The cruise ship was already in international waters.I knew my kidnapper. He was Leo Kade.Leo was an investor who had repeatedly approached our research lab in the past. However, I kept rejecting his offer as I sensed he had ill intentions. We didn't lack funding, either. Thus, we never accepted his offers, regardless of how many times he approached us."You really are a genius among geniuses, Ms. Quill. In just a year, you've created a miracle. But it's such a waste to use your impressive breakthrough on disabled paraplegics. So how about you work with us instead? Together, we could make a lot of money in the future!" Leo said.He was a bad person, as I had suspected.Leo belonged to a major criminal organization. Their group wanted me to use my research to develop a chip that could control the human central nervous system. They intended to use it to infiltrate certain places. Then, it would be easier for them to carry out their criminal activities."Forget it!" I replied.It
Irvin's expression tensed, and he immediately grabbed me and started running toward the main deck.Unfortunately, I couldn't see clearly and stepped on a nail as we ran. The pain instantly paralyzed me. Seeing this, Irvin quickly hoisted me into his arms and continued running.People started to surround us from all directions. Irvin's men swiftly cut the power on the ship, plunging it into darkness. However, our opponents were well-prepared because the lights soon came back on.We were trapped!As I watched Irvin's men fall one by one, I urged him to put me down."They won't kill me because they need my expertise, but that isn't the same for you. You have to run!" I cried.With his skills, Irvin wouldn't have a problem escaping if he left me behind."No!" he firmly replied.Instead of releasing me, he tightened his hold and sprinted toward the main deck.I was about to struggle against him when he spoke again."These people belong to the largest criminal organization in the w
Irvin thought this wasn't all bad. Now that he was about to die, he could finally allow me to be happy and would never make me suffer again.He looked at the men charging toward him. With no strength left to run, he slumped against the railing and slid to the floor.Irvin's smile became rueful as he pulled a remote out of his pocket.He had his men install bombs all over the cruise ship. Initially, he had planned on detonating them after we had successfully escaped so they couldn't chase after us.He had also had two remotes made, just in case. One was with Quinton, who would immediately detonate the bombs once they had escaped. Irvin had kept the other as a backup should the rescue mission fail.Now, it was time to put his backup into play. He would do one last thing for me, ensuring I would escape safely, once and for all.…Someone grabbed me as soon as I fell into the water and swam with me in tow toward a speedboat.My mind was still in disarray when I realized the person
The night breeze by the harbor was enchantingly gentle.Julianne watched from an extravagant balcony as something in the distance illuminated the sky. She felt utterly content as she sipped from her wine glass.Mr. Ashford was an unfathomable and unpredictable man. However, his generosity toward her was real. He had also taken her to heights she had never reached before and made her feel she could easily do anything.She gazed out at the vast sea in the distance. Now that I had been taken away, I could forget about ever escaping from that cage. This thought filled her with so much joy that she spun around in delight.Who would have imagined Julianne's life would take such an unexpected turn?That was right, she wasn't Lumi Calder—she was Julianne Sinclair!When Julianne was facing a 10-year prison sentence, she had abandoned all hope and had even considered taking her own life in her detention cell. She had thought her life was ruined. Not only did that not happen, but she had
I had watched helplessly from the speedboat as the cruise ship blew apart and Irvin perished with it. Then, my memories of him suddenly came rushing back. I remembered the overwhelming love I had for him. At the time, my emotions had been so intense and uncontrollable. However, I didn't feel the same surge of emotions now that I was awake. I didn't know how to describe how I was feeling. It was a mixture of pain and sorrow. I wanted to cry, and I also wished Irvin was still alive.However, unlike on the speedboat, the feeling wasn't unbearable. And I wasn't wishing I had been in Irvin's place on the ship instead.Despite having my memories back, I hadn't reverted to my past self—the one who loved Irvin so deeply that she couldn't live without him. However, I also wasn't the version of myself who hated him because of the amnesia.I had no idea how I felt about him now, but it honestly didn't matter. All I cared about was that he might still be alive. He couldn't have died for me
Quinton glowered at Noah. He had the urge to comment on how I already had another guy hanging around me when Irvin's death still hadn't been confirmed. However, he held his tongue when he saw Mr. Ashford sipping on whiskey not too far away.Noah had enlisted Mr. Ashford's help. That was how we found so much manpower to help dredge the open sea. Mr. Ashford was also the reason Kade's major criminal organization had backed off.Irvin might be dead right now. But even if he was here, Quinton knew their combined efforts still wouldn't be a match for Mr. Ashford. Hence, he had no choice but to tolerate Noah no matter how strong his dislike was.Julianne was like Mr. Ashford's shadow. And, since he was here, she naturally was too. Her fists clenched with frustration as she surveyed the aftermath of her carefully planned incident.She didn't understand how I could be so lucky. Once again, I had made it out of the incident unscathed. Meanwhile, something had happened to Irvin instead. Ho
