Summer's smile faded slightly. "What kind of weapon is that? Don't I know exactly what kind of woman my mother is? What Mrs. Hunt's saying is just nonsense."Kristen's gaze flickered slightly.Teenagers usually cared a lot about these kinds of criticisms. On top of them, she had heard Summer cry to Henry before, saying her classmates made fun of Kristen being a mere actress.Summer patted Kristen's hand. "Mom, trust me. You've gotten all the major Best Actress awards in the world, and that's an incredible achievement. Who does that old lady think she is?"After pausing for a moment, she added warmly, "Mom, I'm proud of you, and you'll be proud of me, too. She wasn't wrong. The two of us are alike. We're both the best of the best." Tears started to form in Kristen's eyes. She never expected Summer to say something like that to her. "I'm already proud of you."Summer tilted her head slightly and clasped her hands behind her back. "That's not enough. At the very least, I need to be
Summer, half-asleep, grabbed her phone and looked at it.That so-called older brother of hers who sent her stationery and sent her desserts every day hadn't even sent a single message to her after her exams.Rosanna had only dared to make a fuss today but didn't dare to actually do anything. At least that meant that Mason was fine for now. With those thoughts in her head, Summer fell asleep.After a moment, she seemed to hear someone calling out to her. She struggled to open her eyes as she vaguely made out someone sitting at her window."Summer…""Mason?" Summer jolted up in shock.Mason's white shirt was completely stained red, and his face was full of wounds as well. Beads of blood were constantly dropping from his eyelids."What happened to you?" She immediately tried to run over.But no matter how she tried, she couldn't get close to Mason. Just like that, she watched as Mason slowly lost all signs of life in front of her."Mason!" Summer woke up with a gasp.It was al
Anthony insisted on keeping up the act because he was sure that Summer wouldn't embarrass him in front of so many students.Yet, it was just wishful thinking."I really appreciate the thought, Anthony. But my parents don't allow me to eat anything from outsiders," Summer said. After that, she gave Anthony a polite smile and walked to Lindsey."What's with you and Anthony?" A female student immediately rushed over when Summer reached Lindsey's side."I don't really know him, so how could there be anything between us?" Summer answered.The student clearly didn't believe it. "If there's nothing between you, then why would he get you breakfast? We're already graduating. There's no need to hide it. Just tell me, and I won't tell anyone else.Summer glanced at her.That female student, Tracy Doyle, was a famous loudmouth in the school. Any news that reached her would spread across the entire school within an hour. Summer lowered her gaze and whispered, "Don't overthink it. Anthony a
The students immediately started to make teasing sounds.Summer didn't even glance in that direction, but Anthony really enjoyed the attention.But little did he know that the moment he sat down, a few girls in front started to chat."Anthony is sticking to Summer again!""Girls, I just got some news that Summer and Anthony aren't in that sort of relationship. Apparently, Anthony already has a girlfriend from our school. He only pays so much attention to Summer because he wants to get an internship at Hartford Group's biotech department.""Surely that's impossible. Anthony seems so elegant and classy. How could he do something so tasteless?""There's nothing impossible about it. Hartford Group's biotech department has always been amazing. There are many people who'd kill for a chance to get in."The little group was enthusiastically gossiping about it.Those girls who had been infatuated at the start started to feel disdain for Anthony. They felt like him trying to suck up to S
Summer didn't know what happened to Lindsey in her previous life, but she hoped that Lindsey could be free from the shackles of her birth and reach for the skies.She smiled. "There's nothing to be scared of. I'm pretty tough. Whoever messes with me ends up unlucky."Lindsey stared at Summer blankly.Summer said nothing else as she quickly set up Lindsey's tent.After everything was done, it was almost lunchtime.The weather had been nice for the past couple of days. The sun wasn't too harsh, and the temperature was pleasant. Lunch was served buffet-style.After being trapped studying for months, the students were visibly ecstatic at finally being able to let loose."Summer, what do you want? I'll help you get your food." Anthony walked over to Summer.That action attracted a lot of attention as usual. However, this time, those looks held a lot more amusement than teasing."There's no need," Summer rejected with a look of exasperation as usual.Anthony stubbornly continued th
Lindsey was silent for a moment before she asked, "Were you the one who spread those rumors at school?"Rose looked anxious. "I wasn't! Yes, I was jealous of Summer, but I've never said those things. It's just that, when I was talking to some people I trust, they misunderstood me. After that, they added some flair to make it more riveting and spread the word around."Lindsey clearly didn't believe Rose.Rose continued, "Just think about it. After my parents died, it was Summer's grandfather who adopted me and raised me. How heartless would I have to be to try and hurt Summer like that? Would you do it if it were you?"Lindsey shook her head and said, "Then, why were you trying to make everyone believe that Summer cheated at the exam venue yesterday?"Rose had a look of shock on her face. "I didn't do that! How could I? Why do you even think that? Did Summer tell you? She misunderstood me… Sure enough, now that our relationship is broken, she thinks that everything I do is to hurt
