LOGINShe was turning over plans in her mind.
With her grandmother’s stubborn temper, if she asked Charlie to call the bodyguards and send them back, the old lady would probably blurt out the real reason for their trip right there on the phone.
No, no, no!
What if she called them and tried to persuade them not to recognize James? Yeah right—if they were going to give up, they would’ve done it long ago.
There was only one solution left: tomorrow, when th
Candice’s voice was devoid of any ups and downs, carrying a sort of cold solemnity.Amy swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on Candice for a long time. When she finally spoke, her voice sounded as if it were being dragged out by a heavy weight attached to her throat. "I... I don’t know who it was... Sh-she found me... Oh, not in person, it was over the phone. She told me to come back to the fishing village... and then... no matter what method I used... to stir up some trouble... to force y-you to... rush here immediately."Everyone: "...!"Before she had spoken these words, Candice’s "coerced confession" had been based on deduction and suspicion. After all, a decade-old neighborhood grudge escalating to mutual retaliation and a high-society vendetta seemed like two different dimensions; connecting them felt somewhat far-fetched.But as Amy’s words landed, that sinister, rotten aura suddenly surged toward them, sending chills down their
Everything 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-
“No mention of that,”Bianca shook her head, brows faintly furrowed.Sophia had just come along for the fun. With or without a mask, she wouldn’t recognize 90% of these people anyway.Seeing the two looking a bit out of it, she lowered her voice and asked, &
“Dad, I heard you and Mom came back home. I specially asked someone to find this orchid for you. I’m sure you’ll like it. Please take a look—”“Get lost! Our family has nothing to do with you anymore!”…Candice froze.Listening to the exchange outside, she was completely numb.She stood there torn
A deep, cold voice rang out with an unquestionable authority.Candice and Jessica both turned their heads simultaneously.At the open office door stood Charlie, his face devoid of expression, his presence emanating an invisible pressure.He looked distinctly displeased—
Candice was momentarily stunned.This plump madam really could switch topics on a whim—just now she was reminiscing about the past, and now she was trying to figure out Candice’s identity?Still, from what she said… she must have mistaken her for some wealthy heir







