My gaze turned cold.I had always treated others with respect. But if they kept being disrespectful toward me, I would stop minding my manners."Madam Hardwell, if you're so worried about me treating your son, I can always opt not to," I said coolly.Agatha's eyes widened in disbelief. Clearly, she hadn't expected me to say such a thing."Do you even know what you're saying?" she asked sharply."Madam Hardwell, I can choose not to treat him if you don't trust me to," I repeated plainly.Agatha's expression turned stormy in an instant, but I wasn't afraid. No matter how powerful and influential the Hardwells were, we lived in a society governed by laws.Grace also frowned. She wanted to get me out of the country so I would never appear in front of Timothy again. However, when she learned I had to adjust the treatment according to how his condition developed, she had to put that plan on hold. Her plan now was to wait until Timothy's legs had healed before she drove me away.S
The man, Magnus Hardwell, added, "Our family will be immensely grateful toward you if you're able to cure Tim's condition, Ms. Quill!"I had been genuinely against treating Timothy. However, the Hardwell family head had been frank with his request, so I naturally couldn't continue to be difficult.So, I replied, "Very well. I'll try my best, Mr. Hardwell."…My emotions were in turmoil as I watched the Hardwells leave.Before, my only focus had been confirming whether Timothy was really Irvin. Now that I had, I suddenly didn't know what to think or do—especially when he currently thought he was Timothy.Something obviously had to have happened to the real Timothy, judging from how the Hardwells had insisted Irvin was him.When the heir to such a large family corporation encountered an accident, regardless of where it occurred, it would inevitably trigger a huge upheaval. Additionally, such an incident might even cause their stock prices to plummet.Thus, the Hardwells' insisten
Timothy and Irvin were clearly identical twins, so Magnus didn't understand why Agatha favored Timothy so much—to the point where she had cast Irvin aside without a second thought.Now, with Timothy gone, she still insisted on leaving everything to his unborn child. She expected Irvin to devote himself to the family without getting anything in return. Her treatment of him was more like that of a grudge-holder than a mother."I'm biased? You're the biased one!" Agatha snapped. "Tim treated you so well and listened to your every word. He also always thought of you first, no matter what! She continued, "He hasn't even been gone that long, yet you've already forgotten him. You want to give everything that belongs to him to someone else! How can you be so heartless, Magnus Hardwell!"Magnus' headache worsened.It wasn't that he was heartless. Regardless, their Timothy was gone, so Magnus had to think about the company's future once he had gotten over his grief!Besides, there was no
"Timothy is dead. He died while trying to save Irvin," William said bluntly. "According to the survivors of the cruise ship explosion, you and your mentor weren't the only outsiders onboard. The organization had also invited the real Timothy to the ship to discuss business. "However, he didn't want to get involved with the organization, so a conflict had broken out. And just when he had been about to leave, he coincidentally spotted a cornered Irvin. Seeing that Irvin was badly injured, Timothy had sacrificed himself in order to save his twin brother," he recounted.I was stunned. Hearing the truth had left me at a loss—I didn't know what to make of it."So, the reason the Hardwells insist Irvin is Timothy is to hide that something has happened to Hardwell Group's actual successor. They're doing this to prevent fluctuations in their company's stock prices. Am I right?" I asked.William gave me a look that seemed to say, "Looks like you're not completely clueless."Then, he expl
Irvin had once loved me with fiery intensity. However, he had also hurt me with his cold indifference.He had also nearly killed me on several occasions. That being said, he had also risked his life to save me just as many times.Before I regained my memories of him, all I could remember was the pain he had caused. Back then, the only thing I felt for him was hatred.After my memories returned, I remembered all his past affections and how he had been my salvation. But I could no longer love Irvin wholeheartedly. And yet, I couldn't go back to hating him entirely, either.I didn't know what to do.Right now, our love suddenly seemed so unimportant when Irvin was in a life-and-death situation.I should just focus on treating his legs. And once they were fully healed, we would consider things between us settled. Then, he would live an endlessly wonderful life while I spent mine exploring vast opportunities.We might not keep our marital vows of being together and living happily eve
When I had first met Irvin as Timothy, he had coolly told me to focus on his medical records instead of his face. It had been because he felt the urge to wheel himself up to me and hug me tightly whenever he met my gaze.At the time, Irvin hadn't yet suspected that he wasn't Timothy. He had thought he was married to Grace, and as such, couldn't accept that he had been attracted to me.He had refused to believe he was the kind of man who would lust after another woman just because of her appearance. That was why Irvin had acted so standoffish toward me back then.Looking back now, he realized it hadn't been lust at all, but rather instinctual love.Irvin's words reminded me of what I had said to him on our wedding day.I had said life was neither long nor short. And given how handsome he was, he would undoubtedly face many temptations in the future.I had told Irvin that he could just tell me if he ever stopped loving me, and we would get a divorce. However, I had also said he c
"And why not?" I asked.The Hardwells' staff had witnessed Timothy meeting his demise when he had saved Irvin—William had told me so."Judging from how shocked you were when you first saw me, you probably weren't aware I had an older twin brother. That means you also likely didn't know that he was a Hardwell," Irvin started to explain."You're my closest and most important person, so the fact that you didn't know about Timothy's existence means I definitely didn't know about him either. This also means Timothy and I had never met."Plus, humans are inherently selfish. Do you genuinely believe the real Timothy would sacrifice his life for a twin he had never met—especially when he was raised by the Hardwell family, who are known for their elitist and cold-hearted values?" he pointed out.In the time Irvin had spent in Hardwell Manor, he had gained some understanding of the family who lived there. Based on what he had learned about these people, it was impossible they would raise so
But I couldn't allow myself to feel this way.While Irvin had sacrificed himself to save me, he had also hurt me terribly. Was I supposed to just forget all the pain he had inflicted on me and love him like I did before?No, I didn't want to! I couldn't, and I was also afraid to!Even so, I also couldn't push him away.When I had lost my memories, I hadn't been able to fathom how I could possibly be such a lovesick fool.But now, I could only say to myself, "Those who have never loved deeply will never understand how hard it is to completely let go of the one you had once loved so dearly."This was especially so when that person hadn't been entirely cruel—when he had also loved you wholeheartedly, passionately, and without fear."Please wait for me, Emilia! Just wait until my legs are healed. Once I've dealt with the Hardwell family, we can be together openly and proudly!" Irvin pleaded.His eyes were shining as he looked at me. They were devoid of the closed-off indifference h
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