It was all the way till dusk when Rose came to Lindsey. By then, the entire camp was bustling with preparations for the night's bonfire party.Rose pulled Lindsey to a corner before she handed the former a very expensive-looking square box. "I'll leave this to you."Lindsey took the box carefully with her hands. She recognized the logo. It came from a brand that she heard was incredibly expensive. Even if she had six million dollars now, she was still very careful with money.Naturally, Lindsey didn't open it to take a look. She snuck the box into Summer's camp and quickly left after she put the box inside.After Rose confirmed that nothing went wrong this time, she was in an incredibly good mood. Now, all she had to do was wait for the party to begin and for Anthony to get Summer drunk. Then, everything they planned tonight would bear fruit.She really wanted to see if Summer could somehow escape her grasp this time.Rose was feeling pleased and just about to leave when a hand s
If the media caught wind of such an explosive thing, who knew how bad the story would look? Then, Janice would truly lose all her pride.Rose knew very well that Janice wouldn't dare to throw her under the bus.She shook her head at Janice's angry expression. "I told you before that Summer is too powerful. We're no match for her."Janice got even angrier at Rose's words.Rose consoled her in a gentle tone, "Janice, just calm down and go study abroad. I'll keep trying to help you find Chandler. Don't be stuck in this nightmare called Summer like me.""As if I would! Summer's not worthy of being my nightmare," Janice spat."That's good. Then, let's put all this behind us." Rose already had a clear plan for her next steps.She didn't need Janice to do anything else. Since Janice had lost all value to her, then Janice might as well disappear.Janice clenched her fists tightly. Not far away, she seemed to make out Summer's silhouette. The flickering light made Summer look so noble a
Summer added, "Another example. You happily get home and reach your building when suddenly, some lunatic jumps out of nowhere with a knife. He slashes through everyone, not leaving a single one of you left."She shrugged. "Or maybe you make it home safe. But in the middle of the night, when everyone's sound asleep, there's a gas leak. Or better yet, a fire. Everything's gone in a blaze, just like that. Stories like that pop up among rich families all the time. You can give it a shot if you don't believe me.""Quit trying to scare me! I'm fearless!" Ruddy thumped his chest."Paul was a good man who had been nice to my whole family. Ten million dollars is no small sum. I believe I've shown more than enough sincerity. As for what you choose, I won't interfere," Summer said calmly as she motioned for someone to open the door.Seeing this, Ruddy rushed forward and pulled his relatives to leave. "Come on. Let's go first. We'll talk about it among ourselves later.""If you want to leave,
Bailey had never been one to make decisions.Her two sons had their own difficulties as well. They didn't want to betray the truth behind Paul's death, but Ruddy had a point. Pauh was gone, and the living had to carry on."Ms. Hartford, my uncle is right. This is a family matter. I think we should handle it ourselves," the eldest son, Dustin West, said with great difficulty.Bailey looked at him in shock, then lowered her head silently."I understand. We all have our own burdens." Summer didn't blame him.Only those who had truly suffered understood how hard it was to make choices in the midst of hardship."Come on, let's go! The lawyer's still waiting. As long as we sign the letter, that ten million dollars is ours!" Ruddy urged eagerly."Bailey, you really need to think this through! You're doing Paul so wrong here!" Phoebe felt like crying.Summer said, "If it's for the money, you don't need to leave. Paul died because of me, so I was planning on compensating you anyway.""
Summer didn't have much of an expression on her face as she walked down slowly.But Phoebe explained anxiously, "Let's not even talk about whether the ten million dollars is real or not. Ruddy, that's your brother's life! Are you really going to be the kind of person to take money in exchange for his life?""What's it got to do with you? You're already siding with this family anyway!" Ruddy glared at the lavish interior of the Hartford residence. "Just look at this place. Is this how you all make your money?"Ruddy's last sentence had been aimed at Kristen, it was obvious he knew that Kristen was the lady of the house.Summer walked over to Kristen and said, "Mr. West, what's the rush? You didn't even bother with basic manners before coming in, and you started shouting the moment you entered. Don't you think that's a bit out of line?"She looked at Bailey's arm and saw that her wrist was red from being grabbed too hard. "Why don't you let go of Mrs. West's hand first? Her wrist is
"I got it." Summer knew that going head-to-head with the Hunt family this time must have caused Mason to be caught in the middle of some immense pressure and criticism.So, she didn't want him to worry about her too much.Chandler's incident had stirred massive public attention following Summer's live stream. In the next two days, more and more people were speaking out online.The police department responsible for the investigation was finally compelled to issue a statement, promising a lawful and thorough investigation into the case.Paul's family had rested at the Hartford residence for a day before they started to recover a little."We won't hold the funeral here. Our family back home is already handling the arrangements," said Paul's wife, Bailey Oak. Her eyes were still swollen from crying.Kristen nodded. "Alright. Don't worry. Mr. West has worked with our family for over ten years. He was practically one of us, so we'll make sure to take care of your family in the future."
