"Good luck!" Victoria said.…Once we got in the car, Cordelia looked at me with excitement. "Darling, are you thinking about going back to the lab?"She really knew me so well. I hadn't said a word, yet she understood everything, just from the decision I'd made in my heart.When I heard Mr. Holland mentioned that it wasn't too late for me to return to the lab, I couldn't stop thinking about it.I couldn't help but wonder if I could really go back to the lab.Should I go back? Should I return to what I truly want to do?I had always loved what I studied, and I really wanted to continue striving in the field I was passionate about. However, I had been away from academics, away from the lab for so long, and I wasn't sure if I still had what it takes.So, even though I had been thinking about it constantly, I just couldn't make up my mind.When I saw Victoria earlier, something in me clicked. I finally made the decision.I wanted to fight for what I love, for the people who were
Seeing my expression change, Cordelia instinctively leaned over to check my phone. The moment she read Irvin's message, she burst out cursing."That worthless piece of shit!"I didn't say anything, staring at the screen. I felt a deep ache for my past self and couldn't help but scold that version of me in my head.How could I have been so foolish to love a man like that?Without a word, I blocked his number again and turned off my phone.I didn't care about him anymore and had no intention of wasting energy on his nonsense. Apparently, he wasn't ready to let it go. He showed up with his people, blocking our way.Maybe it was because I hadn't answered his calls or messages, and he'd spent a long time searching for me. His frustration mixed with uncontrollable arrogance fueled his simmering anger.He instinctively wanted to scold me in a cold tone, but when his eyes met my indifferent, impatient gaze, the arrogance and anger he carried suddenly faded."Emi, this is urgent. Please
After whispering a few words in her ear, she stopped insisting.Still, she couldn't help but look at me with worry as I got into the car. She didn't look away until our car had driven off.I was touched.I had such good friends, a passion for my studies, and things I wanted to do. My future was filled with endless possibilities. I had to escape this muddy, miserable life as soon as possible.I wasn't sure if Irvin was trying to make conversation or what, but he asked, "What did you say to her that made her stop following us?"I gave him a sideways glance. "What's it to you?"He clenched his hand that was resting on his lap, as if trying to suppress his anger. It must be difficult for someone who was always so high and mighty.He seemed like he wanted to say more, but I had already turned my attention to the window, clearly not wanting to engage with him anymore.However, he still didn't take the hint. He grabbed my hand and placed it in his, gently caressing it.I was disguste
"Millicent! You've become so cruel! Lianne is in the emergency room fighting for her life, and you still dared to hang up on our calls!"Aside from Irvin's repeated calls, my parents also took turns calling me, but I didn't answer any of them.Before I could step away, Irvin moved in front of me, blocking my mom from hitting me."Mom, don't be angry. Emi is here now."The tall and sturdy Irvin blocked my mom completely, making sure she couldn't reach me at all.If this had been before, I would've been touched to see him protect me like that, but now, I just wanted to let out a cold snort."Irvin, stop protecting her! She clearly wants to kill Lianne! Lianne's in the emergency room, fighting for her life… Her life is clearly hanging by a thread!"My mom was so angry that her whole body was trembling.It seemed like Julianne was really on the brink of death. Being cold-hearted and ruthless, I still wanted to push her over the edge,If she were really dying, how could there still
Irvin was very furious, wearing a grim expression. He couldn't understand how I, who had always been obedient, considerate, and centered around him, had suddenly become like this.My parents looked like they were about to rush over and scold me, but I shot them a warning glance. It seemed to say, "You don't want me to divorce Irvin, do you?"They got the message instantly. Their steps faltered, and instead of berating me, they turned to Irvin with anxious expressions."Irvin, just agree to the divorce! Lianne doesn't have time to wait!""Yeah, Irvin, please! If you keep stalling, Lianne… she might not make it…"Irvin didn't say a word. He clenched his fists so tightly that the veins bulged in a terrifying way.His silence was testing my patience. I couldn't help but push him."Come on, Mr. Sawyer! Hurry up! Lianne's still in the emergency room, barely holding on. She's waiting for you to save her. Do you know that we need to save her life? Don't you forget that she saved you bef
I knew that no matter how much Irvin didn't want to, he would eventually sign. After all, his precious Lianne was dying, and there was no time to waste.On the other hand, Mom was very anxious when she heard Julianne couldn't wait any longer. She clung to Irvin's arm, begging him desperately to save her. Honestly, she was just one step away from grovelling to his feet.Her performance was so convincing she could've won an award.Sometimes, I really have to hand it to Julianne. She managed to make Mom, who's usually cold and heartless even toward her own daughter, treat her like she was the most precious person in the world.That kind of talent wasn't something just anyone could have.As expected, even though Irvin didn't want to do it, he eventually signed the divorce papers.When he was done, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was enraged. It was a really terrifying sight.I had always been someone who appreciates money, so I could understand the pain he felt. Having to suddenly g
