¡± Her words shocked everyone on the scene who was unaware of the situation. Did Sheena, thergest investor in the show¡¯s production, actually send someone to prison due to personal grievances? Phoebe, the recently crowned leading Best Actress, turned out to be a home¨Cwrecker interfering in someone else¡¯s rtionship?! The information in this scandal was too overwhelming, and no matter which part of it went online, it would create a storm of shock and disbelief. People at the scene exchanged puzzled nces, quietly discussing the revtions. The media recorded every word Katie uttered earlier. Among all the astonished faces, Sheena remained calm throughout. She took two steps forward, looked up at the wildlyughing Katie on the city wall, and disdainfully said, ¡°Katie, do you think a few nderous words would affect me? ¡°You wanted to jump, right? Then go ahead. I¡¯m watching.¡± Sheena shrugged, her beautiful eyes still cold and arrogant, tinged with mockery. ¡°Sheena, no¡­¡± Phoebe stepped forward, anxiously holding her wrist. If Katie really died here, regardless of the truth behind her earlier words, once it spread online, everyone would pity and sympathize with her. Chapter 740 Chapter 740 People speak kindly in the presence of death. Hence, Katie¡¯s death could conceal all truths because no one would believe that someone would be so deranged as to nder someone at the cost of their own life Sheena gently patted Phoebe¡¯s hand, signaling her to rx and not be afraid. On the city wall, Katie snorted, ¡°Sheena, do you really think I won¡¯t jump? Now that I¡¯m here, I have no intention of seeing the sun tomorrow!¡± Sheena chuckled, saying, ¡°Even if you don¡¯t jump, you won¡¯t see the sun tomorrow anyway, Katie. You¡¯re not released. You¡¯re a fugitive on the run. If caught, it¡¯s a death sentence. So, dying sooner or later doesn¡¯t make a difference. Why not make good use of your death to falsely use me, right? Katie was stunned, somewhat confused by Sheena¡¯s nonchnt attitude. ¡°Sheena, this is a new drama you invested in. Don¡¯t you know what would happen if I were to die here today? Why are you pretending to be so calm?¡± A bit impatient, Sheena asked, ¡°Are you jumping or not? If you¡¯re going to, do it quickly. Stop deliberately causing trouble and making death threats. I¡¯m tired of your theatrics.¡± After this sarcastic remark, Sheena turned to the director and said, ¡°Cancel the kickoff ceremony today. We¡¯ll discuss a new scheduleter.¡± ¡°Sure, Ms. Lawson.¡± The director was also a sensible person. Considering the current situation, an easy resolution was unlikely. Seeing how calm Sheena was with the entire incident, the people on the scene began to see this matter in a new light.. There was a difference between daring to jump and intentionally causing trouble. If Katie did not dare to do as she threatened, it meant she was deliberately stirring up trouble, and her words¨Cwere likely not truthful. Katie quickly realized Sheena¡¯s intention was deliberate, trying to guide the public opinion of the media on the scene. In a hysterical outburst, she shouted, ¡°Remember, I died because Sheena forced me to! She¡¯s a devil! Phoebe is a homewrecker! Everything I said is the truth!¡± After shouting, she pretended to be ready to jump. ¡°Wait!¡± Sheena stopped her in time. ¡°Katie, have you ever thought that no matter how hard it is in prison, there will be a day when you finish your sentence? Your parents are waiting for the day to wee their beloved daughter back. Chapter 740 2/2 But with your current actions, their future days will be even sadder.¡± She deliberately spoke slowly while persuading Katie. A moment ago, she had discreetly instructed Ford and others to leave. Now, she caught sight of Ford and the team returning, bringing a safety air cushion. At this moment, everyone¡¯s attention was on Katie atop the city wall, and Katie¡¯s focus was solely on N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Sheena. No one noticed Ford and the others discreetly cing the safety air cushion below the wall. Katieughed heartily upon hearing Sheena¡¯s seemingly surrendering tone, feeling an unusual sense of relief. ¡°My parents¡® biggest mistake was allowing you to bully me without stepping in. Their current suffering is well¨Cdeserved! Sheena, you won¡¯t have it easy even when I¡¯m gone. I¡¯ll be waiting for you. at the gate of judgment!¡± With that, she opened her arms, closed her eyes, turned around, and fell straight off the city wall. The crowd erupted into gasps, and chaos ensued as people rushed to the base of the wall to save her. Sheena, being pushed by the crowd, found herself surrounded. However, Elliot¡¯s security team, positioned in the shadows to protect her, emerged, and firmly shielded her in the center, ensuring her safety. Watching over a dozen bodyguards suddenly appear, Sheena had a hunch. ¡°Did Eli send you?¡± Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! Chapter 741 Chapter 741 ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins was concerned about your safety.¡± Feeling touched by Elliot¡¯s attentiveness, Sheena immediately Instructed them, ¡°There¡¯s a big, crowd, and the scene is a mess, but I¡¯ll be fine. You should all clear the area but have the media that recorded videos stay back a little longer. Keep them all together. Can you handle that?¡± ¡°No problem, Ms. Lawson.¡± The bodyguards swiftly moved to disperse the chaotic crowd. Meanwhile, Katie, who had fallen from the city wall expecting instant death, found herselfnding on a soft air cushion, devoid of any pain. Before she couldprehend what happened, Ford and his team quickly approached, restraining her hands. In less than five minutes, all the crew members were evacuated, and warnings were given. Other than that, the media members who recorded the incident were gathered by four bodyguards, waiting for Sheena for the negotiation that was toe. As most people left, the noisy sounds under the vast city wall diminished. Only Katie¡¯s continuous screams pierced the air, constantly irritating everyone present. Sheena walked forward, coldly ring at Katie, who was pinned to the ground by Ford and his team. Katie continued her verbal assault, ¡°Sheena, you¡¯ll have a miserable end! You bitch! I won¡¯t let you off!¡± Sheena let her continue her tirade. Soon, Katie¡¯s throat went dry, and she began coughing. Sheena then turned to Ford and said, ¡°Release her.¡± ¡°What? Miss, this woman is insane! What if she harms you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, let her go.¡± Reluctantly, Ford and his team had to release their restraint on Katie. As soon as Katie gained her freedom, she quickly pulled out a small golden pair of scissors hidden in her pocket. Before any of the bodyguards could react, she thrust the scissors directly at Sheena. ¡°You bitch! Go to hell!¡± N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°Miss, watch out!¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Amidst the shocked exmations from the bodyguards and Phoebe, Sheena swiftly delivered a Chapter 741 precise kick that struck Katie¡¯s hand, knocking the scissors away. The sudden pain caused Katie to drop the scissors on the spot,pletely stunned. In such a short time, Sheena had managed to subdue her directly! 272 In her dazed state, the bodyguards swiftly took action, restraining her once again and pinning her to the ground. With an indifferent expression, Sheena stepped on Katie¡¯s hand, which was holding the scissors just now, crouched down and softly mocked her. ¡°Katie, you¡¯ve underestimated me. You could never be my match. It¡¯s just a matter of whether I want to retaliate or not. ¡°Ah!¡± Katie nearly went insane, screaming. Finding her too noisy, Sheena frowned with displeasure and raised her hand, delivering a harsh p with a crisp sound. Katie¡¯s cheek stung, leaving her dazed with teary eyes. Once Sheena saw Katie quieting down, she grabbed her chin, forced her face upward, and began calmly analyzing the situation. ¡°You were supposed to stay in prison. Why did you appear at the kickoff ceremony of the new series I invested in and even stole the small scissors used for the ribbon¨Ccutting ceremony? You¡¯re quite well- prepared despite being a fugitive. Whose idea was it?¡± Chapter Chapter 742 Chapter 742 1/2 Katie just smiled and refused to answer. Sheena continued her analysis, ¡°Not many in Froa could secretly pull you out of Svelton Prison without anyone noticing. Romello, Corey, Darrell, Stuart, and Elliot. Who do you think I should be suspicious of?¡± Katieughed even louder, staring at her with a mischievous and mocking expression. ¡°Do you really want to know?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Katie, wearing a mysterious smile,ughed eerily and recklessly. ¡°Sheena, you have no idea how surprised I was when he visited me in prison! Your ¡®gentlemb¡® has been pretending for so long. I can¡¯t wait for the day you see his true colors! However, it should be soon! Hahaha!¡± Her eyes, filled with venom, disyed a mix of hostility and madness. Sheena, irritated, pped her twice again, this time with even more force. ¡°How dare you nder Eli. It seems like you truly wish for death!¡± With a swollen face, Katie sarcastically red at Sheena, offering no exnation for Sheena¡¯s words. Ford inquired, ¡°Miss, what should we do with her?¡± Sheena stood up, took a wet towel handed over by Sawyer, and wiped clean the hand she had just used to strike Katie. ¡°Send her to the National Investigation Bureau and hand her over to Eli. Let her face the consequences for escaping from prison, deliberately causing trouble, concealing a dangerous weapon, and assault!¡® ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± Katie failed in her attempt, but she still wore a smile, as if her sanity had slipped away. Her bloodshot eyes red at Sheena as the bodyguards Elliot dispatched handcuffed her and dragged her away. Before leaving, she could not resist one more taunt, ¡°Being betrayed by someone you deeply love must be unbearable! Sheena, I¡¯ll be waiting for the day you have a meltdown after learning the truth!¡± Sheena stood in ce, contemting the meaning behind Katie¡¯s words. Paul, usually the calmest, approached her and whispered, ¡°Miss, I can¡¯t help but feel that Katie wasn¡¯t lying by the look on her face. She might truly know something.¡± Sheena remained indifferent and said, ¡°Follow the protocol. Things won¡¯t end well for her, but she won¡¯t spill the beans easily either.¡± Chapter 742 N?velDrama.Org owns this. 2/2 She looked in the direction where Katie was being dragged away and continued to scoff lightly,¡± Besides, she¡¯s obviously all bark and no bite. I trust Eli. He would never betray me.¡± Paul thought about it and found it quite reasonable. Anyone could betray Sheena, but Elliot was absolutely out of the question, especially considering Sheena was pregnant with his children. Having dealt with the noisy Katie, Sheena turned and walked away to find the media, who were now under the control of the bodyguards. Facing them, she dered, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I have no interest in engaging in illegal activities. Katie is in prison for good reason, and her criminal record can be verified.¡± She paused for a moment, then continued, ¡°What happened today, with her intentional disruption, could potentially cause a decline in the stocks of Angle and Lawson Groups if it hits the inte. I could lose hundreds of millions in a single day. To prevent this potential loss, I¡¯d much rather use that money to reward all of you for your silence. What do you think?¡± The crowd exchanged nces, and almost instantly, they made a decision. ¡°Ms. Lawson, rest assured. You won¡¯t see a word about today¡¯s events online. As for the dy in theunch ceremony, we will come up with a reasonable excuse to release on the inte!¡± Sheena smiled, feeling delighted. ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll have the bodyguards monitor you to ensure the deletion of the videos. Remember your promise. Corey oversees domestic affairs. He has private forces under him. Howard holds sway in the entertainment industry, and my man also has an army at his disposal.¡± A dramatic pauseter, Sheena finally concluded, ¡°If I find out that someone has taken the money but hasn¡¯t done their part, I have a thousand ways to deal with them. Anyone interested in trying?¡° Chapter 743 Chapter 743 The people were scared, their faces turning pale, shaking their heads vigorously. ¡°No way! Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re surrounded by big shots. We wouldn¡¯t dare deceive you.¡± ¡°Yeah! Ms. Lawson, rest assured! Our lips are sealed!¡± Sheena nodded, signaling the bodyguards to oversee the video deletion, ensuringplete removal. After finishing up, Sheena left Svelton World Studios without looking back, instructing John and Sawyer to escort Phoebe back home safely. On the way back to Angle Group, Sheena was still pondering Katie¡¯s actions in the car. Katie had a domineering and malicious personality, with few true friends, and She was one of them. Moreover, She even helped Katie strategize the incident at her birthday party. Could it be She again this time? Using Katie as a pawn to deliberately cause trouble? However, She, though young, was sharp and did not seem like someone so reckless. Looking out of the car window at the passing scenery, Sheena reyed Katie¡¯s words in her mind. She deeply felt that Katie was intentionally sowing discord, thinking a few words could disrupt the rtionship between her and Elliot after everything they had been through. Was that not too foolish? Lost in her thoughts, they arrived at the underground garage of Angle Group. Sheena swiftly went to the top floor, and when she just stepped out of the elevator, Wendy approached her. ¡°Ms. Lawson, the representative from Laubabwe for the trade negotiation is waiting for you in the reception room.¡± Earlier, Sheena had negotiated a tax¨Cfree trade privilege with Harrold in Laubabwe, leaving Corey to handle the details. ¡°Alright, got it.¡± Sheena casually acknowledged and returned to her office to change before heading to the reception room. As the door opened, she found herself gazing into the exquisite azure eyes of a man. ¡°Lord Gale actually allowed you to travel this far as a representative?¡± Sheena smiled, a bit surprised. On Caesar¡¯s sun¨Ckissed and handsome face, a genuine smile brightened his features. He took the initiative to extend his right hand, following Froania¡¯s etiquette to greet her. Chapter 743 2/2 ¡°Hello, Ms. Lawson. I¡¯m the representative from Laubabwe for the trade negotiations. I volunteered for this opportunity to gain experience.¡± During her time in Laubabwe, Caesar had helped her, and she quite liked this innocent young man. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you. Here¡¯s to a pleasant coboration.¡± Sheena reached out her right hand, and they shook hands amicably. During the work hours, she never mixed personal feelings, engaging with Caesar in a serious discussion about coboration. Wendy was nearby, making meeting records for both sides. After more than three hours of discussions, they finally settled on a cooperation n. Sheena slipped in some personal matters, promoting a few of thepany¡¯s recent TV dramas with good ratings to Caesar. With that, she secured copyright royalties overseas. As they discussed additional uses in the contract, it was almost the end of the workday. Caesar stared at Sheena hopefully, asking, ¡°Ms. Lawson, as our first coboration, could I invite you to dinner tonight?¡± Sheena gave it a thought. Since she had included personal matters in the coboration and Caesar hade a long way, it would not be right not to treat him to a meal. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. However, she had a jealous monster at home¡­ After wrestling with the decision for two minutes, Sheena smiled and replied, ¡°Of course. As it¡¯s your first time in Froania, tonight¡¯s dinner is on me. You can taste our Froania¡¯s specialty dishes. However, because I¡¯m pregnant, the chef might make the vors milder, and I won¡¯t be drinking.¡± Caesar was delighted. ¡°No problem. To have dinner with a beautifuldy like you is a treat, even if we¡¯re just eating in buns!¡± ¡°Mr. Caesar, you certainly have a way with words.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not lying to you. Every word I say is from the heart!¡± The two of them chatted happily,pletely unaware of Wendy¡¯s troubled expression nearby. While they were distracted, Wendy discreetly informed Elliot about the situation. She felt her conscience weighed heavy, constantly apologizing to Sheena in her heart. Chapter 744 Chapter 744 ¡®Ms. Lawson, I¡¯m so sorry! Mr. Jenkins asked me to closely monitor your interactions with colleagues. and report to him anytime. It¡¯s just¡­ he¡¯s given me way too many benefits! Besides, he¡¯s about to be your husband, and I know he won¡¯t harm you, that¡¯s why 1¡­¡® Coming out of the meeting room, Sheena immediatelyposed a message and sent it to Elliot. [Sheena: I have a work¨Crted dinner tonight and won¡¯t being home to eat. Once things settle down, I¡¯ll spend quality time with you. See you, Eli!] She also added a cute patting¨Cdog¨Chead sticker. In just two seconds, before she could even put her phone down, Sheena received a reply from Elliot. [Elliot: How many people? Man or woman?] Sheena stared at the message, feeling a bit puzzled. If she mentioned having dinner alone with Caesar, Elliot would surely jump to conclusions, right? With this in mind, she quickly edited her response. [Sheena: A lot of people, both men and women both. Don¡¯t worry! I know how to keep my distance!] At the end, she added a blowing¨Ckiss emoji. After sending this message, she did not receive a reply for several minutes. Sheena did not dwell on it and put her phone back into her bag, continuing her conversation with Caesar and riding the elevator down. However, she had no idea that a certain man was waiting in the car for her, almost exploding in fury when he read the message. Elliot almost ruined the only SSC in the entire Froania! A storm was about to unfold. Sheena and Caesar walked out of the Angle Group building side by side, maintaining a subtle distance. Caesar asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, I heard you¡¯re really getting married this time?¡± ¡°Yes, the wedding is scheduled for next month. If you haven¡¯t returned to Laubabwe by then, feel free toe to the celebration. You can also bring a wedding gift along,¡± Sheena yfully said. Caesar burst intoughter. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to send a thick wad of cash as a gift!¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Rest assured, even if I can¡¯t make it to your wedding, the gift will surely arrive! I¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t lose out, no less!¡± Caesarughed cheerfully, but a hint of mncholy hid behind his bright blue eyes. 2/2 ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be getting married anytime soon. I recently fell head over heels for a girl at first sight, but she got married a couple of dayster. Before I could even cherish the emotions, I was already heartbroken!¡± As he finished speaking, a faint sadness permeated the air. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Sheena consoled, ¡°Don¡¯t be discouraged. You¡¯ll meet another girl you like in the future, someone who belongs to you.¡± ¡°I hope so.¡± Caesar halted, suddenly taking her hand, assuming a gentlemanly posture. ¡°Ms. Lawson, I¡¯d like to greet you with the traditional Laubabwe gesture for thest time. May 1?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± It was just a kiss on the hand, not a big deal. Caesar gazed at her smiling face with affection, slightly bowing. ¡°Lovelydy, it¡¯s a pleasure to have dinner with you tonight.¡± Before his lips could touch Sheena¡¯s fair hand, a powerful grip seized his wrist. 4 A man¡¯s enraged and deep voice sounded. ¡°Dinner? Let me treat you to a knuckle sandwich first!¡± Before the words fully sank in, Caesar¡¯s right cheek received a heavy punch. Chapter 745 Chapter 745 Chapter 745 Caesar could not withstand the force, stumbling backward several steps, his mouth bleeding, and his cheek was swollen. Sheena was startled. However, she quickly felt Builty when she met the man¡¯s furious gaze. ¡°Eli, what are you doing here?¡± Elliot locked eyes with her, scowling, ¡°If I hadn¡¯te, were you nning to keep it from me?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ You¡¯ve got it all wrong. It was just dinner,¡± Sheena exined, rushing to check on Caesar, ¡°Are you alright?¡± Caesar wiped the blood from his mouth, ¡°It hurts a bit, but I¡¯m okay.¡± Raised in luxury at home, Caesar had never been punched before. He would never have expected to be hit by Elliot on this overseas trip. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about this. I¡¯ll ask Wendy to take you to the nearest hospital, and I¡¯ll cover any medical expenses and damages!¡± Caesar declined, ¡°No need, it¡¯s just a minor injury.¡± ¡°You should! You¡¯re Laubabwe¡¯s representative and a public figure. It was a misunderstanding caused by Eli. I apologize- Hey, what are you doing!¡± Before she could finish speaking, Sheena was lifted off the ground by Elliot, who briskly walked toward the SSC parked on the roadside. ¡°Eli¡­¡± Sheena clung to his neck, intending to ask him to put her down, but his expression was terrifyingly grim. Clearly, if she did not soothe his temper, there might be some serious destruction at home. With this realization, Sheena turned back to the still¨Cstunned Caesar and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, dinner is off tonight. Let Wendy take care of you, and I¡¯ll treat you to a meal when I have timeter!¡± In other words, tonight¡¯s not an option, but she would make it up in the future. Elliot¡¯s chest was zing with anger. He coldly turned back to Caesar, teeth clenched as he uttered, ¡°This is Froania, so Laubabwe etiquette won¡¯t work here. If you try to take advantage of my wife again, it won¡¯t be as simple as this next time.¡± He narrowed his eyes with these threatening words, emitting a chilling aura. The ck SSC roared angrily on the road, quickly disappearing into the night. Sheena was carried back to E&S Haven. Chapter 745 N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. 752 Elliot, with a stern expression, carefully ced her by the bedside. Then, he stood before Sheena, staring at her, his chest still heaving intensely, clearly not having calmed down yet. Sheena gently tugged at his pant leg, tilting her face up, her voice soft and sweet as she exined, ¡°I know my limits. What you witnessed when you arrived wasn¡¯t real, Caesar had helped me in Laubabwe before, so I allowed him to greet me with Laubabwe¡¯s etiquette.¡± Elliot snorted, the wrath in his obsidian eyes undiminished. ¡°He just wanted an excuse to kiss your hand! The way he looked at you was off! It¡¯s obvious he really likes you!¡± Sheena remained silent. Elliot, trembling with anger, continued, dare to go out for dinner with another man in secret! You even let him casually kiss you!¡± Sena, we¡¯re getting married next month! Yet, you Sheena sighed, ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, it was just dinner! Besides, do you really think I would betray you? Is your trust in me that fragile?¡± Now, she was getting a bit angry, her tone bing more assertive. Elliot took out his phone and retrieved the chat records, pointing to the messages Sheena sent him, his fingers trembling with rage. ¡°How am I supposed to believe you? Clearly, you went out to dinner alone with him, yet you im it was a group outing with both men and women! ¡°Sheena, you lied to me for someone like Caesar! How could you do this to me?¡± As he roared, Elliot¡¯s eyes became teary, not only from fury but also from the profound sense of grievance. Chapter 746 Chapter 746 N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Lately, he had been busy with wedding preparations, worrying about whether Sheena would encounter any danger during her kickoff ceremony to the point where he could not even enjoy his lunch. Yet, what did Sheena do? She lied to him! She went out to dinner with another man behind his back! She even allowed another man to kiss her hand! Unbelievable! Unforgivable! For the first time, Elliot red at Sheena with anger. On the other hand, Sheena looked at him in shock, speaking with disbelief, ¡°Did you just raise your voice at me?¡± Elliot was taken aback by her statement, still looking furious. However, his tone involuntarily softened. ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes turned red, and she retorted, ¡°You did! You yelled at me! Have you forgotten the fifty household rules Noah gave you so quickly?¡± Elliot remained silent. Sheena instantly gained the upper hand, her volume escting a few notches. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I tell you the truth? I was afraid you¡¯d overthink, and we¡¯d end up in a quarrel like this. My intention was good, and I know the boundaries between men and women!¡± Sheena paused to catch a breath, then continued, ¡°Today, you came at me aggressively, even resorting to violence, making it seem like I was having an affair. It¡¯s just too much!¡± Elliot frowned, feeling unjust. ¡°Too much? He wanted to kiss your hand! If it weren¡¯t for him helping you before, I wouldn¡¯t have shown restraint and just beat him to death right there! And Sheena, your lied! You deceived me and still have the nerve to insist you¡¯re right? Clearly, you were the one at fault! Being continuously shouted at, Sheena also got angry, coldly staring at him. ¡°You say I lied to you, then fine, I lied! What are you going to do? Cancel the engagement again? Saying you¡¯re tired of me and iming you don¡¯t love me anymore?¡± Elliot was left speechless by her retort. Chapter 746 Every time she brought up his previous mention about canceling the engagement, he found himself on the losing end. ¡°What now? Sheena, you¡¯re being impossible!¡± Elliot roared. In the raging fury, he turned around, angrily swung open the wardrobe door, grabbed the washboard from inside, and tossed it against the wall. He then walked over, faced the wall, and knelt on it as if venting his frustration. His broad and straight back still heaved violently, indicating that he was still furlous, and his fists remained tightly clenched. Sheena was bewildered by his sudden outburst. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Elliot turned around, his anger evident. ¡°Can¡¯t you see? I¡¯m kneeling on the washboard!¡± Observing his serious expression and anticipating something fierce, Sheena thought he would dismantle the wardrobe. Instead, he knelt by the wall with the washboard. What kind of bizarre action was this? She could not help butugh. ¡°You said I made a mistake, so why are you kneeling on the washboard? Besides, I¡¯m not punishing you!¡± Elliot¡¯s nose tingled, and his eyes were teary with frustration. The pain in his heart and knees made him increasingly aggrieved. ¡°What else can I do? You¡¯re pregnant, and I can¡¯t hit you, scold you, or spank you. I can¡¯t bear to treat you like that anyway¡­ You clearly made a mistake, but you¡¯re still so self¨Crighteous. I can¡¯t do anything to you! I can only me myself for my inability to keep you in line! Unable to manage my emotions, I yelled and scolded you! It¡¯s all my fault, so I¡¯m punishing myself by kneeling on the washboard all night to reflect on it!¡± As he spoke, his nasal tone became heavier. He straightened his back defiantly, assuming the proper posture for a night of kneeling. Sheena was left speechless. How did he manage to say such grievous words with a fierce and angry tone? Chapter 747 Chapter 747 She was indeed wrong in certain parts, and seeing Elliot voluntarily kneel on the washboard, the little spark of anger in her heart instantly extinguished, reced by a mix of guilt and sympathy. Sheena walked over and gently poked Elliot¡¯s shoulder, offering him a way out. ¡°Alright, can we stop fighting?¡± Elliot snorted, ignoring her. Sheena patiently continued, ¡°I haven¡¯t had dinner yet. You dragged me back here, and now I¡¯m hungry. Eli, please cook for me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still kneeling. I¡¯m busy!¡± Elliot continued kneeling, taking out his phone from his pocket to send a message. ¡°I¡¯ll ask Jacintha to prepare some dishes and bring them to you.¡± Sheena persisted, poking his shoulder again. ¡°But I want your cooking. And if Jacinthaes will surely follow. Are you still going to kneel when he¡¯s here? If Lionel sees you this way, will he secretly make fun of you?¡± Lionel Elliot¡¯s typing hand suddenly halted. However, he quickly figured out a solution. ¡°I¡¯ll tell them earlier that Lionel isn¡¯t allowed toe in, and Jacintha will just drop the food outside the gate. Then, Paul can help bring it into the dining room. Sheena remained silent. It seemed this stubborn man was not easy to appease. She bent down, circled her arms around him, took the phone before he could finish typing, and pressed her cheek against his face, softly rubbing. ¡°Stop being stubborn. What do you want me to do for you to get up?¡± Elliot gritted his teeth, feeling the gentle touch of her skin against his, which somewhat soothed the frustration within him. After a moment¡¯s thought, he sullenly said, ¡°Say you¡¯re sorry. Promise you won¡¯t lie to me again and won¡¯t let other men kiss your hands or even your hair! Also, no more solo dinners with other men!¡± Sheena sighed. ¡°It was work¨Crted! I invited him to dinner to discuss coboration. Besides, I¡¯ve exined already. Things aren¡¯t as you imagine. Kissing the hand is part of Laubabwe¡¯s culture. It¡¯s quite normal!¡® ¡°You still don¡¯t see where you went wrong! And you still think you¡¯re in the right!¡± Elliot was furious. He forcefully pulled her slender arms away, breaking free. ¡°Leave me alone and let me reflect on this properly. Chapter 4 2/2 Sheena, feeling frustrated, sat back on the bed, watching him from a distance. ¡°I agree! You really need some self¨Creflection. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve straightened you out, and you¡¯ve be quite arrogant, haven¡¯t you? ¡°You let your imaginations run wild and created a fuss for no reason, even resorting to violence. I¡¯ve given you several chances, but you¡¯re just being stubborn! ¡°Also, how many times did you shout at me tonight?¡± Elliot¡¯s back stiffened slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t remember, I lost count. With a touch of annoyance, Sheena said, ¡°Let¡¯s go with ¡®don¡¯t remember¡® for the count then. Kneeling for one night might not lead to proper reflection, so let¡¯s start with a full day and night. What do you think?¡± Elliot felt his chest aching and his nose tingling with the sensation of impending tears, the mistiness in his eyes resurfacing. Even so, he chose to remain silent. Sheena, sitting cross¨Clegged on the edge of the bed, took a deep breath. This was the first time they had fought so fiercely since reconciling. Thinking about the twins in her belly, she drew another deep breath, striving to control her negative emotions. She decided not to look at the man by the wall, letting him suffer a little. Taking out her phone, Sheena continued to work. The room quickly fell into a tense silence. Their argumentsted for over ten minutes, and now she had left Elliot hanging for over half an hour. His knees were getting increasingly painful. Elliot frowned, his breathing gradually bing heavier, cold sweat forming on his forehead. Though Sheena was engrossed in her phone, she secretly nced at the man by the wall, taking in his pained expression. Sheena sighed, unable to bear it any longer. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Chapter 748 Chapter 748 Chapter 748 ¡°If you really kneel for a day and night, your legs might not be able to move tomorrow or the day after. Sheena¡¯s tone softened considerably. Elliot clenched his fists and replied with a mix of grievance and jealousy, ¡°If my legs end up useless, so be it. It¡¯s not like anyone cares if I¡¯m hurt or in pain.¡± Sheena was left speechless, admitting defeat this time around. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. If you¡¯re hurt or in pain, I¡¯ll feel bad too.¡± She hugged him gently once more, wiping the faint sweat from his forehead, using a soft and affectionate tone. ¡°I was wrong! I¡¯ll tell Caesar tomorrow that I won¡¯t have dinner with him alone, and if I must, I¡¯ll bring you along. Is that okay?¡± Elliot had calmed down a bit, expressing his discontent with a few sullen hums. ¡°I¡¯ll reluctantly forgive you, but there can¡¯t be a next time.¡± Sheena assured, ¡°Sure! I promise there won¡¯t be a next time. Now, get up.¡± She helped him up, guided him to sit on the bed, and rolled up his pants, checking his knees. N?velDrama.Org owns this. The sharp edges of the washboard had left deep marks. Thankfully, he did not kneel too long, and his knees were just swollen without any bruising. Sheena massaged Elliot¡¯s knees carefully. To avoid bruises the next day, she took an anti- inmmatory ointment from the bedside drawer and applied it to his knees. ¡°Look at this! Why do you have to hurt yourself?¡± Then, she sighed, asking, ¡°Is it painful?¡± ¡°My heart hurts more!¡± Elliot stared at her with pent¨Cup frustration, his grievances evident on his handsome face. Sheena immediately kissed his thin lips, her entire heart melting at his pitiful appearance, and she coddled him, ¡°How about I make it up to you tonight?¡± Elliot, catching on instantly, did not say anything. What a little temptress! An enjoyable hourter, Elliot, having shed all his hostility, emerged refreshed under Sheena¡¯sfort. Satisfied, he walked out of the bedroom, heading downstairs to the kitchen to prepare dinner. After a heated argument, Sheena¡¯s timely reassurance prevented their rtionship from being Chapter 748 significantly affected. Elliot, who received a smallpensation, felt quite content. 22 During dinner, Sheena recalled the incident at the kickoff ceremony earlier in the day and said, ¡°Katie mentioned that someone visited her in prison, and the appearance of that person seemed unexpected to her. If you have time, ask someone to check Katie¡¯s recent visitation records.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression immediately turned serious. ¡°I¡¯ve already checked. There¡¯s nothing on her visitation record.¡± Sheena was stunned. ¡°How¡¯s that possible? Is Katie lying?¡± He shook his head. ¡°She probably isn¡¯t lying. Officers with high ranks have the privilege of secret visits, which are not documented. However, due to this secrecy, the investigation scope is narrowed down. Currently, there are only five people in the country with such privileges.¡± Sheena listened attentively, contemting the information. Elliot quickly served a spoonful of food onto her te. ¡°Eat first. I¡¯ll exin everything slowly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°These five individuals are Romello, Corey, Darrell, Stuart, and me. Stuart hasn¡¯t returned to Svelton for almost half a year, consistently working on the border, so he¡¯s mostly ruled out. ¡°As for Corey and me, we wouldn¡¯t do something to harm you. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve directed the investigation to focus on Romello and Darrell. I believe we¡¯ll have results soon.¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, analyzing the situation. ¡°I¡¯m not acquainted with Darrell. We¡¯ve never interacted, so I think the likelihood is low for him. As for Romello¡­ What do you think?¡± Chapter 749 Chapter 749 ¡°Romello knows about Nathaniel stealing the S404, although it¡¯s unclear if he was aware from the beginning. Currently, he¡¯s the prime suspect.¡± Sheena thought for a moment and shook her head. ¡°Regarding the incident when I was fifteen, even though I have no memory of what happened, I¡¯m sure that it must have been someone I knew well to catch me off guard! ¡°Moreover, Barrett targeted me before due to my inheritance rights. Romello has no direct link to the Lawson family¡¯s inheritance rights. He could be an aplice at most, probably not the mastermind. After a moment of silence, Elliot proposed a new possibility. ¡°Perhaps the real mastermind doesn¡¯t hold such great authority but uses someone like Romello, a privileged figure, to execute the n.¡± ¡°Mhm. That¡¯s what I¡¯m thinking too.¡± Elliot gently ruffled her hair. ¡°Stop overthinking and eat your dinner. With me around, I won¡¯t let anyone harm you. Sheena smiled, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. ¡°If they want to harm me, hiding won¡¯t help. If I fan the mes, they¡¯ll act more urgently. The more they act, the more mistakes they¡¯ll make!¡± Elliot, captivated by her calm and calcted gaze, asked, ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡± Initially uninterested in inheritance rights, Sheena confidently continued, ¡°Since everyone seems so eager for it, I might as well reluctantly ept it. I¡¯ll handle it carefully.¡± Concerned, Elliot said, ¡°Nana, maybe we should wait a while before discussing this further. You¡¯re pregnant, and our wedding is next month.¡± Elliot did not want anything unexpected to happen at this critical time! Sheena nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take it slow and won¡¯t rush things. I¡¯ll protect myself and the twins. Elliot fell silent, his thoughts in turmoil, as he quietly focused on his meal. When Sheena arrived at Angle Group the next morning, Caesar was already waiting in her office. As soon as he saw her, Caesar stood up and asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, I¡¯m really sorry for giving Mr. Jenkins the wrong impressionst night. Did you and Mr. Jenkins argue?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Everything is okay,¡± Sheena assured him. Chapter 240 272 Sheena smiled as she walked to her office chair and sat down before continuing, ¡°How¡¯s your face?¡± Caesar touched his face and shrugged, giving a nonchnt smile. ¡°I asked the hotel for an ice pack yesterday. It¡¯s almost healed. Sheena truly felt bad for the incident, exining, ¡°Last night, I talked to him, and he acknowledged that he had been impulsive. He suggested inviting you to dinner tonight as an apology. How about joining us after work?¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Caesar nodded without hesitation. Then, he added, ¡°Speaking of which, I should apologize. Mr. Jenkins was right. Since I¡¯m in Proania, I should follow local customs. It was presumptuous of me to insist on Laubabwe etiquette. My apologies.¡± Sheena responded, ¡°It¡¯s good that you thought it through. By the way, the legal department is already printing the contracts. Why don¡¯t you go to the lounge and grab something to cat?¡± Caesar politely stood up, replying, ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± They exchanged friendly smiles before Sheena opened herptop and entered work mode. Soon, a call came in. It was from Albert, and she immediately answered. ¡°Sweetheart, how have you beentely? How¡¯s your morning sickness?¡± N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Typing on the keyboard, Sheena casually replied, ¡°Not too bad. I have stronger reactions asionally, but you don¡¯t need to worry. I¡¯m perfectly fine.¡± Chapter 750 Chapter 750 ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Albert paused slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then asked with uncertainty, ¡°Pre you free this weekend?¡± Sheena nced at theputer¡¯s clock and chuckled. ¡°Dad, it¡¯s only Monday today. My chNAN hasn¡¯t reached the weekend yet. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll be free,¡± ¡°Sweetheart, can you free up some time this weekend and return to the Lawson estatu?¡± Sheena did not answer immediately, and Albert stayed silent for a moment, seeming a bit afraid that she might refuse. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Then, he sincerely added, ¡°Sweetheart, I¡¯m getting old, and my health is worsening, I want to lighten the load and spend quality time with my grandchildren in the future. Besides, the Lawson Group needs a sessor to take on responsibilities. I hope you cane back this week and sign the inheritance agreement, okay?¡± Sheena¡¯s typing hands froze for a moment. Since returning to Svelton, Albert had been encouraging her to work at the Lawson Group, familiarize herself with the business, and eventually take over. She had always been clear that she was not interested, insisting on expanding Angle Group¡¯s business to Svelton to break away from the Lawson family¡¯s influence and carve out her own path. But this time¡­ Thinking about the n she discussed with Elliotst night, Sheena refrained from refusing this time. ¡°Sure, Dad. I¡¯ll make time toe back this weekend.¡± Albert was surprised at how readily she agreed, and it took him a moment to react. When he did, he was thrilled. ¡°Sweetheart, you¡¯re the best! I¡¯ll be waiting for you this weekend!¡± After chatting for a while more, Albert reminded her to take care of her diet and safety, then hung up the phone. In the afternoon, Sheena was signing a contract with Caesar when Elliot arrived early, sitting on the couch and browsing the books on Sheena¡¯s shelf. Signing a contract was a meticulous process, and Caesar brought legal representatives from Laubabwe to review. After negotiating without any issues, they signed and stamped the documents. The whole process took over two hours. When Sheena returned to her office to pack up, she found Elliot lying on her couch, fast asleep. She approached quietly, gently took the book from his hand, and sat beside him, admiring his peaceful 272 sleeping face. seeing him sleep so soundly, Sheena suddenly developed a mischievous n. Her slender fingers reached out, aiming to plich his nose and wake him up. However, as her hand was about to touch his nose, she felt reluctant. In the end, she chose to lean down and kiss his lips, using a sweet and gentle kiss to rouse him. ¡°Nana?¡± Elliot¡¯s longshes fluttered as he woke up, his awareness hazy. He opened his eyes to see Sheena¡¯s familiar and enchanting beauty. In an instant, his heart seemed to be remarkably calm.. Elliot embraced Sheena, pulling her into his arms. He rolled over, enclosing her on the couch and passionately kissing her lips. The intertwining breaths made him feel like he was under the influence of a sweet poison, unable to break free. After the kiss, hey on his side, left hand supporting his head, and lightly tapped Sheena¡¯s nose with his right hand, gazing at her with infatuation. ¡°Won¡¯t it be great if I could keep you locked away, only visible to me, always smiling only for me?¡± ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Sheena furrowed her brows, pretending to be displeased, and yfully patted his sturdy chest. After a pat, she pinched, and after a pinch, she patted again, teasing him audaciously. ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Caesar is already waiting for you outside. Once you¡¯re done getting ready, let¡¯s go. for dinner,¡± said Wendy, knocking on the door. Finding the door not securely closed, she pushed it open and unexpectedly witnessed the scene on the couch. Chapter 751 Chapter 751 ¡°Oh no! I¡¯m sorry!¡± Wendy quickly turned around, covering her eyes, her heart still pounding. What did she just witness? Elliot, the renowned figure in Svelton and head of the Jenkins family, known for his cold and ruthless demeanor in public, was surprisingly letting Sheena yfully tease him! Sheena heard themotion, her face turning red. She was about to get up but was pulled back into N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Elliot¡¯s embrace. The man smiled yfully, and his deep, maic voice whispered, ¡°Someone caught you teasing me. What do you think we should do?¡± He was ying the victim again! Sheena¡¯s gaze instantly darkened, and she ground her teeth. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, do you want to kneel on the washboard again?¡± ¡°No.¡± Elliot protested, furrowing his brows. Then, he leaned in again, kissing her lips. At the door, Wendy felt quite flustered. Would she get fired tomorrow for interrupting them? ¡°I¡­ I really didn¡¯t see anything! I won¡¯t disturb you. You can continue!¡± With that, Wendy hurriedly closed the office door, leaving them to their own rendezvous. Sheena sensed Elliot¡¯s breath became increasingly hot and pushed him away. She calmed her heavy breathing and said, ¡°Caesar is still waiting for us. It¡¯s time for dinner.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Elliot, never one to procrastinate, stood up, then squatted on the carpet beside the couch, gently holding her sock¨Ccovered feet. Spring was approaching, but it was still quite cold. ¨C Since Sheena had been away signing the contract, Elliot had not turned on the heater as he was alone in the office all afternoon. He noticed that Sheena¡¯s feet were a bit chilly and immediately unbuttoned his suit, tucking her ice- cold feet into his embrace and wrapping his suit jacket around her for warmth. Sheena silently observed his every move, etching the handsome features of his face into her heart. Once her feet were warm, he picked up Sheena¡¯s ts and helped her put them on. Then, he held her hand, fingers inteced, and said gently, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± sheena did not move, gasing at him. ¡°Ell, how long will you pamper me like this?¡± Eliot lightly caressed her small face, his eyes filled with affection and sincerity as he replied, ¡°For the best of our lives, no one will ever talus away even a fraction of my love for you.¡± ¡°out what it.¡± she looked toward her belly, ¡°What If we have a daughter? Fathers always have a soft spot for their daughters. Won¡¯t you share the love with our daughter?¡± With a fun gare, he replied, ¡°No, our daughter will have her own life, and you, you¡¯re my only one, my entire life.¡± Then, he gently carried her in his arms, walking steadily out. Waiting in the corridor, Caesar was stunned to see Sheena being affectionately carried out by Elliot. Biot entered the elevator. When he realized that Caesar had not followed, he asked. ¡°Aren¡¯t youing?¡± ¡°Lam.¡± Caesar quickly snapped back to reality and hurriedly joined them. During the dinner, Caesar could not savor the food. Sitting across from him, Elliot seemed to treat him as if he were invisible, calmly and affectionately feeding Sheend. Sheena felt a bit embarrassed. During the seventh spoonful, Sheena pushed the spoon away and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll eat on my own.¡± Unsessful in feeding her, Elliot did not insist. He took a bite himself, savoring the delicious food. Caesar observed the couple¡¯s affectionate moments. He raised his ss, toasting Elliot, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I¡¯ve not been thoughtful about my actionsst night. I offer you an apology with this drink.¡± Chapter 752 Chapter 752 1/2 Elliot set down his spoon, raised the red wine ss beside him, and offered a distant toast to Caesar, engaging in brief pleasantries with him. Sheena, unable to drink alcohol, focused on her meal, asionally bringing up topics and asking Caesar about his opinion on Froania¡¯s cuisine. After dinner, Elliot stood up and walked toward Sheena, ready to lift her. Sheena declined, saying, ¡°I just ate. I want to walk a bit and digest.¡± Elliot smiled, gently tapping her nose. ¡°Sure.¡± He held Sheena¡¯s hand, fingers inteced, walking side by side out of the private dining room. Throughout the entire process, Caesar silently watched. He genuinely admired and wished them well, appreciating the love they shared. As the trio strolled down the restaurant¡¯s aisle, Caesar decided to exit discreetly, not wanting to disturb the lovely atmosphere before him. However, at the corridor¡¯s turn, a petite figure silently observed Sheena¡¯s departing figure, a hint of coldness gradually emerging in her beautiful eyes. Walking ahead, Sheena felt a bit uneasy, as if someone was watching her with hostility. She stopped and looked back, but the long corridor was empty. Elliot tightened his grip on her hand, asking, ¡°Nana, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Nothing, let¡¯s go home.¡± Sheena withdrew her gaze and left with Elliot without looking back. Late at night- Since she became pregnant, Sheena has be quite a sleepyhead, and her sleep quality has been consistently good. However, ever since agreeing to return home over the weekend to sign the inheritance agreement, she had been having vivid dreams for several nights, repeatedly the same dream. In the dream, a girl held Sheena¡¯s hand, sweetly talking to her, calling her affectionately. However, she could never see the girl¡¯s face clearly. ¡°Sheena, I really like you! ¡°But I envy you too. Your dad and brothers love you, while I have nothing¡­ I have no family, no home. If only¡­ If you could give me your dad and brothers, that would be great! I¡¯m so sorry!¡± As the words reached the end, the little girl¡¯s sweet and soft voice suddenly turned sinister. Moreover, the once innocent little face gradually transformed into a blood¨Csoaked demon. 22 suddenly, sheen felt weightless, and bone chilling water engulfed her entire body. She sank into the water uncontrobly, suffocating ¡°Who are you?¡± sheena abruptly opened her eyes, sitting up in bed. Instinctively, she fooled down at herself, realizing she wore a pristine white nightgom and lying on The familiar and soft bed. Only then did she realize it was another nightmare. Although she was now fully awake, the ufortable sensation of drowning in the dream lingered as if it were real. Also, Sheena knew how to swim, so how could she possibly drown? Elliot, being a light sleeper, woke up as Sheena did. He turned on the bedsidemp, embraced her shoulders from behind, and used tissues to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead, his eyes filled with concern. ¡°Nana, did you have another nightmare? Have you been mentally exhaustedtely? I¡¯ll apany you to the hospital tomorrow.¡± Sheena took a deep breath, holding onto his hands that encircled her. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Thinking about these recurring dreams over the past few nights, she spoke seriously, ¡°Eli, I have this constant feeling that those dreams aren¡¯t just dreams. They¡¯re events that truly happened before, something from the year I was fifteen, the year of the incident!¡± Chapter 753 Chapter 753 Elliot¡¯s expression immediately turned serious. N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°Are you saying that you drowned when you were fifteen, and someone pushed you into the water?¡± Sheena nodded. ¡°After that, I lost my memory until the night I married you. You intentionally stayedte at the office, and Jennifer came to find me. She said a lot of hurtful things, and I wasn¡¯t paying attention when she pushed me into the pool from behind. My head hit the coral, and I coincidentally regained my memory,¡± As the events from three years ago resurfaced, guilt pierced Elliot¡¯s heart, and he held her even tighter. Unaware of his changing emotions, Sheena continued, ¡°But I genuinely can¡¯t recall what happened to me. asionally, when triggered, I get fragmented images, but they don¡¯t connect.¡± After careful consideration, Elliot proposed a hypothesis. ¡°Nana, could it be that you were injected with some drug, causing the memory loss?¡± ¡°It¡¯s possible.¡± Sheena touched her chest, calmed herself down, and nestled into Elliot¡¯s embrace. ¡°Ell, I¡¯ve been feeling anxious after the constant nightmares these days. It feels like something bad is about to happen.¡± Elliot could not help but feel tense himself. He reassured Sheena, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just stress from work. Don¡¯t overthink it. How about taking a few days off to clear your mind?¡± Sheena pondered for a moment. ¡°Well, I have a lot on my tetely. I won¡¯t feel at ease if I don¡¯t finish my tasks.¡± Leaving Elliot¡¯s embrace, she knelt on hisp, tossing her hair to the side, revealing her beautiful back and neck. With crossed hands, shezily rested her head. In anguid tone, she said, ¡°Eli, I feel so weak after the nightmare. Can you give me a shoulder massage, like a little pampering?¡± Elliot froze, scanning her from head to toe. His Adam¡¯s apple involuntarily moved up and down, and a strange heat began to surge within him. Bending down, he whispered into Sheena¡¯s ear with a husky and dry voice, ¡°Do you have any idea how irresistible you look right now?¡± Sheena turned her head, raising an eyebrow at him. ¡°Can¡¯t control yourself?¡± 2/2 Elliot gathered the loose strands of hair on her face and tucked them behind her ear. He sighed softly. ¡°The one lying on myp right now is my future wife. Should I really try to control myself?¡± ¡°Hurry with the massage. Focus on your work. If the service is subpar, you might just get punished!¡± Sheena yfully grunted, closing her eyes in blissful rxation. Elliot stared at her profile, silently using her of teasing and torturing him. No man could withstand it! Elliot was infuriated. In the midst of his silent frustration, Sheena urged, ¡°Hurry up, I want to sleep after the massage.¡± Elliot immediately dropped his fierce and resentful expression, bing an obedientmb and dutifully massaging her shoulders. Since Sheena became pregnant, her physical condition could not match what it used to be, and she often felt tired and sore all over. A few days ago, Elliot specifically consulted an expert to learn massage techniques for this purpose. His long and slender fingertips applied just the right amount of pressure, and his massage skills were excellent. It did not take long for Sheena to fall asleep on hisp. ¡°Nana?¡± Elliot called out gently. After confirming that the delicate figure in his arms had truly fallen asleep, he cautiously patted her waist and gave a few more soothing rubs. This served as his reward for the half¨Chour effort he put into the massage that left his hands slightly fatigued. Chapter 754 Chapter 754 The little sweetheart in his arms wriggled, letting out an ufortable hum. Elliot immediately withdrew his mischievous hands, carefully moving her into his embrace and wrapping the nket sugly around her. Satisfied, he drifted into a deep sleep. The next morning Sheena got up early. The kickoff ceremony nned before was disrupted by Katle, and the film crew rescheduled it for today after some discussion. Using pregnancy¨Cfriendly cosmetics, Sheena applied light makeup for the event. After having breakfast, she hurriedly left for work. Without Katie¡¯s annoying disruptious, today¡¯s kickoff ceremony proceeded exceptionally smoothly, completing the entire process in just two hours. Around noon, Sheena returned to Angle Group, Intending to nap and rest for a while. However, Just as shey down for a few minutes, Wendy urgently knocked on the door. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. ¡°Ms. Lawson, have you seen the news? Something big has happened!¡± Seeing Wendy in such a hurry, Sheena Immediately became alert and quickly grabbed her IPad to check. Skye was trending! However, this time, it was not a simple matter. If not handled properly, It could ruin Skye¡¯s stardom and even lead to a stock market crash for Angle Group. Various photos of Skye had been leaked online¨Cpictures of him topless, sleeping in bed with different mosaic¨Ccovered women beside him. These images quickly spread across the Inte, causing a massive wave of attention and even temporarily crashing some online tforms. Being only neen years old, Skyemitting such acts could permanently tarnish his image. If he wasbeled as a scandalous and promiscuous artist, It could impact his entire life. Fortunately, the news had just broken out, and there was still a chance for a turnaround. ¡°Ms. Lawson, what should we do? The PR team is trying to contain the situation, and now people online are demanding a statement from Mr. Skye. ¡°I just called the agent, and they have lost contact with Mr. Skye. We don¡¯t know where he is and can¡¯t confirm whether the online allegations are true or false. 2/2 ¡°Oh my God! Mr. Skye is our top male artist at Angle Group. If he falls from grace, the impact will be devastating!¡± Wendy, nearly in tears, grabbed her hair in distress. Meanwhile, Sheena continued silently scrolling through the trending topics rted to Skye¡¯s scandal. ¡°Ms. Lawson, please say something.¡± Shpena wasposed and spoke calm ¡°The Zimmer family has strict principles in their upbringing. Despite being a bit of a troublemaker, Skye isn¡¯t so lecherous. He wouldn¡¯t do something like this. I believe in him.¡± ¡°But I¡¯ve already had people verify the photos circting online, and they are authentic. If it¡¯s not him, then who could have forced him to do this?¡± Sheena looked up at Wendy, saying, ¡°Issue a statement on behalf of thepany. Say that I vouch for Skye¡¯s character, and Angle Group will stand with him through thick and thin. Let everyone patiently await the truth to emerge.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Wendy hesitated, ¡°Ms, Lawson, please reconsider. If we release a statement like that and things don¡¯t go well, it could jeopardize the entire Angle Group!¡± Unmoved, Sheena was firm in her decision. ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing, Just follow my instructions.¡± Unable to persuade her, Wendy left the office to instruct the PR department ording to Sheena¡¯s directives. Shortly after, Wendy returned. ¡°Ms. Lawson, representatives from the Zimmer family have arrived. They¡¯re requesting an immediate meeting with you.¡± Chapter 755 Chapter 755 ¡°Let them in,¡± Sheena said calmly. Two bodyguards entered and respectfully bowed to Sheena. ¡°Ms. Lawson, we¡¯re here on behalf of Francis Zimmer. He wishes to terminate Mr. Skye¡¯s contract with Angle Group and bring him back with us Sheena remained silent, understanding that Francis was doing this to prevent Skye¡¯s situation from affecting her and to help her cut her losses. ¡°Terminating the contract is impossible. Please inform Grandpa Francis that I¡¯ll stand with Skye through thick and thin.¡± The two bodyguards exchanged nces. As messengers, they could not make decisions and said, ¡°Ms. Lawson, could you please hand Mr. Skye over to us so we can take him back to Farlem?¡± Sheena knew Francis¡® principles well. Regardless of whether Skye was involved in the incident, he had caused significant damage online, and the Zimmer family¡¯spany would suffer losses. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Hence, Francis must be infuriated for wanting to get Skye back immediately. However, if Skye was taken back, he might face harsh family discipline. ¡°Ms. Lawson?¡± The bodyguards gently brought her back to the conversation. Sheena immediately became serious, replying, ¡°Skye is missing, and I¡¯m actively searching for him. Please tell Grandpa Francis that once I find him, I¡¯ll help him deal with him thoroughly before sending him back to Farlem for further disciplinary actions.¡± The two bodyguards nced at each other. ¡°We haven¡¯t found Mr. Skye either. His phone is unreachable, and we thought he might be hiding here.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not here. I just learned about Skye¡¯s online mess a few minutes ago.¡± ¡°Alright, we won¡¯t disturb you further.¡± Sheena nodded and called Wendy to escort the two men out. As they left, her phone rang again. Sheena shook her head with a wry smile. What a day it had been, with everything happening all at once, without a moment to catch her breath. Chatte: 765 She picked up her phone and checked the caller 1). I was Elliot When Sheena answered the phone, Elliot¡¯s serious to immediately counded ¡°I¡¯ve seen the online trends, and I¡¯ve also seen Angle Group¡¯s statement.¡± Sheena yfully remarked, ¡°So, are you here to permade me to give up on Skye?¡± There was a moment of silence from Elliot on the other end before he said. ¡°The already had Lance find Skye¡¯s current location. Nana, do you want to go check it out? Sheena was slightly taken aback. She was about to call to inquire, yet Elliot had already beaten her to Without waiting for her response, Elliot continued, ¡°Nana, if you¡¯re interested,e down. I¡¯m already in the Angle Group garage. Sheena was surprised. ¡°You¡¯re already downstairs? That¡¯s fast!¡± Elliot¡¯s voice sounded mischievous and husky, saying, ¡°Household rule number two: prioritize wife in all matters. Can¡¯t be idle about it, right?¡± your Sheena was pleased with the response, teasingly saying, ¡°You¡¯re getting more obedient. I guess the ruler and washboard at home might gather dust soon.¡± ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll burn the ruler and washboard as firewood tomorrow and prepare barbeque for you! ¡°That won¡¯t do.¡± Sheena did not even need to think about it. It was better to keep them in case they were neededter. ¡°I¡¯ll tidy up and be down in a moment.¡± Within a few minutes, Sheena went down via the elevator. From a distance, Sheena spotted the familiar car in the garage and the handsome figure leaning against the door. As she approached, he opened the passenger door for hes After she sat down, he leaned in to help her fasten the seatbelt. As his cheek brushed against Sheena¡¯s lips, she puckered her lips and gave him a quick peck Chapter 756 Chapter 756 Elliot¡¯s movements momentarily froze as he swiftly fastened the seatbelt. Then, he gently grabbed Sheena¡¯s chin, deepening the sweet kiss. After the kiss, Sheena helped him wipe off the lipstick smudged on his lips, teasing, ¡°You¡¯ve ruined my lipstick again. I¡¯ll have to touch up my makeup.¡± ¡°No need to touch up. You look perfect like this,¡± Elliot replied with a smile, caressing her face softly. He straightened up, closed her car door, and walked to the driver¡¯s seat. On the way, Sheena asked, ¡°I just learned about the news moments ago, but you¡¯re already here. When did you start checking Skye¡¯s whereabouts?¡± Elliot focused on driving and said thoughtfully, ¡°An hour ago, right when this news broke online.¡± ¡°So, you had someone check immediately? How were you so sure I wouldn¡¯t choose to give up on Skye and cut our losses?¡± Elliot smirked, ¡°Because I know you.¡± Sheena had clear distinctions between love and hate. Those who hurt or bullied her would face her retaliation a hundred fold. On the other hand, she would go all out to protect and help those genuinely close to her. In no time, Elliot brought her to the Bar No. 5. Sheena was ready to go inside and apprehend Skye, but as soon as she stepped in, the strong smell of smoke, alcohol, and perfume in the bar¡¯s dance floor overwhelmed her. She rushed to a corner, feeling nauseous. Elliot quickly helped her by patting her back and calling Lionel on the phone. ¡°Book the entire Bar No. 5, clear out everyone except for Room 3805, and make sure the staff cleans up in fifteen minutes with no trace of lingering odor.¡± As Sheena gradually recovered from the nausea, she shook her head at him, saying, ¡°Forget it. It¡¯s too much trouble, and it¡¯s a waste of time. I¡¯ll endure it.¡± Elliot was firm on this matter, insisting, ¡°Listen to me. It¡¯ll take just fifteen minutes.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Sheena did not argue, allowing him to carry her back to the car and settling into the back seat. Busy throughout the morning with no rest, Sheena, feeling drowsy, leaned into Elliot¡¯s arms and fell asleep within minutes. When Lionel finished handling the arrangements at Bar No. 5, Elliot nned to quietly go inside and search for Skye. However, as he adjusted his position, the drowsy littledy on hisp woke up. Chapter 756 2/12 Elliot had no choice but to carry her inside, directly to Room 3805. Lionel helped push the door open, revealing a room filled with empty bottles and an overwhelming scent of alcohol. Then, he sprayed a non¨Ctoxic air freshener to make the room more bearable. Sheena covered her nose, suppressing the nausea, and walked in. Skye was sprawled on the sofa, and his face flushed,pletely unconscious due to excessive drinking beforehand. Seeing him in such a state angered Sheena. No wonder he fell victim to someone¡¯s plot; being this drunk, he was practically asking for trouble! She swallowed her anger and turned to Lionel by the door. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Go find a waiter and get a bucket of ice water to wake him up!¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Lionel replied cheerfully, quickly bringing in a bucket filled with ice cubes. Elliot sat on a nearby sofa, maintaining a serious demeanor, intentionally keeping a distance to avoid getting sshed. With a ssh, the ice water was poured over Skye, causing him to shiver and jolt awake. e Still not fully conscious, he iled at the air. ¡°Who the hell sshed me? Do you have a death wish?¡± Sheena stared at him indifferently, and her tone was unfriendly as she said, ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± Chapter 757 Chapter 757 Skye was still drunk, his consciousness hazy. He pointed a shaky finger at Sheena, showing no fear as he shouted, ¡°What¡¯s this nonsense!¡± This sessfully rekindled Sheena¡¯s anger, unleashing another wave of fury. The little troublemaker deserved a good beating! She scanned the room but found nothing suitable to vent her frustration. Subconsciously, she looked at Elliot¡¯s belt. Elliot noticed her gaze, followed her eyes, and immediately understood. ¡°No, you can¡¯t!¡± Elliot¡¯s frowned, refusing firmly. Upon second thought, Sheena agreed it was inappropriate. Hence, she turned to Lionel, who stood by the door and extended her hand. ¡°Give me your belt.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lionel was a bit confused, but, facing what seemed like Elliot¡¯s silent approval, he reluctantly unfastened his belt and handed it over. Before Sheena could take it, Lionel quickly realized and said, ¡°Are you nning to give this kid a beating? This is a heavy task. You shouldn¡¯t tire yourself. Let me handle it! I¡¯m really good at hitting people! Sheena nodded. ¡°Give him a good smacking, just enough to hurt but not to injure.¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Lionel grinned, rolled up his sleeves, and approached Skye. When he started, the whistling sound of the belt cutting through the air echoed. Skye wailed, twisting and turning on the floor, attempting to evade the relentless strikes. However, the merciless belt seemed to have eyes, uratelynding on his body each time. After the ordeal, Skye rolled onto the floor,pletely sober. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Stop! Ouch¡­ I¡¯m awake! Really awake!¡± Lionel looked at Sheena for confirmation. After a nod, he retrieved the belt and secured it back around his own waist. Sheena walked over, sat on the sofa, and stared at the curled¨Cup Skye on the floor. ¡°Skye, take a good look at who I am! If you¡¯re intentionally pretending to be drunk now that you¡¯re sober, I¡¯ll have no choice but to hand you back to the Zimmer family. Grandpa Francis¡¯s disciplinary methods are much harsher than this belt!¡± Skye rubbed his stinging arms and focused on Sheena. When he saw her face clearly, he quickly sat up. Chapter 757 2/2 ¡°S¨CSheena¡­¡± Sheena, with a stern expression, stared coldly at him. He hurriedly tried to exin, ¡°Sheena, I just took advantage of a rare two¨Cday break to have a few drinks with friends. Is that such a big mistake? Do you really need to hand me over to Grandpa?¡± ¡°Two days off, and you¡¯ve been drunk since yesterday?¡± Skye nodded. ¡°Mhm!¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze turned even colder. She took out her phone, opened the trending topics, and tossed it to him. ¡°Take a look for yourself.¡± Skye, looking confused, took the phone. However, he was stunned when he saw the entire screen of negative trends about him. ¡°W¨CW¨CWhen did this happen? I¡¯ve just been drinking with friends these past two days. I haven¡¯t done anything. Sheena, you have to believe me! These women are filthy, and I wouldn¡¯t touch them!¡± Sitting on the side sofa, Elliot interjected unexpectedly, ¡°It¡¯s not enough for only Sheena to believe you. You need everyone to believe you.¡± Skye was near desperation. ¡°What should I do? My career, the Zimmer family, Angle Group, it¡¯s all over!¡± Faced with the overwhelming trending topics online, he felt like pping himself if the usations Chapter 758 Chapter 758 Skye nas so frustratest, pulling his hair and making ft a mess. Due to the vigorous movement, his sleeves rolled up, revealing the red welts on his wrists from the ¡°Which jerk set me up? Admit it!¡± skye demanded. However, Sheena was indifferent to his frustration and did not intervene. After two days offortable intoxication, it was time for him to face some consequences. be the private room, everyone, except for Skye, observed in silence, After a while, Elliot spoke, ¡°The fact that you werepletely unaware of this means that someone close to you is involved. Who invited you for drinks? Who drank with you? You need to list everything in detail She thought hard, growing more restless. ¡°I really don¡¯t remember. I was drunk, and it¡¯s all a Sheena frowned and decisively instructed Lionel, ¡°Continue hitting him until he remembers.¡± Lionel efficiently loosened the belt and started hitting Skye again. Skye, charching his head, writhed in pain. Even someone who was used to getting beat up at home like bi could not withstand Lionel¡¯s harsh blows. ¡°Stop It hurts! I remember it now! I¡¯ll talk!¡± The sound of the belt ceased, but Lionel kept it raised, waiting for Skye to spill the details. ¡°Herman Foodler invited me to Bar No. 5 over the phone. Besides him, two friends came along initially Bradley Grande and Kyron Mullins, both good buddies of mine.¡± Skye paused to think hard, then continued, ¡°But halfway through the drinking session, some of their all up, much attention, I didn¡¯t guys. friends joined in. Then, those friends¡® friends also showed and we all yed together. I genuinely don¡¯t remember the names of those people.¡± pay Sheena gave it thought and asked, ¡°Among those people, was there anyone whose behavior seemed odd to you?¡± Skye carefully recalled and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Honestly, everyone was just out for a good time. Who¡¯d pay attention to so many details?¡± Lionel noticed Sheena¡¯s stoic expression and raised the belt again. Skye shivered all over, immediately hugging his head. ¡°Sheena, I really don¡¯t know. I never asked for the names of those people. Even if you beat me to death, I can¡¯t remember anything!¡± Chapter 758 212 Sheena did not press him further and handed him a ss of water. ¡°Take a sip and stop sitting on the floor. Take a seat on the couch.¡± Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Seeing that she had no intention of continuing the questioning, Elliot promptly instructed Lionel. ¡°Investigate Herman, Bradley, and Kyron separately. Check for any suspicious activities in the past half month. Also, visit nearby hotels to examine surveince footage and guest records.¡± The photos of Skye trending on the inte were mostly of him in bed. Hence, it was likely that someone drugged Skye and moved him to a nearby hotel for incriminating pictures. Once Lionel left, Elliot immediately got up to embrace Sheena. ¡°Let¡¯s check the surveince records at Bar No. 5 for the past couple of days.¡± Sheena nodded, holding him tightly around the neck. She said in a clingy tone, ¡°Eli, you¡¯ve taken care of everything I need to do. It feels like I have nothing to worry about.¡± Elliot lowered his head, affectionately brushing his nose against hers. ¡°You just need to listen from the side, and if there¡¯s anything I haven¡¯t thought through, feel free to offer your suggestions.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± The two exchanged smiles, gazing at each other with intense affection. Watching nearby, Skye felt a pang of bitterness and lowered his head in self¨Cpity. Elliot walked a few steps toward the door, noting Skye¡¯s reluctance to follow. He coldly asked, ¡°Mr. Skye, not joining?¡± ¡°Why should I? You guys are checking the surveince. Am I supposed to witness your lovey¨Cdovey moments?¡± Chapter 759 Chapter 759 1/2 Sheena was getting annoyed. ¡°Whose mess is this? Is this your problem or mine? If you don¡¯t get more involved, I¡¯ll have you taken away by the Zimmer family¡¯s people tonight!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t! I¡¯m sorry,¡± Skye replied, using a tissue to wipe off the water stains on his clothes. Then, he reluctantly fixed his messy hair and stood up. Sheena continued to scold him, ¡°Hurry up ande open the door.¡± ¡°Coming,ing!¡± The three of them arrived at the surveince room together. Based on Skye¡¯s recollection, the staff in the control room pulled up all the footage from when Skye entered the private room. They yed it at ten times the speed, scrutinizing every moment for anything unusual. As long as Skye was innocent, the person taking the pictures must have taken him out of the bar, leaving some traces behind. Skye had drunk too much, and the rapidly ying surveince footage from multiple cameras, capturing a bustling crowd, made his head spin. He felt drowsy but forced himself to stay conscious, fearing another round of punishment. asionally, Skye would discreetly turn his head, carefully observing Elliot beside him. He noticed Elliot¡¯s sharp gaze, his obsidian eyes scanning through the dozen surveince videos without a hint of fatigue. Skye found it hard to believe. In such a fast¨Cpaced yback of multiple surveince videos, could Elliot truly spot any subtle clues by himself? However, just as Skye was contemting, Elliot called for a pause. He narrowed his eyes, directing the staff, ¡°Rewind¡­ Rewind again.¡± The surveince footage capturing Room 3805 and the adjacent corridor had a gap in the timeline from 7.00 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. this morning. Moreover, the disyed time skipped from exactly 7.00 a.m. to 7.31 a.m. In contrast, the timestamps on the other dozen cameras remained normal, showing no unusual exits from the main entrance between 7.00 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. Sheena had an inkling of Elliot¡¯s suspicion. 212 ¡°They must have used the staff corridor. There¡¯s no surveince there.¡± Elliot nodded and immediately called Lionel, saying, ¡°Focus on checking, the surveince of nearby hotels after 7.00 am.¡± After hanging up, he turned to the bar staff, ¡°The surveince has been tampered with. Besides us, who else visited this control room today?¡± The control room staff, Shane Craig, looked troubled. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, the ess records for the control room are confidential, just like your visit today. We¡¯re not allowed to disclose this to anyone.¡± Elliot did not mince words and took out the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s investigation warrant from his pocket, his gaze piercing and cold. ¡°This is the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s warrant. If you don¡¯t tell us everything, I suspect you¡¯ve taken bribes, deliberately concealing information. I might need to take you back to the National Investigation Bureau.¡± ¡°But¡­ Mr. Jenkins¡­¡± Shane was in a panic. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Have you ever spent a night at the National Investigation Bureau? If interested, I can arrange a special cozy room for you today.¡± His seemingly casual words carried a veiled threat, making Shane tremble, his legs shaking. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I was wrong! I did take some money!¡± Trembling, Shane took a bank card from his pocket and ced it on the table. ¡°This is the thirty¨Cthousand¨Cdor hush money. I haven¡¯t touched a penny. I guess I won¡¯t have the privilege to use it, and I¡¯m willing to turn myself in!¡± Elliot¡¯s stern expression did not waver as he stared at Shane, asking, ¡°Who was it?¡± ¡°It was¡­ Bradley, the heir of the Grande family. He came alone this morning, iming a valuable item was lost and wanted to check the surveince!¡± Upon hearing this, Skye exploded, ¡°Damn it! Bradley, that bastard! I¡¯ve treated him well, yet he dares to plot against me like this!¡± He was furious, ready to flip tables and smash chairs right there. Chapter 760 Chapter 760 Elliot seized Skye¡¯s wrists, swiftly and skillfully restraining his hands behind his back, ending his impending tantrum. ¡°I have no ties to the Zimmer family. If you break things, I won¡¯tpensate on your behalf, and I¡¯ll even take you to the station to cool off. Want to give it a try?¡± Skye was fuming with rage, but he had no way to vent his anger with Elliot around. He relented immediately, ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± ¡°Then behave.¡± Elliot released his grip, turned around, and went back to embrace Sheena in the chair. He gently exined to her, ¡°We shouldn¡¯t rush to conclusions. Let¡¯s wait for Lionel¡¯s investigation results.¡± Sheena, lightly kissing his lips, said, ¡°I only sat for a while, and you¡¯ve already sorted everything out for me.¡± Unsatisfied with the brief kiss, Elliot retorted yfully, ¡°Did you finally realize how amazing your fiance is?¡± Sheena corrected his wording, ¡°Future husband!¡± ¡°Yes, husband! So, am I impressive or what?¡± He gazed at Sheena, his tone slightly teasing and his face full of expectation for herpliments. ¡°Very impressive¡­ and shameless too!¡± Sheena chuckled. In a tender voice, Elliot coaxed, ¡°Nana, if you say the word ¡®husband¡® again, I¡¯ll even give you my life.¡± As they continued their sweet talk, Skye, feeling like the third wheel, could not take it anymore. He jogged a few steps and walked alongside Elliot. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re indeed impressive! Your ability to change your attitude is simply out of this world!¡± With a steady tone, Elliot responded, ¡°I have only two attitudes toward people: one for Nana, and the other for everyone else.¡± After a brief pause, Elliot added, ¡°Skye, I know you¡¯ve had thoughts about Nana before, but you should give up. Compared to me, you won¡¯t measure up. I understand your youthful arrogance. I¡¯ve been through that phase as well. But while you¡¯re still young, it¡¯s best to mature and be a man. If you continue being irresponsible andzy, you might ruin your life.¡± Skye found himself stunned by Elliot¡¯s lecture. He wanted to retort, but words failed him. As a popr young actor with mediocre acting skills, he relied on his good looks to navigate the Trapter 260 entertainment industry. When it came down to it, he had no notable works to showcase. 212 Observing his dejected demeanor, Sheena teased with a yful smirk, ¡°Skye, finally admitting defeat? Skye remained silent. While not particrly harsh, Elliot¡¯s critique carried a strong undertone of insult. Skye was on the verge of losing his cool. Exiting Bar No. 5 through the staff corridor, Lionel called in with an update. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°We¡¯ve made some progress. Herman booked a room at the neighboring Bingo Hotelst night. He checked out at noon, and the hotel staff and surveince confirmed no issues. The other two individuals have no record of booking a room, and everything seems normal.¡± However, the leads suddenly went cold. Elliot frowned, and his expression turned serious. It seemed like they had overlooked something crucial¡­ ¤³ Chapter 761 Chapter 761 1/2 Elliot seemed to have remembered something and instructed Lionel, ¡°Notify the National Investigation Bureau to make an arrest. Capture Kyron. I want to interrogate him personally.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lionel did not immediately catch on, saying, ¡°Elliot, out of these three people, Kyron hasn¡¯t shown any suspicious behavior at all.¡± Elliot remained unwavering. ¡°Arrest Kyron. I won¡¯t repeat it a third time.¡± Looking at the pictures, they all thought Skye was in bed. Hence, they believed that someone must have relocated Skye from the bar to a nearby hotel and invited some women to stage provocative Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. shots. However, the photos did not show aplete bed, only glimpses of white pillows and sheets, To the average person, the immediate assumption would be intimate bedroom photos. He nced down at Sheena in his arms, deciding to share any thoughts with her first. ¡°Nana, the online photos might not be bedroom shots; they could have been taken in the bar¡¯s private room. ¡°While reviewing the surveince footage, I noticed that everyone in Room 3805 left after 2 a.m.st night. Kyron, however, left casually after 7.30 a.m., and during the missing half¨Chour, he likely called in the women for a staged shoot.¡± Skye, after hearing this analysis, was about to explode again. ¡°Kyron? He¡¯s usually humble and reasonable, and he even did charity with us. I never expected such a two¨Cfaced person! Hurry and catch him! I¡¯ll personally skin him alive!¡± Watching him lose his temper yet have no outlet to vent his anger, Sheena shook her head with a helpless smile. ¡°Skye, it¡¯s better to think about how to exin things to Grandpa Francis. Your phone¡¯s been off, and he¡¯s been looking for you. If he can¡¯t cool down, you might be in for a beating when you get home.¡± Skye shivered at the thought. He was justshed with a belt a moment ago, and now it seemed like he was in for more pain. Moreover, returning to the Zimmer family meant facing a dead end and impending doom. Skye hurriedly ran to Sheena and Elliot, pleading for mercy. ¡°Sheena, you must help me this time! If I go home, I won¡¯t survive, and you won¡¯t see this cute and handsome little puppy anymore! I won¡¯t be able to help you earn money!¡± His pleading words prompted an icy re from Elliot. ¡°She has me. There¡¯s no need for a troublesome pup like you. You signed an artist contract. If you Chapter 761 can¡¯t bring benefits to thepany, it¡¯s better to beat you up.¡± Skye pouted and looked at Sheena indignantly. ¡°Sheena, can¡¯t you control him a little?¡± 2/2 Sheena stifled augh, teasing him, ¡°I don¡¯t know about the rest, but you do love causing trouble!¡± Seeing Skye¡¯s miserable expression, Sheena quickly became serious. ¡°Alright, just kidding. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll figure something out with Grandpa Francis for you.¡± As soon as those words were spoken, Elliot carried Sheena, walked away, and quickly got into the car. Skye immediately followed suit. While Lionel needed time to apprehend Kyron, the three waited in the car. During the wait, Elliot went to a nearby ce and bought fresh¨Ccut fruits, feeding Sheena bite by bite. Skye approached, wedging himself between the driver and passenger seats. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, those fruits look good. I¡¯m thirsty too, and it¡¯s a good idea to sober up a bit.¡± Elliot fiercely pped Skye¡¯s hand and looked at him with a cold gaze. ¡°This is Nana¡¯s. If you want some, go buy it yourself.¡± Skye pouted and muttered a few words under his breath, cursing Elliot. Unfazed, Elliot paid no attention to Skye¡¯s resentful gaze, his eyes fixed on Sheena as he continued to feed her. He handed her a plump and juicy strawberry. Sheena took a bite, leaving only a third. ¡°Nana, is it delicious?¡± ¡°It is!.¡± Chapter 762 Chapter 762 Sheena¡¯s mouth was stuffed, a rare moment of her looking adorable and quiet. Elliot looked at the remaining one¨Cthird of the strawberry in his hand. Curious, he ate it and savored it carefully. Sheena stared at him, raising her eyebrows slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve already eaten that. Do you like it that way, Eli?¡± Even though Elliot did not answer her, his eyes seemed to say, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s sweet!¡± Seeing this, Sheena grabbed another strawberry, teasing with a yful smile. ¡°There are even sweeter and tastier ones. Would you like to try?¡± As she spoke, she bit the tip of the strawberry with her pearly white teeth, provocatively challenging Elliot. She thought he would not dare to do anything with Skye watching, and her mischievous grin deepened. Without hesitation, Elliot leaned down, bit off the remaining strawberry from her mouth, and smoothly continued with a kiss. A sweet, intoxicating aroma of strawberries filled the car, blending with their breaths. They kissed as if no one else was around, naturally and openly. Inside the car, an ambiguous atmosphere lingered. However, jealousy was brimming in the back seat, emanating from a certain third¨Cwheeling single guy. Skye stared incredulously at the two in the front, his hands tightly gripping his hair, almost driven to the brink of breakdown. What the hell! He should have stayed under the car, not inside it! However, the scene before him was just too loving. Although he felt a pang of jealousy, Skye also harbored a sense of guilt. If he disturbed the two, he thought he would only add to his sins. In the end, he ¡®tearfully¡® opened the car door, trying not to disturb the two as he exited the car, running about ten meters away to catch some breeze. As soon as Skye left, Elliot ended the lingering kiss inside the car. Chapter 762 2/2 Sheena asked, ¡°You don¡¯t usually y along like this. What did Skye do to anger you? Are you intentionally trying to provoke him?¡± Elliot pursed his thin lips, enjoying the unique scent of Sheena. ¡°He used to like you and said bad things about me in front of you. I hold grudges.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re even more petty than me! I¡¯ve bullied you so many times before, why didn¡¯t you hold it against me?¡± Elliot gave it a thought and replied, ¡°Household rule number one: Wifees first! So, if you bully me, it¡¯s divine punishment; it¡¯s deserved.¡± Sheena chuckled, saying, ¡°It seems Noah¡¯s tactics are somewhat effective. You¡¯ve memorized that Gentleman¡¯s Rules quite well.¡± Elliot pursed his lips, choosing not to reply, and continued to feed her fruit. As they waited, time seemed to stretch endlessly. Two hourster, Lionel finally returned the call. ¡°We¡¯ve got Kyron. He was nning to flee, so our team had to put in some extra effort. We managed to apprehend him just before he boarded a ne. He¡¯s now secured in the secret interrogation room on the outskirts. Want to go take a look?¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°Good, I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± After hanging up, Elliot called Skye into the car, and they headed to the outskirts. The door to the secret interrogation room swung open, and Kyron¡¯s cries echoed out. ¡°Why are you arresting me? I haven¡¯t done anything illegal! Are you after money? My family is quite wealthy! I can call my parents to send money. Kyron was bound and kneeling on the ground, visibly terrified. However, the moment he saw Skye enter, all his shouts choked in his throat. Chapter 763 Chapter 763 Skye angrily approached Kyron, delivering a powerful punch that sent him sprawling to the ground. ¡°you ungrateful jerk! I¡¯ve always treated you well! Back when that guy from the Pearson family kissed your then¨Cgirlfriend, I led a group of people to help you vent your anger. After that incident, my grandpa gave me a good beating, and I couldn¡¯t even get out of bed for three days! Did I hold the matter against you?¡± Skye heaved a deep breath, then continued, ¡°Now, you¡¯re ruining my career and life! What did I ever do to deserve this?¡± The more Skye spoke, the angrier he became. He grabbed Kyron by the cor, lifted him, andnded several more punches squarely on his face. Kyron¡¯s face quickly showed signs of bruising, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth. Sheena and Elliot watched from a distance without intervening. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. When Kyron almost passed out, Elliot finally said, ¡°Enough. Lionel, pull Mr. Skye away.¡± Lionel immediately stepped forward, restraining Skye¡¯s arms and dragging him away. e Still unsatisfied, Skye managed tond two more kicks to Kyron¡¯s waist. Kyron groaned in pain, not daring to look up. He was obviously in pain, and even his breathing was heavy. Perhaps burdened by guilt, he refrained from uttering any words of defense. Sheena observed Kyron in silence, reading his expressions. Then, she asked, ¡°I can see you feel guilty about the incident. This wasn¡¯t your n, was it? Someone manipted you into doing this, right?¡± Kyron kept his head low, refusing to speak. With a cold re, Elliot chimed in, ¡°We checked your bank transactions. Yesterday, you deposited 4 million dors. Today, at noon, you deposited another 7.5 million. You haven¡¯t worked on any film in nearly six months, and the Mullins family doesn¡¯t support you financially. Care to exin where that money ising from?¡± Kyron remained silent, prompting Elliot to gesture toward the wall, hinting at the interrogation tools. ¡°This is the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s secret interrogation room for serious criminals. Even highly trained spies can¡¯t withstand those tools on the wall. As an heir living in luxury andfort, do you think you can endure them?¡± Terrified, Kyron turned pale, trembling uncontrobly. Sky gritted his teeth, angrily saying, ¡°He better endure them all! Ungrateful traitors don¡¯t deserve to Chapter 26 have it easy!¡± 212 After Elliot yed the stern and unyielding bad cop and Skye issued his harsh words, Sheena decided to y the role of the good cop. With her delicately beautiful face and gentle tone, Sheena addressed Kyron, ¡°Kyron, the scandal involvingpromising photos is not trivial. If not handled properly, Skye¡¯s life could be ruined. He might bebeled as a scandalous and indecent artist, an image that will haunt him forever. You know him well. He¡¯s someone who goes to great lengths for friends and family, always ready to help and give his all. He has assisted you many times in the past, and your betrayal is a tremendous blow.¡± Kyron lowered his gaze, unable to meet Skye¡¯s eyes. Havingmitted the misdeed, guilt had consumed him in the past few hours, especially after witnessing the overwhelming negative trends online. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I never thought this would hurt Skye so much,¡± Kyron sobbed, tears streaming down. He felt worse as he continued, ¡°I went to a party in Naria City recently and identally overspent. I didn¡¯t dare ask my family for more. Suddenly, someone reached out to me.¡± Sheena¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. ¡°Who was it?¡± Kyron shook his head. ¡°Someone from the dark web contacted me. She imed to be a fan of Skye with some peculiar interests. She wanted a few pictures of Skye in intimate situations with women. She assured me it was for her private collection, just for personal enjoyment and not for public exposure. Chapter 764 Chapter 764 1/2 ¡°She offered 11.5 million right away, which was a generous amount, so I got tempted. I deliberately pretended to lose Bradley¡¯s watch, convinced him to check the bar¡¯s surveince to find it, and asked him to help me erase the half¨Chour footage, just in case. ¡°When the photos surfaced on the inte today, I was baffled. I tried to contact that woman again, but there was no response. She didn¡¯t transfer themission directly. Instead, she sent someone to ce the check at a specified location for me to pick up, and then I had to deposit it myself. I panicked, so I bought a ne ticket in the afternoon, nning to run away. I didn¡¯t expect to be caught by you before I could leave.¡± Skye listened attentively, utterly speechless. ¡°She¡¯s obviously not a fan! She¡¯s clearly a devil trying to destroy my whole family!¡± Sheena and Elliot exchanged nces, realizing the situation was moreplicated than it seemed. Elliot asked, ¡°Whichpany was the check made out to?¡± Kyron thought carefully and replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t pay much attention then, but it seemed like¡­ there was the word ¡®Lawson¡®? But maybe I misread it.¡± As Kyron spoke, Sheena¡¯s expression turned abruptly cold, but she remained silent. Elliot continued, ¡°You caused this situation, so you owe Skye an exnation. I¡¯ll have Lionel take you for questioning. It¡¯s your responsibility for the mistakes you made, do you understand?¡± Kyron bowed his head in resignation, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Skye. I¡¯ll take responsibility.¡± Elliot nced at Lionel, and Lionel immediately escorted both Kyron and Skye to the National Investigation Bureau for questioning. Elliot nned to release an official statement using the bureau¡¯s ount to clear Skye¡¯s name. Once the others left, only Sheena and Elliot remained in the interrogation room. Sheena¡¯s brows furrowed as she spoke sternly, ¡°The target of this incident isn¡¯t Skye, it¡¯s me. They used Skye as a pawn.¡± Elliot pondered for a moment,menting, ¡°The ounts on the dark web are hard to trace, and the person probably used a false identity. Do you have any suspicions about who might be behind this?¡± Sheena gave it a thought and said, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s Uncle Victor. I¡¯ll look into it when I get back. They knew that I¡¯d be involved with Skye¡¯s matter. Moreover, it feels like they¡¯re deliberately keeping me upied; they might be plotting something big.¡± ¡°Nana, aren¡¯t you supposed to return to the Lawson family the day after tomorrow? Uncle Albert intends to appoint you as the CEO of the Lawson Group, right?¡± Sheena nodded, ¡°In addition to that, I¡¯ll gain the inheritance rights to all family assets. Once signed, Chapter 764 the entire Lawson family will be mine.¡± ?? Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. In the Lawson family, there was no concept of a reigning figure. Whoever held the inheritance rights had control over the entire family, bing the family head. Elliot pulled her into his arms, concern evident on his handsome face. ¡°How about not signing it this time? Can we dy it a bit more? The timing is too tight. They¡¯ll likely act swiftly. However, this is a family matter for your Lawson family. Our wedding is scheduled for next month, and I don¡¯t have the right to interfere. Nana, I¡¯m worried¡­¡± She held his face, analyzing the situation seriously as she said, ¡°Precisely because time is limited, they¡¯ll be anxious and more prone to making mistakes when they strike. ¡°If we wait and let them prepare thoroughly, the danger to me will increase. Trust me, no matter what, when I return to the Lawson family, I have my brothers there, and I¡¯ll be safe,¡± ¡°Nana¡­¡± Sheena ced a finger on his lips, silencing the words he wanted to express. ¡°Eli, you know me. Once I¡¯ve made my decision, no amount of persuasion will change my mind.¡± She smiled casually and said, ¡°And who knows, maybe it won¡¯t be as dangerous as you think in two days. The truth mighte to light instead.¡± Chapter 765 Chapter 765 One hourter, various online discussions and hot trends about Skye underwent a massive cleanup. The National Investigation Bureau¡¯s official ount published an announcement rifying Skye¡¯s involvement in the scandal, stating that he was merely intoxicated, and opportunists tookpromising photos to extort money. Skye¡¯s fans, upon seeing this news, quickly rallied. [I knew Skye couldn¡¯t do something like that! Those people are just jealous of Skye¡¯s sess!] [Thanks for clearing Skye¡¯s name. To those keyboard warriors who stood against him without knowing the truth, it¡¯s time to apologize!] Sheena sat in the car heading back to E&S Haven, scrolling through new trending topics on her phone. She was pretty satisfied with how the situation had settled. Thinking about Francis, Sheena had called him the day after she arrived at Angle Group. She exined the situation, using the excuse of Skye¡¯s busy schedule with Angle Group, implying that he might not return to Farlem for a while. The distance proved a challenge for Francis, and he reluctantly epted the situation. Having resolved the recent challenging matters, Sheena leaned back in her office chair, letting out a long sigh. However, her rxationsted only a few seconds before she became highly alert again. She would be returning to the Lawson estate tomorrow, and she did not know what unknown challenges awaited her. She needed to prepare in advance. With these thoughts in mind, Sheena called Noah. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. The call was quickly answered, and Sheena got straight to the point, ¡°Noah, it seems like I¡¯ve forgotten some things from when I was fifteen. Do you have any medication that can help me remember?¡± Noah, usuallyposed and indifferent, responded with an unusual touch of anger, ¡°You¡¯re carrying two little ones in your belly, and you¡¯re asking me for medication? Haven¡¯t you thought about them?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± Sheena felt a bit embarrassed. ¡°I was just asking, and you always have solutions, right?¡± ¡°I have none. Any psychiatric medication or treatment methods are highly inappropriate for your current physical condition, causing significant harm,¡± Noah responded. After a moment of contemtion, he realized that Sheena was not someone who acted so recklessly and inquired, ¡°Did you forget something important?¡± Sheena replied, ¡°Yes, something very important.¡± Chapter 765 2/2 It involved the details of her continuous sabotage over the years. Noah sighed. ¡°Nana, nothing is as important as the twins inside you right now.¡® Sheena gently sighed, ready to share her recent suspicions with Noah, when suddenly, there was an urgent knock on her office door. Ford was outside, sounding anxious, and with a hint of distress in his voice, ¡°Miss, something bad has happened!¡± Sheena¡¯s phone was still on, and she heard Ford continue from the other side of the door, ¡°Mr. Albert Lawson fell down the stairs this afternoon! You need toe back and see him!¡± As these words fell, Sheena¡¯s call was abruptly disconnected from Noah¡¯s end. It seemed like Noah had just learned about this news as well. Chapter 766 Chapter 766 Sheena immediately packed her things and swiftly returned to Mountville, heading straight for Albert¡¯s mansion at the mountaintop. George, aware that she wasing back, was already waiting outside the main gate. His eyes were red, a clear sign that he had recently cried. Frowning, Sheena briskly entered the mansion, questioning George on the way. ¡°Dad has trouble walking and always uses a wheelchair, plus he has someone pushing the wheelchair for him. How could he suddenly fall down the stairs?¡± George wiped away tears, replying, ¡°We still don¡¯t know the cause. Mr. Corey arrived ten minutes ago and is investigating the matter. Mr. Howard is on his way back, and Mr. Noah has already checked on Old Man Lawson¡¯s situation¡­¡± His voice trailed off, crying even harder, his tone choked with emotion. ¡°The situation doesn¡¯t look good. There¡¯s a blood clot in his head, causing a nerve blockage. Old Man Lawson is old, and his health is already frail. Mr. Noah says surgery will be risky as he might end up in a vegetative state, and it¡¯s uncertain if he¡¯ll wake up again.¡± Sheena¡¯s chest tightened as she listened. ¡°Why is this happening¡­¡± George, who was quite aged, cried with genuine sorrow. Having been with Albert for a lifetime, he truly cared for him. Sheena¡¯s eyes also reddened, but considering her babies, she held back her tears and hurriedly went upstairs. However, just as she reached the door, she saw a figure emerging from Albert¡¯s room. She¡¯s beautiful eyes were marked with traces of tears, portraying a heartbroken appearance that could move anyone. Seeing her here, Sheena was not entirely surprised and smirked. ¡°You were the one who caught me off guard back then, and it was also you in my dreams, right, She Lawson?¡± Sheena had always been curious about She¡¯s background. Moreover, she had always cast a sense of familiarity, and it seemed she had been closely following her activities in Farlem. It started as a spection, and when She appeared at the mansion¡¯s gate on New Year¡¯s Eve, she had her suspicions. With Albert in trouble and seeing She again at the mansion, everything fell into ce. She was stunned by thementary, and a hint of mockery quickly shed in her eyes. However, she returned to her innocent and clueless demeanor the next second. 2/2 ¡°What do you mean? Old Man Lawson saved me before, and I¡¯ve always been grateful for him. When I board about his ident, I came to check, that¡¯s all.¡± Sheena shot her a cold nce, entered the room, brushed past her, and stopped once again when she roached her 1er tone was indifferent as she taunted, ¡°How long do you n to keep up this act? Are you waiting for me to surprise me when I sign the inheritance contract tomorrow? Well, I¡¯ve already guessed the ANSWER, SO JUU Won¡¯t catch me by surprise.¡± She¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed, looking confident as if everything was already in her hands. ¡°Ms. Lawson, no need to wait until tomorrow. However, I believe you¡¯ll still be quite surprised.¡± She was obviously hinting at something bigger, and she walked down the stairs in her high heels after having said that. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Sheena kept her gare on She until she disappeared around the corner, choosing to go inside first and check on Albert¡¯s condition. In the room, Alberty peacefully, eyes closed, wearing an oxygen mask. On the bedside table sat a heart rate monitor, and needles were attached to his hand. His head was wrapped in thick white bandages. Even though the oxygen mask covered half his face, it could not conceal the signs of time etched on his weathered features. Lauren sat on a nearby chair, and she rolled her eyes dismissively upon Sheena¡¯s entrance, disying a displeased expression. Sheena walked over, sat by the bed, and ced her father¡¯s hand in her own, gently caressing his rough skin. She addressed Lauren, ¡°Get out. I want some time alone with Dad.¡± Lauren huffed coldly, said nothing, and left the room. Once Lauren left, Sheena spoke, ¡°Dad, when you wanted to marry Lauren, I argued with you. But deep down, I don¡¯t me you. Mom has been gone for so long, and you needed someone by your side. I actually understand that, but Lauren is not a good woman. She¡¯s malicious. You¡¯ve been in a wheelchair all this time, pushed around by her. How could you suddenly fall down the stairs this time? Dad, was it Lauren?¡± Chapter 767 Chapter 767 The elderly many peacefully and calmly on the bed, showing no signs of reaction. Sheena understood that he could not possibly react. After all, Noah¡¯s diagnosis was undoubtedly urate. Even so, she could not ept it and wanted to confirm once more. Her nose tingled, tears clouding her vision. Intense sadness pressed on her chest, making it hard for her to breathe. Soon, tears dropped onto the back of her hand uncontrobly. ¡°They¡¯re monsters!¡± Sheena muttered softly, her gaze turning increasingly fierce. She could not believe someone wouldmit such heinous acts against her beloved father just to obtain the inheritance. She would not forgive them, even if they were her blood rtives, people she deeply loved or respected! ¡°Dad, rest assured, I¡¯ll hold someone ountable for this, whoever they are. I won¡¯t let them get away with it!¡± Sheena caressed his hand, leaning her head on his arm. Tears silently flowed into her hair as she reminisced about the fatherly love Albert had showered upon her throughout the years. ¡°Miss.¡± George stood by the door, cautiously knocking. ¡°Your brothers are all downstairs, waiting for you.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be down in a moment.¡± Sheena controlled the trembling in her voice, trying to sound calm. Then, she wiped away the tears from her face gracefully. As George was about to turn and leave, he unexpectedly heard Sheena softly ask, ¡°George, did any of them have a dispute with Dad recently?¡± George pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°Seems like Mr. Howard did. Because of Ms. Chambein, he had another argument with Old Man Lawson.¡± Sheena listened attentively, showing little expression. ¡°What about Mr. Corey?¡± ¡°Mr. Corey came back a few days ago and had a discussion with Old Man Lawson in the study, but there was no dispute. It seemed quite harmonious.¡± ¡°Alright, I got it.¡± She steadied her emotions and descended the stairs, holding the railing withposure. In the living room, Corey remained seated in the center, with Barbara by his side, Noah and Howard on the left couch, and Lauren on the right. Chapter 267 212 Everyone had shed their usual smiles, and the atmosphere was heavy with sorrow, She stood quietly on the other side of the coffee table, her youthful yet stunning face adorned with tear streaks. The room was filled with an air of sadness. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Howard was the first to notice Sheena walking down the stairs, and he quickly walked over to assist her, guiding her to sit beside him. Once Sheena was seated, She began to express her sorrow. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! As an illegitimate child, I know my name is not on the Lawson family ancestry, and I may not be suitable for gatherings like this. ¡°But when I heard about Dad¡¯s ident, I was really worried. So, despite the objections, I rushed over. I¡¯m truly sorry.¡± The moment She finished speaking, Noah furrowed his brow. Howard also cast a cold nce at her, appearing surprised, his deep voice carrying an unfriendly tone. ¡°You¡¯re not my sister! Why didn¡¯t I know Dad had an illegitimate daughter? Anyway, I only have one sister, Sheena Lawson. I only recognize her.¡± She¡¯s eyes instantly turned red, sobbing, ¡°If my presence makes you ufortable, I¡¯ll leave right away.¡± Chapter 768 Chapter 768 ¡°That¡¯s enough. I¡¯m aware of this matter. Dad personally told me.¡± Corey was the one who intervened, narrowing his gaze slightly. ¡°Since you¡¯re here and a part of the Lawson family, take a seat.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± She said as she sat beside Lauren. Throughout the proceedings, Sheena kept her head lowered, maintaining a deliberate silence to conceal the chill in her eyes. The living room instantly fell silent, with everyone lost in their own thoughts. It was not until Corey, the eldest among the siblings, broke the silence, saying, ¡°Nana, considering Dad¡¯s current condition, I think our priority should be his treatment and care. As for other matters, we can discuss them once Dad wakes up.¡± Corey was implying they should postpone the inheritance signing scheduled for the next day. Sheena looked at him, retorting, ¡°Corey, you¡¯re wrong. Dad has Noah looking after him. Besides, we don¡¯t understand medicine and can¡¯t contribute much. Signing the contract tomorrow only requires a lawyer to represent Dad and my presence. After all, the Lawson Group needs someone to step up.¡± Corey looked at her with concern. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re pregnant. You have to consider not only yourself but also your babies. If you sign the inheritance now, all the burdens will fall on you alone, and you¡¯ll be exhausted.¡± Noah chimed in, ¡°It¡¯s more tiring for you because you¡¯re having twins. Your body can¡¯t handle so many things, so I agree to cancel the signing first and wait until Dad gets better. ¡± Howard and Barbara concurred. However, Sheena remained resolute. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of the stress; I believe the babies can handle it well. With Dad in this situation, Uncle Victor and Uncle Barrett¡¯s family, who were oustedst time, won¡¯t sit idly by. Someone needs to take charge.¡± The living room fell into silence again. Sheena turned to Corey, sitting on the main couch, and continued, ¡°When I was born, Dad set a rule that the inheritance of the Lawson family passes through females, not males. Now that Dad is in trouble, no one is more suitable than me to take on this responsibility. Corey, what do you think?¡± Corey remained silent. This time, She, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke up, ¡°What if it¡¯s because of you that you¡¯re not qualified to sign the inheritance?¡± Her words instantly caught everyone¡¯s attention. Chapter 763 752 Sheena chuckled. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not a Lawson.¡± Sheena locked eyes with her andughed disdainfully but did not offer any rebental ¡°In fact, Auntie Sophia slept with another man and conceived you while Dad was on a business trip. Dad didn¡¯t know about this. However, for this inheritance, he took your hair for a paternity test just to be sure.¡± She took the paternity test report from her bag and ced it on the coffee table. ¡°I identally saw this report in Dad¡¯s bedside drawer. ¡°After questioning Auntie Lauren, I found out that Dad flew into a rage upon discovering this paternity test report in the morning. He even kicked her and Uncle George out. But in his agitation, he somehow tumbled down the stairs. If you don¡¯t believe it, you can ask Auntie Lauren, Uncle George, or any other staff in the mansion. They¡¯re all informed.¡± Sheena remained silent, only ncing at her three brothers and gauging their reactions. Howard was the most heated, ring fiercely at She. ¡°Impossible! Nana grew up with me. How could she be Mom¡¯s illegitimate child and not a Lawson? You¡¯re ndering Sheena and our mom! What are your intentions?¡± She exined without hesitation, ¡°Howard, when Sheena was born, you were only two years old. You didn¡¯t know anything. How can you be so sure it¡¯s fake? Dad personally had the paternity test done. Can it be bogus?¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. She then looked at Noah, smiling as she added, ¡°Noah is right here. Just let him take a look, and we¡¯ll know if this paternity test is genuine or not.¡± Chapter 769 Chapter 769 Howard was left speechless and could only turn to Noah. ¡°Noah, can you take a look?¡± Noah got up, retrieved the paternity test report from the coffee table, and carefully examined it. At the end of the report, it stated, ¡°No evidence supporting a parent¨Cchild rtionship.¡± The official seal and director¡¯s signature from Svelton General Hospital could also be found on the report. ¡°The director of Svelton General Hospital is Frazer Winters, my mentor. He has always had a good rtionship with Dad. If he personally signed it, it generally¡­ wouldn¡¯t be fake.¡± It was real? These weighty wordsnded heavily on Howard and Barbara¡¯s hearts. On the other hand, Lauren was pleased, not bothering to hide her joy. Sheena, however, paid no attention to the paternity test. Instead, she just looked at Corey, who had been deep in thought and silent on the main sofa. ¡°Corey, you don¡¯t seem surprised. Did you already know about this?¡± Corey replied, ¡°Not exactly early on. When Dad had the ident, I returned home the earliest. I immediately investigated the cause of his ident, knowing a few hours earlier than all of you.¡± Sheena looked at everyone¡¯s expressions. ¡°With Dr. Frazer¡¯s imprint and Noah¡¯s personal verification, everyone believes I¡¯m not a Lawson now?¡± Sheena was well aware that Sophia was faithful to Albert. Even though she did not know how this paternity test came about, she believed in her mother. Sophia could not possibly betray Albert, especially not after marrying him and then, in his absence, committing such an act. Despite She¡¯s borate words, she would not believe a single thing. The living sank into a deathly silence again. Howard took the paternity test report into his hands, almost as if he did not want to believe it, and he scrutinized it seriously twice. However, after reading it, a hint of uncertainty crept into his expression. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Corey sighed, his tone heavy as he arranged the next steps. ¡°Let¡¯s keep this matter quiet for now. Cancel the inheritance signing scheduled for tomorrow. ¡°Noah, focus on Dad¡¯s health during this time. Try to improve Dad¡¯s condition. Even if there¡¯s a 272 slight chance of surgery and it¡¯s not too risky, we must strive to wake him up soon. goward, put aside the matters of your entertainmentpanies for now. Come back to the Lawson Group and learn to handle thepany¡¯s affairs with me.¡± ¡°Onderstood,¡± Noah and Howard replied. Corey did not look at Sheena, but he spoke to her, ¡°As for Nana¡­ considering you¡¯re pregnant, don¡¯t worry too much for now. Take a good rest at home, and I¡¯ll find someone to handle things at Angle Group for you. Rx and recover for a few days. Give me some time to sort out the Lawson family Sheena was not surprised by this oue and scoffed. ¡°So, everyone thinks I¡¯m not a Lawson. The n is to sideline me in the family discussions, intending to eventually drive me out of the Lawson Kamille While saying these words with a smile, she felt a chilling shiver down her spine. Her beloved brothers did not trust her, preferring to believe in a piece of paper! Corey did not argue, and Noah remained silent. Howard shouted, ¡°Nana, that¡¯s not what we meant. We just¡­¡± His words faltered, unsure of how to exin. Sheena gracefully stood up, elegantly adjusted her dress, and spoke sarcastically, ¡°Since I might not be a part of the Lawson family, it seems inappropriate to be present at a Lawson family meeting.¡± She turned and started walking. Just as she reached the door, she stopped in her tracks and said, ¡°Decades of sibling bonds, undone by a piece of paper. Well done!¡± ¡°Sheena, don¡¯t be upset! Your brothers just need some time to ept this fact. Even if you¡¯re not a Lawson, you¡¯re still our beloved sister! Your brothers¡­ just need a little time to digest this reality.¡± Barbara was the first to stand up, helping to exin. Sheena did not turn back and decisively left the mansion. As she walked out of the front gate, another set of footsteps followed right behind her. Chapter 770 Chapter 770 1/2 Someone followed her outside. It was She. She smiled, speaking in a hushed and mysterious tone, ¡°Do you want to know where your real biological father is? I know! I can take you to meet him, and after you see him, everything will be clear.¡± This was Sheena¡¯s second visit to the prison. The first was for Nathaniel, and this time was to see the so¨Ccalled ¡®biological father¡®. When Sheena saw the middle¨Caged man in prison attire, rough¨Cskinned and with unkempt facial hair, appearing on the other side of the ss window, her face showed no emotion. Her deep¨Cset sparkling eyes seemed like still, undisturbed waters. The man¡¯s name was Austin Jackson. He was pleasantly surprised to see Sheena. ¡®Are you. Sheena?¡± Sheena remained silent, holding the receiver, her expression unchanged. Austin¡¯s eyes began to well up with tears, saying, ¡°How wonderful! Just when I thought I had nothing left in this world, I found out that I have a lovely daughter.¡± With a cold and stern tone, Sheena cut to the chase, asking, ¡°Did you and Mom really sleep together when Dad was away?¡± At this mention, Austin shamefully lowered his head. ¡°Yes, but it wasn¡¯t intentional. Sophia had no feelings for me, and it was an unrequited love. The only intimate contact I had with her was at a party. She was drunk, I escorted her to her room to rest, and then¡­ I felt a rush. I never expected that you woulde into existence after that night.¡± I¡¯m anymore. dad your real Austin took a deep breath, then said, ¡°Sheena, don¡¯t call Albert your father! The Jackson family might be inferior to the Lawson family, but we used to be a prestigious family. Sophia and I have been friends since we were young! But Albert! He used lowly means to ruin the entire Jackson family and sent me to prison, keeping me separated from you, my biological daughter, for so many years!¡± As Austin spoke, he became increasingly agitated, pounding his fists on the table with a resounding thud. Sheena looked at him calmly, and her tone still indifferent as she said, ¡°I¡¯ll gather evidence for what Chapter 770 you¡¯ve said. But right now, I don¡¯t believe a single word you¡¯re saying.¡± Seeing that she did not believe him, Austin became even more hysterical. ¡°I¡¯m your real father! I truly am! If you don¡¯t believe me, you can take my hair for a DNA test!¡± Austin stood up, pulled out some hair, and looked at her earnestly. Sheena remained cold. ¡°You don¡¯t need to rush to prove anything to me. I¡¯ll get a DNA test done.¡± 212 As she hung up the receiver, a man¡¯s deeply resonant and maic voice suddenly came from behind. ¡°Nana.¡± Immediately, she was securely embraced by someone. She turned her head to see Elliot¡¯s handsome face. There was a mix of worry in his gaze, but he did not ask anything. Elliot simply said, ¡°It¡¯s time to go home.¡± Sheena nodded, allowing him to hold her, resting her head on his reassuring chest. She no longer needed to hide her weariness, saying, ¡°Eli, I¡¯m tired and want to sleep.¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¤´ Elliot gently kissed her forehead. ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯m here for you.¡± She was waiting at the door, and from a distance, she saw Elliot carrying Sheena, walking out of the visitation room. Elliot¡¯s eyes were solely focused on the woman in his arms, and he did not spare a nce for anything else. When he passed She, he did not even spare her a nce. However, She suddenly stepped forward, blocking his way, her eyes filled with mockery. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, there¡¯s something you might not know. The man Sheena visited just now happens to be her biological father. ¡°Although you¡¯ve set the wedding date, the engagement is with the Lawson family heiress. Now that she isn¡¯t a Lawson, the wedding scheduled for next month needs to be canceled, or perhaps, it¡¯s time for a recement bride!¡± Chapter 771 Chapter 771 ¡°Recement?¡± Elliotughed, sneering as he cast a sharp and mocking gaze at She, ¡°Are you suggesting you should be the recement? But, do you even measure up?¡± Lionel chimed in with sarcasm, ¡°Seriously, who do you think you are, Ms. She?¡± She¡¯s facepletely froze. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I hope that when Sheena¡¯s status as an illegitimate daughter bes public, you can still choose to marry her despite the plummeting stock market of the Jenkins Group.¡± She chuckled arrogantly as she turned and walked away. Watching her get into her car and leave, Lionel scoffed, muttering through gritted teeth, ¡°She acts as if she¡¯s not an illegitimate daughter herself! I¡¯m so angry! What¡¯s so special about her? Who the hell gave her the audacity? Jacintha is only neen too, but her little schemes are adorable. Yet, She¡¯s cunning is purely disgusting!¡± Lionel continued to vent his frustration, finding it hard to calm down. Ignoring Lionel¡¯s rant, Elliot calmly instructed, ¡°Handle the DNA test between Nana and Austin. Make sure everything is taken care of.¡± ¡°Yes. You can trust me on this!¡± Lionel responded, immediately heading into the visitation room. After giving the instructions, Elliot carefully carried Sheena to the car¡¯s back seat. Even though Lionel had gone off to handle things, Elliot, being considerate, had a driver this time. During the journey, he embraced Sheena while working on hisptop, seemingly dealing with business matters. However, the moment Sheena sat in the car, she opened her eyes. She leaned silently against Elliot, gazing coldly out the window, lost in thought. At this critical moment, she could not possibly fall asleep. Yet, she could not be bothered to deal with She¡¯s taunts, so she left it to Elliot to handle. Upon arriving at the Jenkins estate garage, Elliot prepared to lift Sheena out of the car, only to discover that she had been awake the entire time. He gently used his fingers to tap her nose, asking, ¡°How long have you been awake? Was the position ufortable because I was working?¡± Sheena smiled. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just woke up.¡± Elliot did not say anything and just calmly carried her out of the car, holding her tightly as they headed back to E&S Haven. As they passed through the winding alleys of the Jenkins estate, Sheena¡¯s gaze remained fixed on his face. Chapter 771 212 After hesitating for a while, she finally asked, ¡°Eli, if¡­ if I¡¯m truly not the Lawson family heiress, our engagement won¡¯t stand. You¡¯re the mighty head of the Jenkins Group¡­ If the matter of you marrying a convict¡¯s daughter bes public knowledge, a seemingly insignificant illegitimate child, the Jenkins Group could suffer significant losses. You might lose billions overnight. Even in that case, would you still be willing to marry me?¡± Elliot listened silently, looking ahead, walking seriously without ncing down at her or giving an immediate answer to her question. ¡°Nana, let¡¯s get back first. I have a gift for you.¡± Not getting an answer, Sheena¡¯s heart sank. Without the identity of the Lawson family heiress, and if she indeed turned into a convict¡¯s illegitimate daughter, the immense disparity in status would surely make even Elliot hesitate. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. She should understand. However, she could not help but feel so disappointed and let down. In a single day, she found herself betrayed by everyone, left alone. Even Elliot was not the unwavering man she could rely on in the face of a major dilemma. She could only trust herself and fight her own battles for redemption. Chapter 772 Chapter 772 With these thoughts in mind, Sheena lowered her eyes, retracting the hand that had been tightly holding onto Elliot¡¯s neck. Elliot keenly sensed her change in mood. The doctor had mentioned that pregnant women tend to be more suspicious and thoughtful due to an excess of hormones, uncontrobly sumbing to various anxieties. He immediately noticed that his previous words might not have been appropriate and hurriedly added, ¡°Nana, I didn¡¯t mean to avoid your question. Before I came to pick you up at the visitation room, I spent the whole day preparing a gift for you. I wanted to wait untilter to surprise you before answering that question.¡± In the faint sunset hue, he stood at the entrance of E&S Haven, gently cing Sheena down. Then, he took out a ck ribbon, intending to put it on her. Sheena protested, ¡°What kind of trick are you ying?¡± Elliot shed a mysterious smile, whispering, ¡°Just wear it for a few minutes. Soon, you¡¯ll know. Trust me.¡± Their eyes met, and Sheena, captivated by the excitement gleaming in his dark eyes, agreed. He tenderly helped her put it on, covering her beautiful eyes with the ribbon. After that, Elliot carefully led Sheena into their garden with their hands interlocked. They walked all the way to the tree in the garden, and only there did Elliot untie the ribbon from her eyes. ¡°Nana, you can open your eyes now.¡± Sheena slowly opened her eyes, instantly captivated by the scene before her. The tree in the garden was adorned with small white lights, twinkling like a sky full of stars. Behind it, the sunset bathed the sky in red hues, unexpectedly harmonizing with the tree and creating a breathtaking view. Under the tree were 9,999 light green roses, each adorned with a pearl in its center, vibrant and dazzling, exuding an extraordinary and expensive allure. Sheena was witnessing such a grand disy of light green roses for the first time and could not help but smile in amazement. Elliot circled around to face her, kneeling on one knee, earnestly taking her hand. His eyes, glimmering with a soft glow, were filled with indulgence and tenderness as if all he could see was her. Chapter 772 2/2 ¡°Nana, our love began because of the engagement, and the twins fast¨Ctracked our wedding ns. Buy, every girl has this moment. So, Nana, you must have it too.¡± He tilted his face up, earnestly and calmly expressing, ¡°Nana, if you¡¯re not the heiress of the Lawson family, and if we have to cancel our engagement, then I¡¯ll propose to you again.¡± In Elliot¡¯s eyes, titles like the head of a powerfulpany and the potential loss of billions were nothing compared to Sheena. He took out a carefully crafted ring box and opened it before her. It was a one¨Cof¨Ca¨Ckind 18¨Ccarat ruby and diamond ring. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. He had Lionel personally go abroad and acquire it at a charity auction for a staggering 13 billion dors. The ring was also engraved with Sheena¡¯s initial, S. ¡°Nana, will you marry me?¡± Sheena was stunned, gazing at the ruby and diamond ring in his hand, then looking at Elliot¡¯s incredibly handsome face. Her eyes gradually reddened. All the loneliness, reluctance, and disappointment within her transformed into an indescribable sense of emotion at this moment. Just when she doubted whether Elliot would choose to let her go because of her identity or would not cherish her as before, Elliot went to great lengths to surprise her and assure her. This was the man she deeply loved. Also, the man who loved her the most in the world. ¡°Nana, my knee hurts. Hurry and say yes. Still not hearing her response, Elliot yfully pouted. Chapter 773 Chapter 773 Sheena chuckled, extending her right hand to Elliot arrogantly. ¡°Make sure you¡¯ve thought this through. It¡¯ll be toote to regret hister! If you dare betray me, there¡¯ll be no mercy.¡± ¡°Alright. We¡¯ve got the washboard and the ruler at home, ready to be at your service anytime.¡± Sheena could not help butugh at his jest, and the sadness from moments agopletely dissipated under his gentle reassurance, Her entire heart felt like it was soaking in honey, so sweet that she could not help but smile. Elliot took hold of her hand, decisively cing the ring on her finger, mimicking her tone, ¡°Wearing my diamond ring means you¡¯re my woman, Nana. You can¡¯t escape for the rest of your life.¡± He cradled her hand, nting a soft kiss on the back of it, then stood up, lifting her into his arms. ¡°Wait.¡± Sheena nced at the green roses under the tree, suggesting, ¡°Such beautiful flowers shouldn¡¯t go to waste. Have the bodyguards trim them and put them in vases in every room, okay?¡± ¡°Your wish is mymand.¡± He lowered his head to kiss her, and they entered the mansion together. She continued asking, ¡°Why did you think of using green roses? And weren¡¯t you supposed to dislike green? It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen someone propose with this color.¡± ¡°Green roses are unique, just like you. Theirnguage of flowers symbolizes evergreen love, never aging. But¡­¡± Elliot leaned close to her ear, adding, ¡°The main reason is that you like the color green.¡± His husky voice was incredibly seductive. Unable to resist, Sheena kissed his lips, their breaths entwining, losing themselyes in the mutual love they shared. As for issues like inheritance rights, paternity tests, or being a supposed illegitimate daughter¡­They could all wait until tomorrow! That night, Sheena slept soundly in Elliot¡¯s embrace, filled with sweetness. The next morning, she was awakened by a kiss. Groggily opening her eyes, she found Elliot¡¯s obsidian eyes gleaming with excitement, his face cloaked in mystery as he stared at her. ¡°What¡¯s going on again?¡± Chapter 773 212 Elliot nuzzled her nose, saying, ¡°Nana, besidesst night¡¯s proposal, there¡¯s another small surprise for you.¡± ¡°Another surprise?¡± Elliot¡¯s voice was maizing as he murmured, ¡°Mmhmm. Check the news on your phone.¡± Sheena, still half¨Casleep, reluctantly reached for her phone. However, when she opened the news app, her drowsiness vanished, and she immediately sat in bed. Elliot had transferred all his assets, properties, and shares under her name overnight. In the blink of an eye, she ascended to the top of Froania¡¯s rich list, bing the sole female billionaire. She also received a notification from her bank ount of a substantial transfer from Elliot. Nationwide,izens were stunned by Elliot¡¯s astonishing act of spoiling Sheena. Not only that, but their news also dominated the top ten trending topics. ¡°Why¡­ would you¡­¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Sheena¡¯s nose tingled, once again moved by Elliot. However, her primary concern overshadowed her emotions. ¡°Eli, do you realize what it means to transfer all the shares of the Jenkins Group to me? This is not a simple matter! You should have discussed it with me first!¡± Due to her worry, her tone was not friendly. In fact, it was a bit stern. Chapter 774 Chapter 774 1/2 Elliot bit his lip, lowering his head in a manner that suggested guilt, nestling into her embrace and speaking softly as if he had erred. ¡°Nana, I have nothing now, not even a dime to my name. Would you still want me?¡± Sheena sighed, feeling touched and pitiful as she gently stroked his face. She said with a slightly trembling voice, ¡°I epted your proposalst night. How could I possibly not want you? But¡­ are you sure doing all that is worth it?¡± Satisfied, Elliot embraced her waist tightly. ¡°It¡¯s worth it. You¡¯re now the wealthiest female billionaire in Froania. Even if you were truly a prisoner¡¯s illegitimate daughter, no one would dare to question you. ¡°Besides, my woman deserves the best this world has to offer.¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes turned red, tears streaming down uncontrobly. No amount of gratitude could express her current state of mind. She once thought falling for him, back when he went by the alias Elijah, was the greatest misfortune of her life. Little did she know he was the only stroke of luck in her entire existence. When they met with a dead end, they were willing to sacrifice everything for each other. This was perhaps the most beautiful deration of love in the world. Sheena held him tightly, feeling his steady heartbeat and the security he provided.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. The loving atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Lionel. ¡°The paternity test results are out.¡± Lionel¡¯s tone was heavy, and his mood seemed less than favorable. Elliot immediatelyposed himself, got out of bed, opened the door, and took the paternity test results from Lionel. He nced through them, and as he read, his expression darkened. He asked, ¡°Did you really deliver Nana and Austin¡¯s hair samples personally to the hospital?¡± Lionel nodded, replying, ¡°Yes, I personally delivered them to Svelton General Hospital, with a mandate from the National Investigation Bureau, requesting Dr. Frazer to conduct the test.¡± Elliot fell into silence, contemting for a while. ¡°You can go downstairs for now,¡± he said, and Lionel nodded before leaving. Sheena, still in her nightgown, had not gotten out of bed. Chapter 774 2/2 She looked at Elliot by the door and uttered, ¡°Eli, let me see it. Whatever the result is, I¡¯ll ept it.¡± Elliot hesitated for a moment but ultimately handed her the paternity test results. She took it, flipping directly to thest page. The words ¡®father¨Cdaughter rtionship¡® deeply pierced her eyes, apanied by Dr. Frazer¡¯s thumbprint. ¡°Nana, I feel there are still some doubts about this matter. Don¡¯t trust these test results for now.¡± Elliot calmly analyzed the situation for her, adding, ¡°You¡¯ve been with the Lawson family for so many years, and Uncle Albert never doubted your identity. He treated you with unique favoritism. Why, at this critical moment, did he suddenly decide to verify DNA? Someone must have reminded him to do it. Also, even Uncle Albert is unaware of this matter. Some individuals, clearly younger than you, are well¨C versed in these old stories. Could there be someone behind the scenes manipting things?¡± Elliot gave her some time to process his words, then exined, ¡°First, Uncle Albert encounters trouble, then you¡¯re discovered not to be the Lawson family heiress, and finally, your imprisoned biological father. All of this happened just a day before signing the inheritance rights. You¡¯re repeatedly struck with setbacks. All these twists and turns seem logical at first nce, but upon closer inspection, it appears too coincidental, too deliberate! All these events piled together give me a sense that the other party was pressed for time and had no choice but to resort to such tactics.¡± Sheena listened quietly, her brows slightly furrowed, her gaze fixed on the paternity test results and the stamp from General Hospital. Elliot noticed her scrutinizing the document and continued, ¡°Although Dr. Frazer personally issued this report, I don¡¯t think we can fully trust it. How about calling Noah over and having him conduct another test?¡± Chapter 775 Chapter 775 Sheena¡¯s gaze instantly turned cold. Remembering yesterday¡¯s events in the Lawson family, she scoffed, ¡°Even you don¡¯t believe this paternity test, but my brothers, who¡¯ve cherished me for over twenty years, do. Quite ironic, isn¡¯t it? ¡°As for your suggestion about Noah¡­¡± The mockery in her expression intensified, and she added, ¡°He was the first to believe the paternity test with Dr. Frazer¡¯s thumbprint on it yesterday.¡± Now, she trusted no one in the entire Lawson family. Suddenly, Sheena recalled Katie hurling mocking taunts at her when she was secretly released from prison. ¡°Your ¡®gentlemb¡® has been pretending for so long. I can¡¯t wait for the day you see his true colors! Being betrayed by someone you deeply love must be unbearable! Sheena, I¡¯ll be waiting for the day you have a meltdown after learning the truth!¡± Before, Sheena had thought Katie was referring to Elliot. Now, reconsidering, who among her brothers could Katie be referring to? The more she thought about it, the colder Sheena¡¯s heart became. Elliot once again fell into contemtion. Though he only got a brief ount from Sheena about yesterday¡¯s events at the Lawson family, based on his previous interactions with her brothers, he believed they were not foolish individuals who would overlook these questionable aspects. Especially Noah. Noah was usually reserved, extremely cunning, not easily showing his emotions, and was the pettiest among the three brothers. Despite his few words, Noah¡¯s affection for Sheena was no less than that of Corey and Howard. If it were not genuine care for Sheena, Noah would not have gone through the trouble of challenging Elliot and making him experience the pain of childbirth to understand what Sheena might go through. Even those three toasts were personally prepared by Noah and Howard. Their thoughtful gestures toward Sheena could not be canceled out by a mere paternity test. ¡°Nana, perhaps the news came too suddenly for them to react. Once they have time to think it over, I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll believe in you.¡± Elliot¡¯s perspective aligned closely with Barbara¡¯s thoughts from yesterday. Sheena did not want to delve into discussions about her brothers anymore and shifted the topic. ¡°The incident with Dad falling down the stairs, even though She exined it thoroughly yesterday, Chapter 775 Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. 212 I still feel something¡¯s off. Even if Dad got furious after learning about the paternity test and went into a rage, he wouldn¡¯t lose hisposure like that, allowing himself to fall down the stairs easily. Moreover, Lauren and Uncle George were coincidentally not around then.¡± Elliot pondered seriously,menting, ¡°Investigating this matter won¡¯t be easy. In the Lawson family, summoning the staff under the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s orders would be too obvious.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, and we can look into itter. For now, check on She. See where she has been recently and who she¡¯s been close to.¡± She¡¯s exquisite face appeared in Sheena¡¯s mind. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll instruct Lionel to do that,¡± Elliot assured. Sheena tightened her grip on the paternity test report in her hand and continued in a solemn tone, Also, investigate Dr. Frazer. I don¡¯t trust him. Look into his recent activities, his family situation, and financial records.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Lionel is thorough in his work.¡± Elliot cupped her face, nting a soft kiss on her lips. ¡°But right now¡­ I want yourfort.¡± He yfully nuzzled her nose, his expectant eyes trying to shift her mood from the worries of these trivial matters. Sheena raised an eyebrow, feigning oblivion, letting herself be led away by his diversion. ¡°Why do you needfort? Eli, what¡¯s bothering you?¡± Elliot buried himself in her embrace, rubbing against her and indulgently ying the soft¨Csounding victim, ¡°Nana, I¡¯m now as broke as a joke. From now on, I¡¯ll have to rely on you to support me. I only have you, and I want to be spoiled by you¡­¡± If Sheena were to abandon him at this moment, he would truly be left with nothing. However, he knew Sheena would never do that, never. Chapter 776 Chapter 776 1/2 Sheena cradled his face with both hands and kissed him passionately, then yfully flipped him over, pressing him beneath her. ¡°All right, I¡¯ll spoil you!¡± Then, she covered their bodies with a nket, muffling the sounds of their intimate moments. ¡­ Elliot, feeling refreshed, headed to the bathroom for a shower. Sheena yfully joined him, seizing the opportunity to tease him. After a mischievousmotion, she finally returned to sit by the bed. The phone rang. It was a Twitter news alert. She nced at it and noticed a familiar ¡®Lawson¡® in the headline. Sheena immediately turned serious, picked up her phone, opened the notification, and checked the details. The Lawson family was going to publicly acknowledge She as the youngest Lawson heiress, iming she had been missing for many years and was recently found. A grand wee¨Cback banquet would be held for the youngest heiress in five days. On the same day, the family inheritance rights would officially be signed over to her by the familywyer. The unsuspectingizens offered blessings to the actress who had unexpectedly be the youngest Lawson heiress, even having the inheritance rights handed to her at the wee¨Cback banquet. It was an unparalleled disy of affection! Sheena, looking at the news, felt a dull pain in her chest, a chilling sensation running through her body. Without a second thought, she knew who was behind all these decisions. Corey deliberately hid the fact that She was an illegitimate daughter and was now handing over the entire Lawson family to such a devious woman. It was ridiculous, trulyughable! Wrapped in a towel, Elliot dried his wet hair with a towel and merged from the bathroom. When he saw Sheena sitting on the bed looking distressed, he immediately adopted a serious expression. Chapter 276 He walked over, took her phone, and quickly skimmed through the news she was reading. ¡°Nana, this is probably just¡­¡± At this point, even he did not know how to exin Corey¡¯s actions. Sheena chuckled lightly, acting nonchntly. ¡°Since they believe I¡¯m not a Lawson, why should I care about having had that status in the past? ¡°As for the wee¨Cback banquet¡­¡± Sheena smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. In fact, she appeared unnaturally cold. ¡°As the sole female billionaire of Froania, how can I possibly be absent from the Lawson family¡¯s grand event?¡± Moreover, it did not fit her character to stay out of a situation without stirring up somemotion. Elliot gripped her warm hand, supporting her decisions throughout. Elliot apanied Sheena to the hospital in the afternoon for routine prenatal check¨Cups. Perhaps due to recent emotional strain, some indicators were a bit high. The doctor repeatedly advised her to control her emotions. While Sheena underwent various examinations, Elliot waited outside. Upon learning that Elliot was at the hospital, Lionel rushed over to find him. ¡°Elliot, Grandpa is asking you to return¡­¡± Lionel appeared rather worried as he looked at Elliot. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Elliot remained indifferent. ¡°I¡¯ll go back as soon as Nana finishes her check¨Cup.¡± ¡°Grandpa is not in a good mood, and Stanley is there too. It seems like they¡¯re nning to question you, and they urgently want you back,¡± Lionel whispered, standing beside him obediently. Chapter 777 Chapter 777 ¡°Alright. I got it.¡± Elliot remained calm. After all, what was bound to happen was inevitable, but Sheena would likely feel uneasy once she found out. With that in mind, he immediately instructed Lionel, ¡°Get Jacintha over and have her apany Nana during the prenatal check¨Cup, but don¡¯t tell Nana anything.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Lionel promptly took out his phone and messaged Jacintha. In less than two minutes, Jacintha came up from the car park. She was Lionel¡¯s shadow, following him during his various investigations and patiently waiting in the car each time. As soon as Jacintha arrived, Elliot adopted a serious expression and instructed her, ¡°If Nana askster, tell her that the Jenkins Group has an urgent matter, and I have to go to the office.¡± ¡°Oh, okay.¡± With the arrangements made, Elliot immediately left with Lionel. In no time, they returned to the Jenkins estate. Elliot appeared deep in thought throughout the journey, silently pondering something. Approaching the hall¡¯s entrance, he once again directed Lionel, ¡°When wee out of the hallter, don¡¯t escort me back to E&S Haven. Let¡¯s head to your mansion first for medication.¡± Medication? Lionel felt a chill run down his spine. Did Elliot predict that things would not end well once he entered? While Lionel was still frozen in ce, Elliot had already entered, leaving him with a still cold and aloof silhouette. Staring at the solemn entrance of the hall, Lionel suddenly felt a heavy, eerie atmosphere. The ce was simply terrifying. Truly afraid that Elliot might encounter trouble, he discreetly sent a message to Jacintha before following inside. Jacintha, who was waiting in the hospital waiting room, received the message and barged into the examination room. ¡°Sheena, something huge has happened! Mr. Santiago Jenkins has summoned Mr. Elliot Jenkins!¡± Chapter 777 The hall was filled with people, all waiting for Elliot. Apart from Stanley and Roger¡¯s family, there were several elderly members of the Jenkins family. Upon seeing Elliot enter, everyone except Santiago stood up and greeted him. ¡°Mr. Jenkins!¡± Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. 2/220 Elliot nodded slightly and walked straight to the open space in the middle of the hall. Alongside Lionel, he politely addressed Santiago, ¡°Hello, Grandpa.¡± Santiago scoffed, tapped his cane, and ignored the greeting. Elliot knew he was here to face questions and usations. Feeling no need to sit, he stood upright, and Lionel stood with him. With a sarcastic tone, Stanley initiated the interrogation, ¡°Elliot, I heard you transferred all your shares in the Jenkins Group to Ms. Lawson. The news has already made headlines this morning. Is that true?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Elliot lowered his head slightly, making no effort to hide or exin. ¡®Grandpa, did you hear that? He admitted it himself! Those are shares in the Jenkins Group! Many people can¡¯t even buy one percent of the scattered shares with their money, and he casually gives them away just to please a woman!¡± Stanley grew angrier as he spoke, ¡°He¡¯s truly disappointing your expectations, Grandpa! As the one in control of the Jenkins family, he¡¯s supposed to be the role model for the family. Yet, he has Santiago¡¯s face darkened, and his murky eyes angrily red at Elliot. ¡°Eli, I¡¯ll give you a chance to exin. Why did you do this?¡± Elliot smiled, looking handsome as he replied with a hint of arrogance, ¡°Stanley is right. I gave it all to Nana to make her happy.¡± As these words echoed through the hall, various sighs of disappointment filled the air. Lionel stood silently in the background, beading with cold sweat from the nervousness. Chapter 778 Chapter 778 Lionel wanted to help exin, but the words were stuck in his throat. He did not know how to assist Elliot in justifying this, especially when Elliot had willingly given away his shares and entire fortune. Hence, Lionel could only silently sp his hands together, praying for Sheena to return quickly and find a way to rescue Elliot from this trouble. Otherwise, Elliot would suffer horribly based on the situation. The atmosphere turned oppressive and intense. Santiago¡¯s silence and displeased expression indicated his profound anger, leaving everyone on edge. Stanley, not holding back, continued to add fuel to the fire, ¡°Grandpa, considering the magnitude of his mistake this time, shouldn¡¯t he relinquish control? ¡°And he should endure double the punishment. Otherwise, the entire Jenkins family might not ept it!¡± Santiago still did not speak, his gaze sharp and piercing as he stared at Elliot. Stanley continued, ¡°He gave away the Jenkins Group shares just to please Sheena. What if she¡¯s unhappy again? Is he going to hand over the entire Jenkins family next time? Should we start calling ourselves Lawsons instead of Jenkins?¡± Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. The words were harsh, hitting Santiago right in the heart. The Jenkins family held traditional values and had an ancestral legacy spanning centuries. Although Elliot elevated the family to the highest position, his actions were now gradually destroying 1. it. Suppressing his conflicting emotions, Santiago asked Grant, ¡°What do you think would be an appropriate punishment?¡± Grant hesitated for a moment and then said, ¡°If we follow Mr. Stanley¡¯s suggestion of doubling the punishment, which would be¡­ eightyshes.¡± The elders in the hall gasped. Eightyshes without any leniency meant Elliot could not walk out of the hall standing if he were to go through with it. For someone with a weaker constitution, it could even be fatal. Elliot remained expressionless, standing quietly, his face calm as if he were watching someone else¡¯s drama. Santiago was taken aback. 312 After careful consideration, Santiago spoke, ¡°Sheena vahies emotions, She¡¯s not a materialistic child. Eli, if you can retrieve the shares, I might reconsider the severe punishment.¡± Then, he nced at the other elders with a subtle signal. The elders immediately echoed his sentiment, ¡°The young ones are prone to mistakes. As long as there¡¯s timely rectification, it¡¯s not a significant problem.¡± Roger also chimed in, ¡°Without Elliot, we wouldn¡¯t have what we have today. Elliot has contributed to our family, and he indeed deserves a second chance.¡± Everyone rallied to speak in Elliot¡¯s favor Stanley adjusted his golden¨Crimmed sses with a hint of dissatisfaction. However, he understood the situation well enough not to voice any opposition. Santiago sighed in relief and turned his attention back to Elliot. ¡°Eli, I¡¯ll give you two days. As long as you retrieve the shares, we can consider this incident null and void.¡± Elliot chuckled. ¡°Grandpa, once a gift is given, there¡¯s no way to take it back.¡± This implied that negotiation was out of the question. Santiago¡¯s expression darkened quickly, and he became even angrier than before. He gritted his teeth and angrily stomped his cane. ¡°How can you be so stubborn? I¡¯ve been too forgiving with you! It¡¯s time you learnt a lesson! Grant, proceed as usual!¡± Grant was stunned and hesitated, ¡°But¡­¡± Santiago was infuriated. However, he could not bear to witness Elliot¡¯s imminent punishment and stood up, ready to leave. Other elders followed suit. With a calm and cold expression, Elliot gracefully knelt, unbuttoned his suit, and removed it, revealing a well¨Cbuilt physique. Growing up in the strict and traditional environment of the Jenkins family, he had no other choice. The intricately carved sandalwood box emerged once again. Grant took the dark leather whip from inside and bowed. Just as Santiago and the others reached the door, it swung open, apanied by a woman¡¯s soft and charming voice. ¡°Grandpa Santiago, before you start beating him, shouldn¡¯t you listen to my exnation as well?¡± Chapter 779 Chapter 779 At the entrance, Sheena¡¯s delicate face carried a gentle smile, her chest heaving from the intense sprint. Santiago was stunned, silent. Roger quickly understood the situation and approached Santiago, pleading, ¡°Dad, in this matter, Ms. Lawson is the involved party. Before we leave, why don¡¯t we hear her side of the story? There might be some hidden details.¡± Sheena smiled charmingly, winning the favor of the elders with her lovely face. Santiago locked eyes with her, agreeing to listen. Meanwhile, Elliot, still on one knee in the middle of the hall,cked the confidence to endure the impending punishment. His attention was solely on his back, bracing for the pain, unaware of Sheena¡¯s arrival. After a long wait, what fell on his back was not the harsh whip but the shirt and suit he had just removed. Then, a woman¡¯s slender yet warm fingertips wrapped his clothes around his shoulders, covering his beautifully toned honey¨Ccolored skin. He snapped back to reality, looking up to find himself caught in Sheena¡¯s displeased gaze. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Suppressing her displeasure, Sheena helped him up. ¡°If I hadn¡¯te, were you nning to keep it from me like you did in Farlem?¡± Elliot lowered his head, unable to exin. He just did not want to worry her. Once this punishment was over, the issue of the shares would be resolved. She had enough on her tetely, and he did not want to add to her troubles. Sheena knew Elliot¡¯s thoughts well, but she was still a bit angry. She scolded him softly, ¡°If you enjoy getting beaten so much, I can indulge you at home. But no one else is allowed to harm you except me!¡± Elliot bowed his head, staying silent. Irritated, Sheena discreetly pinched the soft flesh on his waist. ¡°Did you hear me?¡± Elliot winced in pain, nodding in acknowledgment. Chapter 770 ¡°Put on your clothes.¡± Sheena helped him adjust and gently massaged the reddened area, her eyes reminding him to be mindful of decency and not casually undress, emphasizing the importance of gentlemanly behavior! Observing the yful interaction between the two, Santiago felt relieved, When he spoke again, his tone had softened considerably, ¡°Sheena, what¡¯s your exnation?¡± Sheena smiled, retrieving a medical report from her bag, ¡°Grandpa Santiago, just take a look at this, and you¡¯ll understand.¡± Grant, who had put away the box containing the whip, rushed to take the paper from Sheena and handed it to Santiago. Santiago put on his reading sses and nced at her suspiciously. After examining the contents of the medical report, his eyes instantly lit up with excitement. ¡°You¡¯re pregnant? And with twins?¡± The joy in his tone was evident as heughed heartily. The anger from a few minutes ago seemed to dissipate entirely upon learning about the prospect of having two great¨Cgrandchildren. Grant added, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, this is quite impressive! Mr. Santiago Jenkins, you¡¯ll be able to hold both great¨Cgrandchildren in a few months!¡± N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. The other elders joined in theughter. ¡°Congrattions! You¡¯re truly blessed! Soon, you¡¯ll have four generations under one roof!¡± Roger chimed in, ¡°Congrattions, Dad! Twins are a tremendous blessing. How about we let go of what Elliot did this time?¡± Chapter 780 Chapter 780 Santiago was delighted with the congrattions, looking approvingly at Elliot. ¡°Eli, considering these two great¨Cgrandchildren, this time¡­¡± ¡°Grandpa!¡± Stanley quickly interrupted, unwilling to let Elliot emerge unscathed from the situation. He stood up, visibly agitated. ¡°Ms. Lawson¡¯s pregnancy is indeed a joyous asion. However, we should address Elliot¡¯s actions separately! He¡¯s giving away the shares of the Jenkins Group just because Ms. Lawson is pregnant. When the twins are born, he might end up gifting away the entire Jenkins family!¡± He sternly reminded Santiago, ¡°The shares are not meant for the children but for Sheena! The Lawson family is her maternal family. Who knows if she might take the shares back home in the future!¡± The atmosphere in the hall, once again, became heavy due to his words. Sheena, hearing the term ¡®maternal family¡®, felt a slight stiffness in her spine, finding an ironic twist in the situation. Elliot and E&S Haven were the only ces she could call home. Sensing her change in mood, Elliot immediately embraced her shoulders, providing reassurance. Dealing with the current situation was crucial, and Sheena regainedposure. Then, she looked at Santiago, saying, ¡°Grandpa Santiago, actually, I came here today to discuss the matter of shares. Even though Eli won¡¯t agree to take them back, I have the right to decide how to allocate them. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°I n to draft an agreement, promising that after the birth of our twins, I¡¯ll gift each of them half of the Jenkins Group shares I hold.¡± After all, the twins would carry the Jenkins surname, and if the shares remained with them, it would still be within the Jenkins family. It was a gift for the two youngest great¨Cgrandchildren, and no one could dispute it. Santiago looked quite pleased with Sheena¡¯s proposal. He turned to Grant andughed joyfully,menting, ¡°Sheena is indeed a sensible and good child! Eli sure is lucky to have her!¡± Grant joined in with a contented smile. ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson is understanding. She rushed over for Mr. Jenkins¡¯s matter. It shows she genuinely cares about him!¡± The two exchanged smiles, bringing a harmonious atmosphere back to the hall. Chapter 780 212 The initially solemn atmosphere lightened up significantly upon learning about the two little ones in Sheena¡¯s belly. Santiago was overjoyed, his grin stretching from ear to ear. He had Grant prepare two expensive gifts, which he personally handed to Sheena in front of all the elders and Stanley. His hands, wrinkled with rough skin, gently patted Sheena¡¯s hand, and with a heartfelt tone, he said, ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re truly blessed. No matter how much difficulties lie ahead, you¡¯ll surely turn things around.¡± Sheena, not one for false modesty, graciously epted the two gifts. ¡°Thank you, Grandpa Santiago. With the babies protecting me, no matter how tough it gets, I¡¯m sure I can ovee it!¡± As she spoke thest few words, her beautiful eyes sparkled with determination. Elliot, wrapping his arm around her waist, cautiously leaned in and asked, ¡°Grandpa, do I get a gift too? I yed a part in giving you great¨Cgrandchildren, after all.¡± Santiago¡¯s expression immediately turned serious. He lightly tapped Elliot¡¯s leg with his cane, sternly lecturing, ¡°You¡¯re going to be a father. You can¡¯t act recklessly anymore, only thinking about the present and neglecting the future! And another thing! Sheena is now the most precious person in our Jenkins family. You have to treat her well and stand by her side. If you dare mistreat her, I won¡¯t spare you!¡± Elliot smiled. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to.¡± Santiago then turned to Sheena, adding, ¡°Sheena, if he ever upsets you, don¡¯t hesitate to teach him a lesson! I¡¯ll always support you!¡± Touched, Sheena nodded repeatedly. ¡°Thank you, Grandpa Santiago.¡± Exiting the hall, the two of them returned to E&S Haven together. Throughout the journey, Sheena did not exchange a single word with Elliot, leaving him feeling uneasy. He tugged at her dress, asking, ¡°Nana, are you mad at me?