LOGINEdric's stomach twisted. Roger was actually going to speak to Noelle.For years, Noelle had been desperate to win Roger's approval. Under any other circumstances, Edric would've been thrilled that his father was finally willing to take her call.But Roger clearly wasn't answering to welcome her into the family."Dad, let me get that," Edric said quickly.Roger gave him a sharp look. "I said I'll handle it."His tone left no room for argument.Edric fell silent.Roger answered the call.Noelle's soft voice came through immediately. "Edric, how's it going?"Outside, Noelle and Kate were still sitting in the back of a luxury sedan, eagerly waiting for the scene inside to play out. They were certain the photo would ruin Ivy's reputation for good.Kate leaned in excitedly. "Did Dad pick up? Put him on speaker. I hope Grandpa gets so angry that he throws Ivy out and finally lets us into the family. Then I'll be his favorite granddaughter."Noelle shot her a warning look, then pu
"Nathan, who is that woman?" Roger asked."She's the general counsel for one of our overseas business partners," Nathan replied calmly. "We were meeting to discuss a multibillion-dollar acquisition, and three other executives were sitting at the table with us. Whoever took the photo cropped them out on purpose to make it look like we were alone."The guests immediately began whispering among themselves."She's a corporate attorney?"Just then, Nathan's assistant walked in. "Mr. Lowe, I have the café's security footage.""Put it on the screen," Nathan said.The full, unedited footage soon appeared on the large screen.It clearly showed all five of them entering the café together. Throughout the meeting, Nathan and the woman kept a polite, professional distance. Nothing even remotely inappropriate happened.The so-called private date was manufactured by someone who deliberately cropped the others out of the photo to create a scandal.The ballroom erupted in shocked murmurs."So
Ivy froze, her heart skipping a beat as she looked up at the tall man standing in front of her.Nathan wore a tailored black suit, the chill from outside still clinging to his coat. He had clearly come straight from the airport after flying halfway around the world, yet even the exhaustion of a long trip on a private jet did nothing to dull his commanding presence.The moment he entered the ballroom, the noisy birthday party fell silent.The guests who had been whispering and waiting for a scene now stared openly at the two of them.Ivy and Nathan's eyes met. She looked into his steady gaze and saw her own reflection.At that moment, she was the only person in the room he seemed to notice. Her mind went blank, and for a second, she forgot how to respond.Tabitha gave her a gentle push from the side. "Go on. Go to him."Ivy slowly stepped forward. "What are you doing here?"Nathan slipped an arm around her waist.Ivy tensed at the unexpected contact. Then he leaned closer and s
Edric stiffened.Ivy turned to Roger. "Grandpa, I want to know where Dad got that photo. Who gave it to him, and who convinced him to show it at your birthday party? Half the city's elite are here tonight. Whoever planned this knew exactly what would happen. Were they trying to humiliate the Quinn family and tear down everything you've built?"The color drained from Edric's face.Roger's expression turned cold. He walked toward Edric, his eyes suddenly sharp despite his age. "Who gave you the photo?""Dad, I…""Ivy and Nathan aren't the ones who need to explain themselves," Roger cut in. "We need to find out where that photo came from. Edric, did you think at all before putting it up on that screen?""Do we really need to ask who was behind it?" Tabitha said. "That photo was meant to ruin Ivy and Mr. Lowe's reputations, embarrass you, and drag the entire Quinn family through the mud. Only two people benefit from that. Edric, it was them, wasn't it?"Edric would never betray No
Every eye in the room was on Ivy. Of course, she was nervous. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out how to guide Nathan into saying something that would help her.Then Nathan let out a quiet laugh, his deep voice unexpectedly warm. "I know."He knew it was her without having to ask.Ivy's lashes fluttered, and a faint blush crept into her cheeks.No one in the room missed the intimacy in his tone, least of all Roger. He immediately smiled. "See? They are clearly doing just fine."The guests nodded in agreement."Don't get ahead of yourself, Dad," Edric said. "Keep listening.""What made you call me today?" Nathan asked.Ivy tightened her grip on the phone. "What, I'm not allowed to call you?"The smile in Nathan's voice grew. "Of course you are. You're my wife, after all."Smiles spread through the room.Anyone could hear the affection in his voice. They sounded like newlyweds still firmly in the honeymoon phase, so sweet it was almost embarrassing to listen to.Realizi
Roger turned to Ivy. "What is this?"Ivy was still reeling. She couldn't explain because she knew nothing about the woman in the photo.Edric stepped forward. "Dad, isn't it obvious? That woman is Mr. Lowe's mistress! Ivy's been fooling all of you. Mr. Lowe doesn't love her, and their marriage has been over for a long time. He couldn't even be bothered to come to your birthday party because he was too busy meeting another woman overseas!"Roger struck his cane against the floor. "Edric, that's enough!""Dad, you can shut me up, but you can't stop everyone here from seeing the truth!""Enough, Edric!" Tabitha snapped. "One photo doesn't prove a thing.""Stop making excuses for her. Mr. Lowe doesn't love Ivy."Edric turned to Ivy. "Go ahead, Ivy. Tell us I'm wrong. Your grandpa is here, and so is everyone else. Look them in the eye and tell them you and Mr. Lowe are happily married. Tell them he really loves you."Ivy's fingers curled into her palm as she frowned.Tabitha grippe
And on top of that, Halsey had taken off her outer clothes.Halsey let out a soft gasp. "Ah—mmm!"She was about to cry out again, but Dwight quickly covered her mouth with his hand, silencing her."Don't make a sound," he whispered urgently. "My mom and my sister are in the house. Do you want them
At that moment, a soft and melodious ringtone sounded. A call was coming in.It was from Lilian.Jessica pressed the button to answer the call, and Lilian's anxious voice immediately came through. "Jessica, how are things going with Mr. Hawk?"Jessica smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Mom. I've take
At that moment, Edith, Lilian, and Trish all arrived, walking into the hospital room with expressions of surprise and excitement.Edith's eyes sparkled. "The real Dr. Ceylan has really arrived in Hovendale?"Stanley nodded. "Yes, Dr. Ceylan will be attending the dinner tonight."Goodness!The Cro
Tina nodded. "Okay. Where's Halsey?"Dwight pulled out a bag and started packing his things. He didn't look up, his voice flat. "She went back. We're just classmates, nothing more.""I know a lot of girls are into you. Remember that one who slipped a love letter and chocolates into your backpack?