"Irvin also asked me to tell you not to be sad or heartbroken over what happened to him," Quinton said. "He told me he was sorry for what he had done to you. "He also felt it would take multiple lifetimes for him to make it up to you. But even then, he felt it still wouldn't be enough—not even if he had died a thousand times."Irvin hoped you'd be happy once he was gone. He knows he promised to stay out of your sight after the divorce, so he also hoped you wouldn't think he deserved what happened to him."He took a shaky breath before continuing, "Irvin—He initially wanted me to hold on to his ID card, but after thinking about it, I decided you should have it."His father's actions really had psychologically scarred him, Emilia. It made him especially fearful that the people he loved most weren't being genuine toward him. Irvin had misunderstood you because of this fear."In truth, he really did love you very much. So please, try to forgive him. I hope the day will come when you'
The teacup clattered loudly against the floor, drawing everyone's attention to me.However, I was still frozen in shock. My body was trembling involuntarily as I stared at the man in the wheelchair."Irvin…" The name slipped from my lips.I had a strong urge to walk closer to the man so I could see his face more clearly.Just as I was about to do so, the pregnant woman blocked my path.Then, she looked at me gently and said, "I think you're mistaken, Ms. Quill. This is my husband, Timothy Hardwell."I snapped out of my daze with a jerk and reflexively looked at Timothy. I unconsciously took a step back when our eyes met, as his gaze felt utterly unfamiliar.Irvin would never look at me like that.Could it be that Timothy wasn't Irvin? But if he wasn't, why did they look exactly alike? Aside from his unfamiliar gaze, Timothy looked identical to Irvin in every other way!I wanted to say something, but I couldn't find the words.The Hardwells were a noble family that had lived i
Irvin still had more to say. But then he realized anything he said now would be pointless. Thus, in the end, he just gazed profoundly at me before silently leaving.I went to the restroom after Irvin left. And when I exited a stall to wash my hands, I looked at myself in the mirror. Seeing the unmistakable disappointment in my reflection, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. I truly was pathetic.After splashing cold water on my face to wake myself up, I redid my simple makeup and headed back to the private dining room.As I was leaving the restroom, Grace happened to walk in. When she saw me, she smiled. "Hello, Ms. Quill."Since we were alone, I didn't feel like playing along. I kept walking, ignoring her completely.Seeing this, Grace stepped forward and blocked my path."I know my past behavior has hurt our relationship, Ms. Quill," she said. "But rest assured, it won't happen again," she said.Grace wouldn't bother me again because, truthfully, I wasn't even worth the trou
Irvin lowered his gaze.After a pensive moment, he replied, "Okay. I'll verify her true identity and send her to prison!"Irvin might have taken a moment to respond, but I still felt his reply was too decisive, which wasn't like him at all.I had known Irvin for a long time, so I knew he valued loyalty and kindness. That was why he still helped Julianne during her criminal trial even after learning the whole truth.Now, Julianne had distanced herself from our lives and even had a new identity. If Irvin could no longer associate with her, he could accept this and do it. However, he shouldn't have been able to agree so readily when it came to destroying Julianne's current life and sending her to prison.Thus, I studied him dubiously. And when he met my gaze, he instinctively looked away. I couldn't help but scoff at this."You know William has use for Julianne and that I don't actually want you to send her to prison, don't you?" I grilled him. "That's why you agreed so easily, is
During dinner, I excused myself to use the restroom. As I passed a private room, I was suddenly forcefully yanked inside. I was about to cry out, but then I met Irvin's worried gaze."I just got news you were in an accident and hospitalized yesterday. What happened, babe?" he asked.Irvin suspected Julianne wasn't the only reason I had been prevented from attending the academic exchange conference. Hence, he had someone look into why I was delayed from entering the hall. That was how he discovered I had fallen into the river and subsequently spent a night in the hospital.Upon learning this, he had immediately sent me an anxious text asking what had happened. However, I hadn't been checking my phone. So, naturally, I hadn't responded to his message.Irvin had figured I was probably too engrossed in exchanging knowledge with the professors and hadn't had the time to look at my phone. And since I had shown up without any apparent injuries, he had also assumed I was physically fine.
