LOGINEverything happens for a reason.Even if it were the Third Uncle’s family, why would these old rivals—who had maintained a truce for over a decade—suddenly start trouble now? There had to be a motive.A flicker of unease crossed Mary’s face. She shifted her weight, stammering, "Well... the conflict has always been there. It’s true that because our family’s life has improved over the last few years, the friction decreased a lot. At most, we’d just exchange a few sarcastic remarks. Usually..."Candice was still preoccupied with Charlie’s situation and had no patience for her grandmother’s evasions. She didn't want to play word games. She gripped the older woman's hand. "Just tell me straight. What happened?""..."Knowing she couldn't fool her brilliant granddaughter, Mary confessed guiltily, "It was just last week. Third Uncle’s youngest daughter, who works out of town, came back. Her mothe
Sophia briskly pulled breakfast out of the bags. "We happened to be eating with Candice yesterday when we heard you were hurt, so we all came along."Bianca helped crank up the hospital bed. "Auntie, we were already planning to visit the fishing village together anyway."Rex sprawled on the sofa. "The buns here are actually pretty good."Margaret was amused by Rex. "Auntie knows how to make them, too. When we go home this afternoon, I’ll make some for you.""Did the doctor say you can be discharged today?" Candice asked."It’s not like it’s a major wound. It just looked scary at the time. It’s been disinfected, and I’ve had a tetanus shot—what else could go wrong?""I should still ask the doctor myself. Mom, which intersection in the village did you step on the nails? The one leading to the beach? Dad said on the phone you were going to call Uncle for dinner. That road to the shore usually has quite a bit
Candice entered the room light-footedly. Seeing her mother’s feet wrapped in thick gauze, her heart ached with pity."Candice!"Robert, who had been dozing off nearby, woke up. Seeing his daughter, he stood up joyfully. He started to speak, but realizing that his wife—who had been in pain half the night—had finally fallen asleep, he made a shushing gesture and pointed outside.Father and daughter tiptoed out together.Sophia and the others were standing in the hallway. Since the other patients were still sleeping at this hour, no one dared to make much noise. When they saw Candice and Robert emerge, they simply nodded in greeting."Charlie didn't come?" Robert asked."I told you before that he was going on a business trip this week, so he'll be here next week. You forgot," Candice said in a hushed voice."Oh, right, right," Robert tapped his head. "Look at me, I'm so worried I've lost my mind."He let out a si
Sophia: "Candice, I’m coming with you.""Babe, don't panic. I’ll have my bodyguards come pick us up," Bianca said, rubbing Candice’s back comfortingly while making a call to arrange the transport.Jim, having finished tidying the kitchen, walked over. He saw the three girls standing there from a distance, their faces clouded with anxiety, and realized something had happened."What’s wrong?""Jim, something happened to my mom. I have to go there," Candice said as she hurried inside to her room to pack.Jim’s expression turned solemn instantly. He asked for the details, and Sophia recounted the phone call to him."I see." Jim nodded, turned around, and quickly went back into the house to make a phone call.By the time Candice had hurriedly packed and gone downstairs with Sophia and Bianca to wait for the bodyguards, she saw someone standing by a car in the garage who definitely shouldn't have been there.
Not long after Candice returned upstairs, Sophia and Bianca arrived stealthily.With Charlie now out of town, Bianca felt emboldened to head straight to the top floor to play. Although Charlie had been turning a blind eye to her presence lately, she still didn't dare flaunt herself right in front of him.Jim had prepared a delicious and sumptuous dinner for them."Oh my god... what kind of heavenly food is this... it's too delicious!""Mmm, what should I do? I’ll cry if I can't eat this anymore. Jim, come be the chef at my house! How much is Charlie paying you? I’ll pay triple—no, five times that!""Oh... my heart is literally melting from this food..."This was Bianca’s first time tasting Jim’s cooking. Initially, she kept insisting, "I can't eat much, I've gained weight, I need to diet," but after a few bites, she couldn't stop herself at all.She ate like a starving ghost reincarnated.It would have been fine if she just enjoyed the food, but her exaggerated praise was so over-the-
I’ll keep it a secret for now.Better to let him have whatever happiness he can for another day.The following two weeks passed. Whenever Jerry asked who the new secretary was, Candice would always dodge the question or change the subject.Those two weeks were remarkably peaceful. So peaceful, in fact, that it felt as though her life had returned to its normal tracks. The terrifying, bizarre events of the past felt like a dream—including the revelation that she was the Eldest Miss of the Lawrence family.Every day she went to work, shared affectionate moments with her boyfriend, gathered with her girlfriends, and listened to office gossip. No one from Shandor contacted her, and Kyle didn't come to harass her. She went to the Clemens residence for dinner once, and she video-called her parents in the fishing village every day.It seemed that, aside from her pregnancy and impending resignation, her life hadn't veered from the path she had
A cool, indifferent voice called from across the aisle.Candice snapped out of her thoughts.She turned and met Charlie’s gaze—her face instantly flushed red.His blunt sharpness was like a sword, piercing her suspended daydream and plunging her straight into a boiling pot of oil, scalding her insi
Candice left her parents’ house at six in the morning.Usually by that time, her dad would be out for his morning walk, and her mom would already be in the kitchen making breakfast. But today, both were still asleep—after all, they hadn’t gone to bed until past 2 a.m., which was a late night for th
"I've already called a car.""Just cancel it."Jim got out of the car, smiling cheerfully. Without giving her a chance to refuse, he grabbed her suitcase and placed it in the trunk.If it weren’t for the luxury car, passersby might’ve thought Candice was getting mugged.Jim opened the backseat door
Walking down the winding, narrow corridor, Candice’s nerves were stretched taut. She kept glancing behind her.This hotel was eerily quiet. She hadn’t seen a single staff member.The silence was… unsettling.After a while, seeing no one following her, she gradually relaxed.Maybe she was overthinki







