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1,932,672	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932665}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1773159236842416	🔞🔞Click to read the full novel👉👉	On her nineteenth birthday, Gina was brought back home by her biological parents. But little did she know, they only brought her back to be a free blood donor for their adopted daughter!<br /> Upon learning the truth, Gina left that family. As she departed, her identities as a top designer, doctor, and tycoon were revealed one by one. Her family could only plead for her return, but she replied, "Sorry, I'm not interested in going back to being a blood bank."<br /> ***<br /> Chapter 1 You Are A Curse<br /> "We've already taken 600cc. Drawing another 400cc could be deadly," the doctor warned urgently.<br /> "She is the reason Olivia is in this mess. If it costs her life, then so be it!" came a harsh reply.<br /> In a daze, Gina Miller caught this exchange between her mother, Ella Miller, and the doctor. It felt like her heart was being ripped apart.<br /> Gina had rescued her six brothers from a blaze, nearly losing her life. The heavens spared her, yet Ella seemed ready to act as the executioner, all for her adopted sister, Olivia Miller, who shared her rare blood type but not her bloodline.<br /> As Gina awoke with a splitting headache, feeling the prick of a needle on the back of her hand, she withdrew quickly. Pale and with a chill in her eyes, she sat up, demanding, "Don't touch me."<br /> Ella's fury ignited upon seeing Gina's defiance. She slapped her hard, yelling, "You selfish brat! Olivia rushed back worried about you after hearing about the fire, got into that accident, and now she's losing too much blood. All your fault, so yes, it's only fair we use your blood to save her."<br /> 'Olivia worried? Bullsh1t. She probably couldn't wait to dance on my grave,' Gina thought bitterly.<br /> "You curse! Ever since you came back, disaster follows. The fire, Olivia's accident, Phillip's stroke. Are you trying to wipe us all out? Why couldn't it have been you? Why don't you just drop dead?" Ella raged, hand raised for another hit.<br /> Gina had thought she had grown immune to the family's bias and venom, but in that moment, it felt like her heart was in a vice, being crushed.<br /> James Miller, Gina's eldest brother, held back Ella, thinking, 'Gina still needs to donate blood for Olivia. Can't have her damaged now. Once she is done, killing her wouldn't even matter.'<br /> He glared at Gina, accusing, "Always so damn jealous, picking on Olivia, who has never once held it against you. Got no heart? It's just a bit of blood."<br /> Taking 600cc was already pushing it, and now they wanted another 400cc. 'They're asking for a bit of blood? No, they're asking for my life,' Gina thought with a bitter laugh.<br /> Gina's second brother, Noah Miller, tried coaxing her. "Gina, the hospital is out of blood, and getting more would take too long. Olivia can't wait. Give your blood, and the Director of Design position at Miller Jewels is yours."<br /> Miller Jewels was in a slump until Gina offered her designs to save the family business.<br /> However, Noah, the CEO, gave her designs to Olivia, following a little coaxing, and credited Olivia with the success. The line was a hit, but the credit went to Olivia, the thief.<br /> When Gina sought justice, the family rallied behind Olivia, the wrongdoer. They said it was just "inspiration" and "coincidental similarities."<br /> Gina reflected, her tone icy as she responded, "Sorry, I'm not interested."<br /> Noah's face twisted in anger as he barked, "Don't be an idiot! That position was for Olivia. We're handing it to you on a silver platter, and you're still ungrateful?"<br /> Gina let out a soft laugh, thinking, 'I never gave a damn about the position. I helped because I thought of you as family. But you've never seen me as your sister.'<br /> The slap from Ella knocked some sense into Gina, making her mind even clearer.<br /> 'The Miller family belongs to Olivia. I grew up in an orphanage. I never had a real family,' she mused bitterly.<br /> At that moment, Gina let go of any hope for affection from her so-called family. She closed her eyes in despair, and when she opened them again, all that remained was a cold resolve.<br /> Seeing Gina unfazed, her third brother, Liam Miller, lost his patience. "Olivia is on death's door. Quit the bullsh1t and tie her down! If 400cc ain't enough, we'll take 600cc."<br /> "What the hell are you waiting for? Do it!" Liam barked at the medical staff.<br /> Caught in a moral dilemma, the medical team hesitated. Their oath was to save lives, not risk them, yet defying the Miller family was out of the question.<br /> A nurse, voice trembling and on the verge of tears, begged Gina. "Miss Miller, please. Just cooperate with us."<br /> Pissed off, Liam decided to intervene. Gina, locking eyes with him, her gaze icy, spat out, "I told you, don't Fvking touch me!"<br /> Liam, momentarily thrown off by Gina's fierce look, recovered and growled, "I'll have to see about that."<br /> He lunged for her, but Gina was quicker, catching his wrist in a vice grip.<br /> A sharp snap echoed as Liam screamed, his knees buckling, landing him in a heap at Gina's feet.<br /> 'How the hell did she do that?' Liam was in disbelief, staring at his twisted wrist, thinking, 'She looks like she could be blown over by a breeze, yet she broke my hand so easily?'<br /> "Fvking hell, you hit me? I'll end you!" Liam howled, trying to retaliate. Gina responded with a swift kick to his chest, sending waves of agony through him, likely breaking ribs.<br /> Ella gasped, "Gina, are you out of your mind? Hitting your own brother?"<br /> Gina had shown restraint. This was her final act of mercy towards Liam.<br /> She shot Ella a cold glance, stating simply, "He had it coming."<br /> Without another word, Gina stepped over Liam, heading for the door.<br /> "Stop, just stop!" Ella screamed, her voice raw with desperation.<br /> Gina didn't even pause.<br /> The others in the room hesitated to intercept her, wary of ending up like Liam.<br /> "How can I have such a heartless b1tch for a sister? After a year of freeloading off the Miller family, basking in luxury, don't you owe us a damn thing?" James exploded in rage.<br /> Gina halted, turned, and gave the three men a look colder than ice. "I saved your asses from a fire. And this is how you repay me?"<br /> They were left speechless.<br /> With venom in her voice, Ella spat, "Walk out now, and don't ever think you can return to the Miller family. You ingrate!"<br /> Chapter 2 Coercion And Seduction<br /> Gina's lips, pale as death, curved into a cold smile. "Don't worry. I'm not crawling back."<br /> After wiping off the blood Ella had drawn from her lips in the restroom, Gina caught her ghostly pale reflection. Mocking herself, she thought, 'What a joke I've become, all for a worthless family bond.'<br /> Checking her pulse, Gina remembered the fire at the old mansion. After saving her six brothers, her body gave in to carbon monoxide poisoning. Plus, they had drained 600cc of her blood. Still, she was only a bit weak, nothing more serious.<br /> Opening her phone, she saw a message from Olivia before the car accident. [Ethan and I are getting engaged next weekend. You won't skip it, will you, Gina?]<br /> [The marriage that should have been yours had you not vanished. You're not mad I took your man, right?] Olivia's message reeked of smugness.<br /> To Olivia, Ethan Jackson was a gem. To Gina, he was trash.<br /> With a cold chuckle, Gina texted back. [Expect a lavish gift. Have a blast at your engagement.]<br /> Gina used to overlook Olivia's low blows because of their shared blood. But now, she was determined to make Olivia regret it all.<br /> Losing any interest in Olivia's reply, Gina blocked every Miller on her contacts. Then, she dialed a number she hadn't called in a year, her voice slightly hoarse. "Vegate Central Hospital, come get me."<br /> "Right away," came the reply.<br /> Meanwhile, Olivia sat unscathed on the hospital bed, sneering at Gina's reply. 'Thinks you can mess with me? As if you have the guts. You're probably bleeding out and close to death by now.'<br /> Olivia wasn't actually of the rare blood type. She had bribed a doctor to lie. The precious blood drawn from Gina was disposed of down the drain.<br /> When the doctors winked from the door, Olivia swiftly played the weakling, sprawling herself on the bed as Ella and company entered.<br /> Pretending to have just woken up, Olivia blinked at her two brothers and feigned distress. "Mom, how is Gina? She is okay, right?"<br /> Ella thought bitterly, 'Gina refuses to give blood and even assaults Liam. Yet, here is Olivia, barely awake, worrying about Gina. Talk about angels and demons.'<br /> Angrily, Ella snapped, "Forget her. From now on, Olivia, you're the only daughter in the Miller family. Consider that girl dead to us."<br /> Olivia had been waiting a whole year for those words. Thrilled yet cautious not to overdo her reaction, she curiously asked, "And Liam? Where is he?"<br /> James grumbled, "That damn Gina broke his ribs. He is off getting treatment."<br /> Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief. 'Liam, a ninth-dan black belt, champion at the International Boxing Competition, gets beaten by a frail Gina? Bullsh1t,' she thought.<br /> Collecting herself, Olivia asked, "So, Gina is gone?"<br /> Then she began to sob. "Gina hates me, and I get it. Everything I have is supposed to be hers. But where did I wrong my brothers? It's all my fault. I wish I never existed."<br /> Seeing Olivia shoulder all the blame, Ella felt her heart break. She hugged Olivia, soothing her. "Sweetheart, you've done nothing wrong. Luckily, the blood transfusion worked. You're gonna be fine."<br /> Olivia sniffled, playing the innocent card. "So, Gina just stormed off without saying sorry to Liam?"<br /> Her question hit a nerve with Ella. 'How the hell did we let that brat off so easily? Ever since Gina waltzed back into our lives, it's been disaster after disaster. She is the damn curse that's been plaguing our family. She owes an apology to Olivia and Liam."<br /> Ella dialed the housekeeper, Lucas Harris. "If Gina dares to show her face here, tie her up and chuck her in the basement until I can deal with her myself!"<br /> "Don't bother feeding her. Let her stew on what she has done," James chimed in coldly.<br /> "And Lucas, give her a good whipping, but don't kill her. No mercy needed; she is asking for it," Noah added with a vicious tone.<br /> "Got it," Lucas responded.<br /> An hour later, Lucas reported back. "Mrs. Miller, we can't find the young miss anywhere. She has not come back, and she is nowhere to be found."<br /> 'That little sh1t, she thinks she can just not come back to the Miller family? Impossible! Where would she even go, abandoning the life of luxury here?' Ella muttered disdainfully.<br /> "Just keep looking," Ella snapped.<br /> "Yes, Mrs. Miller," Lucas responded.<br /> "Yeah, let's see how she manages on her own. Pop is barely cold, and she's already eyeing the inheritance. Like hell, she's cutting ties with us." James scoffed.<br /> "As it gets darker, I wonder if Gina is safe out there. Did anyone take her in?" Olivia asked, feigning concern.<br /> Noah just snorted. "Olivia, drop it. She is not worth your worry. She tried to snatch Ethan right from under you. And here you are, still caring about her. What a fool!"<br /> "If Gina ends up dead out there, she had it coming," he added harshly.<br /> <br /> ---<br /> "Does it hurt?" Inside the Rolls Royce, Michael Clark looked at the bruises on Gina's hand and frowned deeply, gently applying ointment and blowing on it to ease the sting.<br /> Gina felt a tickle and withdrew her hand, busy on her laptop. "Nah, it's nothing. I'm not so fragile."<br /> The bruises on Gina's hand, likely from improperly drawn blood, were swollen. Far from receiving concern from her so-called family, all she got was guilt-tripped.<br /> 'If it were Olivia, even a tiny scratch would have them up in arms, right?' Gina scoffed internally, her gaze dripping with derision.<br /> Minutes later, staring at the gathered evidence, Gina smirked coldly. "Print these out for me, will you?"<br /> Michael glanced at the laptop screen, slightly put off, and nodded. "Sure thing."<br /> "Gina, time to head back to Oriata City. You have got a situation to take control of," Michael gently suggested.<br /> "Not yet. The trap isn't set," Gina replied, her eyes reflecting a chilly resolve as she stared out the window, deep in thought.<br /> That brutal massacre seemed tangled up with the Miller family.<br /> Chapter 3 A Desperate Showdown<br /> "Gina, your dorm at school has gone up in flames," Michael stated as they drove.<br /> Gina's eyes narrowed a bit. "Alright, I'll head back and check it out." Exiting the car, she made her way on foot.<br /> Her phone vibrated with a text from an unknown number. [Where the hell have you vanished to? Get your ass back to home, now!]<br /> Gina scoffed and blocked the number. 'Really? Changing numbers to harass me? What the Fvk are they thinking?' she thought.<br /> She had made up her mind to sever ties with the Miller family and wasn't about to let them pull her back in.<br /> When the Millers first found her, Gina was on a mountain, gathering medicinal herbs, covered in dirt and sweat.<br /> They mistook her for someone foraging for wild vegetables, their eyes laden with barely concealed disdain.<br /> They were momentarily surprised to hear Gina had aced her college entrance exam and secured a spot at Trowell University. However, they quickly diminished her achievement, thinking she was nothing more than a bookworm, lacking the grace and talents of Olivia, who had been shoehorned into Trowell's art program through connections and hefty sums.<br /> Gina rarely stayed with the Miller family. They rationalized it by saying living in the dorm was more convenient, saving her the trouble of commuting. Meanwhile, they bent over backward driving Olivia, a fellow Trowell student, around.<br /> But Gina seldom spent her time at school. To her, college was meaningless; she only needed an innocuous front. Yet, this became Olivia's ammunition to slander her, accusing Gina of being a dropout, always skipping class, and goofing off God knows where.<br /> Regardless of how much Gina tried to set the record straight, the Miller family wouldn't have a bar of it.<br /> Ella spared no venom in her ridicule. "Look at you. What could you possibly achieve? You might as well quit now."<br /> James once mocked her. "Grew up in the sticks, eh? First time laying eyes on a computer? Why aimlessly pick computer science?"<br /> Noah sneered. "Better think about dropping out before the school shows you the door. We can't afford that kind of shame."<br /> Even when Gina bagged a scholarship as the top student, paying her way through college, they couldn't muster a single word of praise.<br /> All the while, Olivia, who bumbled through piano lessons despite the fortunes spent, failing to grasp even the basics after a year, was showered with praise.<br /> Gina closed her eyes, chuckling at her folly. 'I should've seen through this bullsh1t a long time ago,' she thought.<br /> Just a short walk later, a BMW rolled to a slow stop beside Gina, the window sliding down to reveal James glaring from within.<br /> James cursed under his breath, 'Figures, she has headed back to school. Blocking her path here was spot on. She has even blocked all our numbers and ignored my texts. She is asking for it!'<br /> "Get in the car!" he demanded, voice dripping with menace. "Come home and kneel, apologize to the whole family."<br /> Gina gave him a look reserved for lunatics. "Are you dreaming?"<br /> James, momentarily thrown, snapped back, "What's this about dreaming? Are you ignoring me? Get back here now!"<br /> "Awake and still talking crap?" Gina fired back, unyielding.<br /> James was boiling with anger, thinking, 'Did she hit her head? Used to be as quiet as a mouse, barely uttering a word. And now look at her, she is sharp as a tack.'<br /> He stepped out of the car, blocking Gina's way.<br /> James sneered. "You think you can just disappear? One word to the principal from us, and you're out of Trowell University immediately. Think twice, Gina."<br /> 'Kick me out? As if you could,' Gina thought, her inner voice laced with scorn.<br /> "What makes you think you deserve an apology?" Gina asked, voice cold and lips curled into a smirk.<br /> "You ungrateful brat," James fumed. "Forging Dad's signature, creating a fake will. That alone deserves more than a mere punishment, and yet you dare to question me?"<br /> Gina couldn't help but laugh, retorting, "I only return home when you call. I don't even have the keys, let alone access to Dad's room. How could I have possibly used his seal on the will?"<br /> James faltered before insisting, "Who knows what you did to steal it."<br /> Gina smiled, resigned to the familiar outcome. 'Never mind, my brothers will never suspect their darling sister, Olivia,' she thought.<br /> Feeling no more words were necessary, Gina turned to leave.<br /> "Stop!" James shouted, determined to drag Gina back home today.<br /> He grabbed her arm, but Gina's icy gaze made him flinch, thinking of Liam still in the hospital. Reluctantly, James let go.<br /> Gina continued towards the school.<br /> A venomous look flashed in James's eyes as he climbed back into the car and ordered the driver. "Just hit her. Let's see her run then."<br /> The driver hesitated, appalled at James's thought of harming Gina.<br /> "What are you waiting for? Do it! I'll take the fall," James barked impatiently.<br /> Seeing the driver balk, James shoved him aside, took the wheel, and floored it, aiming straight for Gina's retreating figure.<br /> In a split-second save, a Rolls Royce shot out from the side, blocking the BMW.