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Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Enddate	Cta Text	Caption	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
2,747,087	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759			INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.p	Kameron Cortez	https://www.facebook.com/100078427872790/	81	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	play.google.com	VIDEO		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.particlenews.newsbreak	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481988770_1190328626003526_7893104685831969160_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mhLGdWhHyrQQ7kNvgGIHyAT&_nc_oc=AdimdEMd83SSsGKSw51N2yEvv1vSc4LjJDiDYyj0MGJd5EdKUDNyGGwT0yW4Q6gU7p0I6sA24PaviRu_Dw5PhZr5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AWoS5QOx-QwgPLtIMHVdqyb&oh=00_AYCKwe-uFJw_E5FVKTfKIMC9PWmXnT8it6Ob4OpYLqv7Qw&oe=67CB9CF8	PERSON_PROFILE	Kameron Cortez	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,095	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🔥📚《 No Failure in His Dictionary 》🔥Free Reading📚	He Imprisoned of jail for his beloved wife, only to be betrayed by her. But she never expected that he was now the ruler of the world. Chapter 1 The God Of Prison In the Fourth Prison of Huxville, a battalion of soldiers, outfitted with cutting-edge military gear, maintained a high-security stronghold. This facility was renowned for housing the world's most fearsome criminals. Each inmate was exceptionally skilled, ranging from ruthless demons with an inherent penchant for violence to former elite soldiers whose mere names had once instilled terror in their adversaries. Among the prisoners were also some highly influential tycoons. On this day, a sudden wave of commotion reverberated through the prison. A new inmate was being admitted—a man known as the “Coyote,” the third most powerful mercenary leader in the world. He was notorious for allegedly massacring over sixty people at the border of Ledroustein. At that moment, the prison door clanged shut behind him. The Coyote, with his bald head and a wolf tattoo, swaggered in, his eyes glinting with a trace of ferocity. He strode confidently through the recreational area, heading straight for Cell No. 7. Inside, a young man lay on the bed, absorbed in a book. Rumble! The Coyote, kicked the bed frame and, with a voice as cold as ice, declared, “Request a transfer from the guard yourself. Move to another cell. I don't like sharing a room.” The young man slowly stretched and sat up, sizing up the Coyote standing before him. At around six feet tall and nearly one hundred kilograms, the Coyote's imposing presence was accentuated by his broad chest and a rugged, intimidating face. He resembled a wild man who had emerged straight from the depths of the wilderness. “In this prison, power rules,” the young man said, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “So if you want this room all to yourself... how about a one-on-one duel?” At that moment, a crowd of convicts had gathered outside, their eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and pity. The Coyote's expression momentarily faltered. This young man has some nerve! Once, he had single-handedly defeated twenty-one mercenaries, earning his fearsome reputation as the Coyote in the jungle of Jussipi. He was taken aback by the audacity of this wiry young man, who, despite his skinny build, had the courage to challenge him to a one-on-one duel. In an instant, the Coyote erupted into a chilling cackle, his fist clenched tightly. “Kid, if you're so eager to meet your end, I'll be happy to oblige.” Before he could finish his sentence, he raised his fist to strike the young man. But in the blink of an eye, the young man had vanished. The Coyote felt a sudden tightening at the back of his collar and, before he could react, was hurled into the air and slammed forcefully onto the ground. The impact of his over one hundred kilograms body caused the entire prison to tremble momentarily. The young man didn't even spare a glance at the Coyote, who lay sprawled on the ground like a discarded rag. Instead, he turned his attention to the group of onlookers gathered at the entrance. With a confident grin, he asked, “Pretty impressive, huh?” The inmates, each capable of causing a stir on their own before they were captured, all responded with eager admiration. Their smiles were as flattering as they were synchronized, nodding enthusiastically like chicks pecking at grains. “Impressive, Boss. You're really something!” “As expected of Silas' successor.” At the mention of “Silas”, a flicker of nostalgia passed through the young man's eyes. It's been a year since Silas left. All the skills I've acquired are thanks to him. He even said he had a surprise planned for me when I got out. Yet, it's been a whole d*mn year, and he hasn't even bothered to visit. At that moment, a guard pushed through the crowd and approached. Seeing the Coyote sprawled on the ground, he didn't seem at all surprised. Instead, a smile spread across his face as he announced, “Mr. Lassche, it's time for your release.” Today was indeed the day for Jaziel Lassche to be released from prison. Influenced by Silas's superstitions, Jaziel had chosen to be released precisely at noon, believing it to be an auspicious time. “All right,” Jaziel said, adjusting his clothes before following the guard out. As he emerged, the prisoners in the vicinity straightened up and greeted him respectfully. “Boss!” “Greetings, Boss!” “I'm about to leave, so behave yourselves and don't give the guards any trouble. And that Coyote—make sure he's locked in isolation for three days with no meals. He had the nerve to be arrogant here in Fourth Prison. It's time he learned some respect,” Jaziel instructed as he said his farewells. “Don't worry, Boss. We'll make sure everything is handled perfectly,” someone replied. Soon after, Jaziel followed the guard out of the prison. As he reached the front courtyard, a woman in military attire approached with a commanding presence. Her cool, heroic demeanor was underscored by the single star on her shoulder, marking her as a general—a rank impressive for someone so young. Jaziel stopped in his tracks, not just because of her rank, but because her face seemed oddly familiar. She was his high school classmate, Selina Tagara. Back in school, Selina had been a mysterious figure with extraordinary combat skills, and rumors swirled about her prestigious military background. After graduation, she vanished. To encounter her here, of all places, was unexpected. Upon recognizing Jaziel, Selina frowned slightly as she took in his prison uniform. “Are you Jaziel?” she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and curiosity. Jaziel nodded. “Yeah, I didn't expect us to run into each other here. It's been years since I last heard anything about you.” Selina replied, “On the contrary, I've heard quite a bit about you. It's not your fault you ended up in jail—I just didn't expect you to be confined here. These past three years must have been tough, but now that you're being released, you're finally free.” As she spoke, she reached into her bag, pulled out a pen, and wrote down a phone number on a note. She handed it to Jaziel with a smile. “It's been three years, and a lot has changed outside,” Selina said. “If you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out. We were classmates once, after all. I have official duties to attend to now, but we'll catch up when we can.” With that, she walked past Jaziel. As she moved away, she explained to her colleagues, “He was a classmate of mine. His girlfriend was assaulted by a wealthy scion, and in retaliation, he ended up harming the offender. As a result, he was sentenced to prison. I heard that his girlfriend married the scion he attacked. He was an exceptional student with a promising future, so it's a shame—spending three years in a place like this can ruin anyone.” Her two colleagues showed little reaction, their expressions unchanged. To them, he was merely a young man who had lost his way, existing in a world vastly different from their own. His story didn't evoke any empathy from them. After all, each individual is an island in the vast sea of humanity, and no one can truly share another's pain. Jaziel discarded his prison attire and changed into a fresh set of casual clothes. After bidding farewell to the few guards, he stepped out of the prison gates. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he was greeted by the sight of a long line of black sedans, easily numbering over a hundred. People dressed in black and wearing sunglasses stood beside each vehicle, their presence commanding attention. The instant Jaziel appeared, the group of individuals in black bowed in unison and greeted him with, “Good day, Mr. Jaziel.” Chapter 2 Gift From Silas Jaziel looked at the men in black, all lined up and bowing in perfect unison, feeling a mix of confusion and disbelief. Mr. Jaziel? I come from a lineage of eight generations of poor farmers. When did I become so esteemed? Could they be mistaking me for someone else? Just then, the middle-aged man who had been leading the group straightened from his bow and approached Jaziel with purpose. “My name is Sean. I was sent by Mr. Nalitch to welcome you,” the man said with a polite nod. “Mr. Nalitch? Silas?” Jaziel's eyes widened in surprise. Silas was the one who had passed on his combat skills to Jaziel, and he knew that Silas' surname was Nalitch. “Yes, Mr. Jaziel. Please, get in the car. We can discuss the details on the way.” “All right.” Since it was Silas' arrangement, Jaziel naturally followed along, though doubts lingered in his mind. Just who is Silas, really? He settled into the car, and the entire convoy executed a precise U-turn before driving off into the distance. Meanwhile, Selina, having just finished her official duties, emerged from the prison. As she observed the departing convoy, a glint of admiration crossed her face. “Who is this big shot leaving prison today? What a grand spectacle,” she mused. With her professional acumen, Selina quickly recognized that these cars had been equipped with the most advanced military modifications, comparable to the exclusive vehicles of high-ranking military officials. Inside the car, Jaziel settled into the back seat while Sean took the front passenger seat. Turning around, Sean addressed Jaziel with deep respect. “Mr. Nalitch is aware that you're returning to Cadrexia, so he made all the necessary arrangements. He instructed us to remain on standby, ready to follow any of your commands.” “Where's Silas? I want to see him,” Jaziel said. Sean shook his head. “Mr. Nalitch is tied up with some important matters. He will come to meet you as soon as he's available. In the meantime, he asked me to give you this.” Sean handed Jaziel a photograph. The image featured a beautiful young woman, and the address on the back was familiar. This was indeed his ex-girlfriend, about whom he had heard—she had married her abuser. A fleeting smile of self-mockery appeared on Jaziel's lips as he crumpled the photograph in his hand, his emotions churning. The car traveled for an hour, and upon reaching Cadrexia, Sean led Jaziel to the base of a towering building. “This is Dominion Group,” Sean announced with a touch of pride. “Mr. Nalitch has invested two hundred billion into it as a gift specifically for you. It's now officially under your name.” “Silas sure is wealthy,” Jaziel remarked, taken aback. Following Sean, he ascended to the top floor of the building. The executives of Dominion Group had been waiting, and their surprise was palpable when they saw Jaziel walking ahead of Sean. While Jaziel's identity was unmistakable, the executives were taken aback by how young the new boss appeared. Moments later, the influential figures who held significant sway within the company approached one by one to shake hands with Jaziel. Jaziel noticed a woman with golden curly hair, not particularly old, standing among them. Sean introduced her, “This is Heather, the CEO of Dominion Group.” “Hello, Boss,” Heather Gellert said with a warm smile, extending her delicate hand. Her charm was undeniable, and even Jaziel found himself momentarily mesmerized by her presence. Jaziel took Heather's hand and, guided by her, gained a basic understanding of Dominion Group's primary operations. After a brief overview, he stood up and prepared to leave. In reality, even without Silas' lavish gifts, Jaziel was already quite wealthy. During his time in prison, he had learned about stock market strategies from various financial tycoons and had accumulated tens of millions through his investments. Right then, Sean handed him a gift box. “Mr. Jaziel, this is the Earl Grey tea you requested. It's the finest quality,” he said with assurance. “All right, thanks,” Jaziel said, giving Sean a friendly pat on the shoulder. The Earl Grey tea was a gift for his aunt. After the loss of his parents, his Aunt Susannah Lassche was the only family he had left. Over the years, she had been a steadfast presence, visiting him frequently in prison. Now that he was released, his first thought was to express his gratitude to her for her care. “Mr. Jaziel, are you sure you don't need me to accompany you?” Sean asked, unable to hide his concern. “No need, I'll call you if something comes up,” Jaziel replied, waving his hand dismissively without looking back as he stepped into the elevator. Upon reaching the first floor, Jaziel spotted a familiar and charming figure. It was Selina—fate seemed to be at work, bringing them together twice in a single day. At that moment, Selina had changed out of her military attire into a sleek black outfit that accentuated her curvaceous figure and enhanced her feminine allure. When she saw Jaziel, she was momentarily surprised but quickly masked it with a smile. “Jaziel, what brings you here? Are you here for a job interview? With Dominion Group just established, it's the perfect time to recruit talent. How did it go? Are you satisfied with how things went?” Jaziel was briefly taken aback by her question but chose not to elaborate. He simply replied, “It's all right.” Noticing Jaziel's reluctance to discuss further, Selina couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Just out of jail and already looking for a job—this classmate of mine certainly has ambition. But who would hire someone recently released from prison? A wave of sympathy rose within her. She offered, “The CEO of Dominion Group is a friend of mine. Perhaps I could put in a good word for you?” Jaziel politely declined, “No need, thank you for your kindness. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now.” With that, Jaziel left without hesitation. He and Selina were from different worlds. Selina shook her head. This old classmate of mine still clings to his pride. It's evident he desperately needs this job, yet refuses to accept my help. He doesn't seem to realize that in this ruthless society, his pride is worth little. After leaving Dominion Group, Jaziel unfolded the note he had been given. Following the address written on it, he arrived at an upscale residential area. His uncle, Timothy Barker, a successful businessman, had been thriving recently and had even upgraded to a new house. This was Jaziel's first visit to the new residence. Following the address, he arrived at Block 19 and rang the doorbell. “Who is it?” came a woman's voice from inside. Hearing the familiar voice, Jaziel felt excited and emotional. After a brief pause, he responded, “Aunt Susannah, it's me, Jaziel.” Susannah cried in surprise. Jaziel quickly entered the elevator and made his way to the thirteenth floor. As the door opened, he was met with the sight of Susannah, her eyes brimming with tears. “You're finally out! Why didn't you tell me? I could have come to pick you up,” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief and joy. “Come in, quickly.” Susannah welcomed Jaziel into the house, holding onto his arm as if she never wanted to let go. Inside the living room, a plump man sat comfortably on the couch. This was Jaziel's uncle, Timothy. With his square face and partially bald head, Timothy carried an air of authority despite his relaxed posture. Among Jaziel's relatives, Timothy was known for his capabilities. However, given Jaziel's mischievous nature as a child, Timothy never really liked him. Susannah guided Jaziel to the couch and said, “Jaz, take some time to catch up with your uncle. I'll go prepare something for you. Vivian will be back soon. You two used to love playing together when you were kids.” Once Susannah was gone, Timothy handed Jaziel an apple and said, “Here you go.” Jaziel accepted it with a nod, as if he were an obedient child. “Thanks, Uncle Timothy.” Timothy then asked, “What are your plans now that you're out of jail?” “Um...” Jaziel hesitated, not having given it much thought yet. Timothy frowned in displeasure. He had never been particularly fond of this nephew, but he had to admit that Jaziel had shown promise. The young man had always been bright and even managed to gain admission to a prestigious university. Among the younger generation of the Lassche family, Jaziel had been exceptional. However, prison had branded him as an ex-convict, and all those years he spent in university seemed to have been for nothing. Now that he was finally released, Jaziel appeared directionless and had yet to make any plans for the future. Timothy was disappointed, feeling that the time Jaziel spent behind bars had left him reduced to a shell of his former self. In the kitchen, Susannah chimed in, “Jaz just got out; how would he know what to do? Isn't your company hiring? Maybe he could join your team.” Timothy frowned instantly. “My company has specific hiring requirements, and Jaziel's field of study isn't relevant to our industry.” Truthfully, Timothy was reluctant to consider bringing Jaziel into his company. Jaziel had been stubborn since young, and Timothy wasn't keen on inviting trouble by bringing Jaziel in. “I've heard that driving for ride-hailing services can be quite profitable these days. Why not consider renting a car and becoming a driver?” Timothy suggested. Jaziel chuckled softly. “No need.” Timothy snorted in disapproval. “You've been through prison, yet you still refuse to humble yourself and work from the bottom. Do you still see yourself as a university graduate from a prestigious institution?” Chapter 3 World Domination As they spoke, the door creaked open, and in walked a stunning girl. Her hair was tied up in a sleek ponytail, with round sunglasses resting against her fair skin. She stepped in, still absorbed in her phone. “Vivian, it's been a while,” Jaziel said, rising from the couch. It was only then that Vivian looked up. Her beautiful eyes widened with surprise when they landed on Jaziel. Vivian studied her cousin, whom she hadn't seen in three years. As a child, she used to trail behind Jaziel constantly, always eager to spend time with him. But as the years passed, their lives had drifted in different directions. After hanging her bag on the coat rack, Vivian noticed a box of Earl Grey tea near the door. Her curiosity piqued, she picked it up and opened it. Almost immediately, a frown appeared on her face. “Is this tea even drinkable?” she asked, her tone laced with disdain. “The packaging looks so cheap, and the tea's all black.” She put the box down with an expression of clear distaste, as though it were beneath her standards. A few days ago, she had accompanied a friend to an upscale tea shop, where the packaging was elegant and luxurious—nothing like the humble box Jaziel had brought. “Your cousin just got out of prison and doesn't have much to his name. It's the thought that counts, not the packaging,” Susannah chided. Vivian stuck out her tongue playfully, then sauntered over to the couch, flopping down casually. The sternness in Timothy's expression softened slightly as he gazed at his daughter, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Lunch was served swiftly, and the family gathered around the table. Timothy poured himself a glass of wine and turned his attention to his daughter. “Vivi, you've just started your internship, and now the company's changed hands. How's work been treating you?” Vivian, busy piling food onto her plate, smiled. “It's been great. The benefits at Dominion Group have improved a lot compared to before. You've got to hand it to them—they know how to throw money around. When they bought out Flora Group, they offered twenty percent above the asking price. Our old boss was speechless!” She paused, glancing at her father with a mischievous grin. “Oh, and guess what, Dad? The new boss of Dominion Group came by for an inspection today. Can you guess how old he is?” “Someone who can buy a company for twenty billion must be at least in their forties or fifties, right?” Timothy guessed, raising an eyebrow. Vivian shook her head, wagging her finger playfully. “Nope, wrong guess! The owner of Dominion Group is only in his twenties.” Both Timothy and Susannah exchanged surprised looks, clearly taken aback by the revelation. Meanwhile, Jaziel, quietly picked up a piece of chicken and placed it on his plate, his expression unreadable. “Surprised, right?” Vivian continued, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “Even our colleagues were shocked. It's just a pity the boss only went to the top floor before leaving. None of us got a chance to meet him or see what this young prodigy looks like.” Jaziel listened quietly as his cousin unknowingly spoke about him. He felt a bit awkward, but he didn't show it. After lunch and a brief chat with his aunt, Jaziel decided it was time to leave. As he was about to go, Susannah, her concern evident, asked, “Jaz, do you have a place to stay?” Jaziel smiled reassuringly. “Don't worry, Aunt Susannah. I've already rented a house.” After Jaziel left, Timothy turned to Susannah, his expression stern. “Susannah, you need to think before you speak. The company isn't just mine to control. Your nephew just got out of prison, remember? I can't just let anyone waltz into the business.” Susannah's face immediately darkened. “What's wrong with helping my nephew? He's family! Is it such a big deal to ask you to arrange a job for him?” The tension between them quickly escalated, and soon they were caught in a heated argument. Vivian, sitting nearby, felt overwhelmed by the noise. Fed up, she grabbed her bag and decided to go shopping with her best friend. After leaving Susannah's place, Jaziel made his way to Lakefield Estates, an upscale neighborhood lined with luxurious mansions. One of these properties was among the many gifts Silas had prepared for him. As he approached the entrance, the quiet streets were briefly disturbed by the roar of an SUV speeding by. Glancing over, Jaziel caught a glimpse of the figure inside—it looked unmistakably like Selina. “Does she live here too?” Jaziel muttered in surprise. How uncanny—to run into her three times in a single day. Shaking his head, he continued through the gates. The mansion was a sight to behold. Its crimson walls and dark tiles gave it an ancient, dignified feel. Intricately carved railings framed the entry, and jade-like pillars supported the ornate structure. Two imposing stone lions flanked the entrance, their gaze fierce, as if guarding the place with an air of unshakable authority. Above the grand doors, the phrase “World Domination” gleamed in bold, gold-embossed letters. Seeing the bold inscription, Jaziel found himself momentarily speechless. There was no mistaking it—this was Silas's doing. Naming the newly acquired company “Dominion Group” and now branding the villa with a similar theme spoke volumes about Silas' aspirations for him. It was a grand, almost overwhelming gesture. Yet, despite the extravagance, a warm feeling stirred in Jaziel's chest. Silas wasn't just giving him material wealth; he was investing in him, placing his trust and expectations squarely on his shoulders. Meanwhile, Vivian was sharing her frustrations with her best friend, Sophie Zaltman, at a chic café. Vivian sighed heavily. “Sophie, it's so frustrating—my parents had another argument.” “What's wrong?” Sophie, dressed in a stylish light yellow mini skirt, radiated a blend of maturity and confidence. She looked elegant even when sipping her coffee. “It's all because of my cousin who just got out of prison. My mom wants him to work at my dad's company, but my dad's not on board. Their arguing has given me a massive headache.” “Ah, I see.” Sophie smiled sympathetically. “But don't worry—Caleb has been thinking about how to impress you lately. Just give him a chance, and he'll handle everything for your cousin.” When Caleb's name came up, Vivian's eyes lit up. She had recently met Caleb Zillen, a wealthy young heir who had been pursuing her. “Is it really okay?” Vivian asked, her uncertainty clear. “Of course it is,” Sophie said with confidence. “If you're uncomfortable making the call, I can do it for you.” With that, Sophie promptly pulled out her cellphone. After a quick conversation, Sophie's face lit up with excitement. “Vivian, Caleb just told me they're training at the boxing studio downtown and asked us to go over. Call your cousin and ask him to join us.” At that moment, Jaziel was gazing out the window when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw Vivian's name. “Jaziel, are you free right now? I need to talk to you about something. Could you come by Supreme Boxing Studio downtown?” “All right.” Jaziel ended the call and put his phone away. Vivian had always been the cousin he was closest to during their childhood. With his schedule open, he decided to head over to Supreme Boxing Studio. After leaving Lakefield Estates, he caught a taxi and soon arrived at the studio, where Vivian and Sophie were waiting at the entrance. When Jaziel stepped out of the car, Vivian quickly introduced him to Sophie before they all entered the boxing studio together. The studio was located in the basement, where the sounds of punches and grunts filled the air. Inside, two young men were engaged in an intense bout in the ring. “You made it!” A tall, well-built young man with a confident smile approached them. His eyes, while warm and welcoming, held a trace of intensity as they briefly assessed Jaziel. His gaze then lingered on Vivian with evident fondness. “This must be Jaziel,” Caleb said with a friendly smile, extending his hand. “You can count on me.” Vivian quickly responded, “I really appreciate your help.” Caleb chuckled, a smug grin on his face. “It's no trouble at all. No need to be so formal with me.” In the distant audience, a few young men were whispering and pointing at Vivian. “That new girl Caleb's into is quite stunning. It won't be long before she sleeps with him,” one of them remarked. “Definitely. Caleb's got a knack for charming women,” another agreed. “And some girls just dream of marrying into wealth without considering their own backgrounds. Caleb's already engaged, so he's just playing around,” said a third, shrugging. The basement was noisy and crowded, making it difficult for Vivian to catch the details of the conversation from where she stood. However, Jaziel's brow furrowed as he clearly overheard the whispers.	