Just as Nathaniel happily prepared to go to the meeting, his assistant hurried in, flustered. โMr. Hall, bad news!โThinking that she had jinxed him, Nathaniel grew stern. โWhat bad news? How could there be bad news with me around?โ As the assistant ran over, she tried to catch her breath as she sputtered, โN-No, sir, itโs Mr. TannerโฆheโฆโNathaniel frowned. โWhich Mr. Tanner are you talking about?โโIt doesnโt matter if there are too many Tanners here because Iโll get rid of them in a moment, and the company will soon have nothing to do with them.โโMr. Tanner, the general manager!โ She stomped her foot and gritted her teeth. โJoseph Tanner.โNathaniel was unperturbed. โWhat could that old fool do?โHe picked up his coffee cup from the desk and took a sip, saying slowly, โOh, him! Didnโt I tell you heโs going to step down soon, and thereโs no need to bother about him? Whatโs the matter?โโHeโฆjumped off a building to kill himself!โโฆNathaniel did not go to the hospital, as
Nathaniel saw Damian sitting there when he left the interrogation room. Damian bolted to his feet. โYou swindled my familyโs properties and made a fool out of me, you f*cker!โโLet me give you a piece of advice, you little pr*ck. Think twice before you spout nonsense. How did I make a fool of you? If I remember correctly, you were the one who reported your sister to the police.โTsk, tsk, people like you would even stoop to press charges against your own kin, and now youโre targeting me with your slander! Please put this man under a thorough investigation, officers. Something might seriously be wrong with him!โNathaniel was so pleased with himself that he could hardly hide his excitement.Although Josephโs suicide attempt had slightly disrupted his plans, he did not mind it so much. โEven if he had jumped off a building and become paralyzed from the waist down, he still wouldnโt be able to convict me. I had everything taken care of long ago, and I wouldnโt have gotten what I wante
โThereโs no need to worry about my wife. I can take good care of her.โ Derrick smiled. โYou should worry about yourself more.โHe turned to the police officers. โIโd like to make a report.โNobody had expected this turn of events. The supposedly dying Derrick was fine, and he also wanted to make a police report against Nathaniel with concrete evidence.The crisis that had befallen the Tanner family seemingly ended overnight.Things had returned to normal now that Derrick had returned. However, the top management of Tanner Corporation underwent radical changes as those who sided with Arianna and Nathaniel during the crisis got sacked.Only then did people realize everything was part of Derrickโs plan.Although Tanner Corporation seemed to be in its heyday, there had been many problems due to power struggles even among the management team, which ultimately hurt the companyโs interest.Due to the conflicts between Ariannaโs team, the old-timers, and those that Joseph had rallied in
โLetโs welcome our new chairman!โ The door opened, and Benedict entered.Many gasped since they all had heard that he had died. Not only was Benedict still alive, but he also showed up as the new chairman of Tanner Corporation. The quick-witted ones caught quickly realized that Derrick had planned much of what had happened for this very day.Like a loving father, Derrick had gotten rid of all the obstacles so Benedict could safely replace him. Soon, everyone clapped to welcome him, knowing that they should at least show support for the new chairman.Benedict walked over and said solemnly, โItโs not the first time Iโve been here, and itโs not the first time Iโve joined the meeting either. However, this is my first time standing here as your chairman. From now on, Iโll be working hard with you all to make Tanner Corporation even greater.โโI believe Benedict needs no introduction, as you all know him. Letโs move on to the second agenda. Our company is going to launch a new project wh
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Joseph did not expect to meet his elder brother in this state and felt overwhelmed with emotions. He did not even know what to say, โDerrick, IโฆโHaving discovered what had happened over the past two days, Joseph went from shock to acceptance to slowly understanding the truth.It was only a couple of months, but he felt like he had finally woken up from an endless nightmare. Joseph thought he had everything under control but now realized he was just a pawn in someone elseโs plans.In the end, all he had gotten was this.Derrick pulled a chair over and sat in front of his younger brother, asking warmly, โHow are you feeling now?โโHow else would I be feeling? Iโll have to live like this for the rest of my life.โ Joseph sighed, looking older than even Derrick.โDerrick, I only have a favor to ask. I know Iโve done you wrong, but I hope you can promise me something since weโre brothers, and Iโve ended up like this.โโIs it about your son?โ Derrick though
Joseph thought about how Arianna had threatened his livelihood, โWhat kind of daughter would dare treat her father that way?โDerrick shook his head and said earnestly, "Then, why did she do this? Have you ever thought about why she has such great ambitions? Also, have you seen what she has done for the company over the past few years?""Isn't Ari being a bit too greedy with her ambitions? I've already given her so much. I even told her that once Damian inherited the company, she would be the first lady with power over Tanner Corporation. Yet, she's still unsatisfied."Derrick laughed when he heard that, "Look at you. You still don't understand what's happening, even now. Since you feel you've given her so much, why are you letting your illegitimate son inherit the company? Why havenโt you considered maybe Ari could also lead Tanner Corporation to success?โI know there were troubles at the company over the past few days, and I've been in the hospital. I didn't bother stepping in b