<br /> James hit the brakes hard, his face colliding with the steering wheel, nose bleeding instantly from the impact.<br /> "Damn it, who the hell?" he cursed loudly.<br /> As he got out, cursing, James noticed the Rolls Royce. It was a custom model limited to one per region, owned by only one person in the North City, Gabriel Jackson.<br /> He remembered Gabriel was a board member of Trowell University and uncle to Olivia's fiancé, Ethan – practically family.<br /> Yet, despite the long-standing engagement, they had never met Gabriel.<br /> The Rolls Royce driver yelled at James. "Can you even drive? Move it!"<br /> James, regaining his composure and wanting to retaliate, instinctively looked towards the back seat's still-open window, feeling a chill down his spine.<br /> Chapter 4 Are You Sick?<br /> Inside the car, Gabriel watched James through the rearview mirror, a chilling intent surfacing in his otherwise indifferent eyes. 'Was James really about to run Gina over?' he mused.<br /> His eyes narrowed dangerously as he coldly commanded his assistant, David Gray. "Find an opportunity to deal with James."<br /> "Got it," David replied.<br /> As the Rolls Royce pulled up at the entrance of Trowell University, the principal, Jack Barker, spotting the familiar license plate, quickly put on a flattering smile to greet him. "Mr. Jackson! What a surprise."<br /> Gabriel, expressionless, stepped out and cut straight to the chase. "What's the status of the dorm fire investigation?"<br /> Jack tensed, realizing the gravity of Gabriel's unexpected interest. He knew he had to get this right or risk his position.<br /> Mopping his brow, Jack nervously said, "Mr. Jackson, our fire safety checks are rigorous and up to date. It's likely a student brought in something flammable. We're looking into it."<br /> Gabriel, eyes downcast, suspected the fire targeting Gina's dorm was no accident. "Let's check out the scene," he suggested.<br /> "Oh, right, of course," Jack stammered, leading the way.<br /> Elsewhere, Gina stared at her dorm's charred remains, a pang of loss hitting her. All her belongings turned to ash while she was out cold in the hospital.<br /> "Gina!" A sharp female voice called out.<br /> Gina turned to see Lily Allen, one of her roommates and a flunky for Olivia. Given Lily's association with Olivia, she had always looked for ways to trouble Gina.<br /> Gina, uninterested in entertaining Olivia's lackey, attempted to leave, but Lily persisted.<br /> Confronting Gina, Lily accused, "Just like Olivia said, you're a curse. The fire started in our dorm. I nearly died because of you!"<br /> Gina scoffed, shaking her off. "I wasn't even there. How could you pin this on me? Are you brain-damaged from the smoke?"<br /> Lily persisted, "Who knows what those two dark bottles in your closet were? Probably something flammable!"<br /> "You broke into my locker?" Gina's eyes narrowed.<br /> Unashamed, Lily boasted, "And what if I did?"<br /> Gina retorted with icy disdain, "Thief."<br /> Lily's face flushed. "Who cares about the trash in your locker?"<br /> 'A medical bag, some dark pills, two mysterious bottles, and a few books... She acts like they're a treasure,' Lily thought scornfully.<br /> Gina, fed up, decided to call the cops.<br /> "What the hell are you doing?" Lily blurted out.<br /> "Catching a thief," Gina replied, her tone frosty.<br /> Lily, incensed, shot back, "You're the real thief! Bet you started the fire, you sicko, seeking revenge! Those dark bottles had to be gasoline, right?"<br /> Gina almost burst into laughter at the absurd accusation, mentally scoffing at Lily's ignorance. She found it pointless to explain.<br /> Desperate to stop Gina from calling the police, Lily tried to grab her phone but failed. Frustrated and embarrassed, she picked up a brick from the ground, ready to hurl it at Gina.<br /> "Mr. Jackson, please, watch your step," Jack said with a respectful tone, guiding the way. His expression soured when he spotted Gina and Lily in the aftermath. "What are you doing here? This area is dangerous, didn't you know?"<br /> Lily felt her heart skip a beat when the brick she was holding dropped to the ground. Turning around, the first person she noticed was Gabriel, standing coolly beside Jack.<br /> With an aura cold as ice and devastatingly handsome looks, Gabriel was a sight to behold.<br /> Lily's heart fluttered. 'Why is Mr. Jackson here? His last visit during the school anniversary caused quite a sensation.'<br /> Spotting her chance, Lily rushed to Jack, blurting out, "Mr. Baker, I need to report something! Gina's locker contained two cans of some unknown liquid, possibly flammable or explosive. I suspect she is behind the fire!"<br /> Jack, now concerned, called out, "Gina, stop right there!"<br /> As Gina turned, her gaze met Gabriel's. They had crossed paths before, but weren't well-acquainted. Yet, she felt an unusual warmth in his gaze. 'Am I imagining things?' she thought, brushing it off.<br /> "What's this I hear from Lily?" Jack demanded.<br /> Gina coolly responded, "They're just bottles of medicine, not explosives. While we're at it, could you also look into Lily's attempt to steal?"<br /> Gabriel's interest piqued, "You're sick?"<br /> Gina, puzzled by his sudden concern, replied, "No, I'm fine."<br /> "What the hell are you talking about? Who stole from you?" Lily was in denial.<br /> "And how did you know what was in my locker if you didn't break into it?" Gina shot back.<br /> Lily panicked. "How can you prove those weren't gasoline?"<br /> Gina retorted, "Prove your claim first. Show me evidence they're gasoline."<br /> Trying to defuse the situation, Jack intervened, "Enough! Both of you, to my office, now!"<br /> Gabriel, however, interjected, "Did you miss her trying to hurt someone?"<br /> Jack realized, recalling Lily's actions, that had they been late, Gina could have been seriously injured.<br /> "I was just joking!" Lily protested.<br /> "Joking? Since when is picking up a brick funny?" Gina's sarcasm was biting.<br /> Jack decided on the spot. "You're on probation, Lily. Leave before you cause more trouble."<br /> Gina watched Lily's tearful exit without a trace of satisfaction. After all, to Gina, Lily was merely one of Olivia's minions. 'Dealing with a minion hardly counts as a victory,' Gina mused.<br /> Trying to backtrack, Lily stammered, "I'm sorry, Gina. I was wrong to break into your locker and tamper with your stuff. I apologize. Let me make it up to you, I'll pay for the damages!"<br /> Chapter 5 Time To Cut Them Off<br /> Gina looked down on Lily, who was crying her eyes out. She knew well Lily's tears weren't about remorse but fear of punishment.<br /> With a cold laugh, Gina commanded, "Scram."<br /> 'Idiot,' Gina thought, unwilling to waste another second on her.<br /> Lily scrambled away, too flustered to even greet Jack as she made her exit.<br /> Gina glanced at Gabriel and said coolly, "Thanks. Goodbye."<br /> "Need a ride?" Gabriel's gaze was fixed solely on Gina as if she were the only one in the world.<br /> Gina felt uneasy under Gabriel's unexplained eagerness, thinking, 'Mr. Jackson, suddenly playing the good Samaritan? Doesn't quite fit.'<br /> "No, thanks," she replied.<br /> No sooner had Gina declined than Gabriel whipped out a business card, gently grabbing her hand and placing the card in her palm.<br /> "Call me for anything," Gabriel offered, his voice soft.<br /> Jack watched in disbelief, internally marveling. 'I can't even snag Mr. Jackson's direct line. Is he into her or something?'<br /> Despite her reluctance to owe anyone anything, Gina didn't want to snub Gabriel in front of others, so she accepted the card.<br /> Gabriel's gaze lingered on Gina's retreating figure until she vanished from sight.<br /> He felt a sense of relief that Gina appeared unharmed.<br /> <br /> ---<br /> It wasn't until later that Gina finally had a moment to check her phone, only to find it bombarded with annoying messages from the Millers, who had even gone as far as changing their numbers to harass her.<br /> 'This is getting ridiculous. Time to cut them off for good,' she thought.<br /> Her reply was curt. [Tonight. Scrumptuous Delights, room 0826.]<br /> Scrumptuous Delights was the restaurant that the Miller family had chosen for their so-called family reunion dinner, tailored to Olivia's preferences, right down to the excessive cilantro in every dish, despite Gina's disdain for it. Gina had barely touched her food that day, not that anyone cared.<br /> Meanwhile, back at the Miller mansion, James slapped his thigh. "The b1tch finally replies. She wants us at Scrumptuous Delights. Thinks a dinner can smooth things over?"<br /> Ella, with a look of disdain, said, "As if we will let her off that easily. She has been nothing but a jinx to us all."<br /> Recalling his near-miss with Gabriel and the subsequent tire fiasco, James thought, 'Just my luck, dealing with Gina only brings trouble.'<br /> Olivia, barely concealing her smugness, chimed in, "Mom, bro, let me handle Gina tonight."<br /> Ella, visibly worried, protested, "Honey, how can I let you face her alone? What if she lashes out? You've already suffered because of her once."<br /> Trying to appear noble, Olivia replied, "Don't worry, mom. Remember, the fortune teller said I'm blessed. I can handle her curse. Let me deal with this."<br /> Ella's heart ached, wishing more than ever Olivia was her own. 'Fate's cruel jokes.' She sighed.<br /> "No way, you're not up for dealing with that menace. She doesn't even spare Liam. Who knows what she's capable of? We're all going tonight, see what this brat is plotting!" Noah declared fiercely.<br /> Ella, protective as ever, reassured Olivia. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I won't let her humiliate you. We'll have her begging for your forgiveness."<br /> Trying to suppress her glee, Olivia coughed.<br /> Ella instantly tensed, asking, "What's wrong, dear? Are you feeling okay?"<br /> "I'm fine, mom. I'll go rest up in my room." Olivia feigned weakness, making her way out.<br /> "Sure, darling. Go rest," Ella said softly, watching Olivia go with tender eyes.<br /> Back in her room, Olivia got a call from Lily. "Olivia, you have to help me take down that b1tch Gina!"<br /> Olivia rolled her eyes, annoyed at Lily's stupidity for getting caught red-handed by a trustee during her attempt to sabotage Gina.<br /> Lily didn't drop any names, so Olivia just assumed it was some old guy like Jack.<br /> With a scoff, Olivia said, "Don't sweat the small stuff. I won't even have to lift a finger. Just do what I say."<br /> Lily was all ears, and after getting the plan, a smug grin took over her face. "Got it."<br /> After hanging up, Lily was at the roadside, cursing, "Gina, you b1tch, your ass is mine!"<br /> What she didn't know was a Rolls Royce parked nearby with Gabriel inside, catching every word of her rant.<br /> Gabriel's eyebrows knitted, a flash of malice in his eyes as he called Jack.<br /> Jack answered immediately, "Mr. Jackson? Is there something else?"<br /> "Drop Lily's probation. Expel her." Gabriel's voice was suddenly ice.<br /> Jack got the shivers, knowing well once Gabriel made up his mind, there was no changing it. "Alright," he said.<br /> After the call, Gabriel's look darkened, silently swearing, 'No one Fvks with Gina and gets away with it.'<br /> <br /> ---<br /> As night fell, the Miller family made their way to Scrumptuous Delights, and stormed into the private room, only to find it empty.<br /> Just as they were wondering if they had been played, Gina showed up. She was in high spirits, her light makeup accentuating her already stunning features.<br /> Olivia, noticing her family's attention was all on Gina, clenched her fists, quickly trying to pull them back. "Gina, vent all you want at me, just spare mom and brother. I don't need your sorry. Apologize to them, and let's just be one big happy family, okay?"<br /> Gina couldn't help but laugh at Olivia's dramatic act, responding sarcastically, "Really? A car crash just two days ago and here you are, acting all fine? Olivia, you're tougher than I thought."<br /> Then, with a taunt, she added, "Like a cockroach."<br /> Olivia was livid, thinking, 'This b1tch just called me a cockroach?'<br /> Chapter 6 The Agreement<br /> Ella's face contorted with fury as she snapped at Gina. "Shut your trap, or I'll shut it for you! Olivia getting better so quickly is just her luck!"<br /> "Our family would have been ruined without Olivia, our lucky star. It's your bad mojo that got the old house burned down!" James piled on.<br /> "We should have never let a disaster like you in." Noah stirred the pot further.<br /> "You've been living in luxury on our dime, and this is how you thank us?" They continued their tirade.<br /> Gina laughed coldly. "Would you even give me the time of day if it wasn't for that 20% share? Besides, you've got the shares, not me."<br /> Before passing away, Evelyn Miller, Gina's grandma willed that the lost Miller bloodline be found to inherit her 20% stake in the Miller Group. That share, meant for Gina, was quickly pocketed by the family, without so much as a peep.<br /> Ella, defensive, lashed out, "You really think you deserve the shares? Don't expect a single penny from us, you ungrateful wretch."<br /> Gina was unfazed, disinterested in anything the Miller family had.<br /> Tired of their nonsense, she threw an agreement on the table.<br /> James glanced at it and saw "Severance Agreement."<br /> 'Is she really cutting ties with us?' he wondered in disbelief.<br /> The Millers looked at each other, silently agreeing it was probably for the best.<br /> Olivia barely suppressed a smirk, conjuring up sad thoughts to hide her glee.<br /> "Seriously, Gina? You're the real Miller here. Hate me, not them. How can you make things right with Mom and the brothers? I hate seeing us like this. If it'll fix things, I'll do whatever it takes. After all, everything I have should've been yours." Olivia's voice broke as she spoke.<br /> Gina watched Olivia's act, barely holding back a laugh. "Willing to sacrifice anything, huh?"<br /> Olivia nodded vigorously.<br /> Gina smirked coldly. "Then die."<br /> If Olivia hadn't called her back to the Miller family with fake concern, Gina wouldn't have returned or encountered the fire. The timing of the fire, right after Olivia left, made her involvement undeniable.<br /> 'You want me dead, and I am not about to show mercy,' Gina thought inwardly.<br /> Pretending to be shocked, Olivia cried, "So you really do hate me."<br /> "Yeah, so why are you still standing? Go ahead, die!" Gina's laugh was cold.<br /> Tears streaming, Olivia grabbed a wine glass, smashed it, and picked up a shard to slash her wrist. "If my death brings you back to the family, I'll do it." She tightened her grip, blood seeping out.<br /> The brothers and Ella were dumbfounded by Olivia's theatrics, which made Gina seem even more intimidating.<br /> Sure, Olivia wouldn't do it. Gina stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and pressed the shard to her neck. "Cut here, and it'll be quick."<br /> Olivia was petrified, not expecting Gina to go through with it. Blood trickled down her neck.<br /> Ella, regaining her senses, screamed, "You're insane!" Grabbing a bottle, she prepared to strike Gina.<br /> James and Noah grabbed chairs, ready to jump in.<br /> "Touch Olivia and you're dead!" James roared.<br /> "Step closer, and I slit her throat. Wanna see who is faster?" Gina challenged, her voice ice-cold.<br /> "Piece of sh1t!" Ella cursed, rage boiling but not daring to move.<br /> Gina pressed the shard a bit deeper, making Olivia's knees buckle. She knelt, and Gina finally let go.<br /> In a whirlwind of panic, Ella darted forward, pulling Olivia into a protective hug, while James and Noah quickly positioned themselves as Olivia's shield.<br /> "Olivia, honey, are you alright?" Ella's voice was laden with worry.<br /> Olivia, clutching her neck, felt a sharp sting. She revealed a bloodied hand, looking pitifully wronged but internally ranting, 'Is this b1tch crazy? Or did she suddenly get bold because she's got a big shot backing her?'<br /> Tears welling up, Olivia turned to Ella with a look of utter distress. "Mom, I'm fine. As long as Gina calms down, that's all that matters."<br /> Ella, visibly infuriated, hissed. "Gina, you've crossed the line this time."<br /> She nodded at James and Noah	LEARN_MORE	https://website.literiess.com/share/middle/x1ezvxq	201020959756233	World of novels	https://facebook.com/61554819062424	79	1	705,196,245,077,389	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Learn more	World of novels	120210539334320781	website.literiess.com	NONE	video		https://website.literiess.com/share/middle/x1ezvxqc1tkxk0toqtzzw4e5?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	2024-07-19 05:28	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451548705_782408370438781_8329596211181167157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u2iVhASdFeoQ7kNvgFmbrJJ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCtxvfuLifM4ZDydQCELCjHMryhvU2goqiViHBcIhLVkw&oe=66A1DDE9	person_profile	World of novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451744700_8033900220007763_2638893949574063792_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q14fOfqgJKgQ7kNvgGncV1T&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD1gbGNatqPQz0FpB_-n20BvxG0YpnZxdx9bbaGMDSBfA&oe=66A1E70A	3	World of novels	2024-07-19 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,932,662	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	441707025359110		Thank you Diani ⭐️for featuring our founder @vkarel and advocating for our mission of helping women travel safer. <br /> <br /> You all should go check out her podcast for major inspiration to start traveling cheap, she has all the resources that will make traveling smooth, exciting and empowering.