¡± She did not turn around, heading straight upstairs, her tone calm. ¡°No, you almost suffered for my sake.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Elliot bit his lip, whispering, ¡°You¡¯re being so cold¡­¡± Chapter 781 Chapter 781 It had been a long time since Sheena had been so cold toward him. Sheena remained silent. The incident still left her feeling jittery. If it had not been for Jacintha informing her in time and if she had not instructed the driver to rush back, running red lights all the way¡­ If those eightyshes had truly been administered, she could not bear to imagine what state Elliot would be in. Sheena still vividly remembered Stanley¡¯s punishment from before. Nheless, if she had returned even a bitter and Elliot had endured twoshes, it would have still torn her apart. Why did he care so little about himself? Had he forgotten the promises he made to her so quickly? If she did not teach him a lesson now, he would surely repeat this pattern of hiding his injuries next time or the time after that! Sheena pondered seriously, holding his hand as they made their way upstairs. Elliot felt the chill emanating from her, silently following her into the room. ¡°Stay right here,¡± Sheena said as she pointed to the carpet at the foot of the bed. Though he did not understand her intentions, Elliot obediently stood there and watched her. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Sheena went straight to the bedside table and opened the top drawer. Seeing her actions, Elliot braced himself for what was toe, lowering his gaze and silently preparing to face her reprimand. To his surprise, Sheena did not approach him after she retrieved the ruler. Instead, she stood at the head of the bed and rolled up her left sleeve, revealing her delicate, fair wrist. Her clear, determined eyes suddenly turned fierce as she raised her right hand and swung it toward the inside of her wrist with a dull thud. Elliot immediately looked up and noticed her self¨Charming act, his heart skipping a beat. ¡°What are you doing?¡± He rushed over, snatching the thick ruler from her hand, examining her injury. Sheena¡¯s skin was fair and thinner than his, and with just one strike of the ruler, a red mark immediately welled up on her wrist. Chapter 781 2/2 Elliot gently massaged her injury with his fingertips, his eyes reddening with worry, ¡°Do you even realize what you¡¯re doing? Sheena, you¡¯re pregnant! How could you harm yourself like this? If you¡¯re upset, you can take it out on me. I won¡¯t resist, but you can¡¯t hurt yourself!¡± He was truly furious, tears welling up in his eyes, regretting not detecting her actions sooner. Sheena gazed at him, chuckling softly. ¡°It¡¯s just a minor smack with a ruler, and you¡¯re this concerned because it¡¯s on me. Elliot, if thoseshes had trulynded on you today, I¡¯d be even more heartbroken than you are now! Because thoseshes could¡¯ve caused you a lot of harm! The pain of heartache is no less than physical pain. If you really love me, then take care of yourself, and don¡¯t get hurt easily!¡± Elliot carried her to sit on the edge of the bed, taking out some ointment for the swelling As he applied it, he earnestly apologized, ¡°It was wrong of me to try to hide it from you. From now on, I¡¯ll discuss everything with you.¡± ¡°I want you to swear on it,¡± Sheena said in a serious tone. He immediately raised three fingers, solemnly swearing, ¡°I promise I won¡¯t hide anything from you anymore. I¡¯ll take good care of myself and never get hurt again. I¡¯ll discuss everything with you!¡± Sheena stared at him, not entirely satisfied. ¡°I want you to swear on something more serious. If you fail, then my life is forfeit. His pupils trembled, staring at her in disbelief. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Is it necessary to be so harsh on yourself?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not harsh. Only then will you truly remember the lesson!¡± Elliot was the only one she had now, and Sheena would never allow anything to happen to him again! Elliot withdrew his three fingers. ¡°It¡¯s impossible. I won¡¯t swear on your or our children¡¯s lives. Never. Chapter 782 Chapter 782 Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. There was no room for negotiation for this matter. Elliot would notpromise, However, he knew Sheena would not easily relent if she did not achieve her goal. So, he snuggled into Sheena¡¯s arms, ying the sympathy card, whining andining. ¡°I was wrong. There won¡¯t be a next time, I promise,¡± Elliot whimpered. Sheena nced down at him, unmoved. He continued to nuzzle into her, his voice aggrieved, ¡°I didn¡¯t even have the confidence to endure those eightyshes today. I¡¯m still feeling restless. I need yourfort, Nana.¡± Sheena remained silent. He was lucky she had not beaten him up yet, and now he wantedfort? ¡°Nana, I don¡¯t want you to worry, so I won¡¯t get hurt again, I promise! But if you ask me to swear by risking your life, it¡¯s like asking for my own death. I just escaped a disaster in the hall. Can¡¯t you let this slide andfort me?¡± Elliot pleaded with teary eyes, softly and gently inching closer to her lips, kissing her. Seeing her not refuse, he boldly pulled back the covers, treating her like a treasure, gently tucking her into bed and joining her under the covers. The next day, Sheena was awakened by the ringing phone on the bedside table. She groggily reached for it and nced at the screen, seeing an unfamiliar number. Assuming it was a wrong number, she ignored it and put the phone back. Half a minuteter, she received a text from the same unknown number. [Sheena, my return banquet is in two days. Today, I¡¯m going to MC to select my outfit for that day. Will youe?] Reading this message, Sheena instantly woke up from her drowsiness, stafing at the text. Though there was no signature, she knew without a doubt that it was She. Another half minute passed, and another text message arrived from the same number. [I know you¡¯ve been asking about metely. Why don¡¯t you ask me in person? I¡¯ll definitely tell you.] [Howard will be with me too. I hope you cane and help me choose the outfit!] Sheena read these three messages over and over, a cold smile ying at the corner of her mouth. She could not refuse such a generous invitation and made a simple reply. [Of course.] Elliot was still asleep, and Sheena did not want to wake him. Chapter 782 2/2 She gently kissed his forehead, got out of bed quietly, and went to freshen up before leaving the house. An hourter, she arrived at MC, the most upscale custom luxury dress shop in Svelton. Howard was lounging on the leather sofa inside the store, casually eyeing She across from him. She was being led by a sales assistant, picking out dresses. Suddenly, he caught sight of a familiar figure entering from the doorway, and as his gaze swept over, he abruptly stood up. ¡°Nana, what are you doing here?¡± Sheena smiled, but the smile did not quite reach her eyes. ¡°She personally invited me over. It¡¯s her big day in two days; how could I refuse?¡± Howard looked at her with concern, discreetly signaling her with his eyes, saying, ¡°You¡¯re pregnant. There¡¯s no need for you to be here. It¡¯s too tiring. Go back.¡® Sheena remained unmoved by his gestures. Just then, She, who was in the dressing room, heard themotion and immediately came out, warmly grabbing Sheena¡¯s wrist. ¡°Sheena, you finally came! I saw several dresses I liked just now but couldn¡¯t decide. Come help me choose.¡± As she led Sheena inside, she nced at Howard. ¡°Howard, don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re just picking out a couple of dresses. It won¡¯t tire Sheena out. Howard watched their retreating figures. Remembering Sheena¡¯s cold demeanor just now, he sighed and inwardly and walked to the front desk, discreetly asking for pen paper. Chapter 783 Chapter 783 In front of the rack of dresses, She eagerly showed Sheena the dresses she had chosen. ¡°Sheena, I think these are all beautiful. Which one do you think suits me best?¡± Sheena pursed her lips and smiled, replying, ¡°You need to try them on to see if they fit.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± She agreed and immediately turned to the sales assistant, saying, ¡°Take these to the fitting room. I want to try them on.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± The sales assistant quickly took the carefully selected dresses and headed to the fitting room. Once the assistant left, She once again grabbed Sheena¡¯s arm, smiling brightly as she said, ¡°It¡¯s inconvenient to be alone with all these dresses. Can youe in with me and help me fasten the buttons?¡± Sheena did not say anything, not explicitly agreeing but not refusing either. She took it upon herself to lead her into the fitting room. As She undressed in front of Sheena, there was no sign of difort or shyness, as if they were longtime close friends. Sheena leaned against the wall, watching her coldly. ¡°You didn¡¯t call me here just to help you pick out clothes. I don¡¯t like beating around the bush. It¡¯s just the two of us here, so speak inly.¡± She paused briefly as she put on the dress, then continued with elegance, ¡°Sheena, haven¡¯t you always wondered how I bagged all those awards in the entertainment industry at neen and who my untouchable benefactor was?¡± She wore a mysterious expression, adding, ¡°Actually, it was two people, both helping me and granting me significant power.¡± Sheena listened quietly, not saying a word. As She slipped on her heels, she continued, ¡°You may have forgotten about the things that happened when you were fifteen, but I haven¡¯t. Our first meeting was in the streets. You saw me and thought I was pitiful and adorable, so you decided to adopt me. And I liked you, Sheena. But I didn¡¯t just like you. I also liked your dad and your brothers. I was greedy, thinking I¡¯d be the Lawson family¡¯s little princess if I got rid of you.¡± Sheena furrowed her brows. These words were exactly the same as what she heard in her recurring nightmares. ¡°So, I secretly stole a drug that could stimte the nerves from Noah and lured you out. I caught you Chapter 763 2/2 off guard, stabbed the needle into your neck, and pushed you into the sea. But I never expected you to survive. You¡¯re really lucky.¡± Sheena clenched her fists tightly, her voice icy as she asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I brought a recording pen with me today?¡± She covered her mouth andughed, her face still as beautiful. ¡°Since I dared to tell you, it¡¯s only natural that I¡¯m not afraid! Sheena, did you really think that with our family¡¯s power, it would take them this long to find you? In fact, they have known all along, and they tacitly approved of my actions.¡± Sheena¡¯s heart tightened, her fingertips turning white from the pressure as she suppressed her anger and regained herposure. ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you give a guess?¡± She¡¯s face was full of mystery as she leaned in close to Sheena¡¯s ear, her smile full of mischief. ¡°Could it be that all of our brothers are involved?¡± Sheena remained silent, her expression icy, her heart even colder. She walked to the mirror, striking elegant and graceful poses, exuding a star¨Clike aura. Seeing Sheena still rooted in ce, She¡¯s eyes filled with scorn as she mocked, ¡°How does it feel to be distrusted by your beloved brothers? But Sheena, what can you do now? Our brothers have completely epted me. Corey is keeping my identity as Dad¡¯s illegitimate daughter a secret, wanting me to be the true heiress of the Lawson family. Noah frequently checks on and cares for my health. Even Howard came personally to apany me in choosing a dress today. They¡¯re no longer just yours!¡± Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. She was all smiles, her face stunning yet arrogant. ¡°Are you deliberately saying these things to provoke me, trying to anger me?¡± Sheena raised her cold gaze, staring at her. ¡°Well, let me tell you, you seeded. But provoking mees with a price.¡± With those words, Sheena¡¯s eyes suddenly turned fierce. She stepped forward, grabbing She¡¯s delicate hair with her left hand and raising her right hand, delivering a heavy p across her face. Chapter 784 Chapter 784 1/2 The loud sound echoed in the room. She was stunned, her face burning with pain. Over the years in the entertainment industry, she had to control her diet and watch her weight. As a result, her body was frail. Moreover, she had no martial arts skills and could not resist Sheena¡¯s strength. Sheena gripped She¡¯s face tightly, staring coldly at her, her tone proud. ¡°She Lawson, you still don¡¯t understand me well enough. You thought by provoking me, I¡¯d get emotional, my hands would shake, and my heart would rage, affecting my babies? ¡°Well, you¡¯re wrong. I might feel angry, but I never let it simmer overnight. If you annoy me, I¡¯ll deal with you first, no matter who you are!¡± With those words, another two psnded harshly on She¡¯s delicate face. She winced in pain, tears welling up in her eyes. Unable to break free, she could only cry out, ¡°Howard! Howard, save me!¡± Sheena yanked She¡¯s hair back, her sarcasm cutting deeper. ¡°She, the person outside has doted on me for over twenty years. Let¡¯s see who he¡¯ll be more concerned about when hees in.¡± She froze, sensing trouble. In a few minutes, Howard rushed in, rmed by themotion. The moment Howard entered, Sheena pushed She out and fell back herself. ¡°Nana!¡± Howard rushed to Sheena,pletely ignoring She on the floor. Just before Sheena hit the ground, Howard caught her in his arms, holding her tightly. He overheard the ps just now and quickly checked Sheena¡¯s face for injuries, relieved to see her complexion still fair and unharmed. Then, he discreetly held her right hand, soothing the redness caused by hitting someone. Sheena felt something as Howard touched her hand, giving him a puzzled look. He gently helped her stand straight before calmly turning to the distressed She on the floor. His voice returned to its usual calm tone as he asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Everything was fine. Why did you suddenly fight?¡± She immediately shrank into Howard¡¯s embrace, covering her bleeding lip, tears streaming down her face. Chante: 784 212 ¡°Howard, Sheena said I stole everyone¡¯s affection, and she¡¯s mad that I told you all that she¡¯s a secret love child between Auntie Sophia and a prisoner. She wanted to teach me a lesson.¡± Howard frowned and turned to Sheena, his tone grave. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re in the wrong here. After all, she¡¯s the youngest sister in the family now. You should go easier on her.¡± Sheena smirked as she opened her purse, pulling out a thousand dors in cash and casually throwing it at She¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve already hit her, so I¡¯ll take responsibility.¡± With a mocking toss of the money, she turned and walked away without looking back. As Sheena left, Howard grabbed She¡¯s cheeks, his grip firm. Even though he was speaking words of concern, his tone was indifferent. ¡°Let me see how bad it is.¡± ¡°Ow¡­¡± She winced in pain, furrowing her brows. ¡°Howard, be gentle, it hurts.¡± Howard loosened his grip, his expression nk. ¡°It¡¯s not too bad. It¡¯s just swollen. Apply an ice pack and use some anti¨Cinmmatory cream when you go back. You¡¯ll be fine.¡± Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. She covered her face, tears starting to flow again as sheined, ¡°Howard, does Sheena really hate me that much? I just wanted her to apany me to pick out a dress. What did I do wrong?¡± Howard earnestly lectured her, ¡°She¡¯s your elder sister. You should respect her, neverin, and don¡¯t go tattling back. Understand?¡± Chapter 785 Chapter 785 She¡¯s expression froze. 173 After a moment, she could only reluctantly lower her head and say, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°Good girl! That¡¯s the kind of grace our Lawson family heiress should have.¡± Howard smiled, patting her head. After a perfunctory pat, he turned and left, muttering, ¡°Change back into your original clothes. Your face is injured, so we won¡¯t be able to pick out a dress today. We¡¯ll do it another day.¡± Sheena left themercial district. It was not until she sat in her car that she opened her purse again and found a small note. Howard had slipped it into her hand when he helped her up earlier. Unfolding the note, there was only one sentence written on it. [Give me some time.] Frowning, Sheena silently stared at the elegant handwriting. Why did he need time? Had he discovered something and was quietly investigating? Just as she was pondering, her phone rang. It was Elliot calling. Elliot¡¯s voice came through as she answered the call, and he sounded somewhat sad. ¡°You went out without waking me up?¡± Sheena gentlyforted him, ¡°I¡¯ve just finished up here, and I¡¯ll be back soon. You were sleeping so soundly, and I didn¡¯t want to disturb you. Still curled up in bed on the other end of the line, Elliot groaned softly before continuing, ¡°What were you up to? Did you get hurt?¡± Bringing up the incident, Sheena felt a sense of satisfaction, replying, ¡°I just pped a scheming bitch a few times. It feels great!¡± ¡°You hit someone?¡± Elliot¡¯s tone became anxious. ¡°Does your hand hurt? Come back, and I¡¯ll massage it for you.¡± Sheena chuckled, feeling a warm sensation in her heart. ¡°I¡¯m not that fragile. I¡¯m feeling great right now!¡± 2/3 As they chatted on the phone, Sheena arrived at E&S Haven after about ten minutes. By the time she returned, Elliot had already gotten up and freshened up, but he was still wearing a loose silk robe. When she opened the door, Elliot was standing behind it, gently pulling her into his arms, seeking her familiar scent. With a hint of morning grogginess, he was all soft and cuddly, nuzzling his head against Sheena¡¯s shoulder, murmuring, and indulging in affection. ¡°Waking up to find the bed cold and empty was depressing¡­¡± Sheena stroked the back of his head, soothing him without saying a word. Lionel entered from the garden, and as he approached, he saw the door was open, and Elliot was disying his soft and affectionate side. The scene was too heartwarming, and Lionel could not help but smile. However, he hade over today with serious matters on his mind. Thinking of this, he had to clear his throat and interrupt the tender moment before him. Hearing Lionel¡¯s voice, both Sheena and Elliot immediately straightened up and released each other. Lionel handed over the report and said, ¡°The investigation results from Dr. Frazer¡¯s side are out, and it seems he¡¯s involved in some shady dealings.¡± Sheena and Elliot¡¯s expressions instantly turned serious, almost synchronizing their faces to a colder demeanor. Elliot took the investigation report from Lionel¡¯s hand and helped Sheena to sit on the sofa. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Together, they examined the findings. Frazer had an eighty¨Cyear¨Cold mother who was secretly taken abroad a few days ago. After that day, he conducted the paternity tests for Sheena and Albert. Then, the next day, at Lionel¡¯s request, for Sheena and Austin. The day after conducting these tests, he flew out of the country on a private jet. However, all his assets had been transferred abroad, indicating he did not intend to return. After reviewing the report, Sheena¡¯s gaze turned particrly icy. ¡°Frazer conducted both of these paternity tests alone. However, Lionel couldn¡¯t watch over him every second. For someone like Frazer, altering a few data points unnoticed would be a piece of cake.¡± Elliot nodded. ¡°His mother being sent abroad was likely used as a threat against him to manipte the paternity tests. In other words, the tests can¡¯t be trusted.¡± Chapter 785 Lionel chimed in, ¡°Should we conduct another paternity test? I can discreetly visit hospitals in other districts to ensure no tampering urs. After pondering it over, Sheena decisively nodded her head. Chapter 786 Chapter 786 Seeing her nod, Elliot immediately instructed, ¡°As a precaution, send Austin to the secret. interrogation room for easy examinationter.¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Lionel turned and left, heading to the garden where he took out his phone and promptly contacted the warden at Svelton Prison. Elliot pulled Sheena into his arms as soon as Lionel left,forting her. ¡°Once we redo the paternity test, this should be resolved. You don¡¯t have to lose sleep over it every night anymore.¡± ¡°Mmhmm,¡± Sheena replied softly. Sheena recalled the note Howard gave her earlier and the events at MC, feeling a sudden rush of complex emotions. She mentioned that there were two people behind her, likely with considerable status and influence in Froania, and they were from the Lawson family. Judging from Howard¡¯s behavior today, she could probably rule him out¡­ However, regardless of who was behind the scenes, this person was still her family. Sheena felt a sense of emptiness wash over her. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Lost in thought, Sheena was startled when Lionel burst into the room again, looking anxious. ¡°There¡¯s trouble at the prison! The warden reported that Austin suddenly began foaming at the mouth and convulsingte at night two days ago. He was rushed to the infirmary but died despite their attempt to save him.¡± Elliot¡¯s relief disappeared instantly, his handsome face turning grim. ¡°How¡¯s that possible? Did someone poison him?¡± Lionel sighed and shook his head. ¡°No, ording to the doctor, Austin had a history of epilepsy before entering prison, but he hadn¡¯t had any seizures for years. ¡°It¡¯s unclear why he suddenly had an episode, and it happened in the middle of the night. The guards didn¡¯t discover it in time, and he died from airway obstruction.¡± A heavy silence fell over the living room. Finally, it was Sheena who broke the tense atmosphere. ¡°Even if he¡¯s dead, we can still use his samples for the paternity test, right? Is the body still avable? Chapter 286 Lionel¡¯s expression grew increasingly dark, and he shook his head again. ¡°It happened the day before yesterday. Because of Austin¡¯s history of epilepsy, his death was deemed a natural seizure, and he was cremated already. Now, there¡¯s nothing left¡­ Probably just ashes.¡± Sheena¡¯s heart sank. Unfortunately, ashes could not be used for paternity testing. At this point, the situation reached a standstill, and all the progress made earlier was suddenly reset, Sheena sat there, feeling lost and plunged into silence. Seeing her like this, Elliot felt a deep sense of remorse, almost at the brink of tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nana. It¡¯s my fault. I should¡¯ve sent someone to the prison to guard Austin.¡± Sheena smiled wryly and spoke in a calm, gentle voice, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. Even if you had sent someone to guard him, the situation would have been the same if he had a seizure in the middle of the night.¡± He still kept his head low, overwhelmed with guilt. Sheena quickly hugged him,forting him, ¡°It¡¯s really okay. Let¡¯s try another approach. There must be other ways!¡± There was only one day left until the return banquet prepared by the Lawson family for She. Austin¡¯s death had caused a setback for E&S Haven, bringing them back to square one. Late at night, the rain poured heavily outside the window, and the sound of the wind rustling the leaves and the rain hitting the window ss filled the air. Sheena could not sleep, standing by the windowsill, watching the rain. Elliot looked at her lonely figure and sighed silently. Just as he was about to go over andfort her, there was a knock on the mansion¡¯s door downstairs. Why would someone be knocking at their door in the dead of night? Was it Lionel? Did something else happen? Sheena and Elliot exchanged nces and went downstairs together to open the door. As the door opened, they saw a man standing outside, drenched by the rain. Chapter 786 Strands of hair fell across his forehead, dripping with water. His shirt clung tightly to his body. revealing his muscr abdomen. Heaving heavy breaths, he had clearly sneaked into the garden unnoticed. In the bright light, Sheena recognized the man¡¯s face and froze. ¡°Noah?¡± Chapter 787 Chapter 787 Seeing Noah outside the door, Sheena and Elliot exchanged nces, evidently surprised to see him. Noah was soaked through, and he hesitated toe in and wet the carpets. He stood by the door, staring at Sheena with his cool gaze. Sheena was confused. However, she recalled the recent events involving the Lawson family and asked coldly, ¡°What brings you here at this hour and weather? Is there an emergency?¡± After catching his breath, Noah exined, these past few days ¡°Nana, I haven¡¯t been able to see you because I¡¯ve been under surveince. Tomorrow is the return banquet, and I had to shake off those watchful eyes and sneak over.¡± Sheena¡¯s heart softened instantly, and she turned to Elliot, saying, ¡°Get Noah a thick towel and make some ginger tea to warm him up.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± With a thick towel in hand, Noah dried himself as much as he could before entering the living room. Elliot went to make the ginger tea while Sheena sat on the couch. ¡°Noah, Just say what you need to say.¡± Noah nodded. He was never one to beat around the bush. ¡°Although Frazer is my mentor, I don¡¯t fully trust his paternity test, so I brought this.¡± He took a handkerchief from his suit lining containing strands of Albert¡¯s hair. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Sheena looked slightly surprised and stared at Noah. ¡°But Noah, it¡¯ste now. Even if we use your connections to send this to the hospital for testing, it won¡¯t be done by tomorrow. Noah shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t trust anyone else, so I came personally this time. You just need to provide me with silver staining reagent and polyacrmide gel electrophoresis.¡± ¡°Alright, the Jenkins family medical team should have these. I¡¯ll have Lionel bring them over.¡± Noah nodded and hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°Nana, on the day Dad had the ident, I didn¡¯t say anything. Did you¡­ me me for that?¡± Bringing up this matter angered Sheena. Only she knew how isted and helpless she felt facing her distrustful rtives that day. Saying she was not angry at all would be lying and unlike her nature. She gave Noah a cold re, leaned closer, and lightly hit his shoulder. Chapter 787 272 ¡°Of course I did. I even thought about not wanting to deal with you anymore and pretending you¡¯re not longer my brother.¡± Hearing her words, Noah¡¯s eyes dimmed with guilt. Sheena continued, ¡°But I¡¯ve hit you, so I¡¯m not angry anymore. I forgive you.¡± Noah¡¯s eyes lit up. He grabbed her wrist and used her fist to punch his chest lightly. ¡°That didn¡¯t hurt at all. It¡¯s not enough to let off steam. Give me a few more punches.¡± Sheena chuckled and pulled her hand back. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m really not angry anymore.¡± Noah breathed a sigh of relief, but then his expression turned serious as he remembered something else. ¡°Nana, while I was taking care of Dad these past few days, I found something in his room, and there¡¯s someone in the house¡­ acting very strangely.¡± Seeing theplexity in his eyes, Sheena sobered up again. She listened quietly to Noah¡¯s ount, her heart growing heavier and colder with each word. Noah shared all his recent discoveries with her. Noticing her increasingly distressed expression, he quickly reassured her. ¡°Nana, this is just my spection, and it¡¯s not confirmed yet. We can¡¯t jump to conclusions. You should hear his exnation at tomorrow¡¯s return banquet.¡± Sheena was not irrational. She immediately nodded in agreement. There was another knock on the door. Sheena checked the time and was surprised. ¡°Lionel came really quickly. I just finished sending him a message, and he already ntanaged to gather everything so fast.¡± She got up to open the door, with Noah following behind. The door swung open. Outside stood another man, drenched from head to toe, his chest heaving heavily. It was evident he had also scaled the wall to get there. Chapter 788 Chapter 788 1/2 However, it was not Lionel. It was Howard. Sheena looked Howard up and down and nced back at Noah, who was also drenched. Chuckling, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s happening tonight? Why are you all running over here in the rain? It¡¯s quite lively.¡± Howard wrung out the water from his blue suit while smiling at Noah behind Sheena. ¡°Well, well¡­ What a coincidence! Noah¡¯s here too!¡± Noah remained aloof, not responding to him. Sheena asked, ¡°Howard, what brings you here tonight?¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Bringing up the matter, Howard¡¯s expression instantly turned serious, and he spoke in a deep, grave tone. ¡°Nana, I¡¯ve found out the real reason behind Dad¡¯s recent troubles.¡± Sheena¡¯s smile faded instantly, reced by seriousness. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± Howard started to speak but then thought better of it. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside. I¡¯ll tell you slowly.¡± Sheena immediately handed him a towel to dry his wet hair. Howard quickly cleaned himself up. When Elliot came out of the kitchen, he immediately noticed another unexpected guest in his home. He smirked yfully, ¡°Howard¡¯s here too? Did you smell my ginger tea and decide toe for a cup?¡± Howard chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve never tried your ginger tea. What a treat!¡± Everyoneughed, and the atmosphere in the living room quickly became harmonious. They all sat on the sofa, discussing ns for tomorrow¡¯s return banquet. Just as two steaming cups of ginger tea were ced on the coffee table, the door was knocked on again. This time, it was really Llonel. Although Lionel had an umbre, the rain outside was too heavy. He ran all the way over, still getting quite wet. In his arms, he held the things Noah had asked for. Chapter As soon as Elliot opened the door, Lionel sneezed twice. Smelling the fragrant ginger tea inside, he put on a mournful face and began to mimic Elliot¡¯s usual act of self¨Cpity. ¡°Oh, what a tough life! I was having a nice dream when Sheena summoned me to do chores. I need cup of ginger tea to cheer me up, and a raise wouldn¡¯t hurt either!¡± He had not finished speaking when he heard Howard¡¯s lightughter from the living room. Feeling puzzled, Lionel peeked inside and was surprised to find Noah and Howard there. He immediately looked away, feeling regretful, His usual fawning behavior in front of Elliot, exposed to others, made him want to disappear on the spot, wishing he could hit the rewind button and start over. Elliot smirked at him, taking the testing equipment from his hands. rvou too.¡± ¡°There¡¯s plenty of ginger tea tonight, and there¡¯s some for you ¡°Great!¡± Lionel, always a social butterfly, quickly recovered from his embarrassment and joined the discussion in the living room after the awkward moment. After finishing their ginger tea, Noah took the equipment and headed to an empty room on the second floor to begin the serious verification process. The silver staining reagent and polyacrmide gel electrophoresis were the most primitive DNA testing methods. Noah, fearing making mistakes, meticulously conducted several tests, repeating the experiments. While Noah diligently performed the DNA test in the room, Sheena, Elliot, Howard, and Lionel stood anxiously by the door, waiting. Even though it waste into the night, not a single person felt sleepy. They were all nervous about the result. Noah¡¯s personal verification was the final chance and the most authoritative result. Each person felt restless, and every passing moment felt like agony. After another half hour, they heard the sound of the door handle turning from inside the room. Finally, Noah finished the testing and walked out steadily. Chapter 789 Chapter 789 Seeing Noahe out, everyone crowded around him. Howard nervously asked, ¡°Noah, how did it go?¡± Noah kept his head down, silent. His aloof expression made it impossible to tell whether the test results were good or bad, and everyone felt uneasy. Sheena resignedly said, ¡°Noah, just spit it out. Even if the results are bad, it won¡¯t be much worse than it is now, and I can handle it.¡± Still silent, Noah walked up to Sheena, embraced her shoulders, and held her tightly. Suddenly, his usually cold and proud face softened with a rare smile. ¡°Nana, my dearest sister, is the most esteemed heiress of the Lawson family!¡± With Noah¡¯s revtion, the heavy burden on everyone¡¯s hearts instantly lifted. Only Elliot, with a dark expression, separated the two from their embrace, pulling Sheena into his arms ¡°You¡¯re both adults now. Siblings should be more mindful and not hug so freely.¡± N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Sheena rolled her eyes helplessly at the jealous Elliot, sneaking her hand into his robe and pinching his waist. Howard breathed a sigh of relief, scolding Noah with a hint of annoyance, ¡°Can¡¯t you show a few more emotions? It¡¯s such a good thing, but you scared us half to death!¡± He seriously doubted if Noah would ever find a wife. What kind of woman could handle Noah? Noah remained indifferent,pletely ignoring Howard¡¯sints. The group discussed tomorrow¡¯s return banquet for a while. To avoid raising suspicion at the Lawson family, Noah and Howard quietly returned to Mountville overnight, braving therain. Although she had resolved her identity issues, Sheena¡¯s heart still felt heavy, and she could not sleep. Elliot noticed she was feeling down, and he held her tightly in his arms, gently kissing her forehead. ¡°Nana, I understand you. I know this situation is difficult for you. After all, being betrayed by someone you¡¯ve respected for over twenty years is heart¨Cwrenching.¡± Tears welling up in her eyes, Sheena buried her face in his chest, not saying a word. Elliot continued, ¡°But Noah is right, and I also find this situation unbelievable. Perhaps¡­ he has his reasons. You still need to meet him tomorrow in person, hear his exnation, and thene to a Chapter 789 conclusion.¡± She gently nodded, holding onto him even tighter. 2/2 ¡°Your body is not just your own now. Even if you don¡¯t feel like resting, our babies still need rest. For their sake, you should try to calm down and get some sleep.¡± ¡°But¡­ I really can¡¯t sleep. I¡¯m so upset¡­¡± Elliot sighed silently, trying to find a solution. ¡°How about I tell you a bedtime story?¡± ¡°No!¡± Sheena expressed disdain, ¡°Your storytelling skills are terrible!¡± ¡°Exactly! Because it¡¯s so boring, it¡¯ll put you to sleep!¡± Sheena was left speechless. She could not argue with Elliot¡¯s logic! In the end, she reluctantly listened to his bedtime stories for twenty minutes and finally fell asleep under his hypnotic storytelling! After a few hours of sleep, dawn broke. The return banquet of the Lawson family was held promptly at Albert¡¯s grand mansion on Mountville¡¯s summit at 7.30 p.m. Chapter 790 Chapter 790 Tonight, She made a grand entrance, dressed in a magnificent and the gold coud gown that perfectly complemented her naturally beautiful face, making her look like the most durished princess in the castle. As she entered, the apuse from all the guests erupted. Moreover, She was a renowned celebrity. Hence, the venue was also filled with many media reporters, and their cameras tbed around br exquisite face, capturing every moment. She remained calm andposed, exuding the grace of an heiress, shining brightly ador the crowd. Some guests noticed Sheena¡¯s absence despite her being one of the Lawson family¡¯s daughters, but their attention was quickly diverted by She¡¯s beauty. With Albert still unconscious, Corey became the sole head of the Lawson family. He took the mage and delivered a necessary speech, congratting She on her return banquet and preparing for the nex important mafter. In front of all the guests, Corey announced his intention to hand over the inheritance rights to Ste. She appeared surprised and honored, graciously epting the microphone, and modestly saying. Corey, I know you love me and want to give me everything, but I¡¯m used to the entertainment industry. I¡¯m really not cut out for inheriting the family business.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Her sincerity elicitedughter from many guests and media members. Some were drawn to this neen¨Cyear¨Cold girl¡¯s candidness. Amidst the apuse andughter, She continued, ¡°So, Corey, I believe the inheritance rights should go to you, the most capable member of our family!¡± Corey¡¯s gaze remained sharp, not immediately agreeing. He spoke gently, ¡°You¡¯re the youngest, and our family owed you the most for everything over the years. Besides, ording to Lawson family tradition, inheritance rights are passed to daughters. So, this inheritance rightfully belongs to you.¡± ¡°Corey, I don¡¯t believe in these traditions. I only believe in meritocracy. Please, stop humoring me, She insisted. The two stood on stage; disying a deep sibling bond, harmoniously insisting on yielding to each other. Eventually, after She¡¯s persistent persuasion, Corey reluctantly epted the responsibility of signing the inheritance rights document. Chapter 790 The Lawson family¡¯swyer, Ricky, approached the stage with the inheritance document. Corey took the pen from She and prepared to sign his name on the Inheritance document. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± A voice suddenly interrupted from outside the mansion¡¯s gate. Corey¡¯s hand trembled slightly, causing the pen tip to drop a blot of ink, conveniently smudging the spot where he was supposed to sign his name. Though he recognized the woman¡¯s voice, he still looked up to confirm. All the guests below also turned their heads to look toward the gate. Sheena appeared in a fiery red gown, exuding amanding presence even without wearing high heels. The irises on the hem swayed gracefully, entuating her elegant and aloof demeanor. Elliot was by her side, sporting his signature silver¨Cgray mask. ? One exuded cold pride, while the other smirked with subtle sarcasm. Together, they entered the mansion¡¯s garden, instantly capturing the attention of all the guests and media. With Sheena¡¯s arrival, the guests finally noticed that the cherished heiress of the family, Sheena, had just arrivedte?! The scene erupted withmotion, filled with suspicion and gossip. Onstage, She calmly picked up the microphone, attempting to regain control of the situation. ¡°Sheena, tonight is my big day. Why did you and Mr. Jenkins arrive sote?¡± The implication was to shift the me onto Sheena, using her of beingte and suggesting there was no need to make a fuss about it. Sheena met She¡¯s gaze from afar, her eyes filled with mocking amusement. ¡°She, even if you were to graciously concede the inheritance rights to Corey, it¡¯s not up to you to decide!¡± Chapter 791 Chapter 791 In the garden, the murmurs of the guests grew louder because Sheena¡¯s words implied something significant! Facing everyone¡¯s questioning gaze, Sheena turned her focus to Corey on the stage, speaking earnestly and seriously. ¡°Corey, this is a family matter for the Lawson family. If you don¡¯t want the Lawson Group¡¯s stock market to crash tomorrow or for various tabloids to make headlines about the Lawson family, then clear the ce immediately and listen to me!¡± spine. Under the spotlight, her cold and icy stare pierced through Corey, sending shivers down his sp The guests and media in attendance exploded with discussions, their voices escting. Howard, rising to his feet first, helped manage the situation. With his intervention, the media reporters soon left, and the guests,forted by Noah, began to leave one by one. On the stage, Ricky, holding the inheritance documents bag, looked bewildered, ncing around helplessly. Elliot noticed him and signaled to Lionel and John, who swiftly took the stage and forcibly escorted Ricky away from the Lawson estate. Ten minutester, what was once a lively garden became quiet, with only the members of the Lawson family and Elliot remaining. Even extended family members like Victor and Barrett were sent away by Sheena. Corey¡¯s sharp gaze locked onto Sheena, but he remained silent, his eyes following her as she stepped onto the stage, waiting quietly for her to speak. Sheena did not beat around the bush. She opened her bag and took out five paternity test reports. personally prepared by Noah the previous night. ¡°Corey, take a good look. This is the truth of my bloodline!¡± Suppressing her anger, she threw the reports onto Corey¡¯s body. Corey did not react, remaining motionless and silent, his gaze still fixed on her. ¡°Corey, it was you who proposed to Dad to do the DNA test. Dr. Frazer is Dad¡¯s good friend, and you¡¯re quite close to him too. Did you use Frazer¡¯s elderly mother against him to falsify the paternity test?¡± Corey lowered his gaze, ncing at the scattered papers on the ground, his lips tightly pressed, saying nothing. She stepped forward, chiming in, ¡°Sheena, this has nothing to do with Corey. I threatened Dr. Frazer, and I suggested doing the DNA test to Dad over the phone. Chapter 791 2/2 ¡°If Corey really wanted Dr. Frazer to falsify the test, he wouldn¡¯t need to resort to threats, and Dr. Frazer would obedientlyply. Corey¡­¡± ¡°She, shut up!¡± Sheena red coldly at She. ¡°I¡¯m asking Corey. This matter doesn¡¯t require you to answer for him!¡± She defiantly raised her chin but refrained from saying anything further. Sheena turned her gaze back to Corey and retrieved another document from her bag, tossing it over ¡°This is the evidence Howard recently gathered at the Lawson estate. On the day Dad had his ident, Lauren was with him! It was Lauren who pushed him down the stairs while all his attention was on that paternity test!¡± Bringing up this topic made Sheena¡¯s heart ache. Soon, her eyes reddened with tears, and her voice trembling slightly. ¡°How much do you actually know about this? Did you orchestrate it?¡± In the audience, Lauren lowered her head guiltily, trying to diminish her presence. Corey remained fixated on her, offering no response. In the dim light, Sheena could not discern his facial expression or what he might be thinking. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. She continued her usations, ¡°You used Dad¡¯s illness as an excuse, repeatedly requesting to dy my signing of the inheritance, yet you were eager to acknowledge She and hand over the inheritance to her, an illegitimate daughter who doesn¡¯t deserve anything! What exactly are you up to? ¡°Corey, all these years of loving care you¡¯ve shown me¡­ was it all just an act?¡± Corey was taken aback, his voice choked up as he called out, ¡°Nana¡­¡± Sheena took a deep breath, suppressing her wildly fluctuating emotions, and spoke coldly. Chapter 792 Chapter 792 ¡°I don¡¯t care if you knew about any of this or not, Corey. I¡¯m holding you responsible for everything! Besides, if Dad has an ident, I should be the one handling the whole Lawson family! Whether or not I inherit, that¡¯s not for you to decidel¡± Then, she turned to Noah, Howard, and Elliot. ¡°Keep an eye on Lauren and She, Don¡¯t let those two bitches escape. I¡¯ll settle the score with them later!¡± After giving her instructions, she turned back to Corey. ¡°You¡¯reing with me. She marched into the mansion, and Corey followed her silently. They entered the bedroom where Sheena had stayed before, and Corey closed the door and stood by it, waiting for her to speak. Feeling a bit weary, Sheena sat on the edge of the bed, staring at him from a distance. ¡°I wanted to speak to you alone because there are some things I need to discuss with you privately. I can¡¯t believe that my big brother, who has loved and cared for me for so many years, would be the person who hurt me the most.¡± ¡°Nana¡­¡± Corey started to speak but sighed eventually, unable to find the words. Sheena continued, ¡°When I was fifteen, She injected me with psychotropic drugs and pushed me into the water. Did you know about that?¡± Corey closed his eyes, masking his guilt. ¡°Yes, I knew.¡± ¡°How long have you known?¡± ¡°I knew about it a long, long time ago.¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes widened slightly, feeling suffocated. Her voice choked up as she added, ¡°Were you it?¡± ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t me.¡± Since it was a private conversation, Corey chose to confess everything. in on ¡°I was indeed the first to know, but She was the sole mastermind behind that. I would never trade your life for any benefit. When I found out about it, I punished She severely and seized all her film and television resources, making her suffer for almost half a year. It was only because Dad pitied her that I let her go, but Dad didn¡¯t know the truth about what She did to you. He paused for a moment, then said, ¡°The ones supporting She were me and Dad. Whatever she wanted, both of us did everything to satisfy her.¡± Chapter 792 2/2 Sheena was puzzled. ¡°Why do you protect her? If she did something wrong, she should face the consequences!¡± ¡°I¡­ really punished her.¡± ¡°So what?¡± Sheena¡¯s tone grew heavier. ¡°She harmed me not once, but multiple times! She tried to kill me on each of those attempts! Your casual punishment doesn¡¯tpensate for all the harm she¡¯s caused me.¡± N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Corey closed his eyes again, unable to respond. her Sheenaposed herself and continued to inquire, ¡°What about this time? Was it you, or was it her acting on her own?¡± ¡°She knew I wanted the Lawson family inheritance, so she acted first, forcing me to stand with her. I only found out about everything when I arrived at the mansion on the day Dad had an ident.¡± Sheena clenched the bed sheets tightly as tears uncontrobly streamed down her face. She tried to maintain herposure. ¡°Corey, are you that reckless? If you really wanted the inheritance, couldn¡¯t you just tell me? How can you be so sure I wouldn¡¯t be willing to give it to you? You don¡¯t even trust your own sister of over twenty years, but you trust She, this illegitimate daughter?¡± Corey responded, ¡°You have Elliot by your side. Since he returned to Svelton, the Jenkins family took over the title of the wealthiest family. He¡¯s cunning in business, and I can¡¯t trust him! If you marry him, it¡¯s like handing over the entire century¨Cold legacy of the Lawson family to the Jenkins family! Dad may be clueless, willing to take this risk and give you the inheritance, but I can¡¯t ignore this threat. Only when the inheritance is in my hands can I rest assured and reim the once glorious. status of the Lawson family!¡± Tears continued to fall from Sheena¡¯s eyes as she listened,ughing bitterly. ¡°So, that was your thought all along. And it¡¯s the supposedly cunning Elliot in your eyes who, when I was left homeless by you and She, resolutely transferred all his properties, real estate, and stocks to my name, even though he knew the Jenkins family would punish him for it. Don¡¯t you find that ironic, Corey?¡± Chapter 793 Chapter 793 Corey¡¯s face turned pale Instantly, rendered speechless by Sheena¡¯s words. He had not expected Elliot to sacrifice the honor and interests of the entire Jenkins family for Sheena, giving her all his property and shares. It was truly ironic and absurd. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Corey uttered. Beyond those words, any further exnation seemed feeble. Sheena wiped away her tears, feeling utterly disappointed in Corey. N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. ¡°Even if you didn¡¯t do these things yourself, it¡¯s because of your indulgence that She could act so recklessly. You protected her and concealed the truth of her harming me, causing me to end up homeless in Farlem at fifteen, suffering for six years in the Freeman family. ¡°This harm isn¡¯t something you can offset with a mere punishment and six months of suffering for her! ¡°At Clear Crane Bridge in Farlem, she, along with Keanu, hired forty assassins from the ck market. to kill me, forcing me to jump into the chilling river! At Eros Bar in Farlem, she and Uncle Barrett bribed Nathaniel to steal $404 to harm me. She sowed discord between me and Elliot, acted as Katie¡¯s advisor, and, on Katie¡¯s birthday, tried to push me into Colin¡¯s bed! She even sent you to break Katie and Jennifer out of prison, continuously causing trouble in my life.¡± Sheena paused to take a breath, then continued, ¡°All these things are the result of you and Dad spoiling her! I won¡¯t forgive you. You want the Lawson family inheritance? Take it. Consider it a reward for loving and bringing me up over the years. However, we¡¯re no longer siblings, Corey!¡± After saying these words coldly, Sheena brushed past Corey. Her face was resolute, and her eyes filled with boundless hatred and anger. Corey¡¯s eyes reddened too, and just as Sheena was about to open the door, he called out to her. ¡°Nana, I¡¯m sorry. I never realized how much I hurt you. I don¡¯t expect your forgiveness, but I¡¯ll repent and try to make it up to you. About She¡­ You can make her pay the price, but please spare her life.¡± Sheena thought it was simply insulting, and she tightened her grip on the door handle. ¡°You really treat her differently. Even after I listed all her crimes, you still plead for her.¡± Corey hung his head, suppressing the guilt within him. His eyes were tearing up as he spoke, ¡°When I was on a military mission, her mother sacrificed her life to save mine. I owe her mother a great debt. I promised to take good care of She, to protect her throughout her life, and Dad felt the same. He was already feeling indebted to She as she was an illegitimate child. Later, when I made She lose her mother again, he became especially tolerant and Chapter 793 affectionate toward her.¡± Albert was a gentle and caring father to his children, but he was not a good husband. He loved three women in his lifetime.¡± Corey sighed, his voice choked with emotion as he continued, ¡°Nana, I¡¯m begging you this time. Please spare her.¡± Sheena¡¯s heart skipped a beat, her pupils trembling, frozen in ce. Since childhood, Corey had been the figure she revered the most. he When she made mistakes, Corey would educate and discipline her. Yet, after every punishment, was always the one who felt the worst, willing to move heaven and earth to pamper and protect her. Corey seemed like a strict yet nurturing mother figure, while Albert was an approachable, gentle father figure. However, her beloved brother was pleading with her for the first time, just for She¡¯s sake. Sheena¡¯s face was filled with disdain, and she scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t call me Nana. From now on, I don¡¯t want to hear that word from your mouth again. I only have Noah and Howard as brothers now. The big brother I once loved died in my heart when I was fifteen.¡± With those words, she opened the door and left without looking back. Chapter 794 Chapter 794 Corey was left alone, gazing at Sheena¡¯s former room, feeling lost and mncholic. 1/2 As Sheena emerged from her room, Elliot was waiting for her in the stairwell. Seeing her red eyes and tear¨Cstained face, he felt a pang of sympathy, but he said nothing, only opening his arms to her. Sheena walked over and burled herself In his embrace. Feeling his steady heartbeat, she felt a sense of belonging, and the strange emotions in her heart gradually calmed. Elliot held her tighter, patting andforting her back. He asked, ¡°Are you tired? If you¡¯re feeling really ufortable, we can go home.¡± Sheena shook her head, refusing. She had not dealt with Lauren and She yet, so she would not go back! Elliot understood what she was thinking and stopped persuading her further. Instead, he held her hand tightly and descended the stairs together. Barbara was standing in the living room on the first floor, tears shimmering in her eyes. Clearly, she had also cried. Upon seeing Sheena and Ellioting down, she looked full of guilt, tears streaming down her face in despair. ¡°Nana, this breaks my heart¡­ I didn¡¯t even know¡­ I¡¯m sorry, really sorry!¡± Sheena was always clear about right and wrong. Barbara, her sister¨Cinw, had protected her many times and genuinely treated her like her own sister. Hence, she would not me Barbara for Corey¡¯s actions. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. You were kept in the dark about these things too. I won¡¯t me you, don¡¯t need to apologize on Corey¡¯s behalf,¡± Sheena said. and you Barbara noticed Sheena¡¯s tone and cried even harder. Sheena sighed, realizing it was Impossible not to have any rift in her heart after such an event. She did not know how to calm Barbara down but could only say, ¡°He¡¯s upstairs. He¡¯s probably in a horrible mood too. Barbara, you should go up and see him.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Barbara nodded and quickly went upstairs. Chapter 794 212 In the garden, She and Lauren were being watched closely, unable to move from their seats. As Sheena approached the front door of the mansion, she could see Lauren¡¯s nervous and trembling demeanor from afar. The thought of Albert in the bedroom fueled her anger even more. She marched into the garden without hesitation and, without a word, grabbed Lauren¡¯s well- groomed hair and pulled her toward the mansion. ¡°Ouch! Sheena, let go! I¡¯m your stepmother! Your elder! You can¡¯t treat me like this!¡± Lauren grimaced in pain, hysterically shouting. Sheena sneered. ¡°Perhaps before, but not anymore!¡± Her eyes suddenly turned fierce, and she forcefully pulled Lauren¡¯s hair. Lauren felt as though her scalp was about to be ripped off. Having been pampered in the Lawson family for so many years andcking any fighting skills, she could not break free from Sheena¡¯s grip. Sheena dragged Lauren all the way, entering the mansion and heading upstairs to Albert¡¯s room. The bedroom door opened. Alberty peacefully, his face wearing an oxygen mask, with monitoring devices beside him. He was already in a vegetative state, not moving at all. Sheena kicked Lauren¡¯s back knee, forcing her to kneel by Albert¡¯s bedside, still tightly gripping her hair. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°Lauren, look at this clearly! This man in the bed married you despite all his children¡¯s objections! Your years of luxury andfort in the Lawson family were all thanks to this man in front of you!¡± Sheena eximed. ¡°How could you bear to push him down the stairs? Have you lost all conscience?¡± Chapter 795 Chapter 795 172 Lauren was yelled at until she cried, unable to bring herself to look at the man lying in the hospital bed. However, Sheena, still pulling her hair, left Lauren with no means of escape. The intense pain in her knees and scalp was pushing her nerves to the brink, and she screamed, almost on the edge of a breakdown. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong! I was just protecting myself. All of this is your fault, Sheena! You caused this! Albert deserves it! If he hadn¡¯t insisted on passing the inheritance to you and forced me into a corner, I wouldn¡¯t have listened to She¡¯s maniption!¡± Lauren and Sheena had never gotten along. Sheena had previously threatened to kick her out of the Lawson family once she gained control of the inheritance. Moreover, Lauren had been pampered in the Lawson family for so many years that being ousted would be akin to a death sentence. She had no survival skills and would not be able to make it on her own. However, if She inherited the wealth, it would be a different story, and she could still be a part of the Lawson family. Lauren believed she did nothing wrong. It was just all for the sake of survival! Sheena was mildly shocked,pletely unprepared for Lauren¡¯sck of remorse. Anger surged within her, and she pped Lauren hard across the face, forcing her to look at Albert. ¡°What did Dad do wrong? It was you who schemed and seduced him for wealth! It was you who pressured him to take responsibility for you! Has he ever let you down over the years?¡± Sheena used. ¡°He genuinely cared for you. He once told me that after his death, he wanted me to arrange a luxurious mansion for you to live in and transfer 5% of the Lawson Group¡¯s shares to you so you could continue living afortable life off those dividends. He even said if you wanted to remarry, should let you! And what about you? Is this how you repay him?¡± I Lauren¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared nkly at her unconscious husband lying on the bed. ¡°How is that possible? H¨CHe had already nned everything for me?¡± Sheena sneered at her. ¡°Lauren, you know my character. I always retaliate tenfold. Despite all our arguments over the years, I have never physically harmed you because Dad couldn¡¯t bear to see you hurt!¡± Chapter 295 ¡°L¡­ I¡­¡± Lauren trembled, unable to utter a word. She had never loved Albert and marrying him had been solely for the sake of enjoying the prestige and wealth of being a socialite. She assumed Albert felt the same, seeing her as nothing more than a youthful, amusing diversion. Unexpectedly, Albert had actually loved her and had made arrangements for her future, wanting, her to live out the rest of her daysfortably. Overwhelmed with guilt, she broke down in tears, consumed by remorse. Sheena stared coldly at her, her tone indifferent. Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°You¡¯re truly both foolish and wicked. Dad was the only one in the Lawson family who would protect you. You¡¯ve harmed him, and you know so many of She¡¯s secrets. Given She¡¯s nature, she¡¯ll find a way to deal with you once things settle down! I may be her half¨Csister, but she¡¯s tried to kill me multiple times. It shows just how ruthless she can be! Meanwhile, you have no connection to her at all. Why would you believe she¡¯d actually protect you?¡± Lauren gasped, and even her crying ceased as she suddenly realized her mistake, how terribly wrong she had been! She crawled back, grasping Sheena¡¯s gown, and earnestly apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sheena. I was wrong! I truly realize my foolishness now! Can you give me another chance?¡± Sheena pushed her away with a kick, towering over her with eyes devoid of warmth. ¡°Will giving you another chance bring Dad back? Because of you, he¡¯s in aa. He¡¯ll never have another chance. So what right do you have to beg for my forgiveness?¡± Lauren could not muster a response to Sheena¡¯s questioning, consumed with regret and on the brink of despair. Sheena¡¯s expression remained indifferent. ¡°Lauren, you¡¯ve sealed your own fate of afortable retirement! Save all your regrets for prison, where you can spend the rest of your days atoning for your sins!¡® With that ironic remark, she sent a message to Lionel, who was waiting outside the mansion. Soon, Lionel and John came in to escort the distraught and uncontrobly weeping Lauren away. Chapter 796 Chapter 796 ¡°Sheena, what do you n to do with her?¡± Lionel asked. Sheena nced at the motionless figure of Albert on the bed and sighed softly. ¡°Send her to prison for attempted murder. I want her to spend the rest of her life there, never to be seen again! Also, before she goes in, make her sign the divorce papers.¡± ¡°Got it¡± Lionel and John escorted Lauren away. Sheena took a deep breath, but after just a few steps, she felt dizzy and copsed to the side. However, she fell into a warm and familiar embrace. Elliot was concerned and suggested, ¡°Nana, you¡¯re pregnant and the doctor said you must avoid extreme emotions. Even if it¡¯s for the sake of the babies, you need to control your emotions.¡± Sheena weakly nodded, too exhausted to speak. Elliot lifted her gently into his arms, cradling her securely. ¡°Most of the Lawson family matters have been taken care of. As for She, why don¡¯t you let me handle her for you?¡± Sheena shook her head, replying, ¡°She¡¯s the mastermind behind all this, the worst of them all. I want to deal with her myself.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll hold you while you give the orders, and I¡¯ll instruct Lionel to carry them out. How about that?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Lionel was skilled in physical confrontation¨Cprecise and ruthless. Such a valuable asset had to be used wisely. Elliot tenderly kissed Sheena¡¯s forehead before carrying her downstairs. She was already being forced to kneel in the lobby by Howard¡¯s men, whereas Noah and Howard sat silently on either side of the couch. The atmosphere was heavy with tension. Elliot walked past them without a nce, settling on the middle couch with Sheena in hisp, cradled in his arms. Sheenazily yed with his elegant tie as she addressed She. ¡°Now that everything¡¯s out in the open, do you have anything to say?¡± Chapter 296 2/2 Although She was kneeling, her back was still straight, smiling as if she was unfazed. ¡°I¡¯ve lost. That¡¯s all there is to it. I have nothing to say. Do whatever you want.¡± Sheena smirked and said in a cruel tone, ¡°Okay. Since you¡¯ve been recognized as part of the family. and are officially a Lawson, then let¡¯s start with family rules.¡± Elliot understood her intention and Immediately signaled to Lionel. Lionel went to the garden, returning with several sturdy branches he had plucked from the trees. Sheena spoke icily, ¡°Start with fiftyshes, then we¡¯ll begin the questioning.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Lionel ced the branches on the coffee table and casually selected one before approaching She to administer the punishment. The rming sound of the branches striking She echoed continuously, breaking the previously heavy silence in the hall, and lending an eerie atmosphere. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Each strike from Lionel was delivered with the same force and ruthlessness, showing no mercy just because She was a girl. He seemed like an emotionless punishment machine, unyielding in his task. As each branch broke, he would simply grab a new one and continue the relentless assault. She was dressed in a strapless, backless cocktail dress tonight, revealing her delicate and tender skin. Each strike caused intense pain, quickly reddening her arms and back, with some areas even breaking the skin, leaving traces of blood. At first, She managed to endure a few strikes while kneeling upright but eventually sumbed to Lionel¡¯s relentless punishment. The pain became unbearable, and she copsed on the floor, curling up and shielding her head with her arms. From a distance, Sheena watched as She trembled in agony, not once crying out for mercy, revealing a stubborn resilience. ¡°Lionel, it looks like you¡¯ve lost your touch. Why haven¡¯t I heard any cries from our lovelydy? Are you holding back?¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, her smile tinged with malice. Chapter 797 Chapter 797 Lionel paused. When he looked up, he immediately caught Elliot¡¯s warning gaze from across the room, causing a slight change in his expression. ¡°No way! How could I dare hold back with so many of you watching?¡± Lionel¡¯s voice trembled with fear, and when he resumed striking, his blows were even more ruthless than before. She was in unbearable pain, her body shaking, nearing her limit. Soon, tears filled her beautiful eyes as she weakly looked toward Noah and Howard seated on the adjacent sofa, hoping they would save her. ¡°Noah, Howard, help me¡­¡± Noah remained cold and impassive, showing no emotion in response to her plea. On the other hand, Howard, witnessing her bloodied state and hearing the terrifying sounds of the beating, chose to avert his gaze, ignoring her entirely. Facing her indifferent brothers, She felt a chill in her heart, a sarcastic smile ying on her pallid lips. Despite asional groans of pain, she refused to beg for mercy. With a final crack, thest branch in Lionel¡¯s hand broke. He breathed heavily, visibly exhausted, and turned to Sheena and Elliot. ¡°Sheena, fiftyshes are done.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Sheena¡¯s voice was cold and devoid of emotion. She, in agony, hugged her arms tightly, trembling uncontrobly on the floor. Her carefully prepared hair and makeup were ruined by sweat, with no trace remaining of her former elegance at the return banquet. John stepped forward, forcefully pulling She up to her knees. Despite her petite and wounded frame, she remained resilient, refusing to copsepletely. Before even starting the interrogation, she had already endured a harsh punishment, realizing that Sheena intended to crush her spirit and assert dominance! Twisting away from Elliot¡¯s embrace, Sheena turned her head, casting a sidelong nce at She. Her face remained cold and aloof. Everyone adored her, a symbol of her elevated status within the family. ¡°Lauren imed you were behind Dad¡¯s ident, and you instigated her.¡± Chapter 797 2/2 With lowered eyes and a momentary relief from the pain, She replied expressionlessly, ¡°Yes.¡± Sheena¡¯s inner fury surged once again, shouting, ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a heartless beast! That¡¯s your own dad, and yet you could stomach letting someone push him down the stairs? He¡¯s been supporting you and showering you with love all these years. Don¡¯t you feel guilty?¡± She chuckled weakly, her eyes filled with coldness despite the pain. ¡°Why should I feel guilty? When he insisted on passing the inheritance to you, he should¡¯ve anticipated this oue. I know he loved me as his daughter, but that love pales inparison to his love for you. He refused to bring me into the Lawson family all these years, forcing me to live as his illegitimate child in secret. Didn¡¯t he deserve to die?¡± Beneath her stunning featuresy an extremely ruthless heart. ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Sheena red at She in rage, once again shocked by her audacity. ¡± Lionel, p her! Teach her some manners!¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Lionel rolled up his sleeves and strode over, delivering a hard p across She¡¯s face. She could not withstand the blow and tumbled to the ground.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Chapter 798 Chapter 798 Chapter 798 She licked the damaged inner lining of her mouth with her tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood onto the ground. It took her a while to recover from the intense pain. It was not until John approached again and pulled her up, making her kneel once more, that her thoughts gradually returned. Sheena was still seething with anger from She¡¯s recent remarks, her chest heaving violently. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Elliot quickly patted his darling¡¯s back to soothe her escting rage. With him around, Sheena quickly calmed down and calmly addressed She. ¡°You¡¯ve always seen me as your biggest enemy, causing all sorts of trouble. I just can¡¯t understand it. Why do you hate me so much?¡± She nced at Noah and Howard sitting on either side of the sofa, their faces icy cold, showing no signs of sympathy as they watched her get beaten. She let out a cold, disdainfulugh, replying, ¡°Both of us are daughters of the Lawson family, but you¡¯re the beloved little princess showered with endless love from our brothers and dad. How could you possibly understand the feelings of an illegitimate child like me?¡± She paused for a breath, then listed, ¡°On New Year¡¯s Eve, your family gathered for dinner while I sat alone in an empty house, feeling miserable. When I was a child, I saw Dad holding you, and 1 wanted to go over and call him ¡®Dad¡®, but Uncle George pulled me aside and told me that outside, Albert Lawson wasn¡¯t my father, that he only had one daughter, Sheena Lawson. Dad and Corey did give me many things, but they couldn¡¯t give me what I truly wanted. Well, I had no choice but to fight for it myself, even if it meant using despicable means. But it was worth it as long as I got what I wanted!¡± She paused for another breath, then continued, Sheena, I don¡¯t actually hate you. I just feel it¡¯s unfair. So, I wanted to switch ces with you because the Lawson family can only have one darling princess, and you were in my way.¡± The living room fell into a long silence. When Sheena¡¯s DNA test results were tampered with by Frazer, nearly branding her as the illegitimate daughter of a convict, she was actually quite upset. Additionally, there was the incident with Nathaniel¡­ Such a humiliating identity could be quite devastating for a prestigious family like the Lawsons. Sheena could somewhat understand She¡¯s struggle with being fixated on her illegitimate daughter status for so many years. However, that did not justify all the evil deeds She hadmitted. Chapter 796 22 Since she had done them, she must face the consequences of her actions. Noah and Howard had no emotional attachment to She. For them, the existence of an illegitimate daughter would disrupt the harmony of their original family, and it was simply repulsive. Howard stared at She and spoke bluntly, ¡°You¡¯ve already lived better than many people. It¡¯s your own greed that led you here. An illegitimate daughter is just that, an illegitimate daughter. Do you think you¡¯ll be a princess just by forcing your way in and dressing like one? ¡°Who do you think you are, trying to rece Nana?¡± Hisst sentence particrly struck a nerve with She. As long as she waspared to Sheena, everyone would speak of her simrly. She chuckled and shook her head, then looked back at Sheena. ¡°You know that I¡¯m the one who did everything before, and if there were something I couldn¡¯t handle, I¡¯d ask Corey for help. Now that everything has been exposed, I have no one left, and I have no desire to live anymore. Upon reflection, I¡¯ve indeedmitted many sins. You can have Elliot take me to the National Investigation Bureau and execute me.¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, uttering, ¡°Killing you would be too easy.¡± She rose from Elliot¡¯s embrace and walked over to She, who was kneeling behind the coffee table, looking down at her with arrogance. ¡°As a member of the Lawson family by blood, I won¡¯t take your life. Besides, death would be an easy escape for you. Instead, I¡¯ll make sure you suffer every day, tortured by remorse and pain.¡± As she spoke, Sheena¡¯s eyes turned cold, and she bent slightly, a yful smile ying on her lips. ¡°She, do you want to know how I n to deal with you?¡± Chapter 799 Chapter 799 She locked eyes with Sheena, freezing under her cold, piercing gaze, feeling an uncontroble shiver of fear creeping through her. Noticing She¡¯s slight fear, Sheena let out a disdainful chuckle. ¡°Tomorrow morning, I¡¯ll have you taken to a countryside residence, where bodyguards will watch over you. There, you¡¯ll be supervised by former servants of the Lawson family and forced to do farm work every day. ¡°At sunset, you¡¯ll receive tenshes before kneeling in the yard to recite religious scriptures as repentance for your sins. You¡¯ll rest only when you¡¯ve finished reading each night. ¡°This routine will repeat day after day. What do you think? Isn¡¯t it generous of me?¡± She¡¯s spine stiffened, her already weakenedplexion paling even further. She had heard of those religious scriptures and knew it was extremely long and wordy. It was daunting to think of reciting from cover to cover in one night. This form of torment was inhumane! ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re ruthless,¡± She said, defiance evident on her face. Sheena red at her, her tone icy. ¡°You call that ruthless? What about when you used my sympathy to inject me with drugs and push me into the water? What about when you hired numerous assassins to take my life? Weren¡¯t you ruthless? Or when you attempted to infect me with a virus, manipted Katie to harm me multiple times, incited Lauren to push Dad down the stairs, fabricated my identity, coerced Corey into siding with you, and plotted to seize control of the Lawson family¡¯s inheritance? Weren¡¯t you ruthless then?¡± As their eyes met, She chuckled, feeling relieved. ¡®Being able to throw so many obstacles in your path makes me satisfied.¡± Thinking of Corey, she added, ¡°Corey doesn¡¯t know much about many things. I¡¯ll take full responsibility without implicating anyone else. Sheena remained expressionless, her gaze still cold as she replied, ¡°You deserve your punishment, and as for him, I won¡¯t forgive him either.¡± With that said, she returned to the sofa, sitting beside Elliot. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. John immediately went to pull She up, while Sheena continued, ¡°Lock her up in the basement for tonight. Tomorrow morning, send her to the countryside.¡± ¡°Yes, miss,¡± John acknowledged, then asked, ¡°Should I have her pack her belongings?¡± ¡°No need. From now on, she won¡¯t need luxury items like jewelry, earrings, designer bags, or high- 373 end cosmetics. She won¡¯t need any of it.¡± She was weakly escorted away. Before leaving, She nced back at Sheena with a cold smile. ¡°Sheena, you might¡¯ve made a mistake by sparing my life¡± In the living room, apanied by her lightughter, a strange atmosphere lingered in the air. Nevertheless, without Albert and Corey¡¯s help, she was left with no grounds to assert herself. The people sitting on the sofa showed little reaction, indifferent to her departure. Noah had not uttered a word throughout the entire ordeal. Seeing that things were more or less settled, he got up and Informed Sheena, ¡°Nana, I n to leave. Svelton the day after tomorrow to handle things at Luivine Hospital. I¡¯ll be back on the day of your wedding ceremony.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Sheena replied simply. As Noah left, Howard also rose to his feet. ¡°Nana, Phoebe has been filming a wilderness survival reality show near the Mumford Town mountains recently, and I n to visit her soon. We¡¯lle back together on the day of your wedding. Sheena did not say much. She just nodded in agreement. Understanding the situation at home, Sheena knew they both felt ufortable and wanted to leave the Lawson estate to rx and clear their minds. With things mostly settled, Sheena notified Barbara to remind Corey to sign the inheritance papers at the Lawson estate with Ricky the next day. Chapter 09 Chapter 800 Chapter 800 As for Sheena, she would unlikely return to Mountville as frequently anymore. She left the Lawson estate, embraced by Elliot, and got into the car headed back to E&S Haven. The next morning, there were no news reports on the inte about the Lawson family¡¯s return banquet Even the top actress, She, seemed to have vanished overnight from the screens. Manyizens and dedicated fans posted inquiries online, only to find that She¡¯s Twitter ount had been deactivated, and all rted hot topics had been deleted. In the underground basement of the Lawson estate at Mountville, She, who had curled up in a dark corner all night, was escorted by Paul and John to a remote countryside location. From now on, they would be responsible for keeping an eye on her. Apart from them, Elliot had also arranged for Lionel to discreetly dispatch two people to watch over her every day. The luxury car could only park on the main road, and then they had to trek through countrynes, crossing a small mountain before reaching their destination. An hourter, She¡¯s feet felt like they were about to fall off, and her body was dehydrated. In a daze, she finally arrived at the former retired servant¡¯s residence. The former retired servant was Margaret Ellis paralyzed husband and son. a woman in her fifties. She lived with her partially Seeing She¡¯s pretty yet innocent face, Margaret was bewildered. Especially when she saw the bruises on She¡¯s body, with faint swelling on her left cheek, bearing the traces of a p, and her petite and weak frame, Margaret felt a sudden surge of sympathy for the girl. ¡°I think she¡¯s quite pitiful. What grave mistake did she make for Ms. Lawson to bring her here to do manualbor?¡± Paul nced at the silent She and said, ¡°Don¡¯t let her appearance fool you. Her heart is as wicked as a venomous snake¡­¡® He recounted She¡¯s previous misdeeds to Margaret in detail and emphasized Sheena¡¯s instructions twice. Upon learning of the girl¡¯s despicable behavior, Margaret¡¯s gaze toward She turned particrly fierce. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t go easy on this wretched creature! I¡¯ll make sure she feels like she¡¯s living in 2/2 hell every single day!¡± Paul nodded, took out some money, and, together with John, brought the box filled with religious scriptures into the house. Margaret fetched a set of her own old cotton and linen clothes that she no longer wore and helped She change out of the expensive little dress. It was only 8 a.m., but Margaret immediately wanted to take She to work in the fields. She¡¯s lips were pale, and she was already exhausted from the journey. Plus, she had not slept well last night. ¡°Could I have a drink of water first and catch my breath?¡± She asked weakly. Margaret frowned, feeling annoyed, and sarcastically mocked her, ¡°You haven¡¯t even done any work yet, and you want to rest and drink water already? You must be used to living the good life and pampered! Do you need me to cook for you first before you work?¡± sarcasm, showing She was genuinely weak and could only pretend not to understand Margaret¡¯s sarcasm, her vulnerability. ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten sincest night until this morning, and I¡¯ve been beaten. I haven¡¯t rested well, and I really have no energy in my body. Please, Auntie, could you please show me some mercy?¡± ¡°Dream on!¡± Margaret remained unmoved, sneering. Margaret remained unmoved, sneering. ¡°We have our rules at home. We wake up at 5.30 a.m., have breakfast at 6 a.m., and if you miss the time, tough luck. It¡¯s already 8 a.m., and you still want me to cook for you? Do you really think you¡¯re here to enjoy yourself?¡±Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. She emphasized with a firm tone, ¡°You¡¯re here for reform! For penance and redemption! Put away your act! I have a heart of stone and won¡¯t fall for your tricks!¡± Unable to reason with Margaret, She had no choice but to be dragged forcefully to work in the fields. Chapter 801 Chapter 801 1/2 After enduring fifty strokes with the tree branches, Lionel¡¯s p, a night in the basement, and walking hungry for an hour along a mountain road, She thought she could not go on. Yet, in reality, when a person wanted to survive, their potential was boundless. Under Margaret¡¯s watchful eye, She, carrying a heavy hoe, dug nting holes in the field all morning. Despite feeling physically exhausted, she managed to push through without fainting At noon, when it was time for lunch, She never imagined that she would be so hungry one day that she wouldpletely disregard her appearance, shoving the food into her mouth. The simple buns in her mouth tasted even better than the exotic delicacies she had once enjoyed! However, Margaret did not allow her to eat much. After threerge buns, she cleared away all the food in front of She and instructed her to go to the pigsty to feed the pigs. Though She was an illegitimate child, Albert and Corey had always treated her well. She had lived a life of luxury andfort since childhood and had never even seen a pig, let alone been inside a pigsty. As soon as she opened the door to the pigsty, She was overwhelmed by the nauseating smell and ran to the side to vomit. She had barely filled her stomach, and now she had vomited it all out along with her stomach acid, making it utterly unbearable. 1 Seeing that She had not entered the pigsty for a long time, Margaret ran over, grumbling, ¡°What are you dawdling for? You have ten minutes. If you can¡¯t finish feeding them, you won¡¯t have dinner!¡± It was only the first day, and if she could not have dinner, she would not be able to finish reciting the religious scriptures. Not finishing reading meant she could not sleep, but she had to wake up at 5.30 a.m. and hoped to get at least a few hours of rest. With this in mind, She held her breath, fought off the nausea, grabbed the feed bucket, and rushed. into the pigsty. In the afternoon, she continued to work in the fields. Despite her slow movements, she managed toplete her tasks, albeit barely, under Margaret¡¯s relentless scolding. She was proud of herself for enduring the most agonizing first day, but little did she know the real ordeal was just beginning. In the evening, just after she finished dinner and rested for less than five minutes, John forced her to Chapter 801 2/2 kneel in the yard while Paul brought out a horsewhip, standing behind her with a chilling demeanor. With eachsh, the whip cut into her flesh mercilessly. She gritted her teeth, copsing to the ground time and time again, only to be dragged back up by John. Meanwhile, Margaret sat on a bench by the door, leisurely snacking and shaking her leg as she watched. The sound of the whip was terrifying. After watching for a while, Margaret began to tremble uncontrobly, dropping her snacks in fear. quick Recalling Paul¡¯s words from earlier in the day, her pity for She was overridden by a strong sense of disgust. She scoffed lightly at She, ¡°You deserved it! You should¡¯ve been beaten to death! Mr. Lawson has been good enough to you! He¡¯s almost seventy years old and has trouble walking. How could you have the heart to push him down the stairs? ¡°You¡¯re seriously evil despite your young age!¡± As the finalshnded, She cried out in pain, weakly copsing to the ground, her entire body aching, especially her back, which throbbed with excruciating pain. In a daze, she listened quietly to Margaret¡¯s incessant cursing, too drained to even muster a rebuttal. However, the torment was not over yet. Paul lifted her up again, making her kneel, while John ced a box of religious scriptures in front of her. The two nned to take turns watching her read throughout the night. With the loss of Albert and Corey¡¯s help, She was just a vulnerable neen¨Cyear¨Cold girl. Besides enduring and persevering, she had no other choice. She resigned herself to take the scriptures, flipping open the first page, and began to recite, awkwardly starting her ordeal. While those scriptures were for personal development, for She, it was only torment.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Chapter 802 Chapter 802 The sky was getting darker, and She had been kneeling in the yard reading for two hours. The torment she endured was far beyond what she had imagined, a thousand times worse! As she progressed through the pages, not only did her knees ache, but her throat also grew dry, her voice hoarse, and theshes on her back, untreated, grew increasingly painful She thought she could not bear it any longer. However, fainting would not end her misery. Paul and John were tough guys. They woke her up with a ssh of cold water to the face. The price of waking up was to continue reading. She struggled weakly for another half hour when suddenly, without warning, the sky began to pour. She felt a glimmer of hope, turning to Paul as if silently challenging him with her gaze. All the scriptures were made of paper. If they got wet, the ink would smudge, making the text unreadable. Yet, to her dismay, Paul disdainfully took away all the paper books from the box, revealing a pile of scriptures made of waterproof papers underneath. It turned out that Sheena had prepared therge box in anticipation of rain. The text on these waterproof papers would not affect readability even when it rained. Drenched in the bone¨Cchilling rain, She looked at the bible in her hand and chuckled sarcastically,¡± Sheena, you¡¯re really well¨Cprepared!¡± 1 Paul, noticing she still had Sheena on her mind, reminded her gruffly, ¡°Read faster. It¡¯s already 10 p.m. If you keep dawdling, you might not sleep tonight.¡± In the countryside, people usually rose and slept early. Having tended to her semi¨Cparalyzed husband, Margaret had long since turned off the lights and gone to bed. At night, the asional barking of farm dogs coupled with the sound of rain falling on the tiles and She¡¯s hoarse recitation, created an unexpectedly harmonious melody. Paul stood quietly under the eaves, holding an umbre. The rain grew heavier, and the spring chill was so cold that it could make anyone shiver. It was raining in Svelton too.¡± Sheena had just finished bathing andzily sat on the bed, applying pregnancy¨Csafe body lotion. Chapter 802 2/2 Elliot sat obediently behind her, skillfully massaging her shoulders and neck. ¡°Nana, I heard that Corey¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s hand, applying lotion, suddenly froze. Elliot noticed it, and he continued, ¡°I heard Corey didn¡¯t sign the inheritance agreement today. Ricky went to the Lawson estate to find him, and he came out shortly after.¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°So what?¡± Sheena said expressionlessly. ¡°He always wanted the inheritance. He¡¯ll sign eventually. Refusing a couple of times now is just to make me feel guilty, that¡¯s all.¡± Hearing her exnation, Elliot did not say anything more. He obediently continued massaging with just the right pressure. The atmosphere in the bedroom quickly returned to normal, apanied by the sound of rain outside, yet there was a subtle chill lingering. Before long, the two were getting ready to sleep. Suddenly, Ford knocked on the door. ¡°Miss, uh¡­ Mr. Corey is here, standing outside the front gate without even an umbre. He refuses to leave no matter what he¡¯s told. Would you like¡­ to go down and see him?¡± Chapter 803 Chapter 803 Corey came? The atmosphere in the bedroom almost instantly became chilly. Sheena hardly needed to think about it, saying, ¡°Just tell him I¡¯m asleep. I have no time to see him, and I don¡¯t want to see him. Tell him not toe again.¡± ¡°Yes, miss.¡± Ford left quickly. Sensing his little sweetheart¡¯s mood, Elliot pulled her close, kissed her, andforted her. Before he was even done kissing Sheena, Ford knocked on the door again, sounding even more urgent than before. ¡°Miss, I ryed your message, but Mr. Corey still won¡¯t leave. He¡¯s standing outside the front gate in the rain. If you don¡¯t see him, he¡¯ll probably stay out there all night.¡± Ford sounded helpless too. Elliot nced at the rain pouring outside and suggested, ¡°Should we see him? The spring rain is chilling to the bones. If he stays out there all night, he¡¯ll probably catch a cold tomorrow.¡± Sheena did not say anything. f After a long silence, she finally said, ¡°He¡¯s trying to make me feel sorry for him, trying to force me to compromise by doing this. Well, it¡¯s not going to happen. If he¡¯s willing to stand in the rain, let him 1. be. Don¡¯t send an umbre out to him. If he can¡¯t take it, he¡¯ll leave on his own.¡± ¡°Yes, miss.¡± After that, Ford did note upstairs anymore. Elliot looked at Sheena¡¯s grim expression and thought about Corey outside. He sighed silently, wanting to go and hold her slender waist to sleep. However, Sheena pushed his hand away coldly. Was she taking out her anger on him? Elliot was exasperated. He was innocent! ¡°Nana, are you mad at me again?¡± Sheena did not look at Elliot, her tone heavy as she said, ¡°Corey knew about all the things She did to harm me, yet he did nothing and helped her hide it from me. I can¡¯t tolerate his mistake. You know me so well, so why would you still speak up for him?¡± Elliot lowered his longshes and gently poked her shoulder, earnestly exining, ¡°It¡¯s because I Chapter 803 2/2 understand you that I know you¡¯re just angry with him. You can¡¯t ept his actions, which you see as betrayal. However, you¡¯ve loved and respected him for over twenty years, and it¡¯s equally unbearable for you to avoid and push him away. I just¡­ don¡¯t want to see you suffer. Nana, if he truly realizes his mistake and sincerely repents, would you still refuse to forgive him?¡± Sheena fell into silence again. Suddenly, the loud thunderp broke her train of thought. Shey down with her back to Elliot, speaking in a detached tone, ¡°When I was fifteen, She pushed me into the water. If it weren¡¯t for luck, I might not be here now. I can¡¯t forget that. At least for now, I don¡¯t see any genuine remorse from him.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Elliot heard from her words that there might still be room for redemption in this matter, depending on Corey¡¯s actions. He followed her into the nkets, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his maic voice saying in her ear, ¡°Then let¡¯s just watch quietly and see what Corey will do.¡± Sheena closed her eyes to sleep, offering no further response. Soon, the two fell asleep in each other¡¯s embrace. The continuous heavy rain outside and Corey standing in the rain by the door did not stop Sheena from sleeping soundly through the night. In the morning, the rain had stopped. Sheena woke up to the asional sunlight shining in. Then, she quietly slipped out of bed and stepped barefoot onto the plush carpet. She walked to the window, drew back the curtains, and looked at the garden entrance at E&S Haven. Through the iron gate; she could see Corey still standing there. Chapter 804 Chapter 804 Corey was dressed lightly as if he hade specifically to suffer. Even though the rain had stopped, he was still drenched from head to toe, his face pale and lips. slightly tinged with blue. Corey had always been an imposing figure in Sheena¡¯s heart, someone to admire, and he had never been subjected to such suffering before, let alone been caught in the rain like this. Just as she was thinking about that, warm hands enveloped her from behind. Elliot gently rested his chin on her slender shoulder, apanying her in watching Corey outside the gate. ¡°Nana, do you feel a bit sorry for him?¡± Sheena remained silent. Elliot continued, ¡°He stood out there all night in the rain. Maybe there¡¯s something important. Should we let him in and hear what he has to say? After all, he hasn¡¯t signed the inheritance agreement yet, and you can¡¯tpletely cut off contact with him now.¡± Sheena thought about it and found his reasoning sound. If the matter of inheritance remained unresolved, Corey would continue toe to her. Hence, it might be better to hear him out. She walked to the bedside to grab her phone, intending to message Ford directly to allow Corey in. However, just as she picked up the phone, it rang. It was John. He exined that the call was regarding She. On the other end of the line, John said, ¡°Miss, it rained heavilyst night. She knelt outside all night, and her body couldn¡¯t take it. This morning, she had a high fever and fell unconscious. Her wounds are infected after being exposed to the rain the whole night. Should we save her?¡°, Sheena immediately replied, ¡°Of course! Get her a doctor and treat her as soon as possible. After she wakes up, the previous rules still apply.¡± ¡°Yes, miss,¡± John replied. Then, he remembered something else and asked, ¡°She spent the whole night reciting the scriptures, and she can¡¯t speak as her throat is hoarse. Should she¡­ continue reading?¡± Sheena gave it a thought before saying, ¡°Her voice is gone, but her hands are fine. If that¡¯s the case, she can kneel and write. Alternating between the two methods should suffice.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± After hanging up the phone, Sheena¡¯s expression became serious again. Chapter 804 212 As Sheena looked towards Corey outside the gate, her gaze turned icy once again. She sneered, ¡°I thought he had some legitimate reason foring here, but it turns out he knew She couldn¡¯t handle it and came to plead.¡± Elliot lowered his gaze, choosing not to say anything more. Sheena called Ford in and said, ¡°Tell Corey that I never want to see him again, and I¡¯ll never forgive him. Tell him to get lost! Don¡¯t bother me again!¡± She practically shouted thest two sentences, fuming with rage. Ford obediently went downstairs to deliver the message. At the door, he ryed Sheena¡¯s words word¨Cfor¨Cword to Corey with a heavy tone and heartfelt sincerity. ¡°Mr. Corey, you should leave. Ms. Lawson won¡¯t see you. She¡¯s furious right now, and if you stay longer, it¡¯ll only make things worse.¡± Corey looked Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. third floor. up, his gaze unwavering as it remained fixed on the bedroom window on the mansion¡¯s ¡°Mr. Corey¡­¡± Ford¡¯s persuasion was futile, so he could only sigh and shake his head in resignation, leaving Corey alone. Not long after Ford left, Lionel and Jacintha casually approached, coincidentally seeing Corey standing alone at the door. Corey¡¯s attention remained focused on the bedroom window on the third floor, paying no mind to Lionel and Jacintha¡¯s approach. Jacintha had already learned about the Lawson family¡¯s situation from Lionel and was apathetic about Corey. ¡°As Sheena¡¯s older brother, you actually sided with the illegitimate daughter, tarnishing her reputation. You¡¯re the one who hurt her the most. If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t forgive you either!¡± Jacintha did not hide her displeasure, scoffing at Corey. Lionel did not intervene in her usations against Corey. Instead, after she finished speaking, he looked at Corey seriously, a rare moment of sincerity in his gaze. ¡°Mr. Corey, do you want to know how to earn Sheena¡¯s forgiveness?¡± Chapter 805 Chapter 805 Corey had a rare change of expression as he turned to look at Lionel, but he remained silent, seemingly asking with his eyes. Remembering Elliot¡¯s message from earlier, Lionel continued, ¡°Sheena always remembers who treats her well and who treats her badly. She has harmed her many times, and this punishment is deserved. You shouldn¡¯t plead for her.¡± Plead? Corey frowned. ¡°She didn¡¯t kill She. That¡¯s good enough. I won¡¯t plead. Whatever punishment She receives, she deserves it.¡± Having endured a night of cold rain, his voice had turned hoarse. Lionel remained silent. He noticed that Corey had alreadye around and added, ¡°She has been sent to the countryside forbor. After working at night, she¡¯ll receive tenshes and then kneel to recite scriptures all night. She can¡¯t rest until she finishes reading. Those scriptures are suitable for repentance. What do you think, Mr. Corey?¡± Corey met his gaze and quickly understood his meaning. ¡°Elliot sent you? That¡¯s really kind of him. I admit it¡¯s my fault this time. With his assistance in reviving the Lawson Group, I feel reassured.¡± With that said, Corey did not linger any longer and turned to leave the Jenkins estate. He walked slowly, seeming to be experiencing some numbness in his legs, making his stride less smooth. Lionel watched Corey¡¯s retreating figure, hoping he truly understood Elliot¡¯s intentions and would not disappoint Elliot¡¯s reminder. ¡°Lionel, forget about him. Let¡¯s hurry inside. If we¡¯rete, Mr. Jenkins won¡¯t save us any breakfast! Don¡¯t you want to eat the eggs cooked by Mr. Jenkins himself?¡± Jacintha tugged at his hand, pulling his thoughts back. The two of them leisurely entered E&S Haven, openlying for a meal. At noon, Sheena snuggled in Elliot¡¯s arms, enjoying thefort of his strong chest as a backrest. Then, she watched TV series while Elliot hand¨Cfed her clementines. The clementines produced this year were exceptionally sweet and juicy, extremely tasty. Once Sheena started eating, she could not stop. However, Elliot knew when to stop. Chapter 805 2/2 After hand¨Cfeeding her the third clementine, he promptly stopped, no longer peeling them. Sheena pouted her red lips, staring back at him. ¡°That¡¯s not enough. Peel a few more.¡± ¡°No.¡± Elliot was firm on this matter. ¡°Clementines are high in sugar content. Pregnant women shouldn¡¯t eat too many. It¡¯s not good for your health.¡± ¡°But I want more¡­¡± Sheena had been very picky with her food these days. The smell of oil and spices would easily make her feel nauseous, and her sense of smell was unusually sensitive. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Hence, when she found a fruit she liked, she was unwilling to let it go. Elliot refused to peel them for her, so she decided to do it herself. Sheena got up from Elliot¡¯s arms and reached for the clementines on the coffee table. However, Elliot swiftly took away the fruit basket and disappeared into the kitchen without a word, closing the door firmly behind him. ¡°You¡¯re being unreasonable! I¡¯ve only had three today! You¡¯re even controlling what I eat now?¡± Elliot felt unfairly used, ¡°If you don¡¯t watch your diet now, you might feel sick tomorrow.¡± He had a strong dislike for clementines. ¡°I don¡¯t know if these things are addictive or what, but you¡¯ve been obsessed with them since yesterday. It¡¯s uneptable. At this rate, I¡¯ll have all the clementines in the country removed tomorrow!!! Hearing his threat to remove clementines from the market, Sheena became angry. She was pregnant and experiencing morning sickness, loss of appetite, and fatigue, among other symptoms. She already felt tired and aggrieved, and now, all she wanted was to eat a few more. She could not believe Elliot was controlling her like this! Driven by anger, Sheena stormed over, grabbed Elliot¡¯s arm, rolled up his sleeve, and fiercely bit his wrist. Elliot winced in pain but did not pull away, allowing her to vent, ¡°If biting me makes you watch your diet, it¡¯s worth it.¡± Sheena bit down harder, treating him as if he were a loathed clementine. Chapter 806 Chapter 806 The pain in Elliot¡¯s wrist grew worse, and he felt somewhat aggrieved as he silently endured Sheena¡¯s biting. After she finished biting him, two rows of fresh bloodied teeth marks appeared on his wrist, which still stung when touched. Sheena red at him fiercely, scolding, ¡°Move aside. I¡¯ll only eat three more clementines at most, and I won¡¯t eat any more today!¡± He remained silent, but his expression indicated there was no room for negotiation. ¡°Are you really not going to let me eat? Then I¡¯ll just bite you again!¡± Sheena threatened silently, her tongue running over her upper row of pearly white teeth. The bite from earlier still hurt Elliot¡¯s wrist. His eyes reddened with frustration, and they quickly welled up with tears. Grabbing her hand, he ced it between his thighs, saying in frustration, ¡°Biting my arm is obviously not enough for you. Why don¡¯t you try biting here? One bite will make me miserable!¡± Sheena was left speechless. She waspletely stunned by his audacity! ¡°That won¡¯t do. One bite and poof! Our happiness is gone!¡± Sheena joked, pping her hands, and then spreading them out, looking resigned as she finally sat back on the couch. ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t eat anymore,¡± she conceded, nning to sneak a few moreter that evening. Picking up the tablet next to her, she casually checked the news, only to find that the top trending topic was about Corey¡­ She immediately grew serious and clicked on the article, discovering that Corey had resigned from the National Affairs Bureau, even quitting his position as a pilot. Furthermore, he declined.the position of CEO at the Lawson Group. Elliot obediently sat next to her, peeking at the contents of her tablet, and quickly understanding the significance of Corey¡¯s actions. ¡°He had too much power in Froania. By doing this, he¡¯s showing you that he genuinely regrets his actions, relinquishing all rights that could threaten you. You can now deal with She without his interference.¡± Sheena closed the news, shut off the tablet, and said nothing. After a while, Ricky called. ¡°Miss, Mr. Corey refuses to sign the inheritance rights. He says the Lawson Group is better off in your Chapter 806 hands. Are youing back to the Lawson estate this afternoon for the signing?¡± ¡°No. Bring the documents to the Jenkins estate. I¡¯ll sign them here.¡± Since Corey did not want it and willingly returned it to her, she would sign it without hesitation! ¡°Okay!¡± 212 After Sheena hung up the call, Elliot deliberately rolled up his sleeve, revealing the bite marks on his wrist, and presented it to Sheena for attention. ¡°Nana, it¡¯s bleeding. It really hurts¡­ Can you give it a kiss?¡± Sheena stared at him indifferently. Eventually, unable to resist his pitiful expression, she reluctantly helped him by giving him a quick peck. To her surprise, the bite was quite severe. Sheena could not help but wonder what made her bite on him so hard. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for hurting you. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s gotten into metely. I¡¯ve been feeling restless and ufortable all over, and sometimes I can¡¯t control myself.¡± She could not shake the feeling that these bodily reactions were not good signs. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Elliot quickly became serious, suggesting, ¡°We¡¯ll go to the hospital first thing tomorrow for a check- up.¡± Sheena nodded, her heart aching as she looked at his wrist, then gave it a gentle blow. She hoped that she was only overthinking things, and her body was fine¡­ Chapter 807 Chapter 807 In the countryside, She woke up with a splitting headache. While unconscious, she had a long dream where Albert was still able¨Cbodied and back to when he was young. He let her ride on his shoulders, taking her to an amusement park, proudly telling everyone she was his youngest and most beloved daughter. They had a great time,ughter and joy filling her dream. However¡­ As her vision gradually cleared, what greeted her eyes were the beams of the simple country cabin illuminated by a dimmp. No Albert, no amusement park, just the endless torment of the future. Her beautiful dream shattered, and she was fully awake now. Albert would never wake up again, and she was the one who instigated Lauren to push him down. Even if he were to survive the ordeal, he would never agree to reveal her identity. It was all just a dream. A self¨Cdeprecating smile appeared on her face. Margaret sat beside her, leisurely crossing her legs, munching on a snack. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake? You¡¯re lucky the doctor was here. But your constitution is too weak, and you couldn¡¯t even make it through a day. You have years and years of suffering ahead of you. Have fun!¡± Margaret sighed repeatedly, her expression grimi. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. She tried to speak, but her throat was too hoarse. She noticed her whole body was bandaged from her injuries, and she still had an IV drip in her hand. She felt a glimmer of hope. Did Sheena arrange for her treatment out of kindness? Was she going to spare her? Margaret saw the joy on her face, but her next words shattered She¡¯s delusion, plunging her back into despair. ¡°Now that you¡¯re awake, get up quickly. You¡¯ve been sleeping all day, and it¡¯s already evening. It¡¯s time to kneel in the yard!¡± Even though she had just woken up and had lost her voice, she still had to recite those scriptures? As Margaret prepared to leave the room, She lunged forward, grabbing her hand, then gestured to her own throat. Chapter 807 Margaret quickly understood her meaning and bluntly said, ¡°Ms. Lawson said that even if you lose your voice, your hands can still work. You¡¯ll copy it while kneeling.¡± She was taken aback. Copy it? The entire scroll of religious scriptures? Even if she worked as fast as she could, there was no way she could finish it in one night! Seeing her shocked and angry expression, Margaret was a bit annoyed. ¡°Hurry up! Stop dilly¨Cdallying!¡± She did not move. Having just woken up from fainting, she was dizzy, still feeling feverish, with her left hand hooked up to an IV drip. Kneeling all night again would surely make her faint again. If this went on, her body would be unable to handle it. She would be worn out! She lowered her eyes, pondering quietly. Margaret walked out the door and nced back, only to find She still lingering in bed, which infuriated herpletely. She stormed forward, grabbed She¡¯s slender wrist, decisively removed her IV drip, and ruthlessly pulled her off the bed. ¡ü She¡¯s knees hit the ground, pain shooting through her, but she could not even cry out. Margaret saw her expression but was unfazed. ¡°She, you can¡¯t even handle this little suffering? When you tried to kill Ms. Lawson before, did you really think you could get away from it? All this suffering is the consequence of your past sins! It¡¯s the punishment you deserve! What makes you think you can resist it?¡± She listened quietly, soon ceasing to struggle, allowing Margaret to lead her out of the room and into the yard. Under Paul¡¯s supervision, she began copying from the first sentence. Chapter 808 Chapter 808 She¡¯s lips turned pale, and her face was drained of color, showing signs of weakness. She had been writing until the crack of dawn, with the rooster crowing indicating morning, yet she had not even completed a tenth of the task. Before long, Kye Hubbard, Margaret¡¯s son who had been out earlier, returned home. He was a muscr man with tanned skin and a youthful appearance, exuding an honest and simple charm. Seeing the unfamiliar young girl kneeling in the yard, diligently copying scriptures by hand, he stood frozen in ce. She¡¯s delicate features and natural beauty, especially in her current weakened state, could stir a strong protective instinct in any man. Sensing someone watching her, She paused her writing and nced discreetly in his direction. Their eyes met, and Kye felt an impulse as if he had found love at first sight. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Ahem! Keep writing until it¡¯s time for dinner,¡± John deliberately cleared his throat, breaking the eye contact between the two. Kye dared not say anything and quickly bypassed John to find Margaret. Margaret had just gotten out of bed when Kye approached her quietly and asked, ¡°Ma, who¡¯s that girl in the yard? She¡¯s so pretty, and she looks very young. Did she do something wrong to be treated like this?¡± ¡°You¡¯re smitten with her, aren¡¯t you?¡± Margaret knew her son too well. Embarrassed, Kye scratched his head and chuckled. ¡°She¡¯s beautiful. It¡¯d be great if she could be my wife!¡± Margaret was furious at his words and gave him a hard p on the head. ¡°Kye, you idiot! Don¡¯t you dare harbor any thoughts for her again! She¡¯s a horrible person! Her heart is evil! Besides, she¡¯s Mr. Lawson¡¯s daughter! You can forget about marrying her!¡± Kye always listened to his mother and obediently replied, ¡°Yes, yes! I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± As he left the room, he could not resist stealing a few more nces at She in the yard. He did not understand why Margaret would curse She like that, but there must be some truth to it. She¡¯s face was undeniably beautiful, and there could not be any harm in just looking, right? She caught his gaze again and deliberately shed him a sweet, innocent smile. Kye instantly blushed, unable to look at her anymore. Then, he lowered his gaze and slipped into the kitchen. Chapter 808 2/2 John observed their exchange with keen eyes and warned She coldly, ¡°You better not be nning anything. Paul and I will be keeping a close eye on you!¡± She obediently averted her gaze and shook her head vigorously, as if genuinely afraid. Uninterested in her theatrics, John walked over, grabbed the scriptures and copybook from the small table in front of her, and gestured for her to go eat. It was a little past 9 a.m. Elliot, apanied by the dedicated driver and Sheena, headed back to the General Hospital. Sheena was already in her ninth week of pregnancy, and as time passed, some subtle changes in her body seemed to be more pronounced. Elliot sat anxiously in the waiting room. If Sheena and the babies were indeed negatively affected by the virus in his body, he felt immense guilt and remorse! Elliot was sitting on pins and needles, unable to find peace. Ten minutester, a nurse emerged from the examination room. Spotting Elliot in the waiting room, she called out, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Ms. Lawson¡¯s test results are in. Please come and join her!¡± Elliot immediately stood up and walked briskly into the room. Sheena had already been helped off the examination bed by the nurse and was seated across from the doctor¡¯s desk, her expression serious. The obstetrician sitting opposite her wore a simrly grave expression. Elliot hurried to the chair next to Sheena, his fingertips trembling as he sped her hand, ready to hear the doctor¡¯s verdict alongside her. Chapter 810 Chapter 810 After signing the inheritance rights with Ricky yesterday afternoon, Sheena found herself swamped with tasks. As soon as she got back, she went straight into her home office to work remotely. Elliot brought over a small stool and sat next to Sheena, asionally giving her back rubs and shoulder massages when she felt tired, fetching water when she was thirsty, and feeding, her fruits. During their downtime, he also busied himself with work rted to the Jenkins Group, Neither of them spoke throughout the process, but they seamlessly understood each other. Even with just a nce from Sheena, Elliot could tell what she needed and promptly delivered it. The entire afternoon passed by quickly. At mealtime, there was another visitor at E&S Haven. This time, it was Barbara. Sheena was on good terms with Barbara and was initially going to invite her in, but Barbara insisted on staying only at the entrance. Noticing Barbara¡¯s red and swollen eyes indicative of numerous bouts of crying in recent days, Sheena felt a pang of pity but could likely guess her purpose for visiting. ¡°If you¡¯re here for Corey¡¯s sake, there¡¯s nothing for us to discuss,¡± Sheena said. Barbara instantly burst into tears as she held Sheena¡¯s hand quietly, barely able to speak through her sobs. ¡ü ¡°Sheena, pleasee back with me to see Corey. His condition is worsening. Two nights ago, after being drenched in rain at your ce, he came down with a fever, but he refuses to see a doctor or take any medication. He¡¯s been stubborn and has been engaging in self¨Charming behavior these past few days. I can¡¯t bear to see him like this.¡± Frowning, Sheena nced at Elliot beside her, then turned back to Barbara, puzzled. ¡°Self¨Charming? What do you mean?¡± Barbara continued crying without exining further. Instead, she pleaded, ¡°He doesn¡¯t know I¡¯vee here. I came on my own to find you. I¡¯m not here to ask for your forgiveness for him. I just hope you¡¯lle with me to see him, please¡­ Seeing Barbara in such distress, Sheena remembered her sister¨Cinw¡¯s past efforts to defend and care for her and decided to apany her to see Corey. Mountville, inside the Lawson estate¡¯s altar room. Chapter 810 212 As Sheena approached the door, she heard sharp and viciousshing sounds mixed with Corey¡¯s asional muted groans and breaths, which sounded particrly chilli She gently cracked open the door to the altar room and peered through the gap, seeing a man kneeling in front of the altar with his back to her. Corey wore only a white shirt, with clear and distinct blood streaks from the whip marks on his back. Despite running a fever and swaying slightly from theshes, he knelt straight, enduring silently, After watching for a while, Sheena quickly suppressed her unease and gently closed the door to the altar room. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Barbara stood beside her, sighing repeatedly, and exining, ¡°Two nights ago, after returning from E &S Haven, he seemed possessed. During dinner, he knelt in the altar room and received twenty lashes, then recited religious scriptures until he finished. He continued the next day.¡± Sheena listened silently, never uttering a word. ¡°Sheena, it¡¯s only been two days, and he¡¯s covered in wounds but refuses to spare himself. Can you please help me persuade him? Even one attempt would be enough!¡± Barbara pleaded, squeezing Sheena¡¯s hand with hopeful eyes. Sheena hesitated, not giving a response. Soon, the sound of whipping stopped in the altar room, and less than a minuteter, Corey¡¯s voice reciting the scriptures echoed again. His voice was dry and slightly hoarse. He clearly did not do this just so she could visit. Sheena remained silent for a long time, quietly listening to Corey¡¯s recitation. She noticed his earnestness in reading, despite asionalbored breaths interrupting for a few seconds. Yet, his overall tone remained steady, indicating inner calmness. Facing Barbara¡¯s eyes filled with anticipation, Sheena¡¯s expression remained indifferent as she finally spoke. Chapter 811 Chapter 811 ¡°Barbara, what Corey is doing isn¡¯t self¨Charm. Everything he¡¯s doing now is my way of punishing She. He¡¯s taking on She¡¯s punishment for her, trying to tell me, in his own way, to let She go.¡± Barbara was caught off guard by Sheena¡¯s perspective. ¡°Sheena, Corey hasn¡¯t mentioned She since that return banquet. He¡¯s atoning for you.¡± Sheena fell silent for a long time. In the background, she could hear Corey¡¯s weak, hoarse recitation from the altar room. She gently opened the door and saw Corey¡¯s scarred back. For a brief moment, her heart softened at the sight of the crisscrossing bloodstains. However, itsted only a few seconds. After pondering for a while, she smirked, her eyes icy. ¡°He does need to atone. Since he¡¯s punishing himself, let him be. He feels guilty and won¡¯t find peace until he clears his conscience.¡± With tears welling in her eyes, Barbara whispered sorrowfully, ¡°But Sheena, he¡¯s whipping himself twentyshes every day with a horsewhip! At this rate, he¡¯ll definitely copse from all the suffering!¡± Sheena considered Barbara¡¯s words carefully. Corey had hurt her deeply, but ultimately, it was She¡¯s actions. Corey¡¯s biggest fault was knowing the truth and doing nothing about it. Hence, he did not deserve to be her brother anymore. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Moreover, Sheena always settled scores decisively, never being biased or wronging anyone. She spoke decisively, ¡°Tell him there¡¯s no need for this masochistic disy to gain my forgiveness. If he truly wants to atone, let him read the scriptures every day. I won¡¯t have anyone watching him. If he¡¯s willing to read, fine. If not, so be it. Whether I forgive him or not depends on his actions in redeeming himself.¡± With those stern words, she turned and walked away, devoid of any lingering emotions. Barbara watched Sheena leave, sighed, and then entered the altar room. She squatted behind Corey, examining his wounds. Corey¡¯s white shirt was torn by theshes. After receiving fortyshes over two days, he had crisscrossing wounds on his skin. Her heart ached, and she reached out but hesitated, afraid of causing him more pain. In these past few days, she had shed almost a lifetime¡¯s worth of tears. Chapter 811 2/2 ¡°Dear, you¡¯re badly injured and still running a fever. Why don¡¯t you skip reading tonight and focus on medication? You can start reading again tomorrow,¡± Barbara suggested. However, Corey remained silent,pletely engrossed in reading the scriptures. Unable to persuade him, Barbara could only silently apany him, stifling her sobs. In the countryside, She fainted again. Days of torment had left her physically and mentally exhausted, causing her to lose weight. Margaret took Paul and John for dinner, leaving Kye to sneak into She¡¯s room to check on her condition. This morning, She had smiled at him, a smile so warm and beautiful it had stayed with him. He could not believe that such a pitiful and innocent¨Clooking girl could be the monster his mother described. So, he decided to ask her himself. He tiptoed into She¡¯s room, embarrassedly scratching his head, and giving a silly grin. ¡°I just wanted to see how you¡¯re doing, if you needed a doctor or something.¡± She¡¯s voice was hoarse, unable to speak from a distance, so she deliberately waved at him. Kye felt like he was under a spell as he approached her. When he got closer, She immediately grabbed his hand and ced it on her neck, whispering hoarsely, ¡°You can help me by ending my life!¡± ¡°You¡¯re so young! You should live your life to the fullest!¡± Chapter 812 Chapter 812 He recoiled in fright, but the rough calluses on his fingers meeting the girl¡¯s soft, smooth skin felt strangely wonderful. She¡¯s eyes quickly filled with tears again, her face full of pain and despair. She pointed to the door, her voice hoarse as she continued to exin, ¡°I¡¯ve been wronged and brought here. Everyone outside bullies me. I don¡¯t want to live anymore. Help me¡­¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. The once beautiful eyes seemed to lose all hope, filled with sorrow and despair. Seeing her cry, Kye panicked, unsure of how tofort her. She grabbed his hand again, her words earnest, ¡°If living in pain means nothing, I¡¯d rather die. Please, help me!¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not an option. If you¡¯ve truly been wronged, there must be another way. I can help you prove your innocence.¡± She¡¯s eyes lit up, and with a soul¨Cstirring gaze, she motioned for him toe closer, whispering a few words. After dinner, Margaret came in to check on She and caught them standing close, whispering intimately. ¡°Oh, you fool! How dare you touch that horrid woman! Are you not afraid she¡¯ll harm you?¡± Margaret stormed over, grabbing Kye¡¯s ear. She tried intervening but was met with Margaret¡¯s furious p, knocking her onto the bed. ¡°I know what you¡¯re nning! Kye is simple¨Cminded and easily swayed. If there¡¯s a next time, I won¡¯t spare you!¡± Margaret seethed. She struggled to get up from the bed, still swaying from the p. ¡°Ma, don¡¯t hit her. She¡¯s just a poor soul, and she¡¯s been wronged!¡± Kye freed himself from Margaret¡¯s grasp, wanting to help She. ¡°Wronged?¡± Margaret¡¯s anger reached its peak as she pped him again. ¡°Kye, you¡¯re such an idiot! Are you blind? Are you feeling pity for this kind of woman? If I don¡¯t teach you a lesson today, you¡¯ll probablye running back to her!¡± Margaret twisted Kye¡¯s ear, dragging him out and fetching the horsewhip used to punish She. Soon, cries of Kye begging for mercy echoed through the yard. She listened quietly, her face serious. Chapter 812 212 Little did she expect to be caught by Margaret, who would likely keep a closer eye on her from now on, possibly subjecting her to even harsher treatment. It seemed she would have to y it safe for a while, obey the rules, and gain the trust of both Margaret and the Lawson family¡¯s two bodyguards before plotting her next move. Hopefully, Kye had believed her just now and would help her in the future. As she pondered, the room¡¯s door mmed open. Margaret stormed in furiously and pulled She off the bed, intending to drag her to the yard for Paul to carry out the daily whipping. She remained silent, silently enduring Margaret¡¯s wrath as she was quickly led to the yard. As Paul¡¯s whip struck, She tumbled to the ground with a thud, unable to recover from the excruciating pain for a while. As she had anticipated, Paul¡¯s blows were even harsher after what had just happened. This time, Paul did not give her a chance to catch her breath. Without waiting for her to get up, he relentlesslyshed at her. She clutched her head, gritting her teeth in agony. Her consciousness began to fade, the intense pain gradually numbing her senses. Just before she cked out, she found herself missing Albert and Corey. Apart from being unable to provide her with the status of a Lawson, Albert and Corey genuinely cared for her, giving her whatever she wanted and allowing her to live afortable life. If she had not harmed Sheena, would she still be living those peaceful,fortable days as the unknown illegitimate daughter? Was she truly in the wrong? Chapter 813 Chapter 813 Unfortunately, what was done was done, and She had no way to turn back time Regret washed over her for just a few seconds before her consciousness became increasingly hazy, and she sank into darkness. *** At the Lawson Group¡¯s CEO office, Sheena had just taken over her family¡¯s publicly traded empire. She was still getting acquainted with the business, requiring her to focus more on the group. During this period, Elliot always apanied her, meticulously assisting her with document annotations and checking in on her from time to time. He was even more attentive than her assistant. At that moment, Elliot sat quietly on the couch, facing a thick stack of documents. He held a red pen, meticulously analyzing each one. Technically, these were confidentialpany materials that Elliot should not have had ess to. Although the Lawson Group and the Jenkins Group were partners, they were alsopetitors. However, for Sheena, Elliot was trustworthy, and she never worried about him stealing data. She even considered merging Jenkins and Lawson, taking their coboration to new heights. Sheena sat in her office chair, sneakily stealing nces at the man on the couch. When he was focused, Elliot exuded a serious yet handsome charm. The sunlight streaming through the windows seemed to cast a halo around his short hair, making N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. him look almost divine. Sheena could not help but admire Elliot for a while, her mischievous eyes gleaming with mischief. Seizing the opportunity while he was engrossed, she quietly left her seat, tiptoed around behind the couch, and then pushed him down onto it. With her knee against his abdomen, she lightly grabbed his expensive tie. ¡°Nana?¡± Elliot looked at her, utterly bewildered, like an innocent puppy. She wrapped his tie around her hand and leaned in close. They were so close that they could feel each other¡¯s breaths. F7 Then, with a soft and enticing voice, Sheena whispered, ¡°Eli, you¡¯re even more efficient than my assistant secretary. How about this? I¡¯ll offer you a handsome sry toe work as my personal secretary at the Lawson Group?¡± Elliot blinked, taken aback. Chapter 813 212 His hourly wage was already quite high. However, since Sheena was the one giving that offer, it was an entirely different story. Elliot smiled, his deep voice carrying a hint of mischief, ¡°To be your personal secretary is an honor beyond measure, and I can even waive my sry, providing meticulous service, apanying you, and keeping you warm in bed,¡± Sheena arched an eyebrow, smiling. ¡°That sounds fantastic! It¡¯s like hitting the jackpot, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± Elliot chuckled. ¡°How could I allow you to engage in a losing deal?¡± Sheena was thoroughly satisfied with his response, With absolute dominance, she leaned in and kissed his lips. In the office, the air became charged with sensuality and love. ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Atkins is here, saying he needs to see you¡­ Oops! I¡¯m sorry!¡± Sheena¡¯s new assistant at the Lawson Group, Ria Garner, casually pushed open the office door after knocking. Her gaze unexpectedly fell upon the scene on the couch, and she quickly blushed as she shut the door tightly. Rafael Atkins was waiting just outside the office. With a stern expression, he asked, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you going in? What¡¯s Ms. Lawson up ¡°M¨CMs. Lawson¡­ is dealing with some personal matters, Mr. Atkins. Please wait a moment. ¡°Personal matters?¡± to?¡± 11 When Ria opened the door, Rafael nced inside and happened to see the scene on the couch. His expression darkened quickly, filled with anger. Did Sheena have any leadership ability at all? What was she turning the office into? A dating spot? Moreover, why was she bringing Elliot to work? Did she not know she should be cautious? After all, Elliot was still theirpetitor even though he was her fiance! How could he trust the future development of the Lawson Group with Sheena¡¯sck of focus like this? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Rafael grunted heavily and left in frustration. Seeing him go, Ria returned to her desk, deciding not to disturb whatever was happening inside. Chapter 814 Chapter 814 The brief interruption from Ria¡¯s entrance did not affect the passionate couple in the office at all. Sheena parted her knees, straddling Elliot¡¯sp, her icy fingertips tracing along the cor of his shirt teasingly. Elliot pressed his lips together, his chest heaving with increasing intensity. Just as he was about to lose control, he grasped her delicate wrist in time. ¡°Nana, stop. It¡¯s not safe here. Others might hear us!¡± Sheena arched an eyebrow mischievously. ¡°As the CEO of the Lawson Group, what¡¯s wrong with me and my fiance doing this in the office? Who dares to eavesdrop?¡± Even though she was right¡­ The door was unlocked! Elliot adjusted his breathing, coaxing, ¡°Stop fooling around. I¡¯m helping you analyze documents. It¡¯s serious business.¡± Sheena pouted, loosening his loose tie, whispering seductively in his ear, ¡°This is also serious, Eli. Don¡¯t you want this at all?¡± Elliot blushed gradually, his ears turning hot. However, he controlled himself for once, saying, ¡°I do, but this isn¡¯t appropriate.¡± Sheena scoffed, rolling her eyes at him coquettishly. ¡°We¡¯ve been working the whole day. Once we get home, I¡¯ll be too tired. Even if you beg me, I won¡¯t give in!¡± No rewards once they got home? Compared to office romance, Elliot could not bear the thought of no loving moments with Sheena at home! After much struggle, he relented. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s do it.¡± Elliot closed his eyes and rxedpletely, letting her have her way. Sheena snorted, not getting closer to him but instead standing up and increasing the distance between them. Her expression turned icy, her tone wicked as she said, ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not in the mood anymore. Since you love working so much, you had better diligently finish annotating all those documents!¡± Sheena pointed at the stack of documents on the coffee table. 117 at namta thom before the end of the day. Otherwise, when we get Chapter 814 home, you¡¯ll receive ten spanks for every pagecking annotation.¡± Elliot nced at the towering stack of documents on the coffee table, nearly as tall as his forearm, and felt a lump in his throat. How could he possibly finish writing all those files before the end of the workday? Why did he have to turn down Sheena¡¯s rare initiative like that?! So what if they were in an office? What was the big deal? Even if someone caught them, he would not feel embarrassed either! Elliot regretted his decision immensely. He grabbed her, feeling aggrieved. ¡°Nana, please¡­¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. 212 ¡°Write faster!¡± Sheena heartlessly pried his hand away, giving him a disdainful look, then returned to her desk to continue her work. Elliot was left speechless. Could he take back those words he just said? He nced toward Sheena behind the office desk, filled with regret. However, Sheena had already immersed herself in work, diligently reviewing the documents on her Since bing pregnant, she wore radiation -proof maternity clothes and ced green nts that absorbed radiation in the office to purify the air, ensuring the babies¡® safety from radiation exposure. Elliot stared at her for a while, noticing herck of response. What was once a potential little reward to forget all troubles had suddenly, without warning, turned into punishment. He could not ept this reality. Driven by his unwillingness to give up, he stood up and cautiously approached Sheena, gently tapping her shoulder. ¡°Nana, can we talk?¡± Sheena continued typing, and her tone tinged with annoyance. ¡°You¡¯ve wasted five minutes, and your hand is sending out a danger signal to you!¡± Chapter 815 Chapter 815 1/2 Elliot was rendered speechless. Unable to reason with a furious Sheena and realizing there was no way around it, Elliot reluctantly returned to the sofa and hurriedly returned to work. The air instantly quieted down, with neither of them breaking the peace again. The sound of typing and writing blended perfectly, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Two hours passed, and Ria cautiously approached the door, this time not pushing it open but waiting outside for Sheena toe out. ¡°Ms. Lawson, there¡¯s a shareholders¡® meeting in fifteen minutes. All the executives are already waiting in the conference room for you.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be there shortly.¡± Sheena locked herputer screen, nced at Elliot diligently writing annotations on the sofa, and decided not to disturb him. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. She stood up immediately and left the office. As Sheena entered, all the executives¡® expressions turned serious in the conference room, and the atmosphere became tense. Especially Rafael, who had just visited her office, stared at her with a stern gaze. Sensing the tension, Sheena paid no mind to it and calmly announced the start of the meeting. The meeting was tedious, mainly consisting of reports on this month¡¯s marketing figures, project progress, and so on, but itsted for a long time, a full hour and a half. Sheena felt a bit weary but did not show it, remaining attentive throughout. Finally, as the meeting drew to a close, she followed the usual protocol and asked, ¡°Do any of you have any furtherments? If not, this month¡¯s meeting will be adjourned.¡± Many people began closing theirptops and tidying up their materials. Suddenly, Rafael raised his hand and stood up. ¡°Ms. Lawson, when I came to your office today, I found Mr. Jenkins was also there. You refused to see me. What exactly were you doing with him in the office?¡± The room fell into shock at Rafael¡¯s words. Many people widened their eyes, staring at Rafael in disbelief, silently apuding his bravery. Asking about the personal matters between an engaged couple in front of so many people was clearly an attempt to embarrass her. Such nervel 2/2 ¡°Mr. sheena looked at Rafael coldly, feeling no embarrassment whatsoever, and casually replied, Atkins, next week is mine and Elliot¡¯s wedding. What else do you think a married couple would be doing together?¡± Rafael¡¯s expression turned sour. ¡°As thepany¡¯s CEO, you¡¯re engaging in office romance, Ms. Lawson, you not onlyck shame but also think that this is normal. Why should all the executives believe an ipetent person like you can lead the Lawson Group effectively?¡± Sheena mmed the table abruptly, creating a loud noise that startled many. When she was angry, her presence was intense and formidable. ¡°Are you saying you¡¯re a better fit to lead the Lawson Group? If this position were handed to you, could you guarantee stability for more than a few days? What¡¯s wrong with a little fun between spouses? Mr. Atkins, should I say you¡¯re poking your nose where it doesn¡¯t belong by bringing up such matters in a meeting, or should I say you¡¯re being disrespectful to your CEO andcking discipline?¡± ¡± After a momentary pause, Sheena continued, ¡°Furthermore, you¡¯re calling me ipetent? I¡¯ve only been in this position for a few days, and you¡¯re already predicting that I can¡¯t increase thepany¡¯s revenue for the year. Do you have a crystal ball or something? Can you see the future?¡± Some people in the room chuckled softly at the exchange. ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous!¡± Rafael was livid. He barely got a word out before Sheena countered him with several more,pletely disregarding his status as apany veteran. Sheena gave a cold snort, ring at him with icy eyes. ¡°Mr. Atkins, don¡¯t think you can do whatever you want just because you¡¯ve been with thepany for thirty years and hold a high position. I won¡¯t indulge you as Corey did! Today¡¯s incident will be handled ording to protocol!¡± ¡°Sheena!¡± Rafael was so furious his beard was practically standing on end. ¡°Even your dad would give me some respect, and you dare to punish me as soon as you arrive?¡± ¡°Are you surprised?¡± ¨¤ Chapter 816 Chapter 816 Sheena raised an eyebrow, casually smirking. ¡°As the new CEO, it¡¯s inevitable that I¡¯ll have to shake things up a little. You¡¯ve brought this upon yourself, so don¡¯t me me!¡± Rafael continued to harp on Elliot¡¯s situation, unwilling to back down. ¡°Sheena Lawson, for the past few days, you¡¯ve been bringing Mr. Jenkins to work with you every day! You know he¡¯s the CEO of the Jenkins Group, and ourpanies arepetitors. I strongly suspect you¡¯re risking ourpany¡¯s secrets by allowing him in the office!¡± That was a serious usation! All the executives immediately grew serious, and the meeting room fell into a tense atmosphere. Sheena brushed it off, She wanted to say she not only let Elliot stay in the office but allowed him to see all the documents! Nheless, it would surely cause the executives to fly into a rage right then and there. Then, a vote would be called tomorrow, and she would be ousted. With that in mind, she smirked and yed her trump card. ¡°Mr. Atkins, I¡¯m pregnant with twins.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. As soon as she said this, Rafael froze, unable to grasp her meaning. Sheena continued, ¡°The doctor advised that I need extra care since I¡¯m having twins for my first pregnancy, Elliot is with me to take care of my health. Do we really need to report such matters to you, Mr. Atkins?¡± ¡°Y¨CYou¡­¡± His face turned pale, unable to utter a word. The other executives quickly caught on, congratting Sheena. ¡°Congrattions, Ms. Lawson! This is wonderful news! You and Mr. Jenkins are truly blessed!¡± ¡°Indeed! Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re pregnant and still working so hard. It¡¯s only right for him to be by your side!¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins is putting aside the Jenkins Group¡¯s affairs to prioritize caring for Ms. Lawson and the babies. That¡¯s genuine love! Ms. Lawson, you and Mr. Jenkins are indeed a loving couple. How enviable!¡± The chorus of praise left Rafael¡¯s face increasingly grim, yet he could not utter a single word. Who could argue that Elliot was not doing the right thing bying to the office every day to take Chapter 816 care of his pregnant fiancee? As for stealingpany secrets, it was now turned into an usation. 2/2 Sheena smirked, her gaze turning cold. ¡°Mr. Atkins, you¡¯ve challenged my authority more than once today. It seems the punishment was too light!¡± Rafael had nothing to say and could only reluctantly ept the double penalty he brought upon himself. Due to this incident, Sheena was in a bad mood when she returned to the office, her expression grim. The moment Sheena walked in, Elliot sensed the tension emanating from her. Pausing his rapid annotation, he looked up and asked, ¡°Nana, what¡¯s wrong? Did the meeting not go well?¡± ¡°Yes, that old man Rafael came to ask for trouble!¡± Elliot chuckled. ¡°So, did you teach him a lesson for annoying you?¡± Sheena gestured to her belly, her face filled with pride. ¡°With these two little rascals, I can¡¯t possibly lose! When my belly gets bigger in theing months, let¡¯s see who dares to argue with me!¡± He chuckled and quickly got up to carry Sheena, bringing her back to the sofa and cuddling her to cheer her up. Sheena¡¯s good mood was quickly restored, but she remembered another important matter. ¡°How¡¯s the document annotation going? Are you done? How much is left?¡± Elliot was about to kiss her, but he instantly froze. His handsome face became slightly stiff. Chapter 817 Chapter 817 Catching Sheena in a good mood, Elliot hoped to smooth things over. ¡°Nana, let¡¯s forget about the unpleasantness earlier. How about I apany you to eat clementines and watch some drama tonight?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± Sheena remained unmoved, and her decision was final. ¡°Come clean now, How many documents are left to unannotated?¡± Elliot felt extremely ufortable. Even the clementines could not save him this time? Pointing to the files on the coffee table, he indicated there was still a third left, quite a bit. Sheena chuckled. ¡°Oh? What were the rules again? Ten strikes for each missing page. With this many files left, how many do you deserve?¡°. Elliot did not dare to respond. Before he could say anything, Sheena had already gone to tidy up her desk, happily shifting her focus. ¡°Eli, hurry and pack up. I¡¯ll treat you to spicy smoked brisket when we get home!¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Was she this happy just to hit him? He felt utterly miserable as he silently helped her tidy up. Then, he carried her to the car park. In the car, he nestled against Sheena¡¯s shoulder, showing vulnerability. ¡°Nana, are you really going to punish me? That ruler is quite heavy. If it leaves marks, you¡¯ll feel bad.¡± Sheena nodded earnestly. ¡°That¡¯s right. If you get hurt, it hurts me too!¡± Elliot could not shake the feeling that she seemed excited about it. Sheena gently rubbed his face, soothing his nerves, her smile warm and reassuring.. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, as long as you behave, I won¡¯t be too harsh.¡± Hearing her words, Elliot understood. It seemed she was not angry but just wanted an excuse to discipline him a bit. After all, with her being pregnant, it was only fair to help her out. Elliot made up his mind and did not say anything more. Before long, the two of them arrived back at E&S Haven. Sheena immediately went to take a shower. Later, she emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel with her hair half¨Cdamp, exuding Chapter 817 sensuality. She found Elliot kneeling dutifully on the bed. Elliot held a wooden ruler, his demeanor self¨Caware and upright. Gone was the nervousness he showed upon learning of his impending punishment at the office. Instead, he seemed to have epted it. 2/2 Despite being engaged in a rather embarrassing act, his handsome face retained an air of nobility and pride. Leaning casually against the wall, Sheena¡¯s voice carried a teasing tone as she quipped, ¡°Oh, have youe to terms with it so quickly?¡± Elliot nodded obediently. ¡°Nana, I shouldn¡¯t have rejected your spontaneous offer in the office earlier. Now that it¡¯s turned into punishment, it¡¯s my own fault.¡± Approaching him, Sheena suppressed a smile as she nced at him. He continued, ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot with the pregnancy. If hitting me can make you feel better, it¡¯s worth it. Don¡¯t worry, I can take it.¡± ¡°Well then¡­ How many strikes for the night?¡± Sheena took the ruler he handed her, firmly gripping it. Elliot obediently spread his hands, palms up. ¡°Any amount will do, as long as it makes you happy.¡± ¡°In that case¡­¡± Sheena raised the ruler as if she was going to strike him hard. Elliot quickly interjected, ¡°Or¡­ maybe a little lighter, so you don¡¯t strain yourself!¡± She struggled to contain her amusement. To keep the teasing going, she forced a serious expression, using the tip of the ruler to yfully lift his chin. ¡®Are you afraid I¡¯ll get tired or that it¡¯ll hurt?¡± ¡°Both,¡± he answered honestly. Sheena continued suppressing herughter, her gaze mischievous as she solemnly used him, You¡¯ve been so naughty! It¡¯s time you remembered the taste of the ruler!¡± He lowered his gaze, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing slightly as he resigned himself to lift up his hands. Chapter 818 Chapter 818 However, Sheena did not move, her eyes brimming with even more yful intent. ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind. I want to spank you in a fleshier spot. Come on, get down here!¡± Elliot stared at her in bewilderment, resisting the idea. He softly protested, ¡°Nana, you¡¯re cheating! We agreed on you striking my palms!¡± ¡°Oh! Can¡¯t keep up the act for long, can you? Starting to get moody already?¡± Sheena remarked bluntly, not hiding her mischievousness. ¡°I wanted to spank your buttst time, but it didn¡¯t happen. I¡¯ve been feeling unsatisfied ever since, so I¡¯m making up for it now.¡± Damn it! Sheena was not one to let things slide! Elliot was secretly freaking out, staying put. Sheena impatiently gestured toward the bed. ¡°Hurry up! Be a good boy and get down here! Just a moment ago, you said I could punish you however I wanted as long as it made me happy. The babies heard it all. Eli, you have to practice what you preach and set an example for the babies!¡± Elliot struggled internally for a long time but eventually sumbed to Sheena¡¯s pressure, resignedly getting into position. With the experience of having been in this position before, it was not as embarrassing this time. However, his face still turned red, nervously awaiting his fate. Sheena raised the ruler and tapped it gently against the ample flesh of his raised rear end, delivering two light smacks. The force was minimal, almost ticklish. It felt as if Sheena was purposely teasing him! Even with such light taps, Elliot¡¯s handsome face turned red with embarrassment and indignation! Of course, Sheena enjoyed teasing him like this. She asked, ¡°How does that feel, Eli?¡± Elliot stayed silent, feeling utterly frustrated. He muttered under his breath, ¡°Who asks for feedback after a spanking? Do you want me to write a post¨Cspanking review for you?¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°What a great idea! I¡¯ll try using different strengths. You can write at least two thousand words for the review!¡± Klot eighed inwardly Tall about shooting onsself in the foort Elliot bunted his head under the covere, bingpletely mute He was feeling utterly miserable. sheena suppressed a simile and delivered two more tape, slightly increasing the force, However, for a man like Elliot, who emerged from the military, it was like being pricked by an ant just mild difort Sheena was only teasing him, after all. He had been helping her with the annotations on the documents, so she could not possibly seriously punish him. Since it was all in jest, she knew when to stop before things went too far. She quietly returned the ruler to the drawer and stealthily moved to unbuckle his belt. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Sensing something awry, Elliot immediately became alert, grabbing onto his pants, ¡°Nana, what are you doing?¡± ¡°You said if there were bruises after the spanking, it would hurt my heart, So, I¡¯m just checking to see if there are any injuries.¡± Sheena sounded sincere, but to Elliot, it felt like a bombshell! Getting spanked was one thing, but getting inspected afterward? His pride was at stake! Was there no end to this humiliation?! Absolutely not! ¡°I¡¯m not injured! There¡¯s no need to inspect. Let¡¯s go downstairs and watch TV, I¡¯ll help you peel some clementines,¡± Elliot desperately changed the subject, Unmoved, Sheena raised an eyebrow mischievously, ¡°After letting me check on the injuries, I¡¯ll give you a little reward. But if you don¡¯t let me¡­ Well, you know!¡± Sheena was obviously implying something else! Elliot grumbled inwardly, What a teasing little devil! This time, faced with the temptation of a reward, he reluctantly let go of his grip on his pants, and decided to go along with it. After a brief moment of embarrassment, then came the blissful reward segment. ¨C Chacter 816 Having enjoyed the sweet treat, Elliot felt content as he helped his sweetheart blow¨Cdry her hair, Then, he carried her downstairs to indulge in those darn clementines! Chapter 819 Chapter 819 1/2 There was just one more week until the wedding. During this final week, Sheena was not idle at all. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. With the Lawson Group now under her charge, there were numerous projects that needed her attention and improvement. Luckily, with Elliot helping her annotate documents, she could handle the workload much more efficiently. As per their usual routine, the two of them went to work at the Lawson Group together. Elliot ced hisptop on the coffee table, busy working on projects for the Jenkins Group. Whenever he had a moment, he continued to assist Sheena with annotating documents. They worked in sync, with focused dedication. In the afternoon, Sheena¡¯s assistant, Ria, urgently knocked on the door of the CEO¡¯s office. ¡°Ms. Lawson, something¡¯s happened!¡± Upon entering and seeing Elliot there, Ria suddenly looked awkward, her words trailing off. Sheena paused her typing and turned to look at her. ¡°Go on, Mr. Jenkins is one of us.¡± With Sheena¡¯s assurance, Ria bit the bullet and proceeded to report. ¡°Ms. Lawson, the marketing strategy for the Windsail Project we¡¯ve been nning has been finalized, and today, the marketing department was about tounch it when they discovered¡­¡± Sheena frowned, urging, ¡°Discovered what?¡± Elliot also stopped working, turning to Ria at the door. Ria, stealing nces at Elliot, spoke with a diminishing voice. ¡°A subsidiary of the Jenkins Group released a new project before us, and its nning content is exactly the same as ours. Now, because of this, the entire senior management of the Lawson Group is in an uproar. They suspect that¡­¡± Elliot calmly picked up the thread, ¡°They suspect that while taking care of Nana, I stole the nning proposal for the Lawson Group¡¯s new project?¡± Ria lowered her head, remaining silent. The silence spoke volumes¨Cit was an admission. The office fell into a brief, uneasy silence. Sheena pondered the matter for a long time, remaining silent. Chapter 819 2/2 Ria spoke again, ¡°Ms. Lawson, all the directors and executives have gathered in the conference room. They¡¯re demanding you convene an emergency meeting to address the loss suffered by the Lawson Group due to this project.¡± The carefully prepared project of the Lawson Group had been giarized, rendering all the efforts and investments of everyone involved in the project worthless. This was indeed a very tricky situation, one that required calming everyone¡¯s nerves. Sheena¡¯s mind was clear, and she responded calmly, ¡°Understood. This matter needs to be addressed, and I¡¯ll be there in half an hour.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± Ria acknowledged before leaving, leaving the office quiet once more. Elliot watched Sheena from a distance. Noticing her serious expression and her ignoring him, he suddenly felt suffocated. ¡°Nana¡­¡± He paled, mustering up the courage to ask, ¡°Do you also suspect it¡¯s me?¡± Sheena remained silent, her mind elsewhere, focused on typing and nning for something. Elliot felt even more choked up, his eyes welling up. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me.¡± He clenched his fists, enduring the difort. Even if the entire Lawson Group doubted him, he only hoped that Sheena would believe in him. Just as Sheena finished her task and looked up, their eyes met. Chapter 820 Chapter 820 Noticing his downcast gaze, Sheena stood up and walked over, gently caressing his tente face. ¡°Silly, of course I know it wasn¡¯t you. I never doubted you for a moment.¡± This incident was clearly a ploy to sow discord. If Elliot had truly intended to steal the ns, it would not have been done through a subsidiary of the Jenkins Group. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. After all, projects nned by subsidiaries were rtively independent and did not require reporting to the parentpany. They would only submit marketing reports monthly and annual summaries yearly. The other party knew that Elliot could not control the subsidiary¡¯s project release, doing so deliberately. Sheena¡¯s words broughtfort to Elliot, who squeezed her hand in return. ¡°I¡¯ll get to the bottom of this and give you an exnation.¡± Sheena nodded. ¡°The project was released by a subsidiary of the Jenkins Group, so that¡¯s where you need to investigate. However, the Lawson Group¡¯s proposal was leaked from this building. I¡¯ll handle that. Conducting investigations simultaneously would double their efficiency. Even so, Elliot was still concerned. ¡°You promised to give them an exnation in half an hour, but it¡¯s unlikely we¡¯ll uncover the truth in that time frame.¡± 1 Sheena smiled calmly, bending down to lightly kiss his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got this.¡± Her sparkling eyes exuded confidence. N Elliot gently caressed her delicate hand,forted and reassured by her trust. Half an hourter, Sheena approached the conference room doors, hearing various noises from within She listened quietly for a moment before signaling to Ria. With a creak, Ria pushed open the heavy doors of the conference room. As Sheena entered, the executives fell silent, rising to greet her. Sheena walked gracefully to the head of the table, maintaining herposure and elegance as she took her seat. Chapter 820 2/3 Rafale, who had challenged her authority in the previous meeting and faced the consequences, was notably quiet today. Sheena nced at him briefly, remaining silent andposed, waiting for the executives to speak. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you promised to give us an exnation in half an hour. What do you have to say?¡± ¡°Have you questioned Mr. Jenkins about the leaked project proposal?¡± ¡°After all, the project proposal conveniently ended up with the Jenkins Group. Isn¡¯t that too much of a coincidence? You should be wary of Mr. Jenkins!¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson, our employees meticulously prepared this proposal over nearly three months. Now, it¡¯s been snatched away by the Jenkins Group. What do you propose we do about it?¡± Sheena smiled faintly, her expression still calm. ¡°Firstly, I must correct your choice of words. It¡¯s the Jenkins Group¡¯s subsidiary, not the Jenkins Group itself!¡± Aidan Bray, one of the Lawson Group¡¯s executives, stood up to question. ¡°Does that make a difference, Ms. Lawson? In the end, the proposal ended up with the Jenkins Group, and they¡¯re the ones who will profit. How can you be sure it wasn¡¯t Mr. Jenkins himself trying to sever ties by deliberately handing over the project to the subsidiary? ¡°You and Mr. Jenkins are together all the time. He might have taken advantage of your distraction to steal the ns. After all, you can¡¯t provide any concrete evidence of his innocence.¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Who says I don¡¯t have evidence?¡± As soon as she entered, she heard them relentlessly ming Elliot. It was as if he were already a notorious viin in the eyes of the Lawson Group¡¯s executives. All the executives fell silent, waiting for Sheena to speak. Facing everyone¡¯s stare, Sheena signaled to Ria. Ria immediately approached, handing a piece of evidence to Sheena. Sheena picked up the evidence. Her actions were deliberate. ¡°The Jenkins Group¡¯s subsidiary has an employee named Yasmin Elba. She was dismissed by her manager from the Lawson Group a month ago for making mistakes. While at the Lawson Group, she was involved in the Windsail Project.¡± As she finished speaking, her gaze became sharp, and she mmed the evidence onto the conference room table. An angry atmosphere permeated the entire conference room, with an oppressive force making it difficult to breathe. Sheena smirked sarcastically. ¡°Where there¡¯s smoke, there¡¯s fire. Before the facts are clear, you¡¯re Chapter 820 3/3 already questioning my fiance. Have you forgotten that I¡¯m the CEO? If you can¡¯t stand me leading the Lawson Group, then remove me through an open vote!¡± Chapter 821 Chapter 821 The conference room fell silent as if everyone became mute, obediently bowing their heads to listen to the instructions. ¡°This incident has already been discussed with Elliot,¡± Sheena dered. ¡°He¡¯ll notify the subsidiary to halt this project immediately. As for our end, we¡¯ll make slight adjustments to the Windsail Project, wait for the dust to settle, and then reintroduce it to the market.¡± With her orders given, Sheena asserted, ¡°Meeting adjourned!¡± Then, she swiftly walked out. Exiting the conference room, she still felt a tremble in her heart, her legs feeling a bit unsteady. In truth, half an hour was nowhere near enough time to unravel the whole matter, and Yasmin was merely a temporary scapegoat found to stabilize the situation quickly. Sheena needed to hush all discussion about the incident, present a solution, and then privately investigate the actual culprit to deal with them discreetly. Perhaps it was her overwhelming rage, but all the executives were baffled by her sharp rebuke. Assisted by Ria, she quickly returned to the CEO¡¯s office. Elliot had already peeled the clementines for her and delicately arranged them on a te, waiting to soothe her anxious heart. As soon as she entered, Elliot got up and carried her to the couch, personally feeding her the clementines to ease her nerves. After eating two clementines, he asked, ¡°Feeling any better?¡± Sheena carefully considered before responding, ¡°Much better.¡± Thinking back on the unexpected event, she quickly became serious again and continued, ¡°We still need to uncover the mastermind behind this swiftly. Otherwise, they might try something again, thinking they can get away with it.¡± ¡°Agreed.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression turned grave. ¡°I¡¯ll prioritize handling this matter before the end of the day and give you an update by tonight.¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow lightly, teasing him, ¡°What if you can¡¯t provide an update tonight?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take full responsibility for the Lawson Group¡¯s financial losses and assist you in dealing with it.¡± Sheena chuckled and gently caressed his face, teasing, ¡°You talk as if you aren¡¯t already at my disposal.¡± Elliot was rendered speechless by herment. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°But having a formal agreement does make things more proactive!¡± Sheena added. Chapter 821 212 ¡°I agree,¡± Elliot agreed with a light chuckle. After a brief chat, the two quickly returned to work mode. Just five minutes before quitting time, Elliot stood up and let out a long sigh. ¡°Nana, we¡¯ve already found the culprit,¡± Elliot announced, cing hisptop on Sheena¡¯s desk to show her the evidence. It turned out that Rafael was the person who leaked the information from the Lawson Group. Feeling embarrassed by Sheena¡¯s public punishment a few days ago, Rafael had a grudge. As he participated in the Windsail Project¡¯s nning, he sold the entire proposal to Stanley. Stanley was desperate for recognition, especially at his current age. Peter even begged Santiago for a long time about it. Santiago had previously intervened to get Stanley into thepany for development. Still, Elliot was hesitant to ce him directly in the Jenkins Group, so he arranged for him to be ced in a subsidiary instead. Unfortunately, Stanley was still ungrateful even in the subsidiary. He saw an opportunity to cause a crisis of distrust between the Lawson and Jenkins families, with Rafael aiming to undermine Sheena¡¯s position. After listening to Elliot¡¯s ount, Sheena¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Rafael made false usations and stolepany secrets, nearly costing thepany billions. I won¡¯t let him off easily!¡± Elliot nodded in agreement. Chapter 822 Chapter 822 Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Sheena noticed his silence and asked, ¡°What about Stanley? How do you n to handle him?¡± Elliot smiled and countered, ¡°What do you think, Nana?¡± ¡°This is the Jenkins family¡¯s matter. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for me to intervene.¡± Elliot lifted her up to sit on hisp, looking serious. ¡°You¡¯re just offering suggestions, not interfering in the Jenkins family affairs.