I looked at him seriously and said, "I'm not playing around. Everything I said is the truth. If you don't believe me, you can check."Irvin met my serious gaze, and at first, it seemed like he couldn't believe I was actually lying so confidently. Then, a surge of intense anger flashed in his eyes."Emilia, you made me sign the divorce papers when Lianne was in danger. I already signed it, and now you're still doing this? Do you want her to die that badly?"He thought I was lying. He believed that after I got him to sign the divorce papers, I was suddenly backing out and refusing to donate blood.He had always thought that the three months I spent in the hospital were just a tantrum, that I hadn't really been hurt.If someone didn't love you, how little must they care about you? We had known each other for eight years, been married for four, and even worked side by side on our careers with such great harmony.Yet, he firmly believed that I, someone who hated going to the hospita
When Irvin saw my face becoming pale instantly, a bloodthirsty and cold smile formed on his lips. He said, "Emilia, don't think I'm still that fool from back then. I won't let you toy with me like that again!"His words obviously carried another meaning, but at that moment, I had no energy to figure out what he was insinuating. When had I ever treated him like a fool and toyed with him?All I could think about was what to do next.I had anticipated that they wouldn't allow Julianne to use my blood because it was "impure", but I hadn't expected Irvin—ever the shrewd businessman—to go to such lengths.Even though my blood was useless, he insisted on drawing it.As I considered whether to take the gamble to sever this marriage at my mortal peril, Mom spoke up for me unexpectedly. "Irvin, I know you're angry. Trust me, I feel the same way too. But no matter what, I once carried Millicent for ten months in my womb. Since her blood is practically useless, don't force her to draw i
William wasn't the type to repay a life-saving favor. So, for the past two years, Julianne had always wondered why he treated her so well and was especially attentive to her health.It was only after she returned to Claudeville that she finally understood.It turned out William had a sickly niece he cherished dearly—one whose survival depended on Julianne. Upon learning this, she suddenly felt she had the upper hand again.While she still couldn't figure William out entirely, she had come to understand him somewhat. She knew he would continue to tolerate her—for the sake of his sickly niece—as long as she didn't do anything out of line.To be clear, Julianne made my life difficult because she hated me. But as long as she didn't harm me, she knew no one would hold it against her. After all, William's niece needed her blood to live.The more she thought about this, the more pleased she became.I could see it plainly in her eyes. Her expression seemed to say that even after all thes
Seeing how determined I was, Emma didn't press any further.Just as we were about to leave in the car, another car pulled up beside ours. When I saw who stepped out of it, my eyes widened in shock.Emma saw them too and tugged at my sleeve in surprise. "Emilia, isn't that your ex-husband's brother and sister-in-law?"I was just about to say yes when Grace suddenly collapsed into Irvin's arms. He picked her up and rushed toward the hospital.Seeing this reminded me of how I had wished that Irvin would come and save me when I was drowning.I chuckled mockingly.Noticing something was off with me, Emma turned to me. "Emilia, what's wrong?"I withdrew my gaze. "Nothing."Then I told the driver to start driving.As the car drove out of the hospital, Emma stared at me. She hesitated at first, but then curiosity got the better of her "Emilia, looking at how you reacted to your ex-husband's brother… Is it true that he's actually not Timothy, but Irvin?" she asked.She had been with
Only after our car had driven far into the distance did William finally withdraw his gaze from Noah's car."Was Ms. Quill's assistant rescued?" he asked.Matthew immediately replied, "Yes, she's been taken to the hospital. She's out of danger."William hummed indifferently in response, then got into the car and left.…By the time I woke up in the hospital, night had already fallen.I was surprised to see Noah sitting at my bedside—surprised that I was still alive and that it was Noah who had come to save me.Seeing me awake, Noah stood up excitedly. "Emi, how are you feeling? I'll get the doctor!"I wanted to tell him I was fine, but my voice came out hoarse when I opened my mouth.Suddenly, I remembered something and quickly reached out to grab Noah before he could leave to call the doctor.Before I could even ask, he already knew what I was going to ask. "Your assistant's fine. She woke up even earlier than you," he said. Hearing that, I breathed a sigh of relief.Noah