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadland.com/h5-book-share-custom4	The novel	https://www.facebook.com/100085523883301/	20,949	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadland.com	IMAGE		https://page.joyreadland.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=8768&brand=2&app=0&ppid=6004&pid=FBW2A&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120216563525040490&ori_adset_id=120216563525960490&ori_ad_id=120216563528320490	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481910437_1312883756630997_3793857015359237455_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sTvmBDuMGBIQ7kNvgGQwS-n&_nc_oc=AdiwTzTB-H_Tg6l72cK-rUTN7k5_RB7nAu1hJalQo-nl5xopota_-MwKpsSBlo5wrO7Y-7ov6FpxhU0zc3L04RiH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AWoS5QOx-QwgPLtIMHVdqyb&oh=00_AYBgvfPzxwdylXV8jIrN_h8MdigOOPtoTKwgY6rVMaAfvQ&oe=67CB8881	PERSON_PROFILE	The novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,306	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🎬 Watch the Full Episode Now 👉	Skylar Ellis, a top commercial lawyer, investigates an arson case to save his sick sister. He crosses paths with Zion Baldwin, an illegitimate heir fighting for his family’s fortune. Initially using each other, they clash, uncover hidden truths, and ultimately find redemption. 💔🔍❤️‍🔥 #RevengeAndLove #UnexpectedRomance #MysteriousMan #HealingHearts #LoveAfterBetrayal #FateAndDesire #IntenseConnection #HeartOverHate #Drama ✨	WATCH_MORE	https://w2a.cafedrama.com/facebookios.html?distCod	CafeDrama-js2	https://www.facebook.com/61569515732155/	80	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	w2a.cafedrama.com	VIDEO		https://w2a.cafedrama.com/facebookios.html?distCode=28a65c5c&campaign_name= {{campaign.name}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&creative_name={{ad.name}}&creative_id={{ad.id}}&pixel=dreamdrama_EN	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482275042_1381468673296479_4893365524896752257_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9j5Iub23v8IQ7kNvgGrb9Db&_nc_oc=Adg2QROmdC25ZUAUwcCal6ua4Jp9vhQjfZJZGjGXH1AVPGxhP71BcF0dd0KCyOxgFxIeFG-Z8pauGlVieil2558n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ALLCABeIklWXO8KhJjIk_2T&oh=00_AYA5fOIAeK4tj03XWimKBvbWyUPGo5L8Q59dsUWHpDVtbQ&oe=67CBA0CA	PERSON_PROFILE	CafeDrama-js2	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,110	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Guide to Magnesium for Better Wellness 🧘	Ever wonder why magnesium is vital to your health? Understanding its role could benefit you. Learn more.	LEARN_MORE	https://searchlabz.com/understanding-the-importanc	Finally Media	https://www.facebook.com/100067978975745/	265	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	searchlabz.com	IMAGE	Understanding the importance of magnesium is becoming increasingly crucial in today's health-conscious society. Magnesium serves as a powerhouse mineral essential for over 300 enzymatic reactions, including energy production, muscle and nerve function, and blood sugar regulation. Despite its signifi...	https://searchlabz.com/understanding-the-importance-of-magnesium/?cid=ch15060+ch15066&adtext=Guide to Magnesium for Better Wellness �&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_medium={{ad.id}}&utm_source=fb&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&fb_pixel_id=1178421023860202&fpcv=Lead&lang=en_US&stid=8238594636	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481192190_648790831082123_8194805390227485619_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SxiK-ouu0oQ7kNvgFgUv2-&_nc_oc=AdgxxA14An3b9VTYGsN_Ju8JMg66KeyAkhM2keFFtTIQiYs0pEpXJApoAVd1WDykFfx1rTH5NuezaY0_g1k5EG3x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwSovMrf1-5EH1WgfRrBDgS&oh=00_AYB_nDGDfXHhLR861Yu68MY9cXVE4MiVTD3tsI6zohFFfw&oe=67CB93CA	PERSON_PROFILE	Finally Media	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,747,143	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747145}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Get Relief. $27 New Patient Special. Exam, Nerve Scan, X-rays (if needed) & Doctors Report of Findings	Dealing with headaches, back pain, neck pain, or chronic muscle tension? We get it. It’s frustrating. - Hey there! Welcome to Bridge Wellness Chiropractic. We’re all about getting to the root cause. And guess what? We have a social media special for anyone who needs to get care right now. - For a limited time, snag our special offer for only $27! It’s a complete package with an Exam, X-rays (if needed).Range of Motion Test, Nerve Scan, & Doctor’s Report of Findings. - "10/10 Great experience! Dr. Matt is very attentive and caring. This is not like a normal chiropractor's office. Dr. Matt takes a very holistic approach making sure to look at the whole picture of wellness. Before and after care help your body really prepare and hold the adjustment. I am very thankful I found this place! Great place to connect with like-minded people who care about wellness.." Kaity ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Simply click that “Learn More” button to secure a spot and book an appointment with our amazing team. Oh, and by the way, spots are limited, so don’t wait too long to grab this exclusive offer. - Say goodbye to pain and hello to a fresh start.	LEARN_MORE	http://fb.me/	Bridge Wellness Center	https://www.facebook.com/bridgewellnesscenteraz/	253	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fb.me	VIDEO	80+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Google Reviews	http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/391593994_323627636949554_1551900834151724422_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Azsao_yFTGsQ7kNvgFlgHRh&_nc_oc=AdgH2JYeyxgfkXH1zL2WCCpkWeH3GnylIip8NVJau6-KGioKG8T-cWDcl5izMY3qkslTQed9Y5bJQWX2AsM9GiGx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AXC7Rnibfd66Er-6Qw9M8TM&oh=00_AYBylKnpC1554Tr2L9AudEO_rKjlUwSPVr2y326cUCYnrA&oe=67CB9BD0	PERSON_PROFILE	Bridge Wellness Center	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,747,238	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747268}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"Mine." The dangerous and menacing voice demanded in front of everyone in the room. "You are mistaken. Her father has already promised her hand to me in marriage. Once she turns 18 we will be marked and mated." Mason announced proudly and another menacing growl erupted from that man's throat. "You are not touching my mate." He growled out through gritted teeth. "He's your mate." Bella whispered. "Who are you?" I asked. "Tyler Lowe. Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack." He announced. And my mouth almost dropped open. __________ I was covered in black and blue bruises and fresh cuts from that beating. But also bruises under the new bruises that were yet to heal. I was malnourished and didn't heal as fast as werewolves. But I was used to it. Ever since my mother died when I was 6 my father has been getting progressively worse until it finally got to this kind of abuse. Which was the worst kind. Where I could barely walk or even look at myself in the mirror. I had a quick shower because the water stung my skin too much and I washed my length snow blonde hair and I came out of the bathroom and walked into my wardrobe. I got dressed into a pair of black tights, a loose fitting shirt and a hoodie over the top. It was pretty much my signature look. When I was putting my books in my bag my bedroom door slammed open and I jumped almost to the ceiling because it scared me so badly. Dad was standing there and I was surprised that he was actually able to stand. "Hurry up. The pack breakfast is starting." He demanded still slurring his words. How was he going to explain that to the pack elders? This was going to be interesting. But I really didn't care. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs and we left our side of the packhouse and walked through long corridors together and when I couldn't keep up with dad's pace he grabbed my arm and dragged me along which only hurt my ribs even more. "Quit your complaining. What is the matter with you?" He snarled at me. I wasn't surprised that he didn't remember. He was too drunk to remember. But when we got to the main part of the pack house he made sure that his clothes were neat and his balding gray hair and goatee weren't disheveled and we walked into the large dining room where a lot of important pack members had breakfast every morning. Including the Alpha, his daughter Bella, the pack elders and other influential people around the pack. Like the doctor ect. There were several tables set out and a buffet where you could eat all you wanted. And I was practically drooling at the food as dad approached it and he piled one plate up with heaps of food and then gave me the second plate with only toast and a pancake on it. I found Bella sitting at a table by herself next to the window. She was the Alpha's second born and only daughter. And my best friend. We're the same age and we've known each other since we were in diapers. "I see you've brought the hoodie out again." Bella whispers as I try to sit down without drawing any attention to myself at how much pain I was in. We all know what it means when we see the hoodie - It's for covering the bruises. "I didn't realize that I ever put it away." I say. "Well, I'm glad that I don't have to wear mine today." She commented. "Yeah. Your dad has eased off of you. Is there a reason why?" I asked curiously and a little jealous. "Yep. Because my brother is coming home today." She beamed at me. And a huge smile spread across my face as well. "You're kidding. Ethan is finally coming home." I say. And she nods her head. I could tell that she was trying everything to hide her excitement. "I can't believe that. That's fantastic." I said. I noticed Bella looking around at the room but she didn't say anything. So I glanced around as well and when I did everyone quickly stopped looking at me. Dad tried to hide his evil side. But he wasn't fooling anyone. When he got drunk, he would always start fights with people and become unbearable. And he was getting drunk a lot more lately. People had an idea of what was going on in our apartment. But no one was willing to go up against the Beta. Because they all knew that the Alpha would be there to support him and they would be kicked out of the pack. Or worse. A lot of pack members lived in fear of our Alpha and Beta. It was a horrible way to live. But if they tried to leave then the Alpha would send warriors after them to kill them. He's done it more than once. The warriors were ordered to kill entire families that were fleeing. Which included children. That's what made this pack the strongest on the East Coast. Because no one was game enough to leave so it was a huge pack and all the warriors trained relentlessly. The only problem was that girls weren't allowed to train. We basically lived in the stone ages. The Alpha believed that she-wolves are only here to find their mates and produce pups for their mates to keep the pack going strong. It was barbaric and insulting. But he was the Alpha. His word was law. "How long do we need to stay here to be respectful? I hate everyone staring at me." I whisper to Bella. "Just a couple more minutes. Then we can leave for school." She whispers back. I then saw the head warrior Mason walk in with his two sidekicks Levi and Lockie trailing behind him and Mason's eyes set straight on me. They got themselves some food and then invited themselves to join me and Bella. Mason sat right next to me and moved his chair over so he could be closer to me, but I squirmed away from him as much as possible. He was big and good looking but he was a horrible person. And I knew that from first hand experience. He was the one that they always called to track down those families that ran away. And I know that he personally killed a child of those fleeing families. I wanted nothing to do with him. "I have exciting news for you Tessa." Mason says, looking at me. "And what is that?" I asked, exhaling while drinking a little coffee. "I have you're fathers blessing." He said slowly. And my head snapped towards him. "What?" I almost shouted and a few people looked our way before they went back to what they were talking about. And Mason was smirking at me. "As soon as you turn 18, I am taking you as my mate." He says. "And what about my true mate? My goddess given mate? What about him? He's out there somewhere." I say. "Who cares. He'll find someone else. Or he'll just wither and die after you reject him. I really don't care. But you will be mine. That's all I've wanted for years." He says lightly while playing with my hair. And I look at Bella pleading with my eyes. "Yeah. We have to get to school now. It was good seeing you Mason." Bella says standing up and I stood up as well. They stayed sitting at the table as us two grabbed our bags and left the dining hall as quickly as we could and we didn't even stop to say goodbye to anyone. Least of all our fathers. But we weren't that lucky. "You two will be home straight after school. We're having a party here tonight with a lot of visiting Alpha's." The Alpha shouted across the room. We both stopped and nodded to him before leaving the house. "I can't believe that your father promised you to that sack of prick." Bella yelled as we were walking down the road. "I can. My father knows his own kind." I say. "I am so sorry Tess. What are you going to do?" Bella asked sympathetically. "I don't know. But I'll figure something out. Even if I have to run away before it can happen. I will definitely do that." I declare. "Well, tell me before you do. I'm coming with you." She says. "Sounds like a plan." I say. And then a black BMW stopped right in our walkway and we stopped before we hit the car and we both stepped back not knowing what to expect right now. Then a 6 foot 4 man with short brown hair and cleanly shaved with muscles that looked like they were going to rip his shirt off his body got out of the driver's seat and smiled at both of us. "What? Don't I even get a hug?" He asked. "Ethan." Bella yelled, jumping into his arms. And the other door opened to reveal an equally big man with dirty blonde hair and a little facial hair got out of the passenger seat. That was Ethan's best friend Wyatt. When Bella finally let Ethan go he walked over to me and hugged me and I winced a little in pain but tried to hide it and then I hugged Wyatt. And I had to do the same thing. "Are you hurt?" Ethan asked. "Yeah. It was stupid. Rough housing with a couple of the warriors and this is what happened. I should know better." I lied through my teeth. "Girls aren't allowed to train. Why are you rough housing with warriors?" Wyatt asked. "I don't know. It seemed like a good idea at the time." I shrugged. " Come on Bells, we're gonna be late." I say. "We'll see you tonight." Bella says hugging Ethan again and we start walking off down the road again. But when I looked to the side I could see Ethan and Wyatt leaning against the side of their car watching us and talking about something. I was afraid that they didn't believe my rough housing with the warrior's excuse. "Bella. What would Ethan do if he found out about my dad?" I asked nervously. "You know Ethan as well as I do. What do you think he would do to your dad?" Bella responded confidently. "Just wait until he finds out that your dad gave you away to Mason. Ethan has always hated Mason. I don't think that mating will go through if Ethan is here. That's a good thing." Bella says. "Yeah. I'll take your word for it." I say skeptically. My father always had his way of getting his own way. No matter what it was. If he wanted me to mark and mate with Mason, then it was pretty much as good as done. When we got to school we walked inside and we went to Bella's locker first and then mine. Everyone obviously knew who we were but they kept their distance from us. Both of our fathers were known for being crazy. And no one wanted to mess with the Alpha or Beta's daughters. So we only had each other at school. Which was fine with us. The further we stayed away from people, the least likely they were to find out about what was actually happening in our house. When we got to our first class we sat at the back of the classroom as usual and I pulled out my notebook and pen and started scribbling on the page in front of me. When our geography teacher arrived and started the class I just sat there with my head on my hand scribbling in my book and barely paying attention. When I was 6 years old I woke up in the morning to my 26-year-old mother and my 48-year-old father screaming at each other in our old house. The one that we had before we moved to the packhouse. I stayed in bed for ages because I couldn't find the courage to get out of bed and go out there to see what was going on. I could hear things smashing and my mother screaming at my father. I then heard the slap that he gave my mother while yelling at her. And that's when I got out of bed. I opened my door and slowly crept down the hallway and stood at the kitchen doorway and my mother was on the floor holding her face and dad was standing over her. She saw me standing there and scrambled to her feet. "It's alright sweetie. I'm alright. Hey, why don't you go and get dressed and then you can go outside and play with Bella. How does that sound?" My mother asked, crouching down to my level. But I just shook my head and looked at my father before I turned back to my room and I closed the door. I started getting dressed but their fight wasn't over. I could still hear them screaming at each other and I was shaking while I was buttoning up my shirt. But I managed to get dressed and I walked back to the kitchen. My father was storming out the backdoor from what I could see and my mother was holding a rag to her bloody nose. "Why does daddy get so angry all the time?" I asked. "I don't know sweetie. He just does. Hey, are you all ready? I think Bella is alright outside. I saw her playing in the playground earlier. Why don't you go and find her while I clean up this mess and all the broken glass." Mummy says to me. "Okay mummy." I say. And I hugged her before I walked outside and Bella was still at the playground. I got on the swing next to her and she looked at me and then back to the house. "I could hear your daddy screaming from here." Bella says. But I just nod my head. She knew that meant that I didn't want to talk about it. " Do you wanna go and annoy Ethan. He's with his friends." She says. And I smile at that and shake my head. So we jumped off the swings and went running to find Ethan so we could annoy him. Something that we loved to do all the time. And it always cheered us up. I was snapped out of my thoughts by Bella nudging me so I looked at her and she pointed down at the picture that I was absent mindedly drawing. It was a big snarling wolf attacking a woman and child. I quickly changed the page and started paying attention to the class that we were in. Try to get my mind to concentrate on what needs to be done at school. The day went by pretty quickly and before we knew it, it was time to head home. But we always took our time before going home. We slowly went to our lockers to get our things and then we headed outside but we saw that same black BMW sitting out the front waiting for us. "Ethan. What are you doing here?" Bella asked. "I'm giving you guys a lift home." He responded with a beaming smile. "It's alright. We can walk. It's not that far." I say. "Too bad. Get in." Ethan ordered. So we got in his car and he actually took us into town instead of taking us home. "The Alpha told us to get home straight after school because of that party tonight." I told Ethan. "Don't worry. Dad and the Beta know that you girls are with me. I told them before I picked you guys up. Don't worry. You won't get in trouble." Ethan assured us. Ethan took us to an ice cream store downtown and took us inside. "You do know that we're not 10 years old anymore, right?" I asked Ethan. "I know. But I thought we could all sit down and talk." He says. "A coffee shop would have been better." I say sitting down. The other two got ice cream but I didn't order anything. "So Tessa, how are the ribs going?" Ethan asked. "Pretty good. I think they're just bruised. They'll be back to normal soon." I say. "Yeah. Thank goddess for werewolf healing." Ethan says. And I just smile at him. "So Bells, how has dad been since I left? Has he gotten any worse?" Ethan asked. "About the same, I guess." Bella says eating a bit of her ice cream and then she side eyed me. But unfortunately, Ethan managed to see us. But he didn't say anything about it. I had a really bad feeling that he only brought us here to fish for information. He was asking too many questions and I didn't really like it. So I kept quiet for most of that ice cream adventure and Bella and Ethan just kept talking like always. Like they were just talking about old times. When we got back to the packhouse Ethan said that he needed to go run some errands for his dad before the party so Bella and I went inside. Both of our dad's were sitting in the living room waiting for us and we knew that couldn't be good. "We are having people here in a few hours and you two have been out galavanting with Ethan." The Alpha says. "He picked us up from school. What did you want us to do? If we didn't go with him then he knew that something would have been up." I defended us while Bella sank back a little. She was never able to stand up against them. "Well, now you two have a lot of work to do, don't you. There's cooking that needs to be done and all the bedrooms in the packhouse need to be ready in case anyone decides to stay over." My father says. "I'll go and help Bella with the rooms and then I will get started in the kitchen." I say. "There's not enough time. Bella can clean the bedrooms. That means scrub the bathrooms, change the sheets, vacuum, everything. In every bedroom in this packhouse. And Tessa, you need to get started on appetizers, then the first course, then the second course, then the main course and then dessert." The Alpha ordered. "Yes sir." I say. I looked at Bella and we had to head in separate directions. I went to the kitchen and there was no one there. Hardly any omega's worked at the packhouse because the Alpha and dad made us two girls do everything. It was a wonder that we were even allowed to go to school most of the time. But I grabbed some ingredients out and I started making the main course because it would take hours to cook and then I got started on several different appetizers to give the guests some variety. While I was in the kitchen my father walked in and he lingered behind me and I could feel my whole body tense up but he stood behind me watching me. He didn't even try to move any closer to me. He was just intimidating me. That's all it was to him. A game. He thought it was funny. By the time everything was ready the omega's arrived because they had to serve the food and I went up the backstairs to our apartment and I went straight to my bedroom. I had a shower and I couldn't even bear to look at myself in the mirror this time, so I just had a quick shower and I got out and went to the wardrobe. I got dressed into a floor length gown with a white strapless bodice with a light pink floral lace over the top that also went over my shoulders to make the straps and black the skirt of it was plain black and black strappy high heels. I then brushed my length snow blonde hair and I put on a silver and diamond bracelet and matching earrings. But I kept my neck out, except for my hair hanging down. And then I started to walk downstairs. I made it to the main area of the house and I stopped at Bella's room just as she was coming out and she was looking a little nervous about this party. "Alright. Just relax and greet a few people. There's nothing to worry about. Once we do that then us two can sit at one of the tables in the ballroom and everyone else can do whatever it is that they do." I told her. "Alright. You know I hate these parties. Getting all dressed up. It's like our father's are putting us on display." She says. "That's exactly what they're doing. And they know it too. Come on, before they get pissed at us for being too long." I say hooking my arm around hers and we started walking down the hall. We walked down the staircase and off to the right was the living room but all the furniture had been cleared out of it and the rooms adjacent to it so people would walk around freely and talk and have a good time. And the main ballroom was set up for dancing while the dining room had been lined with four very long tables that could easily seat a couple hundred people. Walking to the living room was really nerve wracking but I made sure that I held my head high and people did look at us. "It's only because we are the hottest ones here. Just remember that." I whispered to Bella as I felt her tense up. And we continued walking into the room. Alpha's from other packs would come over and introduce themselves and of course we needed to be on our best behavior and represent the pack well and we were nice and polite to everyone and we would have light conversations with people. I noticed that there were older Alpha's with their teenage sons who were obviously learning the ropes to becoming Alpha's themselves and there were others in their 20's and 30's that were there with friends or even their Beta's. I wasn't sure. We had been at the party for about 20 minutes mingling when a familiar scent filled my nose and strong arms wrapped around my waist and I knew immediately that it was Mason. "Take note of the people that you like in this room sweetie. We can invite them to our wedding." Mason hissed in my ear while smelling the crook of my neck. I tried to unravel his arms from around my stomach because I was now in a lot of pain with the broken ribs but he wasn't letting go for anything. I didn't have the strength to get him to let go. All of a sudden there was a growl that ripped through the room and the band stopped playing and I heard something smash. Like it was a wooden chair or something. Everyone looked in that direction and there was a man standing there that I had never noticed before. He would have been in his early 20's, brown hair to his shoulders, a brown goatee, 6-foot 6 at least and very defined muscles that were now tense as his intense gaze was staring directly at me and Mason. But I didn't know who he was. I was frozen in the spot and this man was just staring at us with pure hatred in his eyes. But then I realized that the hatred was for Mason. Not me. "Mine." He demanded. "Mine." The dangerous and menacing voice demanded in front of everyone in the room. All the Alpha's from nearby packs and even ones that have traveled long distances to be here. Mason finally loosened his grip around me and I noticed the woman standing next to that stranger with a horrified look on her face. She tried to grab his arm but he shook her off and marked towards Mason and me. I very subtly pushed Bella to the side away from where this man was coming for us. Just in case anything happened, she could be ready to duck and cover. "You are mistaken. Her father has already promised her hand to me in marriage. Once she turns 18 we will be marked and mated." Mason announced proudly and another menacing growl erupted from that man's throat. "You are not touching my mate." He growled out through gritted teeth. "He's your mate." Bella whispered. "Who are you?" I asked. "Tyler Lowe. Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack." He announced. And my mouth almost dropped open. They were a large pack. They were known for their strength. They were not to be messed with. I knew of their pack, but I had never met their Alpha and didn't know what his name was. "She is not your mate. She has been promised to me." Mason gritted out. This was going to get out of hand. Really quickly. But another man stood in and placed his hand on Tyler's shoulder. "My name is Cade. I am Tyler's Beta. And I'm sure you know young man that it is against werewolf rules and nature to come between a wolf and his mate. Especially that of an Alpha wolf." Cade educated Mason. "I know the laws. And I don't care. Her father promised her to me. And she will be mine." Mason insisted and Cade had to hold Tyler back after that.	LEARN_MORE	https://b.chaptersapps.com/ad/L0NoYXB0ZXJzLyR7bGlu	Hut001	https://www.facebook.com/61550056771112/	195	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	b.chaptersapps.com	VIDEO		https://b.chaptersapps.com/ad/L0NoYXB0ZXJzLyR7bGlua0lkfS8xNzQwMzc1NTYxODEzL3BhZ2V3YmFqcQ==?adid={{ad.id}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480792231_1164319775413464_3723839350319098233_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zM33wFz2Zu0Q7kNvgGwGMke&_nc_oc=AdgnSR6u5QQQOlXDN16AivBbt5ZkOSkHWeheWzoDyS3gObTb750z64qN_rr6WL3dGUQFifbtxvM_r8lyQ8Sj5Lek&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ACGQOmvbEdMMJ2C-RA7b1Mw&oh=00_AYBMdI6K8IPRrnPVMHQzy7hSEqZX_8_OhHlNIJ7aoxKk-g&oe=67CB955E	PERSON_PROFILE	Hut001	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,393	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747383}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Proceed to the Next Video!	Aidan Stein, the Eternal Lord Sovereign of the magnificent Eternity Palace, temporarily loses his memory and intelligence due to his 60-year cycle. He lives alone in Vertania until he encounters Jade Yule, who saves his life and becomes his wife. Years later, Jack Foley, an aristocrat of Vertania, develops an interest in Jade. He sends his men after Aidan, inadvertently triggering the resurgence of his memories and power.	WATCH_MORE	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.s	DramaBox- movies&drama	https://www.facebook.com/DramaBoxMoviesDrama/	9,339,614	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	play.google.com	VIDEO		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.storymatrix.drama	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481278107_2895274023975925_3761372253500833462_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P4EeI4uNbtkQ7kNvgHETzqT&_nc_oc=AdjdYr7pOkpu8GfvWWyivJSXZxjfpSBsXgczyjYJAq80xp6Eqlz8TALP4Hhqn9E32Kei-vQTHR3zqPWQLWYWoGKg&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AWdFuBZBgWbkxOcbt_M9kf9&oh=00_AYAxj8d6gOiq7CqeZ9hqznyk1XVHHq-McYdDwQpZ8AwOBQ&oe=67CB9B81	PERSON_PROFILE	DramaBox- movies&drama	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,469	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747465}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Harvard Exposes: 5 Nerve-Damaging “Toxins” Causing Neuropathy in Seniors Across the U.S.	My Nerve Pain meant watching through tears as my granddaughter danced alone… Until I discovered what was "Really" causing it... Now I'm teaching her ballet moves in our living room every Saturday morning. "Grandma, why can't you dance with me anymore?" Little Emma's innocent question brought tears to my eyes that Sunday afternoon. The Burning in my feet was so intense, I could barely stand… Let alone dance with my precious granddaughter. It felt like I was Walking on Hot Coals... every single step pure agony. How do you explain to a 6-year-old that Grandma's feet feel like they're on fire? That the same feet that used to chase her around the yard, tend to my garden, and dance at family gatherings... were now betraying me? I smiled through the pain. "Just a little tired, sweetheart." But we both knew it wasn't that. The burning had started slowly – just a slight tingling at first. The kind you brush off, thinking it'll pass. Then came the numbness The thousands of needles The shooting pains Soon, I couldn't even walk to the mailbox without gripping my cane for dear life. But the worst moment? When I had to cancel hosting our weekly dinner because I couldn't stand long enough to cook anymore. The tone in my daughter's face when I called to cancel...that mixture of worry and pity... it broke something inside me. I tried everything the doctors recommended: Medications that left me feeling like a zombie The expensive creams that did nothing to help Even those special socks they said would help Nothing worked. The burning just kept getting worse. "This is just part of aging," they said. "You'll have to learn to live with it." But how do you "live with" feeling like your feet are being blow-torched every single day? How do you accept becoming a prisoner in your own home? Then one Sunday after church… I overheard my friend Martha talking about how Nerve Pain had nearly confined her to a wheelchair. I couldn't believe it – Martha, who now ran the church bake sale, who danced at her grandson's wedding last month… Had suffered from burning feet worse than mine? I cornered her after service, desperate for answers. "Oh honey," she said, seeing me lean heavily on my cane, "I know exactly what you're going through." What she told me next shocked me to my core... She explained how a neurologist had discovered that certain foods we eat every day were creating something called "toxic plaque" in our nerves. This plaque was literally suffocating our nerves from the inside out, causing that terrible burning sensation. "Karen," she said, lowering her voice, "Did you know that one of the most common breakfast foods is actually the worst culprit?" Then she told me about this weird “Pepper” Hack that was helping people flush out these nerve-destroying toxins. I was skeptical at first. After all, I'd tried eliminating everything from sugar to gluten... But Martha grabbed my hands and said something I'll never forget: "Before I learned about this, I was just like you - trapped in my rocking chair, missing out on life. Now look at me! The difference is understanding what's really happening to your nerves." That hit home hard. When she explained how this toxic plaque builds up over time, everything started making sense... Why the pain got progressively worse... Why normal treatments weren't working... Why doctors couldn't seem to help... So I decided to give it a try. After all, what did I have to lose? The first few days, I didn't notice much difference... But by the end of week one, something changed. I realized I'd made it through an entire day without reaching for my pain pills. Then I noticed I could feel the carpet under my feet again. By week three, the constant burning had reduced so much, I actually slept through the night for the first time in months. But the real miracle? Last weekend, when Emma ran up to me asking for our special dance... I was able to take her little hands and twirl her around the living room, without fear, without pain, and without my cane. The look of pure joy on her face – being able to dance with my granddaughter again – I couldn't hold back the tears. But this time, they were tears of joy. My husband says I'm like a different person now. My daughter can't believe the change. And me? I feel like I've gotten my life back. I can garden again. I can cook again. I can be the grandmother I want to be. I'm sharing this because I know there are others out there suffering like I was. Watching their independence slip away... Living in constant fear of every step... Missing precious moments with their family... If that's you, please know there's hope. I've shared a link below to article that explains everything. It's a short read, but it might just change your life like it changed mine. Don't let burning feet steal any more precious moments with your family. You deserve to feel like yourself again. Take Care and God Bless	LEARN_MORE	https://trk.skatrk02.com/67b42a69b88b44fbc273aff9?	Mandy Rogers	https://www.facebook.com/61572661484060/	3,085	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	read.americanhealthjournal.org	IMAGE	THIS IS AN ADVERTORIAL AND NOT AN ACTUAL ARTICLE, BLOG, OR CONSUMER PROTECTION UPDATE.DISCLAIMERThis website is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice and treatment from your personal physician. Visitors are advised to consult their own doctors or other qualifi...	https://trk.skatrk02.com/67b42a69b88b44fbc273aff9?v1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&v2=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&v3=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&v4=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&v5=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&v6=%7B%7Bcampaign.name%7D%7D&v7=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&v8=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&utm_source=MD-fb-nerve&utm_medium=paid	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481069522_973889291475191_5813397234208303866_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ymlH45RikgwQ7kNvgGIICbM&_nc_oc=AdjW0wfQfNc3Fv0XSZ0qTQ_uMkwAFV3FGZ6grfrxABF_mjjfRbl31s9tApDklyZjcbyUtrId8X0wLN6RG5MuQxBp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Awy5cBZtowPTFcLWGkwF-kn&oh=00_AYC9TJn9IjfnSvA3vgk_Uh0J51QI12_yC_0R-VIa02KS3Q&oe=67CB7F5B	PERSON_PROFILE	Mandy Rogers	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,190	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747191}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Continue watching more series 👉👉👉	😹😹 CEO, Your Wife Runs Away with Your Six Heirs	WATCH_MORE	https://w2a.shorttv.live/v4/fb02.html?shorttv_adid	BGJS F	https://www.facebook.com/100090614746031/	19,019	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	w2a.shorttv.live	VIDEO		https://w2a.shorttv.live/v4/fb02.html?shorttv_adid=49263&language=en&timestamp=1738920010859&utm_source=facebook&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_id=101636	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477318933_541243158246150_32818391437507157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PEZPd0U1GtIQ7kNvgEiwX2-&_nc_oc=AdjKnvWb2pOUQZsHDBncVBhjnFeQrqmHmXbe0UQzNeAK7_kzP8RnamCLakRaiZ9ybQaJ05-oYBFLOe7a7Wblqrri&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7LW_gdlpnVQ320IK_JCAuQ&oh=00_AYC3LrhsrYKxGzQVuaNounrLznHQ2T96GgbA6AHBQvNANA&oe=67CB8C2D	PERSON_PROFILE	BGJS F	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,390	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747383}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Proceed to the Next Video!	Aidan Stein, the Eternal Lord Sovereign of the magnificent Eternity Palace, temporarily loses his memory and intelligence due to his 60-year cycle. He lives alone in Vertania until he encounters Jade Yule, who saves his life and becomes his wife. Years later, Jack Foley, an aristocrat of Vertania, develops an interest in Jade. He sends his men after Aidan, inadvertently triggering the resurgence of his memories and power.	WATCH_MORE	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.s	DramaBox- movies&drama	https://www.facebook.com/DramaBoxMoviesDrama/	9,339,614	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	play.google.com	VIDEO		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.storymatrix.drama	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480847050_555243994236228_760297491483994373_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GeencB7tWsoQ7kNvgEJ02zj&_nc_oc=Adize5mYayDVM94X_aG6smfH4VzXSWc7OfeeEEcjuzK1-l78OjX8ujlv56ailsUpLobteIa9NJ6KsV6eLk4Jx3WL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AWdFuBZBgWbkxOcbt_M9kf9&oh=00_AYAEZKlGpzqleLe_6g3CPgZ_XA4C-GY3-LwiSzN_rXd4aw&oe=67CB9DCC	PERSON_PROFILE	DramaBox- movies&drama	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,166	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747162}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🚨Special: $49 Neuropathy Exam and Assessment	For just $49 (a $300+ value), get a comprehensive Neuropathy Exam and Assessment with Dr. Philip Cook DC! ✨ What’s included: ✅ Thorough Examination ✅ Nerve Function Assessment ✅ Circulation Thermal Scan ✅ Personalized Review of Findings 💡 Discover if you’re a candidate for our high-success-rate Neuropathy Program 💡 Stop masking symptoms with medications and explore a drug-free, healing-first approach to reclaim your life! 📅 Limited spots available—don’t wait! Book your $49 exam today and take the first step toward relief.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.cookchiropracticcenter.com/m/neuropath	Cook Chiropractic Center	https://www.facebook.com/cookchiropracticwellness/	1,379	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	cookchiropracticcenter.com/neuropathy	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://www.cookchiropracticcenter.com/m/neuropathy	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481231892_1135101258101092_76642093385628514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mbxnCtqGjssQ7kNvgFAv411&_nc_oc=Adgq47xiZZM-BLEYlc0hU7WH_RPDTW2_7zZ0D4azLf82ukmv93ZmYjs0xwMuBq3J7KVR7cB9GOPpFJp_Xikb-lAR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A2k2TPKH1gdDaZiCXMkX97_&oh=00_AYB-yOyI1vJ1ncqb5Q6tAkXZOJn5B9wmszouB-8hQSquYw&oe=67CB955E	PERSON_PROFILE	Cook Chiropractic Center	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,130	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🎉“The Princess to Eight Uncles”✨Your Next Novel📕	A three-year-old gir who was bulied in the snow accidentally dialed a number. and her 8 uncles and 8000 bodvauards rushed out in an instant! Chapter 1 Don’t Get Up Until You Apologize Lambridge City, Promenade 1st Villa Area - the Hatcher Mansion. Toda was the Lantern festival. Colorful lights were decorated around the house, giving a touch of warmth to the cold atmosphere of the Hatcher family. Suddenly, a scream echoed across the mansion. "Ah-" Followed by thudding, a large-bellied woman fell from the stairs! Everyone was surprised and hurried toward her. Stephen Hatcher, the president of Ador Hatcher Corporation, quickly asked, "Debbie, are you alright?" The woman's face turned pale when she saw fresh blood trickling down her legs. Horrified, she replied, "Stephen, it hurts… Our baby… Quickly, save our baby!" The house's madam, Paula Anderson, panicked and asked, "What happened?!" Debbie looked toward the top of the stairs with tears in her eyes. Everyone looked up and saw a girl, about three years old, standing at the top of the stairs. Upon seeing everyone's gaze, she hugged the toy rabbit in her arms tightly in fear. Richard Hatcher roared angrily, "Were you the one that pushed Debbie?!" The little girl pouted. "It's not me, and I didn't…" While crying, Debbie begged, "No… Dad, it's not Lilly's fault. She's still young, and she didn't mean it…" Her words quickly reaffirmed that it was Lilly's fault. Stephen's eyes darkened, and he immediately ordered, "Lock her in the attic! I'll deal with her once I return!" The other hurriedly sent Debbie to the hospital while the servants dragged Lilly upstairs. Even when a shoe fell off, she kept a stubborn face and did not beg or cry for help. No light or heat could reach the dark and cold attic. The windows squeaked as if a monster would appear at any moment… Lilly hugged her stuffed bunny tightly and curled up in a corner. It's so cold… The truth was she never pushed anyone, but no one believed her. As it was cold spring weather, the snow and the wind made their way into the attic through the window cracks, piling layers of coldness onto little Lilly. Soon, an entire day had passed by. No one cared about Lilly, and no one even knew that Debbie had punished her the day before. She was already in a daze as she had yet to eat anything. Richard had ordered that she was not allowed to leave until she admitted that it was her fault. "Mommy…" Lilly's lips were turning purple from the cold, and she was shivering. She could only close her eyes and mumble, "Mommy… I didn't do anything wrong… It's not my fault…" She knew that her mother had died from an illness a year ago. After her mother passed on, her dad found another woman, and soon the woman was pregnant with a baby… However, the woman was two-faced. She was only nice to Lilly when others were present; otherwise, she would act like a demon punishing her. Mommy… Lilly thought as she squeezed her toy rabbit's ears before losing consciousness. Not knowing how long it had been, the door suddenly opened with a loud bang. Stephen was furious when he picked up the unconscious Lilly, dragging her down the stairs and throwing her outside into the snow! Lilly shivered from the cold surface and struggled to open her eyes… "Daddy… I'm hungry…" She muttered. Stephen scoffed. "You killed Debbie's unborn child, and the first thing you're telling me is that you're hungry?! I can't believe I have such an evil daughter!" Lilly's eyes were hollow, and she could not speak as she was frozen stiff. The more Stephen looked at her, the angrier he became. Why is she still acting stubborn despite being at fault? You malicious child! "It is my fault as a parent that you're behaving this way! Now that you've killed your unborn brother, who knows if you will start murdering people when you grow up? As your father, I must teach you a lesson!" He looked around and picked up a broom from the corner, snapping the broom head off. The thick broomstick landed on Lilly's body with a thud, causing her to scream in pain! "Is it your fault?!" Stephen glared. "It's not me. It was really… not me!" Lilly bit her lips and maintained a stubborn face. Stephen was getting more furious upon hearing her words. "Then are you saying your stepmother willingly fell down the stairs?! Why would she want to fall after being six months pregnant?!" He could not help but think back to what happened in the hospital. Debbie was bleeding heavily, and the doctor had declared her situation as critical twice, but even on the brink of death, she insisted on asking him to not blame Lilly! She said that Lilly was still young when her mother passed away. She was simply afraid that her baby brother might get the attention away from her and did not mean to push her. Stephen felt angrier as he thought. He beat Lilly while scolding, "You're still trying to deny it! Stop denying it!" With every sentence, Lilly would get hit by the broomstick. He was so engrossed in hitting her that he did not even realize that his phone had fallen out of his pocket. When Lilly was severely beaten, he finally stopped, so she lay paralyzed on the snowy ground. "Stay here and kneel until your stepmother is discharged!" Stephen tugged his tie after he scolded her and left the broomstick behind before walking away. He had been feeling irritated recently as his company had been facing a loophole for half a month and had yet to receive help resolving it. Then today, Debbie fell from the stairs and lost their unborn child, losing the only hope for the Hatcher family. The consecutive unfortunate events stressed him, and he could not help but vent it all out on Lilly. Lilly's rabbit toy had already been beaten to pieces. She tried to stand up but fell back onto the snowy ground with a thud… She felt that she was on the brink of death. If I die, will I finally be able to see mommy? At that moment, she heard a blurry voice. "Lilly, call for your uncle! Your uncle is Gilbert Crawford, his phone number is 159xxxxx..." "Call…" Lilly opened her eyes and noticed the black phone lying in the snow. Her survival instincts kicked in as she desperately crawled toward it. "159…" Lilly stuttered and stammered, her stiff fingers struggling to move, and finally, she managed to make the call… Meanwhile, Hugh Crawford lectured at a courtyard house in Clodston, "Another year has passed. Gilbert Crawford, when will you take the test for the Chief Physician role?!" The eight brothers of the Crawford family looked at each other while Gilbert touched his nose. Suddenly the old man changed the topic and asked, "Also, it's been four years, and have you not found your sister?" The looks on the brothers' faces changed, with their lips pursed. Their indifferent eyes now had a slight hint of sorrow. Their younger sister, Jean Crawford, was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia at a young age. Since then, she had been carefully nursed by the Crawford family as she went through blood transfusions, anti-infection treatments, and bone marrow transplants… However, her condition worsened and even affected her memory. Then, four years ago, she suddenly went missing. Gilbert was a physician at the Shercaster Cancer Hospital and was in charge of Jean's treatment. That day, he had to save a critically ill patient, and it was at that moment… that Jean disappeared. For the past four years, guilt and regret had been tormenting him. Even with his outstanding medical talent, he had been unable to move forward since then. The Crawford family had eight sons, and Jean was the only daughter. After their daughter's disappearance, Bettany suddenly fell ill, and Hugh's temper grew unstable. A heavy stone lay in the hearts of everyone in the Crawford family, rendering them restless. The eldest son, Anthony Crawford - the CEO of the Crawford family's business empire - worked day and night tirelessly, causing his health to worsen and requiring him to take daily medication. The third son, Bryson Crawford - the outstanding pilot of Swift Airlines- failed the psychological tests and had been resting at home for the past four years. The others… The study room fell into silence before suddenly, Gilbert's phone rang! Chapter 2 Get Her Out Of Here Hugh had his rules, one of which was that phones should be turned off during morning meetings. Gilbert quickly retrieved his phone and was about to end the call. Hugh scolded, "Take it!" Gilbert then coughed. "Dad, it was an unknown number, I…" Hugh put his teacup aside and ordered, "Take