¡± If that was the case¡­ Sheena smirked wickedly and said, ¡°I think he¡¯s itching for some discipline from the Jenkins family¡¯s whip! ¡°And I heard Mr. Peter got relegated to a smallpany in the county for some idle position by you. If his dad can go, why should he be spared?¡± Elliot lightly tapped her nose with his finger, admiring her greatly. ¡°Nana, our thoughts are aligned, Are we that in sync?¡± ¡°You talk too much, and it¡¯s getting annoying!¡± Sheena pouted, pretending to be disgusted. ¡°Is that so?¡± Elliot tightened his embrace, his possessiveness evident as he looked at her belly. ¡± You¡¯re already carrying my babies in there. Even if you get tired of me, you can never get rid of me!¡± Sheughed and pointed to her stomach. ¡°Your two dearests are hungry and want to go home to eat the food you¡¯ve made.¡± Elliot immediately scooped her up, correcting her, ¡°That¡¯s three dearests!¡± The next day, Rafael was expelled from his position. Sheena urately recorded his past offenses of ndering his leader and stealing documents in his company file, leaving him facing substantialpensation. However, it was doubtful that any majorpany would want to hire him in the future. He had enjoyed comfort for decades, but his sufferings had just began in his old age. The other executives finally realized the truth behind the Windsail Project incident. However, they were toote to act, as Sheena had perfectly quelled the situation, leaving them with nothing to say. With the wedding day drawing near, Sheena¡¯s heart raced with excitement and curiosity. ¡°Eli, what exactly have you prepared for this wedding?¡± Sheena inquired as Elliot was slicing an apple. Elliot smirked and replied mysteriously, ¡°I¡¯ve been preparing for half a month. You¡¯re going to love it. Chapter 822 712 She leaned in closer to his face and nted a kiss. ¡°The wedding is the day after tomorrow. Can¡¯t you give me a little hint in advance?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression remained firm. ¡°That would ruin the surprise.¡± Fair enough. Sheena did not press further and patiently waited for him to finish slicing the apple and offer her a piece. However, just as Elliot was halfway through, Ford abruptly appeared at the door, knocking urgently with a tremble in his voice. ¡°Miss! Miss! You need toe back to the Lawson estate. Old Man Lawson, he¡­ he¡¯s not doing well!¡± Before Sheena could process Ford¡¯s words, Elliot¡¯s hand, slicing the fruit, trembled violently, identally cutting his finger. Elliot quickly hid his injured hand. Sheena¡¯s attention shifted entirely to Ford¡¯s words as she rose to open the door, her tone incredulous. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ford sobbed. ¡°The heart rate monitor showed abnormalitiesst night, and the doctor said he may not have much time left, but the exact situation will only be known once Mr. Noah returns and assesses it. Mr. Howard is already on his way back to Svelton. Pleasee back with me!¡± Sheena stood frozen in disbelief. Elliot wiped the blood off his hand with a wet tissue, casually wrapped it in a piece of paper, and tucked it into his sleeve. He then approached Sheena, using his uninjured hand to hold hers gently. ¡°That¡¯s really serious. I¡¯ll be there to support you.¡± Chapter 823 Chapter 823 Half an hourter, Sheena and Elliot arrived at the Lawson estate in Mountville. Noah and Howard had not arrived yet, and Barbara was pacing anxiously by the door, seemingly waiting for them. Barbara hurried over as soon as she spotted them getting out of the car. ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re finally back.¡± Noticing Barbara¡¯s red eyes, Sheena calmed her emotions and asked, ¡°How¡¯s Dad doing?¡± Barbara shook her head. ¡°The situation is dire. The doctors say he may only have a couple of days left, but we¡¯ll have to wait for Noah toe back before we know more.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± The group quickly entered the mansion. Albert¡¯s bedroom door was open, and a man was sitting by his bedside. Sheena had not seen Corey in about a week. Seeing him now, he looked different. He had lost a lot of weight, his skin was rougher, and he had a bit of stubble, giving him a more rugged and mature appearance. In just a few days, he seemed to have aged ten years. Sheena did not know what Corey had been through recently, nor did she care to know. ¡°Please leave. I want to have a conversation with Dad alone, and I don¡¯t want to see you,¡± Sheena said to him, her tone cold and devoid of emotion, as if she were speaking to a stranger. Corey hung his head and got up to leave without a word. Despite his efforts to appear unaffected, Sheena noticed as he passed by her that he could not walk smoothly. Was something up with his knees? With this thought in mind, she stopped Corey. ¡°Have you been kneeling and reading scriptures in the altar room all these days?¡± Corey froze for a moment, opened his mouth to exin but could not bring himself to speak. In the end, he said nothing and left the room. Barbara exined softly, ¡°Sheena, his throat is hoarse, and he hasn¡¯t been able to speak for several days. Lately, he¡¯s been copying scriptures by hand, sometimes skipping meals, spending the whole day at it.¡± Chapter 823 212 Sheena listened quietly, remaining silent for a long time without saying a word. Barbara saw the coldness in Sheena¡¯s expression and sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll go wait for Noah and Howard at the door. Please stay with Dad for a while.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sheena replied. Once Barbara had left, Sheena sat by Albert¡¯s bedside, picking up his wrinkled hand and gently cing it on her face, softly caressing it. ¡°Eli, could you step out too? I¡¯d like to have a private conversation with Dad,¡± Sheena requested. Elliot understood and nodded, leaving the room and closing the bedroom door behind him. After leaving the bedroom, Elliot went to find Corey. Corey held onto the railing and walked down the stairs. Out of Sheena¡¯s sight, he no longer concealed his struggle, each step difficult and slow. The floor of the altar room was cold and hard, and sometimes Corey knelt there for the entire day. His knees could not bear it and became severely swollen. Yesterday, the doctor visited and warned him about the possibility of developing rheumatism in his legs due to prolonged kneeling. Observing silently from the staircase, Elliot noticed Corey¡¯s exhaustion as he descended just one flight of stairs, his forehead glistening with sweat. Taking a deep breath, preparing to continue down to the ground floor, Elliot gently grasped Corey¡¯s arm from behind. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you choose to tell Nana about all you¡¯ve done for redemption?¡± Corey turned around, locking eyes with Elliot. Would telling her even make a difference? He knew Sheena¡¯s character too well. Even if he were too sick to get up, she would still see it as a ploy if it came from his mouth. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. He withdrew his gaze, releasing Elliot¡¯s hand, and continued down the stairs. Elliot did not stop him but unexpectedly remarked, ¡°Even though She did many things, Corey, you¡¯re the one who hurt her the most. What you owe her is a sincere apology, but you don¡¯t even know how to apologize.¡± Chapter 824 Chapter 824 Corey listened in silence and continued down the stairs. Elliot watched his retreating figure, shaking his head in resignation. Suddenly, the ant on his left hand from slicing fruit throbbed faintly, Only then did Elliot remember his injury and went downstairs to find a servant to disinfect it and apply a discreet bandage. Two hourster, Noah and Howard arrived one after the other. Noah immediately went to Albert¡¯s room toprehensively examine his condition. Sheena stayed by his side, asionally assisting where needed. After a tense half¨Chour, Noah and Sheena descended the stairs together. Corey, Howard, Barbara, and Elliot were all seated on the sofa in the living room, waiting anxiouslyy Upon seeing theme down, Barbara stood up and asked, ¡°Noah, how is he? Is there any hope?¡± Noah lowered his gaze and shook his head, solemnly exining the examination results, ¡°The head trauma from thest fall caused internal bleeding in the brain. Despite our efforts, the clot has spread, affecting vital nerves. His brain will soon cease to function, and given his age and frail condition, even surgery offers no chance of survival.¡± A heavy silence descended upon the entire room after Noah¡¯s words. Sheena felt her legs go weak, almost unable to stand. Elliot rushed forward and held her,forting her in his arms. 1 Her chest heaved as she clung tightly to Elliot¡¯s suit jacket, suppressing her overwhelming grief for the sake of her unborn children. The somber atmosphere lingered in the living room for a long time until Sheena¡¯s voice rang out in anger. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°She, if Dad dies, I¡¯ll make sure you join him!¡± In the countryside, She had been rtively well¨Cbehaved since herst attempt to seduce Kye was discovered. Paul and John had lowered their guard against her, and Margaret had not intentionally given her a hard time. After all, She had injured her legs from kneeling, so they were not concerned about her causing trouble. Chapter 824 2/2 However, despite these circumstances, She was still contemting an escape n. In the afternoon, She was working in the fields when heavy rain suddenly poured down. This rain came out of nowhere, pouring down heavily and rapidly. Usually, during the day, Paul and John would be catching up on sleep. Margaret, upon seeing the rain, sought shelter under a nearby tree. She was left alone to endure the downpour in the fields. She had hoped to tough it out for a while, as these sudden rains typically cleared up within half an hour. Yet, it was different this time. The rain went on for several hours, relentless and unyielding, as ifmenting some injustice. Feeling overwhelmed, She began to falter. Margaret also found the rain strange. Despite seeking shelter under the tree, she could not escape being drenched by the heavy downpour. Unable to continue working, Margaret reluctantly decided to end theirbor early and head back to change clothes. With dinner time approaching, it would soon be time for She¡¯s punishment after that. The two of them walked back, one behind the other, to their hut. Upon returning to the hut, they found Kye waiting at the door, holding a towel. Seeing Margaret approach, he stepped forward to help her dry off the rainwater from her face. Margaret looked at him, pleasantly surprised. ¡°Well, when did you be so obedient?¡± Kye chuckled awkwardly in response. She remained expressionless, busy cleaning her drenched hair. Suddenly, a muffled sound could be heard. It was Margaret copsing, falling into Kye¡¯s arms. Chapter 825 Chapter 825 She looked at Kye in shock, calling out in surprise, ¡°Kye?¡± Due to reciting scriptures, her normally melodious voice was now dry and hoarse. However, She calling his name melted Kye¡¯s heart. Even if his furious mother discoveredter and wanted to beat him up for helping her, he felt it was worth it. ¡°I followed your instructions yesterday, sneaking into town and buying two packs of drugs. By now, Paul and John should be out cold from the drugs I gave them. You need to run! I gave them a heavy dose, so they won¡¯t wake up until noon tomorrow. By that time, you¡¯ll probably have escaped to town! 11 Seeing his earnest and honest face, She¡¯s heart was filled withplex emotions. ¡°Your mom called me a bad woman and said I was horrible. Aren¡¯t you afraid that if I run away and come back, I¡¯ll seek revenge on your mom?¡± Kye met her gaze and shook his head firmly. ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful. You¡¯ve endured such cruel abuse, yet you could still maintain such a clear gaze. I believe you¡¯re an angel, not a demon.¡± She was stunned by his words. Clear gaze? It was all just a facade, a charade. This guy was really foolish andpletely beyond help. She sighed and walked over, embracing Kye¡¯s neck in a hug. ¡°Thank you. You¡¯ve been the only one who treated me sincerely in my darkest hour. I¡¯ll remember you!¡± With her words, Kye felt content. ¡°Go. It¡¯s raining now, and once it clears up, the rain will wash away your traces.¡± ¡°Okay, until we meet again!¡± She immediately turned to run. Back in the hut, Paul, John, and Margaret were all sound asleep. Only Margaret¡¯s paralyzed husband continued to protest and curse incoherently. The sound of rain falling from the eaves added an eerie atmosphere to the hut. Chapter 825 212 As She sprinted despite the pain in her knees, she followed Kye¡¯s advice not to take the route she was brought in on the day she arrived. That path was full of hills and valleys, exhausting and time¨Cconsuming. Instead, she followed the river downstream to the neighboring vige. The road was t and open, making it harder to track her once she reached the vige. She ran along the countryne, drenched in rain. The farther she got from Margaret¡¯s shed, the more excited she became. The torment of the past few days had been a living hell worse than prison. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Now, she could finally escape from here, from Sheena¡¯s clutches! As she neared the river Kye had directed her to, sheughed excitedly. The sound of the rain was like music to their air as if celebrating her imminent freedom! ¡°Sheena, I¡¯ll be back to find you soon!¡± She shouted to the sky. However, just as she finished shouting, two figures suddenly sprang out behind her, yelling, ¡°Stop!¡± She turned back in surprise. Two men, armed with guns, stood menacingly before her, their expressions hostile. It was obvious that they knew her. In Froania, very few people had ess to guns unless they were military personnel. Were these men sent by Elliot to secretly monitor her? Without hesitation, She bolted forward, running for her life with all her might. The men sent by Elliot chased after her, issuing threats, ¡°She, you can¡¯t escape! Stop rebelling futilely. If you resist, we¡¯ll shoot!¡± She kept running, refusing to look back. Once again, she was engulfed in endless despair. Chapter 826 Chapter 826 She thought she had found a way to shake off Sheena¡¯s bodyguards and escape for good. Yet, did she know, Elliot¡¯s men were also keeping a close eye on her. Was fate really so cruel as to deny her even a single chance? ¡°Sheena, Elliot! Even if it costs me my life, I¡¯ll never go back!¡± She screamed at the top of her lungs as if those names were her most hated enemies, then ran toward the riverbank. little Nothing was more despairing than thinking you found hope, only to be dragged back into the abyss. If she were taken back by Elliot¡¯s men, she would face even harsher torment. With one failed escape attempt already, Kye could not help her anymore. Endless hell awaited her. She sprinted desperately toward the riverbank, ncing back at her pursuers from time to time. The rain made the river rapid and turbulent. When she reached the edge of the river, She did not hesitate and leaped into the water. ¡°She!¡± A deafening gunshot rang out. She felt a searing pain in her left shoulder as the bullet struck her, turning the water around her crimson red. In the blink of an eye, she was swallowed up by the rushing currents, her blood quickly diluted by the water as she disappeared from sight. The two men ran along the riverbank, following the flow of the water. One of them dialed a number urgently, reporting the situation to Elliot. A At that moment, Elliot was in the Lawson family¡¯s mansion, listening to the family discuss Albert¡¯s condition. His phone was on silent mode, and he did not answer the call. Albert¡¯s condition had deteriorated unexpectedly, with no hope of recovery. It was likely that his heart rate monitor would tline within the next two days. As Sheena was still pregnant, she could not participate in the decision¨Cmaking process or keep vigil at Albert¡¯s bedside. After listening to Noah, Barbara, and Howard¡¯s discussions, Sheena was exhausted. Then, Elliot held her and helped her into the car, driving back to E&S Haven. Back home, Sheena sat on the lounge chair, silently staring out at the rain. Elliot watched her suppress her heartbreak, silently keeping herpany. After a period of silence, Sheena, who had not spoken, suddenly broke the silence. ¡°Eli, let¡¯s cancel our wedding the day after tomorrow.¡± Elliot instantly froze. However, he knew this would be the oue. If their beloved father passed away, they would need to observe a mourning period for a period. During this time, celebratory events like weddings were out of the question. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Besides, given the circumstances, Sheena would not be in the right mindset to proceed with the ceremony. He moved around to face Sheena, crouching and taking her hands in his, gently soothing, ¡°Alright, as long as 1 can be by your side, that¡¯s all that matters.¡± Sheena tenderly touched his face, feeling guilty inside. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you prepare for the wedding tirelessly for almost half a month, only to have to cancel it now. It¡¯s my fault for dying things.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that. You haven¡¯t dyed anything,¡± Elliot replied nonchntly, holding her hand that was caressing his face and rubbing it gently,forting her. He inadvertently raised his left hand, and Sheena finally noticed the bandage on it. She brought his hand close to her eyes to inspect it. ¡°What happened to your hand? When did you get hurt? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Elliot hesitated for a moment before admitting, ¡°When Ford reported during the day, I identally cut myself while peeling apples. It¡¯s nothing serious, and I didn¡¯t want to worry you, so I didn¡¯t mention it.¡± ¡ü Sheena¡¯s heart twinged slightly. If canceling the wedding made her feel guilty, seeing Elliot injured made her feel even more indebted. She felt the need to make it up to him somehow. ¡°Eli, you¡¯ve prepared so much for our wedding. It¡¯s a shame to waste the nning entirely. Why don¡¯t we quietly register our marriage beforehand?¡± Chapter 827 Chapter 827 Elliot raised his head, meeting her gaze with excitement gleaming in his dark eyes. After a moment, he lowered his gaze again. ¡°But wouldn¡¯t it be risky? If others find out about you getting married during this crucial time, they¡¯ll surely gossip about you.¡± ¡°We can keep our marriage low¨Ckey, just between us. Besides, our happiness matters more than what others think.¡± After pondering for a while, Elliot¡¯s eyes lit up with joy once more. ¡°You¡¯re right, Nana. We should live life on our own terms.¡± He grinned mischievously, ¡°Why don¡¯t we just register our marriage tomorrow?¡± Sheena yfully tapped his forehead. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll follow your lead.¡± Elliot, still crouched in front of her, hugged her legs upon hearing the news that he would be officially married tomorrow. He rested his head on her thighs, indulging in the moment. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Sheena gently stroked the back of his head. Suddenly, Sheena¡¯s phone rang on the bedside table. It was Paul. A call at this hour could only mean trouble. Sheena answered the phone, only to find it was not Paul¡¯s voice on the other end. It was a man¡¯s voice, sounding breathless as if he had just finished exercising. ¡°Hello, Ms. Lawson. I¡¯m Mr. Jenkins¡¯s subordinate. My code name is Thanksgiving. Since Mr. Jenkins hasn¡¯t been answering calls, I had to resort to using your bodyguard¡¯s phone to reach you and Mr. Jenkins.¡± Sheena put the call on speaker, and Elliot listened intently beside her. He reached for his phone and realized it was on silent mode, with several missed calls from Thanksgiving. Their gazes met, instantly turning serious. The fact that the person Elliot had sent to monitor She was using Paul¡¯s phone to call Sheena indicated something was wrong. ¡°What happened on She¡¯s end?¡± Sheena asked in a grave tone. Thanksgiving quickly briefed Sheena and Elliot on the situation. Sheena listened attentively, her expression unchanged, before calmly arranging a n. ¡°Although the river is turbulent, She¡¯s injuries are serious. She couldn¡¯t have gone far. Tonight, I¡¯ll send some of Dark Bell¡¯s operatives to assist you in retrieving her. Bring her back, dead or alive!¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson,¡± Thanksgiving replied before hanging up, leaving the room enveloped in solemnity Sheena stares at the raindrops on the window ss, scoffing, ¡°She¡¯s still not learned her lessons, trying to escape. Eli, do you think Corey has anything to do with this?¡± Elliot was taken aback. ¡°Corey has been kneeling in the altar room, reciting scripturestely. Ever since you reprimanded She, he hasn¡¯t paid any attention to her.¡± She remained silent, lost in thought. Elliot walked over, scooped her up, and carried her to the bathroom. His deep, husky voice murmured, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t dwell on it. Let¡¯s wait until we retrieve her before jumping to conclusions. How about we bathe together tonight and get our marriage license smelling fresh tomorrow?¡± She tightened her arms around his neck,zily resting against his chest, frowning as she declined, I¡¯m too exhausted today, I don¡¯t have the energy for a bath.¡± 11 Elliot leaned down, gently kissing her forehead, ¡°You helped me bathe when I was sick before. From now on, I¡¯ll take care of bathing you.¡°. ¡°You mean that day,¡± Sheena teased, her gaze yful, a mischievous grin forming on her lips. ¡°I remember someone being quite forward, trying all sorts of tricks to seduce me. Luckily, I had strong willpower and rewarded that someone with a good scrubbing. Do you miss it?¡± Elliot¡¯s back stiffened slightly. Those were embarrassing memories, not to be mentioned or known by anyone other than Sheena. Chapter 828 Chapter 828 Elliot remained silent, but Sheena could not resist teasing him further. She leaned close to his ear and blew gently, her voice seductive and mischievous as she whispered, ¡® Eli, should we test how strong your willpower is?¡± Elliot froze, feeling a bit exasperated. ¡°Nana, men can¡¯t resist teasing. You¡¯re ying with fire.¡± As he spoke, he carefully ced Sheena on the toilet lid in the dry area of the bathroom and then went inside to refill the bathtub. Sheena pouted, feeling a bit displeased. ¡°If men can¡¯t resist teasing, does that mean if it were another woman, it would be the same?¡± Elliot approached her again, squatting down, his dark eyes captivating. He grabbed her hand and ced it between his legs, allowing her to feel his ¡°sincerity¡± up close. ¡°Nana, I¡¯m immune to other women. This reaction is only to you, and it¡¯s very sensitive to your teasing, even if it¡¯s just a touch. Can¡¯t you feel it?¡± Sheena smiled coyly, her cheeks tinted pink, and nodded. ¡°Hmm. It seems like it¡¯s saying it wants me.¡± Elliot stared at her expectantly, asking, ¡°So, Nana, can I have you tonight?¡± She lowered her head, looking at her belly, and lightly pointed, asking, ¡°What do you think?¡± Elliot sighed in disappointment. ¡°Then, don¡¯t tease me tonight. Just be good and take your bath, alright?¡± With the bathtub filled, he carefully checked the water temperature, grabbed a pregnancy¨Csafe bath bomb, and tossed it in, creating tiny bubbles. Turning back to the dry area of the bathroom, Elliot removed Sheena¡¯s clothes gracefully, kneeling devoutly as he helped her out of her darkce lingerie. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Sheena remained still, allowing him to manipte her like a beautiful and delicate doll. Then, Elliot gently ced her in the water before turning to remove his own clothes. Sheena watched him undress with his back turned, seeming shy. She thought about quietly using her fingers to tease his waistband, as she did thest time, to suddenly pull him into the water. However, midway through, she stopped herself. During the first three months of pregnancy, one must be extremely cautious and avoid any vigorous activity. However, Elliot could not resist Sheena¡¯s temptations at all. In the end, this only caused him suffering, as he had to endure the difort. Thinking about this, Sheena withdrew her hand and decided to let him off the hook, allowing him to Chapter 828 2/2 bathe in peace. At night, the two of them embraced each other and drifted off to sleep, enjoying the scent of their partner. The following day, Elliot woke up very early. Excited about getting their marriage license, he had been tossing and turning all night and could not sleep. He quickly got out of bed, freshened up, made breakfast in the kitchen, and personally fed Sheena. He calcted the time and arrived at the court about five minutes before it opened, eager to be the first couple to get their license that day! Twenty minutester, Elliot finally got his hands on the certificates. Only heaven knew how much he had anticipated this moment! Despite always disliking taking photos, he gently caressed the matching photo of the two of them on the marriage certificate. He had never thought a photo could look so good and be so touching. Tears welled up in his eyes, feeling a sense of peace he had never experienced before. Sheena noticed the tears forming in his eyes and quickly rubbed the back of his neck yfully. ¡°It¡¯s such a wonderful day, Eli. Why are you crying?¡± Chapter 829 Chapter 829 Elliot took a deep breath, but the tingle in his nose continued. Over the past six months, he had narrowly escaped death several times, and he and Sheena had been through so much together. Heaven knew how much he had longed for and looked forward to getting their marriage registered¡­ Elliot¡¯s sight turned blurry from the tears, and he bit his lip, feeling embarrassed. He instinctively retreated into Sheena¡¯s embrace, burying his face in her shoulder. Sheena stroked his broad back,forting him with gentle pats. He did not lift his head, silently choking back tears. After a while, he calmed his excited emotions and spoke in a steady voice. ¡°It¡¯s too windy outside, and sand got into my eyes. It¡¯s making my eyes ufortable. Nana, let¡¯s go home.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Sheena just smiled and did not expose him, ¡°Yes, the wind is quite strong. It¡¯s even making your eyes red. If we stay out a few more minutes, I bet my eyes will turn red too!¡± The two held hands tightly. Sheena and Elliot suppressed all the news about their marriage, keeping it secret. They received no congrattions and stirred up no public opinion. The day went quietly and calmly, like any other ordinary day. Before evening, Elliot called Lionel and Jacintha over, nning to have dinner together and maybe have a little wine to celebrate. Lionel could not cook, but he was in the kitchen to help Elliot. Jacintha sat on the couch with Sheena, watching TV and helping her peel fruits. From the kitchen, there were asional sounds of the two men arguing. ¡°Elliot, how do I prepare this dish?¡± ¡°Remove the tendons and cut them into small pieces with your hands.¡± Lionel went off, then asked again, ¡°How many pieces should I cut it into?¡± After some time¡­ ¡°Elliot, how do I peel this garlic?¡± ¡°Elliot, what shape should I cut the meat into?¡± Chantal $29 777 ¡°Elliot, these prawns look pretty clean. Why do we need to devein them? And how do I do it?¡± Elliot endured and endured, but his patience finally snapped. ¡°Get out!¡± Elliot shouted. Lionel winced in pain and was forcibly pushed out of the kitchen. On the living room sofa, the two girls stared at him. Lionel awkwardly scratched his head and gestured casually behind him, saying, ¡°Elliot seems to be in a really good mood today! He wants to cook us avish dinner all by himself!¡± Jacintha snorted at him, extremely displeased. ¡°Lionel, you¡¯re so dumb! When will you learn to cook like Mr. Jenkins? Stop forcing me to do all the hard work for you!¡± ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever force you to do all the hard work?¡± Feeling uneasy, he leaned over and sat on the adjacent sofa. ¡°Look at you! You¡¯ve been putting on weighttely, and your cheeks are so chubby now. Who¡¯s responsible for feeding you? Who?¡± ¡°Putting on weight?¡± Jacintha covered her cheeks, eyes wide with horror. ¡°Sheena, am I bing ugly?¡± Sheena suppressed a chuckle and pinched her soft cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re not ugly, nor fat. You¡¯re perfect just the way you are, and you¡¯re getting more beautiful every day.¡± Jacintha felt a bit relieved and gave Lionel a fierce re,ining, ¡°Sheena, look at him. He¡¯s so dense! He actually said I¡¯m fat to my face! How outrageous!¡± Sheena nodded seriously, her tone yful. ¡°I agree. He¡¯s outrageous andcking manners. The feather duster is in the entrance cab and ready to be used. Want to show off your skills?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Jacintha¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. She had been wanting to teach Lionel a lesson for a long time! Sheena said firmly, ¡°Of course. I¡¯m in charge here. Lionel isn¡¯t allowed to dodge, and you can hit him however you like.¡± Jacintha immediately rushed to get the feather duster from the cab, eager to start. Lionel stared at her in horror, eyes wide. ¡°Jacintha, don¡¯t you dare! Don¡¯t forget who¡¯s supporting you now! Who¡¯s feeding you? Do want your allowance next month?¡± Chapter 830 Chapter 830 Upon hearing this, Jacintha instantly stopped, sulking and pouting on the sofa. Sheena stifled augh. ¡°Giving up already?¡± Jacintha, unwilling but forced to yield under the pressure, muttered, ¡°He holds all the power¡­ He¡¯s too arrogant.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Sheena nodded with a smirk. ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s essential to have control over your finances. That way, you can do things your way, don¡¯t you think?¡± Her words struck a chord with Jacintha, who suddenly had an idea. To avoid alerting Lionel, Jacintha smoothly continued the conversation. ¡°Sheena, you¡¯re amazing. Mr. Jenkins has not only given all his assets to you, but he¡¯s also such a good cook and cares for you deeply. How do you do it?¡± Sheena just smiled, but she still remembered Elliot¡¯s first attempt at cooking in Ocean Avenue, Farlem. It was a disaster¨Cburnt braised beef and overly seasoned vegetables. Nheless, those embarrassing moments were better left unsaid. Otherwise, Elliot would get very upset. Thinking of this, she casually replied, ¡°Because he listens to me. As they chatted, Elliot finally finished cooking. Sheena, pregnant and needing a nd diet, required dishes with less salt, no MSG, additives, or even peppers. Elliot had researched how to make the best dishes with just salt, especially for her. As the dishes were served, Lionel rubbed his hands together, eager eyes betraying his excitement. Today was a special day. Besides being the day Elliot and Sheena got married, it was also the day Elliot rescued Lionel from the border. When Elliot first found him, Lionel was like a savage. He had no name and could not speak, just making unintelligible noises, not even having a birthday. Hence, Elliot decided to mark that day as his birthday. Lionel was in an especially good mood, and before he knew it, he was drunk, with Jacintha helping him back home. Chapter 830 2/2 As they left the mansion, his tipsy yet loud voice echoed back. ¡°Elliot, my life belongs to you. Even in death, I want to die with you!¡± Following closely behind, Jacintha¡¯s disdainful voice rang out. ¡°Dream on! Mr. Jenkins would kick you out! You reek of alcohol, so smelly, nothing like Sheena¡¯s fragrance!¡± Sheena and Elliot chuckled. Elliot squinted his obsidian eyes, leaning close to Sheena¡¯s shoulder, gently nuzzling it. Then, he asked, ¡°Dear, can you give me a night that I¡¯ll never forget?¡± ¡°All nights are unforgettable. What kind do you want?¡± Sheena arched an eyebrow. ¡°I mean the kind that¡¯s so intense, you feel like you¡¯re on the brink of death, but you can¡¯t get enough. ?? His maic, husky voice dripped with lust, incredibly seductive. Sheena¡¯s sparkling eyes gradually turned mischievous, a wicked grin spreading across her face. ¡°Dear, I get it! If it¡¯s supposed to be unforgettable, it has to start with the worst before the best!¡± Elliot locked eyes with her. Sensitive to the intense mischief in her gaze. Sheena lightly caressed his handsome face, her fingertips teasingly yful. ¡°You guessed it right, just like you thought!¡± Elliot was at a loss for words. Could he take back the words he just said? Was it toote? Sheena blew air toward him teasingly, her eyes sparkling with mischief, extremely yful: Her sultry voice was incredibly alluring as he said, ¡°Dear it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve ridden a horse. Would you be my little pony tonight?¡± Elliot stayed quiet. Was it really the kind he imagined? Why did he feel like Sheena¡¯s mischief was much more intense than he imagined? Chapter 831 Chapter 831 Late at night. Every now and then, E&S Haven echoed with the sound of a whip cracking through the air, mingled with asional grunts from Elliot and Sheena¡¯s melodiousughter. On this tranquil evening, these sounds, although shocking, sparked endless imagination and curiosity. (Elliot¡¯s and Sheena¡¯s experiences are left to the reader¡¯s creativity, as they cannot be written here.) Elliot finally experienced the unforgettable wedding night he had longed for. It was a resurrection after the embarrassment and desire for death, floating in ecstasy, like a small reward from heaven. It was also an unforgettable wedding night for Sheena. Since she got pregnant, she has not been engaged in any high¨Crisk activities. That night, she rode a big horse, using a belt as a riding crop, swinging it freely¡­ It was indeed extremely fun for her. In the extreme bedroom forey, Sheena¡¯s experience was pleasant and exhrating, but Elliot¡¯s experience was rather lousy. In the morning, sunlight shone through the half¨Cdrawn curtains, illuminating Sheena and Elliot¡¯s beautiful and delicate profiles. Elliot was sleeping on his stomach. His arm was wrapped around Sheena¡¯s chest, a habit he had developed even in his sleep to avoid putting pressure on Sheena¡¯s belly. Last night was their wedding night, and they yed untilte into the night. They were exhausted and slept deeply. All was still until Sheena¡¯s phone rang on the bedside table. She groggily reached out to answer it, and the ID showed that it was Paul calling. Sheena picked up the call, only to find that it was indeed Paul who called this time. He apologized earnestly for his and John¡¯s negligence, which led to She¡¯s escape. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss. We lowered our guard when we saw her behaving well for a while. We didn¡¯t expect her to be ying tricks again. She teamed up with Margaret¡¯s son, Kye Hubbard, drugged the three of us, and escaped. We will ept your punishment. Sheena brushed aside the matter of punishment and asked, ¡°Any news? Have they found her?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°No, we searched along the river all day, but there was no sign of her. We even went to several viges Chapter 831 2/2 downstream, but there was no news. She was shot, and the river was icy cold that day. Perhaps she¡­ didn¡¯t make it?¡± Sheena¡¯s tone turned cold. ¡°Even if she¡¯s dead, I want to see the body.¡± Then, she ordered, ¡°Continue the search. Go through the viges downstream again thoroughly. She couldn¡¯t have gone far; she must still be in one of the viges.¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± Sheena hung up the phone. This matter hadpletely awakened her drowsiness, and she sat up at the edge of the bed. Behind her, Elliot felt the sudden rush of cold air and the empty space next to him. He furrowed his brows in difort, unconsciously grabbing the edge of the nket. Underneath the covers, arge hand firmly gripped Sheena¡¯s nightgown. She nced down and noticed that Elliot was sleeping on his stomach. Was it because his lower back was sore from her sitting on himst night, or¡­ She leaned over, ying with Elliot¡¯s hair with her fingertips, deliberately blowing air close to his ear. ¡°Honey, what¡¯s with this sleeping position? Do you need me to massage your back?TM¡± Elliot half¨Copened his sleepy eyes and murmured softly in response. Sheena slipped back under the covers, gently massaging his lower back. However, as she massaged him, the mischievous smile in her eyes deepened. Her fingertips silently ventured downward, stopping at Elliot¡¯s firm, round buttocks. Through the thin silk pajamas, she cautiously caressed, clearly feeling the lingering swelling beneath the surface. Just as she was about to continue groping, Elliot suddenly grabbed her wrists. Chapter 832 Chapter 832 Elliot, still tired, looked at her affectionately. ¡°Stop fooling around. I¡¯m still sleepy.¡± Sheena wisely let go of her hands. ¡°Alright. It was indeed tiring for youst night. I¡¯ll make a quick trip to the Lawson estate while you sleep in.¡® She leaned down, nting a kiss on his forehead. Then, Sheena rolled out of bed, swiftly tidying up before leaving E&S Haven. Half an hourter, her luxury car parked in Mountville, right in front of Albert¡¯s mansion. As she made her way inside, passing by the altar room, she heard a man¡¯s faint, hoarse voice reciting something. It was already morning, yet he was still at it? Sheena approached the altar room and cracked open the door slightly, silently observing. Corey¡¯s figure swayed, his posture strained as he struggled to kneel. His throat was barely recovered, yet he persisted in reciting. If he kept this up, he wouldpletely ruin his voice. She furrowed her brows, her expression stern. This time, she did not slip away quietly. Instead, she pushed the door open. ¡ü The sound of the door creaking interrupted Corey¡¯s recitation. However, he did not turn around. Instead, he said in his hoarse voice casually, ¡°Are you bringing me breakfast again? I¡¯m not hungry. I¡¯ll eat after I¡¯m done with this.¡± Sheena stood by the door, unmoving. After waiting for a while and receiving no response, Corey turned his head to look, confused. When he saw Sheena, he was taken aback, and he stayed silent. Sheena remained expressionless, her tone icy as she said, ¡°If you think reading scriptures endlessly will make me forgive you and forget your past indulgence toward She, then you¡¯re mistaken.¡± Her gaze was firm, chilling. ¡°Even if you end up mute from all this, I won¡¯t pity you.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Corey gulped, his longshes covering the deep sense of disappointment in his eyes. Chapter 832 212 He did not say anything, just looking away and adjusting back into the standard kneeling position before resuming his recitation. Sheena furrowed her brows, her expression growing colder as though Corey was utterly stubborn. Remembering Paul¡¯s report about She in the morning, she spoke again. ¡°She drugged my bodyguards and escaped. Do you know about this?¡± Corey stopped his recitation, turning to face her once more. ¡°This time, I truly didn¡¯t know.¡± She remained expressionless as she continued, ¡°Two days ago, during a heavy rain, she was shot and fell into the river. Her fate is uncertain.¡± Corey lowered his gaze slightly, saying nothing. She stared at him intently, scrutinizing every expression. She questioned skeptically, ¡°You¡¯ve been protecting her because of her mom¡¯s favor. Now that she¡¯s in danger, aren¡¯t you concerned?¡± Corey kept his gaze lowered, his hoarse voice barely audible as he replied, ¡°It¡¯s uncertain whether she¡¯s dead or alive. She might still live.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t you want to save her?¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow, her eyes icy. He calmly withdrew his gaze, looking back at the scripture in his hands, speaking with unusual seriousness. ¡°In these days, as I¡¯ve read and copied these scriptures repeatedly, I¡¯vee to understand many things. I¡¯ve protected her many times before. Now, having resigned from the National Affairs Bureau, I no longer have the powers I once had. The path ahead is for her to walk on her own. Whether she lives or dies is her fate to decide. I can¡¯t protect her anymore, and I won¡¯t protect her anymore.¡± Sheena listened quietly, observing his every expression. After a moment, she chuckled softly. ¡°It seems like reading those scriptures wasn¡¯t in vain. You¡¯ve indeed grown more mature than before. That¡¯s some progress.¡± It was the calmest and most gentle words she had spoken to Corey in this period. Corey¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile, shifting his swollen knees as he knelt before her. In a hoarse voice, he sincerely apologized to her, ¡°Nana, I was wrong about everything before. I now realize how terribly wrong I was and how much I hurt you. During this time, I¡¯ve genuinely repented. Can you forgive me?¡± Chapter 833 Chapter 833 1/2 Sheena¡¯s smile froze instantly. As their eyes met, Corey nervously gulped, anxiously waiting for her response. Sheena stared at him for a while before finally speaking, ¡°I ept your apology, but as for forgiveness ¡­ I¡¯m only here to visit Dad today, and I don¡¯t want to discuss other matters.¡± The glow in Corey¡¯s eyes dimmed. He raised Sheena, so he knew her refusal when he saw it. After a moment of disappointment, he forced a smile, replying, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m willing to wait until the day you can fully forgive me.¡± Sheena stared at him, saying nothing. Just as she was about to turn and leave the altar room to see Albert, Barbara suddenly came running down the stairs from upstairs, her voice filled with grief. ¡°Honey! Dad¡­ Dad¡¯s monitor tlined!¡± Her words were like a thunderbolt, shocking the entire Mountville. Sheena¡¯s eyes reddened instantly as she sprinted upstairs, with Corey supporting his knees to stand up and follow behind her. Howard, who was in the living room, also rushed upstairs upon hearing Barbara¡¯s cry. ¡°Dad!¡± Echoing the same desperate, hoarse cries, the family rushed to Albert¡¯s bedside. He was no longer breathing, but his expression was peaceful. Noah sat beside Albert, his usually cold face now tear¨Cstreaked with grief. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with sorrow. Sheena leaned against the door frame, tears streaming uncontrobly, her heart aching in pain. Her grief¨Cfilled gaze abruptly turned fierce, and he grabbed her phone and called Paul. ¡°Mobilize every member of the Dark Bell organization. We must find She! I want to witness her death!¡± Noah and Howard took care of the arrangements for Albert¡¯s funeral together. Due to her pregnancy, Sheena could not participate in these matters and was swiftly taken back home by Elliot, whoforted her. Chapter 833 2/2 C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. The entire Dark Bell was mobilized, pouring all efforts into searching for She along the riverbank, going door to door in the downstream viges to inquire. They had searched for a full two days and nights, yet there was no sign of her. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. Sheena¡¯s anger burned, but she restrained herself for the sake of her babies. She held back her temper and summoned Howard to her mansion. ¡°Howard, we still haven¡¯t been able to locate She until now. However, her mistakes led to Dad¡¯s death, and I¡¯m determined to make her pay the price.¡± Howard naturally understood. ¡°Nana, what do you want to do? I¡¯ll fully support you.¡± Sheena looked up, her gaze cold at the thought of She¡¯s face. ¡°Release a news report of her death, stating that during her travels, she received the tragic news of Dad¡¯s death, and in her grief, she identally fell into the river and drowned.¡± Howard was taken aback. ¡°You want her never to be able to return to the Lawson family and not to live under the name ¡®She Lawson¡¯?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Alright, I got you. I¡¯ll take care of it for you.¡± Albert had passed away, Corey stepped down from his responsibilities, and She disappeared, never to be seen again. The entire Lawson family was now under Sheena¡¯s management, and it had been peaceful. In the quiet days, time seemed to fly by. Eight monthster, Sheena, with her pregnant belly, still appeared beautiful, and her skin was still as delicate as before. She sat on the sofa, watching a movie on the big screen projector, while Elliot was cutting fruits for her in the kitchen. She was deeply engrossed in the movie when, suddenly, the babies kicked her belly. The pain from the kick caused her body to spasm, and Sheena almost passed out. ¡°Eli!¡± She struggled to call out for Elliot. Chapter 834 Chapter 834 Elliot quickly put down the fruits he had not finished washing and rushed over, squatting in front of Sheena to check her condition. ¡°Are you inbor?¡± Sheena, with her brows furrowed in pain, shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s just the babies kicking me again.¡± Elliot felt heartbroken, ring at her pregnant belly with gritted teeth. ¡°They¡¯re so naughty! They¡¯re surely going to be troublemakers. How could they make you suffer like this? When they¡¯re older, I¡¯m going to spank their little butts to help you get revenge!¡± Sheena could not help but chuckle. ¡°Don¡¯t be so harsh on them! They¡¯re just two little babies who don¡¯t understand anything yet.¡± Elliot gently soothed her belly,with his palm, still indignant. ¡°But they¡¯re making you suffer so much. I have to let them face the music in the future!¡± Sheena could not help butugh at his earnestint. ¡°The babies are listening, you know, and they¡¯ll hold grudges. When they¡¯re older, they¡¯ll definitely help me instead of you. The three of us will gang up on you!¡± Elliot did not mind it. All that mattered was Sheena¡¯s happiness. Just as Sheena was about to speak, her stomach suddenly cramped again, and she grimaced in unbearable pain. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did they kick you again?¡± This time, Sheena shook her head. After calming herself down, she finally realized something and blurted out, ¡°Honey, I might¡­ be going intobor!¡± Elliot was horrified, immediately sending a message to Lionel, Jacintha, Noah, Howard, and Phoebe. Then, he carried Sheena and headed straight to the hospital. As soon as Sheena was admitted to the delivery room, everyone arrived on time, surrounding her with concern and inquiries. Sheena was puzzled to see the crowd of people, and she turned to Elliot beside her. ¡°Why did you call over so many people? Are they here to witness me giving birth?¡± Elliot¡¯s palms were sweaty, his voice trembling. He was even more nervous than her. ¡°I promised that on the day you give birth, I¡¯d experience the pain of childbirth again and apany you through it. I was afraid I couldn¡¯t be with you in the delivery room, so I brought everyone here to talk to you.¡± Chapter 534 Sheena squeezed his hand, tightly. ¡°No way. I get nervous with so many people. I just need you to be with me alone.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Elliot still wanted to endure the pain with her. Noah promptly stepped in to exin that Elliot did not need to experience childbirth again as the doctors in the delivery room would regrly check Sheena¡¯s dtion. When the time was right, they could administer an epidural. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Elliot and Sheena exchanged puzzled looks. Sheena was pleasantly surprised. ¡°So, with modern medicine advancements, there¡¯s such a thing as pain relief during childbirth? Noah, why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier? You had me worried for quite a while!¡± Elliot, on the other hand, was stunned. ¡°So, Noah deliberately had me experience thebor pain simtor as a prank?¡± Noah¡¯s eyes gleamed mischievously, neither confirming nor denying. After the crowd of well¨Cwishers said a bunch of encouraging words, they nervously left. Fifteen minutester, Sheena was wheeled into the delivery room with Elliot by her side. The babies¡® positions were ideal for a natural delivery. After receiving the epidural, Sheena felt much better, realizing that giving birth was not as painful as she thought. However, Elliot nervously gripped her hand, almost every cell in his body trembling, even his jawline tense. 1 Sheena turned to him, caressing his handsome face, smiling slightly. ¡°Eli, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s not that painful.¡± His serious face was covered in a thinyer of cold sweat, murmuring softly, ¡°It¡¯s easy for you to say. If only giving birth was that simple!¡± Sheena just smiled. After six hours of agony, she sessfully delivered the babies. The nurse gently cleaned and swaddled the two babies, calling out to Elliot. ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Jenkins. You have a son and a daughter. Come and take a look!¡± Elliot remained unmoved, entirely focused on helping Sheena wipe away her sweat, his with concern. Sheena weakly smiled, asking, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to see the babies?¡± eyes filled Chapter 834 Elliot remained indifferent to the babies, only wanting to be with Sheena. ¡°They¡¯re not important.¡± Chapter 835 Chapter 835 Sheena could not help but chuckle, feeling a sweet feeling of warmth creep into her heart. However, she still wanted to see the babies. ¡°Hurry up. I want to see them,¡± she urged Elliot. Reluctantly, Elliot got up and walked over to the nurse. The nurse took the initiative to introduce, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, this is the elder brother, and this is the little sister.¡± Elliot just nced at them, instantly furrowing his brow in disbelief. ¡°Are these really our babies?¡± ¡°Of course, you were in the delivery room. Do you think we could switch them out?¡± The nurses in the room chuckled. However, Elliot¡¯s expression remained serious. Both he and Sheena were exceptionally good¨Clooking, so why did the babies look so¡­ ugly? Their skin was red, and they were all wrinkly. They were not cute at all. Could it be that the virus in his body before had really affected the children? The more he thought about it, the more solemn his expression became. However, the nurse holding the babies was all smiles, asking, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, the babies are so well- behaved. Would you like to hold them?¡± ¡°No, thank you.¡± He walked away without even looking back, returning to Sheena¡¯s side. Seeing him approach, Sheena grabbed his hand, eyes full of anticipation. ¡°Honey, what do you think? Aren¡¯t the babies cute?¡± Elliot stayed quiet. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is there a problem?¡± Sheena noticed his troubled expression and became wary. Elliot could only awkwardly change the subject. ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong. You should rest well. You¡¯ll be transferred to a regr wardter.¡± The more he wore this expression, the more Sheena felt something was amiss. ¡°Where are the babies? Bring them over so I can see.¡± Chapter 835 2/2 ¡°Do you really want to see them?¡± Elliot asked, unsure. Sheena nodded, feeling a growing sense of unease. ¡°Hurry up.¡± With no other choice, Elliot approached the nurse again and took the two babies. As he returned to Sheena¡¯s bed, he cautioned her, ¡°Nana, be prepared. There might be a big difference from your expectations.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so dramatic,¡± Sheena said, growing more confused. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Bending down, he ced the two babies beside her pillow. Sheena nced sideways. There were two chubby, little babies. ¡°They¡¯re adorable! Eli, were you intentionally keeping me in suspense to surprise me?¡± Sheena was excited, tears welling up in her eyes. She instantly fell in love with the two little ones, feeling that the hard ten months of pregnancy were all worth it. Bringing such cute little beings into the world was truly a fulfilling experience. ¡°Eli, look, their features resemble ours. These are our babies.¡± Elliot followed her gaze and looked again. Regardless, they were their own children after all¡­ and the more he looked, the more endearing they became. He leaned in, gently kissing Sheena¡¯s sweaty forehead. Then, he looked at her tenderly, saying, ¡°Thank you, Nana, for blessing me with these two adorable little ones.¡± As they locked eyes, their gazes held profound love for each other. The delivery went smoothly, and after a brief rest, Sheena was transferred to a regr ward. Noah and Howard, along with others, quickly crowded into the spacious VIP room. They gathered around the baby cribs, discussing animatedly about the two little ones. Chapter 836 Chapter 836 Lionel remarked, ¡°You know, the baby boy kinda looks like Elliot.¡± Jacintha giggled,menting, ¡°I heard Sheena got kicked a lot by the babies in thest few months. It must be this little guy, just as mischievous as Mr. Jenkins was when he was young!¡± Laughter filled the room. Elliot sat by Sheena¡¯s bedside, seemingly unaffected, focusing on feeding her nutritious soup. Observing the curious crowd from afar, Sheena felt like they were all watching some endangered animals at the zoo. The group continued their animated discussion. Noah, who had been quiet until now, spoke up in his calm voice, ¡°Nana, have you decided on their names?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Sheena was taken aback, realizing she had forgotten about this. She turned to Elliot, ¡°Honey, it¡¯s up to you.¡± After some thought, Elliot dered, ¡°I intend to name the girl Adora, meaning ¡®adoration¡®, as a tribute to my deep love for you, and the boy Asher, meaning ¡®blessed¡®, in gratitude for bringing these two precious lives into our world.¡± Sheena listened quietly, feeling immensely content. She had never felt more confident that giving birth to these two babies was the right decision. Lionel chimed in, ¡°Adora and Asher Jenkins. Sounds lovely, and the meanings are beautiful too.¡± ¡°Adora, Asher, these are the names your dad chose for you,¡± Jacintha eximed excitedly. Soon, the room was filled with the lively chatter of people calling out, ¡°Adora¡­ Asher¡­¡± Sheena nced at Elliot, chuckling, finding the group even more childish than children. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. The room fell silent as Ford entered, looking slightly awkward. He whispered, ¡°Miss, Mr. Corey and Mrs. Barbara are here. Should I let them in?¡± His voice was barely audible, but his words brought an immediate hush to the room. The atmosphere suddenly solemn, and all eyes turned to Sheena as if waiting for her decision. Under the scrutiny of everyone¡¯s gaze, Sheena¡¯s expression gradually turned serious. ¡°The room is already crowded enough, and the babies are still too young. Having too many people around might scare them, so it¡¯s better for them to leave for now.¡® Chapter 836 2/2 Her words were polite, but the message remained clear: she was not ready to forgive Corey. As the door closed again, the room fell into a deathly silence, with no one speaking for a long time. After a while, a young nurse approached and knocked on the door, but it was not for Sheena and Elliot. ¡°Mr. Noah, there¡¯s a woman looking for you.¡± With these words, all eyes in the room turned to Noah. Noah, usually aloof and proud, found his cars turning slightly red under so many gazes. Howard was the most surprised, eximing, ¡°A woman? An actual woman?! There¡¯s finally a woman who dares to approach our aloof Noah?¡± He patted Noah¡¯s shoulder, adding, ¡°Noah, this isn¡¯t fair. When did this happen? You¡¯ve been keeping this secret so well. How long are you going to keep my future sister¨Cinw hidden from me?¡± Noah coughed awkwardly, his expression bing more serious. ¡°Alright, stop it. It¡¯s not what you think. It¡¯s not my girlfriend, and there¡¯s nothing like that. Probably just a former patient asking about some medical issues.¡® ¡°Well, I¡¯m not buying it,¡± Howard teased. Noah ignored him and left the room. Once Noah was gone, Sheena looked at Howard and whispered, ¡°Noah is reserved when ites to rtionships. Don¡¯t tease him too much, or he might get angry and drive with his indifferent attitude.¡± The room quickly returned to its lively atmosphere. Noah emerged and headed straight for the hospital¡¯s deserted corridor. A slender figure stood quietly in the hallway, waiting for him. your ¡®sister¨Cinw¡® away He stood there for a moment, rubbing his slightly ears which were red from Howard¡¯s remarks. Taking a deep breath, Noah quickly reverted to his usual icy demeanor. ¡°Ms. Moore, you just returned to Farlem. What brings you back to Svelton?¡± The woman in the corridor turned around¡­ It was the ever so gentle and graceful Hannah. Chapter 837 Chapter 837 In the past, Hannah¡¯s face would light up with admiration, filled with affection and love, whenever she saw Noah. However, her expression was unusuallyplex this time. After many dilemmas, Hannah lowered her eyes sorrowfully and finally spoke, ¡°Mr. Noah, I¡¯m sorry for troubling you for the past six months.¡± Noah stared at her quietly, not saying a word, waiting for her to continue. ¡°In the future, I probably won¡¯t bother you anymore because¡­ my dad has decided to arrange my engagement with the heir of the Fuller family.¡± Noah froze, his lips pressed tightly together. After some thought, he said, ¡°Well, congrattions.¡± Those words felt like thousands of steel needles piercing Hannah¡¯s heart, causing unbearable pain to spread throughout her body. and it was all She fought back the tingle in her nose and firmly said, ¡°I know you¡¯ve never liked me, my wishful thinking. From now on, I¡¯ll gradually let go of my feelings for you ande to my senses, never bothering you again.¡± Hannah¡¯s nasal tone became heavier as she spoke, her eyes uncontrobly reddened, shimmering with tears. Despite being an independent and strong¨Cwilled woman in the business world, she was still a hopeless romantic hoping for the affection of someone she liked when it came to love. Nevertheless, Noah¡¯s congrattory words hadpletely awakened her. Noah noticed her extreme sadness and reached out tofort her. However, he hesitated midway through, unsure of what role he wasforting her from. As he struggled with his thoughts, Hannah had already made up her mind. ¡°Goodbye, Mr. Noah.¡± With these weighty words, she turned and left, almost running away. Noah¡¯s hand remained frozen in ce, his mind nk for a long time, unable to describe the mixed emotions swirling inside him, feeling strangely peculiar. It was not until someone¡¯s arm draped over his shoulder that he snapped out of his daze. It was Howard, and he had witnessed Hannah leaving in tears when he walked over. Howard sighed and advised, ¡°Noah, I hate to say it, but this is on you. She pursued you for six months, and judging by your expression, it seems like you have some feelings for her after all. In Chapter 837 212 matters of the heart, if one side is always doing the pursuing while the other remains passive, it¡¯ll end in tragedy sooner orter. You need to figure out your true feelings. If you genuinely like her, go after her. If you don¡¯t feel anything, then wish her well.¡± Noah adjusted his expensive wristwatch and replied without hesitation, ¡°She¡¯s already engaged. There¡¯s no need for me to disrupt her life. From now on, we¡¯ll each go our own way.¡± ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is that you do have some feelings for her?¡± Howard was adept at reading between the lines. Noah thought for a moment, answering coldly, ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± Then, he turned and walked away. Howard hurried to catch up, saying, ¡°Bullshit! You¡¯re just pretending. You hesitated! ¡°Noah, others may not understand you, but I do! If you continue to be as thick¨Cheaded as a log, you¡¯re going to lose your wife!¡± Noah remained silent, maintaining his cold and unapproachable demeanor. Howard genuinely worried about him, adding, ¡°Noah, you should pursue her while you still can. You¡¯re heading down a dangerous path like this! Do it now before it¡¯s toote!¡± In the ward, Elliot chased away the chatty crowd. The room finally quieted down. Elliot blew on the soup to cool it before patiently feeding Sheena each spoonful. However, his obsidian eyes revealed that his mind was elsewhere. Having been together for so long, Sheena could tell immediately that something was bothering him. ¡°Eli, what¡¯s wrong?¡±Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Chapter 838 Chapter 838 1/2 Just before Elliot coulde up with a half¨Chearted response, Sheena quickly added, ¡°And don¡¯t forget how much trouble you got into before for keeping things from me. If you dare to trick me again this time, I¡¯ll make sure to give you a piece of my mind once I¡¯m feeling better!¡± This threat proved to be quite effective. Elliot thought for a moment and then confessed honestly, ¡°Nana, do you remember when I contracted the $404?¡± ¡°Yes, I do.¡± He lowered his gaze and continued, ¡°Now that the babies are born, I want to take them to theb for examination when I have the time. I also want to check on your health once you¡¯re out of the hospital. ¡± This matter was indeed important as it concerned the future of their little family. However¡­ Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious, filled with concern. ¡°But, Elliot, they¡¯re still so young. It seems unfair to subject them to those tests at such a tender age. I can¡¯t bear the thought.¡± ¡°Nana it¡¯s best to check early. If there are any issues, we need to inform Yosef and start treatment preparations early. Sheena simply could not bear letting the babies go through such tests at this age.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bit longer. They¡¯re still too young, and they¡¯re too delicate to handle any suffering. Let¡¯s just observe them closely and be vignt, and that should be enough. Elliot nodded and offered her a spoonful of soup. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go with your suggestion.¡± Sheena turned her head, declining the offer. Seeing this, Elliot sighed and swallowed the soup himself. After watching him for a moment, Sheena red at him and asked, ¡°Eli, were you contemting how to sneak the babies off to theb without me noticing?¡± His hand froze mid¨Cscoop, and he quickly looked up with a sheepish grin. ¡°That¡¯s impossible! Of course I¡¯d discuss it with you first. The babies aren¡¯t just mine. I can¡¯t make such decisions alone.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Sheena relented, albeit reluctantly. Elliot breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he narrowly avoided getting scolded again. If he had said the wrong thing, he would probably have to endure another round of punishment! Sheena noticed every little expression on his face, suppressing a smile. A mischievous glint flickered in her sparkling eyes, but she quickly concealed it, maintaining her Chapter 838 2/2 After spending a few days in the hospital, Sheena was ready to be discharged and return home to start her postpartum care. Elliot helped her put on thick woolen socks, wrapped her in a fur coat, and ced a white fox fur hat on her head before carrying her home. With Sheena needing to focus on her postpartum care, Elliot found himself overwhelmed with tasks. Apart from asionally assisting Sheena with work from the Lawson Group, he had to handle various responsibilities for the Jenkins Group, take care of the two newborns, and ensure Sheena received nutritious meals. Elliot was handling everything single¨Chandedly as if he had superhuman powers. However, after several sleepless nights, Elliot looked worn out, with dark circles under his eyes. Sheena could not bear to see him like this, so after discussing it with him, they decided to hire a reliable do to take care of the babies and alleviate some of Elliot¡¯s burdens. Lionel spent several days carefully selecting from the best agencies, ultimately choosing a young girl. Then, he brought the do to Sheena¡¯s bedside for her approval. Sheena sat leaning against the headboard, cradling Adora in her arms as she looked up at the nanny. The girl was indeed young, with slender arms and legs. However, she was reputed to be the best in the agency. Although part of her face was bandaged and her facial features were rather ordinary, her eyes were strikingly beautiful and clear. As Sheena locked eyes with her, she felt a strange sense of familiarity, but she could not quite ce it. Nevertheless, it was not solely based on appearance. Sheena simply did not feel very fond of the girl. She calmly looked at the do and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s your name? And what happened to your face?¡± Chapter 839 Chapter 839 Upon hearing Sheena inquire about her face, the girl instinctively covered the bandaged cheek with her hand. ¡°Ms. Lawson, my name is La Walker. I injured my left cheek a couple of days ago when I fell downstairs. But rest assured, Ms. Lawson, it won¡¯t affect my work, and the wound will heal soon,¡± La exined. Her voice sounded hoarse and somewhat unpleasant. Sheena, still cradling the Adora, gently cooed and rocked her. She averted her gaze from La, saying calmly, ¡°You¡¯re not suitable. You can leave.¡°. Lionel moved to escort La out, but she remained rooted to the spot, unwilling to ept Sheena¡¯s decision. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you didn¡¯t even ask about my professional qualifications. Are you rejecting me because of my looks? Are you judging people solely based on appearances?¡± La challenged, her tone defiant. Sheena frowned slightly, raising her head again to meet La¡¯s eyes. Sensing Sheena¡¯s growing anger, Lionel hurried to pull La away. ¡°What are you saying? Who goes job¨Chunting with such an attitude? It¡¯s not about your appearance. You¡¯re just trying to guilt¨Ctrip us.¡± Lionel dragged La a few steps toward the door. Sheena, still in bed, finally spoke up. ¡°There are four reasons why I don¡¯t want you. ¡°Your voice is unpleasant, which might scare the babies, you don¡¯t look at me with respect, your gaze is piercing andcks warmth, and most importantly, I simply don¡¯t like you. Therefore, I don¡¯t need to assess yourpetence.¡± Sheena¡¯s tone was matter¨Cof¨Cfact, cutting through the air like a knife. Lionel chimed in, ¡°Got that? You should ept it now. Please leave.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . With no other option, La turned and left. As she reached the doorway, she nced back with a sly smile and taunted, ¡°Ms. Lawson, are you truly at peace?¡± Then, La left. Lionel stood in ce, momentarily stunned before quickly apologizing to Sheena. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sheena. I¡¯ll be more cautious next time and not bring in any oddballs.¡± Sheena made a casual acknowledgment and continued to soothe Adora in her arms. Chapter 839 However, the girl¡¯s parting words echoed unexpectedly in her mind, reying over and over. The look La gave her before leaving¡­ Sheena suddenly realized something and turned to Lionel with urgency, shouting, ¡°Quick! Go after that girl who just left. Make sure to bring her back!¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m on it!¡± Lionel replied promptly, his expression serious as he dashed out of the room. Feeling a sudden unease, Sheena hurriedly called Elliot, who was diligently working in the study. ¡°Yes, honey?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Asher?¡± Elliot nced down at the baby sleeping in his arms. ¡°He¡¯s with me. What¡¯s up?¡± Sheena breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Nothing, just carry on with your work.¡± Ending the call, she nced out the window, hoping she was just overthinking. Fifteen minutester, Lionel returned. ¡°Sheena, I couldn¡¯t find her. She left in a hurry and disappeared after leaving the Jenkins estate. I checked a few surveince cameras, but no luck. She vanished from the camera¡¯s blind spots.¡± A cold tension filled the room. Sheena pondered for a moment. Did La avoid the surveince cameras intentionally or unintentionally? ¡°Which agency did you get her from? Dig into her work records thoroughly. We need to find her. I want to question her myself,¡± Sheena ordered sternly. $ ¡°Yes, Sheena, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± Later that evening, the two babies slept in the middle of the big bed, separating Sheena and Elliot on either side. Elliot asionallyforted the babies while stealing nces at Sheena, who seemed lost in thought as she stared at Adora. Chapter 840 Chapter 840 ¡°Nana?¡± Elliot gently called out. Sheena did not respond. He felt a bit neglected in that moment. These two babies not only separated him and Sheena while sleeping but also took away much of her attention and affection. ¡°Nana, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± Elliot asked, stretching his long arm over the distance between them, cautiously poking Sheena¡¯s arm. Sheena snapped out of her thoughts at his touch and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Elliot furrowed his brows, feeling a bit hurt. ¡°I was going to ask you the same thing¡­¡± ¡°Eli, I can¡¯t shake this odd feeling about the do Lionel brought today,¡± Sheena said, her expression serious as she pondered. ¡°What happened?¡± Elliot quickly turned serious too. Sheena recounted everything to Elliot, not leaving out a single detail. After listening, Elliot¡¯s tone turned stern. ¡°So, you suspect that the person Lionel brought today might be She?¡± ¡°I just thought she felt familiar, and her parting words were too strange. But upon further thought, there are many things that don¡¯t seem like She.¡± Elliot patted her arm reassuringly. ¡°Then stop thinking about it. Lionel will find her. It¡¯s just a matter of time.¡± She nodded. After a while, Elliot¡¯s hand was still resting on her arm. Not only that, but he also started to pinch her slightly. Sheena turned to look at him, puzzled. His obsidian eyes sparkled as he looked at her expectantly, whispering, ¡°Honey, it¡¯s been days since I held you while sleeping. Can I hold you tonight?¡± ¡°What about the babies? Where do you n for them to sleep? What if they fall during the night?¡± Elliot sighed internally. Those little troublemakers! He suppressed his frustration and growled, ¡°We need to find a do quickly so I can be free!¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Eli, it¡¯s time to change the diapers.¡± The next day, Lionel went to check La¡¯s identity, and john was sent to handle the hiring matter. After yesterday¡¯s events, Sheena made some special requests. The do must be middle¨Caged or above, have had many experiences raising children, and look like an honest and responsible person. It was not Lionel or John who entered E&S Haven that afternoon. Instead, it was Giovanni Meyer, a senior executive from the Lawson Group. He was known for his dedication to thepany, often being the first to support sheena¡¯s decisions in many meetings. Sheena had a favorable impression of him. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Giovanni walked into the bestroom while Sheena leaned against the bedhead, holding Adora in her arms Adora was always calm and quiet in her embrace, Standing by the door, Giovanni smiled as he congratted her, ¡°Ms. Lawson, congrattions on the Twins. It¡¯s truly a blessing,¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Sheena replied politely, cutting straight to the point, ¡°Mr. Meyer, what brings you here? Giovanni did not beat around the bush and quickly exined, ¡°It¡¯s about the future inheritance of the Lawson Group, I wonder what your ns are, Ms. Lawson?¡± ¡°What ns?¡± Sheena inquired. ¡°Old Man Lawson made it clear before he passed away that the inheritance of the Lawson family would pass through the daughters, not the sons. Now that you¡¯ve given birth to twins, have you considered the future session n for your daughter?¡± Understanding his point, Sheena responded, ¡°Are you here to urge me to determine the future heir early? Adora is still young. Isn¡¯t it too soon to burden her with the responsibility of inheriting the Lawson Group so soon?¡± Giovanni chuckled, ¡°The reason for prompting you to n ahead is that the children will soon be registered. If you have considered making your daughter the heir to the Lawson Group in the future, then she certainly cannot bear the Jenkins surname.¡± Chapter 841 Chapter 841 Sheena furrowed her brows slightly, asking, ¡°Are you hoping Adora will take my surname?¡± Adora Lawson? It was not entirely out of the question, but the matter was somewhat tricky. She had previously promised all members of the Jenkins family that she would split the Jenkins Group shares Elliot had transferred to the twins equally once they were born. If Adora were to take the Lawson surname, it would likely cause another stir among the Jenkins family members. ¡°I¡¯ll discuss this with Elliot again.¡± Giovanni nodded, responding with a smile, ¡°Of course. I¡¯m simply offering a suggestion on behalf of the Lawson Group. Ultimately, the choice is yours.¡± ¡°Alright. I won¡¯t see you out since it¡¯s rather inconvenient for me right now.¡± ¡°Take care of yourself.¡± After Giovanni left, Sheena looked at little Adora in her arms. Adora had just woken up and was squinting at her. Sheena noticed that the diaper had be thicker, indicating that Adora had wet it. She tilted her head back and shouted downstairs, ¡°Eli, it¡¯s time to change the diaper!¡± At that moment, Elliot was on the second floor in a video conference. His image and voice were connected to the conference room, with eightrge speakers ying the sound. He held Asher on hisp, asionally patting and calming him down, with the desk conveniently blocking the baby. The entire study was unusually quiet as Elliot listened to the report. Suddenly, Sheena¡¯s shout echoed from upstairs, catching everyone in the conference room off guard. All eyes turned to the screen, watching the elegant, cold, and handsome man in shock. Their CEO¡­ changing diapers? Was he now a full¨Ctime stay¨Cat¨Chome dad? The sight of the usually aloof Elliot changing diapers for the baby was beyond their imagination! Facing the shocked expressions of everyone in the video, Elliot cleared his throat. Chapter 841 2/2 ¡°Let¡¯s pause the meeting for ten minutes.¡± As he spoke, the video feed from Elliot¡¯s end was abruptly cut off. He immediately got up, holding Asher, and hurried upstairs, pushing open the bedroom door. Upon seeing Sheena, he softlyined, ¡°Honey, why didn¡¯t you call? I was having a video conference.¡± ¡°Oh, my bad, my bad. I thought it would be too much trouble to call, so I just shouted instead. I¡¯ll do better next time.¡± Elliot did not say anything. Instead, he exchanged the baby with her and took Adora to the bathroom. He turned on the warm light and skillfully changed the diaper, gently cleaning the baby¡¯s bottom. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Sheena remembered Giovanni¡¯s visit just now, and through the partially closed bathroom door, she said to him, ¡°Eli, in the Lawson family, the inheritance is passed on to daughters rather than sons. Mr. Meyer wants Adora to take my surname when she¡¯s registered. What do you think?¡± Elliot repeated the name once, ¡°It¡¯s up to you. Taking the mother¡¯s surname isn¡¯t a big issue.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Sheena hesitated slightly, saying, ¡°I promised to split my shares in the Jenkins Group between the twins before. If Adora takes the Lawson surname and still holds shares in the Jenkins Group, the Jenkins family¡­ probably wouldn¡¯t agree.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Elliot worked quickly with his hands while his mind pondered this serious matter. ¡°If you want to achieve equality, you can allocate all the shares in the Jenkins Group to Asher and then take an equal portion of the shares in the Lawson Group to give to Adora.¡± After that statement, there was silence in the bedroom for a while. Elliot peered out curiously, ncing at the big bed. ¡°You¡¯re not reluctant to part with the Lawson Group¡¯s shares, are you, Nana?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Shares are insignificant, but the safety of the children is crucial. I signed the agreement back then to rescue you from the Jenkins family¡¯s punishment. If I really have to give up the shares, it¡¯s not going to be simple.¡± Chapter 842 Chapter 842 ¡°Our shares in both the Jenkins and Lawson Groups are currently thergest holdings. Once we give them to the children, it¡¯s like telling everyone they¡¯re the designated heirs, which inevitably invites some malicious intentions,¡± Sheena exined. ¡°Eli, it was because I was carrying the heir¡¯s identity that so many things happened before. I¡¯m afraid Asher and Adora will suffer the same fate in the future,¡± she continued, expressing her concern. Elliot understood her feelings well. He quickly changed Adora into a fresh diaper and ced her on the bed before moving to embrace Sheena. ¡°What¡¯s your n then?¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Leaning against his shoulder, Sheena nced at the two babies beside them and said, ¡°Adora can take my surname, but I want to return the shares I hold in the Jenkins Group to you.¡± She felt it was not a good idea for the babies to hold so many shares at such a young age, as it could attract unwanted attention and jealousy from others. Elliot cupped her face and kissed her lips, agreeing to her decision. However, his kiss met with no response from Sheena. Perplexed, he pulled back and looked at her. ¡°Nana?¡± ¡°Ummm¡­¡± Sheena hesitated slightly, then asked seriously, ¡°Honey, did you wash your hands?¡± Elliot had already cleaned Adora¡¯s bottom, so it was only natural that he had washed his hands! ¡°Are you disgusted at me already?¡± Elliot stared at her, feeling aggrieved. Sheena suppressed augh, cupping his face in her hands. ¡°Just kidding!¡± Then, Sheena leaned in to deepen the kiss they had just shared. Elliot melted into her embrace, resting his head on her stomach. ¡°You¡¯re too irresistible, honey¡­¡± Just a kiss, and he had already sumbed. When would he get to enjoy some more intimate moments? Sheena sensed his thoughts and stroked his jawline, smiling coyly. After indulging him for a few minutes, Sheena suddenly remembered the matter at hand and asked, Weren¡¯t you in a video conference just now? Is it over?¡± ¡± Chapter 642 Elliot snapped back to reality. ¡°Oh! The meeting!¡± He almost forgot about his work! Elliot carried Asher and hurried downstairs. Sheena watched him go, shaking her head with a helpless smile, 2/2 As evening approached, Lionel arrived with news about La, ¡°Sheena, I¡¯ve thoroughly investigated La, and her identity checks out. There are no issues.¡± Sheena furrowed her brow. ¡°So, she¡¯s indeed La Walker herself, and her background and experiences are real?¡± Lionel nodded. Sheena¡¯s doubts remained. If that was the case, then La had no connection to her. Why did she say that when she left? Lionel continued, ¡°I¡¯ve located her, and she confessed that someone contacted her before, paid her, and instructed her to behave this way. Every word was scripted.¡± ¡°Who contacted her?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious. Lionel shook his head again. ¡°It was through a dark web ount, untraceable and anonymous.¡± Another dark web connection. It reminded her of the scandal involving Skye¡¯s leaked photos, a simr technique. However, why would someone go to such lengths just to deliver a message to her? Was it a protest? Could it be She, who disappeared eight months ago after jumping into the river? Sheena pondered for a moment before issuing an order to Lionel, ¡°Assign two more people to keep an eye on La and see if she exhibits any unusual behavior. ¡°Furthermore, increase the number of bodyguards at E&S Haven and rotate shifts to ensure someone is always on guard.¡® Chapter 843 Chapter $43 The process of hiring a do became a matter of great importance for Sheena and Elliot, especially gen La¡¯s situation They meticulously screened candidates based on their family backgrounds and experiences, Eventually they settled on a very kind middle¨Caged woman named Freida Tudor, affectionately referred to as Auntie Freida by most people Since Freida came into the picture, Elliot finally found some relief, and life became morefortable and rrei The peaceful and joyful days passed by in the blink of an eye. In no time, it was time for the babies¡® baby shower, and Sheena had also recovered well from dilebirth The guests gathered around the two little ones, showering them withpliments and affection. Sheena instructed Elliot and Freida to keep a close eye on the babies, ensuring they were always within sight, no more than a meter away. Like rare animals, the twins were to be looked at but not touched, let alone held. Sheena herself weed guests at the door. Before long, Howard arrived, dressed to impress, carrying generous gifts. Sheena noticed he was alone and asked, ¡°Why did youe alone today? Didn¡¯t you wait for Phoebe?¡± $ Howard¡¯s face showed a hint of embarrassment. ¡°She¡¯s been quite busy with her shootstely, and I don¡¯t know who¡¯s been talking to her, but I feel like she¡¯s been distancing herself from metely.¡± ¡°Did you upset her?¡± ¡°No!¡± Howard pondered for a moment. ¡°A couple¡¯s asional argument is normal, right? She wasn¡¯t like this before, but she¡¯s been particrly cold toward metely.¡± ¡°Well, if I have time, I¡¯ll ask her for you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll handle my own affairs.¡± Sheena patted his shoulder and earnestly advised, ¡°Howard, you¡¯re a man. How can you argue with a girl? In the future, try to avoid quarrels and be more amodating. Too many arguments can hurt her feelings.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Howard nodded, obediently heeding her advice. Remembering someone¡¯s instructions, he continued earnestly, ¡°Oh, by the way, Noah happened to fly to Farlemst night, so he probably won¡¯t make it back. He wrote a check and said he¡¯ll bring small Chapter 843 gifts for Asher and Adora when he returns to Svelton next time.¡± Noah flew to Farlem? 212 Sheena could not resist a teasing grin. ¡°He has no significant business in Farlem, so what is he doing there?¡± Howard beamed proudly at her. ¡°He¡¯s obviously there to pursue Hannah! But it might not be easy this time. He¡¯s been putting on airs for the past half year, and now that she¡¯s engaged, he finally came to his senses. He¡¯s probably in for a rough ride.¡± Sheena chuckled mischievously, wasting no opportunity to jest. ¡°Well, serves him right! Who asked him to act so aloof, always sporting that poker face? He needs a girl who can tame him.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Howard agreed wholeheartedly, nodding along. As they chatted, Barbara arrived soon after, alone. Howard noticed and casually inquired, ¡°Barbara, why are you here alone?¡± Barbara smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her expression. ¡°Corey fell ill with a high fever a few days ago after the heavy rain. Moreover, he has knee pain from kneeling all night during that period. Whenever it rains or the seasons change, his knees hurt. Also, he knows his appearance will ruin Sheena¡¯s mood, so he¡¯s avoiding disturbing her.¡± The smile on Sheena¡¯s face faded considerably as she lowered her gaze, saying nothing. Howard observed her carefully and, seeing no sign of resentment, ventured another question. ¡°Barbara, is he still reading those scriptures?¡± Barbara nodded. ¡°He¡¯s like a fanatic, punishing himself like crazy. Rain or shine, freezing cold or even with a fever, he insists on reciting those scriptures.¡± She sighed silently, her eyes reddening unintentionally. However, remembering that today was her children¡¯s baby shower, she forced a smile. Sheena felt a strange tug at her heart but simply said, ¡°I¡¯ve reminded him more than once to stop, but he¡¯s too stubborn. Unless he has a change of heart, no one can convince him.¡± The atmosphere among the three suddenly grew heavy. After a few moments of silence, Sheena was the first to smile and steer the conversation back. ¡°Howard, Barbara, why don¡¯t you two go inside? Asher and Adora are with Elliot. Go and y with the little ones.¡± They nodded, quickly regaining their harmony, and entered the house withughter and conversation. Chapter 844 Chapter 844 Sheena had been outside greeting guests the whole time. It was only when the party was about to begin that Phoebe arrived hurriedly, and Sheena quickly ushered her inside, The seat beside Howard was intentionally left empty, but Phoebe just nced at it and chose a nearby vacant spot instead. Sheena noticed the unusual tension between them and discreetly signaled Howard with her eyes. When couples were arguing, it was best for them to sort it out themselves; others could not really intervene. During the banquet, Phoebe elegantly sipped on her red wine. Since winning the Best Actress award, her acting career has flourished, and her conduct has improved with each film set she worked on. She had seamlessly integrated into the upper¨Css society, except for not being officially recognized by the Nicholls family yet. Her table was filled with guests. Howard secretly observed her from a distance and noticed the men sitting on either side of her. Mixed emotions swirled in his mind as he finished his meal in a gloomy mood. When the party came to the dancing segment, Phoebe found a quiet spot and had a private conversation with Sheena. Sheena gently clinked her juice ss with Phoebe¡¯s and cautiously asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on between you and Howard? I noticed you didn¡¯t exchange a single word with him at the party today. Did you two have a fight?¡± Phoebe paused mid¨Csip, her movement halting abruptly. After a brief dy, she downed the entire ss in one gulp, her adorable face flushed. Her gaze, however, remained clear and unwavering. ¡°Sheena, I want to break up with him!¡± Howard, who had approached unnoticed, overheard Phoebe¡¯s words. His face darkened, and he flew into a rage on the spot, decisively grabbing Phoebe¡¯s hand and pulling her away. He did not forget to apologize to Sheena, saying, ¡°Nana, we have some private matters to discuss. We¡¯ll leave now. We¡¯lle back in a few days to see the twins!¡± With that, Howard dragged Phoebe away, leaving no room for her to refuse. ¡°Howard, what are you doing? Let go!¡± Chapter 844 2/2 Howard acted as if he did not hear her, remaining cold and staying silent. ¡°You¡¯re hurting me. Let go!¡± Phoebe¡¯s voice was rather loud, and she appeared visibly distressed, drawing the attention of many guests. Howard loosened his grip slightly, turned around, bent down, and hoisted her onto his shoulder, heading toward the exit. ¡°Put me down! Howard, be reasonable!¡± Howard tightened his hold, immobilizing her struggling legs, and spoke in a deep, stern voice, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to attract more attention and ruin Nana¡¯s baby shower, you better behave.¡± Phoebe stopped pounding his back with her fists. Then, Howard directed Yuri to drive them home. In the car, Howard forcefully straightened her body, making her face him. His eyes were red and tearful as he questioned, ¡°When you told Nana you wanted to break up, were you serious?¡± Phoebe hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly. ¡°Yes.¡± Howard¡¯s eyes reddened further, his grip on her shoulders tightening as anger simmered in his gaze. ¡°Phoebe, say that to me again!¡± Growing equally frustrated, Phoebe raised her voice. ¡°Howard, I said I want to break up! Do you understand? It means we¡¯re done, it¡¯s over!¡± The pain in Howard¡¯s chest intensified as he grabbed her arms, pulling her down onto hisp as he restrained her struggling waist. With his right hand raised high, he delivered a resounding p to her bottom. The loud sound echoed through the car, leaving Phoebe¡¯s mind reeling in searing pain. Yuri, the driver, was left stunned.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Chapter 845 Chapter 845 Howard noticed Yuri repeatedly ncing in the rearview mirror and shot him a sharp re. Yuri immediately flinched and helped lower the privacy panels between the front and back seats. No peeking! No eavesdropping! As soon as the panels were down, Howard raised his hand again, delivering two more ps with undiminished force. Phoebe winced in pain, her upper body resting on Howard¡¯sp, pinned down by his hand on her waist. After a moment of daze, Phoebe btedly realized what was happening. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt deeply hurt. ¡°Howard, y¨Cyou¡¯re resorting to violence against me!¡± Howard sighed, his tone serious. ¡°This is how I discipline a disobedient girl. It¡¯s based on my love for you. When you¡¯re being unreasonable, this is the only way I can make you see reason!¡± ¡°But who gave you the right to punish me?¡± Phoebe bit her lip, her eyes teary. Hearing the hint of crying in her voice, Howard¡¯srge hand gently rubbed her backside. ¡°Because you said you wanted to break up, but I haven¡¯t agreed. You¡¯re still living with me, so we¡¯re still boyfriend and girlfriend.¡± Phoebe deted instantly, feeling embarrassed and annoyed by his gentle touch. However, his grip on her waist remained tight, preventing her from moving. Seeing her staying quiet, Howard continued massaging her, softly asking, ¡°Phoebe, what¡¯s going on with you? What have I done wrong recently that made you want to leave?¡± Phoebe¡¯s eyes grew increasingly red, tears welling up with grievance. ¡°You¡¯ve repeatedly asked me to return to the Nicholls family because it¡¯s the only way we can get married on equal footing and not be mocked by anyone. Howard, do you love me more, or do you love my status of being the Nicholls family¡¯s heiress?¡± Howard was taken aback. So, that was the cause. He had indeed tried to persuade her many times before to be recognized by the Nicholls family and take on the Nicholls surname, leading to several arguments between them. Chapter 845 2/2 Perhaps, he had chosen the wrong words. He pondered seriously, then asked softly, ¡°Phoebe, why do you hate the Nicholls family so much? They¡¯re your true family after all.¡± Phoebe chuckled bitterly. ¡°Is a cage without love considered a home? Are people without familial affection truly family? In my eyes, they¡¯re less important than Sheena.¡± Some people, even without blood ties, would feel more like family. Yet, despite sharing the same blood, some would act colder than strangers. ¡°I have no desire to return to the Nicholls family. It¡¯s not a happy ce for me.¡± Gabrielle had never weed her, hoping she would never return. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Romello, who seemed to care for her the most, was the coldest and most indifferent, treating family like subordinates and ordering them around. Not to mention the secrets of the Nicholls residence. In her eyes, it was a gloomy and terrifying ce. Bringing her thoughts back, Phoebe asked Howard, ¡°So, is it impossible for us to get married unless I return to the Nicholls family and reveal my identity as a Nicholls?¡± Howard sighed heavily. ¡°Phoebe, I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re an orphan from an orphanage or the heiress of the Nicholls family. As long as you want to get married, I¡¯m ready. Even if it means bing a joke for the aristocratic families, I¡¯m okay with it.¡± He helped her up, seating her sideways on hisp. Cupping her face in his hands, he spoke earnestly, ¡°I¡¯ve been urging you to return to the Nicholls family because I hope you can step out of yourfort zone and embrace your family.¡± Howard took a deep breath, then continued, ¡°I know that even though you try to forget, you¡¯re still attached to the Nicholls family deep down. You were thrilled when you found out about your roots, but after spending some time there, you felt disconnected from that family and have been avoiding it. Phoebe, I want you to confront these issues and find true happiness. I¡¯ll help you talk to the Nicholls family if that¡¯s what you want.¡± Phoebe lowered her gaze, lost in thought for a long time, staying silent. Howard gently ced his hand on the back of her head, leaning in as if to give her aforting kiss. However, Phoebe pushed him away. Chapter 846 Chapter 846 ¡°Phoebe, are you still mad at me?¡± Phoebe nodded, ring at him with annoyance. ¡°I¡¯ll reconsider the Nicholls family matter, but don¡¯t bring it up again until I figure it out. ¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Howard pursed his lips, his smile full of indulgence, and once again tried to lean in to kiss her, but Phoebe pushed him away. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you still upset? I already agreed,¡± Howard asked, looking confused and innocent. Phoebe huffed, her expression cold as she used, ¡°You spanked me earlier. That¡¯s totally uncalled for! Just thinking about it makes me angry!¡± Howard became a little uneasy, coaxing in a hushed voice, ¡°What do you want me to do? I¡¯ll let you decide.¡± Phoebe¡¯s usually clear and innocent eyes showed a hint of mischief. ¡°Unless you let me hit you back!¡± Howard struggled for a moment but eventually agreed. He grabbed her hand and ced it on his face. ¡°I spanked you three times earlier. You can hit me ten times in return if you want.¡± Phoebe proudly refused, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in hitting your face. I¡¯ll just return the favor where you spanked me!¡± Howard was at a loss for words. Yuri, in the front seat, was shocked. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡®Oh my, what kind of premium content am I eavesdropping on?!¡® he thought. He could not help but wonder if Howard would actually let Phoebe spank him. Somehow, Yuri found himself looking forward to the oue¡­ Yuri drove and quietly eavesdropped to any movements in the backseats. In truth, Howard was strongly opposed to the idea. Plus, with Yuri sitting in the front, a man of his stature in the entertainment industry could not possibly let his girlfriend spank him! Howard whispered, ¡°Baby, how about we find another way for you to punish meter? Let¡¯s forget about it for now, okay? You can punish me as much as you wantter.¡± Considering the fact that Yuri was there in the driver¡¯s seat, Phoebe decided not to push the matter further and ignored him. The luxury car soon arrived at the mansion¡¯s doorstep. Howard opened the door and carried her inside, deciding to calm her down in the most direct way possible. What to do when your girlfriend was being naughty? A good ¡°exercise¡± should do the frlek. And if that failed, then perhaps a second round was in order. 212 Night fell, and the baby shower at EMS Haven was nearing its end. The twins had already fallen asleep, being taken into the room by Freida to rest, with Elliot being ordered to apany them. Sheena greeted the guests, taking advantage of this time to negotiate another international partnership for the Lawson Group. This project was significant and had a lengthy timeline. Although it was rmended by acquaintances, the sess of the coboration would depend on further negotiations. Sheena maintained a poised smile as she engaged in discussions when Elliot emerged from the mansion. He joined her outside and intertwined his fingers with hers, offering his support as they greeted the remaining guests. Sheena did not say much, feeling relieved with him by her side, making the interaction with the business tycoons even more enjoyable. It was not until the guests dispersed that Sheena suddenly remembered the issue at hand. ¡°Why did youe out? Didn¡¯t I ask you to stay with Auntie Freida and watch over the babies?¡± Elliot smiled and replied, ¡°The babies are already asleep, not making any noise. Auntie Freida can handle them alone. I couldn¡¯t bear to see you dealing with the guests and managing the party alone.¡± Usually, Sheena would feel happy hearing such sweet words. However, this time, her expression was particrly serious. ¡°Nevermind. You can stay out here and greet the guests. I¡¯ll go inside and check on the babies.¡± She could not help but feel uneasy unless she personally watched over them. Chapter 847 Chapter 847 Sheena turned and swiftly made her way back into the mansion, leaving Elliot to handle the affairs outside. Feeling the weight of her disapproving gaze, Elliot temporarily tasked the outside responsibilities to Lionel and followed Sheena¡¯s footsteps inside the mansion. The nursery on the third floor had two adorable baby cribs, one pink and one blue. Sheena walked over to check, but the pink crib was empty, with no sign of Adora or Freida. Only Ashery peacefully in the blue crib. Sheena felt her throat tighten as various ominous feelings surged within her. She turned to find help and coincidentally ran into Elliot, who had followed her inside. She grabbed his cor, her voice trembling with urgency as she questioned, ¡°Elliot, where¡¯s Adora?¡± Elliot was taken aback. ¡°I just left, Nana. Adora was already asleep. Calm down¡­! Tears welled up in Sheena¡¯s eyes as she gripped his cor tightly, her anger palpable. ¡°Elliot, if anything happens to Adora because of you, you¡¯re done!¡± His face went pale, stunned into silence. Sheena had not looked at him with such fierce anger in a long time. As she released his cor and quickly left the room, Elliot hurriedly followed. Sheena searched several adjacent rooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen, but there was no sign of Freida anywhere. Her sense of unease grew stronger, prompting her to leave the mansion and find Ford and Paul, instructing them to keep an eye on both the front and back doors, prohibiting anyone from leaving for the time being. Trembling with anxiety, she prepared to take the stage and use the microphone to publicly threaten. anyone with ill intentions lurking among them. Elliot quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her. ¡°Nana, calm down first. Let me handle this.¡± Sheena shook off his grasp, staring at him in disbelief. ¡°Elliot, someone might be trying to kidnap Adora! Such incidents among rich and powerful families are not umon. Adora is your daughter too. Aren¡¯t you worried?¡± His eyes reddened, but he stood firm before her, exining, ¡°Nana, you¡¯re being too sensitive about this. Panicking won¡¯t help, and your impulsive actions won¡¯t do any good. Trust me and let me handle Chapter 847 this!¡± Sheena remained silent, reluctantly agreeing to his plea. 212 Elliot instructed Lionel to discreetly continue entertaining the guests in the garden and asked Ford about the guests¡® departure from the party. Upon learning that there were no suspicious individuals, Elliot instructed Logan and Lance to quietly search the entire E&S Haven. Ten minutester, Logan found Freida holding Adora in a quiet backyard corner, and Sheena and Elliot rushed over immediately. Seeing the puzzled expressions on their faces, Freida asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something happen?¡± Sheena was about to interrogate Freida but was stopped by Elliot. Elliot calmly asked, ¡°Auntie Freida, why did you bring Adora to the backyard?¡± Freida exined, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, as soon as you left, Adora woke up and started babbling. I was afraid she would wake Asher, so I took her to the backyard to soothe her and show her the little colored lights. She had just fallen asleep again when you arrived.¡± After hearing her exnation, Sheena breathed a sigh of relief and approached to check on Adora in Freida¡¯s arms. Indeed, it was a peacefully sleeping Adora, wearing the silver bracelet she had personally purchased with her name engraved on it. At that moment, Sheena¡¯s anxious heart finally rxedpletely. Elliot smiled reassuringly, ¡°Honey, I told you. You were too nervous.¡± Tonight¡¯s party was crowded and chaotic, so they had stationed guards at the front and back beforehand and made all necessary security preparations. gates Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. However, Sheena still insisted on both of them watching over the twins, wanting multipleyers of protection and assurance before she could feel at ease. Elliot felt that she was overly anxious about the babies¡® safety. Chapter 848 Chapter 848 Sheena red at Elliot coldly in response to his casually reassuring tone. Without saying a word, she took Adora from Freida¡¯s hands and carried her upstairs. Watching her walk away with an icy demeanor, Elliot could not help but feel a chill in his heart. It seemed like Sheena was furious this time. Would she ask him to leave their room and sleep separately tonight? Late at night, the lively baby shower hade to an end. E&S Haven was now quiet, seemingly harmonious. However, a warm, dim bedsidemp still illuminated the bedroom on the third floor. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Elliot knelt beside the bed, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he endured the pain, his body swaying slightly. He had guessed it partially right; Sheena was indeed furious, but fortunately, she had not been cruel enough to demand separate sleeping arrangements. Instead, she punished him with a session of kneeling on the washboard. However, Sheena had not specified when he could get up. They had been together for so long, and their usual punishments were yful, never this serious and solemn. This was the first time he had endured the washboard for over two hours. The excruciating pain in his knees made him grit his teeth. With one hand, he reached out to grip the bed, trying to ease the pain. In a weak voice, Elliot called out to Sheena, ¡°Honey¡­¡± Sheena ignored him. He braved himself and slipped his hand under the covers, gently tickling her warm foot. Elliot pouted, ¡°Honey, look at me.¡± Only then did Sheena put down her phone and look at him, her expression serious. ¡°I explicitly told you to keep an eye on the babies. Why did you leave?¡± Elliot felt even more aggrieved. ¡°Because I care more about you. You just gave birth, and when I saw you handling the party alone, I wanted to help. After all, with Auntie Freida watching over the babies and with all the precautions we took earlier, nothing was supposed to go wrong.¡± ¦§ Chapter 848 ¡°Nothing was supposed to go wrong?¡± Sheena scoffed. ¡°It¡¯s just fortunate that nothing went wrong this time. But what about next time? How many risks can we afford to take? Elliot, you¡¯re the person trust the most in the entire E&S Haven. I entrusted you with the babies, and you walked away could¡¯ve been a disaster. Do you still think you did nothing wrong She felt deeply hurt, even questioning whether Elliot truly cared about their babies. Despite Adora being missing, he showed no urgency and continued to justify his actions. The more Sheena thought about it, the angrier she becam She went to fetch the ruler from the drawer and sat cross legged on the bed, saying sternly, ¡°Extend your hands.¡± Since Freida had entered their household, Sheena had not disciplined him in a long, long time. Judging by her expression tonight, it seemed like she would not be lenient easily. Elliot did not move, holding onto a glimmer of hope. ¡°Nana, it¡¯ste, and the mansion is quiet. If there¡¯s amotion from the spanking, others might hear, especially Freida in the nursery room Sheena remained unmoved. ¡°So what? Mr. Jenkins, you made a mistake today and deserve a bit of discipline. Who can say it¡¯s wrong?¡± Sheena had no intention of engaging in further debate with him, and she was determined to teach him a lesson. ¡°Hurry up! Show your hands!¡± It had been too long since he had been disciplined, and Elliot resisted once more. Instead of extending his hands, he looked at Sheena and said, ¡°Honey, let me exin myself again, okay?¡± Chapter 849 Chapter 849 Sheena was slightly annoyed and tapped the edge of the bed, saying, ¡°You can exin yourself again after the punishment.¡± Elliot felt stifled in his chest, pursed his lips, and looked at her with a hint of resentment in his dark eyes. Sheena tapped the edge of the bed with the ruler again, her expression cold as she reminded him, Remember the fifty Gentleman¡¯s Rules Noah gave you before? Have you forgotten?¡± Elliot remained silent. After much hesitation, he finally extended his left palm. Sheena shook her head, unsatisfied. ¡°Both hands.¡± ¡°Nana, I have contract signings at work tomorrow.¡± If his right hand got injured, he could not write properly. Sheena remained expressionless, unmoved by his plea, seemingly reminding him in silence that there was no room for negotiation. Elliot was hurt by her gaze and defiantly extended his right hand, offering both hands. Soon, three harsh strikesnded directly on his palms. Instantly, deep red welts rose on the thick skin of his palms. Elliot grimaced in pain, his features tightening, fingertips trembling slightly, as he held his breath, feeling deeply wounded inside. Sheena lowered her gaze, her eyes red with tears as she asked, ¡°You¡¯ve never cared much about the babies since they were born, Elliot. Do you no longer like me, or do you not like the children Ibored so hard to bring into this world?¡± He looked up suddenly, startled by her thoughts. ¡°How could you think that? It¡¯s because I¡¯ve seen how much you¡¯ve suffered for the past ten months for the sake of the babies that I feel distressed. I¡¯ve always amodated you.¡± ¡°Nana, you Elliot bit his lip, his chest feeling extremely ufortable,ining in a hushed voice, feel like ever since we had the babies, you haven¡¯t loved me as much as before. It seems like value them more than me. You even med and punished me this time because of them. It feels like you no longer care about my feelings.¡± I Sheena stared at him in shock, unable to help but chuckle. ¡°Are you jealous of the babies? One¨Cmonth¨Cold babies can¡¯t take care of themselves, and they need our constant love and care. What exactly do you think of your children? Are they rivals in love?¡± Chapter 84b Elliot lowered his gaze for a moment, speechless. Sheena then delivered three more strikes with the ruler to his palms, with undiminished force, determined to teach him a lesson. He hissed in pain and furrowed his brows, experiencing the sensation of being punished with the washboard and the ruler all at once for the first time. His knees and hands hurt, but his heart hurt even more. Filled with grievances that had nowhere to go, he felt ufortable all over. ¡°Nana, nothing is more important than you. You¡¯re my top priority. But in your heart, the babies have already surpassed me. You may say I¡¯m unreasonable or making a fuss over nothing, and I¡¯ll ept that.¡± However, it did not mean he would change anything. Sheena sighed, softening her tone, ¡°Eli, you don¡¯t understand the hardships of pregnancy. If it weren¡¯t for my love and concern for you, I wouldn¡¯t be willing to have children with you. I care for and worry about our two babies because they are ours. Many unexpected things can happen, especially in high society, and a lot of children of wealthy families have been kidnapped by business rivals when they were young. Given what happened with La before, I couldn¡¯t help but be more cautious. It doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t value you anymore.¡± Elliot sighed along, whispering, ¡°Nana, do you always feel like someone is going to steal our babies? Is it postpartum depression?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression darkened again, and she raised the ruler once more, delivering three strikes, this time, only on his left palm. She answered his question seriously, ¡°Perhaps a little. Despite knowing about postpartum depression, you still anger me. You deserve a punishment even more!¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. but With that, there was a dull thud as she struck the ruler down again, this time with even more force than before. Chapter 850 Chapter 850 Elliot¡¯s left arm involuntarily twitched backward. Then, it returned to its original position, his eyes reddening at the corners. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for these reasons and how much I love and give in to you, I wouldn¡¯t obediently let you hit me now. Nana, if you could just give me a little more of the love you give to the babies, I¡¯d be satisfied.¡± Sheena sighed once again, setting down the ruler and delicately cradling his palms, examining his injuries. His left hand was already swollen and bruised, causing her great distress. She gently massaged his hands and blew them, asking, ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Initially enduring the punishment, Elliot now felt the warmth in her tone and could not control the tears welling up in his eyes. ¡°You haven¡¯t hit me this hard in a long time. What do you think?¡± Regretting her actions, Sheena quickly helped him up and fetched the anti¨Cinmmatory ointment from the bedside, personally applying it to his knees and palms. While administering the ointment, she earnestly said, ¡°Eli, I hope that in the future, you can be on my team on matters concerning the babies and stop being jealous of them, okay?¡± Elliot did not respond directly but instead asked, ¡°After enduring such a beating tonight, can I get a little comforting reward from you?¡± Sheena suddenly paused in her actions, hitting his palms with just a little force. She lightly chuckled and teased, ¡°We¡¯re discussing serious matters here! Is your mind only filled with nonsense? Can we have a serious conversation? This affects the harmony of our lives after having babies!¡± Leaning closer, Elliot kissed her cheek and smirked. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°My mind is only filled with thoughts of you.¡± Sheena was rendered speechless. Why did she feel like he was insulting her? Seeing her silence, Elliot pressed his cheek against hers. ¡°Nana, ever since you got pregnant and had to rest after giving birth, we haven¡¯t been intimate in bed for a very long, long time. If I keep holding back, it¡¯ll be bad for my health. Can you bear that?¡± In truth, Sheena could not bear seeing him suffer. Pushing away his face, she said seriously, ¡°If you want a littlepensation, that¡¯s not out of the question, but you must promise not to be jealous of the babies anymore. Regarding the babies, try to listen to me and have the ne view as me. Can you agree to that?¡± 20 ¡°Alright.¡± Faced with the temptation of finally being able to be intimate with sheena, Elliot did not hesitate at After Sheena finished applying the ointment, he pounced on her like a wolf. However, Sheena said, ¡°I agreed to us having sex, but I didn¡¯t say it would be today. Let¡¯s see how you behave in the next week. If you really can do it, I¡¯ll grant your wish.¡± He had to wait for a week? The overwhelming desire within Elliot was instantly extinguished, leaving him feeling utterly defeated. He buried his head in Sheena¡¯s embrace, pressing against her t stomach, sounding mournful. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re so heartless¡­¡± Sheena chuckled and stroked his handsome face,ing up with an excuse. ¡°The doctor said the wounds from natural childbirth may not fully heal so soon, so intense exercise Isn¡¯t advisable. That¡¯s why you have to suffer for now, Eli.¡± Alright. Elliot felt defeated. Since it was for Sheena¡¯s health, he had no choice but to suppress his thoughts of intimacy with her.. He hugged Sheena tightly as they drifted to sleep, trying to soothe his restless and agitated heart. Chapter 851 Chapter 851 1/2 At the same time, in Howard¡¯s mansion, the bedroom was filled with an air of romance. The white sheer curtains were tightly drawn, with a circle of soft yellow fairy lights hanging on them, adding a touch of romantic warmth. Howardy over Phoebe, drunk in love. His breath was slightlybored as he gently caressed her delicate cheek with the back of his hand. In his deep and seductive voice, he tenderly asked, ¡°Do you still want to break up? Phoebe obediently shook her head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to. I can¡¯t bear it.¡± Howard was delighted with this answer. He kissed her lips again, passionately. Phoebe pushed him away and whispered, ¡°No more, I¡¯m tired.¡± Howard rolled onto his back, leaning against the headboard, the sheets covering his bare torso, his abdomen glistening with a thinyer of sweat, exuding a sexy charm. He pulled Phoebe into his arms again and then got serious. phoebe, I hope you can i your fears and try to visit the Nicholls family a few times. I admit that I have my own selfish motives. If your identity as the Nicholls family heiress is publicly announced, we can get married with everyone wishing us well, and there will be no doubts from anyone. Even if it¡¯s for the sake of our future, I hope you can give it a try.¡± After a momentary pause, he added, ¡°But don¡¯t you worry. No matter what happens, I¡¯ll never you. I¡¯ll face all your fears with you. on N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Phoebe remained silent for a long time. After thinking about it rationally, she actually understood Howard¡¯s intention¡­ ¡®Oh well, let¡¯s give it a try,¡® she thought. give un ¡°Alright, I agree. Once my schedule clears up in a few days, I¡¯ll call Romello and pay a visit to the Nicholls family.¡± Howard kissed her forehead contentedly. She sighed. Whenever she talked about the Nicholls family, she would recall the terrifying incident she had encountered on the rooftop. ¡°Howard, do you remember thest time I stayed at the Nicholls family for a few days, trying to help Sheena find evidence that Nathaniel is an illegitimate child?¡± 1 Howard nodded. ¡°Of course, I remember. You haven¡¯t been willing to go back since then.¡± Chapter 851 272 She sat up from his embrace, looking him straight in the eye, exining, ¡°The night I got the photos, I encountered something particrly terrifying.¡± Howard furrowed his brow slightly, asking, ¡°It¡¯s been so long ago. Why haven¡¯t you mentioned this?¡± ¡°Because at the time, Romello exined it away as my imagination, and I couldn¡¯t remember it clearly either. Plus, it was a private matter of the Nicholls family, so I never told anyone about it.¡± Howard became serious. ¡°What happened that day?¡± Phoebe lowered her head, lost in thought, and recounted the events in detail. ¡°The Nicholls residence had a rule set by Romello that the top floor would be locked after dark, but it¡¯s also where my dad¡¯s study and my mom¡¯s bedroom are located. ¡°That day, I climbed in through the window and ended up in my dad¡¯s study, where I stole the photos. However, someone hit me from behind with an ashtray and grabbed my neck, truly trying to kill me. The study was dimly lit that night, and by the moonlight, I could vaguely see the person¡¯s eyes, filled with intense murderous intent, bloodshot and terrifying, like a demon from hell.¡± Phoebe took a deep breath, then continued, ¡°And there was a horrifying voice roaring in my ears. saying: Why are you still alive, you¡¯re a disgrace, you should¡¯ve died¡­¡± Howard listened attentively,pletely stunned by the revtion. do you remember anything about their appearance, ¡°That¡¯s crazy¡­ Besides the person¡¯s eyes, do you whether they were a man or a woman?¡± Phoebe closed her eyes, carefully trying to recall. After a moment, she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t remember.¡± Howard pulled her into his embrace again, gentlyforting her, ¡°If this isn¡¯t just a dream but a real experience, then the fact that someone was imprisoned in the Nicholls residence¡¯s top floor for who knows how many years is no small matter.¡± She nodded. ¡°Exactly. I¡¯ve always suspected that it was my absent mom. Howard, have you ever seen her?¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯ve seen her, but Madam Nicholls doesn¡¯t seem to go out often. She¡¯never attends society teas or gatherings, only appearing at the Nicholls family¡¯s events.¡± Howard paused briefly, then continued, ¡°But I¡¯ve seen her a few times, and she seemed fine, graceful, and elegant, nothing like the person you described capable of such madness.¡± Chapter 852 Chapter 852 Phoebe¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Well, that¡¯s strange. The butler told me that only my mom lived on the top floor. If it wasn¡¯t her, then who else could it be?¡± The more she thought about it, the more she felt that there was somethingplex behind this incident. Moreover, the person who attacked herst time, choking her and calling her a disgrace, telling her to die¡­ She always suspected that this matter was rted to her true identity. ¡°Tomorrow or the day after, I¡¯ll find an opportunity to return to the Nicholls family again. Maybe this matter is quite crucial.¡± Howard agreed but was concerned about her safety, especially after thest attack. ¡°I¡¯ll discreetly arrange for two skillful guards to hide near the Nicholls residence. If anything goes wrong, just shout.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± With the serious matters discussed, Howard picked her up and headed to the bathroom to shower. While the night in Svelton was peaceful, it was stormy in Farlem, with heavy rain. Just as Noah stepped off the ne, the rain started pouring. He checked into a hotel room and spent the entire afternoon trying to contact Hannah. off all ties v with Unfortunately, she had blocked all hismunication channels, determined to cut off all him. Noahy aimlessly in the hotel room, unsure how to arrange a meeting with Hannah. He could not sleep all night and finally could not resist seeking advice from Howard. Howard had finished showering, and he immediately responded. [Howard: You¡¯re seriously as dense as a brick! If you can¡¯t ask her out, can¡¯t you just go see her?] Noah was puzzled. [Noah: How? Should I just wait outside the Moore mansion?] [Howard:¡­] Howard could not find the words to reply to Noah. Seeing the response, Noah¡¯s expression turned even colder. Chapter 1 [Howard: It¡¯s raining where you are, right? Just make up an excuse, say you lost your phone and money, have nowhere to stay, and ask the Moore family to take you in! y the sympathy card and get yourself inside!) [Howard: You¡¯ve saved Hannah before, and you¡¯re a Lawson from Svelton. The Moore family ily won¡¯t kick you out! Take the opportunity to spend time together, apologize slowly, and win back her heart. Got it?] Noah pondered for a moment and thought it was indeed a good idea. Immediately after, Howard sent him another message with a link. [Howard: Stop reading medical textbooks all the time when you have nothing to do. Spend more time searching for love advice online and work on improving yourck of emotional intelligence!] Noah furrowed his brows slightly and replied with several sarcastic remarks in a row. He was getting close to his limit with Howard¡¯s arrogance! [Noah: Are you asking for trouble?] After sending this message, Noah did not receive any further replies from Howard. It seemed like he had promptly backed down. Noah turned off his phone and booked the hotel room for a month. He stored all his bank cards, finances, and clothes in the room. Then, he boldly walked out into the rain without even bothering with an umbre. If he was going to y the sympathy card, he might as well go all out! Late at night, he ran alone in the rain. After a while, he decided to hail a taxi as he was getting tired. However, he suddenly remembered that he had not brought a single cent with him before leaving, nor did he have his phone. How was he supposed to catch a taxi now?C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Chapter 853 Chapter 853 Noah found shelter under the canopy of a closed shop by the roadside to escape the heavy rain. He roughly estimated the distance to the Moore mansion and back to the hotel. Eventually, he realized the time it would take to reach both ces was about the same. With determination, he dashed back into the rain, braving thete¨Cnight downpour, An hourter, Noah still had not reached the Moore mansion. Despite checking the navigation twice before leaving, the dark sky made it difficult to see, and he ended up relying on memory, inadvertently taking the wrong street, and getting lost. It waste at night, around 3 a.m., and there were no cars or people on the streets. Unable to return to the hotel and unable to find the Moore mansion, Noah was left alone in the pouring rain, feeling utterly helpless and abandoned. What started as an attempt to y the sympathy card had be a pitiful experience. The next morning, Svelton was calm and sunny, exuding serenity. After breakfast, Phoebe anxiously called Romello. As soon as the call connected, before Phoebe could speak, Romello spoke first, ¡°Have you finally come to your senses?¡± Phoebe took a deep breath, saying, ¡°Yes. I¡¯m willing to return to the Nicholls family.¡± Romello chuckled lightly, seemingly in a good mood. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯vee to your senses. Send me your address, and I¡¯ll have a driver pick you up. ¡°No need to trouble yourself. Howard will be driving me over,¡± Phoebe replied. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Romello¡¯s stone turned cold. ¡°You¡¯re a Nicholls. When you return, it¡¯s only fitting that you use the Nicholls family¡¯s transportation. Why should Howard drive you?¡± Perplexed, Phoebe asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? Howard is my boyfriend now, and it¡¯s only natural for him to drive me over. After a moment of silence, Romello maintained his stance. ¡°Phoebe, listen to me. Get ready and wait obediently. I¡¯ll have the drivere pick you up.¡± Phoebe was at a loss for words and remained silent. As she was lost in thought, Howard took her phone away. ¡°Mr. Romello, no one would dare to say anything if I¡¯m the one escorting Phoebe over. Although Chapter 855 Phoebe is a big star, with my influence in the entertainment industry, no one would dare report it even if we¡¯re spotted,¡± Howard asserted. 212 Suddenly, his already deep voice took on an even colder tone. ¡°Do you look down on me? Or perhaps do you look down on the Lawson family?¡± Romello chuckled dismissively. ¡°Of course not.¡± Ultimately, Romellopromised, allowing Howard to send Phoebe to the Nicholls residence. As they hung up the phone, both Phoebe and Howard wore somewhat displeased expressions. ¡°Romello is a control freak, intimidating people who are easily pushed around,¡± Howard remarked. ¡°When dealing with him, try not to let him lead you by the nose. But don¡¯t be too confrontational, either. A bnce of firmness and flexibility is key. After all, he¡¯s in charge of the Nicholls family, and neither Sheena nor I have much say in their family matters.¡± Just as Howard finished speaking, he noticed Phoebe deep in thought and suddenly realized something. ¡°Um¡­ Was it inappropriate for me to badmouth your own brother in front of you?¡± Phoebe chuckled at his reflexive honesty. ¡°Whether it was appropriate or not, you¡¯ve already said it. Can¡¯t exactly take it back now, can you?¡± ¡°Fair point,¡± Howard said, a hint of embarrassment shing across his face before heposed himself. ¡°But I know you don¡¯t mind.¡± Phoebe smiled sweetly. ¡°Exactly. I don¡¯t mind.¡± After packing some belongings, they left the mansion side by side, got into the car, and headed for the Nicholls residence. As they were arriving, Howard grew increasingly uneasy, squeezing her hand tightly. ¡°Phoebe, if you¡¯re going to investigate the top floor, don¡¯t rush it. You¡¯ve already been up there once, so Romello will surely be on guard. Behave yourself for a few days, let him rx his guard, then make your move,¡± Howard advised. Phoebe nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know what to do.¡± Chapter 854 Chapter 854 Howard still could not shake off his worries and continued to advise, ¡°If anything happens, just shout for help. The people I¡¯ve arranged to watch over the Nicholls residence will rush in to find you, and I¡¯ll come over immediately.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± As they chatted, the car quickly arrived at the Nicholls residence. Romello had deliberately cleared his schedule and was already waiting at the entrance. When they met, they managed to maintain a facade of pleasantry. Howard and Romello almost simultaneously smiled at each other and nodded politely. Romello escorted Phoebe inside. Walking through the garden, Romello spoke in a serious tone, ¡°Take some time to familiarize yourself. If everything goes well, I¡¯ll arrange your return banquet soon and publicly announce your identity as one of the Nicholls family¡¯s heiresses.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Phoebe murmured, walking alongside him. Romello continued, ¡°There¡¯s a business g in a couple of days. I¡¯ll take you along and introduce you to some influential business figures.¡± Phoebe was puzzled. ¡°I¡¯m a celebrity, and I won¡¯t be working with the Nicholls Group in the future. Why do I need to meet your business associates?¡± Romello simply replied, ¡°It¡¯s always good to meet new people. ¦° Before she could question further, Romello changed the subject. ¡°Since you¡¯re back, you¡¯ll stay in the room I arranged for youst time. It¡¯s cleaned regrly, so don¡¯t worry. However, please don¡¯t engage in any risky behavior like climbing out windows and scaling walls, likest time.¡± Bringing up that incident, Romello¡¯s expression turned cold, and he added, ¡°I didn¡¯t punish youst. time, but if you pull a stunt like that again, I won¡¯t be so lenient. Not even Howard¡¯s pleas will save you. Understand?¡± Phoebe nodded meekly. ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°Good. Unpack and rest. We¡¯ll have lunch in the dining roomter,¡± he said, hands in his military pants pockets, his expression unchanged. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Phoebe picked up her luggage and began to walk away. After a couple of steps, she turned back and asked, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Mom all this time. When can I see her?¡± Chanter 854 Romello smiled. ¡°You¡¯ll meet her at lunch today.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Howard had described Vanda as elegant and graceful, with an exquisite demeanor. Hence, Phoebe was genuinely curious. Her excitement surged, and she briskly made her way into the mansion. Romello stood on the gravel path leading into the garden, watching her slender figure disappear into the house, his expression dark and unreadable. Farlem. The rain was pouring heavily at night, and Noah endured hours of drenching before finding a barely adequate shelter to huddle in for another couple of hours of cold. It was not until dawn that he managed to find someone to ask for directions to the Moore mansion. Passersby were astonished to see him soaked through. Even so, his handsome features remained unaffected, exuding an alluring charm even in his drenched state. Throughout his journey, Noah was like a celebrity, turning heads wherever he went. In truth, he was extremely annoyed. He had never imagined that his trip to Farlem would turn out to be such a disastrous experience. Frustrated, he finally arrived at the gates of the Moore mansion half an hourter. The bodyguards were taken aback when they saw him. ¡°Sir, who are you?¡± Noah raised his cold gaze and answered, ¡°Noah Lawson from Svelton¡¯s Lawson family. I need to see Mr. Moore.¡± ¡°Mr. Noah?¡± The bodyguards took a few more nces at him, struck by his disheveled yet dignified demeanor, and hurried to inform Kennedy. Inside the mansion, the Moore family was having dinner. Kennedy and Vanessa set down their utensils and went to greet Noah personally when they heard of his unexpected visit. Meanwhile, Hannah, thinking it might be a scammer, paid no attention. She had been pursuing Noah for over a year, but his heart was as cold as a stone, and she was tired of chasing after him. she continued eating indifferently, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw her parents weing a tall figure to the room When she looked up, she froze Chapter 855 Chapter 855 Having known Noah for so long, Hannah was used to seeing him as exceedingly aloof and coldly arrogant at all times. She had never seen himpletely drenched, and even his short hair was wet as if he had just showered. She stared at him in shock, her heart skipping a beat. ¡°What are you¡­¡± Noah¡¯s pale lips curved into a gentle smile. It was a faint smile, yet it felt like the thawing of winter¡¯s snow or the warmth after a storm. Hannah¡¯s heart raced as she uncontrobly blushed. Did he¡­ actually smile at her? It had been her most cherished hope for so long. Unfortunately, she no longer cared anymore. Hannah lowered her gaze, refusing to look at Noah any longer, concealing the sudden surge of bitterness in her heart. Noah¡¯s smile faded, reced once again by his usual cold gaze. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Vanessa cheerfully exined, ¡°Hannah, Mr. Noah is here in Farlem for business, and he had a little mishap on the way. He lost his phone and wallet and spent the night in the rain. He needs a ce to stay for a few days.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Hannah replied coldly. She had not expected him to go through so much yesterday, but then again, it was not for her sake. She paused, then lifted her head to ask, ¡°Whether Mr. Noah stays here or not isn¡¯t up to me; it¡¯s up to you and Dad. So, why are you telling me that?¡± Setting down her utensils, she got up and headed upstairs to her room. Mr. Noah. Kennedy tried to ease the awkward situation, saying, ¡°Hannah has always been that way, Don¡¯t mind her. You probably didn¡¯t get much restst night. Why don¡¯t you go to the guest room and freshen up? I¡¯ll have someone buy some clothes for you in your size and deliver them shortly.¡± Noah looked at himself and realized that he did need a shower, given his drenched state. ¡°Thank you.¡± Kennedy and Vanessa smiled and quickly arranged for Noah to be taken to the guest room. Soon, the sound of rushing water filled the small bathroom. Kennedy and Vanessa exchanged nces, then went about attending to their respective tasks. 5 Chapter 85 212 Ten minutester, Vanessa knocked on Hannah¡¯s door, holding a set of clothes selected for Noah. Hannah was doing her makeup, getting ready to go out for lunchter. ¡°Come in,¡± she called out. Vanessa entered, cing the sets of clothes on her vanity. ¡°Mr. Noah is taking a shower, Why don¡¯t you hold off on your makeup for a bit and take these clothes. to him first?¡± Confused, Hannah turned to her mother, giving her a puzzled look. ¡°We have plenty of servants in the house. Why do you want me to do it? Are you doing this on purpose, Mom?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Vanessa hesitated, avoiding an exnation as she pushed the clothes closer to her. ¡°Just do as I say, dear. Hurry, Mr. Noah should be finishing soon.¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Mom, do you want me to take the clothes into the bathroom for him? What if I identally see him naked?¡± Vanessa chuckled and joked, ¡°Well, that might just get you out of the engagement with the Fuller family as you¡¯ll have to take responsibility for your actions! No, wait! Make Mr. Noah responsible for you!¡± Hannah was speechless, staring at Vanessa in frustration. ¡°Mom, what are you thinking? Why would he think of me? Doing this just to get attention will only make him dislike me even more.¡± ¡°No, dear. It¡¯s just handing him some clothes. Just go and do as I say,¡± Vanessa insisted, giving her orders before leaving the room. ¡°Hurry up. All the servants at home are busy, and you¡¯re the only one with free time at hand.¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Without waiting for Hannah to reply, Vanessa quickly left. Hannah sighed, feeling exasperated as she stared at herself in the mirror. Why did Noah suddenly have to be in Farlem on business? Chapter 856 Chapter 856 Of all times, he had to show up just when she had made up her mind to cut ties with himpletely. It was so annoying! Hannah sighed in frustration three times before reluctantly picking up the clothes from the table and heading to Noah¡¯s guest room. The door to the guest room was left slightly ajar, and the sound of running water had stopped a while ago. There were faint, intermittent dripping sounds, indicating that Noah had finished showering. Hannah took a deep breath and reminded herself to maintain a stranger¡¯s demeanor. After knocking on the door, she entered the guest room. ¡°Mr. Noah, my mom asked me to bring you these clothes,¡± Hannah said as she ced the clothes at the foot of the bed. As she raised her gaze, she met the man¡¯s cold eyes. Fresh from the shower, Noah was drying his short hair with a towel, looking refreshed. He was wrapped in a white bath towel from the waist down, revealing his muscr abdomen. His skin was fair with a cool undertone, his abs defined and prominent. After a quick nce, Hannah immediately averted her gaze and turned to leave. Noah swiftly grabbed her wrist as she attempted to walk away. ¡°Isn¡¯t the servant supposed to bring the clothes over?¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Feeling a sudden chill in her heart, Hannah did not turn back, replying icily, ¡°It seems like you don¡¯t want it to be me. That¡¯s fine. If it weren¡¯t for my mom forcing me, I wouldn¡¯t havee either. I¡¯ll leave now and not ruin your mood.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way,¡± Noah exined in his usual maic yet cold tone. Hannah tried to break free from his grip and leave. However, Noah, much stronger than her, pulled her back. Unable to resist, she stumbled and identally bumped into his solid chest. Both of them fell silent for a moment, their ears turning red, the atmosphere bing awkward. After struggling for a while, Noah finally mustered the courage to speak, ¡°Ms. Hannah, I actually¡­¡± Not wanting to hear it, Hannah broke free from his grip. Noah watched her escaping figure, furrowing his brows slightly, contemting for a moment before deciding not to chase after her. Chapter 856 2/2 After all, it would be strange to run around the Moore mansion wrapped in a towel. He locked the door, changed into clean clothes, and emerged from the room once more. By the time he came out, Hannah had finished her makeup and was heading downstairs, ready to leave the Moore mansion. Noah observed her silhouette disappear outside the mansion¡¯s gates. Then, he turned to Vanessa, who was sitting on the couch, enjoying me fruit. ¡°Where is she going?¡± ¡°Looking at how beautifully she¡¯s dressed, she¡¯s obviously going on a date,¡± Vanessa replied with a friendly smile. Noah frowned. ¡°With whom?¡± Vanessa covered her mouth to suppress augh, amused by his reaction. ¡°Who else could it be? It¡¯s naturally her fiance from the Fuller family. ¡°Where are they going for the date?¡± ¡°I think¡­ they¡¯re going to have lunch at the Yana Hotel on East Street,¡± Vanessa replied casually. Noah¡¯s expression grew increasingly serious. Taking quick strides, he hurried downstairs and approached Vanessa. He maintained his distance as he asked, ¡°Madam Moore, can you lend me some money?¡± Vanessa, with a cherry about to enter her mouth, froze. Remembering Noah¡¯s recent experiences, she asked understandingly, ¡°How much do you need? I can¡¯t come up with hundreds of millions right now, but a few hundred thousand should be no problem.¡± Noah pondered for a moment. ¡°Thirty should suffice.¡± Vanessa did not catch on immediately. Assuming, she asked, ¡°Thirty thousand dors?¡± She immediately reached for her purse, preparing to find a bank card with a simr amount in savings. Noah unexpectedly rified, ¡°No, thirty dors. That¡¯s for the round¨Ctrip taxi fare.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Vanessa stared at him in confusion. Chapter 857 Chapter 857 Vanessa would never have imagined that Noah, the renowned heir of Svelton¡¯s Lawson family, was asking her for money. And it was only thirty dors¡­ She could not shake off the feeling that something was off, but she still went along with Noah¡¯s request, rummaging through her designer wallet. However, to her surprise, she could not find thirty dors, only a hundred dors. Her movements froze, and the air fell silent for a few seconds. Under Noah¡¯s intense gaze, she could only awkwardly smile and say, ¡°Mr. Noah, please wait a moment.¡± She quickly got up and rushed to find the butler. Eventually, she managed to obtain thirty dors and handed it to him. Noah pocketed the money and politely thanked her. With the thirty dors for the taxi fare in hand, he wasted no time leaving. Shortly after Hannah¡¯s departure, he hurried to the Yana Hotel at the fastest pace possible. However, he stood outside the entrance without going in. Hannah was inside having lunch with her fiance. What stance should he take to approach her? He did not want to make things awkward, but he also wanted to find a reasonable way to dismiss the guy and talk to Hannah alone. After pondering for a while, Noah realized he was not adept at such romantic matters and decided to message Howard again for advice. However, as he reached for his empty pockets, he suddenly remembered that he had left his phone and wallet behind to y the part of a pitiful fig Now, even seeking help was out of the question. He had to figure things out on his own. In Svelton, at the Nicholls family residence, everyone gathered for lunch. Since Romello wasing home, the kitchen had prepared an exceptionally exquisite meal. Phoebe, however, paid little attention to the food, her gaze fixed on the entrance. Chapter 857 2/2 Romello had mentioned that their mother would also be joining them for lunch today, and she was eager to meet her. Her anticipation grew stronger by the moment, her hands clutching her skirt, fingers fidgeting nervously. Romello noticed her nervousness and was about to say something when an elegant woman appeared at the dining room entrance. All eyes turned toward her. However, upon recognizing who she was, many lowered their heads. Phoebe was the most excited, immediately standing up and following the graceful steps of the woman as she entered. The Nicholls family matriarch was named Vanda Reynolds, the second wife of Wesley, the patriarch of the Nicholls family. *Wesley¡¯s first wife passed away shortly after giving birth to their eldest child due to illness. Then, Wesley remarried Vanda. Over the years, Vanda had given birth to Romello, the second eldest, followed by Marius, the third, Phoebe, the lost fifth child, and the youngest daughter, Gabrielle. Despite all these years of childbirth, she maintained her elegant and refined appearance as an affluentdy. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Phoebe¡¯s eyes reddened as she stared at Vanda. Vanda¡¯s features bore a striking resemnce to hers, making her the most simr among all her siblings. Phoebe could not contain her excitement, reaching out her hand as she saw Vanda approaching. However, Vanda did spare her a nce, brushing past her and heading straight for Romello. at even With a slightly displeased tone, she asked, ¡°Why did you insist on me joining? You¡¯re interrupting my meditation.¡± Chapter 858 Chapter 58 Romello smiled gently, speaking with humility and warmth, ¡°Mom, we found our missing sister. She really wants to see you¡± ¡°Your missing sister?¡± Vanda was slightly surprised, ¡°Who?¡± Phoebe¡¯splexion turned pale as she stared intensely at the elegant woman¡¯s back. Across the table, Marius remained indifferent, lowering his head, while Gabrielle chuckled quietly, amused by the situation. Taking Vanda¡¯s hand firmly, Romello turned her around to face Phoebe. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°Mom, she¡¯s Phoebe, your daughter, our Nicholls family¡¯s fifth child.¡± Vanda nced at Phoebe, her expression devoid of surprise or affection, only cold indifference as if she were looking at a stranger. Phoebe felt ufortable under her gaze, biting her lip nervously before timidly addressing her, Mom.¡± Vanda immediately smiled politely, nodding. ¡°Hello. Feel free to make yourself at home in the Nicholls family from now on. Listen to Romello.¡± Gabrielle could not contain her amusement at the formal greeting, giggling until Romello¡¯s stern gaze silenced her, causing her to stifle herughter with a couple of coughs. Changing the subject, Romello said, ¡°Alright, now that everyone¡¯s here, let¡¯s eat before the food gets cold.¡± He helped Vanda to her seat, personally handing her the utensils with filial respect. As Vanda reached out to ept them, a hint of redness peeked out from the cuff of her sleeve, unnoticed by everyone except Phoebe, who observed her closely and began to harbor suspicions. Meanwhile, Noah remained standing outside the Yana Hotel as lunchtime passed. He felt regretful for not heeding Howard¡¯s advice to read more about love beforeing. With only 15 dors left, he felt a bit uneasy about entering such a fancy hotel. As time ticked, he decided to take the plunge and enter the hotel. Upon announcing his identity, a waiter promptly summoned the manager, who greeted him with utmost respect upon descending from upstairs. Noali stood with his hands in his pockets, his expression cold and aloof. Little did he know Corey was thergest shareholder in the hotel. 272 Corey¡¯s business empire spanned across the globe, with numerous holdings. Perhaps even he himself did not know how manypanies he controlled in Farlem. Nheless, Noah was in luck and took advantage of the situation. The manager bowed respectfully, his smile ingratiating ¡°Mr. Noah, what brings you to a small town like Farlem? Are you entertaining guests today? I¡¯ll arrange the best diamond private room for you.¡± ¡°No need. I¡¯m here to meet Mr. Fuller. He¡¯s rather young, Which room did he book?¡± ¡°Mr. Fuller?¡± The manager pondered for a moment. ¡°Today, only one Mr. Puller booked a room. Are you looking for Mr. Patrick Fuller Noah cared little for the man¡¯s name, and his tone remained chilly. ¡°The one engaged to Ms. Hannah. The manager smiled knowingly. ¡°That would be him. Please follow me, Mr. Noah.¡± In the exquisite tinum private room, Patrick rose meticulously to pour wine for Hannah. His features were not striking, his eyes small, but his overall appearance was alright. Wearing sses, he seemed schrly. Hannah kept her head down, ignoring him until he finished pouring Then, in a cold voice, she said, ¡°I drove myself here. I can¡¯t drink.¡± His face fell slightly, but he still pushed the ss toward her. ¡°Hannah, we¡¯re finally going on a date. Just have one drink with me, and I¡¯ll arrange a ride for you ¡°Please? Hannah, for me. Just a couple of sips.¡± He pleaded softly, his eyes fixed on her. Unable to bear his intense gaze, Hannah reluctantly set down her utensils and picked up the ss he offered. Patrick clinked his ss against hers eagerly, the sound clear and pleasing. He gazed at Hannah¡¯s face, waiting for her to take a sip. However, Hannah noticed his gaze, her years of business experience making her suspicious, She frowned and asked, ¡°You keep pushing me to drink. Did you spike the drink or something? Chapter 859 Chapter 859 Patrick¡¯s face stiffened, his hands nervously gripping his thighs as he hurriedly exined, ¡°There¡¯s no way I¡¯d slip something into your drink. We¡¯re already engaged, so it¡¯d be pointless, wouldn¡¯t it? Besides, this wine is provided by the restaurant.¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes, saying, ¡°It better be.¡± She swirled the dark red liquid in her ss, bringing it close to her lips. Just as she was about to drink, the door to the private room swung open, and a pair of warm, hands brushed against her fingertips, taking the ss from her hand. Hannah looked up in surprise. It was Noah. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± broad Noah did not speak. Instead, he brought the ss to his nose, taking a gentle sniff, while he nced at the man seated beside Hannah from the corner of his eye. Patrick swallowed hard, trying to maintain hisposure. ¡°Who are you? I reserved this room, and you¡¯re trespassing. Please leave!¡± He moved to stand up, intending to snatch the wine ss from Noah¡¯s hand. Noah stepped back, silent. In one swift motion, he sshed the entire ss of wine onto Patrick¡¯s face, his demeanor icy. Patrick froze, his face now stained with wine. He instinctively licked his lips, then quickly spat, and frantically wiped his mouth clean. Hannah propped her chin on her hand, stifling augh as she watched the scene unfold. Noah was typically cool¨Cheaded, but today, he was genuinely enraged.¡± He mmed the wine ss onto the table, breaking it into pieces with a loud crash. ¡°To think you¡¯d dare to spike the drink of your fiancee. You¡¯re a real beast.¡± Patrick was momentarily stunned by Noah¡¯s presence, but then he gathered himself. Since he was slightly shorter than Noah, he had to tilt his chin up to re. Then, he took off his sses to wipe them. ¡°You use me of spiking the drink. Where¡¯s your evidence? I can sue you for nder! And this is my territory. Just wait. Not only will I demand an apology from you immediately, but I¡¯ll also have my security throw you out!¡± Chapter 90 29 He angrily dialed the manager¡¯s number. ¡°Hello, it¡¯s me, Patrick! Someone is causing trouble in my private room. Get security here now, or I¡¯ll file aint against you!¡± He angrily hung up the phone, ring at Noah with disdain. ¡°Kid, just because you¡¯re good¨Clooking doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re all that. Considering your rtionship with Hannah, I¡¯ll let this slide as long as you apologize. You won¡¯t even have to pay for the smashed ss.¡± Hannah, sitting quietly, covered her mouth to stifle augh, nearly bursting with amusement. In the over a year she had known Noah, she had never seen anyone who could make him apologize. Casually picking up the fork from the table, Hannah popped an appetizer into her mouth. This was like watching a show! Noah nced at her, still eating, then continued to stare coldly at Patrick. ¡°You don¡¯t know who I am, yet you dare to be arrogant. If the manageres in, it¡¯ll be you who will get thrown out.¡± Patrick froze once more. Noah¡¯s aura was too chilling, his gaze too indifferent, his demeanor too noble. Could it be¡­ that big shot? Feeling slightly intimidated, Patrick lowered his head and asked Hannah, who was munching on the appetizers, ¡°Hannah, who is he?¡± Hannah pondered for ? moment before casually replying, ¡°A doctor.¡± ¡°Really, just a doctor?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Patrick¡¯s eyebrows raised and furrowed, then he asked again, ¡°So, what¡¯s your rtionship with him? Are you close?¡± Hannah froze. Noah remained silent, waiting for her response.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Chapter 860 Chapter 860 In the tense silence between the two men, Hannah¡¯s voice cut through the air, her tone icy ¡®Nothing. We¡¯ve met a few times, but we¡¯re not close.¡± Noah¡¯s heart sank, aching in his chest at her words. However, Patrick seemed to grasp the situation now, and his arrogance resurfaced as he looked at Noah. ¡°So, you deliberately deceived me, huh? I was going to let you off because of Hannah, but now it seeins unnecessary. You¡¯re digging your own grave! People like you belong behind bars for a few days! Before he could finish his harsh words, the door to the private room swung open, and the manager Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. entered with four security guards in tow. Patrick immediately pointed at Noah. ¡°It¡¯s him! He barged into the room for no reason, smashed a ss, and used me of tampering with the drinks. Call the police and throw him out!¡± Despite his tirade, the manager ignored him and approached Noah, bowing to address him respectfully. ¡°Mr. Noah, what¡¯s¡­ going on?¡± ¡°Mr. Noah? Which Mr. Noah?¡± Patrick¡¯s tone weakened. ¡°How many Mr. Noahs do you think there are? Of course, he¡¯s the second son of Svelton¡¯s Lawson family!¡± The manager red at Patrick, his tone stern. ¡°You may not be aware, but Mr. Corey is Yana Hotel¡¯s biggest shareholder, and Mr. Noah is Mr. Corey¡¯s brother. You¡¯re dining on Lawson family territory, and yet you dare to try to chase him away? How audacious!¡± Patrick looked at Noah¡¯s face, then at Hannah, speechless with astonishment. Noah¡¯s deep voice soon broke the silence in the room. ¡°Throw him out. He drugged the drink. Take him to the police station and let them teach him at lesson. Next time you encounter this Mr. Fuller, don¡¯t entertain him.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Noah, you can count on us! We¡¯ll handle it!¡± Patrick finally realized his mistake. He had offended a big shot! ¡°Mr. Noah, please spare me. I was wrong, I didn¡¯t know who you were! I swear I didn¡¯t drug the drink! Please don¡¯t send me to the police station! Please, don¡¯t hold a grudge against the Fuller Group!¡± He begged and pleaded, trying to approach Noah. Chapter 860 2/2 Noah grimaced in disgust and kicked him away. ¡°Get him out of here!¡± ¡°Y¨Cyes, Mr. Noah!¡± In the private room, the guards swiftly covered Patrick¡¯s mouth, silencing his cries for mercy, and dragged him out. Once the noisymotion hadpletely subsided, the manager apologized to Noah. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Noah. We didn¡¯t expect Mr. Fuller to act like that. Next time, we¡¯ll screen our customers¡® behavior better before allowing them in.¡® Noah simply grunted in response, choosing not to speak. The manager continued, ¡°The food on this table has been eaten, and the room is now dirty. Would you and Ms. Hannah like to move to a better private room?¡± Noah was about to respond when Hannah spoke up first, ¡°No need. I¡¯ve already eaten enough.¡± ¡°In that case, feel free to take your time chatting. If you need anything, just let me know,¡± the manager said with a humble smile before promptly leaving the room and ensuring the door was securely closed behind him. As he exited, he took with him thest bit of noise in the air, leaving the room inplete silence. Noah walked over to the seat on Hannah¡¯s left, which Patrick had not sat on before. Observing her profile as she nibbled on the appetizers, he asked in a deep voice, ¡°Are you really content to have someone like Patrick as your fiance?¡± ¡°What do you think? Am I?¡± Hannah countered. Noah sat up straight, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on her face. ¡°You¡¯re not, and you don¡¯t like him. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have stayed silent and watched him suffer.¡± Hannah chuckled but did not answer directly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. She quipped, ¡°My dad arranged my marriage with him to improve the Moore Group. I had no choice.¡± She reached for the empty ss beside her and poured herself a ss of red wine. ¡°Everyone in Farlem knows about my desperate pursuit of a man before I left. Besides Patrick, whot else could I marry? And since you¡¯re not marrying me, why bother meddling in my affairs?¡± Feeling conflicted inside, she lifted the ss, ready to drain it in one gulp. However, once again, Noah snatched the ss away from her. Chapter 861 Chapter 861 Having her wine ss snatched away twice, Hannah was starting to get annoyed. ¡°Noal, give it back! Who do you think you are to meddle in my affairs?¡± Noali remained silent, refusing to return the ss, holding it out of her reach. With his arms longer than Hannah¡¯s, she could not grab it, and she was genuinely getting angry. ¡°Noali, have you lost your mind? I pursued you for a year, and you never even nced at me. I¡¯m done. Will you please leave me alone?¡± Her eyes reddened with tears, obviously distressed. ¡°Hannah, I¡­¡± Noah began, but he could not find the right words. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Gradually, the tip of his ears and cheeks flushed. ¡°What is it?¡± Hannah questioned. Noah took a deep breath. He had never confessed his feelings to anyone before, and he felt more nervous than he had during his first surgery! Hannali ran out of patience, adding, ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll get going.¡± She stood up and was about to leave, but Noah quickly grabbed her hand, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡± Then, he took another deep breath and simply drank the entire ss of red wine to boost his courage. However, he drank too quickly and became dizzy. Nheless, he did feel to be much bolder. ¡°Hannah, I like you.¡± Hannah was stunned, unable to react at first. Noah continued, ¡°I was confused before, never realizing my true feelings until you were gone. I want to marry you, but we can take things slow. We can date first and discuss marriage when the time is right. What do you think Hannah stared at him in disbelief, wondering if this was some kind of joke. The Noal sitting in front of her now seemed like an imposter. She had dreamed of him confessing his feelings to her countless times, only to wake up with a smile and overwhelmed with sadness upon realizing it was just a dream. Yet, Hannah¡¯s heart felt strangely calm upon hearing Noah¡¯s confession. The anticipation she once had seemed to have been worn down by disappointment after Chanter Best disappointment. Especially when she found that Noah had already nned out dating and marriage. It all seemed so absurd. ¡°Mr. Noah, are you kidding me?¡± Hannah responded with a bitter smile ying on her lips. Noah¡¯s usually cold expression turned unusually serious. ¡°No, I mean every word.¡± Hannah smirked and mocked, ¡°Is it because I pursued you for a year, and now that I¡¯ve stopped, you suddenly feel strange?¡± Noah did not want to deceive her, nodding and admitting, ¡°It¡¯s true that I¡¯m used to having you pursuing me, but I should have realized my feelings for you sooner. I¡¯m dense in matters concernin feelings.¡± Hannah did not findfort in his words. She found them all the more ironic. ¡°When I liked you, you never took me seriously. And now that I¡¯ve decided to move on from you completely, youe here and tell me all this. If you stop liking me or get tired of me, will you give me the cold shoulder and force me to leave? What do you take me for?¡± Her eyes grew redder, feeling truly humiliated. ¡°Noah, even though the Moore family isn¡¯t as wealthy or powerful as the Lawson family, I won¡¯t allow you to treat me like this!¡± Noah had not expected her reaction to be so intense. Could it be that his indifference over the past year had truly broken her heart? ¡°Hannah, I didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡± Noah was not great at exining himself. Seeing Hannah in tears, he was also at a loss for how tofort her. He clumsily grabbed some tissues to wipe away her tears, but he rubbed too hard, identally smudging her left eyeliner. He quietly stopped, helplessly and timidly looking at the mess he made. Noticing his unusual demeanor, Hannah seemed to catch on and quickly took out a mirror from her handbag. Though the smudging was not extensive, it ruined her entire delicate makeup. Her anger peaked, shouting, ¡°Noah, were you sent by the universe to torment me? Did I owe you in our past life? Pursuing you for a year was already torturous enough, and now that I¡¯ve moved on, you¡¯re here to make things difficult for me. What do you want from me?¡± Chapter 863 11 Noah stared at his hand in bewilderment, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve never taken care of a girl before, and I lack experience. Please don¡¯t be angry. It¡¯s not as serious as you think.