Ellie completely lost control of her emotions, speaking without restraint as harsh words stabbed at Gwyneth like knives.Gwyneth's tears flowed even harder, and her body shook more violently. Like a cornered animal, she suddenly screamed and gave Ellie a hard push."I'm not! I'm not a homewrecker! It's your son who changed his heart. What does that have to do with me?"Caught off guard by Gwyneth's push, Ellie stumbled and nearly fell. Now even more furious, she raised her hand to strike Gwyneth."You little tramp, how dare you push me? I'll beat you to death!"Just as Ellie's palm was about to land on Gwyneth's face, the villa door burst open and Colin rushed in like a whirlwind.He took in the chaotic scene—Ellie with her hand raised and Gwyneth cowering with tears streaming down her face, looking terrified."Mom! What are you doing?" Colin roared, striding forward to grab Ellie's wrist and pull her away. His voice was filled with anger and reproach."Whatever you have to say
Ellie couldn't contain her anger and decided to talk to Colin first.After all, Aspen was Colin's ex-wife. Despite everything, they had once shared a marriage bond. Aspen had loved Colin so deeply before—surely she could be persuaded to come back.Ellie stormed into Colin's villa.She looked around but didn't see Colin. Her gaze was as sharp as ice-cold daggers as she glared at Gwyneth, who was sitting on the couch in a plain white dress."Where's Colin? Tell him to come out here and see me!" Ellie's voice was sharp, carrying undeniable authority.It was as if the entire villa was her domain and Gwyneth was merely an unwelcome intruder. Meanwhile, Gwyneth slowly stood up, her face showing just the right amount of vulnerability and innocence, as if frightened by this sudden burst of anger."Madam Ellie, Colin went to the company. Why... Why have you come so suddenly?" Her voice was soft, carrying a slight tremor.She was like a white rose swaying in the wind, appearing all the mo
Aspen didn't resist. She closed her eyes and responded to Aren's kiss. Their lips pressed together tightly, as if they wanted to merge their very souls.The kiss was lingering and passionate, filled with deep emotion and love. They were so lost in the sweetness of the kiss that they seemed to have forgotten time and everything around them.…Under Aspen and Aren's combined efforts, the Aetheris Group project progressed very smoothly. Aspen's name once again became the focus of business discussions.Major media outlets competed to report on Aspen's success, endlessly praising her. Aspen's reputation soared to new heights.Meanwhile, Colin sat in his office playing news reports about Aspen on repeat. He watched Aspen's confident smile on the screen, his emotions still complex and conflicted.Gwyneth moved to Colin's side and gently embraced him while saying softly, "Colin, you've been acting strange lately. What's wrong?"Colin didn't speak. He simply turned off the computer and s
The two sat facing each other, and ultimately neither continued speaking. Old City's night was gentle, like a thin veil softly enveloping this story-filled city.Aspen and Aren walked side by side through Old City's streets, feeling the unique charm of this place. They came to a secluded ferry crossing where the river was tranquil, reflecting Old City's lights in rippling waves. It was breathtakingly beautiful.Aren stopped and turned to face Aspen, his eyes gentle and deep with emotion."Pen, I have something I want to tell you." Aren's voice was low and tender, carrying a barely perceptible nervousness.Aspen looked up at Aren's deep eyes, an unusual feeling stirring within her. She nodded, indicating for Aren to continue."I'm sorry if this seems sudden, but I really can't wait any longer." Aren took a deep breath and finally spoke the words he'd kept buried in his heart for years."Since our university days, I've been quietly watching you, caring for you. Your every expressio
Riley looked at Colin's stubborn expression and sighed helplessly. He knew that no matter how much he tried to persuade him, it would be useless.After venting his anger at the company with no one paying attention to him, Colin had no choice but to return home."Colin, you're back." Gwyneth heard the door open and quickly got up to greet him. She instantly switched to a gentle, concerned expression. "How did it go? What did the board say?"Colin didn't speak. He simply walked into the living room, sat on the couch, and lit a cigarette. Gwyneth moved to Colin's side and gently hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder.…Meanwhile in Old City, Aspen and Aren were still enjoying their rare time alone together. Aren picked up a postcard featuring Old City's night scenery and handed it to Aspen."It's beautiful," Aspen said. "Let's buy a few and send them to friends."Aren selected several postcards. "Pen, who do you want to send them to?""I want to send one to Chet, and... to