"You know how vicious the Hunt family can be. Back then, I…" Kristen instinctively pressed her hand to her lower abdomen with an expression of grief. "I'm afraid of losing another child."Luke had an expression that was full of heartache. He gently pulled Kristen into his arms. "That won't happen. From now on, we will face everything together. We'll definitely protect Summer."Can I really do that?" Kristen's tears fell uncontrollably.Back then, she thought she could protect the child in her belly, too. But in the end…Luke said firmly, "You can. You definitely can. My wife has always been the strongest person I know!""Yes." Kristen nodded as she leaned against his shoulder.They had never spoken of that pain over the past 20 years. This was the first time. Summer's actions today had been like a key that unlocked this long-suppressed wound in Kristen's heart.Neither of them knew that Summer hadn't gone to sleep, either. She stood at the window in her room and could just see th
"Something like that happened?" Rosanna looked shocked. She had been locked up at the time.Jane sighed deeply. "I just heard about it, too. The kidnappers told her not to go to the police. They said they'd kill the kids if she did. In the end, she didn't report it and ended up paying 70 million dollars in ransom."Jane sighed again. "But she ran into some real monsters. After they got the money, they sent her a location to get the kids. When she got there, all she saw were their decomposing bodies!"Rosanna covered her mouth. "Oh, my God! Did they catch the kidnappers in the end?"Jane shook her head regretfully. "They were professionals, so how could anyone catch them? She lost her money and her children. Mrs. Mills fell seriously ill and is still in the hospital.""Those kidnappers are truly heartless!" Rosanna said."They were only missing for three days. Based on the state of the bodies, the kids were probably killed the moment they were kidnapped," Jane said.As Rosanna lis
Jane always outshone Rosanna in every way, so how could Rosanna possibly like her?Jane said softly, "Rosanna, I know you don't like me, but you're still family. I know you're just a straightforward and blunt person. You've never meant me any harm.Rosanna rolled her eyes internally at that. Jane couldn't be more wrong."I don't want you and Aspen to get divorced." Jane helped Rosanna sit down and crouched to examine her ankle. "It's sprained. I'll call a doctor.""No!" Rosanna was incredibly vulnerable at that moment.A vulnerable person's greatest weakness was someone being gentle to them.Jane frowned. "How could you not see a doctor? Just wait here. I'll go quietly. I'll make sure no one notices and bring the doctor over. No one will find out."After a pause, Jane continued, "I won't tell anyone about the divorce, either."Rosanna's ankle was throbbing with pain. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded. "Don't tell everyone!"Jane smiled gently and went off to find the doc
"As lawyers, we only need to achieve the desired outcome for our client. Nothing else matters," Malcolm said.The assistant fell silent.Aspen slumped down onto the hospital bed, looking defeated, while Rosanna sobbed uncontrollably."Enough crying. Go check on Mom," Aspen said impatiently.Rosanna choked out, "I refuse! Your mother never liked me to begin with. With what happened to Chandler, both of us are responsible as his parents, but your mother will definitely only blame me! You can go if you want!"After that, Rosanna grabbed her purse."Where are you going?" Aspen asked."I'm going to figure out a way to save my son!" Rosanna snapped and started to walk off.Aspen grabbed her arm. "I'm warning you. Don't go after Kristen again! This has nothing to do with her!""Kristen, Kristen! She's all you care about, even now. Her daughter stood there and humiliated you in front of everyone, making you out to be some creepy stalker, and you're still defending her?" Rosanna finally
"Chandler from that certain all-powerful family underwent a psychological evaluation every six months at his school abroad. Just over two months ago, when he had just returned to the country, he had one done. "His mental state is fine. You parents might've been driven crazy by anger, but not him."There was a frenzy online.The original post was quickly deleted, but people had already saved screenshots of all the relevant documents.Inside the Hunt residence, Aspen's hand was wrapped in gauze when he heard what the lawyer had to say. He exploded on the spot. "Who leaked something this private? Check with Chandler's school! I'm suing them! Every last person who leaked it!"The lawyer said gravely, "I've already checked. The school's digital database was hacked. Mr. Hunt, I told you yesterday to maintain a good line of communication with the victim's side. If you did, there might have been a chance for settlement. Why did you hire online trolls to spread lies?"The lawyer added, "N