¡± Hannah could not believe he was apologizing.. This proud and aloof man was actually apologizing to her? Chapter 862 Chapter 862 Hannah was somewhat swayed, feeling touched. However, she quickly suppressed her emotions by force. ¡°Noah, are you out of your mind? Since I¡¯ve decided to cut off contact with youpletely, I won¡¯t easily turn back.¡± Noah gripped her hand, refusing to let her go. ¡°You¡¯re hurting me. Let go!¡± Upon hearing her words, Noah promptly released her hand. Hannah instantly backed away from him, making it clear where she stood. ¡°Whether you¡¯ve trulye to your senses or you¡¯re ying games with me, I already have a fiance. Even if he¡¯s a jerk, you and I will never get married! I want you to stay away from my life and stop bothering me.¡® After uttering these determined words, she turned and headed toward the door. Just as she grabbed the door handle and was ready to open it, she suddenly heard heavy breathing behind her. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. It sounded¡­ rather strange! Turning back, Hannah found Noah blushing profusely, his condition quite odd. Did he identally drink the drugged wine? So, Patrick drugged not only the wine in the ss but the entire bottle of wine? Hannah immediately approached Noah to check his condition, gently patting his cheek. ¡°Mr. Noah? Mr. Noah, try to stay awake! I¡¯ll get the manager. She turned to leave, but her wrist was grabbed again, with the other person exerting ¨¤ surprising amount of force. Hannah was pulled into Noah¡¯s arms, and he pressed her onto a chair. ¡°Hannah¡­¡± This was truly unbearable! As an elite in the medical field, when had he ever suffered such humiliation? To fall victim to such a despicable trick! Noah had been solely focused on Hannah, not paying attention to whether the wine was tampered with. Chat 202 As consciousness grew increasingly hazy, a sinister voice echoed in his mind. Take her Hannah forcefully patted his face, shouting, ¡°Noah, snap out of it!¡± The woman¡¯s icy¨Ccold skin felt incredible to the touch, seemingly able to offset his feverish temperature Especially those enticing red lips¡­ he really wanted to kiss them. ¡°Snap out of it! I¡¯ll go get help!¡± Hannah¡¯s lips moved, uttering words rapidly, but Noals could not process any of it. Though it was a lousy drug, its effects were potent. Noah leaned in, kissing her lips. Pressing. Exploring. At first, Hannah struggled, but soon, she sumbed to his refreshing and alluring scent. Unconsciously, she became lost in the kiss. It was when Noah started unbuttoning her clothes that Hannah suddenly snapped back to reality. If she were to engage in such an act with him today, her reputation as the heiress of the Moore family would be irreparably tarnished! With these thoughts racing through her mind, she frantically reached for something on the table, finding the partially consumed bottle of wine. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she refrained from hurling it at Noah¡¯s shoulder. Instead, there was a dull thud. The dark red wine sshed along his sleeve, staining half of his clothes¡­ The However, there were no bloodstains¨CHannah could not bring herself to be that ruthless. Feeling the sudden sharp pain in his shoulder, Noah¡¯s inner turmoil eased slightly, but his gaze remained wounded as he stared at her. Chapter 863 Chapter 863 Noah winced, clutching his shoulder. His eyes reddened as he called out softly, ¡°Hannah¡­¡± It was Hannah¡¯s first time seeing Noah looking hurt, and she was stunned. After taking a moment to gather herself, she closed her eyes, unwilling to witness it any further. ¡°Noah, I¡¯m Patrick¡¯s fiancee now. We have no connection whatsoever. If you do anything to me today, my reputation will be ruined.¡± Those words quickly brought Noah back to his senses. ¡°I was out of line,¡± Noah admitted, rising from his scat and curling up in the nearby chair. His lower lip bore a row of bloodstains, and his face was abnormally flushed as he trembled all over. It was evident that Noah was struggling to contain himself. The moment Hannah gained her freedom, she dashed out of the room without looking back. Watching her leave resolutely, Noah could not help butugh at himself. If only he had realized his true feelings earlier, how much better it would have been. Instead, he had to lose her to understand the pain. He endured it all alone, feeling as though the fire burning in his heart was about to consume him entirely. On the brink of despair, the door to the private room burst open, and Hannah rushed in, apanied by the manager, addressing Noah¡¯s issue with the spiked drink. Seeing her return, Noah felt an unprecedented sense of warmth and emotion stirring within him. At E&S Haven. During lunchtime, Freida was puzzled to see Elliot struggling to walk down the stairs, even leaning on the railing for support. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Sir, what happened to your leg? Rheumatism?¡± Elliot was feeling frustrated as he hobbled along, answering casually, ¡°Yeah. My knees hurt.¡± Freida nced outside at the sunshine, perplexed. ¡°But the weather was finest night. Why did they suddenly hurt?¡± Elliot grimaced, coughing to cover his difort, his face remaining impassive as he exined, ¡± Nana hogged the nketst night, leaving little for me. I might¡¯ve caught a chill.¡± Chanter B 212 ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Freida could not shake off the feeling that something was odd about Elliot¡¯s exnation, but she could not quite put her finger on it. Hence, she just expressed her concern, ¡°Remember to take two pills, Mr. Jenkins. Don¡¯t get too close to the babies until you¡¯re over your cold to avoid passing it on to them.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Elliot immediately replied. He thought keeping his distance would be better to avoid further scolding if he slipped up. As they conversed, footsteps could be hearding from the stairwell on the third floor. Elliot immediately instructed Freida, ¡°Did youe downstairs to prepare the baby bottles? Then, get to it quickly. Stop asking so much.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Freida replied before heading into the kitchen. Sheena had been walking briskly but noticed him leaning on the railing and instinctively caught his arm as she passed by. ¡°Still hurting? Didn¡¯t we apply medicinest night?¡± Elliot was brieflyforted by her concern. He frowned in frustration and whispered, ¡°After over two hours of kneeling on the washboard, how could one application of medicine possibly reduce the swelling?¡± He pulled her closer, removing his leather gloves to reveal his hands, swollen and bruised from punishment. ¡°I endure all this without a reward. Nana, when will you ever spoil me?¡± Sheena gently massaged his hands and leaned in to kiss him. ¡°There¡¯s a business banquet the day after tomorrow. When I return from it, I¡¯ll take care of you properly and make sure you¡¯refortable. How does that sound Elliot felt content with the offer, especially since it was ahead of her initial promise. However, he sensed something different in her words. ¡°What do you mean when you return? Are you nning to go alone and leave me behind?¡± Sheena nodded, exining, ¡°If both of us aren¡¯t here, leaving Freida alone to care for two babies could lead to oversight. I¡¯m notfortable with that.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t do,¡± Elliot asserted firmly. ¡°I must apany you. Chapter 864 Chapter 864 After all, Sheena was a stunning beauty. As her husband, Elliot could not help but worry if those audacious men tried to flirt with Sheena if he was not around. Just the thought of it made him furious. Sheena helped him put on his gloves and patiently said, ¡°Eli, remember what you promised mest night? You said you¡¯d prioritize the babies just like I do. If you really want to go, then I¡¯ll stay behind and help Auntie Freida take care of the babies.¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t we go together?¡± Elliot persisted, ¡°If you¡¯re worried, I can have a whole team of soldiers stationed here, making sure not even an ant gets close.¡± Sheena was at a loss for words. Why was Elliot so dramatic? Elliot continued, ¡°If you think that¡¯s not enough, I¡¯ll even get Lionel and Jacintha over, asking them to look after the twins with Auntie Freida.¡± Sheena met his gaze, staying silent. He looked hurt, adding, ¡°If I go alone, aren¡¯t you afraid that someone might seduce me and steal my heart away?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°If some random woman can steal your heart, then I don¡¯t want you anymore. Even if we have children, I¡¯ll leave with them, so you¡¯ll never find us.¡± Elliot gulped, realizing he might have dug himself into a hole. Quickly, he raised his finger and swore, ¡°I chose the wrong example. I promise I¡¯ll never let that happen, but Nana, we must go together so we both rest easy. Can¡¯t you follow my suggestion this time?¡± He softened his tone, pleading gently. Sheena pinched his cheek, finally relenting- Ever since the harsh punishment, Elliot had been on his best behavior. He was attentive to Sheena¡¯s needs, eager to help with the babies, and always one step ahead. The business banquet was held at night, and Sheena and Elliot did not change into formal attire until the afternoon. Lionel and Jacintha arrived at E&S Haven around midday. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. They were more than willing to help Freida with the babies. Chapter 864 They surrounded Asher and Adora, and the atmosphere was peaceful. While Lionel went downstairs to learn how to handle the baby bottles with Freida, Jacintha took Sheena¡¯s arm and whispered, ¡°Sheena, do you remember what you told me a few months ago when you married Mr. Jenkins?¡± Sheena shook her head. With all the things she had to say every day, how could she remember that particr conversation Jacintha exined with a mischievous smile, ¡°You said that day that it¡¯s essential to have control over my finances to be able to take charge of my life.¡± It jogged Sheena¡¯s memory, and she replied, ¡°I vaguely remember saying something like that why Is there a problem with that statement?¡± Jacintha grinned even wider, her eyes gleaming mischievously. ??? ¡°I finally figured out a way to take control of the finances from Lionel! Now, he has toe to me for money, and let me tell you, having control over the finances feels amazing!¡± Sheena stared at her in amazement, asking, ¡°Oh? What did you do?¡± Jacintha leaned in close, whispering mysteriously in her ear, right in front of Elliot, ¡°Well, I just¡­¡± As they were gossiping with each other, Lionel and Freida walked in. Noticing Jacintha and Sheena whispering secrets, Lionel chuckled and teased, ¡°What are you twG chatting about? You¡¯re even trying to exclude me and Elliot!¡± Elliot¡¯s already dark expression darkened further as he red at Lionel. ¡°Keep an eye on your girl. What¡¯s she doing cozying up to my wife at my house?¡± ¡°Sure thing. I¡¯ll make sure to give her a good talking to,¡± Lionel said with a smile, pulling the reluctant Jacintha away. Jacintha pouted and muttered, ¡°Sheena, I¡¯ll tell you next time when I have a chance. It¡¯s really interesting!¡± Sheena smiled faintly. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± The four chatted for a while, and it was gettingte. Sheena and Elliot immediately set off to attend the business banquet. Before leaving, Sheena checked the security of the entire mansion several times to ensure her peace of mind. To reassure her, Elliot actually had Lionel bring in the entire Fourth Division¡¯s soldiers to guard the perimeter around the mansion. It looked like an imposing fortress from afar. Chapter 865 Chapter 865 The evening¡¯s business banquet took ce at the prestigious Welkin Hotel on the 98th floor. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Attendeesprised the reputable figures in Svelton¡¯s business circles, the elite of society. As Sheena and Elliot entered, they coincidentally encountered Romello and Phoebe emerging from the elevator right opposite them. They met at the entrance. Elliot, being Romello¡¯s superior at the National Investigation Bureau, received a respectful bow from Romello upon spotting him. Elliot acknowledged the gesture with a nod of cool aloofness. Upon seeing Sheena, Phoebe immediately wanted to approach her but was promptly restrained by Romello. ¡°Phoebe, there are many people here. Mind your manners,¡± he reminded her. Her wish to have a private chat with Sheena was dashed, leaving her to hang her head in disappointment. Observing the situation, Sheena released Elliot¡¯s arm, walked over, and took Phoebe¡¯s hand, casting a slightly apologetic nce at Romello, ¡°Mr. Romello, I hope you don¡¯t mind lending Phoebe to me for a few minutes to apany me to the restroom. I¡¯m sure, being the gracious gentleman you are, you wouldn¡¯t refuse even these few minutes, right?¡± Romello narrowed his eyes slightly, ncing at Elliot quickly before smiling and agreeing, ¡°Of course, Mrs. Jenkins. How could I deny a request from you?¡± With his assurance, Sheena took Phoebe away, leaving the two men waiting at the entrance. It was not until they were far enough away that Sheena asked, ¡°Why did youe with Romello? Did you return to the Nicholls family?¡± Phoebe nodded. ¡°Yes, after much consideration, I decided to return and try to blend in with the Nicholls family. After all, they¡¯re my family.¡± Sheena patted her hand reassuringly. ¡°Going back is a good choice. You were always meant to be a part of the Nicholls family. It was just unfortunate circumstances that led to so much pain for When you return, you won¡¯t be alone. You¡¯ll have a whole group of brothers and sisters.¡± At the mention of her siblings, Phoebe¡¯s expression soured. Thinking of Vanda¡¯s situation, she tightened her grip on Sheena¡¯s hand. you. ¡°I returned home recently and noticed some unusual things. Our family was having a meal together 20 the other day, and my mom¡¯s sleeves identally slipped, revealing red marks on her wrists. It clearly indicates an injury,¡± Phoebe began. ¡°The following days, since Romello didn¡¯te back, I haven¡¯t seen my mom again. But I guess doesn¡¯t want to see me either. She¡¯s been very distant toward me, only giving me the perfunctory treatment one gives a guest, out of consideration for Romello¡¯s reputation.¡± ¡°Sheena, many strange things are happening in the Nicholls familytely. But these past few days, Romello found some excuse to take away my phone. Could you please tell Howard about these matters? He¡¯ll know how to investigate,¡± Phoebe requested urgently. Listening attentively, Sheena nodded reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll inform Howard about everything.¡± However, she could not shake off her confusion and asked, ¡°Romello is the current head of Nicholls family and Madam Nicholls¡® biological son. Why would he allow her to be injured?¡± Phoebe pondered for a moment before shaking her head. ¡°My mom resides on the top floor, which is always locked at night. I n to wait until Romello lowers his guard and then go up to investigate.¡± ¡°Be careful,¡± Sheena warned. ¡°Mhm.¡± After exchanging a few more words discreetly, they returned without attracting attention. Elliot and Romello were still waiting at the entrance for their respectivepanions. you¡¯re truly blessed. You have a wonderful family with a Mello broke the silence first. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, doting wife and beautiful twins, and your career hasn¡¯t suffered any setbacks.¡± Chapter 866 Chapter 866 Elliot¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re looking forward to my career suffering. Are you referring to the Jenkins Group or the National Investigation Bureau?¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, aren¡¯t you a funny one? How could I dare to think that? Your sess brings me great joy. too,¡± Romello replied, bowing slightly in fear. Uninterested in exposing Romello¡¯s pretense, Elliot said, ¡°I hope you can live up to your words. But even if you can¡¯t, it doesn¡¯t matter because you¡¯re not capable enough to bring me down.¡® Romello¡¯s expression stiffened momentarily, but he quickly regained his smile, exuding reverence. As the awkward conversation between the two ended, Sheena and Phoebe returned just in time. The two pairs entered the main hall one after the other. Upon entering the venue, Phoebe was immediately led by Romello to meet several business tycoons, seemingly helping her expand herwork. Observing from afar, Sheena saw no issues and shifted her focus to mingling with business associates, seizing the opportunity to discuss coborations. Meanwhile, Phoebe was being led by Romello to toast with the business tycoons. After ten sses of red wine, she began to feel a bit tipsy. When another ss was offered to her; she declined. ¡°Romello, I can¡¯t drink anymore. I don¡¯t want to.¡± Romello did not insist, apologizing to Wayne Santos across from them before drinking the offered ss on Phoebe¡¯s behalf. He then smiled at Phoebe, asking, ¡°Phoebe, what do you think of Mr. Santos? How do you find him?¡± Wayne stood before them, listening intently with a confident smile. Phoebe nced at Wayne, who was nearing his forties and looked decent for a middle¨Caged man, but compared to Howard, he fell short by far too much. She lowered her head and casually remarked, ¡°Mr. Santos seems very talented and distinguished. He¡¯s obviously a seasoned yer in the business field.¡± Pleased with herpliment, Wayne beamed. ¡°Ms. Phoebe, you have such a keen eye. Besides these qualities, I¡¯m also very caring,¡± he said, reaching out toward Phoebe¡¯s fair hand. Phoebe promptly hid behind Romello, her slightly flushed face betraying caution. Chapter 866 212 ¡°Mr. Santos, I¡¯m already in a rtionship. If my boyfriend finds out about this, he won¡¯t be happy.¡± Wayne felt embarrassed, offering a half¨Chearted smile as he withdrew his hand. Once Wayne left, Romello whispered to Phoebe, ¡°Phoebe, who do you think is more suitable to be your future husband, Mr. Santos or Howard?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Phoebe stepped back in disbelief, staring at him incredulously. ¡°I¡¯m already dating Howard. Why are you asking me this?¡± Romello simply chuckled. ¡°Why are you nervous? Mr. Santos did approach me yesterday, mentioning a marriage proposal and offering 15% of the Santos Group¡¯s shares as part of the wedding gift. However, I haven¡¯t agreed yet. I was just simply asking you. Phoebe did not trust him at all and distanced herself even further. ¡°The shares are worthless to me. If you dare to agree, I¡¯ll cut ties with the Nicholls family forever!¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Her stance on this matter was resolute. ¡°If you insist on using your sister as a pawn in your business alliance, find Gabrielle. Howard and I are already dating.¡± Romello shook his head helplessly, earnestly analyzing the situation with her. ¡°While the Lawson family may be better than the Santos family, Sheena is the one in charge of the Lawson family. Even if Howard genuinely wants to marry you, he can¡¯t possibly offer you even 10% of the Lawson Group¡¯s shares as a wedding gift. He doesn¡¯t have that authority.¡± Phoebe stared at him in shock. ¡°What¡¯s more important, shares or your sister¡¯s lifelong happiness? Even if Howard can¡¯t offer shares from the Lawson Group, he would never shortchange me in the wedding gifts. Are you deliberately bringing me to business gatherings to introduce me to your business partners and trade me for shares?¡± Chapter 867 Chapter 867 Romello stared at Phoebe intently, saying, ¡°How¡¯s that considered trading? It¡¯s just helping you choose a better husband.¡± Phoebe stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Romello, it¡¯s the twenty¨Cfirst century, and we advocate for marital freedom. If regaining the status of a Nicholls family heiress means losing my autonomy and freedom of choice, then I¡¯d rather spend my life as an orphan in an orphanage!¡± Faced with her strong opposition, Romello quickly softened his tone and pulled her back to his side. ¡°Alright, it was just a discussion with you. There¡¯s no need to be so angry. If you¡¯re adamant about it, I won¡¯t force you. Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief at his words and continued socializing with him. Meanwhile, Sheena and Elliot were making progress on their end. With their joint efforts, the Lawson Group sessfully secured a major international trade deal, with ns to meet tomorrow to finalize the contract terms. Elliot shook hands amicably with Carlos Sheffield on behalf of Sheena. ¡°Ms. Lawson, I¡¯m looking forward to future coborations with you.¡± Carlos said politel Sheena smiled. ¡°Likewise, Mr. Sheffield.¡± With the deal sealed, Carlos was quickly whisked away by other guests. Sheena and Elliot exchanged smiles. Elliot casually wrapped his arm around her slender waist, whispering, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t forget about the reward you promised. You can¡¯t bail on me this time, no matter what.¡± She nodded with a yful smile. ¡°You did well tonight, even negotiating the big deal for me. You deserve some credit.¡± Elliot gazed at her exquisite face, feeling a surge of desire. He wished he could just sweep her away and take her back to E&S Haven to enjoy each other fully. After hesitating for a moment, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, ¡°Honey, how about we slip away early and get down to business? The night is so wonderful. We shouldn¡¯t waste it all on. socializing.¡± ¡°No way. We have to do things in sequence.¡± Sheena yfully pinched his waist. It was not painful but rather sensual, and her sparkling eyes sent him a clear warning. Chapter 667 ¡°Eli, behave yourself and socialize. I¡¯ll go check on Phoebe.¡± With a teasing pat on his sturdy waist, she turned and walked away. Elliot gazed at Sheena¡¯s graceful figure, sighing silently. ¡°Mr. Jenkins?¡± A soft voice beside him interrupted his stare at Sheena. He turned to see a woman. ¡°Yes?¡± Reba Lambert seemed slightly taken aback, perhaps not expecting his cold tone. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t you remember me? I¡¯m Reba, the third daughter of the Lambert family. We used to sit together for meals before you joined the army.¡± Elliot nced at her casually, only noticing her pink chiffon dress. He did not even take a closer look at her face, simply replying, ¡°Mm, alright.¡± His demeanor was dismissive, instantly displeasing Reba. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, we¡¯ve known each other since we were young. Can¡¯t we chat for a while?¡± Elliot looked at his ss of wine, his tone cold. ¡°No.¡± Reba fell silent. Sheena, who was on her way to check on Phoebe, halted midway and nced back in Elliot¡¯s direction. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. She thought she heard a girl¡¯s voice calling Elliot when she exited. Sure enough, she saw a pretty girl standing in front of Elliot. It seemed like Elliot immediately attracted someone else¡¯s attention as soon as she left! With a slight chill in her gaze, she decisively returned to assert her dominance as Elliot¡¯s wife. Despite being ruthlessly rejected, Reba lingered, showing no sign of awkwardness. Chapter 868 Chapter 868 ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re so cold. Word has it that ever since you became a dad, you¡¯ve devoted yourself entirely to your family. Now, seeing you, it seems like all your tenderness is reserved for wife your and babies,¡± Reba remarked. Elliot frowned slightly, about to correct her words, when he caught sight of Sheena¡¯s familiar figure approaching. Sheena exuded a strong aura, seemingly emanating an invisible force of intimidation. Reba found it hard to ignore Sheena¡¯s presence and greeted, ¡°Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re looking even. more beautiful than before. I heard that women after childbirth often face issues like sagging belly, stretch marks, and loose skin, but it seems these problems haven¡¯t bothered you.¡± Sheena smiled gracefully, replying, ¡°Of course. I¡¯m not troubled by those concerns. After all, I had Elliot¡¯s tender care, so I had a good postpartum recovery.¡± Stepping forward, Sheena took a closer look at Reba before continuing, ¡°Ms. Lambert, you¡¯re young and good¨Clooking, but why do youck manners? Do you not understand the norms of the business world?¡± Reba was taken aback, asking in confusion, ¡°Ms. Lawson, what do you mean?¡± Sheena linked her arm with Elliot¡¯s, speaking coldly, ¡°He¡¯s a married man. Ms. Lambert, you aren¡¯t in a rtionship yet, right? You should go chat up those young eligible bachelors. ¡°Also, ¡®Ms. Lawson¡® is how business associates or my subordinates address me. As you¡¯re attending this event as a femalepanion, you should not use that term to address me. You should call me Mrs. Jenkins.¡± 1 She emphasized each syble with thest few words, boldly asserting her dominance. She extended her neck arrogantly, her posture exuding elegance and aloofness. Her gaze seemed to silentlybel Elliot as her exclusive possession. Elliot felt a sense of satisfaction, quietly listening as Sheena countered the young woman across from them. Reba, slightly stunned and embarrassed, changed her address, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for my ignorance. I shall address you as Mrs. Jenkins from now on. There have been rumors that Mr. Jenkins ispletely under Mrs. Jenkins¡¯s control, which seems to be true. But why view me as an enemy? Keeping a man on too tight a leash isn¡¯t good.¡± If Albert were still alive and if they had not registered their marriage yet, Elliot would surely correct Reba! He would defend his position, insisting that Sheena was a submissive wife! Nheless, Elliot had no worries whatsoever and could confidently admit, ¡°Ms. Lambert, you misspoke earlier. I didn¡¯t devote myself entirely to my family after bing a dad. All my tenderness and indulgence have long been given to Nana. Even the babies cannot shake her position.¡± Then, he inteced his fingers with Sheena¡¯s, his gaze softened. Reba¡¯s face paled slightly,menting, ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, it¡¯s truly admirable how affectionate you two are.¡± Elliot did not even spare her a nce, his eyes fixed on Sheena. In a low voice, he said, ¡°Honey, I¡¯m tired of socializing. I¡¯d like to request an early departure home.¡± Sheena met his gaze, and for once, she agreed, ¡°Granted.¡± With the confirmation, Elliot felt ted. He scooped her up in his arms and stealthily left through the less crowded back exit. Sitting in the car, Sheena was not too pleased. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Elliot keenly sensed her off mood and innocently said, ¡°Honey, tonight¡¯s incident has nothing to do with me. I don¡¯t know that Ms. Lambert, so you can¡¯t me me for it.¡± She turned to him, her fair fingers gently pinching his cheek ¡°Next time you go out, better wear your silver mask. It¡¯ll cover up your face, preventing you from attracting anyone¡¯s attention, and then I¡¯ll feel at ease. Elliot was pleased by her jealousy. ¡°Alright. Nana, you¡¯re also so beautiful. Shouldn¡¯t you wear a mask too, to keep other charming men away from her?¡± Sheena refused, ¡°I won¡¯t wear it. It¡¯s so ugly. Wearing it will make me look terrible.¡± Elliot was at a loss for words. Why did he get the feeling that Sheena was subtly mocking him? Twenty minutester, the luxury car pulled into the garage of the Jenkins estate. Elliot got out first and lifted Sheena out of the car. Sheena wrapped her arms around his waist, politely saying, ¡°Maybe I should walk by myself. This evening gown weighs several kilograms, and I¡¯m quite heavy to carry, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Perfect opportunity for me to burn some energy. Otherwise, your slender waist might just give up on you tonight. Upon hearing this, Sheena did notugh. Instead, she looked serious, staring at him intently. Elliot immediately sensed that something was wrong based on her serious expression. Oh no! That seemed like a trick question, and he appeared to have given the wrong answer¡­ Chapter 869 Chapter 869 The moment Elliot realized, his survival instincts kicked in as he scrambled to correct himself. ¡°Honey, don¡¯t misunderstand. I didn¡¯t mean you¡¯re heavy at all. You¡¯re as light as a feather, and your figure is so perfect. I¡¯mpletely enchanted by you,¡± he said, staring nervously at Sheena. However, Sheena remained serious, meeting his gaze without saying a word. Elliot looked at her nkly, wondering if he had answered wrong again. He did not know what the right answer could be. As Sheena¡¯s expression grew colder, he quickly pleaded, ¡°Honey, can you please tell me what your answer is?¡± Sheena scoffed and mocked, ¡°Sure. When we get back to the bedroom, I¡¯ll teach you the right answer word by word using the ruler. How about that?¡± Elliot¡¯s spine stiffened instantly. Pouting, Sheena grabbed onto his first answer and solemnly listed his crimes. ¡°Answering without thinking is the true reflection of your inner thoughts. It shows what you truly think. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. was in ¡°I wearing a long gown, and you said I¡¯m heavy. I¡¯ve worked hard to give birth to our two precious babies, contributing greatly to the Jenkins family. And yet, you dare toin about me so soon. That¡¯s an even greater offense. You really deserve a good punishment when we get home.¡± With an uneasy heart, Elliot walked steadily through the winding alleys of the Jenkins estate, cautiously asking, ¡°Nana, how do you want to punish me?¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes twinkled mischievously as she stared at him and shouted, ¡°You deserve a spanking!¡± Seeing his face gradually turn pale, she wickedly added, ¡°Also, you¡¯ll have to remove your pants. Elliot¡¯s ears turned red instantly as he looked at her with a helpless expression, whispering, ¡°Honey¡­ He hesitated to go back. If this was truly his fate upon returning home, he could not ept such a cruel twist of events! Sheena could not help butugh at his expression. She was not really angry and was just joking around. Then, she lightly tapped on his nose and said, ¡°Just kidding. I¡¯m not going to spank you. I¡¯ve been pregnant and went through postpartum recovery, making you suffer for quite some time. Tonight, I¡¯ll make it up to you and give you all the love you deserve.¡± Elliot¡¯s grievance instantly disappeared. He ed mischievously and teased, ¡°Well, Nana, you better be prepared. It¡¯s been a while since we had sex, and tonight, I won¡¯t go easy on you.¡± He picked up his pace, wishing he could fly back to the bedroom as his heart raced with anticipation. The night was cold, and all the joyful and melodious sounds were muted behind tightly shut windows. That night, Sheena lost count of how many times it happened. All she knew was that Elliot had boundless energy, ignoring her exhaustion. By the next morning, Sheena¡¯s waist indeed felt like it had given up on her. She waspletely drained, having hardly rested at all the night before. Elliot had woken up early, taking care of postponing her meeting with Carlos to discuss the contract. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, tenderly saying, ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve taken care of everything for you. Take a little more rest. You can sleep all day if you want.¡± Sheena was indeed very tired, unable to even open her eyes. She felt frustrated, wondering why she had agreed to Elliot¡¯s request or why she had not restrained his animalistic instinctsst night. As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts continued to dwell on the events of the previous night. Suddenly, a pair of hands silently wrapped around her waist from behind. The restless rascal began to kiss her earlobe lightly, sending ambiguous signals her way. Sheena furrowed her brows slightly, keeping her eyes closed and ignoring him. $ Unexpectedly, Elliot became more and more audacious, and his hands started to wander on her body. Then, those lips that kissed her earlobe began to tentatively move downward, kissing her neck and then her delicate shoulders¡­ Sheena¡¯s frown deepened. Unable to bear it any longer, she decisively turned around and swiftly pped the other person¡¯s face. Elliot was taken aback. ¡°Stop fooling around. I want to rest!¡± Chapter 870 Chapter 870 Sheena was utterly exhausted, her voice soft and weary, yet her tone carried an air of authority. Elliot deted instantly, surrendering himself to her as hey on top of her. Even so, he could not help but test the waters, asking in his maic voice, ¡°Honey, how about you sleep for three hours, and at exactly noon, we have another round?¡± Sheena remained silent, her waist aching terribly, almost on the verge of giving out. Fully recovered from his illness and having gone eleven months without being intimate with Sheena, Elliot seemed insatiable, like a starving wolf. Sheena could not help but regret her choice of such an energetic man as her husband. Was it toote to throw him out of the window? Lost in her thoughts, Sheena did not respond to Elliot. Soon, Elliot¡¯s restless hands under the nket continued to roam her skin. ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired at all?¡± ¡°Not really. I¡¯m tired but happy. It¡¯s double the pleasure!¡± Elliot touched her face, caressing her delicate checks. Sheena gritted her teeth. Her mind was clouded with endless fatigue, unable to feel an ounce of happiness. To exhaust Elliot¡¯s boundless energy, she had an idea.. ¡°Since you¡¯re not tired, then roll out of bed and do at least five hundred and twenty push¨Cups, counting as you go.¡± Elliot¡¯s movements froze, asking, ¡°Why five hundred and twenty?¡± Sheena remained unfazed. ¡°Consider it your way of expressing love for me, like a little gift you¡¯re giving me.¡± Elliot was at a loss for words. However, since Sheena said it was a little gift for her, Elliot had no choice but toply, especially ince push¨Cups were no challenge for him. He kissed Sheena¡¯s cheek and swiftly rolled out of bed, neatly putting on his pajama pants. With his strong and stunning upper body, he positioned his arms on the carpet and began to perform push¨Cups with perfect form. Meanwhile, Sheena¡¯s voicezily drifted from the bed. ¡°Remember to count¡± As soon as she spoke, Elliot effortlessly began counting. One¡­ two¡­ three¡­ and so on. Caught up in the rhythm of his counting, Sheena drifted off to sleep. When she woke up again, she was roused by Elliot¡¯s counting once more. However, after managing to catch up on some much¨Cneeded sleep, she felt refreshed. Leaning back against the headboard, she quietly observed Elliot doing push¨Cups on the carpet. ¡°Three hundred and fifty¨Csix¡­¡± Elliot¡¯s voice was noticeably less crisp than before, indicating some strain. His body was glistening with a thinyer of sweat, and the carpet beneath him was stained darker in several ces from his sweat. Sheena stopped him, asking, ¡°Are you tired?¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Elliot took a deep breath and smiled at her. ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡± Sheena was baffled, wondering why Elliot liked to put on a tough front. Suddenly, a mischievous thought popped into her mind. She stood up and wrapped herself in a robe from the coat rack, leaving her fair skin only partially visible. Then, she approached Elliot and sat cross¨Clegged on his back, exerting her full weight on him. With the intense activity from the previous night and over three hundred push¨Cups, Elliot was actually quite tired. Now, with Sheena sitting on him, he noticeably felt the weight increase. Sheena sat poised as if she was meditating, staring at the back of his head. ¡°Keep going,¡± shemanded. Gritting his teeth, Elliot continued with the push¨Cups but remained silent. Noticing hisck of counting, Sheena quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Not counting anymore?¡± Slightly confused, Elliot countered, ¡°How many did I just do?¡± Three hundred and fifty¨Csix. Sheena vaguely remembered hearing him mention that number, but she merely smirked. ¡°How would I know? Since you¡¯ve forgotten, let¡¯s start over.¡± Elliot¡¯s spine stiffened. This enchantress was relentless. Frustrated, hey t on the carpet, resorting to feigning helplessness. ¡°Nana, this is too much. You¡¯re torturing me, and I still want to save some energy forter.¡± In such a state of exhaustion, he still thought about having another round? Sheena¡¯s expression darkened instantly. Clenching her fists together, she gave his buttocks a firm whack. Chapter 871 Chapter 871 The hit was not too forceful, but enough to make a point. Sheena stared at his profile, arching an eyebrow, and lightly chuckling. ¡°Who¡¯s really tormenting whom here? You promised five hundred and twenty push¨Cups as a gift, Eli. Are you going back on your word?¡± With another smack, she urged, ¡°Come on, keep going. You promised.¡± Despite his trembling arms, Elliot gritted his teeth and repositioned himself into a standard push¨Cup ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . stance. Once again, Sheena¡¯s voice came from behind him. ¡°Three hundred and fifty¨Cseven. Keep it up.¡± Elliot instantly understood. She had indeed kept count, and she was just messing with him. What a mischievous woman. He shook his head in resignation. What else could he do? He had to give in to Sheena, whom he had worked so hard to win back. ¡°Three hundred and fifty¨Ceight,¡± he counted, his husky voice echoing from the bedroom in the early morning. As Freida passed by, she asionally nced suspiciously at the closed door, lingering a little longer than usual. Nheless, she knew better than to pry into her employers¡® private matters. In the bedroom, Elliot finally reached his goal, breathing a sigh of relief as he copsed onto the floor. He never wanted to do another push¨Cup again in his life. As Sheena got up from him, she noticed a darker spot on his ck pajama pants. She chuckled and teased, ¡°Eli, you sweated so much, even your butt is drenched.¡± Elliot touched the wet spot on his pants, only to find his fingers stained red. He turned back, noticing Sheena¡¯s paleplexion. Nana, this is¡­ your blood¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s smile faded as she stared at his fingers, rubbing her abdomen as if realizing something. She finally figured out why her waist felt unusually sore as if it might break off. She was on her period. Since Sheena got pregnant, it had been a long time since she had her period, and she even forgot it existed. She chuckled awkwardly, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for dirtying your pants, Eli. But looks like we won¡¯t be having sex for another week or so. Just ept it.¡± Elliot propped himself up and stood up without any hint ofint. Instead, he carried her to the bathroom, dragging his tired body from the workout, and helped her and himself shower, changing into clean robes. Five minutester, Sheena¡¯s belly began to react, feeling faintly painful. She did not know when her period came or if the intense workout earlier affected it. The menstrual cramps gradually took over her nerves, and Elliot settled her into bed, tucking her in. Drowsiness and pain quickly overwhelmed Sheena. She curled up, frowning as she shut her eyes tightly. Elliot personally brewed a ss of ginger tea with brown sugar and fed her spoonful by spoonful. However, the tea did little to ease Sheena¡¯s cramp. Elliot sat by the bed, feeling anxious and wishing he could bear the pain for her. ¡°Nana, how about taking a painkiller?¡± Sheena, in a daze, heard him and shook her head decisively. ¡°I¡¯m breastfeeding, and the babies need me. I can¡¯t just take medication casually. It¡¯ll affect them.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re in so much pain¡­¡± Sheena weakly said, ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ I¡¯ll endure it¡­ I just need to sleep it off¡­ Elliot sighed, unable to bear seeing her suffer like this. Nheless, since she insisted on not taking painkillers, he had no choice.. He searched online for ways to care for a wife with menstrual cramps and promptly fetched a hot water bag for Sheena. While gently warming her stomach, his fingertips were not idle, massaging her gently. Even though his hands were getting tired, Elliot did not stop. Chapter 872 Chapter 872 Sheena was in so much pain that she kept drifting in and out of consciousness. She half¨Copened her eyes to see Elliot continuously changing hands to massage her stomach. Each time he freed up a hand, he would flex his sore wrist before continuing. Sensing his obvious fatigue, Sheena felt a bit guilty and said, ¡°Eli, stop massaging me. I should feel much better after sleeping a while more.¡± Elliot did not stop, replying, ¡°It¡¯s okay. As I keep massaging, you¡¯ll fall asleep.¡± Sheena did not insist further. She was truly exhausted, unable to keep her eyes open. Elliot¡¯s massaging technique improved over time, seemingly providing some relief. As her body rxed, Sheena quickly drifted into a deep sleep. While she slept, Elliot did not rest. He nestled under the covers, staying close to her, continuing to massage her sore waist. Soon enough, he fell asleep alongside her. asionally, Sheena would shift, but Elliot remained asleep, his hands reflexively continuing their massaging motion. The two slept harmoniously until noon. Meanwhile, at Farlem, Hannah had been avoiding Noah ever since he had interrupted herst date. Even though they lived under the same roof, they managed to avoid each other, never crossing paths during their morning routines. Vanessa, watching helplessly, considered offering Noah some advice several times but hesitated due to his status as she was unsure of how he might react. After lunch, Noah finally gave in and returned to the hotel to retrieve his phone and wallet. Once his phone turned on, it was bombarded with messages, all from Howard. He scrolled through them one by one. [Howard: Noah, how¡¯s it going? Did you sessfully infiltrate the Moore family?] [Howard: Where are you? Why aren¡¯t you answering your phone? You didn¡¯t actually throw away your phone and wallet, did you?] [Howard:¡­] [Howard: You were supposed to pretend! Pretend! You could¡¯ve kept your phone and wallet on you and said you forgot to bring them. Who would dare to search you? You wouldn¡¯t actually be that naive, right?¡°) [Howard: It¡¯s been two days. How¡¯s your progress? Did you get the girl yet?¡±] [Howard: Your y¨Cpretend turns into real misery. If you can¡¯t even seed in this, then I¡¯m really speechless. You might as well be a monk or just marry your medical research.] The more Noah read, the more he could feel Howard¡¯s ¡®concern¡°. Heposed himself, then decisively typed out a message in response. [Noah: It¡¯s been many years since I¡¯ve beaten you up. Do you miss it? Next time Ie back, I¡¯ll be sure to pay extra attention to your legs.] To his surprise, Howard replied instantly, [Sorry, Noah.] Seeing that Howard had admitted defeat, Noah felt much better. After all, he still needed Howard¡¯s advice as a strategist in pursuing his love interest. His threat regarding Howard¡¯s legs could wait for now. Noah sighed as he recounted the events of the past few days at the restaurant to Howard. Howard was shocked to hear the story. [Howard: You were drugged yet still managed to hold back? That¡¯s so impressive! But just to be safe, let¡¯s get you checked out when youe back.] Upon reading this, Noah¡¯s expression darkened once again. As if he sensed Noah¡¯s anger, Howard quickly sent another message. [Howard: Hehe. Noah, you¡¯re truly a gentleman!] Noah did not feel particrlyforted by the remark. Howard kept bringing up the topic of Noah being drugged, but that was not the main issue! The pressing matter was that Hannahpletely ignored him, and he had no clue what to do! After discussing the matter further, Howard finally came up with an idea. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. [Howard: Noah, since Ms. Hannah is determined to ignore you, I think you should switch targets.] [Noah: Who?] [Howard: Patrick.] Noah was briefly taken aback when he saw the name. Without hesitation, he immediately called Howard to discuss the n in detail. Five minutester, after listening to Howard¡¯s entire n, Noah expressed his deep approval of Howard¡¯s idea. He quickly pocketed his phone, grabbed his wallet, and headed back to the Moore mansion to put the Chapter 873 Chapter 873 Half an hourter, Noah arrived at the Moore mansion and quietly entered. Vanessa was in the living room, sipping tea, snacking, and watching TV dramas. When she saw him approaching, she warmly greeted him. ¡°Mr. Noah, you¡¯re back. Would you like to join me for a moment before going upstairs? Hannah left early today, but she should be back soon.¡± Noah appreciated Vanessa¡¯s gesture. ¡°Sure.¡± Then, he sat upright on the sofa, even epting the green tea Vanessa offered. Ten minutester, it was not Hannah who arrived first but the police. The Moore family¡¯s bodyguards led them in, followed by Patrick, who was handcuffed. Vanessa was puzzled by the unexpected scene, asking, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The police nodded politely at her and then approached Noah, exining the matter at hand. ¡°Mr. Noah, you¡¯re the main victim in Patrick¡¯s drugging case. He wants to apologize to you in person and seek your forgiveness. So, we brought him here. Would you like to meet him?¡± Noah elegantly took a sip of green tea, his expression as cool as ever, without giving a response. Vanessa also remained silent, watching attentively without daring to speak. Patrick wailed and tried to approach Noah but was restrained by the police before reaching him. He cried out, ¡°Mr. Noah, I¡¯m sorry! Please let me exin, Mr. Noah!¡± Noah calmly set down his teacup, saying, ¡°Just wait a moment.¡± Wait? Patrick was puzzled, but since Noah requested it, he must be willing to ept his apology. Waiting a bit longer wouldn¡¯t hurt. The room fell into a silent wait. Though unsure of Noah¡¯s intentions, nobody dared to break the silence. Eventually, feeling the awkwardness, Vanessa invited the police and the others to sit down and have some tea. After a few more minutes, Hannah returned, almost at the same time as Kennedy. They both looked equally perplexed upon seeing the scene in the living room. When Noah saw that everyone was present, he nodded at the police, indicating for him to proceed. The police approached and unlocked Patrick¡¯s handcuffs. With his newfound freedom, Patrick immediately rushed toward Noah and knelt at his feet with a thud. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. The heavy sound of his knees hitting the ground startled everyone in the room, and they exchanged bewildered nces. Patrick bowed to Noah, his demeanor respectful yet humble. ¡°Mr. Noah, I¡¯m sorry. You were identally drugged because of me, and I take full responsibility. The Fuller family will definitelypensate you for it, and if you still need to vent, you can beat me up as much as you want! I just beg you to spare the Fuller Group and not to trouble thepany!¡± Noah remained impassive. ¡°You say I was identally drugged, so who were you originally nning to drug?¡± Patrick shivered, cold sweat trickling down his body, too afraid to speak. Noah added, ¡°Honesty is key. If you miss a single word, you¡¯ll face the consequences. ¦§ ¡°I¡¯ll confess! I¡¯ll tell you everything!¡± Patrick, terrified, began to speak truthfully. ¡°I¡¯ve been engaged to Hannah for a long time, yet she has always been distant. It was hard even to get her to go out with me once. We¡¯re not getting any younger. At this rate, our engagement could be dragged on for a few more years. I can¡¯t wait that long. Our marriage would benefit the Fuller Group, so I had this twisted idea. I thought since she¡¯d be mine eventually, if I could speed up the process, we could get married sooner and even save half the wedding gifts. It would be a win¨Cwin situation¡­¡± He paused awkwardly for a moment, then continued, ¡°So, I bribed a waiter at the hotel to slip some drugs into the wine served, but then you suddenly appeared, and you know the rest¡­¡± After hearing his confession, Kennedy was slightly shocked, while Vanessa and Hannah red at him angrily. Suddenly, there was a loud p! Chapter 874 Chapter 874 Hannah had delivered a solid p on Patrick¡¯s face, angrily cursing at him, ¡°You worthless piece of trash!¡± Vanessa joined in, ¡°You not only tried to ruin my beloved daughter, but you even wanted to cut the wedding gifts in half? Patrick, you¡¯d marry just anyone as long as it benefits the Fuller Group, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± Patrick rubbed his sore face, too afraid to refute. His sole focus was on Noah, desperately hoping for forgiveness. ¡°Mr. Noah, I truly know I was wrong. I¡¯ll never do it again. Please forgive me this time! Let¡¯s compromise! I beg you!¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Patrick crawled toward Noah, only to be heartlessly kicked away. Noah¡¯s expression remained cold, saying, ¡°A twisted person like you has no right to be Hannah¡¯s fiance. Cancel the engagement between you and the Moore family right now.¡± Patrick was taken aback and tentatively asked, ¡°Mr. Noah, if I cancel the engagement, will you spare me and the Fuller family?¡± Noah did not give a clear answer but said, ¡°It depends on your sincerity.¡± ¡°Yes, of course!¡± To Patrick, these words represented a glimmer of hope. He immediately turned to Kennedy, who was sitting nearby. ¡°Mr. Moore, since you¡¯re here too, let¡¯s cancel the engagement between me and Hannah!¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, he added, ¡°However, since it¡¯s canceled, remember to return the engagement gifts you¡¯ve received.¡± Kennedy was furious, grabbing a teacup from the table and hurling it at Patrick. ¡°Patrick, you don¡¯t get to decide to cancel the engagement, and it¡¯s up to my family¡¯s decision to return the gifts. Anyway, your insignificant engagement gifts will be returned in full! Vanessa spat in anger, ¡°Who do you think you are? How dare you look down on my precious daughter? Take your engagement gifts and get out! I¡¯ll be waiting for the Fuller Group to go bankrupt! Hannah, with red eyes, remained silent, head bowed. Patrick shrugged off the insults from the Moore family. He shuffled forward on his knees, adjusted his sses, and smiled ingratiatingly. Chapter 874 ¡°Mr. Noah, the engagement is canceled. Are you satisfied?¡± Noah¡¯s expression darkened as he nced at Patrick with disdain. ¡°You¡¯re arrogant and extremely disrespectful. I¡¯m far from satisfied. Your attempt to harm a woman your vile mindset make prison a more suitable ce for you to reside.¡± ¡°What?¡± Patrick was on the verge of tears, desperately pleading, ¡°Mr. Noah, I was wrong. If you¡¯re unsatisfied, can I apologize to the Moore family again? Please give me another chance!¡± Vanessa interjected firmly, ¡°Get lost! We won¡¯t ept any apologies! Not In any form!¡± Noah seconded, ¡°You heard Madam Moore. She refuses. So, leave Immediately.¡± ¡°Mr. Noah! Mr. Noah¡­¡± The police immediately handcuffed Patrick again, escorting him out. As Patrick¡¯s desperate pleas faded, an eerie silence settled in the Moore family¡¯s living room. Noah cleared his throat lightly, casting a meaningful nce at Kennedy. ¡°Mr. Moore, now that Hannah is single again, do you have any ns regarding her marriage.¡± Kennedy and Vanessa exchanged a knowing nce. Everyone was sharp enough to understand Noah¡¯s intentions. He deliberately waited for all the Moore family members to gather before orchestrating this scene, showing his genuine concern for Hannah. Kennedy responded decisively with a smile, ¡°I don¡¯t have any ns. If Mr. Noah has any suggestions, I¡¯m open to them.¡± Everything unfolded just as Noah had nned with Howard¡¯s meticulous arrangements. A faint smile graced Noah¡¯s usually cold demeanor. With a determined gaze, he looked at Kennedy. ¡°Uncle Kennedy, actually, I¡­¡± ¡°Dad.¡± Before Noah could finish, Hannah interrupted, ¡°After going through a failed engagement, I¡¯m not in the mood to consider getting engaged again. Please don¡¯t pressure me.¡± Chapter 875 Chapter 875 This statement was directed at Kennedy, but Hannah was actually indirectly rejecting Noah. Noah¡¯s expression slightly changed. Kennedy was adept at reading between the lines and quickly chimed in, ¡°Hannah, getting engaged doesn¡¯t mean you have to get married right away. You can engage and date first. Whenever you both feel ready, then you can tie the knot. It won¡¯t disturb anything.¡± ¡°But I don¡¯t want to date,¡± she said firmly. ¡°There¡¯s been too much drama in the past year. I really don¡¯t have the energy for it. Right now, I just want to focus on my work and be a good sessor to the Moore Group.¡± With that, she turned and headed upstairs, leaving the living room without looking back. As the sound of the bedroom door closing faintly echoed from upstairs, the living room fell silent once again. Kennedy and Vanessa exchanged nces before turning to Noah. Noah lowered his gaze, seemingly lost in thought, his emotions unreadable. Vanessa cautiously probed, ¡°Mr. Noah, do you like Hannah?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Noah¡¯s tone was soft as he replied, ¡°but my previous actions hurt her. I definitely understand why she doesn¡¯t ept me.¡± Vanessa continued, ¡°We¡¯ve spoiled Hannah, and she¡¯s quite stubborn. If you genuinely like her and want to be with her, I can try to help you persuade her.¡± Noah gave it some thought but ultimately felt embarrassed to inconvenience them further. ¡°It¡¯s better not to. This is between the two of us. If you try to persuade her, it might make her more resistant to me. If she¡¯s not ready to get engaged, I can wait. She pursued me for a year before, so I can wait for her for a year.¡± With Noah¡¯s words, both Vanessa and Kennedy felt relieved. ¡°Mr. Noah, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t try to persuade her directly, but I can help create opportunities for you to spend time together.¡± Noah looked up and met her gaze.. This time, he did not refuse. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Several hourster, Vanessa knocked on Hannah¡¯s door, ¡°Sweetie, it¡¯s time for dinner. Hurry up. Everyone¡¯s waiting for you.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Chapter 875 Hannah sat at herputer, finishing thest sentence of her project n. She rubbed her sore shoulders and got up to head downstairs. She did not notice anything unusual until she reached the dining room. Only Noah was sitting alone at the long dining table, and Vanessa and Kennedy were nowhere to be seen. Moreover, the table was adorned with lit red candles. It was obviously intentional, trying to create a candlelit dinner opportunity for her and Noah. Hannah could not help but think her parents must be really bored. She shook her head in resignation and decisively turned away. As she was about to leave, Noah immediately got up, grabbing her wrist in time. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯m sure you can tell your parents¡® effort. Can we talk?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression remains nk, replying, ¡°We don¡¯t have anything to talk about.¡± She tried to leave, but Noah¡¯s grip on her wrist tightened. Noah looked at their hands, smiling faintly. ¡°When you came to Svelton General Hospital to say goodbye, I noticed you were upset. I wanted to reach out andfort you, but I couldn¡¯t muster the courage. This time, I¡¯m d I didn¡¯t let go of your hand.¡± Hannah sighed. ¡°Isn¡¯t it toote to say this now?¡± Noah straightened her posture, making her look at him, and said earnestly, ¡°Patrick is not a good man. I helped you cancel your forced engagement. Now you can choose your partner freely. Isn¡¯t that good?¡± His words struck a nerve with her. ¡°Noah, did you deliberately let the police bring Patrick to the Moore mansion to hear those sarcastic remarks about me? Did you want to see me embarrassed? To make me realize that no other man is interested in me apart from you? That I, as the Moore family¡¯s heiress, am worthless?¡± As she used him, tears started to fall. In her professional life, Hannah had always maintained a firm and assertive image to avoid being. taken advantage of. Over time, her personality had be stronger. Today¡¯s events deeply affected her, especially being belittled by Patrick in front of Noah. Chapter 876 Chapter 876 Noah gently wiped away Hannah¡¯s tears with a tissue, mindful of the lesson he learned from smudging her eyelinerst time His action was gentle and tender. Howard did a lot of prep work for Noah beforehand, teaching him how to sweet talk and charm a girl. Even if it were cheesy pickup lines, girls would appreciate them as long as they were sincere. Noan racked his brain, trying to recall the sweet nothings Howard taught him. Yet, perhaps due to nervousness, he could not remember a single word. All the genuineforting thoughts in his mind turn into clumsy mumblings. ¡°Hannah, 1-1 didn¡¯t mean it that way¡­¡± Hannah red at him. ¡°Then what do you mean?¡± ¡°I¨CI don¡¯t have other intentions. I just¡­¡± Hannah was frustrated. Was Noah ying games with her? She interrupted, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®you don¡¯t have other intentions¡®? Noah, what exactly do you mean?¡± Noah stared at her nkly. Seeing his dumbfounded expression, Hannah could not help but break intoughter. Noah felt slightly embarrassed but took advantage of her good mood to press on. ¡°Hannah, I don¡¯t have much experience in romance, and I¡¯m not good at saying sweet things. But I want to say that I genuinely want to win you back, and there¡¯s no other intention behind it.¡± then 150 He took a deep breath, then continued, ¡°You pursued me all the way from Farlem to Luivine, quietly followed me to Svelton. You turned down your dad¡¯s requests to return to Moore Group many times, all for me. Now, it¡¯s my turn. If you¡¯re still adamant about not getting engaged, I can pursue you for a year¡­ or even two.¡± His words were simple yet sincere. Hannah would be lying if she said she was unmoved. She stared at him seriously, yfully smirking. ¡°Alright then. You can pursue me. If you can truly persevere and do it for a year, I¡¯ll reconsider. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll definitely persevere.¡± Noah was statis and hugged her tightly, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Sensing his fast heartbeat, clearly a mix of nervousness and joy, Hannah was momentarily taken aback. She strugglest for a moment but ultimately reached out to hug him back, patting his broad back N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Kennedy and Vanessa discreetly watches them from the stairwell on the second floor, smiling at each other. Meanwhile, at E&S Haven, Sheena slept straight through until dinnertime and was awakened by the savory aroma of soup nearby. Groggily opening her eyes, she saw Elliot sitting beside her bed, gently blowing on a bowl of vegetable beef soup for her. She sat up and asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you sleep in?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t fall asleep. I just felt like you might need me at any moment, so I thought it¡¯s better to stay awake.¡± Sensing that the soup in the bowl was not too hot anymore, Elliot scooped up a spoonful and lovingly offered it to her lips. ¡°Be careful, it¡¯s hot.¡± Sheena opened her mouth, savoring the taste as she chewed slowly, contentedly enjoying his care. Elliot said, ¡°By the way, the Nicholls Group just announced Phoebe¡¯s identity. They¡¯re hosting a grand wee¨Cback banquet for her in seven days, and she¡¯ll officially be known as Phoebe Nicholls from that day forward. ¡°Is it all confirmed now? Elliot nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± Embracing her newfound identity as an heiress would definitely be good news. However, Sheena recalled Phoebe¡¯s words to herst night at the banquet, and she could no shake the feeling that there was something peculiar about it. Chapter 877 Chapter 877 Especially when Phoebe mentioned the red marks on Vanda¡¯s wrist. However, Romello was in charge, and he was Vanda¡¯s son. How could he possibly mistreat his own mother? There was something very fishy about this. As Sheena epted Elliot¡¯s spoon¨Cfeeding, she asked him, ¡°Romello is the deputy chief of your National Investigation Bureau, right? How much do you know about him?¡± Elliot¡¯s hand froze, his handsome face turning cold, and a hint of displeasure creeping in. ¡°Why are you suddenly asking about him? Did you fall for his looks at the banquetst night?¡± Elliot¡¯s tone was full of jealousy. He remembered Nathaniel resembling Romello a lot, except for the eye color and aura. Sheena yfully tapped his forehead, teasing, ¡°What the hell are you thinking? Why are you jealous over that? You need to chill out.¡± Elliot remained quiet, his face showing annoyance, clearly still not over it. Sheena sighed, earnestly exining, ¡°I¡¯m only asking because I¡¯m concerned about Phoebe¡¯s situation. We already have children together; no other man can catch my eye.¡± That sounded much better to Elliot, and he decided to drop it. ¡°Romello is slick and cunning, with a lot of hidden agendas. He¡¯s good at pretending to be nice but actually has ulterior motives. Knowing him for so many years, I can tell he¡¯s all about self¨Cinterest, and very pragmatic. Family and love are secondary to him.¡± Sheena quickly understood, saying, ¡°So, if Madam Nicholls poses a threat to his interests, he might harm her?¡± Elliot pondered for a moment, replying, ¡°That¡¯s¡­ hard to say. After all, she¡¯s his mother. He shouldn¡¯t be capable of harming her.¡± The more they discussed this, the more Sheena worried about Phoebe¡¯s situation. ¡°I hope Phoebe can safely get through the wee¨Cback banquet and be a true heiress, marrying Howard soon.¡± Putting down the bowl, Elliot wrapped his arm around Sheena¡¯s waist and rested his head on her belly. ¡°Instead of worrying about others¡® marriages, why don¡¯t we think about when we should have our own wedding?¡± Chapter 877 ¡°Well¡­¡± Sheena hesitated, considering the matter. ¡°The babies are only a little over a month old. They¡¯re too young. We can have the wedding when they¡¯re a bit older.¡± Bringing up the topic of the babies, Elliot did not want to say much more lest Sheena thinks he did not care about them. He yfully nuzzled her belly, continuing to persuade her, ¡°Okay, so we can dy the wedding, but how about we go on a honeymoon abroad first?¡± ¡°No, the babies are still so young. If we travel, it¡¯ll be for many days. It might be too much for Auntie Freida to take care of both babies. Let¡¯s wait until the babies are at least ten years old and more independent before considering it.¡± He had to wait so long to travel with Sheena? Even though Elliot was frustrated, he could not voice hisints as Sheena¡¯s wooden ruler was in the bedside drawer while the washboard was in the closet. Those two dreaded items silently oppressed him. As Sheena ran her fingers through his short hair, her mind wandered. She suddenly remembered Phoebe¡¯s request fromst night and quickly called Howard, rying Phoebe¡¯s message to him word for word. ¡°Hello, Howard¡­ that¡¯s roughly how it went. Phoebe thinks there¡¯s more to the Nicholls family¡¯s secret, but her phone was confiscated, so she could only ask me to tell you. On the other end of the line, Howard¡¯s deep voice sounded after a long pause. ¡°Okay, Nana, I got it. I¡¯ll look into these matters properly.¡± ¡°Howard, when do you n to propose to the Nicholls family? I¡¯ll arrange my schedule to go with you, Howard considered for a moment before replying, ¡°We¡¯ll go to the Nicholls family the day after the return banquet.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The days before the banquet were rtively peaceful. Sheena spent her time between the Lawson Group and E&S Haven, gradually forming a routine. Two days before the return banquet, Angle Group hired a new batch of experienced trainees, rumored to be quite good¨Clooking. Sheena nned to personally oversee them and check out the eye candies. She could not let Elliot know about this, or he might drag her back home in a fit of jealousy. Hence, she left Elliot at E&S Haven to take care of the babies with Freida while he handled business remotely. Chapter 877 Sheena drove to Angle Group herself. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Twenty¨Cfour handsome trainees stood neatly in three rows, truly a feast for the eyes. Chapter 878 Chapter 878 sheena¡¯s gaze swept over all the trainees, eventually focusing on a young man at the back of thest ** He had almond shaped eyes and deep brown irises that highlighted his expulsite eyes, a high- Budged nose, and perfectly proportioned features It was simply impresside to ignore the young man¡¯s good looks. To think that heaven could bestow such a stunning face upon him! He truly was a gem that shone brightly. sheen asked, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± The young man smiled and replied, ¡°Ms. Lawson, I¡¯m Keenan Wolf.¡± ¡°How¡¯s your dancing skills?¡± Keenan turned to face her, his handsome face radiating a cheerful aura. ¡°I¡¯ve been dancing for seven years. Ms. Lawson, I¡¯d be willing to showcase a dance if you have the ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see it.¡± Sheena turned around, and Wendy immediately brought her a chair. ok a seat at the front while the other trainees made room for Keenan¡¯s solo performance. Keenan immediately got into the groove as the beautiful and melodious music yed. His movements were powerful and passionate, blending sadness with chaotic beauty, demonstrating excellent control of both strength and emotion. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Everyone in the dance studio watched attentively, appreciating the performance. The first half went smoothly without any major issues, but as the music in thetter half gradually became more sensual, Keenan suddenly changed his dance style. With a powerful thrust, he tore off his white shirt, his eyes filled with intoxicating allure. It was a dance that could make onlookers gasp in amazement. was shocked, not expecting him to be more and more provocative. This could not go on¡­ Just as she was about to intervene, the door to the dance studio suddenly opened. A man with subtly simmering anger in his obsidian eyes strode into her line of sight. ¡°Turn off the music,¡± his cold and displeased voicemanded the staff. Chapter 878 1/3 Chapter 878 Sheena¡¯s gaze swept over all the trainees, eventually focusing on a young man at the back of thest TOW. He had almond¨Cshaped eyes and deep brown irises that highlighted his exquisite eyes, a high- bridged nose, and perfectly proportioned features. It was simply impossible to ignore the young man¡¯s good looks. To think that heaven could bestow such a stunning face upon him! He truly was a gem that shone brightly. Sheena asked, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± The young man smiled and replied, ¡°Ms. Lawson, I¡¯m Keenan Wolf.¡± ¡°How¡¯s your dancing skills?¡± Keenan turned to face her, his handsome face radiating a cheerful aura. ¡°I¡¯ve been dancing for seven years. Ms. Lawson, I¡¯d be willing to showcase a dance if you have the time.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see it.¡± Sheena turned around, and Wendy immediately brought her a chair. She took a seat at the front while the other trainees made room for Keenan¡¯s solo performance. Keenan immediately got into the groove as the beautiful and melodious music yed. His movements were powerful and passionate, blending sadness with chaotic beauty, demonstrating excellent control of both strength and emotion. Everyone in the dance studio watched attentively, appreciating the performance. The first half went smoothly without any major issues, but as the music in thetter half gradually became more sensual, Keenan suddenly changed his dance style. With a powerful thrust, he tore off his white shirt, his eyes filled with intoxicating allure. It was a dance that could make onlookers gasp in amazement. Sheena was shocked, not expecting him to be more and more provocative. This could not go on¡­ Just as she was about to intervene, the door to the dance studio suddenly opened. A man with subtly simmering anger in his obsidian eyes strode into her line of sight. ¡°Turn off the music,¡± his cold and displeased voicemanded the staff. Chase $5 21 The music stopped, and Keenan¡¯s dance came to a halt as he stood straight Upon seeing the man enter, everyone eximed, ¡°Hello, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Ignoring the greetings, Elliot walked directly toward Sheena, looking at her grudgingly. Sheena awkwardly chuckled, asking, ¡°What brings you here all of a sudden?¡± He looked as if he was catching his wife red¨Chanded. Unfortunately, the dance just now did give rise to some suggestive thoughts. Feeling a bit guilty, Sheena smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. Elliot¡¯s gaze turned stern, ¡°What did you think of his performance?¡± Well¡­ Sheena nced at Keenan, who was eagerly awaiting her opinion.. ¡°Speaking objectively, it was quite good.¡± As soon as those words left her lips, a chilly atmosphere filled the entire dance studio. Elliot was consumed by jealousy, bending down to hoist her over his shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± The people in the dance studio watched in surprise as the affectionate couple left, with a few gasps heard in the background. Blushing, Sheena did not resist, merely instructing Wendy, ¡°Have everyone showcase a solo performance and record videos for screening.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Lawson.¡± Without looking back, Elliot continued walking, not even putting her down when they entered the elevator. Being carried like this was ufortable for Sheena, and she patted his strong waist gently. ¡°Honey, put me down.¡± Elliot paid no heed. Sheena sighed softly, her voice tinged with difort as she exined, ¡°This position is really ufortable. My stomach feels cramped, and I¡¯m still on my period. It hurts.¡± Immediately, Elliot bent down, cing her gently on the ground. Then, he slipped his arm through her knees and lifted her horizontally once again. Uh¡­ She was still in his arms, just in a different position. Chapter 678 3/3 It was as if he were a lioness iming his territory, dering sovereignty. ¡°Are you angry?¡± She gently cupped his chin with her hands, her tone yful. Elliot grunted in response, his expression darkening ¡°Is he really good¨Clooking?¡± Sheena replied earnestly, ¡°Yes, he¡¯s handsome. With looks like his,bined with his talent, he could definitely make it big in the entertainment industry. This could be a long¨Cterm career path for him.¡± She was discussing work seriously, but all Elliot seemed to hear was the word ¡°handsome¡°. Chapter 879 Chapter 879 Elliot narrowed his eyes, exuding a dangerous aura as he looked at Sheena. ¡°Between him and I, who¡¯s better looking?¡± Sheena chuckled and replied, ¡°You.¡± Elliot was not satisfied. ¡°Is his physique great? Is his dancing skill impressive?¡± The entire elevator was just overflowing with Elliot¡¯s jealousy. Struggling to contain herughter, Sheena wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and leaned close to his ear, whispering something. With just those words, Elliot was instantly appeased, the gloom lifting from his face. He brushed his nose against hers, his voice husky and alluring as he said, ¡°When we get home, I¡¯ll show you my dance moves. want something passionate or something seductive?¡± Do you Sheena suppressed a smile and said, ¡°I want something both passionate and seductive.¡± Elliot lowered his head, kissing her red lips. ¡°I¡¯ll give you both. But from now on, you¡¯re not allowed to look at other men or watch such suggestive dances.¡± Sheena was speechless. ¡°The first half of his dance was pretty normal. I didn¡¯t expect it to turn so suggestive in the second half. But honestly, this trainee¡¯s dance style is versatile and diverse, which is impressive.¡± She unintentionally praised Keenan again, and Elliot¡¯s expression immediately darkened. ¡°He¡¯s just a Casanova, a womanizer! Dancing suggestively in front of a married woman! His intentions are impure!¡± Sheena almost burst outughing but quickly rubbed his neck to soothe him. ¡°Okay, okay, I won¡¯t look anymore. Your jealousy is unbelievable!¡± Only then was Elliot satisfied, striding confidently out of Angle. As Sheena watched the building grow smaller in the distance, a sense of suspicion crept into her mind. ¡°Elliot, why is it that every time I¡¯m at Angle doing something, you always rush over whenever there are two men standing next to me? Did you nt a spy by my side?¡± Elliot¡¯s back stiffened at her words. Sheena could read his expression and narrowed her eyes sharply. ¡°Tell me the truth! Confess, and you¡¯ll get leniency!¡± ¡°You need to hear me out¡­¡± Elliot¡¯s face turned slightly pale, Sheena pinched his cheeks and asked sternly, ¡°Who is it?¡± Elliot did not respond. If he spilled the beans, it would be like betraying those who had helped him a lot. After all, it would not be morally right. Thinking of this, he changed the subject. ¡°Nana, why don¡¯t you try to guess?¡± ¡°Not telling? You¡¯re still trying to protect the person?¡± Sheena¡¯s hand, pinching his face, suddenly applied more pressure. ¡°Elliot, I¡¯m not going to guess. I¡¯ll investigate directly. Once I find out, that person will be in trouble along with you!¡± Trouble? He felt a chill run down his spine. Surely, he would not have to endure punishment just for this, would he? He refused! ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve bribed those around you only to ensure your safety when you¡¯re out of my sight. Besides, I only managed to bribe them because I¡¯m your husband. Their loyalty still lies with you.¡± Sheena, noticing his wording, pressed on, ¡°You said ¡®they¡®? Are there more than one? How many are there in Angle? And are there any in the Lawson Group too?¡± Elliot went silent instantly. What should he do? It seemed like he had trapped himself! Seeing his expression, Sheena knew he was trying toe up with a n. She continued to pinch his face with force. ¡°Ouch!¡± Elliot¡¯s features tightened as he gasped in pain. Honey, be gentle. You¡¯ll swell up my face, and I won¡¯t be as handsome anymore.¡± Angrily, Sheena released her grip on his face and instead pinched the soft flesh around his waist, twisting it unapologetically. ¡°When we get back, you better make a list for me. If you don¡¯t, the ruler and washboard are waiting Charter 879 for you. If you dare to lie to me, you¡¯ll face the consequences too!¡± ¡°Easy there.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Elliot did not evade. Instead, he held her small waist tightly, nestling into her embrace. ¡°Honey, don¡¯t be angry. I¡¯ll make you some sweet ginger tea when we get back to cool off your anger.¡± Seeing him behave, Sheena¡¯s anger subsided by half. She looked at her stomach, saying, ¡°My belly still feels ufortable, can you massage it?¡± ¡°Sure thing, my love.¡± Chapter 880 Chapter 880 Elliot was fine with anything as long as he would not be spanked. He immediately sat up from her embrace and skillfully massaged her little belly. Sheena chuckled, teasing him, ¡°I still prefer it when you listen to me. In the future, you should stop dropping by for inspections so often. There should be more trust between us!¡± He did not agree, retorting, ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you. It¡¯s just that you¡¯re so beautiful that I¡¯m worried about those Casanovas seducing you.¡± Sheena sighed, shaking her head. It was no use arguing with him. Two nights before the banquet at the Nicholls residence¡­ Romello had sent a custom¨Cmade exquisite dress for Phoebe, ced in her room. Phoebe stood by the window, asionally peeking toward the top floor. In the past few days, she had been observing the activities on the top floor and noticed that someone would bring meals three times a day. However, the portions were small, indicating it was for one person. If Vanda was the only resident on the top floor, then the person who attacked her with the ashtrayst time was probably Vanda. Then again, why would Vanda treat her like this? They were all her biological children, yet Vanda¡¯s attitude toward Phoebepletely differed from hers toward Romello, Marius, and Gabrielle. Moreover, as the matriarch of the Nicholls family, Vanda held a high position, so why did she have bruises on her wrists? And why did Marius and Gabrielle behave so strangely when they saw her in the dining room? With doubts swirling in her mind, Phoebe sat on the bed, unable to sleep. The banquet would be held the next day. Yet, even as the heiress of the Nicholls family, Romello was unwilling to tell her the family¡¯s secrets. Phoebe felt a bit indignant. With the preparations for the banquet in full swing at the Nicholls residence, the servants were busy, and it was the perfect opportunity for Phoebe to sneak a peek. She wrestled with her inner conflict for a long time, fear and intense curiosity battling in her mind. Chacons 880 In the end, curiosity won out. In the dead of night, the Nicholls residence was eerily silent, as if everyone inside had fallen into a deep slumber. Phoebe, wearing slippers and carrying an eyebrow trimmer from the vanity table, crept up to the top floor. Deciding to follow the same approach asst time, she approached the iron gate cautiously, scanning the area for any signs of activity. As she reached the top floor, the corridor beyond the iron gate was shrouded in darkness, with a chilling breeze blowing through, sending shivers down her spine. Summoning her courage, Phoebe rattled the iron gate, the heavy chains shing against the frame, echoing sharply in the silent night. ¡°Mom?¡± Phoebe whispered. She waited for a while but received no response. It was as though the upants of the top floor were fast asleep. It seemed she would have to try climbing out of the window again. As she turned to leave, there was a distinct sound of iron chains dragging across the flooring from one of the rooms down the corridor. The noise was especially jarring in the quiet surroundings. ¡°Mom? Is that you?¡± Phoebe called out again, but there was still no response. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . It felt eerie, truly eerie, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± A sudden cold and hoarse voice came from behind her, catching her by surprise. Phoebe was startled, trembling all over. She turned around in terror to see who it was. Chapter 881 Chapter 881 Under the moonlight, the man¡¯s handsome face was incredibly grim, exuding a dreadful chill. ¡°R¨CRomello¡­¡± Phoebe steadied herself, gripping the eyebrow trimmer tightly, mentally preparing to defend herself if needed. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. you Romello¡¯s face remained cold as he repeated, ¡°What are you doing here at his hour? Didn¡¯t I tell y to follow the rules?¡± ¡°1¨CI couldn¡¯t sleep. I heard a noiseing from here, so I came up to check. I was just about back when you showed up.¡± She gulped anxiously, changing the subject. ¡°Romello, why are you here? It¡¯s sote, and you¡¯re still dressed in military uniform¡­¡± Romello¡¯s expression did not change. ¡°I had a mission from the bureau that I justpleted. Since your return banquet will be held here tomorrow, I decided to stay here tonight.¡± ¡°Oh, I see. Thank you,¡± Phoebe said meekly, lowering her gaze. Romello remained impassive. ¡°Go back to your room and rest.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Phoebe nodded, recalling the sound of chains she heard earlier, and feeling unsettled. ¡°Romello, does Mom really live on the top floor? I heard the sound of chains dragging on the floor earlier. Was it her? ¡°She¡¯s already asleep. You must have misheard,¡± Romello replied, his face devoid of emotion. ¡®But¡­¡± Phoebe persisted, ¡°I¡¯m sure I heard it. I really heard the sound of chains. If Mom¡¯s the only one living on the top floor, could it be that you¡¯ve locked her up?¡± Romello¡¯s eyes narrowed, ring coldly at her, refusing to respond. ¡°Romello, I¡¯m going to be part of the family from now on, and I hope we can be?more open with each other. I have the right to know the Nicholls family¡¯s secrets.¡± ¡°You¡¯re overthinking. The Nicholls family doesn¡¯t have any secrets to hide. I¡¯ll say this again. Go back to sleep.¡± Phoebe did not budge. ¡°I¡¯m not sleepy. Romello, can you please unlock the door? I want to check on Mom.¡± Romello did not even consider it. ¡°No, she¡¯s already asleep. You¡¯ll only disturb her.¡± It was a dead end, no matter what she said. Chapter 881 2/2 Phoebe was speechless. ¡°Tomorrow is your return banquet, and you¡¯ll have a lot to do. Go to sleep,¡± Romello softened his tone, coaxing her and taking the eyebrow trimmer from her hand. ¡°Alright,¡± Phoebe relented. With Romello around, she knew sneaking up to the top floor to investigate was impossible. Hence, she would have to try another time. Phoebe walked past Romello, heading toward the staircase. Suddenly, there was a dull thud. A swift chopnded on the back of Phoebe¡¯s head. The pain surged through her, and her consciousness faded instantly. A chilling wind blew in the long, eerie corridor of the top floor. Romello caught her as she copsed. Though d in honorable military attire, his face bore a sinister, dark aspect. ¡°Since you¡¯re so curious about the top floor, how could I not show you what¡¯s there?¡± On the day of the return banquet. Before dinner, Lionel and Jacintha were once again summoned to E&S Haven to assist Freida in taking care of the babies, as Sheena and Elliot would be attending the banquet together. Before heading to the Nicholls residence, Sheena and Elliot went to see Howard. After meeting with him, they went together. Sitting in the elongated luxury car, Howard seemed somewhat uneasy, his jaw slightly tense. Sensing his nervousness, Sheena said, ¡°Howard, rx. Take it easy. It¡¯s Phoebe¡¯s special day, and you two can be together without judgment after this.¡± ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Chapter 882 Chapter 882 Howard had been waiting for this moment for a long time. From now on, no one would dare to question whether he and Phoebe were a suitable match. They would get married, have children, and live happily ever after, blessed by everyone¡¯s well wishes. The thought made Howard¡¯s heart leap with joy. Soon, they arrived at the Nicholls residence. The evening sky was tinged with hues of red, creating a breathtaking view. Only a few guests were at the Nicholls residence, and Sheena and the others were among the early arrivals. Gabrielle was busy weing guests. When she saw Sheena, she eagerly approached and sped her hand. ¡°I couldn¡¯t make it to your baby showerst time! What a shame! Luckily, you¡¯re here today. It¡¯s been so long since west met. Have you missed me?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re still as cheeky as ever. Romello will probably have you engaged in another year or two, right?¡± Gabrielle scoffed at the mention of engagement, replying, ¡°Being single is great. I have no interest in dating. It¡¯s as you say, many people have set their sights on me. Romello has sent them all to introduce to that cheap sister of ours.¡± As she finished, she giggled, disying a mix of coyness and arrogance. Noticing her choice of words, Sheena¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°You actually call her the ¡®cheap sister ¡°? It seems you don¡¯t like her.¡± Gabrielle did not bother to hide it. ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t like her. I was the only daughter in the family for so many years, and all my brothers doted on me. But now, With her around, I have to share everything.¡± Sheena withdrew her hand from Gabrielle¡¯s affectionate grip. ¡°Where¡¯s Romello? Take me to see him. ¡°Sure thing.¡± Romello was in the living room, checking today¡¯s arrangements. Gabrielle led them to the mansion¡¯s entrance, and Sheena left Elliot in the garden and went inside with Howard to find Romello. Seeing them, Romello politely smiled, ¡°You¡¯re here early. Want to have some desserts in the garden later?¡± Sheena settled onto the sofa. ¡°We¡¯ll have themter. Mr. Romello, I brought Howard here specifically Chap 82 to see you¡± Howard also took a seat on the sofa, actually smiling for once. ¡°Oh?¡± Romello raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Sheena smiled. ¡°What else could it be? It¡¯s naturally about Howard and Phone¡¯s marriage t tonight is Phoebe¡¯s return banquet, I thought why not finalize the engagement early today? We can announce it during the banquet, double the celebrations.¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Romello did not immediately respond and focused on pouring them tos instead. After a moment of tense silence, he finally spoke. ¡°I wonder if you¡¯ve prepared the engagement gifts, Mr. Howard.¡± Howard smiled sincerely, replying, ¡°I¡¯ve prepared to transfer Tangerine Entertainment and Dream Land Studios to Phoebe¡¯s name. I¡¯ll transfer the shares of bothpanies to her and release her from Angle Group¡¯s contracts, allowing her to be a solo artist. I¡¯ll also establish a specialized team to work exclusively for her. The studio will serve only her.¡± Both entertainmentpanies were substantial, with abined share value of 300 million. Furthermore, Howard was even forming a top¨Ctier team to pave the way for Phoebe¡¯s stardom. This showed considerable sincerity in the engagement gift. Romello¡¯s expression slightly changed. ¡°Howard, you¡¯re indeed considerate of Phoebe. However, ording to courtesy, as an unmarried daughter of the Nicholls family, the engagement gifts should be given to the Nicholls family, not to her individually.¡± Upon hearing this, Sheena furrowed her brows but remained silent. Howard was also slightly taken aback. Being engaged to Phoebe naturally meant prioritizing her interests. Moreover, the Nicholls family had not supported her for all these years, and now, on the brink of engagement, they wanted to exploit her for profit. Howard felt annoyed but patiently asked, ¡°What would you suggest then? I¡¯d like to hear.¡± Romello raised her teacup and nodded toward Sheena and Howard across the coffee table. ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of engagement gifts, a small matter. Simply give 15% of the shares of the Lawson Group to the Nicholls family.¡± Sheena and Howard exchanged a nce, their expressions simultaneously changing after hearing those words. Chapter 883 Chapter 883 The Lawson Group was the secondrgest business empire in Froania at that moment, just behind the Jenkins Group. Even obtaining 5% of the shares would be a significant boost in terms of market value. Nheless, Romello was asking for 15% in one go. Moreover, this was just for the engagement gift, and the actual expense for marriage would be another matter altogether. Nevertheless, while 15% of the shares might seem like a lot, it would still be eptable if they were all given to Phoebe. Giving them all to the Nicholls family rubbed Sheena and Howard the wrong way. The atmosphere in the living room instantly became tense, leaving the trio in awkward silence for some time. Romello observed their expressions and said with a smile, ¡°Phoebe is a well¨Cknown celebrity. Since her status as the Nicholls family¡¯s heiress was announced, many noble families have approached me about engagement. They¡¯re all offering 15% of theirpany¡¯s shares. So, I wanted to inquire about your opinion, Mr. Howard.¡± Howard remained silent. He did not have control over the Lawson Group. Besides, as the third Son of the Lawson family, he only held 15% of the shares, which could not be transferred without the approval of the family head. Hence, Romello demanding 15% for the engagement was simply unreasonable. Sheena smiled faintly as she chimed in, ¡°Mr. Romello, isn¡¯t your request a bit too much? Even though it¡¯s the same 15% of the shares, the market value of the Lawson Group and otherpanies is iparable.¡± Romello replied, ¡°Because, in addition to the 15% shares, they also provide other gifts. I only requested this because the Lawson Group¡¯s share value is high.¡± Sheena grew irritated by his cunningness and directly confronted him, ¡°Mr. Romello, your demand is simply outrageous. Phoebe came from an orphanage and debuted through a talent show organized by mypany. The help behind her sess was provided by Angle Group and Howard. ¡°She won the Best Actress award step by step, relying not only on her talent and hard work but also on the support of Angle and Howard. For over twenty years, the Nicholls family hasn¡¯t given her any form of support. Apart from recognizing her as a Nicholls now, the Nicholls family contributed nothing to her sess.¡± Sheena took a deep breath before continuing, ¡°In such a situation, how dare youe to the Lawson family asking for 15% of the shares? And Phoebe probably won¡¯t even benefit from this money. It¡¯ll all go to the Nicholls family. The only thing the Nicholls family has given to her is her life, but your 17 famnite hasn¡¯t muctured her. Despite knowing that she and Howard are in a romantic rtionship, you esther treat her as auusly to be bargained for Homello, you are truly heartless and pragmatic¡± Having been scolded to his face, Homello remained unfazed, showing no sign of embarrassment whatsoever. He casually sippest his tea and spoke indifferently, ¡°sheena, there¡¯s no need to be angry. We¡¯re just discussing, and there¡¯s still room for negotiation. We¡¯re in no hurry. Take your time to think it over, and we can discuss itter¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Sheena could not be bothered to listen to his pretense. She stood up and smoothed her dress, saying, ¡°Where¡¯s Phoebe? I¡¯ll go see her.¡± ¡°She¡¯s getting ready in her room, so it¡¯s not very convenient for you to do so. Anyway, the banquet will start soon, and you¡¯ll see her then.¡± She was not even allowed to see Phoebe beforehand? Sheena was extremely displeased and turned to leave. After a couple of steps, she turned back. ¡°Mr. Romello, don¡¯t call me by my name in the future. Address me as Mrs. Jenkins.¡± Romello¡¯s expression stiffened momentarily, but he quickly smiled. ¡°Alright.¡± Elliot was waiting outside as she exited the living room. He immediately approached her, asking, ¡°Nana, how did it go? Did the engagement proposal go smoothly?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression grew serious as she shook her head. Elliot furrowed his brows. ¡°Romello didn¡¯t agree? But Howard and Phoebe are already in a rtionship. Even if not publicly announced, they¡¯re definitely together. Romello had no reason to refuse,¡± ¡°I was the one who refused,¡± Sheena said, lowering her gaze, calmly exining, ¡°He demanded 15% of the shares of the Lawson Group as the engagement gift.¡± ¡°15%?¡± Elliot was surprised, evidently not expecting this. ¡°He asked for so much right off the bat! Is he out of his mind? Seems like the missions at the bureau are too simple for him. I¡¯ll go have a chat with him.¡± Chapter 884 Chapter 884 ¡°Let it go,¡± Sheena said, grabbing his arm. ¡°The engagement matters have nothing to do with the National Investigation Bureau. It¡¯s not appropriate to pressure him using your position.¡± Then, she continued, ¡°I doubt we can reach an agreement tonight about the engagement anyway. I¡¯ll try again in a few days.¡± Elliot tenderly stroked her cheek. ¡°Feeling the weight of being the head of the family now?¡± Sheena sighed. ¡°Mmhmm. I have to manage everything in the Lawson family, deal with the unruly old timers at the Lawson Group who are just waiting for me to slip up, trying to usurp my position and reim their former authority.¡± Elliot massaged her shoulders skillfully as he whispered softly in her ear, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll give you the pampering you deserve tonight. Are you still satisfied with that bold and sensual dance from a couple of days ago?¡± Sheena¡¯s cheeks instantly flushed as she recalled his provocative dance on the bed. It was too tempting to resist. Unfortunately, she could not indulge due to her menstrual cycle. ¡°Tonight¡¯s out of the question. My period isn¡¯t over yet. It¡¯s only torturing if we can¡¯t do anything after all the teasing Elliot nodded understandingly, taking off his suit jacket to drape over her slender shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s chilly at night and catching a cold would only worsen your menstrual cramps.¡± Howard emerged from the living room as they chatted, his expression grim. Sheena noticed his demeanor and asked, ¡°Howard, what did you discuss with Romello?¡± ¡°I wanted to see Phoebe, but he wouldn¡¯t allow it.¡± Sheena tried to reassure him, saying, ¡°Forget it. After all, we¡¯re at the Nicholls residence right now, and Romello is Phoebe¡¯s elder brother. Stirring up trouble would only put her in a difficult position.¡± Howard¡¯s expression remained solemn. ¡°Nana, something doesn¡¯t feel right, but I can¡¯t put my finger on it.¡± Not seeing Phoebe made him anxious. Sheena and Elliot exchanged nces, both wearing serious expressions but refraining from saying. anything In the garden of the Nicholls residence, colorful lights twinkled, and even the setting was beautifully decorated. Guests arrived one after another. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Half an hourter, the garden was bustling with extravagantly dressed noble guests. Chapter 864 212 Sheena, Elliot, and Howard sat together at a table, sipping red wine. Due to Sheena¡¯s ongoing menstrual cycle, she had a cup of warm milk instead. Because of Phoebe¡¯s celebrity status, Romello specially invited several major international media reporters and a popr female idol group to perform a dance on stage. After a sensual dance performance, the atmosphere at the venue grew increasingly lively. Romello took the stage and delivered official thanks to the guests as per the prepared script. Howard waited and waited but still did not see Phoebee out, gradually intensifying his anxiety. Onstage, Romello continued speaking, briefly summarizing Phoebe¡¯s difficult past growing up in an orphanage, attributing all responsibility to the kidnappers while conveniently omitting any mention of the Nicholls family¡¯s shorings. ¡°Tonight, aside from celebrating the return of my sister, there¡¯s another wonderful announcement to make on this great asion. Romello paused slightly, his expression mysterious. Just now, I¡¯ve agreed to the engagement request from the Santos family. In two weeks, we¡¯ll be holding the engagement ceremony for Phoebe and Mr. Wayne Santos at the Welkin Hotel¡­¡± With those words, the atmosphere at Sheena¡¯s table turned icy instantly. Romello continued with his speech, but Howard did not hear it. His mind was fixated on Phoebe being engaged to Wayne. Chapter 885 Chapter 885 Wayne was already in his forties, while Phoche was only in his twenties. He was almost twice her age! Romello, driven by his own interests, shockingly announced the engagement without any warning! Howard¡¯s rage was palpable as he red at Romello on stage. Sheena, equally stunned, tried to stop him, reaching out to grab his arm, but she was toote. ¡°Romello, Phoebe and I are already in a rtionship. I came here tonight specifically to discuss our engagement with you, but you¡¯re announcing her engagement to Wayne, and you didn¡¯t even mention it beforehand! What are you trying to get at?¡± Howard¡¯s voice boomed across the silent room, interrupting the impending apuse and congrattions from the guests. The media¡¯s camera shes surrounded them, capturing every moment of the tense confrontation. The man who could control half of the entertainment industry with a wave of his hand was now revealed to be dating the industry¡¯s reigning queen! And it seemed like they had been in a rtionship for a long time! In the face of the tense atmosphere, Romello chuckled lightly. ¡°When did you and Phoebe start dating? I¡¯m unaware of it. Besides, Phoebe agreed to the engagement with Mr. Santos tonight.¡± ¡°What?¡± Howard frowned, his tone icy. He could not believe that Phoebe would agree to marry Wayne. ¡°Where¡¯s Phoebe? I need to see her!¡± Howard demanded, his eyes locking onto Romello¡¯s. Sheena also rose to her feet, adding, ¡°Mr. Romello, tonight is supposed to be Phoebe¡¯s celebration, yet she hasn¡¯t even made an appearance. Isn¡¯t that strange? What exactly are you up to?¡± The banquet started with a singing and dancing performance from a popr singing band. Then, Romello took the stage to speak, followed by the announcement of the engagement news, effectively diverting attention away from Phoebe¡¯s absence. As Sheena¡¯s words sank in, many in the audience realized the oddity of the situation. How could Phoebe, the star of the evening, not have her spectacr appearance yet? Romello maintained hisposed smile. ¡°Originally, the n was to introduce my sister, Phoebe Nicholls, after the engagement announcement. But Mr. Howard¡¯s interruption caused a dy.¡± Then, he gestured behind him. Phoebe, dressed in an elegant white gown adorned with diamonds, appeared on the staircase outside the mansion¡¯s second floor. Under the spotlight, her makeup was impable, and she was even wearing a crystal crown, looking every bit like a princess. However, her eyescked the innocence and vibrance they once held. Phoebe delicately gripped the railing, descending the stairs with grace and poise, exuding the demeanor of a true heiress. All eyes followed her every move, but Howard¡¯s gaze burned with intensity as he stared at her. Step by step, Phoebe made her way to the stage, standing beside Romello, obedient andposed, faint smile gracing her lips, never once acknowledging Howard below. Howard¡¯s eyes welled up, his voice trembling as he called out to her, ¡°Phoebe, do you remember our recent agreement? Do you truly agree to marry Wayne?¡± Phoebe¡¯s gaze finally met his, and the room fell into an eerie silence as everyone awaited her response. Her voice remained calm and steady, devoid of any emotion. ¡°Yes, I agreed to be with Mr. Santos.¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. With those words, Howard felt a crushing pain in his chest, almost suffocating. ¡°Why he managed to utter, his voice barely a whisper. Phoebe pursed her lips lightly, refusing to speak further or even nce at Howard. They had been together for a year, and Howard knew her every gesture, every look, but he could not shake the feeling that something was off. ¡°Romello, did you do something to her? She would never look at me with such a cold gaze,¡± Howard demanded, his emotions escting as his eyes fixated on the stage. Romello chuckled dismissively, replying, ¡°Mr. Howard, you¡¯re funny. This is Phoebe¡¯s choice. I would never force her into anything.¡± Yet, Howard did not believe him for a moment. His emotions continued to boil, his gaze unwavering. Phoebe turned to Romello beside her, saying, ¡°Romello, I¡¯m not feeling well. I¡¯ll be going back to my room to rest.¡® Chapter 886 Chapter 886 ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take care of all the guests for you, don¡¯t worry,¡± Romello said softly. Phoebe nodded and turned to leave the stage, with a servant immediately stepping forward to assist her up the stairs. Howard moved to follow, but Elliot held him back firmly. ¡°Let go!¡± Elliot did not release his grip, preventing him from losing control. Sheena stood up as well. ¡°Mr. Romello, Howard isn¡¯t feeling well today. We¡¯ll take our leave.¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°Sure,¡± Romello replied calmly as Howard was led away by Sheena and Elliot. The atmosphere in the car on the way back to Howard¡¯s mansion was tense. All three of them were reflecting on what had happened at the banquet. Sheena offered a rational analysis, ¡°Phoebe¡¯s behavior was indeed strange. Just now, she had to be helped down the stage by a servant and seemed unsteady on her feet. It appears she¡¯s truly unwell.¡± She continued, ¡°And she didn¡¯t even nce at me once, which is very odd. We¡¯ve known each other for years since the orphanage, and she¡¯s always treated me like a sister. I was sitting right next to Howard, so it¡¯s impossible for her topletely ignore my presence.¡± Howard kept his head down, his fists clenched tightly, silently holding back his emotions. Elliot chimed in, ¡°Nana, did you notice? Although her makeup was wless tonight, you could still see the fatigue in her eyes, as if she hadn¡¯t rested well.¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s really strange. She¡¯s a girl with strong character. Since she¡¯s with Howard, she wouldn¡¯t easily move on, and she wouldn¡¯t be interested in Wayne, a middle¨Caged widower.¡± Sheena advised, ¡°Howard, don¡¯t rush. We need to carefully find out what happened to Phoebe tonight, and whether Romello said or did anything to her.¡± Howard listened quietly. His mind was filled only with Phoebe¡¯s words of agreeing to be with Wayne. That sentence echoed repeatedly in his mind, apanied by Phoebe¡¯s cold gaze. Moreover, his heart was also in turmoil. Howard was escorted back to the mansion by Sheena in a daze, clutching her wrist tightly, his eyes red as he pleaded. ¡°Nana, I want to give 15% of my shares in the Lawson Group to the Nicholls family as an engagement Kim.¡± 272 Sheena sighed,menting, ¡°Howard, you¡¯re not calm enough right now. You can¡¯t make any decisions at the moment. Let¡¯s take a couple of days to think this through, okay?¡± ¡°How can I be calm?¡± Howard gripped her wrist tightly, filled with regret, his voice trembling as he spoke ¡°I was wrong. I should¡¯ve married her regardless. I was too greedy, thinking that by restoring her status as a wealthy heiress, we could be socially epted without question. I knew she wasn¡¯t willing on the surface, but deep down, she longed for her family¡¯s love. That¡¯s why I encouraged her to return to the Nicholls family. Romello has no affection for her at all. He treats her like amodity. Tonight¡¯s events were definitely forced by Romello. It¡¯s all my fault. I¡¯ve pushed her into this mess with my own hands. I¡¯ve betrayed her.¡± His eyes were red and swollen, his emotions increasingly gloomy as he fought back tears. ¡°Nana, please, just this once, let me use the 15% of shares in the Lawson Group to make amends, to rescue her from the Nicholls family.¡± Seeing him in such distress, Sheena felt a pang of sympathy. However, the news of Phoebe¡¯s engagement to Wayne had been publicly announced tonight. Even if Howard went to Romellow with the Lawson Group¡¯s shares tomorrow, it would be meaningless. It could not change reality. Besides, the supposed engagement would be in two weeks. ¡ú Hence, the top priority now was to figure out what had happened to Phoebe and find a way to meet her alone. ¡°Howard, the shares aren¡¯t the root cause. You need to calm down first. Your thoughts are all over the ce right now, and any decision you make won¡¯t be rational.¡± Howard looked at her in shock. ¡°If this happened to you, could you stay calm? Taking my own 15% of the group¡¯s shares wouldn¡¯t harm any of your personal interests. Why won¡¯t you agree? Besides, you saw it tonight just like I did. Romello clearly did something to her. How can I stand by and watch her get engaged to Wayne?¡± Chapter 887 Chapter 887 N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Howard red at Sheena with bloodshot eyes, tightly gripping her wrist. He waspletely unaware of how tightly he held it, causing her skin to pale. Elliot swiftly pushed Howard away, pulling Sheena into his arms and massaging her wrist to ease the pain. Sheena sighed, her tone serious as she exined, ¡°Howard, you¡¯ve been too irrational tonight. I understand your feelings, but I can¡¯t agree to you giving away 15% of the group¡¯s shares to the Nicholls family.¡± Howard stared at her in disbelief. ¡°Sheena, you keep saying you¡¯re like sisters with Phoebe, yet you¡¯re unwilling to help her now that she¡¯s in danger. When did you be so heartless?¡± ¡°Me? Heartless?¡± Sheena chuckled, feeling her anger rising. However, considering Howard¡¯s distress, she patiently said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to argue with someone who¡¯s not thinking clearly. Let¡¯s discuss this tomorrow.¡± A chill shed in Howard¡¯s eyes. The scenes from the banquet had already consumed his rationality entirely. ¡°It¡¯s fine if you won¡¯t help. I¡¯ll save her myself. I have the final say over my shares in the Lawson Group.¡± He turned to leave, and Sheena¡¯s anger surged. Without hesitation, she stormed up and pped him across the face. The loud smack meant she had put all her strength into it, causing Howard¡¯s face to turn to the side with a red mark quickly appearing He stared at her in disbelief. Even Elliot was stunned, frozen in ce. Howard rubbed his sore cheek, his eyes slowly filling with anger. ¡°Sheena, did you just hit me?¡± Facing his questioning gaze head¨Con, Sheena did not flinch, raising her chin without a hint of hesitation. ¡°I didn¡¯t hit you as a sister. I hit you as the head of the Lawson family to discipline you. Can you be rational now? Can you listen seriously to the head of the family?¡± Her face was stern, disying the authority of the family head. Despite the rage burning in his heart, Howard did not say anything more. Seeing that he was somewhat disciplined, Sheena continued, ¡°Howard, you¡¯re not dumb. I¡¯m giving 20 you time to cool down and reflect and you¡¯ve thought things through, you¡¯re not allowed to leave this mansion¡± Howard could not believe it, obviousbe hurt, as he stared at her. ¡°Shea, are you trying to imprison ¡°We¡¯re family, so it shouldn¡¯t be considered imprisonment but merely a restriction. This is the punishment for speaking disrespectfully to the family head,¡± Sheena stated firmly, cutting off objection from Howard any Without waiting for Howard to respond, Sheena turned to Elliot. ¡°Honey, could you please arrange for a squad of avable soldiers to surround this mansion? Elliot nodded decisively. ¡°Sure thing, honey.¡± Sheena added, ¡°Make sure each soldier carries a baton. If he tries to sneak out, there¡¯s no need to notify me just give him a good beating¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Elliot suppressed a chuckle. He knew that if Howard got hurt, Sheena would be the one feeling sad in the end. With the instructions given, Sheena turned her attention back to Howard, ¡°I¡¯m now the head of this family, and everyone must obey me. If you don¡¯tply, I¡¯ll have the family¡¯s disciplinary measures. Feel free to try me, but don¡¯t expect me to show any mercy.¡± Howard scoffed lightly. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m afraid of a beating? you face Sheena raised an eyebrow coldly, mocking, ¡°You should be. If you really anger me, I¡¯ll knock you out cold and leave you bedridden for days, unable to do anything but watch Phoebe¡¯s engagement party live stream from your bed. Care to experience that?¡± Howard clenched his jaw tightly, refusing to say another word. Sheena linked arms with Elliot and walked away. Before leaving, she left one final remark, ¡°Call me when you¡¯re calm enough to think things through.¡± Howard stood still, silently watching Sheena and Elliot enter their car. However, the luxurious vehicle remained stationary for a while. It was not until fifteen minutester that the sound of disciplined footsteps approached. A group of soldiers surrounded the entire mansion, leaving no blind spots in their defense. The soldiers were straightforward and did not waste any time, promptly ushering Howard back into the mansion and mming the door shut. As Howard disappeared into the mansion, Sheena and Elliot¡¯s car quickly vanished into the darkness of the night. Chapter 888 Chapter 888 The next morning, just like any other day, Hannah arrived at the Moore Group bright and early. Since she and Noah had cleared the air, their rtionship had thawed somewhat, though they were. not exactly close. asionally, they would bump into each other at the mansion and exchange brief greetings. Her previous secretary had taken paid leave due to health reasons. Hence, Hannah had been in the process of hiring a new temporary secretary over the past couple of days. Half an hourter, the HR manager arrived with the newly hired secretary and knocked on Hannah¡¯s office door. Hannah did not look up from the documents in her hands, casually calling out, ¡°Come in.¡± Two figures entered the room in response. Behind the manager stood a man with amanding presence, his handsome and aloof face impossible to ignore. However, Hannah did not even raise his gaze. The manager fawningly handed Hannah the new assistant¡¯s resume. ¡°Ms. Hannah, this new secretary is highly educated. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be pleased.¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°Okay.¡± Hannah continued typing on her keyboard without bothering to nce at the resume. She warned the new hire without looking up, ¡°Being my assistant isn¡¯t an easy job. I schedule needs to be nned out a week in advance, and unless there are exceptional circumstances, you must arrive at the office before me in the morning. A cup of hot coffee should be on my desk before I arrive¡­ After a minute of instructions, she still had not looked up, typing away on her keyboard. She continued, ¡°Do you understand?¡± The man nodded in response and said, ¡°Got it, Ms. Hannah.¡± His voice was calm and pleasant to the ears. Hannah¡¯s typing suddenly stopped. That voice¡­ It sounded familiar. She skeptically turned her head, only to unexpectedly meet the man¡¯s deep gaze. Noah smiled faintly as he quietly stared at her. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Hannah was stunned, but she quickly realized what was going on. ¡°So, you¡¯re the new secretary?¡± Chapter 659 2/2 Noah remained silent. He was unsure of what he could do to advance his pursuit of Hannah. He had messaged Howardst night, but Howard had not responded yet, and Noah had no idea what he was busy with. Vanessa had suggested this idea earlier that morning. Noah kept his silence as the female manager in front of him giggled cheekily at Hannah. ¡°Ms. Hannah, are you satisfied? With his appearance and education, he¡¯s simply the most outstanding secretary out there. Just looking at him would lift anyone¡¯s spirits.¡± Hannah did not seem particrly pleased, gesturing toward the manager. ¡°Your task is done. Leave.¡± ¡°Alrighty then.¡± As the office door closed behind the manager, Hannah picked up Hannah picked up Noah¡¯s resume and began to read it carefully. Noah stood straight, patiently waiting for her to finish reading and ask questions. Hannah went through his academic background and work experience. At sixteen, he had started interning at Svelton General Hospital, and his first surgery, which set a hospital record for the fastestpletion time, had made him renowned in the medical field. His surgical skills were legendary, and he had dedicated himself entirely to medical research. The more Hannah read, the more impressed she became. Noah¡¯s achievements in the medical field were truly extraordinary! It was no wonder he was so dense when it came to emotions. It seemed like he had devoted himself entirely to medical research. ¡°Ms. Hannah, have you finished reading? If you¡¯re thirsty, I can pour you some water.¡± Noah¡¯s voice brought her back to the present. She forced herself to remainposed, pointing to his resume with a challenging ¡°All of your work experience is rted to medicine, with absolutely no experience in the business field. What makes you think you¡¯re qualified for the role of my personal secretary?¡°. Chapter 889 Chapter 889 Noah answered confidently, ¡°I only know that everything is subject to the leader, and I¡¯ll listen to you, Ms. Hannah.¡± Hammal pondered his words for a moment. They sounded extremely pleasing, and it was indeed true that a secretary¡¯s main role was to assist the leader. With his high education and good looks, he seemed more than capable. Hannah simply stated, ¡°Being my secretary is a demanding job. I only say things once. I¡¯ll give you seven¨Cday probation period. If you can¡¯t handle everything perfectly by then, you¡¯ll leave the Moore Group. Any objections?¡± ¡°None.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Hannah decided to test him by handing him several business proposals in Greek. ¡°These are cooperation proposals sent from abroad. Trante them all and submit them to my desk by this morning.¡± Noah epted the papers calmly, ncing over the text briefly. He remainedposed and collected, replying, ¡°Alright.¡± Hannah tapped on her desk, emphasizing each word. ¡°Your ¡®less is more¡® approach won¡¯t work at the Moore Group. You need to say, ¡®Yes, Ms. Hannah.¡°¡± Noah chuckled lightly and said, ¡°Yes, Ms. Hannah.¡± Taking the proposals, he turned to leave. ¡°Wait.¡± Hannah called out to him again. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Hannah stared at him sternly, correcting his words, ¡°You should ask, ¡®Is there anything else, Ms. Hannah?¡°¡± Noah suppressed a smile and asked obediently, ¡°Is there anything else, Ms. Hannah?¡± Hannah nodded in satisfaction, saying, ¡°Go bring your desk in and ce it¡­¡± Her gaze wandered around the office before settling on a space behind the visitor¡¯s sofa. ¡°Put it there. It¡¯s close enough for me to monitor your work and assess your performance anytime.¡± Noah could not be happier to be working in the same office as her. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°Okay,¡± he said. As soon as he finished speaking, he felt Hannah¡¯s gaze on him and quickly corrected himself, ¡°Yes, Ms. Hannah¡± He turned to leave Unwilling to trouble others, Noah began to carry the chair and table himself. Another assistant, Julia, who was outside the CEO¡¯s office, immediately stepped forward to offer help. ¡°Mr. Noah, let me help you.¡± Noah did not look up. His tone was cold as he said, ¡°No need.¡± He had to make several trips, and the CEO¡¯s office door was left open. Hannah heard everything clearly, and her expression quickly turned grim. However, Julia failed to sense any unusual vibe from Hannah. Her attention was solely on Noah. With his striking looks and apparently single status ording to his resume, who would not be tempted? Julia continued enthusiastically, approaching with tissues. ¡°Mr. Noah, you¡¯re sweating a lot. Let me help you wipe them off!¡± Before Noah could refuse, Hannah¡¯s voice came impatiently from inside the office. ¡°Why is it taking you so long to move your desk? If you keep this up and dy my work, you¡¯ll both be fired!¡± Julia was terrified. ¡°Ms. Hannah, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll go back and focus on my work.¡± With the chatterbox gone, Noah quickly moved the stuff. Ten minutester, the office door closed. Hannah¡¯s desk was positioned horizontally, while his workspace was vertical. If he wanted to see Hannah¡¯s direction, he would have to turn his head. However, Hannah did not need to look up. She could catch all his movements inher peripheral vision. It was the first time they had spent such a long time alone together in the same environment since they had known each other. A subtle emotion arose in Hannah¡¯s heart. It was impossible to deny that she had not felt Noah¡¯s sincerity in these past few days. Chapter 890 Chapter 890 Nevertheless, Hannah would neverpromise easily. She wanted Noah to know that she was not just any girl. She was proud and would go to great lengths to make Noah learn to appreciate her more. If he could not handle it during this period, then he was not the right person, and it was better to end things cleanly. Hannah was clear¨Cheaded, and as she pondered, her fingers continued to tap on the keyboard. An hour and a half had passed, there were no other noises in the office apart from the sound of their typing on the keyboards. Hannah asionally stole a nce at Noah, discreetly looking over at him across from her. He had a handsome profile, and when he was focused on his work, his expression was serious while still exuding a hint of aloofness. The sunlight shining in from the windows bathed his profile, making his face even more radiant. He was simply an undeniable presence. Noah, a prominent figure in Froania¡¯s medicalmunity, had unexpectedly joined the small Moore Group in Farlem to work as her personal secretary. It was a strange feeling, but not entirely unpleasant either. Rather, it filled her with joy. Lost in staring at Noah¡¯s face, she did not realize that he had turned to meet her gaze. ¡°Ms. Hannah?¡± Suddenly snapping out of her thoughts, Hannah felt slightly embarrassed and quickly regained her ¡°What are you looking at me for? Those Greeknguage proposals aren¡¯t easy to trante. If they¡¯re not done by noon, I won¡¯t let you off!¡± Noah was a little puzzled. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. She was the one staring at him first! Instead of Ms. Hannah?¡± nting it out, he replied, ¡°I¡¯ve already tranted them all. Do you want to review them, ¡°You¡¯ve tranted all of them? That¡¯s quick!¡± Tranting five Greeknguage proposals required searching for information, inputting every word and sentence for trantion online, cross¨Cchecking for uracy, and then manually inputting the tranted content, which would take a long time. However, Noah had finished in just an hour and a half! It was simply unbelievable! She hesitated but agreed, ¡°Okay. Send them to my ount and I¡¯ll take a look.¡± Noahplied. Hannah opened the file and quickly browsed through it, finding no obvious errors and noting that the trantions were neat and clear. Noah had even tranted some of the originallyplex Greek sentences into simple, understandable phrases. She nced at him in surprise. ¡°Didn¡¯t you major in Medicine? When did you learn Greek?¡± Noah smiled and replied, ¡°It¡¯s a standard for all the Lawson family¡¯s children. We had private tutors who came to teach us eightnguages at home since childhood.¡± Hannah stared at Noah in shock. She could not help but inwardly marvel at the strict upbringing of such wealthy households. Curious, she asked, ¡°Were your tutors strict? Did they ever resort to physical punishment for mistakes?¡± Noah shook his head. ¡°The tutors didn¡¯t, but after each lesson, Corey would check our homework word by word with a ruler. ¡± ¡°Your family also used rulers to punish the kids? Have you ever been disciplined by Corey?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m more reserved and less prone to making mistakes. Howard and Nana received more punishment.¡± Suddenly, Hannah hatched a mischievous idea. She picked up a stack of foreign documents, about forty or so, and with a teasing tone, said, ¡°Before you leave tonight, Mr. Noah, I¡¯d appreciate it if you could trante all of these. If you can¡¯t manage, I won¡¯t mind using a ruler to help you relive your childhood memories.¡± Noah stared at the tall stack of documents, subconsciously checking his watch. There were still two and a half hours until lunchtime. Tranting five proposals had already taken him only an hour and a half. If that were the case, tranting over forty documents before the end of the workday would be a great challenge. Chapter 891 Chapter 891 Noah stayed in ce, not saying anything. Hannah watched his expression closely, raising an eyebrow as she said, ¡°If you can¡¯t handle this rigorous seven¨Cday probation, you can withdraw at any time and go back to where you belong.¡± Noah immediately stood up and walked toward her, taking the thick stack of documents. ¡°I won¡¯t quit, Ms. Hannah. Don¡¯t worry. If he could not finish tranting them, he would just need to face the humiliating punishment. However, not epting would be equivalent to rejecting Hannah¡¯s challenge, which might make it even harder for him to win her over. Noah quickly brought the documents back to his desk and began tranting diligently without taking any breaks. Hannah watched his serious and stern demeanor, trying not tough. very harmonious. Soon, they were back to focusing on work, and the atmosphere in the office was very Two and a half hourster, at lunchtime, Hannah stood up and smoothed the skirt of her professional attire, looking at Noah. ¡°Mr. Noah, it¡¯s time for lunch. Are youing?¡± Noah had just finished tranting nine sets of documents, and he answered without thinking, ¡°I¡¯m not hungry yet.¡± Hannah¡¯s face instantly darkened. What a clueless guy. She shook her head in resignation and walked toward the door. Noah finally realized what was going on. It seemed to be an invitation to have lunch together. He immediately set aside his mouse and keyboard and caught up to her. nI ¡°Ms. Hannah, I¡¯m new here and don¡¯t know my way around yet. Can I join you for lunch today?¡± Hannah continued walking without stopping, casting a sidelong nce at him. ¡°As a secretary, are you actually asking your boss to treat you to lunch on your first day at work? Mr. Noah, you have quite the nerve.¡± Noah remained silent, his few remaining social intelligence cells battling it out in his mind, trying to Chapter 891 ¡°What I meant was¡­ I¡¯ll join you for lunch, and I¡¯ll pay, Ms. Hannah.¡± Hannah gave him an amused look and nodded approvingly. ¡°That¡¯s an interesting response. Mr. Noah, you¡¯re usually so aloof and reserved, yet you¡¯re suddenly saying something so pleasing. It¡¯s a great progress, not bad.¡± Noah smiled, a swirl of happiness bubbling in his heart. Suddenly, he heard Hannah continue, ¡°But Mr. Noah, didn¡¯t you say you were broke, that you¡¯re only staying with the Moore family because you lost your wallet and phone? How are you going to pay for. lunch? Do you think you¡¯ll get a free meal with your good looks? Or are you expecting your lost wallet to reappear magically?¡± Noah¡¯s face paled instantly. Did he identally let something slip? Did Hannah figure something out? Sure enough, Hannah¡¯s demeanor turned cold, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Mr. Noah, you still have a lot to learn. If you¡¯re going to y the victim, at leastmit to it properly instead of looking like you¡¯re putting on an act.¡± Noah remained silent as Hannah withdrew her gaze and stepped into the elevator. Inside the elevator, not a single word was exchanged between them, the atmosphere heavy with tension. Noah could not bear the setback after working so hard to improve their rtionship. He tried to exin, ¡°The night I stayed at the Moore mansion, I really didn¡¯t have my wallet or phone on me, and I got soaked in the rain all night. I wasn¡¯t lying to you.¡± However, Hannah remained unmoved. ¡°It was my parents who agreed to let you stay, not me. Your exnations won¡¯t change anything, and I won¡¯t believe you.¡± The elevator arrived at their floor, and Hannah stepped out first. ¡°Hannah¡­¡± Noah followed, attempting to salvage the situation with another exnation. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°Call me Ms. Hannah,¡± Hannah interrupted him without looking at him. ¡°Alright, Ms. Hannah. About this¡­¡± ¡°This is the workce. We don¡¯t discuss personal matters here. Mr. Noah, please be mindful.¡± Chapter 892 Chapter 892 Noah was left speechless. Was he supposed to just swallow his pride and stay silent? Unable to do much else, he could only reluctantly follow behind Hannah. Svelton. Since returningst night, the atmosphere at E&S Haven had been unusually tense. Even by lunchtime, Sheena had not spoken a word. Elliot sighed inwardly, grateful that he knew she was troubled by Howard¡¯s situation; otherwise, he might have thought she was upset with him again. ¡°Nana, stop worrying. Let¡¯s finish our meal first, and then we can discuss solutions toge Hedled a bowl of freshly made soup, cing it in front of Sheena. Sheena did not touch it, her expression still grave. together. ¡°This morning, I asked Ford to contact Romello. I wanted to visit Madam Nicholls and check on Phoebe, but Romello declined.¡± She stared at the bowl in a daze, frustrated as she continued, ¡°He even turned down my request for a meeting, citing important tasks at the bureau.¡± Elliot nudged the bowl of soup closer to her, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Romello. He can choose not to see you, but he must see nie. Nana, drink your soup first. Leave the rest to me.¡± With those words, Sheena felt a wave of relief wash over her. Having someone to rely on felt wonderful. By mid¨Cafternoon, Elliot had reached out to Romello. However, Romello was indeed out on a mission in the outskirts and unavable. ¡°Nana, I¡¯ve informed Romello. He¡¯lle to E&S Haven to see me tomorrow morning. You can talk to him then.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sheena replied. ¡°And how¡¯s Howard doing? Is he behaving himself?¡± ¡°I checked. He¡¯s been rtively quiet for now, not causing any trouble, but he hasn¡¯t been cooking either. I doubt he¡¯s had a meal in the past two days.¡± ¡°He¡¯s intentionally going on a hunger strike to spite me?¡± Sheena furrowed her brow, obviously annoyed. ¡°Whatever. He can¡¯t starve to death in two days. Besides, if he hasn¡¯t resolved Phoebe¡¯s issue, he wouldn¡¯t dare to die.¡± Elliot nodded, pulling her into his embrace and affectionately rubbing her neck with his cheek In a husky voice, he said, ¡°Nana, we finally have half a day off. Since you¡¯re not on your period anymore, would you like to¡­¡± Before he could finish, Sheena pushed his forehead away. ¡°Don¡¯t you know the rules? We can only be intimate two days after my period stops!¡± Elliot was at a loss for words. At the same time, at the Moore Group in Farlem. After finishing lunch, Noah wasted no time returning to the office. Even though his fingers were sore from typing, he did not stop. Observing his diligent work, Hannah wondered if she had been too demanding She decided to podr him a ss of hot water and took it to his desk, ncing at the remaining untranted documents. There was still an hour left until the end of the workday Surprisingly, Noah only had three documents left out of the initial forty¨Cplus. He had managed to tackle a significant amount of work throughout the day Impressed by his capabilities, Hannah could not help but feel amazed. She thought it was a shame that he had no interest in the business world; otherwise, he would have been a formidable figure. Noticing her gaze, Noah paused and turned to her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did I make a mistake somewhere?¡± Hannah clicked her tongue lightly. ¡°No. Mr. Noah, you¡¯re quite talented. Looks like my attempt to fulfill your childhood wish might fall through.¡± She smirked and returned to her desk Meanwhile, Noah watched her figure leave, lost in thought. Was Hannah nning to punish him? It made sense. She had endured a year of pursuing him and facing his cold treatment. Now that their roles were reversed, facing a little payback seemed fair. With that thought in mind, he quietly deleted all three tranted documents from hisputer and emptied the recycle bin. Chapter 803 The deleted documents were gone for good, beyond retrieval. Noah did not feel remorseful. He continued tranting the remaining three documents without showing any emotion. However, his typing speed slowed down considerably, The office once again fell into the rhythm of cking keyboards, with no one speaking up first. During busy times, time always seemed to fly by. The hour passed in what felt like a blink of an eye. Hannah started tidying up her desk, packing her designer bag, and getting ready to head back to the Moore mansion. She casually instructed, ¡°Send all the documents you¡¯ve tranted to my ount once you¡¯re done. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Noah paused his work, turning to her, asking, ¡°Ms. Hannah, don¡¯t you want to check them?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve finished tranting them. What¡¯s there to check?¡± Noah hesitated, lowering his gaze. ¡°I¡­ still have two documents left to finish.¡± Hannah stopped in her tracks, puzzled, as she nced at him. ¡°An hour ago, you had only three left. Yet, you have two more documents undone? What were you doing in the past hour?¡± She carefully recalled but could not remember seeing Noah cking off. His hands had indeed been diligently tranting the whole time. Noah¡¯s cold expression slightly froze, hisshes drooping as he remained silent. Hannah approached him skeptically, checking hisputer screen, and soon discovered the clue. ¡°Earlier, I saw these documents already tranted into files. Howe they¡¯re gone now? Are you ying tricks on me?¡± Noah exined with a straight face, ¡°I identally hit the delete key, and the documents disappeared. So, I had to trante them all over again.¡± Hannah stared at him in disbelief, quickly checking hisputer¡¯s recycle bin, which waspletely. empty. She teased, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you identally pressed the delete key and conveniently emptied the recycle bin too?¡± Noah stayed silent. Hannah continued, ¡°Besides, with your intelligence, even if it were a coincidence, you¡¯d remember the previously tranted documents, and redoing them would be much quicker. Do you think you can Chapter 893 Chapter 893 The deleted documents were gone for good, beyond retrieval. Noah did not feel remorseful. He continued tranting the remaining three documents without showing any emotion. However, his typing speed slowed down considerably. The office once again fell into the rhythm of cking keyboards, with no one speaking up first. During busy times, time always seemed to fly by. The hour passed in what felt like a blink of an eye. Hannah started tidying up her desk, packing her designer bag, and getting ready to head back to the Moore mansion. She casually instructed, ¡°Send all the documents you¡¯ve tranted to my ount once you¡¯re done.¡± Noah paused his work, turning to her, asking, ¡°Ms. Hannah, don¡¯t you want to check them?¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°You¡¯ve finished tranting them. What¡¯s there to check?¡± Noah hesitated, lowering his gaze. ¡°I¡­ still have two documents left to finish.¡± Hannah stopped in her tracks, puzzled, as she nced at him. ¡°An hour ago, you had only three left. Yet, you have two more documents undone? What were you doing in the past hour?¡± She carefully recalled but could not remember seeing Noah cking off. His hands had indeed been diligently tranting the whole time. Noah¡¯s cold expression slightly froze, hisshes drooping as he remained silent. Hannah approached him skeptically, checking hisputer screen, and soon discovered the clue. ¡°Earlier, I saw these documents already tranted into files. Howe they¡¯re gone now? Are you ying tricks on me?¡± Noah exined with a straight face, ¡°I identally hit the delete key, and the documents disappeared. So, I had to trante them all over again.¡± Hannah stared at him in disbelief, quickly checking hisputer¡¯s recycle bin, which waspletely empty. She teased, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you identally pressed the delete key and conveniently emptied the recycle bin too?¡± Noah stayed silent. Hannah continued, ¡°Besides, with your intelligence, even if it were a coincidence, you¡¯d remember you think you can the previously tranted documents, and redoing them would be much quicker. Do fool me?¡± Noah pursed his lips, his ears turning slightly red. He was not good at lying; he could not even muster a single word to exin himself. Hannah¡¯s expression darkened, showing no leniency. ¡°It¡¯s your first day at work, and you¡¯re already pulling tricks right under my nose. Mr. Noah, do you think your prestigious status can exempt you from punishments?¡± Noah clenched his fists nervously, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing as he gulped. ¡°Here, you¡¯re the CEO, and I¡¯m your assistant. If I mess up, it¡¯s up to you how to handle it.¡± Hannah stared at him, slightly taken aback. It was her first time seeing the usually aloof Noah bowing like this. It had a boss¨Cand¨Csecretary kind of vibe to it. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I¡¯m more than happy to help you relive your childhood memories,¡± she said, returning to her desk. From the drawer, she retrieved a slender and smooth ruler. It had been used before to discipline her younger cousin, who interned at thepany, and it had been tucked away in the drawer for quite some time. Nheless, Hannah did feel somewhat guilty about using it on Noah as he was from Svelton¡¯s most powerful family. Hannah hesitated for a moment, but she thought giving a little disciplinary lesson to a sneaky assistant was not that big of a deal. Besides, she knew how to control her strength. Gathering her courage, Hannah walked back to Noah with steady steps. Noah, watching her approach, felt anxious. He had always been obedient and never got into trouble, so he had no idea what it would feel like to be disciplined with a ruler. As his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed nervously again, Hannah stood before him andmanded, ¡°Mr. Noah, please extend your left hand.¡± Sitting down, he looked up at her and extended his hand. Chapter 894 Chapter 894 ¡°Palm up, and spread your hand t,¡± Hannah patiently instructed, knowing Noah had never been punished before. Noahplied, and as his palm opened up, the ruler came down, causing a sharp, burning sensation. He winced in pain, his lips tightly pressed together as he resisted the urge to pull his hand back. Observing his expression closely, Hannah continued to wield the ruler without mercy. She only delivered ten strikes before pulling back, asking, ¡°Mr. Noah, how does it feel?¡± Noah looked down at his red palm and admitted, ¡°It hurts.¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Hannah held back herughter, saying, ¡°Mr. Noah, it¡¯s an honor to give you your first experience of being disciplined with a ruler.¡± Noticing her cheerful tone, Noah felt that enduring the punishment was worth it. He looked up earnestly and said, ¡°Actually, there are many first times¡­ Like my first kiss, my first time as a secretary, my first apology. There will be more first times in the future.¡± Hannah¡¯s heart fluttered at his words, finding them sweet. However, remembering he was being punished for misbehavior, she quickly regained her seriousness and scolded, ¡°If you¡¯re not afraid of pain, then continue with your antics. The workload will gradually increase over the next seven days, so be prepared.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Hannah frowned. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°I mean, yes, Ms. Hannah.¡± Satisfied, Hannah returned to her desk, ced the ruler back in the drawer, and picked up her bag to leave. After taking a few steps towards the door, she turned around. ¡°Finish thest two untranted files before leaving.¡± ¡°Hannah,¡± Noah called softly, ¡°can you wait for me and give me a ride back to the Moore mansion?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°It¡¯s your first day, and you¡¯re already asking for a ride from the boss. Mr. Noah, you¡¯re quite bold.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant¡­ I don¡¯t have my phone and don¡¯t know how to get back to the Moore mansion. I don¡¯t even have any money for a cab.¡± ¡°But you had money at lunchtime, didn¡¯t you?¡± Noah confessed, ¡°The change in my wallet was all I had, and I spent it all at lunch. I don¡¯t have any cash now.¡± Hannah stared at him, neither agreeing nor explicitly refusing. He kept his head down, examining the slightly swollen bruise on his palm, lost in thought. Following his gaze, Hannah nced at his palm, feeling a subtle tug at her heartstrings. She casually walked over to the sofa and sat down, arranging an exquisite tea set. ¡°It¡¯s still early, and I¡¯m not in a rush to go home. I¡¯ll spend half an hour here before I leave.¡± Noah understood her gesture and immediately refocused on hisputer, ignoring the pain in hist left hand. His hands swiftly typed away on the keyboard, quickly immersing himself in his work. Meanwhile, Hannah diligently brewed tea, exuding the grace and elegance of a refineddy. She poured out the first batch of tea, then meticulously brewed a second batch. Half an hourter, Noah finished tranting thest two documents and sent them all to Hannah¡¯s ount. Relieved to havepleted a challenging day, he shut down hisputer with a sigh. At the same time, Hannah finished brewing the tea and poured two cups. Noah approached her obediently, waiting for her to finish. With a gentle tone, Hannah said, ¡°No rush, Mr. Noah. Care to try my tea?¡± Chapter 895 Chapter 895 Noah was stunned, staring at the two cups of tea that Hannah had prepared, He was surprised that she had thought of him. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. He walked over and picked up the small teacup, taking a sip. The water temperature was just right. Having discarded the first brew, Hannah had eliminated the bitterness of the tea. The tea was fragrant and smooth, with a rich vor, showing that she had put effort into learning the art of tea brewing. After finishing the tea, he earnestly remarked, ¡°It tastes wonderful.¡± However, Hannah nced at him sideways, teasing, ¡°Is that all? Mr. Noah, you¡¯re being too superficial. Don¡¯t be stingy with yourpliments when praising a girl.¡± Noah understood and rephrased, ¡°This is the most aromatic tea I¡¯ve ever tasted, and it¡¯s even better because it was personally brewed by you, Ms. Hannah. I¡¯ll never forget this vor.¡± Hannah chuckled, finding his effort to articte amusing. She had always considered him handsome, a cool and reserved man, but now she discovered this adorable side to him. She poured another cup and handed it to him, saying, ¡°Drink up, and let¡¯s head home after.¡± Noah epted the cup, holding it fondly in his hand. The next morning at E&S Haven, Elliot, on behalf of the bureau, requested Romello toe for a discussion. Unable to avoid it, Romello arrived promptly at 10 a.m. The bodyguards quickly allowed him entry, and he walked in with aposed expression, concealing his emotions. Sheena and Elliot were seated in the living room, both looking serious. Romello stood at the mansion¡¯s entrance, adjusting his military uniform cor before confidently stepping inside. ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins,¡± he greeted respectfully, instinctively standing in the open space in front of the coffee table. Elliot nced at him and gestured toward the sofa to his side, saying, ¡°Please, have a seat. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Romello replied as he took a seat. Before Sheena could speak, Romello seemed to anticipate her intentions and spoke first, ¡°I¡¯m here today on official business from the National Investigation Bureau. If Mrs. Jenkins has any personal matters regarding the Nicholls family to discuss, perhaps we should refrain from addressing them.¡± As those words fell, the atmosphere in the room turned tense, Sheena¡¯s expression was cold and grim, clearly holding back her anger. Elliot reached out, sping her hand to reassure her as he red at Romello, ¡°Allow me to speak. As a superior, showing concern for the family matters of a deputy chief should fall within the realm of official business,¡± Elliot said firmly, his gaze unwavering on Romello. Romello¡¯s expression stiffened slightly before he smiled and replied, ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Elliot did not mince words either, going straight to the point. ¡°Last night, we noticed Phoebe wasn¡¯t feeling well. She only appeared briefly during the banquet. Is she feeling better today?¡± ¡°Thank you for your concern, Mr. Jenkins. It was just a slight cold, nothing serious. She¡¯ll be fine in a few days,¡± Romello responded with a smile, his tone smooth andposed. Elliot pressed on, ¡°When did you agree to the engagement with the Santos family?¡± ¡°It was just before the start of the banquet after Mrs. Jenkins and Mr. Howard came to discuss the engagement.¡± Chapter 896 Chapter 896 As soon as those words left his mouth, Sheena knew Romello had decided on Phoebe¡¯s engagement afterparing all the engagement gifts, Sheena was furious, not mincing her words as she confronted him, ¡°What exactly do you take Phoebe for? A tool for your profit? Comparing engagement gifts like she¡¯s just amodity? You¡¯re the head of the family, and you should be more considerate of her preferences. You¡¯re definitely not living up to your role!¡± Romello remainedposed, calmly responding, ¡°As a child of the Nicholls family, she carries the bloodline and duty to further the family¡¯s interests. That¡¯s her obligation.¡± Sheenaughed at hisment, mocking, ¡°Then tell me, has the Nicholls family fulfilled its duty to raise her?¡± Romello pursed his lips, staying silent. Sheena pressed on. ¡°You knew about her year¨Clong rtionship with Howard, yet you still sold her off for profit. That¡¯s downright despicable. Don¡¯t you agree, Mr. Romello?¡± Romello¡¯s expression stiffened slightly as he calmly exined, ¡°The Nicholls family indeed owed her for that, but I¡¯ll make sure topensate her doubly in the future. As for the engagement¡­ I¡¯ve already decided on Phoebe¡¯s engagement to the Santos family. Mrs. Jenkins, you were present, and you saw her agreeing to it. This decision won¡¯t change.¡± Romello was firm in his tone. He rose, bowing slightly to the couple on the sofa. ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll return to the bureau to attend to official matters.¡± Elliot nced at Sheena, noticing herck of intention to detain Romello, before nodding slightly in acknowledgment. As Romello made his way to the door, he stopped after a few steps and turned back. ¡°Mrs. Jenkins, I¡¯d appreciate it if you could offer some advice to Howard. It seems he and Phoebe are not meant to be. I hope he can move on and embrace new love.¡± Both Sheena and Elliot fell into silence as Romello smiled and left briskly. Once he was gone, Sheena erupted in anger, grabbing the nearby teacup as if to throw it to the ground. Elliot immediately intervened, ¡°Honey, that¡¯s a rare vintage porcin set I brought back from the auctionst month, and it¡¯s worth millions. Take it easy.¡± Sheena narrowed her eyes at him, asking, ¡°Are you worried about the money? Do you think I¡¯m being wasteful?¡± ¡°Why would I?¡± Elliot chuckled. ¡°If you really want to smash something, I¡¯ll bring out the other few sets of rare porcin from the kitchen and let you smash them all at once until you¡¯re satisfied.¡± Sheena found herself unable to carry out the motion. After all, it was a rare set, the only one of its kind in the world, and wasting such fine pieces for someone like Romello was truly regrettable. She reluctantly set it down and reached for a water ss nearby. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Suddenly, Elliot continued, ¡°Honey, this one is a crystal ss flown in from Floire, worth 300 thousand dors. It¡¯s considerably cheaper than the tea set I just mentioned, so feel free to smash it.¡± Was Romello worth her 300 thousand dor crystal ss? Clearly not. Sheena set down the crystal ss again, ring at Elliot with annoyance. uess ¡°Since you won¡¯t let me smash anything, and I¡¯m bursting with anger, I I¡¯ll have to take it out on you.¡± Elliot¡¯s eyebrows farrowed instantly, biting his lip in resignation. He leaned in, offering his cheek to her. ¡°Nana, as long as you¡¯re willing, even if this face gets ruined, it¡¯s worth it.¡± He shut his eyes, seemingly prepared for the impending pain. Sheena chuckled and leaned down to nt a kiss on his cheek. ¡°How could I have the heart to hit you? Are you satisfied with that answer?¡± Elliot opened his eyes, shaking his head decisively, and scooped her up horizontally. ¡°I¡¯d only be satisfied if I could get to cloud nine with you, Nana.¡± Sheena wrapped her arms around his neck, looking at the clock in the living room. ¡°It¡¯s only 10.30 a.m., and you¡¯re already thinking about that?¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do we need to check with an astrologer and see if the stars are aligned before we do anything?¡± Sheena pouted in frustration. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯m not in the mood for any workout.¡± Elliot rubbed her nose affectionately, his voice husky and alluring. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything. Let me handle it. You¡¯ve had a lot on your mindtely, and I¡¯ll help you relieve some stress.¡± Chapter 897 Chapter 897 Sheena arched an eyebrow, her tone yful. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°Can you really help me relieve stress?¡± Elliot nuzzled her soft cheek and said, ¡°I have miraculous powers, more effective than any expensive remedy out there. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can give it a try.¡± He leaned in and kissed her red lips. As they kissed, they ascended the stairs together. Freida,ing down the stairs, happened to witness the sweet scene and quickly turned around, discreetly retreating. Never interrupt a good moment between them! With the master bedroom door closed behind them, their sounds were muffled, leaving much room for imagination for others. In the evening, Sheena finally received a call from Howard. When she picked up the call, Sheena did not immediately speak, and there was a moment of silence on the other end before Howard spoke up. His voice sounded slightly weak from not having eaten for a day and a night. ¡°Nana, I¡¯m sorry. I was wrong.¡± Sheena teased, ¡°Have you reallye to your senses?¡± Howard hummed in agreement, sounding sincere. ¡°Yes, I acted impulsively. The engagement was publicly announced and is now set in stone. Even if I offer him 20% of thepany¡¯s shares, Romello probably won¡¯t back down.¡± Sheena breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯vee to your senses. After reflecting for a day and a night, do you have any ideas?¡± ¡°I need to find a way to see Phoebe and have her publicly acknowledge the reason for the engagement. If she has truly changed her mind, I won¡¯t disturb her anymore. But if it¡¯s because of something Romello did to her, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to take her away. Sheena sighed. His n was only halfway there, and thetter part was too impulsive. ¡°Now that she¡¯s the Nicholls family heiress. Are you nning to elope by rashly taking her away? Do you think Romello won¡¯t report you to the police?¡± Moreover, Romello himself was a police officer, so the response time would be even quicker. Howard fell silent. When it came to Phoebe, he found it incredibly difficult to stay rational. If Romello had truly harmed Phoebe, Howard would feel like going crazy, wanting to shoot Romello, Both ends of the phone line fell silent as if pondering. A minuteter, Sheena spoke first, ¡°It¡¯s not wise to discuss this over the phone. I¡¯ll have the National Investigation Bureau team withdraw. Come to E&S Haven first, and we¡¯ll talk face¨Cto¨Cface.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Half an hourter, Howard hurried over and knocked on the door. Lionel and Jacintha also arrived, and the five sat on the sofa, brainstorming solutions. Yet, as they sat there, the living room fell into a long silence, everyone wearing grave expressions, with no one speaking first. It continued until Jacintha broke the silence. ¡°Sheena, this is really difficult to resolve. No matter what, Phoebe is now a Nicholls. Even if she¡¯s being held captive by Romello, coerced or threatened, as long as he exins it properly, we¡¯ll have a hard time finding a suitable reason to intervene in the Nicholls family¡¯s affairs, take Phoebe away, or even persuade Phoebe to break off the engagement with the Santos family.¡± Lionel added, ¡°Romello ims that Phoebe is sick, and she¡¯s not even allowed to leave the house. She¡¯s even declining her ongoing jobs. It¡¯s going to be hard to meet her.¡± The living room fell into an even deeper silence. Elliot finally chimed in, ¡°Romello is my subordinate at the National Investigation Bureau. It¡¯s not appropriate for me to get involved in the Nicholls family¡¯s affairs. Still, if we can find a suitable excuse, I can have Lionel lead a team to search the Nicholls residence and use the opportunity to see Phoebe.¡± With Elliot¡¯s position as the head of the National Investigation Bureau, things could indeed be much easier to resolve. im Bonus For Free Every Day>> im Chapter 898 Chapter 898 Sheena said, ¡°If we forcefully break in with excuses, it¡¯s bound to strain rtions with Romello, so this is a decision we¡¯ll only consider as ast resort. Tomorrow morning, I¡¯ll go to the Nicholls residence first, try a gentle approach, and if that doesn¡¯t work, then we¡¯ll get tough.¡± Everyone nodded, agreeing with this decision. After a moment of thought, Sheena continued, ¡°Furthermore, regarding the engagement, Eli and I tested Romello today. He¡¯s likely adamant about not backing down, especially considering that if the engagement is called off, the hefty wedding gifts from the Santos family to the Nicholls family would have to be returned in full. Romello values profit above all else, so it¡¯s impossible that he¡¯ll fork out the sum from his own pocket.¡± Jacintha gazed at Sheena with admiration, eximing, ¡°Sheena, it sounds like you already have a n in mind?¡± Sheena smiled slightly, pursing her lips. ¡°Since it¡¯s difficult to approach Romello directly, we¡¯ll start with the Santos family, particrly, Wayne himself!¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes lit up. Elliot tightened his grip around Sheena¡¯s slender waist and praised, ¡°Honey, you¡¯re truly brilliant.¡± The other three were already ustomed to this dynamic, showing no signs of disgust. Jacintha asked again, ¡°But if Wayne could afford to spend so much money to get engaged to Phoebe, he surely wouldn¡¯t easily agree to break it off, right?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°The Santos family is involved in the hotel and restaurant industries, and they¡¯re thriving. Perhaps we can start from there. I recall someone who holds thergest shares in various hotels and restaurants in the industry.¡± Howard, who had been silent until now, immediately understood. Sheena was referring to Corey. Although Corey had resigned from the National Affairs Bureau and suspended his position in aviation, he still held significant shares in majorpanies domestically and internationally. Sheena turned to Howard, adding, ¡°Perhaps you can discuss this matter with him and ask for his assistance.¡± Howard nodded. ¡°Okay, I understand.¡± Sheena nced at the clock on the wall, realizing it was alreadyte. ¡°Let¡¯s end our discussion here for today. As for the remaining matters, we¡¯ll have to check Phoebe¡¯s situation before making further decisions.¡± Lionel tactfully pulled Jacintha to her feet, saying, ¡°Elliot, Sheena, we¡¯ll head back for now.¡± Sheena and Elliot nodded in unison. Howard remained seated, showing no sign of leaving. ¡°Howard, it¡¯ste,¡± Sheena reminded him. Howard, clutching his stomach in agony, took a deep breath and looked to Elliot for help, his voice soft. ¡°Elliot, I haven¡¯t eaten in the past 24 hours, and I¡¯m weak with hunger. Could you cook me some supper to fill me up before I leave?¡± Sheena hesitated. Elliot suppressed augh, his eyes gleaming. ¡°Sure, it¡¯s rare for you toe around so quickly. I¡¯ll whip up something nice. We can have a couple of drinks tonight, too, while you enjoy your supper.¡± Howard swallowed hard, letting out a sigh of relief, ¡°That would be great.¡± Just as they reached the door, Lionel and Jacintha, with their keen hearing, caught wind of the word ¡± supper¡°. They shamelessly turned back. Lionel chuckled sheepishly, saying, ¡°Elliot, I¡¯m hungry too. Since you¡¯re never short of utensils, I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t mind. Plus, I can keep youpany for drinks¡¯re never short of utensils, I¡¯m Meanwhile, Jacinthatched onto Sheena¡¯s arm, swaying back and forth yfully. ¡°Sheena, Mr. Jenkins¡¯s cooking is really delicious. It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve tasted it. Why don¡¯t you let us stay and satisfy our cravings? Besides, we can also spend some time with the twins.¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Sheena sighed inwardly. Why was it so hard to send guests away? Initially, in high spirits, Elliot¡¯s gaze darkened as he watched Jacintha cling to Sheena¡¯s arm, his eyes. narrowing. ¡°Having a meal here is fine, but touching my wife? Not on my watch!¡± Chapter 899 Chapter 899 Seeing Elliot¡¯s grim expression, Lionel quickly stepped forward and pulled Jacintha away. He pretended to be stern and lectured Jacintha, ¡°I¡¯ve told you countless times that Sheena is Elliot¡¯s sweetheart. You can look, but you can¡¯t touch. Be careful not to upset him, or he¡¯ll send me to straighten you out!¡± Jacinta pouted, sulking silently. The term ¡°sweetheart¡± made Sheena blush slightly, She waved for Jacintha toe to her side and said to Elliot, ¡°You go ahead and cook. Let Lionel and Howard assist you. I¡¯ll take Jacintha upstairs to see the babies.¡± Jacintha instantly brightened up and happily ran back to Sheena¡¯s side, and the two quickly went upstairs. Downstairs in the living room, the three men looked at each other. Howard and Lionel were clueless about cooking, not even knowing how to clean the vegetables, let alone anything else. The atmosphere became awkward in an instant In the end, Howard and Lionel leaned against the kitchen door, watching Elliot cook skillfully inside With long legs, a well¨Cproportioned body, and a perfect physique, Elliot rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing his muscr and handsome forearms. As he prepared the ingredients, his exceptionally handsome face looked unusually serious. After silently observing for a while, Howard could not help but sigh, ¡°Nana is really something. Back in Farlem, I never would¡¯ve imagined she could train you so well. ¡°If there was a live broadcast, I bet the high¨Clevel directors of the Jenkins Group would never have thought that their usually stern and cold CEO would be wearing a ck apron and mingling with pots and pans in the kitchen.¡± Lionel stifled augh with his fist in his mouth. ¡°I¡¯m curious too. When did Elliot be such a good cook? I¡¯m sure Sheena polished his skill before.¡± They were all men, and they were all on the same team. Hence, there was no need to feel embarrassed. Recalling past events, Elliot smiled helplessly. ¡°The first meal I cooked for Nana was a braised beef that turned into charcoal and deliberately spiced stir¨Cfried vegetable.¡± Howard¡¯s expression changed instantly. ¡°Did Nana really eat that?¡± Elliot chuckled even more helplessly. ¡°Nana is too clever for that. How could she eat it? She made me Chapter 899 eat it, and I vomited.¡± Lionel and Howard burst intoughter. Howard added, ¡°Nana inherited Noah¡¯s deviousness. She¡¯s full of cunning tricks.¡± Lionel chimed in, ¡°If Sheena ever publishes a training manual, it¡¯d probably be a bestseller!