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2,747,169	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747305}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	The Behavior of Faith	The Behavior of Faith	CALL_NOW		Dove Christian Center Church	https://www.facebook.com/DoveChurchDET/	298	1969-12-31 18:00	Call now		VIDEO			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481247656_1718445758847320_7869415843942169325_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k3nx19XiHOsQ7kNvgHbMMC9&_nc_oc=AdgA-iPxvBcY6iDiWt1f1WAf-GjDl_4TeV1eqoaXqZSNOqhVMtF_71MicW9JQKabENpEo90JsutIY_KJ8fYyLMCM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AmnJR6HaCksggjyrB-vf3uw&oh=00_AYBaG-ti2vCJen0GOHOp5ikJOV67M5Nvps7qBUBx32h_8g&oe=67CB9931	PERSON_PROFILE	Dove Christian Center Church	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,133	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🎉“The Princess to Eight Uncles”✨Your Next Novel📕	A three-year-old gir who was bulied in the snow accidentally dialed a number. and her 8 uncles and 8000 bodvauards rushed out in an instant! Chapter 1 Don’t Get Up Until You Apologize Lambridge City, Promenade 1st Villa Area - the Hatcher Mansion. Toda was the Lantern festival. Colorful lights were decorated around the house, giving a touch of warmth to the cold atmosphere of the Hatcher family. Suddenly, a scream echoed across the mansion. "Ah-" Followed by thudding, a large-bellied woman fell from the stairs! Everyone was surprised and hurried toward her. Stephen Hatcher, the president of Ador Hatcher Corporation, quickly asked, "Debbie, are you alright?" The woman's face turned pale when she saw fresh blood trickling down her legs. Horrified, she replied, "Stephen, it hurts… Our baby… Quickly, save our baby!" The house's madam, Paula Anderson, panicked and asked, "What happened?!" Debbie looked toward the top of the stairs with tears in her eyes. Everyone looked up and saw a girl, about three years old, standing at the top of the stairs. Upon seeing everyone's gaze, she hugged the toy rabbit in her arms tightly in fear. Richard Hatcher roared angrily, "Were you the one that pushed Debbie?!" The little girl pouted. "It's not me, and I didn't…" While crying, Debbie begged, "No… Dad, it's not Lilly's fault. She's still young, and she didn't mean it…" Her words quickly reaffirmed that it was Lilly's fault. Stephen's eyes darkened, and he immediately ordered, "Lock her in the attic! I'll deal with her once I return!" The other hurriedly sent Debbie to the hospital while the servants dragged Lilly upstairs. Even when a shoe fell off, she kept a stubborn face and did not beg or cry for help. No light or heat could reach the dark and cold attic. The windows squeaked as if a monster would appear at any moment… Lilly hugged her stuffed bunny tightly and curled up in a corner. It's so cold… The truth was she never pushed anyone, but no one believed her. As it was cold spring weather, the snow and the wind made their way into the attic through the window cracks, piling layers of coldness onto little Lilly. Soon, an entire day had passed by. No one cared about Lilly, and no one even knew that Debbie had punished her the day before. She was already in a daze as she had yet to eat anything. Richard had ordered that she was not allowed to leave until she admitted that it was her fault. "Mommy…" Lilly's lips were turning purple from the cold, and she was shivering. She could only close her eyes and mumble, "Mommy… I didn't do anything wrong… It's not my fault…" She knew that her mother had died from an illness a year ago. After her mother passed on, her dad found another woman, and soon the woman was pregnant with a baby… However, the woman was two-faced. She was only nice to Lilly when others were present; otherwise, she would act like a demon punishing her. Mommy… Lilly thought as she squeezed her toy rabbit's ears before losing consciousness. Not knowing how long it had been, the door suddenly opened with a loud bang. Stephen was furious when he picked up the unconscious Lilly, dragging her down the stairs and throwing her outside into the snow! Lilly shivered from the cold surface and struggled to open her eyes… "Daddy… I'm hungry…" She muttered. Stephen scoffed. "You killed Debbie's unborn child, and the first thing you're telling me is that you're hungry?! I can't believe I have such an evil daughter!" Lilly's eyes were hollow, and she could not speak as she was frozen stiff. The more Stephen looked at her, the angrier he became. Why is she still acting stubborn despite being at fault? You malicious child! "It is my fault as a parent that you're behaving this way! Now that you've killed your unborn brother, who knows if you will start murdering people when you grow up? As your father, I must teach you a lesson!" He looked around and picked up a broom from the corner, snapping the broom head off. The thick broomstick landed on Lilly's body with a thud, causing her to scream in pain! "Is it your fault?!" Stephen glared. "It's not me. It was really… not me!" Lilly bit her lips and maintained a stubborn face. Stephen was getting more furious upon hearing her words. "Then are you saying your stepmother willingly fell down the stairs?! Why would she want to fall after being six months pregnant?!" He could not help but think back to what happened in the hospital. Debbie was bleeding heavily, and the doctor had declared her situation as critical twice, but even on the brink of death, she insisted on asking him to not blame Lilly! She said that Lilly was still young when her mother passed away. She was simply afraid that her baby brother might get the attention away from her and did not mean to push her. Stephen felt angrier as he thought. He beat Lilly while scolding, "You're still trying to deny it! Stop denying it!" With every sentence, Lilly would get hit by the broomstick. He was so engrossed in hitting her that he did not even realize that his phone had fallen out of his pocket. When Lilly was severely beaten, he finally stopped, so she lay paralyzed on the snowy ground. "Stay here and kneel until your stepmother is discharged!" Stephen tugged his tie after he scolded her and left the broomstick behind before walking away. He had been feeling irritated recently as his company had been facing a loophole for half a month and had yet to receive help resolving it. Then today, Debbie fell from the stairs and lost their unborn child, losing the only hope for the Hatcher family. The consecutive unfortunate events stressed him, and he could not help but vent it all out on Lilly. Lilly's rabbit toy had already been beaten to pieces. She tried to stand up but fell back onto the snowy ground with a thud… She felt that she was on the brink of death. If I die, will I finally be able to see mommy? At that moment, she heard a blurry voice. "Lilly, call for your uncle! Your uncle is Gilbert Crawford, his phone number is 159xxxxx..." "Call…" Lilly opened her eyes and noticed the black phone lying in the snow. Her survival instincts kicked in as she desperately crawled toward it. "159…" Lilly stuttered and stammered, her stiff fingers struggling to move, and finally, she managed to make the call… Meanwhile, Hugh Crawford lectured at a courtyard house in Clodston, "Another year has passed. Gilbert Crawford, when will you take the test for the Chief Physician role?!" The eight brothers of the Crawford family looked at each other while Gilbert touched his nose. Suddenly the old man changed the topic and asked, "Also, it's been four years, and have you not found your sister?" The looks on the brothers' faces changed, with their lips pursed. Their indifferent eyes now had a slight hint of sorrow. Their younger sister, Jean Crawford, was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia at a young age. Since then, she had been carefully nursed by the Crawford family as she went through blood transfusions, anti-infection treatments, and bone marrow transplants… However, her condition worsened and even affected her memory. Then, four years ago, she suddenly went missing. Gilbert was a physician at the Shercaster Cancer Hospital and was in charge of Jean's treatment. That day, he had to save a critically ill patient, and it was at that moment… that Jean disappeared. For the past four years, guilt and regret had been tormenting him. Even with his outstanding medical talent, he had been unable to move forward since then. The Crawford family had eight sons, and Jean was the only daughter. After their daughter's disappearance, Bettany suddenly fell ill, and Hugh's temper grew unstable. A heavy stone lay in the hearts of everyone in the Crawford family, rendering them restless. The eldest son, Anthony Crawford - the CEO of the Crawford family's business empire - worked day and night tirelessly, causing his health to worsen and requiring him to take daily medication. The third son, Bryson Crawford - the outstanding pilot of Swift Airlines- failed the psychological tests and had been resting at home for the past four years. The others… The study room fell into silence before suddenly, Gilbert's phone rang! Chapter 2 Get Her Out Of Here Hugh had his rules, one of which was that phones should be turned off during morning meetings. Gilbert quickly retrieved his phone and was about to end the call. Hugh scolded, "Take it!" Gilbert then coughed. "Dad, it was an unknown number, I…" Hugh put his teacup aside and ordered, "Take the call and put it on speakers!" Bryson and Jonas looked pitifully at Gilbert. Gilbert had no choice but to pick up the call and put it on speakers. They were taken aback when they heard a small voice. "Hello… is this uncle? I'm Lilly Hatcher… My mommy is Jean Crawford… Are you my Uncle Gilbert?" The little girl's voice was weak and indescribably monotonous, like a small robot, with no discernible emotions in her tone. The looks of the Crawford family changed drastically! Clack… Hugh's pen cap dropped from his hand. They could not utter a single sound, as if everyone had their throats strangled. The child's tender voice sounded again on the other end of the phone. "Uncle… I'm so cold and hungry… I didn't push my stepmother, but they don't believe me… Daddy dragged me to the gate to kneel… but I'm cold… Uncle, will you help me…" As she spoke, her voice grew weaker and weaker. The sound of the snowstorm blowing could still be heard from the other end of the call, but her voice had abruptly stopped. Gilbert finally got back to his senses and grabbed his phone, holding it close to his mouth as he yelled frantically, "Hey, Li-Lilly? Where are you? Tell me your location now!" However, there was no response. Hugh, panicked, stood up, and his previously rigid and stern look had already gone as if he had aged in an instant. "Quick! Quickly! Investigate the number and location now!" Lilly passed out before finishing the call and dropped the phone in the snow. Stephen then returned to look for his phone and saw Lilly lying there, not moving. He kicked her and snarled, "It'd be better if she's dead!" Four years ago, he found a woman on the street who was poorly dressed and in bad condition. He took her back to his apartment out of kindness. After the woman cleaned up, he discovered that she was gorgeous. She had amnesia and appeared to be confused. As Stephen was enamored by her cuteness, he took care of her. Like a fool in love, he doted on her, telling her to not force herself to do anything as he cared for her… Now that Stephen thought about it, he found it revolting. Who knows if a female beggar like her was taken advantage of when she was wandering about the streets? Otherwise, why doesn't Lilly have any resemblance to me? Although suspicious, Stephen never wanted to do a paternity test because if it turned out that he was not the father, he would be the most foolish man in South City! Stephen grabbed his phone and walked away. He continuously made calls in his warm study room. "Hello… Mr. Burton, it's me, Stephen! I'm wondering if you are acquainted with the Crawford family from Clodston?" "Greetings, Mr. Ledger! Happy new year! Are you acquainted with the Crawford family? Oh, my company's just having a minor issue…" The snowstorm outside the study room was intense, and Lilly was still lying on the snow. It was only a matter of time before the day got dark. She was a little conscious but could no longer force her eyes to open. She had never cried since her mother died. Even if her father abused her, she never shed a single tear. Yet, she wanted to cry at that moment. When she called her uncle, there was no response from the other end. Do they hate me too? Then no one likes me at all. What about mommy? If I die and mommy sees me, will she hate me too? Lilly's lips, turning purple from the cold, were pressed together as she kept thinking. Mommy… I won't cry… Lilly's a good girl… Suddenly, she heard a loud noise. About seven cars arrived at the Hatcher mansion, and a man wearing a black down coat got out of the first car and opened the mansion's gate! As there was a massive snowstorm, the snow had already covered Lilly's petite figure. Gilbert anxiously looked around. On the phone, Lilly said she was kneeling at the gate! Suddenly his face turned pale as he noticed a small pile of snow at the gate. He immediately rushed over and shoved the snow away, causing his hands to redden from the cold. Finally, he found a small figure under the snow! "Lilly?!" Gilbert hurriedly picked up the young girl, and the moment he saw Lilly's face, he knew that this was their Lilly - her face was a splitting image of their sister when she was young… Their most beloved and cherished sister's child - Lilly! Lilly felt as if she had fallen into a warm embrace, and the person had even taken off their coat to wrap her around. Lilly was numb from being frozen for too long, and after feeling an instant of warmth, she still felt bone-chillingly cold, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. Lilly struggled to open her eyes and finally saw the man before her - he looked somewhat similar to her mother but also different. Lilly's lips twitched as she asked weakly, "Are you… uncle… I didn't push anyone… uncle…" At that moment, Lilly was murmuring as she had lost consciousness. She was like a cold, emotionless robot compared to Gilbert's agitated self. Gilbert was on the verge of crying. The young child in his arms was only wearing thin sleepwear - pure cotton autumn clothing - with no padding at all. Her small face had already turned purple from the cold, and her lips were cracked and turning dark. Like a frozen sculpture, her tiny figure could not move, making Gilbert afraid that he would break her with a single touch. "Lilly… Uncle's here, and I'm bringing you home." Gilbert choked. He could not imagine how Lilly managed to survive independently with her condition. He was even scared to think she would have died if they arrived later. Gilbert carefully held Lilly, focusing solely on her. He rushed back to the car. "Lilly, stay with me." Gilbert's voice turned hoarse as he urged, "Don't sleep… Lilly, can you say something to uncle? Lilly…” Lilly had already lost consciousness. Hugh staggered a little as he rushed over. Seeing Gilbert's piled-up clothes, he anxiously asked, "How is she?" Gilbert was already panicking. "Quick, we must go to the hospital now!" The Crawford family felt their hearts were in their throats and immediately headed toward the hospital. Meanwhile, Stephen, who had just received the news of their arrival, hurriedly rushed downstairs with a mixture of excitement and elation on his face. When the Crawford family was rushing into the mansion, they were stopped by the security guard. Once Anthony revealed his name, the guard quickly went to inform Stephen. As he was wracking his brains trying to find a way to be acquainted with the Crawford family, Stephen was taken aback by the news! Although he did not know why the Crawford family suddenly appeared before the mansion, he knew he had a chance as long as they were there. There's hope for the Hatcher family, after all! Suddenly, Stephen remembered something and quickly turned to a servant, saying, "Is that deadbeat still lying in the yard? Get her out of here immediately!" That jinx had cursed her mother to death, and now my company will go bankrupt from her curse too. Stephen would not allow her to ruin this opportunity to meet with the Crawford family. Chapter 3 Lilly's Eight Uncles To The Rescue! Everything happened so fast that the Hatchers had no time to react. By the time Stephen rushed out, he saw Anthony preparing to get into his car and drive off. However, he had not been in time to see Gilbert brushing the snow off Lilly and picking her up from where she had been kneeling by the gate. "My goodness! It's Mr. Anthony Crawford!" Stephen plastered a bright smile onto his face and greeted the other cheerfully. "What brings you here? It's an honor to have you visiting our humble abode!" By then, Richard, Paula, and some of the Hatcher servants had hurried out to join Stephen as well, their faces wreathed in smiles of welcome. When they saw Anthony's stern, aloof countenance, they became even more fawning and obsequious. Anthony Crawford was the current head of the Crawford family's business empire and the CEO of Crawford Holdings! The Crawford family was one of Clodston's four influential families; everyone wanted to butter them up and curry favor. A true aristocratic family like this with old money and such deep ties to Clodston was rare. The Crawfords were an elusive, mysterious entity; they kept themselves out of the limelight. The only thing anyone in Clodston knew for sure was that the Crawfords had eight sons, but even then, few had even set eyes on them. Anthony was occasionally featured in the headlines of the financial news, which was why the Hatchers had recognized him. "Mr. Crawford, please come in! It's freezing out here. We'd love to have you stay a little while if you don't mind such humble surroundings," Richard said enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, please do come in and have something hot!" Stephen chimed in, smiling. Now that they were in the presence of a truly distinguished person, all the Hatchers could not help trying to ingratiate themselves with him. The Ador Hatcher Corporation was in dire straits; for the Hatcher family, this was a catastrophe. However, just a word from Anthony would revive their flagging fortunes! If luck favored them, they might even become one of Clodston's top ten influential families… Anthony's face betrayed no hint of expression; instead, he studied Stephen with keen eyes. Was this Lilly's father? Still without expression, Anthony declined Richard's offer coolly and enigmatically. "Very well, Mr. Hatcher and family." Without another word, he got into his car and drove off. The Hatchers stood there, confused and dazed, watching him leave. Paula was the first to speak. "Mr. Crawford said very well… Does that mean he's intending to help us?" Richard frowned. "Given his expression, I don't think he meant anything complimentary." Stephen ordered the servants to enlighten him about what had happened earlier. They related how the Crawfords had shown up en masse at the Hatcher Mansion and taken Lilly away, and that a man in black had stripped off his coat and wrapped it around her, cradling her in his arms. He had also identified himself as her uncle… When Stephen heard this, he was thunderstruck. Suddenly, everything became terrifyingly clear. It was common knowledge that the Crawfords had eight sons and a daughter. However, the daughter's health was frail, and she had never appeared in public before. Did this mean that the woman he had rescued four years ago was the Crawford family's one and only precious daughter?! The rest of the Hatcher family felt their hearts sinking. How they bitterly regretted their actions! Paula's lips trembled. "So Jean was the Crawfords' daughter… hurry, we need to go and get Lilly back…" They would never have forced Lilly to kneel in the snow if they had known! In fact, they would have treated her like a goddess and worshiped at her feet! Stephen regretted his actions as well; when he recalled how he had disciplined Lilly so harshly, he felt uneasy. Angrily he snapped, "How are you going to get her back? Do you think we can walk in and take her away just like that?" Richard frowned so hard his brow looked like a wrinkled prune. After a long moment of consideration, he said, "Well, regardless, we're still Lilly's blood relations. We're her grandparents, after all! The Crawfords can't deny that, no matter how angry they are. Then again, Lilly did cause Debbie's miscarriage, that's a fact…" All they had wanted to do was to teach Lilly not to be an irresponsible little liar! Unfortunately, Stephen had let his temper get the better of him and had disciplined her more severely than he should have… The Hatchers felt confident that they would be able to clear up any misunderstandings with the Crawfords. All they had to do was to have a satisfactory explanation for everything. Once that was settled, they would be able to look forward to a future of wealth and prestige… … Instead of returning to Clodston after rescuing Lilly, the Crawfords went straight to the nearest hospital. The hitherto vacant VIP suite in South Town's best hospital was now a hive of frantic activity. No one dared to raise their voices. The atmosphere was extremely tense, punctuated by the sounds of hospital equipment beeping and doctors and nurses hurrying to and fro. Hugh Crawford paced back and forth with the help of his walking stick. "Why are they still in there?" He muttered fretfully. Anthony glanced at the time, then gently told his father, "Dad, you should sit down." Lilly had immediately been whisked off to the emergency room as soon as they reached the hospital. Gilbert had gone with her; up until now, neither of them had emerged. In the emergency room, Gilbert examined Lilly's bruised body with shaking hands. Broken bones were the worst thing that could happen in cases of severe frostbite. A more detailed examination revealed that Lily had been badly beaten; in fact, her arms, ribs, and shins had been fractured. There were numerous patches of frostbite all over her body. Some of the areas were so severely frostbitten they would require surgical intervention. Lilly was only three or four years old, and she had been made to undergo such torment… Hot tears stung Gilbert's eyes. Leaning down, he murmured, "Lilly, this is your Uncle Gilbert. Can you hear me? If you can, please hang in there. You'll make it through, I promise…" Lilly's eyes were tightly closed, but she had the oddest sensation of her body feeling very light and warm all over. It was the first time she had ever felt so comfortable. Everything was very quiet, except for a voice by her ear that constantly murmured, "Lilly…Lilly dear…little Tulip…Can you see me? Can you hear me?" Who was this mysterious person? Lilly