LOGINThe clinking of porcelain and spoons in the dining room had long since faded. The remnants of dinner were being cleared away by the servants in an orderly manner. Upstairs, the atmosphere in the Ashford residence was far more peaceful, a stark contrast to the small commotion that had occurred at the dining table thanks to Revaline's brutal eating spree.Aurora slowly climbed the stairs toward her parents' master bedroom. The door was not completely closed, leaving a small gap through which the warm golden glow of the bedside lamp could be seen. Aurora carefully pushed the door open.Inside the room, Camelia was reclining on the bed with several pillows stacked high behind her. Her beautiful face still looked somewhat pale, and the remnants of the migraine caused by her past injury had not completely disappeared. Calvin sat in the chair beside the bed, having just placed an empty bowl of soup on the bedside table."Mom..." Aurora called softly, her voice filled with concern.Camelia tu
The door to the master bedroom of the Ashford residence was tightly closed, leaving behind the cold atmosphere of the medical equipment that had just been turned on. The Ashford family's neurologist, Dr. Hendra, slowly removed his stethoscope after examining Camelia's condition. Beside the bed, Calvin stood upright with his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His sharp eyes remained fixed on the doctor, unable to hide the worry burning in his chest.Camelia was now fast asleep after being given an injection of vitamins and a mild sedative. Her breathing had begun to steady, although traces of exhaustion were still clearly visible on her beautiful face."How is she, Doctor?" Calvin asked in a low voice, trying not to disturb his wife's sleep.Dr. Hendra let out a quiet breath as he straightened the medical documents inside his leather folder. "Overall, Mrs. Camelia's vital signs are stable, Mr. Calvin. However, the severe dizziness and headaches she has been experiencing lately are
The desk lamp in the guest bedroom of the Ashford residence was still shining brightly even though the clock had already struck eleven at night. Revaline sat stiffly in front of her laptop, staring at the photographs and digital report that had just been sent to her by the private detective she had hired.Clearly displayed on the screen was a photograph of a girl with full cheeks and an innocent smile standing in front of a small bakery. Beneath the photograph was a brief profile: Joye, twenty years old, daughter of the owner of a local bakery, scheduled to get engaged this week.Revaline’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her fingers trembled violently as they gripped the edge of the wooden desk. Her beautiful face paled from the shock and disbelief that struck her consciousness so forcefully.“Joye...?” Revaline whispered hoarsely, her voice rising by a note. “This ordinary girl from a bakery... the one who made Daven reject me outright?!”She scrolled through the photographs one by one,
The atmosphere in the master bedroom of the Ashford residence suddenly became silent and filled with anxiety. Camelia had just finished straightening her clothes in front of the large mirror when her smartphone on the vanity began to vibrate loudly.A call from the private secretary of Lancaster Group brought sudden and shocking news: Grandma Wen had been rushed to the ICU of a private hospital in Manhattan after suffering a sudden heart attack. The elderly woman's condition was reported to be extremely critical. The doctor said that the overwhelming emotional pressure and tremendous stress caused by the collapse of her business plans and the threat of legal action had severely impaired the functions of her vital organs.Camelia stood frozen in front of the door, holding her thick coat with fingers that trembled slightly. Although her life over the past ten years had been shrouded in the old woman's deception and strict control, the humanity within Camelia's heart could not erase the
The soft hum of Aurora's electric bicycle gradually faded into the distance from the bakery courtyard, leaving Joye still standing stiffly beside the wooden table. The morning breeze blew slightly stronger, lifting the fine strands of hair around her cheeks that were still damp from the remnants of her tears.The steady yet slightly heavy footsteps of someone walking out from behind the bakery's glass door could be heard. A middle-aged woman with a worn apron tied around her waist approached. Joye's mother—a woman with stern facial features that concealed deep traces of exhaustion—stared coldly at Aurora's departing figure before turning her gaze toward her only daughter."That girl is the daughter of the Ashford family, isn't she?" her mother asked in a flat voice devoid of warmth.Joye did not answer. She merely lowered her head, wiping away the remaining tears on her cheeks with the back of her trembling hand."Listen to me, Joye," her mother said, her tone gradually becoming sharp
The silence of the night continued to deepen inside the main study of the Ashford residence. The warm golden glow of the desk lamp illuminated stacks of important documents and the layout of the reception hall spread across the thick teakwood desk.Calvin stood near the large window, holding a cup of black coffee that had begun to cool. His gaze wandered through the darkness of the backyard garden, faint wrinkles forming on his forehead. The sound of steady footsteps approached, signaling Juna's arrival as he entered the room carrying a thick, gold-covered folder."You're not asleep yet, Calvin?" Juna asked softly as he placed the folder on the edge of the desk.Calvin slowly turned around, looking at his brother-in-law with a thoughtful gaze. "I'm thinking about the party, Juna. Will the grand banquet between the Ashford and Collyn families still be held as scheduled this week?""Of course," Juna replied without hesitation, leaning his back against the edge of the desk. "All the prep







