LOGINSomeone like Jamie, who was starting from nothing with no foundation to stand on, had to be especially careful. He couldn't afford to show even the slightest weakness.But right in the middle of his quiet scheming and preparations, someone had ruined his hand.That stretch had been the hardest time of Jamie's life.Fortunately, Sharon had given him a leg up. It had kept him from sinking too low and carried him through to where he was now.Today's Jamie was no longer the man he used to be, at everyone's mercy with no way to fight back.The hardest days were behind the two siblings now.Ryder's voice pulled Johanna out of her thoughts."Mr. Walton came to the same decision. He was planning to go back next month, but if he's going to be attacked no matter where he is, he might as well return to Marcentine. "At least he has some power there. Protecting himself won't be a problem."Johanna knew Jamie had taken over some of the power their father, Russell Walton, once held, but she
Once Sharon's condition had stabilized, she decided to return to Marcentine.Julliard was flying back with her this time, and so was Johanna.Jamie's hand still needed follow-up treatment, so he wouldn't be going back with them just yet.At the airport, Jamie said to Sharon, "I'll be back next month."Sharon gave a small nod. "Okay. Focus on your treatment. And don't worry about Johanna. Wendy and I will look after her."Jamie looked at Sharon, his voice low. "Thank you. Take care of yourself."With that, he turned to Johanna. "Johanna, if Sharon runs into any trouble over there, make sure you call me.""Don't worry, Jamie," Johanna said.Overhearing the exchange, Julliard sneered, "Jamie, why don't you deal with your own problems first? As long as you don't drag Sharon into any more trouble, we'll all count our blessings."How many of your problems has Sharon solved since she met you? She introduced you to a mentor, got your work seen at an art exhibition, and when your hand
Before getting into the car, Sharon glanced back at Thomas again. He was still standing in the same spot, his eyes fixed on her.The car pulled away from the hospital.Jamie didn't ask about what had just happened. Sharon gazed out the window, but Thomas's words kept echoing in her head.Back at the hotel, Sharon had just walked into the lobby when a voice suddenly called out from the side. "Sharon."Sharon stopped. She turned her head and saw Carmen standing not far away.Carmen walked up to Sharon, her gaze sweeping over her face. "I'd like to talk to you."Before Sharon could say anything, Jamie had already stepped forward. Sharon reached out and gently held him back."Let's talk in the hotel café."In the café, the two women sat across from each other. Sharon's fever had only just broken, so instead of coffee, she ordered a cup of hot water.Once the server had brought Carmen's coffee and Sharon's hot water, Carmen finally spoke. "The agreement between Thomas and me is voi
Sharon said, "Let's head back to the hotel first. I'm a little tired."The group walked out through the hospital entrance.The moment they stepped outside, Sharon saw a familiar figure right in front of her.Thomas stood outside the hospital entrance, tall and lean, his features looking a little cold in the morning light. His gaze cut through the crowd and landed squarely on Sharon. Then it swept over Jamie behind her before quickly moving away.Seeing Sharon, he walked over. "I heard you were in the hospital."Sharon stopped. "It was just a fever. I'm fine now.""I meant to come yesterday, but I got held up." Thomas's gaze settled on her face. "Let me take you back.""No need," Sharon said. "Jamie and the others will take me.""There's something I want to tell you," Thomas said."Then say it here," Sharon said.Thomas looked at her and said in a low voice, "Sharon, I'm not going to marry Carmen anymore."Sharon only frowned slightly at his words. There was no sign of joy on
"There's really no need to drag an ordinary relationship into his family's power struggle," Sharon said to Julliard. "Don't you agree, Julliard?"Julliard wasn't stupid. He immediately caught the warning in Sharon's words.Just because Sharon hadn't said it outright didn't mean she didn't know. Anyone who thought about it for even a moment could figure out what had happened between him and Vince. Even without her spelling it out, Julliard knew exactly what she meant.Julliard said in a low voice, "Sharon, I understand... It's just that when I found out, it was so sudden. I didn't know how to tell you. And besides..."He paused a while, then went on, "I know that because of what happened with Thomas, you don't trust me as much anymore."If I'd suddenly come to you and told you about Thomas, you might not have believed me. The only way was to let you see it with your own eyes."Thomas is airtight in everything he does, and he's a very good liar. He might really have been able to fo
Julliard didn't find out until the next day that Sharon had been hospitalized with a fever.By the time he rushed to the hospital, Sharon was already getting ready to be discharged. Johanna was helping her pack up her things, and Jamie was helping her carry some of them. Wendy had gone to take care of Sharon's discharge paperwork.When Julliard walked into the hospital room, out of breath, he saw Jamie. His expression gradually darkened, and the look he gave Jamie turned hostile."Jamie, what are you doing here?"Jamie turned toward Julliard, his tone cool. "I'm getting treatment on my hand here. Is there a problem?"After Jamie left the country previously, Julliard had stopped paying any attention to him. He was just a washed-up painter Julliard had kicked out of the game. He might even end up disabled. There was no way he would ever amount to anything.Even if his hand was saved by some stroke of luck, with damage that severe, painting again was out of the question.A poor,
People like Uriah, without power or background, weren't worth pretending for anymore. Kelly didn't bother to keep up the act.During those few days at Uriah's clinic, she'd even toyed with the idea of poisoning Uriah. It would serve him right for siding with Sharon and making things harder for her.
Kelly paused for a beat, then continued, "I heard… the sudden onset of my illness the other day disrupted your date with Sharon. Carter, since she's already found her way here, why don't you go with her? Nate is here with me. It's the same either way."Carter's dark eyes chilled like frost, the sha
Uriah had no intention of being polite to doctors like these.Turning to Carter, he said flatly, "I've told you before—I can cure that girl. But if you insist on trusting these quacks, then don't bother coming to me. I can't entertain honored guests like you."There was a quiet certainty in Uriah'
Nate's face was wrapped thickly in gauze, leaving only his swollen eyes exposed. It looked almost comical—if it weren't for what it meant: his injuries were real, and not minor.Carter stared at him, skeptical. "You're saying Sharon did this to you?"Nate's voice was tight with fury. "Yes! Her—and