tried very hard to open her eyes, but she was unable to do so. She wanted to reply that she could hear this person talking to her as well, but she could not make a sound, no matter how frantically she tried. … It took three hours of surgical procedures before Lilly was out of danger, and the doctors all felt this was a miracle! The little girl was wheeled into a hospital room, IV tubes plastered all over her body. Gilbert's face was stony as he handed Anthony the report from Lilly's examination. When the Crawfords read it, they were incensed. Hugh growled in fury, "A fine, upstanding bunch, these Hatchers! They even had the nerve to lay hands on a three-and-a-half-year-old child! Anthony had already done a background check on the Hatcher family. In a frosty voice, he replied, "The Hatcher family's business goods are under suspicion of being contraband. The company is in pretty desperate straits. Recently they've been trying to find some point of connection so that we'll help them." Hugh merely laughed derisively. "Help them? They can count themselves lucky if I don't ruin them entirely!" The old gentleman was so enraged that he wanted to tear the entire Hatcher family to pieces there and then. "Don't worry, Dad," Anthony answered. "They won't last long." Hugh bit his lower lip and fell silent. After a while, he murmured, "Then how about Jean…what's happened to her…?" Anthony did not say anything, merely stayed silent. Clodston and South Town were around 1200 miles apart. Four years ago, Jean had somehow found her way to South Town, seriously ill and having lost her memory. Stephen had found her, and taken her home. She had almost died giving birth to Lilly but miraculously recovered and held on for another two years before succumbing to her illness, leaving Lilly alone in the world. The Crawford brothers' beloved sister had died quietly in some remote town without a nod to her status or even a mention of her name… Anthony's fists clenched tightly as his anger grew; the expression on his face became even stonier. Hugh did not dare probe any further; he was afraid he would not be able to handle the truth. Gilbert asked, "Why would they beat Lilly like that?" Anthony replied in a voice as cold as ice, "Stephen Hatcher's wife, Debbie, fell downstairs and had a miscarriage. Stephen believed that Lilly pushed her." The other Crawfords could not help frowning at this. While this discussion was taking place, the Hatchers had finally tracked Lilly to the hospital. Anthony's assistant hurriedly entered the room and said in low voice, "Mr. Anthony, the Hatchers are here. They want to see their granddaughter…" Anthony gave a scornful bark of laughter, then ordered, "Turn off the heating outside on this floor and open the windows. Let them wait." Stephen, Richard, and Paula waited outside on the top floor corridor for a very long time. The VIP suites on this level were located inside an access-controlled door; the Hatchers were in the outer area, so they were unable to go in. Anthony's assistant had arrived earlier, asking them to wait for a while, then had left. The Hatchers had not seen him since. Paula grumbled, "Why won't they let us in? Lilly's our granddaughter, after all! Why would they make us wait outside here?" Stephen snapped, "Oh, just wait!" He had beaten Lilly more severely than intended; it was understandable that the Crawfords would be angry. However, the Hatchers soon realized that something was amiss. The corridor was rapidly getting colder. Not only that, their waiting area was beside the windows, and the frosty winter wind blew in, causing them to shrink away and shiver from the cold! "This weather is dreadful! Nobody can wait around like this!" Paula, who had been pampered and sheltered her entire life, could not take it anymore. "Stephen, you'd better find someone and ask what's going on!" Richard agreed, frowning heavily. If the Crawfords were angry, deliberately making the Hatchers wait for a while was understandable. However, they had already been here for half an hour; that was a bit too long. No one would be able to stand waiting in such bitterly cold weather. Chapter 4 Would They Abandon Her Again? Stephen went around the hospital looking for people, trying to find out what was going on. However, everyone he encountered told him that they did not know what was happening either. By now, the Hatchers were so cold they were shivering uncontrollably in the icy corridor. The Crawfords would not see them either. It was becoming unbearable to wait there. Paula was the first to admit defeat. "I'm going to see Debbie…" Debbie was also warded at this hospital, but she was in the maternity wing. Stephen and Richard could not stand it any longer either, but they did not want to leave so they had no choice but to keep on waiting in the interminable cold… Incessant complaints filled their minds. They had no idea, however, that this was only the beginning of their troubles! … Lilly could hear the quiet beeping of machines around her. There were also people talking, but very indistinctly. However, there was one voice in particular that was very clear. "Lilly…Lilly dear…hey, little Tulip! You have to wake up soon, okay? If you don't, I'll…" Lilly felt as if a small swarm of bees was buzzing beside her ear and chattering to her. It was just a little bit tiresome. Who was this person talking to her? Lilly's eyelids fluttered slightly and she finally opened her eyes, only to see a snowy-white wall right in front of her. A group of people surrounded her bed. Pursing her lips, she carefully scrutinized them. Gilbert reacted enthusiastically; he was also the first to speak. "Lilly! You're awake now! I'm your Uncle Gilbert…" The rest of the Crawfords did not even dare to breathe; they watched Lilly tensely. Lilly found herself at a loss. "Uncle Gilbert?" Her pretty little face was expressionless and wooden. She looked just like a fragile porcelain doll. It sounded as if she were repeating a foreign phrase. Hugh's mouth tightened into a hard line. Lilly was very thin; she was so tiny that the hospital bed seemed very large. It hurt to see her like that, so much so that it was hard to breathe. Gilbert spoke more gently. "Lilly, I'm your mother's brother. My name is Gilbert. You telephoned me earlier, do you remember?" Lilly furrowed her brow. After a moment, she let out a soft "Ohh." She remembered now. She had called Uncle Gilbert's phone number. He had ignored her though. Didn't her uncles want her? "Did you…did you come to look for me?" Lilly asked in a thread of a voice. All the men around the bed nodded vigorously. Bryson added, "Lilly, I'm your Uncle Bryson. We're all here to take you back home with us." Hugh felt as if something were constricting his throat. He drew a deep breath, then said, "That's right. We're here to take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one will dare to bully you or harass you. If anyone tries, your Grandpa Hugh will have something to say about that." Lilly looked at each of the men in turn. They were going to take her home? She wasn't sure if they would abandon her again once they brought her home. Would they beat her and starve her? Seeing how silent she was, the Crawfords felt even more tense than ever. None of them had much experience handling children. One by one, they looked at Anthony and Liam. Anthony was the eldest Crawford boy; he was 40 years old and had two children. Liam, the second son, was 38 and also had two young ones. However, Anthony was not very good at interacting with children; after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, "Lilly, what are you worried about?" Since he said this in his customary inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings all glared at him. Liam coughed slightly in embarrassment. By nature, he was a taciturn person and found it difficult to say much. The tension in the air was so thick one could cut it with a knife. Gilbert gave a deep sigh. He inched closer to Lilly's bed and very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice as he could muster, he asked, "Lilly darling, why don't you tell us all what your proper name is?" Lilly stared at the ceiling in silence for a while before replying, "I don't have any other name except Lilly." Daddy had told her that she didn't need a proper name; they'd discuss that when her stepmother gave birth to her baby brother. Lilly had been what Mommy named her. She didn't have any other name besides that. Gilbert felt a dull ache in his heart. How had this child passed her days in the Hatcher household without even a name? Suppressing his anger, he asked, "Well then, Lilly, can you tell your Uncle Gilbert what you're thinking right now?" Lilly finally turned her gaze in his direction with an effort, staring at this person who called himself her Uncle Gilbert. That day, her entire world had been so very dark but this man had broken through that darkness like a ray of light and rescued her. Her mouth trembled slightly and she asked, "Uncle Gilbert…when we go home, am I…am I allowed to eat?" All the Crawfords were dumbfounded when they heard this. This child was asking if she was allowed to eat when she arrived home… Before they could muster up a response, Lilly asked again in a tiny voice, "Will you hit me?" Those simple four words almost made Hugh weep. The little girl was afraid she would be starved and beaten. What sort of abuse had she endured in the Hatcher household?! She was half-starved and inadequately dressed for the winter. When she had nightmares, no one would be there with her when she awoke in fright, and in summer no one would bother when she was drenched in sweat from the heat. Hugh turned away, biting his lip until he almost drew blood so he could suppress the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. The Crawford brothers were so enraged they clenched their fists tightly. However, they did not dare give vent to their anger for fear of scaring Lilly. Gilbert reached out and took Lilly's tiny hand, placing it against his cheek. Hoarsely, he murmured, "Lilly darling, when we go home, you can eat whatever you want, and no one will hit you. Look, that's your Uncle Anthony there. That one's your Uncle Liam, and that's your Uncle Bryson…All of them are tough, strong men. All of us will protect you and no one will ever hurt you again." Lilly clutched at the covers tightly with her other hand and was silent for a long time. Just when the Crawfords thought that she was not going to say anything else, she suddenly burst out, "Uncle Gilbert, I didn't push anyone. Daddy and Grandpa kept telling me to own up, but I wouldn't…" She repeated this stubbornly, a look of determination on her little face and a downcast expression in her eyes. Did her uncles truly like her? Now that she had told them she wouldn't own up despite being asked to, would they still want a disobedient child like her? Gilbert felt as though a wad of cotton was constricting his throat. Tears welled up in his eyes, and even Hugh could not help brushing away his own tears. Anthony said firmly and calmly, "Your Uncle Anthony believes you didn't do it. That was the right thing to do, not owning up to something that wasn't your fault." Gilbert nodded as well. "They're the ones who are in the wrong. You didn't do anything wrong Lilly; you did the right thing." When Lilly heard this, her mouth twisted briefly and tears began pouring down her cheeks. It was as if all those bottled-up tears had finally found an outlet and refused to be suppressed any longer. Lilly's little face still maintained that stubborn expression but her voice was punctuated by gulping sobs. "But…but Daddy doesn't believe me. Daddy said I killed my baby brother and that if I didn't own up, he wouldn't let me out." It seemed as if Lilly had finally found someone she could unload her grievances to, even as she sobbed these words. Even a three-and-a-half-year-old child could feel ill-used no matter how stubborn or determined they were. Gilbert's fury got the better of him. "He's not fit to be your Daddy!" "Gilbert!" Anthony rapped out prohibitively. Gilbert subsided into reluctant silence, but his rage was unabated. At the thought of Stephen still waiting outside, he wanted to tear the hospital bed apart, grab one of the metal tube supports and give that man the beating of his life. Lilly sobbed out a few more things, cried a little longer, then fell asleep. Once they were outside the room, Gilbert asked indignantly, "Anthony, are we really going to let those Hatchers off so lightly?" Bankruptcy alone was not enough for the likes of them! Anthony slowly unbuttoned his shirt sleeves and rolled them up. Blandly, he returned, "Eight against one, Gilbert. Is that enough for you?" There would be eight Crawfords swearing vengeance against the Hatcher family! Chapter 5 A Family The rest of the Crawford brothers narrowed their eyes when they heard Anthony's words. Gilbert loosened his wrists and cracked his knuckles; Edward, an architectural engineer with a fiery temper and tanned skin, scoffed and grabbed a rebar from nowhere. "We're law-abiding citizens. How can we openly assault someone in public?" Bryson, the good-natured Captain, said gently. He interjected a nurse nearby and said, "Hello, do you have a gunny sack in the storeroom?" The nurse stuttered, "Yeah… yeah… we have a polybag and some paper boxes in the pharmacy." She suggested the paper boxes instead, assuming they wanted to store something. Bryson smiled and said, "Thank you. A gunny sack will be sufficient." The Crawford brothers thought, a sack will be useful to beat up someone. Meanwhile, Stephen shivered in the cold as he waited outside the VIP wards. He swore in his heart, I've been up all night, and it's almost daylight. Where the hell are the Crawfords? Richard left earlier because he could not stand the cold any longer. He reminded Stephen to stay put and demonstrate their sincerity before he left. Spring nights were colder than winter nights. Stephen could feel the biting cold filling his lungs with every breath of the stale air. The long wait had also left him hungry and exhausted. All he wanted to do was return home, take a warm, relaxing shower, and sleep the rest of the day away. Things became even more unbearable when he considered the cozy environment he could be at. Stephen decided it was pointless to wait any longer after another hour had passed. The man spoke on the phone while walking to the underground car park. "Remember to call me once the Crawfords leave…" Before he could continue, he experienced total darkness surrounding him. He was covered in a gunny sack! "What the hell! Who are you?" Stephen screamed in agony as his attackers landed forceful punches. The perpetrators were none other than the eight brothers from the Crawford family. They did not typically get their hands dirty but could not help themselves when they considered Lilly's unfortunate situation. Their resentment grew as they remembered Lilly's body of injuries and how she had cautiously asked if there would be food when she returned home and if they would hurt her. "Stop it!" Stephen begged. He was helpless and at his captors' mercy. "Do you know who I am? I'm the President of Ador Hatcher Corporation. How dare you attack me! I swear that I'll…" Anthony scoffed and loosened his tie. He then motioned for his brothers to stop the assault. Everyone complied with his instructions, and Edward clung to the rebar as he prepared to resume the attack. Stephen heaved a sigh of relief after his opponents appeared to have backed down. However, the rebar landed forcefully on his leg, much to his surprise. "Ahh!" His agonizing cries rang out throughout the parking lot. Although Stephen survived the attack, he was injured so badly that he had to be carried into the hospital. What made matters worse was that he had no idea whom was to blame and had no way of finding out. His adversaries did not leave any clues suggesting their identity. "Are you feeling better, Stephen?" Debbie sobbed beside the man's bedside. If he were awake, he would notice the lack of sincerity in her eyes. The woman appeared to be a worried wife, but she was secretly distraught over Lilly's unexpected newfound identity in the Crawford family. Debbie was appalled when Paula told her of the news yesterday. She fumed inwardly, how did that bastard become the only beloved daughter of the Crawford family?! In truth, Lilly was not responsible for the miscarriage; Debbie had intentionally caused the fall so that she could get rid of the baby. She knew that the Hatchers were experiencing financial difficulties and that Stephen was on the verge of bankruptcy after incurring numerous debts. Debbie believed that a young and beautiful lady like her had a good chance of finding a new husband; one who was wealthier and more powerful than Stephen. If she had a child, remarriage would be more difficult for her. As a result, she needed to find a way to make the baby vanish while avoiding responsibility. Debbie knew that Lilly was a lonely child loved by no one. Since her birth, the Hatchers had never been kind to her. Stephen had even admitted in his drunken stupor that he despised her presence. Hence, Debbie felt that it was safe to pin the blame on her lost child on Lilly. Little did she know that the girl was part of the Crawford family. Debbie's spine tingled at the prospect of offending one of the four greatest families. What should I do? I'll be in trouble if they find out the truth. I need to figure out how to keep Lilly silent forever... At the VIP ward, Lilly opened her eyes once again. This time, the room was completely empty and deathly quiet. She was feeling insecure and uneasy as she thought everyone had left. A few moments later, there was a soft knock at the door. Her face lit up when she saw Gilbert enter the room. Hugh had instructed them to wait outside the ward in order to avoid crowding the room, and improve ventilation. "How are you feeling, Lilly? Shall I get you some breakfast?" Gilbert said warmly. When Lilly nodded, he gave the order to serve breakfast. The rest of the Crawfords were awokened by the noise and went into the room to check on Lilly. "What do you like to eat, Lilly? There are sandwiches, donuts, oatmeal…" Hugh asked tenderly. Edward pushed his way in and exclaimed, "How about meatball spaghetti? It's delicious!" Hugh reprimanded Edward by hitting his leg with his walking cane. "Lilly has only just awoken. How is she going to eat the meatball spaghetti?" He picked up a plate and suggested, "How about some sandwiches? It's tasty." Bryson smiled as he picked up a bowl. "Or some oatmeal would be good too." Lilly pursed her lips, and tears shimmered in her eyes. Recognition dawned on her that she may now have a family. She sniffled and said cautiously, "I would like to have some sandwiches, Grandpa." "Great! Come, have the sandwiches!" Hugh nodded fervently, his tear-reddened eyes fixed on Lilly, who reminded him of a younger Jean. However, unlike Lilly, Jean was willful and hyperactive when she was a little girl. She led a carefree life and often bickered with her brothers. However, the little girl before him was melancholic, and careful with her words. She must have been through a lot to be this mature at the age of three and a half. The Crawfords only left the room after Lilly had finished her meal and tucked into bed. However, the moment Lilly closed her eyes, a voice sounded in her ear. "Tulip! Tulip!" She opened her eyes, but the room was empty. Lilly tried to sleep again, convinced that she was dreaming. The voice spoke again as she closed her eyes. "Lilly, Lilly, Tulip!" Lilly clutched the sheets nervously as she searched for the source of the voice.	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	The novelette	https://www.facebook.com/100085412887736/	1,770	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadings.com	IMAGE		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=4433&brand=2&app=0&ppid=899&pid=FBW2A&campaign={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120216559048540490&ori_adset_id=120216559049830490&ori_ad_id=120216559054810490	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481263821_2849829008559059_3451884057500722914_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z4dPtoJhKoEQ7kNvgF2Q_iQ&_nc_oc=AdjF24f58uDcANDXG-odfVaCTw0GVe0dRa9ExFu8DaTQYE77TSnlBOGY-NMT4ys6Z23pPW5sCxrGo08v7KkTTOM2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AjTtEYsLTwqSkUPoFEgR4il&oh=00_AYATSAQZVSO-6C6GXZQlyv-_OIoggX9M8gjpGEoNuGpEYw&oe=67CBA3DA	PERSON_PROFILE	The novelette	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,191	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747190}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Continue watching more series 👉👉👉	😹😹 CEO, Your Wife Runs Away with Your Six Heirs	WATCH_MORE	https://w2a.shorttv.live/v4/fb02.html?shorttv_adid	BGJS F	https://www.facebook.com/100090614746031/	19,019	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	w2a.shorttv.live	VIDEO		https://w2a.shorttv.live/v4/fb02.html?shorttv_adid=49263&language=en&timestamp=1738920010859&utm_source=facebook&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_id=101636	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476876381_1453591805600617_7661690728080806604_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7cJV-FizQ2EQ7kNvgGnPP3n&_nc_oc=AdgV20ZQokPk7d9z0sxJzr7EvHGexmzoSMXAAacOTe59qXg_nGIfPZrnMfKwca6pX9_jJ7XJFYxBADRVD6wGcyIg&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AI-RGe6xpmS4dfne-k3C--4&oh=00_AYCeLSJwmjLzLZAKLWk6dh8knvF47TFMT6O7qQ1OMvSCEw&oe=67CB8118	PERSON_PROFILE	BGJS F	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,441	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747439}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	No more Neuropathic foot pain...	Here’s why I threw my neuropathy meds in the trash… After years of constant numbness, burning pains and pins and needles in my feet and my hands… My Doctor prescribed me pretty much every med out there and all they did was make me tired and drowsy! I was so fed up… Fed up of the tingling pain… Fed up of the expensive meds… Fed up of constantly feeling down! And that’s when my husband stumbled across a video he saw in his feed which revealed the root cause of nerve pain… And how the meds I was taking can actually make the burning and tingling worse… not to mention the terrible side effects?! I sat in shock as I watched the short video taking it all in… and then to my sheer delight, the video revealed a 15 second method which erased burning and tingling in just a few days… without any need for meds! So, I wasted no time in trying this 15-second method… Me and my husband went down to the local store and grabbed what we needed… Literally minutes after doing this method, I instantly noticed a difference… it was so weird… and for the first time in years, I managed to get a good nights sleep without waking up in pain! I carried on using the method for the next 7 days, and sure enough the burning and tingling reduced more and more until day 8 when I had no burning or tingling whatsoever… the first full day of no pain in as long as I can remember! And now 3 months on, I haven’t experienced any pains at all and I now tell everyone I know who suffers from the same about this 15-second method… in fact I’ve linked to the very same video I watched a few months back below… Tap now and prepare to be amazed!	