Semua Bab The Shotgun Marriage: She's the Apple of His Eye: Bab 31 - Bab 40

Lucy's heart churned with uncertainty. As she waited to hear his answer, she couldn't shake off the fear creeping into her heart. Even she herself wondered the reason for her conflict.Tobias pulled the car over and pondered the question. In truth, he had never properly thought about his feelings for Anna. He had known Anna for over a decade. When he had been kidnapped, she had stalled to give him enough time to escape. Despite their shared history, they hadn't officially become a couple until three years ago. Yet, the years spent apart as a long-distance couple had strained their relationship."Perhaps I did love Anna before." Tobias finally admitted it after contemplating it for a long time. He wouldn't have pursued a relationship with Anna if he hadn't felt something. However, he realized that his affection for Anna might not have run as deep as he had thought. Lucy felt her heart sink at his reply as a surge of jealousy bubbled within her. "It's a shame things didn't wor

The next morning, Lucy was startled awake by the sound of her phone ringing. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was Sienna calling. "What's wrong, Sienna? Why are you calling me so early?" Lucy groaned sleepily."Get up, you lazy bum! You're all over the headlines, and now the whole internet is cursing you!" Sienna exclaimed urgently. Shocked, Lucy quickly searched the news and noticed a headline reading, "Mrs. Ripley's Late-Night Rendezvous with Mystery Man". Upon clicking on the article, she saw a picture of Chad pestering her from last night. The paparazzi had twisted their midnight encounter into a suggestive narrative, claiming they had a close relationship and even stayed the night together. Swayed by the sensationalized lies, everyone was cursing Lucy in the comments."This is absurd! I never stayed the night with anyone!" Lucy seethed at the false portrayal. "We know the media's love for exaggeration. Just explain everything to Tobias. I'm sure he'll take your sid

"What's there to see? After all, you bought all those things with Tobias' money. You're just trying to change the subject from your divorce." Joey sneered contemptuously. "Don't say that, Joey. It's the thought that counts," Howard sternly refuted. Although Tobias was the head of the Ripley family, Howard's authority remained unquestioned. No one dared to challenge his word.As Joey shot Lucy a hateful glare, her resentment for the latter grew. Zayne, too, viewed her with prejudice and thought of her as a gold digger. "Just take a look at your gifts. Regardless of whose money was spent, it's Lucy's thought that counts," Tobias stated."Suit yourself. It's not going to change the fact that you two are getting a divorce." Joey fumed as the maids began unwrapping Lucy's gifts.Upon recognizing the antique painting in the box, Howard exclaimed in excitement, "Is this the landscape painting by Leonardo Montoya?"Lucy nodded with a warm smile. "Tobias told me that you're a fan of ant

Tobias turned to Lucy in surprise. The Queen of Faldoria, Anabella Meritt, had requested Lucy's presence?Meeting Tobias' gaze, Lucy looked at him in confusion. Why was he looking at her like that?"You have three hours before leaving for Faldoria, but there's an emergency meeting you need to attend," Finn added.After assuring Finn that he would return to the company soon, Tobias ended the call and turned to Lucy. "I've got some business to attend to. Meanwhile, you need to go home and pack. We're leaving for Faldoria at 3:00 pm."Lucy pointed to herself in astonishment. "Why am I going with you? I have things to settle in Azureville!""Set them aside for now. The Queen of Faldoria has requested your presence. You should be proud to have become Mrs. Ripley," Tobias proudly stated.Lucy rolled her eyes at his narcissist remark and argued, "My affairs are important too. Why should I simply forsake them?"Now that her team had secured the deal with Ripley Group, Lucy needed time t

The Eberhard family had two sons and a daughter. Everyone knew how much Marcus doted on his daughter.Back when his daughter had been kidnapped, he had been so grief-stricken that he had often fallen into a state of despondency. On the other hand, his wife, Janet Clarke, had wept for so long that she had nearly become blind.Fortunately, their sons, Rhett and Brett Eberhard, were rather capable and had been able to hold down the fort together.Anna went to their home and claimed that she was the daughter the Eberhard family had lost long ago. She even presented the DNA results.Rhett and Brett were overjoyed. The family made arrangements to announce the news that Anna was their long-lost daughter.Standing in the five-thousand-square-foot garden, Anna gazed at the over 20-thousand-square-foot mansion. She smirked as an intense desire burned in her eyes.…In Faldoria, after Lucy woke up, she rolled over and felt something warm."You're awake?" Tobias' voice was deep and hoars