โDerrick, even if I'm in the wrong, you should help me take care of DamianโฆandโฆAri," Joseph cautiously said after a moment of hesitation.At this point, he had no one else to turn to except Derrick. The two were brothers at the end of the day. Joseph could only hope that blood was thicker than water and that Derrick would be willing to help."We'll talk about it once they're out. They're children of the Tanner family anyway. However, anything that has to do with the company will be under Bennyโs care in the future. I won't interfere in any of the company's personnel changes. Besides Benny, people from the HR department will handle those. Regardless, I can assure you your children won't suffer."That was the best Derrick could do. If he allowed nepotism to continue in the company, Tanner Corporation would fall sooner or later.Joseph lowered his gaze, a little disappointed. He initially thought his children would have a chance to re-enter the company. Even if they could not hold a p
Joseph refused to accept it and threw the documents to the ground with a flick. "I won't sign it! I won't sign it!""It's your choice. If you don't sign it, I'll sue you. Let's separate from each other for a while. Whatever it is, I know I won't stay with you any longer. I'm tired, Joseph, I genuinely am.""Tired? Eloise, we've been together for years. Now that I'm like this, you're just going to divorce me?!" Joseph growled as he patted his leg unconsciously."Joseph, you know that's not the reason. Indeed, many envy me for marrying into a wealthy family. Iโm sure weโre both aware of how much youโve given me and what Iโve done for the family over the years. โStill, you proudly parade around with your mistress for years and even bring your illegitimate child into our home. Have you ever stopped to consider how I'd look and feel? Have you honestly never considered getting a divorce?"This question immediately stumped Joseph. He did think about it before. Every second he spent in E
Lily tilted her head up to fight back her tears, saying, โThereโs something I find strange.โโWhat is it?โ Mike asked after comforting his son.โInstead of detaining Prince Ross, Her Majesty has sent him back to Yudonia. If so, why couldnโt we reach him?โAfter some thought, Mike answered, โThere are two possibilities. Itโs probably due to poor signals, or he doesnโt want us to contact him.โThe two shared a look, knowing what each other was wondering.โWhy canโt we contact Ross? Is he planning something?โโฆThree days later, Lily inserted the last needle into the queenโs leg and looked up at her, saying, โYou should start feeling your legs tomorrow. Still, itโll take some time before you can stand.โSuddenly, Lily chuckled.โWhy are you laughing?โ Yasmin touched her legs. She had begun to regain sensation in her legs over the last two days. She then began to believe that she could get up. However, the queen was hesitant when the queen heard Lily chuckle.Lily shook her head
Lily straightened up and said without resentment, โOf course, you wouldnโt.โโThatโsโฆ quite a pity,โ the queen murmured thoughtfully.โWell, thereโs a price to pay for everything. Thatโs how the world balances itself,โ Lily continued, โI canโt stop you if you must carry on with R10. Still, I wonโt witness whether or not it succeeds. I just wish the outcome isnโt something youโll regret.โLily smiled and turned to head out the door.Rick heard their conversation as he stood guard outside. After exchanging looks with Lily as she brushed past him, he entered the room and saw the needles in Yasminโs legs. โYour Majesty, those needlesโโThe queen waved dismissively. โItโs okay. Lily will remove them later.โEven so, Rick was wary. โYouโre being too careless, Your Majesty. What if that womanโโโShe wouldnโt,โ Yasmin interjected, shaking her head."Why do you trust her so much?" Rick asked despite himself. The queen fell silent. If Rick had not asked her that, she would not have rea
Lily took out a cloth and unfolded it, revealing a row of silver needles inside. Yasmin was surprised she carried the needles with her.โTell me. What do you want?โ The queen took a deep breath to calm herself. She then reminded herself that she could always say no to Lilyโs request. Still, Yasmin was cautious about Lily trying to trick her.Lily casually said, "I left because Prince Ross wanted to help me. I hope you donโt punish him.""That's it?" Yasmin thought she had misheard Lily. 'Is she trying to talk terms with me just so that I won't punish my son?' she wondered in disbelief."Ross is my son. I won't harm him. Don't you think you've wasted an opportunity by making such a request?" The queen shook her head. "I wasnโt sure if youโd blame him, but he did rescue me once. If I don't do anything, it would be ungrateful of me," Lily said gently, "Also, didnโt you already lock him up?"Yasmin was puzzled. "No, I only sent him back to Yudonia. He kept trying to get me to sto