LEARN_MORE	https://lp.greatnerves.club/67b8a8d05d0a44eda9be0a	Debbie Taylor	https://www.facebook.com/61553076994345/	241	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	greatnerves.club	VIDEO		https://lp.greatnerves.club/67b8a8d05d0a44eda9be0a30?sub1={{ad.id}}&sub2={{adset.id}}&sub3={{campaign.id}}&sub4={{ad.name}}&sub5={{adset.name}}&sub6={{campaign.name}}&sub7={{placement}}&sub8={{site_source_name}}&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481448237_501206846111633_5824924459431128179_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cerGZbHo2rIQ7kNvgGTgJcx&_nc_oc=Adha1rZbUVWz96qQBLtRi7OOYaEolUVA9O4a2DwSC8QvNVNSgKGEUO_2qGnKasn3L-hUwVZHZJ0bsrTOk0rQm0n9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AzY7mddbY3z8W1Riw01vRG5&oh=00_AYApMDFGdUvbwrmcO8J0Bt_KrLzhKQZbqIgU1zhF853BUA&oe=67CB854B	PERSON_PROFILE	Debbie Taylor	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,062	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747060}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	I Quit Dangerous Meds - Here's How 👉	I stopped trusting meds not made for us (Black People) and found natural healing. Learn how you can do it too👇🏾	LEARN_MORE	https://infiniteage.com/pages/bldprsr-a	Infinite Age	https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/	45,857	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	infiniteage.com	DCO	100% Money-Back Guarantee	https://infiniteage.com/pages/bldprsr-a	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472144751_525676167297719_4974808326316182715_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WSMFX_GHJIkQ7kNvgHR6-FL&_nc_oc=Adh_4vm4MrMsOtSpcXDj4dq-YBy6epYCP2D8dLYNayamGm_CsniAy5ATdWmAjL_hH5mnqE9B_LMECiFDUvac6DI0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AKKs2JOQirhir41eNtIzQ_6&oh=00_AYB5gEpe0z1MuO_mogMHUr8ODOvpAJVCGjfyImkRlH5yxA&oe=67CB7E9F	PERSON_PROFILE	Infinite Age	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,068	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759		Emerging from the confines of marriage, she blossomed from a mundane housewife to a renowned painter with a legion of admirers. When her ex-husband sought reconciliation at her doorstep, he witnessed her in the arms of a prominent man. "Meet your new sister-in-law!" ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the dug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a dug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. Pgnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bld test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j*k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a sap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &9&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb_contact-e	Graceful Gales	https://www.facebook.com/61566363901062/	136	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb_contact-ena265_2-1228-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=060236&accid=461757146675392&exdata=862D17A8066703E13E0F4E300687E088A7F765FD3CC3733F	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481981725_1408990613595343_1738862108818751020_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4g4FZWFw7aAQ7kNvgHfIdFY&_nc_oc=AdjfkQNpAkZnQroxILuCdUjmiXqf3Ld4UJYDKSl89REKxENfDaDUlxOiEdLH0P5T7T090C0rxqoylFfeylM8psuZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AKKs2JOQirhir41eNtIzQ_6&oh=00_AYDCkRT9qrGuJsNwpasmjIgob5KQ6Dj0NilPm3iRTHRo-A&oe=67CB9740	PERSON_PROFILE	Graceful Gales	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,747,055	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Read next chapter👉	Three years of passion without love. But after every night in bed, he took his first love to her checkups. She struck back--filed for divorce and hired a model who looked just like him... for wild, endless nights! ===== Chapter 1 Carry On With Whatever This Is A military jeep thundered down the bustling bar street, its presence like a storm on the horizon. The jeep, adorned with a high-ranking officer's insignia and a distinctive license plate, commanded the attention of all it passed. It came to a jarring halt in front of the neon-lit Serendipity bar, its brakes screeching a piercing challenge to the surrounding nightlife. The door of the jeep opened and then slammed shut with a force that reverberated through the silent evening, mimicking the sharp report of a gunshot. A man emerged, his camouflage uniform blending oddly with the urban setting. His stern expression and the firm set of his jaw added to his daunting presence as he stepped into the colorful chaos of the bar. Inside, the neon lights cast an otherworldly glow on his face, the shadows playing across his features as he moved with a purposeful stride. The bar was alive with the vibrant beats of electrifying music and the murmur of drunken chatter--yet he seemed to carry a chilling silence around him, isolating him from the revelry. At the bar counter, Ryland Flynn was engrossed in a flirtatious conversation with the bargirl. He looked up as the military man entered, the haze of alcohol clearing swiftly from his eyes. The imposing figure made a beeline for the elevator, and Ryland, sensing urgency, scrambled off his stool to intercept him. "Mr. Mitchell... What brings you here to Serendipity tonight?" Ryland's voice faltered under the icy gaze of the man. The man's eyes narrowed, his voice resonant and commanding as he demanded, "Where's Renee?" "I... I believe she's at her home tonight," Ryland stammered, struggling to maintain his composure under the piercing scrutiny. Without hesitation, the man pressed the elevator button for the top floor, his action sharp and decisive. "You have 30 seconds to alert her," he stated curtly. Ryland's heart raced as panic gripped him. He knew that fabricating a story was pointless now. With trembling hands, he pulled out his phone and dialed Renee Carter's number right in front of the imposing figure looming over him. The phone buzzed unanswered after three persistent rings, prompting Ryland to switch to WhatsApp in a frantic rush. Opting for a voice message, he pressed the microphone icon and whispered urgently, "Renee, your husband is here to see you; he's on his way up in the elevator." His attempt to keep his voice hushed failed miserably; the words echoed clearly in the tight space of the elevator. An icy chuckle emanated from behind Ryland, sending shivers down his spine as the elevator dinged open. Sweat started to bead on his forehead, each drop a testament to his growing dread. The man stepped out with a determined stride, heading straight for the VIP room. Ryland, caught in a web of fear, trailed meekly behind, his steps hesitant and his mind racing for solutions. Stopping abruptly at the door, the man turned slightly. Ryland, mustering a sliver of courage, spoke up with a shaky voice. "Mr. Mitchell, I assure you, she isn't here." "Last chance--open up, or I'll kick this door in myself." "Please, believe me. She..." Ryland tried again, his voice faltering. "Three," the man stated evenly, his tone leaving no room for argument as the countdown commenced. "Fine," Ryland murmured, his voice a strained whisper as he fumbled with the room key, a sigh escaping him. His hands trembled slightly--caught in a bind, he dared not cross a member of the formidable Mitchell family. As the door creaked open, the man's eyes narrowed, his expression hardened into the stern, unyielding mask of a seasoned military veteran. Ryland stole a brief glance inside and sharply inhaled, quickly diverting his gaze to safeguard his own wellbeing, positioning himself squarely in the doorway, observing from a cautious distance. Inside, Renee reclined languidly on the sofa, her figure draped in a vibrant red slip dress that made a bold statement, flanked by two young male escorts. Their bare torsos were adorned with the unmistakable traces of passion, scratches carved into their skin like echoes of their heated encounters. The abrupt noise of the door's movement caused the escorts to stiffen, their muscles tensing as they beheld the daunting figure looming at the entrance. In sharp contrast, Renee exuded an air of nonchalant ease. Slowly opening her eyes, her lips curled into a taunting smirk upon sighting the man. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she regarded him through half-lidded eyes, her smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Relax, boys, it's not a police raid," she teased, her voice dripping with disdain. "Allow me to introduce him--this is my husband, the esteemed William Mitchell of the Mitchell family. You've surely heard of him, haven't you?" As she spoke, her gaze flitted over to William, observing his stoic visage with a provocative sneer. "Mr. Mitchell, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit tonight? Aren't you supposed to be getting busy with your childhood sweetheart instead of wasting time here with us?" William approached with deliberate steps, the chill of the night air clinging to his camouflage jacket, mirroring the icy reserve on his face. He seated himself on the sofa across from her, crossing his legs with a deliberate nonchalance. Smirking insincerely, he waved a hand. "Don't mind me--carry on with whatever this is." Chapter 2 Disappointment Isn't An Option Here The two escorts were already visibly tense, their anxiety written all over their faces, and the mere mention of William's name sent shivers down their spines. Renee, her head bowed slightly, felt a surge of anger well up within her. Yet, she masked it expertly behind a veil of serenity and commanded, "You heard him, didn't you? Now that Mr. Mitchell is in the mood, you'd better be at your best--disappointment isn't an option here." She then raised her head, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous spark, and flashed a coquettish wink at William. "Mr. Mitchell, consider this an invaluable lesson. You treat the bed like a battlefield--my two companions, on the other hand, know how to make a woman feel cherished. After all, we aren't your foot soldiers. While I might endure your roughness, think of your beloved. She's far too delicate for such treatment, don't you think?" William responded with nothing more than a frigid glance. Reclining against the back of the sofa, he struck a match with a sharp flick, lighting his cigarette. A veil of smoke soon enveloped him, masking his inscrutable expression. Renee's irritation spiked at his detached demeanor; he looked almost wounded, though she couldn't fathom what could possibly dent his icy exterior. Impatiently, she snapped at the escorts, "Well? What are you waiting for? At Mr. Mitchell's request, show him what you've got--who knows, he might actually pick up a thing or two." With a defiant flair, Renee tugged at the straps of her slip dress, letting them slip down her shoulders. The men jolted with surprise, their eyes darting involuntarily towards William, whose gaze was icy and unforgiving. Instinctively, they squeezed their eyes shut. "Uh, Ms. Carter... maybe it's best if we go." As they stooped to gather their scattered clothing from the floor, Renee fixed them with a frosty stare that rooted them in place. "I've told you already. Disappointment isn't an option here," she stated, her voice sharp as the winter air. Her attention turned back to William just in time to catch a camouflage jacket sailing through the air, draping over her with precision, obscuring her view. Before she could shrug off the jacket, she was abruptly swept up by two robust hands. "William! What on earth are you doing?!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled under the fabric. Blind to his expression, she could only sense the intense, ominous aura radiating from him. Effortlessly, he slung her over his shoulder, a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his fingertips. In a swift motion, he extinguished the cigarette on the back of one of the men, eliciting a sharp yelp. Simultaneously, his boot connected with the other man's knee, causing a stifled groan of agony to fill the room. Ryland, who had been nervously lingering by the door, stepped forward in alarm. "Mr. Mitchell, please, let's resolve this peacefully," he pleaded, his voice quivering. "Get out of my way!" William's command was a low rumble, more animal than human, that sent Ryland stumbling back in fear. Helplessly, he watched as William maneuvered Renee into the back of the jeep, her protests fading into the night. The engine roared as the vehicle surged forward, a reflection of the driver's burning temper. As Renee collapsed onto the plush, crimson bedspread, the effects of the evening's alcohol started to fade. Her eyes fluttered open, fixing on the ornate bed in the master bedroom--an emblem of union they had never truly shared since their marriage. The irony stung, blending seamlessly with her sorrow. Their three-year union was not a sexless one. The rare times William came home from his military duties, their encounters, though heated and passionate, were just fleeting moments of intimacy. Yet, their living arrangements spoke volumes--they maintained separate rooms, with this room remaining untouched by either. But tonight, William's demeanor was unhinged, as he dragged her into this "sacred" space and threw her onto the bed without hesitation. "William, what the hell are you thinking?" Renee gasped, her voice a mix of bewilderment and fear. She barely managed to prop herself up when he loomed over her, his gaze wild and red-rimmed. "Get ready, because I'm gonna fuck you until you're begging for more," he declared, his words seething through clenched teeth as he ruthlessly ripped her dress strap by strap. "So, Renee, you were saying I was too rough, is that it?" he huffed, his breath hot against her ear, his teeth lightly grazing her earlobe in a chilling caress. "I'm gonna fuck you nice and easy tonight--make you feel every damn second of it." Trapped beneath his weight, Renee writhed futilely, her struggles inadvertently drawing them even closer. As he tenderly grazed her earlobe with a punitive lick, his voice cut through the air, icy and stark. "Remember, you're a married woman." Just then, the shrill ring of his phone pierced the tense air. Although he wanted to dismiss it, the insistent buzzing from his pocket--just as he was about to undress--compelled him to reach for his phone with visible impatience. Recognizing the caller ID, his expression softened slightly. With a wry, self-deprecating smirk, Renee peeked at his phone screen. Unsurprisingly, it was his childhood sweetheart calling. Her voice dripped with irony as she retorted, "Seems you've forgotten you're a married man." His eyes flickered to her, but before he could gauge her next move, Renee snatched his phone and answered the call with deliberate calm. "Hello, Sylvia," she called out evenly. There was a brief pause as Sylvia Payne processed the unexpected voice. "Renee... hi," she stammered, her words stumbling over the shock. Upon catching William's resigned look, Renee's smile twisted into a sly grin. "Yeah, it's me. Sorry, but William and I are a little busy right now. You know how horny couples get after some time apart--it's like a damn craving that needs to be satisfied. He's got his mouth all over me, so I doubt he'll be able to answer his phone anytime soon." Chapter 3 A Fucking Liar Renee's words might have struck a nerve or instilled fear in Sylvia, who fell silent, stewing in her thoughts for a lengthy pause. Just as Renee braced herself for another onslaught of bold accusations, William intervened, snatching the phone from her hand. His kiss, fierce and claiming, then stole her breath away. William wasn't one to make empty promises--he showed her exactly what gentleness could be. After what felt like an eternity of torment, Renee broke down in tears, pleading for mercy--only then did he finally relent. Drained from the ordeal, she succumbed to sleep almost instantly. Throughout the night, she drifted in a half-conscious daze, vaguely aware of William leaving the bed. By the time morning crept in, Renee awoke alone. She lay there on the vast bed that held both fresh and lingering memories, her mind adrift in contemplation. She turned towards the curtains, tightly drawn, blurring the lines between late morning rays and the onset of dusk. A wave of weariness washed over her as she reached for her phone, her body still aching from the previous night's passions. That was when she saw it--a post from Sylvia on Instagram, unmistakably capturing William from behind, engrossed in cooking. The realization hit with the sharpness of a knife. In a fit of rage, Renee hurled her phone against the wall. Despite the force, the device miraculously survived the impact. "That fucking liar! That cheating piece of shit!" she snarled, fists clenched in anger. Lifting the blanket, she tried to stand, but the lingering soreness made every movement a struggle. That scumbag had really done a number on her. Yet, he felt no pain at all--if anything, he was in high spirits as he happily went to cook for his lover. Her anger simmered, fueled by each throbbing ache and the betrayal freshly unveiled. Sylvia's post was a glaring provocation. At that moment, a hesitant knock rapped at the door, followed by the maid's timid voice filtering through. "Mrs. Mitchell, are you up? Mr. Mitchell had me prepare something to help with your hangover." Renee seethed with annoyance. Now that he was out cavorting with his mistress, why even bother sending the maid? She inhaled sharply, trying to quell the rising storm within her. "I'm much better now, thank you. No need for that," Renee called out, her voice strained. Yet, the maid lingered at the doorway, her tone soft and persistent. "Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell also specifically prepared a pill for you. Would you like to come out and take it?" Confused and a bit curious, Renee cracked open the door and peered out. "What pill?" she asked, her brow furrowed in suspicion. "You know, for after last night..." The maid trailed off delicately. That was the last straw. Renee's control snapped like a rope stretched too tight for too long. She was teetering dangerously on the edge of an outburst. Over the past three years of their marriage, Renee had diligently taken a contraceptive pill after each of their intimate encounters. The thought of starting a family hadn't yet appealed to her; she wasn't ready to embrace motherhood. The routine was simple when she managed it herself, but it felt different, almost intrusive, when William had the pills delivered to her. "I'm not taking it!" Renee declared defiantly, her voice thick with resolve. "Tell that scumbag that if I get pregnant, I'll have the baby! Let's see how he deals with that!" Her words echoed sharply as she slammed the door with a resounding thud, the sound reverberating off the walls. The moment the maid stepped out, she started digging through the room for the pills she bought before, her remark earlier nothing more than a bitter jab. Exhausted, she collapsed onto the plush bed, her body twisting and turning as she tried to find comfort in the soft linens. As sleep tugged at her consciousness, her mind seethed with curses aimed at William. She pondered his unexpected return from military service. Could his sudden appearance be tied to some trouble involving Sylvia? Indeed, Renee's suspicions weren't unfounded. William's return had everything to do with Sylvia. The moment he was discharged, he'd tried reaching out to Renee, only to be met with silence. His inquiries led him to discover her recent escapades, including the escorts she'd taken to keeping company. In a mix of rage and desperation, he had stormed the bar where she frequented, dragged her away, and then rushed to attend to Sylvia. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Sylvia sat uncomfortably as the doctor concluded his examination. "Ma'am, aside from some mild anemia, you're perfectly fine. By the way, is this gentleman your husband?" The question caught Sylvia off guard, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Leaning slightly forward, William questioned, "Doctor, should she be taking any extra precautions? Does she need to avoid any specific foods?" He neither confirmed nor denied, preserving Sylvia's dignity. "Just avoid seafood, particularly crabs. Beyond that, she's free to enjoy whatever she likes. Be grateful she's not constantly battling nausea. She's dealing with morning sickness--consider yourself lucky she can still eat without throwing up." "Got it. Thanks for your help, doctor." William's response was polite, tinged with a sense of relief. William stole a glance at Sylvia after leaving the doctor's office. She was cradling her belly gently, her expression radiant with the glowing joy unique to a first-time mother. He sighed, a whisper barely audible escaping his lips. "Sylvia." "William, I think... I can feel the baby's heartbeat." Sylvia's voice trembled with wonder, her eyes gleaming as they met his. He paused, the weight of his next words pressing down on him. "Sylvia, you should consider terminating the pregnancy." "No!" Her voice cracked, a visceral refusal. Tears instantly welled in her eyes as she implored him, "William, I want this baby. Please, let me keep it. Don't force me to give it up. I can raise this child by myself if I have to..." "And you think you can make this decision to keep the child without my agreement?" The cold, sharp voice of Renee sliced through their conversation. Both Sylvia and William turned to see her at the corner of the corridor, arms folded, her presence like a specter at a feast. Her stance and piercing gaze left no doubt about her stance--she was, after all, William's lawful wife, and her words carried the weight of her position. Chapter 4 Confrontation The moment Sylvia laid eyes on Renee, her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively darted behind William, like a child seeking shelter from a nightmare. William's expression hardened into a frown as he faced Renee, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What are you doing here?" Renee's shoulders lifted in a casual shrug, her voice dry. "It's a hospital, William. What do you think?" As William's frown carved deeper lines into his forehead, he surveyed Renee from head to toe, searching for any telltale signs of illness but finding none. Taking a bold step forward, Renee's gaze locked onto Sylvia with unsettling intensity. "I heard my husband escorted another woman for a prenatal check-up early this morning. Naturally, as his legal wife, I felt compelled to see for myself." Her eyes, sharp and gleaming, bore into Sylvia's. "Miss Payne, let me be clear--as long as I draw breath, your child will never be acknowledged. Unless..." Her eyes then flicked to William, and she paused, letting the silence stretch before continuing with deliberate calm, "Unless William dares to divorce me. Why don't you ask him if he has the courage to do so?" Would William actually muster the courage to divorce her? Obviously not--otherwise, he wouldn't have made it through three years of this. When Renee was just 20, she declared to her family that she intended to marry William. Even her grandfather, Johnny Carter, who had doted on her since childhood, refused her for the first time. Johnny, a once-formidable retired commander, loomed large in his world, much like Renee's father, who, though steering clear of politics, had carved a significant niche in the business realm. Across the social spectrum, William's father, Eric Mitchell, wielded considerable influence as a high-ranking official in the political echelons. His current stature meant that allying with the Carter family could catapult him to even greater heights. The union between Renee and William was crafted as an unbreakable alliance, a powerful merger with no exits. Once vows were exchanged, the idea of parting ways was off the table. A divorce would not only fracture their personal lives but would also force their influential families into a messy, public tug-of-war, risking a feud that could echo through their elite circles. With Eric poised on the brink of a crucial promotion, he was adamant: divorce between his son and daughter-in-law was simply not an option. During the earlier days of their marriage, Renee had poured her heart into nurturing the union, but her efforts soon revealed themselves to be fruitless endeavors. Despite chasing William's affection for five years before she managed to marry him, his feelings remained elusive; not even the legal bond of marriage could spark affection in him. Faced with this reality, Renee suggested a pragmatic solution that they would continue to project the image of a devoted couple publicly and during familial gatherings, while privately, they would lead separate lives, each cloaked in their own solitude. With William being in the army for most of it, there wasn't much pretending needed anyway. Yet, one thing still baffled Renee--whenever William returned from the army, he would spend endless nights in bed with her, refusing to stop until she gave in. It was simply strange--he had ensured Sylvia lived close to his base in Stotta, so why did he still look like he hadn't touch any woman in forever? Renee guessed it was due to Sylvia's frail condition--William probably didn't want to strain her too much. What a fucking bastard! He pampered his lover like a queen while treating Renee like absolute shit. The sight of Sylvia tucked behind William sent a sharp, unexpected pang through Renee's chest. "What's wrong with you?" William's question sliced through the tension, but Renee's mocking laugh dismissed it, her disdain palpable. "William, I'm getting rid of Sylvia's baby right now. Are you going to try and stop me?" Her challenge hung heavy in the air, her words sharp as shards of glass. Their recent quarrel had left a chilly void between them. William had slipped away at dawn, his departure marked by a stinging silence. And then, the call from Ryland had come, twisting the knife deeper--William had escorted Sylvia to the obstetrics department for a prenatal checkup. The scandal, simmering just beneath the surface, threatened to boil over, exposing Renee to ridicule. "No! William, please, not my baby..." Sylvia's voice quavered, her fingers clutching William's sleeve as if it were her last lifeline. Her eyes, wide and pleading, searched his face for any sign of reassurance. But William remained eerily silent, his gaze unyieldingly locked on Renee's cold eyes. "William..." Sylvia's voice broke, terror lacing her whisper. She gripped his arm tighter, her plea more desperate. "I can't let go of this baby, William. Please, I need your help." "shut up!" The sharpness in Renee's voice cut through the tense air. In a swift, harsh motion, she raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap across Sylvia's face. The sound echoed, a chilling smack that left a vivid red imprint on Sylvia's pale cheek. "You don't have a say here, Sylvia," Renee hissed, her voice dripping with disdain. From the other end of the corridor, another voice challenged the oppressive silence, its tone imbued with an undeniable authority. "Is that so? And do I have a voice in this matter?" All eyes turned toward the newcomer. Her presence was commanding, her attire simple yet exuding an elegance that spoke of bespoke tailoring--clearly, she was a woman of significant stature. "Mom?" Chapter 5 As You Wish "Mrs. Mitchell..." Upon spotting William's mother, Esme Mitchell, Sylvia's eyes lit up with a flicker of desperate hope. She darted forward, throwing her arms around Esme in a tight embrace. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, painting her as a tragic heroine consumed by sorrow--an image that could melt even the coldest heart. It was no surprise that even William, with his usual stoic demeanor, found his resolve weakening under Sylvia's poignant display. Renee, observing from a distance, knew she lacked the flair for such dramatic expressions. "No need to worry, Sylvia. I'll protect you," Esme assured the younger woman, her tone warm and steady. "Mom, please, let's not escalate this," William interjected, his expression tense with concern. Around Esme, he often felt like he had no control. "William, if I hadn't shown up, would you have just stood by after Renee's outburst? I know I might have turned a blind eye before, but now, with Sylvia carrying your child--a new member of the Mitchell family on the way--can you really afford to let Renee act unchecked?" Esme's tone was both accusing and protective. At the mention of the baby being another Mitchell, Sylvia's eyes dropped, her joy of coming motherhood shadowed by the weight of those words. William shot a brief, complicated look at Sylvia, his face unreadable. "I can handle this, Mom," he stated flatly, his voice laced with frustration. "And how exactly would you handle it? By watching as Renee lashes out at Sylvia and doing nothing?" Esme countered sharply, her frustration mirroring her son's but for different reasons. Renee stood her ground, her voice a mixture of irony and resolve as she addressed Esme. "I'm your daughter-in-law, William's one and only legal wife. No matter how influential your family is, you wouldn't dare commit bigamy, would you?" Esme bristled, her response sharp and clipped. "Enough of your bullshit!" "Bullshit? Is that what you call them?" Renee shot back, her tone rising slightly with indignation. "It was indeed I who pursued William initially, but over the years, both I and my family have shouldered immense burdens to prop up your family's stature. And now, you wish to replace me with Sylvia? Did you even bother to consult the other members of the Mitchell family about your plans?" As she turned her gaze towards Sylvia, Renee's eyes flashed with contempt. "To even mention Sylvia in the same breath as me is laughable." "Renee, that's enough," William interjected, his voice icy and stern. Esme, emboldened by William's admonition, pressed on, her tone dripping with disdain. "William, did you hear her? This is not how a sophisticated heiress should behave. She lacks the basic decorum expected of her status. I've always said it--Renee is too stubborn and impulsive for our family. You should never have married her. Remember how I opposed it from the start?" But Renee wasn't fazed. Instead, she laughed heartily, a sound rich with scorn and amusement. "Indeed, a home-wrecker must be so sophisticated and possess impeccable manners," she said sarcastically. Deep down, Renee knew she was the one who had come between William and Sylvia. Originally, Sylvia's family had fallen into dire straits, and the Mitchell family, due to their precarious position, could not offer direct help. It was then that William had turned to Renee, who had been ardently pursuing him for five years. For the past five years, William had all but ignored Renee, treating her affection as if it were invisible. Renee, ever the hopeful pursuer, tirelessly chased after his fleeting attention. Ironically, the first time he sought her out wasn't for romance--it was to plead on behalf of Sylvia. Renee's disdain for Sylvia stretched back to their childhood days, a bitter rivalry that festered over the years. Thus, when William asked for her help for Sylvia, Renee seized the opportunity to turn the tables. She threw the notion of marriage at him like a challenge, expecting him to waver. But to her shock, he consented immediately, his compliance cutting her deeply. It was a stark, painful reminder of Sylvia's significance to him. Sylvia, the perpetual thorn in Renee's side, had been a constant source of agony since she became William's wife. Lost in these brooding thoughts, Renee was then jolted back to reality by a sharp slap. Her head whipped around, eyes blazing with fury, to find Esme standing there, her expression unyielding. "This slap is for Sylvia," Esme declared firmly. "Renee, don't think you can torment her just because she's an orphan and vulnerable." "Mom! Why the hell did you do that?" William interjected, stepping in front of Renee protectively. But Renee wasn't grateful for his defense. Instead, she scoffed, her laughter tinged with bitterness, "Oh, so I'm the bad guy now? Fine. Let it be as you wish." In a swift, fluid motion, Renee charged forward, her fingers entwined in Sylvia's hair as she delivered a stinging slap across her cheek. Her actions were fierce and immediate--Renee never hesitated to settle scores right then and there, refusing to suffer any slight quietly. "She may lack family, but I refuse to let that girl trample over the dignity of the Carter family!" Renee declared with fiery conviction. Despite Esme's frantic attempts to calm the storm, she was powerless against Renee's relentless fury. Raised with strict discipline, Esme was the polar opposite of Renee. And there was Sylvia, who had always been gentle and unassuming. Renee, with her commanding presence, could easily overpower them both. "William! Are you seriously just going to watch? Are you just going to let her go on a rampage like that?" Esme's voice cracked under the strain, her plea laced with desperation. Renee's eyes finally snapped to William, who had remained a silent observer. With his skills, he could have intervened at any moment, preventing the assault with ease. Why had he chosen to remain passive when she struck Sylvia? Lost in her thoughts, Renee barely registered the sensation of a strong arm encircling her waist. In an instant, she was lifted from the floor, her feet dangling helplessly. William, treating her with no more regard than one would a sack of potatoes, carried her away. His voice was calm, yet it carried an unyielding firmness. "Mom, I can handle my affairs. Stay out of this. I won't say it again," he stated decisively, before carrying Renee back towards their home. &9&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/70314322-fb_contact-e	Lime novel-E	https://www.facebook.com/100090637249756/	361	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/70314322-fb_contact-enp133_6-250225-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=798859118295947&exdata=F5168A8F4492BA0F040DFFDEAEC9C0219D403AAEB6BF99C8	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481165691_1296236481633561_5284433406380241723_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OE2g61pI7_gQ7kNvgGMw3yB&_nc_oc=AdhXv3U2HKZPsfTaZAF5dWPxDniA0l21l3_AaMkPyaSyTeR4QvwRL--aE_CXQqz5APnvTyirb9cJrV6XpzDu4pxD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AKKs2JOQirhir41eNtIzQ_6&oh=00_AYAK4VBXDwm0J0rKnQjRckiKdejg6NAIHgPvGy7DnrE5kQ&oe=67CB8705	PERSON_PROFILE	Lime novel-E	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,478	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747480}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	❤️ 10 Books For 50% Off!	“Have you seen my fiancé?” “Last I saw, he was getting on the elevators.” Great. I fish my phone out of my clutch just as it pings. Pollux: I’m in your office, time to pay up. My heart lurches. I slip away from the party, weave through the lingering crowd, and step onto the elevator. The ride seems endless before the doors finally open onto my floor. The corridor is dark, only faint light from the city filtering through the windows. I nudge my office door open, breath held. “Pollux?” I whisper. I don’t even have time to flip the light switch before a large hand covers my mouth and another snakes around my waist, jerking me back against a very solid body. I let out a muffled scream. “I thought you’d never show up,” Pollux husks close to my ear. His warm breath tickles my skin, and my heart thunders. He keeps me pinned there, pressed against him. “Couldn’t wait any longer,” he murmurs, trailing a finger down my arm. My pulse roars in my ears. “Pollux, we can’t. Not here.” He slides his hand down, gathers the silky folds of my dress, and hikes it up around my hips. “You owe me.” My breath catches. I’m wet already. He eases his palm over the front of my panties, and I involuntarily arch my back, pushing against him. “See?” he mutters. “You want this as badly as I do.” His hand slips under the lace, stroking me until I can’t speak. “I need a taste,” he growls against my neck. Dropping to his knees, he drags my underwear over my thighs and tosses them aside. My mind screams that someone could walk in at any second, but the surge of excitement overwhelms me. “Pollux—” I manage, but then his mouth is on me. Heat explodes low in my belly, spiraling up my spine. His tongue licks a scorching path through my center, and my hips jerk. I can barely stay upright. The only things keeping me from melting to the floor are his strong grip and my death-clutch on the edge of my desk. “Oh, God,” I moan as he buries his face between my legs. Every nerve in my body fires at once. I grip his hair, tugging, guiding his mouth harder against me. The pleasure builds until I’m shaking. “I’m close,” I whisper in a ragged breath. “Don’t stop.” He doesn’t. He feasts on me, tongue and lips driving me over the edge. My release rips a cry from my throat, echoing against the office walls. It’s so risky, so wrong, yet it feels so good. When I finally come down, he rises to his feet, wiping the corner of his mouth with a smug grin. “Best payoff I’ve ever had,” he says, voice rough with lust. The rational part of me screams this is insane—anyone could have heard—but my body is still tingling, my heartbeat thudding. And the way Pollux is staring at me, I know he’s not finished. “We should get back down there,” I say, trying to sound steady. He presses me against the desk. “Later,” he whispers, sliding his hand over my stomach. “First, I’m collecting the rest of what you owe.” - - Find out why readers are saying, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “OMG! I never saw that coming. It may be a first for me, because I usually can always figure out the climax before it happens, but there was never any hint at this.” ~Katie R. The Ultimate Steamy Playboy Bundle Get 10 Books For 50% Off! Support Romance Authors Directly & #BuyDirect #RomanceBookBundles 🥰	SHOP_NOW	https://romancebookbundles.com/products/the-ultima	Logan Chance	https://www.facebook.com/61572429489914/	9	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop now	romancebookbundles.com	VIDEO	"FANTASTIC Series!!!" ~Reviewer	https://romancebookbundles.com/products/the-ultimate-steamy-playboy-bundle-by-logan-chance	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481671396_517075831437757_2291113581410810139_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=--gCYReQQFgQ7kNvgHVctbo&_nc_oc=AdgJnZq0AVQJdzqk9MYA6VQ-IA-splU8Okjl5Y8jJK5LD5zw_q1tYoEtQOvX_YJ2hqQ9EEzK8YNRP1FmcnN65pRC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A1Qm0EbnntgP5EzSWZM7CZW&oh=00_AYCfLdaKNY1BMIaE-is3XK7LGQgzGrvtzGtpXXsejt3z2A&oe=67CB843C	PERSON_PROFILE	Logan Chance	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,451	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747456}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Rising Dawn: The Awakening of Power (DUBBED)	Aidan Stein, the Eternal Lord Sovereign of the magnificent Eternity Palace, temporarily loses his memory and intelligence due to his 60-year cycle. He lives alone in Vertania until he encounters Jade Yule, who saves his life and becomes his wife. Years later, Jack Foley, an aristocrat of Vertania, develops an interest in Jade. He sends his men after Aidan, inadvertently triggering the resurgence of his memories and power.	WATCH_MORE	https://fb.dramabox.com/db_land_page/DLLPF1059457.	DramaBox- drama movies2	https://www.facebook.com/61551046958457/	282,612	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	fb.dramabox.com	VIDEO		https://fb.dramabox.com/db_land_page/DLLPF1059457.html?language=en&timestamp=1740749855253&channelCode=DLLPF1059457&bid=41000112468&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482807854_961758879415926_1819091712882732362_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F_7tKlxaqxUQ7kNvgF3JAm3&_nc_oc=AdgV2rEtOeDXC0ZfZ-yxjkc1MNhaTsj3yz5cHlK-zcl6ncXxKQr8rZDQd9T4M6wQ6Q5Y3Gsul3RNfztZ1vnqrjZq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad6TFJbsrrE3zJGvqaJRXEn&oh=00_AYBhhhFz53NcH7mGyKB5k2SY5xOVaUk_CXiAStT--vejOA&oe=67CBB16B	PERSON_PROFILE	DramaBox- drama movies2	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,446	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759		Elle s'est enivrée et a fini par coucher avec Nicolas, qui avait treize ans de plus qu'elle. Ils se sont donc mariés. Madalyn croyait qu'il s'agissait d'un mariage sans amour, mais elle était tombée sans le savoir dans le piège tendu par l'amour de Nicolas. Il attendait qu'elle l'aime en retour.	WATCH_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreels.com/16824410-fb-fr-xy35-25	Ron	https://www.facebook.com/61564769759571/	4,664	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	fbweb.moboreels.com	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreels.com/16824410-fb-fr-xy35-250109-core1-video.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=851109&jump=0&exdata=88AC938DD8550581533513C273534D0D31BD846E9194AAC4	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481903515_944248424549859_6851394841483341524_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CnRV358sI7QQ7kNvgFuADMX&_nc_oc=Adjj7FLQzyS5RTebEm8fALFlTIHZRvUCecX9F9w0OM1OKrS6MNqoAwwolWmDwg8j_q_6ZB1_I5HFKK8y3DosCRhc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad6TFJbsrrE3zJGvqaJRXEn&oh=00_AYBo9tQJh-G26uy8Bi27RLUKLDdaWCV93LfI3wcOkiA-2g&oe=67CBA97C	PERSON_PROFILE	Ron	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,132	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🎉“The Princess to Eight Uncles”✨Your Next Novel📕	A three-year-old gir who was bulied in the snow accidentally dialed a number. and her 8 uncles and 8000 bodvauards rushed out in an instant! Chapter 1 Don’t Get Up Until You Apologize Lambridge City, Promenade 1st Villa Area - the Hatcher Mansion. Toda was the Lantern festival. Colorful lights were decorated around the house, giving a touch of warmth to the cold atmosphere of the Hatcher family. Suddenly, a scream echoed across the mansion. "Ah-" Followed by thudding, a large-bellied woman fell from the stairs! Everyone was surprised and hurried toward her. Stephen Hatcher, the president of Ador Hatcher Corporation, quickly asked, "Debbie, are you alright?" The woman's face turned pale when she saw fresh blood trickling down her legs. Horrified, she replied, "Stephen, it hurts… Our baby… Quickly, save our baby!" The house's madam, Paula Anderson, panicked and asked, "What happened?!" Debbie looked toward the top of the stairs with tears in her eyes. Everyone looked up and saw a girl, about three years old, standing at the top of the stairs. Upon seeing everyone's gaze, she hugged the toy rabbit in her arms tightly in fear. Richard Hatcher roared angrily, "Were you the one that pushed Debbie?!" The little girl pouted. "It's not me, and I didn't…" While crying, Debbie begged, "No… Dad, it's not Lilly's fault. She's still young, and she didn't mean it…" Her words quickly reaffirmed that it was Lilly's fault. Stephen's eyes darkened, and he immediately ordered, "Lock her in the attic! I'll deal with her once I return!" The other hurriedly sent Debbie to the hospital while the servants dragged Lilly upstairs. Even when a shoe fell off, she kept a stubborn face and did not beg or cry for help. No light or heat could reach the dark and cold attic. The windows squeaked as if a monster would appear at any moment… Lilly hugged her stuffed bunny tightly and curled up in a corner. It's so cold… The truth was she never pushed anyone, but no one believed her. As it was cold spring weather, the snow and the wind made their way into the attic through the window cracks, piling layers of coldness onto little Lilly. Soon, an entire day had passed by. No one cared about Lilly, and no one even knew that Debbie had punished her the day before. She was already in a daze as she had yet to eat anything. Richard had ordered that she was not allowed to leave until she admitted that it was her fault. "Mommy…" Lilly's lips were turning purple from the cold, and she was shivering. She could only close her eyes and mumble, "Mommy… I didn't do anything wrong… It's not my fault…" She knew that her mother had died from an illness a year ago. After her mother passed on, her dad found another woman, and soon the woman was pregnant with a baby… However, the woman was two-faced. She was only nice to Lilly when others were present; otherwise, she would act like a demon punishing her. Mommy… Lilly thought as she squeezed her toy rabbit's ears before losing consciousness. Not knowing how long it had been, the door suddenly opened with a loud bang. Stephen was furious when he picked up the unconscious Lilly, dragging her down the stairs and throwing her outside into the snow! Lilly shivered from the cold surface and struggled to open her eyes… "Daddy… I'm hungry…" She muttered. Stephen scoffed. "You killed Debbie's unborn child, and the first thing you're telling me is that you're hungry?! I can't believe I have such an evil daughter!" Lilly's eyes were hollow, and she could not speak as she was frozen stiff. The more Stephen looked at her, the angrier he became. Why is she still acting stubborn despite being at fault? You malicious child! "It is my fault as a parent that you're behaving this way! Now that you've killed your unborn brother, who knows if you will start murdering people when