<br /> You rock girl 🙌🏻🫶🏻💗<br /> Link to podcast:<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F5BWqz00lsxtoDFpMoA0uvq%3Fsi%3Db81532219f05473c&h=AT1UlVFANa4S5JMLTZb0a5bq1UqumjsrGkC4FOv1PTYk418JRsrzCPeQmd9FxkDWGmbOp0UZvzR5IPouL-Tikm-jfF88jGguCrEAxLeRrzWEQZvGsvFekGXp4WbRo_pTEz46aErBD9-18Q" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BWqz00lsxtoDFpMoA0uvq?si=b81532219f05473c</a><br /> <br /> 📽️video source: (TikTok) @whileshesaway @whileshesawaypod <br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> #whileshesaway #whileshesawaypod #greether #femaletravel #womenwhotravel #femaletravelers #womentravelsolo #solofemaletraveler #travelertips #budgettravel #travelpodcast #womenwhoexplore #travelstartup #travelservice #femaletourguide #greeters	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	https://www.instagram.com/_u/greet.her	101791331953880	Greether	https://facebook.com/greetherhere	1,466	1	3,303,752,596,438,248	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Visit Instagram profile	Greether	6604173257569	www.instagram.com	NONE	video		https://www.instagram.com/_u/greet.her	2024-07-19 19:30	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452081602_993544422254910_6272623610617750575_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pK0XxRpw6qgQ7kNvgHTxXJC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYApBWcPbbW42h5NmT3iw8nZA2k3jn0uR_A3schTXWTTvg&oe=66A1DBEE	person_profile	Greether \| Female Safety Travel App	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452076966_1024031908727324_4612263312181552463_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=df-D8NyIFFoQ7kNvgEEBdjb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPcKXw8rj57kaucEEvXOxgEoTq6B_MhowPepLADhDZqQ&oe=66A1EE0B	3	Greether	2024-07-19 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,932,400	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932525}'	Yes	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	404139952771593	Read next chapter👉	She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup!<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"<br /> <br /> &13&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e	215069711684182	Late reading	https://facebook.com/61554989897813	14,931	2	752,873,213,660,636	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Learn more	Late reading	120210239841090758	fbweb.moboreader.net	NONE	video		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=791750052879575	2024-05-18 11:47	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/443835554_1550243915529805_6738357786998903234_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r66CwVWMtg4Q7kNvgFvub2y&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCnegCFOgcMRJKQPy9vvmXCxy6ctRMS3PGFImI4l_3PiA&oe=66A1FBF8	person_profile	moboreader	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441173069_368611825668066_2624608114558605499_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IFv6wGCHIX4Q7kNvgGzUIWV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBMFe-H78BYFmvaUYD82lliXczWf5t_hHDZGKhZj5MoBw&oe=66A1E9F0	3	Late reading	2024-07-20 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,932,066	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932525}'	Yes	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	860021125996548	Read next chapter👉	Because of cheating, he divorced her. She left a sentence, "You will regret it." 4 years later, he saw her on TV and introduced her as a top 100 female CEO and a single mother of triplets. The faces of her three children are exactly like his ...<br /> =============<br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"	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1,932,244	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932239}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1000439745198674	Shut Down Foot Pain & Stay Active Without Pills, Cortisone or Surgery🦵	"The nonstop pain I had in my feet is gone…I finally feel like it’s a prayer answered!” - Sylvia P. See why our incredibly effective compression foot wrap has been recommended and backed by top podiatrists to help shut down and relieve foot neuropathy naturally. It aids in increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tissues, helping to push back nerve pain & swelling. All while keeping the arches and heels stabilized for total mobility and comfort. ➡️ Relieve pins-and-needles ➡️ Stabilize the foot and ankle ➡️ Soothe sharp pain ➡️ Help reduce swelling ➡️ Easy & convenient to use Get yours here 👇 https://go.tryxwrap.com/pre-00169	LEARN_MORE	https://go.tryxwrap.com/pre-00169	108573675360770	My Foot Relief Today	https://facebook.com/100086441111963	5,899	4	463,829,839,920,927	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn More	My Foot Relief Today	120211763617830664	go.tryxwrap.com	NONE	dco		https://go.tryxwrap.com/pre-00169	2024-06-05 15:21	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/446789761_1645750269602189_6541905775599898329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v7AZnr-RocYQ7kNvgFbwcME&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD68DE6Dz176IY_4WZmZrqKU3bLDrd8VC2DDbSs4kuFfw&oe=66A1D44B	person_profile	My Foot Relief Today	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/446803977_424531633875138_4198800219037442721_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JqW-Veibhu8Q7kNvgHNU1Uc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCVsvK5VQwEfL_-e4_XeeaOwZ6jHNkc-E9H5kiaqwCpzg&oe=66A1FD33	3	My Foot Relief Today	2024-07-20 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,932,252	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932251}'	Yes	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1483240529012106	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"What do you mean you can't stay here?! Your family is here and we are here!" Conor yells.<br /> "And so is my mate who rejected me for someone else!" I snap back.<br /> I jump off my float and into the water. Swimming over to the steps to get out. I grab my towel and dry off my face.<br /> "You think I want to leave?! Do you think it's going to be easy to say goodbye to you three and my family?! I have to do this alone! The one person who is supposed to be there, who was made to be my other half, mated me, rejected me to be with someone else and now I'm pregnant with his pup! He doesn't get to know, he doesn't deserve to get a say in this kids life anymore!" I holler while sobbing.<br /> ____________<br /> At that moment he must smell me because he gets up slowly. All of his muscles are tense as he turns around. Once I can see who he is the excitement drains from my body. No way!<br /> He takes one step toward us. I turn around and run towards home.<br /> "Turn back around! That's our mate!" Maisie whines.<br /> "I know! But we can't be with him and I know you know why."<br /> Maisie whimpers because she understands. Our soul is broken in that moment.<br /> I reached the tree and quickly get changed. I run back into the house trying to keep my tears from falling until I get to my room. My family is in the living room as a sprint past them.<br /> "How was your run?" My dad asks.<br /> Ignoring all of them, I run up the stairs to my bedroom. Slam the door closed and jump in to my bed. Soon as my head hits my pillow, I can't stop the tears now.<br /> Why did it have to be him? He knew for two years and never once said anything to me about it. Of course my mate is Royal.<br /> After an hour of crying I grab my phone. I need my best friend.<br /> Me: when can you get here? It's an emergency!<br /> Jade: Open your bedroom door!<br /> I climb off my bed and open the door. Jade is standing there with a present for me.<br /> "Happy birthday!" She screams.<br /> "Thank you! And you don't have to scream I'm right here!"<br /> The party is a blast. Basically half of the pack it's here in the house. Chloe and Emily are doing a great job at keeping my brothers distracted.<br /> Jade and I are dancing in the living room with Conor and Eli. The four of us have been best friends since preschool. Since we graduated high school, we have been inseparable all summer.<br /> While I'm dancing with Conor, I get the feeling that someone is watching me. I try looking around to see who it is but both of my brothers are nowhere to be seen.<br /> "I'm going to go outside for a couple minutes. I need to cool down," I yell at my friends.<br /> Walking through the giant crowd in the living room, I go into the kitchen to grab some water and make my way to the backyard.<br /> There are a couple people outside mingling. They all wish me happy birthday. I walk across the patio and take a seat on the floating chair.<br /> I still feel like someone's watching me. But as I go to stand up, the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. I freeze breathing in deeply. That intoxicating smell makes a small shiver run through my body. I slowly turn my head towards the tree line.<br /> Royal is standing against a tree. I can't look away from him. It's like everything else in the world just doesn't exist. He motions for me to follow him as he turns around.<br /> Maisie is hollering at me to follow him. I really want to. Honestly, I did not expect him to show up. That gives me some hope. Maybe Maisie is right, maybe he wants to explain. My heart quickly over powers my mind and I followed him into the woods.<br /> Following Royal into the woods, we both don't say anything. We get to a flat piece of land and he stopped suddenly.<br /> I slammed right into his back and he reaches my arm to steady me. As soon as his hand touches my arm, electrical tingles shoot through me making me shiver. He instantly let's go and takes a couple steps forward.<br /> Maisie whimpers at the loss of contact. Royal turns around instantly and looks at me. He hasn't said one word but he just keeps looking.<br /> As I wait for him to say something, I can't help but notice how great he looks. Pitch black hair, the lightest blue eyes that are almost gray are gorgeous. His tan skin looks so soft against his olive green fitted T-shirt. His dark jeans hang on his hips that makes my mouth water. His entire left arm is covered in a tattoo. It looks to be a forest scene.<br /> He takes a step closer to me. I look him straight in the eyes as he comes closer. I have to lean my head up to look at him. The top of my head doesn't even reach the top of his shoulder.<br /> He reaches out, and brushes the back of his knuckle across my cheek. Leaving a tingling sensation that makes me gasp. He takes his hand and caresses the side of my face. Tingling is everywhere, I push my head into the palm of his hand more and he starts to pur.<br /> The noise relaxes me and I close my eyes. Just listening and enjoying the sensation and the heat radiating off him. His other hand lightly touches my arm. The tingling is overwhelming and I can't help the moan that escapes my mouth.<br /> Without warning he pecks me hard. It takes me a couple seconds to relax and lean in toward him. I wrap my hands around his neck. Holding him in place while one of his arms wrap around my waist and his hand squeezes my hip pulling me against him. His other hand is at the back of my neck, fingers digging for my hair.<br /> Our pecking turns frenzied. It's like we can't get close enough. His purring is loud making me moan into his mouth. I move my hands down across his arms. Feeling his muscles. Moving across his chest and down his torso. I can feel every dip and rise of his abs. I tug at the end of his shirt, he breaks away from the buss to takeoff his shirt. He grabs the back and yanks it over his head tossing it on the ground. His chest quickly rising and falling as he breeds quickly.<br /> I drink him in. My own chest heaving as I trail my fingers down his chest and across his abs. His jeans are hung low on his hips and there is a perfect V going down. Trace my fingertips across it to the center where there is a small strip of hair. He groans and I look up at his eyes as my finger keeps exploring.<br /> His pupils are blown wide. The only sounds in the woods are a mix of our heavy breathing and his purring. His hands caressed the sides of my face. He pecks me softly making me whimper. My hands wrap around his back.<br /> His hands slowly push the straps my dress down. Slowly pushing the zipper down. The dress falls to the ground as he pecks the sides of my neck making me moan and tilt my head to the side. I can feel how hard his shaft is against my stomach.<br /> He quickly unclasps my bra and leaving open mouth pecks a long my collarbone making my breathing hitch in my throat. I grab the button of his jeans and quickly undo it then pulling the zipper down.<br /> His hand cup my breasts as I push his jeans to the ground. His shaft stand straight. His free hand travels down my stomach and into my panties. Slowly circling my cherry, I gasp. He pecks me hard as he continues to rub me. I reach between us and grasp huge shaft. Stroking him slowly.<br /> His fingers go deeper feeling how wet I am. Growling as his lips peck my neck and he sinks a finger into my private part. Leaning my head on his chest and with my other hand I grasp his forearm. Moaning and stroking him a little harder.<br /> He pulls fingers out of me and steps out of his jeans. He wraps one hand around the back of my neck and the other arm under my hip. He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist.<br /> I peck his jaw and his neck as he gently lowers us to the ground. Laying on my back, He moves down and sucks my papilla. My back arches toward his mouth.<br /> Trailing pecks back up my body, He settles in between my legs and slides down my panties. He positions himself and as the head of his huge shaft slides into my private part. We look into each other's eyes as he pushes himself inside me with a hard thrust that makes me scream.<br /> His face burying into the crook of my neck, groaning. My legs wrapped around him and my nails staying in to his back. Thrusting into me fast and hard making me moan.<br /> The knot in my stomach is getting tighter. I can feel my climax building. He rests his forehead on mine. Looking into each other's eyes, breathing each other's air.<br /> "Come for me Victoria," he says breathlessly.<br /> At that moment I let it completely go. He captures my lips as I moan loudly into his mouth. He pistons his hips order in a jerking motion. He comes inside me on a roar.<br /> He drops his forehead back onto mine as we both catch our breath. I hold the side of his face as we both come down from the high.<br /> "Royal," I say breathlessly while looking into his eyes.<br /> He gently pulls out of me, and stands up. He grabs his jeans and start dressing quietly. I quickly do the same and trying not to cry.<br /> Once I'm all dressed, I turn around to see him facing the opposite direction. All of his muscles are tense and he is shaking. I slowly walk up to him and touch his arm. He shakes off my arm and growls at me. I take a couple steps back.<br /> "We should have never done that," he says clearly angry.<br /> My whole body stiffens. He turns around to look at me.<br /> "You're the one who knew that I was your mate for two years! You never said anything to me! And yet you still stayed with Cassie! You chose her over me!" I snapped back at him.<br /> "You're right I did choose Cassie, because I love her and I have loved her since we were 10 years old! And I will continue to choose Cassie!"<br /> I can't hold back the tears anymore. Keeping my arms at my sides, I dig my finger nails into my palms.<br /> "So you're going to choose her knowing that you have a mate, the other half of your soul, because you've been together for 10 years."<br /> "Yes."<br /> "You are so unbelievably selfish. Denying with the moon goddess wanted, what our wolves need!" I yell at him."So why did you just mate me!?"<br /> "Because my wolf was going insane without you. He wanted me to mark you but I can't do that. I won't do it!" He growls at me, taking a step closer to me.<br /> Tears running down my cheeks as I bend my head down and let out a sob. I can see Royals feet standing in front of me.<br /> "Look at me," He says roughly.<br /> I shake my head no. My whole body trembling for what I know is coming.<br /> He hooks finger underneath my chin and pushes my head up so I'm looking into his eyes. I take a step back so I don't feel the tingling.<br /> "Please. Don't do this," I beg him.<br /> "I, Royal Anderson, reject you Victoria West," he says and walks away.<br /> I fall to my knees, my hand over my heart has I gasp in air. Maisie is whining. Our soul crushed. I let out a mix between a scream and a sob into the forest.<br /> I wait about 15 minutes trying to collect myself. I start to walk back home.<br /> "Why would he do this to us?" Maisie whimpers.<br /> "Because he's an prick. He loves Cassie. He doesn't want us Maisie! We are going to be better off without him," I snapped back at her.<br /> "But you know that we need him."<br /> "We don't need any man, especially one like Royal. We are going to have to be strong together. We will be strong."<br /> Stepping back onto the patio, Jade comes out.<br /> "I have been looking everywhere for yo-" she stops as soon as she sees my face.<br /> Tears start running down my face again. I hug her as tight as I can.<br /> "He rejected me," I cry into her shoulder.<br /> "Let's go upstairs and you can tell me everything while I fix your make up," she says well wiping some of the tears off my face.<br /> We both run upstairs and I tell her everything except who he is. I can't have any of us acting differently around him. Is my family finds out at him, it's going to cause all kinds of problems. He's Alpha and my dad is still one of the head warriors.<br /> Finishing my make up, we had back downstairs. The party just blurs together. My heart is breaking. I know we can get through this. We have to.<br /> 6 weeks later<br /> The first week after Royal rejected me I stayed in bed. My parents were worried, both of my brothers tried to get me to talk about what was wrong and Jade was with me every single day.<br /> After that the weeks have gone by quickly. Jade and I have been out every day. Either at the pool, driving around in the Jeep with Conor and Eli and enjoying the summer.