the call and put it on speakers!" Bryson and Jonas looked pitifully at Gilbert. Gilbert had no choice but to pick up the call and put it on speakers. They were taken aback when they heard a small voice. "Hello… is this uncle? I'm Lilly Hatcher… My mommy is Jean Crawford… Are you my Uncle Gilbert?" The little girl's voice was weak and indescribably monotonous, like a small robot, with no discernible emotions in her tone. The looks of the Crawford family changed drastically! Clack… Hugh's pen cap dropped from his hand. They could not utter a single sound, as if everyone had their throats strangled. The child's tender voice sounded again on the other end of the phone. "Uncle… I'm so cold and hungry… I didn't push my stepmother, but they don't believe me… Daddy dragged me to the gate to kneel… but I'm cold… Uncle, will you help me…" As she spoke, her voice grew weaker and weaker. The sound of the snowstorm blowing could still be heard from the other end of the call, but her voice had abruptly stopped. Gilbert finally got back to his senses and grabbed his phone, holding it close to his mouth as he yelled frantically, "Hey, Li-Lilly? Where are you? Tell me your location now!" However, there was no response. Hugh, panicked, stood up, and his previously rigid and stern look had already gone as if he had aged in an instant. "Quick! Quickly! Investigate the number and location now!" Lilly passed out before finishing the call and dropped the phone in the snow. Stephen then returned to look for his phone and saw Lilly lying there, not moving. He kicked her and snarled, "It'd be better if she's dead!" Four years ago, he found a woman on the street who was poorly dressed and in bad condition. He took her back to his apartment out of kindness. After the woman cleaned up, he discovered that she was gorgeous. She had amnesia and appeared to be confused. As Stephen was enamored by her cuteness, he took care of her. Like a fool in love, he doted on her, telling her to not force herself to do anything as he cared for her… Now that Stephen thought about it, he found it revolting. Who knows if a female beggar like her was taken advantage of when she was wandering about the streets? Otherwise, why doesn't Lilly have any resemblance to me? Although suspicious, Stephen never wanted to do a paternity test because if it turned out that he was not the father, he would be the most foolish man in South City! Stephen grabbed his phone and walked away. He continuously made calls in his warm study room. "Hello… Mr. Burton, it's me, Stephen! I'm wondering if you are acquainted with the Crawford family from Clodston?" "Greetings, Mr. Ledger! Happy new year! Are you acquainted with the Crawford family? Oh, my company's just having a minor issue…" The snowstorm outside the study room was intense, and Lilly was still lying on the snow. It was only a matter of time before the day got dark. She was a little conscious but could no longer force her eyes to open. She had never cried since her mother died. Even if her father abused her, she never shed a single tear. Yet, she wanted to cry at that moment. When she called her uncle, there was no response from the other end. Do they hate me too? Then no one likes me at all. What about mommy? If I die and mommy sees me, will she hate me too? Lilly's lips, turning purple from the cold, were pressed together as she kept thinking. Mommy… I won't cry… Lilly's a good girl… Suddenly, she heard a loud noise. About seven cars arrived at the Hatcher mansion, and a man wearing a black down coat got out of the first car and opened the mansion's gate! As there was a massive snowstorm, the snow had already covered Lilly's petite figure. Gilbert anxiously looked around. On the phone, Lilly said she was kneeling at the gate! Suddenly his face turned pale as he noticed a small pile of snow at the gate. He immediately rushed over and shoved the snow away, causing his hands to redden from the cold. Finally, he found a small figure under the snow! "Lilly?!" Gilbert hurriedly picked up the young girl, and the moment he saw Lilly's face, he knew that this was their Lilly - her face was a splitting image of their sister when she was young… Their most beloved and cherished sister's child - Lilly! Lilly felt as if she had fallen into a warm embrace, and the person had even taken off their coat to wrap her around. Lilly was numb from being frozen for too long, and after feeling an instant of warmth, she still felt bone-chillingly cold, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. Lilly struggled to open her eyes and finally saw the man before her - he looked somewhat similar to her mother but also different. Lilly's lips twitched as she asked weakly, "Are you… uncle… I didn't push anyone… uncle…" At that moment, Lilly was murmuring as she had lost consciousness. She was like a cold, emotionless robot compared to Gilbert's agitated self. Gilbert was on the verge of crying. The young child in his arms was only wearing thin sleepwear - pure cotton autumn clothing - with no padding at all. Her small face had already turned purple from the cold, and her lips were cracked and turning dark. Like a frozen sculpture, her tiny figure could not move, making Gilbert afraid that he would break her with a single touch. "Lilly… Uncle's here, and I'm bringing you home." Gilbert choked. He could not imagine how Lilly managed to survive independently with her condition. He was even scared to think she would have died if they arrived later. Gilbert carefully held Lilly, focusing solely on her. He rushed back to the car. "Lilly, stay with me." Gilbert's voice turned hoarse as he urged, "Don't sleep… Lilly, can you say something to uncle? Lilly…” Lilly had already lost consciousness. Hugh staggered a little as he rushed over. Seeing Gilbert's piled-up clothes, he anxiously asked, "How is she?" Gilbert was already panicking. "Quick, we must go to the hospital now!" The Crawford family felt their hearts were in their throats and immediately headed toward the hospital. Meanwhile, Stephen, who had just received the news of their arrival, hurriedly rushed downstairs with a mixture of excitement and elation on his face. When the Crawford family was rushing into the mansion, they were stopped by the security guard. Once Anthony revealed his name, the guard quickly went to inform Stephen. As he was wracking his brains trying to find a way to be acquainted with the Crawford family, Stephen was taken aback by the news! Although he did not know why the Crawford family suddenly appeared before the mansion, he knew he had a chance as long as they were there. There's hope for the Hatcher family, after all! Suddenly, Stephen remembered something and quickly turned to a servant, saying, "Is that deadbeat still lying in the yard? Get her out of here immediately!" That jinx had cursed her mother to death, and now my company will go bankrupt from her curse too. Stephen would not allow her to ruin this opportunity to meet with the Crawford family. Chapter 3 Lilly's Eight Uncles To The Rescue! Everything happened so fast that the Hatchers had no time to react. By the time Stephen rushed out, he saw Anthony preparing to get into his car and drive off. However, he had not been in time to see Gilbert brushing the snow off Lilly and picking her up from where she had been kneeling by the gate. "My goodness! It's Mr. Anthony Crawford!" Stephen plastered a bright smile onto his face and greeted the other cheerfully. "What brings you here? It's an honor to have you visiting our humble abode!" By then, Richard, Paula, and some of the Hatcher servants had hurried out to join Stephen as well, their faces wreathed in smiles of welcome. When they saw Anthony's stern, aloof countenance, they became even more fawning and obsequious. Anthony Crawford was the current head of the Crawford family's business empire and the CEO of Crawford Holdings! The Crawford family was one of Clodston's four influential families; everyone wanted to butter them up and curry favor. A true aristocratic family like this with old money and such deep ties to Clodston was rare. The Crawfords were an elusive, mysterious entity; they kept themselves out of the limelight. The only thing anyone in Clodston knew for sure was that the Crawfords had eight sons, but even then, few had even set eyes on them. Anthony was occasionally featured in the headlines of the financial news, which was why the Hatchers had recognized him. "Mr. Crawford, please come in! It's freezing out here. We'd love to have you stay a little while if you don't mind such humble surroundings," Richard said enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, please do come in and have something hot!" Stephen chimed in, smiling. Now that they were in the presence of a truly distinguished person, all the Hatchers could not help trying to ingratiate themselves with him. The Ador Hatcher Corporation was in dire straits; for the Hatcher family, this was a catastrophe. However, just a word from Anthony would revive their flagging fortunes! If luck favored them, they might even become one of Clodston's top ten influential families… Anthony's face betrayed no hint of expression; instead, he studied Stephen with keen eyes. Was this Lilly's father? Still without expression, Anthony declined Richard's offer coolly and enigmatically. "Very well, Mr. Hatcher and family." Without another word, he got into his car and drove off. The Hatchers stood there, confused and dazed, watching him leave. Paula was the first to speak. "Mr. Crawford said very well… Does that mean he's intending to help us?" Richard frowned. "Given his expression, I don't think he meant anything complimentary." Stephen ordered the servants to enlighten him about what had happened earlier. They related how the Crawfords had shown up en masse at the Hatcher Mansion and taken Lilly away, and that a man in black had stripped off his coat and wrapped it around her, cradling her in his arms. He had also identified himself as her uncle… When Stephen heard this, he was thunderstruck. Suddenly, everything became terrifyingly clear. It was common knowledge that the Crawfords had eight sons and a daughter. However, the daughter's health was frail, and she had never appeared in public before. Did this mean that the woman he had rescued four years ago was the Crawford family's one and only precious daughter?! The rest of the Hatcher family felt their hearts sinking. How they bitterly regretted their actions! Paula's lips trembled. "So Jean was the Crawfords' daughter… hurry, we need to go and get Lilly back…" They would never have forced Lilly to kneel in the snow if they had known! In fact, they would have treated her like a goddess and worshiped at her feet! Stephen regretted his actions as well; when he recalled how he had disciplined Lilly so harshly, he felt uneasy. Angrily he snapped, "How are you going to get her back? Do you think we can walk in and take her away just like that?" Richard frowned so hard his brow looked like a wrinkled prune. After a long moment of consideration, he said, "Well, regardless, we're still Lilly's blood relations. We're her grandparents, after all! The Crawfords can't deny that, no matter how angry they are. Then again, Lilly did cause Debbie's miscarriage, that's a fact…" All they had wanted to do was to teach Lilly not to be an irresponsible little liar! Unfortunately, Stephen had let his temper get the better of him and had disciplined her more severely than he should have… The Hatchers felt confident that they would be able to clear up any misunderstandings with the Crawfords. All they had to do was to have a satisfactory explanation for everything. Once that was settled, they would be able to look forward to a future of wealth and prestige… … Instead of returning to Clodston after rescuing Lilly, the Crawfords went straight to the nearest hospital. The hitherto vacant VIP suite in South Town's best hospital was now a hive of frantic activity. No one dared to raise their voices. The atmosphere was extremely tense, punctuated by the sounds of hospital equipment beeping and doctors and nurses hurrying to and fro. Hugh Crawford paced back and forth with the help of his walking stick. "Why are they still in there?" He muttered fretfully. Anthony glanced at the time, then gently told his father, "Dad, you should sit down." Lilly had immediately been whisked off to the emergency room as soon as they reached the hospital. Gilbert had gone with her; up until now, neither of them had emerged. In the emergency room, Gilbert examined Lilly's bruised body with shaking hands. Broken bones were the worst thing that could happen in cases of severe frostbite. A more detailed examination revealed that Lily had been badly beaten; in fact, her arms, ribs, and shins had been fractured. There were numerous patches of frostbite all over her body. Some of the areas were so severely frostbitten they would require surgical intervention. Lilly was only three or four years old, and she had been made to undergo such torment… Hot tears stung Gilbert's eyes. Leaning down, he murmured, "Lilly, this is your Uncle Gilbert. Can you hear me? If you can, please hang in there. You'll make it through, I promise…" Lilly's eyes were tightly closed, but she had the oddest sensation of her body feeling very light and warm all over. It was the first time she had ever felt so comfortable. Everything was very quiet, except for a voice by her ear that constantly murmured, "Lilly…Lilly dear…little Tulip…Can you see me? Can you hear me?" Who was this mysterious person? Lilly tried very hard to open her eyes, but she was unable to do so. She wanted to reply that she could hear this person talking to her as well, but she could not make a sound, no matter how frantically she tried. … It took three hours of surgical procedures before Lilly was out of danger, and the doctors all felt this was a miracle! The little girl was wheeled into a hospital room, IV tubes plastered all over her body. Gilbert's face was stony as he handed Anthony the report from Lilly's examination. When the Crawfords read it, they were incensed. Hugh growled in fury, "A fine, upstanding bunch, these Hatchers! They even had the nerve to lay hands on a three-and-a-half-year-old child! Anthony had already done a background check on the Hatcher family. In a frosty voice, he replied, "The Hatcher family's business goods are under suspicion of being contraband. The company is in pretty desperate straits. Recently they've been trying to find some point of connection so that we'll help them." Hugh merely laughed derisively. "Help them? They can count themselves lucky if I don't ruin them entirely!" The old gentleman was so enraged that he wanted to tear the entire Hatcher family to pieces there and then. "Don't worry, Dad," Anthony answered. "They won't last long." Hugh bit his lower lip and fell silent. After a while, he murmured, "Then how about Jean…what's happened to her…?" Anthony did not say anything, merely stayed silent. Clodston and South Town were around 1200 miles apart. Four years ago, Jean had somehow found her way to South Town, seriously ill and having lost her memory. Stephen had found her, and taken her home. She had almost died giving birth to Lilly but miraculously recovered and held on for another two years before succumbing to her illness, leaving Lilly alone in the world. The Crawford brothers' beloved sister had died quietly in some remote town without a nod to her status or even a mention of her name… Anthony's fists clenched tightly as his anger grew; the expression on his face became even stonier. Hugh did not dare probe any further; he was afraid he would not be able to handle the truth. Gilbert asked, "Why would they beat Lilly like that?" Anthony replied in a voice as cold as ice, "Stephen Hatcher's wife, Debbie, fell downstairs and had a miscarriage. Stephen believed that Lilly pushed her." The other Crawfords could not help frowning at this. While this discussion was taking place, the Hatchers had finally tracked Lilly to the hospital. Anthony's assistant hurriedly entered the room and said in low voice, "Mr. Anthony, the Hatchers are here. They want to see their granddaughter…" Anthony gave a scornful bark of laughter, then ordered, "Turn off the heating outside on this floor and open the windows. Let them wait." Stephen, Richard, and Paula waited outside on the top floor corridor for a very long time. The VIP suites on this level were located inside an access-controlled door; the Hatchers were in the outer area, so they were unable to go in. Anthony's assistant had arrived earlier, asking them to wait for a while, then had left. The Hatchers had not seen him since. Paula grumbled, "Why won't they let us in? Lilly's our granddaughter, after all! Why would they make us wait outside here?" Stephen snapped, "Oh, just wait!" He had beaten Lilly more severely than intended; it was understandable that the Crawfords would be angry. However, the Hatchers soon realized that something was amiss. The corridor was rapidly getting colder. Not only that, their waiting area was beside the windows, and the frosty winter wind blew in, causing them to shrink away and shiver from the cold! "This weather is dreadful! Nobody can wait around like this!" Paula, who had been pampered and sheltered her entire life, could not take it anymore. "Stephen, you'd better find someone and ask what's going on!" Richard agreed, frowning heavily. If the Crawfords were angry, deliberately making the Hatchers wait for a while was understandable. However, they had already been here for half an hour; that was a bit too long. No one would be able to stand waiting in such bitterly cold weather. Chapter 4 Would They Abandon Her Again? Stephen went around the hospital looking for people, trying to find out what was going on. However, everyone he encountered told him that they did not know what was happening either. By now, the Hatchers were so cold they were shivering uncontrollably in the icy corridor. The Crawfords would not see them either. It was becoming unbearable to wait there. Paula was the first to admit defeat. "I'm going to see Debbie…" Debbie was also warded at this hospital, but she was in the maternity wing. Stephen and Richard could not stand it any longer either, but they did not want to leave so they had no choice but to keep on waiting in the interminable cold… Incessant complaints filled their minds. They had no idea, however, that this was only the beginning of their troubles! … Lilly could hear the quiet beeping of machines around her. There were also people talking, but very indistinctly. However, there was one voice in particular that was very clear. "Lilly…Lilly dear…hey, little Tulip! You have to wake up soon, okay? If you don't, I'll…" Lilly felt as if a small swarm of bees was buzzing beside her ear and chattering to her. It was just a little bit tiresome. Who was this person talking to her? Lilly's eyelids fluttered slightly and she finally opened her eyes, only to see a snowy-white wall right in front of her. A group of people surrounded her bed. Pursing her lips, she carefully scrutinized them. Gilbert reacted enthusiastically; he was also the first to speak. "Lilly! You're awake now! I'm your Uncle Gilbert…" The rest of the Crawfords did not even dare to breathe; they watched Lilly tensely. Lilly found herself at a loss. "Uncle Gilbert?" Her pretty little face was expressionless and wooden. She looked just like a fragile porcelain doll. It sounded as if she were repeating a foreign phrase. Hugh's mouth tightened into a hard line. Lilly was very thin; she was so tiny that the hospital bed seemed very large. It hurt to see her like that, so much so that it was hard to breathe. Gilbert spoke more gently. "Lilly, I'm your mother's brother. My name is Gilbert. You telephoned me earlier, do you remember?" Lilly furrowed her brow. After a moment, she let out a soft "Ohh." She remembered now. She had called Uncle Gilbert's phone number. He had ignored her though. Didn't her uncles want her? "Did you…did you come to look for me?" Lilly asked in a thread of a voice. All the men around the bed nodded vigorously. Bryson added, "Lilly, I'm your Uncle Bryson. We're all here to take you back home with us." Hugh felt as if something were constricting his throat. He drew a deep breath, then said, "That's right. We're here to take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one will dare to bully you or harass you. If anyone tries, your Grandpa Hugh will have something to say about that." Lilly looked at each of the men in turn. They were going to take her home? She wasn't sure if they would abandon her again once they brought her home. Would they beat her and starve her? Seeing how silent she was, the Crawfords felt even more tense than ever. None of them had much experience handling children. One by one, they looked at Anthony and Liam. Anthony was the eldest Crawford boy; he was 40 years old and had two children. Liam, the second son, was 38 and also had two young ones. However, Anthony was not very good at interacting with children; after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, "Lilly, what are you worried about?" Since he said this in his customary inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings all glared at him. Liam coughed slightly in embarrassment. By nature, he was a taciturn person and found it difficult to say much. The tension in the air was so thick one could cut it with a knife. Gilbert gave a deep sigh. He inched closer to Lilly's bed and very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice as he could muster, he asked, "Lilly darling, why don't you tell us all what your proper name is?" Lilly stared at the ceiling in silence for a while before replying, "I don't have any other name except Lilly." Daddy had told her that she didn't need a proper name; they'd discuss that when her stepmother gave birth to her baby brother. Lilly had been what Mommy named her. She didn't have any other name besides that. Gilbert felt a dull ache in his heart. How had this child passed her days in the Hatcher household without even a name? Suppressing his anger, he asked, "Well then, Lilly, can you tell your Uncle Gilbert what you're thinking right now?" Lilly finally turned her gaze in his direction with an effort, staring at this person who called himself her Uncle Gilbert. That day, her entire world had been so very dark but this man had broken through that darkness like a ray of light and rescued her. Her mouth trembled slightly and she asked, "Uncle Gilbert…when we go home, am I…am I allowed to eat?" All the Crawfords were dumbfounded when they heard this. This child was asking if she was allowed to eat when she arrived home… Before they could muster up a response, Lilly asked again in a tiny voice, "Will you hit me?" Those simple four words almost made Hugh weep. The little girl was afraid she would be starved and beaten. What sort of abuse had she endured in the Hatcher household?! She was half-starved and inadequately dressed for the winter. When she had nightmares, no one would be there with her when she awoke in fright, and in summer no one would bother when she was drenched in sweat from the heat. Hugh turned away, biting his lip until he almost drew blood so he could suppress the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. The Crawford brothers were so enraged they clenched their fists tightly. However, they did not dare give vent to their anger for fear of scaring Lilly. Gilbert reached out and took Lilly's tiny hand, placing it against his cheek. Hoarsely, he murmured, "Lilly darling, when we go home, you can eat whatever you want, and no one will hit you. Look, that's your Uncle Anthony there. That one's your Uncle Liam, and that's your Uncle Bryson…All of them are tough, strong men. All of us will protect you and no one will ever hurt you again." Lilly clutched at the covers tightly with her other hand and was silent for a long time. Just when the Crawfords thought that she was not going to say anything else, she suddenly burst out, "Uncle Gilbert, I didn't push anyone. Daddy and Grandpa kept telling me to own up, but I wouldn't…" She repeated this stubbornly, a look of determination on her little face and a downcast expression in her eyes. Did her uncles truly like her? Now that she had told them she wouldn't own up despite being asked to, would they still want a disobedient child like her? Gilbert felt as though a wad of cotton was constricting his throat. Tears welled up in his eyes, and even Hugh could not help brushing away his own tears. Anthony said firmly and calmly, "Your Uncle Anthony believes you didn't do it. That was the right thing to do, not owning up to something that wasn't your fault." Gilbert nodded as well. "They're the ones who are in the wrong. You didn't do anything wrong Lilly; you did the right thing." When Lilly heard this, her mouth twisted briefly and tears began pouring down her cheeks. It was as if all those bottled-up tears had finally found an outlet and refused to be suppressed any longer. Lilly's little face still maintained that stubborn expression but her voice was punctuated by gulping sobs. "But…but Daddy doesn't believe me. Daddy said I killed my baby brother and that if I didn't own up, he wouldn't let me out." It seemed as if Lilly had finally found someone she could unload her grievances to, even as she sobbed these words. Even a three-and-a-half-year-old child could feel ill-used no matter how stubborn or determined they were. Gilbert's fury got the better of him. "He's not fit to be your Daddy!" "Gilbert!" Anthony rapped out prohibitively. Gilbert subsided into reluctant