"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on," Marybeth stood her ground, refusing to budge until Austin filled her in."Smith's been trying to call you," Austin said. "I know you want answers, but I don't know what's going on. Now, can we go, please?'"Smith?" Marybeth stammered, her brain taking too long to process this unexpected information."Yeah, she tried a few times—""But why?" she asked, panic immediately rising in her stomach because she knew her boss' phone call had everything to do with one of her pupils. Smith didn't make social calls. Ever."What is it?" she pressed. "Is it one of my kids? It's Adeline, isn't it? Oh my God, something happened to Adeline, right?""It's Carol," Austin said, taking her hand and rushing her up the path leading back to the front of the house where his car was parked. "They've taken her to City Hospital. Adeline asked for you.""I don't understand," said Marybeth, gripping Austin's hand tightly. "What happened to Carol? Why did th

The bubble of fragile calm Austin had been floating on since the welcome ball finally burst when they turned into their street and saw his father's security waiting at the entrance of their apartment complex.The confrontation was bound to happen at some point, but with everything going on in his life—from Hadley and Blake's wedding to Carol's death—he would have preferred to end the day in an uneventful manner.Unable to contain her joy, Orlando wedged herself between the front seats, asking excitedly, "Daddy, it's Grandpa, isn't it? Can I say hello to him?""No, Squeak!" he said sharply. The quicker his daughter got used to not having a grandfather, the better. After all, he planned to go no-contact with Blake and his father once he left the family."But I haven't seen Grandpa in a long time," Orlando whined, her mouth forming a perfect pout as she angrily crossed her arms and sat back in her seat with a huff. Scared and confused by everything they'd been through in the last couple o

Liliana fell in love with the Scheepers kids the moment Marybeth invited them in, gushing about how Adeline, with her big curly hair, reminded her of her younger self."Which younger self? Your hair was never this thick or as curly as Adeline's," Angelo quickly set the record straight, teasing his sister as he picked up one of the twins and tossed him in the air playfully while Tim took the other.The boys' exuberant laughter was so contagious that Marybeth found herself laughing along with them. But, her big, goofy smile instantly vanished when she glanced at Adeline and found her barely responding to Liliana and Zukiswa's attempts to draw her out of her shell.She cleared her throat, trying to catch her friends' attention. In a flash, the three of them were soon arranged around the kitchen island. While she made the kids an afternoon snack, she filled Liliana and Zukiswa in on Adeline's situation. "She's not being rude or anything like that. She's just grieving her mom. So please b

Austin took one look at the screen and knew exactly why it went viral. It was his exposé on Ground Up's website, with Sienna Roberts taking all the glory."Jesus Christ!" he whispered, already thinking of a thousand ways to kill the reporter. Women and children were off limits. But for her, he'd make an exception."How far has it spread?" he asked as they hurried to the car."All the major news and finance channels are running with the story," replied Benji."And the markets?""The Stock Exchange hasn't opened yet, remember? But you can imagine the bloodbath when it does," said Arno.Indeed, Austin thought, checking his Apple Watch. It was just after 7:00 AM, and the markets only opened at nine. There wasn't enough time for damage control between now and when the Stock Exchange opened.This nightmare would have been perfect if he had still planned to snap up the Group's shares. But since he'd abandoned that ship, Sienna's circus was now pointless and would do nothing but hurt the Group

As soon as Marybeth paid the admission fee, her father was moved to a private ward, where he complained to Austin about being admitted against his will."Daddy, you know exactly why you have to stay here," Marybeth said, losing her patience with him. "Would it hurt to listen to the doctors? I know you love your home, but Dr Erasmus is trying to help you.""I don't need help, Sweet Pea. I want to spend the little time I have left at home with you and Danica—"The debate continued until Marybeth gave in, promising to take him home as soon as the doctor gave them the green light."Deal!" Lionel said, insisting they shake on it. Marybeth obliged him, sadness drenching her heart when he gripped her hand weakly."You have to rest, Daddy," she said, kissing his cheek. "We'll be back later with Dani. She couldn't leave work early today since she already used all her personal time off for the welcome ball.""It's okay, honey," Lionel said, his speech heavily slurred and his eyes droopy. He said