<br /> Every morning we decided to go on runs together. That has been super helpful. Conor and Eli don't know I was rejected. Only Jade knows. I think my dad suspects something happened with my mate but he hasn't asked yet.<br /> The four of us are on our way to the store to pick up some things for the pool. We each pick out a new raft. The boys are going to grab snacks while Jade and I go to find more tanning oil and sunscreen.<br /> We both grab a couple of each and start walking toward the registers.<br /> "Oh wait! While we're here I need to grab more tampons before next week," Jade says that she grabs my arm and pulls me down the aisle.<br /> As she is looking for hers, I'm lost in my own thoughts. I normally get my period before hers. Counting back to the days quickly, trying to figure out how late I am. She finds what she's looking for and tosses it into the cart.<br /> "Are you OK?" She asks.<br /> I look at her, my eyes are wide and I shake my head no. I can't even get the words out. I swallow hard trying to find the nerve to speak. Thank the moon goddess I don't have to, she looks up at me and gasps.<br /> "You're late," she says with a hand over her mouth.<br /> Conor and Eli find us as we both just stare at each other.<br /> "We got everything we need," Eli says. Dumping everything into the cart.<br /> "Why don't you guys go check out, we both want to go and look at something real quick," Jade quickly says shoving the cart at Conor and shooing them away.<br /> With them quickly gone we both quickly run to get tests. I grab the box with three of them. We check out quickly at the pharmacy and I hide the test in my purse.<br /> We quickly meet up with the boys in the parking lot loading up the Jeep. I get in the driver side and start of the Jeep. Once we are all loaded up, we had back home.<br /> Pulling into the driveway, we all grab bags and head inside. We leave all the snacks out on the kitchen island.<br /> "We're going to go outside and start blowing up the rafts. Go get changed so we can go swimming," Connor says.<br /> We both run upstairs and slam my bedroom door. I grab the test box out of my purse and open it up.<br /> "I feel like sick to my stomach," I tell Jade.<br /> "Well good thing you're already going to be in the bathroom," she deadpans. "Grab your swimsuit, go pee on those and by the time we're both done getting ready they should be ready," Jade says calmly.<br /> I grab my bikini and the three tests, closing the bathroom door. I quickly take all three and to turn them over. Getting changed into my bikini. I can't stop my hands from shaking. Trying to take deep breaths as I pace back-and-forth.<br /> Going up to the counter I turn all three over and look down. I pick one up and read the word, pregnant.<br /> "Gosh!" I yell checking the other two.<br /> I open the bathroom door, Jade looks up at me. Couple tears fall down my cheeks and she's instantly hugging me.<br /> "I'm going to be a mom," I say softly as my whole body shakes.<br /> "You are going to be the best mom. You don't need him. He doesn't deserve anything," she replies.<br /> Conor and Eli come in. Stopping dead in their the tracks to try to piece and what's going on. Conor spots the test in my hand and looks up at me. I let go of Jade to stand in front of them.<br /> Eli looks over at Conor but Conor won't take his eyes off of me.<br /> "Are you really?" Conor whispers.<br /> Nodding my head, he instantly grabs me up in a hug. Resting his chin on my head. He pecks the top of my head. He puts both of his hands on the side of my face and makes me look at him, using his thumbs to wipe away my tears.<br /> "Who?" He asks gently.<br /> "My mate. My birthday, I found him. We mated and he did not mark me. He rejected me right after." I say sobbing.<br /> Eli and Conor both growl wildly. I look over at Eli and his eyes are almost black. He runs out of my room as I yelled for him to come back. He slams the front door and shifts. Running to the woods.<br /> ——————<br /> The three of us go downstairs silently and start making lunch. I can't stop my hands from shaking. I grabbed everything we need for outside and set it outside on the table.<br /> I sit down in the chair staring off at the tree line waiting for Eli to come back. Jade squeezes my hand.<br /> "He'll be back soon. He just needs to wolf out. He's not mad at you," Jade says.<br /> "No I'm not mad at you. I am mad at that jack ," Eli says coming over to give me a hug.<br /> He hugs me tightly picking me up. Setting me down gently, pecking my forehead and taking a seat next to Conor. We all eat our lunch.<br /> Grabbing my new floaty, I place it on the edge so I can climb in and rest on it. They join me a couple minutes later.<br /> "I have to tell my family today," I say randomly.<br /> "We can be there when you do, if you want," Jade says and both guys agree.<br /> "No. I have to do this alone. And I have to come up with a plan on what I'm going to do. I can't stay here."<br /> "What do you mean you can't stay here?! Your family is here and we are here!" Conor yells.<br /> "And so is my mate who rejected me for someone else!" I snap back.<br /> I jump off my float and into the water. Swimming over to the steps to get out. I grab my towel and dry off my face.<br /> "You think I want to leave?! Do you think it's going to be easy to say goodbye to you three and my family?! I have to do this alone! The one person who is supposed to be there, who was made to be my other half, mated me, rejected me to be with someone else and now I'm pregnant with his pup! He doesn't get to know, he doesn't deserve to get a say in this kids life anymore!" I holler while sobbing.	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1,932,269	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932268}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	503122615733708	🔥Click to Read on📜<Second Chances: Protecting Mrs. Hall>📜	🔥💔In a remote warehouse, Emma Wilson was engulfed in a raging inferno, drugged and bound, unable to move.<br /> <br /> Through the deadly flames, she caught sight of her stepsister and her new husband—whom she had just married earlier that day at city hall—standing safe and sound. In despair, she screamed, "Why the are you doing this to me?"<br /> <br /> Standing at a safe distance, her sister Aria Wilson spoke with contempt. "Emma, really? Haven't you figured it out yet? Elijah didn't cheat—he never loved you at all! He only pursued you to get his hands on your shares. Now that he has got them, and you've been his wife for a day, it's time for you to die!"<br /> <br /> Reeling from the betrayal, Emma struggled to grasp that the man she had trusted for three years could be so cruel.<br /> <br /> Her eyes filled with rage as Aria continued, "You get why we had to set this up, right? So Elijah can ditch you without splitting any assets. The entire Wilson fortune will be all mine! Oh, and that 2 million dollars your dear mom left you? I used it to fund my studies abroad three years ago, thanks to your naivety. She'd be turning in her grave knowing her husband was stolen, her daughter murdered, and her life savings snatched by me!" She burst into hideous laughter.<br /> <br /> As the fire roared louder, Emma, through her tears, watched Aria and Elijah walk away hand in hand, laughing.<br /> <br /> Blinded by grief and fury, Emma's eyes burned with hatred. She was not ready to die—not like this.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, an explosion rocked the warehouse, and a concrete beam plummeted towards her. Emma tried to dodge, but her body was drained of strength.<br /> <br /> Just then, she heard rapid footsteps. A man rushed towards her and shielded her with his body. A second later, the beam crushed his back.<br /> <br /> Amidst the roaring flames, Emma caught sight of the man's face and froze. 'Liam... What is he doing here?'<br /> <br /> "Don't be scared, Emma," Liam Hall murmured, his eyes bloodshot from exhaustion.<br /> <br /> He had come as soon as he got the news, but it was already too late.<br /> <br /> "No—run for it!" Emma screamed as the ceiling threatened to give way.<br /> <br /> But Liam stayed, fiercely protecting her as flames and debris fell around him, the smell of burning flesh filling the air.<br /> <br /> "Why... Why the hell are you doing this?" Emma cried, tears streaming down her face.<br /> <br /> "Don't worry, Emma," Liam's voice was calm, almost serene amid the chaos. "I won't let you face this alone. Not even in death. I'll always be with you..." His handsome face gradually disappeared into the flames.<br /> <br /> Despair washed over Emma as she shut her eyes, swearing to herself, 'Elijah! Aria! In another life, I swear I won't let you off!'<br /> <br /> "Liam... next time, it's my turn to protect you," she whispered into his ear. Her words were barely out before the fire surged, engulfing the embracing pair in its fierce grasp.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> <br /> Emma's eyes snapped open. Instead of the inferno she'd expected, she found herself in a warm, cozy room.<br /> <br /> She instinctively checked her hands. They were intact, no longer bearing the calluses from her martial arts training and no signs of burns—what was going on?<br /> <br /> Scanning the room, Emma realized this place was no ordinary hotel. It was decked out with medical equipment and carried the faint scent of disinfectant, resembling more a luxury hospital suite than anything else. It all felt disturbingly familiar.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, it hit her. 'This is the day I was taken back to the Wilsons when I turned 18! I've been reborn on the day I returned to Troln City!'<br /> <br /> Emma held back a wave of ecstatic relief. With this second chance at life, she vowed to utterly destroy the scum who had wrecked her life before.<br /> <br /> "Emma, your blood has been sent off for testing. Now, take off your coat so I can check you over," a voice announced as a man in a white coat entered. He was strikingly handsome, a tear-shaped mole accentuating his eyes.<br /> <br /> It was Elijah Taylor. Rage boiled within Emma as she faced the man responsible for so much of her past agony.<br /> <br /> In her past life, she had complied and removed her coat without hesitation, which was exactly when reporters, alerted by Aria and her cruel stepmother Nora Wilson, had stormed in. They had smeared her reputation, painting her as a wanton seductress for supposedly trying to entice a doctor on her very first day back. Her father, grandmother, and the entire Wilson family had shunned her, branding her a disgrace.<br /> <br /> 'Of course, this was all a setup by Elijah and Aria from the get-go,' Emma realized. Fueled by rage, she grabbed a vase from the bedside and hurled it at Elijah's head, shattering it with a loud crash.<br /> <br /> Elijah staggered, his head gushing blood. He never expected the seemingly naive and fragile Emma to lash out.<br /> <br /> "What the , Emma?" Elijah bellowed, clutching his wounded head.<br /> <br /> "Elijah, you think you can kidnap me and get away with it? I'll beat the crap out of you!" Emma yelled back, her voice thick with fury.<br /> <br /> Elijah was completely taken aback. Just moments before, Emma had meekly followed him to the hospital, and now she was accusing him of abduction. 'Has she figured something out?' he wondered.<br /> <br /> "Emma, what the hell are you talking about? Kidnapping? You came here on your own—" His words were cut short as she struck him again with a vase.<br /> <br /> Panic set in, and he shouted for help, "Somebody help! Restrain her!"<br /> <br /> Seven or eight burly men rushed into the room.<br /> <br /> "So you had your goons waiting outside?" Emma sneered, contempt in her eyes. "What, ready to force me if I didn't comply?"<br /> <br /> Elijah's face contorted with fury, all traces of his earlier gentlemanly demeanor gone. "I was just trying to give you a medical check-up, and you spin it into a kidnapping! Grab this crazy woman, now!" he ordered.<br /> <br /> Emma scoffed, her mind racing. 'These bastards,' she thought. 'If I play nice, they'll slut-shame me. Fight back, and suddenly I'm the nation's notorious madwoman. Well, if they're gonna call me crazy, I might as well own it.'<br /> <br /> "If I'm guilty, let the law punish me, not you bullies!" With that, she cracked her knuckles and charged at them.<br /> <br /> Thanks to these scumbags, her return to the Wilson family had been a nightmare. They showered Aria with the best of everything, leaving Emma with crumbs and daily insults.<br /> <br /> Driven to desperation, Emma had fled the Wilson family and joined a mysterious organization, dedicating herself to learning how to protect herself. Now, it was finally time for revenge.<br /> <br /> The thugs were initially stunned as Emma rushed at them, but her swift kick to one's neck and a ruthless punch to another's eye quickly turned their surprise into screams.<br /> <br /> Moments later, all the goons were sprawled out, defeated on the ground.<br /> <br /> In the hospital's security room, a group of bodyguards watched the monitor in silent awe. They had to admit that Elijah's men were no match. However, Emma's fierce skills made even these hardened protectors wary.<br /> <br /> Among them, a man in a wheelchair was glued to the screen, his gaze unwavering.<br /> ---------------------------<br /> <br /> Liam sat in his wheelchair, clad in a custom-tailored black suit that highlighted his aristocratic, icy demeanor. His presence exuded an untouchable chill and an air of nobility.<br /> <br /> With a cigarette pinched between his fingers, smoke curling around him, his gaze—deep and unfathomable—was locked on the screen, mirroring Emma's every move.<br /> <br /> On the display, Emma swiftly and decisively took down several sturdy men with deadly efficiency. Her skills were clearly honed over years of rigorous training.<br /> <br /> "Are you sure the info you guys gave me is legit?" Liam asked, his tone cold and questioning.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Hall, it's rock solid. We had no clue Mrs. Hall was so..." the bodyguards fumbled for words, finally murmuring, "Wild."<br /> <br /> As he watched Emma, Liam's icy demeanor softened slightly. 'She's definitely more interesting now,' he thought, intrigued.<br /> <br /> At that moment, Emma's boot was pressed firmly against a bouncer's neck, almost snapping it.<br /> <br /> "Mercy, please..." the men whimpered, pleading for their lives.<br /> <br /> Elijah stood by, utterly baffled. 'Nora said Emma was just an uneducated country girl. How could she be so skilled?' he pondered.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, the door burst open, and reporters swarmed in.<br /> <br /> As Emma turned, a camera flash captured her face. "Miss Wilson, rumors say you've been neglecting your duties. What's this about you and Dr. Taylor?" a reporter fired off, diving into the action.<br /> <br /> Halted by the sight of the defeated thugs, the reporter faltered, thinking, 'What the hell is this? This isn't at all like the scene Nora described!'<br /> <br /> Emma, standing over a defeated man with her arms crossed and her hair wild, scoffed coldly. "What about Dr. Taylor and me? Keep talking. You got some sort of psychic powers or just a dirty mind? Decided I was screwing around before you even saw me? What's your play? Just sleazy, or someone's puppet?"<br /> <br /> The reporter recoiled, wishing to disappear, while other journalists surged forward eagerly.<br /> <br /> Seeing the throng, Elijah yelled, "Watch out, everyone—she is losing her mind! Someone, help!"<br /> <br /> Then, a group of police officers followed by the Wilson family entered from behind the reporters.<br /> <br /> Aria, knowing there would be cameras, wore a delicate white dress and styled her hair in a bun. She touched her lightly made-up face, squeezing out fake tears, and lunged toward Emma. "Sister, my long-lost sister! I'm so happy to find you! Welcome home!"<br /> <br /> Nora approached with feigned warmth. "Emma... it's really you! We've searched so hard for you. But what's this? Weren't these men sent to protect you? Don't you want to come home?"<br /> <br /> As Nora finished, Emma saw the barely concealed disdain from her father and grandmother.<br /> <br /> True to form, Nora's ostensibly caring words masked a sharp jab.<br /> <br /> Emma replied with a cold smile, "Nora, why wouldn't I want to come home? But tell me, do you and Aria actually want me back?"<br /> <br /> "What are you even saying, Emma?" Nora retorted, her surprise evident. Internally she marveled, 'Why isn't she grateful and timid? Why the defiance?'<br /> <br /> Fearing things might spiral, Nora quickly gestured to the police. "Officers, though we've only just found Emma and we all love her dearly, we must abide by the law. Her actions are our failure in upbringing. Please, handle her gently..."<br /> <br /> Emma laughed coldly at Nora's performance. "Really laying it on thick, aren't you, Nora? The police haven't even said anything about arresting me, and here you are, calling for my head? It's not even clear who's in the wrong here."<br /> <br /> She then pulled a syringe and an alcohol swab from a drawer, and in front of everyone, injected herself in the arm.<br /> <br /> Nora blanched. "Hey, what the hell are you doing?"<br /> <br /> Emma remained calm and expertly drew a vial of her own blood.<br /> <br /> Handing the vial to the officer, Emma said, "Officer, if I'm right, you'll find hallucinogenic and hypnotic drugs in my blood, drugs that are strictly banned. I'm just a country girl; I shouldn't have access to this stuff. Please find out where it came from, who supplied it, and who drugged me!"<br /> <br /> The police immediately sent her blood to the hospital for testing.<br /> <br /> After a nerve-wracking wait, the results were promptly returned.