It was only after Summer had gotten into trouble that she'd heard about Annie hiring a few gangsters to extort her after school that day. The handwriting on the note was exactly like the one on Lindsey's notes.So, it was her… Summer exhaled softly and put the notebook into her bag.…Meanwhile, Annie and Becca walked along a path happily."Summer thinks she's a big deal just because she has Hartford Group, but what can it give her? Can it give her good grades? She's still dumb, isn't she? Look at how horrible her grades are—even my dog can do better than her on a test!" Annie mocked."I can't wait to see her get lectured in front of the whole school. I heard whoever does badly will even have their photo put up under the blacklist on the noticeboards everywhere!" Becca said gleefully.Just then, some students looked up from their phones to give them odd looks. Annie frowned at them. "What the hell are you guys looking at?"Before she could continue with her tantrum, the dire
When Summer arrived outside the principal's office, she heard a woman's furious roar. "I know my daughter—she's been a prim and proper lady since childhood. This little witch must've done something truly horrible to push her to such extremes!""I didn't…" Lindsey said tearfully. This was followed by the crisp sound of a slap."You shouldn't get violent, Mrs. Sutton!" This was from the principal, Harold Green.Summer knocked on the door, making everyone inside turn to look at her. Though Harold had advised Annie's mother, Carol Bolton, against violence, he hadn't done anything to stop her. In fact, he seemed to be on his guard against Lindsey and her grandmother.Lindsey's grandmother was a skinny, petite woman. She held Lindsey while sobbing—it was a heartbreaking sight."What are you doing here, Summer?" Harold's expression softened a little."I'm here to return Lindsey's notes." Summer approached Lindsey and returned the notebook. "I'm done reading this. It was very helpful,
"You're such a fan of slapping others, aren't you? How do you think it feels? Do you like it?" Summer shook her hand, which hurt a little because she'd slapped Carol too hard."You—how dare you! I'm your elder!" Carol shrieked.Summer snorted contemptuously. "You're the one who taught me this, aren't you? Those from the upper crust can go around bullying anyone they want. Based on your logic, can your status compare to mine? How dare you call yourself my elder?"Silence descended upon the office. Summer continued, "Lindsey is my friend, so you're picking on me if you pick on her. This matter could've been easily resolved. You should've set aside your ridiculous arrogance and given the victim of your children's bullying a proper apology."Then, you should've offered some monetary compensation, and this matter would've been over. Yet you had to choose the worst way to deal with this. Since you can't resolve the issue, I'll do it for you." She dragged a chair over and sat down."
"What?" Carol exploded at that. "You want my daughter to drop out of school? Do you know that my husband is a member of the school board?""So?" Summer looked at her. "Does that have anything to do with the two choices I've given you?"Carol choked. The fact that her husband was on the school board could've scared anyone else into submission, but it evidently had no effect on Summer.Everyone else in the office gave Summer odd looks. Hadn't she always been a pushover? She could barely speak without stuttering in the past. Why was she a completely different person that day? And why was she siding with a peasant instead of helping the upper crust? How low could she go?"We need to get back to class, old lady. Have you made your choice?" Summer was evidently running out of patience when she didn't get an answer after a long time."Do you know how much six million dollars means to people like them, Ms. Hartford?" Sheila finally spoke. "That's too much. How about we each give 500—""W
Carol and Sheila exchanged a look. They both saw the terror deep within their gazes."I'm not making things up—you two will know what the truth is once you head home and ask your daughters. I would also advise you to find out whether Annie and Becca were recorded when bullying Summer!" Harold said grimly.Carol and Sheila became even more ashen at his words. If Annie and Becca had also been recorded when bullying Summer… Only God knew whether the footage had been leaked with the video of them bullying Lindsey!"I sent my daughter to this school because I expected you and your teachers to give her a proper education! Look at what you've made her end up doing, you worthless thing!" Carol pointed at Harold and snapped at him out of humiliation and anger. Then, she hurried off.…Lindsey used sign language to explain what had happened to Mary. The latter's eyes were red from crying, and she held Summer's hand while bowing profusely in gratitude."Thank you, Summer," Lindsey said, s
"Summer!" Carol called.Summer turned to look at her. She jogged over with a broad smile, the swelling of her left cheek still evident underneath her thick makeup.Summer suddenly felt like her palm was stinging from the sight. Perhaps she'd used a bit too much force…She asked calmly, "Yes?""I have a few things to tell you. Here. Come with me." Carol glanced at Robin, who was watching her vigilantly. She'd heard about him from her husband and knew he was a terrifying man who had blood on his hands.Summer followed her obediently. Carol smiled at her while grabbing Annie and dragging her to Summer. "Get over here!"Annie looked incredibly reluctant."Summer, I've just found out about the conflict that happened between you and Annie in the past. Though it's normal for there to be some horsing around between classmates, she's definitely taken things too far. It's all Becca's fault. If not for her fanning the flames, Annie wouldn't have treated you like that!" Carol said."Hors
