LOGINZachary trailed off, leaving his thought unfinished.I had no intention of discussing my relationship with Isaac any further. "Mr. Holmes, I know you're busy. Why don't we begin the interview?""Sure." He seemed to realize that he had crossed a line and didn't press the topic again.We spent nearly an hour in the private room. His answers were structured, thoughtful, and grounded. Every detail reflected the kind of depth that earned someone the title of "legend".Traditional medicine and business were worlds apart, yet he had excelled in both.When we wrapped up, I packed my recording device and notebook and stood. "Mr. Holmes, this was incredibly insightful. Thank you for your time."Instead of responding right away, he reached beneath the table and took out a small rosewood box. From it, he extracted a smooth, milky white amulet with faint blue veining."Ms. York, one moment," he said.He held the amulet out to me, his tone formal and tinged with regret. "I only recently lear
"Okay. Send me the address," I said over the phone. I had agreed to Christine's request almost immediately.After hanging up, I grabbed my coat and headed to the entryway.Timothy heard the movement and emerged from the kitchen. "You're going out?""Yeah. Something came up at work. I have to go." My tone was flat, and I didn't offer any more details.Shannon looked up at me anxiously, as if afraid I might leave her behind.I took her hand and said to Timothy, "Take care of Daphne. I'm taking Shanny with me."The smile on his face faded slightly. "Do you have to go now? The cake is almost done. Daphne made it herself. Don't you want a taste?"I replied, "I'm just like you. I don't have a sweet tooth."After I said that, he fell silent.He probably remembered all those times I had eagerly handed him a spoonful of cake, asking him to try it, and how casually he had brushed me off.He had no ground to insist now.Still, when he saw me taking Shannon, he stepped forward and said,
Worry was plain on Shannon's face, her eyes dull and heavy.I knew what she was afraid of. She was scared of being left behind and sent back to Kaylin.I tightened my arms around her and firmly said, "No. I'm not going with Mr. Grant."However, Shannon didn't look convinced. She tilted her face up and said, "But Daphne said her dad is taking you home."I didn't need to guess. Timothy must have spoken to Daphne privately and filled her head with promises.Daphne was still a child, so she believed what Timothy told her.I smoothed Shannon's hair. "I promise you. I won't leave you behind. I'm not going back to his house. And I would never give up on you."Only then did the tightness in Shannon's small face slowly ease.Right at that moment, Daphne's bright voice rang out from outside. "Daddy's here!"My heart sank.She must have thought that Timothy and I had made up, because the resistance she once had toward him was gone.Beside me, Shannon stiffened again. Her small hand clu
I let out a quiet breath of relief.It seemed that I had guessed right. No matter what, Yasmin would always find a way back to Timothy.With her back in the picture, he wouldn't have the nerve to ask Daphne and me to move into the Grant residence again.Just as the thought settled, my phone rang. It was Victoria calling.I answered it.Her voice sounded tired and worried as she said, "Josie, tell me the truth. Did you really get back together with Timothy? Did you actually forgive him? A man like that won't ever change. I can't bear to see you hurt again."Her concern made my throat tighten. I said, "Mrs. Shore Senior, I should've talked to you first before letting him show up at the banquet. I thought I'd upset you. I was afraid you'd blame me.""Silly child." Victoria sighed, her voice full of affection. "At my age, do you think I couldn't see that you were protecting Isaac? If I had known about your plan, I would never have let you sacrifice yourself like that!"I swallowed
"No!" Yasmin exclaimed.Her head snapped up, and her voice shook as she said, "Tim, I told you before. I don't mind staying out of the spotlight. I won't interfere with Ms. York—""Let me finish," Timothy cut in, his tone sharper now. "Josie and I are going to rebuild our lives. If you remain in Seavale, it will complicate everything."Beside them, Harriett watched Yasmin sob and inwardly sneered at the performance.After seeing her true colors the night before, she finally understood what it meant to meet someone stronger than herself.Yet her secrets now rested in Yasmin's hands. Thus, she had no choice but to step in. She firmly questioned, "Timothy, have you forgotten about Josie and Isaac? Even if you bring her back, do you really think her heart is with you? Are you fooling yourself?""Josie and I grew up together," he replied without hesitation. "What we have isn't something outsiders understand. She made a mistake. If I'm sincere, she'll come back to me."Harriett's voic
Night deepened, yet the Grant residence remained brightly lit.Housekeepers moved quickly through every room with cleaning supplies in hand. Even the gaps between the crystal chandelier pieces were carefully wiped down.Timothy stood in the center of the living room, his brows slightly furrowed. "Laura, keep an eye on everything. I want the house restored to exactly how it looked before Josie moved out."He paused, his gaze landing on several decorative pieces Yasmin had bought at auctions and placed around the room. Then, he added, "And remove anything connected to Yasmin. Not a single item stays. Josie cannot see any trace of her."Laura froze for a second, then her face broke into a smile. "Got it, Mr. Grant. Does this mean that... Mrs. Grant is coming back?"After he had publicly declared his feelings for me at the banquet, everyone had seen it. Social media overflowed with congratulations. She had been waiting for this day for a long time.At the mention of me, his tone soft
This was the only way I could get out from under Timothy's control. The risk was enormous, but I didn't have another option.Victoria said, "Alright. I'll call Reid now. You can speak to him yourself."She quickly contacted Reid and passed me the phone. I explained what I needed as simply as I cou
Harriett didn't spare Emily or Yasmin another glance. She walked out in a storm of fury, her heels clicking sharply as she left.Neither Yasmin nor Emily had expected Harriett to turn on them like that.Emily's tone was thick with resentment. "That old hag is unbelievable! She used us, and now she
As his words fell, Timothy gave Jason a look.Jason stepped forward immediately and gestured toward the door. "Ms. McCoy, this way, please."Gloria tried to speak again, but Jason gently steered her out.Refusing to let the matter drop, Harriett followed them, still shouting. Even through the clo
Victoria sighed. "Over the past two weeks, Josie has been eating less and less. Look at her now. She was already thin, and now her face is barely the size of my palm."If this keeps up, how will her body handle it? Even Daphne and Shannon have quietly asked me why she looks so unhappy. I don't even