<br /> <br /> "Miss Emma is right," announced a doctor, report in hand. "Her blood contains a banned hypnotic drug! Further investigation revealed that a reagent went missing from our pharmacy at 12:29 PM today. It looks like someone deliberately injected it into Miss Emma's bloodstream!"<br /> <br /> At this, all eyes shifted to Elijah.<br /> <br /> Elijah began to panic. The drugging was part of the plot he and Nora had devised, but he never imagined Emma would detect being drugged, much less precisely name the drug. If this was pursued further, it wasn't just about not framing Emma; improperly handling medications could mean losing his job or even facing prison time.<br /> <br /> "Officer, I had nothing to do with this—it must have been a mistake at the pharmacy!" Elijah quickly pointed at a nurse, snapping, "Explain yourself! Why was this drug added to Emma's saline?"<br /> <br /> Emma watched the scapegoated nurse, now shaking with fear.<br /> <br /> The nurse, Layla Brown, was Nora's niece and Aria's cousin. Previously, Layla often participated in their cruel plots against Emma, likely out of a desire to gain their approval.<br /> <br /> 'This time, I bet she was involved too, considering she handles the meds,' Emma thought.<br /> <br /> "What are you waiting for? Write an apology and hand in your resignation!" Elijah, trying to save his skin, lashed out at Layla.<br /> <br /> Emma watched them turn on each other, feeling both disdain and satisfaction. She spoke to the police. "Officer, mishandling medications is serious—it can be deadly. Just quitting doesn't cut it, does it?"<br /> <br /> "Absolutely not!" With that, the officers moved to cuff Layla right in front of Nora.<br /> <br /> As the police moved to take her niece away, Nora grew desperate. "Officer, please, Layla is just a kid who grabbed the wrong medication by mistake. She shouldn't be punished so severely. Please, let her go," she pleaded.<br /> --------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Emma responded icily, "Sure, Layla is just some twenty-something kid who almost killed me by messing up my meds. How come you were preaching about the law to the cops just now, and now you're ready to bend it?"<br /> <br /> Her biting words caused her usually silent father, Mateo Wilson, to frown deeply.<br /> <br /> Mateo scolded, "Emma, is that any way to speak to your elders? Where are your manners?"<br /> <br /> "One abandoned in the wild since birth should just be thankful for a full belly, let alone manners. You're asking if I have any? Did you ever bother to teach me?" Emma snapped back.<br /> <br /> Mateo, infuriated to the point of nearly having a stroke, raised his hand to strike her but was restrained by Emma's Grandma Zoe Wilson, because, after all, Emma was still useful to them.<br /> <br /> "Enough! Since she's okay, let's just go home and stop making a scene," Zoe commanded harshly, but with a disdainful glance at Emma, she thought, 'This crude girl still has her uses. Can't afford to pick fights with money.'<br /> <br /> This reminder refocused the Wilsons on the real reason they had brought Emma back.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> <br /> Soon, they headed back to the villa.<br /> <br /> Emma knew exactly what was on their minds. In her previous life, the Wilson family's finances were a mess at this point, and they hoped to solve it through a marriage alliance with Liam, a man rumored to have a disability and an unpredictable mood.<br /> <br /> Mateo and Grandma were gunning for this marriage, but Nora and Aria feared Emma becoming Mrs. Hall might bite them in the ass. So, they schemed to ruin Emma's reputation, hoping to set Aria up as the bride instead.<br /> <br /> But back then, Liam only had eyes for Emma, completely ignoring Aria.<br /> <br /> Just thinking "Liam Hall" stabbed at Emma's heart.<br /> <br /> She had rejected the marriage before, seeing it as nothing more than a transaction, particularly after the scandal where she was framed for seducing a doctor.<br /> <br /> After Liam's parents pulled their support for the marriage, she had left the Wilson family to join a mysterious organization, later to be deceived and manipulated by the relentless Elijah.<br /> <br /> Little did she know, Liam was the one who truly cared. Elijah, with all his schemes, turned out to be the real nightmare.<br /> <br /> As Emma was caught in her memories, Zoe suddenly switched her approach and started plotting.<br /> <br /> "Emma, though we've been estranged for years, you're still a Wilson. Our family is in trouble, and you can't just turn your back on us, right?" Zoe said, feigning concern.<br /> <br /> Emma leaned back on the sofa with a wry smile, already used to her family's . She listened quietly, waiting to hear more.<br /> <br /> "Ah, Liam Hall, the eldest son of the prestigious Hall family, just lost his legs in an accident. But damn, he's still a catch—handsome and super capable. Most importantly, he's the Hall family's heir!" Zoe's eyes sparkled as she raved about the Hall family. "The Hall family? They make our Wilsons look like peanuts! You, raised in the sticks and hardly educated—landing a guy like him would be the break of a lifetime! We'll even give you 40 thousand dollars as a gift. Just imagine how thrilled you'll be!"<br /> <br /> Emma tapped the armrest of the sofa and shot back, "Grandma, aren't we forgetting something? Didn't the Halls mention they'd fork over 10 million dollars if I married into their family? And you're offering me just 40 thousand dollars? You think I'm stupid or what?"<br /> <br /> Her words left the entire Wilson family dumbfounded. They had figured a simple country girl like Emma would be over the moon about 40 thousand dollars. They never expected her to call them out.<br /> <br /> "Emma, so what exactly are you asking for?" Zoe asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.<br /> <br /> "I want exactly 2 million dollars—the money Mom left for me. Plus, that 10 million dollars from Liam is going straight into my shares in the company. From today, the Wilson Group is co-owned by me and Liam—nothing to do with the rest of the Wilsons," Emma stated firmly.<br /> <br /> Zoe was so enraged she nearly fainted.<br /> <br /> Mateo's face turned beet-red as he banged on the table. "2 million dollars? That's supposed to fund your sister's college abroad! What kind of sister are you?"<br /> <br /> Nora piped up anxiously, "Emma, Aria has always been top of her class! It'd be a shame if she didn't get to study abroad!"<br /> <br /> Aria was clearly distressed, but Emma remained ice-cold.<br /> <br /> 'Oh, that's funny,' she thought bitterly. 'Selling off the eldest daughter to settle debts while the family's nearly bankrupt, yet somehow there's 2 million dollars to send the younger one abroad to live it up. What a damn hypocritical and biased mess. Why the hell was I ever polite to these assholes in my past life?'<br /> <br /> "Don't screw this up, Dad. That 2 million dollars is my inheritance from Mom," Emma stated, slow but forceful. "Aria should be using her own parents' money. If her dad's broke and her mom can't make a dime, then she needs to earn her own keep. Why the hell should she live off my mom's money?"<br /> <br /> Nora, feigning shock, interjected, "Emma, how can you talk like that? She's your family, for god's sake!"<br /> <br /> Emma scoffed coldly. "No, she's not my family. I'm my mother's child. Aria? She's just a bastard."<br /> <br /> Overcome with anger, Mateo raised his hand to strike her face.<br /> <br /> However, Emma quickly blocked it, standing tall and firm. "Just because you're my dad, Mateo, doesn't give you the right to hit me like I'm some dog! Marriage is my damn choice! If you guys can't deal with that, then I won't marry at all! Let's all just watch the Wilson family go down together. Let's see how that goes for everyone!"<br /> <br /> Emma's defiant stance caught the entire Wilson family off guard. They had thought that having grown up in the countryside and being summoned to acknowledge her lineage, Emma would obediently comply. They never expected her to stand her ground and demand 2 million dollars.<br /> <br /> In her past life, Emma hadn't discovered the 2 million dollars her mother left until moments before her death in a fire, when Aria finally told her the truth. By then, it was too late to avenge her mother or save herself.<br /> <br /> This time around, she swore she wouldn't let such atrocities slide.<br /> <br /> Sensing the tension rising, Nora quickly intervened, "Actually, there are specific conditions in the will to access that money."	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1,932,270	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932268}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	503651695444240	🔥Click to Read on📜<Second Chances: Protecting Mrs. Hall>📜	🔥💔In a remote warehouse, Emma Wilson was engulfed in a raging inferno, drugged and bound, unable to move.<br /> <br /> Through the deadly flames, she caught sight of her stepsister and her new husband—whom she had just married earlier that day at city hall—standing safe and sound. In despair, she screamed, "Why the are you doing this to me?"<br /> <br /> Standing at a safe distance, her sister Aria Wilson spoke with contempt. "Emma, really? Haven't you figured it out yet? Elijah didn't cheat—he never loved you at all! He only pursued you to get his hands on your shares. Now that he has got them, and you've been his wife for a day, it's time for you to die!"<br /> <br /> Reeling from the betrayal, Emma struggled to grasp that the man she had trusted for three years could be so cruel.<br /> <br /> Her eyes filled with rage as Aria continued, "You get why we had to set this up, right? So Elijah can ditch you without splitting any assets. The entire Wilson fortune will be all mine! Oh, and that 2 million dollars your dear mom left you? I used it to fund my studies abroad three years ago, thanks to your naivety. She'd be turning in her grave knowing her husband was stolen, her daughter murdered, and her life savings snatched by me!" She burst into hideous laughter.<br /> <br /> As the fire roared louder, Emma, through her tears, watched Aria and Elijah walk away hand in hand, laughing.<br /> <br /> Blinded by grief and fury, Emma's eyes burned with hatred. She was not ready to die—not like this.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, an explosion rocked the warehouse, and a concrete beam plummeted towards her. Emma tried to dodge, but her body was drained of strength.<br /> <br /> Just then, she heard rapid footsteps. A man rushed towards her and shielded her with his body. A second later, the beam crushed his back.<br /> <br /> Amidst the roaring flames, Emma caught sight of the man's face and froze. 'Liam... What is he doing here?'<br /> <br /> "Don't be scared, Emma," Liam Hall murmured, his eyes bloodshot from exhaustion.<br /> <br /> He had come as soon as he got the news, but it was already too late.<br /> <br /> "No—run for it!" Emma screamed as the ceiling threatened to give way.<br /> <br /> But Liam stayed, fiercely protecting her as flames and debris fell around him, the smell of burning flesh filling the air.<br /> <br /> "Why... Why the hell are you doing this?" Emma cried, tears streaming down her face.<br /> <br /> "Don't worry, Emma," Liam's voice was calm, almost serene amid the chaos. "I won't let you face this alone. Not even in death. I'll always be with you..." His handsome face gradually disappeared into the flames.<br /> <br /> Despair washed over Emma as she shut her eyes, swearing to herself, 'Elijah! Aria! In another life, I swear I won't let you off!'<br /> <br /> "Liam... next time, it's my turn to protect you," she whispered into his ear. Her words were barely out before the fire surged, engulfing the embracing pair in its fierce grasp.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> <br /> Emma's eyes snapped open. Instead of the inferno she'd expected, she found herself in a warm, cozy room.<br /> <br /> She instinctively checked her hands. They were intact, no longer bearing the calluses from her martial arts training and no signs of burns—what was going on?<br /> <br /> Scanning the room, Emma realized this place was no ordinary hotel. It was decked out with medical equipment and carried the faint scent of disinfectant, resembling more a luxury hospital suite than anything else. It all felt disturbingly familiar.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, it hit her. 'This is the day I was taken back to the Wilsons when I turned 18! I've been reborn on the day I returned to Troln City!'<br /> <br /> Emma held back a wave of ecstatic relief. With this second chance at life, she vowed to utterly destroy the scum who had wrecked her life before.<br /> <br /> "Emma, your blood has been sent off for testing. Now, take off your coat so I can check you over," a voice announced as a man in a white coat entered. He was strikingly handsome, a tear-shaped mole accentuating his eyes.<br /> <br /> It was Elijah Taylor. Rage boiled within Emma as she faced the man responsible for so much of her past agony.<br /> <br /> In her past life, she had complied and removed her coat without hesitation, which was exactly when reporters, alerted by Aria and her cruel stepmother Nora Wilson, had stormed in. They had smeared her reputation, painting her as a wanton seductress for supposedly trying to entice a doctor on her very first day back. Her father, grandmother, and the entire Wilson family had shunned her, branding her a disgrace.<br /> <br /> 'Of course, this was all a setup by Elijah and Aria from the get-go,' Emma realized. Fueled by rage, she grabbed a vase from the bedside and hurled it at Elijah's head, shattering it with a loud crash.<br /> <br /> Elijah staggered, his head gushing blood. He never expected the seemingly naive and fragile Emma to lash out.<br /> <br /> "What the , Emma?" Elijah bellowed, clutching his wounded head.<br /> <br /> "Elijah, you think you can kidnap me and get away with it? I'll beat the crap out of you!" Emma yelled back, her voice thick with fury.<br /> <br /> Elijah was completely taken aback. Just moments before, Emma had meekly followed him to the hospital, and now she was accusing him of abduction. 'Has she figured something out?' he wondered.<br /> <br /> "Emma, what the hell are you talking about? Kidnapping? You came here on your own—" His words were cut short as she struck him again with a vase.<br /> <br /> Panic set in, and he shouted for help, "Somebody help! Restrain her!"<br /> <br /> Seven or eight burly men rushed into the room.<br /> <br /> "So you had your goons waiting outside?" Emma sneered, contempt in her eyes. "What, ready to force me if I didn't comply?"<br /> <br /> Elijah's face contorted with fury, all traces of his earlier gentlemanly demeanor gone. "I was just trying to give you a medical check-up, and you spin it into a kidnapping! Grab this crazy woman, now!" he ordered.<br /> <br /> Emma scoffed, her mind racing. 'These bastards,' she thought. 'If I play nice, they'll slut-shame me. Fight back, and suddenly I'm the nation's notorious madwoman. Well, if they're gonna call me crazy, I might as well own it.'<br /> <br /> "If I'm guilty, let the law punish me, not you bullies!" With that, she cracked her knuckles and charged at them.<br /> <br /> Thanks to these scumbags, her return to the Wilson family had been a nightmare. They showered Aria with the best of everything, leaving Emma with crumbs and daily insults.<br /> <br /> Driven to desperation, Emma had fled the Wilson family and joined a mysterious organization, dedicating herself to learning how to protect herself. Now, it was finally time for revenge.<br /> <br /> The thugs were initially stunned as Emma rushed at them, but her swift kick to one's neck and a ruthless punch to another's eye quickly turned their surprise into screams.<br /> <br /> Moments later, all the goons were sprawled out, defeated on the ground.<br /> <br /> In the hospital's security room, a group of bodyguards watched the monitor in silent awe. They had to admit that Elijah's men were no match. However, Emma's fierce skills made even these hardened protectors wary.<br /> <br /> Among them, a man in a wheelchair was glued to the screen, his gaze unwavering.<br /> ---------------------------<br /> <br /> Liam sat in his wheelchair, clad in a custom-tailored black suit that highlighted his aristocratic, icy demeanor. His presence exuded an untouchable chill and an air of nobility.<br /> <br /> With a cigarette pinched between his fingers, smoke curling around him, his gaze—deep and unfathomable—was locked on the screen, mirroring Emma's every move.<br /> <br /> On the display, Emma swiftly and decisively took down several sturdy men with deadly efficiency. Her skills were clearly honed over years of rigorous training.<br /> <br /> "Are you sure the info you guys gave me is legit?" Liam asked, his tone cold and questioning.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Hall, it's rock solid. We had no clue Mrs. Hall was so..." the bodyguards fumbled for words, finally murmuring, "Wild."<br /> <br /> As he watched Emma, Liam's icy demeanor softened slightly. 'She's definitely more interesting now,' he thought, intrigued.<br /> <br /> At that moment, Emma's boot was pressed firmly against a bouncer's neck, almost snapping it.<br /> <br /> "Mercy, please..." the men whimpered, pleading for their lives.<br /> <br /> Elijah stood by, utterly baffled. 'Nora said Emma was just an uneducated country girl. How could she be so skilled?' he pondered.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, the door burst open, and reporters swarmed in.<br /> <br /> As Emma turned, a camera flash captured her face. "Miss Wilson, rumors say you've been neglecting your duties. What's this about you and Dr. Taylor?" a reporter fired off, diving into the action.<br /> <br /> Halted by the sight of the defeated thugs, the reporter faltered, thinking, 'What the hell is this? This isn't at all like the scene Nora described!'