These prominent scholars might be able to speak eloquently during academic discussions, but they weren't fond of socializing. Hence, when invited to dinner, their first instinct was to decline.It wasn't until Professor Weiss explained that we would simply be continuing the day's discussion while eating—rather than it being a formal meal—that the scholars finally agreed to join us later that evening.Hungry for more knowledge, my attention was fully focused on these professors. All I could think about was what questions I could ask them over dinner. I was so focused that I didn't even notice Irvin repeatedly glancing at me as we left.We took a shuttle back to the official conference hotel. Then, after saying temporary goodbyes, we headed to our respective rooms to change.Once inside the room, Emma couldn't hold it in any longer."Oh my god!" she exclaimed. "I thought I was pretty smart because I had a high IQ. I had always been a top student and managed to get into one of the to
While I couldn't completely let go of Irvin, I was no longer the person I once was.Back then, I had placed love above all else, so loving Irvin had been the most important thing to me. I'd devoted myself to him and treated him like he was my entire world. He had been the source of all my emotions—from happiness to anger, and from sorrow to joy.Now, my top priority was my studies and research. I would never again give up the academic path I loved so deeply for anyone.…Julianne watched as Mitchell apologized to Professor Weiss and tried to curry favor with him. Then, she saw the way Professor Weiss treated me with warmth and respect. Hatred simmered behind her eyes. She felt life was so unfair. She had to work hard for everything she wanted, and yet those very things seemed to fall effortlessly into my lap. She didn't want to take any more risks. But despite this, she was so furious that she couldn't resist the urge to. She wanted to destroy me once and for all.Grace obse
Mitchell felt humiliated from having to apologize to me so publicly, so he was already in a bad mood. And when he heard the tone Julienne used with him, his expression soured even more."Who told you Ms. Quill is an academic fraud, Ms. Calder?" he shot back.Julianne clearly hadn't expected that. She was caught off guard by the question. Then, as though sensing someone's gaze on her, she turned her head. And when she spotted Irvin, she froze.Julianne had kept tabs on Irvin, but they hadn't seen each other face-to-face ever since she faked her death. So, their sudden encounter shook her.I lowered my gaze when I saw Julianne and Irvin lock eyes.I had recognized Julianne the moment I saw her. My family had too. Thus, I believed it would be the same for Irvin as well.Our relationship problems started because of Julianne, so they should end with her too.Having grown up together with Irvin, she knew she couldn't hide who she really was from him. Regardless, she couldn't admit she
"Ms. Quill, you—" Grace sputtered.From her expression, I could tell she wanted to say, "You really will say anything to save your pride. How will you get in if you won't follow us?"Just then, a few people walked out of the hall. At the lead was an elderly man with white hair.Upon seeing me, the elderly man's stern expression morphed into a smile. "Emilia! You're here!"I returned the smile and walked up to greet him, "Hello, Professor Weiss."I had met several influential figures during the Global Technology Forum in Lestoria. Among them, I had gotten along best with this man, Professor Richard Weiss.After exchanging pleasantries, Professor Weiss turned to Mitchell and asked, "Who is this man? What gives him the right to bar you from attending the conference and call you an academic fraud?"Professor Weiss was the biggest name in the physics field. He was someone everyone respected and dared not offend.Hearing this, Mitchell quickly explained, "It was a misunderstanding! I
"Of course!" Grace said.Moving to my side, she linked her arm with mine in a friendly gesture. It was as though we were on very good terms.She continued, "Not only is she an incredibly skilled researcher, but she's also my sister-in-law—which means she's also a member of the Hardwell family. So, Mr. Slate, any accusations of her being an academic fraud must be a misunderstanding!"Upon hearing how solemn Grace was, Mitchell couldn't help but look at me."If you aren't an academic fraud, then why would Ms. Calder say that about you?" he asked.I coolly returned his gaze. "That's a question for Ms. Calder, not me."Mitchell frowned and looked displeased. He clearly hadn't expected that answer.Grace turned to me and said, "Alright, Emi. Let's go inside together!"Her expression read, "Come on. I'll bring you in."Irvin didn't understand why I hadn't been allowed in despite having an invitation. He also didn't know why I had been mistaken for an academic fraud and was being bar
I looked down at my phone and was zooming in on the image of the data. But before I could even take a good look at it, Emma squeezed my arm."Holy crap! Emilia. Isn't that your ex-husband's brother!" she exclaimed.I instinctively looked up—just in time to see Irvin opening the car door and courteously helping Grace get down.Grace flashed a gentle smile at Irvin, then linked arms with him. To onlookers, that intimate gesture made them look like a loving married couple.I thought back to how Irvin had been near tears when we had met on the first snowfall of the season. Yet now, he was holding another woman's arm and playing the role of her devoted husband.I couldn't even describe how I felt at that moment.Then, I recalled how much Irvin had despised Grace before. Yet, in just a month, he managed to make it look like they were happily married. I feared it wouldn't be long before he began to feel sympathy for her. And then, per Grace's scheme, Irvin would eventually truly becom