"Three days," Lily replied.โThatโs it?!โ Yasmin was in disbelief. She thought Lily would try to buy some more time and suspected she would say the process would take several months or even years.โI havenโt felt my legs for over a decade. I wouldnโt mind waiting for three more days.โโAre you sure I can get up and walk in just three days?โ Yasmin pressed her legs hard but felt nothing. She would have treated her legs long ago if it were that easy.The queen had visited many famous doctors from various countries, but they could only stop her legs from getting weaker. However, Lily confidently told Yasmin that she could fix her legs so quickly.Yasmin wanted to believe it.After some consideration, Lily said, โI canโt guarantee that youโll walk as fast as you once could. After all, you havenโt used your legs for a long time, and your muscles have atrophied. Still, youโll recover slowly.โYasmin nodded repeatedly, thinking it was good enough. She never dreamed of walking as well a
โBecause only our opinions matter." Lily thought of something and said, "Unless you choose to believe Rhea.""Iโฆ don't trust anyone." Yasminโs expression stiffened as she turned her wheelchair away."Your Majesty, I know you're dedicated to the experiment, but there are other things in life. Have you ever considered letting go of your burden to sightsee? Youโve done enough as a queen over the last few decades. Arenโt you tired of living a lonely life?โLily gently spoke as she gazed at Yasminโs back.The older woman caressed her knees with both hands and stared down at her legs, murmuring, โSightsee, huh? Iโve forgotten what thatโs like.โYasmin had not used her legs for many years. Initially, she could still stand up and sometimes took a few steps. However, she could no longer get to her feet.She had grown accustomed to sitting in a wheelchair, but she felt a pang of sorrow after hearing Lilyโs suggestion.Lily asked, โWhat if I can help you stand again? What if you can walk a
"Yes, I returned not just for him but also for you," Lily said, "I'm sure you were anxious for my return, weren't you?"Yasmin scoffed dismissively. "Why would I be? I have my bargaining chip. Besides, did you honestly think I couldnโt bring you back?""Bargaining chip? Do you mean Nick?" Lily shook her head with a smile. "Don't forget that he's not my son. Do you think he'll be much of a bargaining chip to you if I choose to ignore him for my three children?"She did not wait for Yasmin to reply and continued, "Besides, Nick still has a father whoโs willing to die for him. If Mike decides to take drastic action against youโ Yes, you're a queen, and you don't care much about an insignificant businessman.โHowever, don't forget that his business spans worldwide. There's no guarantee what he might do. Who knows, he might spread information that can affect Your Majesty and Yudonia's reputation?""Youโฆ" The queen was exasperated but could not retort.Lily noticed it and casually said
Rick could only remain silent at that moment.Yasmin then turned her wheelchair around and blandly said, โBring Lily over. Iโd like to see what excuses that sly woman can come up with.โ"Your Majesty?" Rick was puzzled. "You know she'll just lie to you. Why must youโ"Yasmin interjected, "I'd like to hear what she has to say."Rick had no choice but to leave and do as she said.As Lily was about to doze off, she heard noises from outside and opened her eyes. Immediately after, the door opened, and Rick appeared. He glared at her and spoke coldly, โHer Majesty wants to see you.โLily glanced at Rick calmly and stood up as if she had expected his appearance. On the other hand, Mike rose before her and headed out.However, Rick stopped him as he reached the door. โYou stay.โ"But we came together!" Mike glanced over his shoulder at Lily, signaling her to persuade the man. Rick added, "The queen doesnโt wish to see you. Just stay here!"Lily patted Mike's shoulder and said gentl
Everyone was shocked when Lily returned to the embassy with Mike. One of the staff members quickly left to report the news to Queen Yasmin.Meanwhile, Lily saw people peering at her and Mike from the corner. Afterward, several guarded-looking men appeared. Lilt recognized them as the queenโs attendants. They brought Mike and Lily inside and then gave the duo a thorough search.The men only relaxed after finding nothing suspicious about the duo. Even so, Lily could not see the queen as the men told her to wait in an innermost room instead.After returning to the embassy, Lily felt a sense of strange familiarity. Although she knew the place well, her mindset had changed.She previously hated the embassy and simply wanted to escape. However, she had returned with a critical mission. Not only did she have to complete it, but she also needed to leave the place in one piece.While she was calm, Mike was somewhat anxious. He clasped his hands on his knees and glanced around as he sat dow
"I promise I'll do anything you want, okay?" Mike begged. He was desperate to see his son, so he decided to follow Lily when she insisted on returning to the embassy.Mike continued, โIf any of you go with her, they might stop or suspect you. They wonโt do that to me. Itโs natural for me to want to see and rescue my son. Iโm the best candidate because it makes sense for me to sacrifice myself for him.โAfter a short silence, Lily said, โYouโre right.โ She then looked at Alexander, who pondered before slowly raising his head and saying, โMe too.โDominic tapped the table. "So do I."Cameron thought for a moment before saying, "I've no objections."Seeing this, Austin spread his arms and said, "Since you all agree, what else can I say? Let's do it!"It did not matter whether or not he agreed, but he just wanted to support Mike. The latter nodded and became emotional, saying, โThanks, you guys!โ"Why are you thanking us? Just be careful, and donโt be rash like you promised," Aust