silence, but his rage was unabated. At the thought of Stephen still waiting outside, he wanted to tear the hospital bed apart, grab one of the metal tube supports and give that man the beating of his life. Lilly sobbed out a few more things, cried a little longer, then fell asleep. Once they were outside the room, Gilbert asked indignantly, "Anthony, are we really going to let those Hatchers off so lightly?" Bankruptcy alone was not enough for the likes of them! Anthony slowly unbuttoned his shirt sleeves and rolled them up. Blandly, he returned, "Eight against one, Gilbert. Is that enough for you?" There would be eight Crawfords swearing vengeance against the Hatcher family! Chapter 5 A Family The rest of the Crawford brothers narrowed their eyes when they heard Anthony's words. Gilbert loosened his wrists and cracked his knuckles; Edward, an architectural engineer with a fiery temper and tanned skin, scoffed and grabbed a rebar from nowhere. "We're law-abiding citizens. How can we openly assault someone in public?" Bryson, the good-natured Captain, said gently. He interjected a nurse nearby and said, "Hello, do you have a gunny sack in the storeroom?" The nurse stuttered, "Yeah… yeah… we have a polybag and some paper boxes in the pharmacy." She suggested the paper boxes instead, assuming they wanted to store something. Bryson smiled and said, "Thank you. A gunny sack will be sufficient." The Crawford brothers thought, a sack will be useful to beat up someone. Meanwhile, Stephen shivered in the cold as he waited outside the VIP wards. He swore in his heart, I've been up all night, and it's almost daylight. Where the hell are the Crawfords? Richard left earlier because he could not stand the cold any longer. He reminded Stephen to stay put and demonstrate their sincerity before he left. Spring nights were colder than winter nights. Stephen could feel the biting cold filling his lungs with every breath of the stale air. The long wait had also left him hungry and exhausted. All he wanted to do was return home, take a warm, relaxing shower, and sleep the rest of the day away. Things became even more unbearable when he considered the cozy environment he could be at. Stephen decided it was pointless to wait any longer after another hour had passed. The man spoke on the phone while walking to the underground car park. "Remember to call me once the Crawfords leave…" Before he could continue, he experienced total darkness surrounding him. He was covered in a gunny sack! "What the hell! Who are you?" Stephen screamed in agony as his attackers landed forceful punches. The perpetrators were none other than the eight brothers from the Crawford family. They did not typically get their hands dirty but could not help themselves when they considered Lilly's unfortunate situation. Their resentment grew as they remembered Lilly's body of injuries and how she had cautiously asked if there would be food when she returned home and if they would hurt her. "Stop it!" Stephen begged. He was helpless and at his captors' mercy. "Do you know who I am? I'm the President of Ador Hatcher Corporation. How dare you attack me! I swear that I'll…" Anthony scoffed and loosened his tie. He then motioned for his brothers to stop the assault. Everyone complied with his instructions, and Edward clung to the rebar as he prepared to resume the attack. Stephen heaved a sigh of relief after his opponents appeared to have backed down. However, the rebar landed forcefully on his leg, much to his surprise. "Ahh!" His agonizing cries rang out throughout the parking lot. Although Stephen survived the attack, he was injured so badly that he had to be carried into the hospital. What made matters worse was that he had no idea whom was to blame and had no way of finding out. His adversaries did not leave any clues suggesting their identity. "Are you feeling better, Stephen?" Debbie sobbed beside the man's bedside. If he were awake, he would notice the lack of sincerity in her eyes. The woman appeared to be a worried wife, but she was secretly distraught over Lilly's unexpected newfound identity in the Crawford family. Debbie was appalled when Paula told her of the news yesterday. She fumed inwardly, how did that bastard become the only beloved daughter of the Crawford family?! In truth, Lilly was not responsible for the miscarriage; Debbie had intentionally caused the fall so that she could get rid of the baby. She knew that the Hatchers were experiencing financial difficulties and that Stephen was on the verge of bankruptcy after incurring numerous debts. Debbie believed that a young and beautiful lady like her had a good chance of finding a new husband; one who was wealthier and more powerful than Stephen. If she had a child, remarriage would be more difficult for her. As a result, she needed to find a way to make the baby vanish while avoiding responsibility. Debbie knew that Lilly was a lonely child loved by no one. Since her birth, the Hatchers had never been kind to her. Stephen had even admitted in his drunken stupor that he despised her presence. Hence, Debbie felt that it was safe to pin the blame on her lost child on Lilly. Little did she know that the girl was part of the Crawford family. Debbie's spine tingled at the prospect of offending one of the four greatest families. What should I do? I'll be in trouble if they find out the truth. I need to figure out how to keep Lilly silent forever... At the VIP ward, Lilly opened her eyes once again. This time, the room was completely empty and deathly quiet. She was feeling insecure and uneasy as she thought everyone had left. A few moments later, there was a soft knock at the door. Her face lit up when she saw Gilbert enter the room. Hugh had instructed them to wait outside the ward in order to avoid crowding the room, and improve ventilation. "How are you feeling, Lilly? Shall I get you some breakfast?" Gilbert said warmly. When Lilly nodded, he gave the order to serve breakfast. The rest of the Crawfords were awokened by the noise and went into the room to check on Lilly. "What do you like to eat, Lilly? There are sandwiches, donuts, oatmeal…" Hugh asked tenderly. Edward pushed his way in and exclaimed, "How about meatball spaghetti? It's delicious!" Hugh reprimanded Edward by hitting his leg with his walking cane. "Lilly has only just awoken. How is she going to eat the meatball spaghetti?" He picked up a plate and suggested, "How about some sandwiches? It's tasty." Bryson smiled as he picked up a bowl. "Or some oatmeal would be good too." Lilly pursed her lips, and tears shimmered in her eyes. Recognition dawned on her that she may now have a family. She sniffled and said cautiously, "I would like to have some sandwiches, Grandpa." "Great! Come, have the sandwiches!" Hugh nodded fervently, his tear-reddened eyes fixed on Lilly, who reminded him of a younger Jean. However, unlike Lilly, Jean was willful and hyperactive when she was a little girl. She led a carefree life and often bickered with her brothers. However, the little girl before him was melancholic, and careful with her words. She must have been through a lot to be this mature at the age of three and a half. The Crawfords only left the room after Lilly had finished her meal and tucked into bed. However, the moment Lilly closed her eyes, a voice sounded in her ear. "Tulip! Tulip!" She opened her eyes, but the room was empty. Lilly tried to sleep again, convinced that she was dreaming. The voice spoke again as she closed her eyes. "Lilly, Lilly, Tulip!" Lilly clutched the sheets nervously as she searched for the source of the voice.	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	The novelette	https://www.facebook.com/100085412887736/	1,770	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadings.com	IMAGE		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=4433&brand=2&app=0&ppid=899&pid=FBW2A&campaign={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120216559048540490&ori_adset_id=120216559049830490&ori_ad_id=120216559059240490	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481097778_1371915673812608_4200391062014700945_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iUZB9XeUS2gQ7kNvgHVMB3L&_nc_oc=Adgiqh4zpcMWkI_RYr24zVQqxwN38GnUSGQ6T2TS41ygW69E3_TqMyFFA8tNpuLvVIJ4j0QrCO4RRcApeVoe2det&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AkmKxg2dOCipQsLyJssuBkZ&oh=00_AYBVbCsYhsIoxBMGs9FGwKp7mMXklwXSOsopOuHZxy2Jug&oe=67CB8114	PERSON_PROFILE	The novelette	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,288	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747285}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"She's not an ex or a bunny, is she?" "What? No. Cora and I went to school together. Her stepfather was my coach in high school. We were friends." "Just friends?" "Just friends. She's probably the only girl who's ever just been my friend. I've known her since kindergarten." Until she wasn't my friend anymore. Until I screwed it up. ____________ Cora The night is busier than usual, and I've run myself ragged trying to keep up in the ER. As a nurse, I don't normally work the ER, but I've had trauma training, and when three nurses called off, I came in. The overtime will be a nice bonus. I'm behind on my rent, and I hope this extra money will help me not only catch up on that, but on the other bills as well. "Cora!" I glance up from my charts to see Mrs. Hesh, my supervisor in the ER, hurrying toward me. She looks panicked. "What's wrong?" "We have several VIP patients coming in. I need your help." "Of course." I close the chart and put it back in the pile I still need to go through. "What do I need to know?" "Several of the hockey players from the Raptors got injured and are being rushed here. We need to make sure they're taken care of straight away and that the team and coaches are kept informed of their status. Can you do that?" "Shouldn't Shelia do that? She's the senior RN. I'm only filling in." Hockey players make me uneasy. Bad past experience. "I don't trust her not to ask them all for autographs. She's a total fangirl." My eyes widen. I didn't know Mrs. H. knew what that term even meant. "And I heard you say you knew hockey." "I do." "Good. I trust you not to lose your mind when confronted by the team." "No, ma'am, I won't." "You may need to wrangle some of the other nurses, too. I'll be busy with the patients." "They're not going to like it, especially the ones who have seniority over me." "Does that mean you can't do it?" The older woman turns and looks me dead in the eye, hers shrewd and assessing. But she can change my status here at the hospital. I'm not going to do anything to disappoint her. It says a lot she's trusting me with this. "I can do it." "Good." We both rush to the ER entrance, waiting for the ambulances to arrive. I pull my ponytail down and redo it, tucking the loose strands of my heavy blonde hair behind my ear. I learned during my first real rotation to always keep my hair up and out of the way. Otherwise, you could get run over in a packed ER because you can't see when your hair is swinging everywhere. It only takes a few moments for the first two ambulances to come screeching into the ER entrance, sirens blaring. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes for two seconds then move forward, meeting the ambulance doors and waiting for them to open. The first player out is Jamison O'Brian. He has a nasty cut to the face, and his leg is propped up and held immobile by the board strapped to it. He looks rough, but not in danger. Dr. Billings waves him off with the nurse standing behind me. I don't remember the guy's name. I'm not down here enough to know everyone. The second ambulance holds a more serious injury. Myers is the name emblazoned on his jersey. His head is a bloody mess, as is his arm, a nasty looking gash that was most likely caused by a blade. That's going to keep him out for a couple of weeks at least, depending on any kind of nerve or muscle damage. He goes with Ava, the other nurse down here from my regular floor. Ava and I are friends, and we both frown at the seriousness of the injury. Ava is a huge hockey fan, but she can be trusted not to lose her mind over treating a player, which is why she's been called out to meet the ambulances. The last ambulance is the one Mrs. H. seems the most concerned with. As soon as the doors spring open and the EMTs start shouting stats, I get a good look at the unconscious man lying prone and bleeding on the stretcher. All the air rushes out of my lungs, and all I can do is stare. No. It can't be. He's in Florida. Not Minnesota. "Cora?" The sharp tone snaps me out of my funk. "Sorry. It's just I know him." "You know him?" We run after the stretcher. "I went to school with him." "Is this going to be a problem?" "No, ma'am. I was just shocked is all. I hadn't realized he'd been traded to the Raptors. I'm good." She nods and we get to work, me helping cut his clothes off, revealing the extent of his injuries. He has massive bruises on his abdomen, which might indicate internal bleeding. There's also a nasty cut along one thigh, and his shoulder is at an odd angle. The doctors twist it back into its socket while he's unconscious. I wince when they do, glad he's unconscious for that. Resetting a shoulder is extremely painful. As the doctors do that, we keep working, helping to clean away the mess so they can evaluate him. The bleeding is stopped, and then he's gone to CT to make sure there was no damage to the brain and to see if he has internal bleeding where the bruising is. I go to check on the next patient, who is currently complaining that he's fine and he doesn't need all the fuss. The doctor and the male nurse are disagreeing with him, but he just gets louder. They do not know how to deal with hockey players, apparently. Or they don't want to upset a VIP patient. Either way, the patient's care comes first, even when said patient is acting like a big baby. "Sit." My tone is sharp and commanding when he tries to get off the table. His brown eyes snap to mine, and I just arch a brow. "I'm fine." He stands up, daring me to say a word. He has no idea he's dealing with someone who grew up around hockey players. "You are not fine. Now, sit down before you fall down." The nurse and doctor look at me like I've grown two heads, but O'Brian sits, a scowl on his face. He might terrify everyone else with that look, but not me. "Don't give me that look. Your leg could be broken, and the more you stand on it, the more damage you'll be doing. Which means longer time off the ice. So stop being a whiney prick and let us take care of you so you can get back out there." "Fine," he mutters, and I shake my head. Hockey players. Mrs. H. stands to the side, a small smile on her face. "Cora, we need you in here, please." I peel my gloves off and don a new pair when I push into the room where Myers sits, growling at everyone. The nurses are all a little too giddy and not really doing their job. Sighing, I push through them, snapping for them to get to work or get out. The low chuckle from the bed catches my attention, and I arch that same brow. "That's a nasty cut, Mr. Myers." "I've had worse." Dark green eyes dance with mischief even with the twinge of pain in them. "I'm sure you have." Ava hustles over, looking exasperated. "Thanks for that. They weren't listening to me." "No problem." Between the two of us, we get him stripped and cleaned, working around the doctors and getting them what they need as well. Soon he's hustled off to x-ray, and Ava and I take a moment to catch our breath. "That was intense." "I forget how surly they can be when they're hurt." "Your stepfather was a high school coach, wasn't he?" I nod, not really paying attention. "So that's how you know so much about hockey." We both jump at the sound of Mrs. H.'s voice. "Sorry, we just needed a moment." "Understandable. Cora if you can go inform the team of what's going on, I'd appreciate it. They're camped out in the waiting room." "And being very loud, I take it?" Her lips twitch, and I know I'm right. Sighing, I push off the wall and take a glance at the charts before walking down the hall to the waiting room. I hear the noise before I even reach the doors. Loud isn't quite the word I'd use. Think of about thirty two-year-olds all screaming at the top of their lungs. That would be the most accurate picture of the noise coming from out there. No fewer than six nurses, male and female alike, are trying to talk above the noise. But honestly, they're not asking about injuries or informing the team about the patients. They're talking about the game. "Excuse me." I make myself louder than normal, but it's not doing a thing to get anyone attention. So I do the one thing I know will get through. I put fingers to my lips and let out a whistle so shrill it hurts the ears. Another thing left over from my high school days. A little trick my stepfather taught me. But it's effective, and every single bit of noise dies down. "Thank you. Now, where is the head coach?" He stands and walks forward. "I'm Coach Baptist." "All three of your players are being taken care of. O'Brian's in x-ray, and Myers and Chandler are upstairs in CT. They're checking for head trauma and internal bleeding. As soon as we know more, I'll come out and let you know." I turn my attention back to the nurses. "You lot have things to do other than stand around out here and gossip. Get back to work." "I outrank you." The snottiest of them grins. "Yes, but Mrs. H. put me in charge. Sure you want to tell her why you decided to pull that snarky little comment out of your a$s?" Her eyes widen, and she turns and marches back through the doors. Idiot. "Well, what are the rest of you waiting for?" They grumble but shuffle off. Which leaves the team to deal with. "Is there anyone else out here who needs medical attention?" A collective shake of heads is the only answer. "Now, I know you're all tired, and anxious to find out about your teammates, but this is a hospital. There are sick people here, and all this noise isn't helping." More grumbling. "I get it, guys, I do, but I swear if you don't settle down, you're going to deal with me, and trust me, ladder drills have nothing on my ire, so please do us all a favor and behave." "Ladder drills, huh?" one player asks. "You know hockey?" "Yes. Now, unless you guys need something, I'll be back when I have more to report." I turn around, and a wolf whistle follows me. It takes me two seconds to have the offender's ear in between my fingers. You'd be amazed at how quickly a man will come to heel with a little pressure on his earlobe. "Ow!" he screeches. "I'm not your honey, babe, or a bunny. I'm Nurse Stevens, and if you disrespect me again, I will have your balls. Understand?" "Yes, ma'am." I turn him loose and give them all a level stare. "Understand?" A chorus of "yes, ma'ams" follow me as I turn around and disappear behind the doors leadings back to the ER. Hockey players. Cora Has it really been only four hours since the worst shock of my life? But my trusty watch says it has. Thank God for all my training, or I might have run from the hospital and never come back. Shaw Chandler. Dear sweet baby Jesus. I never expected to see him again, especially not in Minnesota, of all places. He swore he never wanted to play where it was cold ever again. The southern states or the warmer ones on the west coast are where he wanted to play. It's why I felt so safe moving here. Even though hockey is king in this state the same way football is in Texas, I knew he'd never play here. But then, players don't dictate trades. He might not have been given a choice. And besides, it's not like he'd care I'm here, anyway. We haven't spoken in over four years. Shaking my head, I pull myself together and focus on the patient who needs the nausea meds. Poor man seems to have gotten food poisoning. He's thrown up three times since he got here twenty minutes ago. He's dehydrated, but the IV I put in with the fluids should start to help soon. "Here you go, Mr. Croom. This will ease the nausea." I hand him the tablets and small paper cup. He takes it and swallows the pills down. "God, I hope this stays down." Me too. He threw up on me earlier. Glancing at the clock, a sigh escapes when I see my shift is over. I can go home and forget I saw Shaw Chandler. But the pale stillness of him when he came in worries me. Shaw was my best friend all throughout school, and as much as he hurt me, part of me still worries about him. I always will. "I'm getting ready to leave, Mr. Croom, but Amber will be the charge nurse on duty. She should be by in just a few minutes. Is there anything you need before I go?" He shakes his head miserably, and I smile encouragingly at him. Food poisoning is one of the worst things in the world. "Hey, Cora." Amber shoots me a smile when I walk over to the nurses' station to clock out on the computer. "Watch that one. He's got food poisoning and has already thrown up on me." "Ouch." I wrinkle my nose. I smell like vomit, but at least I have on clean scrubs. I learned early on to keep several extra sets on hand. I give her the rundown on the rest of the patients as I gather my things. "I heard about the hockey mess that came in." "Yeah. Two serious injuries and one very loud, very vocal team." "We've had them in a few times over the years. Takes some wrangling." "I handled it." "I knew you could." She waves me off as I walk around the station. "See you tomorrow!" No, she won't, but I don't bother mentioning that. Amber is one of the nicest people in this place, and I try not to let my snarky nature disrupt her bubbly attitude. It's not until I'm in the elevator stepping off onto the floor where Shaw is that I realize I've even done it. I shouldn't be here. I know it, but I'm worried. He looked so pale. Groaning at my own gluttony for punishment, I walk down the hall to his room. No one is around. He's probably still passed out. He had a nasty concussion, but because of the surgery to repair his spleen, he had to have anesthesia. If I remember correctly, he doesn't respond well to the stuff. It knocks him out for days afterward, so I should be good just to sneak in and check to make sure he's okay. But he's not alone. One of the nurses from the waiting room is standing there, taking photos on his phone. What the... "Just what the heck do you think you're doing?" He whirls around, and his eyes go round. I whip out my phone and text Mrs. H. She's the one nurse I know who will take care of this. "What are you doing?" he asks, voice low. "Texting my supervisor to let her know what you're doing." He looks from the phone to me and then shrugs. He knows he can sell those photos for a few hundred thousand, easy. It's no biggie if he gets fired. He breezes by me and out the door. Oh, he did not! Running after him, I catch his arm and pull him around. "You're not..." "Don't make me hurt you, babe." His tone is threatening, but it doesn't register. All I'm thinking about is those photos. Photos of Shaw when he's vulnerable and unable to defend himself. "You are not getting out of here with those pictures." "You going to stop me, babe?" Without thinking, I grab his phone and slam it on the ground, smashing it in the process. Well, cracking the screen more than the phone flying into little bits and pieces. "You little bimbo!" And before I can dodge, his fist has connects with my face. Everyone on the floor sees it. He seems to notice and tries to run, but one of the hockey guys from downstairs is only a few steps away and snags him. "You okay, Cora?" Natalee, one of my good friends, asks as she helps me up. "Did you hit your head?" The pain vibrating across my cheek is horrible. The bruise is going to be epically bad. My head does hurt, but it's not as bad as the cheek. "She broke my phone!" the offender shouts. "That doesn't give you the right to hit a girl, dude." Mr. Tall Dark and Deadly hockey player doesn't look impressed with the nurse's outburst. Mrs. H. arrives and, seeing my face, rushes over to check it, her fingers gentle on my jaw. "This needs x-rayed." "It'll be fine." I can't afford a hospital bill. Even with our insurance taking care of most of the bill, I still can't afford what would be left. "No, it won't," she rebukes. "Or do I need to pull the same spiel you gave earlier?" I try to smile, but it hurts too much. "Now, is this the man you texted about?" I nod. "Yes, ma'am. He was taking pictures of Sha...Mr. Chandler. When he tried to run, I smashed his phone. I'm sorry about that, but it's the only thing I could think to do. Our job is to take care of our patients, not exploit them when they're unconscious." "He did what?" The voice of the player holding the nurse drops two octaves and turns from soft to hard so fast it would make your head spin. Even those pretty brown eyes have gone so cold and dark, they're nearly black. "She's lying!" "I don't think so." Mrs. H. collects the smashed phone off the floor. "The police should be able to pull any photos from the phone. It's not damaged too badly." The man's face pales. "We'll take care of this." Mrs. H. turns to Natalee. "Get her checked in then off to x-ray. Someone will be by to fill out an incident report, and Cora, don't worry about the bill. You won't be getting one since it's a work-related injury." Her expression dares me to argue, so instead I pull out my own phone and text my babysitter that I'll be later than I thought. At least I don't have to worry about one more bill I can't afford. When I get back from x-ray, they don't take me down to the ER like I expected. They bring me back to Shaw's floor and to a room. Natalee winks when she comes in. "Can't have one of ours down there in the mess." I smile gratefully, knowing she pulled a few strings. This is my normal floor, and I love the nurses I work with up here. "You got some ninja skills, girlfriend." "Ha, if I had skills, I wouldn't have gotten hit." "Yeah, I didn't see that coming either. I was already up and coming over when you snatched Marty's phone, but I wasn't able to stop him. Sorry." I wave off her apology. "How much longer do you think this is going to be? Noah's already up and probably mad that I'm not there to make his breakfast." "How is the kiddo?" "He's good, adjusting better than I thought he would when we moved out here." "It had to be hard on him. When John and I moved here two years ago, our daughter declared us horrible people and said she'd never forgive us." "How'd that go?" "She was five. She got over it when we took her ice skating." I laugh and then wince. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts." "Sorry." She hands me the cup of coffee she'd been holding. "I brought this for you. It's from the stand outside, not the cafeteria. Thought you'd need some caffeine." "Thanks, Nat." "Anytime. I have to go check on patients, but the doctor shouldn't be too long. He has to haul it up from the ER, so..." I shrug. It'll probably be a while longer than she let on. I'll drink my coffee and try not to focus on the man a few doors down from me. The one I shouldn't even have checked on. But I'm glad I did. No matter what happened between Shaw and me, no one deserves to have their photo taken while they're at their most vulnerable. Especially not by the people who are supposed to be taking care of them. "Knock, knock." The hockey player who snagged the nurse walks in. "that looks bad." "I'd say it looks worse than it feels, but I'd be lying." He comes closer, his hands in his pockets. His black hoodie with the Raptors logo isn't nearly as dark as his hair. The stubble on his face gives him a rakish look. He reminds me of a pirate and is way hotter than Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. The man is gorgeous, and he knows it. It's the way he moves, the confidence of his stride. I take a sip of my coffee, careful to blow on it first. "That's not from the cafeteria." "Nope. There's a little coffee vendor outside the hospital. Better than Starbucks." "No sh-it?" "No sh-it." "Good to know." After he stands there awkwardly for a full minute, I decide to put him out of his misery. "Is there anything I can help you with?" "Oh...uh...I just wanted to check on you, make sure you were okay." He doesn't sound nearly as confident as his stride. He sounds nervous. "I'm good." "And to thank you for what you did." "Not necessary. I'm sorry it happened. I didn't think anyone here would do something like that." "You'd be surprised at what people will do for money." The darkness lurking in his eyes tells me that he's well acquainted with the subject. Another minute goes by, and then his phone buzzes. He pulls it out and frowns at the message. "Everything okay?" He sighs. "My kid has terrorized another nanny. She's threatening to quit." Now that, I smile at. "My son went through three sitters when we moved here six months ago. He was adjusting to a new place, a new city, and sitters he didn't know." "My son has lived here his whole life, which is all of four years. He loves to cause chaos, and the nannies I hire don't like the chaos. I wish he was more like his sister. She's as sweet as can be." I laugh at that, not caring about the wince. "Three- and four-year-old little boys are a handful and take a certain brand of crazy to deal with all its own." "That they do." He smiles, and it lights up his entire face. "I'm Blaine Kirkos, by the way." "Nice to meet you, Mr..." He's shaking his head, interrupting me before I can get the word out. "No mister. Call me Blaine. We parents have to stick together. At least now I know how you handled a room full of hockey players and wrangled Myers and O'Brian. They said you were like a little general, daring them to disobey you." "Hockey players are very much like little boys." "I'm not saying I agree, but..." "But you do." His smile is my only answer. "So, I was thinking I could get you tickets to a game or something...to say thank you for taking care of everyone and stopping that guy from getting away with photos." "Oh, no, that's okay. You don't have to do that." "But I want to." "I work most nights you guys have games." "You could switch a shift or call in..." "Can't call in. Bills to pay and all that." "How about I send you tickets, and if you can come, then you come?" I start to tell him thank you but no when the doctor comes in. He glances at Blaine and does a double take. "Oh, Mr. Kirkos, I didn't know you knew Cora." He winks at me and shakes the doctor's hand. "Just in here checking on our favorite nurse. I'll let you talk to her so she can get out of here and home to her son. I'll be seeing you Nurse Stevens!" He walks out whistling, and the doctor turns to me, one eyebrow raised. I refrain from saying a word, and when he realizes I'm not about to gossip, he gets down to business. My cheekbone is not fractured as they'd feared, but it's going to hurt like crazy. He offers pain meds, and I decline, so he writes me a prescription for Ibuprofen 800 and calls it a day. Once my discharge papers are firmly in hand, I tell Natalee goodbye and waver in front of Shaw's door. Giving in to temptation, I go in and walk over to the bed. He's just as gorgeous as I remember. His skin is darker, pecked by the Florida sun. The blond hair that always made him look like the boy next door is lighter, sun bleached from days spent on the beach. His eyes are a dark stormy gray, and even though they're closed, I can picture them. His body has filled out a lot since the last time I saw him. He's become the man that the boy only hinted at. "Hey..." I turn to see Natalee come in. She's got questions in her eyes, but I shrug, not up to answering them. "How is he?" I ask instead. "In and out of consciousness, which is good, especially with the concussion. Surgery was successful, but he's not going to be on the ice anytime soon. Nasty concussion." I nod. It's what I assumed when they started talking about concussions in the ER. At least he's okay. I can go home and forget about him now. "Tinkerbell?" The hoarsely whispered word pulls my attention to pain-filled eyes. He's staring at me with an intensity that's hard to shake. But I have to. Without a word, I turn and walk out of the room.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.bingecherry.com/ad/L0JpbmdlQ2hlcnJ5LyR7b	ForFun-100	https://www.facebook.com/100094441775812/	280	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	a.bingecherry.com	VIDEO		https://a.bingecherry.com/ad/L0JpbmdlQ2hlcnJ5LyR7bGlua0lkfS8xNzQwMzc1ODM0NjgyL3BhZ2VjaHNqdg==?adid={{ad.id}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481048112_1682895435996029_3668971846092267118_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EIVzTQ005fcQ7kNvgGPrTJP&_nc_oc=Adj2-eoPCXtJ4xexjnRsDRMSCgUqmNhms44V5htMMKOe-0EhZX-_3TEMmRiutHd4ZgBhGAd5YnsHMPrt05gFlTPp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AKugcj9FiU9hFemCyrLHt9B&oh=00_AYBJ9oMTVhaK8FBjSom4XK-JzN3hhyz2S678n2ciZd3bhQ&oe=67CBA862	PERSON_PROFILE	ForFun-100	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,236	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Continue Watching👉	Aidan Stein, the Eternal Lord Sovereign of the magnificent Eternity Palace, temporarily loses his memory and intelligence due to his 60-year cycle. He lives alone in Vertania until he encounters Jade Yule, who saves his life and becomes his wife. Years later, Jack Foley, an aristocrat of Vertania, develops an interest in Jade. He sends his men after Aidan, inadvertently triggering the resurgence of his memories and power.	WATCH_MORE	https://fb.dramabox.com/db_land_page/DALPF1052210.	DramaBox- movies&drama	https://www.facebook.com/DramaBoxMoviesDrama/	9,339,609	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	fb.dramabox.com	VIDEO		https://fb.dramabox.com/db_land_page/DALPF1052210.html?language=en&timestamp=1740922648189&channelCode=DALPF1052210&bid=41000112468&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481238559_993522755540971_4282530210331678422_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PTbvQDjBKFsQ7kNvgFACIAh&_nc_oc=AdikSA_9wNkBbjExfs7OzRGcMsZJLy4-KxC7Riw1zjZTPtj7mN8POEZKWD53SzdwXBLHWKLcSYCgq509ufi4IbA2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ACGQOmvbEdMMJ2C-RA7b1Mw&oh=00_AYAteYY6EBYq8EfEtiBwebsBIEPzN9rHN1jOOIEBphCUXQ&oe=67CBA77F	PERSON_PROFILE	DramaBox- movies&drama	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,212	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747213}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🔥Click to FREE watch more episode👉👉🎬	With the help of his grandfather, Dave Quinn marries Tessa Gray, a girl he does not know much about. After marriage, Tessa works in Quinn Corp as a cleaner and makes Dave promise to keep their relationship a secret from their colleagues. However, some of her colleagues show disdain towards her, especially Dave’s childhood sweetheart, Lana Harris, who has a crush on him. Out of jealousy, Lana sets Tessa up in an attempt to get rid of her, hoping to ruin her marriage with Dave.	WATCH_MORE	https://fb.dramabox.com/db_land_page/DLLPF1057857.	DramaBox- movies&drama	https://www.facebook.com/DramaBoxMoviesDrama/	9,339,610	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	dramabox.com	VIDEO	Signed, Sealed, Secretly Married	https://fb.dramabox.com/db_land_page/DLLPF1057857.html?language=en&timestamp=1740557305295&channelCode=DLLPF1057857&bid=41000111648&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480728040_639312198652241_3276331037304633945_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0AHDzlAyGMAQ7kNvgEUq0_y&_nc_oc=AdjmueFEunBYONX-wdAjNz6bb5S15ms8OSsJVclfQuuR_74TEQy8lqcBT11fsrZdV-A6fK3C3QHlDi0ja3Aesy2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ag2DB4VZfy_2EiKOdDvDC9D&oh=00_AYCOmMEKyWgJv-hjMCl5lKoEAhMHaKx-gYYVvsA-0TTCtg&oe=67CB9FF2	PERSON_PROFILE	DramaBox- movies&drama	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,189	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	Continue watching more series 👉👉👉	😹😹 CEO, Your Wife Runs Away with Your Six Heirs	WATCH_MORE	https://sites.sdrh2o.com/fb02.html?shorttv_adid=51	BGJS F	https://www.facebook.com/100090614746031/	19,019	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	sites.sdrh2o.com	VIDEO		https://sites.sdrh2o.com/fb02.html?shorttv_adid=51576&language=en&timestamp=1740380060540&utm_source=facebook&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481263192_612540878225253_1474271223222849651_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dDR9D4teNFUQ7kNvgHyONHG&_nc_oc=AdifHQSrTw3csQCsCL5gKRrnYRBemw0O5ieY64b3v2dU9cwJ8Q9-0VL4RzLAh1OH3vyc14KnXtNFNEegJ7y4U1Wm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ABpkbzbadWTFOmylTskX3fU&oh=00_AYC3hCr_XJr0yFgF8W_itdQ9zTR4-jL2dHBYrwdH8Ff-rg&oe=67CB7EA1	PERSON_PROFILE	BGJS F	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,258	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2747268}'	No	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"Mine." The dangerous and menacing voice demanded in front of everyone in the room. "You are mistaken. Her father has already promised her hand to me in marriage. Once she turns 18 we will be marked and mated." Mason announced proudly and another menacing growl erupted from that man's throat. "You are not touching my mate." He growled out through gritted teeth. "He's your mate." Bella whispered. "Who are you?" I asked. "Tyler Lowe. Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack." He announced. And my mouth almost dropped open. __________ I was covered in black and blue bruises and fresh cuts from that beating. But also bruises under the new bruises that were yet to heal. I was malnourished and didn't heal as fast as werewolves. But I was used to it. Ever since my mother died when I was 6 my father has been getting progressively worse until it finally got to this kind of abuse. Which was the worst kind. Where I could barely walk or even look at myself in the mirror. I had a quick shower because the water stung my skin too much and I washed my length snow blonde hair and I came out of the bathroom and walked into my wardrobe. I got dressed into a pair of black tights, a loose fitting shirt and a hoodie over the top. It was pretty much my signature look. When I was putting my books in my bag my bedroom door slammed open and I jumped almost to the ceiling because it scared me so badly. Dad was standing there and I was surprised that he was actually able to stand. "Hurry up. The pack breakfast is starting." He demanded still slurring his words. How was he going to explain that to the pack elders? This was going to be interesting. But I really didn't care. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs and we left our side of the packhouse and walked through long corridors together and when I couldn't keep up with dad's pace he grabbed my arm and dragged me along which only hurt my ribs even more. "Quit your complaining. What is the matter with you?" He snarled at me. I wasn't surprised that he didn't remember. He was too drunk to remember. But when we got to the main part of the pack house he made sure that his clothes were neat and his balding gray hair and goatee weren't disheveled and we walked into the large dining room where a lot of important pack members had breakfast every morning. Including the Alpha, his daughter Bella, the pack elders and other influential people around the pack. Like the doctor ect. There were several tables set out and a buffet where you could eat all you wanted. And I was practically drooling at the food as dad approached it and he piled one plate up with heaps of food and then gave me the second plate with only toast and a pancake on it. I found Bella sitting at a table by herself next to the window. She was the Alpha's second born and only daughter. And my best friend. We're the same age and we've known each other since we were in diapers. "I see you've brought the hoodie out again." Bella whispers as I try to sit down without drawing any attention to myself at how much pain I was in. We all know what it means when we see the hoodie - It's for covering the bruises. "I didn't realize that I ever put it away." I say. "Well, I'm glad that I don't have to wear mine today." She commented. "Yeah. Your dad has eased off of you. Is there a reason why?" I asked curiously and a little jealous. "Yep. Because my brother is coming home today." She beamed at me. And a huge smile spread across my face as well. "You're kidding. Ethan is finally coming home." I say. And she nods her head. I could tell that she was trying everything to hide her excitement. "I can't believe that. That's fantastic." I said. I noticed Bella looking around at the room but she didn't say anything. So I glanced around as well and when I did everyone quickly stopped looking at me. Dad tried to hide his evil side. But he wasn't fooling anyone. When he got drunk, he would always start fights with people and become unbearable. And he was getting drunk a lot more lately. People had an idea of what was going on in our apartment. But no one was willing to go up against the Beta. Because they all knew that the Alpha would be there to support him and they would be kicked out of the pack. Or worse. A lot of pack members lived in fear of our Alpha and Beta. It was a horrible way to live. But if they tried to leave then the Alpha would send warriors after them to kill them. He's done it more than once. The warriors were ordered to kill entire families that were fleeing. Which included children. That's what made this pack the strongest on the East Coast. Because no one was game enough to leave so it was a huge pack and all the warriors trained relentlessly. The only problem was that girls weren't allowed to train. We basically lived in the stone ages. The Alpha believed that she-wolves are only here to find their mates and produce pups for their mates to keep the pack going strong. It was barbaric and insulting. But he was the Alpha. His word was law. "How long do we need to stay here to be respectful? I hate everyone staring at me." I whisper to Bella. "Just a couple more minutes. Then we can leave for school." She whispers back. I then saw the head warrior Mason walk in with his two sidekicks Levi and Lockie trailing behind him and Mason's eyes set straight on me. They got themselves some food and then invited themselves to join me and Bella. Mason sat right next to me and moved his chair over so he could be closer to me, but I squirmed away from him as much as possible. He was big and good looking but he was a horrible person. And I knew that from first hand experience. He was the one that they always called to track down those families that ran away. And I know that he personally killed a child of those fleeing families. I wanted nothing to do with him. "I have exciting news for you Tessa." Mason says, looking at me. "And what is that?" I asked, exhaling while drinking a little coffee. "I have you're fathers blessing." He said slowly. And my head snapped towards him. "What?" I almost shouted and a few people looked our way before they went back to what they were talking about. And Mason was smirking at me. "As soon as you turn 18, I am taking you as my mate." He says. "And what about my true mate? My goddess given mate? What about him? He's out there somewhere." I say. "Who cares. He'll find someone else. Or he'll just wither and die after you reject him. I really don't care. But you will be mine. That's all I've wanted for years." He says lightly while playing with my hair. And I look at Bella pleading with my eyes. "Yeah. We have to get to school now. It was good seeing you Mason." Bella says standing up and I stood up as well. They stayed sitting at the table as us two grabbed our bags and left the dining hall as quickly as we could and we didn't even stop to say goodbye to anyone. Least of all our fathers. But we weren't that lucky. "You two will be home straight after school. We're having a party here tonight with a lot of visiting Alpha's." The Alpha shouted across the room. We both stopped and nodded to him before leaving the house. "I can't believe that your father promised you to that sack of prick." Bella yelled as we were walking down the road. "I can. My father knows his own kind." I say. "I am so sorry Tess. What are you going to do?" Bella asked sympathetically. "I don't know. But I'll figure something out. Even if I have to run away before it can happen. I will definitely do that." I declare. "Well, tell me before you do. I'm coming with you." She says. "Sounds like a plan." I say. And then a black BMW stopped right in our walkway and we stopped before we hit the car and we both stepped back not knowing what to expect right now. Then a 6 foot 4 man with short brown hair and cleanly shaved with muscles that looked like they were going to rip his shirt off his body got out of the driver's seat and smiled at both of us. "What? Don't I even get a hug?" He asked. "Ethan." Bella yelled, jumping into his arms. And the other door opened to reveal an equally big man with dirty blonde hair and a little facial hair got out of the passenger seat. That was Ethan's best friend Wyatt. When Bella finally let Ethan go he walked over to me and hugged me and I winced a little in pain but tried to hide it and then I hugged Wyatt. And I had to do the same thing. "Are you hurt?" Ethan asked. "Yeah. It was stupid. Rough housing with a couple of the warriors and this is what happened. I should know better." I lied through my teeth. "Girls aren't allowed to train. Why are you rough housing with warriors?" Wyatt asked. "I don't know. It seemed like a good idea at the time." I shrugged. " Come on Bells, we're gonna be late." I say. "We'll see you tonight." Bella says hugging Ethan again and we start walking off down the road again. But when I looked to the side I could see Ethan and Wyatt leaning against the side of their car watching us and talking about something. I was afraid that they didn't believe my rough housing with the warrior's excuse. "Bella. What would Ethan do if he found out about my dad?" I asked nervously. "You know Ethan as well as I do. What do you think he would do to your dad?" Bella responded confidently. "Just wait until he finds out that your dad gave you away to Mason. Ethan has always hated Mason. I don't think that mating will go through if Ethan is here. That's a good thing." Bella says. "Yeah. I'll take your word for it." I say skeptically. My father always had his way of getting his own way. No matter what it was. If he wanted me to mark and mate with Mason, then it was pretty much as good as done. When we got to school we walked inside and we went to Bella's locker first and then mine. Everyone obviously knew who we were but they kept their distance from us. Both of our fathers were known for being crazy. And no one wanted to mess with the Alpha or Beta's daughters. So we only had each other at school. Which was fine with us. The further we stayed away from people, the least likely they were to find out about what was actually happening in our house. When we got to our first class we sat at the back of the classroom as usual and I pulled out my notebook and pen and started scribbling on the page in front of me. When our geography teacher arrived and started the class I just sat there with my head on my hand scribbling in my book and barely paying attention. When I was 6 years old I woke up in the morning to my 26-year-old mother and my 48-year-old father screaming at each other in our old house. The one that we had before we moved to the packhouse. I stayed in bed for ages because I couldn't find the courage to get out of bed and go out there to see what was going on. I could hear things smashing and my mother screaming at my father. I then heard the slap that he gave my mother while yelling at her. And that's when I got out of bed. I opened my door and slowly crept down the hallway and stood at the kitchen doorway and my mother was on the floor holding her face and dad was standing over her. She saw me standing there and scrambled to her feet. "It's alright sweetie. I'm alright. Hey, why don't you go and get dressed and then you can go outside and play with Bella. How does that sound?" My mother asked, crouching down to my level. But I just shook my head and looked at my father before I turned back to my room and I closed the door. I started getting dressed but their fight wasn't over. I could still hear them screaming at each other and I was shaking while I was buttoning up my shirt. But I managed to get dressed and I walked back to the kitchen. My father was storming out the backdoor from what I could see and my mother was holding a rag to her bloody nose. "Why does daddy get so angry all the time?" I asked. "I don't know sweetie. He just does. Hey, are you all ready? I think Bella is alright outside. I saw her playing in the playground earlier. Why don't you go and find her while I clean up this mess and all the broken glass." Mummy says to me. "Okay mummy." I say. And I hugged her before I walked outside and Bella was still at the playground. I got on the swing next to her and she looked at me and then back to the house. "I could hear your daddy screaming from here." Bella says. But I just nod my head. She knew that meant that I didn't want to talk about it. " Do you wanna go and annoy Ethan. He's with his friends." She says. And I smile at that and shake my head. So we jumped off the swings and went running to find Ethan so we could annoy him. Something that we loved to do all the time. And it always cheered us up. I was snapped out of my thoughts by Bella nudging me so I looked at her and she pointed down at the picture that I was absent mindedly drawing. It was a big snarling wolf attacking a woman and child. I quickly changed the page and started paying attention to the class that we were in. Try to get my mind to concentrate on what needs to be done at school. The day went by pretty quickly and before we knew it, it was time to head home. But we always took our time before going home. We slowly went to our lockers to get our things and then we headed outside but we saw that same black BMW sitting out the front waiting for us. "Ethan. What are you doing here?" Bella asked. "I'm giving you guys a lift home." He responded with a beaming smile. "It's alright. We can walk. It's not that far." I say. "Too bad. Get in." Ethan ordered. So we got in his car and he actually took us into town instead of taking us home. "The Alpha told us to get home straight after school because of that party tonight." I told Ethan. "Don't worry. Dad and the Beta know that you girls are with me. I told them before I picked you guys up. Don't worry. You won't get in trouble." Ethan assured us. Ethan took us to an ice cream store downtown and took us inside. "You do know that we're not 10 years old anymore, right?" I asked Ethan. "I know. But I thought we could all sit down and talk." He says. "A coffee shop would have been better." I say sitting down. The other two got ice cream but I didn't order anything. "So Tessa, how are the ribs going?" Ethan asked. "Pretty good. I think they're just bruised. They'll be back to normal soon." I say. "Yeah. Thank goddess for werewolf healing." Ethan says. And I just smile at him. "So Bells, how has dad been since I left? Has he gotten any worse?" Ethan asked. "About the same, I guess." Bella says eating a bit of her ice cream and then she side