<br /> <br /> Emma, standing over a defeated man with her arms crossed and her hair wild, scoffed coldly. "What about Dr. Taylor and me? Keep talking. You got some sort of psychic powers or just a dirty mind? Decided I was screwing around before you even saw me? What's your play? Just sleazy, or someone's puppet?"<br /> <br /> The reporter recoiled, wishing to disappear, while other journalists surged forward eagerly.<br /> <br /> Seeing the throng, Elijah yelled, "Watch out, everyone—she is losing her mind! Someone, help!"<br /> <br /> Then, a group of police officers followed by the Wilson family entered from behind the reporters.<br /> <br /> Aria, knowing there would be cameras, wore a delicate white dress and styled her hair in a bun. She touched her lightly made-up face, squeezing out fake tears, and lunged toward Emma. "Sister, my long-lost sister! I'm so happy to find you! Welcome home!"<br /> <br /> Nora approached with feigned warmth. "Emma... it's really you! We've searched so hard for you. But what's this? Weren't these men sent to protect you? Don't you want to come home?"<br /> <br /> As Nora finished, Emma saw the barely concealed disdain from her father and grandmother.<br /> <br /> True to form, Nora's ostensibly caring words masked a sharp jab.<br /> <br /> Emma replied with a cold smile, "Nora, why wouldn't I want to come home? But tell me, do you and Aria actually want me back?"<br /> <br /> "What are you even saying, Emma?" Nora retorted, her surprise evident. Internally she marveled, 'Why isn't she grateful and timid? Why the defiance?'<br /> <br /> Fearing things might spiral, Nora quickly gestured to the police. "Officers, though we've only just found Emma and we all love her dearly, we must abide by the law. Her actions are our failure in upbringing. Please, handle her gently..."<br /> <br /> Emma laughed coldly at Nora's performance. "Really laying it on thick, aren't you, Nora? The police haven't even said anything about arresting me, and here you are, calling for my head? It's not even clear who's in the wrong here."<br /> <br /> She then pulled a syringe and an alcohol swab from a drawer, and in front of everyone, injected herself in the arm.<br /> <br /> Nora blanched. "Hey, what the hell are you doing?"<br /> <br /> Emma remained calm and expertly drew a vial of her own blood.<br /> <br /> Handing the vial to the officer, Emma said, "Officer, if I'm right, you'll find hallucinogenic and hypnotic drugs in my blood, drugs that are strictly banned. I'm just a country girl; I shouldn't have access to this stuff. Please find out where it came from, who supplied it, and who drugged me!"<br /> <br /> The police immediately sent her blood to the hospital for testing.<br /> <br /> After a nerve-wracking wait, the results were promptly returned.<br /> <br /> "Miss Emma is right," announced a doctor, report in hand. "Her blood contains a banned hypnotic drug! Further investigation revealed that a reagent went missing from our pharmacy at 12:29 PM today. It looks like someone deliberately injected it into Miss Emma's bloodstream!"<br /> <br /> At this, all eyes shifted to Elijah.<br /> <br /> Elijah began to panic. The drugging was part of the plot he and Nora had devised, but he never imagined Emma would detect being drugged, much less precisely name the drug. If this was pursued further, it wasn't just about not framing Emma; improperly handling medications could mean losing his job or even facing prison time.<br /> <br /> "Officer, I had nothing to do with this—it must have been a mistake at the pharmacy!" Elijah quickly pointed at a nurse, snapping, "Explain yourself! Why was this drug added to Emma's saline?"<br /> <br /> Emma watched the scapegoated nurse, now shaking with fear.<br /> <br /> The nurse, Layla Brown, was Nora's niece and Aria's cousin. Previously, Layla often participated in their cruel plots against Emma, likely out of a desire to gain their approval.<br /> <br /> 'This time, I bet she was involved too, considering she handles the meds,' Emma thought.<br /> <br /> "What are you waiting for? Write an apology and hand in your resignation!" Elijah, trying to save his skin, lashed out at Layla.<br /> <br /> Emma watched them turn on each other, feeling both disdain and satisfaction. She spoke to the police. "Officer, mishandling medications is serious—it can be deadly. Just quitting doesn't cut it, does it?"<br /> <br /> "Absolutely not!" With that, the officers moved to cuff Layla right in front of Nora.<br /> <br /> As the police moved to take her niece away, Nora grew desperate. "Officer, please, Layla is just a kid who grabbed the wrong medication by mistake. She shouldn't be punished so severely. Please, let her go," she pleaded.<br /> --------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Emma responded icily, "Sure, Layla is just some twenty-something kid who almost killed me by messing up my meds. How come you were preaching about the law to the cops just now, and now you're ready to bend it?"<br /> <br /> Her biting words caused her usually silent father, Mateo Wilson, to frown deeply.<br /> <br /> Mateo scolded, "Emma, is that any way to speak to your elders? Where are your manners?"<br /> <br /> "One abandoned in the wild since birth should just be thankful for a full belly, let alone manners. You're asking if I have any? Did you ever bother to teach me?" Emma snapped back.<br /> <br /> Mateo, infuriated to the point of nearly having a stroke, raised his hand to strike her but was restrained by Emma's Grandma Zoe Wilson, because, after all, Emma was still useful to them.<br /> <br /> "Enough! Since she's okay, let's just go home and stop making a scene," Zoe commanded harshly, but with a disdainful glance at Emma, she thought, 'This crude girl still has her uses. Can't afford to pick fights with money.'<br /> <br /> This reminder refocused the Wilsons on the real reason they had brought Emma back.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> <br /> Soon, they headed back to the villa.<br /> <br /> Emma knew exactly what was on their minds. In her previous life, the Wilson family's finances were a mess at this point, and they hoped to solve it through a marriage alliance with Liam, a man rumored to have a disability and an unpredictable mood.<br /> <br /> Mateo and Grandma were gunning for this marriage, but Nora and Aria feared Emma becoming Mrs. Hall might bite them in the ass. So, they schemed to ruin Emma's reputation, hoping to set Aria up as the bride instead.<br /> <br /> But back then, Liam only had eyes for Emma, completely ignoring Aria.<br /> <br /> Just thinking "Liam Hall" stabbed at Emma's heart.<br /> <br /> She had rejected the marriage before, seeing it as nothing more than a transaction, particularly after the scandal where she was framed for seducing a doctor.<br /> <br /> After Liam's parents pulled their support for the marriage, she had left the Wilson family to join a mysterious organization, later to be deceived and manipulated by the relentless Elijah.<br /> <br /> Little did she know, Liam was the one who truly cared. Elijah, with all his schemes, turned out to be the real nightmare.<br /> <br /> As Emma was caught in her memories, Zoe suddenly switched her approach and started plotting.<br /> <br /> "Emma, though we've been estranged for years, you're still a Wilson. Our family is in trouble, and you can't just turn your back on us, right?" Zoe said, feigning concern.<br /> <br /> Emma leaned back on the sofa with a wry smile, already used to her family's . She listened quietly, waiting to hear more.<br /> <br /> "Ah, Liam Hall, the eldest son of the prestigious Hall family, just lost his legs in an accident. But damn, he's still a catch—handsome and super capable. Most importantly, he's the Hall family's heir!" Zoe's eyes sparkled as she raved about the Hall family. "The Hall family? They make our Wilsons look like peanuts! You, raised in the sticks and hardly educated—landing a guy like him would be the break of a lifetime! We'll even give you 40 thousand dollars as a gift. Just imagine how thrilled you'll be!"<br /> <br /> Emma tapped the armrest of the sofa and shot back, "Grandma, aren't we forgetting something? Didn't the Halls mention they'd fork over 10 million dollars if I married into their family? And you're offering me just 40 thousand dollars? You think I'm stupid or what?"<br /> <br /> Her words left the entire Wilson family dumbfounded. They had figured a simple country girl like Emma would be over the moon about 40 thousand dollars. They never expected her to call them out.<br /> <br /> "Emma, so what exactly are you asking for?" Zoe asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.<br /> <br /> "I want exactly 2 million dollars—the money Mom left for me. Plus, that 10 million dollars from Liam is going straight into my shares in the company. From today, the Wilson Group is co-owned by me and Liam—nothing to do with the rest of the Wilsons," Emma stated firmly.<br /> <br /> Zoe was so enraged she nearly fainted.<br /> <br /> Mateo's face turned beet-red as he banged on the table. "2 million dollars? That's supposed to fund your sister's college abroad! What kind of sister are you?"<br /> <br /> Nora piped up anxiously, "Emma, Aria has always been top of her class! It'd be a shame if she didn't get to study abroad!"<br /> <br /> Aria was clearly distressed, but Emma remained ice-cold.<br /> <br /> 'Oh, that's funny,' she thought bitterly. 'Selling off the eldest daughter to settle debts while the family's nearly bankrupt, yet somehow there's 2 million dollars to send the younger one abroad to live it up. What a damn hypocritical and biased mess. Why the hell was I ever polite to these assholes in my past life?'<br /> <br /> "Don't screw this up, Dad. That 2 million dollars is my inheritance from Mom," Emma stated, slow but forceful. "Aria should be using her own parents' money. If her dad's broke and her mom can't make a dime, then she needs to earn her own keep. Why the hell should she live off my mom's money?"<br /> <br /> Nora, feigning shock, interjected, "Emma, how can you talk like that? She's your family, for god's sake!"<br /> <br /> Emma scoffed coldly. "No, she's not my family. I'm my mother's child. Aria? She's just a bastard."<br /> <br /> Overcome with anger, Mateo raised his hand to strike her face.<br /> <br /> However, Emma quickly blocked it, standing tall and firm. "Just because you're my dad, Mateo, doesn't give you the right to hit me like I'm some dog! Marriage is my damn choice! If you guys can't deal with that, then I won't marry at all! Let's all just watch the Wilson family go down together. Let's see how that goes for everyone!"<br /> <br /> Emma's defiant stance caught the entire Wilson family off guard. They had thought that having grown up in the countryside and being summoned to acknowledge her lineage, Emma would obediently comply. They never expected her to stand her ground and demand 2 million dollars.<br /> <br /> In her past life, Emma hadn't discovered the 2 million dollars her mother left until moments before her death in a fire, when Aria finally told her the truth. By then, it was too late to avenge her mother or save herself.<br /> <br /> This time around, she swore she wouldn't let such atrocities slide.<br /> <br /> Sensing the tension rising, Nora quickly intervened, "Actually, there are specific conditions in the will to access that money."	LEARN_MORE	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/un2vhapfc3pxs	108358222370640	LeReader-brilliant Novel	https://facebook.com/61552740297935	461	1	396,781,080,086,243	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	LeReader-brilliant Novel	120212131847590191	www.yumread.com	NONE	video		https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/un2vhapfc3pxshavthkrarkr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120212131841660191&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	2024-07-20 04:02	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452336871_1194387595209995_5594760359551536018_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ssXiZbYvORkQ7kNvgH3wuH4&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAJQB-WGMEhOphykUgL-hC5l1m2XTGLtl6OtwwifdL8Mg&oe=66A1CACE	person_profile	LeReader-brilliant Novel	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452007157_355520524258681_1068309524548227977_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YyNNA-rrWR8Q7kNvgGOHXQ_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDqm9AwZqMrMKSnO3bJeqmWYd92euh7ZvJcF-IL4iC2tw&oe=66A1DDA9	3	LeReader-brilliant Novel	2024-07-20 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,932,287	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932285}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1563375764589324	Read more	My husband was deeply in love with his first love. When I jokingly told him that I was pregnant, he told me seriously, "You can't have this child." I loved him but didn't want to love him blindly, so I ran away. Nine months later, when I gave birth to the child in a small town hospital, I received a call from a friend, "You know what? Your husband has gone crazy looking for you."<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"	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1,932,313	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932314}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1203317074417626	Click to Read More	Justin:<br /> I have a beautiful woman sitting in my lap.<br /> I don’t know her name, or what she does for a living, or where she grew up. <br /> I do know that she smells like tequila… and that tequila and I have never played particularly well together.<br /> But none of that matters to her.<br /> The only thing that matters is that I’m a pro hockey athlete, and so she’s ready to sleep with me. Which holds exactly zero appeal for me. <br /> Don’t get me wrong, I love female attention, but lately every minute of it all feels stale, like I’ve been there, seen that, done it all before and have the t-shirt to prove it. <br /> I’m not even sure she knows my name. But I’d bet good money on her knowing my jersey number by heart. I guess that’s why they call the women jersey chasers, or in hockey—puck bunnies. <br /> "Justin Freakin' Brady!" Owen, my best friend and roommate, calls from our living room. “Get a drink and get your balls in here.”<br /> I nod and flash him a thumbs-up.<br /> “You’ll have to excuse me,” I say to the petite brunette currently running her hands down my chest. <br /> She blinks at me with lust-filled blue eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, she hops up from my lap with a frown and I slide off of the barstool.<br /> “If you want to score tonight, I’m a sure thing, cutie,” she says with a flirty wink. <br /> I rub one hand over my jaw. This joke is really getting old. “I’m good. Thanks, though.”<br /> I’m sure I sound like an asshole, but whatever. I can feel her eyes on me as I walk away. <br /> The party was already in full swing by the time I made it home a little while ago. The marble countertops are littered with empty beer bottles, most of them imported or pricey craft brews. A few bottles of flavored vodka along with fruity mixers are on the island—Owen’s attempt at being welcoming to the scantily-clad ladies scattered around the apartment—most of whom are perched in players’ laps and draped over the sectional in the living room. <br /> I probably sound like an old man at the ripe age of twenty-eight, but this is hardly fun anymore. Some nights I just want to go to bed…alone and in blissful peace and quiet. Yep, it’s official, I need to apply for my AARP discounts and hand over my man card…stat.<br /> Grabbing a six-pack of beer from the counter, I head into the living room. The guys are in rare form tonight. Winning the league championship will do that, I guess.<br /> “Is that really Justin Brady?” a redhead asks from behind me as I head through the kitchen. I’m sure I look different without twenty pounds of hockey gear on, but the cynical side of me thinks about how inter-changeable the players are for girls like her. Bragging rights that you’ve bagged a pro player is practically the name of the game. Not that being someone’s conquest has ever really bothered me before. But something about it annoys me as I weave my way through bodies. <br /> Our star center, Asher, reaches out to bump his fist against mine as I walk past. “Awesome play tonight.”<br /> “Thanks, dude.”<br /> Someone hands me a shot as I pass and I down it without bothering to look what’s in the glass. <br /> Most of the team isn’t just celebrating our win tonight. They’re celebrating the fact that the off-season has just begun and a summer break of zero responsibilities is right around the corner.<br /> Me? Not so much.<br /> I eat, drink, and breathe hockey and so the idea of six weeks without the rigorous schedule to distract me is my own personal brand of hell. <br /> I didn’t have the easiest time growing up, and the breakdown of my family only made me play faster, fight harder, take more chances—and that’s why we’re winners celebrating tonight. <br /> That said, when the two people who are supposed to love you unconditionally use you as nothing more than a pawn in their sick games, it warps your view on love. I wasn’t lovable—I knew that. I’d known that since I was six years old. And nothing had changed in the last twenty years. Women wanted me for my body, and that was fine. That was really all I had to offer anyway. <br /> I take up one half of the sofa, and work on polishing off my beer. <br /> Teddy King, one of our best forwards and a total player, is making out with a girl in the corner. <br /> “TK, get a room!” someone calls out.<br /> It’s no surprise that Owen is on the couch with two blondes in his lap. He’s my best friend, but the dude is a notorious player. “I hope you ladies are good at sharing,” Owen says over the thumping music. <br /> The blondes smile at each other, one of them turning to blink up at him. “And what will we be sharing?” <br /> “My stick,” he says, matter-of-factly.<br /> The girls begin to giggle like he’s just said the most interesting thing in the world.