¡± The three of themughed, the atmosphere incredibly harmonious. Sometimes, the joy among men was just that simple, and they could quickly bond after just sharing some lighthearted banter. Once the stew was ready, Elliot called Sheena and Jacintha downstairs, and the five of them enjoyed a warm meal together. An hourter, it was early morning. The sky was pitch ck, the city unusually quiet, except for E&S Haven, which remained lively. Howard, feeling choked with emotions, drank a lot and soon became intoxicated. In fact, he was thoroughly drunk He clung to Elliot¡¯s arm, his eyes bloodshot, constantly calling out, ¡°Phoebe, I was wrong¡­ It¡¯s all my fault¡­ Forgive me,e back to me¡­¡± Elliot¡¯s expression darkened. He firmly pressed Howard¡¯s forehead with hisrge hand and pushed him away. Drunk as he was, Howard seemed to interpret the rejection of his apology as heartbreaking, his face full of sadness and despair. Unable to do anything else, Elliot had to knock him out and instructed Lionel, ¡°It¡¯s getting toote. When you leave, make sure to arrange for Ford outside to take Howard home.¡± ¡°Got it, you can count on me. Once everyone had left, thete¨Cnight gathering finally came to an end. Sheena leaned on the table with one hand, her chin resting on her palm, lost in thought. She had not drunk much, but her face was now adorned with a faint, alluring blush, making her look beautiful and tempting. Elliot watched her, feeling a dryness in his throat and a flutter in his heart. He gently moved closer to Sheena, caressing the rosy flush on her face, and softly asked, ¡°Nana, are you worried about Howard and Phoebe¡¯s matter?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Chapter 900 Chapter 900 Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Sheena agreed with a soft ¡°mmhmm¡± and said solemnly, ¡°Tomorrow morning, I¡¯ll visit the Nicholls residence, hoping to meet with Phoebe¡­ Hey, keep your hands to yourself!¡± She was discussing important matters, yet Elllot interrupted her with his wandering hand sneaking around her waist, mischievously exploring. Elliot not only did not stop but also boldly roamed, tempting her by blowing air near her ear. ¡°Honey, we¡¯ve had ourte¨Cnight snack, but I still crave some desserts. Let me have my way?¡± Elliot pleaded. Sheena¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°We already did it this morning, and you still want more?¡± Ignoring her protest, Elliot nuzzled her neck shamelessly. ¡°Since when was it written that we can only do it once a day? We eat three meals a day, don¡¯t we? A little dessert to spice up life sounds good.¡± Ever since Sheena gave birth and recovered from the childbirth, Elliot¡¯s primal instincts had surfaced more and more, making him increasingly unrestrained. Sheena¡¯s face grew even more serious. ¡°I don¡¯t think I should give in to you further!¡± Her waist could not take much more of this! Elliot sounded a bit aggrieved as he whispered, ¡°Then indulge me tonight, and starting tomorrow, I promise not to bother you for sex.¡± Sheena snorted. ¡°So, after having your dessert, how about a little taste of your beloved ruler?¡± His handsome brows furrowed further, looking even more aggrieved. ¡°If getting a little punishment means I get to have sex with you, I guess it¡¯s worth it. It¡¯ll be a little fun between us!¡± Sheena remained silent. Every sentence seemed to revolve around sex. It was like he was under some kind of spell! Before she could agree or refuse, Elliot scooped her up around the waist, lifting her away from the dining chair. They quickly made their way back to the sweet and intimate confines of their bedroom, where their unrestrained lifestyle resumed, unstoppable once it began.. The next morning, Sheena only managed to get out of bed after Elliot¡¯s tireless massage.. After a quick freshening up, she had Paul drive her to the Nicholls residence bright and early. Chapter 900 At that moment, the Nicholls family was gathered around the breakfast table. Romello had not returned to stay, so only Marius and Gabrielle were present. Upon hearing that Sheena had arrived, Gabrielle almost immediately set down her spoon and came out to greet her. ¡°Sheena, did youe here specifically to see me?¡± She grasped Sheena¡¯s hand enthusiastically. Sheena smiled and pursed her lips. ¡°Yes, just thought I¡¯de by to see you since I had some free time. Can we go inside and chat?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Gabrielle decisively tried to pull her inside but was stopped by Romello¡¯s bodyguards stationed outside the door. ¡°Miss Gabrielle, Mr. Nicholls has instructed that no outsiders are to be allowed into the Nicholls residence recently,¡± the guard stated firmly. Gabrielle frowned in displeasure and scolded, ¡°Get lost. Sheena is not an outsider.¡± The guard¡¯s expression remained resolute. ¡°Ms. Gabrielle, Mr. Romello has made it clear that anyone not bearing the Nicholls surname is considered an outsider. Please don¡¯t make it difficult for us. Otherwise, we¡¯ll have to report this to Mr. Nicholls.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Gabrielle was furious. ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± The bodyguard lowered his head without arguing, his implication clear. Gabrielle was seething with anger but felt powerless. If Romello found out, he would surely be furious and might even punish her. Sheena took hold of her wrist and asked softly, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why is the Nicholls residence suddenly so heavily guarded, not letting anyone in?¡± Gabrielle became even n furious at the mention of this. ¡°It¡¯s all because of Phoebe!¡± Sheena furrowed her brow warily. ¡°What happened to her?¡± Chapter 901 Chapter 901 Recalling the situation, Gabrielle scowled in annoyance. ¡°Romello said she¡¯s sick, but I don¡¯t know what illness it is. It must be pretty serious though, since they¡¯re so cautious about disturbing her rest. That¡¯s why they¡¯ve restricted anyone from entering, including us. They even forbade loud noises inside the house.¡± ¡°What kind of serious illness warrants restricting ess to the entire mansion?¡± Sheena furrowed her brow and continued probing, ¡°Have you gone up to see how she¡¯s doing?¡± Gabrielle shook her head. ¡°What¡¯s there to see when someone¡¯s sick?¡± Sheena held her hand, persuading, ¡°She¡¯s only been living with the Nicholls for a few days, and already she¡¯s fallen ill. Romello is making such a big deal about it. Aren¡¯t you even a little curious about how serious her condition is? Don¡¯t you want to go take a look? Gabrielle pondered for a moment. Honestly, she was indeed curious. It had only been a few days, yet it was serious enough for Romello to issuemands to the entire household. Could it be some rare and severe illness? Even So, Gabrielle dared not to check on Phoebe. The thought of Romello¡¯s wrath made her shrink back, and she shook her head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t. If Romello finds out, he¡¯ll skin me alive. I¡¯d rather y it safe.¡± Unable to convince her otherwise, Sheena had to return empty¨Chanded. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. On the way back to E&S Haven, she called Howard over again.. ¡°Is her illness that serious?¡± Howard stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock and anger. ¡°What has Romello done to her? She¡¯s never been one to fall ill. Just recently, I apanied her to the hospital for a full¨Cbody checkup because of a film shoot. There¡¯s no way she suddenly has some major illness!¡± Sheenafortingly patted his shoulder, urging him to sit back down. ¡°Howard, calm down for a moment. I don¡¯t believe it either.¡± Chapter 907 Elliot sat quietly beside them, also analyzing the situation. ¡°Romello has canceled all of Phoebe¡¯s ongoing work arrangements. If this isn¡¯t a genuine illness, then he¡¯s likely intentionally keeping her captive.¡± Sheena listened attentively, nodding. ¡°After analyzing the events of the night of the return banquet multiple times, Phoebe¡¯s condition was really off. She seemed perfectly fine when Romello took her to attend the business g previously.¡± Howard stood up again. ¡°Romello, that beast! He¡¯s even willing to hurt his own sister! There¡¯s no need to worry. about saving face for both families anymore. Let¡¯s go ahead with the most extreme method we discussed yesterday!¡± Both Sheena and Elliot nodded in agreement. Sheena said, ¡°Howard, let¡¯s divide and conquer these matters. You handle Wayne¡¯s situation and find Corey. I believe he can make wamepromise. Leave the matter of meeting Phoebe to Elliot and me.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Howard agreed, swiftly leaving to attend to his tasks. In the living room, only Sheena and Elliot remained silent, lost in deep thought for a long time. After what felt like ages, Elliot finally spoke. ¡°Nana, what excuse do you think would be appropriate to let Lionel into the Nicholls. residence for a thorough search?¡± Sheena pondered seriously for a moment. ¡°Why don¡¯t we use Gabrielle? I¡¯ll host a tea party in a couple of days and discreetly give Gabrielle some valuable jewelry. Afterward, we can use jewelry theft as an excuse to send Lionel in to search. What do you think?¡± Elliot smiled faintly, teasingly prodding her nose. ¡°Honey, you¡¯re so clever. That¡¯s a fine n. I¡¯ll go along with it.¡± Sheena returned a smile. She remembered a long time ago when Elliot¡¯s body still harbored the virus, and she was forced to deal with Nathaniel. Howard and Phoebe¡¯s rtionship was blossoming at that time, and she envied their sweet yet simple love. Yet, in the blink of an eye, their rtionship faced a crisis, and it was her and Elliot¡¯s bond that proved to be the most stable. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Elliot¡¯s warm breath brushed against her face as he nuzzled her nose, snapping her out of her trance. Chapter 902 Chapter 902 ¡°I was thinking, we haven¡¯t had a fight in a long time.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Elliot stared at her strangely. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing? Do you want us to argue non¨Cstop?¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°People say an asional argument spices up life. It just feels when we never fight.¡± ange He raised an eyebrow, his lips curving mischievously. ¡°So, do you want to try picking a fight today? Release some pent¨Cup frustration.¡± ¡°How should we fight?¡± Immediately, Elliot¡¯s expression turned serious and stern. ¡°Sheena, you¡¯ve been increasingly disregarding metely. As your husband, is it wrong to want to sleep with you? You even restrict our sex life. That¡¯s just heartless and cruel!¡± Sheena furrowed her brows and suddenly grabbed his ear. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°Ouch, that hurts! Please have mercy, honey!¡± Unmoved, Sheena¡¯s anger began to rise. ¡°Elliot, are you deliberately picking a fight? using me of not being intimate with you?¡± His features tightened, looking particrly aggrieved. ¡°I was just demonstrating. How could I possibly hold any grudges against you?¡± Sheena snorted. She saw right through his little scheme. ¡°Just now, you called me ¡®Sheena¡® in such a stern tone. Let¡¯s go upstairs for your punishment. Elliot¡¯s face turned pale. He had thought he was clever, but he had dug himself into a hole! ¡°Honey¡­¡± His voice trailed off with a hint of coyness. ¡°What is it?¡± Elliot wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face in her neck, and took a deep Chanter 902 breath. ¡°Please, be gentle.¡± Sheena stifled augh, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to make you feelfortable, experiencing double pleasure.¡± She grabbed his expensive tie, wrapping it around her hand a few times, and pulled him up eagerly. ¡°Let¡¯s go. It¡¯s time for your punishment.¡± Elliot allowed himself to be led by her dominantly, willingly indulging in her intoxicatingly sweet poison, At noon, Elliot and Sheena enjoyed a little rendezvous that led to an unstoppable cascade of passion. By mid¨Cafternoon, Sheena calmly began attending to important matters, sending out. invitations for the tea party scheduled at the Diamond ss Level of the Sky Garden Hotel. Howard returned to the Lawson residence in Mountville. It had been a long time since he had been back since Albert¡¯s passing, mostly staying at their other properties outside. It had also been quite a while since he had seen Corey, but he had not expected to meet him by the bedside in such a situation. Barbara led him in, exining along the way, ¡°Corey stayed up all night reciting the scriptures. His rheumatism has worsened, and whenever it rains or the weather changes, his knees ache, making it hard for him to walk, and his voice hasn¡¯t fully recovered.¡± Howard sighed, feeling a pang of sympathy. ¡°Ultimately, everything that happened before was She¡¯s doing. While Corey may have been at fault, Nana didn¡¯t intend to be too hard on him. There¡¯s no need for him to torture himself like this.¡± Barbara sighed deeply, sadness evident in her eyes. ¡°Forget it. It¡¯s all in the past. There¡¯s no need to bring it up again.¡± Howard nodded, following her upstairs, but then he remembered something about Chapter 902 She. ¡°Has Corey found She yet? How¡¯s the search going? Any news on her?¡± Chapter 903 Chapter 903 Barbara led him upstairs, exining, ¡°We¡¯ve sent out two squads of private guards to search for her. There¡¯s been no word, so we don¡¯t know if she¡¯s dead or alive.¡± Howard pondered for a moment. ¡°Only living people hide. Dead bodies don¡¯t lie.¡± Barbara was not entirely convinced. ¡°Corey sent people to look for She. They came back saying there were many big dogs in the viges downstream. With the river running fast and her getting shot, it¡¯s possible she¡¯s already dead, and her body might have been eaten by the dogs roaming around.¡± Howard fell silent for a while before continuing, ¡°Whether she¡¯s really dead or barely hanging on, as long as she doesn¡¯t disrupt Nana¡¯s life in the future, that¡¯s enough for me. And she should never think abouting back to the Lawson family. Her name and memory will rest in the Memorial Garden. I only have one sister in this life.¡± The Memorial Garden was where unimed deceased individuals werememorated, with no rtives visiting to pay their respects, forever lonely. Barbara nodded. As they chatted, they reached the master bedroom. Upon opening the door, Howard immediately spotted the man half¨Cleaning against the headboard. Due to his frequent bouts of illness and pain, Corey¡¯splexion was not the best, looking somewhat weary and weak with his sickly pale skin. Howard was stunned. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. After not seeing Corey for some time, Howard almost failed to recognize him. He could not believe the man before him was the former Captain Corey, who oncemanded respect and admiration. Sitting on the chair beside the bed, Howard was too shocked to speak for a while. Corey covered his mouth, coughing a few times before taking the initiative to speak first. His voice was hoarse as he said, ¡°You¡¯re here because of what happened at the Nicholls family¡¯s return banquet, right?¡± Howard hesitated, noticing that Corey¡¯s eyes seemed much moreckluster. Chapter 933 2/2 Suppressing his rising feelings of mncholy, Howard nodded. ¡°We suspect Romello has harmed Phoebe and held her captive. Nana is trying to find a way to see her and confirm her condition. That¡¯s why I¡¯vee to you. ¡°What do you need me to do?¡± Corey reached for the water ss on the bedside table. Seeing this, Howard quickly got up and handed him the water first. ¡°Phoebe¡¯s fiance is from the Santos family and is a prominent figure in Svelton¡¯s hospitality industry. Corey, do you have any ways to deal with the Santos family?¡± Corey instantly understood. ¡°You want Wayne to voluntarily call off the engagement?¡± Howard nodded eagerly. Corey continued, ¡°In terms of the hospitality industry, I don¡¯t hold any shares inpanies under the Santos Group. While I do have significant control over their rivalpanies, both sides are evenly matched in business, making it difficult to use this against the Santos family.¡± Having spoken too much at once, Corey¡¯s throat became unbearably dry, and he erupted. into a fit of coughing. After taking a sip of water to soothe his throat, he continued, ¡°But when I was in charge of the National Affairs Bureau, I had ess to information on all domestic matters. I¡¯ll of misconductter have someone look into whether the Santos Group has any records this afternoon. If we find any, we can use it to expand the issues surrounding the Santos. Group¡¯s businesses, putting pressure on Wayne and forcing him toe to you to negotiate a settlement.¡± Howard felt a heavy weight lift off his chest upon hearing this. He stood up, hands on his hips, and bowed earnestly to Corey. ¡°Thank you, Corey.¡± Corey shrugged casually. ¡°We¡¯re family. No need to thank me. Corey was always quick to act. Within minutes, he had sent a message to his former subordinates at the National Affairs Bureau, instructing them to investigate any issues with the Santos Group¡¯s enterprises. Chapter 904 Chapter 904 Howard sat quietly beside Corey, eagerly awaiting any progress on their n. Barbara excused herself to make a pot of tea, allowing the brothers to converse privately. Howard looked at Corey¡¯s legs, covered by the nket, and asked, ¡°Corey, do you still go to the altar room to recite scriptures?¡± Corey followed his gaze to his legs. ¡°When the pain subsides, I do.¡± ¡°Why put yourself through it? In the end, you haven¡¯tmitted any grave sins. There¡¯s no need to burden yourself with so much guilt. When will you stop torturing yourself? It¡¯s time to let go,¡± Howard sighed. Corey chuckled lightly. ¡°Now that I¡¯ve resigned and be a homebody. I¡¯m living aimlessly with no goals and feel like a walking corpse. It¡¯s only when I recite scriptures that I feel alive again. Perhaps one day, I¡¯ll earn her forgiveness.¡± Howard knew exactly who Corey referred to. Another long sigh escaped Howard¡¯s lips. He did not know how to persuade Corey to let go. The air grew still, and neither of them spoke. There was a hint of mncholy in the atmosphere, yet it was not awkward. It was not until Barbara entered with tea cups that the tense atmosphere in the room was broken. Two hourster, Corey received a call back from the National Affairs Bureau. Howard nervously clenched his hands, unable to sit still. ¡°Mr. Corey, three restaurants under the Santos Group were fined and ordered to rectify their food safety standards because they failed to meet food safety and quality inspection standards. There are no other records on file.¡± ¡°Good, send those inspection reports to my email,¡± Corey instructed before hanging up the phone. A few minutester, Barbara brought over aptop, and Corey logged into his email ount to review the documents. ¡°They weren¡¯t too serious of a vition, only fined and instructed to rectify their vitions. None was forced to shut down for the immediate rectification,¡± Corey remarked. Howard lowered his gaze, pondering seriously. ¡°What if I blow this issue out of proportion, get the media to exaggerate it a bit? It would be best to involve all the restaurants under the Santos Group and stir up a frenzy about the Santos Group¡¯s food safely issues. What do you think?¡± Corey smiled with a hint of mischief in his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s a great suggestion. The Santos Group¡¯s stock market will take a hit, and I believe Wayne will come knocking on your door within three days.¡± Howard was also impatient by nature, wasting no time to get things done. He bid farewell to Corey and Barbara and quickly gathered his team to draft press releases for online distribution. Late that night, without warning, the restaurants under the Santos Group suddenly appeared at the top of trending topics online. In recent years, people have increasingly pursued a quality lifestyle, and food safety has always been a significant concern. The Santos Group¡¯s involvement in such a major news event greatly impacted the entire In Svelton, everyone in the Lawson family worked tirelessly to strategize against the Nicholls or Santos family. Only Noah, far away in Farlem, remained oblivious to the affairs and was dedicated to serving as Hannah¡¯s diligent secretary. However, these days, even his workdays were not easy. Each day, Hannah piled more tasks on him, keeping him busy like a regr worker. In the CEO¡¯s office, Hannah tapped her fingers on the desk, a mischievous smile ying on her lips as she deliberately interrupted Noah¡¯s busy typing. ¡°Mr. Noah, would you mind making a cup of coffee, lightly sweetened with no milk?¡± Chapter 905 Chapter 905 Noah¡¯s fingers froze over the keyboard, instinctively ncing at the time in the bottom right corner of hisputer screen. With just an hour and a half left until quitting time and several unfinished documents, making a cup of coffee would take at least 15 minutes¡­ N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. His brain raced to estimate the time. Suddenly, Hannah¡¯s reminder snapped him out of his daze. ¡°Mr. Noah, you¡¯ve wasted two minutes daydreaming.¡± Noah immediately got up and headed to the pantry to brew the coffee. A few employees were taking a break in the pantry, chatting over tea. When they saw Noah enter, all eyes turned to his cold, handsome face. They huddled together, whispering among themselves. Rania Smyth, the head of the sales department, immediately perked up. Her eyes sparkled as she remarked, ¡°Is this Ms. Hannah¡¯s new secretary? What a looker! He has such a great physique and aura. I¡¯m feeling a bit smitten.¡± Other girls chimed in, ¡°Then go for it! Heard he¡¯s single. Don¡¯t miss this chance!¡± ¡°He probably doesn¡¯t have much money if he¡¯s applying for a secretary position. Might need to think twice.¡± Rania waved off their concerns, saying, ¡°What¡¯s to worry about? I¡¯ve got money! I can take care of him. He just needs to be tall, handsome, and strong!¡± The other girls clicked their tongues, pushing her toward Noah. ¡°What are you waiting for? Go get him! Sweep him off his feet!¡± Rania stumbled a few steps, heading straight for Noah. Meanwhile, Noah kept his head down, diligently preparing the coffee, but he heard every word the girls said. As Rania lunged toward him, he sidestepped at thest moment, letting her collide with the coffee machine, nearly causing her nose to bleed. Chapter 905 2/2 He never once nced in her direction, focused solely on mixing the coffee. Feelingpletely ignored, Rania felt embarrassed and awkward, turning back to her colleagues. However, the girls on the other side of the table exchanged encouraging nces, signaling her not to be afraid and to go for it. After all, it was supposed to be easier for a girl to pursue the guy! It was time to make a move! Rania stood there, stunned and nervous, unsure of what to do next. Finally, she gathered up her courage and approached Noah, whispering softly, ¡°Mr. Noah, are you free tonight? Would you like to grab dinner together?¡± For someone he was not interested in, Noah would not spare them a second nce, treating them as if they were invisible. Yet, Rania was persistent. She circled back around to face him again, adjusting her voluminous curls and striking an alluring yet friendly pose. ¡°Mr. Noah, if you¡¯re not free for dinner tonight, that¡¯s okay. How about catching a movie. together this weekend? Your hands are so beautiful and elegant as you prepare the coffee. Just imagine how many girls you could charm if you yed the piano.¡± Noah followed her gaze to his hands. He could not y the piano, but his hands were skilled with a scalpel, slicing through skin. If he said that, would these girls think he might be a bit of a creep? He pondered silently, continuing to stir the coffee with slight sugar added. Rania persisted, trying to get closer, ¡°I heard you¡¯re single, and there are many beautiful girls at Moore Group. Have you set your sights on anyone? Even if I¡¯m not the lucky one, perhaps I could y matchmaker.¡± Noah¡¯s stirring hand paused in the coffee cup, his voice cool as he responded, ¡°Yes.¡± Chapter 906 Chapter 906 Rania¡¯s interest was instantly piqued.. ¡°Really? Mr. Noah, who do you like? I¡¯ll help you pursue them.¡± In his mind, Noah pictured Hannah¡¯s focused face in the office. His voice softened slightly as he replied, ¡°I like Ms¡­¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Suddenly, a light tapping sounded on the ss door of the break room. Everyone turned to look, and they found Hannah standing there expressionless, her gaze sharp as she scanned the room. Except for Noah, everyone immediately stood up respectfully and bowed slightly. ¡°Ms. Hannah.¡± She nodded, then turned to Rania. ¡°Instead of focusing on how to contribute to thepany during work hours, you¡¯re leading gossip sessions in the pantry, discussing personal matters. Is that appropriate?¡± Rania¡¯s face went pale. ¡°Ms. Hannah, I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t do it again. I¡¯ll return to my desk now and focus on my work!¡± Hannah coldly narrowed her eyes, warning sternly, ¡°You better.¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± The people in the break room dispersed in a hurry, scurrying back to their desks. Within seconds, only Noah remained standing in front of the coffee machine. Hannah¡¯s elegant hands folded together as she fixed her gaze on him, saying, ¡°You¡¯ve been ¡®brewing coffee¡® for so long, I thought you got lost. Instead, I find you chatting with the girls in the pantry, losing track of time.¡± ¡°Hannah¡­¡± She did not want to hear any exnations, grunting out of annoyance as she turned and walked away. Chapter 906 Noah hurriedlypleted the final step of making the coffee and caught up with her. ¡°That person approached me first just now, but I just ignored them.¡± Walking away, Hannah countered, ¡°Is Rania attractive?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Noah was puzzled. ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± ¡°I¡¯m talking about the female employee who asked you to watch a movie with her this weekend.¡± Noah tried to recall, but he realized he did not even remember what she looked like. ¡°I didn¡¯t really get a good look at her just now. I don¡¯t know what she looks like.¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°You had such a pleasant chat, yet you don¡¯t remember what she looks like?¡± ¡°Umm¡­ He tried to recall once again, then honestly said, ¡°I think she had long, straight ck hair?¡± Hannah suppressed a smile and did not respond further, opening the door to her office. Noah obediently ced the coffee cup on her desk and turned back to his workstation across from hers, preparing to start the final round of busy work before the end of the day. Hannah gazed at him from afar and spoke, ¡°I have dinner ns tonight, and it¡¯s out of the way. Mr. Noah, you can stayte at the office to finish your tasks before returning to the Moore mansion.¡± Noah was taken aback. ¡°A date?¡± That was how he interpreted it, immediately turning to face her. ¡°Will there be many people? Men or women?¡± Hannah chuckled and asked, ¡°Since when does a secretary inquire about the boss¡¯s personal matters?¡± Noah spoke firmly, ¡°As your secretary, it¡¯s my responsibility to ensure your safety. After what happened with Patrickst time, I won¡¯t allow a repeat.¡± While he said ¡°as your secretary¡°, his words carried his usual cold and aloof tone, sounding determined. It was obvious that this matter was not up for discussion. Hannah hesitated for a moment before responding to his earlier question, ¡°There should be both men and women. It¡¯s a business gathering, so although there will be alcohol, it shouldn¡¯t be likest time.¡® Noah said decisively, ¡°Since it¡¯s apany¨Crted business gathering, as your secretary, I should always be by your side to prevent any unexpected situations. So, I¡¯ll be attending as well.¡± Chapter 907 Chapter 907 Hannah nced at hisputer screen,menting, ¡°But your work isn¡¯t finished yet.¡± ¡°Can you wait for me for half an hour?¡± His gaze met hers with sincerity. Under their locked gaze, Hannah¡¯s heart skipped a beat, feeling butterflies in her stomach. She looked away andpromised, ¡°Okay, but no more than half an hour. Not even a minute more.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Noah immediately returned to his seat, quickly getting back into focus to tackle his pending tasks. Later that evening, they arrived at the bar. The ambiance was lively, with colorful lights and chatter. When Hannah and Noah arrived, most other guests had already gathered in the private room, enjoying themselves. Noah, deeply engrossed in medical research for years, had never concerned himself with affairs of the Lawson Group or attended any social gatherings. He did not enjoy the heavy atmosphere of alcohol, frowning as soon as he stepped in, looking aloof and detached. Hannah sensed his difort. As they entered, she whispered to him, ¡°If you¡¯re notfortable, you can wait outside or take a cab back to the Moore Mansion.¡± She quickly put on a warm smile as she turned her attention back to the room. However, Noah grabbed her wrist, his tone slightly awkward. ¡°Hannah, do you always attend such events?¡± Hannah lowered her gaze, hiding her inner turmoil. Chanter 907 Then, she replied casually, ¡°I¡¯m the heir of the Moore Group, responsible for improving the family business. Whether I like it or not, attending such events is part of my duty.¡± She removed Noah¡¯s hand from her wrist and walked in alone. Inside, people greeted her warmly. Some noticed the man behind her andmented, ¡°I heard your engagement with the Fuller family didn¡¯t work out. Is this your new love interest? He¡¯s so handsome!¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Hannah turned back and saw Noah had not left, standing silently behind her. She shed a smile and exined, ¡°He¡¯s my new secretary. I brought him here to get acquainted with the scene.¡± After exchanging light pleasantries with the other CEOS, Hannah quietly approached Noah. ¡°What are you doing here? This ce isn¡¯t suitable for you. You should leave.¡± Noah shook his head resolutely. ¡°If you can adapt to this kind of scene, I have no reason to feel ufortable.¡± Since he insisted, Hannah did not push further. Instead, she took his hand and led him to an empty sofa, where they sat down together. Noah lowered his head, staring at the hand she held. The warmth of her palm felt reassuringly real. Throughout the evening, Noah blocked all the toasts meant for Hannah as drinks were passed around. After three rounds of drinking, a rosy flush appeared on Noah¡¯s handsome face, and he seemed noticeably tipsy. Hannah shook her head helplessly. Drinking this much on an empty stomach and still holding up after three rounds showed his good tolerance. ¡°Ms. Hannah, here¡¯s to you. Looking forward to future coborations with the Moore Group.¡± She quickly regained herposure, raising her ss with a polite smile. Chapter 987 3/3 ¡°Thank you, Mr. Ethan. The feeling is mutual.¡± Just as she was about to take a sip, Noah stopped her. He was obviously intoxicated, but he insisted on drinking on her behalf. She leaned closer to his ear and cautioned, ¡°You¡¯re too heavy. If you pass out, I won¡¯t be able to carry you back to the Moore mansion alone. Just a few drinks, I won¡¯t get drunk. Trust me.¡± He shook his head, speaking sincerely, ¡°Before, I couldn¡¯t help you settle things you didn¡¯t like because I wasn¡¯t by your side. Now that I¡¯m here, I don¡¯t want you to be bothered by these things anymore.¡± Hannah was briefly taken aback, hearing such genuine words for the first time. Lost in thought, she handed the ss over to Noah again, who drank it all in one go. The consequence of his stubbornness was evident as he eventually sumbed to the alcohol. Hannah sighed inwardly. The brief moment of appreciation vanished as Noah slumped over. Another female CEO, seeing Noah¡¯s state, approached to offer constion and even considered patting his handsome face to help him sober up. Chapter 908 Chapter 908 Hannah quickly pulled Noah into her arms, preventing anyone else from touching him. She chuckled, ¡°Please forgive me, Ms. Liliana. My secretary has peculiar habits and ispulsively clean. Even I can¡¯t change that.¡± The woman addressed as Ms. Liliana clicked her tongue twice. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re really fond of him, Ms. Hannah.¡± Hannah just smiled without replying. After another round of drinks, the party began to disperse as it was gettingte. Half an hourter, only Hannah remained, still holding onto the intoxicated Noah, sitting on the sofa. She could not carry Noah by herself, but the thought of other women helping made her ufortable. Deciding to wait a while longer, she called the butler to send bodyguards and a driver to pick them 1. up. The bodyguards were quick. Twenty minutester, they located the corresponding private room following Hannah¡¯s instructions and carried Noah on their backs. They quickly returned to the Moore mansion. As Noah was being carried back to his room by the bodyguards, Vanessa, wearing pajamas, happened toe downstairs. She stopped Hannah, who was about to return to her room, and asked, ¡°What happened to Mr. Noah? How did he get so drunk?¡± Hannah, looking tired, replied helplessly, ¡°He insisted on drinking on an empty stomach to keep me from drinking. There¡¯s no way he¡¯d be sober drinking like that.¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Vanessa¡¯s lips twitched. Seeing Hannah about to leave again, she spoke up once more, ¡°He¡¯s your guest. Shouldn¡¯t you be taking care of him in his room?¡± Chapter 908 Hannah, puzzled, asked, ¡°Mom, am I really your daughter? I¡¯ve been working all day, and you don¡¯t even pity me. Why should I take care of him?¡± Vanessa gently patted her face, coaxing, ¡°Of course, you¡¯re my precious daughter. But since Mr. Noah is visiting our home for the first time, as hosts, we should take care of him, especially since he got drunk because of you.¡± Although Vanessa¡¯s argument made some sense, Hannah resisted, ¡°He¡¯s still mypany¡¯s secretary. Is it appropriate for the boss to personally take care of a drunken secretary?¡± Vanessa chuckled. ¡°We¡¯re at home now, so leave the corporate rules behind. Go, take care of Mr. Noah in his room, and help him freshen up a bit. I¡¯ll go make him a hangover drink. Freshen up? ¡°Mom¡­¡± Vanessa did not give her a chance to find another excuse and swiftly headed downstairs, slipping into the kitchen. Hannah sighed and stood in the corridor for a moment before eventually entering Noah¡¯s room. The bodyguards ced Noah on the bed and left, leaving him sprawled on the bed. They did not even bother to cover him with the nket. She looked up at the wide¨Copen window, the curtains gently swaying in the cool evening breeze. Hannah thought that if she did not tend to Noah, he might fall sick tomorrow. Ridden by guilt, she approached the bed and struggled to drag Noah onto the pillow. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Sure enough, his body reeked of alcohol, and he definitely needed to freshen up. Feeling somewhat annoyed, Hannah quickly fetched a basin of hot water and towels from the bathroom, cing them on the bedside table. Sitting beside him, she helped Noah out of his suit jacket and patiently unbuttoned his shirt. His finely sculpted body gradually came into view, making her gulp nervously as she silently repeated, ¡®Mind over matter!¡® Chapter 700 1/3 As she reached thest two buttons, Noah suddenly grabbed her wrist. He nced at his exposed chest and then at Hannah, obviously confused. ¡°What are you¡­ doing?¡± Hannah quickly withdrew her hand, her face flushing red with embarrassment, lips trembling nervously. ¡°I¨CI wasn¡¯t doing anything. It¡¯s not what you think. I didn¡¯t have any ulterior motives!¡± Immediately after her exnation, she smacked her forehead in frustration. Why was she exining so adamantly? It only made her look even guiltier! Chapter 909 Chapter 909 Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Um¡­ please don¡¯t misunderstand. My mom insisted I take care of you. I was only helping you clean up, and I have absolutely no other intentions.¡± Hannah nodded firmly, her face serious and sincere. Noah, still groggy from the alcohol, was hurt by Hannah¡¯s words. ¡°So, I¡¯m so unattractive that you don¡¯t even feel anything when you undress me,¡± he mumbled, his expression a mix of hurt and confusion. Hannah was stunned. What the hell was he saying? Did he want her to do something to him? If she took advantage of him while he was drunk, that would simply be immoral! She stared at Noah, contemting a genuine exnation. However, she noticed his flushed cheeks and mncholic gaze, looking as if he were being bullied. Unexpectedly¡­ she found him kind of adorable. While Hannah was lost in thought, Noah grabbed her wrist again, his tone sounding pitiful. ¡°Hannah, have I hurt you so deeply before? Have you stopped liking me altogether, so. even when you see my body, you have no reaction?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Hannah was at a loss for words. Noah had been reading rtionship tips every night recently, especially the ones Howard had rmended, learning how to use sweet words. It was something he thought he would never do while sober. Nheless, he was not fueled by alcohol, and he made a bold move. He grabbed Hannah¡¯s wrist again and ced her hand on his chest, pressing her palm against his warm skin. Then, he met her gaze and said, ¡°You¡¯ve seen and touched my body. Now you¡¯re 2/3 responsible for me.¡± Hannah¡¯s lips twitched at his audacity to resort to such antics. Moreover, this was Noah, who was usually so aloof. ¡°Noah, has the alcohol gone to your head? You¡¯re not usually like this,¡± she remarked, trying to keep her tone light. Ignoring her, Noah grabbed her hand again and ced it on his abdomen, even going ast far as to guide her fingers to ¡®forcefully¡® pinch him. The firm and defined abdominal muscles felt amazing to touch, causing Hannah¡¯s cheeks to flush red. She tried to pull her hand back, but Noah held it firmly. ¡°Are you okay? Did they spike your drink with something? How could you act so¡­ so¡­ inappropriate!¡± She was annoyed and in disbelief. Noah¡¯s eyes were teary as he slurred, ¡°You¡¯re the one touching me, you¡¯re the one being inappropriate, and you¡¯re the one not willing to take responsibility.¡± Hannah was speechless. She never imagined Noah would act like this when intoxicated. Would he be mortified if he woke up sober and remembered his shameless behavior? Would he wish for the ground to swallow him whole? Faced with Noah¡¯s shameless behavior, Hannah¡¯s annoyance peaked. ¡°It seems like you won¡¯t even remember what you¡¯ve done once you.sober up, so don¡¯t me me!¡± She gritted her teeth, determined to take charge. She straddled Noah, firmly pressing down on his chest and abdomen. Then, she ruthlessly pinched and rubbed his muscles until they turned red, making sure to leave no area untouched. ¡°See? I¡¯m only taking advantage of you now!¡± Noah, already intoxicated, found himself unexpectedly aroused by her rough handling. 33 He swiftly seized her wrist, then took her by surprise before flipping her over and pinning her beneath him. ¡°Noah.¡± Hannah began to protest, but Noah silenced her by covering her mouth with his band. His head felt heavy as he leaned close to her, forehead to forehead, nose to nose. Their breaths intertwined, and the warmth of his breath tickled Hannah¡¯s cheeks, causing her heart to race even faster. The intoxicating scent of alcohol emanating from him only added to the intensity of the moment Evo kelime Readings Chapter 910 Chinese 910 1/3 Chapter 910 Noah¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, and his tone pleading yet pitiful. ¡°Hannah, please?¡± Perhaps it was his intoxicating presence, but for the first time, Hannah did not refuse. Noah took the opportunity to release the hand covering her mouth and leaned closer to her lips. The room grew warmer with their escting intimacy as they kissed passionately, nearing the brink of crossing the final boundary. However, just as things were about to escte further, the sound of footsteps broke the spell, snapping Hannah back to her senses. Realizing the situation, she quickly pushed Noah away and stood up, turning to face the open door where Vanessa stood, holding a tray of hangover drinks, her expression one of shock. Hannah¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment as she waved her hands in denial. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s not what you think. We didn¡¯t do anything!¡± Vanessa nced at Noah, who slumped back on the bed after being pushed away by Hannah. She was disappointed and scolded Hannah, ¡°Hannah, why did you stop at the crucial moment? So what if I saw it? I can help you close the door! Why did you stop? What are you doing?¡± Hannah could not believe her ears. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. How could her mother, upon catching her in such apromising situation with a man, react like this? Seemingly aware of her beloved daughter¡¯s thoughts, Vanessa shrugged nonchntly. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it all before, dear. Now,e on, don¡¯t stop, keep going! Take advantage of this opportunity to solve your lifelong problem! Get married already. Your dad and I are tired of waiting.¡± Hannah was too stunned to speak. Chapter 910 23 Vanessa ced the tray of hangover drinks on a nearby table and gave Hannah a meaningful look. ¡°Just pretend as if I¡¯ve never been here! Go on! Just do your thing!¡± Then, she quietly closed the door behind her. Hannah was exasperated. She nced down at the still intoxicated Noah beside her, feeling deeply troubled. What was she thinking just now? How could she almost do something like that with the door wide open? Was it because the smell of alcohol on Noah was too strong that it clouded her judgment? She sighed in frustration, mentally berating herself. However, her thoughts were interrupted by a faint rustling sound from outside the door, the unmistakable sound of a lock being quietly turned from the other side. Realizing what was happening, Hannah immediately rushed to the door, frantically twisting the doorknob. Yet, she was toote. ¡°Mom, open the door! Why are you locking me in? This is Noah¡¯s room. Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?¡± From outside the door, Vanessa¡¯s voice came through, ¡°You¡¯re my daughter, and I know you best. Forget about your principles for once and seize the opportunity!¡± . Hannah was in disbelief, shouting, ¡°Mom, what are you thinking? He¡¯s drunk, and his mind isn¡¯t clear at all. Taking advantage of him like this is just wrong!!! Vanessa remained unfazed and assured her, ¡°You¡¯re a woman. You don¡¯t have to abide by the rules of gentlemen. Besides, I believe Noah wants the same as you! Hannah, don¡¯t I¡¯m rooting for you. Just go ahead and sleep with him.¡± worry, ¡°Mom!¡± Hannah eximed in frustration, ¡°Stop messing around and open the door!¡± Vanessa was adamant. ¡°Dear, you two were about to cross the line just now. If you can¡¯t seal the deal tonight, even I¡¯ll be embarrassed for you.¡± Speechless and infuriated by her own mother¡¯s words, Hannah could not find a response. 303 She was beyond frustrated. However, she had underestimated Vanessa. A minuteter, Hannah heard the sound of the lock turning again. She thought Vanessa hade to her senses and was going to unlock the door, but to her surprise, Vanessa was as vignt as a thief, slipping a small stic wrapped item through the gap under the door and onto the floor. Picking it up, Hannali realized it was a condom. im Bonus For Free Every Days the Every Dages Chapter 911 Chapter 911 Hannah chuckled in exasperation. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re resorting to this kind of thing? Is Noah your long¨Clost biological son or something?¡± Vanessa sighed, saying, ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re not getting any younger. A few more years, and you¡¯ll be a spinster. Even though Mr. Noah was confused about his feelings before and rejected your advances, when he realized he liked you, he bravely pursued you. I¡¯ve seen his efforts, and he truly is the best man for you. Your dad and I know he¡¯ll treat you right. After delivering those heartfelt words, Vanessa quietly left. Looking at the condom in her hand, Hannah could not help but imagine the intimate scene. She felt a flush of embarrassment from her neck to her ears. She turned to look at the intoxicated Noah on the bed, feeling conflicted. Should she really go through with this? Walking to the bedside, she stared at Noah for a moment. His handsome face was red from the alcohol, and there were two conflicting voices in her mind. After sitting quietly by the bed for a few minutes, reason ultimately triumphed over her emotions. Hannah tossed the condom into the trash bin and wrung out the towel, then proceeded to help Noah wipe his body and face. The vast difference in physical strength between men and women made Noah too heavy for her. By the time she finished wiping him down, she was utterly exhausted. She never wanted to see Noah drunk again in her life. Panting heavily, she tucked Noah back into bed and decided to get some extra bedding from the closet to make a makeshift bed on the floor for herself. Chapter 911 However, as she was about to get up, her arm was grabbed again. The man, deep in sleep, unconsciously pulled her into his embrace, holding her like a pillow as he slept. ¡°Noah?¡± Hannah whispered gently. No response. This time, he was truly asleep. She tried to pry open his arm that was pinning her down, but he was just too heavy. Hannah found herself too weak to break free from his grasp, perhaps due to fatigue or maybe because this sleeping position was just toofortable. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she gradually gave up resistance, drifting into a deep sleep. The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight shone through the window, Hannah woke 1. up. She slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to look at the man sleeping beside her. His face, with its perfect features, was exquisitely handsome even in sleep, and she could still feel the icy aura emanating from him. Hannah reached out her fingers, tracing his forehead, then his distinguished brows, and his straight nose¡­ outlining his features bit by bit. This face, this this man, stirred something deep within her. Especially those obsidian eyes. Wait a minute, his eyes? Hannah snapped out of her reverie. Upon closer inspection, she realized Noah was already awake, and he was staring back at her. Feeling guilty, she quickly withdrew her hand and exined, ¡°Don¡¯t get the wrong idea! Last night, my mom identally locked the door, and you wouldn¡¯t let me leave. After helping you clean up, I was so tired I ended up falling asleep on your bed. Nothing happened!¡± Noah smirked and teased Hannah, ¡°If nothing happened, why are you nervous?¡± Chapter 911 N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. 3/3 ¡°I¡¯m not nervous!¡± Hannah¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly. Noah¡¯s ears turned red too. ¡°Actually¡­ I remember most of what happenedst night.¡± He paused for a moment, then changed the subject abruptly. ¡°I¡¯ll take responsibility, okay?¡± Hannah immediately sat up from the bed, shouting, ¡°We didn¡¯t do anythingst night! The bodyguards carried you back, I helped you clean up, and then you hugged me and fell asleep! That¡¯s it! You don¡¯t need to take responsibility!¡± She hurriedly got out of bed and ran to the door, hitting the door as hard as she could. Chapter 912 Chapter 912 Vanessa took her own sweet time. When she finally came to open the door, Hannah quickly ducked and slipped away unnoticed. Watching her beloved daughter¡¯s hasty retreat, Vanessa turned to Noah, who was half- leaning against the bed, and pretended to ask, ¡°Mr. Noah, what happenedst night?¡± Noah reiterated his earlier statement, ¡°Madam Moore, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take full responsibility for Hannah.¡± Understanding his meaning, Vanessa made an ¡®ok¡® gesture toward him and left the room. During breakfast in the Moore mansion¡¯s dining room, the only sounds were the crisp clinking of utensils and porcin tes. The four of them ate in silence. Hannah kept her head down, focusing on her breakfast the entire time. Vanessa signaled Kennedy desperately with her eyes. Kennedy caught on and cleared his throat twice, breaking the silence. ¡°Mr. Noah, we heard you n to take responsibility for Hannah. What do you have in mind?¡± Hannah was sipping her juice and nearly choked on it at the question. Noah immediately helped her pat her back and handed her a tissue before answering. ¡°I n to get engaged to Hannah. She¡¯s the one for me.¡± Vanessa and Kennedy exchanged nces and smiled at each other. ¡°I object,¡± Hannah stated firmly once she recovered from the coughing fit.. Vanessa and Kennedy¡¯s expressions turned stern, and they both said in unison, ¡°Your objection is invalid!¡± Hannah was taken aback. Noah respected Hannah¡¯s opinion and wanted to know her thoughts. ¡°Hannah, why do you object?¡± Hannah replied earnestly, ¡°Nothing happened between usst night, so you don¡¯t need to take responsibility. Besides, my mom sent me into your room, and the Moore family set this up against you.¡± ¡°But I willingly fell into the trap.¡± He gazed at her profile intently with an especially solemn look. ¡°You were in my roomst night and didn¡¯te out until this morning. Many of the Moore family¡¯s servants saw this, which will impact your reputation. I insisted you stay, so the responsibility should be mine.¡± Hannah was taken aback. His first concern was her reputation. However, thinking back to their previous agreement, she felt a bit unwilling. ¡°You said you were willing to pursue me for a yearst time, but it hasn¡¯t been long since then, and now you¡¯re trying to force me into an engagement. This move is a bit puzzling. Noah replied, ¡°Getting engaged doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll stop pursuing you. In fact, I¡¯ll continue to pursue you. I can even draft an agreement. If you ever get tired of me in the future, you can cancel the engagement with me at any time, and I¡¯ll tell everyone that it¡¯s my fault.¡± Hannah met his gaze, stunned by the rity in his eyes. Meanwhile, in Svelton, it was time for Sheena¡¯s meticulously prepared tea party in the afternoon. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. She sat in front of her vanity table, opening a jewelry box to select the lucky pieces toplete her mission. However, the whole box of exquisite jewelry left her somewhat undecided, as most of the items in the box were gifts from Elliot. As she struggled, intending to retrieve the brooch she had bought herself, she was suddenly embraced from behind. Elliot rested his chin on her shoulder, his gaze fixed on the brooch she had chosen. ¡°It¡¯s better to choose things that matter to you for it to be believable.¡± Sheena nced at him and asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you choose for me?¡± Elliot carefully inspected the contents of her jewelry box, then reached for the ruby and diamond engagement ring he had proposed with. He had bid 13 billion dors on this ring, then had Sheena¡¯s name engraved on it. It was hers exclusively. ¡°This ring is convenient to wear and hard to find if misced. It¡¯s the most suitable.¡± Sheena firmly grasped his hand. ¡°No, this one won¡¯t do!¡± Chapter 913 Chapter 913 Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Sheena almost instinctively reached out to stop Elliot from taking the ring. ¡°It¡¯s far too precious for me, and it¡¯s small. What if it really gets lost? Give it back.¡± This had always been the gift she treasured the most. During the darkest days of her life, when she was manipted by She and distrusted by the entire Lawson family, Elliot was the one who supported her. The valuable engagement ring gave her the belief to persist in finding the truth. Even now, she still regarded that period as a dark time, and this ring was the only hope she had then. Sheena decisively snatched the ring and ced it back in the jewelry box. Seeing how nervous she was about the ruby and diamond ring, Elliot felt a warmth in his heart. He rubbed his face against hers, saying, ¡°Even if it really gets lost, I can always buy you another one.¡± ¡°Even if you buy twenty more, it won¡¯t be the same as this ring.¡± In that instant, she sensed a hidden meaning behind Elliot¡¯s words. So, Sheena narrowed her eyes and questioned him, ¡°You¡¯ve handed over all your assets, so where did you get the money to buy such an expensive ring? Did you secretly stash some money away?¡± Elliot paused, forgetting about this aspect. When Sheena noticed he was taken aback, she twisted his ear, scolding, ¡°Tell me the truth. Are you hiding something from me?¡± Elliot put on an aggrieved look, knowing that it was best to admit he was wrong first. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, honey. I have you and the twins. That¡¯s all I need. Why would I need to stash money away? Besides, you¡¯ve never restricted my spending. If I were to stash money away, wouldn¡¯t that just give you a reason to punish me? I¡¯m not that foolish.¡± Sheena did not let go, but her grip became lighter. She teased, ¡°How could you be foolish? You¡¯re smart, especially when ites to fooling Chapter 913 1. me. You¡¯re an expert at it.¡± Elliot looked at her pitifully, pouting, ¡°Nana, that¡¯s unfair. You¡¯re so sharp. I wouldn¡¯t. dare fool you.¡± ¡°Is that so? Then I¡¯ll have to test you. She released her grip on his carlobe, teasingly trailing her fingertips from his ear to hist Adam¡¯s apple, then sliding down again, sessfully stirring Elliot¡¯s emotions¡­ The two of them engaged in yful banter for a while. Eventually, Sheena settled on a pair of expensive crystal earrings as the lucky one for her n. During the afternoon tea time, the youngdies of the prestigious families in Svelton, including Naomi and Gabrielle, had almost all arrived. The entire hotel¡¯s rooftop garden had been elegantly decorated in advance. On the long table were fruit tea and honey lemon tea, served in exclusive porcin tea sets brought by Sheena from E&S Haven. There were also various exquisite desserts and pastries, captivating many youngdies to take photos for their social media. Some even captioned, [What a beautiful day to attend Mrs. Jenkins¡® tea party. All thedies here are so adorable.] All the girls were having a great time except for Gabrielle, the usually carefree girl who was uncharacteristically not smiling this time. Sheena¡¯s attention had been on Gabrielle all the time. When she noticed that Gabrielle was not in the right mood, she immediately grabbed a te of delicate desserts and walked over to her. ¡°Gabrielle, what¡¯s wrong? It¡¯s rare to see you with such a long face.¡± ¡°Sheena.¡± Chapter 914 Chapter 914 Gabrielle let out a long, mncholle sigh but did not borate further. Sheena smiled as she pretended to joke, ¡°Are you afraid these desserts will make your gain weight? Don¡¯t worry. These are all made with sugar¨Cfree buttercream by a five¨Cstar pastry chef, sweet but not too heavy. They¡¯re delicious and not very high in calories.¡± Gabrielle epted the dessert Sheena offered but did not eat it right away. Instead, she grumbled, ¡°I got scolded by Romello yesterday, and I almost got grounded today. It¡¯s been a bit of a downer for me.¡± Sheena was surprised, asking, ¡°Why did Romello want to ground you? Is it¡­ because of me? Is he trying to keep you from attending my tea party?¡± Gabrielle shook her head quickly. ¡°No, it¡¯s because I messed up.¡± She lowered her head in frustration, then leaned closer to Sheena, whispering mysteriously, ¡°Sheena, I¡¯ll tell you a secret, but don¡¯t tell anyone else.¡± Sheena nodded solemnly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t.¡± Gabrielle trusted her and continued, ¡°Yesterday, I couldn¡¯t resist my curiosity and wanted to peek into Phoebe¡¯s room. And guess what I found?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression became serious. ¡°What?¡± ¡°There was no one in Phoebe¡¯s room!¡± Sheena furrowed her brow and whispered, ¡°Romello said she¡¯s been sick, resting at home. How could there be no one in her room? Did you see Romello taking Phoebe out?¡± Gabrielle was adamant about the matter, replying, ¡°She couldn¡¯t have left the Nicholls. residence. I¡¯ve been watching every day and haven¡¯t seen her leave. She must be inside. the mansion!¡± She nced around before leaning in closer to Sheena again, adding, ¡°Romello has. added several bodyguards to the top floor these past few days. I suspect Phoebe either made a mistake and got locked up by Romello, or she¡¯s contracted some rare or contagious illness and needs to be quarantined.¡± Sheena listened quietly, feeling even more worried about Phoebe¡¯s situation. Originally, she had nned to slip the crystal earrings into Gabrielle¡¯s purse discreetly. Chapter 14 However, Gabrielle truly regarded her as a sister and friend. If she did that and it became public, it could irreparably damage their rtionship. Sheena felt conflicted. Gabrielle tilted her head and looked at Sheena, asking, ¡°Sheena, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± After some time, Sheena raised her head again, locking eyes with Gabrielle, deciding to take a risk She asked, ¡°Gabrielle, you¡¯re curious about what happened to Phoebe too, right? I have a way to let you see her.¡± Gabrielle blinked innocently, looking intrigued. ¡°What way?¡± Sheena leaned in close to her car and whispered a few words. Gabrielle¡¯s expression quickly changed, eximing, ¡°Sheena, no way! If Romello finds. out, he¡¯ll kill me!¡± Sheena patted her hand, reassuring her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll teach you what to say. When the timees, you just need to shift all the me onto me.¡® Gabrielle was hesitant and uncertain. Sheena persuaded her earnestly until she finally relented. ¡± Meanwhile, the news about the Santos Group¡¯s food safety issue had been circting online for two days.. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. During these short two days, the Santos Group had suffered greatly, and their major hotels and restaurants faced boycotts, with their stocks plummeting, leading to huge losses. Wayne tried everything to suppress the news but failed. Finally unable to sit still, he took the initiative to meet with Howard, hoping to enlist his help in removing the trending topic. In the private dining room of a hotel, Wayne nervously rubbed his hands, waiting silently. His heart was heavy with uncertainty as he needed to seek assistance. After five anxious minutes, the door to the private room opened. Chapter 914 Howard walked in with a nk face, his eyes dark and brooding. Chapter 915 Chapter 915 Wayne immediately stood up to greet him, being on his best attitude to get on Howard¡¯s good side. ¡°Mr. Howard, you¡¯re finally here. Please, have a seat.¡± Howard furrowed his brow. He was blunt and unapologetic as he confronted Wayne, ¡°Are you implying I¡¯mte?¡± ¡°Oh, no, not at all! Your presence alone has already brought glory to my restaurant. I¡¯m absolutely thrilled and could never be displeased by your arrival.¡± Wayne lightly tapped his own mouth, trying to smooth things over with a sheepish grin. ¡°I misspoke, Mr. Howard. Please forgive me.¡± Howard eyed him, somewhat begrudgingly satisfied with Wayne¡¯s demeanor. Wayne was not naive. He quickly sensed Howard¡¯s hostility toward him. power, a deliberate Starting off by confronting him upon arrival was clearly a disy of power, attempt to test him. Nevertheless, Wayne stered on a smile, graciously ushering Howard to his seat and pouring him a drink. ¡°Mr. Howard, allow me to offer you a toast as a gesture of my apology.¡± Howard nced at the ss of red wine on the table but made no move to take it, his voice cold as he asked, ¡°Get to the point. I¡¯m busy and don¡¯t have time for beating around the bush.¡± Wayne felt a twinge of embarrassment as he was snubbed once again. He reluctantly set down the wine ss and awkwardly exined why he visited, ¡°I wonder if you¡¯ve been following the trending topic about mypany, the Santos Group? Howard remained silent, his gaze piercing and unfriendly. Wayne could only lower his head and continue, ¡°A couple of days ago, there was suddenly news online about food safety issues in mypany, the Santos Group. Although the reports were exaggerated, unfortunately, manyizens believed them. As a result, the Chapter 015 businesses under the Santos Group have been struggling these past few days, and the stock prices are still in decline. I¡¯ve spent a lot of money and tried various methods, but I haven¡¯t been able to quell the controversy. I have no idea who we¡¯ve offended to receive such a severe bacsh.¡± Wayne wore a pained expression, his posture extremely humble as he appealed to Howard, ¡°Mr. Howard, as someone with immense influence in the entertainment industry, all you need to do is make a phone call, and you can quell the controversy. Whatever you desire, I will spare no effort to obtain it for you!¡± Howard was waiting for this exact statement. ¡°I can help the Santos Group remove the trending topic and even rify that the food safety issues are false rumors, restoring the reputation of the Santos Group.¡± Wayne was absolutely ecstatic, feeling like he¡¯d hit the jackpot. ¡°Mr. Howard, you¡¯re amazing! You¡¯re like a living saint. Whatever you need, I¡¯ll spare no effort to get it for you!¡± Howard smiled slightly, raising his wine ss in a dignified manner toward Wayne. Wayne was overwhelmed with gratitude, quickly raising his own ss and earnestly clinking it against Howard¡¯s before downing the entire contents. Howard took just a small sip. ¡°My request is quite simple. I need you to call off the engagement with Phoebe.¡± Wayne almost choked on his drink. Wayne had known about Howard¡¯s past rtionship with Phoebe, but he had not realized just how much Howard cared about her. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Unwilling to do so?¡± Howard raised an eyebrow when Wayne did not respond. Wayne was truly conflicted about this. ¡°Mr. Howard, besides this condition, is there anything else you need?¡± Howard¡¯s lips tightened, his expression darkening, refusing to speak. Wayne could tell Howard was displeased, so he pressed on, ¡°Mr. Howard, you see, I proposed the engagement to Romello myself. If I cancel it now, Romello probably won¡¯t return the engagement gift¡­¡± Chapter 915 Not only that, but he would also offend Romello. Moreover, given Howard¡¯s high regard for Phoebe, he would not allow Wayne to me the breakup on her, leaving the Santos family to bear the brunt of the consequences. Wayne felt trapped from all sides. Ignoring Wayne¡¯sints, Howard remained upromising. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°Mr. Santos, you have one day to think it over. The request to end the engagement is non -negotiable.¡± Straightening his expensive suit pants, Howard stood up, looking down at Wayne. ¡°Ending the engagement means offending Romello, but the Santos Group¡¯s brief stock. market dip will recover in two days. Refusing means offending the entire Lawson family, and the s Group will copse, facing bankruptcy and liquidation!¡± Chapter 916 Chapter 916 Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. With a daunting air, Howard dropped those words and left the private room without even looking back. ¡°Mr. Howard, Mr. Howard¡­¡± Wayne called out several times but could not make Howard stop. Sitting in his seat, Wayne felt utterly defeated. He keenly noticed Howard¡¯s mention of ¡®the entire Lawson family¡® and regretted it deeply. Wayne had hoped that marrying Phoebe would strengthen ties with the Nicholls family, but he had not anticipated offending Howard. It was definitely a ¡°penny wise, pound foolish¡± moment. Sighing heavily, Wayne took out his phone and called the PR department of the Santos Group. ¡°Immediately find out who besides Howard holds the most influence in the entertainment industry.¡± Two minutester, the PR department sent a text message to his phone with only two words. [Sheena Lawson.] Besides being under Howard¡¯s entertainment empire, Sheena¡¯spany, Angle, was the highest¨C valued entertainmentpany. It boasted top¨Ctier stars like Phoebe, Skye, Abel, and others. Moreover, the hottest talent shows in the entertainment industry were all nned and produced by Angle. It could be said that Sheena had full control of the other half of the entertainment industry, which Howard did not. Wayne sighed again. The entertainment industry was already dominated by the Lawson family. With both siblings reigning supreme and considering Howard¡¯s attitude, seeking help from Sheena would likely yield a simr response. Wayne slumped over the table,menting his dilemma. Cheb918 The tea party finally ended, and the socialites bid farewell to Sheena, driving their luxury cars leisurely back home. Gabrielle left with Naomi, chatting as they departed. Sheena stood by the railing of the rooftop restaurant, her raven hair swaying in the wind, lending her a messy yet elegant allure. She gracefully tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and quickly sent a message to Lionel. [Everything¡¯s done on my end. Proceed ording to n.] As quitting time approached in the National Investigation Bureau, Romello straightened his military uniform, casually slipped his hands into his pockets, and left his office. Just as he stepped into the hallway, he spotted Elliot, also d in formal military attire, leaning against the railing on the second floor, overlooking the bureau¡¯s lobby below. Elliot typically dressed casually for assignments and did not often don his military uniform whening to the National Investigation Bureau. Hence, Romello was surprised to see him so formally attired today. After a while, he approached Elliot and greeted him, ¡°What a coincidence, Mr. Jenkins. What brings you back to the bureau today?¡± Elliot turned around, his figure exuding an air of justice and authority in his adorned military uniform. Then, he replied in a serious tone, ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence. I¡¯m here to see you.¡± Taken aback, Romello quickly straightened his posture, pressing his thumbs against his trouser seams and standing at attention. He respectfully saluted Elliot, saying, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, please let me know if there¡¯s a task at hand.¡± Elliot brushed past him, heading toward his own office with a hint of frustration in his voice as he uttered, ¡°Follow me.¡± Chapter 917 Chapter 917 Romello watched Elliot¡¯s retreating figure. He frowned slightly as he sensed something amiss, hesitating to follow him immediately. After a few steps, Elliot turned back and remarked, ¡°This is a direct order. Are you notplying?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to,¡± Romello replied quickly, realizing he had no choice but toply. He briskly caught up with Elliot, matching his pace as they headed to Elliot¡¯s office for a briefing. At 7 p.m., Sheena and Lionel, apanied by the entire Fourth Division, surrounded the entire Nicholls residence, turning it into a fortress. The imposing presence of the towering soldiers surrounding the mansion courtyard was intimidating. When the butler emerged and witnessed the scene, he was taken aback. ¡°W¨CWhat¡¯s going on here?¡± Sheena stepped forward to exin, ¡°My crystal earrings went missing during this afternoon¡¯s tea party. I¡¯ve checked all the attendingdies except Gabrielle.¡± With a serious expression, Lionel disyed his credentials to the butler and added, ¡± We¡¯re from the National Investigation Bureau. We need your cooperation.¡± The butler was bewildered. Were they suspecting Gabrielle of stealing the crystal earrings? ¡°T¨CThat¡¯s impossible, Mrs. Jenkins,¡± the butler protested. ¡°Ms. Gabrielle grew up with you, and you know her best. As a member of the Nicholls family, she has always been spoiled. She has everything she ever wanted! She wouldn¡¯t steal from you!¡± Sheena remained resolute. ¡°Maybe in the past, but Gabrielle is vengeful, and you know that. We argued during today¡¯s tea party, and I wouldn¡¯t rule out the possibility of her spitefully taking the earrings as retaliation.¡± ¡°How could¡­¡± the butler was at a loss. ¡°Ms. Gabrielle was raised under the strict upbringing of the Nicholls family. She would never do such a thing!¡± Lionel nced at his watch, growing impatient. ¡°Whether it¡¯s true or not, a search will reveal the truth. Please step aside.¡± With a wave of his hand, the soldiers behind him swiftly entered the mansion. While conducting an authorized search, the Nicholls residence¡¯s bodyguards dared not intervene. With Romello absent and the butlercking leadership, they were unsure of what to do. However, a bodyguard discreetly hid and called Romello. The phone rang unexpectedly while Romello was in Elliot¡¯s office, standing and receiving instructions. Elliot¡¯s expression quickly turned cold as the phone rang. ¡°Have you forgotten your manners? Didn¡¯t you know you should turn off or silence your phone before entering?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll turn it off now,¡± Romello replied, retrieving his phone from his pocket and ncing at the caller ID. It was from the Nicholls residence¡¯s bodyguard. He furrowed his brows suspiciously and checked the time on his phone. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Elliot had been lecturing him for an hour already. Initially, he thought Elliot was deliberately testing him to establish authority. However, receiving a call from his home indicated there might be an urgent situation. Was Elliot intentionally dying him? While he was contemting, Elliot tapped his knuckles on the desk, silently reminding him. Romello snapped out of his thoughts and quickly muted his phone. Then, he looked at Elliot, sounding urgent as he said, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, it seems there¡¯s a problem at home. Could you please let me go back?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression remained cold and displeased, indicating his refusal without saying a word. As Romello held his phone in his palm, the screen still illuminated, the call came through again after a few seconds. Chapter 917 3/3 Thinking about the situation on the top floor of the Nicholls residence, Romello felt increasingly restless and decided to defy orders. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Phoebe has been seriously ill. I hired someone to take care of her, so this call must be rted to her. I must go back and check on her. If you¡¯re displeased and use me of disobedience. I¡¯m willing to ept punishment when I return to the bureau. tomorrow.¡± Chapter 918 Chapter 918 After saying that, Romello turned around and swiftly left. ¡°Romello!¡± Elliot called out, but there was no response. Romello was determined to rush back to the Nicholls residence. ncing at his wristwatch, Elliot noted that Sheena and Lionel¡¯s search probably had not concluded yet. With a cold expression, he quickly got up and left the National Investigation Bureau, heading toward the Nicholls residence by car. Meanwhile, the soldiers from the Fourth Division were meticulously searching, pretending to be thorough but not damaging any furniture in the mansion. ¡°Captain, there¡¯s an update!¡± One of the soldiers ran out of the mansion and saluted Lionel. Lionel responded, ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°The top floor is locked, so we couldn¡¯t search it.¡± Lionel immediately turned toward the butler standing nearby, who looked panicked. ¡°Absolutely not! The top floor is where Madam Nicholls rests. She¡¯s currently sleeping, and you cannot disturb her! Besides, there¡¯s no way the earrings could be hidden up there!¡± He e remained resolute, adding, ¡°The top floor is a restricted area set up by Mr. Romello himself. Even Gabrielle isn¡¯t allowed up there. If Mr. Romello finds out the top floor has been searched, he¡¯ll be furious! Besides, he¡¯s the deputy chief of the National Investigation Bureau. Are you not afraid he¡¯ll hold you ountable for this intrusion?¡± Lionel seemed somewhat conflicted, discreetly ncing at Sheena¡¯s expression. Even Sheena had not anticipated the butler¡¯s staunch attitude and remained silent for a moment. Suddenly, a soldier hurried over to Sheena and whispered something in her ear. ¡°Mrs. Jenkins, Ms. Phoebe isn¡¯t in her room. If Phoebe was not in her room, it meant she was indeed on the top floor! Sheena red at the butler, her demeanor growing increasingly firm. ¡°Those earrings of mine are now rare collectors¡® items, worth over a hundred million on the market. If Gabrielle truly stole them, the punishment for her crime won¡¯t be light. If you want to clear her name, you¡¯d better step aside.¡± Lionel chimed in immediately, ¡°If you persist in obstructing the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s investigation, I¡¯ll have no choice but to charge you with hindering official duties and have you arrested.¡± The butler was taken aback by Why was he suddenly arrested? the sudden turn of events. The bodyguard tried to call Romello but could not get through, unsure if Romello would even return. He definitely did not want to spend a few nights in a National Investigation Bureau holding cell¡­ Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Growing increasingly anxious, the butler reluctantly relented. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll open the door. I¡¯ll take you up.¡± Sheena and Lionel exchanged a nce before following him upstairs. Upon reaching the top floor, the butler retrieved the key, his hands trembling with hesitation at the secrets within. Seeing his reluctance, Lionel decisively took the key from him and opened the door himself. As it was already nighttime, the hallway on the top floor was shrouded in darkness, with no lights illuminating the way. asional gusts of cold wind added to the eerie atmosphere. Soon, the heavy iron door creaked open. Lionel took the lead, keeping Sheena shielded behind him. It was too dark inside, and Sheena turned to the butler, saying, ¡°Turn on the lights.¡± The butler wore a grim expression, replying, ¡°Mrs. Jenkins, the lights outside on the top Chapter 918 floor are broken. They can¡¯t be turned on.¡± Sheena was puzzled, asking, ¡°How could someone who cares about his reputation so much would not have the lights fixed?¡± The butler stammered out an exnation, ¡°Um¡­ it¡¯s because of Madam Nicholls. Yes, Madam Nicholls. She¡¯s not in good health and is sensitive to bright lights, so she doesn¡¯t like going out during the day. Mr. Romello hasn¡¯t reced the lights because of her.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Sheena.¡± Lionel turned on his small shlight and led her further inside. Chapter 919 Chapter 919 The corridor was dimly lit, with the faint glow of Lionel¡¯s shlight revealing the closed doors along the way. Lionel led Sheena forward, with the butler trailing behind. Opening the first door revealed a study, its lights still operational. Lionel waved to the two soldiers waiting outside the iron door, who promptly rushed in, pretending to search for the missing crystal earrings. Without dy, Lionel led Sheena to the next room, with the nervous butler following closely. As the door swung open again, it revealed an empty bedroom furnished with intricately carved mahogany furniture. Everything was simple yet elegant and impably clean. The butler exined, ¡°This used to be Mr. Wesley Nicholls¡® room. Since his passing, Madam Nicholls has often imed to see him here, so the room has remained vacant. Mr. Romello has the servants clean it daily.¡± Lionel nodded, pretending to inspect the study as the soldiers did, before carefully searching the bedroom. Exiting the bedroom, Lionel¡¯s gaze shifted to the room across the hall, where faint sounds of rattling chains could be heard. He nced back at Sheena, who was already looking at him. Their expressions were grave, a sense of unease creeping over them. Just as Lionel was about to approach the door handle, the butler suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking the doorway. ¡°This room is Madam Nicholls¡¯s current bedroom. At this hour, she¡¯s already asleep. Disturbing her would not be wise. You can¡¯t enter!¡± The more adamant the butler¡¯s reaction, the more suspicious the room seemed. Sheena chimed in, ¡°I¡¯ve been ying at the Nicholls residence since I was a child, and Auntie Vanda is very fond of me. If she knows I¡¯ve lost my beloved crystal earrings, I believe she¡¯ll understand.¡± Lionel immediately tried to bypass the butler and force the door open. Chapter 910 ¡°No, you can¡¯t! You can¡¯t enter this room at all! Mr. Romello would be furlous if he found out! ¡°It¡¯s really not allowed! You can¡¯t enter!¡± The butler clung to the doorframe, desperately blocking the entrance. He was so nervous that even his breathing quickened. Perhaps due to themotion outside, the sound of chains dragging on the floor inside. could be heard again. Both sides remained at a stalemate for several minutes. Seeing that time was running out, Lionel could only apologize. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± He exerted force, pushing the butler aside. The butler stumbled a few steps to the side, but the soldiers who had finished inspecting the other room promptly grabbed his arms, preventing him from falling. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Lionel took a few steps forward, reaching for the door handle, when suddenly a man¡¯s angry shout echoed from the staircase. ¡°Stop!¡± That voice¡­ Lionel and Sheena both looked out of the iron door, only to see Romello sprinting up the stairs, his breath heavy and his face contorted in rage. Behind him, several bodyguards followed, holdingmps as they entered the corridor. Sheena frowned, clenching her fists. With Romello back, the chances of finding Phoebe and checking on her condition seemed slim. Chapter 920 Chapter 920 The days of nning were about to go down the drain, making her expression particrly serious. Sheena whispered to Lionel, ¡°Screw it. Just open the door.¡± Lionel was about to turn the doorknob when the crisp sound of a bullet being loaded rang out. Romello stood two meters away, holding a gun, coldly aiming it at Lionel¡¯s head. He menacingly threatened, ¡°Lionel, you led the troops to trespass into my home and unt your power. Don¡¯t you dare think I won¡¯t act against you just because of Elliot! If you dare to open this door and disturb my mom¡¯s rest, I¡¯ll end you right this moment.¡± Romello, as the superior, left Lionel with no choice but to reluctantly let go. Sheena stepped forward, blocking the barrel of the gun and shielding Lionel behind her. She looked at Romello, exining, ¡°Mr. Romello, my crystal earrings were stolen at the tea party. All thedies who attended the tea party have been checked. Lionel was just doing his job. There¡¯s no need to draw a gun, is there?¡± Romello¡¯s raised hand did not lower, his chilling aura lingering. ¡°Mrs. Jenkins, I¡¯ve already been briefed by the bodyguards when I arrived. If you suspect Gabrielle of stealing the earrings, you should ask her for it instead of conducting a search in my house.¡± Sheena remainedposed and replied, ¡°But Gabrielle isn¡¯t home. I don¡¯t know where she went. What if she stole my earrings and, fearing consequences, she intentionally returned to the Nicholls residence to hide the earrings and went out to avoid it?¡± Romello¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯ll investigate this matter thoroughly and make Gabrielle answer for it. If she did steal your earrings, I¡¯m willing topensate you threefold and personally bring her to you to exin.¡± Sheena frowned. ¡°Romello¡­¡± Without letting her finish, Romello interrupted, ¡°Mrs. Jenkins, it¡¯ste. Please take your people and leave the Nicholls residence.¡± This blunt eviction order left no room for rebuttal. Chacter 922 Lionel looked anxiously at Sheena, who remained silent. The atmosphere in the corridor became tense. Romello was back. As the head of the Nicholls family and the deputy chief of the National Investigation Bureau, his rank was higher than Lionel¡¯s. Hence, his words left Sheena and Lionel with no room to continue the search. ¡°Alright, Mr. Romello, since you don¡¯t wee me, I¡¯ll leave,¡± Sheena said with a slight smile. Romello lowered the muzzle of the gun, calmly exining, ¡°It¡¯s not that you¡¯re not wee. Phoebe is sick, and my mom isn¡¯t well. We don¡¯t entertain guests at the Nicholls residence at night.¡± Hearing him bring up Phoebe, Sheena took the opportunity to continue, ¡°Last time, you mentioned that Phoebe was sick with just amon cold. Why hasn¡¯t she recovered yet? It¡¯s been so long. What exactly is her illness?¡± Romello smoothly replied, ¡°With the recent change of seasons, she caught a viral flu. It¡¯s a bit severe and contagious, so I¡¯ve locked down the Nicholls residence to prevent visitors, fearing they might get infected.¡± He took two steps back, gesturing politely toward Sheena to pass. Reluctantly, Sheena had to leave with Lionel. Just as they took a few steps, the sound of iron chains shing, rhythmic and distinct came from the tightly closed and quiet right end. Sheena stopped in her tracks and turned to Romello. ¡°Mr. Romello, did you hear that noise just now?¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Lionel immediately chimed in, ¡°Sheena, I heard it too. It sounded like the clinking of iron chains. How could there be such a sound on the top floor of the Nicholls residence? Could it be¡­ someone being held captive in there?¡± ¡°Lionel!¡± Romello¡¯s gaze turned sharp, his voice filled with anger. ¡°This is my family matter, and it¡¯s none of your business. That wasn¡¯t the sound of iron chains. It was the room¡¯s window left open, blowing the bead curtain.¡± just Sheena¡¯s cold gaze swept toward the tightly closed door to the right. Chapter 920 The difference between a bead curtain and the sound of iron chains was so obvious. Who was he trying to fool? Sheena was unwilling to return empty¨Chanded with a failed n. She decided to take a risk! Chapter 921 Chapter 921 As soon as Sheena decided, she clenched her fists and took advantage of Romello¡¯s distraction, running toward the tightly closed door to the right. Even Lionel was taken aback, not catching on immediately. ¡°Sheena!¡± Romello was the first to snap out of it, immediately raising his gun, the bullet. already chambered. His eyes filled with fury, ready to pull the trigger on Sheena. At the critical moment, a pair of hands gripped Romello¡¯s wrist tightly, causing his aim to waver. Turning his head, he saw Elliot, who had hurried over, his face cold and hostile, ring at him. ¡°Mr. Jenkins¡­¡± ¡°How dare you raise your gun at my wife? Don¡¯t you value your title as the deputy chief?¡± Elliot¡¯s aura grew increasingly intimidating, and he forcefully took the gun from Romello¡¯s hand and threw it to the ground. With Elliot¡¯s presence, Romello lost his earlier arrogance. Sheena caught sight of Elliot just in time and decisively turned the doorknob, pushing the door open and rushing into the pitch¨Cck room. In the instant she turned on the light in the darkness, she froze as she took in the scene. inside. Lionel, who followed closely behind, stood by the door, equally shocked by what he saw. The room was devoid of any furniture, not even a bed. However, there was a woman with disheveled ck hair lying on her side against the wall. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Around her neck was a heavy iron cor, and her wrists and ankles were bound by iron chains that extended all the way to the wall. Due to the restraints and captivity, her skin bore grim bloodstains, evidence of previous struggles. Chapter 931 Her long hair covered her face, and as the bright light shone in, she trembled, shrinking back against the wall, clearly terrified. Sheena was stunned, her limbs tingling with fear, afraid to confirm the woman¡¯s identity, She feared that if it really were Phoebe, she would not be able to control her desire to kill Romello, the monster. She was even more grateful that Howard had not apanied them on today¡¯s mission. If he had seen this scene, he would probably have gone mad on the spot. While Sheena was still in shock, Lionel walked over and crouched beside the woman¡¯s feet. Sensing someone approaching, the woman trembled even more violently as if facing a ferocious beast. In a soft voice, Lionel reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I won¡¯t hurt you. Mr. Jenkins will ensure justice for you.¡± As he spoke, he gently brushed aside her disheveled hair. Phoebe¡¯s face was as pale as paper, her once clear and innocent eyes now vacant and lifeless. Seeing Lionel, her expression turned numb. It seemed like there was something wrong with her mentally. The moment Sheena realized it was indeed Phoebe, her eyes welled up with tears, her clenched hands trembling uncontrobly. Romello and Elliot stood at the doorway, watching silently. Romello¡¯s face betrayed no emotion as he prepared to exin the situation. ¡°Phoebe is¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, a loud p cut him off mid¨Csentence. ¡°Romello, you¡¯re inhumane! You actually imprisoned your own sister! You¡¯re nothing but a despicable monster!¡± Chapter 922 Chapter 922 Sheena was furious. When she saw Romello stuck in a daze and not dodging, shended another p in the same spot. Fueled by anger and her martial arts background, the ps were powerful, causing his lips to split and blood to seep out, leaving his face swollen with bruised marks. Even so, Romello clenched his fists tightly and remained silent as Elliot was there. Sheena raised her hand again, wishing she could just kill Romello right then and there for his inhuman actions. However, Elliot intervened before the third p couldnd, saying, ¡°That¡¯s enough, Nana. Let¡¯s hear what he has to say first.¡± Elliot pulled her into his arms, soothing her emotions with affection. He gently rubbed her reddened palms, casing the pain from hitting Romello. Romello wiped away the blood from his lips and began to exin again. ¡°We had a doctor examine Phoebe earlier. He said her severe fever from a recent cold affected her brain nerves, leading to mental issues. She has a tendency to self¨Charm, and I was afraid she would hurt herself again, so I locked her up on the top floor and had a specialized doctor look after her.¡± His exnation sounded like a string of lies to Sheena. ¡°Phoebe has only been back at the Nicholls family for a short time. Before her return, Howard took her to the hospital for a check¨Cup, and she was perfectly healthy. Moreover,ing from an orphanage background, she¡¯s always been resilient and healthier than most girls. How could she suddenly have a mental breakdown and self¨Charm tendencies within just a week of returning? Romello, do you really think I would believe that you did nothing?¡± Sheena¡¯s logical questioning left Romello speechless. Romello wanted to exin further, but Sheena did not give him the chance to speak. She turned to Elliot, saying, ¡°Honey, as the head of the National Investigation Bureau, Romello uwfully imprisoning his own sister constitutes a crime. Shouldn¡¯t he be arrested and questioned, and if found guilty, face severe punishment?¡± Elliot nodded. ¡°In theory, even with blood rtions, restraining someone with iron. chains and limiting their freedom is uneptable.¡± Taking the conversation back, Romello said, ¡°Mrs, Jenkins, there¡¯s definitely no charge. of uwful imprisonment. If you don¡¯t believe me, feel free to have a doctor assess Phoebe¡¯s mental condition. I locked her up on the top floor out of love and for her treatment. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Sheena red at him, unable to retort. She steadied her mind, calmly considering her next steps. In this situation, the most crucial step is to have Phoebe undergo a mental evaluation. However, everyone in the Nicholls family was under Romello¡¯s influence and would not speak up for Phoebe. Hence, only when Phoebe¡¯s mental state stabilized could they uncover what she had been through and what Romello had done to her. Finally sorting out her thoughts, Sheena said, ¡°Alright then. I demand that the National Investigation Bureau take Phoebe away for a fair and impartial mental evaluation. Any objections?¡± Romello¡¯s expression stiffened, and he firmly refused, ¡°Mrs. Jenkins, Phoebe can¡¯t leave the Nicholls residence. Under the recent treatment by doctors, her condition has improved significantly. If she leaves this room, she¡¯ll likely revert to self¨Charm.¡± Sheena remained resolute. ¡°I don¡¯t believe a word you say. Any evaluation results must be conducted by certified doctors, and I won¡¯t trust it unless it¡¯s done again. The only way to clear your name is by taking Phoebe away and waiting until the evaluation results, understand?¡± ¡°Mrs. Jenkins¡­¡± Romello attempted to interject, but Sheena was done listening to his excuses. She immediately instructed Lionel, ¡°Remove the iron chains and take Phoebe away.¡± ¡°On it.¡± Lionel, carrying tools in his military uniform, effortlessly unlocked all the locks on the iron chains and lifted the dazed Phoebe onto his back to lead her out. Several soldiers rushed forward to assist, quickly escorting Phoebe away from the top floor. Chapter 922 Sheena turned and walked away, keeping a close eye on them. Meanwhile, Elliot remained in ce, his voice cold and firm as he addressed Romello, ¡± Until this matter is resolved, the fact that you imprisoned your own sister stands. You¡¯re relieved of all duties for now, and you¡¯re to stay home until further notice. Any objections?¡± Romello clenched his jaw and reluctantly replied, ¡°No objections, sir.¡± With his affirmation, Elliot wasted no time. He turned and left, the group swiftly departing from the Nicholls family estate.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. As the sound of the car engine pierced the quiet of the night, Romello stood on the balcony, angrily hurling a nearby vase to the ground. Chapter 923 Chapter 923 The soldiers from the Fourth Division all withdrew back to the bureau. Sheena and Elliot, along with Lionel carrying Phoebe on his back, hurried back to E&S Haven, where Howard and Jacintha had been waiting at the door for some time. Knowing their n for the day, Howard was visibly restless, pacing back and forth at the entrance. Jacintha found herself a chair, matching her sitting time to Howard¡¯s standing time. The night had fallen, and the mansion¡¯s porch lights cast Howard¡¯s shadow long and narrow. Jacintha endured and endured until she could not anymore. Finally, she said, ¡°Mr. Howard, can¡¯t you sit still for a moment? You¡¯re making me dizzy! Why not take a seat for a while?¡± Howard paid her no mind, continuing his restless pacing. It was getting quitete, yet there was still no word from Sheena¡¯s end, leaving them unsure if the n went smoothly. How could he possibly sit still at such a critical moment? Unable to persuade him, Jacintha sighed and shook her head, reluctantly apanying the wait for Lionel. After a while, they heard hurried footsteps not far away. Howard turned to look and, despite the dim outside lights, his gaze was immediately drawn to Phoebe on Lionel¡¯s back. ¡°Phoebe?¡± He rushed over, decisively taking the unconscious Phoebe from Lionel¡¯s back and holding her tightly. Howard¡¯s eyes became teary when he saw her pale face and the clearly visible deep red bruises on her wrists and neck. He looked at Sheena, asking, ¡°Nana, what happened to her? Is she injured?¡± Sheena sighed and replied, ¡°Let¡¯s discuss inside. This isn¡¯t the ce for this conversation. Toward understood immediately, nodding and carrying Phoebe into the mansion. The other three followed quickly. Two minutester, Howard learned the whole story from Sheena. Inside the mansion, Howard mmed the table, and the loud thud echoed, startling the birds perched in the garden trees. His eyes reddened with anger, wishing he could immediately skin Romello alive for what he had done to Phoebe. ¡°To imprison and torment his own sister¡­ he¡¯s nothing short of a beast!¡± The atmosphere in the living room was unusually solemn. Phoebe was settled in one of the guest rooms, where Jacintha was caring for her, helping her change into clean clothes and gently tending to her body. Lionel and Sheena stood with lowered gazes, their expressions serious. The corner of Elliot¡¯s mouth twitched, and he broke the tension with a cold tone. ¡°This coffee table was air freighted from Yurnle, made of crystal ss. If it breaks, it must be compensated at full price, even if you¡¯re family.¡± Howard, Lionel, and Sheena were surprised by his sudden remark. Howard, still with reddened eyes from shock at Phoebe¡¯s injury, looked at Elliot in disbelief. ¡°Elliot! Phoebe and I are dealing with such a difficult situation, yet you¡¯re worried about the cost of the crystal coffee table?¡± Lionel rubbed his nose and added, ¡°Elliot, are you short on moneytely? Did you do something bad, causing Sheena to cut your expenses?¡± This time it was Sheena¡¯s turn to be speechless, but she also looked at Elliot, puzzled. Faced with their stares, Elliot exined with a nk face, ¡°Because Nana really likes this new coffee table, not even a crack is eptable.¡± The tension in the living room eased up slightly. Sheena chuckled and gave Elliot a knowing look. She quickly understood what Elliot was doing. Elliot noticed that Howard was angry and was afraid Howard might act impulsively again hest time. Hence, he deliberately changed the subject to lighten the mood and ease Howard¡¯s anger toward Romello. se to Calm Your Surprise RewandtExclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Chapter 924 Chapter 924 It seemed that Elliot was growing more attentive and thoughtful. Sheena was delighted, smiling as she turned to see Howard¡¯s expression, which had Indeed Improved considerably. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Then, she steered the conversation back. ¡°Howard, there¡¯s a chance that Phoebe might be slightly mentally unwell and require medical attention. Since Romello will surely be watching closely, we need to find a way to restore her sanity as soon as possible. ¡°Once she¡¯s somewhat recovered, we¡¯ll have to send her to the National Investigation Burean for a proper evaluation by a certified mental health professional. Only then can we uncover what Romello has done to her and nail him for his crimes. Howard nodded, expressing no objections. Sheena went on, ¡°Furthermore, I suggest that during this time, Phoebe stays at E&S Haven.¡± On this point, Howard did not immediately agree. ¡°Nana, can I take her back home to care for her? It seems like she¡­ doesn¡¯t recognize me anymore¡­¡± His heart was filled with guilt, especially seeing Phoebe tortured by Romello to such an extent; it pained him deeply. If he could not do something personally for Phoebe, he would feel suffocated by guilt. Sheena understood his concerns, knowing that he was desperate to make amends for the harm Phoebe had suffered. Yet, the circumstances did not allow it. She exined logically, ¡°That¡¯s not possible, Howard. Romello will surely take action to evade responsibility. If he knows Phoebe is here, considering Elliot is his superior, he might not say anything, but bringing Phoebe back to your ce would likely cause trouble as soon as he finds out.¡± Moreover, Phoebe¡¯s engagement with the Santos family was technically still valid, making her Wayne¡¯s fiancee. Hence, Howard had no reason to keep Phoebe at his own mansion in a situation where it would be just the two of them. It would only cause further trouble if Romello discovered that. Even if the Santos family were to cancel the engagement, Howard and Phoebe¡¯s rtionship was never made official to the public, and it would be inappropriate for her to stay at Howard¡¯s. Yet, it was different at E&S Haven. Sheena and Phoebe were close friends after all. For once, Howard was rtively rational. He understood Sheena¡¯s intentions andpromised. ¡°Alright, then¡­ Can I perhaps trouble you all for a few days?¡± Sheena nced at Elliot, who was also looking at her. Their eyes met, and they did not answer immediately. Howard realized his request was too sudden, adding, ¡°I won¡¯t just be a freeloader. I can help Elliot with household chores, cooking, and even paying ten times the market rate for amodation and meals.¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°Howard, you¡¯re so funny! It¡¯s perfectly normal for a brother to visit his sister for a few days. There¡¯s no need to pay.¡± No, I have to. Elliot works hard cooking and doing chores, and now he has to do extra since there are two more people here.¡± Elliot just looked on silently. The atmosphere in the living room gradually became harmonious as the arrangements. for Phoebe¡¯s stay were mostly settled. Sheena asked another question, ¡°How¡¯s the situation with the Santos family?¡± Howard replied, ¡°I¡¯ve given Wayne a day to consider. He should give a response tomorrow morning. If all goes well, it should be good news.¡°. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Sheena nodded, letting out a long sigh of relief. Everything seemed to be bing clearer, and everything appeared to be heading in a positive direction¡­ Just as Sheena was lost in thought, a piercing scream from upstairs interrupted her. It was Jacintha! Jacintha¡¯s cries for help echoed from upstairs, ¡°Lionel! Mr. Jenkins, hurry! She¡¯s so frightening! I can¡¯t control her!¡± Chapter 924 Howard jumped to his feet and dashed upstairs, with sheena, Elliot, and the others following quickly. Upon entering the guest room, Howard was hit with the pungent smell of blood. Jacinthay limp on the carpet beneath the bed, and the pristine white sheets were stained with a deep red hue. Howard followed the blood trail and saw Phoebe¡¯s actions. His heart skipped a beat, gasping in shock. Chapter 925 Chapter 925 Phoebe sat on the bed, using her sharp nails to mutte her wrist like a crazy person. The areas where she had been shackled with iron chains were now a bloody mess, with fresh blood dripping down. Yet, she seemed oblivious to the pain, her eyes zing red. In a manic state, she repeated her frenzied act of self¨Cdestruction. ¡°Phoebe, stop!¡± Howard rushed to her, embracing her to prevent further harm. Phoebe, in her state of madness, fought against his embrace. Then, she suddenly erupted in rage and sank her teeth into his neck. Howard furrowed his brow, holding his breath. It hurt, but his heart ached even more. He remained still, letting her unleash all her rage upon him. Sheena, Elliot, and Lionel hurried upstairs, witnessing the horrifying scene. Sheena calmly instructed, ¡°Lionel, quickly go to the Jenkins family medical team and get some sedatives. Elliot, help me restrain Phoebe.¡± ¡°Yes, Sheena,¡± Lionel responded, turning to leave. Sheena and Elliot worked together to try to restrain the out¨Cof¨Ccontrol Phoebe. ¡°No need. Don¡¯t hurt her¡­ This is enough. It¡¯s what I deserve,¡± Howard struggled to speak through the pain in his neck. Elliot stood by the bed, helpless as he watched Howard being bitten. Sheena immediately went to help Jacintha up from the floor. The atmosphere in the room was eerie, with everyone staring at the seemingly tender yet bloody scene on the bed, their faces grim. Lionel acted quickly, returning with a whole box of sedatives within ten minutes. As they prepared to administer the injection, Howard, pale¨Cfaced and trembling, reached out his hand. Chapter 925 Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Let me¡­¡± Reluctantly, Lionel handed it to him. With gentle yet precise movements, Howard injected the sedative into Phoebe¡¯s arm. However, even after the full dose of sedative, Phoebe¡¯s condition showed no improvement. Those eyes remained bloodshot, looking sinister like a raging demon. Lionel could only hand another sedative to Howard. With two doses of sedative injected into her system, Phoebe gradually loosened her grip and copsed into Howard¡¯s arms.. Howard tenderly ced her back on the bed, the clear teeth marks and evident bloodstains on his neck. Sheena walked over to check his wound, thankfully finding no damage to the tendons or veins. ¡°Howard, how do you feel?¡± Howard ignored the pain, replying, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Sheena turned to Lionel. ¡°Go to the Jenkins family medical team and fetch the best psychiatrist. Have them stay at the mansion for the next few days to assist Howard in taking care of Phoebe.¡± Lionel nodded. ¡°Got it.¡± As Lionel departed, Elliot went downstairs and retrieved the medical kit from the storage. cab. He helped Howard clean the wound on his neck, his movements skillful and practiced. Howard remained still, his eyes fixed on Phoebe. If he could, he would not want to treat the wound on his neck; he wanted to endure the pain with Phoebe. Chapter 926 Chapter 926 Nheless, if Howard were to copse at this crucial moment, it would only burden Sheena and Elliot more, Impacting their ability to administer proper care for Phoebe. Sheena stood nearby, silently observing as Elliot applied the medication to Howard. Phoebe¡¯s condition seemed anything but simple. Her manic self¨Charm was bizarre, indicating that Romello had likely injected her with something forbidden. This needed thorough investigation. ¡°Howard, as good as the Jenkins family medical team¡¯s doctors may be, they¡¯re no match for Noah. What do you think about bringing Noah back?¡± Sheena suggested. Howard pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°Forget it. He¡¯s still busy pursuing Ms. Hannah. Let him focus on his own affairs.¡± Sheena nodded in agreement, then turned to Elliot with a serious expression. ¡°Honey, I suspect Romello injected Phoebe with some illegal substance. Professor Yosef is well¨Cversed in drugs. If we take Phoebe to theb, do you think he could find out?¡± Elliot considered and said, ¡°We can try tomorrow, but Phoebe¡¯s current condition is too unstable. She goes berserk when she¡¯s awake. I¡¯ll send someone to check theb¡¯s drug records first.¡± Knowing Nathaniel had previously stolen S404 biochemical agents due to his position, and considering Romello¡¯s association with him, Sheena agreed. They had to try every method avable to find a breakthrough. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. During dinner, everyone¡¯s minds were preupied. Howard remained upstairs, watching over Phoebe as she slept soundly under the effects of sedatives. Thinking about Phoebe¡¯s situation fueled Sheena¡¯s anger. She turned to Elliot and asked, ¡°Even though we don¡¯t have concrete evidence against Romello, you¡¯re still his superior at work. Do you have a way to help Phoebe and Howard teach Romello a lesson, venting their frustrations?¡± Elliot pondered deeply, replying, ¡°Nana, none of you should act rashly regarding Romello¡¯s matter. As for dealing with him, leave it to me.¡± Chapter 926 ¡°Alright,¡± Sheena agreed, feeling reassured by Elliot¡¯s words. She only hoped Elliot would treat Romello ruthlessly! After dinner, Lionel and Jacintha left E&S Haven and returned to their own mansion. Sheena went to the fourth¨Cfloor nursery, spending time with Freida and the children. Lionel brought Doctor Riley Wilkinson from the Jenkins family medical team to assist Howard in caring for Phoebe and examining her condition in the guest room. Elliot returned to the bedroom, working on hisputer overtime to deal with tasks from the Jenkins Group. It It was a quiet night, and everyone was busy. Sheena spent two hours soothing the babies until they and Freida fell asleep, then she rubbed her sore neck and slowly returned to the bedroom. Seeing her slightly weary expression, Elliot set aside hisputer and got out of bed, pulling her into his arms. She had been drained after a long day. Elliot sat on the edge of the bed, cing her on hisp, and skillfully flipped her over to lie face down, expertly massaging her shoulders and neck. He had learned massage techniques from an expert when Sheena was suffering from fatigue during her pregnancy. Under his attentive care, Sheena began to drift off to sleep. Seeing her on the verge of slumber, Elliot stopped his movements, turned her back around, and lovingly embraced her. His maic voice whispered in her ear, ¡°Nana, my hands are getting sore from taking care of you. Can I get somefort too?¡± Sheena, feeling drowsy, nestled closer to him, murmuring, ¡°Not tonight. Too tired¡­ and there are so many unresolved issues. I¡¯m not in the mood.¡± Elliot, feeling a bit aggrieved, furrowed his brows. ¡°Nana, those things can wait until tomorrow, and our rtionship is going well. You shouldn¡¯t bring those emotions into our private time.¡± Chapter 926 ¡°But I can¡¯t. I¡¯m exhausted, too weak to move,¡± Sheena replied. Ignoring her protests, Elliot lifted her onto the bed, firmly pressing her down. His obsidian eyes glinted mischievously. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of everything. Just lie down and rx. I¡¯ll serve you well.¡± She closed her eyes, listening to his words in a half¨Cawake state until his subtle movements startled her awake. ¡°Hey!¡± Before she could protest further, his lips silenced her, devouring her with sweet passion. The bedroom filled with a sensual atmosphere as Elliot conquered and imed, turning. into a sly beast, consuming her bit by bit. Chapter 927 Chapter 927 It was a restless night, especially for the Nicholls residence. Gabrielle had gone to y at Vanda¡¯s rtives¡® house, her phone turned off and unreachable. As soon as Romello saw Sheena and the others leave, he instructed the bodyguards to find Gabrielle immediately. Five hourster, in the early hours of the morning, Gabrielle was carried back by the bodyguards from her rtives¡® house and dumped into the altar room. ¡°Ouch! Watch it, you almost killed me!¡± Gabrielle eximed, rubbing her sore bottom, indignantly comining about the bodyguard. The bodyguard bowed politely without saying a word and left the altar room with a bang as the door closed heavily, startling Gabrielle. In the pitch¨Cck night, the flickering candlelight in the altar room asionally swayed with the gusts of wind, making Gabrielle gulp nervously as she got up from the floor. ¡°Kneel.¡® A chillingmand echoed from behind her. Hearing the voice, Gabrielle shuddered all over in fear. She turned stiffly and saw Romello standing before the Nicholls family ancestors¡® portraits, his face dark and menacing as he held a paddle. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. The paddle was solid, obviously soaked in water when taken out, specifically prepared for her. Trembling with fear, she reluctantly approached and knelt on the cushion, forcing a nervous chuckle. ¡°Romello, you¡¯re so scary. What did I do wrong? You even prepared a paddle,¡± she said, trying to lighten the mood. Romello pursed his lips, his face as grim as a vengeful spirit, fierce and icy. ¡°Romello, can¡¯t we talk about this? My skin is delicate, and I can¡¯t handle your spanking. Besides, you¡¯ve never hit me before. Don¡¯t act so rashly,¡± she pleaded, acting pitiful. Chapter 927 Romello stepped closer, looming over her, his voice as cold as if he were interrogating a criminal. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you questions, and you must answer truthfully. If you dare lie, I¡¯ll break your legs.¡± Gabrielle paled and shook her head. ¡°I dare not, Romello! Go ahead and ask. I won¡¯t lie.¡± ¡°Why did you sneak out tonight?¡± Romello asked sternly. Gabrielle hesitated, recalling Sheena¡¯s numerous warnings during the day, and pretended to be clueless. ¡°I didn¡¯t sneak out, Romello. Why would you think that? Our cousin, Natalie, called me toe over for a visit. I always sleep over at Auntie¡¯s house anyway. I didn¡¯t n to return tonight, but then your people came looking for me. I frequently stay at her ce, so why are you taunting me with the paddle?¡± Romello narrowed his eyes, seeing through her facade, and continued, ¡°Are Sheena¡¯s crystal earrings here with you?¡± Gabrielle¡¯s heart raced as she remembered Sheena¡¯s instructions to stick to the story. It would be tough to get through the night if she had not. With an innocent expression, she looked up and said, ¡°Yes, they¡¯re here with me. Is there a problem with that?¡± Chapter 928 Chapter 928 Romello frowned, his eyes burning with anger as he raised the paddle, ready to strike at Gabrielle. ¡°Hey, hey! Calm down! That¡¯s going to hurt! Don¡¯t hit me!¡± Gabrielle quickly shielded herself with her arms and, taking advantage of his hesitation, lunged at him, grabbing onto his thigh and sobbing. ¡°Romello, you know me, I¡¯m usually so well¨Cbehaved. If I¡¯ve done something wrong, you have to let me know what it is,¡± she pleaded, tears shimmering from Romello¡¯s intimidating demeanor. Reluctantly, Romello lowered the paddle, his voice cold as he continued, ¡°Gabrielle, have you forgotten our family¡¯s principal? Why are you stealing now?¡± Gabrielle clung tighter to his leg, looking up at him with a puzzled expression. ¡°Romello, what are you talking about? You suspect me of stealing the crystal earrings? How could I? I¡¯m the heiress of the prestigious Nicholls family! I¡¯ve seen all kinds of luxury jewelry. I would never steal, especially not from Sheena. It¡¯s impossible!¡± Romello¡¯s frown deepened. In truth, he did not believe Gabrielle would steal either, knowing her temperament well. That was also why he brought her to the altar room for questioning instead of immediately resorting to punishment. ¡°Tell me exactly what happened,¡± Romellomanded sternly. Gabrielle breathed a sigh of relief and quickly recited the rehearsed lie she had practiced at her aunt¡¯s house many times before. ¡°At the tea party, Sheena and I were chatting. She mentioned how she hadn¡¯t seen me in a while and expressed concern for me. Oh, and she asked about Phoebe¡¯s health, but I didn¡¯t know much, so I didn¡¯t say anything. Later, we had a pleasant conversation, and Sheena said she wanted to give me a little gift, so she gave me the crystal earrings. It¡¯s still in my bag!¡± Gabrielle¡¯s bag had fallen to the corner of the pir when the bodyguards tossed her into the altar room. Chapter 928 She cautiously nced at Romello¡¯s expression, seeing no signs of anger, and then moved toward the corner of the pir, picking up her designer bag from the floor. Then, she took out a pair of expensive and delicate blue crystal earrings and handed them. to Romello before continuing her exnation. ¡°Romello, I intended to leave such valuable earrings at home after the tea party. However, when Natalie called, I forgot to ce them on the vanity and ended up taking them with me,¡± she exined, retrieving her phone from her bag and showing Romello the call log. After her exnation, Romello¡¯s expression softened considerably. Curiously, Gabrielle asked, ¡°Romello, why did you use me of stealing Sheena¡¯s earrings earlier? Did something happen?¡± Romello lowered his gaze, his expression grave.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Sheena imed the earrings were stolen and, along with Lionel, searched the Nicholls. residence and took Phoebe with her.¡± Gabrielle secretly breathed a silent sigh of relief, then quickly feigned surprise. ¡°Why were they able to take Phoebe? Doesn¡¯t that count as trespassing? And why did. Sheena say I stole the earrings when she gave them to me herself?¡± Romello did not bother exining further, ncing coldly at his innocent yet naive sister. ¡°In the future, keep your distance from Sheena, and don¡¯t let her manipte you. You¡¯re not a child anymore. Besides family, don¡¯t trust anyone else¡¯s words blindly.¡± ¡°I understand, Romello,¡± she replied softly, casting a timid nce at the paddle in his hand. ¡°Could you please put that thing away? It¡¯s frightening¡­¡± Romello tousled her hair. ¡°Alright, it¡¯ste. Go rest.¡± Gabrielle nodded obediently and left the altar room. Even after exiting the altar room, her legs still trembled. She let out a long sigh, patting her chest to soothe her startled heart. She only hoped that now that Sheena had taken Phoebe, she would never bring her back. She did not want to see Phoebe at the Nicholls residence at all! Chapter 929 Chapter 929 In the altar room, Romello ced the paddle back into its long velvet box. The thought of Sheena manipting Gabrielle to take Phoebe away made his gaze even more ominous. The next day at E&S Haven, Howard had not slept all night, sitting by Phoebe¡¯s bedside. The doctor had examined her, finding her extremely weak. Even though it took two sedatives to calm her madness, they also kept her asleep all night. Her wrist wounds had also been treated and bandaged by Howard. He looked at her pale and exhausted sleeping face, holding her hand tightly in his. Convincing her to reim her position as the Nicholls family heiress seemed like the biggest mistake of his life, and it seemed nothing could make up for the harm Phoebe had suffered in the Nicholls family. When she woke up, no matter how she chose to punish him, he would ept it.. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Howard¡¯s eyes were red, and his heart ached, silently weeping. The whole room felt suffocated with despair. Suddenly, a phone call interrupted his extreme sadness. It was Wayne. The moment the call connected, Wayne quickly tried to please him. ¡°Mr. Howard, I¡¯ve thought it through. I¡¯m willing to break my engagement with Phoebe. But I might need a few days to find a suitable excuse to tell Mr. Romello. Can you help me handle the negative press online for the Santos family in the meantime?¡± Howard¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°You haven¡¯t sorted out this matter, yet you want me to clean up the mess for the Santos family online? Wayne, do you think I¡¯m a fool?¡± ¡°No, Mr. Howard, you¡¯ve misunderstood. I just¡­¡± Howard did not want to hear his exnation, issuing a final ultimatum. ¡°By noon today, I want to hear that the engagement arrangement between the Santos Chapter 929 and Nicholls families has been canceled. If you can¡¯t get it done and keep stalling, I¡¯ll have Nana cancel all cooperation with the Santos Group. Do you want to see the Santos. Group dere bankruptcy within a few days?¡± If the Lawson Group took the lead in isting the Santos Group, otherpanies would surely follow suit and kick the Santos Group while they were down. Without cooperation, the Santos Group¡¯s businesses in the hospitality industry would suffer, and they would not be able to hold on for more than a few days. In truth, Howard felt no guilt in threatening Wayne this way. In his forties, Wayne was a middle¨Caged man notorious for his womanizing ways. He had been widowed several times, each time iming illness as the cause of death, but the actual reason was unknown, hidden very well. Clearly, Wayne had some undisclosed quirks. For such a jerk to have his sights on Phoebe, causing the Santos Group to lose hundreds of millions, Howard was already showing mercy. ¡°Mr. Howard! Mr. Howard¡­¡± Wayne wanted to say something more, but Howard decisively ended the call and blocked his contact, unwilling to waste another word. His threat was proven to be very effective. Wayne could not get through to Howard anymore, realizing he had been blocked, which in turn proved to him how furious Howard was over this matter. He immediately called Romello, and half an hourter, he rushed to the Nicholls residence. For Wayne, he could go without marrying another wife for the rest of his life. After all, he could always find some young women at the clubs. However, have the Santos Group copse! The Santos Group was his life! It was like his own baby! he could not afford to When Wayne hurriedly arrived at the Nicholls residence, Romello was in his study handling business matters. Chapter 929 11 He had the butler escort Wayne to the living room to wait. Yet, this waitsted for an hour. Wayne was on pins and needles, sweating profusely from nerves. He kept checking the time on his watch, realizing it was almost 11 a.m., and Romello still had note to see him. If he kept waiting like this without any assurance, and if the Lawson Group made a move, he would be in big trouble. ¡°Excuse me, could you please remind Mr. Romello again? I really have an urgent matter to discuss with him!¡± Chapter 930 Chapter 930 The butler had already gone to remind Romello more than five times. Since Romello came backst night, his mood had been consistently sour, and a few more reminders might just cause the butler to face Romello¡¯s wrath. The butler, feeling intimidated, could only bow and say, ¡°Please wait, sir. Mr. Romello is finishing up his tasks and will be down shortly.¡± Wayne had no choice but to continue waiting. Another half hour passed, and Romello finally descended the stairs leisurely at 11.30 a.m. Since the matter with the National Investigation Bureau had been halted by Elliot, Romello was not dressed in military attire today. He wore a simple and refreshing shirt and trousers, appearing more approachable than before. ¡°Mr. Santos, what brings you here today? Are you here to see Phoebe?¡± Wayne nced at his watch again. Seeing that it was almost noon, he did not have time for small talk with Romello and got straight to the point. ¡°Mr. Romello, I¡¯m here today to cancel the engagement between me and Phoebe.¡± Romello¡¯s handsome face visibly darkened at Wayne¡¯s words, and he narrowed his eyes. coldly.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Cancel the engagement?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Wayne nodded solemnly, wiping the thinyer of sweat from his forehead. ¡°I¡¯m the one canceling this engagement, so I¡¯ll issue a public statement informing everyone that it was my fault. You don¡¯t need to return the engagement gifts. Consider itpensation to the Nicholls Group for the losses they may incur due to the cancetion. of our engagement.¡± Wayne kept ncing at his watch and immediately stood up after speaking. ¡°I¡¯ve already made up my mind about this matter, and I¡¯m just here to inform you, Mr. Romello, I have some other matters to attend to, so I¡¯ll be taking my leave now.¡± With that, he bowed apologetically to Romello and quickly left the living room. Chapter 930 As soon as he stepped out, Wayne heard a loud crash from inside before the door even closed behind him. It was the sound of something being thrown. He trembled in fear, cold sweat dripping incessantly. However, he could not worry about that now. The Lawson family was much more terrifying! With that in mind, Wayne quickened his pace. Seeing it was almost noon, he immediately informed hispany¡¯s PR department to announce the canction of his engagement with Phoebe while returning to the car. In the living room, Romello exploded in a fit of rage. He had smashed an entire expensive tea set to the ground, shattering it into pieces. ¡°Sheena! Howard! Elliot!¡± They always ruined his ns! He gritted his teeth, his gaze sharp as a knife, incredibly piercing. The butler dared not approach, keeping his distance and softly advising, ¡°Sir, the Santos family has given quite a sum as engagement gifts and is willing to take full responsibility for the canction of the engagement. The Nicholls Group won¡¯t suffer significant losses. In fact, we¡¯ve gained quite a windfall from the gifts.¡± This reasoning made sense, looking at it from a profit perspective. Romello¡¯s anger subsided somewhat after hearing that. He stretched out his legs as he sank into the sofa, contemting the situation. ¡°If the Santos family wants to cancel the engagement, let them. Since the Nicholls family won¡¯t incur major losses, we¡¯ll let them off. The priority now is resolving Phoebe¡¯s situation.¡± Even though Phoebe was currently not mentally sound and unable to reveal the Nicholls family¡¯s secrets, Elliot and Sheena would surely do everything possible to cure her. Phoebe staying there was still a variable, a ticking time bomb. Chantel 930 After some consideration, he instructed the butler, ¡°Get a few people to guard the entrance of the Jenkins estate and the National Investigation Bureau. Keep an eye on where Elliot takes Phoebe.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Romello¡¯s cold gaze narrowed as he added, ¡°If there¡¯s any sign of her regaining consciousness, take action immediately, at any cost. Find a way to get rid of her.¡± The butler was taken aback. ¡°Sir, she¡¯s your own sister.¡± Romello¡¯s expression remained calm, devoid of any extra emotion. ¡°Any variable that could affect the Nicholls family¡¯s interests isn¡¯t worth being sentimental about, even if we¡¯re rted by blood.¡± Chapter 931 Chapter 931 Seeing Romello¡¯s indifferent demeanor, the butler sighed and said nothing, obediently. going about his tasks. During lunchtime, the atmosphere in the dining room of the Nicholls residence was unusually heavy. Gabrielle and Marius sensed that Romello had a lot on his mind and was in a sour mood, and they dared not speak, eating in silence with their heads lowered. The only sound in the vast dining room was the clinking of utensils against dishes. Romello¡¯s face was grim as he suddenly remembered the person locked away on the top floor. Phoebe now knew the Nicholls family¡¯s secret, and allowing her to stay with Elliot was a significant threat. Romello wished he could kill her immediately. With a loud tter, he mmed his utensils onto the table. The sudden sharp noise startled both Gabrielle and Marius, causing them to tremble. Being timid and indecisive, Marius promptly set down his utensils upon seeing Romello stop eating, silently sitting there. Gabrielle felt too awkward to continue eating as well. She set down her utensils and turned to Romello. ¡°Romello, what¡¯s wrong?¡± she cautiously asked, probing further, ¡°Is it because of¡­ Phoebe¡¯s matter?¡± Romello looked up and seemed to have an idea. ¡°Since Sheena imed to have lost her crystal earrings, you should return them to her. If you like them that much, I¡¯ll get you a simr pair.¡± Gabrielle dared not refuse and reluctantly agreed, ¡°Okay.¡± Romello continued, ¡°Since Sheena manipted you to take Phoebe away, she probably feels guilty. During this time, visit the Jenkins estate more often.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Gabrielle was bewildered. ¡°But didn¡¯t you tell me to stay away from Sheenast night.. ¡°Last night wasst night. Now that Phoebe is over there, we¡¯re unsure of her safety. Can¡¯t you visit more often for that reason?¡± Gabrielle was speechless Was he asking her to be a double agent? If Romello found out she willingly helped with Phoebe¡¯s disappearance, would he fly into a rage and harm her? Gabrielle felt a lump in her throat, lowering her head even further. She did not want Phoebe toe back at all. Romello, Sheena and Phoebe are as close as sisters. She won¡¯t harm Phoebe. Besides, you said Phoebe is very ill, right? Sheena taking her away for treatment might be a good thing. It saves us the trouble.¡± A loud crashing noise interrupted her. In his fury. Romello overturned the porcin te before him, shards flying everywhere. Marius and Gabrielle both flinched. Gabrielle, tearful and frightened, bit her lip. Trembling, she apologized, ¡°Romello, I¡¯m sorry. I was wrong.¡± Romello¡¯s expression softened slightly, saying, ¡°Even though you and Phoebe aren¡¯t close, she¡¯s still your biological sister. She¡¯s seriously ill, and she¡¯s mentally unstable. As her sister, shouldn¡¯t you visit her?¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll go see her this afternoon.¡± ¡°Be careful. I¡¯ll arrange for two skilled bodyguards to apany you.¡± Gabrielle nodded without much thought. ¡°Okay, got it.¡± Rome¡¯s demeanor quickly rxed. A servant brought a new set of utensils and ced them neatly in front of Romello. Romello picked up his fork and spoon, returning to his usual nonchnt demeanor. Chastel 931 ¡°The food¡¯s getting cold. Don¡¯t just sit there. Let¡¯s eat.¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Marius and Gabrielle finally dared to touch their food, focusing on eating with bowed heads. After a while, Romello continued, ¡°Marius, is thepany busytely?¡± Marius looked up in confusion. He was about to say he was pretty busy, but Romello continued on his own. ¡°If it¡¯s not too busy, I¡¯ll have my men arrange a vacant position at the National Investigation Bureau for you.¡± Chapter 932 Chapter 932 ¡°Romello, I¡­¡± Marius was weak and could barely stand at attention for half an hour, let alone endure the daily tasks and exhausting runs in the bureau! He inwardlymented, wondering if Romello was intentionally taking out his frustrations on him. Without even ncing at Marius, Romello continued in a solemn tone, ¡°In the future, try to handle company affairs remotely viaputer. Spend more time at the National Investigation Bureau and establish yourself there as soon as possible.¡± Marius had a pained expression as he weakly asked, ¡°Romello, can I refuse?¡± ¡°You can,¡± Romello replied. Marius felt a glimmer of hope and was ready to reject the proposal firmly. However, Romello continued, ¡°However, if you refuse, I¡¯ll think you¡¯re deliberately evading responsibilities andcking ambition. Since I didn¡¯t get to use the paddle prepared for Gabriellest night¡­ how about I send you to the altar room for fifty spankings?¡± Marius¡¯s face turned pale as a ghost. He struggled to force a smile and said, ¡°I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯m not in my best shape. The paddle could be lethal. I choose to go to the National Investigation Bureau.¡± Romello casually picked up some food, speaking kindly, ¡°No need to force yourself. You can think it over again. I¡¯m not forcing you.¡± ¡°No need, Romello. I¡¯m very sure. I want to improve myself at the National Investigation Bureau, fulfill my duties, perform well, and establish myself as soon as possible!¡± Marius was determined, his words sincere. Romello nodded in satisfaction, smiling. His gaze softened. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s eat.¡± Marius¡¯s hand holding the utensils trembled uncontrobly. Despite the delicious spread before him, the thought of the bitter days ahead killed his appetite. Yet, In Romello¡¯s presence, he had no choice but to continue eating, taking a few bites awkwardly. This trembling hands struggled to grasp the meatballs from the te. Sensing Romello¡¯s sideways nce, he grew nervous. ¡°Romello, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Romello did not say anything. Instead, he picked up a meatball, gently cing it in Marius¡¯s bowl. ¡°Thank you, Romello.¡± Romello simply nodded and resumed eating. From then on, the dining table was quiet. Each of them was preupied. Gabrielle and Marius felt the weight of the pressure, finding it extremely ufortable. In contrast, Romello¡¯s mood improved considerably. He leisurely returned to his study to work. However, the butler knocked on the door as soon as he sat in his chair. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Sir, the Captain from the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s Seventh Division is here with a message: Mr. Jenkins wishes to see you. Please change into your uniform and be at the National Investigation Bureau within half an hour. If you¡¯rete, there will be a warning. Half an hour? Why such urgency What did Elliot want? Romello immediately stood up from his desk, swiftly returned to his room to change clothes, and hurried to the garage to drive to the National Investigation Bureau. Throughout the journey, he kept his eyes on his watch, counting the minutes. In the final seconds, he arrived at Elliot¡¯s office right on time. Elliot was casually leaning back in his chair, d in a dignified military uniform, exuding Chhoter 932 He toyed with a cigarette between his slender fingers, asionally sniffing at it with disdain but refrained from smoking. He was afraid of being caught by Sheena and getting an earful for not considering their babies¡® health. Romello stood by the door, gazing at Elliot from a distance. He walked steadily to the open space near Elliot¡¯s desk, hands behind his back, and stood straight. He stood in the standard hands¨Cbehind¨Cback posture, maintaining a disciplined stance. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯ve already suspended my tasks at the bureau. Do you have any special. instructions?¡± Chapter 933 Chapter 933 Elliot looked up coldly, tossing a task list from the desk toward Romello. Romello remained unmoved as the paper booklet lightlynded on his stomach before sliding to the floor. ¡°Take a look first,¡± Elliot instructed sternly. Puzzled, Romello bent down to pick up the task list and carefully flipped through it. ¡°These are records of my missions over the past three months. What¡¯s the matter, Mr. Jenkins?¡± Elliot set his cigarette down on the desk and criticized seriously, ¡°Your attendance for the past month has clearly been half of what it was in the previous two months. Shouldn¡¯t you give me an exnation?¡± Romello knew Elliot was purposely picking fights, so he had to swallow his pride and exin, ¡°It¡¯s because Phoebe fell ill, and I spent a lot of time at home with her.¡± ¡°Excuses!¡± Elliot scolded, picked up the ashtray from the desk, and hurled it toward Romello¡¯s forehead. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. In a split second, Romello instinctively leaned away, narrowly avoiding the ashtray grazing his earlobe andnding on the carpet behind him with a dull thud, unbroken. ¡°Hmm?¡± Elliot frowned in annoyance, his cold and menacing gaze signaling his impending wrath. Romello nced at the metal que on the desk that read ¡®Chief¡®. Suppressing his anger, he turned around and picked up the ashtray from the carpet, then smashed it against his own forehead in front of Elliot. Romello¡¯s forehead quickly reddened, slightly swelling, but it did not draw blood. Elliot admired his defeated expression and sternly reprimanded him, ¡°Phoebe only returned to the Nicholls family a week ago, leaving you with just about a week of reduced workload. Yet, your tasks have halved. Clearly, you¡¯ve been cking off and have the audacity to make excuses. Romello, are Chapter 933 you being rebellious because I¡¯ve not been asking about the matters in the bureau as often?¡± Elliot picked up the teacup from the desk as he spoke and threw it toward him again. This time, Romello restrained the urge to dodge and remained motionless. 273 The teacup struck the swollen bruise on his forehead from the previous hit, causing both injuries to ovep. The skin on his forehead was grazed, and blood oozed slightly. Romello furrowed his brows, enduring the intense pain on his forehead, and respectfully replied, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare, Mr. Jenkins.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a cunning one, and we both know it. Elliot had always been known for being ruthless, but in the past year, his temperament had softened considerably due to Sheena¡¯s influence. However, when she ordered him to straighten out Romello, he was more than happy to oblige. who u Besides, he had long wanted to teach Romello a lesson -the guy good at ying innocent, bullying the weak, and abusing his power. With this in mind, Elliot toyed with his luxury watch on his wrist and asked coldly, ¡± Today, you¡¯re being punished for yourziness and attempt to argue. Do you acknowledge your faults?¡± Romello clenched his fists behind his back, his arm veins bulging. Elliot was his superior. Even if Romello felt Elliot was being unfair, he could only give in reluctantly. ¡°I acknowledge my faults and am willing to ept your punishment, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Elliot, with his dark and cunning gaze, stared at him. ¡°Punishment is inevitable, but we still have plenty of time this afternoon. I¡¯m more than happy to oversee your punishment personally.¡± Romello looked up, meeting Elliot¡¯s eyes. He sensed a hint of danger in Elliot¡¯s gaze. Chapter 933 Elliot adjusted his military uniform cor, slowly stood up, and walked over to Romello, positioning himself before him. He was slightly taller than Romello, exuding amanding aura that was characteristic of a superior. ¡°Take off your military jacket.¡± Confused, Romello met his gaze for a moment beforeplying with themand, obediently removing his green military jacket and neatly folding it, then cing it on the sofa. Once done, Romello returned to his original position and stood upright. Elliot stared at him with a smirk, then said seriously, ¡°Let¡¯s first see if your physical fitness has declined. Do four hundred push¨Cups in one go, no stopping.¡± tor Chapter 934 Chapter 934 ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Romello replied. This task was not particrly challenging for Romello, who had undergone rigorous training and had an excellent physique. He immediately bent down, bracing his arms firmly, and began doing push¨Cups quickly and with precision. Elliot looked at Romello from above, observing silently as Romello performed the exercise. The office was unusually quiet, with only the asional heavy breathing from Romello breaking the silence. After estimating about a hundred push¨Cups, Elliot asked, ¡°How many was that?¡± Romello paused, a thinyer of sweat forming on his forehead. He effortlessly replied, ¡°One hundred and seven.¡± Elliot scoffed. ¡°So, you can speak. Why didn¡¯t you count out loud?¡± Confused, Romello raised his eyes to him. Elliot had not asked him to count out loud. Elliot remained silent, his obsidian eyes emanating an intimidating pressure. Resigned, Romello resumed doing push¨Cups and began counting aloud. ¡°One hundred and eight.¡± ¡°You stopped just now. Start over again.¡± Romello was annoyed. It seemed like it would not be easy to get this over with. Suppressing his frustration, Romello obediently restarted counting from the beginning. Elliot leisurely watched him for a while, then walked to his desk, poured himself a cup of tea, and leaned back, sipping itzily. He listened to Romello¡¯s increasingly strained counting while enjoying his tea. The office temperature was normal, and it was ratherfortable. 2/3 Elliot turned on the heater and adjusted the temperature to thirty degrees Celsius. He removed his military jacket, revealing a thin white shirt with rolled¨Cup sleeves that exposed his arms. He then added a couple of ice cubes to his tea for an enjoyable cooling drink. ¡°Three hundred and forty¨Cfive¡­¡± Romello¡¯s entire body was drenched in sweat, with droplets collecting on his nose and chin, leaving a puddle on the floor in front of him. As the temperature rose and the counting continued, the task became even more challenging. Romello felt thirsty and sweaty, his palms pressing against the ground, feeling slightly unsteady. He had to concentrate all his attention and stabilize his posture to avoid. awkwardly copsing to the floor. It was a punishing ordeal. Moreover, with the injury on his forehead, the salty sweat stung as it seeped into the wound, making his head spin slightly. He silently noted this as another mark against Elliot but dared not pause his movements. ¡°Four hundred¡­¡± Romello panted as he finished counting, a sense of relief washing over him. He regained his composure, standing up straight with his hands behind his back once again. Elliot gracefully set down his teacup, assessing Romello¡¯sbored state with a smirk. ¡°It¡¯s just a few hundred push¨Cups and you¡¯re already struggling and drenched in sweat. It seems your physical fitness has declined recently.¡± Romello fought to steady his breathing, his shirt sticking ufortably to his body, soaked through with sweat. However, he dared not to ask Elliot to let him clean up, nor would Elliot likely agree. He might even be mocked for that. Sensing the rush of hot air, Romello nced up and noticed Elliot had turned on the heater. His hands clenched behind his back once more as the sweat continued to trickle down his. Chapter 934 face and chin. Elliot¡¯s gaze narrowed coldly, and he could not care less if Romello noticed his re. 313 ¡°With your current condition, how can you continue to hold the position of deputy chief? Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Romello was taken aback, and he quickly responded, ¡°I¡¯ve beenx in my workouts recently. I¡¯ll make sure to exercise diligently when I return.¡± Elliot smirked and said, ¡°What you do after you leave here is none of my concern. Today, I¡¯ll let you reminisce the taste of the hellish training you endured in the past.¡± Chapter 935 Chapter 935 Romello¡¯s jaw tensed slightly as hisplexion turned a shade paler. After going through over five hundred push¨Cups, he felt somewhat sore. With over four hours left until working hours were over, Romello could not help but wonder what other tricks Elliot had up his sleeve. Seeing Romello¡¯s nervous expression, Elliot smirked cruelly as hemanded, ¡°Feet apart, shoulder¨C width apart, and squat for one hour. Get to it immediately.¡± It was just a squat? Romello breathed a sigh of relief and obedientlyplied with the request, assuming the stance with precision. The hot air blew against his cheeks as sweat poured down his face, but Romello remained silent, maintaining steady breaths as he silently counted the seconds. Elliot watched him for a moment, saying nothing before walking past him toward the bookshelf. Romello dared not turn his head to see what Elliot was doing but could clearly hear the sound of Elliot¡¯s military boots tapping on the wooden floor,ing closer and then moving away. Upon returning, Elliot ced a tall stack of books on the desk. Romello sensed trouble. Indeed, the next moment, he watched as Elliot sorted out two stacks of books, cing them t on his thighs. Romello had to awkwardly shift downward to maintain bnce to prevent the books from falling. Seeing Romello managing the task well, Elliot retrieved two more stacks of heavy books and approached him. ¡°Open your fists with your palms facing up.¡± Romelloplied, and the heavy stacks were ced on his open palms. He gritted his teeth, enduring the punishment in silence. Charter 915 N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. 273 Elliot leisurely sipped his iced tea, then returned to his seat. He said coldly, ¡°If you can¡¯t even hold out for an hour, you can say goodbye to the deputy chief position. If one book falls, you¡¯ll be suspended for a month. Consider it carefully.¡± Romello held his breath, silently enduring the grueling punishment, plotting his revenge for when he would eventually wield the power of the National Investigation Bureau. He vowed to make Elliot regret his actions. Elliot nced at hisputer screen but focused on Romello from the corner of his eyes, taking in Romello¡¯s brooding gaze. ¡°Do you hate me?¡± Romello hesitated briefly, then replied with aposed tone, ¡°No, Mr. Jenkins. You¡¯re my superior. I¡¯ll never resist no matter what happens. I¡¯ll cooperate fully.¡± Elliot smirked but did not expose Romello¡¯s true feelings. Instead, he remarked, ¡°As a subordinate, you must be aware and obey all orders. Having too much independence isn¡¯t a good thing. If you¡¯re willing to follow the rules, we¡¯ll get along just fine.¡± Implicit in his words was the expectation for Romello to abandon the matter concerning Phoebe and compromise with Sheena and Howard. Romello pretended not to understand the implication and simply agreed, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll definitely follow the rules obediently.¡± Elliot said nothing more, opening a drawer and retrieving a countdown timer, which he ced in in view for Romello to see. Romello nced at the timer¡¯s disy, noting that it was set for sixty minutes.. That meant the first twenty minutes did not count. The torture was deliberate! Romello chuckled, his arms trembling lightly. After doing over five hundred push¨Cups, his arms were already weak from exhaustion He adjusted his breathing and gritted his teeth, determined to endure the torment. The prospect of being suspended from duty if any of the books fell was uneptable. Chapter 935 Such a scandal would tarnish his reputation and affect the stock market of the Nicholls Group. The hour dragged on, feeling like an eternity to Romello, He could only stare at the countdown timer, silently enduring the ordeal. His arms felt like they were about to break off, and his legs trembled uncontrobly. Romello was drenched in sweat, resembling someone who had just taken a shower, Chapter 936 Chapter 936 The office was unusually quiet, with Elliot engrossed in his work while Romello could almost hear the sound of his sweat dripping onto the floor in crisp tapping sounds. There were only five minutes left on the timer. Romello controlled his dizzying head, eagerly anticipating when the timer reached zero. However, as the timer counted down to the final three minutes, it got stuck at 2:59. Romello initially thought his eyes were ying tricks on him, but even after blinking and looking again, it remained at 2:59. What was going on? N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Romello nced at Elliot behind the desk, who waspletely absorbed in his work, not once looking in Romello¡¯s direction. ¡°Mr. Jenkins,¡± Romello called out. Elliot, cunning as ever, ignored Romello and continued his work without saying a word. After enduring a few more minutes, the timer still stubbornly disyed three minutes. Romello felt a hint of panic and could not help but speak up again. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, it seems like this timer is broken.¡± ¡°Broken?¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow slightly, not bothering to nce at the timer. ¡°If the timer¡¯s broken and the time isn¡¯t urate, should I get another one and restart the countdown?¡± Romello stayed silent, his arms and legs trembling. It had been many years since he had witnessed Elliot¡¯s cunning tactics, and he had not expected them to be so ruthless. Elliot seemed to sense Romello¡¯s discontent and teased, ¡°Can¡¯t handle it? Well, you can resign from your position as deputy chief and leave the National Investigation Bureau, returning to your cozy nest at the Nicholls family right away.¡± Being asked to resign voluntarily? Romello¡¯s heart turned cold, replying, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re right to discipline me. I¡¯ll Chapter 916 reflect on myself andmit to exercising diligently in the future, never cking off.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Elliot once again opened the drawer, took out the timer, set the time, and ced it where Romello could see it clearly. The torment and torture continued. Phoebe remained unconscious from the two sedatives injectedst night until this afternoon. Sheena and Howard took Elliot¡¯s ess cards and brought the unconscious Phoebe to the Shortly after they left, Gabrielle arrived at the Jenkins estate. Two bodyguards trailed closely behind her, making her feel uneasy. ¡°Enough! This is the Jenkins estate. I won¡¯t be in any danger. You two wait for me in the garage. I¡¯ll go in ande out in a moment.¡± The two bodyguards remained unmoved. ¡°Ms. Gabrielle, Mr. Romello ordered us to ensure your safety. It¡¯ll be difficult for us to exin things if something happens to you after leaving our sights.¡± Gabrielle red back at them in annoyance. Nheless, she feared Romello¡¯s authority and said nothing. She navigated through the winding alleys of the Jenkins estate until she reached E&S Haven. Ford, stationed at the entrance, informed her, ¡°Ms. Gabrielle, Ms. Lawson and Mr. Jenkins have both gone out. ¡°Where did they go?¡± Ford shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, miss.¡± ¡°Did they say when they¡¯ll be back?¡± Ford shook his head again. 3/3 ¡°Ms. Lawson didn¡¯t say.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Gabrielle felt relieved and turned to the two bodyguards. ¡°You heard that, right? It¡¯s not that I¡¯m not proactive. It¡¯s just that Sheena isn¡¯t here, so I can¡¯t do anything.¡± As she turned to leave, the two bodyguards stopped her and said cautiously, ¡°Ms. Gabrielle, your purpose foring here was to visit Ms. Phoebe. You should inquire about Ms. Phoebe¡¯s whereabouts.¡± Chapter 937 Chapter 937 Gabrielle was extremely displeased from being told what to do, and she retorted, ¡°Are you going to boss me around too?¡± The bodyguards were not afraid as they were under Romello¡¯s direct order and maintained a firm attitude. ¡°Ms. Gabrielle, ensuring Ms. Phoebe¡¯s safety is your mission on this trip. I¡¯m just offering a friendly reminder.¡± ¡°What are you, my keeper? I don¡¯t need your reminders.¡± The bodyguard lowered his head, his voice cold and containing a hint of threat. ¡°You¡¯re right, but we¡¯re under Mr. Romello¡¯s orders to protect you. Every word and action of yours today will be reported back to Mr. Romello.¡± Gabrielle was furious. ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± The bodyguard¡¯s head drooped even lower. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to. Although he said this, his attitude was far from respectful. Gabrielle had never been treated like this before, but because of Romello¡¯s authority, she could only swallow her anger and head toward Ford, stationed at the entrance of E&S Haven. Il to Sho ¡°Um¡­ Ford, how is Phoebe? Is she in the mansion? Can I make a call to Sheena and then go in to see her before I leave?¡± Upon hearing this, the two bodyguards behind her became serious, hiding their murderous intent behind lowered heads. Ford nced at the bodyguards behind Gabrielle and shook his head again, speaking truthfully, ¡°The mansion is empty. No one¡¯s home.¡± Gabrielle asked, ¡°Do you know where Phoebe has been taken?¡± Ford smiled and replied, ¡°I¡¯m just Ms. Lawson¡¯s hired bodyguard. My task is to carry out any duties. I¡¯m not in a ce to keep track of Ms. Lawson¡¯s affairs.¡± Chapter 937 His smile was gentle, but his tone hinted at something else. Gabrielle turned back, ncing sideways at the bodyguards behind her, and scoffed unhappily. ¡°Did you hear that? Phoebe isn¡¯t at the mansion. Is there anything else you want to order me?¡± The two bodyguards quickly bowed. ¡°No.¡± Gabrielle cut them off and bid farewell to Ford before leaving the Jenkins estate, heading home to rx. In theb, Yosef conducted tests on Phoebe¡¯s body. Half an hourter, he returned to the ward with the test results. ¡°The results show no major issues, just slightly elevated hormone levels, making her more prone to stress.¡± Howard tightened his grip on Phoebe¡¯s hand. ¡°Is that all? Can¡¯t you find out if Romello injected her with anything?¡± Yosef shook his head. ¡°All the drugs studied in theb are chemical weapons with aggressive properties. They can harm the flesh and organs, but there are no drugs that affect the nerves, so it¡¯s Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. impossible to determine what she¡¯s been injected with.¡± ¡°If she really has been injected with psychiatric drugs, we need to know exactly what she¡¯s been given to treat her properly.¡± Sheena and Howard quickly fell silent in the room. Only Romello knew exactly what drug she had been given. However, Romello would never confess. This situation was far moreplicated than they had imagined. Yosef administered a dose of sedatives to Phoebe. Her emotions were too unstable right now, and she could not take pills while unconscious. Besides, even if she woke up, she would not willingly take them. Chapter 937 Hence, injection was the only option. Yosef also prescribed some special medicine to treat the scars on her hands. Howard was distraught, holding Phoebe¡¯s hand tightly, on the verge of breaking down. They had tried every means to save her from the Nicholls residence, and it was a miracle they had brought her to theb. However, they yielded no results. Sheena sighed silently, walking up behind him and rubbing his head tofort him. ¡°Howard, don¡¯t lose hope. It¡¯s only the first day. Let¡¯s go back and discuss this again. There¡¯s always a solution.¡± Howard nodded, but he remained gloomy. Sheena continued to persuade him. ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself for this. It¡¯s not all your fault. Some things just happen, but once we solve them, everything will be alright.¡± ¡°Mm,¡± Howard responded softly. Sheena knew he had not really taken her words to heart, so she did not say anything else, turning to leave the ward and leaving him alone with Phoebe for a while. Chapter 938 Chapter 938 Meanwhile, in the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s office, Romello¡¯s body was nearing its limit. After over five hundred push¨Cups and no chance to rest, he had gone straight into over two hours of squats. Moreover, there was no room for cking off. Even a momentarypse in concentration could result in the books on his legs and arms falling. Under this intense and grueling punishment, Romello had no time to think about anything else, his only focus being to endure this hellish and painful experience as quickly as possible. A series of ringing came from the timer. Romello took a deep breath and smiled in relief. Who would have thought that one day he would find the sound of the timer so delightful, surpassing all the melodic tunes in the world? ¡°Mr. Jenkins, time¡¯s up.¡± Elliot casually handled the paperwork with a red pen and grunted in acknowledgment. ¡°Put the books back.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Granted pardon, Romello felt as if he had been given a second chance at life. It had been many years since he endured such devilish training, and his body was certainly not as resilient as before. He neatly returned the books to their shelves, ensuring each was ced back in its proper Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. order. With everything done, he walked back to the open space in front of his desk, slightly bowing to Elliot, ready to leave. ¡°Hold on.¡± Elliot looked up and nced at Romello. ¡°Did I tell you to leave?¡± Romello was taken aback. It was not over yet? Chater Exa Even though he felt like pulling out a gun and shooting Elliot right then and there out of sheer frustration, he could only reluctantly return and stand in position. ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins?¡± Elliot first set down the pen in his hand and leisurely poured a ss of iced tea for him. ¡°No rush. Take a sip of water first.¡± He nced at Elliot suspiciously. Why was he suddenly showing such mercy, even pouring tea for him? Though he felt a bit apprehensive and suspicious, he took a couple of steps forward and epted the cup of tea. Under the extreme torture of the punishment, he was already severely dehydrated. As Romello was about to drink the tea, Elliot spoke in a cruel yet calm tone. ¡°After all, the trainingter will be quite challenging for you. Without drinking some water, how will you make it through?¡± Romello¡¯s hand trembled, and the teacup slipped from his grasp, crashing onto the wooden floor, shattering into pieces, sshing tea everywhere. He stared nkly at the untouched tea, then nced at Elliot. His voice was hoarse as he eximed, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I¡¯ll cover the cost of the cup¡­¡± Elliot remained expressionless, his gaze icy as he interrupted, ¡°Of course, you¡¯ll have topensate. But it seems you don¡¯t appreciate the tea I¡¯ve poured for you.¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± Elliot cut him off, ¡°Very well, it seems you¡¯re not very tired and not interested in the tea. Let¡¯s just get started then.¡± Romello¡¯s expression was grim. Elliot did not relent, his cold, piercing gaze unchanged. 2 ¡°Stand close to the wall and perform a handstand for twenty minutes.¡± Handstands? Romello¡¯s entire body was already nearing its limit! Forget twenty minutes, he doubted he could even endure five minutes. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, is there any way¡­. ¡°In that case, thirty minutes. Start now.¡± Ellot set the timer on the desk as he spoke. Romello took a deep breath, his jaw clenched tightly, staying in ce. Elhot nced at him coldly. ¡°Not moving? Say one more word or dy for another minute and I¡¯ll add it up to forty minutes.¡± Chapter 939 Chapter 939 The relentless torment and oppression in the National Investigation Bureau office left Romello struggling to catch his breath. His fists clenched and unclenched, the inner fire within him rising dangerously close to eruption. Unfortunately, all of Elliot¡¯s punishments were derived from previous training exercises, except for the teacup incident at the beginning. Elliot had notid a hand on him. Even if Romello wanted to confront Elliot, he could not find a suitable reason. As he pondered, Elliot tapped his knuckles on the desk abruptly, reminding him, ¡°You have fifteen seconds left to hesitate.¡± Romello gasped. All the thoughts he had seconds ago vanished upon hearing those words. Quickly, he walked to the wall, gritting his teeth as he pushed through, standing two steps away from the wall¡¯s surface, smoothly lifting himself upright. Being close to the wall did not mean leaning against it. It meant relying solely on arm strength, without any support from the wall, to lift the weight of his entire body. The wall behind was merely there to prevent injury, serving as a temporary support. This training was exceptionally challenging and extremely draining, especially for the already exhausted Romello. Just two minutes in, his arms were trembling uncontrobly.. If he had to do this for thirty minutes, he would surely die in Elliot¡¯s hands. He had not been in such a sorry state for years! N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. He would never forget this experience and grudge! From afar, Elliot observed him, noticing his trembling arms. He elegantly lifted the teacup, took a sip, and began, ¡°Romello, during my absence in Farlem for many years, I neglected your training, allowing you to be increasingly full of yourself, even contemting usurping my power.¡± Romello gritted his teeth through the pain, squeezing out a few words from between them. ¡°Mr. Jenkins¡­ no way¡­ I wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Elliot let out a disdainful snort,zily rubbing his temples. ¡°Romello, I groomed you to be my deputy chief. Your ambitions, your desires for power and profit¡­ Nobody understands them better than I do. However, you¡¯vepletely forgotten your roots, bing someone I¡¯m increasingly unfamiliar with.¡± Ever since Romello gained control of the Nicholls family, he was fascinated by the feeling of commanding everyone and making everyone obey him. He craved for more, aspiring to greater power. Romello knew this very well, but he would not change, nor did he feel he was in the wrong. ¡®Mr. Jenkins, I¡­ haven¡¯t changed¡­¡± Speaking drained thest ounce of his strength. He moved back slightly, quickly leaning against the wall to readjust himself into the correct posture. Elliot could not be bothered with his excuses, his tone serious as he said, ¡°Feeling tired, feeling like your arms are about to break, even feeling like you can¡¯t hold on any longer, am I right?