"You… You're Mason Hunt?" Annie returned to her senses and stared dazedly at Mason, forgetting that she'd just been slapped."Shut up!" Carol wanted nothing more than to sew her mouth shut.Summer wanted to act like she was invisible, but that didn't seem like it would work out—Mason was looking right at her. It pissed her off, so she looked up and growled, "What are you looking at?"Everyone was stunned. The Hartford family was powerful but still couldn't afford to offend Mason!Just as everyone thought he would get mad, he tilted his head, looking like he was in a good mood. He said, "I feel like I've met you somewhere before."Summer was lost for words. He was such a drama queen—he was putting on a show!He asked, "Have you been bullied?"She muttered, "By her? She's not worthy of that."Mason's eyes gleamed with amusement at that. Summer fell silent.Harold immediately stepped forward to say, "Mr. Hunt, this is the heiress of Hartford Group, Ms. Summer Hartford.""Hartfor
Summer played with her fingers on the way home. "Why did Mason Hunt come to my school, Mr. Cohen? Did he buy it?"That was the impression she had of Mason. He could acquire a company that day, buy a factory tomorrow, and merge with another company the day after that. That was pretty much what she thought of him."I didn't hear anything related to it, but I already have someone on the case," Robin answered."Don't tell Grandpa about Mason coming to school. I don't want him to get mad again," she said.Robin hesitated. "Do you know Mason Hunt, Ms. Hartford?"She hurriedly shook her head. "Of course not. Where would I have met him?""That's good." He looked relieved. "His situation is complex—his whole family wants him dead. I heard he used to have a fiancée who was his childhood sweetheart. She died a horrible death."If he could say the death was horrible, it had probably been horrific beyond imagination.Summer frowned slightly. She'd never heard of Mason having a fiancée. She
Five million dollars. It was five million dollars.Ruddy's eyes were practically glued to the card.Aspen gave Malcolm an impatient look, and Malcolm handed the pen and paper to Ruddy.Ruddy was taken aback when he saw the pen and paper. "Aren't you supposed to write it, and I just sign it?""It would be better if you wrote it yourself," Malcolm said.Ruddy looked embarrassed. "But I don't know how to write?"Aspen finally lost his patience. He slammed the table and stood up. "What? You're illiterate?""What are you yelling at me for? When did I say I could write? I'm doing you a favor by agreeing to this, and this is how you treat me?" Ruddy didn't care that Aspen was rich at that moment.Aspen was begging him for help, so why should Ruddy tolerate Aspen?"Stop arguing." Malcolm was getting a headache. He never imagined that Ruddy would be illiterate."Fine. I'll have someone print out the content. You can just copy it, right?" Malcolm just wanted this done as quickly as pos
Malcolm looked disgusted. "Got it. We'll get back to you soon."Then, he hung up. "Bastard!" Aspen slammed his hand on the table hard.Malcolm said grimly, "I told you before Paul didn't have many relatives. His parents are both gone, and other than his wife and children, there's only his brother left. The Hartford family is watching the West family closely. "No one answered when I called, so I had to try this guy. Who knew he'd be this stupid?""Is a letter of forgiveness from his biological brother useful?" Aspen asked.Malcolm frowned. "It has some value, but it wouldn't nearly be as effective as getting it from the wife or children.""I don't care. Even getting one is something. Offer him three million dollars." Aspen felt a headache coming on.Malcolm hesitated for a moment. "You really want to pay him? This thug has never treated his brother well before. If the family mentions that in court, this three million dollars might as well go down the drain.""Get that letter
"Go ahead." Summer showed no intention of stopping him.Ruddy was stunned. "I'm not joking around. I really will go."Summer didn't seem to care at all. "Go ahead. Also, you were talking so much about inheritance just now. What inheritance? Since when did this ten million dollars count as inheritance?"Ruddy said smugly, "It's still compensation! I get a share either way! I know the law, Ms. Hartford."Summer nodded. "Seems like you got it wrong. This money isn't for Paul.""Don't try to fool me!" Ruddy frowned.Summer turned to gently soothe the baby, who was still sobbing. "Hey little cutie, you shouldn't cry anymore. I gave you a ten-million-dollar gift, and you're still upset? Come on, give me a smile."Everyone widened their eyes in shock."What ten-million-dollar gift? What are you talking about?" Ruddy tried to grab Summer, but Robin stopped him.Summer held the baby's tiny hand. "My grandfather already gave the funeral expenses to Mrs. West. I'm only giving the ten mil
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