LOGINRebecca was already seated at the head of the private dining room, several newspapers spread open in front of her.When everyone walked in, she calmly pushed the papers toward the center of the table.Bruno sat down beside her carefully, like a child awaiting judgment, his head lowered, not daring to look up.“The media works fast,” Liam said flatly as he took Cecilia’s coat and hung it aside. “Less than a day, and even the tabloids are running full-page headlines.”Rebecca took a deep breath.“I thought… you only wanted me to help save Claire. I never imagined there was something this big behind it all—layer upon layer.”Her fingers clenched tightly.“Now I… don’t have a mother anymore. I don’t even have a home.”“What nonsense are you talking about?” Robin poured a glass of wine and slid it toward her. “Rebecca, forget the news. Your mother being sent to prison is her own doing. What does that have to do with you? Aren’t we still your brothers? You still have us.”“You… you’ll still
Sunlight flowed along the highway as the Porsche gradually shrank into a point of light in the distance, until it disappeared completely.A faint scent of roses lingered in the apartment. Cecilia padded barefoot across the thick, soft carpet and leaned against the window, peering down.A familiar figure was hurrying into the building below.She immediately dashed back to the bedroom, slipped under the covers, and pretended to be asleep.Moments later, the bedroom door was gently pushed open. The newcomer deliberately softened his footsteps as he walked to the bedside.Cecilia squinted, sensing someone draw close, and suddenly reached out, wrapping her arms around the person’s waist.“Ahem.”The man stiffened instantly, helplessly raising both hands and offering a wry smile toward the doorway.“Liam, control your woman. I’m a married man—let’s keep this appropriate.”Cecilia released him at once, her face burning red as she burrowed back under the covers.Liam walked in, completely ign
The prison visitation room was steeped in the cold scent of metal.The sound of chains dragging across the floor echoed closer and closer, monotonous and heavy.Harriet, dressed in a loose white prison uniform, was escorted to the glass partition by two female guards.When she saw the man seated on the other side, her lips slowly curved into a vivid yet hollow smile.Ferdinand had his eyes closed. Only when the surrounding noise faded did he slowly open them.Harriet sat down in the fixed chair, her gaze sharp and hooked, locking firmly onto the husband she had shared a bed with for over twenty years.She was still smiling—a smile like a carefully painted mask.She had taken excellent care of herself.In her forties, there were barely any traces of time on her face, her skin pale and smooth.Ferdinand knew she had a severe obsession with cleanliness, spending nearly half her life on meticulous self-care.Now that she was trapped behind bars, this humiliation was likely far worse to he
Vicky stood by the corridor window just a few steps away, quietly watching Robin.When he came out, her gaze flickered, and she instinctively took half a step back.Robin frowned slightly and stepped forward, catching her wrist.“The news… you’ve seen it, haven’t you?”Vicky gently pulled free and turned her face away. “It’s everywhere. Hard not to see it.”She tugged at the corner of her mouth, forcing a smile that didn’t quite hold. “Why didn’t you tell me?”“I didn’t think this was something I needed to report to you,” Robin said, meeting her eyes directly. “Or is it that you still can’t let go of Daniel?”Vicky panicked and retreated another step, lowering her head to avoid his gaze. “I just didn’t expect… that you’d investigate him.”“I didn’t investigate him out of personal motives,” Robin replied evenly. “It was required for the case. Even if he had nothing to do with you, I would’ve done the same.”“Right. You investigated him… what does that have to do with me anyway?” A note
Outside the courthouse, the earlier uproar receded like a retreating tide.Reporters chased after Chapman’s motorcade, sprinting down the street until the steps were quickly left empty.Cecilia stood alone at the edge of the lowest step.The wind brushed the hem of her dress, lifting it into a soft curve.She gazed toward the distance where the dust had yet to settle, waiting in silence.Only when footsteps sounded behind her did she turn around.Liam emerged from beneath the towering portico, Caesar and Griffith following close behind.He paused briefly at the top of the steps, his dark eyes locking precisely onto her.Their gazes met.Sunlight spilled over the courthouse dome and settled gently on her shoulders.She curved her eyes and smiled—a clear, radiant smile that seemed to sweep away every lingering shadow.Liam descended the steps one by one.When he reached her, he said nothing, only opened his arms.Cecilia gave a small nod and stepped into his embrace, her fingers brushin
"Do you know why Robin was so determined to study medicine?"Liam continued, every word landing like a nail driven into wood."It wasn't because of the family's healthcare business. It was because after my mother died, he swore he would understand those illnesses that never showed a cause. And Murphy--why did he claw his way upward with everything he had? Not because he craved power. He saw it early on: only by holding enough power could he tear you out by the roots, you venomous snake.""You're lying..." Harriet jerked her head up, her eyes red and brimming with tears. "Back then, I was just an ordinary woman. Meeting the general was pure coincidence. I know you all hate me--but why fabricate something this monstrous?""Yes, you were ordinary," Liam said as he stood, looking down at her from above. "Ordinary enough to repeatedly swap out my mother's medication. Ordinary enough to collude with Chapman and drive her into a dead end--then step neatly into her place."He turned his head