<br /> I roll my eyes and open another beer from the six-pack at my feet.<br /> Owen is six foot four and well over two hundred pounds of muscle with messy brown hair and the stubble of a beard he hasn’t bothered to shave since we made the playoffs. He’s one of the best goalies in the entire league, and he's fully aware of it. He’s cocky, but he’s earned the right to be. He plays it up well, and is known to be a total ladies’ man. And the girls love every bit of it.<br /> Normally I’d be doing the same exact thing, looking to blow off steam and celebrate our win, but tonight I can’t seem to get out of my head long enough to relax. I’m more than a hard stick. I’m more than what I can do with a hockey stick. But most of these people here don’t know that. Hell, I’m not even sure I know that anymore. <br /> The only person here who looks to be as uneasy as me is Owen’s younger sister, Elise. She’s standing across the room, arms folded over her chest with her lips pressed into a firm line. The three of us grew up together a few hours from here in central Washington. I’ve known her since she was a bossy first-grader with a gap between her front teeth, and always wearing those shiny patent-leather shoes with frilly dresses.<br /> Her looks, and her sense of fashion, have changed quite a bit. Her attitude, not so much. I can tell she’s pissed about how out of hand things have gotten. I’m sure she’ll be the first one here in the morning, nursing hangovers and helping us clean the apartment. There are at least fifty people here, and I know less than half of them. <br /> A few seconds later, like she’s heard my inner thoughts, Elise wanders closer and sits down next to me on the sofa. She looks so damn small in an oversized jersey and a pair of leggings. It’s strange because most girls here are dressed in tiny black dresses that barely cover their asses and too much makeup, but Elise is nothing like that. Sometimes I forget she’s all grown up, that she graduated from college last year, and is an actual adult. <br /> “Hey, E.” I raise my beer toward hers.<br /> “Hey. Congrats on tonight.” <br /> “Thanks,” I mutter after another long swig of beer. “You’re not drinking?” I ask.<br /> “I’ve had a couple,” she says, her gaze still scanning the party, almost like she’s making a concentrated effort not to look at me.<br /> I know the feeling. <br /> Normally—I see something I want—and I go and get it. It’s how I’ve always been. It’s how I’m wired. The one exception to that rule? Elise Parrish. <br /> She’s a no-fly zone. She used to be the cute kid sister of my best friend, but something shifted recently and I went from thinking of her as Owen’s younger sister to something more. <br /> This was the girl who borrowed my sweatshirts and never returned them. Took my warmest gloves and lost one somewhere between home and the ice rink. The girl who followed me and Owen around like a lost puppy all throughout our childhoods and the girl who cried during sappy commercials. <br /> I had no idea how badly I would miss all those things about her until I moved away for college. But then my life got so busy with school and exams and hockey and fighting for a spot in the pros, my fascination with Elise took a backseat, and I knew it was for the best. <br /> Still, despite my best efforts, she traipsed out of friend territory somewhere along the way, and into a sexy woman who made my body ache. It was dangerous. And my best friend Owen made no apologies for the fact that his sister was very much off-limits to any member of our team. <br /> My gaze drifts over to her again, and my breath catches. She’s beautiful, intoxicatingly so. But she’s smart too. And feisty. And she knows the game of hockey better than most of the guys, Lord knows she grew up spending just as much time at the ice rink as we did. Plus, the fact that I’m a pro hockey player doesn’t impress her in the slightest. That’s the best thing about her. I can just be myself. <br /> “How pissed off are you?” I ask, unable to hide the amusement in my voice. <br /> Elise shakes her head, the smirk on her mouth unmistakable. “On a scale of one to I’m going to murder Owen?”<br /> “Sure.” I polish off the rest of my beer and wait for her to answer, but she doesn’t say anything else, she just lets out an exasperated sigh. So I grab another from the six-pack resting on the polished wood floor beneath my feet. “Want one?” I offer her a beer, but she shakes her head.<br /> I drain half the bottle watching Asher and Teddy flirt with a group of girls on the balcony. They’re eyeing the hot tub, which I’m suddenly sure will have floating remnants of jizz in the morning. Fantastic. <br /> “Those guys better not take those bunnies in the hot tub,” Elise says under her breath.<br /> I swallow a chuckle and shake my head. “You’re good peeps, E,” I mumble, feeling the effects of the alcohol already.<br /> Elise shakes her head, a smile tugging up her full lips. “I’m the freaking best. Someone’s got to babysit this idiot team.”<br /> I study her for just a second. Long dark hair hanging over one shoulder, grey eyes that always seem to see straight through me, along with a sassy mouth that has always called me out on my bullshit. <br /> But I never let myself notice things like that about her, and I won’t start now, so I look down at the beer bottle in my hands instead. <br /> When she's beside me, all my nerve endings light up with a feeling I can't explain. <br /> I feel alive. <br /> Raw. <br /> On edge. <br /> And there’s no point in denying it–a whole lot turned on. <br /> I need to get myself in check, but instead I’m feeling a little reckless. Unsteady. <br /> “You know what will make this situation better?” I ask, sneaking one more glance at her.<br /> “What’s that?”<br /> “Vodka.”<br /> Elise shakes her head.<br /> “Come on, E-Class.”<br /> This earns me a laugh. The old nickname I bestowed on her in eighth grade still strikes a chord. <br /> “I’ll slice the lemons, you get the glasses?” she asks. <br /> My heart starts to beat faster as she grins up at me. Well damn, I didn’t know I still had one of those.<br /> I smile back. “It’s on.”	LEARN_MORE	https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/74a8fe94-ecf6-44	261560677039586	QueenQuest	https://facebook.com/61557089950965	117	1	854,651,463,190,818	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Learn more	QueenQuest	120211178807780693	cdn.joylitnovel.com	NONE	video		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/74a8fe94-ecf6-44bd-8497-5955cd3b7454.html?p0=12t5r660&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}	2024-07-20 03:11	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452247926_502625905498686_8816840148222648564_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1ZL6JVRWDMAQ7kNvgEiTVaB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC7kwgGfqAUMlcnH3yDe2U9202xrhCvz0WnMVdaUuzhrA&oe=66A1E14F	person_profile	Ruonan Ye	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452199954_426414600398915_7688929694953652536_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-0Vc8-gAOC0Q7kNvgGaJ1Zs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYC_a-z9FplV7PobAzc1ZMhyGTo8DU5jVqzrly6Ps_sUIw&oe=66A1CE4C	3	QueenQuest	2024-07-20 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,932,374	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1480176712864228	👉👉👉Watch more episodes on FlexTV🔥🔥🔥【My husband is a big shot】👉👉👉	🔥🔥🔥The girl was betrayed by her fiancé and sister, yet found love with a random taxi driver. Curious to know more?😭😭😭<br /> <br /> 😲😲On her wedding day, Selena Lane is betrayed by her fiancé and her half-sister. In a desperate bid to escape her family, Selena impulsively marries a passing driver named Robert. However, Robert is not who he seems; he is actually the CEO of Accord Group. He tries to keep his identity a secret, yet his brother eventually find out where he is…💓💓😨😨<br /> <br /> 🔥😍👉My husband is a big shot👈😍 🔥, Flex TV ⭐exclusive mini-drama🎬, download and watch now...<br /> <br /> 👇👇👇For more highlights, please click here👇👇👇	WATCH_MORE	https://www.flextv.cc/w2a/facebook.html?code=m0WRo	103515762565245	Flex TV	https://facebook.com/flextvus	76,601	1	1,153,102,776,014,135	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Watch more	Flex TV	120215982730220011	www.flextv.cc	NONE	video		https://www.flextv.cc/w2a/facebook.html?code=m0WRoM8El3&page_type=1&pixel_id=3278914512415943&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&site_source_name={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}	2024-07-20 01:28	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452288881_452229327718714_5661283543943603729_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B7voH6xM9HMQ7kNvgGnLq-C&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBd-3T3Dm3HUPmzIQFHW2pQ4ztZi9B0HENNQ0EkN13xPg&oe=66A1D4F0	person_profile	Flex TV	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452013976_1019255373075480_996778399632530602_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Anmp3Vo_kLkQ7kNvgE97uEw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDyMCoBN623xQ2Ne0XicWqmB9xTky_Qkkw_iCV1zpUoPA&oe=66A1E2FB	3	Flex TV	2024-07-20 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,932,559	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932164}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	895259615761288	🔥For more highlights, Please click here! Download and watch now...	🔥🔥🤩🔞On her wedding day, Selena Lane is betrayed by her fiancé and her half-sister. In a desperate bid to escape her family, Selena impulsively marries a passing driver named Robert. However, Robert is not who he seems; he is actually the CEO of Accord Group. He tries to keep his identity a secret, yet his brother eventually find out where he is…<br /> 🤩🤩Watch the full episode on FlexTV to find out how their love story ends.#reels #short #drama #viralvideo #enjoy #Romantic #Movie #love #sadstory #reprisal👇<br /> <My husband is a big shot>🔥🤩	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a	103515762565245	Flex TV	https://facebook.com/flextvus	76,601	1	1,031,995,708,534,953	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Install now	Flex TV	120210695869040173	play.google.com	NONE	video		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aytech.flextv	2024-07-19 22:54	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452259398_838823845007785_6013142966528575625_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d3cVXIw6yDUQ7kNvgHLou9O&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYC4zAxYKtVNdb-PQy-xfiR6Z9WbEjgac0G7x6cmGztMFw&oe=66A1E111	person_profile	Flex TV	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451869513_1763250504205207_3471403419349041171_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kS_crRuosGsQ7kNvgEcB3Bw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD5YYH7dwxOwRaoZnHoNUyyop6GJxWly_EZBc8W9bnMXQ&oe=66A1E015	3	Flex TV	2024-07-20 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,932,486	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932525}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1124841388579995	Read next chapter👉	Because of cheating, he divorced her. She left a sentence, "You will regret it." 4 years later, he saw her on TV and introduced her as a top 100 female CEO and a single mother of triplets. The faces of her three children are exactly like his ...<br /> =============<br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e	215069711684182	Late reading	https://facebook.com/61554989897813	14,931	1	475,295,982,109,272	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Learn more	Late reading	120211589078660758	fbweb.moboreader.net	NONE	image		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=791750052879575	2024-07-17 23:26	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451780047_1214913589502699_8092624676350451900_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qknc5OQj0XwQ7kNvgHUSUXo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBX71dgxzak_9KNR_x-6JZuyMl7C8Cccm6ljwlPcrPgKQ&oe=66A1D9CC	person_profile	moboreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451849093_449420557921998_9079258973251338154_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e-u6My_DuyQQ7kNvgF3aLRP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC5PZ1tg4blfXUfeCWeeYtXOmljJ1pWB1gDpjFhR3tUDg&oe=66A1DB53	3	Late reading	2024-07-19 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,932,164	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932178}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1518332749112797	😍【My husband is a big shot】🔥🔥Click the link to watch more stories👉👉	🔥🔥🤣🤣On her wedding day, Selena Lane is betrayed by her fiancé and her half-sister. In a desperate bid to escape her family, Selena impulsively marries a passing driver named Robert. However, Robert is not who he seems; he is actually the CEO of Accord Group. He tries to keep his identity a secret, yet his brother eventually find out where he is… ———Watch more——— 😍【My husband is a big shot】 , FlexTV ⭐exclusive mini-drama🎬, download and watch now... 👇👇For more highlights, please click here!	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a	103515762565245	Flex TV	https://facebook.com/flextvus	76,601	1	1,932,038,350,557,395	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Install Now	Flex TV	120212994217020360	play.google.com	NONE	dco		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aytech.flextv	2024-07-20 06:17	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451859679_811600171102528_4068448402121517168_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6xgB1ShSqJQQ7kNvgFL2JX_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDq-DgBNLcS6kV-Aw4xF2cHr_9qRFN4ntjZJcW0aB9ufQ&oe=66A1D4DE	person_profile	Flex TV	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452134602_1757063208035018_4504231105168370747_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3uTOSOooo4gQ7kNvgHvDh4L&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAy25uwb5yi904wgj7Erxck858HNJ3Sjssovk_dVt0Ohg&oe=66A1E2D5	3	Flex TV	2024-07-20 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,932,272	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1932268}'	No	2024-07-20 14:54	active	1151	1388161798517954	🔥Click to Read on📜<Second Chances: Protecting Mrs. Hall>📜	🔥💔In a remote warehouse, Emma Wilson was engulfed in a raging inferno, drugged and bound, unable to move.<br /> <br /> Through the deadly flames, she caught sight of her stepsister and her new husband—whom she had just married earlier that day at city hall—standing safe and sound. In despair, she screamed, "Why the are you doing this to me?"<br /> <br /> Standing at a safe distance, her sister Aria Wilson spoke with contempt. "Emma, really? Haven't you figured it out yet? Elijah didn't cheat—he never loved you at all! He only pursued you to get his hands on your shares. Now that he has got them, and you've been his wife for a day, it's time for you to die!"<br /> <br /> Reeling from the betrayal, Emma struggled to grasp that the man she had trusted for three years could be so cruel.<br /> <br /> Her eyes filled with rage as Aria continued, "You get why we had to set this up, right? So Elijah can ditch you without splitting any assets. The entire Wilson fortune will be all mine! Oh, and that 2 million dollars your dear mom left you? I used it to fund my studies abroad three years ago, thanks to your naivety. She'd be turning in her grave knowing her husband was stolen, her daughter murdered, and her life savings snatched by me!" She burst into hideous laughter.<br /> <br /> As the fire roared louder, Emma, through her tears, watched Aria and Elijah walk away hand in hand, laughing.<br /> <br /> Blinded by grief and fury, Emma's eyes burned with hatred. She was not ready to die—not like this.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, an explosion rocked the warehouse, and a concrete beam plummeted towards her. Emma tried to dodge, but her body was drained of strength.<br /> <br /> Just then, she heard rapid footsteps. A man rushed towards her and shielded her with his body. A second later, the beam crushed his back.<br /> <br /> Amidst the roaring flames, Emma caught sight of the man's face and froze. 'Liam... What is he doing here?'<br /> <br /> "Don't be scared, Emma," Liam Hall murmured, his eyes bloodshot from exhaustion.<br /> <br /> He had come as soon as he got the news, but it was already too late.<br /> <br /> "No—run for it!" Emma screamed as the ceiling threatened to give way.<br /> <br /> But Liam stayed, fiercely protecting her as flames and debris fell around him, the smell of burning flesh filling the air.<br /> <br /> "Why... Why the hell are you doing this?" Emma cried, tears streaming down her face.<br /> <br /> "Don't worry, Emma," Liam's voice was calm, almost serene amid the chaos. "I won't let you face this alone. Not even in death. I'll always be with you..." His handsome face gradually disappeared into the flames.<br /> <br /> Despair washed over Emma as she shut her eyes, swearing to herself, 'Elijah! Aria! In another life, I swear I won't let you off!'<br /> <br /> "Liam... next time, it's my turn to protect you," she whispered into his ear. Her words were barely out before the fire surged, engulfing the embracing pair in its fierce grasp.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> <br /> Emma's eyes snapped open. Instead of the inferno she'd expected, she found herself in a warm, cozy room.<br /> <br /> She instinctively checked her hands. They were intact, no longer bearing the calluses from her martial arts training and no signs of burns—what was going on?<br /> <br /> Scanning the room, Emma realized this place was no ordinary hotel. It was decked out with medical equipment and carried the faint scent of disinfectant, resembling more a luxury hospital suite than anything else. It all felt disturbingly familiar.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, it hit her. 'This is the day I was taken back to the Wilsons when I turned 18! I've been reborn on the day I returned to Troln City!'