Emma was also quite smart. Once she calmed down, she immediately understood what I meant. She wanted to say something, but I had already opened the car door and pushed her out.Seeing several people swimming toward us, I shoved her again, urging her to leave quickly.In the face of life and death, survival would become an instinct for everyone. So even though she didn't wish me harm or want to leave me behind, she swam away with tears in her eyes. Not long after she left, those so-called "rescuers" surrounded me.When they noticed someone had swum away, they exchanged hand signals underwater, planning to send some after her and others to capture me. Realizing this, I quickly pointed at myself, trying to tell them that I was the one they were looking for. Then I turned and swam in the opposite direction, hoping to lure them away and buy her more time to escape. But even though they understood my gesture, they didn't believe me. They still sent people after her.They were very
There was only one road from the airport to the city, and William's car was right behind ours.Matthew, who was driving, immediately sensed something was wrong when he saw our car suddenly accelerating at an alarming speed.He quickly said, "Mr. Ashford, something's wrong with Ms. Quill's car!"William, who was busy reading the documents, immediately looked up. His gaze darkened when he saw how recklessly the car in front was moving."Catch up with them!" he ordered. At that moment, his phone rang. It was Noah calling, and he sounded anxious on the other end. "Uncle Will, are you with Emi right now? I just heard that Madeleine is planning to kill her! "I don't know the exact plan, but I heard they're making a move on the way from the airport to the city. You need to be careful! I'm heading to the airport right now!"Noah's words made William's expression grow even darker. …While Emma was still processing the situation, I noticed something strange about the driver. If the
Just like that, we came back alive from the brink of death in an instant. It felt like we were in hell one moment and in heaven the next.Perhaps I was still too scared. So scared that even after the plane had stabilized for a while, I still couldn't find any strength in my body. I was still shaken by the fear and couldn't fully snap out of it.William was also holding me tightly the entire time, not letting go. The softness of my body in his arms stirred something in him that he couldn't describe. He instinctively didn't want to let go.It wasn't until a flight attendant knocked on the door to check on us that I finally returned to my senses.William also let go of me instantly. The sudden emptiness in his arms left him feeling rather hollow.He came to realize something, and his already deep gaze darkened even more, making it even harder to read.After the flight attendant tidied up the cabin and left, William, who had been perfectly fine and warm just moments ago, suddenly tur
The flight attendant knocked on the entrance to the suite to signal her arrival and served our meal. Then, she left swiftly.William and I were eating and discussing our AI chip factory when his face suddenly turned red. He couldn't say a word.The moment I saw that, I immediately realized what was happening and rushed over to him.I moved behind him, wrapped my arms around his abdomen, and clenched my fists. With my palm facing upward, I tightened my arms and pressed my left fist forcefully into his upper abdomen again and again, until he finally spat out the seed of a fruit.He had accidentally swallowed the seed while eating dried fruit, and it had gotten stuck in his throat.William stared at the seed he'd just coughed up, looking flustered. A man like him, who was so strong and composed, had choked while eating. He couldn't believe it had actually happened.Especially in front of me!William, who was usually composed no matter the circumstances, now had a face flushed wit
William handed me a glass of champagne and said, "I heard Grace gave you a hard time again at the airport lounge."I hummed in response, confirming it. At the mention of Grace, a thought struck me, and I turned to him. "Mr. Ashford, many of your company's products seem to compete directly with the Hardwells'."Although most of my focus had been on research, I did know a little about the business world. After all, I had a company myself. "Yes, why?" William raised an eyebrow at me."If you're planning to enter the mainland market, wouldn't the Hardwells be your biggest competitor?" I asked.Upon hearing that, William's dark eyes lit up with interest. "Are you trying to join forces with me against the Hardwells?"I knew that I couldn't hide my intentions from someone like William, so I answered honestly, "I'm just thinking ahead. I wanted to see if you had similar plans. If so, maybe we could work together in the future."Going against the Hardwells alone was definitely impossi
At the same time, the same video was also delivered to Noah's grandfather, Mr. Hull Senior."This is the woman Noah's interested in? He refused a marriage alliance with Ms. Charter because of her?" Mr. Hull Senior questioned incredulously.His butler, who had been by his side for decades, lowered his head respectfully and answered, "Yes."Mr. Hull Senior scoffed. "What kind of judgment does he have? It's no wonder he doesn't measure up to his uncle."Noah might be excellent, but at his age, William had already built up the Ashfords into the wealthiest family in Redwood. In terms of cunning or any other aspect, he was still far behind William.The loyal butler remained silent as he respectfully stood off to the side."If anyone else was still left in this family, I'd never even consider passing it to Noah!" Mr. Hull Senior exclaimed, pounding his cane hard against the floor.The Hulls had built their fortune from casinos. Their business had shady beginnings, which meant they also