eyed me. But unfortunately, Ethan managed to see us. But he didn't say anything about it. I had a really bad feeling that he only brought us here to fish for information. He was asking too many questions and I didn't really like it. So I kept quiet for most of that ice cream adventure and Bella and Ethan just kept talking like always. Like they were just talking about old times. When we got back to the packhouse Ethan said that he needed to go run some errands for his dad before the party so Bella and I went inside. Both of our dad's were sitting in the living room waiting for us and we knew that couldn't be good. "We are having people here in a few hours and you two have been out galavanting with Ethan." The Alpha says. "He picked us up from school. What did you want us to do? If we didn't go with him then he knew that something would have been up." I defended us while Bella sank back a little. She was never able to stand up against them. "Well, now you two have a lot of work to do, don't you. There's cooking that needs to be done and all the bedrooms in the packhouse need to be ready in case anyone decides to stay over." My father says. "I'll go and help Bella with the rooms and then I will get started in the kitchen." I say. "There's not enough time. Bella can clean the bedrooms. That means scrub the bathrooms, change the sheets, vacuum, everything. In every bedroom in this packhouse. And Tessa, you need to get started on appetizers, then the first course, then the second course, then the main course and then dessert." The Alpha ordered. "Yes sir." I say. I looked at Bella and we had to head in separate directions. I went to the kitchen and there was no one there. Hardly any omega's worked at the packhouse because the Alpha and dad made us two girls do everything. It was a wonder that we were even allowed to go to school most of the time. But I grabbed some ingredients out and I started making the main course because it would take hours to cook and then I got started on several different appetizers to give the guests some variety. While I was in the kitchen my father walked in and he lingered behind me and I could feel my whole body tense up but he stood behind me watching me. He didn't even try to move any closer to me. He was just intimidating me. That's all it was to him. A game. He thought it was funny. By the time everything was ready the omega's arrived because they had to serve the food and I went up the backstairs to our apartment and I went straight to my bedroom. I had a shower and I couldn't even bear to look at myself in the mirror this time, so I just had a quick shower and I got out and went to the wardrobe. I got dressed into a floor length gown with a white strapless bodice with a light pink floral lace over the top that also went over my shoulders to make the straps and black the skirt of it was plain black and black strappy high heels. I then brushed my length snow blonde hair and I put on a silver and diamond bracelet and matching earrings. But I kept my neck out, except for my hair hanging down. And then I started to walk downstairs. I made it to the main area of the house and I stopped at Bella's room just as she was coming out and she was looking a little nervous about this party. "Alright. Just relax and greet a few people. There's nothing to worry about. Once we do that then us two can sit at one of the tables in the ballroom and everyone else can do whatever it is that they do." I told her. "Alright. You know I hate these parties. Getting all dressed up. It's like our father's are putting us on display." She says. "That's exactly what they're doing. And they know it too. Come on, before they get pissed at us for being too long." I say hooking my arm around hers and we started walking down the hall. We walked down the staircase and off to the right was the living room but all the furniture had been cleared out of it and the rooms adjacent to it so people would walk around freely and talk and have a good time. And the main ballroom was set up for dancing while the dining room had been lined with four very long tables that could easily seat a couple hundred people. Walking to the living room was really nerve wracking but I made sure that I held my head high and people did look at us. "It's only because we are the hottest ones here. Just remember that." I whispered to Bella as I felt her tense up. And we continued walking into the room. Alpha's from other packs would come over and introduce themselves and of course we needed to be on our best behavior and represent the pack well and we were nice and polite to everyone and we would have light conversations with people. I noticed that there were older Alpha's with their teenage sons who were obviously learning the ropes to becoming Alpha's themselves and there were others in their 20's and 30's that were there with friends or even their Beta's. I wasn't sure. We had been at the party for about 20 minutes mingling when a familiar scent filled my nose and strong arms wrapped around my waist and I knew immediately that it was Mason. "Take note of the people that you like in this room sweetie. We can invite them to our wedding." Mason hissed in my ear while smelling the crook of my neck. I tried to unravel his arms from around my stomach because I was now in a lot of pain with the broken ribs but he wasn't letting go for anything. I didn't have the strength to get him to let go. All of a sudden there was a growl that ripped through the room and the band stopped playing and I heard something smash. Like it was a wooden chair or something. Everyone looked in that direction and there was a man standing there that I had never noticed before. He would have been in his early 20's, brown hair to his shoulders, a brown goatee, 6-foot 6 at least and very defined muscles that were now tense as his intense gaze was staring directly at me and Mason. But I didn't know who he was. I was frozen in the spot and this man was just staring at us with pure hatred in his eyes. But then I realized that the hatred was for Mason. Not me. "Mine." He demanded. "Mine." The dangerous and menacing voice demanded in front of everyone in the room. All the Alpha's from nearby packs and even ones that have traveled long distances to be here. Mason finally loosened his grip around me and I noticed the woman standing next to that stranger with a horrified look on her face. She tried to grab his arm but he shook her off and marked towards Mason and me. I very subtly pushed Bella to the side away from where this man was coming for us. Just in case anything happened, she could be ready to duck and cover. "You are mistaken. Her father has already promised her hand to me in marriage. Once she turns 18 we will be marked and mated." Mason announced proudly and another menacing growl erupted from that man's throat. "You are not touching my mate." He growled out through gritted teeth. "He's your mate." Bella whispered. "Who are you?" I asked. "Tyler Lowe. Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack." He announced. And my mouth almost dropped open. They were a large pack. They were known for their strength. They were not to be messed with. I knew of their pack, but I had never met their Alpha and didn't know what his name was. "She is not your mate. She has been promised to me." Mason gritted out. This was going to get out of hand. Really quickly. But another man stood in and placed his hand on Tyler's shoulder. "My name is Cade. I am Tyler's Beta. And I'm sure you know young man that it is against werewolf rules and nature to come between a wolf and his mate. Especially that of an Alpha wolf." Cade educated Mason. "I know the laws. And I don't care. Her father promised her to me. And she will be mine." Mason insisted and Cade had to hold Tyler back after that.	LEARN_MORE	https://b.chaptersapps.com/ad/L0NoYXB0ZXJzLyR7bGlu	Hut001	https://www.facebook.com/61550056771112/	195	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	b.chaptersapps.com	VIDEO		https://b.chaptersapps.com/ad/L0NoYXB0ZXJzLyR7bGlua0lkfS8xNzQwMzc1NTYxODEzL3BhZ2V3YmFqcQ==?adid={{ad.id}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480792816_3958113977791341_5043835149271650648_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6sMWHWE3tkAQ7kNvgH4StXx&_nc_oc=AdilTiHHhqXsEpaZSOvkEURYvD7XHDR-4s9hJbcooUjYVKzkxApdGLzsDyK_jtSXVuMEyban-kmlz52OciUWasdz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AhgAUIE0q4_ey4ZHkh7DOyv&oh=00_AYA1SFs_yVB-JqEUAdJ7KsxZppvel0jkkDEHxW9k4MSorA&oe=67CBA4C9	PERSON_PROFILE	Hut001	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,133	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:21	active	2759	🎉“The Princess to Eight Uncles”✨Your Next Novel📕	A three-year-old gir who was bulied in the snow accidentally dialed a number. and her 8 uncles and 8000 bodvauards rushed out in an instant! Chapter 1 Don’t Get Up Until You Apologize Lambridge City, Promenade 1st Villa Area - the Hatcher Mansion. Toda was the Lantern festival. Colorful lights were decorated around the house, giving a touch of warmth to the cold atmosphere of the Hatcher family. Suddenly, a scream echoed across the mansion. "Ah-" Followed by thudding, a large-bellied woman fell from the stairs! Everyone was surprised and hurried toward her. Stephen Hatcher, the president of Ador Hatcher Corporation, quickly asked, "Debbie, are you alright?" The woman's face turned pale when she saw fresh blood trickling down her legs. Horrified, she replied, "Stephen, it hurts… Our baby… Quickly, save our baby!" The house's madam, Paula Anderson, panicked and asked, "What happened?!" Debbie looked toward the top of the stairs with tears in her eyes. Everyone looked up and saw a girl, about three years old, standing at the top of the stairs. Upon seeing everyone's gaze, she hugged the toy rabbit in her arms tightly in fear. Richard Hatcher roared angrily, "Were you the one that pushed Debbie?!" The little girl pouted. "It's not me, and I didn't…" While crying, Debbie begged, "No… Dad, it's not Lilly's fault. She's still young, and she didn't mean it…" Her words quickly reaffirmed that it was Lilly's fault. Stephen's eyes darkened, and he immediately ordered, "Lock her in the attic! I'll deal with her once I return!" The other hurriedly sent Debbie to the hospital while the servants dragged Lilly upstairs. Even when a shoe fell off, she kept a stubborn face and did not beg or cry for help. No light or heat could reach the dark and cold attic. The windows squeaked as if a monster would appear at any moment… Lilly hugged her stuffed bunny tightly and curled up in a corner. It's so cold… The truth was she never pushed anyone, but no one believed her. As it was cold spring weather, the snow and the wind made their way into the attic through the window cracks, piling layers of coldness onto little Lilly. Soon, an entire day had passed by. No one cared about Lilly, and no one even knew that Debbie had punished her the day before. She was already in a daze as she had yet to eat anything. Richard had ordered that she was not allowed to leave until she admitted that it was her fault. "Mommy…" Lilly's lips were turning purple from the cold, and she was shivering. She could only close her eyes and mumble, "Mommy… I didn't do anything wrong… It's not my fault…" She knew that her mother had died from an illness a year ago. After her mother passed on, her dad found another woman, and soon the woman was pregnant with a baby… However, the woman was two-faced. She was only nice to Lilly when others were present; otherwise, she would act like a demon punishing her. Mommy… Lilly thought as she squeezed her toy rabbit's ears before losing consciousness. Not knowing how long it had been, the door suddenly opened with a loud bang. Stephen was furious when he picked up the unconscious Lilly, dragging her down the stairs and throwing her outside into the snow! Lilly shivered from the cold surface and struggled to open her eyes… "Daddy… I'm hungry…" She muttered. Stephen scoffed. "You killed Debbie's unborn child, and the first thing you're telling me is that you're hungry?! I can't believe I have such an evil daughter!" Lilly's eyes were hollow, and she could not speak as she was frozen stiff. The more Stephen looked at her, the angrier he became. Why is she still acting stubborn despite being at fault? You malicious child! "It is my fault as a parent that you're behaving this way! Now that you've killed your unborn brother, who knows if you will start murdering people when you grow up? As your father, I must teach you a lesson!" He looked around and picked up a broom from the corner, snapping the broom head off. The thick broomstick landed on Lilly's body with a thud, causing her to scream in pain! "Is it your fault?!" Stephen glared. "It's not me. It was really… not me!" Lilly bit her lips and maintained a stubborn face. Stephen was getting more furious upon hearing her words. "Then are you saying your stepmother willingly fell down the stairs?! Why would she want to fall after being six months pregnant?!" He could not help but think back to what happened in the hospital. Debbie was bleeding heavily, and the doctor had declared her situation as critical twice, but even on the brink of death, she insisted on asking him to not blame Lilly! She said that Lilly was still young when her mother passed away. She was simply afraid that her baby brother might get the attention away from her and did not mean to push her. Stephen felt angrier as he thought. He beat Lilly while scolding, "You're still trying to deny it! Stop denying it!" With every sentence, Lilly would get hit by the broomstick. He was so engrossed in hitting her that he did not even realize that his phone had fallen out of his pocket. When Lilly was severely beaten, he finally stopped, so she lay paralyzed on the snowy ground. "Stay here and kneel until your stepmother is discharged!" Stephen tugged his tie after he scolded her and left the broomstick behind before walking away. He had been feeling irritated recently as his company had been facing a loophole for half a month and had yet to receive help resolving it. Then today, Debbie fell from the stairs and lost their unborn child, losing the only hope for the Hatcher family. The consecutive unfortunate events stressed him, and he could not help but vent it all out on Lilly. Lilly's rabbit toy had already been beaten to pieces. She tried to stand up but fell back onto the snowy ground with a thud… She felt that she was on the brink of death. If I die, will I finally be able to see mommy? At that moment, she heard a blurry voice. "Lilly, call for your uncle! Your uncle is Gilbert Crawford, his phone number is 159xxxxx..." "Call…" Lilly opened her eyes and noticed the black phone lying in the snow. Her survival instincts kicked in as she desperately crawled toward it. "159…" Lilly stuttered and stammered, her stiff fingers struggling to move, and finally, she managed to make the call… Meanwhile, Hugh Crawford lectured at a courtyard house in Clodston, "Another year has passed. Gilbert Crawford, when will you take the test for the Chief Physician role?!" The eight brothers of the Crawford family looked at each other while Gilbert touched his nose. Suddenly the old man changed the topic and asked, "Also, it's been four years, and have you not found your sister?" The looks on the brothers' faces changed, with their lips pursed. Their indifferent eyes now had a slight hint of sorrow. Their younger sister, Jean Crawford, was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia at a young age. Since then, she had been carefully nursed by the Crawford family as she went through blood transfusions, anti-infection treatments, and bone marrow transplants… However, her condition worsened and even affected her memory. Then, four years ago, she suddenly went missing. Gilbert was a physician at the Shercaster Cancer Hospital and was in charge of Jean's treatment. That day, he had to save a critically ill patient, and it was at that moment… that Jean disappeared. For the past four years, guilt and regret had been tormenting him. Even with his outstanding medical talent, he had been unable to move forward since then. The Crawford family had eight sons, and Jean was the only daughter. After their daughter's disappearance, Bettany suddenly fell ill, and Hugh's temper grew unstable. A heavy stone lay in the hearts of everyone in the Crawford family, rendering them restless. The eldest son, Anthony Crawford - the CEO of the Crawford family's business empire - worked day and night tirelessly, causing his health to worsen and requiring him to take daily medication. The third son, Bryson Crawford - the outstanding pilot of Swift Airlines- failed the psychological tests and had been resting at home for the past four years. The others… The study room fell into silence before suddenly, Gilbert's phone rang! Chapter 2 Get Her Out Of Here Hugh had his rules, one of which was that phones should be turned off during morning meetings. Gilbert quickly retrieved his phone and was about to end the call. Hugh scolded, "Take it!" Gilbert then coughed. "Dad, it was an unknown number, I…" Hugh put his teacup aside and ordered, "Take the call and put it on speakers!" Bryson and Jonas looked pitifully at Gilbert. Gilbert had no choice but to pick up the call and put it on speakers. They were taken aback when they heard a small voice. "Hello… is this uncle? I'm Lilly Hatcher… My mommy is Jean Crawford… Are you my Uncle Gilbert?" The little girl's voice was weak and indescribably monotonous, like a small robot, with no discernible emotions in her tone. The looks of the Crawford family changed drastically! Clack… Hugh's pen cap dropped from his hand. They could not utter a single sound, as if everyone had their throats strangled. The child's tender voice sounded again on the other end of the phone. "Uncle… I'm so cold and hungry… I didn't push my stepmother, but they don't believe me… Daddy dragged me to the gate to kneel… but I'm cold… Uncle, will you help me…" As she spoke, her voice grew weaker and weaker. The sound of the snowstorm blowing could still be heard from the other end of the call, but her voice had abruptly stopped. Gilbert finally got back to his senses and grabbed his phone, holding it close to his mouth as he yelled frantically, "Hey, Li-Lilly? Where are you? Tell me your location now!" However, there was no response. Hugh, panicked, stood up, and his previously rigid and stern look had already gone as if he had aged in an instant. "Quick! Quickly! Investigate the number and location now!" Lilly passed out before finishing the call and dropped the phone in the snow. Stephen then returned to look for his phone and saw Lilly lying there, not moving. He kicked her and snarled, "It'd be better if she's dead!" Four years ago, he found a woman on the street who was poorly dressed and in bad condition. He took her back to his apartment out of kindness. After the woman cleaned up, he discovered that she was gorgeous. She had amnesia and appeared to be confused. As Stephen was enamored by her cuteness, he took care of her. Like a fool in love, he doted on her, telling her to not force herself to do anything as he cared for her… Now that Stephen thought about it, he found it revolting. Who knows if a female beggar like her was taken advantage of when she was wandering about the streets? Otherwise, why doesn't Lilly have any resemblance to me? Although suspicious, Stephen never wanted to do a paternity test because if it turned out that he was not the father, he would be the most foolish man in South City! Stephen grabbed his phone and walked away. He continuously made calls in his warm study room. "Hello… Mr. Burton, it's me, Stephen! I'm wondering if you are acquainted with the Crawford family from Clodston?" "Greetings, Mr. Ledger! Happy new year! Are you acquainted with the Crawford family? Oh, my company's just having a minor issue…" The snowstorm outside the study room was intense, and Lilly was still lying on the snow. It was only a matter of time before the day got dark. She was a little conscious but could no longer force her eyes to open. She had never cried since her mother died. Even if her father abused her, she never shed a single tear. Yet, she wanted to cry at that moment. When she called her uncle, there was no response from the other end. Do they hate me too? Then no one likes me at all. What about mommy? If I die and mommy sees me, will she hate me too? Lilly's lips, turning purple from the cold, were pressed together as she kept thinking. Mommy… I won't cry… Lilly's a good girl… Suddenly, she heard a loud noise. About seven cars arrived at the Hatcher mansion, and a man wearing a black down coat got out of the first car and opened the mansion's gate! As there was a massive snowstorm, the snow had already covered Lilly's petite figure. Gilbert anxiously looked around. On the phone, Lilly said she was kneeling at the gate! Suddenly his face turned pale as he noticed a small pile of snow at the gate. He immediately rushed over and shoved the snow away, causing his hands to redden from the cold. Finally, he found a small figure under the snow! "Lilly?!" Gilbert hurriedly picked up the young girl, and the moment he saw Lilly's face, he knew that this was their Lilly - her face was a splitting image of their sister when she was young… Their most beloved and cherished sister's child - Lilly! Lilly felt as if she had fallen into a warm embrace, and the person had even taken off their coat to wrap her around. Lilly was numb from being frozen for too long, and after feeling an instant of warmth, she still felt bone-chillingly cold, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. Lilly struggled to open her eyes and finally saw the man before her - he looked somewhat similar to her mother but also different. Lilly's lips twitched as she asked weakly, "Are you… uncle… I didn't push anyone… uncle…" At that moment, Lilly was murmuring as she had lost consciousness. She was like a cold, emotionless robot compared to Gilbert's agitated self. Gilbert was on the verge of crying. The young child in his arms was only wearing thin sleepwear - pure cotton autumn clothing - with no padding at all. Her small face had already turned purple from the cold, and her lips were cracked and turning dark. Like a frozen sculpture, her tiny figure could not move, making Gilbert afraid that he would break her with a single touch. "Lilly… Uncle's here, and I'm bringing you home." Gilbert choked. He could not imagine how Lilly managed to survive independently with her condition. He was even scared to think she would have died if they arrived later. Gilbert carefully held Lilly, focusing solely on her. He rushed back to the car. "Lilly, stay with me." Gilbert's voice turned hoarse as he urged, "Don't sleep… Lilly, can you say something to uncle? Lilly…” Lilly had already lost consciousness. Hugh staggered a little as he rushed over. Seeing Gilbert's piled-up clothes, he anxiously asked, "How is she?" Gilbert was already panicking. "Quick, we must go to the hospital now!" The Crawford family felt their hearts were in their throats and immediately headed toward the hospital. Meanwhile, Stephen, who had just received the news of their arrival, hurriedly rushed downstairs with a mixture of excitement and elation on his face. When the Crawford family was rushing into the mansion, they were stopped by the security guard. Once Anthony revealed his name, the guard quickly went to inform Stephen. As he was wracking his brains trying to find a way to be acquainted with the Crawford family, Stephen was taken aback by the news! Although he did not know why the Crawford family suddenly appeared before the mansion, he knew he had a chance as long as they were there. There's hope for the Hatcher family, after all! Suddenly, Stephen remembered something and quickly turned to a servant, saying, "Is that deadbeat still lying in the yard? Get her out of here immediately!" That jinx had cursed her mother to death, and now my company will go bankrupt from her curse too. Stephen would not allow her to ruin this opportunity to meet with the Crawford family. Chapter 3 Lilly's Eight Uncles To The Rescue! Everything happened so fast that the Hatchers had no time to react. By the time Stephen rushed out, he saw Anthony preparing to get into his car and drive off. However, he had not been in time to see Gilbert brushing the snow off Lilly and picking her up from where she had been kneeling by the gate. "My goodness! It's Mr. Anthony Crawford!" Stephen plastered a bright smile onto his face and greeted the other cheerfully. "What brings you here? It's an honor to have you visiting our humble abode!" By then, Richard, Paula, and some of the Hatcher servants had hurried out to join Stephen as well, their faces wreathed in smiles of welcome. When they saw Anthony's stern, aloof countenance, they became even more fawning and obsequious. Anthony Crawford was the current head of the Crawford family's business empire and the CEO of Crawford Holdings! The Crawford family was one of Clodston's four influential families; everyone wanted to butter them up and curry favor. A true aristocratic family like this with old money and such deep ties to Clodston was rare. The Crawfords were an elusive, mysterious entity; they kept themselves out of the limelight. The only thing anyone in Clodston knew for sure was that the Crawfords had eight sons, but even then, few had even set eyes on them. Anthony was occasionally featured in the headlines of the financial news, which was why the Hatchers had recognized him. "Mr. Crawford, please come in! It's freezing out here. We'd love to have