¡± Romello remained silent, but his thoughts clearly echoed Elliot¡¯s words. Elliot continued, ¡°Back when my chief trained me, it was even harsher than this. I even felt like I was going to die. But the truth is, human potential is limitless. Faced with absolute oppression, even proud individuals must bow their heads. Moreover, knowing that you can¡¯t bear the humiliation of failing, even if it costs you your life, you will grit your teeth and endure. Romello, the gap between you and me isn¡¯t just the word ¡®deputy¡®. Romello was slightly taken aback, not understanding what Elliot meant. Elliot had never been like this, having a serious conversation with him. Was he reminiscing about the past while punishing him today? Nheless, Romello chose to stay silent. Chapter 940 Chapter 940 Elliot stared at him, his tone icy and cruel. ¡°If you can¡¯tst these thirty minutes, it means your body has be too weak. I¡¯ll report it and request to send you back to the training camp for a three¨Cmonth refresher. Also, with you gone, the position of deputy chief will be vacant, and I intend to promote Lionel as a temporary sub. What do you think?¡± Though he said it was just temporary, Romello knew that there was basically no chance of reiming his position once Lionel took over. Romello¡¯s spine stiffened, his dry lips biting into a row of blood marks, as he fought to steady his trembling arms. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, those arrangements may be unnecessary. I can endure.¡± Elliot sneered. ¡°Good to know.¡± For Elliot, this half¨Chour passed quickly as he attended to his duties. However, for Romello who was in a headstand, every minute felt like an eternity, his mind consumed by nothing but pain and endurance. After half an hour, the timer rang, and it also signaled the end of working hours. Romello grunted, relieved, copsing onto the ground, too exhausted to stand. Even hist eyshes were wet from his sweat, fluttering slightly. He was too drained to open his eyes. Elliot had just finished reviewing thest document with a red pen. He turned off the heater and slowly approached Romello¡¯s feet. ¡°You barely passed. Before you leave, remember to clean up the floor.¡± Romello mustered his strength, mumbling weakly, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, can I¡­¡± Elliot seemed to anticipate his request and cut him off decisively. ¡°No. But if you don¡¯t mind everyone in the bureau knowing you were punished in my office today, feel free to call someone to clean up. 25 ¡°Can¡¯t stand up? Well, your knees can still move. I won¡¯t let anyone disturb you. It¡¯s up to Chapter 44. you to salvage thatst bit of dignity. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. His cold gaze lingered on Romello¡¯s pitiful state on the ground, showing no hint of mercy. ¡°Understood¡­¡± With his affirmation, Elliot donned his military uniform and headed toward the door. Just a few steps out, he turned back to add one final threat, ¡°Regarding Phoebe¡¯s captivity, you better not haveid a hand on her. Otherwise, I won¡¯t be lenient.¡± Romello¡¯sshes trembled, but he did not respond. Elliot scoffed and gracefully left the office. Once he was gone, Romello opened his eyes with great effort. Once again, he stared at the metal que on the desk that read ¡®Chief¡®, clenching his fists. The hatred surging in his heart could no longer be concealed. However, he quickly got up from the floor after a bit of rest. His legs were too tired to stand, so he could only move his knees little by little, using a rag to wipe away the sweat and tea stains on the floor and picking up the scattered broken porcin. After that, Romello called his trusted subordinates, instructing them to carry him back to his office. Then, he took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and returned to the Nicholls residence. When Elliot returned to E&S Haven, he found the house bustling. Howard, Lionel, and Jacintha were all seated on the sofa, silent with solemn expressions. as if waiting for him to start a meeting. He walked straight over and sat down next to Sheena. Without caring if anyone was nearby, he slid his hand around Sheena¡¯s waist, wanting to embrace her. Sheena quickly patted his hand, whispering seriously, ¡°What are you doing? Everyone is watching.¡± Even so, Elliot did not let go. Instead, he tightened his grip around her slender waist, and he sig you all day. It¡¯s been tough.¡± Chapter 941 Chapter 941 Howard stared at Elliot, who was cozying up to Sheena, and silently sighed with a heavy heart. Llonel appeared unaffected, even amused by Elliot¡¯s yful demeanor with Sheena. Jacintha felt a twinge of envy as she observed Elliot¡¯s affectionate behavior toward Sheena, silently sulking and stealing a nce at the emotionally dense Lionel beside her. Sheena noticed the varled expressions of her guests and offered an awkward smile. Elliot seemed genuinely upset, leaning his head lightly on her shoulder, seekingfort as if in distress. She did not stop him from embracing her, stroking the back of his neck to soothe his Inner turmoil. ¡°Let¡¯s not dawdle. Everyone is almost here. Let¡¯s get started with the discussion,¡± Sheena redirected the conversation. Lionel quickly assumed a serious tone, saying, ¡°I deliberately looked into Ms. Phoebe¡¯s condition and consulted several psychologists. They all agree that her rapid change in mindset and intense stress response doesn¡¯t seem to be triggered by any significant event, especially since it happened in such a short time.¡± Jacintha nodded in agreement,menting, ¡°Yes, so we¡¯re inclined to believe that Romello injected her with some unknown substance.¡± As the discussion turned formal, the atmosphere in the living room quickly grew solemn. Howard pondered deeply before finally speaking up, ¡°I suddenly remembered something Phoebe mentioned before.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Sheena inquired. ¡°Nana, do you remember when Phoebe returned to the Nicholls residence to find evidence that Nathaniel was an illegitimate child?¡± Sheena nodded. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°She said she encountered a terrifying attack on the top floor. Looking back, it seems simr to Phoebe¡¯s condition when she fell ill. At that time, only Vanda lived on the top floor, and Phoebe suspected she was her attacker.¡± Chapter 941 Howard stared at Elliot, who was cozying up to Sheena, and silently sighed with a heavy heart. Lionel appeared unaffected, even amused by Elliot¡¯s yful demeanor with Sheena. Jacintha felt a twinge of envy as she observed Elliot¡¯s affectionate behavior toward Sheena, silently sulking and stealing a nce at the emotionally dense Lionel beside her. Sheena noticed the varied expressions of her guests and offered an awkward smile. Elliot seemed genuinely upset, leaning his head lightly on her shoulder, seekingfort as if in distress. She did not stop him from embracing her, stroking the back of his neck to soothe his inner turmoil. ¡°Let¡¯s not dawdle. Everyone is almost here. Let¡¯s get started with the discussion,¡± Sheena redirected the conversation. Lionel quickly assumed a serious tone, saying, ¡°I deliberately looked into Ms. Phoebe¡¯s condition and consulted several psychologists. They all agree that her rapid change in mindset and intense stress response doesn¡¯t seem to be triggered by any significant event, especially since it happened in such a short time.¡± Jacintha nodded in agreement,menting, ¡°Yes, so we¡¯re inclined to believe that Romello injected her with some unknown substance.¡± As the discussion turned formal, the atmosphere in the living room quickly grew solemn. Howard pondered deeply before finally speaking up, ¡°I suddenly remembered something Phoebe mentioned before.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Sheena inquired. ¡°Nana, do you remember when Phoebe returned to the Nicholls residence to find evidence that Nathaniel was an illegitimate child?¡± Sheena nodded. ¡°Of course.¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°She said she encountered a terrifying attack on the top floor. Looking back, it seems. simr to Phoebe¡¯s condition when she fell ill. At that time, only Vanda lived on the top floor, and Phoebe suspected she was her attacker.¡± Chapter 941 2/3 Upon hearing this, Sheena also recalled something and said, ¡°During thest business g, Romello brought Phoebe with him. Phoebe asked me about Madam Nicholls¡¯s situation, mentioning that she saw red marks on her wrist while dining. I mentioned this to you when I got back.¡± Howard nodded, the memory still fresh in his mind. The tension in the living room intensified. Even Elliot, rising from Sheena¡¯s embrace, furrowed his brow and asked sternly, ¡°So, are you suggesting that Romello first imprisoned his own mom, administered drugs to her, and then targeted Phoebe?¡± Sheena and Howard appeared grave and nodded in agreement. Elliot lowered his gaze, concealing the hostility and resentment in his eyes, choosing not to speak further. The discussion among Sheena¡¯s group continued. Jacintha chimed in, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, does it mean Romello still has more drugs on hand?¡± Lionel nodded in agreement. ¡°Since he wants to control Vanda, he must continue administering drugs. I remember when we searched the Nicholls residence, the family¡¯s butler reacted strongly to a room on the top floor with iron chains rattling. He adamantly refused to open it, so it might be where Vanda is being held!¡± After pondering for a moment, Sheena said, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, let me try contacting Gabrielle again to see if she can help us enter and obtain evidence of the drugs Romello has been administering.¡± Jacintha eximed, ¡°Sheena, Gabrielle is Romello¡¯s sister after all. Will she really be willing to help us find evidence against her own brother? Remember, this could harm her rtionship with him!¡± Sheena was not entirely sure about this matter either andcked confidence. ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try. Besides Gabrielle, there¡¯s no one else in the Nicholls family we can trust. With Romello¡¯s recent suspension from the National Investigation Bureau pending investigation, he¡¯s likely to tighten security at the Nicholls residence. We won¡¯t have another chance to search the ce.¡± The group fell silent. Charter 941 This seemed to be the only viable option at the moment. With the discussion reaching its conclusion, Lionel went home with Jacintha, while Howard swapped shifts with Riley to stay overnight and care for Phoebe. As everyone started to leave, leaving the living room quiet, Elliot scooped Sheena up, hist dark eyes filled with possessiveness. ¡°What are you doing? Put me down. I¡¯m going to check on the babies on the fourth floor,¡± Sheena lightly tapped his shoulder, feigning annoyance. Chapter 942 Chapter 942 Elliot insisted on carrying her back to their room, replying, ¡°Auntie Freida is looking after the babies, and they¡¯re probably asleep by now. Why disturb them? It¡¯ste, and we should rest. ¡°Resting was the n. No funny business.¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Elliot frowned slightly, feeling a bit aggrieved. ¡°Honey, when I said ¡®rest¡®, I meant being intimate with you. And besides, I did a good job disciplining Romello today, helping you vent off some steam. Shouldn¡¯t I be rewarded?¡± Sheena allowed him to carry her upstairs, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Really?¡± Elliot nuzzled her nose. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s true. How could I deceive my beloved wife?¡± Sheena was intrigued. ¡°Then tell me all about how you dealt with him in detail.¡± ¡°As you wish!¡± Elliot grinned mischievously as he walked upstairs, recounting the events vividly. ¡°I used an ashtray and a teacup to break the skin on his forehead.¡± Sheena frowned, ¡°Just like that? Just a cut? No blood?¡± He saw through her cunningness, his voice indulgent as he said, ¡°Whenever I get involved, there¡¯s bound to be some blood. He definitely got the message.¡± Sheena smirked, her interest piqued. ¡°And then?¡± ¡°Then I made him do over five hundred push¨Cups, squat for over two hours, and a thirty- minute handstand¡­¡± His voice grew husky, sounding satisfied. As the bedroom door closed, his voice abruptly ceased. Even the embarrassing yet pleasant sounds of the night were muted. The next morning, at the Nicholls residence, Marius and Gabrielle were up early, sitting properly in the dining room, waiting for Romello. They dared not touch their utensils until he arrived. Romello had returnedte the previous night, and by the time he reached home, Marius and Gabrielle had already gone to bed, unaware that he had been punished at the National Investigation Bureau and brought back by his subordinates. making it After a night¡¯s rest, Romello¡¯s strength had somewhat recovered, but he felt incredibly sore all over. He had not experienced such severe punishment in many years, difficult to even descend the stairs. Marius and Gabrielle, who had been anxiously waiting in the dining room, were shocked to see their usually overbearing Romello being assisted by the butler and maids, struggling to make his way downstairs. ¡°Romello, what happened to you? Were you seriously injured yesterday?¡± Gabrielle asked with concern. Marius chimed in, ¡°Romello, if it¡¯s too difficult for you to get out of bed, let the servants. bring your meal to your room. There¡¯s no need toe downstairs.¡± Romello scowled, his face dark and emanating an eerie chill, but he did not respond to their inquiries. The butler spoke up on his behalf, ¡°Last night, Mr. Jenkins, for reasons unknown, decided to pick on Mr. Romello, keeping him in the bureau and subjecting him to punishment all afternoon. It nearly broke him.¡± ¡°Oh my, poor Romello,¡± Gabrielle cooed sympathetically. Marius lowered his head, hiding the satisfaction in his eyes. In every day He had been oppressed by but to see Romello suffer setbacks and struggle to even descend the stairs brought him an unexpected sense of satisfaction. Somehow, he could not muster any concern for Romello¡¯s plight. In fact, he found himself somewhat gleeful about it. Chapter 943 Chapter 943 Romello made his way downstairs with great difficulty, supported carefully by the servants until he was settled into the main dining chair. As he sat down, a piercing pain shot through his thighs and calves, making him wince in agony. Just descending the stairs and sitting down already made him sweat, and his handsome face grew slightly pale. Frustrated from being watched and having pent¨Cup frustrations, he grabbed a spoon and gruffly commanded, ¡°Let¡¯s eat!¡± Marius and Gabrielle quickly lowered their heads and obediently picked up their utensils silently eating breakfast. After a few moments of calm, Romello began to ask questions with a stern expression. ¡°Gabrielle, did you see Phoebe yesterday?¡± Gabrielle paused, swallowing thest bite of her freshly toasted bread. ¡°No. I went over in the afternoon, but Sheena wasn¡¯t at the mansion, and Phoebe wasn¡¯t there either. I didn¡¯t know where they had gone, so I came back.¡± Crash! In an instant, Romello swept several breakfast tes off the table, causing a racket of crashing sounds in the dining room. Marius was startled by this sudden outburst, trembling with fear, even dropping his utensils. Gabrielle¡¯s eyes welled up v welled up with tears instantly, stunned by the sudden outburst. ring fiercely at her, Romello questioned in a low voice, ¡°You just came back without seeing them? You didn¡¯t bother waiting at the Jenkins estate until you found Phoebe? What else are you good for besides beingzy and avoiding your responsibilities?¡± Gabrielle burst into tears, unable to utter a word. After all, she was his beloved sister. Romello softened his tone slightly,manding, ¡°You must see Sheena and Phoebe Chapter 943 today, or don¡¯t bothering back to see me.¡® ¡°Yes, I understand¡­¡± Her tear¨Cstreaked face showed increasing signs of distress as she cried, feeling deeply hurt and pitiful. Unmoved, Romello ordered, ¡°Enough crying. No more tears.¡± Gabrielle immediately covered her mouth, stifling her sobs, but tears continued to stream down her cheeks uncontrobly. Romello ignored her and turned to Marius. Feeling the weight of Romello¡¯s intense gaze, Marius lowered his head even further, feeling a chill run down his spine, afraid of incurring his wrath. ¡°Did you report to the National Investigation Bureau yesterday?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Marius was taken aback. ¡°Romello, I was swamped at thepany yesterday. I made arrangements with the Ninth Division to report to the administrative department the day after tomorrow.¡± ¡°The day after tomorrow? And you chose the administrative department?¡± Romello¡¯s face grew darker and more ominous, with a storm brewing in his expression. If it were not for his arms being so sore, Romello would have beaten Marius there and then. ¡°I told you to report to the bureau, but you showed no initiative. Yet, you never seem to forget a meal. What good are you to me? You¡¯re such a useless brother, Marius! Get down on your knees!¡± ¡°Romello¡­¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Marius nced at the servants in the dining room, trembling with anger and humiliation. Did Romello really have to humiliate him in front of everyone? Why could he not leave some dignity for him? Romello¡¯s tone was cold and indifferent, not even bothering to look at him. ¡°Kneel or take a whipping at the altar room. Your choice.¡± There was really no choice. Cueter 943 Marius got up and knelt beside the dining chair, feeling utterly humiliated. ¡°Ah!¡± The smooth marble floor still bore the remnants of the tiny porcin shards Romello had just smashed. Some were embedded in Marius¡¯s flesh, causing him excruciating pain. ¡°Romello, it really hurts¡­¡± Chapter 944 Chapter 944 Marius looked at Romello with red eyes, but he gained no sympathy from Romello. Marius clenched his fists. Still covering her mouth and shedding tears, Gabrielle dared not plead for mercy. Romello¡¯s anger was far too terrifying! In contrast to his siblings¡® fear and timidity, Romello felt somewhat satisfied. Taking out his frustration from the previous afternoon on Marius provided a bit of relief, and his tone softened a bit. ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to choose the administrative department. Choose the Major Crimes Division, the Investigation Department, or the Detective Department. Any of those will do. Establish yourself in the National Investigation Bureau as soon as possible. I need someone to look out for me, so I¡¯m not carrying the entire burden of the Nicholls family alone. Am I clear?¡± Marius winced in pain, sweating coldly. Despite his reluctance, he gritted his teeth and replied, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Romello frowned, staring at him. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got to say?¡± ¡°No, I understand. I¡¯ll strive to be a¡­ supportive brother in the future, to contribute to the¡­ Nicholls family.¡± With his knees scraping against the broken porcin, Marius¡¯s words were strained due to the intense pain. Romello nced at Marius¡¯s legs, keenly noticing a small bloodstain on the ground. Seeing the blood eased his pent¨Cup frustration a bit. ¡°Get up. Don¡¯t me me for being too harsh on you. Remember: diamonds are created under pressure. If I keep spoiling you like this, you¡¯ll be worthless.¡± Marius inwardly scoffed at Romello¡¯s words. Nheless, he still had to obediently respond. ¡°I understand, Romello. You¡¯re looking out for my best interests.¡± Chapter 944 Unable to stand up due to the pain, Marius was helped back into his chair by a servant. ¡°Don¡¯t just sit there. Keep eating,¡± Romello ordered coldly, scooping up a spoonful and bringing it to his own mouth. Marius and Gabrielle had lost their appetite, feeling suffocated by the oppressive atmosphere. After breakfast, Romellomanded Marius and Gabrielle to attend to their duties. Gabrielle continued to cry softly in the car on their way to the Jenkins estate, feeling deeply aggrieved. The phone rang, and it was Sheena. As soon as she answered the call, Gabrielle burst into tears. ¡°Sheena, I¨CI was scolded by Romello¡­¡± Half an hourter, Gabrielle was clinging to Sheena¡¯s waist, burying her face in Sheena¡¯s embrace as if she had found a refuge, crying openly. Sheena silently patted Gabrielle¡¯s back and wiped away her tears, feeling relieved that Elliot had gone to work. Otherwise, seeing Gabrielle cling to her might trigger another outburst. ¡°Sheena¡­ Romello called me useless because I didn¡¯t see you yesterday¡­ He event N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. threatened to kick me out of the Nicholls family if I didn¡¯t see you today¡­¡± Gabrielle sobbed. ¡°There, there, you¡¯ve seen me now, haven¡¯t you?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious as she recalled something. ¡°The two bodyguards you brought were arranged by Romello, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, what about them?¡± Getting straight to the point, Sheena said, ¡°They weren¡¯t behaving properly, not listening to the host. They still tried to enter the mansion and snooped around, looking suspicious. I had Ford and Paul tie them up and lock them in the basement for a while to teach them a lesson.¡± Chapter 944 3/3 Gabrielle snickered, ¡°Great!¡± After crying, Gabrielle¡¯s emotions stabilized, and she remembered Romello¡¯s orders. ¡®Sheena, what about Phoebe? How is she doing?¡± Sheena¡¯s expression grew solemn. ¡°That¡¯s why I wanted to talk to you today. She¡¯s very emotionally unstable, and we suspect she¡¯s been injected with some nerve¨Cstimting drug.¡± Gabrielle was taken aback, her tone naive. ¡°How¡¯s that possible? She¡¯s been staying at the Nicholls residence. Who would inject her with such a thing? Romello said she had an infectious disease before.¡± ¡°Romello was lying.¡± Sheena held Gabrielle¡¯s hands tightly, sighing heavily. She had decided toe clean and try to confront the situation head¨Con. Chapter 945 Chapter 945 Gabrielle looked at Sheena, puzzled. ¡®Sheena, you¡¯re joking, right? Romello couldn¡¯t possibly imprison Mom, let alone inject her with anything. My mom has always been odd¨Ctempered and rarely leaves the house. She only reluctantly attends events when Romello insists.¡± Sheena sighed softly, patiently exining, ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange that your mom only listens to Romello?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Gabrielle stared at her nkly. and their She continued, ¡°Phoebe and Howard have been dating for over a year, rtionship is stable. But at the Nicholls family¡¯s return banquet, she publicly admitted her engagement to the Santos family, acting as if she didn¡¯t recognize me or Howard, only Romello. ¡°Think about your mom¡¯s situation. Doesn¡¯t it sound familiar?¡± Gabrielle fell silent, carefully recollecting. Whenever Vanda appeared at formal events, it seemed like she only had eyes for Romello. Gabrielle¡¯s face paled, unable to fathom that Romello could do such a thing. She was shocked! Sheena reached out and grasped her hand again, trying to persuade her. ¡°Gabrielle, what Romello is doing is illegal and should be condemned. Helping me once more is also helping the Nicholls family and your mom, okay?¡± Gabrielle trembled violently, still reeling from the horrifying news. ¡°W¨CWhat do you need me to do?¡± ¡°Find a way to the top floor, locate the drugs Romello administers to your mom, and bring them to me.¡± Gabrielle withdrew her hand decisively. ¡°I can¡¯t. Romello guards the top floor very tightly, and I don¡¯t stand a chance. He¡¯s the one in charge of the Nicholls family now, and his temper has been terribletely. If I identally expose myself, he¡¯ll definitely punish me. I can¡¯t risk it.¡± Chapter 945 Sheena tried to reassure her desperately, ¡°Trust me, I¡¯ll help you. I won¡¯t let you get hurt. Do you really want to see your mom continue to suffer under his control?¡± ¡°I¨CI don¡¯t know¡­¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. With tears welling in her eyes, Gabrielle felt deeply uneasy. Vand had never cared for her, and shecked maternal love, with only her father and brothers providing affection. When it came to Vanda, Gabrielle felt no deep bond. Hence, she could not bring herself to take that step and do the impossible task for Vanda. ¡°I can¡¯t do it. I really can¡¯t.¡± Gabrielle covered her head in distress, adding, ¡°Phoebe is strong. She climbed to the top floor before, but I can¡¯t. The only way in for me is through the iron gate, and the only keys are held by Romello and the butler. They guard it tightly, and I don¡¯t stand a chance. I¡¯m sorry, Sheena. I really can¡¯t help you! I¡¯m too scared, and I can¡¯t do it!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. I won¡¯t force you,¡± Sheena reassured her, sighing. Gabrielle shuddered at the thought of Romello¡¯s terror. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sheena. I¡¯ll keep this secret and pretend I didn¡¯t hear anything. I won¡¯t stop you from doing what you need to do. I just hope I don¡¯t get dragged into this. I¡¯m terrified.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sheena said, patting her back. ¡°Romello wanted you to check on Phoebe, right? Let¡¯s go have a look at Phoebe together. If you don¡¯t, he mighte after you again when you return.¡± ¡°Thank you, Sheena.¡± Together, they went upstairs to the guest room. Phoebe was still asleep, and Riley had given her a sedative, following Yosef¡¯s instructions. Howard stood by her side, having stayed up for two nights straight. His eyes were red, and there were dark circles beneath them. Gabrielle did not feel particrly fond of Phoebe. She nced at her briefly before leaving. Chapter 945 3/3 As Sheena saw her off, she released the two bodyguards Romello had assigned from the basement. Due to Gabrielle¡¯s refusal, progress stalled once again. Sheena made her way to the fourth floor, tending to the babies with Freida. Chapter 946 Chapter 946 The two adorable babies giggled sweetly, enjoying their most innocent and carefree years. Sheena cherished stroking their little cheeks, wishing they could remain worry¨Cfree like this forever. However, she frowned at the thoughts of the Nicholls family, leaving her at a loss. Gabrielle¡¯s refusal to help made it impossible for them to enter the Nicholls residence. Sheena was deep in her thoughts when her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Wendy from Angle Group. She had been busy with Howard¡¯s affairstely, neglecting Angle for quite some time. Answering the call, Wendy got straight to the point. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Ms. Lawson, there¡¯s a Mr. Nicholls here saying he wants to see you. I¡¯ve asked him to wait in the lounge. Do you want to see him?¡± Mr. Nicholls? Sheena was puzzled. There were only two Nicholls gentlemen in the Nicholls family. Elliot had forbidden Romello from going out, leaving him to reflect at home. Hence, he was unlikely to seek her out at Angle Group. Could it be Marius? However, Sheena did not know Marius well, so why would he want to see her?: ¡°Ms. Lawson, will you see him?¡± Wendy asked again, noticing Sheena¡¯s dyed response. .?? Sheena asked warily, ¡°Who is it?¡± Wendy replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know either. He didn¡¯t specify his name. He just said he¡¯s an old friend of yours.¡± An old friend? Chanter 945 Sheena could not help but think of the man who was abroad. Was he back? ¡°Alright, I understand. Let him wait. I¡¯ll be there within an hour.¡± After hanging up, Sheena kissed each of the babies¡® cheeks before rushing downstairs. and out the door. As she reached the garage, she saw Elliot¡¯s car returning, the same one he had left in the morning. Elliot¡¯s luxury car parked steadily in front of her, the window rolling down to reveal his remarkably handsome face. ¡°Honey, are you heading out? I happen to have some free time, want to go together?¡± Sheena frowned slightly as she replied, ¡°With all yourmitments at the National Investigation Bureau and the Jenkins Group, how can you just happen to have free time? Are you intentionally checking up on me?¡± Elliot did not immediately respond. Instead, he got out of the car after opening the door, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for her, gesturing her into the car. ¡°Come on. Let me be your dedicated chauffeur today.¡± Sheena did not refuse, allowing him to fasten her seatbelt for her. As the engine of the luxury car roared to life, Elliot drove out of Jenkins estate. ¡°Off to Angle Group,¡± Sheena said. ¡°Roger that,¡± Elliot replied. Before long, the two of them arrived at Angle Group. Through the frosted ss of the waiting room, Sheena caught sight of a figure that seemed familiar yet slightly different, sitting upright with his back to her. Sheena stared at the figure and pushed open the door to the lounge. Out of nowhere, Elliot unexpectedly tightened his grip on her hand, seemingly asserting his dominance, and she did not resist. They entered together. Chapter 946 The man in the lounge immediately turned around at the sound of the door opening. Chapter 947 Chapter 947 Apart from his gorgeous blue eyes, there was hardly a trace of the youthfulness on the man¡¯s face. His skin appears rougher than before, and he even had some stubble growing out. It seemed that over the past year, he has weathered many storms, aging considerably. However, when he gazed at Sheena, his eyes still brimmed with tenderness and adoration. ¡°Hey, Nana. Long time no see.¡± Sheena stood there, staring at him in disbelief. It had been almost a year, and she had not expected Nathaniel to have changed so much, appearing much more mature andposed. After scrutinizing him for a moment, she smiled coyly. ¡°Long time no see, Mr. Nicholls.¡± Nathaniel was taken aback, perhaps at her formality. However, he quickly understood when he saw Elliot behind her. He gently extended his hand and said hopefully, ¡°After being apart for so long, can we¡­ have a reunion hug?¡± Sheena did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked back at Elliot. Elliot kept his head down, giving no indication of his thoughts or feelings. Hugging Nathaniel right in front of Elliot was notpletely out of line, right? With this in mind, Sheena tentatively stepped forward, extending her hands. However, just as she was about a meter from Nathaniel, her arms were lightly bumped from behind. Sheena turned her head to see Elliot circling around her and approached Nathaniel, looking displeased as if to strike. Was Nathaniel going to get a beating as his wee¨Cback gift? ¡°Honey¡­¡± Sheena started to protest, but she saw Elliot open his arms reluctantly and give Nathaniel a half¨C hearted hug before she could finish her sentence. ¡°Nana is my wife, and it¡¯s inappropriate for her to touch another man.¡± After saying that, Elliot patted Nathaniel¡¯s back heavily twice. Nathaniel was left speechless. Both men were obviously disgusted. Sheena chuckled, suddenly finding the interaction between them rather adorable. ¡°All right, how long are you two going to hug? Why do I feel like I¡¯m the third wheel here? Elliot and Nathaniel immediately released each other, their expressions grim. Sheena took Elliot¡¯s hand and led him to sit opposite Nathaniel. ¡°Why did you suddenly decide toe back?¡± Nathaniel smiled, masking a hint of disappointment in his eyes. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a sudden decision. After being abroad for so long, I felt like there was something I couldn¡¯t shake off my mind. So, I came back to check on things. I sent you a parcel a few days ago, mentioning this. I thought you knew¡­¡± ¡°You sent a parcel?¡± Sheena was surprised. She tried to recall and realized she had received one. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve been quite busytely, so I didn¡¯t have time to open it. Ford usually handles the parcels, and I forgot to check.¡± Nathaniel shrugged it off with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s not a big deal.¡± The three of them exchange pleasantries for a while. ¡°Oh, by the way, have you heard about the Nicholls family acknowledging Phoebe? You¡¯ve gained another little sister,¡± Sheena says. ¡°Phoebe?¡± Nathaniel was clueless. Chaster 947 3/3 During his year teaching in the rural countryside abroad, he never kept up with the- affairs of the Nicholls family. He only inquired about Sheena and was pleased to hear that Elliot treated her well. ¡°She¡¯s a signed celebrity with Angle and also a good friend of mine from the Farlem orphanage. She¡¯s involved with Howard¡­¡± Sheena¡¯s voice trailed off. Chapter 948 Chapter 948 Talking about Phoebe¡¯s situation, both Sheena¡¯s and Elliot¡¯s expressions turned grave simultaneously. Nathaniel keenly sensed their change in mood and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Has something happened?¡± Sheena nced at Elliot. Seeing no objection from him, she asked, ¡°Are you familiar with Romello¡¯s situation?¡± Nathaniel remains silent, his expression serious. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to see Phoebe. Maybe you¡¯ll recall some useful information after seeing her. The three of them soon set off back to E&S Haven. It was Nathaniel¡¯s first time seeing this half¨Csister. Nheless, he still had some recollection of the events before Phoebe¡¯s birth, feeling at bit guilty deep down. Initially, when Wesley brought Nathaniel back from Laubabwe to join the Nicholls family, Vanda had a hard time epting it, even leaving home while pregnant with Phoebe. It was said that the matter triggered her mental issues, leading to Phoebe being left on her own all these years. Sheena said, ¡°She had only been back to the Nicholls residence for a week, and she ended. up like this. When I found her, Romello had her chained up in the attic. She was obviously mentally unstable, only recognizing Romello. If she¡¯s away from him, she bes manic and harms herself.¡± Nathaniel listened quietly, scrutinizing the frail girl on the bed. Howard, who has been sitting silently by the bed, added, ¡°We suspect Romello has subjected Madam Nicholls to a simr confinement and administered some unknown drugs.¡± Nathaniel gave it a thought and uttered, ¡°So, that¡¯s what¡¯s going on. No wonder.¡± He seemed to know something, prompting everyone else in the room to turn to him. Chapter 948 He calmly exined, gradually revealing the truth about the Nicholls family¡¯s past. ¡°The current Madam Nicholls is my dad¡¯s second wife. After his death, Jason, our eldest brother, Romello, and I were all vying for power. Jason died unexpectedly during this power struggle. At that time, I was on a mission with the Special Investigation Department and was away from Svelton. By the time I returned, everything had settled, and Romello had sessfully taken control.¡± Nathaniel took a short pause, then continued, ¡°I heard Madam Nicholls fully supported him, using all her family¡¯s resources to establish his authority among the elders. Back then, I was puzzled by her actions. Even if she truly adored Romello, it was simply baffling why she¡¯d go to such lengths for Romello, sacrificing her own resources. But thinking back to her demeanor at the family gatherings, it did seem like she was under Romello¡¯s control.¡± The other three listened intently to his exnation, and the room turned silent. No one interrupted ormented on the matter. Then, Nathaniel looked at Sheena with determination, his deep blue eyes shining as he said, ¡°Nana, I think I have a n. I can help you.¡± Sheena and Howard both brightened up at his words, while Elliot remained deep in thought, his emotions unreadable. After discussing the n in detail, the group settled on a final strategy. During dinner, Gabrielle and Marius, who nearly broke his leg at the National Investigation Bureau, trembled as they sat at the dinner table. These past few days, mealtimes had been a nightmare for them as every meal felt like an imminent execution. Once again, Romello was assisted downstairs by the butler and servants, slowly taking his seat at the head of the table. Instead of immediately starting his meal, he coldly asked Gabrielle, ¡°How is she?¡± Gabrielle answered honestly, ¡°Phoebe¡¯s condition is dire. After being taken to E&S Haven, she had a fit and even bit Mr. Howard. Then, she was injected with sedatives. She hasn¡¯t regained consciousness since then, and there¡¯s been no improvement.¡± Romello¡¯s face shows no concern upon hearing this. Instead, he seemed relieved. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°You must regrly visit the Jenkins estate and monitor Phoebe¡¯s condition closely.¡± Gabrielle lowered her head, replying, ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Oh, and next time, make sure Sheena lets the guards join you, We can¡¯t have a repeat of today¡¯s incident where they were locked in the basement. Their responsibility is to protect your safety at all times, and you must ensure you¡¯re always within their sight,¡± Romello added. Gabrielle hesitated for a moment, but she stillplied, ¡°Yes.¡± Just as Romello turned his gaze toward Marius across the table, presumably to question him, the bodyguards at the door burst in, their faces filled with horror. ¡°Sir¡­ Mr¡­ Mr. Nathaniel¡­ He¡¯s back!¡® Chapter 949 Chapter 949 Romello was baffled. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°I¨CIt¡¯s Mr. Nathaniel Nicholls. H¨CHe¡¯s standing at the door right now, alive!¡± The more he listened, the more puzzled he was. Romello attempted to rise, but the soreness in his arms and legs forcefully pulled him back into his seat. Enduring the pain, he ordered, ¡°Let him in.¡± When everyone in the dining room saw Nathaniel, they were all astonished. Gabrielle¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, the most excited of them all. ¡°Nathaniel, is that really you? You¡¯re not dead?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s deep blue eyes twinkled with a faint smile, replying, ¡°I¡¯ve been lucky enough Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. to survive.¡± Then, he turned to Romello and Marius, greeting them, ¡°Romello, Marius.¡± Marius nodded awkwardly, while Romello remainedposed and indifferent. He stirred his soup, and the porcin spoon clinked against the bowl as he sternly questioned, ¡°If you¡¯ve been alive all this while, why haven¡¯t you sent a single message. home this past year? Do you still consider yourself a part of the Nicholls family?¡± Nathaniel obediently lowered his head, his tone apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I had to hide for the past year just to stay alive. I¡¯m sorry for making you all worry.¡± Romello felt much better, saying, ¡°Forget it. It¡¯s good that you¡¯re back. Have you eaten dinner?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Romello nced at the servant beside them and ordered, ¡°Get him a set of utensils.¡± Chapter 949 ¡°No need,¡± Nathaniel declined. He stared at Romello and added, ¡°Romello, I have something to discuss with you privately, if you don¡¯t mind.¡± Romello met his gaze, sensing something unusual in his eyes. However, Romello was exhausted and sore all over these past few days, unable to get up. After some consideration, he nced at Marius and Gabrielle, who were both looking glum and did not have much appetite. ¡°What¡¯s with those expressions? No appetite? Then return to your rooms and don¡¯t bother me here.¡± ¡°Yes, Romello,¡± Marius and Gabriell replied in unison, quickly rising from their seats and leaving the dining room. They did not want to spend another second there! Romello also dismissed the servants and the butler. The vast dining room was left with only Nathaniel and Romello in just a minute. Nathaniel walked around the long dining table and approached the space next to Romello¡¯s chair, wisely choosing to stand rather than sit down. Romello was pleased with his maturity, and his expression softened gradually. ¡°Tell me, what happened?¡± Nathaniel maintained a cold demeanor, speaking calmly and steadily as he recounted the events. ¡°A year ago, Elliot caused a scene at Nana¡¯s and my wedding, bringing an international pursuit order and forcing Nana to shoot me.¡± Romello impatiently tapped the table, urging, ¡°I know about that. I want to know how you escaped Elliot.¡± ¡°It was Nana¡¯s mercy. Her bullet missed my heart, but Elliot thought I was dead. He simply had me thrown onto a nearby mountain, hoping wild dogs and wolves would devour my remains.¡± Romello smirked. ¡°Sounds like something Elliot would do.¡± Nathaniel kept his gaze lowered, showing no emotional fluctuations as he continued, Perhaps it was luck, but I was rescued by a hunter. Later, my mom brought Nana to the Chapter 949 international court, and Elliot sent people to search for my body on the mountain. ¡°I fled Laubabwe overnight and spent the past year wandering in several illiterate countries, hiding my name and identity, teaching in rural areas just to survive,¡± Romello listened quietly, feeling satisfied with Nathaniel¡¯s experiences. He sighed as if concerned, saying, ¡°What a pity. With your good looks, skills, and knowledge, I truly feel sorry for you to be harmed like this by Elliot.¡± Chapter 950 Chapter 950 Nathaniel smiled wryly. ¡°It was worth it to risk being discovered by Elliot and braved all sorts of dangers toe back just to receive your concern.¡± Romello gestured for Nathaniel to sit in the nearby seat, perhaps feeling a bit relieved to hear how badly Elliot had treated him. ¡°Thank you, Romello,¡± Romello asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s your n now that you¡¯re back? Are you willing to ept what Elliot did to you? While you suffered, he¡¯s thriving in his career, love life, and family. ¡°Of course not!¡± Nathaniel clenched his fists in front of Romello, his eyes filled with intense hatred. ¡°Romello, I came back to ask for your help. Elliot took away my woman, left me with nothing, and caused me immense pain. I can¡¯t even return home! If I don¡¯t kill him, I won¡¯t find peace! As long as you¡¯re willing to help me, I¡¯ll do anything you ask, even if it means risking my life!¡± Romello stirred his soup thoughtfully. Soon, a troubled expression appeared on his face. ¡°Nathaniel, I genuinely want to help you, but Elliot has suspended my duties at the National Investigation Bureau. I¡¯m stuck at home awaiting further investigation and notice. I¡¯m truly sorry, but there¡¯s nothing I can do.¡± ¡°Elliot did that? I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s troubling you too!¡± Nathaniel gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with hatred and resentment. ¡°Romello, you¡¯ve been the deputy chief for so long. Don¡¯t you want to strip away that¡® deputy¡® title one day, crush Elliot under your feet, and reim what¡¯s rightfully yours?¡± Romello remained silent. Of course, he wanted to. It was to the point of madness, yearning to dominate and crush Elliot! Yet, as he looked at his half¨Cbrother sitting across from him, his eyes slightly narrowed in thought, pondering something unknown. Nathaniel continued his persuasion, ¡°Romello, I¡¯m your brother. I have nothing now and Chapter 050 can only rely on you. I¡¯ll do everything in my power to help you, even if it means risking this life of mine, just to help you gain control of the National Investigation Bureau!¡± They shared amon enemy, and one more person meant better chances of victory. Romello smiled as he reached out his hand toward Nathanfel. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Nathaniel instinctively leaned in, allowing Romello to pat his face gently. ¡°Nathaniel, you¡¯ve truly matured a lot over this past year. I¡¯m proud of you.¡± Nathaniel lowered his gaze obediently, his expression unreadable. ¡°I promise you, I¡¯ll find a way to deal with Elliot,¡± Romello assured him. ¡°Thank you, Romello!¡± Nathaniel replied gratefully. ¡°Alright, after your long journey, let¡¯s get you settled in the guest room for tonight. Rest up, and I¡¯ll have the servants clean up your previous room. ¡°Thank you so much, Romello, for still offering the Nicholls family as my refuge.¡± Romello smiled warmly, saying, ¡°We¡¯ve had our differences in the past, especially during the power struggle, and I¡¯ve disciplined you too, but Nathaniel, you¡¯ll always be my beloved brother.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s weathered face looked moreposed when he smiled nowpared to a year ago. ¡°I was foolish before. Romello, I appreciate your forgiveness and understanding.¡± Romello nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Get some rest then.¡± ¡°Alright, Romello, enjoy your meal. I¡¯ll head upstairs.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± As Nathaniel left the dining room and headed toward the staircase, his smile vanished, and his expression turned cold. The spacious dining room now felt eerily quiet, with only Romello eating alone. However, he did not mind, contentedly enjoying his meal. A few minutester, he called for his bodyguard and whispered, ¡°Find out where Nathaniel went before coming to the Nicholls residence and whether he had any encounters with Elliot beforehand.¡± Chapter 951 Chapter 951 Nathaniel sat on the bed in the guest room, feeling a slight unease creeping into his mind. He knew Romello too well¨Csuspicious and overthinking. Hence, he doubted Romello would easily believe what happenedst night. With this in mind, he decided to send a text to Elliot. The next morning at the Nicholls residence¡¯s dining table, Romello remained quiet, and everyone else ate in silence. The spacious dining room echoed only with the crisp sounds of utensils against tes. After what seemed like an eternity, Romello finally spoke up. ¡°Nathaniel, now that you¡¯re back, let me announce to the public that you¡¯re alive and arrange a banquet for you.¡± Nathaniel looked conflicted, replying, ¡°But, Romello, if Elliot finds out, he¡¯ll surely try to capture me and subject me to torture in the secret interrogation room. Observing Nathaniel¡¯s nervous reaction, Romello¡¯s guard eased slightly. ¡°Just don¡¯t leave home before the banquet. I can guarantee your safety.¡± ¡°But, Romello¡­ ¡°No buts,¡± Romello insisted, his tone brooked no argument. ¡°You saidst night you¡¯d obey my commands. Have you forgotten so soon?¡± Reluctantly, Nathaniel agreed, ¡°Okay.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°Two hours from now,e to the study. I have something to discuss with you,¡± Romello instructed. ¡°Yes.¡± The dining room returned to its quiet state. Finally, their breakfast ended. Gabrielle headed to E&S Haven as she was forced to check on Phoebe¡¯s condition. Meanwhile, Marlus wore a bitter expression as he headed off to the National Investigation Bureau, worn out from running errands these past few days. His resentment toward Romello deepened with each passing moment. Romello¡¯s body was beginning to recover from the soreness, allowing him to move about on his own. He made his way to the study to remotely manage the quarterly reports of the Nicholls Group. A few minutester, a bodyguard knocked on the door. ¡°Mr. Romello, I¡¯ve checked it out. Mr. Nathaniel went to Angle yesterday, trying to meet Mrs. Jenkins,¡± the bodyguard reported. Romello stopped writing, his tone turning cold as he asked, ¡°Did he meet her?¡± ¡°No, it seems he was discreetly ushered away.¡± Romello pondered the situation and asked, ¡°Did he meet Elliot?¡± ¡°No.¡± Romello¡¯s initially stern expression grew calm. ¡°You may leave.¡± The bodyguard respectfully bowed and exited the study. After a while, Nathaniel arrived at the study. ¡°Romello, you wanted to see me privately. Do you already have a n?¡± Romello smiled at him and said, ¡°Yes, on the day of the banquet, I¡¯ll assign you a task that must seed.¡± After a few minutes of whispered instructions, Nathaniel¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Romello, are you asking me to poison him?¡± Romello leisurely lit a cigarette, replying, ¡°Why are you so surprised? Didn¡¯t you say you were willing to do anything for me to secure the top position at the National Investigation Bureau?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Nathaniel carefully weighed the consequences and exined, ¡°The banquet will be held in our home. If something happens, not only will I be caught on the spot, but it Chapter 951 3/3 will also affect the stock market of the Nicholls Group. The entire Nicholls family won¡¯t be able to escape the me. Romello, you need to think this through.¡± Romello snorted,pletely unfazed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, no one knows about this poison. It¡¯s a banned substance I purchased overseas colorless and odorless. The symptoms won¡¯t manifest until a weekter, and no one will suspect you.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s not easily detectable, why involve me?¡± Romello took a drag of his cigarette, giving him a dismissive look. ¡°Your rtionship with Sheena isn¡¯t ordinary. She¡¯s shot at you before, so she likely feels guilty. Having you deliver the drink to Elliot ensures the n¡¯s sess. Chapter 952 Go Chapter 952 Nathaniel stood with his hands behind his back, standing upright as he contemted the situation. Romello tapped the table, snapping him out of his thoughts. ¡°You agreed just yesterday. Is this how you show loyalty? By hesitating?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll follow your lead. I¡¯ll make sure everything goes smoothly.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Romello replied, reclining in his chair and exhaling smoke from his cigarette. With his head held up high, Romello¡¯s eyes gleamed sinisterly as he watched the smoke rise. ¡°I need you to hand over allmunication devices to ensure your safety at home before the banquet. Can you do that?¡± Nathaniel hesitated for a moment before retrieving an old¨Cfashioned cell phone from his pocket and cing it on Romello¡¯s desk. ¡°I don¡¯t have much money, just this phone. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can have the bodyguards search my room.¡± Romello smiled warmly and said, ¡°I trust you.¡± That afternoon, the news that Nathaniel was still alive but had been sent abroad for further study was made public on the official website of the Nicholls Group. Previously, Sheena had been under suspicion for attempting to murder Nathaniel, but due to Howard¡¯s interventions, the issue had subsided. Now, with Nathaniel alive, those rumors were dispelled. Sheena sat on the couch, browsing news about the Nicholls family. Elliot, holding a bowl of fresh strawberries, offered her some and nced at her iPad. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect him to return after a year abroad and pick up the name Nathaniel Nicholls again, resuming his old life. Nana, what do you think his motive is this time?¡± Sheena, munching on strawberries, remained silent, pondering Elliot¡¯s question. ¨C Charter 952 Elliot continued, ¡°Honey, I have a feeling he came back with a n. He¡¯s hiding something.¡± Perhaps it was a man¡¯s intuition about another man. Back then, Nathaniel had expressed despair over his status as an illegitimate child and did not want to live under the identities of Nathaniel Nicholls or Charles Lance anymore. It was expected that he would disappear forever, living under an assumed name. Yet, after just a year, he returned seemingly without warning, as if he had just taken a short break. Sheena gently patted Elliot¡¯s arm and whispered, ¡°Do you still hold any grudges against him?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s been a year. I¡¯m healthy, happy, and there¡¯s nothing to dwell on.¡± Sheena affectionately caressed his handsome face, saying, ¡°Then that settles it. Now that he¡¯s willing to help us, let¡¯s trust him for now. As long as he doesn¡¯t pose any threat to us, it¡¯s fine, even if he has ulterior motives.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± He nted a kiss on Sheena¡¯s cheek as a reward, then went to fetch some strawberries from the table and fed them to her himself. Sheena epted his gesture contentedly and continued, ¡°By the way, you know how paranoid Romello can be. Now that news of Nathaniel being alive is public, you should visit the Nicholls residence frequently. Make sure to act naturally and believable.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± It had been three days since Nathaniel returned to the Nicholls family. It was nighttime. Unable to sleep, he asionally nced out the window toward the top floor in the dead of night. During these days, he had observed the people going up to the top floor. All the servants and bodyguards were forbidden ess to the top floor. Even Gabrielle and Marius were no exception. Instead, all meals were personally delivered by the butler. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. 13/3 Romello, still feeling sore for the past couple of days, had not gone up yet. Once he felt better, he would make time to visit the top floor every day. Only the butler and Romello had the keys, and ess was strictly controlled. Nathaniel estimated that during this time, there would not be an opportunity to search the top floor during this time. Perhaps the banquet would present a good opportunity. Chapter 953 Chapter 953 Nathaniel sighed as he gazed at the moon outside the window with deep, intense blue eyes. He retrieved a small packet of powder no bigger than a fingernail from his pocket and gently rubbed it between his fingers, seemingly to be pondering something deeply. On the fourth day of treatment, Phoebe finally regained consciousness. Shey weakly in bed, her eyes half¨Copen, devoid of the usual frenzy of self¨Charm. Instead, she appeared lost and disoriented, as if her soul had been taken away. Sheena, Howard, and Riley watched her anxiously as she leaned against the headboard. With teary eyes, Howard suppressed his excitement and asked, ¡°Phoebe, I¡¯m Howard, your boyfriend. Do you remember me?¡± Phoebe kept her head down, showing no reaction whatsoever as if she had not heard him speak at all. Sheena leaned in closer and whispered, ¡°Do you still recognize me? I¡¯m your best friend from the orphanage in Farlem.¡± If it were not for her asional blinking, Sheena and Howard might have thought Phoebe was asleep. Riley, standing by, recorded her condition and shook his head, sighing, ¡°It¡¯s still not working. Ordinary treatment drugs can only control her depressive moods. Without knowing the cause, it¡¯s hard for us to cure her.¡± rus For now, they could only wait for Nathaniel¡¯s banquet. The banquet would be held at the Nicholls residence, presenting the best opportunity. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Sheena sighed and asked, ¡°Phoebe, do you remember Romello?¡± Phoebe slowly raised her eyes at the mention of his name and weakly replied, ¡°My brother.¡± Howard nced at Sheena in surprise, and Riley quickly noted down this new development. Chapter 953 Howard tightened his grip on Phoebe¡¯s hand and asked again, ¡°And Gabrielle? Do you remember her?¡± Phoebe remained silent, showing no reaction. ¡°What about Vanda? She¡¯s your mother. Do you remember her?¡± Still no response. Riley carefully documented the situation, analyzing, ¡°She doesn¡¯t remember anyone except Mr. Romello. This could indicate that she was drugged and possibly hypnotized during her unconscious state.¡± Howard blurted out, ¡°Romello knows how to hypnotize others?¡± Riley replied, ¡°Um¡­ I don¡¯t know much about Mr. Romello, but perhaps we can ask Mr. Jenkins about this. He might know.¡± When Elliot returned home in the evening, Sheena asked him about this matter. Elliot pondered for a moment. ¡°During the training camp at the National Investigation Bureau, Romello studied psychology, but it wasn¡¯t long. Even if he knows about hypnotism, it would only be surface¨C level.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious as she asked, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that under the influence of the drug Romello injected into Phoebe, she can be hypnotized into doing things ording to his instructions, right?¡± Elliot nodded. ¡°Exactly. I¡¯ll document this new finding. Once Nathaniel obtains the drug hidden by Romello at the banquet, and experts confirm it, we can basically convict Romello.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good. That way, Phoebe can finally be free from this suffering.¡± Elliot wrapped his arm around her slender waist, his tone tinged with concern. ¡°Hypnosis and drug injections can cause significant neurological damage to Phoebe, Nana. You need to prepare yourself for the possibility that she may not fully recover.¡± She sighed and replied, ¡°It¡¯s just spection for now. Let¡¯s not tell Howard yet to avoid disappointing him.¡± Elliot nodded, taking her hand as they went upstairs together to check on the babies. After a few tense days, it was finally the day of the banquet at the Nicholls residence. Howard could not attend as he was taking care of Phoebe. Sheena, Elliot, Lionel, and Jacintha, all dressed in their finest attire, arrived promptly at 7.30 p.m. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re here. It¡¯s been a few days, and you and Mrs. Jenkins are still as affectionate as ever. How envious.¡± Chapter 954 Chapter 954 Romello wore a polite smile on his face, maintaining courtesy without losing respect. Elliot, on the other hand, did not look pleased. His gaze was cold as he replied, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Nana¡¯s insistence oning, I might have taken Nathaniel away by force today.¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re such a funny man,¡± Romello replied, his smile growing even warmer. ¡°All the grievances from over a year ago are in the past. Nathaniel has acknowledged his mistakes and won¡¯t engage in any reckless behavior again. I¡¯ll have him apologize to you tonight, hoping to resolve any lingering between you two.¡± Elliot snorted disdainfully, acting extremely arrogantly. Then, he led Sheena into the garden. As more guests gathered in the garden, Nathaniel, dressed in an elegant navy blue suit, stood behind the curtains, watching Romello greet guests with a smile. He nced at his watch. There were still 15 minutes before the banquet officially began. This might be the opportunity he was waiting for. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. With that thought in mind, Nathaniel left the room and walked casually down the hallway of the grand mansion. As the butler passed by, carrying items, Nathaniel quietly brushed against him. ¡°Oops!¡± Seeing the expensive ss bottle about to fall, Nathaniel quickly caught it, skillfully slipping his right hand into the butler¡¯s pocket. ¡®Are you alright?¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Nathaniel, I¡¯m fine.¡± The butler bowed in gratitude before hurrying away with the bottle. Nathaniel watched him leave, tightening his grip on the small key in his hand. Over the past few days, Nathaniel had been observing the butler¡¯s schedule for going up. to the top floor and his habit of using his pockets, making it easy for Nathaniel to take the key. While everyone¡¯s attention was focused on the garden, he casually made his way up to the top floor. Unlocking the door, he quietly slipped into the hallway, his movements swift and silent. Before returning to the Nicholls family, Sheena had told him about the suspected location of Vanda¡¯s room. With a clear goal in mind, Nathaniel headed straight for the fourth closed door on the left. He opened the door and was stunned to see the room¡¯s interior. Under the dark sky, the Nicholls residence was adorned with lights and decorations, creating a beautiful scene. The clinking of sses and the chatter of guests filled the air, adding to the harmony of the asion. Sheena and Elliot nced asionally toward the darkened top floor. Meanwhile, Lionel and Jacintha enjoyed champagne, engaging Romello in conversation. Despite feeling a bit annoyed, Romello, mindful of their guest status, especially as they were from the Jenkins family, did not show his irritation too obviously. Jacintha praised Romello incessantly and bombarded him with questions. It was incredibly distracting, but Romello remained focused, quickly summoning a servant. ¡°The event is starting in just two minutes. Check on Nathaniel to see if he¡¯s ready to greet the guests. Is he nning to make a grand entrance like a debutante?¡± Romello¡¯s tone grew stern, clearly irritated by Jacintha¡¯s persistent interruptions. ¡°Yes, Mr. Romello,¡± the servant responded promptly, sensing Romello¡¯s annoyance. Lionel and Jacintha exchanged nervous nces. Trying to ease the tension, Jacintha chimed in, ¡°Mr. Romello, Mr. Nathaniel hasn¡¯t been back to Froania for almost a year. Perhaps he¡¯s a bit nervous.¡± Changing the subject, Lionel asked, ¡°Mr. Romello, it¡¯s a Nicholls family event. Why haven¡¯t we seen Madam Nicholls?¡± Chapter 954 3/3 When asked about his mother, Romello¡¯s expression turned serious, indicating that he treated the matter with caution. Chapter 955 Chapter 955 ¡°She hasn¡¯t been feeling welltely. Besides, it¡¯s a small banquet, and there¡¯s no need to tire her out,¡± Romello exined calmly. Jacintha giggled, herpliments sounding natural as she said, ¡°Mr. Romello, you¡¯re so responsible! With your leadership, the Nicholls family will surely flourish.¡± ¡°Thank you for your kind words,¡± Romello replied with a somewhat indifferent smile. The servant who went to find Nathaniel quickly returned, a concerned expression on his face. ¡°Mr. Romello, Mr. Nathaniel isn¡¯t in his room. I couldn¡¯t find him anywhere.¡± Romello¡¯s expression darkened instantly, muttering under his breath, ¡°How could he disappear right before the banquet? Find him immediately!¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The servant hurriedly darted off. Lionel and Jacintha exchanged nces, sensing the tension in the air. As if realizing something, Jacintha quickly changed the subject, ¡°Mr. Romello, did you n the banquet all by yourself? It¡¯s so exquisitely arranged. Could I ask you for some advice?¡± Lionel chimed in, ¡°Mr. Romello, what¡¯s wrong? It¡¯s supposed to be a joyous asion tonight, but you seem a bit displeased.¡± Romello softened his stern gaze and continued to smile politely. He was about to respond to Jacintha¡¯s question when he noticed the butler hurrying toward them. ¡°Mr. Romello¡­¡± the butler began, but Sheena interrupted him. ¡°Where¡¯s Gabrielle? I haven¡¯t seen her around. She usually loves these lively events,¡± Sheena asked with a gentle smile. Caught off guard, the butler replied, ¡°Ms. Gabrielle is probably still in her room getting reacy. Mr. Romello bought her a new pair of crystal earrings the other day, so she might still be deciding on which to wear.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Sheena nodded understandingly. ¡°Excuse me, Mrs. Jenkins, I have something urgent to discuss with Mr. Romello,¡± the butler said, attempting to move past Sheena. Sheena blocked his path, politely insisting, ¡°The Nicholls residence is sorge, and I¡¯m unfamiliar with theyout. Could you please apany me to find Gabrielle¡¯s room?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Sheena continued, ¡°I¡¯m sure Mr. Romello is busy with the guests, and any urgent matters can wait until after the banquet.¡± The butler hesitated for a moment. He nced over to where Romello was upied with Lionel and Jacintha. Seeing that Romello¡¯s attention waspletely diverted, the butler relented. ¡°Alright. Mrs. Jenkins, please follow me.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± A minuteter, Nathaniel emerged from the mansion, stepping out and surveying the crowd in the garden, his gaze eventually settling on Elliot. Elliot immediately sensed his presence, and the two shared a silent exchange. Romello, still engrossed in conversation with Lionel and Jacintha, was growing impatient. Spotting Nathaniel¡¯s arrival, he quickly dismissed Lionel and Jacintha, striding over to Nathaniel. ¡°Why did you take so long toe down? Where were you just now?¡± Romello demanded. Nathaniel kept his head down, obediently replying, ¡°I¡¯m not sure what happened, but my stomach was upset. I had to use the toilet for quite some time.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. Though Romello was clearly displeased, he could not publicly criticize Nathaniel for a basic bodily need, especially in front of so many guests. Afterposing himself, Romello continued, ¡°How are the preparations going? There¡¯s no room for failure tonight. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll execute everything perfectly.¡± Romello begrudgingly epted his response, emitting a couple of disdainful snorts before turning away Chapter 956 Chapter 956 As the banquet was about to start, Romello seamlessly shed a gracious smile and made his way to the stage. Sheena and the now beautifully dressed Gabrielle descended the stairs together. The round tables in the garden were filled with upper¨Css guests. Romello delivered a well¨Cspoken five¨Cminute wee speech, and Nathaniel stood quietly beside him, ying the role of the obedient younger brother. Tonight, being a formal asion, Nathaniel had shaved off his stubble, looking notably younger. Despite the roughness on his weathered face being more pronounced than before, it was not too noticeable in the dim evening light, and he still appeared as handsome as he was. After the speeches concluded, Nathaniel, under Romello¡¯s direction, proceeded to toast each table. Given Elliot¡¯s influence in Froania, naturally, he was the first to be honored. Nathaniel approached Elliot¡¯s table slowly, with Romello quietly trailing behind, resembling a concerned older brother, making sure his younger sibling acted. appropriately. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, there¡¯s been too much between us, and it¡¯s all my fault. Tonight, I want to make amends by pouring you a drink myself. I hope we can put the past behind us and move on,¡± Nathaniel said with a smile, pouring expensive red wine into a ss held out by a servant. Unbeknownst to Elliot, a white powder discreetly slipped into the rich red wine as Nathaniel poured. Behind him, Romello observed this subtle action, and his gaze gradually turned calm. ¡°Here, Mr. Jenkins. Let¡¯s drink to this and let bygones be bygones,¡± Nathaniel urged, offering the ss to Elliot. Elliot remained cold and silent, refusing to acknowledge Nathaniel¡¯s gesture as if he were invisible. Then, Nathaniel then turned to Sheena, extending the ss to her. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Chapter 956 ¡°Nana, Mr. Jenkins won¡¯t ept my apology. I¡¯ve heard he listens to you the most. For old times¡® sake, do you mind persuading him?¡± In this y, Sheena yed the mediator. She turned to Elliot and said, ¡°Honey, it¡¯s just a drink, and it doesn¡¯t mean anything. But if you refuse, his toasting rounds for tonight will be stuck at this first table. Just take it, or maybe you drink half, and I¡¯ll drink the other?¡± Reluctantly, Elliot agreed, swayed by Sheena¡¯s influence. With a respectful bow, Nathaniel held the ss up, presenting it to Elliot. As Elliot reached for it, Sheena intercepted it, adhering to their earlier agreement, and took a sip first. As Sheena took a sip of her drink, Nathaniel kept his gaze lowered, the dim, twinkling lights in the garden obscuring his expression. Yet, one could tell that he was indifferent to the situation. Romello frowned, sensing something amiss. After Nathanielpleted his rounds of toasting each table of guests, Romello pulled him aside to a secluded corner. He quietly inquired, ¡°Are you pulling some kind of trick behind my back?¡± Nathaniel was confused, questioning back, ¡°Romello, what do you mean?¡± Romello scoffed and said, ¡°I know you well. Sheena is the woman you¡¯ve pursued all your life. How could you stand by and watch her drink that ss of wine?¡± Moreover, the substance was a potent drug imported from abroad. Faced with his beloved woman drinking half a ss to help him, Nathaniel surprisingly showed no intention to stop her. This immediately raised Romello¡¯s suspicions. Amidst theughter of the guests in the garden, a few bodyguards stood watch in the secluded area. With rage consuming him, Romello swiftly grabbed Nathaniel by the throat, his voice barely a whisper butced with fury. ¡°I can make sure you return to the Nicholls family in glory, but if you dare to y games Chapter 956 with me, I¡¯ll make sure you suffer in hellish torment once again!¡± Nathaniel, enduring the choking pain, remained stoic as he replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t stop her because I want them both to die together!¡± Chapter 957 Chapter 957 1/3 ¡°You actually want to harm Sheena?¡± Romello was doubtful, loosening his grip slightly. Nathaniel¡¯s face grew paler from the pressure, and he struggled to breathe. However, he remained resolute in his response. ¡°Romello, you haven¡¯t experienced true despair. I¡¯m willing to sacrifice anything as long as Elliot dies. I loved Sheena deeply, yet on our wedding day, she chose to run away with Elliot, making me a laughingstock. I can¡¯t forgive her for that betrayal. Since they¡¯re so deeply in love, then it¡¯s perfect. They can face the same fate as Romeo and Juliet,¡± Nathaniel added with a ghastly yet sorrowful smile. Romello arched an eyebrow, reading Nathaniel¡¯s expression, and released his grip. ¡°You truly are insane, twisted, and sick. But this works in my favor.¡± Suppressing the difort in his throat, Nathaniel coughed lightly, his expression numb. Romello brushed the red marks on Nathaniel¡¯s neck with the back of his hand, his tone softening. ¡°Now that the toast is done, there¡¯s nothing for you here in the garden. Go back to your room and rest ¡± ¡°Sure, Romello.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Romello nodded before turning and leaving the secluded area. It was not until his figurepletely blended into the lively atmosphere of the garden that Nathaniel let out a sigh of relief. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. From his pocket, Nathaniel retrieved an unopened packet of powdered medication, clenching it tightly in his palm. Shortly after Romello departed, Sheena lowered her presence, maneuvered past the guests in the garden, and appeared before Nathaniel. They exchanged a knowing smile. Back in the banquet hall, Romello was immediately stopped by the butler. ¡°Mr. Romello, we have a problem.¡± The butler was obviously flustered, and he leaned closer to Romello¡¯s ear, whispering in a hushed tone. ¡°Mr. Romello, the key to the top floor is missing. Before the banquet started, only Mr. Nathaniel came close to me.¡± Romello¡¯s expression gradually changed, fury simmering in his eyes as he gritted his teeth and growled, ¡°Nathaniel!¡± He was about to turn back into the mansion but was stopped by the butler. ¡°Mr. Romello, please don¡¯t be angry. This is just my suspicion. With so many guests tonight, it¡¯s not wise to spread rumors about the top floor. Mr. Jenkins is here, and it could cause quite a stir.¡± After a brief moment of anger, Romello quickly quelled the fury in his eyes. He handed the steward his own key to the top floor and calmly instructed, ¡°Let¡¯s not make a scene yet. Find an opportunity to go up to the top floor and carefully check if anything is missing.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Romello,¡± the butler replied before turning to carry out the task. Romello then summoned two more bodyguards. ¡°Go upstairs and keep a close eye on Mr. Nathaniel. He¡¯s not allowed to leave his room. Nathaniel, who had just returned to his room, paced anxiously, back and forth. He had given everything to Sheena. As for the key to the top floor, he needed to find the right moment to return it to the butler. He asionally nced out at the garden, observing the situation. However, just as he intended to leave the room, he found two more bodyguards outside his door. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The two bodyguards respectfully turned around and exined, ¡°Mr. Nathaniel, Mr. Custer 957 Romello advised that since you¡¯re not feeling well, you should rest in your room.¡± 3/3 ¡°I¡¯m feeling better now. It¡¯s my banquet, and I need to go downstairs to greet the guests. with Romello, Can¡¯t I?¡± The bodyguards remained firm. ¡°No, Mr. Romello said you cannot leave your room. After the banquet, he¡¯lle to see you personally.¡± Despite his protests, the guards remained unyielding, insisting, ¡°Mr. Romello said so.¡± Suppressing his frustration, Nathaniel mmed the door shut, effectively shutting out the two annoying bodyguards. He could not help but wonder if he was already exposed. Nathaniel patted his pocket, feeling the key he had stolen from the butler. Chapter 958 im Chapter 958 Nathaniel was confident that Romello would search him and the room after the banquet ended¡­ Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. He turned off the lights and concealed himself in the darkness, quietly tossing the key from the window. The keynded perfectly in the bush, unnoticed by most. Someone walked by and identally stepped on the key into the soil, leaving only half of the golden edge exposed, and the rest was covered entirely by thewn. At 10.30 p.m., the entire banquet came to an end, and guests began to leave one by one. Sheena and Elliot also left the Nicholls residence with the other guests. ¡°Honey, take a look at this.¡± It was not until their luxury car was far away from the Nicholls residence that Sheena took out two items from her purse. One was a small, thumb¨Csized vial of transparent liquid, and the other was a small paper bag of powdered medicine. Elliot examined the liquid with a serious expression. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t dy. Let¡¯s take this liquid to theb for Yosef to analyze tonight.¡± Sheena nodded and then handed him the bag of powder, saying, ¡°Take a look at this too.¡± ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the poison Romello instructed Nathaniel to use on you tonight.¡± ¡®Do you know what kind of poison it is?¡± Sheena shook her head as she replied, ¡°We were short on time, and he didn¡¯t have a chance to say. Once the mysterious liquid is confirmed to be a harmful substance, and coupled with this powdered medicine, we¡¯ll have enough evidence to prove Romello¡¯s crimes.¡± With a serious expression, Elliot continued, ¡°He gave you the powder, but Romello won¡¯t let him off easily once he finds out he failed.¡± 213 ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he did add something to the wine right in front of Romello.¡± ¡°What did he add?¡± Elliot asked curiously. Sheena chuckled and tapped his forehead, teasing, ¡°What happened? Is your sense of taste that bad? He added a bit of table salt. Didn¡¯t you taste it?¡± Elliot was left speechless. He had indeed not realized it¡­ Sheena gently caressed the bag of powder and added, ¡°I believe this will all be over soon.¡± Elliot pulled her into an embrace and kissed her forehead. Half an hourter, Yosef, who had just fallen asleep, was urgently summoned to theb to work overnight. ¡°Elliot, without knowing the name of the substance, we can only slowly analyze itsponents and match them in the database for simrity. This work takes time, and it may not be until tomorrow afternoon before we have results. How about going home first? There¡¯s no need to wait for the night.¡± Since Yosef suggested it, Elliot did not hesitate to take his advice. He grabbed Sheena¡¯s hand and left theb, heading home to get some sleep. At midnight, the lights were still on at the Nicholls residence, and the servants and bodyguards were on edge. In the altar room, the sound of the spanking echoed through the dark night, sending shivers down everyone¡¯s spine. Marius and Gabrielle stood nervously by the pirs of the altar room, trembling with fear. In a cornery a broken paddle. Nathaniel knelt on the cold floor, his body slightly shaking, drenched in cold sweat, and his handsome face turned pale. His back, d in a thin white shirt, was covered in bloodstains. Wave after wave of excruciating pain washed over him, but he clenched his fists tightly, enduring in silence. Romello stood beside him, wielding a glossy paddle, mercilessly tormenting Nathaniel¡¯s injured body. 1/3 S With each strike, Romello unleashed his full force, his eyes zing with raging fury. ¡°Speak! Where is the key? Did you steal anything else from the top floor? Where did hide the items?¡± Chapter 959 Chapter 959 N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Nathaniel gasped for breath, trying to ease the excruciating pain in his back. His voice strained as he spoke, ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­ take Uncle Frank¡¯s key, I didn¡¯t trespass on the top floor. I didn¡¯t¡­ steal anything¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re still trying to deny it!¡± Romello¡¯s paddle struck Nathaniel¡¯s back five more times with relentless force, denying him any chance to catch his breath. Under the blood¨Csoaked shirt, the areas that were not bleeding were bruised, and every part of Nathaniel¡¯s back was injured. With each blow, the paddle reopened swollen wounds, painting his back crimson. Nathaniel groaned, his back finally giving in, his arm trembling uncontrobly as he tried to support himself with one hand. ¡°Romello, I really¡­ didn¡¯t¡­¡± Nathaniel¡¯s words faltered, his voice barely audible amidst the agony. Marius stood by the pir, his heart filled with dread, unable to bear witnessing Nathaniel¡¯s bloody back. Gabrielle could not hold back her tears, her heart aching with sym Being forced to witness this brutal punishment was like a torment for them. Only Romello remained unfazed, his cold, ruthless gaze showing no mercy. He analyzed the situation meticulously, saying, ¡°Tonight, you¨Cwere the only one near Uncle Frank in the hallway, and I found the top floor cab tampered with. I¡¯m missing a very important potion!¡± ¡°Before the banquet started, you took your sweet time toe downstairs. I asked the srvant to rush you, but you were not in the room and could not be found anywhere. I guess you were stealing things on the top floor then, right?¡± Romello was practically roaring as he spoke, and before Nathaniel could kneel straight, he continued to torture Nathaniel¡¯s scarred back brutally. ¡°Where is it? Why did you steal from your own family? Are you conspiring with Sheena to plot against me?¡± Romello¡¯s rage echoed through the room as the wind whistled with each strike of the paddle. The bloodstained paddle smudged the white shirt red with every stroke. Nathaniel was in so much pain that he could barely straighten his back, curling up as he knelt. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± The entire mansion had been turned upside down in search, especially Nathaniel¡¯s room, which the bodyguardsbed through multiple times, leaving no corner unturned. Romello had also searched Nathaniel twice, but nothing was found. Despite this, Romello refused to let go of him, convinced that Nathaniel¡¯s interaction with the butler, Frank Abbott, was enough to convict him. No matter how mercilessly Romello beat him, Nathaniel persisted with only one response: denial. Romello¡¯s frustration grew, and he swung the paddle even harder. What began as targeted strikes to the back turned into indiscriminate torture, as he spared no part of Nathaniel¡¯s body from his wrath. ¡°Think you can tough it out till the end? I know it was you who did this. Before you bring me down, I¡¯ll make sure to send you to meet your maker!¡± The whistling sound from the paddle echoed like a bell from hell. Nathaniel gritted his teeth, the pain clouding his senses, his throat emitting involuntary groans of agony. Having lived incognito overseas for a year, he had grown unustomed to such brutal punishment, and his body was beginning to struggle. With a snap, the second paddle broke under the relentless assault. After such a prolonged beating, even Romello became exhausted, tossing the broken paddle aside. He paused to catch his breath, rolling up his sleeves slightly. ¡°Get in here.¡± Chapter 959 The bodyguards outside promptly entered, their demeanor respectful. ¡°Mr. Romello, how may we assist you?¡± Romello pointed to the other paddles soaked in a bucket, his expression ice¨Ccold. ¡°Continue the beating. Beat him until he changes his mind.¡± Chapter 960 Chapter 960 ¡°Yes, Mr. Romello.¡± Nathaniel propped himself up with his hands. Despite his blurred vision, he could still see the bodyguard next to him raising a paddle, causing him to shiver instinctively. ¡°Romello, even if you¡­ kill me, I won¡¯t admit to something I didn¡¯t do.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather be safe than sorry,¡± Romello retorted coldly, pulling a sharp dagger from his waist and tossing it beside Nathaniel. His tone was icy as he continued, ¡°Since you¡¯re so stubborn, prove your innocence with death. As long as you¡¯re willing to kill yourself, I¡¯ll believe you.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s weakened azure eyes nced at the dagger, slowly picking it up and gripping the handle tightly. ¡°No! Romello, I beg you to spare Nathaniel. Look at how injured he is, and he still won¡¯t confess. I believe he¡¯s innocent!¡± Gabrielle pleaded, rushing forward to embrace Nathaniel. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to stop him from using the dagger to end his life. Romello snorted dismissively. ¡°You don¡¯t understand him! He¡¯s trained in the Special Investigation Department, and he¡¯s tough as nails. It takes more than a little beating to make him talk. I have to be ruthless.¡± ¡°No, Romello, Nathaniel is impatient. If he¡¯s innocent, he really would choose death over a false confession. I don¡¯t want him to die. We¡¯re family! Even if we¡¯re¨Conly half¨Csiblings, he¡¯s still a part of the Nicholls family. Please don¡¯t be so cruel to him¡­ Gabrielle cried, her heart aching at the sight of Nathaniel¡¯s injuries up close. Frank, seeing that things might escte to fatal consequences, hurriedly intervened. ¡°Mr. Romello, please spare Mr. Nathaniel. This might all be a coincidence¡­¡± ¡°A coincidence?¡± Romello narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve always been meticulous with the top floor key. Unless you were negligent and lost it, the only other exnation is that Nathaniel stole it.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Frank was in a dilemma. Romello¡¯s anger would likely turn toward him if he admitted his negligence. At his age, he could not handle such torture! Romello redirected his gaze back to Nathaniel, who looked miserable on the floor. Gabrielle held him tightly, blocking the bodyguards from continuing to strike him with the paddle, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Nathaniel, if you just hand over the key and the stolen medicine, I¡¯ll spare you this time, ¡°Romello demanded. Gabrielle pleaded, ¡°Nathaniel, if you really took them, please admit it. Otherwise, Romello will surely beat you to death!¡± A bitter smile yed on Nathaniel¡¯s pale lips as cold sweat dripped down his chin, leaving small puddles on the floor due to the intense pain. The items were no longer in his possession, so how could he produce them? Moreover, admitting guilt would surely mean certain death. ¡°I didn¡¯t steal the key or take the medicine. Romello, you¡¯ve searched me and my room. I¡¯m telling the truth. Where would I magically produce them from?¡± Nathaniel tossed the dagger to the bodyguard holding the paddle, and hisughter filled with sorrow. ¡°It¡¯s terrifying how biased people can be. No matter what I say, you won¡¯t believe me. So, just let someone kill me. There¡¯s no need to torture me like this and hurt our bond.¡± ¡°Our bond?¡± Romello scoffed. He truly did not believe a word Nathaniel said and only trusted his own analysis and spection. Nheless, his anger had subsided a bit now that he had finished beating Nathaniel, and he was more rational. ¡°Fine. After all, I just announced your return to the Nicholls family. It wouldn¡¯t look good if something happened to you now. I¡¯ll spare your life this time, but if I find evidenceter that proves your guilt, you¡¯ll wish you were dead!¡± Charles Den 3/3 Romello gritted his teeth, leaving the room without looking back. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. With Romello gone, It meant tonight¡¯s interrogation had barely passed. Nathaniel breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense nerves finally rxed. As his vision grew blurry, he felt himself falling into darkness, copsing into Gabrielle¡¯s arms. ¡°Nathaniel! Help! Nathaniel has passed out. Get a doctor!¡± Chapter 961 Chapter 961 In the dead of night, only the Nicholls residence bustled with activity. Frank hurried to summon an emergency doctor. Nathaniel was covered in blood and appeared to be severely injured. Nheless, since it was just from the paddle, the wounds were only surface, nothing deeper. The doctor efficiently cleaned all the blood stains with saline solution, applied medication, and tightly bandaged the severe wounds. Then, he slipped some anti- inmmatory pills into Nathaniel¡¯s mouth. Despite him being half¨Cconscious, Nathaniel never uttered any words that could incriminate himself. After the doctor finished and left, Gabrielle sat by Nathaniel¡¯s bedside, weeping softly. ¡°Nathaniel, you just returned. Why would you do something like this? Are you really willing to risk your life for Sheena?¡± mon Although Gabrielle did not know the specifics, Sheena had mentioned the situation on the top floor to her before. Hence, she could guess why Nathaniel had stolen Frank¡¯s key. Nathaniely still on the bed, enduring the pain. He weakly nced at the in curtains, lips tightly pressed together, silent throughout. He had indeed taken the risk for Sheena, but it was not solely for her. He had his own. selfish motives. This time back, he had something new he wanted to acquire. Seeing Nathaniel lost in thought, Gabrielle continued to sob softly. In recent times, too much had happened, and Romello¡¯s mood swings only added to her distress. She felt like she cried more now than she did in the past few years. ¡°Gabrielle, go back and rest. I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Nathaniel urged, his face pale and tired as he closed his eyes. ¡°Alright, Nathaniel. Get some sleep. I¡¯ll try to plead for mercy from Romello,¡± she replied worriedly before reluctantly leaving his room. With pain all over his body and exhaustion weighing heavily on him, Nathaniel drifted off into sleep. Several hourster, just as dawn broke, he was awakened by the bodyguards. ¡°Mr. Nathaniel, it¡¯s time to get up. Mr. Romello wants to see you in the garden.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s head throbbed, and he opened his eyes groggily, feeling too weak to get up. As he thought about how he had managed to get through the ordeal of the previous night, he could not help but smirk. Nevertheless, a new round of torment and interrogation was just beginning. The two bodyguards noticed that Nathaniel was awake but showed no intention of getting up, so they approached and lifted him up from the bed. Still in his pajamas, Nathaniel was helped downstairs. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. With injuries on his lower back, each step was painful, making the journey unbearable. Fortunately, his room was on the second floor, so he reached the ground level quickly. The guards escorted the tired Nathaniel to a gravel path in the garden and immediately pressed him down, forcing him to kneel. The uneven gravel pricked at his knees, causing a sharp pain. Nathaniel instinctively bent forward, nearly copsing, but the bodyguards forcibly straightened him up. One said, ¡°Mr. Nathaniel, Mr. Romello said as long as you admit your mistake and confess where the stolen items are hidden, you can get up immediately.¡± ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t take anything,¡± Nathaniel replied, clenching his fists tightly, determined to stay upright. Under the watchful eyes of the bodyguards, his posture was straight. Two hourster, Gabrielle woke up. The first thing she did after changing clothes was to go to Nathaniel¡¯s room to check on him. However, she found the door to his room wide open. Gabrielle found no one in Nathaniel¡¯s room, and his bed was already cold. Chapter 961 3/3 She grabbed a passing servant in the hallway and asked anxiously, ¡°Where¡¯s Nathaniel? Where did he go?¡± ¡°Mr. Nathaniel is in the garden.¡± Gabrielle immediately ran downstairs. As soon as she stepped out of the mansion, saw Nathaniel in the garden, pale¨Cfaced. He was kneeling, and his body swayed as if he was going to fall at any time. she Tears welled up in her eyes almost instantly, and she turned to find Romello to plead for mercy, but Frank stopped her. ¡°Ms. Gabrielle, it¡¯s no use looking for Mr. Romello. Losing the key and the item from the top floor is not a minor matter. Mr. Romello won¡¯t budge until we find the culprit.¡± Chapter 962 Chapter 962 Gabrielle looked at Nathaniel in the garden with a heart full of pity, feeling lost. ¡°What should I do? What will it take for Romello to let Nathaniel go?¡± Frank sighed heavily. ¡°Mr. Romello said that as long as Mr. Nathaniel doesn¡¯t confess, he¡¯ll kneel in the garden until nightfall without food or water. If he still doesn¡¯t confess at night, the punishment will continue in the altar room.¡± Gabrielle was shocked by Frank¡¯s words, stunned by Romello¡¯s cruelty. ¡°We don¡¯t even know for sure if Nathaniel did it. How can Romello be so ruthless? Nathaniel was so badly injuredst night. How can he endure this?¡± Frank lowered his head, his eyes betraying his own difort. He s once more and said, ¡°Ms. Gabrielle, you should advise him to speak the truth as soon as possible. It¡¯s not worth defying Mr. Romello.¡± With that, Frank turned and left. Gabrielle¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Nathaniel, torn and heartbroken as she watched him. Nathaniel was clearly struggling, and he copsed with a thud. The nearby bodyguards immediately scooped cold water from a bucket and sshed it on his face to wake him up. As he regained consciousness, Nathaniel was once again lifted up by the bodyguards and forced to maintain his kneeling position. Gabrielle felt her once¨Cpeaceful view of life crumbling. The methods of torture employed by men who hade from the military were terrifying¡­. However, she knew Nathaniel was too stubborn to speak up. After much hesitation, Gabrielle returned to her room, quietly sending a text message to Sheena. At that moment, Sheena was still asleep. Chapter 20 Elliot, wide awake at dawn, was as energetic as ever, dragging her into some vigorous activity. After a few hours, he was finally satisfied and took a shower. By the time he was finished, Sheena was fast asleep, and she did not hear the notification from her phone on the bedside table. However, Elliot, freshly showered and dressed in a white towel around his waist, heard it. With his short, wet hair and toned physique, he walked over to the bedside table to check the message for Sheena. Initially assuming it was a work¨Crted email, Elliot was taken aback by the seriousnessN?velDrama.Org owns ? this. of its content. [Gabrielle: Sheena, did Nathaniel help you steal from the top floor? Romello knows now. He tortured Nathaniel fromst night until now. Please, return the stolen items and save him!] Was Nathaniel exposed? Elliot¡¯s gaze grew increasingly somber as he nced at Sheena sleeping on the bed. His darling was exhausted, sleeping soundly.. Elliot exited the message screen on Sheena¡¯s phone, ced it back on the bedside table, swiftly changed his clothes, and quietly left the room. Once outside E&S Haven, he called Lionel. ¡°You have five minutes. Get dressed and meet me in the garage. Get your team ready and order them to wait for us five hundred meters from the Nicholls residence.¡± Lionel was always quick on his feet when it concerned official matters. He appeared at the garage door within five minutes. They first stopped at the National Investigation Bureau and changed into military attire before acquiring a detention warrant. With preparationsplete, they swiftly headed to the Nicholls residence. Half an hourter, they joined Lionel¡¯s team, which had been waiting 500 meters away. Upon reaching the entrance of the Nicholls residence, the bodyguards were bewildered to Chapter 962 see Elliot dressed in military attire, personally there to make an arrest. Who were they after? ¡°Mr. Jenkins, please wait. Let me report to Mr. Romello first.¡± 3/3 Elliot responded coldly, ¡°No need for that. This is a National Investigation Bureau case. Every guard must cooperate immediately, and he has no authority to obstruct. Stand aside.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± With his hands tucked into the pockets of his military pants, Elliot exuded an imposing aura as he entered the Nicholls residence. Upon entering the garden, he spotted Nathaniel¡¯s weak figure struggling on the gravel. path not far away. Having passed out several times midway, Nathaniel was drenched in sweat, and his unhealed wounds had begun bleeding again, staining his clothes with streaks of crimson. Chapter 963 Chapter 963 Elliot narrowed his eyes, feeling anger simmering inside him. However, upon seeing Romello hastily approaching to greet him, he quickly reced his anger with a snarky expression. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, why the early visit?¡± Romello smiled, swiftly walking up to him, nodding slightly to show respect and courtesy. In Romello¡¯s presence, Elliot nced once again at Nathaniel not far away, casually stating, ¡°Lionel received a tip¨Coff that Nathaniel has been illegally leaving the country for the past year. Since we already found him, I came to arrest him myself.¡± Romello¡¯s smile froze slightly. ¡°Illegally leaving the country? Mr. Jenkins, that sounds like an international matter. Shouldn¡¯t it be investigated jointly with authorities abroad? ¡°Yes, but Nathaniel and I go way back, and I haven¡¯t seen him in a while. I n to take him to the secret interrogation room for a private session to loosen him up a bit.¡± Romello smiled and said, ¡°As the head of the National Investigation Bureau, Mr. Jenkins, you don¡¯t need to inform me of your ns for a private interrogation.¡± Elliot gave him a disdainful nce. ¡°You¡¯re the head of the Nicholls family, his elder brother. It was just a courtesy to inform you.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Romello replied, bowing his head respectfully. Elliot led his team toward Nathaniel, who was struggling on the ground nearby. With a sigh, Elliot clicked his tongue twice in frustration. ¡°What did he do wrong? He hasn¡¯t even been interrogated yet, and he¡¯s already been beaten like this.¡± Romello remained unfazed and exined, ¡°He broke the house rules. As the head of the family, I gave him a small punishment. A few strokes of the paddle and a brief kneeling. It¡¯s not life¨Cthreatening.¡± Elliot walked coldly to Nathaniel¡¯s side without saying a word, his hands tucked into his military pants. Nathaniel, visibly exhausted, looked up at Elliot, then nced at Romello beside him. Chapter 963 2/3 His expression soured as he weakly addressed Elliot, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, what¡¯s all this about?¡± Elliot remained silent while Lionel stepped forward from behind to exin. ¡°You¡¯ve messed up, and Mr. Jenkins is here to arrest you for leaving the country illegally. Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re heading to the interrogation room you know so well.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s face paled, his expression shifting slightly. His pale lips curled into a smirk as he mocked, ¡°Elliot, we agreed to let things be bygones. in front of Nanast night, yet you¡¯re sending people to arrest me this morning. You¡¯re such a two¨Cfaced schemer.¡± Elliot¡¯s dark eyes simmered with anger, his brows furrowing as he stared at Nathaniel, clearly on the brink of losing his temper. Romello observed their expressions silently, taking in every detail without uttering a N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. word. Nathaniel continued to taunt, ¡°If Nana knew you were using your position to seek revenge and intentionally make things difficult for me, what would she think?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression darkenedpletely, his anger evident, as he kicked Nathaniel¡¯s uninjured left shoulder viciously. ¡°Just for insulting me, you¡¯ll xperience every torture device avable in the interrogation room tonight.¡± Nathaniel let out a painful grunt as he fell to the ground, too exhausted to get up. Elliot looked away, saying, ¡°Lionel, take him away.¡± Lionel waved to a few soldiers, immediately moving to haul Nathaniel away. ¡°Hold on,¡± Romello intervened. Elliot frowned, ring at Romello with obvious annoyance at the interruption of official business. Quickly trying to smooth things over, Romello smiled apologetically and whispered, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, aside from official matters, he has alsomitted a grave offense against the Nicholls family. Could we postpone the arrest until noon? Let me interrogate him for a few hours first.¡± Elliot¡¯s handsome face turned even colder, his displeasure evident. Chapter 963 Lionel quickly interjected, ¡°Mr. Romello, as you know, Mr. Jenkins rarely personally participates in arrests. He¡¯s here this time, and you want him to leave empty¨Chanded and return at noon?¡± Chapter 964 Chapter 964 Romello immediately shed a polite smile, replying, ¡°My apologies for not thinking before I speak. Mr. Jenkins, how about having a cup of tea in the living room while I take only half an hour to extract important information from Nathaniel concerning the Nicholls family¡¯s matters? I¡¯ll ensure to hand him over to you afterward.¡± Both Lionel and Elliot fell into silence. It was just for a cup of tea. Romello was wary, and another refusal would raise immediate suspicion. As the situation reached a deadlock, the weakened Nathaniel trembled all over. Half an hour passed quickly. It was such a short time, and Romello was likely to resort to torture that would break his spirit, leaving him worse than dead. Nathaniel was nearing his breaking point, unable to guarantee that he would not reveal the truth while unconscious. As he realized that, he dragged his legs with all his might and managed to crawl to Romello¡¯s feet, clutching desperately at his pant leg. Nathaniel pleaded, ¡°Romello, you have to believe me. I didn¡¯t steal Uncle Frank¡¯s key, nor did I go to the top floor or take anything from there. I swear¡­¡± Romello¡¯s expression shifted slightly as he nced at Elliot. Elliot was also looking at him, his gaze intense with scrutiny. ¡°What secrets does the top floor hold? Why would you go to such lengths to prevent your own family members from going up there, Romello? What are you up to?¡± Romello was shocked, and he kicked Nathaniel away from him forcefully. The blow was much heavier than Elliot¡¯s earlier kick, sending Nathaniel rolling several times on the gravel path, his chest throbbing with pain. He coughed up blood onto the ground, and his face drained of color. Nathaniel was on the brink of losing his consciousness. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, don¡¯t listen to his nonsense. There¡¯s nothing special on the top floor. He Chapter 964 stole something valuable from my room, and in the Nicholls family, we have no tolerance for dishonesty, hence the punishment.¡± Elliot remainedposed. ¡°Hmm, punishment for dishonesty is necessary, but you¡¯ve been lenient. If it were up to me, I¡¯d have his hands chopped off.¡± As he spoke, he nced back at Lionel. Lionel understood immediately and went to pull Nathaniel up himself. However, Nathaniel bit Lionel¡¯s hand as soon as he was lifted. ¡°What the hell? Are you crazy?¡± Lionel cried out in pain, retaliating with a hard p across Nathaniel¡¯s face. When Nathaniel loosened his bite, Lionel pointed at him angrily and ordered the soldiers behind him. ¡°You¡¯re so audacious to bite me in front of Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Romello! That¡¯s another offense. Do you still think you¡¯re the big shot from the Special Investigation Department? Hurry up! Cuff him and take him away!¡± This time, the soldiers acted swiftly, expertly handcuffing Nathaniel within seconds. With his arms being held by the two soldiers, Nathaniel, barely conscious, was immediately dragged away. Before Romello could intervene, Nathaniel was roughly shoved into the car by Lionel¡¯s soldiers. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, isn¡¯t Lionel a bit¡­¡± Romello began, but Elliot cut him off with a pat on the shoulder, a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the interrogation regarding Nathaniel stealing from you, and I¡¯ll make sure to break his limbs. Don¡¯t say I¡¯m not looking out for you.¡± Romello could only swallow his frustration and said, ¡°Of course not, Mr. Jenkins. You¡¯re always generous and caring toward your subordinates.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d you know,¡± Elliot replied coldly as he looked away. With a wave of his hand, Lionel led the squad of soldiers away from the mansion. Before leaving, Elliot turned back with a sinister look, cautioning, ¡°Making mistakes isn¡¯t scary. What¡¯s scary is repeating them, Romello. I don¡¯t want to return here next time just to arrest you.¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Romello was taken aback ¡°Mr. Jenkins, rest asstired, I always abide by the rules and won¡¯t engage in any foolish illegal activities.¡± ¡°Good to hear,¡± Elliot said, hiding the disappointment in his eyes. Chapter 965 Chapter 965 Romello respectfully bowed and said, ¡°Goodbye, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Then, he stood by the gate, watching Elliot drive away. It was not until the cars werepletely out of sight that he exploded in fury, kicking over arge vase on the garden path. ¡°Damn you, Elliot!¡± Romello roared, seething with hatred. However, there was something he needed to be cautious about. It had been nearly a week, and Phoebe staying there posed a significant risk. Calming his rage, he entered the mansion and summoned Gabrielle to the study. ¡°Romello, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Romello, in a frustrated tone,manded, ¡°For the next few days, make sure to visit the Jenkins estate regrly to check on Phoebe. You must ensure that the bodyguards assigned to protect you apany you into the bedroom.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Gabrielle was puzzled. ¡°When I go, it¡¯s always Sheena who takes me up, and there are too many people in the room for the bodyguards to enter.¡± Romello sternly tapped the table. ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it. Find a way to get the bodyguards alone with Phoebe in one of the rooms. ¡°Romello, Howard and the doctor are always in Phoebe¡¯s room. It¡¯s impossible for me to be alone with her!¡± With a loud bang, Romello mmed his hand on the table, his eyes darkening with anger. ¡°You haven¡¯t even tried, and you¡¯re already giving up, undermining your own confidence. How do you expect to get anything done?¡± Startled by the sudden outburst, Gabrielle trembled, tears welling in her eyes. She bit her lip, feeling utterly helpless. Romello, already frustrated, did not offer anyfort. Instead, he spoke sternly, ¡°Gabrielle, you¡¯re 21 years old now, an adult. You need to be capable of handling things independently. Consider this as an opportunity to test your adaptability.¡± He tapped his fingers on the table, issuing a serious order. ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it. Just make sure to find a way to clear out the others from Phoebe¡¯s room and get the bodyguards in alone within the next two days.¡± Gabrielle¡¯s eyes welled up with tears as she asked, ¡°What if I can¡¯tplete this task?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns ? this. ¡°If you can¡¯t do it, I¡¯ll save the paddle I used on Nathanielst night for you.¡± Gabrielle was shocked to the core at Romello¡¯s cruelty. ¡°Romello, why would you do this? Just for this tiny thing, you¡¯re resorting to threats with family punishment? Am I still your beloved sister?¡± ¡°Loving doesn¡¯t mean spoiling. Letting you handle a task independently is part of your training.¡± His expression was stern, leaving no room for negotiation. ¡°Romello, you¡¯ve changed. You¡¯ve be so unfamiliar to me,¡± Gabrielle said, Increasingly unable to understand him, even finding him unreasonable. Romello blew smoke rings, his thoughts unreadable. ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯ve changed. I was too indulgent with you before, and you never truly understood me.¡± Gabrielle stared at his face, feeling a chill run down her spine, unable to utter a word. She could not help but shake her head, turning to run out of the study in tears. Romello¡¯s face darkened with gloom as he felt utterly frustrated about his two utterly useless siblings. He then called the Ninth Division¡¯s captain, who was under hismand. ¡°Mr. Jenkins has taken Nathaniel to the secret interrogation room. Keep a close eye on how he handles Nathaniel.¡± In the car, the drowsy and weak Nathaniel slowly regained consciousness under the influence of antibiotics. Feeling the surroundings sway, he opened his heavy eyes to see Lionel sitting beside him, skillfully applying medicine to his wounded hand. Chapter 966 Chapter 966 Lionel red at Nathaniel. ¡°Finally awake, huh? You were so weak, yet you still managed to bite me until I bled. You did that on purpose, didn¡¯t you?¡± Nathaniel smirked, his lips pale. ¡°If I didn¡¯t, how could I show my desperation and despair? Romello is keen. If my acts were too fake, he¡¯d see right through it.¡± Lionel snorted in annoyance. ¡°I should¡¯ve pped you harder then.¡± Seeing him still dwelling on that, Nathaniel chuckled softly, slowly propping up his weak body to sit up. Across from him in the armored vehicle, Elliot was engrossed in reading some documents. Nathaniel asked, ¡°How did you know something happened on my end? You came pretty quickly.¡± ¡°Gabrielle sent a message to Sheena for help, hoping Sheena would return the stolen item in exchange for your release.¡± Nathaniel felt a rare warmth in his heart. ¡°Gabrielle is so naive. She doesn¡¯t understand anything.¡± Returning the drug would confirm his theft and not only jeopardize Sheena¡¯s efforts, but it would also give Romello a reason to kill him. Denying was the only way to stay alive. With a clear mind, he nced back at Elliot and continued, ¡°What about the drug? How¡¯s the testing going? Romello mentioned it was importantst night.¡± ¡°Not yet. Yosef needs to cross¨Creference it with the database. We should have results by noon,¡± Elliot said nonchntly, his tone calm yet tinged with a hint of jesting. ¡°If they find anything, we wouldn¡¯t have arrested you at the Nicholls residence earlier.¡± Nathaniel chuckled. ¡°True.¡± The car fell into a brief silence for a few minutes, with no one spealing. After Lionel finished treating himself, he eyed Nathaniel¡¯s bloodstained shirt and clicked his tongue. ¡°I Just applied medication for you and noticed you have quite a few external injuries. How many hits did you take?¡± Nathaniel nced at his heavily blood¨Cstained clothing. ¡°I lost count, but I think two were broken.¡± Two? A paddle soaked in water was already quite resilient. To break it, one would need to strike it hundreds of times. Romello¡¯s actions were rather harsh this time. Moreover, he was only suspecting the disappearance of the potion from the top floor, and Nathaniel was still his own brother. Yet, he subjected him to such brutal beatings. However, given the old grudges between the two, Lionel deliberately teased, ¡°You¡¯re still as stubborn as ever, not a word spilled even after going through all the torture devices. It took me a day and a night to pry something out of you back then.¡± He was referring to Nathaniel¡¯s previous arrest for stealing the S404. It was a dark chapter in their history. Nathaniel¡¯s expression turned grim almost instantly, and he did not hold back in his retort, ¡°Speaking as if you weren¡¯t stubborn yourself. Remember when I beat you all night in the Laubabwe dungeon, and you didn¡¯t crack?¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Both had once tried to outdo each other ruthlessly and bringing up old grievances instantly made the atmosphere tense in the car. Across from them, Elliot gave each of them a stern look. ¡°Since you both still have the energy to banter, showing you¡¯re quite strong¡­ Well, we¡¯re almost at the interrogation room. To be fair, why don¡¯t we hang both of you up and give you a good beating? You can recover together and mend your rtionship?¡± Lionel¡¯s face pated. ¡°No, please. I don¡¯t want to mend anything with him. Considering he helped you and sheena this time, not beating him up is already generous¡­¡± His voice trailed off as he spoke. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Nathaniel sneered lightly, his blue eyes showing disdain. Seeing the tension ease between the two, Elliot spoke seriously, ¡°Romello didn¡¯t get anything out of you about stealing the drug, and he probably won¡¯t let it go easily. He¡¯ll Hikely have someone monitoring the investigation here, so we¡¯ll have to temporarily ce you in the interrogation room. ¡°I¡¯ve already arranged for bedding. It shouldn¡¯t take more than a few days to wrap this up. When the timees, we¡¯ll release you. As for your injuries, I¡¯ll quietly send a military doctor to take care of them.¡± Chapter 967 Chapter 967 Nathaniel listened attentively, then shook his head. ¡°No need to send a military doctor as it might raise Romello¡¯s suspicion. These are just superficial wounds; I can tough it out for a few days. Once I¡¯m out of the interrogation. room, I¡¯ll take care of them properly.¡± They were both hardened men from rigorous training, and Elliot did not push further when he saw Nathaniel¡¯s determination. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll leave a medical kit. You can tend to the wounds within your reach.¡± Nathaniel nodded. Thinking of Sheena, he lowered his gaze and asked, ¡°Did Nana send you to rescue me?¡± Elliot nced at him and replied, ¡°No, she¡¯s tired and resting at home. She doesn¡¯t know about this.¡± ¡°Tired? Is she unwell?¡± Nathaniel was anxious. Elliot frowned slightly, but he maintained a calm stare. ¡°She¡¯s not sick. It¡¯s just a private matter between husband and wife. Is that something you need to know?¡± Nathaniel seemed to understand, lowering his eyes sadly and tightening his fists. ¡°Elliot, how have¡­ you two been this past year?¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Elliot replied. Lionel chimed in, ¡°Elliot has given everything for Sheena, making her the richest woman. After they got married, he never let her delicate hands cook. Because Sheena prefers their privacy, they didn¡¯t even hire help. For a while, he did all the household chores, cooking, taking care of the babies, and even helped her with postpartum recovery. He had to manage both the Jenkins Group and National Investigation Bureau affairs in his spare time, going days without proper sleep and handling everything at home and outside. Eventually, Sheena hired a do to help with the twins, understanding how tiring it was for him.¡± Lionel clicked his tongue twice and added, ¡°I gotta say, I really admire Elliot. If it were me, I don¡¯t think I could ever be as thoughtful.¡± Chapter 67 373 Listening quietly, Nathaniel felt somewhat relieved. ¡°That¡¯s good. Since you took her away from me, you better treat her well. If you ever hurt her, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to win her back.¡± Elliot¡¯s gaze turned cold, scoffing. ¡°That will never happen. She has always been mine, and you were the one who tried to take her from me.¡± The two men locked eyes. Though the hatred of the past was gone, they both remained stubborn, with neither speaking, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts. Sensing the growing tension in the car, Lionel cleared his throat lightly. ¡°Um¡­ we¡¯ve arrived at the interrogation room. The secret interrogation room was located in a highly secluded area on the outskirts of Svelton. Lionel secured Nathaniel¡¯s handcuffs once more and pulled him out of the armored vehicle by the arm. Elliot adjusted his military uniform cor before stepping out of the vehicle gracefully. The captain of the Ninth Division, Jacob Levy, apanied by a few trusted soldiers, was waiting fifty meters away from the interrogation room. The moment Lionel spotted him, his demeanor shifted from assisting Nathaniel to forcefully dragging him along. ¡°Nathaniel, you filthy creature! How dare you bite me. Have a taste of all the punishment. from the past. I¡¯ll make sure you suffer!¡± Lionel¡¯s tone was harsit and menacing. Despite his weakened state, Nathaniel¡¯s gaze remained cold, his attitude unyielding and defiant. Jacob hurried over upon seeing the trio, bowing respectfully to Elliot. ¡°Good day, Mr. Jenkins.¡± For a moment, Jacob felt rather awkward, and he quickly realized his hands were empty.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. He then pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered it to Elliot. ¡°Since you rarely make arrests in person, care for one?¡± Elliot gave him a disdainful nce and declined, asking coldly, ¡°What brings you here? Aren¡¯t there official duties at the bureau to attend to? You seem rather idle.¡± Jacob was nervous, hanging his head even lower in response. Chapter 968 hapter 968 ¡°Mr. Romello sent me. He was worried Nathaniel wouldn¡¯t cooperate and asked me to assist you, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Jacob exined nervously. Lionel was the first to express his displeasure. ¡°Get lost! Who do you think you are to meddle with this case?¡± ¡°Y¨CYes, you¡¯re right. Mr. Jenkins, I have nothing to worry about since Lionel has Nathaniel under control. I¡¯ll take my leave,¡± Jacob stammered, feeling the tension in the air. Elliot stared at Jacob coldly, not saying a word, which Jacob took as tacit approval. He then offered the cigarette box to Lionel, who haughtily refused to take it. Passing by Nathaniel, Jacob paused and delivered a stern message. ¡°Nathaniel, Mr. Romello said if you want to lessen the pain, you must confess to the illegal entry. If you hide anything or say the wrong thing, he¡¯ll remove you from the Nicholls family¡¯s ancestry.¡± Nathaniel met his gaze and absorbed the implicit threat. ¡°You¡¯re still here? How dare you threaten the person I apprehended?¡± Lionel¡¯s anger red, and he kicked Jacob hard in the rear. ¡°Get lost! If you make Mr. Jenkins angry, it won¡¯t be just a kick!¡± Jacob was startled by the kick and rubbed his sore buttocks, leaving immediately. With Jacob gone, Lionel¡¯s men swiftly surrounded the interrogation room, some. donning camouge to blend in and secure the area from a distance. As the heavy door of the interrogation room opened, Nathaniel gazed at the menacing array of torture devices on the wall. ¡°Never thought the interrogation room would be the mostforting ce for me one day.¡± Lionel chuckled. ¡°Indeed, considering you¡¯re a regr here. With those tools on the wall as your old friends, having them around must be quite an experience.¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite an experience indeed,¡± Nathaniel agreed, turning to him. ¡°Why don¡¯t I ask Mr. Jenkins to let you join me for a few days? Vie can experience it together.¡± Lionel¡¯s expression turned cold instantly. He considered retorting but nced at Elliot¡¯s expression and changed his mind. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. ¡°Forget it. I wouldn¡¯t enjoy it. Besides, 1 have someone waiting at home. If I don¡¯t return, she¡¯ll make a fuss.¡± Both men backed down, avoiding confrontation. Elliot waved outside, signaling to the soldiers. They entered carrying thick nkets, fruits, snacks, premium cigarette packs, a new phone for Nathaniel, fresh sets of clothes, a well¨Cstocked medical kit, and more. Soon, the interrogation room was packed to the brim, resembling more of a retreat than a ce of interrogation. Taking in the pile of items, Nathaniel appreciated Elliot¡¯s thoroughness and care. ¡°Thanks.¡± Elliot remained expressionless. ¡°Consider these as our appreciation for helping us. You don¡¯t need to thank me. Nathaniel lowered his gaze, concealing his mixed emotions. The reward he desired was not these trinkets. However, he understood Elliot¡¯s temperament well enough to know that being too direct would only put Elliot on guard. Perhaps, when the time came, Elliot would assist him. Gathering his thoughts, Nathaniel looked back at Elliot and spoke earnestly, ¡°Elliot, I¡¯ve been back in Svelton for quite some time now, but I haven¡¯t had the chance to meet the babies. Once Romello¡¯s matters are settled, could I visit E&S Haven to see them? ¡°I want¡­ to be their godfather.¡± Chapter 969 Chapter 969 Elliot gave it a thought, recalling Nathaniel had shown genuine care for Sheena during her pregnancy in Laubabwe. He was even ready to be the twins¡® stepfather. Nheless, Elliot could not decide on this matter alone and said, ¡°I can¡¯t make that call. Once things settle down, you can ask Nana herself for her opinion. Nathaniel could tell Elliot was a henpecked husband, and he suppressed a smile. ¡°Alright.¡± Sheena woke up naturally, having slept deeply through the night. She reached for the bedside table to check the time and found that it was already past 10 a.m., thinking that Elliot must have left for work. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she was about to sit up when her phone rang. It was Gabrielle. As she answered the call, she was met with Gabrielle¡¯s distraught crying. ¡°Sheena, Romello kicked me out¡­ Gabrielle was choked with sobs, making it hard for Sheena to understand the rest of what she said. ¡°I haven¡¯t left yet, and I¡¯m still at E&S Haven. Juste over if you need anything.¡± Half an hourter, Gabrielle arrived at E&S Haven in tears once again. The two bodyguards apanying her were forcefully kept outside the main gate by Sheena, with Ford and Paul standing guard, refusing them entry. Sheenaforted Gabrielle by rubbing her back gently. ¡°There, there, don¡¯t cry. Tell me what happened?¡± Thinking about Romello¡¯s words earlier that morning, Gabrielle could not help but feel heartbroken. ¡°Romello has changed. I don¡¯t recognize him anymore,¡± she sobbed. ¡°He forced me to bring the bodyguards into Phoebe¡¯s room. When I couldn¡¯t do it, he threatened to spank me.¡± Gabrielle admitted everything straightforwardly, her innocence shining through. ¡°Last night, Nathaniel was beaten by him. Sheena, I¡¯m so scared. Please help me.¡± Gabrielle trembled in Sheena¡¯s embrace as she recounted Nathaniel being beaten the night before, still shaken by the incident and fearful of facing the same fate herself. Frowning, Sheena caught on a key detail. ¡°Nathaniel was beatenst night? Why?¡± Gabrielle stared at Sheena, puzzled. ¡°Don¡¯t you know? I sent you a text asking for help. Didn¡¯t you get Mr. Jenkins toe to the Nicholls residence to save Nathaniel?¡± Sheena checked her phone and read the message, paying special attention to the timestamp. At that time, she was still asleep, so it must have been Elliot who read her message and went to handle the situation himself. Since Elliot had already rescued Nathaniel, there should not be any major issues. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Sheena skipped over that matter and continued her questioning. ¡°Romello asked you to find a way to bring the bodyguards into Phoebe¡¯s room alone?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Gabrielle nodded earnestly. Sheena chuckled, finding Romello¡¯s actions quite desperate. Despite knowing her sister¡¯s innocence, he had given her such a challenging task. Gabrielle grasped Sheena¡¯s hands and pleaded, ¡°Sheena, please help me. I think Romello just wants the bodyguards to convey a message to Phoebe. They¡¯ll probably be out in just a few minutes.¡± Chapter 970 Chapter 970 Sheena replied, ¡°Phoebe is still not in her right mind, and she ignores everyone. Besides, Romello¡¯s intentions can¡¯t be that simple.¡± ¡°What should I do then?¡± Sheena chuckled and boldly suggested, ¡°Since he¡¯s threatening you so aggressively, why not just refuse to go back? Stay with me for a few days, and he won¡¯t be able to harm you here. I have plenty of guest rooms, and an extra mouth to feed won¡¯t be a problem.¡± Gabrielle felt tempted but also fearful. ¡°That might not work. Even if I dy returning, I still have to go back eventually. When I do, Romello¡¯s anger will only intensify, and he might even try to kill me directly.¡± Sheena smiled as she patted her cheek reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Romello¡¯s time is running out. When it¡¯s over, he won¡¯t have the time to bother you.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Sheena nodded solemnly, her demeanor serious. ¡°What about the two Nicholls family bodyguards outside?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make sure they go back to where they came from.¡± At noon, Elliot received a call from Yosef and promptly arrived at theb. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Yosef handed him a printed dataparison sheet to review.. ¡°Elliot, this medication isn¡¯t domestic. It¡¯s likely from overseas, and it¡¯s a restricted drug on the market. He probably bought it at a high price from the dark web. Elliot¡¯s expression turned serious as he listened, carefully examining the ingredients analysis chart of the medication. Yosef continued, ¡°This drug resembles the G7 ssified drug domestically, but itsponents are more potent, specifically targeting the nervous system. Injected individuals will suffer greatly, and with a bit of hypnotic skill, they¡¯ll bepletely under the user¡¯s control. Bomber Bra 20% ¡°On the dark web, there have been cases of using this drug, mainly among foreign nobles, to control extremely rebellious ves. These ves had to obey their masters to receive relief medication from the nobles. ¡°However, due to its potency, the damage to the nerves is irreversible upon injection. In other words, the side effects are severe. Even if treated, there¡¯s a high chance of long- terinplications.¡± As Elliot listened further, his expression grew colder. The thought of Howard eagerly awaiting Phoebe¡¯s recovery weighed heavily on him. He sighed and asked, ¡°Do you know what the potential side effects might be?¡± Yosef shook his head, replying, ¡°Since it¡¯s a banned drug from overseas, there won¡¯t be any reference data avable domestically.¡± ¡°Alright, I understand. Write up all the information you just shared as the diagnosis. report. Someone¡¯s good days are numbered.¡± Exiting theboratory, Elliot¡¯s expression was terrifyingly icy. Lionel was waiting outside, speaking on the phone with Jacintha. Seeing Elliot emerge, he quickly ended the call and hurried over. ¡°Elliot, what¡¯s the update?¡± Lionel asked anxiously. Elliot was obviously fuming, and he silently handed over the evidence to Lionel. Lionel quickly scanned through it, and anger instantly overwhelmed him. ¡°He actually resorted to such ruthless measures against his own mother and sister? Is he out of his mind?¡± Elliotmented coldly, ¡°Since the day he resorted to any means necessary to seize control of the Nicholls family, he already lost his conscience.¡± Lionel¡¯s expression mirrored the seriousness of the situation. ¡°So, what¡¯s the n to deal with him?¡± Elliot replied, ¡°We handle it by the book. As deputy chief, he¡¯smitted a serious crime. Chapter 970 30 With determined strides, Elliot headed for his car, swiftly returning to the National Investigation Bureau. During the journey, he continued giving orders. ¡°He still has control over two squads of soldiers, so we shouldn¡¯t tip our hand just yet. Tomorrow, have Logan and Lance lead a team toy an ambush five hundred meters outside the Nicholls residence. ¡°Gather all the evidence rted to these matters, including witness testimonies, physical evidence, Phoebe¡¯s medical assessment, and his attempt to let Nathaniel poison me. Compile everything into a file. With these three charges. I want him to experience the full extent of agony in the interrogation room before being sent to a high¨Csecurity prison!¡± Chapter 971 Chapter 971 The two bodyguards returned from E&S Haven to the Nicholls residence, one limping while the other supported him. They knocked on Romello¡¯s study door. ¡°Come in.¡± The two men entered, visibly struggling ¡°What¡¯s going on? Where¡¯s Gabrielle?¡± ¡°Mr. Romello, Ms. Gabrielle is staying at the Jenkins estate and won¡¯t being back.¡± Romello set down his pen, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t that convenient? Then why are you two back here?¡± The bodyguards grimaced. ¡°Mrs. Jenkins forced us out and had Ford and a few others beat us up, telling us to go back to where we came from.¡± Romello threw a teacup at them. The teacup shattered at their feet, the sound echoing with anger as Romello¡¯s frustration boiled over. ¡°You worthless bunch! Get the hell out of here!¡± His face darkened as he rubbed his temples, feeling a headacheing on Phoebe was being monitored closely, and Gabrielle¡¯s naivety caused more harm than good. It was a troublesome situation. He opened a drawer and retrieved a colorless, tasteless crystalline substance resembling rock candy. Inhaling deeply, he felt the intense stimtion soothe his nerves, bringing him some relief. A knock interrupted his thoughts. Romello hastily stashed the crystal away andposed himself. Chapter 931 The door opened, and Frank approached respectfully, handing something over to Romello. Romello nced at the thing and found it was a rooftop key dirtied with mud¨Cthe same key he had given Frank. ¡°Where did you find it?¡± Romello asked. ¡°In the garden, buried in the soil, hidden under the bushes. Only a tiny bit of gold trim was showing, so it took us all night to find it.¡± Romello picked up the key, his fingers smudged with dirt. The pleasurable sensation from the crystalline substance calmed his nerves, and it was rare for him not to lose his temper immediately. ¡°Uncle Frank, tell me your theory.¡± ¡°Duringst night¡¯s banquet, only Mr. Nathaniel came close to me when he identally bumped into me. I suspect he deliberately buried the key to avoid suspicion.¡± Romello listened attentively, analyzing the situation methodically, ¡°It wasn¡¯t buried intentionally, as Nathaniel wouldn¡¯t leave such obvious traces. If he had buried it, it would have been deeper, perhaps hidden for years without being found. ¡°So, he likely intended to return the key discreetly but realized I was onto him and hastily threw it out of the room, leading to this situation.¡± Frank nodded in agreement. ¡°That makes sense.¡± Romello chuckled oddly, his eyes gradually turning cold, quickly reced by seething anger. In a fit of rage, he overturned all the documents on his desk, even smashing the N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Nathaniel, that bastard!¡± The key was in his possession, and he must have also stolen the missing potion from the rooftop. Just as he expected, Nathaniel had conspired with Sheena to plot against him! The consequences would be dire if the potion ended up in Elliot¡¯s hands. Chapter 972 Chapter 972 Romello¡¯s rage erased all his rationality. He wished he could immediately tear Nathaniel into a thousand pieces! Frank nearly got hit by the tumbling files, staggering back several steps. ¡°Mr. Romello, please calm down. There¡¯s always a solution to every problem,¡± Frank urged, hoping to quench the mes of Romello¡¯s fury. After the fiery outburst, Romello regained a shred of hisposure and promptly called Jacob. ¡°What¡¯s the situation at the secret interrogation room? Jacob responded promptly, ¡°After I left, Lionel deployed a full squad of soldiers to guard the secret interrogation room. There are guards stationed five hundred meters away. nearly twenty in number, with an additional ten or so positioned in the shadows.¡± Romello chuckled. With such tight security, it was not about disciplining Nathaniel. They were clearly about protecting him. Elliot likely knew about Nathaniel stealing the key, and the rooftop potion probably ended up in Elliot¡¯s hands already. Illegal border crossing? Ha, what a staged act. His gaze turned cold, his voice menacing as he spoke to Jacob oyer the phone. ¡°Keep an eye on the situation over there. If anything seems off, inform me immediately.¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Yes, Mr. Romello.¡± After hanging up, he opened therge drawer under his desk and retrieved a handgun. With practiced ease, he loaded the bullets, cocked the gun, and pressed the barrel against his own forehead, a sarcastic smile ying on his lips. Frank was terrified. ¡°Mr. Romello, what are you doing? Please don¡¯t act rashly! Things haven¡¯t reached a point of no return. There¡¯s still hope for a turnaround.¡± Chapter 972 2/3 Romello chuckled lightly, moving the gun away from his head and examining it in his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Do you think I wouldmit suicide? Only desperate losers take that step. The game isn¡¯t over yet. It¡¯s still uncertain who would emerge as the victor.¡± His fingers, calloused from years of handling guns, traced the grooves on the gun¡¯s surface, the sensation unusual. ¡°Nathaniel thought I pitied him for being mistreated by Elliot. I didn¡¯t expect him to work with Elliot this time! Even if I die, I¡¯ll drag him down to hell with me!¡± As he finished his words, he mmed the gun heavily onto the table, the sound echoing through the room. He instructed Frank, ¡°Elliot has probably examined the potion¡¯sponents by now. While he¡¯s busy collecting evidence against me, pour out all the remaining potion on the top floor. Smash the ss containers, bury them in the soil, and burn all the boxes. containing the potion. Make sure no trace is left.¡± He took a deep breath, then continued, ¡°Also, any items on the top floor that might raise suspicion should be destroyed. Have the rooms sprayed with disinfectant and cleaned thoroughly. The top floor must be tidied up before tonight. No leaving things until tomorrow.¡± Frank nodded, ¡°But if we¡¯re trying to cover our tracks, why not just dispose of them. outside? Besides, those potions cost you a pretty penny. Won¡¯t this operation cause a significant loss?¡± money was At this critical juncture, losing a little insignificant. Romello¡¯s expression turned serious as he replied, ¡°Elliot might have already sent someone to quietly watch the Nicholls residence. If the servants start throwing things out in a big way, it¡¯ll attract attention, and they might get caught. Just do as I say.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Romello. You can count on me,¡± Frank replied, no longer arguing, and immediately set about his task. Once Frank left, Romello straightened his cor and left the study, heading steadily to the top floor. Unlocking the heavy iron padlock, he walked directly into the third room on the left. Pushing the door open, he saw a slender woman weakly lying on the bed, her hands Chapter 972 bound by heavy iron chains, leaving deep marks on her wrists. 3/3 Romello approached her, sitting on the edge of the bed, and began to untangle the iron. chains, gently massaging the red marks on her wrists. His voice softened, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t me me for this. You once said you¡¯d sacrifice anything for me. That despicable bastard Nathaniel is conspiring against me with Elliot. Only you can help me now.¡± He patiently embraced Vanda, stroking her back gently, though his eyes remained cold. As if catching a familiar scent, Vanda blinked lightly, her thoughts clearing slightly. Vanda looked up and found her handsome andmanding son. She smiled weakly with satisfaction. ¡°Romello, my dearest son, whatever you desire, even if it means my demise, I¡¯ll do it for you.¡± Chapter 973 Chapter 973 Upon hearing her soothing words, Romello¡¯s eyes reddened, and tears began to well up. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry. I want to live, and I don¡¯t want to give up the honor and power I have now. I don¡¯t want to end up in a high¨Csecurity prison, living like a walking corpse.¡± He held the frail woman in his arms tighter. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s because of that illegitimate son¡¯s appearance that your mental health began to deteriorate, leading to Gabrielle¡¯s disappearance. I know how much you hate him. I will make him pay.¡± Marius returned that evening, rubbing his lower back with a mournful expression. For the past few days, he had been forced to run errands at the National Investigation Bureau, and his whole body felt like it was falling apart. Romello was truly ruthless. Marius had never been trained in martial arts and was physically weak. It was impossible for him to endure the high¨Cintensity tasks at the National. Investigation Bureau. He felt like crying every day because of the unbearable torment. It was as if he were in hell mode. When would this end? However, as he remembered Nathaniel¡¯s brutal beatingst night, Marius was utterly terrified and suppressed his desire to curse Romello. He leaned against the wall, legs trembling, slowly inching into the garden. As a manservant hurried past him, Marius stopped him. ¡°Where are you rushing off to? Come and help me.¡± The servant hesitated for a moment before approaching, supporting Marius by the arm, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Marius. Mr. Romello is having the top floor cleared out. Everyone is busy, so they forgot to greet you.¡± ¡°Why is Homello clearing out the top floor?¡± The servant shook his head and answered, ¡°We don¡¯t know. It¡¯s already past six, and he wants everything cleared out by tonight, or do we¡¯ll all be in trouble. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Marius felt puzzled, but he was understanding ¡°Go about your business. No need to assist me. I can manage on my own.¡± ¡°Thank you for understanding, Mr. Marius¡± The manservant bowed and hurried off to the backyard. Marius watched his retreating figure, his suspicion deepening Romello had suspected Nathaniel of stealing from the top floorst night, and now he wanted everything on the top floor cleared out. What was Romello up to? Marius¡¯s intuition told him there was definitely a secret going on. He shuffled his steps slowly toward the backyard. As he drew closer, the sound of shattering ss echoed. Marius noticed many servants and bodyguards were in the backyard, including Frank. They were all busy with their tasks, paying no attention to him. Some were burning, some were smashing ss containers, and others were digging holes to bury something. Marius looked at the hustle and bustle with a perplexed expression. In a cornery containers that had not beenpletely destroyed yet, small ss vials with a little transparent liquid remaining at the bottom. He casually picked up one of the ss vials and examined it. Frank, who was busy nearby, saw his actions and panicked, quickly walking over to take the vial from his hand and return it to the corner. ¡°Mr. Marius, these are all trash, things Mr. Romello wants to destroy. Don¡¯t hurt yourself. Everyone is busy, and we¡¯re too upied to serve you. You should go back to the mansion. Dinner will be ready soon.¡± Marius nodded absentmindedly. Chapter 971 ¡°Alright, you guys carry on. I¡¯ll head back to my room.¡± ¡°Take care, Mr. Marius,¡± Frank bowed respectfully and turned to continue his work. Marius observed the chaotle scene for a moment. When no one was looking, he quietly picked up the ss vial he had examined earlier and quickly stashed it in his pocket. Then, he left the backyard. After a whole day of dealing with official matters, Elliot returned to E&S Haven to find the mischievous Gabrielle was there. As they gathered around the dinner table that evening, Gabrielle could not take her eyes off Elliot¡¯s face, staring at him intently. Chapter 974 Chapter 974 Sheena noticed and lightly tapped Gabrielle¡¯s head with her hand. ¡°What are you staring at? Focus on eating!¡± ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Gabrielle rubbed her slightly sore head and withdrew her gaze, scooping some food from her te. However, she still sneakily nced in Elliot¡¯s direction. Elliot looked up and met her gaze. Gabrielle immediately felt guilty and looked away, too afraid to look again. Elliot was puzzled. ¡°Is there something on my face?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just that you¡¯re very handsome, Mr. Jenkins. I hadn¡¯t seen you up close like this before, and when I did, I noticed¡­¡± ¡°What did you notice?¡± Elliot was puzzled. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Sheena also turned to Gabrielle, curious. Gabrielle nced between the two of them, feeling hesitant to speak. After contemting momentarily, she cautiously said, ¡°I just feel like Mr. Jenkins resembles someone. He reminds me of someone I¡¯ve seen before.¡± Sheena and Elliot exchanged a nce. ¡°Who?¡± Gabrielle adjusted her posture, leaning closer to Sheena as she whispered, ¡°Sheena, don¡¯t you think Mr. Jenkins looks a lot like your male servant back in Farlem?¡± Even though Gabrielle whispered, Elliot could hear her well in the quiet dining room. He nearly choked on his food. Sheena could not help but chuckle at his reaction. The incidents from Farlem were like a dark chapter in Elliot¡¯s past. Feeling mischievous, Sheena decided to tease him a bit and turned the question back to Gabrielle. Chapter 974 ¡°So, Gabrielle, who do you think is more handsome, Mr. Jenkins or the manservant?¡± Despite her innocence, Gabrielle had a sharp eye. ¡°Well, there¡¯s no contest. It¡¯s definitely Mr. Jenkins! After all, he¡¯s yourwful husband, Sheena, and no one can beat Mr. Jenkins regarding power, status, appearance, and wealth!¡± Sheena could not help but smile at Gabrielle¡¯s ttery, ncing at Elliot to see hist reaction. Elliot kept his head down, his expression somewhat cold and strange. Nheless, Gabrielle used to quite like that manservant from before, so she continued in a soft voice, ¡°Sheena, did you fire that manservant? Does he still work for you?¡± Sheena yfully smirked and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Do you have a crush on him?¡± Gabrielle blushed and replied, ¡°Although we had a few disagreements back then, I still quite liked his looks and physique. If you don¡¯t want him, Sheena, I¡¯d like to hire him privately. Even if he¡¯s just around, it would be quite a sight to behold every day.¡± She continued, lost in thought, ¡°But I remember he was quite headstrong, still in need of some training.¡± Elliot set down his utensils heavily, his handsome face darkening considerably. ¡°Youdies chat, I¡¯m full. I¡¯m going to check on the babies upstairs,¡± he announced, leaving abruptly. Gabrielle watched Elliot¡¯s icy departure, unsure of where she went wrong. Sheena smiled, continuing to eat. She enthusiastically agreed with Gabrielle¡¯s assessment, ¡°Yes; he did have a strong personality, but I¡¯ve already trained him. Now, he¡¯s only soft toward me.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Gabrielle¡¯s nosiness was ignited instantly. She whispered, ¡°You still keep that manservant around? From what you¡¯re saying, it sounds like you¡¯re quite fond of him. Is he your secret lover? Does Mr. Jenkins know?¡± Sheena remained calm as she continued to eat her food. Chapter 974 3/3 ¡°He knows.¡± Gabrielle¡¯s imagination began to run wild, saying, ¡°The rumors outside say that Mr. Jenkins dotes on you so much, and he listens to you fully. He actually agrees to you. keeping a secret lover?¡± ¡°Who said he¡¯s a secret lover? The same manservant from before is no longer working for me, and we¡¯re officially together.¡± ¡°Officially together?¡± ¡°Yes, he¡¯s my husband.¡± Gabrielle realized btedly, her eyes widening in shock. Oh no, the person she offended back in Farlem was actually Elliot! Chapter 975 Chapter 975 Gabrielle, feeling remorseful, paled and lost her appetite. It was because Elliot had prepared the meal himself! ¡°Sheena, I¡­ Did I offend Mr. Jenkins again just now? Will I never see the sun again tomorrow?¡± Sheena stifled augh. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Jenkins is very kind. He won¡¯t hold a grudge against you, especially not against a young girl like you.¡± Gabrielle finally calmed her racing heart and breathed a sigh of relief. Sheena teased, ¡°Do you still want to train that manservant from before?¡± Gabrielle shook her head. ¡°No way! He¡¯s yours, Sheena. I wouldn¡¯t dare interfere. Mr. Jenkins would kill me.¡± Suppressing augh, Sheena served her some food. ¡°Let¡¯s eat. Have a good rest after dinner, and I¡¯ll have Ford take you out for fun tomorrow.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After dinner, Sheena carried a tray of freshly washed fruit to the nursery on the fourth. floor. Elliot sat on a small stool with his long legs crossed, one hand supporting Adora¡¯s rocking crib while the other yed the rattle. Sheena ced the fruit on the table and looked at the twoughing babies. The chubby¨Ccheeked little babies blinked their long, curly eyshes, their clear, sparkling eyes mesmerizing. Adora, who was sucking her fingers, smiled brightly when she saw Sheena approach. Sheena smiled back at her, marveling at the miracle of nurturing life. Elliot, still not turning around, continued to rattle the toy as if he was sulking. She gently brushed Elliot¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°Are you sulking because of Gabrielle or feeling jealous of Elijah?¡± Elijah¡­ bad been a long time since he heard that name. Elliot turned around, his gaze eyes gentle but serious. v¡¯m mad at you for being so mean, Nana. You could¡¯ve easily skipped that topic, but you had to ask Gabrielle who¡¯s more handsome, me or Elijah.¡± Shesma¡¯s fingers traced from Elliot¡¯s ear to his eyebrow and then gently flicked his torchead. Both of them are you. What¡¯s there to be angry about? Who doesn¡¯t have a bit of a dark past? I was bullied by the Freeman family for three years in Farlem because I loved you.¡± At the mention of this, Elliot saw Sheena¡¯s expression darken visibly. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Was she about to bring up old grievances again? He promptly set down the rattle and took Sheena¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It was all my fault back then, letting you suffer so much. Nana, if you still hold any grudges, I¡¯ll kneel on the washboard!¡± Listening to his soothing words, Sheena could not stay angry, but she still maintained a serious demeanor. ¡°Give me your hand.¡® Elbot hesitated, ¡°Now? In front of the babies?¡± Was Sheena going to scold him in front of the babies? Sheena nodded seriously. Well, keeping his wife from being upset was more important. He obediently extended his left hand as if presenting a treasure and offered it to Sheena. With a crisp sound, Sheena raised his hand and gently pped his palm. ¡°Do you realize your mistake?¡± ¡°Yes, I do, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Another light p followed. Will you dare to ignore me in the future like you did back then?¡± Sheena asked sternly. ¡°I won¡¯t, I won¡¯t. I¡¯ll be good as long as you never ignore me.¡± Chapter 9/5 3/1 Sheena chuckled. Hearing the sound of the ps, Adora blinked her watery eyes back and forth between Sheena and Elliot, giggling. On the adjacent crib, Asher joined in theughter. Elliot frowned, giving each of his two little troublemakers a stern look. Were they so happy to see their dad getting scolded and disciplined? Chapter 976 Chapter 976 Those little rascals! Seeing the smiling faces of their two babies, Sheena¡¯s heart almost melted. With a mischievous grin, she gave Elliot a few more ps on the hand. Asher and Adoraughed even more. Elliot nced at Sheena with an using look. ¡°Nana, even the babies are on your side. They actually enjoy seeing you bully me!¡± Sheena chuckled as she lifted his hand, its broad palm now marked with faint red imprints. Then, she leaned and nted a soft kiss on it. Later, she patiently addressed the two babies, ¡°Your daddy made a mistake, so he got a spanking. Asher and Adora, from now on, you two have to help me supervise him and assist in disciplining him.¡± Elliot was at a loss for words, feeling frustrated. Noticing his bitter expression, Sheena almost burst intoughter. ¡°There, there. I was just joking. Eli, you¡¯re such a good husband. How could I ever bring myself to hit you?¡± Elliot knew she was lying. After all, she would hit him hard each time she got angry. Nheless, he just lowered his head and stayed silent. They spent a long time in the nursery until the babies were sound asleep, then called Freida in. Hand in hand, Elliot and Sheena returned to their bedroom. Sheena asked with a serious tone, ¡°How¡¯s the investigation going with Romello?¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°The potion Nathaniel stole has been identified. It¡¯s a potent nerve¨Cdamaging drug. Romello used it to control Madam Nicholls and Phoebe and even attempted to drug me through Nathaniel. I¡¯ve instructed Lionel to gather all the evidence as quickly as possible. If all goes well, we¡¯ll have him arrested and interrogated tomorrow.¡± Sheena nodded andmented, ¡°These matters must be resolved sooner rather thanter. People like Romello aren¡¯t worthy of being in power in the Nicholls family. He¡¯s Chapter 976 ruining his own family.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Elliot said softly, his voice filled with desire. 2/3 Sheena almost immediately sensed the threat. ¡°Enough, let¡¯s get some rest. We have a lot to deal with tomorrow, and we¡¯re not doing anything tonight.¡± Elliot tossed restlessly on the pillow, feeling utterly down. Suppressing a chuckle, Sheena reached out to turn off the light. The room was engulfed in darkness, but the cheeky Elliot refused to give in to sleep. His desire was raging, and all he wanted was to have a taste of Sheena. Until¡­ ¡°Ouch! Easy, honey! You¡¯re hurting me.¡± Sheena pinched his buttocks, giving them a firm twist. He buried his head in Sheena¡¯s neck, whimpering softly in pain. ¡°Are you going to sleep properly?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± The next morning, at the National Investigation Bureau, Elliot was changing into his uniform when Lionel knocked on the door. ¡°Elliot, the evidence is ready. Logan and Lance are positioned around the Nicholls residence, awaiting yourmand.¡± Elliot quickly fastened thest button of his uniform cor and turned around. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s head to the Nicholls residence and make the arrest. Leaving the office, he descended the stairs without looking aside, heading to the open- air garage to get his car. Jacob came running toward him, nearly colliding with him. ¡°Sorry, sorry! Mr. Jenkins, my apologies for my recklessness.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression remained serious. ¡°Why the rush? Where¡¯s your discipline? You¡¯re acting so carelessly.¡± Chapter 976 3/3 Jacob¡¯s expression was grim, bowing apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Jenkins. I just received some bad news and lost focus for a moment.¡± Elliot turned to Lionel behind him, exchanging a nce. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Mr. Romello¡¯s mother passed away suddenlyst night. The Nicholls family is in chaos, and Mr. Romello suspects¡­ she was deliberately murdered!¡± Chapter 977 Chapter 977 The earth¨Cshattering news stunned Elliot and Lionel simultaneously. After exchanging a nce, Elliot quickly regained hisposure and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go check out the Nicholls residence. You focus on your tasks.¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Jacob bowed respectfully and left. When Jacob left, Lionel approached Elliot, whispering, ¡°Elliot, Logan and Lance¡¯s teams are still stationed 500 meters from the Nicholls residence. Should we proceed with the arrest?¡± Elliot remained calm and assessed, ¡°This situation is suspicious. Let¡¯s hold off for now. Keep them on standby and bring the evidence you¡¯ve gathered, along with the arrest warrant. We¡¯ll act ording to my discretion when the timees. ¡°Got it.¡± Exiting the National Investigation Bureau, they got into their cars and headed to the Nicholls residence. The Nicholls residence was in chaos, with servants and bodyguards bustling about. When Elliot and Lionel arrived, no one greeted them, and the entire mansion was shrouded in a somber atmosphere. Upon hearing the tragic news, Gabrielle and Marius also rushed home. Lionel grabbed a passing manservant and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Mr. Romello?¡± ¡°He¡¯s upstairs. Mr. Romello is deeply upset by Madam Nicholls¡¯s passing.¡± The two of them immediately headed upstairs, where the third room on the left was crowded with people. Romello sat on the bed, holding Vanda¡¯s lifeless body, lost in extreme grief. It was the first time Elliot had seen Romello with swollen eyes, overwhelmed with sorrow. Even Marius and Gabrielle were crying, and the atmosphere in the room was extremely bleak. Elliot briefly scanned the room and then asked Frank, who was wiping his tears, to step Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. outside. Frank obediently followed him, and they walked to the end of the quiet hallway together, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Romello is overwhelmed with grief over the sudden loss of his mother. There may have been somepses in hospitality. Please forgive us.¡± Elliot sighed softly, his obsidian eyes betraying no emotion. ¡°Please extend my condolences to the Nicholls family for Madam Nicholls¡¯s passing.¡± ¡°Of course. Stepping forward, Lionel chimed in, ¡°Mr. Abbott, can you please tell Mr. Jenkins the full situation? Mr. Jenkins will¡­ investigate ordingly on behalf of the Nicholls family,¡± Frank sobbed, wiping away tears with his sleeve, recalling the events. ¡°The servant went to Madam Nicholls¡¯s room this morning to deliver breakfast and discovered what had happened to her. Madam Nicholls was kind hearted and adored by her children. She lived a happy life, so suicide is out of the question. ¡°And just now, Mr. Romello checked her body. There were no obvious external injuries or fatal wounds. Her lips were bruised with a faint purple hue, indicating poisoning for sure. Mr. Jenkins, please check the matter for Mr. Romello and Madam Nicholls. Elliot frowned, and his expression turned serious, Even so, he remained silent. Lionel stepped forward and asked, ¡°The top floor of the Nicholls residence is always locked. If Madam Nicholls didn¡¯tmit suicide, who could have entered?¡± Frank pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°Madam Nicholls rarely left her room, so this matter should be easy to investigate. Normally, only a few servants deliver meals, so it might be rted to the kitchen.¡± Elliot ordered, ¡°Gather all the servants who routinely deliver meals, the chefs, and those responsible for purchasing fruits and vegetables in the garden. I want to question them together.¡± After that, he adjusted his uniform sleeves before turning to descend the stairs. Frank obediently followed him. Lionel stood at the door of Vanda¡¯s room, taking another nce inside before sigling and catching up with Elliot¡¯s footsteps. Chapter 978 Chapter 978 In the garden, a thorough interrogationsting ten minutes revealed no major issues in the expressions or exnations of all involved. Elliot turned to Lionel and said, ¡°Call in the special investigative team. Have the Nicholls residence thoroughly inspected and notify the medical examiner. Also, take Madam Nicholls for an autopsyter.¡± ¡°Right on it.¡± Lionel nodded and stepped away to make a call in a quiet corner. After the servants and chefs had been cleared of suspicion, Elliot instructed them to return to their duties. The garden quickly grew quiet. Suddenly, Frank seemed to remember something important. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I recall something else very important.¡± Elliot turned back, his handsome face expressionless. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Two nights ago, Mr. Nathaniel stole my key and secretly went upstairs during the banquet. Nobody knows why he went up there, but when Mr. Romello found out, he punished him severely,¡± Frank exined. Elliot¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, narrowing his eyes narrowed as his tone grew colder. ¡°Tell me everything.¡± ¡°Mr. Nathaniel denied stealing the keys at the time. But yesterday afternoon, at bodyguard found the keys to the top floor buried shallowly in the garden, confirming that Mr. Nathaniel did indeed go upstairs. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I hate to say it, but Mr. Nathaniel has a history of stealing from theb, and his rtionship with Mr. Romello has never been good. This time¡­ it¡¯s highly likely that he intentionally poisoned Madam Nicholls!¡± Lionel had just returned from his call and overheard Frank¡¯s words. He retorted sternly, ¡°Mr. Abbott, isn¡¯t your attitude toward them too biased? While 23 Nathaniel has a prior record, he was released on bail by Mr. Corey, and as of now, he¡¯s innocent. We should proceed based on evidence, not assumptions just because of his past. Understand?¡± Embarrassed, Frank lowered his head. ¡°Yes, Captain Lionel I was just expressing suspicions. At the end of the day, Mr. Jenkins will be the one investigating and making the final decision.¡± Despite trying to smooth things over, Elliot and Lionel¡¯s expressions remained cold and serious. Bringing up the theft of the top floor key at this critical moment was clearly aimed at implicating Nathaniel If he were found guilty, Nathaniel¡¯s life would be ruined forever. The atmosphere in the garden suddenly grew tense. Romello, who had managed topose himself after his grief, emerged from the mansion with swollen eyes and walked straight toward Elliot ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I need to get to the bottom of this. Nathaniel stole the key and sneaked into the top floor, even entering my mother¡¯s room. He¡¯s the prime suspect right now, and I demand to question him myself.¡± Elliot turned to meet Romello¡¯s tear¨Cfilled, angry eyes but remained silent Lionel lowered his head, masking his intense displeasure. Allowing Romello to interrogate Nathaniel would likely result in Nathaniel¡¯s life being ruined in a day, possibly leaving him permanently disabled. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you suspected Phoebe was being held captive by me, halting my duties and ordering me to stay home for investigation. It¡¯s been over a week, and there¡¯s been little progress. Shouldn¡¯t I return to the National Investigation Bureau to handle my mother¡¯s case?¡± Romello pressed. Elliot scoffed, ¡°What do you intend to do? ¡°Removing Nathaniel from the Nicholls ancestry and investigate him thoroughly!! Romello¡¯s eyes shed with malice, his resolve unwavering as he added, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you despise him just as much, don¡¯t you? He should face multiple charges with this incident, along with his illegal departure and attacking Lionel during the investigation. Chapter 975 ¡°I want Nathaniel dead or crippled.¡± As he said that, he met Elliot¡¯s gaze without flinching. The two locked eyes in a tense standoff, the air thick with tension for a full minute. Finally, Elliot relented, giving Lionel a subtle signal. Lionel understood and produced the arrest warrant for Romello. ¡°Mr. Romello, I¡¯m sorry to inform you, but Nathaniel has used you of imprisoning your own sister and mother, drugging them, and attempting to poison Mr. Jenkins,¡± Lionel stated. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Therefore, Mr. Romello, you are also a suspect and have no authority to interrogate others. ¡°Please apany us to the interrogation room. You and Nathaniel will be questioned, and Mr. Jenkins will thoroughly investigate the crimesmitted by both of you!¡± Chapter 979 Chapter 979 Romello¡¯s expression turned cold as he stared at the arrest warrant. ¡°Where¡¯s the evidence?¡± Lionel was well¨Cprepared and handed over a meticulouslypiled set of evidence. Romello took it and carefully reviewed it. Soon, he regained hisposure. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, the evidence all points to Nathaniel. He¡¯s used me of using banned substances, imprisoning my mother, and attempting to poison you. Even the drugs and unidentified substances handed to you were provided by Nathaniel,¡± Romello exined assertively. ¡°He¡¯s been illegally traveling abroad for a year. Who knows what he might have brought back? If anyone intentionally harmed my mother, it¡¯s him. His statements cannot be considered evidence. He might be orchestrating this whole thing.¡± With a fierce re, Romello pressed on, ¡°So, Mr. Jenkins, shouldn¡¯t Nathaniel be investigated first?¡± Elliot remained expressionless and responded, ¡°Naturally, Nathaniel will be investigated. However, until he¡¯s convicted, the National Investigation Bureau will treat all testimonies equally. Even a deputy chief must face equal treatment if they break thew.¡± He nced at Lionel and ordered, ¡°Take the suspect away.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Lionel retrieved handcuffs and approached Romello. Romello¡¯s eyes narrowed with cold determination, not budging. Frank quickly called out the bodyguards, positioning themselves protectively in front of Romello, blocking Lionel¡¯s path. Lionel quickly warned them, ¡°Romello, what¡¯s going on here? Aren¡¯t you well aware of the severity of the charges for resisting arrest and obstructing justice? As deputy chief, shouldn¡¯t you lead by example?¡± Romello remained silent while Frank stepped forward to exin, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Captain Lionel, Romello has just experienced the loss of his mother. Can we give him some time to handle Madam Nicholls¡¯s affairs before investigating him?¡± Elliot remained unwavering. ¡°Madam Nicholls¡¯s cause of death is unclear, so what¡¯s the rush? Our priority now is to quickly determine the truth behind her death and provide closure to the Nicholls family.¡± His tone brooked no argument. With a wave, Lionel immediately said into the miniature walkie¨Ctalkie shaped like a military uniform button, ¡°Mr. Romello refuses to cooperate. Come over and escort Mr. Romello to the interrogation room.¡± As soon as he spoke, Logan and Lance, leading two squads of soldiers, arrived at the Nicholls residence within two minutes. The two groups came bustling in, exuding an imposing aura that made the ground shake slightly. The few bodyguards surrounding Romello appeared particrly feeble inparison. Lionel snorted, ¡°Mr. Romello, are you sure you want to refuse the investigation? With Mr. Jenkins¡¯s temper, he¡¯ll have you tied up and dragged over if he gets angry. But by then, you¡¯ll be utterly humiliated.¡± Romello¡¯s handsome face darkened, his hands clenched tightly under his sleeves, veins. bulging. After a brief moment of displeasure, he gestured for the bodyguards to step aside and took a couple of steps forward, offering his wrists to Lionel. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. However, he addressed Elliot, ¡°Please, Mr. Jenkins, I urge you to uncover the truth as soon as possible and let my mother rest in peace.¡± Elliot smirked coldly. ¡°Of course.¡± He stepped forward, taking the electronic handcuffs from Lionel and personally putting them on Romello, demonstrating his regard for this deputy chief. ¡°Take him away,¡± Elliotmanded with icy authority. Romello was then escorted into the armored vehicle by Lionel and Logan. ¡°Mr. Romello¡­¡± Frank watched with concern. Then, he hurried back to the mansion, gathering all the household servants and bodyguards in the backyard. ¡°Mr. Romello has been taken to the interrogation room for questioning, but as the Chapter 970 deputy chief, he¡¯ll return in a few days. During this time, you must know how to answer any inquiries from the National Investigation Bureau. If you reveal anything you shouldn¡¯t, no one can save you when Mr. Romello returns. Understand?¡± The servants and bodyguards looked fearful, nodding in agreement, Chapter 980 Chapter 980 Romello was also taken to the interrogation room, separated from Nathaniel by two closed doors. After escorting him in, Elliot and Lionel took the opportunity to check on Nathaniel. The heavy door creaked open, revealing Nathaniel seated cross¨Clegged on a warm makeshift bed, rolling up his sleeves to tend to the wounds on his arms. His muscr arms were covered in partially scabbed, partially scabbed, blood¨Cstreaked scars, along with some old scars, giving his once handsome arms a gruesome appearance. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Upon seeing Elliot and Lionel enter, he casually nced up with his piercing blue eyes, continuing to apply medicine to his wounds. ¡°You¡¯re here early. Did you get Romello?¡± Elliot simply replied, ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Nathaniel smirked and asked in doubt, ¡°If he did, then why the long faces? Shouldn¡¯t you be giving him a taste of the paddle first, breaking at least five?¡± Elliot kept a stern expression and remained silent. Lionel exined, ¡°With Madam Nicholls¡¯s passing and Romello¡¯s mourning, it would be inhumane to administer any form of punishment at this time.¡± Nathaniel froze. ¡°Madam Nicholls is gone? What happened?¡± Elliot and Lionel exchanged a knowing nce before Lionel sighed and exined, Something happened to the Nicholls family. Madam Nicholls was found dead in her room this morning. It was ruled out as suicide or natural death. Romello suspects you, iming that the day you stole the key and went up to the attic, you poisoned Madam Nicholls.¡± Nathaniel chuckled lightly, obviously amused. ¡°He¡¯s trying to me everything on me. Looks like he¡¯s figured out that things are about to be exposed and wants to drag me down with him before he goes down.¡± Lionel retorted sarcastically, ¡°He didn¡¯t n on going down. I¡¯ve gathered enough evidence and brought it to him today, but he tried to deny thempletely.¡± As the two exchanged words, Elliot remained stern, leaning lightly against the chair back, silent throughout the conversation. Nathaniel shook his head in disdatu before turning to Elliot. ¡°Do you believe him?¡± Elliot raised his cold gaze, meeting Nathaniel¡¯s. ¡°I believe in evidence. I won¡¯t favor you, nor will I wrong you and make you take the fall.¡± ¡°Fair enough. With your assuring words, I have nothing to fear for what I haven¡¯t done.¡± The three of them exchanged a few more words. Nathaniel recounted the details of the banquet night on the top floor to Elliot once again. A few minutester, Elliot emerged from the interrogation room and got into the car, heading back to the National Investigation Bureau. Lionel eagerly asked him, ¡°Elliot, do you really belleve Nathaniel¡¯s words?¡± Elliot¡¯s eyes held a mysterious depth as he responded with a question, ¡°What do you think?¡± Lionel pondered for a moment, then honestly shared his analysis, ¡°I believe Madam Nicholls¡¯s death is likely unrted to Nathaniel. He had no reason to do such a thing. However, I¡¯m skeptical about Nathaniel willingly helping you and Sheena steal the potion from the Nicholls residence. Despite his significant contribution, he ended up being punished by Romello without seeking any reward or making any requests. It¡¯s suspicious to me. It seems like he¡¯s hiding something.¡± Elliot smirked. It seemed that Lionel shared the same thoughts with him on this matter. He turned his head to look out the window at the receding scenery, speaking softly, ¡°A man must have either power or woman. He¡¯s one of the outstanding men in Froania. Such prideful men like him wouldn¡¯t be content teaching in a mountain vige for the rest of their lives. He came back this time probably because he wants to take over the entire Nicholls family.¡± Chapter 981 Chapter 981 ined attentively, agreeing with Elliot¡¯s reasoned analysis. He asked, ¡°Elliot, if Nathaniel is going after the Nicholls family, would you assist him?¡± Elliot¡¯s eyes darkened, offering no direct answer to the question. He neither explicitly indicated his willingness to help nor outright refusal. Being by his side for years, Lionel naturally understood Elliot and dropped the matter. Back at the National Investigation Bureau, Elliot immediately tasked Lionel with investigating Vanda¡¯s death. Lionel interrogated every servant and bodyguard associated with the Nicholls family. After half a day of investigation, there were no significant leads. The autopsy results for Vanda revealed she had indeed ingested an unknown substance. Examining the autopsy report closely, Lionel questioned the coroner, ¡°Can you determine the specific substance that caused her suffocation? And the time frame of ingestion?¡± The coroner shook his head and replied, ¡°We didn¡¯t find traces of undissolved substances in Madam Nicholls¡¯s body, but the result showed that an unknown drug had poisoned her. Our spection is that it may be an illegal drug from abroad. ¡°As for the time of ingestion, determining the timing is challenging without knowing the exact substance. Some substances have a dyed onset, so it is entirely possible for death to ur after a few days.¡± Lionel fell silent, realizing Nathaniel could not acquit himself of suspicion based on the timing of the crime. If Romello insisted Nathaniel had stolen the key and went to the top floor during the banquet, Nathaniel would be in deep trouble. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Lost in thought, Lionel returned to Elliot¡¯s office to report the coroner¡¯s findings. Elliot¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Summon all members of the Nicholls family for a second round of questioning. I¡¯ll handle it personally this time.¡± The servants were individually brought into interrogation rooms at the National Investigation Bureau throughout the afternoon. Elliot began, ¡°What has the rtionship been like between Nathaniel and Madam Nicholls all this time?¡± Ellot asked the same question to everyone brought into the interrogation room. gardener, who typically tended to the garden, replied, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I haven¡¯t been working for the Nicholls family for very long, just about two years. During that time, Nathaniel was usually busy with the ecial Investigation Department and didn¡¯t return to the Nicholls residence that often. Even when he did come back recently, he never mentioned Madam Nicholls and never asked to see her, especially not to Romello Another servant, who had worked at the Nicholls residence for fifteen years, said, ¡°Their rtionship wasn¡¯t good. Madam Nicholls disliked Mr. Nathaniel a lot. After all, he isn¡¯t her biological son. He was often scolded by Madam Nicholls when he was young, and perhaps it¡¯s because of that resentment that he ended up killing her!¡± However, anyone who had long worked with the Nicholls family had simr opinions. It all boiled down to Nathaniel being bullied by Vanda in his childhood, then contending for power, being punished by Romello twice. and Coupled with his previous misdeeds, they all believed Romello¡¯s spection¨CNathaniel poisoned Vanda. After a thorough interrogation throughout the afternoon, it was nearing the end of the workday. With various evidence and testimonies all pointing toward Nathaniel, Elliot felt a bit frustrated and unconsciously reached for a cigarette. Before he could take a puff, he suddenly remembered Sheena¡¯s strict no¨Csmoking rule. After all, they had two adorable babies at home who could not stand even a hint of smoke. If he went back smelling like smoke, he would be in big trouble. Elliot handed the cigarette to Lionel, offering it to him instead. Lionel took it and obediently went to a corner of the interrogation room to smoke. Chapter 983 Chapter 983 ¡°Yes, I understand. Leave it to me,¡± Lionel reassured. After returning to the Jenkins estate, they parted ways in the winding alleyways. Lionel headed back to his own mansion, where Jacintha likely had dinner prepared and waiting for him. Elliot returned to E&S Haven, where he had already made a habit of preparing a hot meal before Sheena returned home so they could enjoy it together. Sheena was busy with matters at the Lawson Group and also helping Howard with Phoebe¡¯s N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. treatment. When Sheena returned home more than half an hourter, Elliot had just finished preparing the final dish and served it on the table. They enjoyed a harmonious and sweet dinner together. Before going to bed, Elliot took a shower. Sheena noticed a shirt casually thrown on the bed and tidied it up, intending to toss it into theundry basket. However, the moment she picked up the shirt, she detected a faintly unusual scent. It was the smell of cigarette smoke. Sheena never smoked, and for the sake of their babies¡® health, she had strictly forbidden Elliot from smoking. Hence, she was very sensitive to this odor. Did Elliot smoke today without telling her? As the sound of water stopped in the bathroom, Elliot emerged, towel wrapped around his waist, wiping the water droplets from his hair. However, he noticed the strange atmosphere in the room and was puzzled. He turned around and saw Sheena sitting on the edge of the bed, holding the shirt he had just taken off. Her expression was stern, indicating that she was clearly holding back her anger. ¡°Honey?¡± Elliot called out uncertainly- Sheena lifted Elliot¡¯s shirt and sternly questioned him, ¡°Exin this.¡± Elliot was confused. ¡°Exin what?¡± ¡°ying dumb and even lying, are we?¡± She turned to grab the wooden ruler from the bedside table. It had been unused for a long time, but it still felt weighty as she held it in her hand. Elliot¡¯s breath hitched. Why was she resorting to punishment? What had he done wrong? Without further thought, he tossed the towel he had used to dry his hair onto the table and strode over, untying the towel wrapped around his waist. Then, he knelt on the bed. However, as the cold wind blew, he felt exposed and awkwardly covered himself with the towel. Elliot¡¯s handsome face disyed utmost sincerity as he said, ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve been well¨Cbehaved all day. I haven¡¯t done anything wrong or lied to you. Please don¡¯t jump to conclusions and use 1. me. Sheena sat on the bed, crossed her legs in front of him, and tapped his arm, signaling him to extend his hand. ¡°My sense of smell is fine, and I¡¯m not mistaken. I haven¡¯t wrongly used you. If you can¡¯t recall, then let pain jog your memory.¡± Elliot frantically tried to understand her words and slowly extended his hand. The burning rage she felt was evident in her gaze, and she raised the ruler high. Before it coulde down, Elliot quickly withdrew his hand. ¡°I remember now. Are you smelling cigarette smoke on me?¡± Sheena smirked. ¡°Looks like your brain is still functioning. At least when facing punishment, it¡¯s quite alert.¡± Elliot frowned, feeling a bit aggrieved. ¡°Honey, I was feeling frustrated during the investigation today a and instinctively reached for a cigarette, but I didn¡¯t actually smoke any. I handed it to Lionel and asked him to smoke it in a corner. Perhaps because we were in the same room, his smoke scent lingered on me. ¡°Honey, trust me. I¡¯m not lying,¡± he pleaded again. Sheena¡¯s stern expression did not waver as she keenly caught onto the loopholes in his exnation. ¡°So, you voluntarily lit the cigarette, and only at thest moment, out of guilt, did you pass it to Lionel, fearing I might find out. Is that right?¡± Chapter 963 Elliot was taken aback. Was this what they called women¡¯s superior logic? His frown deepened, feeling increasingly aggrieved. As if to spite her, he extended both hands. ¡°Yes. If you believe I¡¯m wrong, you can punish me harshly. Better yet, just render my hands useless, so I can¡¯t even hold a pen or utensils. Then everyone at the National Investigation Bureau will know I¡¯ve been punished.¡± Chapter 984 Chapter 984 Sheena raised a brow and tapped Elliot¡¯s firm jawline with the end of the wooden ruler. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re not aware of your mistake. You¡¯re even threatening me.¡± Upon learning the truth, she had only intended to tease him, never expecting him to be so defiant. Elliot suppressed the frustration in his eyes, saying, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to do that. If you say I¡¯m wrong, then I¡¯m truly wrong.¡± Sheena stifled augh, shifting her gaze from his handsome face to his covered body. A mischievous thought crossed her mind as she used the ruler to lift his towel and promptly tossed it aside. ¡°Why cover up? I¡¯ve seen every inch of your body.¡± Elliot lowered his gaze, feeling a slight warmth on his cheeks. He was just out of the shower and waspletely naked, and here she was, shamelessly staring at him while she remained fully clothed, making him feel a bit embarrassed. Usually, Elliot was always the one boldly making advances toward her, and Sheena rarely witnessed Elliot¡¯s moments of shyness. Seeing him blush slightly, she decided to tease him further. She raised the ruler lightly and gently tapped his thigh. With a soft snap, a faint pink mark appeared on Elliot¡¯s thigh. She yfully nudged the mark with the ruler and teased, ¡°How does it feel? Do you like it?¡± Her expression and words clearly showed that she was not angry anymore. Elliot responded smoothly, ¡°I naturally like everything you give me.¡± Sheena suppressed a smile and tossed the ruler back onto the bedside table. Elliot was about to retract, his hand when he saw Sheena had put aside the ruler, but she acted quickly, swiftly twisting his discarded shirt into knots and binding his wrists together, the then. pouncing on him. She loomed over him, her eyes twinkling mischievously as if she were looking at an unruly pray With one hand pressing his hands above his head and the other gripping his jaw, Sheena dered, ¡°You vited our family rules and were being so disobedient. You deserve punishment.¡± Elliot nodded inpliance, ¡°I admit it.¡± Sheena chuckled softly and continued, ¡°Seeing that you¡¯vee to your senses, I¡¯ll give you the harshest punishment tonight!¡± Elliot sighed silently, resigned, and lowered his gaze. ¡°I ept it. Sheena stifled augh. ¡°Good. Since you¡¯re being so obedient, tonight I¡¯m going to be rough. ¡°I¡¯ll take the lead this time.¡± The next day, waking up refreshed, Elliot felt revitalized and content. He nced at Sheena, who was still asleep beside him. His eyes showed great tenderness as he leaned down to kiss her forehead gently. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. After savoring the sweet morning gesture, he quickly got out of bed, washed up, changed clothes, and left E&S Haven, Lionel kept up with Elliot¡¯s pace and arrived at the Jenkins estate garage right behind him. Once in the car, Elliot¡¯s obsidian eyes regained their usual depth and coldness. ¡°To the Nicholls residence.¡± Half an hourter, the luxury car arrived at the entrance of the Nicholls residence. Elliot was dressed casually for the investigation. Logan¡¯s squad of soldiers, well¨Ctrained and disciplined, stood orderly by the door, ready and waiting. Elliot entered without ncing around and ordered, ¡°Search every¨Croom, leave no corner unchecked, especially the top floor, Romello¡¯s, and Nathaniel¡¯s rooms.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Without dy, the group hurried into the Nicholls residence, meticulously conducting their search. Lionel, feeling uneasy, personally apanied them to the top floor to double¨Ccheck. they At Lionel¡¯smand, Frank gathered all the household staff in the garden, ensuring they did not interfere with the official search. After a tense searchsting over ten minutes, Lionel returned first. With a solemn expression, he approached Elliot and whispered, ¡°Elliot, we couldn¡¯t find anything suspicious on the top floor, not even a single trace of iron chains or shackles. Romello must have cleaned up beforehand. It seems we¡¯ll return empty¨Chanded.¡± Chapter 985 Chapter 985 Elliot remained silent, his gaze deep as he awaited the reports from the Seventh Division. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, we didn¡¯t find any significant findings in Mr. Romello¡¯s room.¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins, there¡¯s nothing on the top floor either.¡± ¡°Mr. Jenkins¡­¡± Elliot listened attentively, ncing at the group of servants, bodyguards, and Frank gathered in the garden. Upon hearing the reports, Frank maintained a calm andposed expression, seemingly expecting such results. Narrowing his eyes, Elliot continued with a probing tone, ¡°Everyone, search the mansion¡¯s garden. and backyard again, leaving no detail unchecked.¡± Frank lowered his head slightly and clenched his fists. After all, he knew what had happened in the backyard. Elliot noticed Frank¡¯s strange behavior but said nothing. Instead, he led Lionel and Logan to inspect the garden and backyard once more. While examining the garden, Frank maintained aposed demeanor. Elliot then proceeded to the backyard, reiterating his orders, ¡°Focus on inspecting the backyard. thoroughly.¡± Frank¡¯s fists tightened with each step, silently following Elliot¡¯s lead. Lionel discovered some ss shards beneath flower pots in the backyard, carefully picking them up with rubber gloves and presenting them to Elliot. ¡°Elliot, take a look at this.¡± Soon, other soldiers found more ss shards in inconspicuous patches of grass. Watching silently from the sidelines, Frank gulped nervously, recalling the hurried disposal of ss tubes a few days prior, forgetting about the stray ss shards scattered around. Elliot gathered all the ss pieces. He noticed their identical material and the absence of dust, indicating they were recent. Chapter With a stern gaze, he turned toward Frank in the corner and asked, ¡°Why are the shards in the backyard? What happened at the Nicholls residence in the past few days?¡± Frank¡¯s lips twitched as he respectfully replied, ¡°A couple of days ago, a servant broke a ss cup. Probably out ofziness, they didn¡¯t dispose of it properly and carelessly threw the broken ss into the backyard bushes. Mr. Jenkins, I apologize for my mismanagement.¡± Elliot, wearing ck leather gloves, picked up the shards once more. The ss was exceptionally thin, clearly not from a ss cup. However, he did not argue, instructing Lionel to package the evidence and take it back to the National Investigation Bureau. Before leaving, he turned back, his gaze sharp as itnded on Frank. ¡°Logan, take Mr. Abbott with you and bring him to the interrogation room for a chat. I¡¯ll handle the questioning myself.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Frank was stunned and protested, ¡°Huh? Mr. Jenkins, I haven¡¯t done anything wrong! Why am I being taken to the interrogation room?¡± Approaching him, Logan handcuffed Frank, stating, ¡°Concealment and failure to report makes you complicit, which earns you equal punishment as the perpetrator, Mr. Abbott, in all the years Mr. Jenkins has been closing cases, no one has been able to outsmart him. Please,e with us to the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s interrogation room for a one¨Cday tour.¡± Frank¡¯s face paled, but he remained silent. Sheena did not go to the Lawson Group that morning as Howard was taking Phoebe to theb for further rehabilitation treatment, and she apanied them. Phoebe had spent the whole day receiving IVs and special medications. Although her condition had improved slightly, her mental state did not show much improvement. She remained aloof, not recognizing anyone except for a faint reaction when Romello¡¯s name was mentioned. Howard kissed her hand repeatedly, his anxious heart finding nofort. Sheena watched silently, sighing inwardly. As a bystander, she could not help much, especially concerning Howard and Phoebe¡¯s rtionship issues. Chapter 986 Chapter 986 The medication had a sedative effect once injected. While Phoebe slept peacefully, Sheena stayed with Howard, keeping himpany for a while. For days, Howard¡¯s focus had been solely on Phoebe, almost oblivious to the world around him. It was not until this day that he asked, ¡°How are things over at Romello¡¯s?¡± Sheena replied truthfully, ¡°Something happened at the Nicholls residence. Madam Nicholls passed away unexpectedly. Elliot and Lionel are investigating the matter, but Romello insists that it was Nathaniel who did it. The crimes hemitted were all based on Nathaniel¡¯s confession, and he has thrown doubt on all the solid evidence. Elliot has him in the interrogation room, and they¡¯ll have to find conclusive evidence again before he can be convicted.¡± Howard¡¯s brow furrowed with concern as he gently rubbed Phoebe¡¯s hand. In a deep, solemn tone, he asked, ¡°Is there any chance he couldpletely overturn the evidence, get acquitted, and leave Nathaniel taking the me?¡± Sheena confidently replied, ¡°Impossible. Nathaniel has suffered a lot to help us find evidence this time. Both Elliot and I won¡¯t let him take the fall for nothing.¡± Howard nodded in agreement. ¡°Right. Nathaniel has gone through so much for us. As for Romello, he¡¯s just a heartless beast.¡± His voice was hoarse, seething with anger. Phoebey in bed in a drowsy haze when suddenly, she furrowed her brow and withdrew her hand. from Howard¡¯s tight grip. Her weak, parched lips murmured softly, ¡°Romello, it¡¯s m¨Cmine¡­¡± Her words were barely audible. Howard leaned in closer, gently pressing his lips to hers, asking tenderly, ¡°Phoebe, what did your say? What about Romello?¡± Sheena also leaned in, curious. ¡°Phoebe, what did Romello do to you before?¡± She struggled uneasily, mumbling, ¡°Engagement¡­ with Wayne¡­ must listen¡­ Romello¡¯s words¡­¡± Those few words revealed a wealth of information. Perhaps it could prove that Romello had indeed used hypnotic techniques on her. Sheena and Howard exchanged a nce, both thinking along the same lines. Sheena Immediately left the room to call Elliot, asking him to bring in a professional neuropsychologist from the National Investigation Bureau. After making the call, she gripped her phone tightly, feeling a hint of relief inside. It was good news. Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction, and now they could only hope for the best. Marius sat in a small office in the National Investigation Bureau. Today, he was not tasked with apanying Jacob on missions. Elliot had given him the day off to rest in the office. Suddenly, thoughts of Romello¡¯s frantic instructions to destroy everything on the top floor flooded Marius¡¯s mind¡­ He opened the bottom drawer, retrieving a small ss vial he had discreetly taken earlier. It was kept well, with a tiny amount of clear liquid left inside. That day at the Nicholls residence, it seemed like many such vials of chemicals were destroyed in the backyard. Did Romello truly harbor some unspeakable secrets? Thinking back to Romello¡¯s recent exploitation and oppression, Marius wondered if he would once again endure the torment of running himself ragged once Romello was safely out of interrogation. Marius stared at the vial in his hand, torn by his conscience. Suddenly, there was a knock on his door, startling him. It almost caused him to drop the vial. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. After calming his nerves, he hid the vial back in its ce and asked in aposed tone, ¡°Who is it? The person outside knocked a few more times. ¡°I¡¯m Lionel Jenkins, Captain of the Fourth Division at the National Investigation Bureau.¡± Chapter 987 Chapter 987 Inside the National Investigation Bureau office, Elliot was reviewing recent testimonies from various Individuals. Jacob knocked and entered, standing respectfully in front of Elliot¡¯s desk. ¡°Mr. Jenkins,¡± Jacob began. Elliot did not bother to look up, focusing on the testimonies in his hands. He asked in a low tone, ¡°What is it?¡± Jacob stood with his hands behind his back. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯ve interrogated Mr. Romello for two days now. He¡¯s the deputy chief, after all. After the recent tragedy at his home¡­¡± ¡°Cut the chatter,¡± Elliot interrupted impatiently, ncing up at Jacob. ¡°If you can¡¯t reach the point within five sentences, be prepared to endure an afternoon of hellish training in my office.¡± Jacob shivered. He knew about thest time when Elliot tortured Romello for an entire afternoon in his afternoon. After all, he had to escort Romello back to the Nicholls residence afterward. He could not bear that kind of torment. He raised a finger, w counting his sentences, about to speak, when Elliot coldly reminded. him, ¡°You¡¯ve already spoken four sentences. You only have one more chance with yourst sentence.¡± Jacob was in disbelief. Four sentences? Did a pause count as a sentence? Knowing Elliot¡¯s no¨Cnonsense demeanor, he did not are to argu Getting straight to the point, Jacob said, ¡°ording to protocol, Mr. Romello is a public servant, and with the recent bereavement in his family, you have to release him to handle his family matters if you can¡¯t prove his involvement in this case within three days,¡± He finished his statement in one breath, not daring to pause until he was done. Once he was done, he breathed a sigh of relief afterward. Elliot calmly looked up, staring at Jacob with a smirk. ¡°It¡¯s only been two days, and we haven¡¯t even resorted to any forms of coercion yet. You¡¯re getting Impatient too quickly. Jacob tried to rebut, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, but Mr. Romello- ¡°Get out, Elliot cut him off. ¡°Tell Romello that if there¡¯s no progress on the case by the end of the day, I¡¯ll let him go handle his mother¡¯s affairs before tonight.¡± ¡°Alright, thank you for understanding, Mr. Jenkins,¡± Jacob said respectfully, bowing slightly before leaving Elliot¡¯s office. As soon as Jacob departed, Lionel entered. Elliot continued to examine the documents in his hand, catching sight of Lionel from the corner of his eyes but did not look up. Lionel approached Elliot and handed something over, cing it before him. Elliot finally set aside the papers he was holding and took a look. It was apletely transparent ss vial, He inspected it closely, then lifted his gaze to meet Lionel¡¯s. Lionel wore a sheepish smile, hoping for praise. ¡°Elliot, I managed to get the information out of Marius.¡± Elliot stared at him. ¡°That¡¯s quick. How did you manage that?¡± Lionel smirked mysteriously. ¡°I tried the emotional and logical approach with him. I did my homework on everything he¡¯s been up to recently and found that despite being brothers with Romello, they have some underlying tensions. A little provocation was all it took.¡± Elliot was typically reserved during work, but he actually smiled at Lionel, obviously delighted. ¡°Well done. Tell me all the details.¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Lionel responded, happy from the praise. Clearing his throat, he began his ount with seriousness. ¡°Marius mentioned that it happened on the day after the banquet. When he returned home, he unexpectedly found Mr. Abbott burying things in the backyard with all the bodyguards and servants present. He grew suspicious and¡­¡± Elliot listened attentively, twirling his wristwatch. When Lionel finished his narrative, Elliot scoffed. ¡°Since someone is already getting impatient in the interrogation room, let¡¯s wrap up these. unpleasant matters today. If he¡¯s hoping for an acquittal, he might have to wait for his/hext life, Adjusting his military cor, Elliot stood up with a stern gaze and headed toward the door. Was Frank¡¯s first time being handcuffed and escorted Into the Interrogation room. Fillot had Insisted on personally questioning him. However, once Frank was brought into the room, he spent the entire morning there alone. The interrogation room was dimly lit with only a faint warm light from above. The walls were dark and foreboding, creating a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. Frank was already drenched in sweat, feeling mentally drained and tortured, unsure of when this ordeal would end. Suddenly, therge iron door of the interrogation room swung open. Elliot strolled in casually, sitting at the head of the table several meters away from Frank. Anxiously, Frank asked, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, why have you arrested me? I don¡¯t know anything.¡± Elliot looked at him with amusement. ¡°Everyone whoes in here ims they don¡¯t know anything. Eventually, they can¡¯t withstand the pressure and choose to confess. Mr. Abbott, are you going to confess directly, or do we have to follow the usual procedure?¡± Frank trembled all over, unable to control the shaking of his legs, He fought to steady his mind. Romello had warned him that Elliot was cunning and would use all sorts of psychological tactics once he suspected something.. None of his words could be trusted. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I promise to answer your questions honestly. I won¡¯t hide anything.¡± ¡°Good. Remember what you just said. If you change your ter, thew won¡¯t go easy on you. Despite his seemingly casual demeanor, the threat was obvious. Frank gulped anxiously, nodding in agreement. Lionel sat beside Elliot, typing away on hisptop, meticulously recording Frank¡¯s statements. Elliot cut straight to the chase. ¡°The broken ss in the backyard has been identified as new, without any dust. The day after the Banquet, were the servants at the Nicholls family estate assigned to do something?¡± Frank froze, sweat dripping down his face. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, why are you asking this?¡± Ellot casually toyed with his wristwatch, deflecting the question. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one who knows about the matter. Someone in the next room has already spilled the beans. Are you going to keep hiding the truth?¡± Frank¡¯s fists clenched beneath the handcuffs, shouting, ¡°Who? Which traitor dares to nder Mr. Romello!¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow coldly. ¡°When did I say this had anything to do with Romello?¡± Frank fell silent, unsure how to respond. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Elliot smirked and continued, ¡°That¡¯s right. As the head of the Nicholls family, he¡¯s the one calling the shots. Any cleanup or disposal would naturally be under his orders.¡± Frank lowered his head. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re mistaken. Mr. Romello is easygoing and busy with his own affairs. He wouldn¡¯t bother with the servants or mansion cleanup.¡± Elliot did not argue further. ¡°Exactly. So, all these tasks were delegated to you, dragging you into this mess.¡± Frank was confused. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I know you¡¯ve helped Romello with many things. If you don¡¯te clean, you¡¯ll share his me. There are plenty of charges against him. Are you sure you don¡¯t want to cooperate and seek leniency?¡± ¡°I¨CI truly don¡¯t know anything. Mr. Jenkins, please investigate it. I¡¯m really not involved with this matter.¡± Elliot was in no mood to waste more time and produced an intact ss vial with a tiny amount of transparent liquid left at the bottom. Frank¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he recognized it. Elliot then revealed another vial, filled to the brim with transparent liquid¨Cthe same one Nathaniel had stolen. ¡°The forensic expert has confirmed that the liquid Nathaniel stole from the top floor matches the one the Nicholls family was preparing to dispose of in the backyard.¡± Frank¡¯s heart sank, sweat pouring down his face. Chapter 988 Chapter 988 Lionel chimed in, ¡°Mr. Abbott, Mr. Jenkins is personally questioning you to give you a chance. Wel already know the truth. If you refuse to speak, you¡¯ll be considered an aplice, and you¡¯ll spend the rest of your life in prison.¡± To be sentenced to life imprisonment just for following orders? Frank panicked. ¡°I¡¯ll talk! I¡¯ll tell you everything! I signed an employment contract with the Nicholls. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. family. As the butler, I had to obey my employer¡¯s orders. It¡¯s not my fault!¡± Chapter 989 Chapter 989 Elliot¡¯s obsidian eyes remained calm, exuding a confidentposure. He nced at Lionel, who diligently recorded every word, signaling him to ensure nothing was missed. Lionel nodded tacitly. Frank began to confess, ¡°Mr. Romello did indeed imprison Madam Nicholls and Ms. Phoebe. He purchased a batch of drugs on the dark web, the same ones you have in your hands, but I don¡¯t know the specific names or how they were administered. I only know that Mr. Romello initially imprisoned Madam Nicholls to gain control of the Nicholls family. He gained power with strong support from the Reynolds Group.¡± He paused for a moment, then continued, ¡°Mr. Romello mentioned that Madam Nicholls had mental issues due to Old Man Nicholl¡¯s insistence on including Mr. Nathaniel in the family lineage. He believed that giving her some medication would keep it discreet¡­¡± Lionel listened with simmering anger, letting out a disdainful chuckle. ¡°He managed to hide it well. For years after gaining power, no one suspected a thing. If he hadn¡¯t be more brazen, daring to repeat his actions with Phoebe, the secret of the top floor of the Nicholls residence might have remained undiscovered.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression darkened, and he lightly tapped the table as he ordered coldly, ¡°Go on. What about Madam Nicholls¡¯s death?¡± Frank sighed regretfully. ¡°I truly don¡¯t know about that. The day after the banquet, Mr. Romello only ordered me to have people dispose of all the suspicious items from the top floor. Madam Nicholls genuinely passed away unexpectedlyte at night.¡± Elliot pondered for a moment, adjusting his military sleeve cuffs. He looked at Lionel and said, ¡°Keep listening. Make sure all details regarding time and location are precise and detailed, and the transcripts must beplete. Later, organize all testimonies and bring them to my desk.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Lionel replied, then left the interrogation room to summon Logan. ¡°Search the Nicholls residence again, especially focusing on Romello¡¯s bedroom and study. Don¡¯t overlook anything suspicious,¡± Elliot instructed Logan. As soon as Logan left, Elliot¡¯s phone rang. The caller ID disyed ¡°Honey Baby¡°. Without hesitation, he answered the call. Nana, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Sheena¡¯s voice over the phone carried excitement. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Honey, Phoebe¡¯s psychological evaluation results are out. There are clear signs of hypnosis. I¡¯ve organized the findings from the evaluator, and I¡¯m now outside the National Investigation Bureau.¡± Elliot was mildly surprised and asked, ¡°You¡¯re personally delivering the evidence files?¡± ¡°Mmhmm. But isn¡¯t the National Investigation Bureau a restricted area?¡± Elliot hurried¨Cdownstairs toward the entrance, saying, ¡°Just stay where you are. I¡¯ll be right out to meet you.¡± As he rushed, he sniffed at his sleeve, checking for any lingering odor of cigarette smoke. Reaching the entrance, he spotted the familiar slender figure pacing back and forth. Without hesitation, he swiftly approached and scooped her up. ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired fromst night? Why aren¡¯t you getting some more rest? You evene all the way here to deliver evidence.¡± Sheena replied, ¡°Howard is in theb with Phoebe while she is getting treatment. I had nothing. much to do, so I thought I¡¯d bring the evidence for him. Take a look.¡± Elliot nced casually and smiled. ¡°Very good. With the physical and testimonial evidence here, Romello¡¯s charges of uwful detention and hypnosis are now solid.¡± Sheena cupped his face in her hands and nted a sweet kiss on his lips, not sparing any praise. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, honey.¡± Elliot frowned slightly, not entirely satisfied. ¡°Just amazing?¡± Sheena teased back, raising her eyebrows. ¡°What else? If I praise you any further, your ego might reach the stars.¡± Elliot chuckled and leaned in close to her ear. ¡°Seems like you aren¡¯t entirely satisfied with me I¡¯ll make sure to serve you well tonight and show you how great your husband can be, making sure you give me a five¨Cstar rating.¡± She giggled, her eyes shining brightly. Chapter ¡°It¡¯s almost noon. Since it¡¯s your first visit to the National Investigation Bureau, I¡¯ll give you a tour of my office and let you taste the food prepared by the chef here,¡± Elliot suggested. Sheena nodded, allowing him to carry her. Chapter 990 Chapter 990 The two entered intimately, and Elliot brought Sheena all the way to a secluded back entrance of the bureau, seizing the opportunity during the lunch break to spend some quality time together. Later in the afternoon, Logan returned from investigating the Nicholls residence with new findings. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. This time, he brought back something wrapped in a candy wrapper, cing it on Elliot¡¯s desk in Romello¡¯s office. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, we didn¡¯t find anything suspicious rted to Madam Nicholls¡¯s death at the Nicholls residence, but I discovered something else significant.¡± Elliot paused his examination of the evidence documents Lionel hadpiled and took the small wrapped item Logan handed him. Upon opening it, he found what appeared to be a crystalline substance resembling rock candy: In a sh, Elliot¡¯s eyes zed with fury. ¡°No wonder he¡¯s been so erratic. He¡¯s been using this vile substance!¡± Logan¡¯s expression mirrored Elliot¡¯s seriousness, and the office seemed to be overwhelmed by a chilling atmosphere. Half an hourter, Elliot made his way alone to the secret interrogation room on the outskirts. His demeanor was icy, and his anger was palpable as he bypassed the room where Nathaniel was held captive and proceeded further inside. The heavy iron door creaked as it swung open. Romello, bound to a wooden frame with his hands restrained, slowly lifted his gaze to meet Elliot¡¯s approach, a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re here to deliver justice, Mr. Jenkins. You must¡¯ve uncovered the truth already.¡± Bound to the frame minutes before Elliot¡¯s arrival, it was evident that Elliot was not just going to let him handle his family¡¯s mourning but was also here to personally administer some punishment. Without a word, Elliot advanced, bringing an ominous aura of menace. With a swift motion, he delivered a powerful blow to Romello¡¯s left cheek, the force causing it to swell almost instantly. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯ve been using drugs! Tell me, when did it start?¡± At this point, Romello could not care less. He let out a dismissive chuckle, earnestly recollecting, ¡°I think¡­ It started around when I was promoted to deputy chief, right? Back then, you were strict with me. No matter how difficult the drug enforcement tasks were, I never received a word of praise from you. But if I didn¡¯t perform well, I faced punishment. Sometimes, the pressure got to me, and I thought it was unfair. In the end, I couldn¡¯t resist trying it. ¡®This substance is truly terrifying. I was instantly addicted with just a small taste.¡± Elliot grew increasingly incensed as he listened, tossing copies of the evidence documents Lionel had meticulouslypiled onto Romello¡¯s face. ¡°Look at the havoc you¡¯ve wreaked. As deputy chief, do you have no guilt?¡± Romello nced at the scattered papers on the floor with indifference, smiling. ¡°I¡¯ve done what I¡¯ve done. What good would guilt do me? I regret it, but what difference does it make? You¡¯re not going to let me off.¡± Of course, Elliot was not going to let him off. The mere fact that Romello deliberately broke thew was a charge severe enough to warrant a heavy sentence for him. He seized Romello¡¯s cor tightly, his voice cold and grave. ¡°Did you intentionally kill Vanda to frame Nathaniel?¡± This usation was the most serious, one that would determine whether Romello would face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Chapter 991 Chapter 991 Romello¡¯s expression froze. The swelling on his left cheek spoiled his otherwise handsome features. He bore a resemnce to Nathaniel, with the main difference being their eye color. Nathaniel¡¯s eyes were a striking blue, like precious gemstones, exuding a princely allure, both refined and enigmatic. Romello¡¯s eyes, on the other hand, were dark brown, sharper, handsome, and honest. Ironically, his appearance often gave off an impression of righteousness, as if he would never do any wrong. Romello burst into maniacalughter, avoiding the question. ¡°Well, losing is losing. Spending a lifetime in a high¨Csecurity prison is enough to drive anyone insane. Elliot, I just want a quick end.¡± ¡°Are you so eager to die?¡± Elliot released his grip on Romello¡¯s cor, grabbing a tissue to clean his hands. ¡°You don¡¯t get to choose. Matricide is a serious crime. Even if you don¡¯t confess, I¡¯ll find out the truth eventually. If it is really you who did it, I¡¯ll make your life worse than death before your execution. Romello¡¯s smile gradually faded. ¡°You¡¯re still as ruthless as ever. Despite serving under you as deputy chief for so many years, I¡¯ve faced discipline without recognition for my efforts. You trulyckpassion.¡± ¡°Stubborn as ever, I see,¡± Elliot retorted coldly. ¡°How many times over the years have you tried to undermine me, to take my position? If you had the ability, perhaps I would have relented. But you didn¡¯t. Each time, I merely disciplined you out of respect for the past. Your greed brought this upon yourself.¡± He gestured, and immediately, soldiers entered with a bucket of water. Five paddles soaked and ready, glinting with moisture, prepared well in advance for Romello. ¡°Your debts will be settled one by one, starting with the incident involving your punishment toward Nathaniel for the key to the top floor, where you broke two paddles. He demanded five in return. Let¡¯s start with that.¡± Two more soldiers entered, swiftly untying Romello and binding his hands behind his back, connecting the ropes to a hook on the ceiling, suspending him with his toes barely touching the ground. Another soldier raised a paddle high, ready to strike with full force. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. The sharp sound of the paddle striking echoed through the interrogation room, crisp and chilling. Romello furrowed his brow slightly but remained silent, enduring the blows without a word. Elliot observed quietly, devoid of any emotion. Inside the interrogation room, the paddle¡¯s whistle persisted as Romelloughed maniacally. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Nathaniel isn¡¯t as simple as he seems. He caused you so much suffering before. This time, he helped you, but next time, who knows?¡± Elliot listened silently, his expression unchanged as he turned to leave. ¡°My downfall leaves the position of the Nicholls family¡¯s leader vacant. Don¡¯t help him! Power is like poison. It¡¯s addictive. Once you touch it, you can¡¯t let go. Nathaniel might be the next me, and I¡¯ll be waiting to see. I¡¯m not a good person, and neither is Nathaniel. If you help him secure control of the Nicholls family, you¡¯ll eventually regret it!¡± Even after Elliot exited the interrogation room, Romello¡¯sughter could still be heard. Romello seemed determined to drag Nathaniel down with him. As the heavy iron door was closed, the surroundings finally quietened. Elliot walked through the corridor of the interrogation room without looking back. As he passed Nathaniel¡¯s cell, he paused, casting a lingering nce at the door before choosing. to leave without entering. Chapter 992 Chapter 992 Investigating Vanda¡¯s death proved challenging. Despite digging up the area where the ss vials were buried in the backyard of the Nicholls residence, no simr poison was found. Moreover, Romello remained tight¨Clipped about the matter. He struggled and attempted to salvage the situation but to no avail. In the end, he hadpletely given up resistance, seeking death as his only sce. Elliot solidified the case against him for matricide due to his imprisonment and hypnotism of Vanda. As Individuals under hypnosis could not act independently and were subject to the hypnotist¡¯s commands, Romello could not escape culpability whether Vanda administered the poison voluntarily or Romello deliberately murdered her. Once all the evidence waspiled and organized by Lionel, it was handed over asmanded. The sentencing was expected to take at least a week. During this period, Romello was stripped of his position as deputy chief of the National Investigation Bureau. He was also ousted from his position as CEO of the Nicholls Group by a vote from the board of directors. The position of the Nicholls family¡¯s leader remained vacant, leading to a power struggle among the Nicholls family heirs who rushed back from nearby cities and abroad. With Howard stirring the pot, Romello¡¯s case made headlines, garnering widespread attention and making him the target of public outrage. The iron door creaked open. Dressed lightly, Nathaniel stepped out leisurely. The sunlight shining through the trees cast sporadic warmth upon him. He reached out, catching the glimmering light, his deep blue eyes resembling vast oceans and starry skies. With his hands folded in front of him, Lionel watched Nathaniel smile, looking as if it had been long since he was free. He could not help but tease, ¡°Nathaniel, Elliot investigated the case pretty quickly, and you¡¯ve only been in the interrogation room for a few days. Why are you acting as if you haven¡¯t seen the sun for years? You¡¯re so dramatic.¡± Nathaniel responded, ¡°Yes, it was only a brief stint, but the days felt like years as I was worried. I feel much more relieved now that Romello¡¯s matter is nearing its end.¡± ¡°You¡¯re surprisingly candid,¡± Lionel remarked as he approached, offering Nathaniel a pack of cigarettes. ¡°Care for one? These are rare treats, not something I hand out lightly.¡± Aside from his fawning behavior toward Elliot, Lionel often carried himself with an air of pride and arrogance. Nathaniel epted the cigarette with a chuckle. ¡°Thanks. I never thought I¡¯d live to see the day when the Captain of the Fourth Division at the National Investigation Bureau personally offer me a smoke. It¡¯s quite an honor for me.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m just that generous. Anyway, the past is in the past, but let me make it clear: Sheena and Elliot are rock solid. Don¡¯t try anything funny, or I¡¯ll personally escort you back into the interrogation room. With a suave demeanor, Lionel continued smoking, his tone magnanimous. Nathaniel lowered his gaze, his longshes veiling his deep blue eyes. He said casually, ¡°Of course, that¡¯s only natural. Since I¡¯m going to be the godfather, I¡¯ll prepare some gifts and visit Asher and Adora in a couple of days.¡± ¡°Good to hear you¡¯vee around,¡± Lionel remarked, finishing his cigarette quickly. He stomped it out with his military boots, extinguishing the embers. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We need to sign some paperwork at the National Investigation Bureau, and then you can head back to the Nicholls residence.¡± ¡°No rush,¡± Nathaniel declined. ¡°Romello will be transferred out of the interrogation room for judicial trial in a couple of days. As my elder brother, I want to have a final private conversation with him before he leaves. Can you amodate that?¡± ¡°Just a chat?¡± Lionel asked. Nathaniel nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s getting what he deserves, and I won¡¯t add insult to injury. I just want to say a few words before I go.¡± ncing at his watch, Lionel agreed. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t have anyone watching, and I¡¯ll wait for you at the door. Try to make it quick, no more than half an hour.¡± Chapter 993 Chapter 993 Alright, I¡¯ll be quick and not make things difficult for you,¡± Nathaniel assured Lionel. Then, he turned and entered the secret interrogation room once again. Guided by two soldiers, Nathaniel made his way through the corridor and arrived at Romello¡¯s cell. The iron door creaked open, revealing a horrible sight. Romello, bloodied and pale, hanging by his hands from the iron hooks on the ceiling. It was amon tactic used by the National Investigation Bureau to break people. Romello had always been glorious and proud, and Nathaniel could not help but feel a sense of satisfaction seeing him in such a pitiful state. After all, Nathaniel never considered Romello a good person. Hearing footsteps approaching, Romello weakly lifted his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°I knew you¡¯de, Nathaniel. Do you think you¡¯ve won?¡± Nathaniel chuckled, not bothering to hide his amusement. ¡°What a rare sight to see you in such a state. But no, I haven¡¯t won yet. You lost first. Romello¡¯s weak gaze suddenly turned sharp, and he coldly stared at Nathaniel. ¡°Go ahead and enjoy your victory. Our extended family has plenty of other sons, and even if Marius is weak, he¡¯ll stand up for himself if they try to hand you the position. After all, you¡¯re just a stain in our family ancestry, nothing more than a bastard child.¡± Nathaniel shrugged off the remark, his deep blue eyes taking note of Romello¡¯s misery. ¡°When I was seven years old, you and I both liked to eat the same dish, but Vanda thought I was stealing yours, so she deliberately spilled the soup on my arm. When I was eight, I took your pen, and she hit me fifty times when Dad was away. My palm was swollen, and I couldn¡¯t even hold a pen for three days. When I was twelve, I asked you to lend me a pony to y with Nana. Vanda falsely used me of stealing your pony, but you didn¡¯t stand up to rify for me. In the end, I was dragged to the altar I get out of bed for a w¡± and whipped a hundred times. It hurt so much that I couldn¡¯t even Romello listened quietly, staring at Nathaniel in confusion, With a smirk, Nathaniel continued, ¡°After Dad died, you, Jason, and I fought for power. You seized Jason¡¯s financial statement and sent him to prison. ¡°You even deliberately asked people to torture him, causing him mental distress and driving him to suicide. Then, you took advantage of your position to transfer me away, and when I came back, you took advantage of a small mistake and dragged me to the alter room, punishing me to show you were the one in charge. And not long ago, you punished me again for the top floor¡¯s key Incident. You even broke two paddles. Romello, I¡¯m sure you remember all of that.¡± While he causally recalled all that, he pointed at the wounds on Romello¡¯s chest that were caused by the paddles. Then, he poked at them. Romello winced in pain. 200 He calmed himself down before mocking, ¡°Nathaniel, you really do hold grudges, don¡¯t you? You remember every little thing so clearly.¡± ¡°Because these aren¡¯t little things to me. Vanda bullied me when I was young, and you joined in oppressing me all these years. Now that she¡¯s gone, it¡¯s finally my turn to retaliate, bit by bit, onto her most beloved son.¡± Romello narrowed his eyes, sensing a hint of malice in Nathaniel¡¯s words. ¡°What are you nning?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s deep blue eyes gleamed sinisterly. ¡°I heard you¡¯re desperate to die, unwilling to argue about anything?¡± Romello remained silent, staring at him. Nathaniel¡¯s smile grew more wicked as he leaned in close to Romello¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°I want to make it hard for you to die. Just like what happened to Jason back then, I¡¯m going to torture you until you go insane. That would be quite satisfying.¡± ¡°Nathaniel!¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Nathaniel ignored Romello¡¯s rage andughed wildly, his beautiful eyes filled with madness. As Lionel finished his second cigarette, Nathaniel emerged from the interrogation room, his gaze lowered, seemingly in a somber mood. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? He¡¯s already been hung up like that. You can¡¯t keep letting yourself be bullied like. this, can you?¡± Lionel asked. Nathaniel sighed. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I just felt a bit emotional. I didn¡¯t expect Romello to be such a person, cruelly harming his own mom just to frame me.¡± Lionel extinguished the cigarette and nodded in agreement, saying, ¡°There are too many heartless people in this world. Until you peel away thatyer of hypocrisy, you never know if they¡¯re truly re truly human or a beast.¡± ¡°Mmhmm,¡± Nathaniel muttered in response. He walked ahead, leaving the secret interrogation room. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the National Investigation Bureau to handle paperwork. I can finally get a good night¡¯s sleep back at the Nicholls residence tonight.¡± Chapter 994 Chapter 994 Lionel leisurely caught up, ¡°Indeed, getting a good night¡¯s sleep is a luxury. If I keeping homete like this, that little rascal of mine at home will cause quite a fuss.¡± Nathaniel chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re dating someone?¡± ¡°Not quite. I¡¯m taking care of a kid. Since she¡¯s much younger than me, I¡¯ll wait until she¡¯s a bit more mature.¡± It sounded like he intended to pursue something serious with her. Nathaniel remarked, ¡°That¡¯s great. After being single for so many years and seeing Elliot¡¯s public disy of affection, you finally have ns to date someone.¡± Lionel looked at him with a strange expression and teased, ¡°I¡¯ve already got one at home. You¡¯re the old bachelor now. When are you going to find someone?¡± He remained silent, his face stern as he got into the car. Lionel followed him into the car, saying, ¡°Seriously, you need to find a wife soon. If you keep being single and wandering around in front of Sheena, even if Elliot isn¡¯t worried, I am! Now that you¡¯re. back, you should stoping up with strange ideas and troubles. Isn¡¯t it good to just be friends?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s ears were ringing from Lionel¡¯s endless chatter. ¡°I¡¯ve set my sights on that little rascal of yours. I¡¯ll get out of the single life when you give her to me.¡± ¡°Nathaniel!¡± Lionel shouted, almost flying into a rage. ¡°Thinking of stealing from me? It¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve experienced a beating. Are you longing for it?¡± Nathaniel stifled augh, and the atmosphere in the car remained harmonious. Recently, Phoebe has been undergoing treatment in theb.. Ever since discovering the drug she was injected with, Yosef¡¯s medications were able to address. her symptoms effectively. Under the continuous treatment, Phoebe¡¯s mental state improved noticeably. asionally, she would even thank Howard, who had been tirelessly caring for her. At noon, Sheena came to visit. Howard was lying on the nearby bed, intending to take a quick nap, while Phoebe was also dozing off 15 Sheena entered quietly, sitting by Phoebe¡¯s bedside, silently watching her. Shemented at why a kind and Innocent girl like Phoebe had to endure this torture, especially from her own brother. Romello was simply inhumane. It infuriated Sheena more and more as she thought about it. She got up, nning to leave quietly. Suddenly, a pair of slender hands grabbed her hand from behind. Sheena turned around in surprise to see Phoebe awake, staring at her with teary eyes, seemingly Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. moved. ¡°Phoebe?¡± Phoebe suppressed a sob and said earnestly, ¡°Sheena, please don¡¯t spend any more money treating me. If the treatment doesn¡¯t work, it¡¯s fine. After all, you¡¯re not from the orphanage anymore. Your in¨C laws will not be pleased if they find out you¡¯ve been spending so much money on my illness, and they might make things difficult for you. Sheena waspletely baffled by Phoebe¡¯s words. Howard, who had been dozing lightly, also woke up. He had heard Phoebe¡¯s words and also exchanged a puzzled nce with Sheena. Chapter 995 Chapter 995 However, Sheena found herself lost in memories. Orphanage, inws¡­ Why did it all feel so familiar? With a sense of suspicion, she returned to sit beside Phoebe and held her hand, which was not attached to an IV. ¡°Phoebe, do you remember yourst name?¡± A gentle smile graced Phoebe¡¯s pale lips as she looked at Sheena. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? How could I forget myst name? The orphanage¡¯s director picked me up on Canterbury Street in Farlem. She named me Phoebe and gave me herst name, Chambein.¡± Sheena was stunned and nced at Howard. Howard, too, looked utterly bewildered. He sat up abruptly from the bed and grabbed Phoebe¡¯s wrist, unable to believe what he was hearing. ¡°Phoebe, what¡¯s wrong? You¡¯re not a Chambein anymore Yourst name is Nicholls. As recorded in the family ancestry, you¡¯re the fifth child of the Nicholls family, Janice Nicholls. Don¡¯t you remember?¡± Phoebe withdrew her arm from his grasp, looking at him as if he were a stranger. Then, she shifted slightly toward Sheena, seeming to find sce in her presence. Lowering her head apologetically, she said, ¡®Mr. Freeman, I appreciate you looking after me at Sheena¡¯s request, but you¡¯re Sheena¡¯s husband after all I don¡¯t want to give Sheena the wrong idea. Please keep your distance, and please don¡¯t say these strange things again. I really don¡¯t understand.¡± Sheena and Howard exchanged puzzled looks. How did Howard be her husband? And Mr. Freeman¡­ Was her memory ying tricks on her? Sheena felt a whirlwind of emotions inside. She turned to Howard, instructing him, ¡°Howard, look after Phoebe. I¡¯ll get Professor Yosef to check on her.¡± As she got up to leave, Phoebe grabbed her wrist. ¡°Sheena, please don¡¯t go. It¡¯s Inappropriate for me to be alone with your husband in the ward.¡± Howard¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, his heart feeling as though it had been pierced, sending waves of pain all over his body. ¡°Phoebe, so all this time, you knew I was here, but you thought I was Nana¡¯s husband. You deliberately kept your distance from me, deliberately ignored me.¡± Phoebe looked at him inexplicably, unmoved by his sadness, and only a sense of unfamiliarity remained. She continued to clutch Sheena¡¯s hand, refusing to let her go. Sheena sighed, feeling helpless. ¡°Well, Howard, why don¡¯t you go get Professor Yosef? I¡¯ll stay with Phoebe.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Howard replied in a deep, somber tone, his eyes red with tears as he turned and left the room. As soon as Howard left, Phoebe leaned close to Sheena, expressing concern. ¡°Sheena, Mr. Freeman has been giving me strange looks whenever he checks on me. But don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t have any feelings for him. I¡¯m truly touched by how hard you two have been working for my sake. Thank you, Sheena.¡± Sheena¡¯s lips twitched slightly. However, Yosef had not arrived yet, so she chose to calm Phoebe¡¯s emotions first. Smiling, she said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really.¡± A few minutester, Yosef arrived. He wore a medical mask and, in front of Sheena and Howard, addressed Phoebe. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m your doctor, and there are some things I need to ask you. Just answer truthfully.¡± Phoebe looked anxiously at Sheena, who smiled reassuringly at her. She nodded to Yosef. Yosef took out his medical notes and began to inquire, ¡°Ms. Nicholls, do you¡­¡± Phoebe interrupted him, ¡°Doctor, myst name is Chambein.¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Okay, Ms. Chambein.¡± Yosef smiled, then turned to Sheena and continued, ¡°Who is she?¡± ¡°Sheena, my only friend. She was taken from the orphanage by Old Man Freeman when she was she? fifteen, but we¡¯ve kept in touch over the years, and we have a good rtionship.¡± ¡°How old is she?¡± Yosef asked. Phoebe thought for a moment and replied, ¡°Twenty years old.¡± Chapter 996 Chapter 996 Sheena and Howard both frowned. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Sheena turned twenty¨Cfour this year after giving birth to their baby. Aftor Yosef noted Phoebe¡¯s response, he continued asking, ¡°So, Ms. Chambein, how old are you this year?¡± ¡°I¡¯m twenty¨Cone.¡± Then, Yosef pointed at Howard and asked, ¡°And what¡¯s his name?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never met him, so I don¡¯t know his name. But he¡¯s been taking care of me these past few days. He¡¯s Sheena¡¯s newlywed husband.¡± Nearly half an hour passed, and with each question, the light in Howard¡¯s eyes dimmed little by little. The medication Romello injected was too potent, causing permanent damage to Phoebe¡¯s nerves. Her memory remained stuck several years ago when she fell seriously ill. The orphanage staff, finding her burdensome due to her age and illness, refused to support her any longer. It was Sheena who provided shelter for her and even raised money for her treatment During that period, Howard had yet to exist in Phoebe¡¯s life. Hence, he was aplete stranger to her. After questioning, Yosef called Howard and Sheena aside to talk in the corridor. ¡°Her situation is unique, and there¡¯s currently no way to restore her memory from the past few years. I suggest talking to her about those years often and helping her sort out the rtionships. between people around her.¡± ¡°Thank you for your help, Sheena expressed her gratitude. Yosef smiled faintly. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Throughout the afternoon, Sheena stayed in Phoebe¡¯s room, patiently exining things. It took considerable effort to make Phoebe understand that she was already twenty¨Cfive years and that she had lost four years of memories due to an ident. old ¡°Phoebe, myst name is Lawson, and I¡¯m the current head of the Lawson family. My husband is Elliot Jenkins, the leader of the Jenkins family, CEO of the Jenkins Group, and the head of the National Investigation Bureau.¡± Sheena pointed to Howard beside her. ¡°He¡¯s Howard Lawson, my brother. You two have been dating for a year, and he¡¯s been taking care of you during this time.¡± When Phoebe heard that he was her boyfriend, she discreetly nced at Howard, finally taking notice of his perfect facial features. To Phoebe, who had regressed four years in her understanding, it felt like she, once an ugly duckling, had suddenly found herself in a nest full of beautiful swans, inexplicably picking up a handsome and wealthy beau. She could not wrap her head around the idea, feeling weird all over. ¡°What about me?¡± Phoebe asked. ¡°A while ago, the Nicholls family found you and revealed your identity as their heiress. You¡¯re now Phoebe Nicholls, also known as Janice Nicholls, the fifth child of the Nicholls family. You¡¯re an actress. You debuted through a talent show hosted by mypany and became an idol. You even won Best Actress at the end ofst year, making you a top¨Ctier star in the entertainment industry.¡± Phoebe was stunned. In the past, she would not have dared to dream of bing a top¨Ctier star. ¡°Oh my God, I¡¯ve be so sessful in just a few years? Sheena, are you sure you¡¯re not lying to me?¡± Sheena gently caressed her cheek and took out her phone, showing Phoebe the news and information about her previous achievements. Seeing is believing, and this was the most straightforward exnation. The information overload exhausted Phoebe¡¯s mind, and she fell asleep early in the afternoon. Howard remained by her bedside, never leaving her. Yosef visited again and informed them that Phoebe¡¯s health indicators had returned to normal. After a few more days of observation, she could leave theb and return home to resume her normal life and work. In the evening, Sheena left theb and headed toward the open¨Cair parking lot. As she approached, she saw a familiar tall figure walking toward her. She looked up, expecting to see Elliot. However, it was actually¡­.Nathaniel? Chapter 997 Chapter 997 Nathaniel smiled at Sheena from afar. His eyes only sparkled with a glint of affection when they saw her, and they were reminiscent of the deep and exquisite sea. It seemed he had gone for a haircut and shaved his stubble since leaving the interrogation room. Apart from a rougherplexion and a hint of weariness, his face remained as handsome as ever. Sheena stood still, quietly watching Nathaniel¡¯s approach. She asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I initially nned to see Phoebe, but finding you here was a pleasant surprise. After signing some paperwork at the National Investigation Bureau, I stopped by the mall to pick up some gifts. Can I join you for dinner at E&S Haven tonight?¡± Sheena pondered for a moment before agreeing, ¡°Of course, Asher and Adora would be delighted to see their godfather.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s smile widened. He never hesitated to express his genuine emotions in front of Sheena. Sheena then mentioned, ¡°Gabrielle told me you got injured by Romello while trying to help me steal the drug from the top floor. How are you feeling now?¡± Nathaniel shrugged it off. ¡°The wounds are mostly healed. It was just a few smacks with paddles, nothing serious.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear,¡± Sheena responded. Chatting with Nathaniel alone made her feel uneasy, and she preferred having Elliot around as it made her feel more at ease.. A minute passed in silence, creating a strangely quiet atmosphere. Nathaniel¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Sheena¡¯s face, his thoughts unreadable. Just then, Sheena spotted a familiar luxury car pulling into view. Elliot stepped out of the car and walked toward them in military attire. ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve been waiting for you,¡± Sheena greeted with a nervousugh, sensing Elliot¡¯s tense mood. tense She spoke softly to soothe him, ¡°Nathaniel will be visiting the babies and having dinner with us tonight. Why don¡¯t we invite Lionel and Jacintha over too? They can witness Asher and Adore meeting their godfather for the first time.¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Elliot replied, softening his stern expression. Naturally, he took her hand, asserting his dominance as he nted a kiss on her forehead right in front of Nathaniel. Nathaniel watched as the couple held hands tightly, his lips pursed in silence. After disying their affection, Elliot raised an eyebrow at Nathaniel. ¡°Want a ride with us? We¡¯re heading to E&S Haven together. What do you say?¡± Although Elliot¡¯s words seemed inviting, there was no genuine enthusiasm on his face. It was merely a polite gesture. Nathaniel, seemingly oblivious to theck of sincerity, smiled and nodded. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I appreciate your hospitality. Let¡¯s go together then.¡± Elliot¡¯s obsidian eyes instantly turned cold, casting a faintly scrutinizing gaze at Nathaniel. Sheena could feel the tension in the air growing palpable. Then, she guided Elliot to the luxury car and suggested, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, and I¡¯m hungry. Let¡¯s head back soon.¡± Elliot withdrew his gaze and opened the passenger door for Sheena. With his left arm, he carefully held the top of the car frame, preventing her from hitting her head. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Once she was seated, he leaned in to fasten her seatbelt.. Observing Elliot¡¯s tenderness, Nathaniel silently ced the gifts he bought for Asher and Adora in the trunk before sitting in the back. The trio then drove back to E&S Haven in this somewhat peculiar atmosphere. Upon arriving home, Elliot headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Sheena and Nathaniel, carrying bags of gifts, went to the fourth¨Cfloor nursery together. Due to their concerns about leaving them alone in a room, Elliot called Lionel and Jacintha, asking them toe over as makeshift chaperones. In the nursery, Nathaniel took out the new toys and yed with Adora. Adora giggled as if she knew she was about to have a godfather, her innocence shining through. Sheena leaned over to nas Na Chapter 998 becker 998 ebne chuckled, teasingly saying, ¡°Looks like you¡¯re fond of daughters. Since you got here, haven¡¯t seen you even nced at Asher.¡± Speaking softly in the presence of the babies, Nathaniel replied, ¡°Personally, I do lean toward having a daughter. However, as long as they¡¯re your kids, I¡¯ll adore them regardless of gender.¡± He picked up the blue toy meant for Asher, then turned to soothe Asher in the nearby crib, treating both children equally. Seeing his genuine affection for the kids, Sheena did notment and joined him in entertaining the babies. Nathaniel nced at Sheena, his handsome face breaking into a genuine smile. At that moment, he felt the tranquility of the present, wishing it couldst forever. ¡°Nana, I heard about some trouble with the Lawson family before you had the babies. Did you gain another sister?¡± Sheena¡¯s smile faltered briefly before she regained herposure, continuing to y with Asher and Adora. ¡°Yes, my dad¡¯s illegitimate daughter. She caused quite a stir.¡± Nathaniel asked worriedly, ¡°Did she harm you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. She¡¯s no match for me.¡± Looking at Sheena¡¯s stunning and arrogant expression, Nathaniel chuckled softly. ¡°Of course not. No one could outwit Nana.¡± Sheena narrowed her eyes at him, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll take that as apliment. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s apliment,¡± Nathaniel replied softly, ¡°In my eyes, you¡¯re the brightest star.¡± He sighed lightly, steering the conversation, ¡°When Uncle Albert passed away, I saw news about another incident involving the Lawson family. That must have been rted to this illegitimate daughter, right?¡± Sheena nodded, her tone growing serious. ¡°Whether she¡¯s alive or not, the Lawson family will never wee her back, and I won¡¯t give her a chance to cause trouble.¡± Nathaniel¡¯s expression mirrored her seriousness. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. It seemed there was more to this situation than meets the eye. Chapter 999 Chapter 999 Sheena stared at Elliot, feeling confused. ¡°Honey?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression darkened, and his tone dripped with jealousy as he asked, ¡°Care to exin why you were alone with Nathaniel in the nursery?¡± Sheena was even more baffled. ¡°What¡¯s there to exin?¡± He took a deep breath, feeling a lump in his throat, and his eyes were red. ¡°You were alone with him,ughing and chatting. It¡¯s inappropriate. Shee-¡± He almost called out Sheena¡¯s name directly but restrained himself. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. After all, he had learned from past arguments not to address her directly when upset. ¡°Nana, you¡¯re married. How could you be alone with a single man? Did you¡­ Did he do anything inappropriate? Did he touch you?¡± Despite the seriousness of his tone, the use of her nickname softened the usation, sounding as if he were a beloved father scolding his daughter, Sheena was speechless. Despite having children together, Elliot¡¯s jealousy seemed never¨Cending. ¡°What do you mean alone and inappropriate? What about our kids? Aren¡¯t Asher and Adora in the room?¡± ¡°They don¡¯t count. They¡¯re just babies, oblivious to everything. Even if you and Nathaniel were¡­ kissing right in front of them, they wouldn¡¯t object.¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze turned icy, feeling increasingly frustrated and hurt.¡± ¡°Elliot, after everything we¡¯ve been through, you still question my loyalty to you? And using phrases. like ¡®kissing right in front of them? How could you?¡± Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned away from him, refusing to engage further. Elliot noticed her sadness, realizing that the words he had prepared earlier were no longer appropriate in the face of her emotional distress. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you. I just don¡¯t trust Nathaniel. He used to be my rival. How could I trust him alone with you¡­¡± Sheena did not look at him, turning to the side. ¡°Ultimately, you still don¡¯t trust me.¡± Elliot sat beside her, cautiously reaching for her hand. ¡°Honey, I truly trust you. Just tell me what you and Nathaniel talked about in the nursery, and promise to believe every word.¡± Sheena withdrew her hand coldly, scoffing. ¡°The fact that you¡¯re saying this shows you don¡¯t trust me.¡± ¡°Honey¡­¡± Elliot sighed silently, observing her sulking profile. He turned to the bedside table and retrieved a ruler, cing it in her hand, then softly negotiated,¡± How about this? You exin, and I¡¯ll let you decide what to do tonight. I won¡¯t resist, no matter what you choose.¡± Sheena emphasized, ¡°No resistance at all?¡± ¡°None.¡± She raised an eyebrow mischievously. ¡°You acted irrationally and got jealous for the wrong. reasons. What if I want to spank your bottom? Will you resist?¡± He hesitated. Did it have to be such an embarrassing punishment? However, being spanked by his own wife did not seem too bad. He finally bit the bullet and replied, ¡°I won¡¯t resist at all.¡± Sheena¡¯s mischievous intentions grew. ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll tell you. Nathaniel and I were just ying with toys to entertain Asher and Adora. There was no physical contact between us whatsoever. As for conversation, it was casual. He asked about recent events and briefly inquired about when Dad passed away. That¡¯s all.¡± Elliot listened attentively. ¡°Just that?¡± ¡°Just that,¡± Sheena raised her tone, emphasizing, ¡°Do you still doubt me?¡± ¡°No, I believe you,¡± Elliot conceded, moving to sit on the bed, assuming a submissive posture as if awaiting Sheena¡¯s reprimand. Sheena chuckled, her gaze piercing. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll go easy on you tonight and just spank you a few times.¡± He lowered his head, remaining silent. Sheena rose, tapping the ruler against his neatly dressed cor. ¡°Off, all of it.¡± Elliot undid the buttons and removed his clothes, starting with his suit and then his shirt. In the warm bedroom light, his perfect physique gleamed like honey. However, Sheena was not satisfied. With the ruler sliding down his chest and abs, she instructed, ¡°Keep going.¡± Chapter 1000 Chapter 1000 Elliot did not hesitate. In a few swift movements, he strippedpletely, ready to satisfy Sheena¡¯s desire. Sheene admired hispliance before walking to the coat rack and retrieving a belt. ¡°Turn around,¡± shemanded. Elliot obeyed without question. ¡°Hands.¡± Sheena swiftly bound his wrists behind his back, securing them tightly with the belt buckle. ¡°Honey?¡± He sensed a hint of danger, uneasily calling out. Ignoring him, Sheena¡¯s starry eyes sparkled mischievously. With a forceful motion, she swiftly pushed him onto the bed, maneuvering him into a kneeling position and presenting his raised posterior. Elliot gasped, realizing his mistake a bit toote. Sheena did not give him a chance to backtrack. With a swift move, she delivered a firm smack with the ruler. Snap! The sound was crisp. Where the ruler struck, a fiery sting ensued, though not unbearable. Surprisingly, besides the embarrassment, he found himself not entirely disliking it¡­. It was odd. Late into the night, even the melodious birds had drifted into slumber. In the master bedroom of E&S Haven, all sounds were muffled behind drawn curtains. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. After approximately thirty smacks, Sheena exhibited precise control, leaving Elliot¡¯s fair skin with a blush of crimson. Setting down the ruler, she released his restraints and flipped him over onto his back. Quickly straddling him, she grabbed his chin, smiling seductively. ¡°How does it feel, Eli?¡± haven¡¯t tried it yet, but tonight¡¯s the night.¡± Elliot willingly closed his eyes, surrendering himselfpletely. His body and soul sank into the temptation. Two dayster, Elliot sat in the office of the National Investigation Bureau, reviewing Romello¡¯s case files. If all went as expected, the judicial verdict would be announced in the next few days. With multiple charges against him, the oue was likely to be the death penalty, as Romello desired. Lionel knocked on the door and entered the room. ¡°Elliot, things have been restless over at the Nicholls family these past few days.¡± Elliot did not look up, his focus on the documents in his hand. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Since Romello¡¯s downfall, many of the heirs from the Nicholls family¡¯s extended family heirs have returned. It seems like they¡¯re gearing up for a power struggle,¡± Lionel exined. Elliot simply responded with a hum, showing no emotions. Lionel found it strange. ¡°Elliot, didn¡¯t you mention before that Nathaniel wanted to take over the entire Nicholls family? With his recent actions¨Cstealing the key, acquiring the potion¨Che¡¯s made. quite a contribution. Shouldn¡¯t we assist him in seizing control of the Nicholls family?¡± Elliot frowned, recalling Romello¡¯s words from before¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s not do anything for now and see what Nathaniel does next. If he truly aims to seize power, he¡¯ll naturallye to me for help. When necessary, we¡¯ll consider whether to intervene.¡± Lionel nodded in agreement. ¡°That makes sense.¡± Just as they finished their conversation, there was another knock at the office door. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Nathaniel from the Nicholls family has just arrived to report that there¡¯s been a new discovery at the top floor of the Nicholls residence. It seems to be rted to Romello¡¯s impending sentencing.¡± Chapter 1001 1001 to Romello? lot and Lionel exchanged puzzled nces, both feeling perplexed. Elliot stood up, grabbed his military¨Cstyle jacket from the coat rack, and swiftly put it on. Let¡¯s go take a look.¡± As they reached the lobby of the National Investigation Bureau, they encountered Logan escorting Nathaniel inside. Logan immediately bowed respectfully to Elliot and said, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Nathaniel said the evidence is significant and urgent, so I brought him in.¡± Elliot did not say much, simply returning to his office with an order, ¡°Nathaniel,e with me.¡± Nathaniel remained silent, obediently following Elliot¡¯s lead. Once inside the office, Nathaniel ced an envelope on Elliot¡¯s desk. Elliot eyed the envelope suspiciously and asked, ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°We were cleaning up Madam Nicholls¡¯s room and discovered this. It seems to be her suicide note.¡± Although Nathaniel was listed under Vanda¡¯s name in the family tree, he never referred to her as his mother, and she never acknowledged him as her son. In fact, he addressed her as Madam Nicholls, just like the other servants at home. Elliot and Lionel frowned when they heard Nathaniel¡¯s exnation. Vanda had been injected with a mind¨Cmodifying substance before Romello seized power, rendering her thoughts uncontroble. How did she leave behind a suicide note? Despite his doubts, Elliot reached for the envelope and opened it carefully. After reading the letter¡¯s contents, his expression turned even more stern and cold. Lionel inquired, ¡°What does Madam Nicholls¡¯s letter say?¡± Instead of answering immediately, Elliot looked up, his gaze fixed on Nathaniel¡¯s calm demeanor. ¡°This letter is dated the day before her incident, and it ims she was tired of this hypocritical world and intended to end her own life.¡± ¡°Suicide?¡± Lionel could not believe it. ¡°She was already imprisoned by Romello, finding it difficult to move around. How could she have essed poison tomit suicide? It¡¯s absurd.¡± Without confirming or denying, Elliot kept his eyes on Nathaniel. here exactly did you find this letter? was about to respond when Elliot tapped the desk as a reminder, adding, ¡°I need the most ed ount. Alrigh Nathaniel nodded and replied. ¡°Because of Madam Nicholls¡¯s passing, Gabrielle has been assisting Marius in handling her affairs. I was also helping out. Last night, around 8 p.m., I went up to Madam Nicholls¡¯s room and found this letter tucked inside the pillow. Thinking it was significant, I brought it to you early this morning.¡± Elliot listened attentively, pondering momentarily before asking, ¡°Nathaniel, what are your thoughts on this matter?¡± He sighed. ¡°My rtionship with Madam Nicholls wasn¡¯t good, as you probably know. My inclusion in the Nicholls family¡¯s ancestry upset her, triggering her mental illness. After she lost Phoebe, she became increasingly depressed. He paused briefly, presenting a starkly different perspective from before. ¡°Actually, I had concealed something earlier. She had clinical depression, and before Romello seized power, she attempted self¨Charm multiple times. I suspect Romello didn¡¯t inject her with drugs because of her depression. Instead, he locked her up at times out of fear for her well¨Cbeing. He wouldn¡¯t have killed Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. her. Even Lionel, who had been standing by silently, was taken aback. Elliot¡¯s expression turned serious as he cautioned, ¡°Nathaniel, you didn¡¯t mention this when you returned to the country and visited Phoebe with Nana.¡± ¡°True. That was because I wasn¡¯t sure about the specifics at that time, so I didn¡¯t mention Madam Nicholls¡¯s depression. However, after finding this suicide note, I felt it was necessary to disclose the whole truth. However, I¡¯ve only done what was expected of me by bringing the letter to the National Investigation Bureau. It¡¯s not my ce to decide how you handle it, so I¡¯ll take my leave for now.¡± Chapter 1002 Chapter 1002 Nathaniel nodded respectfully toward Elliot, who was seated behind the desk, then turned and left the office. Once he was gone, Lionel immediately leaned in. ¡°Elliot, should we investigate this further? Or should we bury this suicide note and let Romello¡¯s trial proceed smoothly toward a death sentence?¡± Elliot nced at the letter on his desk, noticing the faint, unsteady handwriting. ¡°Don¡¯t involve any personal grudges. We¡¯ll handle this matter ordingly,¡± he stated. ¡°Inform the Department of Justice about the new developments and postpone Romello¡¯s trial for today.¡± He continued with clear instructions, ¡°Send this letter to a professional handwriting expert for analysis. As for Nathaniel¡¯s revtion about Vanda¡¯s depression, have Logan¡¯s team thoroughly investigate it again.¡± Lionel obediently took the letter and replied, ¡°Understood.¡± In theb, Phoebe had been receiving continuous IVs. After a few days of observation, it was confirmed that her nerves were fine. Apart from some memory loss spanning nearly four years, her physical condition was nearly back to normal. After leaving the National Investigation Bureau, Nathaniel learned that Phoebe could leave theb and hurried to see her. Despite being half¨Csiblings, he felt indebted to her. Since he was no longer the director of the Special Investigation Department, he could not enter theb and could only wait outside. Five minutester, Howard and Phoebe emerged from theb together. They walked side by side, yet there was a gap of about a foot between them. Although Phoebe knew Howard was her boyfriend, she did not recognize him, and she could not bring herself to hold hands or hug him in such a short time. Nathaniel approached them and offered some words of constion. ¡°You¡¯re looking good. It seems you¡¯ve recovered quite well.¡± Howard concealed his sadness and asked Nathaniel earnestly, ¡°Can we have a private conversation?¡± Nathaniel gave it a thought and agreed. Then, he pointed at the luxury car parked in the open¨Cair parking lot, saying, ¡°Phoebe, why don¡¯t you wait in the car for a moment? We¡¯ll join you shortly.¡± Chapter 1002 2/2 Phoebe¡¯s gaze was innocent and clear. She nodded and slowly made her way to the open¨Cair parking lot. Once she was gone, Howard spoke in a subdued tone for the first time. ¡°Nathaniel, can I take Phoebe back to my ce to stay? I know we¡¯re not engaged yet, and it¡¯s not proper, but I¡­! want to take care of her for a while.¡± With Marius and Gabrielle focused on handling Vanda¡¯s affairs, they had no time to deal with Phoebe. Naturally, this responsibility fell on Nathaniel¡¯s shoulders. Hence, he had the authority to make decisions. ¡°Sure, I understand that your rtionship with her has been difficulttely, and you want to take care of her yourself,¡± Nathaniel replied. ¡°Besides, taking her to your ce might help her remember some things.¡± Howard was grateful. ¡°Thank you.¡± Nathaniel smiled warmly, which was a rare sight. ¡°It¡¯s no problem. However, she¡¯s still a daughter of the Nicholls family and shouldn¡¯t stay with you permanently unless you live together as an engaged couple, which would be reasonable and eptable. Unfortunately, I¡¯m not in charge of the Nicholls family, so I Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. can¡¯t decide on Phoebe¡¯s marriage. Howard¡¯s eyes, initially dim, began to brighten. ¡°If you were in charge, how would you handle Phoebe¡¯s ¡®marriage?¡± Chapter 1003 Chapter 1003 Nathaniel lowered his gaze, and his longshes veiled his deep blue eyes as if he had pondered deeply. ¡°I believe that every Jack has his Jill. If you two genuinely love each other, I¡¯ll wholeheartedly support you. As for the engagement ceremony formalities, they¡¯re just for show.¡± Howard met Nathaniel¡¯s gaze, listening intently. ¡°Nathaniel, if you ever consider taking control, all the resources under mypany¡¯s ownership will fully support you,¡± Howard offered, their gazes meeting, each filled with determination. Life seemed to be gradually falling into ce for everyone. Later in the evening, Sheena called Elliot, informing him that she would be attending a business g alone. The event would be attended by several CEOs of major foreign corporations. Recently, Sheena has been strategizing the export trade for the Lawson Group. The Lawson family was now Froania¡¯s wealthiest, with Sheena bing the country¡¯s only female billionaire. While Elliot had yed a significant role in this, Sheena¡¯s ambitions extended beyond. She aimed to open the doors of the Lawson Group¡¯s trade to foreign countries and had an even bigger Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. goal of bing the world¡¯s richest person. Tonight¡¯s business g included Dorvell Corporation, ranked among the top three globally. Rumor had it that they wereunching a new coborative project and seeking partners. Sheena was determined to secure a spot at the event. However, Elliot felt ufortable having her attend the g alone. ¡°I¡¯ll put Romello¡¯s case aside for now and continue tomorrow. I¡¯ll join you tonight.¡± ¡®No need. You¡¯ve been handling Romello¡¯s case for so long, and it¡¯s time to wrap it up. I¡¯ll also maintain distance from other men and avoid any behavior that might suggest cheating.¡± As she spoke, her tone turned colder. Although she was not dwelling on past events, theck of trust felt like a lingering difort, a small thorn in her side. Whenever she thought of it, it always left her feeling uneasy. Elliot keenly sensed that something was amiss with Sheena. ¡°Honey, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you. I just¡­ worry about those men out there.¡± He always used this excuse, and Sheena was tired of hearing it. ¡°Have you forgotten that I hold a ck belt in martial arts? Most men couldn¡¯t evene close to me Elliot insisted, ¡°It¡¯s not just about that. There are many deceptive men out there who might not resort to violence. Some might even feign weakness, In any case¡­ the outside world is full of dangers. It¡¯s much safer with me by your side.¡± Indeed, the world was not just about deceitful women. Some men were equally skilled at putting on a show, making them hard to guard against. Seeing his firm stance, Sheena sighed. ¡°Alright then, you finish up your business at the National Investigation Bureau, and I¡¯ll head to the banquet. Join me once you¡¯re done.¡± It was already apromise on Sheena¡¯s part. If Elliot did not agree to this, he would seem unreasonable. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go along with your n.¡± Once theypromised, Sheena left work early and made a trip to the mall, carefully selecting a fiery red tasseled evening gown. The dress was bright, sensual, and eye¨Ccatching¨Cperfect for her goal tonight to outshine everyone and secure the cooperation deal with Dorvell Corporation. At 7:30 p.m., the banquetmenced at the Majesty Hotel. Sheena was stunning in her red gown,plemented by bold red lips and exquisite makeup. She exuded confidence and allure,manding attention wherever she went. The attendees were all top¨Ctier CEOs from both domestic and international high society, and even the smallest contract could be worth millions. Sheena made her entrance perfectly timed, b¨¢sking in the spotlight as it followed her every move. Chapter 1004 Chapter 1004 All eyes in the room were drawn to Sheena¡¯s beauty, and many whispered in awe. Since Sheena rarely attended such events, many of the foreign CEOs present were unfamiliar with her. When they found out that she was the only female billionaire in all of Froania, it only added to the astonishment. Sheena gracefully made her way through the hall, with the event¡¯s host, Denzel Tate, not far from the red carpet, eagerly greeting her. ¡°Ah, the beautiful Ms. Lawson! I didn¡¯t expect you to grace our g tonight. It¡¯s a great honor.¡± ¡°Mr. Tate, you¡¯re too kind. The g is beautifully arranged tonight, and it would be my loss if I didn¡¯t come to see it for myself,¡± Sheena replied with a smile, exchanging politepliments. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. A few minutester, the g officially began. Denzel took the stage to deliver his speech, mixing in some personal touches while introducing the latest project developed by the Tate Group. With the enthusiastic apuse marking the end of Denzel¡¯s speech, the attendees began to mingle spontaneously, engaging in conversations. Sheena¡¯s gaze wandered through the crowd until it settled on a handsome man with blond hair. In his early thirties, he exuded an air of maturity with his well¨Cgroomed stubble and striking features, giving off a vibe of exotic nobility. The man was Neil Gray, the current CEO of Dorvell Corporation and the hidden force behind it. Compared to his professional aplishments, his status was equally high. Neil was the heir apparent to the Ardolisian royal family, destined to be the future leader of the nation, with a pure bloodline. For Sheena, establishing a connection with someone like him would greatly facilitate her future endeavors in international trade. Sheena casually picked up a ss of red wine from a passing waiter¡¯s tray and approached Neil. ¡°Mr. Gray,¡± Sheena called out in her melodious voice, shing a friendly smile. Neil paused his conversation with the person in front of him. He had noticed Sheena¡¯s entrance, and he had always admired female CEOs with assertive yet aplished demeanor. Moreover, Sheena addressing him as Mr. Gray was a subtle way to bridge the gap between them. ¡°And how should I address you?¡± Neil responded. Sheena smiled. ¡°In business circles, everyone prefers to call me Ms. Lawson. You can address me that too.¡± Chapter 1004 2/2 The two quickly struck up a conversation, starting with casual small talk and gradually delving into philosophical discussions about life. They found themselves in perfect harmony, with Nell growing fonder of Sheena with each passing moment. As their conversation flowed, it became more natural and uninhibited. Sensing their small talk had reached its limit, Sheena tactfully shifted the conversation to work. ¡°Mr. Gray, I heard you single¨Chandedly built Dorvell Corporation from scratch after breaking away from the royal family, and now, it¡¯s among the top three global enterprises. That¡¯s truly impressive.¡± Neil had heard such praises before, but hearing them from Sheena, with her seductive voice, made them feel even more ttering. Neil, feeling slightly bashful, lowered his head. ¡°Ms. Lawson, I felt an instant connection from the moment I met you tonight. I really enjoy talking to you. Are you single?¡± Elliot hurriedly came over from the National Investigation Bureau, scanning the room for Sheena¡¯s figure. As he approached, he overheard Neil¡¯sst question. Chapter 1005 Chapter 1005 Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Elllot stopped in his steps, opting not to approach further. He stood still, quietly admiring Sheena¡¯s stunning profile, waiting for her response. Sheena¡¯s lips curled into a bright smile. ¡°I¡¯m already married, and we have a pair of adorable twins at home. My husband is the CEO of the Jenkins Group. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll have the pleasure of meeting you. Also, I¡¯m happy how we hit it off right away tonight.¡± Her response was gracious, and Elliot¡¯s expression gradually warmed as he confidently approached her, wrapping his arm around Sheena¡¯s slender waist. Sheena turned her head, and her eyes sparkled as they met Elliot¡¯s handsome face, shing a genuine smile. ¡°You¡¯re here. Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Neil Gray, the founder and CEO of Dorvell Corporation and the heir to the Ardolisia royal family.¡± Sheena introduced them with a smile before turning to Neil. ¡°Mr. Gray, this is my husband, the CEO of the Jenkins Group and the head of the Jenkins family.¡± The two men¡¯s gazes met, exchanging a friendly handshake as if they were acquaintances. Neil was pleasantly surprised. ¡°Ms. Lawson, I had no idea your husband was Mr. Jenkins. What a small world.¡± Sheena was surprised and turned to Elliot, asking, ¡°So, you two already knew each other?¡± Elliot exined, ¡°Yes, we¡¯ve coborated on international missions with Ardolisia before. We¡¯ve had a couple of joint operations with Mr. Gray, so we¡¯re old acquaintances.¡± Neil observed the warm interaction between the couple with a hint of envy. ¡°Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re both business geniuses, and you seem to have a harmonious and loving rtionship. You¡¯re truly a match made in heaven.¡± All three shared augh, and the atmosphere remained harmonious. Seizing the opportunity, Sheena broached the subject of coboration. However, Neil was rather strict on protocols in his work and did not give a clearmitment. ¡°Ms. Lawson, although I¡¯d love to coborate with the Lawson Group, my rule is to follow the proper procedures. I¡¯ll organize a bidding session for potential partners. If the proposal meets the criteria, a coboration between Dorvell and the Lawson Group is highly likely.¡± With the conversation reaching this point, attending the bidding session was the only way forward. Sheena readily agreed, saying, ¡°Mr. Gray, rest assured, I¡¯ll personally n the proposal for coboration with Dorvell Corporation. You¡¯ll see my determination for this partnership.¡± Chapter 100% Nell looked at her with appreciation and offered a few sincerepliments. However, Sheena, feeling slightly disappointed as the coboration was not secured yet, did not pay much attention to his praise. While maintaining a polite smile on her face, her mind wandered elsewhere. Elliot and Neil were engrossed in their conversation and did not notice her subtle change in demeanor. A woman in a white dress brushed past Sheena nearby. Sheena caught a glimpse and frowned, but the woman had already walked away by the time she looked 1. up. Sheena thought the woman¡¯s silhouette seemed strangely familiar¡­ It resembled someone! Sheena¡¯s smile vanished immediately and was reced by a serious expression. Could it be her? What was she doing in such a ce? While Elliot and Neil continued chatting, Sheena followed the figure. The more she looked, the more she was convinced. It was She! Dressed in such high¨Cend attire, she must be apanying some CEO. After running away from the countryside, she had likely attached herself to some big shot. Chapter 1006 1006 ens was overwhelmed with doubts. As the uneasiness crept into her, she quickened her pace. The hall was bustling with people, and the woman in the white dress disappeared behind a tall men Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Sheena stopped and scanned the area but could not spot the familiar figure in the white dress again As the host, Denzel was busy with guests and noticed Sheena¡¯s unusual worry. He quickly approached her after excusing himself from the conversation with the CEOS. ¡°Ms. Lawson, what¡¯s wrong? Are you facing any issues?¡± Furrowing her brows, Sheena tried to recall the sight of the familiar figure she had just seen. ¡°I think I saw someone I know, a woman in a white dress. She was slender and graceful. Do you know her?¡± Denzel was taken aback by the question. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re putting me in a difficult spot. Most of the CEOs attending tonight have brought femalepanions, with many of them wearing white dresses. They¡¯re all elegant and beautiful. How could I possibly recognize the person you¡¯re referring to? However, more than half of the attendees are from abroad tonight, and theirpanions are foreigners too. If you want to find her, it shouldn¡¯t be too difficult. I can have the servers keep an eye out for all the women in white dresses and provide you with a list of names after the banquet.¡± Sheena was satisfied with his thoughtful arrangement. Thank you, Mr. Tate.¡± ¡°No problem, it¡¯s my pleasure.¡± This incident left Sheena feeling unsettled, and she reluctantly continued attending the g with waning enthusiasm. Elliot noticed her troubled state but refrained from saying anything in front of Neil. Instead, he discreetly held her hand, giving her a sense of security. The grand business g finally concluded at 11 p.m. Sheena managed to obtain Denzel¡¯s list of women in white dresses. On their way back to E&S Haven, she focused on the list and made a call to Ford. Til provide you with a list when I get home. Use the names and identities listed there to search on- the dark web or any informationwork. You must find pictures of each person.¡± Sure, Miss You can count on me After receiving Ford¡¯s affirmation, Sheena ended the call. However, she could not shake off her thoughts or her gaze from the list in her hands. Elliot observed her for a while, driving with one hand while reaching out to hold her hand with the other. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did something happen?¡± As she pondered over the matter, she replied, ¡°It seems like trouble never ends, Honey I suspect She might not be dead after all, I saw a woman at the event who resembled her.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression turned serious as he helped her analyze the situation. ¡°Honey, could you have been mistaken? There are countless people with simr silhouettes in this world. Without seeing their face, it¡¯s too soon to draw conclusions. Besides, all the attendees had significant status. You announced She¡¯s death after she escaped from the countryside, and she wouldn¡¯t dare to appear using that identity even if she were alive. Previously, she was quietly supported by Dad and Co-.¡± Elliot¡¯s face paled, and he quickly corrected himself, ¡°And Corey. Now that Dad has passed away and Corey has relinquished much of his power in Froania, she¡¯s lost the two main support pirs. Who else could she find to apany her to such a significant event?¡± Sheena fell silent. She did not have the answer to that. She¡¯s social circle had been rtively clear before. While she had won many awards for her acting skills despite her young age, she was known for being aloof in the entertainment industry. Hence, she had very few close friends. Back then, Albert and Corey supported her. Now that she was no longer the daughter of the Lawson family, who else could she associate with? Chapter 1007 Chapter 1007 There was no point in blindly guessing Sheena sighed heavily, looking out the car window at the dimming streetlights fading away. ¡°Forget about her. Whether it¡¯s really She or not, I can still consider her dead as long as she never shows up and doesn¡¯t harm Asher and Adora.¡± Elliot squeezed her hand tightly, reassuring her. However, Sheena¡¯s attention seemed to bepletely drawn to the sudden appearance of someone resembling She, hardly acknowledging him. Elliot tried to console her, ¡°Nana, it¡¯s alright. Worrying about it won¡¯t change anything. Let¡¯s wait for Ford¡¯s investigation results. Asher and Adora are surely safe in the Jenkins estate. You need to rx.¡± Sheena absentmindedly nodded in response. Elliot sighed, softening his tone to lighten the mood. ¡°Honey, I obediently finished my work at the National Investigation Bureau tonight before rushing to the party. I¡¯ve been so good. Shouldn¡¯t I be rewarded when we get home?¡± Sheena nced at him with disinterest, replying, ¡°I¡¯m not interested. I don¡¯t feel like it.¡± Elliot instantly looked dejected. ¡°Honey, have I lost my charm? Am I not bringing you joy in bed anymore? Are my abs not appealing anymore, or are my corbones not enticing? Have you lost Interest in me?¡± Elliot eximed, his face pale with worry and sadness. ¡°Honey, you¡¯ve changed! Don¡¯t you like me anymore?¡± Elliot¡¯s dramatic antics rendered Sheena speechless. ¡°Honey, say something. I¡¯ll surely change for the better to improve our love life.¡± Sheena forced herself to face him, saying, ¡°That¡¯s not it. I¡¯m just tired, and I don¡¯t feel like moving. mpany the She was busy handling official matters at thepany the entire day. After that, she even attended the business g in the evening. All Sheena wanted was to take a bath and do nothing.¡± However, Elliot did not share the same idea. ¡°These past couple of times have indeed been tough on you. Tonight, I¡¯ll take charge. You just need to lie back and rx, and I¡¯ll make sure you have a great time!¡± was taken aback, must be thinking he was being so considerate! She did not answer him, but her thoughts had indeed shifted from She to letting Elliot take charge in bed: It was a wonderful evening, and the harmonious life of a married couple had just begun. Professionals identified an 85% simrity between the handwriting in the suicide note that Nathaniel submitted and Vanda¡¯s. Additionally, Vanda did suffer from depression due to Nathaniel¡¯s return to the country. Everything seemed to be legit. Romello¡¯s case had been dragging on for a long time. Once Elliot gathered all the conclusive evidence again, he formally handed it over for judicial trial. Two dayster, the verdict was announced. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Romellow was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, serving time in a high¨Csecurity prison. Dressed inly with a mask and handcuffs, Romello was escorted into the vehicle. The weather was gloomy, and it rained heavily on the day he was to be sent to prison. Nathaniel was in sharp attire. He held a ck umbre as he stood quietly at the entrance of the high¨C security prison, silently waiting. A few minutester, the car carrying Romello stopped. As Romello stepped out of the car, he saw Nathaniel almost immediately. His eyes turned red from anger, looking as if he wanted to charge toward him. ¡°Nathaniel!¡± Chapter 1008 1008 police escorting Romello forcibly restrained him. thaniel stood still, holding the umbre with one hand. His blue eyes appeared more sinister under the dim light, and he shed a wildly arrogant smirk Romello was shaking with rage but could not do anything due to the hear on his legs. This was the difference between a winner and a loser. handcuffs and chains Once defeated, the loser would lose all power. Romello could not do a single thing. Nathaniel pretended to sigh with regret. ¡°Romello, rest assured, I¡¯ll visit you often in prison. After all, the high¨Csecurity prison is a good ce. I spent half a year there and almost went crazy. Now, you¡¯ll spend your whole life there. What should we do?¡± Romello¡¯s eyes brimmed with intense hatred. If looks could kill, Nathaniel would have been dead. Romello struggled to break free, wanting to charge forward. However, the officers on both sides. held him down tightly, dragging him toward the prison. Nathaniel watched his grim silhouette leave, coldly saying, ¡°Farewell, Romello. From now on, I¡¯ll take on the responsibility of the Nicholls family. I won¡¯t let you down.¡± ¡°Nathaniel!¡± The man¡¯s roar gradually faded away. The smile on Nathaniel¡¯s face vanished, leaving only endless indifference and immensel satisfaction. Then, he scoffed and walked away. On the day Romello was confirmed to be serving his sentence in prison, an all¨Cout power struggle broke out within the Nicholls family. In the Nicholls residence, Marius, Gabrielle, and Nathaniel sat together in the dining hall for lunch. Without Homato, the main seat camained empty, and none of them dared to sit in that position The only sound in the dining room was the crisp clinking of utensils against the tes, harmonious yet somewhat serie After some time, Marius tentatively asked, ¡°Nathaniel, now that the familycks a leader, do you have any thoughts? Nathaniel smiled faintly and continued to eat his food casually. ¡°What thoughts could I have? It¡¯s unlikely I¡¯ll get that position. After all, you¡¯re older than me, and I support you.¡± Marius silently observed him, noticing his expression seemed natural when speaking. ¡°Nathaniel, do you really have no desire for the position?¡± Nathaniel smiled and shook his head, saying, ¡°I never covet things that don¡¯t belong to me. Marius, don¡¯t worry, Gabrielle and I will stand by your side if you end up in a dispute with our extended families. Gabrielle nodded simply, enjoying the delicious food. Marius felt considerably relieved as he watched his obedient younger siblings. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Nathaniel, I¡¯m d you think that way. From now on, you can rx at home without any worries.¡± Nathaniel nodded with a smile, then lowered his head to continue eating, concealing the dark glint In his eyes. After the meal, he headed to E&S Haven again. Ever since bing Asher and Adora¡¯s godfather, he had been visiting E&S Haven every day, buying lots of gifts for the twins, much to their excitement. Coincidentally, Elliot also had a rare day off, so the two men spent time together ying with the babies in the nursery on the fourth floor. One of them entertained Asher while the other yed with Adora. They did not interfere with each other, yet there was an inexplicable harmony between them. After a while, Elliot turned to Nathaniel and casually asked, ¡°I heard there¡¯s been intense power struggles within the Nicholls familytely. Why do you still have time toe here every day? Shouldn¡¯t you be nning at home?¡± Nathaniel shook the rattle as he yed with Adora, his blue eyes gleaming with joy. don¡¯t have much to do. Even if they¡¯re fighting intensely, it doesn¡¯t concern me.¡± Elliot probed further, ¡°After all, they¡¯re fighting to be the head of the family. Once you have the title, it¡¯s like owning the entire Nicholls family, and all the members have to obey. Aren¡¯t you tempted to take a bite of that big piece of meat?¡± Nathaniel turned to him and met his gaze. ¡°I wish I could, but with my record from being released from a high¨Csecurity prison, I have no power, influence, troops, or shares. What can I use topete with them?¡± Nathaniel jokingly added, ¡°Are you perhaps willing to help me?¡± Chapter 1009 Chapter 1009 Kot paused in his y with the baby, meeting Nathaniel¡¯s gaze for a moment before quickly feturning to his usual demeanor. In response to the probing question, Elliot neither agreed nor refused but instead countered, ¡°How do you want me to help?¡± Nathaniel remained unfazed, maintaining a casualposure on his face. ¡°I¡¯ve never been in a position of power before, so Ick experience. You, on the other hand, are the experienced one. Of course I¡¯ll follow your advice.¡± Elliot fell silent, focusing on entertaining Asher. Nathaniel was patient, showing no signs of urgency as he continued to y with Adora. Later that evening¡­ Sheena had been workingte the past few days, focusing on nning the uing Dorvell Corporation¡¯s bidding conference. Although Nell assured her that the bidding conference was just a formality and that the Lawson Group would be the chosen winner, Sheena still felt the need to strive for perfection and ensure a fair victory. Returning from her study to the bedroom, Sheena rubbed her sore shoulders and neck. Elliot was sitting on the bed, ying with his phone. When he saw her enter the room, he quickly. slipped on his slippers and lifted her onto the bed. After settling cross¨Clegged on the bed, he ced Sheena on hisp. Then, Elliot tirelessly massaged her shoulders, back, and legs. Sheena closed her eyes, basking in thefort of his touch. After a few minutes of massage, she began to feel rejuvenated. As Elliot continued massaging her, his thoughts suddenly drifted, and he recalled Nathaniel¡¯s discussion earlier in the nursery. He felt it was necessary to seek Sheena¡¯s opinion. ¡°Honey, Nathaniel has been visiting our home frequentlytely, and there have been intense power struggles within the Nicholls family. He seems to be interested in having me help him acquire shares. What do you think?¡± Sheena opened her eyes and turned to him, asking, ¡°What do you think?¡± Power is something that many peopleck the discipline to handle is one easily, especially considering Mathaniel¡¯s questionable past. If he gaine power, he could be a dangerous individual. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ained silent for a long time before responding, ¡°You already have your own thoughts on this matter, so why bother asking me? Elliot¡¯s hand continued to knead Sheera¡¯s shoulder, but his mind was tangled in indecision. The grudges from the past were already a thing of the past. This time, Nathaniel returned and lent a helping hand. In return, he even took a beating. Aspensation, Nathaniel made a request: as long as it was within his capabilities, they should However, Elliot still harbored some reservations toward Nathaniel. Sheena seemed to sense what was on his mind and sighed, analyzing the situation seriously. ¡°With Romello imprisoned, the Nicholls Group has suffered setbacks. Now is the time for a reliable leader to stabilize the situation. Nathaniel excels in all aspects, whereas Marius might not be suitable for the role. He¡¯s too weak¨Cwilled and soft¨Cspoken to take on such a big responsibility. As for the others from their extended families, they¡¯re not easy to deal with. Giving them power would likely lead to Gabrielle and the others being ousted from the Nicholls residence in no time.¡± Elliot remained silent, looking at Sheena in his arms, surprised that she had already considered these factors. Sheena continued, ¡°Considering Nathaniel¡¯s assistance this time and his role as Asher and Adora¡¯s godfather, we should help him out as a gesture of goodwill. Moreover, I heard from Howard that if Nathaniel gains power, he and Phoebe can finally get engaged and live together openly. So, giving Nathaniel power would be beneficial for everyone. How about trusting him this time?¡± Chapter 1010 Chapter 1010 With everything sald and done, Elliot had no reason to disagree. Alright, we¡¯ll go with what you say, Honey.¡± As for the control of the Nicholls family, It was not a big issue. Nathaniel was no longer the head of the Special Investigation Department and had no military power. Just having control over the Nicholls family would not give him much leverage. Elliot and Howard put forward a significant number of shares to support Nathaniel¡¯s bid for power. With Elliot¡¯s strong backing, the Nicholls family¡¯s transition of power was swiftly finalized without any major uproar. In Just three days, Nathaniel sessfully secured power as he wished. The day after the news was announced on the official website, Howard arrived at the Nicholls residence with the prepared engagement gift, ready to discuss marriage. True to his word, Nathaniel promptly agreed, and the engagement between the Nicholls and Lawson families was announced on the official Nicholls Group website the next day. Now, Phoebe could officially reside in Howard¡¯s mansion. Upon seeing the announcement, Phoebe immediately grabbed the two suitcases she had prepared earlier from her closet and hurried downstairs in her slippers. Howard had stationed bodyguards at the door before leaving. Seeing hering out, they quickly surrounded her for protection. ¡°Ms. Phoebe, Mr. Howard is not here. He asked you to stay home and recuperate. He said you should wait a few days before going out again.¡± Phoebe felt frustrated. ¡°He promised to let me out once we were engaged! Now, he¡¯s going back on his word. Being cooped up in this house every day is worse than being killed. I can¡¯t stand it.¡± The bodyguards remained unmoved. ¡°Ms. Phoebe, we really can¡¯t let you go out. If Mr. Howard returns and finds out, he¡¯ll be furious, and we¡¯ll lose our jobs. Please, Ms. Phoebe, go back inside.¡± cebe was furious. am not his ything! Why should I be locked up in this mansion and not allowed to leave?¡± As the two sides were locked In a heated argument, Howard¡¯s luxury car pulled up to the front Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. gate He stepped out of the car with long strides and hurried toward Phoebe. The joy of their sessful engagement prompted him to wrap his arms around Phoebe¡¯s waist, Intending to pull her into an embrace. ¡°Phoebe, this is just the engagement. We¡¯ll get marriedter and have babies. Isn¡¯t that exciting?¡± Phoebe shook off his embrace, her face filled with discontent, and turned to head back upstairs to h¨¦r room. Howard was puzzled and turned to the two bodyguards at the door. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her? Did you upset her?¡± The bodyguards bowed apologetically and exined to Howard what had happened just before his return. In no time, Howard entered Phoebe¡¯s room. Phoebe was sitting by the window, an easel set up in front of her. She was aimlessly sketching, her mind filled with frustration. Howard exined gently, ¡°Phoebe, I didn¡¯t mean to restrict you. It¡¯s just that, considering we weren¡¯t engaged before, I thought it was best for you to rest and recover at home. Now, it seems like you¡¯ve had enough rest. I¡¯ll remove the bodyguards from the mansion¡¯s entrance, and if you want to go out and have fun, you can. Phoebe¡¯s clear eyes gradually regained vitality. She asked in disbelief, ¡°Are you really letting me go out?¡± Howard nodded. Phoebe was overjoyed. ¡°Thank you for understanding, Mr. Howard. But I don¡¯t want to go out for fun. I want to continue pursuing my career in the entertainment in Chapter 1011 Chapter 1011 Howard knew Phoebe had always been a girl full of ambition and career drive. If Phoebe wanted to continue pursuing her career, he had no reason to refuse Howard Indulgently ruffled Phoebe¡¯s hair and said, ¡°Alright, but I had the team stop epting offers because you were sick, and you haven¡¯t acted in a while. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll have them arrange small web series for you to familiarize yourself with. How does that sound?¡± Phoebe hesitated for a moment but chose to listen to Howard, obediently nodding. Now, with her memory regressed by four years andcking the maturity gained from her recent years of work, her gaze was as innocent and nalve as ever. Howard had always liked her for her naivety, kindness, and cuteness. Seeing her now, he could not help but feel a sense of nostalgia, as if he had returned to the time when he first met her. It seemed nice enough. It did not matter even if she could not remember. They would just start over. The global bidding conference hosted by Dorvell Corporation was drawing closer with each passing day. In three days, it would take ce at the luxurious seven¨Cstar hotel in Ardolisia, the Francia Hotel. Sheena worked tirelessly to prepare for this conference, drafting proposals and workingte into the night. She had even revised the ns five times over. At 1 a.m., she was still in the study, burning the midnight oil as there were a few parts of the proposal she was not satisfied with. Driven by her pursuit of perfection, she intended to make the necessary changes before heading downstairs to rest. Suddenly, the faint sound of the door opening echoed. The study door was cracked open, and a pair of eyes cautiously surveyed the situation inside the dark room. Sheena did not stop typing on the keyboard and unexpectedly spoke up, ¡°Come in. Why are you acting all sneaky in your own home? Someone who doesn¡¯t know better might think you¡¯re a thief.¡± With that, the study door swung openpletely. Eliot, who had been alone in the room downstairs, slipped inside Hana, don¡¯t stay up toote. It¡¯s not good for your health.¡± Shena kept her eyes fixed on theputer screen, saying. There¡¯s one final proposal left to finalize. I go to bed after I finish it. If you¡¯re tired, go ahead and sleep first. Don¡¯t wait for me.¡± Epot suppressed his frustration and argued, ¡°You said the same thing ten minutes ago, half an hour ago, an hour ago, and three hours ago. Honey, could you at least change up your words a bit?¡± ¡°Oh¡­ really? Sheena awkwardly rubbed her nose. Elliot walked over and immediately lifted her up from the chair, sitting her on hisp in her office chair. ¡°Neil and I are acquaintances. Since he¡¯s already agreed to the pre¨Cselection for the bidding conference, you can just have one of the staff members deliver it to him. Cooperation is a sure thing, so why tire yourself out?¡± With a hint of fatigue in her eyes, Sheena replied, ¡°I know, but I don¡¯t want to rely on your connections. I certainly don¡¯t want people to criticize us for doing that. We need a proposal that shows enough sincerity to earn everyone¡¯s respect and ensure the bidding conference is fair and square.¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Elliot gently caressed her cheek with his fingertip, his eyes full of tenderness. He knew she was determined, and once she decided on her career, it was hard to change. Instead of trying to persuade her further, Elliot asked, ¡°The bidding conference is in three days. You¡¯ll have to fly overseas for a business trip. How many days do you n to stay?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll finalize the proposal tonight, book an early morning flight tomorrow, and head over. If everything goes smoothly, I should return in a few days.¡± ¡°A few days?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression changed. ¡°I can¡¯t bear even a day without you!¡± Sheena chuckled at his exaggeration. ¡°You¡¯re being dramatic.¡± Elliot sighed, genuinely concerned. ¡°No, I have to go with you. I can work remotely, treat it as a bted honeymoon vacation, and have fun.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious instantly. She gently tapped his forehead and scolded him, ¡°That won¡¯t work. If you leave, Auntie Freida will be alone caring for the twins. What if something happens?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call Lionel over to help Auntie Freida with the babies.¡± Sheena persisted, ¡°But if you leave, Lionel will have to handle the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s matters and the Jenkins Group¡¯s affairs while reporting the meeting records to you regrly. Plus, he¡¯ll need to take care of Asher and Adora. He can¡¯t handle all of that alone.¡± Enjoy Ad¨CFree Reading Chapter 1012 Chapter 1012 Elllot fell silent, his expression quite gloomy. Sheena looped her arms around his neck, smiling sweetly. ¡°Rx, I¡¯ll be back in just a few days, and nothing will go wrong. You take care of things at home and domestically. There¡¯s no need toe with me, got it?¡± He lowered his head, not responding. Sheena lifted his chin, nting a soothing kiss on his lips. Initially intending it to be light, the kiss quickly escted beyond control. As the kiss was getting too intense, Sheena stopped. ¡°Stop fooling around. The door¡¯s not even closed.¡± Elliot persisted, his hands restlessly holding her waist. ¡°Auntie Freida and the babies are already asleep, and there¡¯s no one else in this mansion. What¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡± He leaned in for another kiss, but Sheena covered his mouth and pushed him away. ¡°No! Auntie Freida often gets up at night, which would be embarrassing if she caught us in the act. You might not care, but I do.¡± Elliot felt frustrated. The primal urge within him was building up, but he had to retreat because of Freida and the babies. Were these two little troublemakers sent to punish him? He buried his head in Sheena¡¯s chest, grumbling discontentedly. ¡°You¡¯re leaving tomorrow, and I can¡¯t even be intimate with you before you go. Life is so unfair. His voice was low and muffled, but Sheena¡¯s heart softened at his pitiful words. Considering she would be away for quite some time, leaving him at home might drive him crazy A little dessert before she left seemed reasonable. Thinking this, she relented and said, ¡°Fine, go close the door and the windows too.¡± Elliot perked up instantly, kissing her cheek before obediently getting up to close the door. Upon returning, he lifted Sheena onto the desk, looking up at her with desire cut ¡°The study is such a great ce. It¡¯s perfect for work andte¨Cnight rendezvous.¡± Sheenaughed alluringly. The next morning, Sheena quietly packed her bags and left E&S Haven while Elliot was still fast asleep. If she waited for him to wake up, he would surely want to drop her off. Then, he would put on a show, feeling reluctant to leave her. Sheena did not want to deal with the trouble of Elliot insisting oning along.. After leaving the Jenkins estate, she hurried to the airport. Once she was done checking in, she waited in the departure lounge for over an hour. She traveled alone this time, keeping a low profile. When the lounge announced her flight, she dragged her suitcase into the boarding area. However, something seemed off today. Sheena noticed she was the only one walking down the boarding aisle. She waited a while in the aisle, confirming that no other passengers wereing. She even checked her ticket again. It was indeed for business ss. With a hint of suspicion, she walked up the boarding stairs. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. A beautiful flight attendant had been waiting at the cabin door for some time. When she saw Sheena approaching, she bowed politely and greeted, ¡°Ms. Lawson, wee aboard. I wish you a pleasant journey.¡± Sheena halted, furrowing her brow. ¡°Why haven¡¯t I seen any other passengers?¡± The flight attendant smiled politely and said, ¡°A gentleman chartered the entire nest night. He said he wanted you to be the only passenger. Please, take your seat in first ss.¡± Chapter 1013 Chapter 1013 Sheena Immediately knew which mysterious gentleman the flight attendant was referring to and sighed in resignation. She had not expected her low¨Ckey trip to be turned into such a grand affair by Elliot. I don¡¯t need the first¨Css seat, thank you. I purchased a business ss ticket, so I¡¯ll just take my don¡¯t signed seat. She shed her ticket to the flight attendant and entered the cabin. The flight attendant looked embarrassed, wanting to say something, but Sheena had already left. Unable to do anything else, she had to make a phone call to report the situation to the mysterious gentleman. In the empty cabin, Sheena found her purchased seat. After workingte into the night to revise the proposal and being kept up by Elliot for most of the night, she had hardly slept. Nheless, she was used to catching up on sleep on flights. As soon as she settled into her seat, she requested a nket from the flight attendant. With her knees up and her phone switched off, she quickly drifted off to sleep. Until¡­ A warm breath brushed against her cheek, tickling her skin. ¡°Stop it.¡± Sheena frowned, chiding Elliot as she habitually did. She was half¨Casleep, but she gradually became more aware. She realized something was amiss. Elliot had chartered the entire ne. Why would someone sit next to her when she was supposed to be the only passenger? Her eyes flew open in sudden panic, and there, a strikingly handsome face smiling at her with adoration. ¡°How did you get here?¡± It was Elliot. ¡°Ouch! Honey, I- Elliot winced as Sheena pinched his earlobe, giving it a firm tug. ¡°Ell, you so naughty! We agreed that you would stay home to take care of Asher and Adora, How could you abandon all your duties and sneak onto my flight?¡± Elliot furrowed his brow in pain but dared not dodge, enduring the wrath of his beloved wife. Varranged everything at home and with work. As the godfather, Nathaniel will take care of Aster and Adora with Jacintha¡¯s help. Lionel will handle the Jenkins family matters while Logan Lionel deal with the National Investigation Bureau¡¯s affairs. I only came after ensuring rything was in order,¡± Elliot exined, grimacing. ¡°Easy on the ears, please. It hurts! It¡¯ll be embarrassing if Neil¡¯s men see my ear red when they Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. greet us.¡± Sheena released her grip but maintained a stern expression. Yet, her fingers instinctively massaged his sore earlobe. ¡°You never listen. I told you not toe, but you insisted,¡± she scolded. Despite Elliot¡¯s arrangements, Sheena could not shake her worries. ¡°You know I trust you the most. With you gone, Asher and Adora are in danger.¡± Quick as ever, Elliot nted a kiss on Sheena¡¯s cheek. ¡°Since we got married, we haven¡¯t had much alone time due to the kids. Let¡¯s consider this a honeymoon amidst work and forget about other matters.¡± He wrapped his arms around Sheena¡¯s slender waist and added, ¡°As for the kids¡® safety, you can trust Nathaniel as their godfather. Besides, nothing will happen to them with Jacintha watching.¡± Sheena sighed. With the ne already in the air and Elliot by her side, there was little she could do now. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll trust you this time. But I won¡¯t let you off the hook easily if anything happens to the kids before we return. I¡¯ll make sure to give you a memorable punishment for your recklessness Chapter 1014 Chapter 1014 Elliotzily rested on Sheena¡¯s shoulder, casually asking, ¡°How memorable are we talking about? Sheena¡¯s expression remained stern. Til make sure it¡¯s very painful. It¡¯d be best if I see some blood, break those wandering legs of yours, and have you bedridden for weeks. Are you scared?¡± He nodded, but a smile was ying on his lips. Then, Elliot whispered into Sheena¡¯s ear, ¡°But I know you wouldn¡¯t do that.¡± Sheena¡¯s resolve softened under his breath, her cheeks tingling. Trying to maintain herposure, she retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t count on it. If the situation arises, I won¡¯t hesitate. You¡¯d better hope I don¡¯t beat you to a pulp.¡± Ignoring her protests, Elliot leaned closer, nibbling gently on her neck. ¡°Nana, if you¡¯re still mad, how about when wend, we check into the hotel, and you give me a proper punishment then?¡± Sheena, feeling both teased and tickled, tried to remainposed as she looked at him. ¡°You¡¯re asking for trouble, aren¡¯t you?¡± Elliot chuckled with anticipation. This was his first time traveling abroad with Sheena, and he was excited for the days ahead. ¡°As long as it¡¯s from you, even a bright red welt from a belt would bring me joy.¡± Sheena¡¯s face flushed. They were on a ne, surrounded by flight attendants, yet Elliot was shamelessly speaking intimate words. Annoyed, she pinched his cheek. ¡°You should learn some restraint, especially in public.¡± ¡°Restraint?¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow mischievously, his thin lips curling into a wicked grin. He pulled Sheena closer, brushing his nose against hers. ¡°How about you restrain me now, so I never want to speak again?¡± With his seductive voice lingering in the air, he kissed Sheena¡¯s lips. They rolled and tumbled, their desires entwining as they let their hands roam each other. It seemed that every breath Sheena took smelled like Elliot. Elliot kissed Sheena passionately, taking Sheena¡¯s breath away. Though she had not touched a drop of alcohol, she felt intoxicated by Elliot¡¯s tenderness. In the final moment, Sheena pushed him away, her beautiful eyes ring at him. ¡°Are you that shameless? Wanting to show affection in public? Well, if you¡¯re not embarrassed, then neither am I.¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Sheena straddled Elliot¡¯sp as herpetitive spirit was ignited, grabbing his jaw firmly and kissing him passionately. With her other hand, she tugged at his suit and shirt, tracing the contours of his defined abdomen. After the passionate moaning subsided, Elliot¡¯s chest heaved heavily. He quickly grabbed her restless wrist, saying, ¡°Nana, stop. You¡¯re ying with fire here.¡± Sheena chuckled coyly. ¡°Admit your mistake, and I¡¯ll let you off the hook.¡± Elliot yed along. ¡°I apologize. I shouldn¡¯t have kissed you on the ne¡­¡± His voice trailed off as he leaned close to her ear, whispering, ¡°I should¡¯ve waited until we were at the hotel, and we can do whatever we want.¡± Sheena, still feeling annoyed, refused to back down. She did not care. She wanted to conquer Elliot. No longer content with being a delicate flower, she aimed to be a queen who could dominate Elliot in bed. 4 forgot wh With determination, she dered, ¡°Don¡¯t forget what you said about being punished at the hotel. Your fantasies of having belt marks will be a reality. I want to see you beg for mercy.¡± Looking at her charming face, Elliot¡¯s eyes sparkled with indulgence. ¡°Sure, Nana. Care to guess who¡¯ll be the one crying for mercy tonight?¡± Chapter 1015 Chapter 1015 Sheena scoffed arrogantly. Then let¡¯s wait and see.¡± Their eyes met, and both of them harbored intense desires for conquest. Froania was far from Ardolisia, requiring a flight of over twenty hours. With Elliot by her side, Sheena did not feel lonely during this journey. The two leaned over the airne window, watching the first rays of sunlight emerge. Then, they admired the dazzling mountains and theyers of clouds. Later, they marveled at the stunning red glow of dusk. Sheena pointed to the purplish¨Cred hues in the sky, teasing Elliot yfully. ¡°Honey, do you like that color? When wend and check into the hotel, how about I paint your skin with a touch of that purplish¨Cred?¡± Elliot wrapped his arm around her waist. ¡°A bruise in that color will surely hurt. Nana, you might talk tough, but you¡¯d definitely be reluctantter.¡± Sheena tilted her head and gently kissed his chin, signifying her response. Indeed, she could not bring herself to hurt him. Although Elliot¡¯s disobedience led to this impromptu honeymoon abroad, Sheena hoped that this business trip would be sweet and unforgettable. The long flight of over twenty hours passed quickly, and they arrived in Ardolisia around 9.30 p.m. The airport was not crowded, and the people Neil arranged to pick them up had been waiting for a while. Upon seeing Sheena and Elliot walking hand in hand out of the corridor, Neil¡¯s assistant, Queena Dunphy, eximed in surprise and approached them enthusiastically. ¡°Mr. Jenkins is also here? It¡¯s truly an honor to wee both the wealthiest woman from Froania and the most powerful figure at the National Investigation Bureau at the same time.¡± Elliot tightened his grip on Sheena¡¯s hand and shed a friendly smile. ¡°She¡¯s on a business trip, and I¡¯m just herpanion this time, apanying her for a few days Queena nced at the two in admiration. ¡°You two have such a great rtionship. It¡¯s truly admirable.¡± Elliot seemed pleased with thepliment, keeping his hand intertwined with Sheena¡¯s. ¡°Nana is tired. Ms. Dunphy, please show us the way to the hotel.¡± ¡°Certainly.¡± Queena bowed respectfully, gesturing for them to follow her to the waiting car. After a drive of over ten minutes, they arrived at the hotel. Queena handed over the key card for the presidential suite. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, this is the hotel room prepared by Mr. Gray for you and Ms. Lawson. It¡¯s gettingte, so please rest early tonight after your journey. There will be a dedicated car to pick you two up for the bidding conference the day after tomorrow.¡± Elliot casually took the key card from her. ¡°Since the conference is the day after tomorrow, and it¡¯s Sheena¡¯s first time in Ardolisia, I want to take her out tomorrow. Ms. Dunphy, do you have any rmendations?¡± Queena thought for a moment and replied, ¡°Ms. Lawson, would you be interested in visiting our Ardolisia Grand Museum to learn about our country¡¯s culture and history? If you¡¯re interested, I could also ask Mr. Gray to arrange a tour of the Ardolisia Royal Castle for you and Mr. Jenkins.¡± Sheena considered. ¡°Let¡¯s go with the museum.¡± ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll check with Mr. Gray. Whenever you¡¯re ready to depart tomorrow, just call me, and I¡¯ll arrange for a car and guide to take you to the museum.¡± Sheena graciously nodded. ¡°Thank you for your assistance.¡± ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure.¡± Queena left with her bodyguards.. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. The hotel staff immediately approached, escorting Sheena and Elliot to their respective floors and rooms with VIP treatment. With a click, the electronic door lock engaged as they entered their room. Sheena narrowed her eyes slightly, her slender fingers grabbing Elliot¡¯s tie. Taking the lead with an assertive aura, she guided Elliot to the bed. Elliot showed no resistance, disying gentle affection in his eyes as she pulled him by his tie. Pressing him down onto the bed, Sheena straddled him with confidence. Chapter 1016 hapter 1016 Eli, ready for your punishment?¡± Sheena teased. Elliot suppressed the wolfish gleam in his dark eyes, behaving like an obedient puppy under Sheena¡¯s scolding. ¡°Aren¡¯t you a little eager to punish me?¡± ¡°Of course! How can I not be excited about punishing you?¡± Elliot stifled augh, taking advantage of Sheena¡¯s distraction to swiftly flip her onto her back, pinning her down beneath him. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Sheena squirmed, but Elliot caught her wrists and held them above her head, effectively restraining her. Despite her efforts, Elliot¡¯s recent recovery had restored his strength and agility. Pouting, Sheena muttered, ¡°It¡¯s no fun if I can¡¯t resist. You were cuter when you were injected with the 023.¡± Elliot raised an eyebrow in confusion. ¡°So, Nana, you don¡¯t like it when I¡¯m strong? You prefer me as a weakling?¡± Sheena rolled her eyes, then nted a yful kiss on his cheek. ¡°I don¡¯t like weaklings, just you. I like you in any form, but the vulnerable you? That¡¯s my favorite.¡± Elliot understood her implication and relented, releasing her from his grasp. However, he kept his arms around her, keeping her close. ¡°Nana, it¡¯s been a long journey. How about we take a bath together? Tonight, I want to fill our bet in the bathroom.¡± ¡°The bathroom?¡± Sheena considered for a moment, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°It¡¯s a romantic spot. I¡¯m in.¡± With her consent, Elliot scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the bathroom. As the sound of rushing water filled the room, steam enveloped them, creating a sensual atmosphere. The showerhead cascaded water down, enveloping Elliot¡¯s sleek physique in droplets. Sheena found a bath brush somewhere, and she quietly sneaked up behind Elliot while he was under the shower. With mischief in her eyes, she aimed the brush at his perky buttocks and yfully swung it. Ouch! Elliot winced in pain, about to turn around when Sheena firmly held his waist. Hold still! No moving. It¡¯s punishment time, so stick that butt out!¡± Elliot shook his hand in resignation andplied with her request. As the water continued to casonde, there was the asional sound of smacking followed by Elliot¡¯s pained groans, The scene was both bizarre and pleasing. Seeing Elliot behave obediently, Sheena did not hit him too hard. She bnced the force just right, enough to make him squirm but not enough to cause real pain. Elliot wanted to protest but could only brace himself against the wall as Sheena continued to smack his rear, much to his difort. Observing his expression, Sheena could not help but ask, ¡°Forgot about our bet, Ell? Do you want to cry and beg for mercy?¡± Elliot gritted his teeth. Begging for more w That was just too embarrassing. fine as it showed humility to his wife. But crying? As Sheena continued to swat him with the bath brush, she teased his earlobes. ¡°Eli, if you cry and beg for mercy, not only will I spare you, but I¡¯ll also let you have your way with me. Isn¡¯t that worth considering?¡± im Bonus For Free Every Day ¡ª Chapter 1017 Chapter 1017 Having his way with her? Elliot¡¯s dark eves lit up with excitement. Elliot was willing to do anything as long as he could have her way with Sheena. Besides, shedding a few tears in front of his own wife and pleading for mercy was nothing to be ashamed of! Elliot bit his lip, forcing his eyes to turn red and teary. Then, he turned to look at her, softly surrendering. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m sorry. I won¡¯t act on my own next time. Please don¡¯t hit me anymore. My butt is already swollen.¡± Sheena lowered her gaze and nced at the swelling behind him. Indeed, his skin was swollen and red under the water droplets. She admired her handiwork and teased, ¡°Ell, your butt is even perkier now. This is what I call the Honey¡¯s Premium Rapid Butt Enhancement Method¡®. Ites with excellent quality and attentive service.¡± Elliot suppressed the urge to retort, his voice hoarse as he asked, ¡°I¡¯ve surrendered. Shouldn¡¯t you fulfill your promise and let me have my way?¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Sheena put down the bath brush and nodded. In the moment when she was unarmed, Elliot grabbed her by the wrist and pulled into the shower. The lust in Elliot¡¯s eyes could no longer be concealed. ¡°Nana, you got your wish, so isn¡¯t it time for your waist to feel some pain?¡± Before she could respond, Elliot exerted force on the hand holding her wrist, instantly switching positions. Sheena was pressed against the wall, with Elliot holding her from behind. With nothing stopping him anymore, it was time for his treat. Thinking about tomorrow¡¯s trip to the museum, Sheena shyly reminded him, ¡°Don¡¯t strain my waist too much. Otherwise, how am I going to go out tomorrow? Take it easy.¡± Elliot remained nomittal, resting his chin on her shoulder and mimicking her tone. ¡°This is what I call the ¡®Honey¡¯s Premium Fitness Technique¡®, with superior quality and the best skills.¡± Sheena could not help but sigh She clearly did this to herself. After the shower, Sheena was left with weak legs and a sore waist, making it difficult for her to stand straight Elliot tenderly wrapped her in a towel and carried her to the bed in the bedroom. He fetched a hairdryer and patiently stood by the bed, drying her wet hair. Sheena was truly exhausted, her head drooping as she leaned against his waist, closing her eyes for a brief rest. Like a beautiful and delicate doll, she allowed him to have his way with her. After more than ten minutes, Sheena¡¯s hair was dry, and Elliot carefully moved Sheena under the covers. In the darkness, Elliot held her down, lightly kissing her eyebrows, the tip of her nose¡­ She slept drowsily, awakened by the kisses. ¡°It¡¯ste. Why aren¡¯t you asleep yet?¡± ¡°Just feeling a little hungry. Do you want a little snack, Nana?¡± Sheena immediately understood, feeling annoyed. She took a deep breath, gritting her teeth. ¡°Elli- Before she could finish, her soft lips were immediately silenced. Sheena¡¯s struggle and resistance had not even started when it was abruptly stifled. She wanted to curse at him! They spent the first night of their honeymoon in a foreign country with great passion. Sheena was really tired. She slept deeply and did not wake up until noon. Her stomach growled hungrily as if sensing the allure of food, slowly awakening her groggy mind. Chapter 1018 Chapter 1018 Sheena could faintly smell the aroma of food in the air. She rubbed her eyes, supporting her sore back and sitting up. Then, she saw the busy figure in the dining room. The presidential suite was very spacious. It had a living room, bathroom, dining room, and bedroom, allvishly decorated in pure white European style. The only downside was that, except for the bathroom, there were no doors. Sheena sat quietly on the bed, staring at the figure. In the dining room, the man was dressed in a pristine white shirt paired with trousers. His body proportions were perfect, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing a glimpse of muscr and handsome arms. At this time, Elliot was arranging dishes on the table, all prepared and delivered by the hotel¡¯s chef. Sheena admired her outstanding husband, and her stomach had long been growling under the enticing aroma of the food. She moved lightly, put on her slippers, and quietly approached Elliot from behind. While he was distracted, her delicate fingertips caressed his firm buttocks, pinching it Elliot indulged her, focusing on setting the table with food. Sheena nced at the dishes on the table and teased him, ¡°Eli, your butt is really muscr. Despite being spanked with a brushst night until it¡¯s swollen and red, you can¡¯t even find a trace of swelling now.¡± Turning around, Elliot cupped the back of her head and leaned down to kiss her soft lips. Then, he gently rubbed her nose, speaking in a husky voice. *Because it¡¯s exclusively for you. It has to be muscr just for you, Nana.¡± Sheena¡¯s cheeks flushed lightly as she pushed him away with a coy pout.. ¡°You¡¯re so naughty. You¡¯re getting better with words now.¡± Elliot did not back down, holding her slender waist tightly. ¡°I haven¡¯t changed. It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve been too busytely and haven¡¯t had the chance to spend nodded in agreement. was indeed the case. The incident with Phoebe and Howard, along with Nathaniel¡¯s situation and how busy they wer with their twins, had been quite a while since Sheena spent alone time with Elliot, with just the two of them enjoying their own world. She hugged Elliot¡¯s sturdy waist, resting her head on his chest. ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve been through a lot during this time. Once the bidding event is over, and if the babies. are well taken care of, how about we extend our stay in Ardolisia? At least travel for a week before heading back. What do you think?¡± Elliot, contented, ran his fingers through her hair. ¡°I couldn¡¯t ask for more.¡± To him, the children were just an unexpected addition, but Sheena was the one and only precious gem in this world. Anyone who tried to obstruct their alone time together should simply move aside and mind their own business. After their conversation, they happily enjoyed their lunch. Later, Elliot massaged Sheena¡¯s still sore lower back. Once she regained some strength, Sheena called Queena to arrange for a car and a guide to take them to visit the grand museum. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Since it t was Sheena¡¯s first time in Ardolisia, she was quite interested in the cultural artifacts there, so she made sure to wear a pair of gold¨Crimmed sses and examined everything attentively. Elliot held her hand throughout the tour, never letting go, making them appear like a pair of young lovers strolling down the street, much to Queena¡¯s envy. During the tour, Sheena caught a glimpse of a figure in white. Turning her head, she saw another couple exploring the museum in a different area. Due to the distance, she could only see their backs as the man held the woman close, her pure white dress. trailing behind her. Queena noticed her gaze and volunteered an exnation.. ¡°They¡¯re also guests who arrived in Ardolisia yesterday for the bidding event. It¡¯s their first time here, and they¡¯re interested in the grand museum. Mr. Gray arranged for someone else to guide them through the museum.¡± Sheena casually inquired, ¡°Are they also from Froania?¡± Charter 101S ¡°No, they¡¯re from Ouna. It¡¯s Mr. Paulo Karl with his new girlfriend, Ms. Anne Windsor.¡± ¡°Anne Windsor?¡± Sheena repeated, her lips curving into a slight smile. ¡°What a lovely name. This Ms. Windsor must be quite a beauty.¡± Queena nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Ms. Lawson, your guess is spot on. Ms. Windsor is indeed gorgeous, and despite her young age, she¡¯s being pampered by Mr. Karl, much like Mr. Jenkins Is with you.¡± im Bonus For Free Every Day Chapter 1019 Chapter 1019 and Elliot shared a smile, their eyes filled with love as they resembled a couple in the ear stages of romance. ¡°Since they¡¯re here to visit the grand museum too, should we say hi and get acquainted?¡± Sheena suggested with a smile. Elliot nced at the exhibition hall across the way. ¡°Considering Mr. Karl is also spending alone time with his girlfriend, they probably wouldn¡¯t want us to interrupt. Let¡¯s wait for them to finish exploring that section before we approach.¡± Sheena nodded in agreement. She was not fond of socializing, especially when it meant disrupting their precious alone time together. Besides, she figured Paulo and Anne probably would not appreciate the interruption either. The brief interruption did not deter the two from exploring the grand museum. Sheena and Elliot would wait for Paulo and Anne to finish touring before moving on to the next exhibition hall. They took t their time, leisurely wandering through thergest museum exhibition in Ardolisia. The afternoon passed by swiftly. As they exited the museum, the sun was setting, casting a dimming light over the sky. Sheena looked at the sky, slowly moving her gaze downward, and noticed a chauffeur assisting Paulo into a car to the hotel. Anne had already taken her seat inside. From Sheena¡¯s perspective, she could only see Anne wearing a pair of white high heels with rhinestones, indicating she was likely an elegant and graceful woman. Instead of immediately boarding the car, Paulo turned back, seemingly noticing Sheena and Elliot standing at the museum¡¯s entrance. Paulo was in his forties with a beard. Even so, he was still quite handsome. He courteously nodded at Elliot, who returned the gesture. Curious, Sheena inquired, ¡°Do you know him too?¡± Eot watched as Pauld¡¯s luxurious car drove away from the museum, his tone replied, ¡°Not exactly a friend, just an acquainterice. Sheena was not interested in Paulo and did not ask further. She simply nodded and pulled Elliot Into the bar. Back : the hotel, Sheena Immediatelyy on the bed. After spending the entire afternoon at the museum, her feet were aching from exhaustion. Elliot crouched beside her, delicately picking up her dainty feet and gently massaging her soles, showering her with utmost indulgence. Observing his handsome face, Sheena smiled and asked, ¡°Why go through all this trouble, Eli? Let¡¯s just go to a massage parlor together and indulge in a spa treatment. Wouldn¡¯t that be much more rxing?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression immediately soured. He looked at her seriously, his gaze intense. ¡°Your feet, or any part of your body for that matter, are off¨C limits to anyone else. If anyone dares to touch them, I¡¯ll chop off their hands.¡± Elliot was clearly dering that Sheena was his and his only. Sheena raised an eyebrow, mischief dancing in her eyes as she teased, ¡°And what if I were to touch another man voluntarily?¡± Elliot¡¯s foot massage paused, his eyes slightly reddened as he stared at her. ¡°If that were the case, it would mean I¡¯ve failed to keep you happy and maintain your attraction to me. I would reflect on my actions, kneel and beg for forgiveness, even offer my life to win back your love.¡± Sheena¡¯s heart fluttered as she gently caressed his handsome face. ¡°Eli, we¡¯re equal in our rtionship. You don¡¯t need to be so submissive.¡± She cupped his face, speaking earnestly, ¡°My feelings will never change, and I¡¯ll never touch. another man. I only love you.¡± Elliot, feeling content, pulled her into his arms, tumbling her onto the bed. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°We¡¯re on our honeymoon, and you actually brought up questions that could jeopardize our rtionship. Shouldn¡¯t there be some punishment?¡± Sheena yfully nted a kiss on his chin. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. How do you want to punish me?¡± Elliot lightly squeezed her waist, his voice husky. ¡°Well, your mistake should be atoned for by your slender waist.¡± With that, he leaned down, showering her with a passionate kiss that brimmed with possessiveness. As the sun hadpletely set, darkness gradually enveloped thend. Chapter 1020 Chapter 1020 in the presidential suite, the lights remained off, hiding all the intimate moments in the Hazy darkness. Sheene never resisted, thinking it would be over after one round. Little did she know, this was just Elliot¡¯s first serving for the night. The night was long but also beautiful. Due to the time difference, it was daytime in Froania. Howard, worried about Phoebe¡¯s recovery and the filming of her first scene, personally came to oversee the web drama production. The requirements for acting in web dramas were low, yet Phoebe kept getting numerous retakes. As Phoebe¡¯s memory had regressed for four years, she had forgotten all her experiences in the entertainment industry. Facing the camera, she was just like a naive rookie. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. With entertainment mogul Howard overseeing, the director dared not express anger and could only patiently guide Phoebe through scene after scene, even stepping in personally to coach her. Phoebe nervously gripped her skirt, disappointed and disheartened with herself. Howard noticed the exhaustion on her face and halted filming, bringing Phoebe over and gently wiping the sweat from her forehead with a wet tissue. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Howard, but I can handle it myself.¡± Her words were polite yet distant. Howard froze, suppressing the ache in his heart as he handed her the wet tissue. ¡°After trying for several hours, how do you feel? Do you feel like you¡¯ve gotten into character?¡± Phoebe sighed and shook her head,cking confidence. ¡°Was I really a star who won the Best Actress Award before?¡± Howard nodded and replied, ¡°Yes. Your trophy is still at my mansion. You¡¯ve seen it.