you grow up? As your father, I must teach you a lesson!" He looked around and picked up a broom from the corner, snapping the broom head off. The thick broomstick landed on Lilly's body with a thud, causing her to scream in pain! "Is it your fault?!" Stephen glared. "It's not me. It was really… not me!" Lilly bit her lips and maintained a stubborn face. Stephen was getting more furious upon hearing her words. "Then are you saying your stepmother willingly fell down the stairs?! Why would she want to fall after being six months pregnant?!" He could not help but think back to what happened in the hospital. Debbie was bleeding heavily, and the doctor had declared her situation as critical twice, but even on the brink of death, she insisted on asking him to not blame Lilly! She said that Lilly was still young when her mother passed away. She was simply afraid that her baby brother might get the attention away from her and did not mean to push her. Stephen felt angrier as he thought. He beat Lilly while scolding, "You're still trying to deny it! Stop denying it!" With every sentence, Lilly would get hit by the broomstick. He was so engrossed in hitting her that he did not even realize that his phone had fallen out of his pocket. When Lilly was severely beaten, he finally stopped, so she lay paralyzed on the snowy ground. "Stay here and kneel until your stepmother is discharged!" Stephen tugged his tie after he scolded her and left the broomstick behind before walking away. He had been feeling irritated recently as his company had been facing a loophole for half a month and had yet to receive help resolving it. Then today, Debbie fell from the stairs and lost their unborn child, losing the only hope for the Hatcher family. The consecutive unfortunate events stressed him, and he could not help but vent it all out on Lilly. Lilly's rabbit toy had already been beaten to pieces. She tried to stand up but fell back onto the snowy ground with a thud… She felt that she was on the brink of death. If I die, will I finally be able to see mommy? At that moment, she heard a blurry voice. "Lilly, call for your uncle! Your uncle is Gilbert Crawford, his phone number is 159xxxxx..." "Call…" Lilly opened her eyes and noticed the black phone lying in the snow. Her survival instincts kicked in as she desperately crawled toward it. "159…" Lilly stuttered and stammered, her stiff fingers struggling to move, and finally, she managed to make the call… Meanwhile, Hugh Crawford lectured at a courtyard house in Clodston, "Another year has passed. Gilbert Crawford, when will you take the test for the Chief Physician role?!" The eight brothers of the Crawford family looked at each other while Gilbert touched his nose. Suddenly the old man changed the topic and asked, "Also, it's been four years, and have you not found your sister?" The looks on the brothers' faces changed, with their lips pursed. Their indifferent eyes now had a slight hint of sorrow. Their younger sister, Jean Crawford, was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia at a young age. Since then, she had been carefully nursed by the Crawford family as she went through blood transfusions, anti-infection treatments, and bone marrow transplants… However, her condition worsened and even affected her memory. Then, four years ago, she suddenly went missing. Gilbert was a physician at the Shercaster Cancer Hospital and was in charge of Jean's treatment. That day, he had to save a critically ill patient, and it was at that moment… that Jean disappeared. For the past four years, guilt and regret had been tormenting him. Even with his outstanding medical talent, he had been unable to move forward since then. The Crawford family had eight sons, and Jean was the only daughter. After their daughter's disappearance, Bettany suddenly fell ill, and Hugh's temper grew unstable. A heavy stone lay in the hearts of everyone in the Crawford family, rendering them restless. The eldest son, Anthony Crawford - the CEO of the Crawford family's business empire - worked day and night tirelessly, causing his health to worsen and requiring him to take daily medication. The third son, Bryson Crawford - the outstanding pilot of Swift Airlines- failed the psychological tests and had been resting at home for the past four years. The others… The study room fell into silence before suddenly, Gilbert's phone rang! Chapter 2 Get Her Out Of Here Hugh had his rules, one of which was that phones should be turned off during morning meetings. Gilbert quickly retrieved his phone and was about to end the call. Hugh scolded, "Take it!" Gilbert then coughed. "Dad, it was an unknown number, I…" Hugh put his teacup aside and ordered, "Take the call and put it on speakers!" Bryson and Jonas looked pitifully at Gilbert. Gilbert had no choice but to pick up the call and put it on speakers. They were taken aback when they heard a small voice. "Hello… is this uncle? I'm Lilly Hatcher… My mommy is Jean Crawford… Are you my Uncle Gilbert?" The little girl's voice was weak and indescribably monotonous, like a small robot, with no discernible emotions in her tone. The looks of the Crawford family changed drastically! Clack… Hugh's pen cap dropped from his hand. They could not utter a single sound, as if everyone had their throats strangled. The child's tender voice sounded again on the other end of the phone. "Uncle… I'm so cold and hungry… I didn't push my stepmother, but they don't believe me… Daddy dragged me to the gate to kneel… but I'm cold… Uncle, will you help me…" As she spoke, her voice grew weaker and weaker. The sound of the snowstorm blowing could still be heard from the other end of the call, but her voice had abruptly stopped. Gilbert finally got back to his senses and grabbed his phone, holding it close to his mouth as he yelled frantically, "Hey, Li-Lilly? Where are you? Tell me your location now!" However, there was no response. Hugh, panicked, stood up, and his previously rigid and stern look had already gone as if he had aged in an instant. "Quick! Quickly! Investigate the number and location now!" Lilly passed out before finishing the call and dropped the phone in the snow. Stephen then returned to look for his phone and saw Lilly lying there, not moving. He kicked her and snarled, "It'd be better if she's dead!" Four years ago, he found a woman on the street who was poorly dressed and in bad condition. He took her back to his apartment out of kindness. After the woman cleaned up, he discovered that she was gorgeous. She had amnesia and appeared to be confused. As Stephen was enamored by her cuteness, he took care of her. Like a fool in love, he doted on her, telling her to not force herself to do anything as he cared for her… Now that Stephen thought about it, he found it revolting. Who knows if a female beggar like her was taken advantage of when she was wandering about the streets? Otherwise, why doesn't Lilly have any resemblance to me? Although suspicious, Stephen never wanted to do a paternity test because if it turned out that he was not the father, he would be the most foolish man in South City! Stephen grabbed his phone and walked away. He continuously made calls in his warm study room. "Hello… Mr. Burton, it's me, Stephen! I'm wondering if you are acquainted with the Crawford family from Clodston?" "Greetings, Mr. Ledger! Happy new year! Are you acquainted with the Crawford family? Oh, my company's just having a minor issue…" The snowstorm outside the study room was intense, and Lilly was still lying on the snow. It was only a matter of time before the day got dark. She was a little conscious but could no longer force her eyes to open. She had never cried since her mother died. Even if her father abused her, she never shed a single tear. Yet, she wanted to cry at that moment. When she called her uncle, there was no response from the other end. Do they hate me too? Then no one likes me at all. What about mommy? If I die and mommy sees me, will she hate me too? Lilly's lips, turning purple from the cold, were pressed together as she kept thinking. Mommy… I won't cry… Lilly's a good girl… Suddenly, she heard a loud noise. About seven cars arrived at the Hatcher mansion, and a man wearing a black down coat got out of the first car and opened the mansion's gate! As there was a massive snowstorm, the snow had already covered Lilly's petite figure. Gilbert anxiously looked around. On the phone, Lilly said she was kneeling at the gate! Suddenly his face turned pale as he noticed a small pile of snow at the gate. He immediately rushed over and shoved the snow away, causing his hands to redden from the cold. Finally, he found a small figure under the snow! "Lilly?!" Gilbert hurriedly picked up the young girl, and the moment he saw Lilly's face, he knew that this was their Lilly - her face was a splitting image of their sister when she was young… Their most beloved and cherished sister's child - Lilly! Lilly felt as if she had fallen into a warm embrace, and the person had even taken off their coat to wrap her around. Lilly was numb from being frozen for too long, and after feeling an instant of warmth, she still felt bone-chillingly cold, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. Lilly struggled to open her eyes and finally saw the man before her - he looked somewhat similar to her mother but also different. Lilly's lips twitched as she asked weakly, "Are you… uncle… I didn't push anyone… uncle…" At that moment, Lilly was murmuring as she had lost consciousness. She was like a cold, emotionless robot compared to Gilbert's agitated self. Gilbert was on the verge of crying. The young child in his arms was only wearing thin sleepwear - pure cotton autumn clothing - with no padding at all. Her small face had already turned purple from the cold, and her lips were cracked and turning dark. Like a frozen sculpture, her tiny figure could not move, making Gilbert afraid that he would break her with a single touch. "Lilly… Uncle's here, and I'm bringing you home." Gilbert choked. He could not imagine how Lilly managed to survive independently with her condition. He was even scared to think she would have died if they arrived later. Gilbert carefully held Lilly, focusing solely on her. He rushed back to the car. "Lilly, stay with me." Gilbert's voice turned hoarse as he urged, "Don't sleep… Lilly, can you say something to uncle? Lilly…” Lilly had already lost consciousness. Hugh staggered a little as he rushed over. Seeing Gilbert's piled-up clothes, he anxiously asked, "How is she?" Gilbert was already panicking. "Quick, we must go to the hospital now!" The Crawford family felt their hearts were in their throats and immediately headed toward the hospital. Meanwhile, Stephen, who had just received the news of their arrival, hurriedly rushed downstairs with a mixture of excitement and elation on his face. When the Crawford family was rushing into the mansion, they were stopped by the security guard. Once Anthony revealed his name, the guard quickly went to inform Stephen. As he was wracking his brains trying to find a way to be acquainted with the Crawford family, Stephen was taken aback by the news! Although he did not know why the Crawford family suddenly appeared before the mansion, he knew he had a chance as long as they were there. There's hope for the Hatcher family, after all! Suddenly, Stephen remembered something and quickly turned to a servant, saying, "Is that deadbeat still lying in the yard? Get her out of here immediately!" That jinx had cursed her mother to death, and now my company will go bankrupt from her curse too. Stephen would not allow her to ruin this opportunity to meet with the Crawford family. Chapter 3 Lilly's Eight Uncles To The Rescue! Everything happened so fast that the Hatchers had no time to react. By the time Stephen rushed out, he saw Anthony preparing to get into his car and drive off. However, he had not been in time to see Gilbert brushing the snow off Lilly and picking her up from where she had been kneeling by the gate. "My goodness! It's Mr. Anthony Crawford!" Stephen plastered a bright smile onto his face and greeted the other cheerfully. "What brings you here? It's an honor to have you visiting our humble abode!" By then, Richard, Paula, and some of the Hatcher servants had hurried out to join Stephen as well, their faces wreathed in smiles of welcome. When they saw Anthony's stern, aloof countenance, they became even more fawning and obsequious. Anthony Crawford was the current head of the Crawford family's business empire and the CEO of Crawford Holdings! The Crawford family was one of Clodston's four influential families; everyone wanted to butter them up and curry favor. A true aristocratic family like this with old money and such deep ties to Clodston was rare. The Crawfords were an elusive, mysterious entity; they kept themselves out of the limelight. The only thing anyone in Clodston knew for sure was that the Crawfords had eight sons, but even then, few had even set eyes on them. Anthony was occasionally featured in the headlines of the financial news, which was why the Hatchers had recognized him. "Mr. Crawford, please come in! It's freezing out here. We'd love to have you stay a little while if you don't mind such humble surroundings," Richard said enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, please do come in and have something hot!" Stephen chimed in, smiling. Now that they were in the presence of a truly distinguished person, all the Hatchers could not help trying to ingratiate themselves with him. The Ador Hatcher Corporation was in dire straits; for the Hatcher family, this was a catastrophe. However, just a word from Anthony would revive their flagging fortunes! If luck favored them, they might even become one of Clodston's top ten influential families… Anthony's face betrayed no hint of expression; instead, he studied Stephen with keen eyes. Was this Lilly's father? Still without expression, Anthony declined Richard's offer coolly and enigmatically. "Very well, Mr. Hatcher and family." Without another word, he got into his car and drove off. The Hatchers stood there, confused and dazed, watching him leave. Paula was the first to speak. "Mr. Crawford said very well… Does that mean he's intending to help us?" Richard frowned. "Given his expression, I don't think he meant anything complimentary." Stephen ordered the servants to enlighten him about what had happened earlier. They related how the Crawfords had shown up en masse at the Hatcher Mansion and taken Lilly away, and that a man in black had stripped off his coat and wrapped it around her, cradling her in his arms. He had also identified himself as her uncle… When Stephen heard this, he was thunderstruck. Suddenly, everything became terrifyingly clear. It was common knowledge that the Crawfords had eight sons and a daughter. However, the daughter's health was frail, and she had never appeared in public before. Did this mean that the woman he had rescued four years ago was the Crawford family's one and only precious daughter?! The rest of the Hatcher family felt their hearts sinking. How they bitterly regretted their actions! Paula's lips trembled. "So Jean was the Crawfords' daughter… hurry, we need to go and get Lilly back…" They would never have forced Lilly to kneel in the snow if they had known! In fact, they would have treated her like a goddess and worshiped at her feet! Stephen regretted his actions as well; when he recalled how he had disciplined Lilly so harshly, he felt uneasy. Angrily he snapped, "How are you going to get her back? Do you think we can walk in and take her away just like that?" Richard frowned so hard his brow looked like a wrinkled prune. After a long moment of consideration, he said, "Well, regardless, we're still Lilly's blood relations. We're her grandparents, after all! The Crawfords can't deny that, no matter how angry they are. Then again, Lilly did cause Debbie's miscarriage, that's a fact…" All they had wanted to do was to teach Lilly not to be an irresponsible little liar! Unfortunately, Stephen had let his temper get the better of him and had disciplined her more severely than he should have… The Hatchers felt confident that they would be able to clear up any misunderstandings with the Crawfords. All they had to do was to have a satisfactory explanation for everything. Once that was settled, they would be able to look forward to a future of wealth and prestige… … Instead of returning to Clodston after rescuing Lilly, the Crawfords went straight to the nearest hospital. The hitherto vacant VIP suite in South Town's best hospital was now a hive of frantic activity. No one dared to raise their voices. The atmosphere was extremely tense, punctuated by the sounds of hospital equipment beeping and doctors and nurses hurrying to and fro. Hugh Crawford paced back and forth with the help of his walking stick. "Why are they still in there?" He muttered fretfully. Anthony glanced at the time, then gently told his father, "Dad, you should sit down." Lilly had immediately been whisked off to the emergency room as soon as they reached the hospital. Gilbert had gone with her; up until now, neither of them had emerged. In the emergency room, Gilbert examined Lilly's bruised body with shaking hands. Broken bones were the worst thing that could happen in cases of severe frostbite. A more detailed examination revealed that Lily had been badly beaten; in fact, her arms, ribs, and shins had been fractured. There were numerous patches of frostbite all over her body. Some of the areas were so severely frostbitten they would require surgical intervention. Lilly was only three or four years old, and she had been made to undergo such torment… Hot tears stung Gilbert's eyes. Leaning down, he murmured, "Lilly, this is your Uncle Gilbert. Can you hear me? If you can, please hang in there. You'll make it through, I promise…" Lilly's eyes were tightly closed, but she had the oddest sensation of her body feeling very light and warm all over. It was the first time she had ever felt so comfortable. Everything was very quiet, except for a voice by her ear that constantly murmured, "Lilly…Lilly dear…little Tulip…Can you see me? Can you hear me?" Who was this mysterious person? Lilly tried very hard to open her eyes, but she was unable to do so. She wanted to reply that she could hear this person talking to her as well, but she could not make a sound, no matter how frantically she tried. … It took three hours of surgical procedures before Lilly was out of danger, and the doctors all felt this was a miracle! The little girl was wheeled into a hospital room, IV tubes plastered all over her body. Gilbert's face was stony as he handed Anthony the report from Lilly's examination. When the Crawfords read it, they were incensed. Hugh growled in fury, "A fine, upstanding bunch, these Hatchers! They even had the nerve to lay hands on a three-and-a-half-year-old child! Anthony had already done a background check on the Hatcher family. In a frosty voice, he replied, "The Hatcher family's business goods are under suspicion of being contraband. The company is in pretty desperate straits. Recently they've been trying to find some point of connection so that we'll help them." Hugh merely laughed derisively. "Help them? They can count themselves lucky if I don't ruin them entirely!" The old gentleman was so enraged that he wanted to tear the entire Hatcher family to pieces there and then. "Don't worry, Dad," Anthony answered. "They won't last long." Hugh bit his lower lip and fell silent. After a while, he murmured, "Then how about Jean…what's happened to her…?" Anthony did not say anything, merely stayed silent. Clodston and South Town were around 1200 miles apart. Four years ago, Jean had somehow found her way to South Town, seriously ill and having lost her memory. Stephen had found her, and taken her home. She had almost died giving birth to Lilly but miraculously recovered and held on for another two years before succumbing to her illness, leaving Lilly alone in the world. The Crawford brothers' beloved sister had died quietly in some remote town without a nod to her status or even a mention of her name… Anthony's fists clenched tightly as his anger grew; the expression on his face became even stonier. Hugh did not dare probe any further; he was afraid he would not be able to handle the truth. Gilbert asked, "Why would they beat Lilly like that?" Anthony replied in a voice as cold as ice, "Stephen Hatcher's wife, Debbie, fell downstairs and had a miscarriage. Stephen believed that Lilly pushed her." The other Crawfords could not help frowning at this. While this discussion was taking place, the Hatchers had finally tracked Lilly to the hospital. Anthony's assistant hurriedly entered the room and said in low voice, "Mr. Anthony, the Hatchers are here. They want to see their granddaughter…" Anthony gave a scornful bark of laughter, then ordered, "Turn off the heating outside on this floor and open the windows. Let them wait." Stephen, Richard, and Paula waited outside on the top floor corridor for a very long time. The VIP suites on this level were located inside an access-controlled door; the Hatchers were in the outer area, so they were unable to go in. Anthony's assistant had arrived earlier, asking them to wait for a while, then had left. The Hatchers had not seen him since. Paula grumbled, "Why won't they let us in? Lilly's our granddaughter, after all! Why would they make us wait outside here?" Stephen snapped, "Oh, just wait!" He had beaten Lilly more severely than intended; it was understandable that the Crawfords would be angry. However, the Hatchers soon realized that something was amiss. The corridor was rapidly getting colder. Not only that, their waiting area was beside the windows, and the frosty winter wind blew in, causing them to shrink away and shiver from the cold! "This weather is dreadful! Nobody can wait around like this!" Paula, who had been pampered and sheltered her entire life, could not take it anymore. "Stephen, you'd better find someone and ask what's going on!" Richard agreed, frowning heavily. If the Crawfords were angry, deliberately making the Hatchers wait for a while was understandable. However, they had already been here for half an hour; that was a bit too long. No one would be able to stand waiting in such bitterly cold weather. Chapter 4 Would They Abandon Her Again? Stephen went around the hospital looking for people, trying to find out what was going on. However, everyone he encountered told him that they did not know what was happening either. By now, the Hatchers were so cold they were shivering uncontrollably in the icy corridor. The Crawfords would not see them either. It was becoming unbearable to wait there. Paula was the first to admit defeat. "I'm going to see Debbie…" Debbie was also warded at this hospital, but she was in the maternity wing. Stephen and Richard could not stand it any longer either, but they did not want to