<br /> <br /> Emma held back a wave of ecstatic relief. With this second chance at life, she vowed to utterly destroy the scum who had wrecked her life before.<br /> <br /> "Emma, your blood has been sent off for testing. Now, take off your coat so I can check you over," a voice announced as a man in a white coat entered. He was strikingly handsome, a tear-shaped mole accentuating his eyes.<br /> <br /> It was Elijah Taylor. Rage boiled within Emma as she faced the man responsible for so much of her past agony.<br /> <br /> In her past life, she had complied and removed her coat without hesitation, which was exactly when reporters, alerted by Aria and her cruel stepmother Nora Wilson, had stormed in. They had smeared her reputation, painting her as a wanton seductress for supposedly trying to entice a doctor on her very first day back. Her father, grandmother, and the entire Wilson family had shunned her, branding her a disgrace.<br /> <br /> 'Of course, this was all a setup by Elijah and Aria from the get-go,' Emma realized. Fueled by rage, she grabbed a vase from the bedside and hurled it at Elijah's head, shattering it with a loud crash.<br /> <br /> Elijah staggered, his head gushing blood. He never expected the seemingly naive and fragile Emma to lash out.<br /> <br /> "What the , Emma?" Elijah bellowed, clutching his wounded head.<br /> <br /> "Elijah, you think you can kidnap me and get away with it? I'll beat the crap out of you!" Emma yelled back, her voice thick with fury.<br /> <br /> Elijah was completely taken aback. Just moments before, Emma had meekly followed him to the hospital, and now she was accusing him of abduction. 'Has she figured something out?' he wondered.<br /> <br /> "Emma, what the hell are you talking about? Kidnapping? You came here on your own—" His words were cut short as she struck him again with a vase.<br /> <br /> Panic set in, and he shouted for help, "Somebody help! Restrain her!"<br /> <br /> Seven or eight burly men rushed into the room.<br /> <br /> "So you had your goons waiting outside?" Emma sneered, contempt in her eyes. "What, ready to force me if I didn't comply?"<br /> <br /> Elijah's face contorted with fury, all traces of his earlier gentlemanly demeanor gone. "I was just trying to give you a medical check-up, and you spin it into a kidnapping! Grab this crazy woman, now!" he ordered.<br /> <br /> Emma scoffed, her mind racing. 'These bastards,' she thought. 'If I play nice, they'll slut-shame me. Fight back, and suddenly I'm the nation's notorious madwoman. Well, if they're gonna call me crazy, I might as well own it.'<br /> <br /> "If I'm guilty, let the law punish me, not you bullies!" With that, she cracked her knuckles and charged at them.<br /> <br /> Thanks to these scumbags, her return to the Wilson family had been a nightmare. They showered Aria with the best of everything, leaving Emma with crumbs and daily insults.<br /> <br /> Driven to desperation, Emma had fled the Wilson family and joined a mysterious organization, dedicating herself to learning how to protect herself. Now, it was finally time for revenge.<br /> <br /> The thugs were initially stunned as Emma rushed at them, but her swift kick to one's neck and a ruthless punch to another's eye quickly turned their surprise into screams.<br /> <br /> Moments later, all the goons were sprawled out, defeated on the ground.<br /> <br /> In the hospital's security room, a group of bodyguards watched the monitor in silent awe. They had to admit that Elijah's men were no match. However, Emma's fierce skills made even these hardened protectors wary.<br /> <br /> Among them, a man in a wheelchair was glued to the screen, his gaze unwavering.<br /> ---------------------------<br /> <br /> Liam sat in his wheelchair, clad in a custom-tailored black suit that highlighted his aristocratic, icy demeanor. His presence exuded an untouchable chill and an air of nobility.<br /> <br /> With a cigarette pinched between his fingers, smoke curling around him, his gaze—deep and unfathomable—was locked on the screen, mirroring Emma's every move.<br /> <br /> On the display, Emma swiftly and decisively took down several sturdy men with deadly efficiency. Her skills were clearly honed over years of rigorous training.<br /> <br /> "Are you sure the info you guys gave me is legit?" Liam asked, his tone cold and questioning.<br /> <br /> "Mr. Hall, it's rock solid. We had no clue Mrs. Hall was so..." the bodyguards fumbled for words, finally murmuring, "Wild."<br /> <br /> As he watched Emma, Liam's icy demeanor softened slightly. 'She's definitely more interesting now,' he thought, intrigued.<br /> <br /> At that moment, Emma's boot was pressed firmly against a bouncer's neck, almost snapping it.<br /> <br /> "Mercy, please..." the men whimpered, pleading for their lives.<br /> <br /> Elijah stood by, utterly baffled. 'Nora said Emma was just an uneducated country girl. How could she be so skilled?' he pondered.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, the door burst open, and reporters swarmed in.<br /> <br /> As Emma turned, a camera flash captured her face. "Miss Wilson, rumors say you've been neglecting your duties. What's this about you and Dr. Taylor?" a reporter fired off, diving into the action.<br /> <br /> Halted by the sight of the defeated thugs, the reporter faltered, thinking, 'What the hell is this? This isn't at all like the scene Nora described!'<br /> <br /> Emma, standing over a defeated man with her arms crossed and her hair wild, scoffed coldly. "What about Dr. Taylor and me? Keep talking. You got some sort of psychic powers or just a dirty mind? Decided I was screwing around before you even saw me? What's your play? Just sleazy, or someone's puppet?"<br /> <br /> The reporter recoiled, wishing to disappear, while other journalists surged forward eagerly.<br /> <br /> Seeing the throng, Elijah yelled, "Watch out, everyone—she is losing her mind! Someone, help!"<br /> <br /> Then, a group of police officers followed by the Wilson family entered from behind the reporters.<br /> <br /> Aria, knowing there would be cameras, wore a delicate white dress and styled her hair in a bun. She touched her lightly made-up face, squeezing out fake tears, and lunged toward Emma. "Sister, my long-lost sister! I'm so happy to find you! Welcome home!"<br /> <br /> Nora approached with feigned warmth. "Emma... it's really you! We've searched so hard for you. But what's this? Weren't these men sent to protect you? Don't you want to come home?"<br /> <br /> As Nora finished, Emma saw the barely concealed disdain from her father and grandmother.<br /> <br /> True to form, Nora's ostensibly caring words masked a sharp jab.<br /> <br /> Emma replied with a cold smile, "Nora, why wouldn't I want to come home? But tell me, do you and Aria actually want me back?"<br /> <br /> "What are you even saying, Emma?" Nora retorted, her surprise evident. Internally she marveled, 'Why isn't she grateful and timid? Why the defiance?'<br /> <br /> Fearing things might spiral, Nora quickly gestured to the police. "Officers, though we've only just found Emma and we all love her dearly, we must abide by the law. Her actions are our failure in upbringing. Please, handle her gently..."<br /> <br /> Emma laughed coldly at Nora's performance. "Really laying it on thick, aren't you, Nora? The police haven't even said anything about arresting me, and here you are, calling for my head? It's not even clear who's in the wrong here."<br /> <br /> She then pulled a syringe and an alcohol swab from a drawer, and in front of everyone, injected herself in the arm.<br /> <br /> Nora blanched. "Hey, what the hell are you doing?"<br /> <br /> Emma remained calm and expertly drew a vial of her own blood.<br /> <br /> Handing the vial to the officer, Emma said, "Officer, if I'm right, you'll find hallucinogenic and hypnotic drugs in my blood, drugs that are strictly banned. I'm just a country girl; I shouldn't have access to this stuff. Please find out where it came from, who supplied it, and who drugged me!"<br /> <br /> The police immediately sent her blood to the hospital for testing.<br /> <br /> After a nerve-wracking wait, the results were promptly returned.<br /> <br /> "Miss Emma is right," announced a doctor, report in hand. "Her blood contains a banned hypnotic drug! Further investigation revealed that a reagent went missing from our pharmacy at 12:29 PM today. It looks like someone deliberately injected it into Miss Emma's bloodstream!"<br /> <br /> At this, all eyes shifted to Elijah.<br /> <br /> Elijah began to panic. The drugging was part of the plot he and Nora had devised, but he never imagined Emma would detect being drugged, much less precisely name the drug. If this was pursued further, it wasn't just about not framing Emma; improperly handling medications could mean losing his job or even facing prison time.<br /> <br /> "Officer, I had nothing to do with this—it must have been a mistake at the pharmacy!" Elijah quickly pointed at a nurse, snapping, "Explain yourself! Why was this drug added to Emma's saline?"<br /> <br /> Emma watched the scapegoated nurse, now shaking with fear.<br /> <br /> The nurse, Layla Brown, was Nora's niece and Aria's cousin. Previously, Layla often participated in their cruel plots against Emma, likely out of a desire to gain their approval.<br /> <br /> 'This time, I bet she was involved too, considering she handles the meds,' Emma thought.<br /> <br /> "What are you waiting for? Write an apology and hand in your resignation!" Elijah, trying to save his skin, lashed out at Layla.<br /> <br /> Emma watched them turn on each other, feeling both disdain and satisfaction. She spoke to the police. "Officer, mishandling medications is serious—it can be deadly. Just quitting doesn't cut it, does it?"<br /> <br /> "Absolutely not!" With that, the officers moved to cuff Layla right in front of Nora.<br /> <br /> As the police moved to take her niece away, Nora grew desperate. "Officer, please, Layla is just a kid who grabbed the wrong medication by mistake. She shouldn't be punished so severely. Please, let her go," she pleaded.<br /> --------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Emma responded icily, "Sure, Layla is just some twenty-something kid who almost killed me by messing up my meds. How come you were preaching about the law to the cops just now, and now you're ready to bend it?"<br /> <br /> Her biting words caused her usually silent father, Mateo Wilson, to frown deeply.<br /> <br /> Mateo scolded, "Emma, is that any way to speak to your elders? Where are your manners?"<br /> <br /> "One abandoned in the wild since birth should just be thankful for a full belly, let alone manners. You're asking if I have any? Did you ever bother to teach me?" Emma snapped back.<br /> <br /> Mateo, infuriated to the point of nearly having a stroke, raised his hand to strike her but was restrained by Emma's Grandma Zoe Wilson, because, after all, Emma was still useful to them.<br /> <br /> "Enough! Since she's okay, let's just go home and stop making a scene," Zoe commanded harshly, but with a disdainful glance at Emma, she thought, 'This crude girl still has her uses. Can't afford to pick fights with money.'<br /> <br /> This reminder refocused the Wilsons on the real reason they had brought Emma back.<br /> <br /> ***<br /> <br /> Soon, they headed back to the villa.<br /> <br /> Emma knew exactly what was on their minds. In her previous life, the Wilson family's finances were a mess at this point, and they hoped to solve it through a marriage alliance with Liam, a man rumored to have a disability and an unpredictable mood.<br /> <br /> Mateo and Grandma were gunning for this marriage, but Nora and Aria feared Emma becoming Mrs. Hall might bite them in the ass. So, they schemed to ruin Emma's reputation, hoping to set Aria up as the bride instead.<br /> <br /> But back then, Liam only had eyes for Emma, completely ignoring Aria.<br /> <br /> Just thinking "Liam Hall" stabbed at Emma's heart.<br /> <br /> She had rejected the marriage before, seeing it as nothing more than a transaction, particularly after the scandal where she was framed for seducing a doctor.<br /> <br /> After Liam's parents pulled their support for the marriage, she had left the Wilson family to join a mysterious organization, later to be deceived and manipulated by the relentless Elijah.<br /> <br /> Little did she know, Liam was the one who truly cared. Elijah, with all his schemes, turned out to be the real nightmare.<br /> <br /> As Emma was caught in her memories, Zoe suddenly switched her approach and started plotting.<br /> <br /> "Emma, though we've been estranged for years, you're still a Wilson. Our family is in trouble, and you can't just turn your back on us, right?" Zoe said, feigning concern.<br /> <br /> Emma leaned back on the sofa with a wry smile, already used to her family's . She listened quietly, waiting to hear more.<br /> <br /> "Ah, Liam Hall, the eldest son of the prestigious Hall family, just lost his legs in an accident. But damn, he's still a catch—handsome and super capable. Most importantly, he's the Hall family's heir!" Zoe's eyes sparkled as she raved about the Hall family. "The Hall family? They make our Wilsons look like peanuts! You, raised in the sticks and hardly educated—landing a guy like him would be the break of a lifetime! We'll even give you 40 thousand dollars as a gift. Just imagine how thrilled you'll be!"<br /> <br /> Emma tapped the armrest of the sofa and shot back, "Grandma, aren't we forgetting something? Didn't the Halls mention they'd fork over 10 million dollars if I married into their family? And you're offering me just 40 thousand dollars? You think I'm stupid or what?"<br /> <br /> Her words left the entire Wilson family dumbfounded. They had figured a simple country girl like Emma would be over the moon about 40 thousand dollars. They never expected her to call them out.<br /> <br /> "Emma, so what exactly are you asking for?" Zoe asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.<br /> <br /> "I want exactly 2 million dollars—the money Mom left for me. Plus, that 10 million dollars from Liam is going straight into my shares in the company. From today, the Wilson Group is co-owned by me and Liam—nothing to do with the rest of the Wilsons," Emma stated firmly.<br /> <br /> Zoe was so enraged she nearly fainted.<br /> <br /> Mateo's face turned beet-red as he banged on the table. "2 million dollars? That's supposed to fund your sister's college abroad! What kind of sister are you?"<br /> <br /> Nora piped up anxiously, "Emma, Aria has always been top of her class! It'd be a shame if she didn't get to study abroad!"<br /> <br /> Aria was clearly distressed, but Emma remained ice-cold.<br /> <br /> 'Oh, that's funny,' she thought bitterly. 'Selling off the eldest daughter to settle debts while the family's nearly bankrupt, yet somehow there's 2 million dollars to send the younger one abroad to live it up. What a damn hypocritical and biased mess. Why the hell was I ever polite to these assholes in my past life?'<br /> <br /> "Don't screw this up, Dad. That 2 million dollars is my inheritance from Mom," Emma stated, slow but forceful. "Aria should be using her own parents' money. If her dad's broke and her mom can't make a dime, then she needs to earn her own keep. Why the hell should she live off my mom's money?"<br /> <br /> Nora, feigning shock, interjected, "Emma, how can you talk like that? She's your family, for god's sake!"<br /> <br /> Emma scoffed coldly. "No, she's not my family. I'm my mother's child. Aria? She's just a bastard."<br /> <br /> Overcome with anger, Mateo raised his hand to strike her face.<br /> <br /> However, Emma quickly blocked it, standing tall and firm. "Just because you're my dad, Mateo, doesn't give you the right to hit me like I'm some dog! Marriage is my damn choice! If you guys can't deal with that, then I won't marry at all! Let's all just watch the Wilson family go down together. Let's see how that goes for everyone!"<br /> <br /> Emma's defiant stance caught the entire Wilson family off guard. They had thought that having grown up in the countryside and being summoned to acknowledge her lineage, Emma would obediently comply. They never expected her to stand her ground and demand 2 million dollars.<br /> <br /> In her past life, Emma hadn't discovered the 2 million dollars her mother left until moments before her death in a fire, when Aria finally told her the truth. By then, it was too late to avenge her mother or save herself.<br /> <br /> This time around, she swore she wouldn't let such atrocities slide.<br /> <br /> Sensing the tension rising, Nora quickly intervened, "Actually, there are specific conditions in the will to access that money."	LEARN_MORE	https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/un2vhapfc3pxs	108358222370640	LeReader-brilliant Novel	https://facebook.com/61552740297935	461	1	1,180,344,019,851,477	2024-07-20 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Learn more	LeReader-brilliant Novel	120212131843510191	www.yumread.com	NONE	video		https://www.yumread.com/share/middle/un2vhapfc3pxshavthkrarkr?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120212131841660191&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	2024-07-20 04:02	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452168113_1036405494655500_304399910000813437_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0T1U0_z8kCIQ7kNvgFWcn67&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDkkuPiL9O7Ins-oVivxXVn4AAfGbnGYxN0_B4PvM5zxw&oe=66A1CEA6	person_profile	LeReader-brilliant Novel	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452207425_1124069761989576_6943530257418262271_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OvhecYkb6FsQ7kNvgHCbPmK&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBX3ltn4hhccxu_Zc8qdfJF3j-tO05sxZoOX4bcu_vGKQ&oe=66A1FD1E	3	LeReader-brilliant Novel	2024-07-20 02:00	View Edit Delete

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