"I'm not going!" Colin flatly refused. "I'm not going anywhere! I'll stay put at the company. Let's see who dares to oppose me!""Mr. Fuller, why must you be like this?" Riley sighed. "Going against the board of directors now won't benefit you at all. Please listen to my advice and go to the hospital.""I said I'm not going!" Colin roared again. "Stop trying to convince me! I know my own body! I don't need to go to any hospital!""Mr. Fuller—" Riley tried to continue but was cut off by Colin."Enough!" Colin said impatiently. "This matter is settled. I'm not going anywhere! Get those old fogeys from the board to come here. I want to confront them face to face!""Mr. Fuller, this..." Riley wanted to say more, but Colin had already hung up.Riley shook his head helplessly. He knew Colin was truly angry this time. But there was nothing he could do. After all, he was just a secretary and couldn't change the board's decision.After hanging up, Colin could no longer contain his rage.
"Sounds good." Aren smiled and picked up a tiger-shaped balloon. "Let's get this one too."They paid and left the shop with their balloons."Pen, let's go release the balloons and make a wish," Aren suggested, seeing people gathered by the riverside releasing their balloons."Great idea," Aspen readily agreed.They came to an open area in Old City where many people were already releasing balloons into the sky. Aren took a paper out and handed it to Aspen."Here, Pen, write down your wish," Aren said.Aspen took the paper, wrote something down, and tied it to the balloon. Then, together with Aren, she released the balloons into the air.Watching the balloon slowly ascend, a happy smile appeared on Aspen's face. "Aren, thank you."Aspen turned to look at Aren gratefully as she added, "Thank you for bringing me here, and thank you for everything you've done for me.""Silly, don't be so formal with me." Aren affectionately ruffled Aspen's hair. "I'm happy as long as you're happy."
"Enough!" Colin completely lost his patience and shouted, "My personal matters are none of your business! Go home!"With that, Colin turned and left, leaving Ellie standing alone in place. Watching Colin's resolute retreating figure, Ellie's tears flowed even harder.She clutched her chest, feeling waves of heart-wrenching pain. She couldn't understand why her son had become like this and why he would treat his own mother this way for an outsider.Colin returned to the villa, where Gwyneth stood at the door, looking at him with concern. "Colin, you're back."Gwyneth's voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze attempting to soothe Colin's frustration. "What about Madam Ellie? Has she left?"Colin didn't speak. He silently walked into the living room, sat on the couch, and lit a cigarette. Gwyneth then moved to Colin's side, gently embraced him, and rested her head on his shoulder."Colin, I'm sorry. It's all my fault for making Madam Ellie angry." Gwyneth's voice carried a h
"Respect your choice? Look at yourself now—do you have any resemblance to a Fuller family member?" Ellie trembled with anger."You've neglected the company for this woman. What more do you want?""I'll handle the company matters. You don't need to worry." Colin's tone hardened. "This is my personal life. Can't you stop interfering?""Fine, fine, fine!" Ellie repeated the word three times."Colin, you've grown up, you're independent now, and I can't control you anymore, is that it? Fine, I'll leave. I won't interfere with you anymore!"With that, Ellie turned to leave. Colin tried to stop her, but Gwyneth held him back."Colin, it's all my fault," Gwyneth said through tears. "I upset Madam Ellie. Go apologize to her quickly. Don't let her be upset.""Gwyneth, don't be like this." Colin hugged Gwyneth with concern. "This isn't your fault. My mother is just too stubborn.""But—" Gwyneth wanted to say more but was interrupted by Colin."Enough, stop talking," Colin said. "Go back