leave so they had no choice but to keep on waiting in the interminable cold… Incessant complaints filled their minds. They had no idea, however, that this was only the beginning of their troubles! … Lilly could hear the quiet beeping of machines around her. There were also people talking, but very indistinctly. However, there was one voice in particular that was very clear. "Lilly…Lilly dear…hey, little Tulip! You have to wake up soon, okay? If you don't, I'll…" Lilly felt as if a small swarm of bees was buzzing beside her ear and chattering to her. It was just a little bit tiresome. Who was this person talking to her? Lilly's eyelids fluttered slightly and she finally opened her eyes, only to see a snowy-white wall right in front of her. A group of people surrounded her bed. Pursing her lips, she carefully scrutinized them. Gilbert reacted enthusiastically; he was also the first to speak. "Lilly! You're awake now! I'm your Uncle Gilbert…" The rest of the Crawfords did not even dare to breathe; they watched Lilly tensely. Lilly found herself at a loss. "Uncle Gilbert?" Her pretty little face was expressionless and wooden. She looked just like a fragile porcelain doll. It sounded as if she were repeating a foreign phrase. Hugh's mouth tightened into a hard line. Lilly was very thin; she was so tiny that the hospital bed seemed very large. It hurt to see her like that, so much so that it was hard to breathe. Gilbert spoke more gently. "Lilly, I'm your mother's brother. My name is Gilbert. You telephoned me earlier, do you remember?" Lilly furrowed her brow. After a moment, she let out a soft "Ohh." She remembered now. She had called Uncle Gilbert's phone number. He had ignored her though. Didn't her uncles want her? "Did you…did you come to look for me?" Lilly asked in a thread of a voice. All the men around the bed nodded vigorously. Bryson added, "Lilly, I'm your Uncle Bryson. We're all here to take you back home with us." Hugh felt as if something were constricting his throat. He drew a deep breath, then said, "That's right. We're here to take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one will dare to bully you or harass you. If anyone tries, your Grandpa Hugh will have something to say about that." Lilly looked at each of the men in turn. They were going to take her home? She wasn't sure if they would abandon her again once they brought her home. Would they beat her and starve her? Seeing how silent she was, the Crawfords felt even more tense than ever. None of them had much experience handling children. One by one, they looked at Anthony and Liam. Anthony was the eldest Crawford boy; he was 40 years old and had two children. Liam, the second son, was 38 and also had two young ones. However, Anthony was not very good at interacting with children; after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, "Lilly, what are you worried about?" Since he said this in his customary inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings all glared at him. Liam coughed slightly in embarrassment. By nature, he was a taciturn person and found it difficult to say much. The tension in the air was so thick one could cut it with a knife. Gilbert gave a deep sigh. He inched closer to Lilly's bed and very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice as he could muster, he asked, "Lilly darling, why don't you tell us all what your proper name is?" Lilly stared at the ceiling in silence for a while before replying, "I don't have any other name except Lilly." Daddy had told her that she didn't need a proper name; they'd discuss that when her stepmother gave birth to her baby brother. Lilly had been what Mommy named her. She didn't have any other name besides that. Gilbert felt a dull ache in his heart. How had this child passed her days in the Hatcher household without even a name? Suppressing his anger, he asked, "Well then, Lilly, can you tell your Uncle Gilbert what you're thinking right now?" Lilly finally turned her gaze in his direction with an effort, staring at this person who called himself her Uncle Gilbert. That day, her entire world had been so very dark but this man had broken through that darkness like a ray of light and rescued her. Her mouth trembled slightly and she asked, "Uncle Gilbert…when we go home, am I…am I allowed to eat?" All the Crawfords were dumbfounded when they heard this. This child was asking if she was allowed to eat when she arrived home… Before they could muster up a response, Lilly asked again in a tiny voice, "Will you hit me?" Those simple four words almost made Hugh weep. The little girl was afraid she would be starved and beaten. What sort of abuse had she endured in the Hatcher household?! She was half-starved and inadequately dressed for the winter. When she had nightmares, no one would be there with her when she awoke in fright, and in summer no one would bother when she was drenched in sweat from the heat. Hugh turned away, biting his lip until he almost drew blood so he could suppress the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. The Crawford brothers were so enraged they clenched their fists tightly. However, they did not dare give vent to their anger for fear of scaring Lilly. Gilbert reached out and took Lilly's tiny hand, placing it against his cheek. Hoarsely, he murmured, "Lilly darling, when we go home, you can eat whatever you want, and no one will hit you. Look, that's your Uncle Anthony there. That one's your Uncle Liam, and that's your Uncle Bryson…All of them are tough, strong men. All of us will protect you and no one will ever hurt you again." Lilly clutched at the covers tightly with her other hand and was silent for a long time. Just when the Crawfords thought that she was not going to say anything else, she suddenly burst out, "Uncle Gilbert, I didn't push anyone. Daddy and Grandpa kept telling me to own up, but I wouldn't…" She repeated this stubbornly, a look of determination on her little face and a downcast expression in her eyes. Did her uncles truly like her? Now that she had told them she wouldn't own up despite being asked to, would they still want a disobedient child like her? Gilbert felt as though a wad of cotton was constricting his throat. Tears welled up in his eyes, and even Hugh could not help brushing away his own tears. Anthony said firmly and calmly, "Your Uncle Anthony believes you didn't do it. That was the right thing to do, not owning up to something that wasn't your fault." Gilbert nodded as well. "They're the ones who are in the wrong. You didn't do anything wrong Lilly; you did the right thing." When Lilly heard this, her mouth twisted briefly and tears began pouring down her cheeks. It was as if all those bottled-up tears had finally found an outlet and refused to be suppressed any longer. Lilly's little face still maintained that stubborn expression but her voice was punctuated by gulping sobs. "But…but Daddy doesn't believe me. Daddy said I killed my baby brother and that if I didn't own up, he wouldn't let me out." It seemed as if Lilly had finally found someone she could unload her grievances to, even as she sobbed these words. Even a three-and-a-half-year-old child could feel ill-used no matter how stubborn or determined they were. Gilbert's fury got the better of him. "He's not fit to be your Daddy!" "Gilbert!" Anthony rapped out prohibitively. Gilbert subsided into reluctant silence, but his rage was unabated. At the thought of Stephen still waiting outside, he wanted to tear the hospital bed apart, grab one of the metal tube supports and give that man the beating of his life. Lilly sobbed out a few more things, cried a little longer, then fell asleep. Once they were outside the room, Gilbert asked indignantly, "Anthony, are we really going to let those Hatchers off so lightly?" Bankruptcy alone was not enough for the likes of them! Anthony slowly unbuttoned his shirt sleeves and rolled them up. Blandly, he returned, "Eight against one, Gilbert. Is that enough for you?" There would be eight Crawfords swearing vengeance against the Hatcher family! Chapter 5 A Family The rest of the Crawford brothers narrowed their eyes when they heard Anthony's words. Gilbert loosened his wrists and cracked his knuckles; Edward, an architectural engineer with a fiery temper and tanned skin, scoffed and grabbed a rebar from nowhere. "We're law-abiding citizens. How can we openly assault someone in public?" Bryson, the good-natured Captain, said gently. He interjected a nurse nearby and said, "Hello, do you have a gunny sack in the storeroom?" The nurse stuttered, "Yeah… yeah… we have a polybag and some paper boxes in the pharmacy." She suggested the paper boxes instead, assuming they wanted to store something. Bryson smiled and said, "Thank you. A gunny sack will be sufficient." The Crawford brothers thought, a sack will be useful to beat up someone. Meanwhile, Stephen shivered in the cold as he waited outside the VIP wards. He swore in his heart, I've been up all night, and it's almost daylight. Where the hell are the Crawfords? Richard left earlier because he could not stand the cold any longer. He reminded Stephen to stay put and demonstrate their sincerity before he left. Spring nights were colder than winter nights. Stephen could feel the biting cold filling his lungs with every breath of the stale air. The long wait had also left him hungry and exhausted. All he wanted to do was return home, take a warm, relaxing shower, and sleep the rest of the day away. Things became even more unbearable when he considered the cozy environment he could be at. Stephen decided it was pointless to wait any longer after another hour had passed. The man spoke on the phone while walking to the underground car park. "Remember to call me once the Crawfords leave…" Before he could continue, he experienced total darkness surrounding him. He was covered in a gunny sack! "What the hell! Who are you?" Stephen screamed in agony as his attackers landed forceful punches. The perpetrators were none other than the eight brothers from the Crawford family. They did not typically get their hands dirty but could not help themselves when they considered Lilly's unfortunate situation. Their resentment grew as they remembered Lilly's body of injuries and how she had cautiously asked if there would be food when she returned home and if they would hurt her. "Stop it!" Stephen begged. He was helpless and at his captors' mercy. "Do you know who I am? I'm the President of Ador Hatcher Corporation. How dare you attack me! I swear that I'll…" Anthony scoffed and loosened his tie. He then motioned for his brothers to stop the assault. Everyone complied with his instructions, and Edward clung to the rebar as he prepared to resume the attack. Stephen heaved a sigh of relief after his opponents appeared to have backed down. However, the rebar landed forcefully on his leg, much to his surprise. "Ahh!" His agonizing cries rang out throughout the parking lot. Although Stephen survived the attack, he was injured so badly that he had to be carried into the hospital. What made matters worse was that he had no idea whom was to blame and had no way of finding out. His adversaries did not leave any clues suggesting their identity. "Are you feeling better, Stephen?" Debbie sobbed beside the man's bedside. If he were awake, he would notice the lack of sincerity in her eyes. The woman appeared to be a worried wife, but she was secretly distraught over Lilly's unexpected newfound identity in the Crawford family. Debbie was appalled when Paula told her of the news yesterday. She fumed inwardly, how did that bastard become the only beloved daughter of the Crawford family?! In truth, Lilly was not responsible for the miscarriage; Debbie had intentionally caused the fall so that she could get rid of the baby. She knew that the Hatchers were experiencing financial difficulties and that Stephen was on the verge of bankruptcy after incurring numerous debts. Debbie believed that a young and beautiful lady like her had a good chance of finding a new husband; one who was wealthier and more powerful than Stephen. If she had a child, remarriage would be more difficult for her. As a result, she needed to find a way to make the baby vanish while avoiding responsibility. Debbie knew that Lilly was a lonely child loved by no one. Since her birth, the Hatchers had never been kind to her. Stephen had even admitted in his drunken stupor that he despised her presence. Hence, Debbie felt that it was safe to pin the blame on her lost child on Lilly. Little did she know that the girl was part of the Crawford family. Debbie's spine tingled at the prospect of offending one of the four greatest families. What should I do? I'll be in trouble if they find out the truth. I need to figure out how to keep Lilly silent forever... At the VIP ward, Lilly opened her eyes once again. This time, the room was completely empty and deathly quiet. She was feeling insecure and uneasy as she thought everyone had left. A few moments later, there was a soft knock at the door. Her face lit up when she saw Gilbert enter the room. Hugh had instructed them to wait outside the ward in order to avoid crowding the room, and improve ventilation. "How are you feeling, Lilly? Shall I get you some breakfast?" Gilbert said warmly. When Lilly nodded, he gave the order to serve breakfast. The rest of the Crawfords were awokened by the noise and went into the room to check on Lilly. "What do you like to eat, Lilly? There are sandwiches, donuts, oatmeal…" Hugh asked tenderly. Edward pushed his way in and exclaimed, "How about meatball spaghetti? It's delicious!" Hugh reprimanded Edward by hitting his leg with his walking cane. "Lilly has only just awoken. How is she going to eat the meatball spaghetti?" He picked up a plate and suggested, "How about some sandwiches? It's tasty." Bryson smiled as he picked up a bowl. "Or some oatmeal would be good too." Lilly pursed her lips, and tears shimmered in her eyes. Recognition dawned on her that she may now have a family. She sniffled and said cautiously, "I would like to have some sandwiches, Grandpa." "Great! Come, have the sandwiches!" Hugh nodded fervently, his tear-reddened eyes fixed on Lilly, who reminded him of a younger Jean. However, unlike Lilly, Jean was willful and hyperactive when she was a little girl. She led a carefree life and often bickered with her brothers. However, the little girl before him was melancholic, and careful with her words. She must have been through a lot to be this mature at the age of three and a half. The Crawfords only left the room after Lilly had finished her meal and tucked into bed. However, the moment Lilly closed her eyes, a voice sounded in her ear. "Tulip! Tulip!" She opened her eyes, but the room was empty. Lilly tried to sleep again, convinced that she was dreaming. The voice spoke again as she closed her eyes. "Lilly, Lilly, Tulip!" Lilly clutched the sheets nervously as she searched for the source of the voice.	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	The novelette	https://www.facebook.com/100085412887736/	1,770	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadings.com	IMAGE		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=4433&brand=2&app=0&ppid=899&pid=FBW2A&campaign={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120216559048540490&ori_adset_id=120216559049830490&ori_ad_id=120216559055830490	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481274903_544879601337050_6890968149064023793_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=K6WMbIs1PTgQ7kNvgFN_diN&_nc_oc=Adg7-aA61qdRYf608qZiwz8BXkCYzNPQ4VUuS-vgBKu4ZDTANFnTPYKl2nMKMZD-zKwKGTlv6mEcCzzDItUREOCi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AjTtEYsLTwqSkUPoFEgR4il&oh=00_AYA9TDZatxX9p1s9ZJd4QeAJob7eJeRRBqi-SURnXyEicQ&oe=67CBB25F	PERSON_PROFILE	The novelette	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,297	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Free reading with Title "Love at the Wrong Table"	A male gynecologist went to the wrong table on a blind date, but he didn't expect that a female CEO with a net worth of tens of billions would be interested in him. ............................................................................................................................................................ “I know, Mom. I'm in front of the café. Call you later!” Emmanuel Lowe hung up on his mother impatiently. The twenty-eight-year-old man had never been in a relationship. After spending seven years in the army, he retired from the military and worked at a hospital in Yeringham for three years. He was a gynecologist at the hospital and made eighty thousand a year. Worried he would end up old and alone, Emmanuel's mother urged him to settle down. Since he had no idea where to begin when it came to dating, his mother took matters into her own hands and set him up on multiple blind dates. Thanks to her efforts, he had gone on seventeen blind dates so far. Alas, wedding bells were clearly not on the horizon for Emmanuel. It was frustrating. He knew he was just going through the motions at that point. “Help! Someone help me!” Right before Emmanuel entered the café, he heard someone calling out weakly for help. The cries came from an old man who had fallen on the roadside. Many pedestrians walked past him, but no one dared to stop and help him to his feet. After all, helping the old man could be more trouble than it was worth if one ended up with an expensive lawsuit for injuring him further. No one would do something that risky and foolish. It did not deter Emmanuel from stepping forward and helping the man to his feet. He asked, “Are you all right, sir?” “I'm fine! Thank you so much, young man! It's so hard to find people as kind as you these days. I must repay you for your kindness!” replied the old man with a smile. Emmanuel realized then that the old man's attire was at odds with his airs. Despite his tattered clothes, the old man's clean hands looked like those of a man accustomed to wealth. Still, he had no time to satisfy his curiosity. After confirming that the old man was unharmed, Emmanuel rushed into the café for his blind date. He never once considered being repaid for his kind act earlier. The café was massive and practically structured like a maze. Emmanuel's mother mentioned that his blind date was seated at table number eight. He wandered through the confusing café, but before he could locate the correct table, he stumbled into a special area. The lighting was softer there, and the floor was scattered with fresh petals. The sweet scent of flowers wafted through the air. He wondered if he had set foot in heaven. Emmanuel raised his eyes and immediately froze. A beautiful, elegant woman sat before a table in the room. It was no exaggeration to say she embodied perfection itself. The heavens clearly decided to shower all their favors on her. The woman quietly sipped her coffee with her legs crossed neatly to the side. On the table was a non-translated copy of The Power Broker. When she noticed Emmanuel barging into the room, she looked up at him in confusion and displeasure. Thump! Thump! Thump! When Emmanuel recovered from the shock of stumbling upon the beautiful stranger, he realized his heart was about to beat its way out of his chest. Never once had he ever felt so attracted to a woman in his twenty-eight years of life. The countless female bodies he had seen in his work as a gynecologist hardly appealed to him. At some point, he even wondered if he was attracted to women at all. Against all odds, it seemed, the young woman before him made his heart race like a runaway horse. Am I simply nervous, or am I already attracted to her? More surprisingly, Emmanuel noticed a large number eight sign on the woman's table. She's my blind date? He took a deep breath to calm himself before approaching her table and taking a seat opposite her. The young woman's expression grew increasingly flabbergasted. There was even a hint of hostility in her pretty eyes. The audacity of this man! Barging into my private room is bad enough, but he's going to sit opposite me like it's nobody's business? Emmanuel ignored her expression. It was not the first time a woman had scoffed at him. They were free to go their separate ways after getting the blind date done and over with. He introduced himself, declaring, “Hi! My name is Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist. I make eighty thousand a year and don't own a car or a house.” Any man would need an incredible amount of courage to say such things to a woman, but Emmanuel appeared unusually calm and unfazed. The young woman stared at him in shock. A moment later, her lips curved into a smirk, and she replied with an introduction of her own. “Nice to meet you. I'm Mackenzie Quillen. I'm twenty-seven years old with dual doctorates in finance and business administration from Harvard University. I made three billion last year, and I have a car and a house.” Emmanuel was stunned. What is happening? He always thought women on blind dates came with red flags. Mackenzie, however, was arguably flawless. Where's the catch? All sorts of fantastical theories filled Emmanuel's mind. Mackenzie smirked at his perplexed expression. The pride in her cool gaze was evident. She deliberately introduced herself to put the stranger in a difficult spot and intimidate him into retreating. As expected, awkward silence lingered in the air after her words. Urgh, forget it! Whether Mackenzie was telling the truth was beside the point. Emmanuel decided to go through all the motions so he could at least mollify his mother, even if the date did not result in a trip to the altar. He declared, “I don't make much, but if you decide to date me, I promise I'll always protect and cherish you. I'll take over all the household chores so you can be a queen at home. Of course, I hope you'll allow me to preserve my masculine pride in front of my family. If we do get married, I can give you about five to six thousand every month.” It was a well-worn script that Emmanuel recited in a single breath. Mackenzie was dumbfounded at his earnest expression and apparent lack of shame at his much lower salary. A long while later, she burst into a chuckle. She had never met a man who could humor her so. “What are you laughing about?” Unimpressed by her reaction, Emmanuel continued, “I know I don't check all the boxes, but I promise I'll be a good and responsible husband if we're married!” Pfft! Mackenzie failed to keep in her snigger. An annoyed Emmanuel demanded, “Why are you laughing, Ms. Quillen? Don't you think you're being rather rude?” “Sir, you're a very good man!” Mackenzie stopped smiling and retorted coldly, “But I think you're the confused one here. I'm not here for a blind date!” Huh? What is going on? Emmanuel's eyes widened in horror as he sputtered, “Isn't this table number eight?” “Yes, but this is the VIP area. You must be looking for table number eight in the common dining area. Please