¡± Phoebe¡¯s expression wasplex, looking frustrated. ¡°Why don¡¯t I remember anything? Logically, my acting shoulde naturally after filming so many scenes, but I really don¡¯t feel anything. She could tell that after several hours, not a single scene could be used. Moreover, the director was also feeling hopeless. However, he did not dare scold her out of respect for Howard. She felt a deep sense of guilt but did not know what to do. Howard tirelessly reminded her, ¡°I¡¯m not lying to you. All these honors were achieved through your own efforts. But, Phoebe, don¡¯t be discouraged. You¡¯ve just been ill, and once you recover, you¡¯ll remember everything.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Phoebe sounded unsure. ¡°Do I really have a chance to recover?¡± Howard hesitated, lowering his eyes with a hint of guilt, and nodded. In truth, Yosef had mentioned Phoebe¡¯s nerves were damaged and might be challenging to recover. He gently patted her arm tofort her, ¡°Even if you can¡¯t remember anything, it¡¯s okay. You¡¯ll always be my fiancee. Your name will be the only one on my future marriage certificate. I don¡¯t mind if you¡¯ve forgotten me. I just hope you won¡¯t continue to reject me, deliberately ignore me, or refuse me toe close to you. Give me a chance to start anew with you. Phoebe kept her head down, hesitated for a while, and then nodded reluctantly, seeming distracted. It was as if she had not listened carefully to Howard¡¯s words. ¡°Um¡­ Mr. Howard, I really seem to have no acting skills. I feel very lost facing the camera. Perhaps forgetting these four years of memories is fate¡¯s way of giving me a chance to start over. I want to make a new choice. Is that okay?¡± Howard¡¯s fingertips trembled, suppressing his fear as he asked, ¡°What do you want to choose?¡± Was it whether she wanted to be with him? Whether she wanted to be his fiancee? Whether she wanted to walk down the aisle with him in the future? His eyes reddened, his hands clenched tightly, anxiously awaiting Phoebe¡¯s answer. Chapter 1021 1021 be met Howard¡¯s gaze with her innocent eyes and began to exin. Maybe I¡¯m not cut out for the acting industry. I want to step back and think about my future after returning home to choose a path that suits me better.¡± Howard breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it was not about breaking off the engagement, breaking up, or leaving him, he would spare no effort to help her achieve her goals, even if she wanted the stars in the sky. ¡°Alright, I promise you. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t pressure you into making a decision. With your current 21¨C year¨Cold mindset and no experience in acting, you certainly have the opportunity to choose a new career path.¡± He extended his hand. With a tender gaze and deep and soothing voice, he added, ¡°Let me handle the matters on set. You¡¯ve had a tiring day today. I¡¯ll take you back to rest, okay?¡± Phoebe stared at his broad palm, unmoving for a while. Howard, patient as ever, waited quietly for her response. Phoebe was indeed torn. While Howard might be considered a wealthy and handsome catch, he was still a stranger to her. Moreover, she had never dated before. Phoebe could not bring herself to act affectionately with him. Then again, he was her fiance, and their rtionship was known to all in Froania. It was even in the headlines on the inte for three days straight. Hence, no matter how unfamiliar she was with him, she had to try to ept it. Phoebe slowly reached out her hand, cing it in Howard¡¯s palm. Howard¡¯s eyes sparkled with joy, and his heart filled with excitement. He helped her up, leading her away from the set. Walking side by side, he suddenly wondered if it would upset her if he dared to do something bold at this moment. Something like¡­ picking her up? Well, he had to try. With that thought, he stopped in his tracks. Phoebe, head down as he led her, bumped into his back. Mr. Howard?¡± She rubbed her forehead dazedly and looked up at him. Howard turned around, bent slightly, and immediately scooped her into his arms. ¡°What¡­ are you doing?¡± Phoebe eximed. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to feel tired from all the walking, so I¡¯ve decided to carry you to the car.¡± Howard¡¯s deep, smooth voice was incredibly attractive, causing Phoebe¡¯s heart to beat uncontrobly faster. ¡°There are so many people outside. You should just let me down. I can walk by myself¡­¡± ¡± However, Howard¡¯s arm remained firm, his steps steady and swift. ¡°I¡¯m carrying my fiancee. What are they going to say? Phoebe, you¡¯ll have to get used to situations like this in the future. You can even try ordering me around.¡± Phoebe lowered her head, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Too shy to speak, she let Howard carry her to the car. Howard nced at the obedient Phoebe in his arms. She was so docile and adorable. In the quiet night in Ardolisia, only the asional sound of heavy breathing could be heard from the presidential suite. As Elliot attempted to get closer for the fifth time, Sheena¡¯s delicate foot pressed against his broad chest, creating a barrier between them. Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Can you calm down for a moment? How many times are you going to bother me tonight? We¡¯ve already done it four times. Why are you so horny?¡± Sheena red at him angrily, her small foot forcefully pushing him away to maintain a safe distance. Elliot pouted innocently ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be happy that your husband is so energetic?¡± Sheena did not respond to that question, and her expression was cold. ¡°I just want to sleep now. Tomorrow is the bidding conference. Don¡¯t mess up my important matters. Chapter 1022 Chapter 1022 No, I won¡¯t Elliot persisted, still attempting to get closer, but Sheena¡¯s foot kept him at bay. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. ¡°Honey, if you can¡¯t get out of bed tomorrow, I¡¯ll help you since I¡¯m here in Ardolisia with you. There won¡¯t be any surprises.¡± Sheena shook her head in disbelief. ¡°Then, if I don¡¯t feel like eating in the future, I¡¯ll just let you eat for me. Let¡¯s see if your belly feels full after you¡¯ve eaten enough.* Elliot fell silent, lowering his gaze and looking like a disappointed puppy. Unable to bear his dejected expression, Sheena sighed and softened her tone. ¡°Can¡¯t you be a little more obedient? It¡¯s alreadyte. If we don¡¯t rest now, I won¡¯t have the energy to deal with tomorrow¡¯s bidding conference. After the conference, we can go shopping at Ardolisia¡¯s largest mall. How about that?¡± Elliot nodded, finallyplying. Sheena retracted her foot andzily snuggled under the covers, closing her eyes to sleep. Elliot obedientlyy beside her, pulling her close and tucking her into his embrace. Thinking about Sheena¡¯s suggestion to go shopping, he whispered in her ear, ¡°Then¡­ can you buy a cute dress when we go shopping?¡± Half asleep, Sheena murmured, ¡°Okay.¡± Satisfied with her response, Elliot kissed her cheek and added, ¡°I mean a maid costume, kitty costume, you know? And¡­ ck stockings¡­¡± Sheena was too exhausted to respond and had already drifted into dreand, simply replying,* Mmhmm. Nheless, Elliot was delighted. ¡°Honey, you agreed. No backing outter.¡± He tucked Sheena in, buried his nose in her hair, and fell asleep. The bidding conference was scheduled for 1.00 p.m. the next day. With the curtains drawn, the presidential suite was shrouded in darkness, perfect for sleep. Sheena and Elliot were both still sound asleep, unaware that the bidding conference was about to begin. Queena noticed their absence and decided to call them. The intrusive ringtone of the phone echoed repeatedly. Sheena, still groggy from sleep, finally answered on the third ring. ¡°Ms. Lawson, the bidding conference will start in five minutes. Are you and Mr. Jenkins stuck in traffic?¡± The mention of the bidding conference instantly woke Sheena from her drowsy state. ¡°Five minutes?¡± She sprang up from bed, ignoring her sore body, and hurriedly changed clothes. Sheena¡¯s abrupt movements also startled Elliot awake. Upon learning that they might bete for the bidding conference due to oversleeping fromst night¡¯s sessions, he pursed his lips silently, grabbed his phone from the bedside table, and quickly typed a few messages. A minuteter, Sheena¡¯s phone rang again. It was also Queena. This time, her tone was less urgent as she said, ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Gray has been informed of your and Mr. Jenkins¡¯s situation. The bidding conference will be dyed for another half an hour, so you don¡¯t have to rush. Take your time.¡± Sheena paused in the midst of putting on her dress, turning to look at Elliot, whoy calmly on the bed. ¡°Honey, are you trying to have me abuse your connections? Are you trying to have all the guests at the bidding conference wait because of our tardiness?¡± Elliot shrugged it off. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Sheena felt a bit annoyed. ¡°I don¡¯t like taking the back door. I prefer¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Elliot suddenly got up from the bed, pulled her into his arms, and in a seductive tone, said, ¡°But, you like taking my back door, and my back door is only open for you.¡± Sheena¡¯s expression froze. the s Were they talking about the same thing? Chapter 1023 Wing Elliot, he must have had some bad Intentions. Annoyed, Sheena raised her hand and flicked his forehead. This is about work, so be serious.¡± Elliot frowned and rubbed his sore forehead, employing a deflecting tactic. I¡¯m talking about something serious. You¡¯re the one thinking in the wrong direction.¡± Sheena raised an eyebrow. Did that mean she was not as naive anymore? She flicked Elliot¡¯s forehead again, using him firmly, ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯ve corrupted me with your dirty talk,¡± Elliot knew Sheena would me him for it no matter what. Hence, he just hung his head obediently and remained silent. Seeing him behave, Sheena kissed him on the cheek and then remembered the dy of the bidding conference by half an hour. Curiously, she asked, ¡°Neil is the heir apparent of Ardolisia after all, with high status and authority. Moreover, he¡¯s such a principled person. Why would he agree to your request without hesitation? What did you say to him?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression turned mysterious. ¡°Do you really want to know?¡± Sheena nodded. He shed a mischievous smile and remained secretive. It¡¯s ssified.¡± Sheena seemed on the verge of getting angry. Sensing this, Elliot swiftly changed the subject. ¡°Alright, Honey, let¡¯s get ready. If we don¡¯t make it to the bidding conference in half an hour, it won¡¯t look good.¡± Sheena gave him a disdainful nce but decided to prioritize the important task. She headed to the bathroom to freshen up, change into her formal attire, and apply a quick five- minute face mask before putting on delicate makeup. Within half an hour, the two of them arrived at the venue of the bidding conference The entrance was calm and quiet, with only the bodyguards and Queens waiting The other guests were already seated in the conference hall. Queena spotted the couple and hurriedly approached. Mr. Jenkins, Ma, Lawson, you¡¯re finally here,¡± she said, smoothly taking Sheena¡¯s hand and leading her into the venue. As they walked, Queena whispered, ¡°Ms. Lawson, are you feeling better? Is it still hurting? Do you need to take more medicine?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sheena looked puzzled. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Thinking Sheena was just being shy, Queena clicked her tongue and gave a knowing smile. ¡°Ardolisia is open¨Cminded, and things between couples are normal, especially since we¡¯re all women here. Ms. Lawson, you don¡¯t need to be embarrassed.¡± Sheena was utterly confused. What on earth was she talking about? She nced back at Elliot trailing behind her, giving him a sharp re. What did he say to Neil to dy the auction? Elliot chuckled innocently, but Sheena narrowed her eyes, silently threatening him. Queena, still holding onto Sheena, leaned in close and asked in a gossipy tone, ¡°Ms. Lawson, Mr. Jenkins must be quite passionate, huh? Otherwise, how did you get injured?¡± She giggled indeed, ¡°Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re really lucky. I¡¯m so jealous!¡± Sheena remained silent throughout, and Queena got bored talking alone. Thankfully, they happened to reach the entrance of the conference hall, ending their private conversation abruptly. The entire conference hall was unusually quiet, with asional whispers from the guests. Amidst the curious gazes of the crowd, Sheena and Elliot, led by Queena, took their seats in the front row. As all the guests assembled, the bidding conference officiallymenced, and the slight discord. caused by Sheena and Elliot¡¯ste arrival stopped. Neil took the stage and delivered the necessary opening speech. After a few minutes, Neil¡¯s speech concluded, and the venue erupted into enthusiastic apuse. Afterward, the conference staff stepped forward to collect USB drives containing project proposal files from each group leader attending the conference, ensuring meticulous organization and efficiency throughout the event.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Chapter 1024 1024 conference hall was vast, and it took ten minutes for the staff to collect all the project oposals from the group leaders and make proper records. Nell tork the stage once again, saying, ¡°Everyone, Dorvell Corporation¡¯s Foreign Cooperation Department needs at least an hour to review all the proposals carefully. During this time, feel free to move around or enjoy the performance by Ardolisia¡¯s bands.¡± As he spoke, the staff immediately brought in stands, drums, pianos, and other musical Instruments. Nell had spared no expense for this bidding conference and invited several celebrity bands. Feeling tired from the previous night, Sheena opted to stay seated and watch the performance. Soon, the celebrity bands took the stage, and as the music started, the entire hall instantly came alive. What was initially a solemn event turned into a lively affair with the arrival of the energetic bands. It seemed odd yet strangely pleasant, full of creativity. Sheena enjoyed the show, and the attentive staff even provided special snacks for the guests. With the upbeat music, the atmosphere became livelier. When the lead singer reached a high point in the song, he even did an impromptu striptease, revealing his abs, much to the excitement of thedies in the audience. Even Sheena raised her eyebrows, enjoying the spirited performance. While Sheena was engrossed in the show, Elliot could not help but watch her, emanating an air of resentment from time to time. ¡°Is it good?¡± Sheena savored the delicious snacks and casually nodded. ¡°It¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Then, are his abs better looking or mine?¡± Sheena finally turned to him and winked yfully. ¡°Yours.¡± Elliot felt relieved and offered her a snack, but he still could not shake off his curiosity. Then why are you only looking at him and not me?! Once again, Sheena turned her head to face him, meeting his gaze. It was a difficult question to answer, so after thinking for a while, Sheena chose to ignore it. She pretended not to hear and continued to enjoy the band¡¯s performance,ughing carefreely. Ellot took a deep breath, suppressing his urge tosh out on the spot. Then, he turned away from Sheena and ignored her. Sheena,pletely engrossed in watching the lead singer¡¯s abs, had cold¨Cshouldered him. However, once they returned to the hotel, he would show Sheena who was in charge. He would make her work hard to make up for it, so hard that she would not be able to get out of bed for three days straight! As Elliot contemted his n, he felt a sense of satisfaction. Meanwhile, Sheena watched the performance with amusement. Suddenly, a slender figure in a white dress passed by and instantly caught her attention. She focused her gaze and recognized the familiar silhouette from the business g in Svelton a few days ago. Before Sheena could make a move to follow, the girl had already taken a seat on the other side of the front row. Her view of the girl¡¯s profile was partially blocked by several tall men seated in between. Sheena felt a sense of unease and pondered over the familiar figure in her mind. She was sure she knew it from somewhere. ¡°Honey, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Elliot noticed her unusual expression. Sheena¡¯s face was serious as she lowered her voice, ¡°Honey, I think I saw that silhouette again. The one like She.¡± Even though Denzel, the host of the business g, had provided the list of all the women in white dresses who attended the event that day, it was difficult to identify them as they were from abroad with prominent status. As a result, Ford has not made much progress these past few days. Adopting a serious tone, Elliot stopped Sheena as she prepared to get up. ¡°len¡¯t your waist hurting? You should walk less. Let me go and take a look.¡± Sheena nodded, Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. Just as Elliot was about to get up, the band¡¯s final song ended, and Neil returned to the stage, preparing to announce the final agreement reached at the bidding conference. This was the most significant event of their trip, so Elliot had no choice but to sit back down and walt for Neil to finish his announcement. Chapter 1025 1025 Amidst the anticipation of all the guests, Nell picked up the microphone. He announced, ¡®After discussions among the groups, the Lawson Group from Froa has been warded the coboration for this project. Congrattions.¡± The room erupted in apuse. Some felt disappointed, others eximed in surprise, while some praised the decision. Sheena and Elliot remained the mostposed, as this oue was not unexpected. As the apuse continued, Sheena gracefully stood up, turned back, and nodded slightly to all the guests in the room, a gesture of courtesy and politeness. She stepped onto the red carpet, making her way to the stage, where she shook hands with Neil, expressing her pleasure in the cooperation. The media snapped photos of the handshake, and the camera lights shed. Sheena maintained a poised and elegant demeanor, exuding grace and charm. With the bidding conference reaching this point, it was essentially over. The groups that were not selected could only return empty¨Chanded. However, to everyone¡¯s surprise, before Neil announced the end of the conference, he revealed another piece of good news. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I have reviewed all the project proposals from the guest groups today. After consultation, we have also identified another promising project and decided to prioritize cooperating with thatpany for the next project. ¡± The guests in the hall became excited again, hoping that theirpany would be the one Neil N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. mentioned. With much anticipation, Neil announced, ¡°Congrattions to the AN Group. It¡¯s an honor to coborate with yourpany on the next project.¡± On the right side of the front row, a girl let out a soft gasp. The AN Group belonged to Paulo, the man who visited the grand museum yesterday. Amidst the thunderous apuse, Paulo¡¯s girlfriend hugged him excitedly. ¡°You nned this project. It¡¯s all your credit,¡± Paulo said. Thank you, Paulo, i love you,¡± she replied. haring an intimate moment, the girl in the white dress stood up slowly, smiling and bowing humbly to all the guests in the room. From Sheena¡¯s angle, she could only see the girl¡¯s back and a faint outline of her profile. She squeezed Elliot¡¯s hand tightly, her cold gaze narrowing. ¡°It¡¯s her, that girl who looks like She.¡± Anne? Sheena repeated the name in her mind countless times. Not far away, Anne emerged from her seat, walking gracefully to the stage, where she shook hands with Neil in a friendly manner, all under the watchful eyes of the media and shing lights. It was not until Anne stepped onto the stage, smiling at the guests below, that Sheena could clearly see her face. It was a face she did not recognize, not She¡¯s. Compared to She, Anne had a straighter nose,rger and clearer eyes, and a smaller jawline, giving her a delicate and adorable appearance. Her smile was warm and inviting, capable of warming hearts. Sheena stared intently at her face, feeling that each of Anne¡¯s features somehow echoed She¡¯s charm. Besides, was it possible for two people to have nearly identical silhouettes? As she pondered, the glint in her eyes grew colder. As the bidding conference came to an end, guests began to leave one by one. Elliot suddenly received a phone call and went to a quiet corridor nearby to answer it. From the moment Anne stepped off the stage, Sheena¡¯s gaze remained fixed on her. Chapter 1026 Chapter 1026 Seeing her chatting with Paulo, Sheena walked over in her high heels. Ms. Windsor, you¡¯re truly Impressive. Despite your young age, youpleted a project with a major corporation alone and even caught Mr. Gray¡¯s attention. Congrattions.¡± Hearing her voice, Anne turned around gracefully, offering a friendly smile. ¡°Still not as impressive as you, Ms. Lawson. After all, I¡¯m the next coborator, while you¡¯re the winner of this coboration. Congrattions, Ms. Lawson.¡± Standing closer, Sheena listened carefully to Anne¡¯s voice and noticed a hint of hoarseness,cking the melodious tone of a young girl. ¡°Ms. Windsor, what happened to your voice? It sounds a bit more mature than other girls your age,¡± Sheena asked tactfully. Paulo, who still looked handsome in his forties, naturally wrapped his arm around Anne¡¯s slender waist and exined, ¡°Anne has had this voice since she was young, but I love it. I find it very melodic and unique.¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Anne¡¯s face as she casually asked, ¡°How old is Ms. Windsor this year?¡± Paulo answered, ¡°Twenty¨Cone.¡± Twenty¨Cone? Sheena did the math.. If She were still alive, she would only be 20 this year. Anne remarked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, you¡¯ve been staring at my face since earlier. Did I mess up my makeup today?¡± Sheena smiled in response, ¡°No, Ms. Windsor. Your makeup is exquisite, giving an amiable vibe and a familiar presence¡± Anne smiled, her eyes twinkling innocently, without saying a word. Sheena continued probing, ¡°I remember Mr. Karl and Ms. Windsor both came from Ouna, but Ms. Windsor¡¯s ent sounds like ours.¡± ¡°I studied in Froania for a few years before. I also love Froania and consider it a wonderful Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. country. If given the chance, I would love to return. Sheena also smiled. ¡°You¡¯re wee to visit Froania, Ms. Windsor. And If you evere to Froania, feel free to call me. I¡¯d be delighted to be your tour guide for a day and promote the culture of our country.¡± Thank you for your hospitality, Ms. Lawson They exchanged friendly nods as Paulo wrapped his arm around Anne¡¯s shoulder. Then, they departed the hall. Even after they left, Sheena remained standing in ce, reying every moment of her conversation with Anne. There was something about this girl that she found peculiar. Besides, She was known for being an award¨Cwinning actress, capable of concealing her actions and portraying innocence effortlessly. With this in mind, Sheena took out her phone, contemting whether to call directly or send a text. Considering the time difference with Froania, she opted for a text message instead in case Ford was asleep. [Sheena: Check the guest list from thest business g for the name Anne Windsor. Focus on gathering personal information and all relevant details.] After sending the message, Sheena locked her phone screen and ced it back into her designer handbag. Meanwhile, Elliot had finished his phone call and hurried back, his expression grim and troubled. Sheena almost immediately sensed his uneasy and tense demeanor. ¡°What happened? Who called?¡± Elliot lowered his head, initially intending to hide the truth, but Sheena saw right through him instantly. Eyeing his expression, Sheena¡¯s tone grew stern. ¡°Answer me. Is it about Asher and Adora?¡± Elliot clenched his fists, feeling tense. J ¡°Jacintha just called. She said that yesterday, it rained all day in Svelton, causing a sudden drop in temperature. When they took Asher and Adora to the garden to y, they might have caught a cold¡­¡± ¡°Get to the point!¡± Sheena interrupted sharply. Taking a deep breath, Elliot delivered the news. ¡°The babies are running a high fever.¡± Chapter 1027 Chapter 1027 ¡°High fever?¡± Sheena gasped, her expression instantly grave as she turned to leave. ¡°We need to buy ne tickets and go back home immediately.¡± ¡°Honey, hold on a moment,¡± Elliot said, gripping her wrist with aposed tone. ¡°It¡¯ste night in Froania right now, and we didn¡¯t arrange for a private jet this time. There might not be flights avable tonight, and even if there are, it¡¯s a more than 20¨Chour flight back home.¡± Sheena red at him, retorting, ¡°So, we just sit around and do nothing? Elliot, our babies are sick, and you¡¯re not worried at all?¡± She shook off his hand and strode out in her high heels. Elliot sighed heavily, quickly catching up. ¡°I admit, I was wrong. I¡¯m worried too, but the journey back is too long. I¡¯ve already called. Nathaniel and Lionel, and they¡¯re arranging for a pediatrician from the Jenkins family¡¯s medical team to take care of the babies.¡± Walking alongside Sheena, Elliot continued to exin, ¡°Nathaniel promised to look after the babies, ensuring they take their antipyretic medication and get the necessary treatment. You can trust him.¡± Sheena remained silent, her cold demeanor indicating her current displeasure, a sign of ant impending storm. Elliot gulped, following her closely, racking his brain toe up with exnations. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Honey, it¡¯s normal for babies to experience some bumps along the road of growing up, like catching a fever or getting minor illnesses¡­¡± Sheena stopped in her tracks, casting a chilling nce back at him. Sensing the impending doom, Elliot obediently stayed silent and followed her. They returned to the hotel in silence. Sheena was glued to her phone the entire time, searching for flights. The flight tickets back to Froania that night was sold out, leaving them with no choice but to take the earliest flight the next day, which wouldnd them in Froania in the early moming hours. Sheena¡¯s heart ached when she thought about their babies suffering with such a high fever at such a young age. She wished she could fly back immediately to be with their precious. little ones. Upon returning to their room, Sheena began packing her luggage. She had bought the earliest flight for the next day, at 6 a.m. Since she would not have enough time in the morning, she needed to sort out unnecessary items now to save time the next day. The presidential suite was filled with a heavy atmosphere. Elliot stood quietly for a moment, seeing Sheenapletely ignoring him, making him. ufortable. He approached her and started helping her pack. However, as soon as he crouched to pack the suitcase, Sheena turned and left. ¡°Nana? ¡°Honey¡­¡± No response. He felt suffocated. On the ne to Ardolisia, Sheena had made it clear that she would not let him off lightly if anything happened to their babies. Nheless, he would prefer her to hit him a few times to release her anger rather than give him the cold shoulder. While Elliot was deep in his thoughts, he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up to see Sheena holding a clothes hanger, looking terrifying. ¡°Honey!¡± Elliot quickly got up, stepping back nervously. Sheena approached with the ¡®weapon¡® in her hand, her imposing aura making him retreat to the corner of the room. The tall and muscr man now seemed vulnerable and helpless. ¡°Honey, let¡¯s talk things out. We shouldn¡¯t resort to violence, and this clothes hanger you¡¯re holding is made of iron. Do you really want to break my legs?¡± Chapter 102T The other end of the clothes hanger was firmly pressed against his chest. ¡°Elliot, is this how you admit your mistakes?¡± ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry,¡± Elliot stammered, raising his hands in surrender. ¡°Yes, I was wrong.¡± ¡°What did you do?¡± Elliot stayed silent, contemting. Sheena¡¯s eyes filled with disappointment and disbelief as he stared at him. ¡°If you had stayed home and taken care of the babies like you were supposed to, Asher and Adora wouldn¡¯t have been taken to the garden by Jacintha and Auntie Freida, and they, wouldn¡¯t have gotten sick. This matter was entirely avoidable.¡± Chapter 1028 Chapter 1028 Elliot, we¡¯re adults, and even we feel miserable when we have a fever. Imagine how ufortable it is for the little ones. Your kids are suffering because of your reckless mistakes. Don¡¯t you feel guilty about it?¡± Elliot could not argue with her, knowing he was at fault for the babies getting sick. Moreover, seeing Sheena sad because of his mistake broke his heart too. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t think things through properly. I ept your punishment,¡± Elliot said, resigned. Then, he walked over to the nearby desk, bending with his elbows resting on the table. Sheena swung the iron hanger with force. A dull sound echoed as it struck his buttocks and thighs. Elliot gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly, enduring the pain without a sound. Sheena struck the same spot two more times, causing Elliot to groan in pain. The skin in the area was the most sensitive, and the continuous blows were unbearable. It was truly painful. Elliot¡¯s body trembled slightly, and he turned his head pitifully. ¡°It hurts¡­ Honey, are you really trying to break my legs?¡± Sheena¡¯s hand stopped mid¨Cswing, staring at him in silence. She did not deny it, but she did not confirm it either. Clearly, she could not bear seeing him hurt too. Taking advantage of this, Elliot pleaded, ¡°Honey, my legs are very important. How about keeping them intact so I can make amends for my mistake?¡± Sheena red at him sternly and scolded, ¡°Stop being cheeky. How many times did I wam you on the ne? If you had listened to me, Asher and Adora wouldn¡¯t be sick.¡± Elliot remained silent. Sheena continued, ¡°The babies are suffering from a fever, and it¡¯s hurting me too. Yet, you seemed to be unaffected. Is that how a dad is supposed to act?¡± Elliot¡¯s face turned pale, defending himself, ¡°It¡¯s hurting me too. I¡¯m not only worrying for the babies, but I¡¯m worrying for you too.¡± You caused this mess, so you should bear the consequences. What¡¯s a little bit of punishment to make you reflect on your actions?¡± Elliot remained silent, realizing there was no escaping Sheena¡¯s logic. ¡°Fine, it¡¯s my fault, so I ept the punishment,¡± Elliot muttered, bracing himself for the impending pain. Sheena tightened her grip on the hanger but hesitated to continue the punishment. She could not bring herself to really break Elliot¡¯s leg, and causing him to bleed would be Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. too much too. Caught in a dilemma, she struggled with her decision. However, she had already spoken those harsh words and found it hard to backtrack¡­. As Sheena wrestled with her thoughts, her phone suddenly rang. It was a video call from Nathaniel. Thinking it was an urgent update about the babies, Sheena immediately dropped the hanger and grabbed the phone from the bed, swiftly answering the call. Elliot sighed in relief, quietly rubbing his injury, and followed Sheena to the bedside. As the video connected, Nathaniel¡¯s handsome face appeared on the screen. He was dressed in loose pajamas, revealing a glimpse of his delicate corbones. Elliot furrowed his brows, feeling the anger rise within him. Unconcerned with Elliot¡¯s reaction, Sheena focused on the video call, asking Nathaniel,¡± How are the babies?¡± Nathaniel adjusted the cam¨¦ra to show Adora nestled in hisp, her cheeks flushed from the fever. The pediatrician from the Jenkins family medical team had arrived and was preparing for the injection. However, Adora seemed to anticipate the injection, her face creased with worry, tears glistening in her eyes. Seeing her pitiful state, Sheena¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. Chapter 1029 Chapter 1029 Nathaniel noticed Sheena¡¯s unease and gently reassured her, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t worry. Asher and Adora are doing good. Asher already got his shot and didn¡¯t cry. Adora seems a little timider, but she¡¯s quiet when I hold her.¡± Sheena¡¯s heart ached as she looked at Adora¡¯s sad expression. Finally, she managed to utter, ¡°Thank you for your help.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no problem,¡± Nathaniel replied with a smile, his eyes sparkling. His beautiful blue eyes would only shimmer when they saw Sheena. Elliot observed their interaction, his heart sinking. He suppressed his urge to cry and quietly went to pack his suitcase. Sheena paid little attention to Nathaniel, and her focus was entirely on Adora. In the video, the doctor was preparing the injection, hiding the needle from Adora¡¯s view. However, she seemed to sense what wasing, wrinkling her nose and staring at the doctor suspiciously. Sheena concealed her worry and smiled reassuringly at Adora.. ¡°Be brave, Adora. Daddy and I will be back tomorrow. The doctor is really gentle, and it won¡¯t hurt.¡± Pointing to Sheena on the screen, Nathaniel coaxed Adora, ¡°Adora, look. Mommy is watching you, and I¡¯m here with you too.¡± Adora seemed to feel her mother¡¯s presence, weakly reaching out toward the screen with her chubby hand. Taking advantage of the distraction, the doctor swiftly administered the injection. Btedly realizing the pain, Adora wrinkled her little features and shed tears. However, instead of wailing loudly, she whimpered softly. Her wet eyshes clumped together, making her look both pitiful and adorable. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Adora. I¡¯m here with you,¡± Shenaforted. She felt so distressed when she saw Adora in pain, and tears started to well up in her eyes. It had been so long since she felt this sad, and she held back tears in front of the camera. Nathaniel also calmed the baby, saying, ¡°Let me kiss your boo¨Cboo. Now, now, it¡¯ll all be better. After crying for a while, Adora nestled in Nathaniel¡¯s arms and fell asleep, possibly due to the difort of being ill. Then, Nathaniel adjusted the camera to Lionel, who was holding Asher nearby. Lionel looked a bit awkward, trying not to disturb the sleeping baby. He grinned at Sheena, reassuring her. After that, Nathaniel returned the focus to Sheena and gentlyforted her, ¡°Nana, don¡¯t be sad. It¡¯s normal for babies to catch a cold and run a fever. They¡¯ve taken antipyretics and got their shots. After a good night¡¯s sleep, they¡¯ll probably be fever¨Cfree by tomorrow. If you¡¯re busy with important matters there, don¡¯t rush back. I¡¯ll take time off from work to look after the babies, and I promise there won¡¯t be any more high fever incidents.¡± ¡°Thank you so much. I¡¯ll treat you to a meal when I return.¡± Nathaniel chuckled. ¡°Sure thing, Nana. I¡¯ve been looking forward to it. I¡¯ll hold you to that promise when you¡¯re back.¡± Sheena nodded, and the video call ended. Alone by the bedside, she could not hold back her tears any longer, overwhelmed by sorrow. Only she knew how exhausting it was to carry the babies for nine months. During their time in Laubabwe, Sheena had to secure Clear while safeguarding her unborn children. Moreover, she suffered from severe morning sickness just six and a half weeks into her pregnancy. Upon returning home, the Lawson family was in a mess, and she nearly reached a breaking point several times. She had endured much hardship while pregnant with Asher and Adora, and they were the only reason she persisted during those tough times. Seeing Adora suffer from a fever, crying and whimpering, Sheena felt a pang of hurt in her heart, filled with empathy and guilt. Chapter 1029 She silently endured her sorrow for a while until Elliot sighed and crouched beside her, gently cing his hands on her knees and apologizing.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Chapter 1030 Chapter 1030 Sorry, it¡¯s all my fault. If you¡¯re still upset, you can continue hitting me to let off steam, but please don¡¯t be sad,¡± Elliot apologized earnestly. Sheena remained silent and lowered her gaze, refusing to look at him. Elliot fetched some tissues from the bedside table and carefully wiped away her tears. Once Sheena had ovee the initial wave of distress, her expression softened, and she showed no inclination to hit him. While Elliot wiped away her tears, he suddenly remembered their shopping n for tomorrow. He hesitantly asked, ¡°Honey, are we really leaving early tomorrow? We talked about going shopping yesterday¡­¡± Sheena stared at him in disbelief. ¡°The babies are sick, and you¡¯re still thinking about going out to have fun?¡± She could not fathom what was going through his mind, finding his priorities unbelievable. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to go back, I¡¯ll go first, and you can stay in Ardolisia for a few days.¡± Elliot was baffled and retorted, ¡°You want to go back alone and leave me in Ardolisia? Why? Do you want to go back and take care of the babies with Nathaniel?¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Thinking about Nathaniel¡¯s tender conversation with Sheena during the video call, Elliot chuckled self¨Cdeprecatingly. ¡°You two really look like a loving family of four.¡± As if unwilling to ept it, he tightened his grip on Sheena¡¯s arm, his eyes welling up with tears. ¡°Nana, what does that make me?¡± Sheena stared at him in shock, asking, ¡°You¡¯re the one who doesn¡¯t want to go back, and now it¡¯s suddenly me wanting to go back and be a family of four with Nathaniel? And Elliot, I¡¯m your wife. Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s hurtful to say?¡± Seeing the pain In Sheena¡¯s eyes, Elliot realized his jealousy was inappropriate given her current mood. I spoke out of turn. I didn¡¯t mean anything by it. Please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Sheena sighed, deciding not to dwell on the topic further. She spoke earnestly, ¡°Eli, don¡¯t you know children from wealthy families face too much scrutiny? I experienced it myself when I was young, so I¡¯m genuinely afraid for the babies.¡± This was her trauma. Now, with the Jenkins and Lawson families joining forces, they were the richest people in Froania. As a result, many eyes were on them, and there were inevitably manypetitors in the business world. She was afraid someone would target the babies and make them suffer, as she did when she was abandoned at the orphanage in Farlem. Elliot remained kneeling, reaching up to caress her cheek. ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll try my best to be in sync with you from now on, okay?¡± Sheena nodded, finally showing a hint of a smile. Elliot caught sight of the iron hanger on the floor and asked, ¡°Are you still going to hit me, Honey?¡± Sheena had almost forgotten about it and stared at him, asking in return, ¡°Do you still want to be hit?¡± Elliot shook his head, his handsome brows furrowed, resting his head on herp. ¡°No, I don¡¯t. Those three hits just now still hurt.¡± Sheena sighed. ¡°Lie down on the bed and let me take a look.¡± Elliot obediently got up. They were husband and wife, so there was no need to be awkward. He pulled his pants to his knees andzilyy on the bed. His fair and firm skin had only one bruise on his leg, purple¨Cred in color. Sheena pressed on his injury, feeling a slight swelling and bruising. She had not used much force when she hit him. How had it caused such a serious injury? Besides, it had been long since she hit Elliot so hard. What had gotten into her tonight? Why had she been so angry? ¡°Honey, do you remember the time when I bit you until you bled because of the clementines?¡± she asked. ¡°I remember,¡± Elliot replied, sensing something amiss in her tone. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Her expression became serious. ¡°I realize that I still struggle to control my emotions.¡± Tonight, she had actually hesitated to hit him so hard, but at that moment, it seemed like she could not control herself and just wanted to vent her anger. Why was she acting this way? Was she¡­ sick? Chapter 1031 Chapter 1031 Elliot immediately became serious. ¡°Where do you feel pain? Let¡¯s go to the hospital tomorrow for a full check¨Cup.¡± Sheena declined, ¡°Forget it. Rememberst time when I bit you? We went to Professor Y for a check¨C up, and he said I¡¯m healthy. He mentioned that my irritable mood was due to poor sleep during pregnancy and excessive worrying. Going for another check¨Cup won¡¯t make much of a difference. Maybe I¡¯m just overthinking.¡± Elliot was very concerned and said, ¡°We should still get it checked again. Even if it¡¯s just a minor issue now, it could be a problemter.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Yosef is one of our country¡¯s elite medical doctors. If he couldn¡¯t find anything, other hospitals wouldn¡¯t either. It¡¯s a waste of time and energy.¡± F She gently rubbed Elliot¡¯s injured buttocks and added, ¡°I¡¯ll ask the hotel staff to buy some anti¨C inmmatory cream and bring it over. I¡¯ll apply it for youter.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t. This hotel belongs to Neil. If you let the staff buy the cream, Neil will find out I got beaten up.¡± Sheena realized he was right. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, stay here. I¡¯ll go out and buy it myself.¡± She moved to get off the bed, but Elliot held her by her waist, stopping her. ¡°I¡¯m from the military, and I¡¯m not that fragile. This minor injury will heal in a couple of days. If you really care about me, cancel the flight tomorrow morning and go shopping with me at the biggest shopping district in Ardolisia as nned. How about that?¡± Sheena stayed silent. Elliot continued persuading, ¡°After we finish shopping tomorrow, we can buy tickets the day after to go back to Froania together. If you¡¯re worried about the babies, you can video call Nathaniel before bedtime every day to check on them.¡± His hands were still around her waist, not letting go. Sheena looked at him and asked, ¡°You¡¯re not jealous about that anymore? You were so unhappy just now because I had a video call with Nathaniel.¡± Elliot¡¯s arm tightened around her as if he would not allow anyone to take her away. ¡°As long as you apany me shopping tomorrow and wear the dress I like, everything¡¯s fine. Sheena chuckled and caressed his face. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go shopping tomorrow. What kind of dress do you want?¡± Elliot¡¯s dark eyes gleamed mysteriously as he leaned close to her ear and whispered something. Sheena was puzzled. ¡°When did I agree to go shopping for sexy dresses in that kind of store?¡± ¡°You promised mest night. Honey, you can¡¯t back¨Cout now,¡± Elliot said, staring at her, feeling a bit disappointed. Sheena remained unyielding. ¡°Where¡¯s the evidence?¡± Elliot realized his mistake. He should have recorded a voice notest night. Now, he had no evidence. Elliot buried himself in her arms and grunted softly in frustration. Sheena found his childish behavior both amusing and endearing. Since she had lost control of her emotions and hit him, she felt she should make it up to him somehow, or she would feel guilty. ¡°Alright. I agree with it now. Let¡¯s get the sexy dress you like, but only after we return to the country and see Asher and Adora safe and sound will I consider wearing the dress and having some fun with you. Agree?¡± Elliot naturally understood. ¡°Agreed. Anything you want, Honey.¡± Sheena lifted his chin and gently kissed his lips as a small reward. ¡°Good boy. Let¡¯s go to bed early tonight.¡± Elliot stayed in ce. ¡°My butt hurts, and I can¡¯t walk. Can you help bathe me?¡± Chapter 1081 Sheena hesitated but eventually relented. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll help you.¡± Elliot was satisfied as she helped him up and into the bathroom, acting dramatically in Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. pain, ¡°Honey, I¡¯ll buy two movie tickets tomorrow. Let¡¯s see a movie together and eat some local. cuisine. How does that sound?¡± ¡°Sounds good.¡± Having gotten his way, Elliot smiled and leaned against her shoulderzily. Chapter 1032 Chapter 1032 On the next day, since they had canceled the 6 a.m. flight, Sheena turned off the 4 a.m. rm for them to go to the airport. They both slept until they got up naturally. Around 9.30 a.m., they both groggily got out of bed. ¡°Honey, I¡¯ll go wash up first. You can sleep for another five minutes,¡± Elliot said after kissing her, as he always did each morning. Afterward, he went to the bathroom to freshen up. While Sheena was still asleep, she was suddenly woken up by Ford¡¯s call. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. She looked at her phone with her eyes barely open. However, she quickly regained her senses when she remembered asking Ford to investigate Anne. Sheena sat up at the bedside and answered the call. On the other end of the phone, Ford said, ¡°Mrs. Jenkins, Ms. Windsor did attend Mr. Tate¡¯s recent business g. Also, as per your request, we havepleted the investigation on Ms. Windsor: All the information has been sent to your email. Please check it.¡± ¡°Good job.¡± Sheena did not hang up the call, maintaining the long¨Cdistance call with Ford. Then, she grabbed the iPad from the bedside table and logged in to her email to check the files. ording to the information, Anne was 21 years old and was from Ouna. Her parents were civilians from Ouna and were in business, but they passed away, with the information stating only ¡°idental death¡°. Additionally, she did study abroad in Froania during college and stayed there for several years. She attended one of the top universities in Svelton. Was it just a coincidence that she had studied in Svelton? However, if she was not Anne but She, how did she meet Paulo, an earl from the Ouna aristocracy? Something did not add up, and Sheena was unwilling to drop the matter. For some reason, she did not like Anne. Anne was courteous during their first meeting, always smiling gracefully. Even so, Sheena did not like her. It was a strange feeling that she could not quite put into words. Just to be safe, she decided to continue her investigation. ¡°Ford, please look into the reasons and timing of Anne¡¯s parents¡® deaths. Also, since she studied abroad and obtained a college degree, see if you can find any photos of her wearing her graduation gown from her college days.¡± ¡°On it, Mrs. Jenkins.¡± Elliot had just finished washing up when their call ended. ¡°Nana, hurry up. Once you¡¯re done, we¡¯ll video call Nathaniel to check on the babies. Then, we can head out.¡± Sheena nodded, pleased with his arrangement. Asher and Adora had already recovered from their fever, but they still looked weak, probably due to the fever that had kept them restless throughout the night. At the moment, the two little ones were sleeping in their cribs, while Nathaniel, Lionel, and Jacintha were each soothing one of them. The nursery was bustling with activity. Having seen the babies as she wished, Sheena felt much more at ease. She put on light makeup and went out with Elliot to shop. Thergest affluent shopping district in Ardolisia had an array of shops and trinkets galore. Sheena bought some small toys for the two little ones, an antique pipe for Lionel, and a crystal jewelry set for Jacintha. Elliot carried bags of purchases and counted them, then tentatively asked, ¡°Nana, didn¡¯t you say you were very grateful to Nathaniel for helping take care of the babies this time? Why didn¡¯t you buy him some local specialties as a thank¨Cyou gift?¡± Chapter 1033 Chapter 1033 Sheena nced at Elliot. How could he not know the reason? It was all because she was afraid of stirring up jealousy again. ¡°If I really took the initiative to choose a gift for Nathaniel carefully, you would haveshed out, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± Elliot lowered his gaze, neither admitting nor denying, just jokingly saying, ¡°Honey, stop teasing me.¡± Sheena scoffed. ¡°I never intended to choose Nathaniel¡¯s gift myself. I left it to you because men understand men the best. Besides, as a thank¨Cyou for helping take care of the babies, you should also put in some effort.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elliot agreed wholeheartedly, but he gave Sheena a strange look. If men understood men best, why did she help pick out Lionel¡¯s gift? Was Lionel not a man? Shaking his head in resignation, he went to browse the luxury watch store and picked out a decent ck and gold watch for Nathaniel. With the gifts all selected, Elliot took Sheena to the women¡¯s clothing section and bought a few dresses. Green, aqua, pastel green¡­ Sheena was surprised. ¡°Why are you only picking clothes in this color range?¡± Elliot smiled gently, his voice deep and pleasant as he replied, ¡°Because you love the color green the most.¡± Sheena was at a loss for words. Chapter 101 Liking it the most did not mean only wearing that color! Bound by his promise fromst night, Sheena did not say anything and epted his choices dly. His taste was pretty good, and the dresses were beautiful. Finally, the moment that Elliot was most excited about arrived! The erotic shop. Sheena had never been to a ce like this before, and it felt so awkward. Her cheeks turned slightly red, and she stood about twenty meters away from the door,. reluctant to go any further. Elliot turned back to look at her and asked, ¡°Honey, what¡¯s wrong? Are you unhappy?¡± ¡°Girls don¡¯t usually go into ces like this¡­¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. It was simply too embarrassing! Sheena kept calm and continued, ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you outside. Go ahead and pick what your like, then come find me when you¡¯re done.¡± Considering her age and how going into such a ce might make her shy, Elliot did not insist on her joining him. ¡°Alright, just don¡¯t wander too far. I¡¯ll buy something cute and be back soon.¡± Sheena nodded. As Elliot entered the store, Sheena sat by the railing in the shopping area and casually yed with her phone. After a few minutes, she heard.the sound of high heels approaching, getting closer. Sheena did not pay it any mind until the white high heels came into her view. She followed the elegant legs up to see Anne. ¡°What a coincidence, Ms. Lawson. Paulo and I seem to run into you everywhere we go. Oh, but why are you alone? Where¡¯s Mr. Jenkins?¡± Sheena remained rxed in her seat, smiling as she casually replied, ¡°He¡¯s shopping. Are you here with Mr. Karl? I don¡¯t see him.¡± Chapter 1033 Anne¡¯s makeup was gorgeous, and her smile graceful. ¡°He¡¯s in the restroom. I¡¯m waiting for him outside.¡± Sheena simply nodded. ¡°Would you like to sit down, Ms. Windsor? We can chat for a bit.¡± ¡°I¡¯d be delighted.¡± Sheena shifted over, and Anne elegantly settled into the seat beside her. Chapter 1034 Chapter 1034 They kept their distance, leaving a gap big enough for another person to sit between them. It was as if the distance between them seemed impossible to bridge. The quiet atmosphere lingered for a minute, and it was not until Anne spoke up that the strange tension was broken. ¡°Ms. Lawson, congrattions on the coboration with Dorvell Corporation. It¡¯s al significant step for the Lawson Group to expand overseas.¡± Sheena nced at Anne¡¯s exquisitely beautiful face, her tone devoid of much emotion as- she replied, ¡°Thank you.¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Anne sighed with regret. ¡°It¡¯s a shame, though. The Lawson Group¡¯s ns to expand overseas through Dorvell Corporation¡¯s project might be in jeopardy.¡± Sheena narrowed her eyes cautiously, reading Anne¡¯s expression. ¡°Whe do do you mean?¡± Anne smiled, looking apologetic, and replied, ¡°I talked about the bidding for Dorvell Corporation¡¯s project with Paulost night. He felt sorry that we lost the bid as I had put in too much effort for this proposal, saying that you only won because of nepotism. So, he wanted to help me reim the cooperation rights.¡± ¡°Take the cooperation rights from me?¡± Sheena scoffed. ¡°Was Paulo drunk when he said that in bed? Besides, my proposal has been revised countless times and is the result of many sleepless nights. You wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance unless I didn¡¯t attend Dorvell Corporation¡¯s bidding meeting this time. In her career, she had always been meticulous and believed in her own skills and abilities. Even without the issue of Elliot¡¯s approach, the proposal she had personally written would have been top¨Cnotch. Anne observed the arrogance on Sheena¡¯s face. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you are really charming when you are confident. Unfortunately, the Jenkins and Lawson families are no longer the big fish in the pond once you go abroad. Ms. Lawson, you should know that there are always others out there.¡± Sheena stared at her, pondering her familiar tone. ¡°Ms. Windsor, the first time I saw you, I couldn¡¯t help but feel you resembled someone.¡± Anne smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. ¡°Oh? Who?¡± ¡°My sister.¡± Sheena casually spoke, but her eyes carefully scrutinized Anne¡¯s every move. Anne looked pleasantly surprised and eximed, ¡°Really? I¡¯m honored that Ms. Lawson finds me familiar.¡± Sheena chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t actually like this sister of mine. She¡¯s just a bastard child of the Lawson family, an ugly duckling who clearly doesn¡¯t belong but wants to take my ce.¡± Anne¡¯s smile faded slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes. Hurt and aggrieved, she asked, ¡°So, Ms. Lawson, are you using your sister to mock me, implying that I¡¯m overreaching?¡± ¡°No, just a jest, Ms. Windsor. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Sheena continued with a wry smile, ¡°Ms. Windsor, you¡¯re far superior to my troublesome sister in terms of family background, appearance, education, and personality. How could she evenpare herself to you?¡± Anne¡¯s expression warmed slightly, and she asked curiously, ¡°It sounds like there¡¯s an unusual story between you and your sister. May I ask how she¡¯s doing now?¡± ¡°She¡¯s dead. No ashes, no grave. My brother left her name and image at the Memorial Garden, where there are only the forgotten dead, forever without the remembrance and prayers of loved ones, even in the afterlife.¡± Anne listened in shock. ¡°She¡¯s so pitiful.¡± Sheena chuckled lightly. ¡°She¡¯s not pitiful. She nearly tore apart the Lawson family back then. She got what she deserved.¡± Anne nodded thoughtfully, about to ask more when Paulo arrived. Seeing him, Anne tearfully threw herself into his arm. ¡°Darling, what took you so long? I missed you so much.¡± pter ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sweetheart.¡± Paulo kissed her as if no one else were around. After a sweet moment, Paulo noticed Sheena¡¯s presence. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you¡¯re here too.¡± As a courtesy, Sheena smiled and nodded. Anne yfully toyed with Paulo¡¯s golden sideburns, and he indulged her. However, his gaze remained on Sheena. ¡°Ms. Lawson, AN Group is interested in coborating with Dorvell Corporation. Would you be willing to relinquish this deal? I¡¯m ready to help the Lawson Group with other introductions aspensation.¡± Chapter 1035 Chapter 1035 Paulo came forward, immediately bringing up the Dorvell Corporation project coboration, his gaze sharp and unfriendly. Sheena let out a soft chuckle, about to retort when a familiar deep voice sounded behind her. ¡°Trying to meddle with my wife¡¯s project, Paulo? Aren¡¯t you thinking a little too highly of yourself now?¡± Elliot¡¯s voice was low and stern as he approached, carrying a handful of shopping bags. As Elliot¡¯s arm wrapped around her waist, Sheena smiled knowingly, leaving the stage to him for this conversation between men. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, the Lawson Group securing the project with Dorvell Corporation is solely due to your friendship with Neil. This backdoor approach isn¡¯t fair topanies like ours, who put in the effort to write thorough proposals.¡± Elliot¡¯s gaze was icy, his displeasure evident. ¡°If you have issues with the oue of the bidding, take it up with Neil. Don¡¯te to Nana about it.¡± Did Paulo really think Sheena and him were easy targets? Paulo chuckled. Mr. Jenkins, I¡¯m here to discuss with Ms. Lawson. No need for such hostility.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression remained cold and firm. ¡°Her business insight is outstanding. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that she is five years younger than me and entered the business world. many yearster, she might be the one dominating the business circles in Froania, not me. I won¡¯t allow anyone to underestimate her abilities. If you doubt the oue of the bidding, take it up with Neil and ept defeat gracefully.¡± With those harsh words, Elliot led Sheena away, casting a final nce at Anne. As they left, Paulo pulled Anne into his embrace once more, trying to be affectionate. ¡°Darling, Elliot¡¯s connected with many bigshots globally due to his National Investigation Bureau background. He¡¯s not someone to mess with. Maybe we should let go bidding matter?¡± of this Anne frowned in frustration, pushing him away and rejecting his affection. ¡°Ms. Lawson mocked me,paring me to the illegitimate daughter of the Lawson family who died. She ridiculed me for overestimating myself, calling me an ugly duckling.¡± Paulo was taken aback. ¡°You¡¯re now the girlfriend of an earl, and she said that to you?¡± Anne sniffled softly, nodding gently. Soon, tears stained her innocent and incredibly beautiful face. Seeing her like this broke Paulo¡¯s heart. With his rough hands, calloused and wrinkled, he gently wiped away her tears. ¡°My darling, don¡¯t cry. Seeing you sad hurts me more than anything.¡± Anne nestled into his embrace, softly sobbing. 1 ¡°Darling, you have to help me. She not only snatched the bidding from me, but she also mocked me openly, showing tant disrespect toward you.¡± Paulo patted her delicate back, soothing her. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll help you get revenge. I heard they¡¯re heading back to Froania tomorrow. I¡¯ll make sure to settle this before then.¡± Satisfied, Anne nodded, nuzzling against his broad chest like a tender and irresistibly cute kitten. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Then, remembering a crucial detail, she added, ¡°She knows martial arts darling.¡± Paulo kissed her forehead gently. ¡°Got it, I understand.¡± so be careful, As they embraced, their silhouette looked less like that of lovers and more like that of a father comforting his daughter from afar. Back in the hotel¡¯s presidential suite, Sheena, exhausted from a day of shopping and leisure, flopped onto the bed, indulging in a much¨Cneeded rest. Chapter 1036 Chapter 1036 Elliot observed her sleeping figure, resembling a content little kitten, with a smile of fond exasperation. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Then, he proceeded to sort through the items in the shopping bags. Their ne tickets back home for the next day were already booked, and most of their luggage had been packed the previous night. All that remained were the gifts and clothes they had purchased that day. The two sets of outfits Elliot purchased for Sheena from the erotic shop were packed in a bright pink bag. He could not help but caress the bag, eagerly anticipating Sheena¡¯s alluring appearance in those outfits and the harmonious life they would share as a couple back home. Once everything was neatly arranged, Elliot returned to the bedside to find Sheena already asleep. Considering the amount of walking they had done that day, he gently removed her socks, washed her feet, and expertly massaged her soles. By the time Sheena stirred awake from his help, she felt refreshed. Grateful for Elliot¡¯s thoughtfulness, she hugged him tightly, offering a sincere apology. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m really sorry for hitting you with the clothes hanger yesterday. I was too emotional. I promise to control my emotions better in the future and not hurt you like that again.¡± Elliot shrugged it off, simply smirking. ¡°Well, that¡¯s tough love, and you¡¯re showing me plenty of it.¡± Sheena quipped, ¡°Trying to get smart with me?¡± Shaking his head, Elliot gently turned her body to face him, meeting her gaze with seriousness. ¡°Nana, if you¡¯re ever feeling unwell, you must tell me immediately. We can¡¯t afford to dy. addressing any health issues.¡± Okay, I understand.¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Elliot pounced on her yfully. ¡°So, can I have a taste of my treat tonight?¡± Sheena stared at him incredulously. ¡°Just a tiny bite, I¡¯ll be quick and gentle, and I promise not to hurt your delicate waist. After we¡¯re done, we¡¯ll video call Nathaniel and check on Asher and Adora. How does that sound? Suppressing augh, Sheena praised his thoughtful arrangement. ¡°Sounds like a n. Approved.¡± With Sheena¡¯s approval, Elliot licked his upper teeth, slowly savoring the delicious treat before him. Early next morning. Since Sheena could not wait to get back home and see the twins in person, she had booked an early morning flight. Even before sunrise, the couple was up and about. Preferring not to trouble Queena again, Sheena and Elliot quietly packed their suitcases and left, opting to take a taxi from the hotel to the airport. The sky was gloomy, draped in a thin veil of gray clouds. Sheena asionally nced out the window at the scenery passing by while also taking out herptop to handle the ongoing coboration matters with the Dorvell Corporation The contract signing was scheduled for three dayster in Froania, and there were plenty of opportunities during this time to add some personal touches and expand into the global market. Elliot had his ownptop on hisp, reviewing the Jenkins Group¡¯s financial reports sent by Lionel. The two traveled in silence, yet there was a sense of peaceful serenity in the air. Suddenly, the piercing sound of a horn ring shattered the tranquility. The noise seemed to pierce through their eardrums, grating on their nerves. Elliot and Sheena swiftly closed theirptops, turning their heads to see arge truck speeding toward their taxi from around the corner. It was heading straight for Sheena¡¯s side, near the left door. Chapter 1037 Chapter 1037 They had little time to react due to the short distance between them and the speeding truck. With the doors and windows locked, the taxi driver in the front seat panicked, frantically Jerking the steering wheel to avoid colliding with the truck. In the nick of time, Elliot grabbed hisptop and mmed it hard against the window on his side of the car. With a loud crash, the window shattered within seconds. He turned to Sheena, intending to switch ces with her and let her escape through the window first. Sheena refused, saying, ¡°There¡¯s no time. You go first. I¡¯ll follow.¡± Seeing the truck about to crash into them, Elliot had no choice but to jump out of the car first. Rolling on the ground several times, hended safely by the roadside. Sheena followed closely behind. Boom! With a deafening noise, the truck collided with the taxi just as Sheena managed to leap out of the car at thest moment. After the collision, the truck continued to move forward instead of slowing down due to inertia, heading toward Sheena¡¯s direction, where she had jumped out. Sheena agilely dodged, and the truck crashed into the wall across the road, finallying. to a stop. Unfortunately, the taxi driver, unable to escape through the window,y in a pool of blood. at the scene of the ident. Elliot immediately checked on Sheena to see if she was injured. She shook her head and reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine.¡± The two of them stood on the roadside, watching the terrifying scene of the ident they had just narrowly escaped from. Chapter 1037 They had little time to react due to the short distance between them and the speeding truck. With the doors and windows locked, the taxi driver in the front seat panicked, frantically Jerking the steering wheel to avoid colliding with the truck. In the nick of time, Elliot grabbed hisptop and mmed it hard against the window on his side of the car. With a loud crash, the window shattered within seconds. He turned to Sheena, intending to switch ces with her and let her escape through the window first. Sheena refused, saying, ¡°There¡¯s no time. You go first. I¡¯ll follow.¡± Seeing the truck about to crash into them, Elliot had no choice but to jump out of the car first. Rolling on the ground several times, hended safely by the roadside. Sheena followed closely behind. Boom! With a deafening noise, the truck collided with the taxi just as Sheena managed to leap out of the car at thest moment. After the collision, the truck continued to move forward instead of slowing down due to inertia, heading toward Sheena¡¯s direction, where she had jumped out. Sheena agilely dodged, and the truck crashed into the wall across the road, finallying to a stop. Unfortunately, the taxi driver,/unable to escape through the window,y in a pool of blood at the scene of the ident. Elliot immediately checked on Sheena to see if she was injured. She shook her head and reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine.¡± The two of them stood on the roadside, watching the terrifying scene of the ident they had just narrowly escaped from. Elliot quickly called Neil, ¡°My wife and I were on our way to the airport when we were apparently involved in a deliberate collision. I¡¯m sending you our location. Arrange for an investigation team toe over and make it fast.¡± As he hung up the phone and sent the location to Neil, the rearpartment of the truck suddenly opened, and a group of men wielding clubs and wearing masks ¨¦merged, menacingly advancing toward Sheena and Elliot. A fight broke out immediately, with two against forty. The situation was chaotic. Sheena and Elliot, both experienced in such situations, remained calm. However, with too many people and no suitable weapons, they knew they could not keep fighting for long. Elliot shielded Sheena, saying, ¡°These people seem to be specifically targeting you. You can¡¯t fight for long, and you should leave first. I¡¯ll stay behind and hold them off.¡± Sheena refused, saying, ¡°If we¡¯re leaving, we¡¯re leaving together. I absolutely won¡¯t leave you behind.¡± Her determination was apparent as she shook off Elliot¡¯s hand, swiftly kicking off her hindering high heels and dashing barefoot into the fight. Then, she snatched a club from one of the assants across the street. Sheena fought alone against ten men, and she went all out with her attacks. Reluctantly, Elliot joined the fight, asionally checking on Sheena¡¯s situation and lending a hand when necessary. The intense street fight raged on for a full five minutes, leaving moaning and writhing masked men scattered across the ground. The formidable fighting skills of the duo quickly turned the tide in their favor as their opponents reduced with each passing moment. However, just as victory seemed within reach, a loud gunshot rang out, and amidst the chaos, Sheena was struck in the arm. With a muffled groan, blood gushed from her wound, causing unbearable pain to course through her body. Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. Weakened by the injury, her reaction time slowed by two seconds, which was critical in- such a situation, leaving her vulnerable to a heavy blow to the back of her head from one of their opponents. ¡°Nana!¡± Sheena staggered forward, falling onto Elliot¡¯s back before managing to steady herself. Turning to shield her, Elliot pulled her into his arms, his dark eyes shing with fury. ¡°How dare you hurt her! None of you will walk away today,¡± Elliot growled menacingly. His demeanor shifted into that of a raging lion, and his eyes glinted with a bloodthirsty intensity. Dizzy and disoriented, Sheena could only cling to him for support as her vision slowly darkened. To prevent further sneak attacks, Elliot covered Sheena tightly. Nheless, protecting her while outnumbered and preventing any hidden threats would be an almost impossible task. Just as the situation appeared dire with Sheena¡¯s injury, the piercing wail of sirens filled the air. Chapter 1038 Chapter 1038 Despite waiting for some time after the call, Nell did not receive Elliot¡¯s location Information. He immediately alerted the Ardolisia police, who swiftly dispatched officers to the scene. Facing the armed police, the group of masked men armed with clubs had no choice but to surrender. Sheena and Elliot were ced under the police¡¯s protection, with Neil quickly approaching to assess their condition. Elliot was focused on the barely conscious Sheena, not looking at Neil as he spoke in a cold tone, ¡°Someone fired a sniper rifle at us, centered around my location, approximately five hundred meters away in the eight o¡¯clock direction. Check and see if they¡¯re still there.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Neil responded promptly, directing a team of police to the designated location provided by Elliot. With his bloodshot eyes, Elliot stared at Sheena¡¯s gunshot wound, his voice dripping with menace. ¡°Neil, Nana and I were attacked within your jurisdiction in Ardolisia. You must thoroughly investigate and provide an exnation for this incident. Otherwise, I won¡¯t let it rest.¡± Neil nodded solemnly, replying, ¡°You can trust me. Even if you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I would have investigated this thoroughly.¡± As the head of the Froania¡¯s National Investigation Bureau, Elliot¡¯s encounter with a major N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. attack while on a business trip with Sheena in Ardolisia was no trivial matter. If mishandled, it could affect international diplomacy. Within minutes, an ambnce arrived, closely followed by medical staff. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, please get your wife into the ambnce for a medical assessment. We¡¯ll take these assants into custody, and you can join us at the station once her condition is stable to observe the interrogation.¡± Elliot nodded without hesitation, carrying Sheena and heading toward the ambnce. Medical staff immediately attended to Sheena¡¯s injuries. The gunshot wound was severe, with the bullet lodged deep in her arm, causing Sheena to sweat profusely from the pain. Throughout the ordeal, Elliot held her close, trembling with guilt and anger at her suffering. As the medical team prepared to remove the bullet, Elliot extended his bloodied hand and said, ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Steadying his trembling body, Elliot administered a local anesthetic with precision and gentleness, determined not to cause Sheena any further pain during the procedure. He also took out the bullet himself. For a military man like Elliot, he had faced countless gunfire and battlefields. Hence, Incidents like these were asmon as everyday urrences, and he was more skilled than any medical staff present. After painstakingly dressing Sheena¡¯s gunshot wound, the doctor examined the bruise on the back of Sheena¡¯s head from being struck with a club. Sheena¡¯s fair and delicate skin clearly showed the purple mark where the club had hit her. The doctor examined her carefully and reported, ¡°There¡¯s no bleeding, so it shouldn¡¯t have affected any brain nerves. But we¡¯ll need to take some X¨Crays to be sure. Preliminarily, it seems like a minor injury.¡± Elliot was not about to take any chances with a preliminary diagnosis. He insisted on waiting for the full examination results before feeling assured. ¡°Have the driver ready the car. We need to get to the hospital for a thorough check¨Cup.¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Jenkins,¡± the doctor replied before turning to make arrangements. As Sheena regained consciousness, she overheard Elliot¡¯s insistence on a full¨Cbody examination. She grabbed Elliot¡¯s wrist weakly, murmuring, ¡°No need. A full¨Cbody check¨Cup at the hospital will take up Since the doctor said it¡¯s a minor the whole day and dy injury, and I¡¯m awake now, there¡¯s no need to go to the hospital.¡± Elliot sighed. ¡°If you find the full¨Cbody check¨Cup too much trouble, let¡¯s go to the hospital for an X¨Cray of your head. The head is delicate, and nerve damage can be serious. I need to see the final results to feel at ease.¡± It¡¯s my body, and I know it best. My thoughts are clear, and it¡¯s, at most, a minor concussion. There can¡¯t be any internal bleeding. Besides, I don¡¯t want to go to an Ardolisia hospital as I trust Yosef more. Let¡¯s finish things here first, then go back to Froania and do a full check¨Cup there.¡± Seeing that she could speak coherently, and her mind was clear, Elliot relented. ¡°Alright. Nana, are you still feeling resentful about today¡¯s brutal attack?¡± Sheena nodded gently. Today¡¯s attack was not aimed at Elliot at all; it was solely directed at her. Setting up a sniper in the shadows was beyond extreme. Who could be so ruthless? That person must have despised her to the core. It had to be thoroughly investigated, or she would be living in constant worry. Elliot likely understood her thoughts and carefully adjusted her position in his arms to make her morefortable. ¡°Rest in my arms for a while and regain your strength. I¡¯ll have the driver reroute to the police station.¡± Sheena murmured in agreement, asionally sinking into drowsiness. She sniffed Elliot¡¯s scent and soon drifted off into a peaceful slumber. Ten minutester, the ambnce rerouted to the police station. Chapter 1039 Chapter 1039 At the police station, Neil himself was present, observing the interrogation of this matter. When Elliot arrived with Sheena, the first round of questioning inside had already concluded. Seeing them, Neil quickly greeted them and showed his concern. ¡°Ms. Lawson, you shouldn¡¯t have rushed here. How¡¯s your injury?¡± Sheena¡¯s lips were pale. She was about to respond, but Elliot spoke up first. ¡°It¡¯s been handled. The doctor said it¡¯s not too serious, but Nana wanted to see this attack resolved as soon as possible, so we came early.¡± Neil gestured for them to go to a dedicated rest area. As they sat down, Elliot continued asking, ¡°What¡¯s the progress of the investigation?¡± Neil shook his head solemnly. ¡°It¡¯s an anonymous purchase from the ck market for elite assassins. These people are just following orders and are unaware of the buyer¡¯s identity. However, the bullet retrieved from Ms. Lawson¡¯s arm has been sent for analysis. We believe we¡¯ll have results soon.¡± Ardolisia had strict control over firearm sales, and only those who passed professional assessments and held proper permits were allowed to possess firearms. Once the model of the small sniper rifle was identified, it should not be difficult to narrow down suspects among those authorized to own such weapons. Sheena listened quietly and smirked. ¡°Elite assassins bought from the ck market? What a familiar tactic.¡± Neil was surprised to hear her tone and asked, ¡°Ms. Lawson, did you experience simr attack incidents before?¡± Sheena remained silent. Elliot answered on her behalf, ¡°Yes, during her time at Froania¡¯s Farlem, Nana¡¯s half¨Csister bought forty elite assassins from the ck market and attempted to kill her with machetes. at Clear Crane Bridge. Fortunately, Froania has the strictest firearm control globally, so there were no Instances of covert firearm usage.¡± Nell was shocked and eximed, ¡°How could an illegitimate child of a wealthy family have such capabilities?¡± Elllot did not answer him and nced at Sheena¡¯s expression, noticing a hint of coldness. In her eyes. What hurt her the most was not She herself but the real power behind She¨Cher own father and brother. Despite knowing how badly She hurt her, Corey still hid the truth from Sheena. Elliot looked at her with a pang of heartache, sighing silently. He reached out, gently grasping her clenched fist, desperate to provide her with a sense of security. Neil keenly noticed the tension across the table and sensed many untold stories here. He tactfully refrained from further questioning and instructed someone to prepare a pot of fine tea. Sheena gradually calmed her emotions. Remembering the peculiar Anne, she asked Neil, ¡°How much do you know about the earl from Ouna and his girlfriend?¡± N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Neil contemted momentarily and exined, ¡°Paulo has had quite a few girlfriends before Anne. Before her, he had enough ex¨Cgirlfriends to form a band. I bet he couldn¡¯t even remember some of his former mes¡® names. He¡¯s in his forties, a confirmed bachelor who lives carefree and enjoys his wealth. But he can afford to y around. With his noble status in Ouna, Paulo can live off of it for a lifetime. Besides, he¡¯s pretty sharp in business, and with his father¡¯s passing, all the vast inheritance fell into hisp. He¡¯s raking in money in every business field. Leaving aside his personal life, he¡¯s a good choice of partner from a business standpoint.¡± Sheena pondered the wealth of information in Neil¡¯s words and continued to inquire, ¡°How long have he and Anne been officially dating?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not exactly sure about that, but I heard he met Anne while on a business trip to Froania. It was said that she was studying in Froania at the time. After they confirmed their rtionship, they began traveling to various countries together.¡± Nell took a sip of the hot tea and added, ¡°But from what I¡¯ve seen these past few days, Paulo is genuinely devoted to Anne more than any of his previous ones. It seems like he has genuinely fallen for her.¡± Listening Intently, Sheena silently calcted the rough timeline. How could it be so coincidental? They met in Froa and then traveled abroad together. Given Paulo¡¯s fame and wealth, if Anne did get into any trouble, it would not be difficult to assign her a new identity. ¡°Ms. Lawson, why are you so concerned about Paulo¡¯s personal life? Are you suspecting that it¡¯s rted to the recent attack?¡± Neil¡¯s question interrupted Sheena¡¯s thoughts, bringing her back to the present. Chapter 1040 Chapter 1040 Just asking casually,¡± Sheena replied. Until there was a clear picture of the situation, these were just her personal spections without any concrete evidence. Speaking out could easily tip off the other side and make them more prepared. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her head, and she furrowed her brow, rubbing the back of her head with great effort. The area where she was struck with the club shows slight fading bruises and even a gentle touch would cause pain. Elliot noticed her difort and instinctively pulled her into his embrace, saying, ¡°Nana, stop thinking about it for now. These matters are too taxing, especially since you¡¯re injured. Please rest.¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Heforted her as she leaned against his broad chest, gently nodding. ¡°If you¡¯re not feeling well, just take a nap. Leave the rest to me,¡± Elliot reassured her. She nodded again, closing her heavy eyelids and drifting off to sleep in Elliot¡¯s arms. Neil watched from across the table, feeling even more remorseful. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, I apologize sincerely for this incident. I never expected it to dy your return home. Rest assured, I¡¯ll thoroughly investigate this matter and leave no stone unturned,¡± Neil expressed his regret. Elliot remained expressionless, his gaze fixed on the injured Sheena in his arms as he gently stroked her back with tenderness and care. ¡°Have they identified the man who struck Nana¡¯s head?¡± Elliot asked. Neil replied, ¡°We¡¯re still investigating. Once we identify the perpetrator, we won¡¯t go easy on them.¡± Elliot¡¯s tone turned cold as he demanded, ¡°Aspensation for this attack, I request that once the culprit is found, they be sent to Froania for interrogation in my presence.¡± Neil appeared conflicted. ¡°Although they engage in illicit activities, they are still citizens of Ardolisia. Isn¡¯t it inappropriate to send them to Froania for interrogation?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression remained stem and resolute. These assassins are orphans raised by illegal organizations. They are undocumented and pose a danger. I only need the one who attacked Nana. Quietly sending them to Froania will raise no suspicion.¡± Neil fell silent, feeling a bit uncertain. While it was not a major issue to allow him to quietly take away one person as yet. If someone with ill intentions discovered this matter, he could find himself in trouble with his father, the king. Moreover, Neil preferred to follow the rules. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, sitting in this position as the heir apparent fills me with dread. I fear making mistakes or missteps that could be used against me. So, letting you quietly take someone away might not be possible. Once the perpetrator is identified, I can follow the proper procedure and report to the king, and I¡¯ll do everything in my power to help you resolve this matter.¡± Understanding Neil¡¯s character, Elliot refrained from saying more. It was tacit eptance. The atmosphere in the lounge suddenly quietened. Neil sipped his tea while Elliot held the sleeping Sheena close. To ensure Sheena sleptfortably, he did not dare move a muscle, even if his legs went numb. The peaceful atmosphere persisted for several minutes until a police officer gently knocked on the door and entered. The officer greeted Neil respectfully before turning to Elliot. ¡°We have started the third round of individual interviews, and the chief asked me to gather some additional information from you.¡± Elliot did not look up, his tone remaining steady. ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡°Are there any enemies or particrly fiercepetitors you and your wife have in Ardoliale? The officer took notes while listening. Elllot replied without hesitation, still focused on Sheena in his arms. ¡°We have many enemies andpetitors, but not many in Ardolisia.¡± The officer continued writing as he listened. ¡°Do you have any specific suspects in mind for this Incident?¡± Elliot¡¯s mind drifted to Sheena¡¯s unwavering fixation on Anne¡¯s identity, and his obsidian eyes grew colder. ¡°Yes, Paulo Karl.¡± Chapter 1041 Chapter 1041 The officer was caught off guard by Elliot¡¯s reply, ncing at Neil. After all, Paulo was not only Neil¡¯s esteemed guest but also an earl from Ouna. While the officer was surprised that Elliot suspected Paulo, he dared not say anything, nor did he dare to ask, silently jotting down the statement. Neil remained expressionless, seeming to have anticipated this situation when Sheena kept asking about Paulo. The officer continued, ¡°Our department will thoroughly investigate your primary suspect. However, we still hope you can exin why you suspect Mr. Karl?¡± Elliot¡¯s tone turned icy as he replied, ¡°Our rtionship has always been strained. Yesterday, I happened to encounter him and Anne while out shopping. He openly questioned Nana¡¯s coboration with Dorvell Corporation, demanding that she hand over the cooperation rights to him. When I refused and taunted him, he might have felt cornered and sought to harm¡¯us. The officer jotted down every detail. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll inform the chief of your suspicions and initiate an investigation.¡± Neil had been quietly listening nearby. Once the officer left, he said, ¡°I know Paulo¡¯s temperament. It¡¯s hard to believe he would resort to such despicable acts over a minor dispute. Perhaps¡­ there¡¯s a misunderstanding here?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°Maybe he wouldn¡¯t, but someone could be influencing him. As you mentioned, he genuinely cares for this new girlfriend. Perhaps he was manipted. However, these are just my spections and suspicions. We need concrete evidence before drawing conclusions.¡± Neil nodded in agreement with thetter part of Elliot¡¯s statement. ¡°You might want to stay put for a few days until this matter is resolved. It¡¯s best not to attract any more unwanted attention. I¡¯ll increase security at the hotel discreetly.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Elliot had no reason to refuse. They could not possibly leave at such a critical juncture. However, with Sheena injured, hey needed to retum home promptly so Yosef could examine her. He added. ¡°This must be resolved as soon as possible.¡± Nell assured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll put all of my focus on this case and keep an eye on the police, making sure they give us an answer soon.¡± Elliot carefully carried sleeping Sheena, nning to take her back to the hotel to rest. Before leaving, he remembered something and cautioned Neil, ¡°Keep the news of our attack under wraps for now. We can¡¯t afford any international headlines, as it might disrupt diplomatic rtions between our countries. You understand the stakes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s for sure. Even if you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I would¡¯ve kept the news under wraps.¡± Elliot left the police station without saying another word, carrying Sheena. To prevent them from encountering danger on their way back, Neil arranged for an armed police vehicle to escort them home. Several police officers apanied them for protection, forming a rather formidable sight. After all, not many fools would dare to mess with a police convoy. Safely arriving at the hotel¡¯s presidential suite, the police officers orderly helped Elliot with his luggage. The police officers were dressed in ck uniforms, standing there like a statue with a nk expression. Their presence could definitely scare anyone. Elliot tucked Sheena in the bed before instructing them, ¡°No need to stand guard outside. the door. You¡¯re just going to attract attention, and people passing by will be easily frightened when they see you. Hide downstairs in the hotel and leave your leader¡¯s phone number with me. If anything happens, I¡¯ll instruct you directly.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Jenkins.¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. One of the police officers stepped forward, leaving his phone number with Elliot before departing with the rest of the team. The hallway quickly returned to its peaceful atmosphere. Elliot locked the door behind him and returned to Sheena¡¯s side. Watching her sleep, he could not shake off the gullt for her gunshot wound and the Injury to her head. He sat by the bed, keeping vigil for two hours straight. Elliot ordered room service at lunchtime, selecting a few light yet tasteful dishes. During this time, Sheena never once woke up. After Elliotid the food on the table, she was still sleeping deeply, showing no sign of waking up. Chapter 1042 Chapter 1042 Elliot sat down beside the bed once again, gently calling out, ¡°Honey, it¡¯s time to eat. You¡¯ve been through a lot this morning, and you must be hungry by now, right? Nana?¡± He called out a couple more times, but Sheena remained unresponsive. Elliot felt restless and nervously reached out to check her breathing. Her breathing was fairly stable. ¡°Wake up, honey. Stop sleeping,¡± he urged. As his hand brushed through her hair at the back of her head, he felt a sticky sensation on his fingers. Elliot¡¯s heart sank as he pulled his trembling hand away from Sheena. Upon closer look, he noticed a smear of blood on his fingertips. It was clear that the injury to the back of her head was more serious than he had initially thought. Elliot immediately called the police officers guarding the hotel. ¡°Nana¡¯s not doing well. Call an ambnce and get here fast.¡± After hanging up the phone, Elliot carried Sheena and rushed downstairs. Seeing no signs of her waking up, his heart felt like it was being crushed. Tears streamed down his face uncontrobly, and it was his first time crying so hard. ¡°Nana, please be fine! You have to! Otherwise, I¡¯ll never forgive myself!¡± His eyes were red and swollen. Usuallyposed, Elliot felt utterly lost and helpless like a child. Over ten unbearable minutester, Sheena was admitted to Ardolisia¡¯srgest hospital and taken into the emergency room. Outside, Elliot was nervous, staring at the dried blood on his fingertips. The events of the ambush on the road yed over and over in his mind¨Cthe gunshot and the heavy blow to the back of Sheena¡¯s head, where the nerves were most vulnerable. gger stabbing his heart, intensifying the pain beyond measure ace determination filled Elliot¡¯s dark eyes as his rage boiled over, his chest heaving fury In a fit of anger, he called Neil. For the first time, Eliot yelled at him, ¡°Nana¡¯s head wound is bleeding! I don¡¯t care how you do it, but you must find the person who hurt her today! I want them to suffer for every bit of pain Sheena endured!¡± It was the first time Neil had heard Elliot¡¯s emotions on the verge of spiraling out of control, and he immediately stepped up his efforts with the investigation. Every passing minute outside the emergency felt like an eterity, plunging Elliot into despair. He refused to eat or drink, waiting there for three hours until the red light above the emergency room finally dimmed. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Elliot immediately stood up and saw a nurse wheeling out Sheena, who was still unconscious. He tightly held Sheena¡¯s hand as they entered a regr ward together. The doctor spoke in a calm tone, ¡®Rest assured. There¡¯s nothing serious for now. Thea is likely due to a concussion, and the bleeding is superficial. The scans show no signs of intracranial bleeding.¡± Elliot breathed a sigh of relief. However, before he could fully rx, the doctor continued, ¡°However, we¡¯re also monitoring her condition closely. If she doesn¡¯t wake up within 24 hours, we¡¯ll have to transfer her to the intensive care unit and attempt to wake her forcefully. Additionally, there¡¯s a possibility of retrograde amnesia once she wakes up. It could be temporary, or she may never regain certain memories. You need to be prepared for that.¡± she may never regain certain This sudden and devastating news felt like a bolt from the blue, sending Elliot¡¯s heart into despair. Elliot asked in a trembling voice, ¡°Are you saying she might lose her memory? Forget me, or forget everything?¡± The doctor nodded solemnly. ¡°Yes.¡± The two of them continued to converse by the bedside,pletely unaware that the person lying in the hospital bed was slowly regaining consciousness. Chapter 1043 Chapter 1043 Sheena, drifting in and out of consciousness, could vaguely hear the conversation between the doctor and Elliot. Retrograde amnesia? The cliche memory loss? When she was fifteen, She injected her with a nerve¨Cdamaging drug and pushed her into the sea. She had already lost her memory once, and a mere blow to the head would unlikely cause. it again. Sheena could not help but wonder if all doctors were like Noah, always exaggerating and scaring the patients¡® families. She sighed inwardly, unable to open her eyes. The back of her head was still hurting, and she was feeling tired and dizzy. Sheena remained silent, keeping her eyes closed to rest. Once the doctor left, the room fell silent again. Elliot tightly held her hand, and she could feel him trembling violently. Within minutes, she heard a faint sobbing sound, and she even felt drops of water on the back of her hand. Was Elliot crying? She was confused. After all, she was still breathing, so why was he acting like she was dead? As the hot tears continued to fall onto her hand, her heart also started to ache. Sheena struggled with exhaustion, forcing herself to open her eyes and look at Elliot. Elliot¡¯s eyes were red, his gaze filled with despair as tears streamed down his handsome. face. It was the first time she had seen him in such a tragic state. weakly moved her fingers, and Elllot immediately noticed, looking up at her. Nana, you¡¯re awake! Do you feel any difort? I¡¯ll get the doctor.¡± He was about to get up, but Sheena held onto his hand. Sheena¡¯s face was pale, and she struggled to speak, ¡°Wh¡­¡± Sheena wanted to ask why he was crying so miserably, but she was so weak that she could not even utter one word. Elliot stared at her in shock, sensing that she was confused. Barely having a chance to rejoice, he plunged back into deeper misery. Tears flowed uncontrobly as he bowed his head, resting his forehead on the back of her hand as he continued sobbing. ¡°You really¡­ lost your memory! How could you forget me? How could you¡­¡± Sheena was puzzled. ¡°We went through so much together, and we have two adorable little babies. How could you forget¡­¡® Sheena was at a loss for words. She helplessly looked at the man who was alwaysposed and proud, now crouching beside her hospital bed as he sobbed. His towering figure actually appeared fragile at this moment, and he looked pitiful. It was the first time she had seen Elliot lose control like this, genuinely frightening her. She sighed, mustering her strength tofort him. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, I h¨Chaven¡¯t lost my memory.¡± Hearing her voice, Elliot raised his tearful eyes, still harboring doubts. He sniffled, wiping his red eyes, and asked, ¡°Then who am I?¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Sheena smiled. ¡°My husband.¡± ¡°What¡¯s my name?¡± ¡°Elliot Jenkins.¡± To reassure him, Sheena answered quickly without a hint of hesitation. Elliot felt a weight lifted off his chest, his rationality slowly returning. He continued, ¡°What¡¯s the name of our son?¡± ¡°Asher Jenkins.¡± ¡°And our daughter?¡± ¡°Adora Lawson.¡± Chapter 1044 Chapter 1044 Asher followed Elliot¡¯s surname, while Adora followed Sheena¡¯s surname, as discussed earlier when Sheena gave birth to the babies. This decision was made to bnce the Inheritance rights between the two families. Elliot heaved a sigh of relief, quickly probing further, ¡°Who was your first love?¡± Sheena was slightly puzzled. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± She did not have any first love. ¡°Answer me.¡± Elliot tightened his grip on her hand, eyes reddening as he awaited her response. She hesitated slightly. ¡°Nathaniel?¡± Sheena thought she would finally pass the memory test with that answer. Feeling satisfied, she was ready to share a tender moment with Elliot. However, Elliot¡¯s longshes fluttered before she could even sh a smile. It was as if he was sinking into a new wave of despair, his voice trembling. ¡°So, you really did have feelings for him! That¡¯s why you wereughing and chatting with him in the video calls. Nana, do you¡­ still love him?¡± He anxiously clutched his chest, his handsome face turning pale, eyes filled with sorrow. ¡°Do you¡­ love me a little more than him?¡± Sheena¡¯s gaze turned cold. Without the IV in her hand, she gently lifted it and motioned for Elliot toe closer. Elliot obediently bent down/ pressing his cheek against her palm. Suddenly, her fingertips exerted force, pinching his cheek. Sheena¡¯s grip was weak since her body had not fully recovered, causing only a slight pain. Elliot merely furrowed his brows slightly, allowing her to bully him. In a weak volce, she said, ¡°Ell, you¡¯re misbehaving, always overthinking things. If I had the ngth, I¡¯d have to give you a good smack.¡± Elliot remained silent, his longshes veiling the vague guilt in his eyes. Sheena eased her grip, gently caressing his cheek as she earnestly spoke, ¡°My feelings for Nathaniel were only childhood fondness. I never loved him. I¡¯ve only ever loved you.¡± With the weight lifted off his heart, Elliot kissed her palm, filled with joy. ¡°Thank goodness. You really haven¡¯t lost your memory or forgotten me.¡± Sheena¡¯s features rxed, chuckling. ¡°So, you intentionally tested me just now to see how much I remembered.¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Elliot squeezed her hand tightly, smiling. ¡°How could I not know your love for me, even though I¡¯m quite¡­ annoyed with some things.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all in the past.¡± Sheena shrugged it off. ¡°How¡¯s the investigation into the attack going? Any progress?¡± Elliot shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s only been a short while since we were attacked in the morning, so it¡¯s too soon to get an update. But I¡¯ve instructed the Ardolisia police to focus on Paulo, and I believe you also suspect him.¡± ¡°Yeah. Not many people have the power to make such a bold move in Ardolisia.¡± Elliot agreed, ¡°Also, Neil has already identified the man who injured you. I was nning to handle it directly, but since you¡¯re awake, I¡¯ll let you deal with it yourself.¡± Sheena was never one to show mercy to those who harmed her. They like using clubs, so let¡¯s find one with spikes and pay them back tenfold, but don¡¯t kill them. Have them endure thirty strikes a day for a few days.¡± Elliot indulgently prodded her nose. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll do as you say.¡± As their conversation ended, the door was suddenly knocked on. The door cracked open slightly and a girl¡¯s delicate and gorgeous face peered in. It was Anne. heard Ms. Lawson was sick. Paulo brought me in for a check¨Cup, and we thought we¡¯d visit her since we¡¯re here. Do you mind if wee in?¡± With his back to the door, Elliot¡¯s face almost instantly darkened. Feeling weak and exhausted, Sheena turned her head away, closing her eyes to rest. Clearly, she did not want to see anyone and had no energy to deal with polite formalities. At the doorway, Anne seemed oblivious to Elliot¡¯s grim expression. Without waiting for him to respond or dismiss them, she pushed the door open and entered. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll take that as a yes,¡± she remarked,pletely ignoring Elliot¡¯s mood as she ced the purchased fruits and flowers on the bedside table. She acted like a social butterfly. With hands in his pockets, Paulo followed into the room, standing at the foot of the bed. Standing next to Elliot, Anne looked at Sheena with concern. ¡°What happened? Ms. Lawson looks very weak, and it seems like she¡¯s quite ill.¡± Chapter 1045 Chapter 1045 Since the serious car ident and attack during the day were kept under wraps, Anne¡¯s question seems genuine, as if she was just passing by to offer her regards. Feeling weak, Sheena Ignored Anna and kept her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. Elliot¡¯s voice turned cold as he said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. Shou couple of days.¡± be out of the hospital in a He casually fiddled with his wristwatch and added indifferently, ¡°Speaking of which, Mr. Karl seems to have quite the luck running into us, doesn¡¯t he? Despite being in Ardolisia for only a short while, we¡¯ve crossed paths multiple times.¡± Ever since that day at the museum, they bumped into each other while shopping, and he even managed to find them when Sheena was secretly hospitalized. Was it just a coincidence, or was it on purpose? Paulo chuckled. ¡°Indeed, it seems like fate. However, both Ms. Lawson and Anne are young, and they enjoy shopping. As for why we¡¯re here, it¡¯s just for routine check¨Cups.¡± He nced at Sheena andmented, ¡°Ms. Lawson doesn¡¯t look too well. It seems she¡¯s seriously ill. Is it due to overexertion? If so, why not transfer the Dorvell Corporation¡¯s cooperation rights to me? I can help her shoulder the burden.¡± Elliot red at him. ¡°When did her affairs be someone else¡¯s concern?¡± Paulo¡¯s expression changed. ¡°I misspoke, but since I¡¯m here today, I¡¯d still like to discuss the cooperation rights of Dorvell Corporation with Ms. Lawson. Won¡¯t she reconsider?¡± Sheena abruptly opened her eyes, ready to sit upright. Elliot moved forward, helping her prop up the pillow and lean against the headboard. ¡°If Mr. Karl wants the cooperation rights, that¡¯s fine.¡± With those words, Paulo¡¯s eyes lit up. Sheena snorted and swiftly changed her tone. ¡°But you have to do it openly and fairly, to take it from me with your own capabilities. If you dare to use shady tactics, then you¡¯ll regret it. Two can y in this game, and those cheap tricks will be repaid tenfold.¡± Paulo froze, his golden sideburns twitching slightly, signaling his displeasure. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. The atmosphere became tense. As perceptive as ever, Anne tried to intervene, ¡°Ms. Lawson¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Elliot immediately interjected, ¡°That¡¯s enough. Nana. needs rest. It¡¯s getting crowded in this room, and you¡¯re affecting her rest. I won¡¯t be seeing you off.¡± With the conversation reaching this point, it was time for them to leave. Sticking around would just be embarrassing. Paulo was not keen on lingering anyway and softly called out, ¡°Anne, darling.¡± Anne tactfully moved toward the door. Midway, she looked back, smiling innocently. ¡°Ms. Lawson, take care of yourself. Your life has been smooth sailing over the years, and it¡¯s natural to encounter some storms along the way, isn¡¯t it?¡± Sheena met her smile with a cold gaze, and her tone was devoid of warmth. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say when I¡¯ll encounter the storms, but I¡¯m guessing you¡¯ll have your shares sooner than me. Remember to watch your steps. It¡¯s going to hurt when you fall.¡± Anne seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in her words, smiling brightly. ¡°Thank you for your concern, Ms. Lawson. I find the hospital floors a bit slippery too. Paulo stepped forward, wrapping his arm around Anne¡¯s waist and leading her out of the ward. As the door closed, a chilling glint flickered in Sheena¡¯s eyes as she nced at the fruits and flowers on the bedside table. ¡°Throw them out and don¡¯t even touch them. Get them out of my sight immediately.¡± Even if she did not say it, Elliot would do the same. He quickly summoned a nurse, who promptly discarded all the gifts brought by Paulo and Anne, even disinfecting the bedside table. ¡°Nana, how sure you that Paulo is behind the attack?¡± are Sheena¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Initially, it was only forty percent, but after they showed up at the hospital, entered my ward, and offered their insincereforting, I¡¯d say It¡¯s now sixty percent.¡± Chapter 1046 Chapter 1046 Elllot poured Sheena some water and patiently fed her, saying, ¡°My suspicions are a little higher than yours. I think it¡¯s seventy percent likely that he¡¯s behind this.¡± Puzzled, Sheena asked, ¡°Where does your extra ten percente from?¡± ¡°The thoughtful gifts Paulo brought over. He mentioned that they were here for Anne¡¯s check¨Cups. He wouldn¡¯t have prepared such detailed gifts If he had just visited on a whim after hearing you were hospitalized. It¡¯s clear he¡¯s been monitoring our situation and knew you were sent to the hospital before rushing over.¡± Sheena let out a long sigh. ¡°But all this is just spection. We need concrete evidence.¡± ¡°We won¡¯t find any evidence against Paulo. I know him. If he can swagger in here to show off and demand cooperation from you, he has obviously destroyed all the evidence and made sure he can walk away unharmed. It¡¯s amon tactic of the Ouna¡¯s royalty.¡± Elliot calmly recounted, gazing at the setting sun outside the window. The vibrant red hues, though warm, failed to evoke any warmth in Elliot. At this moment, all his tenderness stemmed from Sheena¡¯s emotions. He felt joy when she was happy and sad when she was troubled. Sheena remainedposed, saying, ¡°The Lawson Group still needs to cooperate with Dorvell Corporation. If Neil¡¯s side can¡¯t make any progress, let it go. There¡¯s no need to make things difficult for him.¡± Elliot was surprised. ¡°Are you nning to let the mastermind behind this incident off the hook?¡± Letting the mastermind off the hook? Sheena was an avid believer of an eye for an eye, never letting go. ¡°If we can find some clues on our own and confirm our suspicions, I¡¯ll retaliate. Since they like ying dirty, I¡¯ll see it through to the end and see just how capable Paulo is.¡± Elliot caressed her cheek and tenderly kissed her lips, full of love, as if treating a precious treasure. ¡°Nana, whatever you want to do, just do it. I¡¯m your most loyal soldier, charging ahead for Sheena chuckled softly. ¡°I don¡¯t want just any foot soldiers.¡± ¡°What do you want then?¡± Sheena crooked her little finger, and Elliot immediately leaned in to listen. ¡°I prefer you being my little pony, my exclusive mount.¡± Her soft voice was tinged with a hint of vulnerability, easily stirring up any man¡¯s desire to protect and possess her from deep within. It was just a flirtatious remark, but it had a powerful effect on Elliot. His throat felt dry, unable to resist her teasing. Yet Sheena, reveling in her mischief, traced the contours of his ear with her chilly fingertips, sending shivers down his spine. He grasped Sheena¡¯s slender wrist and nted a kiss on the back of her hand. ¡°Nana, stop it. You know I can¡¯t resist you. If you keep ying like this, things might get out. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. of control.¡± Feeling increasingly distressed, he lowered his gaze and murmured, ¡°You¡¯re injured, needing rest for your concussion. No matter how badly I want to, I can¡¯t touch you. Please don¡¯t make it harder for me.¡± Sheena had not intended to make things difficult for him. She just wanted to share a tender moment with him after waking up from hera. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m hungry.¡± Elliot picked up his phone, nning to order food from the hospital cafeteria. ¡°Nana, what do you feel like eating?¡± ¡°Anything. I¡¯m hungry, but I have no appetite. Something light will do.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Elliot was always decisive. Seeing her response, he ordered dishes based on her usual preferences. In contrast to the false rm at the hospital, the atmosphere at the police station was particrly tense and anxious. Chapter 1047 Chapter 1047 The entire police department¡¯s most elite andpetent officers were called in to Investigate the matter. However, after a whole day of effort, there was no progress In the case. Nell issued an ultimatum, giving them only three days to uncover the mastermind behind the case. The young police department chief sat in his office, feeling extremely anxious. He reviewed the information gathered so far, sighing constantly and drinking coffee. MY He was worried because they had not found any suspicious individuals who could be considered suspects. Elliot suspected Paulo, but Paulo¡¯s status was prestigious, and without solid evidence, it would be challenging to investigate him thoroughly. Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. After all, with his identity as an Ouna nobleman,unching an investigation against him could affect the diplomatic rtions between Ardolisia and Ouna. Yet, if they did not investigate Paulo, he would have a hard time exining it to Elliot, potentially affecting the diplomatic rtions between Ardolisia and Froania. Lastly, if they could not find anything, he would be in trouble with Neil, and he might not be able to keep his post. He was caught between a rock and a hard ce, feeling overwhelmed as he looked at the frustrating and perplexing pile of data. He was already on his third cigarette. Just as he was feeling the most frustrated, there was a knock on the door. ¡°Come in,¡± he impatiently called out. A police officer in uniform entered the room. ¡°Chief, there¡¯s a youngdy outside who ims she knows about this incident and can help you.¡± ¡°Help me?¡± he scoffed, tugging at his cor in annoyance. ¡°Who is she?¡± ¡°She ims to be Mr. Karl¡¯s girlfriend, Ms. Windsor.¡± Oh another important figure? ¡°Let her in, and alen get me a cup of cappino. Yes, Chief. Within a few minutes, Anne entered the office under the escort of the police. The chief invited her to take a seat on the sofa. She smiled gracefully, radiating warmth without pretense, ¡°Ms. Windsor, are you here to provide evidence? Anne nodded. ¡°I know what¡¯s troubling you, Chief, and I have a solution that can address the concerns of all parties involved. It will provide a satisfactory answer to everyone and ensure your position is secured.¡± He furrowed his brows, slightly skeptical. After all, Anne seemed too young and innocent. Nevertheless,cking better options, he decided to hear her out. ¡°Go on, then. What do you have to say?¡± Anne shed a captivating smile, looking innocent and charming. Yet, behind her serene gaze lurked a heart as cold as ice. Chapter 1048 Chapter 1048 Sheena spent two days in the hospital. Elliot cared for her attentively, not letting her feet touch the ground as he would carry her to the restroom. It made Sheena ufortable as Elliot treated her like a helpless child. During the day, she still talked to Nathaniel on the phone, but they could not make video calls due to her hospital stay. Learning that the babies were doing welltely, she reluctantly breathed a sigh of relief. Having been stuck in Ardolisia for almost a week, it was finally Neil¡¯s deadline for the police department, and the investigation results should be out by the afternoon. Sheena requested to be discharged from the hospital. Elliot opposed, but he could not stop Sheena when she was determined. During the re¨Cexamination, the doctor only checked the gunshot wound and the injuries on the back of her head. Since he found no major issues, she could be discharged. Elliot had no choice but to apany Sheena in the armored police vehicle to the police department to hear the investigation results. When they arrived, Neil had just arrived too, and they all went in together. The conference room¡¯s ckboard was filled withplex clues. The chief of the police department printed outprehensive evidence and gave each of them a copy. Pointing at the ckboard, he exined, ¡°After the investigation, we found that the driver of therge truck involved in this incident is the prime suspect. He was originally from Froania and only came to Ard¨®lisia this year. After submitting various documents, het sessfully obtained Ardolisia citizenship.¡± The chief pointed to a photo of Sheena and continued, ¡°We found many pictures of Mrs. Jenkins at his house. Upon closer inspection, we discovered he had watched Mrs. Jenkins¡¯s viral dance videos online and had been a big fan. He even considered Mrs. Jenkins his imaginary wife online. Since Mrs. Jenkins announced her marriage, he has shown abnormal and overly intense emotional reactions.¡± This statement made Elliot furrow his brows deeply, his handsome face darkening with tense displeasure. However, he did not interrupt and continued to listen with a cold expression. ¡°Yesterday, we conducted a professional psychiatric evaluation on this individual. He was found to have neurological disorders and an explosive and irritable personality. It¡¯s estimated that due to unrequited love and resentment, he stuck to the principle of ¡°if I can¡¯t have her, no one can¡® and deliberately nned this heinous event.¡± Sheena scoffed, not buying into the chief¡¯s exnation about the so¨Ccalled suspect. ¡°There are too many suspicious aspects to this whole matter. How could a mere truck driver afford to hire arge number of elite assassins and snipers on the ck market?¡± In response, the chief exined calmly, ¡°We¡¯ve checked his bank records, and all of his finances were depleted a few days ago. As for why he chose to drive the truck himself in this incident, it seems he wanted to go out with a bang, to end it all. ¡°Try recalling the incident. After colliding with the taxi, the truck driver didn¡¯t give up, right? He dragged the taxi for several dozen meters until he mmed into a wall, disying clear signs of excessive retaliatory behavior.¡± As this exnation concluded, Neil remained silent. Feeling increasingly frustrated, Sheena flipped through the documents, her eyes betraying a strong sense of agitation. Elliot asked coldly, ¡°Where is this truck driver now?¡± ¡°After the incident, he was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. His condition isn¡¯t looking good. He¡¯s in a vegetative state, but it¡¯s unlikely he¡¯ll ever wake up.¡± Everything was pinned on this permanently vegetative patient, effectively rendering him unable to testify.. It was the most convenient solution, leaving no room for counterarguments. Neil examined the evidence multiple times. From the evidence alone, it seemed reasonable that someone with a paranoid and irritable personality couldmit such extreme acts of retaliation. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Setting aside the evidence, Neil looked at the main victim of the incident, Sheena. ¡°Ms Lawson, do you have any oblections. Sheena let out a light scoff. as absurd toy all this at the feet of a mere truck driver. She looked at the chief with a piercing gaze, hitting the core issue head¨Con. I¡¯ve heard you¡¯ve been busy handling this case recently. Have you secretly met with individuals unrted to this case at the police department?¡± Chapter 1049 Chapter 1049 Individuals unrted to the case¡­ The chief¡¯s expression froze, and he lowered his gaze, awkwardly touching the tip of his nose. ¡°No. I¡¯ve been dealing with the heinous attack you experienced, Mr. Jenkins. I haven¡¯t met with anyone else recently.¡± Sheena caught his demeanor and exchanged nces with Elliot. ¡°Alright, since you say so, I don¡¯t have any issues.¡± The chief thought it was a close call, and he let out a silent sigh of relief as he stood in front of the ckboard, wiping the thinyer of sweat from his forehead with a tissue. Neil escorted Sheena and Elliot out of the police department. As they walked down the corridor, he asked, ¡°The perpetrator who struck Ms. Lawson¡¯s head has been undergoing interrogation for the past few days. Do you want to go check on him?¡± Sheena shook her head. ¡°No need. Mr. Gray, just instruct the department to handle it seriously. Elliot and I have been stranded in Ardolisia for too long, and we haven¡¯t seen our babies back home for a while. We want to return to our country.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Neil nodded understandingly, then turned to Elliot. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, do you still want to bring this perpetrator back to Froania for interrogation?¡± Elliot wrapped his arm around Sheena¡¯s waist, supporting her as they walked. ¡°Since Nana said to let you handle it, there¡¯s no need for that. They¡¯re just Ardolisia locals, not the mastermind. It¡¯s too much trouble to request cross¨Cborder handling for such small fry.¡± Neil nodded repeatedly. ¡°Mr. Jenkins, rest assured. Although the truck or has Ardolisia citizenship now, I¡¯ll ensure he receives proper medical treatment. If he recovers, he won¡¯t escape his punishment.¡± Elliot shrugged indifferently. ¡°He¡¯s just a scapegoat dragged out at thest minute.¡± Nell Was stunned. As a royal heir, he naturally understood Elliot¡¯s implications but remained silent, wearing a emilie. Exiting the police department and boarding the armored vehicle back to the hotel, Elliot nced back. ¡°Nell, your police department¡¯s chief isn¡¯t on your side. Such people might hinder your path to inheriting the royal throne. Be careful.¡± With that, he helped Sheena into the vehicle and followed suit. As the door mmed shut, Neil was left pale¨Cfaced. He watched as the armored vehicle gradually disappeared, then quietly called the deputy chief of the police department. ¡°Check who the chief has been meeting recently and keep it discreet.¡± Back in the armored vehicle, Sheena and Elliot remained silent all the way back to their hotel room as police officers were with them. It was not until the door to the presidential suite closed behind them that Elliot spoke up. ¡°From the chief¡¯s subtle expressions today, whoever he¡¯s been meeting must hold considerable status to provoke such a reaction. My guess is it¡¯s either Paulo or Anne.¡± Sheena met his gaze with a slight smile. ¡°Funny, that¡¯s exactly what I was thinking.¡± He tightened his grip around Sheena¡¯s waist and asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s the n, Honey?¡± ¡°First, we¡¯ll head back home. As for business matters, I n to y hardball, snatch Paulo¡¯s businesses, intercept Anne¡¯s coborations, and as for the other grudges, given their special statuses, we¡¯ll retaliate one at a time.¡± Elliot kissed her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m all in.¡± Sheena had bandages on the back of her head, so she could not shower. Elliot carried her to the bathroom dry area and personally wrung out a hot towel, gently wiping her body. Later, they both went to bed after freshening up. However, In the middle of the night, Sheena slept restlessly, feeling a dull pain at the back of her head, Her eyelids felt heavy, and she could not open them fully. She clenched her fists tightly, a restless anger burning in her chest. She wanted to vent her rage, to draw blood¡­ ¡°Nana, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Elliot was hugging her to sleep. As a light sleeper, he immediately woke up when he felt her spine suddenly tense. He turned on the bedsidemp and observed Sheena¡¯s condition. ¡°Where does it hurt?¡± Sheena¡¯s muddled thoughts gradually cleared. She tried to speak but could not produce any sound, and she could not move her body. It felt eerie, just like sleep paralysis. N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. After struggling for a while, she quickly exhausted herself and fell into a deep sleep. Elliot checked her breathing, feeling it gradually stabilize. Assuming she was just having a nightmare, he let out a long sigh of relief. The two embraced and peacefully got through the rest of the night. The next morning, they got up, packed their bags again, and were personally escorted to the airport by the police department¡¯s armored vehicle. Chapter 1050 Chapter 1050 This time, everything went smoothly, and they boarded the ne back home safely. Sheena gazed at the green mountains outside the airne window, her heart seemingly returning to its usual calmness. She could not remember anything about the strange sleep paralysis incident from the previous night after waking up. Elliot held her hand, their fingers intertwined, and kissed her cheek, expressing his relief. ¡°Thank goodness I was with you on this trip to Ardolisia. If you had encountered such a terrible attack alone there, I¡¯m afraid I would¡¯ve gone crazy.¡± Sheena turned to lean on his shoulder, feeling weary. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m a bit tired. I¡¯d like to sleep in your arms for a while. Wake me upter.¡± ¡°Sure. Have a good rest,¡± Elliot replied. After a flightsting over twenty hours, Sheena and Elliot finally arrived at Svelton¡¯s airport. Lionel and Jacintha, knowing they wereing back, were there early to greet them. Jacintha even bought flowers, making it seem like a grand reunion. Seeing Sheena and Elliot holding hands as they emerged, they hurried over. Lionel helped with the luggage while Jacintha linked arms with Sheena and handed her the flowers. ¡°Sheena, did you enjoy your honeymoon these past few days?¡± Lionel chimed in, ¡°Elliot¡¯s wish to travel abroad for a honeymoon is finally fulfilled. This trip must have been unforgettable, right?¡± Unaware of the recent attack in Ardolisia due to the news being suppressed, Lionel and Jacintha thought they had gone on a week¨Clong honeymoon and kept asking about the fun ces they visited in Ardolisia. Elliot remained silent. Every time this trip was brought up, he remembered Sheena¡¯s injury, which did not sit well. with him. Surprisingly, Sheena took it more lightly and smiled, gesturing toward one of the pleces of luggage Lionel was carrying. ¡°We went shopping in thergest shopping district in Ardolisia and bought some things for you. You can open them when we get back to E&S Haven.¡± Lionel and Jacintha were delighted when they heard about the gifts and were eager to return to the Jenkins estate. Half an hourter, the group arrived home. As the door swung open, they saw Nathaniel and Freida standing at the doorway, each holding a baby. ¡°Nana, wee back. Asher and Adora have been very well¨Cbehaved. They must have missed you¡­¡± Nathaniel¡¯s voice trailed off as he caught sight of Elliot¡¯s somber expression. With keen insight, he quickly added, ¡°And Mr. Jenkins. The babies have been babbling every day as if they¡¯re calling for Mommy and Daddy.¡± With the second half of the sentence, Elliot¡¯s expression softened considerably. Sheena took Adora from Nathaniel¡¯s arms, holding her dearly and showing how much she Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. had missed her. Lionel and Jacintha were already eager to start unwrapping the gifts. When Jacintha received the expensive crystal jewelry set, she was ecstatic. She had never owned such a valuable gift, and she was moved to tears. Sheena teased, ¡°Why are you crying? Consider this a thank¨Cyou gift for handling the matters at home this past week. Please ept it.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± With their real parents back, Nathaniel could only stand by and smile. Sheena looked at him and said, ¡°You¡¯ve done the most taking care of the babies this time. I also got you a gift. Why don¡¯t you check if you like it?¡± Nathaniel¡¯s blue eyes showed a hint of surprise. ¡°I have something too?¡± Sheena nodded with a smile. Lionel keenly picked out the exquisite watch from the suitcase and handed it to Nathaniel. ¡°This is probably yours.¡± Nathaniel ran his fingers over the watch, unable to contain his joy. ¡°Did you personally choose this for me? This is the first gift you¡¯ve given me since we reunited. I really like it. Thank you,¡± Nathaniel expressed his gratitude, his face lit up. Elliot frowned at him, unexpectedly rifying the beautiful misunderstanding. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. I picked this out for you. You should be thanking me instead.¡± Nathaniel was caught off guard, and he suddenly felt the watch lost its appeal. Cam Bonus For Face Every Days Chapter 1051 Chapter 1051 Elliot smirked in appreciation as he watched Nathaniel¡¯s expression dete. He teased, ¡°Looks like you¡¯re not too keen on thanking me, just eager to receive Nana¡¯s gift.¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Nathaniel quickly shed a fake smile, ¡°Mr. Jenkins, you¡¯re overthinking it. Thank you for the gift. You truly understand me. I¡¯ve always liked this watch, and I¡¯m d I finally have it, despite being picked by you first.¡± don Elliot frowned. ¡°Well then, why don¡¯t you try it on? Let¡¯s see if the watch matches the man.¡± Sheena cooed to Adora in her arms, ncing at the two men and finding their banter amusing. It had been a while since theyst met and engaged in silly rivalry. Nheless, she decided not to get involved and took the babies, along with Freida and Jacintha, to the fourth¨Cfloor nursery, leaving the living room to the three men. Once Sheena left, the smiles on Elliot and Nathaniel¡¯s faces vanished immediately, and they both turned to attend to their own tasks. Elliot headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner while Nathaniel began organizing the cluttered luggage on the floor. Lionel stood in ce, scratching his head in confusion. The atmosphere had been great just a moment ago. Why did it suddenly change? Caught between helping out in the kitchen and the task of tidying up, Lionel hesitated. Eventually, he chose to help¨CNathaniel to avoid being criticized by Elliot for being clumsy. The first meal back home felt like a family gathering, and everyone enjoyed it. ¤¯ Due to her injury, Sheena delegated the task of signing contracts for the Dorvell Corporation project to her subordinates, opting to stay home to recuperate and spend time with the babies. Elliot continued his busy routine, shuttling between the Jenkins Group and the National Investigation Bureau. Everyone¡¯s life gradually returned to normal. By the third day, the gunshot wound on Sheena¡¯s arm had been bandaged for over a week, and during the dressing change, the wound was already starting to heal. The wound on the back of her head, caused by the blow, only had minor bleeding, and the marks and bruises quickly faded away. With her body recovering to this extent, Sheena was essentially healed. She returned to the Lawson Group and immersed herself in the coboration project with Dorvell Corporation. Besides that, she discreetly dispatched people to gather information about Paulo¡¯s AN Group, especially Anne¡¯s current position and the projects she was handling. Sheena aimed to seize every prospect, regardless of the project¡¯s scale, and disrupt their cooperation. After spending the afternoon in the office, Sheena gradually felt exhausted, her thoughts bing somewhat disorganized. She wondered if it was due to the concussion she was still recovering from. Setting aside her mouse and rubbing her temples, Sheena felt a sudden tension in her head, apanied by a dull ache. It was really strange. She massaged the back of her head, feeling inexplicably irritable. Then, she called her assistant in, instructing her, ¡°I¡¯m feeling tired, and I¡¯ll rest in the office lounge for a while. Please make sure no one disturbs me.¡± ¡°Of course, Ms Lawson,¡± the assistant replied before leaving. Rubbing her head, Sheena made her way to the lounge. Meanwhile, at the Jenkins Group¡¯s CEO¡¯s office, Elliot absentmindedly gazed out the windows. He had mentioned the small dress he bought in Ardolisia to Sheenast night, and she agreed to try it on when they got home tonight. It was destined to be a wonderful and unforgettable evening. Elliot¡¯s heart raced with anticipation, and every minute felt like torture as he waited for the end of the workday. As the sun set, he nced at his watch. It was time. He took out his phone to call Sheena, intending to pick her up. The phone rang for a long time, but there was no answer. Puzzled, Elliot opened his messaging app and sent a few texts. Minutes passed, but there was no reply. If Sheena were in a meeting, she would have simply hung up his call. Suspicious, he called the assistant from the Lawson Group he had previously bribed. The call connected instantly, and he asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Nana?¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson is resting in her office, and no one is allowed to disturb her.¡± Chapter 1052 Chapter 1052 Elliot asked anxiously, ¡°Is she feeling unwell?¡± ¡°Ms. Lawson just said she was tired. When I went in, herplexion seemed normal, so she probably isn¡¯t sick.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± After hanging up the phone, Elliot packed his things, took the elevator downstairs, and drove alone to the Lawson Group. By the time he arrived, it waspletely dark outside. As Sheena¡¯s husband, Elliot faced no obstacles and effortlessly made his way to the top¨Cfloor CEO¡¯s office. The assistant courteously bowed to him and gestured for him to enter. While Sheena had instructed that no one should disturb her, the assistant believed Sheena likely referred to all employees, allies, and partners, but Elliot was an exception. After ushering Elliot in, the assistant, aware that she should not disrupt their personal affairs, quietly tidied up her desk and left. Elliot entered the office quietly and turned on the lights but found no one inside. ¡°Nana?¡± Elliot called tentatively. Seeing that the door to the lounge was closed but the lights were on, he walked over. 1 As the door creaked open, Elliot saw the chaotic scene inside. The floor was scattered with decorations and books, with some pages torn. Owned by N?velDrama.Org. He stepped inside cautiously in his leather shoes and called out, ¡°Honey?¡± Not far away, he spotted a figure sitting on the floor, tearing pages from a book in frustration. It was the first time Elliot had seen Sheena like this, and he immediately went over to check on her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is there something bothering you at work that you need to vent about? Nana, tell me,¡± he asked as he knelt down and gently lifted Sheena¡¯s face. However, he was shocked to see her eyes reddened with anger, her gaze wild and terrifying. When their eyes met, Sheena¡¯s red lips curled into a sinister smile, and her eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty glint. Elliot¡¯s sole focus was on observing whether she had harmed herself in her outburst, ¡°Let¡¯s go. We need to get you checked out at theb.¡± As he was about to carry Sheena, she suddenly pped him hard. The p squarely on his left cheek. His head tilted to the side, and he felt a burning sensation on his cheek. Elliot was stunned, and it took him a while to recover his senses. He could not believe she had just pped him. Since they reconciled, Sheena had never hit his face. At most, it would only be a yful pinch on his cheeks. He turned his head in confusion, only to see Sheena¡¯s eyes filled with excitement. While he was still bewildered, Sheena swung her right hand again. Another forceful p, backed by her martial arts skills, aimed straight at his face. He did not dodge, taking the blow head¨Con. His teeth bit into the soft flesh of his mouth, and blood trickled down his chin. The consecutive ps forced him to reassess Sheena. Her gaze was wild, and once again, she swung her hand in a frenzy of rage. I¡¯m sorry, Elliot finally intervened, swiftly grabbing her wrist and delivering a sharp strike to the back of her head. With a heavy thud, Sheena slumped unconscious into his arms. Elliot held her tightly, wasting no time as he hurried to the garage, heading for theb. The chaos in the lounge and the vicious ps indicated that Sheena¡¯s condition was very off. Chapter 1053 Chapter 1053 Half an hourter, Yosef conducted a targeted examination on Sheena, along with a blood test to check for the possibility of the S404 transmitted from the bables to her body. While awaiting the results, he sympathetically nced at Elliot¡¯s swollen left cheek and sighed. ¡°Elliot, do you want some anti¨Cinmmatory medication? I can get you an ice pack to reduce the swelling.¡± Elliot licked his injured mouth and nodded, agreeing, ¡°Sure, once we understand Sheena¡¯s situation, I¡¯ll take care of the injury properly.¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Silence enveloped theboratory, and the atmosphere turned tense. They waited anxiously for an hour, and the sky outside had turnedpletely dark. Yosef returned to the ward with a solemn expression, holding the test results. Elliot, who had been by Sheena¡¯s side, immediately stood up. ¡°How¡¯s the result?¡± Clutching the test report tightly, Yosef replied, ¡°Elliot, there¡¯s both good news and bad news. Which one would you like to hear first?¡± Elliot was exasperated. Why did it feel like he was being asked to choose an answer on a test? He patiently responded, ¡°Let¡¯s start with the good news.¡± ¡°The blood test results show that there are no remnants of the S404 in Sheena¡¯s body. There¡¯s no imminent danger to her life, so you can rest assured,¡± Yosef said, easing Elliot¡¯s worries. Relieved, Elliot asked, ¡°And the bad news?¡± Yosef¡¯s tone turned grave. ¡°Various indicators,bined with her previous abnormal behavior, point to bipr disorder.¡± Elliot furrowed his brows deeply. ¡°How is that possible? Bipr disorder is a mental disorder. How could a blow to the head trigger it?¡± Yosef patiently exined, ¡°Sheena¡¯s bipr disorder had underlying risks and signs long before. She went through a lot during her pregnancy, and the stress caused psychological and mental pressure. This time, the injury to the back of the head was just a trigger, not the cause. You mentioned before that she bit you and drew blood over a minor issue. The doctor attributed it to excessive pregnancy hormones causing her to feel restless, which didn¡¯t seem like a major problem at the time. But in reality, if mental issues aren¡¯t properly addressed, they can lead to various risks and illnesses. This time, Sheena¡¯s bipr disorder just happened to re up due to the head injury.¡± Elliot turned to look at Sheena lying unconscious on the bed, carefully recalling the events leading up to this moment. Sheena discovered her pregnancy in Laubabwe, a time when she was trapped with Nathaniel over Clear. Upon returning home, she faced challenges one after another¨CAlbert¡¯s death, usations of being a bastard child, and her family¡¯s distrust. During this period, she dealt with these issues despite her exhaustion. Later, Albert passed away, and She disappeared. Her anxiety and negative emotions never ceased, and she always suppressed them. Elliot held his head in sorrow, realizing his negligence in not noticing Sheena¡¯s struggles earlier. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I should have been more attentive and helped Nana address her psychological issues sooner.¡± ¡°Nobody could have predicted this, Elliot. Don¡¯t me yourself.¡± Yosef sighed repeatedly, jotting down notes on his pad. ¡°Based on your description, I suspect Sheena¡¯s bipr disorder is intermittent. It may be triggered by exhaustion or urs mainly at night. We¡¯ll need to observe her closely. As for whether to tell her the truth when she wakes up, that¡¯s up to you.¡± Chapter 1053 Elliot sat by the bedside, tightly holding Sheena¡¯s hand, silent for a while before asking, ¡°What if Nana has another episode in the future?¡± ¡°We can forcibly administer sedatives, but it can be damaging to the nerves and should be used sparingly. Alternatively, we wait for her to exhaust herself and fall asleep naturally, which doesn¡¯t harm the nerves but leaves her tired the next day. However, it might not be easy to manage with babies in the house.¡± Elliot pondered in silence as Yosef continued, ¡°Incidents like today, where she¡¯s knocked unconscious, must be avoided. Her head is already injured, and the nerves there are the most sensitive. When Sheena wakes up, she might experience severe headaches.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Elliot agreed with a hint of remorse, gently kissing Sheena¡¯s pale hand as he held it. Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out! Chapter 1054 Chapter 1054 Elliot asked, ¡°Can you cure Nana¡¯s bipr disorder?¡± Yosef replied, ¡°There are ways, but bipr disorder is not easy to treat, though not Impossible. I¡¯ll need to tailor a medication regimen suitable for Sheena¡¯s form. With luck, she should be able to recover within six months.¡® Hearing the possibility of recovery, Elliot somewhat rxed. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s draft a treatment n as soon as possible. When Nana has another episode, I¡¯ll quietly bring her in for treatment.¡± Yosef caught onto the keyword. ¡°Quietly? Elliot, are you nning to hide this from Sheena and quietly treat her?¡± Elliot sighed, lowering his gaze. ¡°Nana is stubborn. If she knew she had bipr disorder, a mental illness that could harm others, she¡¯d be very upset. I know her. She might take extreme measures for the sake of her loved ones. So, for now, I¡¯ll try to keep it from her. We¡¯ll address other issues as they arise.¡± With that understanding, Yosef did not press further. He prescribed Sheena some simple medications to soothe her nerves and boost her resistance. The infusion took a full two and a half hours. Elliot waited by the side, applying an ice pack to his face. They worked in theb untilte into the night, finally wrapping up Sheena¡¯s affairs. Elliot drove back to E&S Haven with Sheena, who was still unconscious. After a night of hard work and running around, they could finally rest. He held Sheena close and fell into a deep sleep due to exhaustion. Sheena slept until noon the next day, awakened by a call from her assistant. ¡°Ms. Lawson, the project manager from Dorvell Corporation will be here this afternoon to sign the contract. It¡¯s almost 1 p.m. Are youing in today?¡± Almost 1 p.m.? The mention of the contract signing brought her thoughts into focus. ¡°Okay, I got it. I¡¯ll be there soon. After hanging up the phone, she attempted to sit up but was hit by a splitting headache, especially at the back of her head. The pain left her weak, and as she tried to sit up, her body involuntarily leaned backward. However, instead of hitting the headboard, shended in a sturdy andforting embrace. Sheena knew well who was behind her. ¡°Honey, did you turn off my rm clock? Otherwise, how could I sleep until this hour? ¡°1 ¡°You seemed tired these past few days, and I just wanted you to have a good rest. If your headache persists, you should rest more. I can postpone the contract signing with Dorvell Corporation for you.¡± ¡°No. We¡¯ve postponed the contract signing for so long because of previous issues. Dying it further might causeplications. My health is almost back to normal, so it¡¯s better to handle these matters sooner rather thanter.¡± Elliot continued hugging her, showing no intention of letting go. ¡°But, Nana, you have a headache.¡± Sheena weakly opened her eyes. ¡°It might be due to jetg after returning home. Could you get me some medicine? That should help.¡± ¡°But you might get dependent on the medicine. Let me give you a massage to soothe your nerves instead.¡± Using his slender fingertips, he gently pressed on her temples, massaging her scalp to alleviate the tension caused by the pain. Sheena did not object, enjoying his service. Chapter 1054 ¡°It¡¯s strange. My head injury at the back seemed to have healed almostpletely, but I woke up this morning feeling the pain again.¡±Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Elliot¡¯s fingers paused for a moment, a hint of guilt shing in his dark eyes. ¡°Maybe¡­ it¡¯s just a stiff neck. Let me massage it for you.¡± Sheena nestled into his embrace, allowing him to continue. Elliot was always skilled at it, and after a few minutes of massage, Sheena felt a slight relief in her headache. As her thoughts slowly returned, she suddenly remembered something. ¡°Honey, why don¡¯t I remember how I got backst night?¡± She had absolutely no recollection, and she had not even had anything to drink. How could it feel like a ckout? Chapter 1055 How could it feel like a ckout? Chapter 1055 Elliot remainedposed, having already prepared to face Sheena¡¯s questioning ¡°You were exhaustedst night and fell asleep in the office lounge. I went to the Lawson Group and brought you back.¡± Sheena was slightly surprised. ¡°So, I¡¯ve been asleep all this time?¡± Elliot chuckled, gently tapping her nose. ¡°Yep, my little sleepyhead. You slept for over ten hours. No wonder she had a headache. Sleeping for so long must have left her feeling dizzy and groggy. Sheenaughed too. ¡°Well, in that case, I should go to the Lawson Group and get myself moving. It¡¯s strange. I don¡¯t feel hungry even after sleeping for so long.¡± Unable to stop her, Elliot did not intend to dissuade her further. ¡°If you¡¯re feeling unwell, just call me. Let¡¯s leave work half an hour early tonight. I want to cook a nice meal for our first candlelit dinner since returning from abroad. It¡¯ll be just the two of us. I¡¯lle pick you up.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sheena casually agreed, not noticing the implication of ¡®just the two of us¡® in his words. With the headache relieved and her strength returning, Sheena managed to get out of bed and freshen up. By the time she finished washing her face and putting on makeup, the pain had gradually subsided. Elliot sat by the bedside, quietly observing her condition. ¡°Since it¡¯s still early, how about eating before we head out? I made some chicken soup.¡± Sheena shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry at all, and I don¡¯t have any appetite. I¡¯ll probably get hungry later after walking around. I¡¯ll grab something outside.¡± ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll drive you to the office,¡± Elllot insisted, taking her hand and leading her out without further discussion. Seeing how willing he was to be her chauffeur, Sheena did not refuse and let him lead the way. In the afternoon, Sheena sessfully signed the contract with the project manager from Dorvell Corporation. ¡°Ms. Lawson, here¡¯s to a sessful partnership.¡± Sheena extended her hand for a friendly handshake. ¡°Likewise.¡± As she finished up the contract signing, the red hues of the sunset outside the windows caught Sheena¡¯s eye. Remembering Elliot¡¯s words from earlier, she checked the time and realized she still had half an hour before quitting time. Since she had promised him, she should not stand him up. Sheena delegated the follow¨Cup matters to her assistant and grabbed her bag before taking the elevator to the garage. As she was about to call Elliot, she spotted their familiar luxury car parked not far away. Sure enough, Elliot was sitting inside. Seeing her approach, Elliot got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for her, helping her fasten her seatbelt. He was as thoughtful as always. While he bent down, Sheena nted a kiss on his lips. ¡°If there were an award for you, it¡¯d definitely be the Best Husband Award.¡± Elliot lifted her chin with one hand, deepening the kiss. ¡°Then you¡¯d win the Best Wife Award.¡± Sheenaughed, feeling genuinely happy from their lovely married life. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. On the way back to E&S Haven, Sheena stared out the window at the receding scenery, lost in thought. Elliot asionally nced at her to check her state, relieved to see her calm expression. At a red light, Sheena spotted a young mom pushing a stroller on the sidewalk and felt a sudden longing. ¡°Eli, when the babies are a bit older, let¡¯s each push a stroller and take them out for a walk. It would be so much fun.¡± Elliot agreed, ¡°The babies would definitely love that.¡± Watching the young mom with the stroller, Sheena suddenly felt a pang of longing for their babies. ¡°Strange, we only left E&S Haven at noon. It¡¯s only been a few hours, but I already miss the babies a bit.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression stiffened slightly. ¡°Honey, let¡¯s not talk about the kids tonight. When we return, let¡¯s focus on our time together and have a candlelit dinner, just the two of us, okay?¡± Sheena nced at him, puzzled by his request, but she said nothing. Ten minutester, the luxury car pulled into the Jenkins estate garage. Elliot parked the car, got out first, and went to the passenger side to open the door for her. He then bent down and carried her out of the car. Sheena held him tightly around the neck, asking, ¡°Why are you being so attentive tonight? Trying to woo me into bed?¡± Elliot smirked. ¡°No, not at all. Until your concussion is fully healed, I don¡¯t n on that. All pleasure¨C seeking activities should be based on your good health Chapter 1056 Chapter 1056 ¡°So thoughtful?¡± Sheena eyed him skeptically, studying his handsome face. ¡°Honey, you have a high libido, and you¡¯d never say no to sex. That¡¯s quite unlike you.¡± Elliot pecked her ruby lips and said, ¡°Nothing matters more than your health, Nana.¡± She pressed closer to his ear, her voice velvety soft as she whispered, ¡°But I¡¯m almost recovered, and the concussion won¡¯t affect us in bed. It¡¯s going to be our first time being intimate since we returned from abroad. Are you sure you don¡¯t want it?¡± Sheena¡¯s warm breath tickled his sensitive earlobe, causing Elliot to shiver slightly. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed, but he remainedposed. Mischievously, Sheena tugged at his expensive tie, teasing, ¡°We¡¯re having a candlelit dinner tonight. Are you sure you want to waste such a romantic setting?¡± Elliot nodded. ¡°Honey, please stop teasing me. You know I have zero resistance against you.¡± Sheena relented and withdrew her hand, tucking his tie back into his suit cor. She obediently settled into his embrace as he carried her into the house. Elliot sat her on the couch and served a tray of fruits and snacks in front of her. ¡°I¡¯ve already prepared dinner. I just need to heat the dishes. Stay here and wait for me, okay?¡± Sheena nodded, but she could not shake the feeling that something was off about his behavior. Why would he not let her leave the couch? She felt uneasy. Thinking of the babies on the fourth floor, Sheena went upstairs to check on them, while Elliot prepared the dishes. 1050 Opening the nursery door, she found the baby cribs empty. Neither the babies nor Freida were there. Sheena stared at the empty room in shock, and a sudden panic overwhelmed her. She quickly ran downstairs to the kitchen and shouted, ¡°Honey, Asher and Adora are missing! Something must have happened!¡± Elliot stopped cooking and sighed silently, not expecting her to notice so soon. Sheena was as sharp as ever. Facing her impending loss of control, he steadied her shoulders with his palms, exining calmly, ¡°The babies are fine. They¡¯re not missing. Don¡¯t be afraid.¡± ¡°You knew? Did you hide the babies?¡± Her chest heaved as she stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Elliot, did you send the babies away so we could have some alone time? What are you trying to do?¡± Elliot reassured her repeatedly, gently stroking her back to soothe her restless emotions. ¡°Grandpa really misses Asher and Adora. He¡¯s getting older and has trouble moving around. The Jenkins estate is too big, and it¡¯s inconvenient for him to walk all the way from his mansion to E&S Haven. So, I sent Asher and Adora, along with Auntie Freida, to stay with Grandpa for a few days. Nana, rest assured, I¡¯ve arranged for extra guards to protect Grandpa¡¯s mansion. Asher and Adora will be safe. Don¡¯t worry.¡± With his exnation, Sheena¡¯s rationality gradually returned. After all, it was natural for the elderly to miss their grandchildren, and Sheena could not possibly demand the babies back, especially since it was not a big deal to begin with. Even so, she still could not shake off the feeling that something was off. ¡°Was it really because Grandpa missed Asher and Adora that you sent them and Auntie Freida over?¡± Elliot kissed her forehead. ¡°Yes. We¡¯ll bring them back in a few days, Nana. Don¡¯t worry.¡± With that, Sheena did not press further. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s get cooking. I¡¯m starving.¡± Together, they busied themselves in the kitchen, finishing up thest few dishes and setting the table. The candlelit dinner was delightful and rxed. After dinner, they cuddled on the couch, watching a movie together. Elliot discreetly observed Sheena¡¯s condition from time to time, relieved to see no signs of outbursts. ording to Yosef, it was likely just fatigue that triggered her episodes. With better care and ensuring Sheena did not overexert herself, they could hopefully reduce the frequency of her episodes. Halfway through the movie, Sheena fell asleep on his shoulder. Having stayed upte the previous night and rising early in the morning, Elliot was feeling tired himself. He turned off the TV and carried Sheena to the bedroom, patiently helping her wash her face and feet, and change into pajamas. Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Sheena had been sleeping deeplytely,pletely unaffected by his attempts to wake her. Half an hourter, he finally slipped into bed beside her, holding her close as they drifted off to sleep. Much to his surprise¡­ p! As he drifted in and out of consciousness, the sharp pain of a p jolted him awake. Chapter 1057 Chapter 1057 Elliot was stunned by the sudden p, and he quickly opened his eyes. In the darkness, another p came at him with force. Reacting swiftly, Elliot grabbed Sheena¡¯s wrist and turned on the bedsidemp. As he nced back, he noticed Sheena¡¯s eyes were bloodshot and frenzied. Was she having another episode? What was happening? Amidst Elliot¡¯s confusion, Sheena aimed a kick at him, but he dodged. Relying on both their martial arts skills, they began wrestling on the bed. Elliot yed defensively while Sheena remained on the offensive. Despite her manic state, Elliot¡¯s agility and strength gave him the upper hand. After several minutes, Sheena abruptly got off the bed, grabbed the bedsidemp, and prepared to strike.. ¡°Nana, don¡¯t!¡± Elliot was bewildered. Why the sudden change in tactics? He rushed to intervene but was toote. Themp was smashed into pieces with a loud crash, and fragments scattered everywhere. The shards cut Sheena¡¯s leg, but she seemed unfazed, her eyes filled with murderous intent. It seemed her only thought was to draw blood. She picked up a sharp fragment, aiming it at Elliot¡¯s heart. Elliot swiftly moved aside, knocking the weapon out of her hand. ¡°Honey, please don¡¯t use deadly weapons. Let¡¯s settle this with our fists,¡± Elliot pleaded, feeling helpless. Lost in her frenzy, Sheena did not seem to hear him. Her eyes glinted with fierce determination as she struggled against his restraint, heading toward the makeup table to wreak havoc. Elliot anticipated her move and blocked her before she could cause more damage. ¡°Honey, don¡¯t break things. You¡¯ll get hurt. Hit me instead. I won¡¯t dodge, and you can vent your anger.¡± Sheena¡¯s eyes glinted with malice as she aimed another blow at Elliot¡¯s face. dhis Seeing another ping, Elliot raised his arm to block it, saying resignedly, ¡°Let¡¯s not hit the face. I won¡¯t look as handsome anymore if it gets bruised.¡± Sheena, oblivious to reason, swung her left hand at his face again. Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. Elliot blocked it once more, his mind racing to find a solution. He could not hit the back of her head, let her break things, or let her strike his face. He had forgotten to ask Yosef for sedativesst night for emergencies like this. What should he do? Recalling Yosef¡¯s words from the previous night, he made a quick decision. Grabbing a belt from the coat rack, he thrust it into Sheena¡¯s hand and said, ¡°Here, hit 1. me. Let it all out.¡± Sheena shed a twisted grin as she viciously whipped the belt at him. Elliot stood still, shielding his head and face with one hand and protecting his groin with the other, fearing permanent damage to it. The beltshed at him relentlessly, striking his back, waist, arms, chest, buttocks, legs¡­. Everywhere except where he guarded was engulfed in agony. Gritting his teeth, Elliot endured silently, bing a human punching bag. The whooshing sound of the belt cutting through the air echoed in the stillness of Chapter 1057 the night, chilling to the bone. Chapter 1058 Chapter 1058 Elliot felt relieved that he had taken the babies to Santiago beforehand. Otherwise, themotion would have likely frightened them. Sheena¡¯s one¨Csided outburst and assaultsted for over half an hour, with each blow delivered with full force as she lost control of herself. Under the relentless intensity of her venting, she quickly exhausted herself. Elliot swiftly stepped forward as the whooshing sound ceased, catching Sheena as she copsed from exhaustion into his arms. Exactly as Yosef had described, Sheena¡¯s energy drained after releasing her emotions, and she fell asleep alone. Finally ending tonight¡¯s ordeal, Elliot breathed a sigh of relief as he tucked Sheenal back into bed and covered her with a nket. After waiting a few minutes to ensure she was truly asleep, he carefully sat on the edge of the bed, enduring the pain in his buttocks, and assessed his own condition. His pajamas were torn in many ces, rendered useless. His body bore marks of abuse everywhere, with deep red and purple welts from the belt, and some parts of his skin were already broken. Sheena was surprisingly strong. He sighed in resignation, enduring the pain throughout his body as he went downstairs to the kitchen to apply an ice pack to his face. Fetching the first aid kit, he sat on the couch, applying anti¨Cinmmatory cream to reachable wounds and spraying his back with anti¨Cinmmatory spray, skillfully tending to his injuries. Then, he returned to the bedroom and cleaned up the ss shards from the brokenmp on the floor. Once Elliot was done, it was already around 3 a.m. He changed into a fresh set of pajamas, bandaging his wounds securely before cautiously slipping into bed, testing the waters by cudding up to Sheena to sleep. Sheena slept until noon, awakened by the aroma of Elliot¡¯s vegetable beef soup. As she fully woke up, she did not find any traces of the brokenmp and torn pajamas fromst night¡¯s scuffle, meticulously cleaned up by Elliot. Sheena was perplexed, wondering why she felt exhausted and weak. Soon, Elliot entered the room carrying a bowl of soup. Setting the soup bowl on the bedside table, he helped her prop up her pillow and settle against the headboard. ¡°Honey, what did we dost night? I feel so tired.¡± Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. How could she not feel tired after beating him for over an hourst night? Even though he was frustrated, Elliot shed a loving smile and said, ¡°Nana, you seemed to have had a nightmarest night. Maybe that¡¯s why you didn¡¯t sleep well, hence feeling tired.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Sheena was skeptical. ¡°Even if I had a nightmare, would it make me so tired? And why can¡¯t I remember anything?¡± Elliot remainedposed. ¡°You were indeed drainedst night. You fell asleep while watching a movie, and I carried you back to the room to rest.¡± Sheena could not shake off her suspicion. She looked at him doubtfully and asked, ¡°Honey, did you¡­ do anything to me while I was asleep?¡± Elliot sat by the bed, picking up the bowl and stirring the soup patiently to cool it down. ¡°No, Honey. I¡¯m a gentleman, and even when ites to sex, I seek your consent. No forced intimacy here.¡± Naturally, Sheena believed him. She watched him stir the soup, admiring his handsome face. However, something felt amiss. ¡°Honey, why does your face seem a bit chubby?¡± Elliot cleared his throat, maintaining hisposure. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ve been eating too muchtely. If you prefer, I¡¯ll cut back on food starting today to lose some weight.¡± ¡°No need for that,¡± she reassured him. ¡°Your features are still handsome, even when your cheeks are slightly chubby. But¡­¡± She trailed off, squinting her eyes as she examined his face. ¡°Why does your left cheek look slightly plumper than the right?¡± Elliot gracefully continued to blow on the spoonful of soup, offering it to Sheena. ¡°Well, human facial features aren¡¯t perfectly symmetrical. Maybe I¡¯ve been using my left side more while eating, hence the asymmetry.¡± Sheena epted his exnation and did not press further. Opening her mouth, she took a sip of the soup he offered, enjoying his thoughtful gesture. Waking up from her nap, Sheena turned to grab her phone from the bedside table to check the time and any work messages, only to realize that something was amiss in the bedroom. She eximed, ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve just noticed something strange. Where¡¯s my bedside.