you stay a little while if you don't mind such humble surroundings," Richard said enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, please do come in and have something hot!" Stephen chimed in, smiling. Now that they were in the presence of a truly distinguished person, all the Hatchers could not help trying to ingratiate themselves with him. The Ador Hatcher Corporation was in dire straits; for the Hatcher family, this was a catastrophe. However, just a word from Anthony would revive their flagging fortunes! If luck favored them, they might even become one of Clodston's top ten influential families… Anthony's face betrayed no hint of expression; instead, he studied Stephen with keen eyes. Was this Lilly's father? Still without expression, Anthony declined Richard's offer coolly and enigmatically. "Very well, Mr. Hatcher and family." Without another word, he got into his car and drove off. The Hatchers stood there, confused and dazed, watching him leave. Paula was the first to speak. "Mr. Crawford said very well… Does that mean he's intending to help us?" Richard frowned. "Given his expression, I don't think he meant anything complimentary." Stephen ordered the servants to enlighten him about what had happened earlier. They related how the Crawfords had shown up en masse at the Hatcher Mansion and taken Lilly away, and that a man in black had stripped off his coat and wrapped it around her, cradling her in his arms. He had also identified himself as her uncle… When Stephen heard this, he was thunderstruck. Suddenly, everything became terrifyingly clear. It was common knowledge that the Crawfords had eight sons and a daughter. However, the daughter's health was frail, and she had never appeared in public before. Did this mean that the woman he had rescued four years ago was the Crawford family's one and only precious daughter?! The rest of the Hatcher family felt their hearts sinking. How they bitterly regretted their actions! Paula's lips trembled. "So Jean was the Crawfords' daughter… hurry, we need to go and get Lilly back…" They would never have forced Lilly to kneel in the snow if they had known! In fact, they would have treated her like a goddess and worshiped at her feet! Stephen regretted his actions as well; when he recalled how he had disciplined Lilly so harshly, he felt uneasy. Angrily he snapped, "How are you going to get her back? Do you think we can walk in and take her away just like that?" Richard frowned so hard his brow looked like a wrinkled prune. After a long moment of consideration, he said, "Well, regardless, we're still Lilly's blood relations. We're her grandparents, after all! The Crawfords can't deny that, no matter how angry they are. Then again, Lilly did cause Debbie's miscarriage, that's a fact…" All they had wanted to do was to teach Lilly not to be an irresponsible little liar! Unfortunately, Stephen had let his temper get the better of him and had disciplined her more severely than he should have… The Hatchers felt confident that they would be able to clear up any misunderstandings with the Crawfords. All they had to do was to have a satisfactory explanation for everything. Once that was settled, they would be able to look forward to a future of wealth and prestige… … Instead of returning to Clodston after rescuing Lilly, the Crawfords went straight to the nearest hospital. The hitherto vacant VIP suite in South Town's best hospital was now a hive of frantic activity. No one dared to raise their voices. The atmosphere was extremely tense, punctuated by the sounds of hospital equipment beeping and doctors and nurses hurrying to and fro. Hugh Crawford paced back and forth with the help of his walking stick. "Why are they still in there?" He muttered fretfully. Anthony glanced at the time, then gently told his father, "Dad, you should sit down." Lilly had immediately been whisked off to the emergency room as soon as they reached the hospital. Gilbert had gone with her; up until now, neither of them had emerged. In the emergency room, Gilbert examined Lilly's bruised body with shaking hands. Broken bones were the worst thing that could happen in cases of severe frostbite. A more detailed examination revealed that Lily had been badly beaten; in fact, her arms, ribs, and shins had been fractured. There were numerous patches of frostbite all over her body. Some of the areas were so severely frostbitten they would require surgical intervention. Lilly was only three or four years old, and she had been made to undergo such torment… Hot tears stung Gilbert's eyes. Leaning down, he murmured, "Lilly, this is your Uncle Gilbert. Can you hear me? If you can, please hang in there. You'll make it through, I promise…" Lilly's eyes were tightly closed, but she had the oddest sensation of her body feeling very light and warm all over. It was the first time she had ever felt so comfortable. Everything was very quiet, except for a voice by her ear that constantly murmured, "Lilly…Lilly dear…little Tulip…Can you see me? Can you hear me?" Who was this mysterious person? Lilly tried very hard to open her eyes, but she was unable to do so. She wanted to reply that she could hear this person talking to her as well, but she could not make a sound, no matter how frantically she tried. … It took three hours of surgical procedures before Lilly was out of danger, and the doctors all felt this was a miracle! The little girl was wheeled into a hospital room, IV tubes plastered all over her body. Gilbert's face was stony as he handed Anthony the report from Lilly's examination. When the Crawfords read it, they were incensed. Hugh growled in fury, "A fine, upstanding bunch, these Hatchers! They even had the nerve to lay hands on a three-and-a-half-year-old child! Anthony had already done a background check on the Hatcher family. In a frosty voice, he replied, "The Hatcher family's business goods are under suspicion of being contraband. The company is in pretty desperate straits. Recently they've been trying to find some point of connection so that we'll help them." Hugh merely laughed derisively. "Help them? They can count themselves lucky if I don't ruin them entirely!" The old gentleman was so enraged that he wanted to tear the entire Hatcher family to pieces there and then. "Don't worry, Dad," Anthony answered. "They won't last long." Hugh bit his lower lip and fell silent. After a while, he murmured, "Then how about Jean…what's happened to her…?" Anthony did not say anything, merely stayed silent. Clodston and South Town were around 1200 miles apart. Four years ago, Jean had somehow found her way to South Town, seriously ill and having lost her memory. Stephen had found her, and taken her home. She had almost died giving birth to Lilly but miraculously recovered and held on for another two years before succumbing to her illness, leaving Lilly alone in the world. The Crawford brothers' beloved sister had died quietly in some remote town without a nod to her status or even a mention of her name… Anthony's fists clenched tightly as his anger grew; the expression on his face became even stonier. Hugh did not dare probe any further; he was afraid he would not be able to handle the truth. Gilbert asked, "Why would they beat Lilly like that?" Anthony replied in a voice as cold as ice, "Stephen Hatcher's wife, Debbie, fell downstairs and had a miscarriage. Stephen believed that Lilly pushed her." The other Crawfords could not help frowning at this. While this discussion was taking place, the Hatchers had finally tracked Lilly to the hospital. Anthony's assistant hurriedly entered the room and said in low voice, "Mr. Anthony, the Hatchers are here. They want to see their granddaughter…" Anthony gave a scornful bark of laughter, then ordered, "Turn off the heating outside on this floor and open the windows. Let them wait." Stephen, Richard, and Paula waited outside on the top floor corridor for a very long time. The VIP suites on this level were located inside an access-controlled door; the Hatchers were in the outer area, so they were unable to go in. Anthony's assistant had arrived earlier, asking them to wait for a while, then had left. The Hatchers had not seen him since. Paula grumbled, "Why won't they let us in? Lilly's our granddaughter, after all! Why would they make us wait outside here?" Stephen snapped, "Oh, just wait!" He had beaten Lilly more severely than intended; it was understandable that the Crawfords would be angry. However, the Hatchers soon realized that something was amiss. The corridor was rapidly getting colder. Not only that, their waiting area was beside the windows, and the frosty winter wind blew in, causing them to shrink away and shiver from the cold! "This weather is dreadful! Nobody can wait around like this!" Paula, who had been pampered and sheltered her entire life, could not take it anymore. "Stephen, you'd better find someone and ask what's going on!" Richard agreed, frowning heavily. If the Crawfords were angry, deliberately making the Hatchers wait for a while was understandable. However, they had already been here for half an hour; that was a bit too long. No one would be able to stand waiting in such bitterly cold weather. Chapter 4 Would They Abandon Her Again? Stephen went around the hospital looking for people, trying to find out what was going on. However, everyone he encountered told him that they did not know what was happening either. By now, the Hatchers were so cold they were shivering uncontrollably in the icy corridor. The Crawfords would not see them either. It was becoming unbearable to wait there. Paula was the first to admit defeat. "I'm going to see Debbie…" Debbie was also warded at this hospital, but she was in the maternity wing. Stephen and Richard could not stand it any longer either, but they did not want to leave so they had no choice but to keep on waiting in the interminable cold… Incessant complaints filled their minds. They had no idea, however, that this was only the beginning of their troubles! … Lilly could hear the quiet beeping of machines around her. There were also people talking, but very indistinctly. However, there was one voice in particular that was very clear. "Lilly…Lilly dear…hey, little Tulip! You have to wake up soon, okay? If you don't, I'll…" Lilly felt as if a small swarm of bees was buzzing beside her ear and chattering to her. It was just a little bit tiresome. Who was this person talking to her? Lilly's eyelids fluttered slightly and she finally opened her eyes, only to see a snowy-white wall right in front of her. A group of people surrounded her bed. Pursing her lips, she carefully scrutinized them. Gilbert reacted enthusiastically; he was also the first to speak. "Lilly! You're awake now! I'm your Uncle Gilbert…" The rest of the Crawfords did not even dare to breathe; they watched Lilly tensely. Lilly found herself at a loss. "Uncle Gilbert?" Her pretty little face was expressionless and wooden. She looked just like a fragile porcelain doll. It sounded as if she were repeating a foreign phrase. Hugh's mouth tightened into a hard line. Lilly was very thin; she was so tiny that the hospital bed seemed very large. It hurt to see her like that, so much so that it was hard to breathe. Gilbert spoke more gently. "Lilly, I'm your mother's brother. My name is Gilbert. You telephoned me earlier, do you remember?" Lilly furrowed her brow. After a moment, she let out a soft "Ohh." She remembered now. She had called Uncle Gilbert's phone number. He had ignored her though. Didn't her uncles want her? "Did you…did you come to look for me?" Lilly asked in a thread of a voice. All the men around the bed nodded vigorously. Bryson added, "Lilly, I'm your Uncle Bryson. We're all here to take you back home with us." Hugh felt as if something were constricting his throat. He drew a deep breath, then said, "That's right. We're here to take you home, Lilly. In the future, no one will dare to bully you or harass you. If anyone tries, your Grandpa Hugh will have something to say about that." Lilly looked at each of the men in turn. They were going to take her home? She wasn't sure if they would abandon her again once they brought her home. Would they beat her and starve her? Seeing how silent she was, the Crawfords felt even more tense than ever. None of them had much experience handling children. One by one, they looked at Anthony and Liam. Anthony was the eldest Crawford boy; he was 40 years old and had two children. Liam, the second son, was 38 and also had two young ones. However, Anthony was not very good at interacting with children; after hesitating for a moment, he asked bluntly, "Lilly, what are you worried about?" Since he said this in his customary inflexible, rather harsh way, his siblings all glared at him. Liam coughed slightly in embarrassment. By nature, he was a taciturn person and found it difficult to say much. The tension in the air was so thick one could cut it with a knife. Gilbert gave a deep sigh. He inched closer to Lilly's bed and very tenderly caressed her hair. In as gentle a voice as he could muster, he asked, "Lilly darling, why don't you tell us all what your proper name is?" Lilly stared at the ceiling in silence for a while before replying, "I don't have any other name except Lilly." Daddy had told her that she didn't need a proper name; they'd discuss that when her stepmother gave birth to her baby brother. Lilly had been what Mommy named her. She didn't have any other name besides that. Gilbert felt a dull ache in his heart. How had this child passed her days in the Hatcher household without even a name? Suppressing his anger, he asked, "Well then, Lilly, can you tell your Uncle Gilbert what you're thinking right now?" Lilly finally turned her gaze in his direction with an effort, staring at this person who called himself her Uncle Gilbert. That day, her entire world had been so very dark but this man had broken through that darkness like a ray of light and rescued her. Her mouth trembled slightly and she asked, "Uncle Gilbert…when we go home, am I…am I allowed to eat?" All the Crawfords were dumbfounded when they heard this. This child was asking if she was allowed to eat when she arrived home… Before they could muster up a response, Lilly asked again in a tiny voice, "Will you hit me?" Those simple four words almost made Hugh weep. The little girl was afraid she would be starved and beaten. What sort of abuse had she endured in the Hatcher household?! She was half-starved and inadequately dressed for the winter. When she had nightmares, no one would be there with her when she awoke in fright, and in summer no one would bother when she was drenched in sweat from the heat. Hugh turned away, biting his lip until he almost drew blood so he could suppress the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. The Crawford brothers were so enraged they clenched their fists tightly. However, they did not dare give vent to their anger for fear of scaring Lilly. Gilbert reached out and took Lilly's tiny hand, placing it against his cheek. Hoarsely, he murmured, "Lilly darling, when we go home, you can eat whatever you want, and no one will hit you. Look, that's your Uncle Anthony there. That one's your Uncle Liam, and that's your Uncle Bryson…All of them are tough, strong men. All of us will protect you and no one will ever hurt you again." Lilly clutched at the covers tightly with her other hand and was silent for a long time. Just when the Crawfords thought that she was not going to say anything else, she suddenly burst out, "Uncle Gilbert, I didn't push anyone. Daddy and Grandpa kept telling me to own up, but I wouldn't…" She repeated this stubbornly, a look of determination on her little face and a downcast expression in her eyes. Did her uncles truly like her? Now that she had told them she wouldn't own up despite being asked to, would they still want a disobedient child like her? Gilbert felt as though a wad of cotton was constricting his throat. Tears welled up in his eyes, and even Hugh could not help brushing away his own tears. Anthony said firmly and calmly, "Your Uncle Anthony believes you didn't do it. That was the right thing to do, not owning up to something that wasn't your fault." Gilbert nodded as well. "They're the ones who are in the wrong. You didn't do anything wrong Lilly; you did the right thing." When Lilly heard this, her mouth twisted briefly and tears began pouring down her cheeks. It was as if all those bottled-up tears had finally found an outlet and refused to be suppressed any longer. Lilly's little face still maintained that stubborn expression but her voice was punctuated by gulping sobs. "But…but Daddy doesn't believe me. Daddy said I killed my baby brother and that if I didn't own up, he wouldn't let me out." It seemed as if Lilly had finally found someone she could unload her grievances to, even as she sobbed these words. Even a three-and-a-half-year-old child could feel ill-used no matter how stubborn or determined they were. Gilbert's fury got the better of him. "He's not fit to be your Daddy!" "Gilbert!" Anthony rapped out prohibitively. Gilbert subsided into reluctant silence, but his rage was unabated. At the thought of Stephen still waiting outside, he wanted to tear the hospital bed apart, grab one of the metal tube supports and give that man the beating of his life. Lilly sobbed out a few more things, cried a little longer, then fell asleep. Once they were outside the room, Gilbert asked indignantly, "Anthony, are we really going to let those Hatchers off so lightly?" Bankruptcy alone was not enough for the likes of them! Anthony slowly unbuttoned his shirt sleeves and rolled them up. Blandly, he returned, "Eight against one, Gilbert. Is that enough for you?" There would be eight Crawfords swearing vengeance against the Hatcher family! Chapter 5 A Family The rest of the Crawford brothers narrowed their eyes when they heard Anthony's words. Gilbert loosened his wrists and cracked his knuckles; Edward, an architectural engineer with a fiery temper and tanned skin, scoffed and grabbed a rebar from nowhere. "We're law-abiding citizens. How can we openly assault someone in public?" Bryson, the good-natured Captain, said gently. He interjected a nurse nearby and said, "Hello, do you have a gunny sack in the storeroom?" The nurse stuttered, "Yeah… yeah… we have a polybag and some paper boxes in the pharmacy." She suggested the paper boxes instead, assuming they wanted to store something. Bryson smiled and said, "Thank you. A gunny sack will be sufficient." The Crawford brothers thought, a sack will be useful to beat up someone. Meanwhile, Stephen shivered in the cold as he waited outside the VIP wards. He swore in his heart, I've been up all night, and it's almost daylight. Where the hell are the Crawfords? Richard left earlier because he could not stand the cold any longer. He reminded Stephen to stay put and demonstrate their sincerity before he left. Spring nights were colder than winter nights. Stephen could feel the biting cold filling his lungs with every breath of the stale air. The long wait had also left him hungry and exhausted. All he wanted to do was return home, take a warm, relaxing shower, and sleep the rest of the day away. Things became even more unbearable when he considered the cozy environment he could be at. Stephen decided it was pointless to wait any longer after another hour had passed. The man spoke on the phone while walking to the underground car park. "Remember to call me once the Crawfords leave…" Before he could continue, he experienced total darkness surrounding him. He was covered in a gunny sack! "What the hell! Who are you?" Stephen screamed in agony as his attackers landed forceful punches. The perpetrators were none other than the eight brothers from the Crawford family. They did not typically get their hands dirty but could not help themselves when they considered Lilly's unfortunate situation. Their resentment grew as they remembered Lilly's body of injuries and how she had cautiously asked if there would be food when she returned home and if they would hurt her. "Stop it!" Stephen begged. He was helpless and at his captors' mercy. "Do you know who I am? I'm the President of Ador Hatcher Corporation. How dare you attack me! I swear that I'll…" Anthony scoffed and loosened his tie. He then motioned for his brothers to stop the assault. Everyone complied with his instructions, and Edward clung to the rebar as he prepared to resume the attack. Stephen heaved a sigh of relief after his opponents appeared to have backed down. However, the rebar landed forcefully on his leg, much to his surprise. "Ahh!" His agonizing cries rang out throughout the parking lot. Although Stephen survived the attack, he was injured so badly that he had to be carried into the hospital. What made matters worse was that he had no idea whom was to blame and had no way of finding out. His adversaries did not leave any clues suggesting their identity. "Are you feeling better, Stephen?" Debbie sobbed beside the man's bedside. If he were awake, he would notice the lack of sincerity in her eyes. The woman appeared to be a worried wife, but she was secretly distraught over Lilly's unexpected newfound identity in the Crawford family. Debbie was appalled when Paula told her of the news yesterday. She fumed inwardly, how did that bastard become the only beloved daughter of the Crawford family?! In truth, Lilly was not responsible for the miscarriage; Debbie had intentionally caused the fall so that she could get rid of the baby. She knew that the Hatchers were experiencing financial difficulties and that Stephen was on the verge of bankruptcy after incurring numerous debts. Debbie believed that a young and beautiful lady like her had a good chance of finding a new husband; one who was wealthier and more powerful than Stephen. If she had a child, remarriage would be more difficult for her. As a result, she needed to find a way to make the baby vanish while avoiding responsibility. Debbie knew that Lilly was a lonely child loved by no one. Since her birth, the Hatchers had never been kind to her. Stephen had even admitted in his drunken stupor that he despised her presence. Hence, Debbie felt that it was safe to pin the blame on her lost child on Lilly. Little did she know that the girl was part of the Crawford family. Debbie's spine tingled at the prospect of offending one of the four greatest families. What should I do? I'll be in trouble if they find out the truth. I need to figure out how to keep Lilly silent forever... At the VIP ward, Lilly opened her eyes once again. This time, the room was completely empty and deathly quiet. She was feeling insecure and uneasy as she thought everyone had left. A few moments later, there was a soft knock at the door. Her face lit up when she saw Gilbert enter the room. Hugh had instructed them to wait outside the ward in order to avoid crowding the room, and improve ventilation. "How are you feeling, Lilly? Shall I get you some breakfast?" Gilbert said warmly. When Lilly nodded, he gave the order to serve breakfast. The rest of the Crawfords were awokened by the noise and went into the room to check on Lilly. "What do you like to eat, Lilly? There are sandwiches, donuts, oatmeal…" Hugh asked tenderly. Edward pushed his way in and exclaimed, "How about meatball spaghetti? It's delicious!" Hugh reprimanded Edward by hitting his leg with his walking cane. "Lilly has only just awoken. How is she going to eat the meatball spaghetti?" He picked up a plate and suggested, "How about some sandwiches? It's tasty." Bryson smiled as he picked up a bowl. "Or some oatmeal would be good too." Lilly pursed her lips, and tears shimmered in her eyes. Recognition dawned on her that she may now have a family. She sniffled and said cautiously, "I would like to have some sandwiches, Grandpa." "Great! Come, have the sandwiches!" Hugh nodded fervently, his tear-reddened eyes fixed on Lilly, who reminded him of a younger Jean. However, unlike Lilly, Jean was willful and hyperactive when she was a little girl. She led a carefree life and often bickered with her brothers. However, the little girl before him was melancholic, and careful with her words. She must have been through a lot to be this mature at the age of three and a half. The Crawfords only left the room after Lilly had finished her meal and tucked into bed. However, the moment Lilly closed her eyes, a voice sounded in her ear. "Tulip! Tulip!" She opened her eyes, but the room was empty. Lilly tried to sleep again, convinced that she was dreaming. The voice spoke again as she closed her eyes. "Lilly, Lilly, Tulip!" Lilly clutched the sheets nervously as she searched for the source of the voice.	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	The novelette	https://www.facebook.com/100085412887736/	1,770	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadings.com	IMAGE		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=4433&brand=2&app=0&ppid=899&pid=FBW2A&campaign={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120216559048540490&ori_adset_id=120216559049830490&ori_ad_id=120216559054810490	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481263821_2849829008559059_3451884057500722914_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z4dPtoJhKoEQ7kNvgF2Q_iQ&_nc_oc=AdjF24f58uDcANDXG-odfVaCTw0GVe0dRa9ExFu8DaTQYE77TSnlBOGY-NMT4ys6Z23pPW5sCxrGo08v7KkTTOM2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AjTtEYsLTwqSkUPoFEgR4il&oh=00_AYATSAQZVSO-6C6GXZQlyv-_OIoggX9M8gjpGEoNuGpEYw&oe=67CBA3DA	PERSON_PROFILE	The novelette	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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