go out and turn right!” She pointed a slender finger at the exit. “Oh... Sorry! I'm so sorry! I mixed things up!” Emmanuel wished he could sink into the floor in embarrassment. He jumped to his feet, ready to make a hasty escape. That was so embarrassing! How could I sit at the wrong table for a blind date? No wonder she was laughing so much. She must have thought I was shooting above my weight! Shortly after Emmanuel's departure, an old man entered Mackenzie's private room, escorted by four black-clad bodyguards. Emmanuel would have been astonished if he was still around. The old man was none other than the stranger he had helped earlier in front of the café! He implored, “Perhaps this is fate, Mackenzie. You're twenty-seven, but you've never been in a relationship because of your misandry. No man would dare come near you! But that young man succeeded! He's also a kind and just person. A while ago, he helped me outside the café and didn't expect a reward for his actions!” The old man's true identity was Terence Quillen, chairman of Yeringham's premier financial corporation. While his wealth could trump that of entire nations, he had a major regret in life. Terence had had three sons who tragically passed away before him. They either had no children of their own or only left daughters behind. Mackenzie was Terence's favorite granddaughter and next-in-line to helm Terence Group. Her intelligence and charisma did not change the fact that she was a woman. Before Terence met his maker, he wished his favorite granddaughter could give him a great-grandchild. That spurred him to fake his fall in front of the café and scout a decent man for his granddaughter. To his surprise, the young man who helped him earlier made a blunder of his own blind date and ended up meeting Mackenzie instead. Isn't that fate? Mackenzie remained stoically unmoved by her grandfather's words. “Grandpa, he may have passed your test, but he hasn't passed mine. I'll marry him if he aces my test.” She wanted to fulfill her grandfather's wish, but she naturally wished to promise herself to a good man. Marrying a man after one blind date was simply too hasty and careless. Terence's gaze lit up expectantly, and he replied, “All right! I'm sure he will pass your test!” Chapter 2 Failure After turning right at the door, Emmanuel finally found table number eight in the common dining area. Sure enough, a woman was seated at the table, looking like she was running out of patience. Dressed in professional attire that accentuated her beautiful curves, she was, by all means, a sight to behold. Even though she didn't exude the same air of elegance that Mackenzie had, there was no denying she had the power to make men fall at her feet. Thankfully, Emmanuel wasn't disappointed in the slightest. After all, he was well aware of his own qualities. Without further ado, he straightened himself up and approached the woman with a smile. “Sorry I'm late! My name's Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist with an annual salary of eighty thousand—” “Stop!” the woman coldly interrupted before he could finish his introduction. “What's the meaning of this? With what little you have to offer; do you seriously think women would want to marry you? I can't believe you even had the nerve to be late! What right do you have to keep a woman waiting? This has been an utter waste of my time. Hmph!” After firing off a barrage of questions, the red-faced woman angrily splashed a glass of water on Emmanuel's face. The latter, who was caught off guard, instantly became soaking wet. Nevertheless, Emmanuel didn't lose his temper. After all, he was indeed late because he went to the wrong place, so he could understand why the woman was upset. “Hmph. You're twenty-eight and still only earning eighty-thousand a year. No wonder you're doing so poorly! Not only do you lack punctuality, but you also don't seem to take life seriously. You're doomed to be at the bottom of the social hierarchy your entire life! I'm shocked you even have the guts to go on a blind date with me... Stop being delusional!” the woman scolded as she shot Emmanuel a look of contempt. The next second, she grabbed her bag and stormed off, not once bothering to leave her name. To add insult to injury, she even waved a wad of cash in front of Emmanuel's face, then slapped it hard on the table as payment for the bill. The latter's gaze darkened instantly as rage began pulsing through his veins. This woman is humiliating me! I may not have high expectations for marriage, but that doesn't mean I don't have a temper! Argh! As much as I want to make her regret her actions, I know I don't have that capability... Since the woman was gone, Emmanuel, too, left the café glumly. To his surprise, he had only just stepped out the door when he saw a long-haired man deliberately colliding into a BMW and screaming in pain. Emmanuel couldn't help but furrow his brows. Oh, gosh. That man is clearly staging a car accident. Why is there so much trouble in this café today? “Ah! Someone's been hit!” “Argh! My leg's broken! Murderer!” Four men immediately rushed out to join the commotion when the long-haired man fell on the ground. Thankfully, Emmanuel saw right through their ploy. Ha! Those guys must be the co-conspirators! Just then, a young lady hastily exited the BMW, clad in a maroon sleeveless dress that revealed a large expanse of tender, fair skin. “What's the matter? How could I have injured your leg when I was driving so slowly?” she asked anxiously. Seconds later, the long-haired man's buddies surrounded the woman, demanding compensation. “Cut the crap! Pay up! Pay up now!” Several people in the café had witnessed the staged accident, but unfortunately, they were so afraid of the big, burly men that no one dared to confront them. “How much do you guys want?” the woman muttered helplessly, having resigned herself to the fact that she'd have to settle the matter with money. The group of thugs, however, began leering at and drooling over her. “Haha. Hey, why don't you have some fun with us?” one of the men suggested. Just like that, what had started as a staged accident quickly turned into public harassment. The pretty woman was so scared out of her wits that she staggered backward until she bumped into Emmanuel. Instead of taking advantage of her like the other thugs, Emmanuel stepped in front of her and glared at the long-haired man. “Your leg's broken, and you're asking for compensation, huh?” Upon seeing Emmanuel's menacing expression, the thugs felt chills down their spines. At the same time, Mackenzie was sitting in the café and watching the entire scene unfold. Well, well, well. Who knew that man would be so brave? I'm sure no one else would have the guts to go up against five thugs. The next second, Emmanuel stunned everyone by viciously kicking the long-haired man's leg. “Argh!” the latter shouted in pain as he began hopping on the leg that was supposedly broken. The onlookers instantly let out a collective gasp. Goodness gracious! That man is daring! Mackenzie, too, had curled her lips into a smile. The café was one of her properties, so naturally, she had also seen how Emmanuel's blind date went. I thought he was a timid man when he didn't flare up despite being splashed with water. Who knew he was just a gentleman who doesn't lose his temper with women? I must admit, he looks rather charming when he shows his tough side! “What's this? Didn't you say your leg's broken? I'm impressed you can still jump on it!” Emmanuel mocked. When the onlookers realized that the long-haired man had lied about his injury, they wasted no time scolding and criticizing him. By then, the other thugs had also lost their bravado and fell silent. After all, they knew the tables had turned on them. “Hmph. I'll let you off this time. You'd better watch your back!” the long-haired man warned before running away with his tail between his legs. With that, the pretty woman gave Emmanuel a warm smile and coyly gestured for him to get into her car. “Hey, handsome, thank you so much for your help. Would you like to go to my house for a drink?” Emmanuel, however, brushed her off without a second thought. “No, thank you. I have other things to do!” Seeing how unmoved he was by her advances, the woman couldn't help but stomp her feet in frustration. Back in the café, Mackenzie heard her grandfather burst into loud guffaws. “Haha! I told you so, Mackenzie! Didn't I say that man has an excellent character? Your assistant, Lexi, is such a beautiful woman, yet he refuses to give her the time of day! Once you guys are married, you won't have to worry about him betraying you!” The more Mackenzie ruminated about Terence's words, the more her impression of Emmanuel improved. “Don't be too happy yet, Grandpa! Men are either after looks or money,” Mackenzie uttered coldly before getting up. Ha! I doubt Emmanuel can pass my second secret test of character! Meanwhile, Emmanuel had gotten home after his matchmaking session failed spectacularly. Needless to say, his sister, Roselynn Lowe, was frustrated beyond belief. “What? Another unsuccessful blind date?” This is the eighteenth time, for goodness' sake! My brother's a six-foot tall, fit, and upstanding young man. Why won't any woman take a fancy to him? He may be thick-skulled at times, but surely, someone will still appreciate him for his good looks, won't they? Emmanuel's mother, Alessandra Cadigan, seemed even more anxious as she hurriedly dragged him out of the house. “Mom, what are you doing?” Emmanuel asked, startled by how panic-stricken Alessandra was. “What am I doing? I'm worried sick about you!” the woman scolded without breaking her stride. “I don't understand it, either. Our neighbor's an unkempt twenty-eight-year-old novelist who's always cooped up at home, yet he's already planning for his second child! Why can't my son get a girlfriend? That woman didn't even stay for the blind date, did she? I paid good money to set this up for you! Let's go see her at her house right now!” “What?” Emmanuel choked out. Did I hear that right? I can't believe Mom has gotten this desperate! The matchmaking session was an utter failure, so why must she still insist on dragging me to the woman's place? Wouldn't I just be embarrassing myself again? Chapter 3 Rags to Riches In any relationship, the party taking the initiative was often seen as lowlier and more desperate. Therefore, upon seeing Emmanuel and his family at her house, Milani Zimmerman wore an even haughtier expression than when she was at the café. Ha! I knew he wouldn't be able to get over my looks, so he's come to badger me again! Milani's mother, Melody Claus, was just as smug when she learned of the Lowe family's intention. “If your son wishes to marry my daughter, you'll have to give us a betrothal gift of five hundred thousand,” she said as she raised her palm. “We won't accept anything less!” Emmanuel's heart instantly sank. Oh, my goodness! Five hundred thousand? Is she trying to sell her daughter? Alessandra, however, gritted her teeth and nodded. “T-That's fine!” As long as my son can get married, I'll do anything to make up for the betrothal gift, even if it means selling the house! “Your family must also provide a car and matrimonial home!” Milani's father chimed in. “More importantly, you're not going to let my daughter pay for any installments or maintenance fees!” By then, Emmanuel was on the verge of losing his patience. Shouldn't marriages be consensual? I don't expect both parties to be forking out the wedding expenses equally, but why does it feel like my family's here to surrender and be fleeced? Alessandra, too, found herself in a tight spot. She could sell the house to afford the betrothal gift, but how would she pay for the couple's car and home? “Sure. That's no problem!” Roselynn piped up, even going so far as to pull her brother back when she realized he wanted to object. She was just as eager for Emmanuel to start a family, and at thirty years old, she had worked and saved up enough to make the necessary down payments for him. Since Mom is settling the betrothal gift, I shall help Emmanuel with the car and home! “Lastly, he will bear all household expenses after the wedding!” Milani suddenly said. That, however, was the last straw for Emmanuel. “I don't mind paying this much if she's coming to work for us as a housekeeper, but if she expects to be treated like a princess or queen, you can forget it! I don't need that!” “Look at your son! What's with that attitude?” Milani yelled. “We aren't even married yet, and he's already so domineering. Wouldn't it be worse down the road?” “No, no, no... The marriage will work out. It'd work out just fine!” Alessandra pleaded, desperate to finalize the wedding. I can't wait any longer... I must fulfill my husband's last wish by the end of the year! Having seen how things were going, even Roselynn knew she had to step in to persuade her mother. “Mom! Stop forcing it!” Manny's right. There's nothing wrong with giving a betrothal gift, car, and house. However, asking him to be the sole supporter of his family after the wedding is too much! What about his wife, then? Why can't she chip in? Will she be sending her own money back to her parents? Just then, Milani's younger brother, Jacob Zimmerman, suddenly appeared with a cocky grin plastered on his face. “Haha! Don't forget about me, Milani! When it's my turn to get married, I'd be counting on you guys to buy me my car and house too!” Upon hearing that, Emmanuel instantly exploded with rage. “What? Am I marrying your sister or your entire family? I may as well support all of you!” Even though Emmanuel had only meant that as an angry remark, Milani decided to hold him to his word. “Hah! You'd better remember what you just said! In that case, I'll leave you to plan and pay for the wedding banquet and honeymoon. Don't tell me you can't afford that...” “Get lost! I'd rather marry anybody than you!” Emmanuel retorted as the rage and ferocity he used to experience on the battlefield came flooding back. He didn't know what the Zimmermans were playing at, but there was no doubt they were monsters. “Look at yourself! How dare you ask me for my hand in marriage! I'd rather marry anybody than you too!” Milani snapped back. Given my qualities, I have no problem marrying a rich man, so why should I settle for a man like Emmanuel? I'm only too happy that he wants to fall out with me! After giving an exasperated laugh, Emmanuel stood up and stormed off, leaving Alessandra and Roselynn with no choice but to follow suit. To their surprise, they had only just stepped out of the Zimmerman residence when three luxury cars pulled up in front of them. The Zimmermans quickly popped out to see the commotion and almost dropped their jaws when they saw the car lineup. Oh! Those cars are worth tens of millions! What's going on? Since when were the Lowes that fancy? Emmanuel, on the other contrary, seemed to recognize one of the cars. Hmm... Didn't I see that car outside the café? The next second, Terence stepped out of the car, surrounded by his convoy of suited bodyguards. He smiled as he approached Emmanuel and said politely, “I'm here to return the favor, Mr. Lowe, after you helped me outside the café!” Needless to say, everyone was stunned. Roselynn couldn't hide her excitement and gripped her brother's arm tightly. Ah! Isn't this like those rags-to-riches stories? The more Emmanuel thought about it, the more he frowned. Wow... Who knew this old man was a millionaire? Could he have intentionally fallen at the café? Terence waved his hand, and within seconds, his subordinates had unloaded several boxes of gifts. Not only were there precious stones and jewelry, but there were also famous paintings, antiques, and even a Porsche key. The total value of the items had to be at least ten million. For someone who earned a mere eighty thousand a year, ten million was an eye-watering amount of money that Emmanuel could only dream of! Upon witnessing the scene, the Zimmerman family almost collapsed in shock. Milani might be a well-dressed woman, but the truth was, her family was just like any other average family. To them, ten million was undoubtedly an astronomical sum! If I had known Emmanuel would become a multi-millionaire, I'd have married him straightaway! After snapping out of her daze, she smiled and hastily clutched Emmanuel's arm. “What's the matter, darling? Oh, wow... You're so kind to help the elderly! I love that about you!” “Who's your darling?” Emmanuel asked, embarrassing Milani so much that she wanted to crawl into a hole. As though that wasn't enough, he brusquely pushed her away and added, “Didn't you just reject me? Why are you still calling me that?” “Uh... I—” Milani muttered, clearly at a loss for words. Her family, too, was incredibly frustrated. After all, they had just missed out on getting a wealthy son-in-law! Meanwhile, Alessandra was about to say something when Roselynn tugged at her. As much as I want Manny to start a family, I can't let him settle for the horrible Zimmermans! Besides, he's rich now! I'm sure he can find a better woman! “Mom, Roselynn, let's go!” Emmanuel said before ushering both women into the car. He didn't want to accept the gifts, especially since he knew he hadn't done anything to deserve them. However, it wasn't the time and place to discuss the matter, so he decided to leave instead. Once the Lowe family had left, a gust of cold wind swept over the Zimmermans as they seethed silently. “How could you have made such remarks earlier, Milani? Do you think it's easy to find a millionaire these days?” Melody berated. “W-What should I do now, then?” In all honesty, Milani was at a complete loss. She had gone on several blind dates to find a rich husband who could give her a life of luxury. Alas, who knew she'd let a multi-millionaire slip right through her fingers? “What else can we do? They've already come to our place to ask for your hand in marriage. Can't we do the same?” Melody suggested. Jacob, who was just as anxious, instantly exclaimed, “I don't care, Milani! You have to marry that multi-millionaire! When my girlfriend and I get married, you must give us a house and a luxury car! Otherwise, I'll disown you!” “Okay, okay. I got it!” Milani replied with a long sigh. Argh! Emmanuel and I left on such bad terms... Would he still care about me? 👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚"Love at the Wrong Table". Enjoy Romance Now🥰	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	The novel	https://www.facebook.com/100085523883301/	20,950	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadings.com	IMAGE		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=4685&brand=2&app=0&ppid=1635&pid=FBW2A&campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&utm_term=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120216838341150092&ori_adset_id=120216838342350092&ori_ad_id=120216838377320092	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481080537_1169830187881039_1059339552491933202_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UpAkHouP_V4Q7kNvgGP2gaQ&_nc_oc=Adg-Gx3QzyK6RPGiyByHLgmduDrKymeqAee4BDvMmAO13DB4KC_ibyCOKB1jWukvBnri4THDvOkWA_esZxTFVOEf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ALLCABeIklWXO8KhJjIk_2T&oh=00_AYC93xE1_AWhshZSt01mpuh9qT5tmiBsEAjjfNZFNQ0lCQ&oe=67CBAB24	PERSON_PROFILE	The novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,747,256	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747269}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"Mine." The dangerous and menacing voice demanded in front of everyone in the room. "You are mistaken. Her father has already promised her hand to me in marriage. Once she turns 18 we will be marked and mated." Mason announced proudly and another menacing growl erupted from that man's throat. "You are not touching my mate." He growled out through gritted teeth. "He's your mate." Bella whispered. "Who are you?" I asked. "Tyler Lowe. Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack." He announced. And my mouth almost dropped open. __________ I was covered in black and blue bruises and fresh cuts from that beating. But also bruises under the new bruises that were yet to heal. I was malnourished and didn't heal as fast as werewolves. But I was used to it. Ever since my mother died when I was 6 my father has been getting progressively worse until it finally got to this kind of abuse. Which was the worst kind. Where I could barely walk or even look at myself in the mirror. I had a quick shower because the water stung my skin too much and I washed my length snow blonde hair and I came out of the bathroom and walked into my wardrobe. I got dressed into a pair of black tights, a loose fitting shirt and a hoodie over the top. It was pretty much my signature look. When I was putting my books in my bag my bedroom door slammed open and I jumped almost to the ceiling because it scared me so badly. Dad was standing there and I was surprised that he was actually able to stand. "Hurry up. The pack breakfast is starting." He demanded still slurring his words. How was he going to explain that to the pack elders? This was going to be interesting. But I really didn't care. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs and we left our side of the packhouse and walked through long corridors together and when I couldn't keep up with dad's pace he grabbed my arm and dragged me along which only hurt my ribs even more. "Quit your complaining. What is the matter with you?" He snarled at me. I wasn't surprised that he didn't remember. He was too drunk to remember. But when we got to the main part of the pack house he made sure that his clothes were neat and his balding gray hair and goatee weren't disheveled and we walked into the large dining room where a lot of important pack members had breakfast every morning. Including the Alpha, his daughter Bella, the pack elders and other influential people around the pack. Like the doctor ect. There were several tables set out and a buffet where you could eat all you wanted. And I was practically drooling at the food as dad approached it and he piled one plate up with heaps of food and then gave me the second plate with only toast and a pancake on it. I found Bella sitting at a table by herself next to the window. She was the Alpha's second born and only daughter. And my best friend. We're the same age and we've known each other since we were in diapers. "I see you've brought the hoodie out again." Bella whispers as I try to sit down without drawing any attention to myself at how much pain I was in. We all know what it means when we see the hoodie - It's for covering the bruises. "I didn't realize that I ever put it away." I say. "Well, I'm glad that I don't have to wear mine today." She commented. "Yeah. Your dad has eased off of you. Is there a reason why?" I asked curiously and a little jealous. "Yep. Because my brother is coming home today." She beamed at me. And a huge smile spread across my face as well. "You're kidding. Ethan is finally coming home." I say. And she nods her head. I could tell that she was trying everything to hide her excitement. "I can't believe that. That's fantastic." I said. I noticed Bella looking around at the room but she didn't say anything. So I glanced around as well and when I did everyone quickly stopped looking at me. Dad tried to hide his evil side. But he wasn't fooling anyone. When he got drunk, he would always start fights with people and become unbearable. And he was getting drunk a lot more lately. People had an idea of what was going on in our apartment. But no one was willing to go up against the Beta. Because they all knew that the Alpha would be there to support him and they would be kicked out of the pack. Or worse. A lot of pack members lived in fear of our Alpha and Beta. It was a horrible way to live. But if they tried to leave then the Alpha would send warriors after them to kill them. He's done it more than once. The warriors were ordered to kill entire families that were fleeing. Which included children. That's what made this pack the strongest on the East Coast. Because no one was game enough to leave so it was a huge pack and all the warriors trained relentlessly. The only problem was that girls weren't allowed to train. We basically lived in the stone ages. The Alpha believed that she-wolves are only here to find their mates and produce pups for their mates to keep the pack going strong. It was barbaric and insulting. But he was the Alpha. His word was law. "How long do we need to stay here to be respectful? I hate everyone staring at me." I whisper to Bella. "Just a couple more minutes. Then we can leave for school." She whispers back. I then saw the head warrior Mason walk in with his two sidekicks Levi and Lockie trailing behind him and Mason's eyes set straight on me. They got themselves some food and then invited themselves to join me and Bella. Mason sat right next to me and moved his chair over so he could be closer to me, but I squirmed away from him as much as possible. He was big and good looking but he was a horrible person. And I knew that from first hand experience. He was the one that they always called to track down those families that ran away. And I know that he personally killed a child of those fleeing families. I wanted nothing to do with him. "I have exciting news for you Tessa." Mason says, looking at me. "And what is that?" I asked, exhaling while drinking a little coffee. "I have you're fathers blessing." He said slowly. And my head snapped towards him. "What?" I almost shouted and a few people looked our way before they went back to what they were talking about. And Mason was smirking at me. "As soon as you turn 18, I am taking you as my mate." He says. "And what about my true mate? My goddess given mate? What about him? He's out there somewhere." I say. "Who cares. He'll find someone else. Or he'll just wither and die after you reject him. I really don't care. But you will be mine. That's all I've wanted for years." He says lightly while playing with my hair. And I look at Bella pleading with my eyes. "Yeah. We have to get to school now. It was good seeing you Mason." Bella says standing up and I stood up as well. They stayed sitting at the table as us two grabbed our bags and left the dining hall as quickly as we could and we didn't even stop to say goodbye to anyone. Least of all our fathers. But we weren't that lucky. "You two will be home straight after school. We're having a party here tonight with a lot of visiting Alpha's." The Alpha shouted across the room. We both stopped and nodded to him before leaving the house. "I can't believe that your father promised you to that sack of prick." Bella yelled as we were walking down the road. "I can. My father knows his own kind." I say. "I am so sorry Tess. What are you going to do?" Bella asked sympathetically. "I don't know. But I'll figure something out. Even if I have to run away before it can happen. I will definitely do that." I declare. "Well, tell me before you do. I'm coming with you." She says. "Sounds like a plan." I say. And then a black BMW stopped right in our walkway and we stopped before we hit the car and we both stepped back not knowing what to expect right now. Then a 6 foot 4 man with short brown hair and cleanly shaved with muscles that looked like they were going to rip his shirt off his body got out of the driver's seat and smiled at both of us. "What? Don't I even get a hug?" He asked. "Ethan." Bella yelled, jumping into his arms. And the other door opened to reveal an equally big man with dirty blonde hair and a little facial hair got out of the passenger seat. That was Ethan's best friend Wyatt. When Bella finally let Ethan go he walked over to me and hugged me and I winced a little in pain but tried to hide it and then I hugged Wyatt. And I had to do the same thing. "Are you hurt?" Ethan asked. "Yeah. It was stupid. Rough housing with a couple of the warriors and this is what happened. I should know better." I lied through my teeth. "Girls aren't allowed to train. Why are you rough housing with warriors?" Wyatt asked. "I don't know. It seemed like a good idea at the time." I shrugged. " Come on Bells, we're gonna be late." I say. "We'll see you tonight." Bella says hugging Ethan again and we start walking off down the road again. But when I looked to the side I could see Ethan and Wyatt leaning against the side of their car watching us and talking about something. I was afraid that they didn't believe my rough housing with the warrior's excuse. "Bella. What would Ethan do if he found out about my dad?" I asked nervously. "You know Ethan as well as I do. What do you think he would do to your dad?" Bella responded confidently. "Just wait until he finds out that your dad gave you away to Mason. Ethan has always hated Mason. I don't think that mating will go through if Ethan is here. That's a good thing." Bella says. "Yeah. I'll take your word for it." I say skeptically. My father always had his way of getting his own way. No matter what it was. If he wanted me to mark and mate with Mason, then it was pretty much as good as done. When we got to school we walked inside and we went to Bella's locker first and then mine. Everyone obviously knew who we were but they kept their distance from us. Both of our fathers were known for being crazy. And no one wanted to mess with the Alpha or Beta's daughters. So we only had each other at school. Which was fine with us. The further we stayed away from people, the least likely they were to find out about what was actually happening in our house. When we got to our first class we sat at the back of the classroom as usual and I pulled out my notebook and pen and started scribbling on the page in front of me. When our geography teacher arrived and started the class I just sat there with my head on my hand scribbling in my book and barely paying attention. When I was 6 years old I woke up in the morning to my 26-year-old mother and my 48-year-old father screaming at each other in our old house. The one that we had before we moved to the packhouse. I stayed in bed for ages because I couldn't find the courage to get out of bed and go out there to see what was going on. I could hear things smashing and my mother screaming at my father. I then heard the slap that he gave my mother while yelling at her. And that's when I got out of bed. I opened my door and slowly crept down the hallway and stood at the kitchen doorway and my mother was on the floor holding her face and dad was standing over her. She saw me standing there and scrambled to her feet. "It's alright sweetie. I'm alright. Hey, why don't you go and get dressed and then you can go outside and play with Bella. How does that sound?" My mother asked, crouching down to my level. But I just shook my head and looked at my father before I turned back to my room and I closed the door. I started getting dressed but their fight wasn't over. I could still hear them screaming at each other and I was shaking while I was buttoning up my shirt. But I managed to get dressed and I walked back to the kitchen. My father was storming out the backdoor from what I could see and my mother was holding a rag to her bloody nose. "Why does daddy get so angry all the time?" I asked. "I don't know sweetie. He just does. Hey, are you all ready? I think Bella is alright outside. I saw her playing in the playground earlier. Why don't you go and find her while I clean up this mess and all the broken glass." Mummy says to me. "Okay mummy." I say. And I hugged her before I walked outside and Bella was still at the playground. I got on the swing next to her and she looked at me and then back to the house. "I could hear your daddy screaming from here." Bella says. But I just nod my head. She knew that meant that I didn't want to talk about it. " Do you wanna go and annoy Ethan. He's with his friends." She says. And I smile at that and shake my head. So we jumped off the swings and went running to find Ethan so we could annoy him. Something that we loved to do all the time. And it always cheered us up. I was snapped out of my thoughts by Bella nudging me so I looked at her and she pointed down at the picture that I was absent mindedly drawing. It was a big snarling wolf attacking a woman and child. I quickly changed the page and started paying attention to the class that we were in. Try to get my mind to concentrate on what needs to be done at school. The day went by pretty quickly and before we knew it, it was time to head home. But we always took our time before going home. We slowly went to our lockers to get our things and then we headed outside but we saw that same black BMW sitting out the front waiting for us. "Ethan. What are you doing here?" Bella asked. "I'm giving you guys a lift home." He responded with a beaming smile. "It's alright. We can walk. It's not that far." I say. "Too bad. Get in." Ethan ordered. So we got in his car and he actually took us into town instead of taking us home. "The Alpha told us to get home straight after school because of that party tonight." I told Ethan. "Don't worry. Dad and the Beta know that you girls are with me. I told them before I picked you guys up. Don't worry. You won't get in trouble." Ethan assured us. Ethan took us to an ice cream store downtown and took us inside. "You do know that we're not 10 years old anymore, right?" I asked Ethan. "I know. But I thought we could all sit down and talk." He says. "A coffee shop would have been better." I say sitting down. The other two got ice cream but I didn't order anything. "So Tessa, how are the ribs going?" Ethan asked. "Pretty good. I think they're just bruised. They'll be back to normal soon." I say. "Yeah. Thank goddess for werewolf healing." Ethan says. And I just smile at him. "So Bells, how has dad been since I left? Has he gotten any worse?" Ethan asked. "About the same, I guess." Bella says eating a bit of her ice cream and then she side eyed me. But unfortunately, Ethan managed to see us. But he didn't say anything about it. I had a really bad feeling that he only brought us here to fish for information. He was asking too many questions and I didn't really like it. So I kept quiet for most of that ice cream adventure and Bella and Ethan just kept talking like always. Like they were just talking about old times. When we got back to the packhouse Ethan said that he needed to go run some errands for his dad before the party so Bella and I went inside. Both of our dad's were sitting in the living room waiting for us and we knew that couldn't be good. "We are having people here in a few hours and you two have been out galavanting with Ethan." The Alpha says. "He picked us up from school. What did you want us to do? If we didn't go with him then he knew that something would have been up." I defended us while Bella sank back a little. She was never able to stand up against them. "Well, now you two have a lot of work to do, don't you. There's cooking that needs to be done and all the bedrooms in the packhouse need to be ready in case anyone decides to stay over." My father says. "I'll go and help Bella with the rooms and then I will get started in the kitchen." I say. "There's not enough time. Bella can clean the bedrooms. That means scrub the bathrooms, change the sheets, vacuum, everything. In every bedroom in this packhouse. And Tessa, you need to get started on appetizers, then the first course, then the second course, then the main course and then dessert." The Alpha ordered. "Yes sir." I say. I looked at Bella and we had to head in separate directions. I went to the kitchen and there was no one there. Hardly any omega's worked at the packhouse because the Alpha and dad made us two girls do everything. It was a wonder that we were even allowed to go to school most of the time. But I grabbed some ingredients out and I started making the main course because it would take hours to cook and then I got started on several different appetizers to give the guests some variety. While I was in the kitchen my father walked in and he lingered behind me and I could feel my whole body tense up but he stood behind me watching me. He didn't even try to move any closer to me. He was just intimidating me. That's all it was to him. A game. He thought it was funny. By the time everything was ready the omega's arrived because they had to serve the food and I went up the backstairs to our apartment and I went straight to my bedroom. I had a shower and I couldn't even bear to look at myself in the mirror this time, so I just had a quick shower and I got out and went to the wardrobe. I got dressed into a floor length gown with a white strapless bodice with a light pink floral lace over the top that also went over my shoulders to make the straps and black the skirt of it was plain black and black strappy high heels. I then brushed my length snow blonde hair and I put on a silver and diamond bracelet and matching earrings. But I kept my neck out, except for my hair hanging down. And then I started to walk downstairs. I made it to the main area of the house and I stopped at Bella's room just as she was coming out and she was looking a little nervous about this party. "Alright. Just relax and greet a few people. There's nothing to worry about. Once we do that then us two can sit at one of the tables in the ballroom and everyone else can do whatever it is that they do." I told her. "Alright. You know I hate these parties. Getting all dressed up. It's like our father's are putting us on display." She says. "That's exactly what they're doing. And they know it too. Come on, before they get pissed at us for being too long." I say hooking my arm around hers and we started walking down the hall. We walked down the staircase and off to the right was the living room but all the furniture had been cleared out of it and the rooms adjacent to it so people would walk around freely and talk and have a good time. And the main ballroom was set up for dancing while the dining room had been lined with four very long tables that could easily seat a couple hundred people. Walking to the living room was really nerve wracking but I made sure that I held my head high and people did look at us. "It's only because we are the hottest ones here. Just remember that." I whispered to Bella as I felt her tense up. And we continued walking into the room. Alpha's from other packs would come over and introduce themselves and of course we needed to be on our best behavior and represent the pack well and we were nice and polite to everyone and we would have light conversations with people. I noticed that there were older Alpha's with their teenage sons who were obviously learning the ropes to becoming Alpha's themselves and there were others in their 20's and 30's that were there with friends or even their Beta's. I wasn't sure. We had been at the party for about 20 minutes mingling when a familiar scent filled my nose and strong arms wrapped around my waist and I knew immediately that it was Mason. "Take note of the people that you like in this room sweetie. We can invite them to our wedding." Mason hissed in my ear while smelling the crook of my neck. I tried to unravel his arms from around my stomach because I was now in a lot of pain with the broken ribs but he wasn't letting go for anything. I didn't have the strength to get him to let go. All of a sudden there was a growl that ripped through the room and the band stopped playing and I heard something smash. Like it was a wooden chair or something. Everyone looked in that direction and there was a man standing there that I had never noticed before. He would have been in his early 20's, brown hair to his shoulders, a brown goatee, 6-foot 6 at least and very defined muscles that were now tense as his intense gaze was staring directly at me and Mason. But I didn't know who he was. I was frozen in the spot and this man was just staring at us with pure hatred in his eyes. But then I realized that the hatred was for Mason. Not me. "Mine." He demanded. "Mine." The dangerous and menacing voice demanded in front of everyone in the room. All the Alpha's from nearby packs and even ones that have traveled long distances to be here. Mason finally loosened his grip around me and I noticed the woman standing next to that stranger with a horrified look on her face. She tried to grab his arm but he shook her off and marked towards Mason and me. I very subtly pushed Bella to the side away from where this man was coming for us. Just in case anything happened, she could be ready to duck and cover. "You are mistaken. Her father has already promised her hand to me in marriage. Once she turns 18 we will be marked and mated." Mason announced proudly and another menacing growl erupted from that man's throat. "You are not touching my mate." He growled out through gritted teeth. "He's your mate." Bella whispered. "Who are you?" I asked. "Tyler Lowe. Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack." He announced. And my mouth almost dropped open. They were a large pack. They were known for their strength. They were not to be messed with. I knew of their pack, but I had never met their Alpha and didn't know what his name was. "She is not your mate. She has been promised to me." Mason gritted out. This was going to get out of hand. Really quickly. But another man stood in and placed his hand on Tyler's shoulder. "My name is Cade. I am Tyler's Beta. And I'm sure you know young man that it is against werewolf rules and nature to come between a wolf and his mate. Especially that of an Alpha wolf." Cade educated Mason. "I know the laws. And I don't care. Her father promised her to me. And she will be mine." Mason insisted and Cade had to hold Tyler back after that.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.letsreadnovel.com/ad/bGV0c3JlYWQvNDQzNzc	ForFun-120	https://www.facebook.com/61554751622817/	201	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	a.letsreadnovel.com	VIDEO		https://a.letsreadnovel.com/ad/bGV0c3JlYWQvNDQzNzc2LzIwMjUwMjI4MTYxODUyL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482220928_1372140927290110_2847282518020736755_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k12yR4VsCxMQ7kNvgGwzuM6&_nc_oc=AdiQ7mo7ZTXiLtYPOYehetmCijc8osM2rx14MFwMDdNaPL8HNvgc9HuxJqxfTBdqYVjQAVi9lwUGiLtO7pVvS7wb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AhgAUIE0q4_ey4ZHkh7DOyv&oh=00_AYDEqlek826V_n5GH3iMICKWP3arRguKl0dbPkNp7olacw&oe=67CB8006	PERSON_PROFILE	ForFun-120	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,190	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747191}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Continue watching more series 👉👉👉	😹😹 CEO, Your Wife Runs Away with Your Six Heirs	WATCH_MORE	https://w2a.shorttv.live/v4/fb02.html?shorttv_adid	BGJS F	https://www.facebook.com/100090614746031/	19,019	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	w2a.shorttv.live	VIDEO		https://w2a.shorttv.live/v4/fb02.html?shorttv_adid=49263&language=en&timestamp=1738920010859&utm_source=facebook&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_id=101636	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477318933_541243158246150_32818391437507157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PEZPd0U1GtIQ7kNvgEiwX2-&_nc_oc=AdjKnvWb2pOUQZsHDBncVBhjnFeQrqmHmXbe0UQzNeAK7_kzP8RnamCLakRaiZ9ybQaJ05-oYBFLOe7a7Wblqrri&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7LW_gdlpnVQ320IK_JCAuQ&oh=00_AYC3LrhsrYKxGzQVuaNounrLznHQ2T96GgbA6AHBQvNANA&oe=67CB8C2D	PERSON_PROFILE	BGJS F	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,232	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747383}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Continue Watching👉👉	Aidan Stein, the Eternal Lord Sovereign of the magnificent Eternity Palace, temporarily loses his memory and intelligence due to his 60-year cycle. He lives alone in Vertania until he encounters Jade Yule, who saves his life and becomes his wife. Years later, Jack Foley, an aristocrat of Vertania, develops an interest in Jade. He sends his men after Aidan, inadvertently triggering the resurgence of his memories and power.	WATCH_MORE	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.s	DramaBox- movies&drama	https://www.facebook.com/DramaBoxMoviesDrama/	9,339,609	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	play.google.com	VIDEO		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.storymatrix.drama	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481490635_651764690637569_5906153005655646216_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=saO8reg2eI0Q7kNvgEJ6RN7&_nc_oc=AdhVaX1lpkpZzZrFK11nPv-mVhszM2q7heoQvFnvXv1PveiffOenbUPv7so_mrjcG06JF8egHMuST0MBWplD7AQk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ACGQOmvbEdMMJ2C-RA7b1Mw&oh=00_AYAhi1T6G8RBFSKpbkuBTCemvIrG03F3I7ZDE4p5AoB2Nw&oe=67CBA27A	PERSON_PROFILE	DramaBox- movies&drama	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,211	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747206}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759			VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/energymatterschiropractic	Energy Matters Chiropractic Care	https://www.facebook.com/100075636465951/	131	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram Profile	instagram.com	CAROUSEL		http://instagram.com/energymatterschiropractic	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482254043_982638473499879_2349358535430925519_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jPFyL7ZSxoIQ7kNvgG5jLSw&_nc_oc=AdiNBXZ5OdVPNVYp3G7Bt9Z2g8BHlTrWrd9XTLrvstP-rXHnQEq4Xnm1Zgk24h4OZxIKSaEctjO6FxJ1rHOQ5Xbm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ag2DB4VZfy_2EiKOdDvDC9D&oh=00_AYDJQQ_z3-fbvGjMnLRBWNSTklqeWOWfvnFdYpKMmn4PJw&oe=67CBAFC0	PERSON_PROFILE	Energy Matters Chiropractic Care	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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