Chapter 551

Angela looked at Stanley. "Stanley, why are you here alone? Where's Jessica?"Angela was asking about Jessica.Just then, Jessica happily ran over. "Mrs. Angela, hello! I'm here!"Jessica had known that Angela would be coming to Hovendale today, so she had arrived early.Jessica was flawless in appearance, as stunning as a red rose. Standing next to Stanley, they looked like a perfect couple.Angela looked at Jessica, clearly pleased. "You're Jessica, Horace's daughter, right? You're as beautiful as they say."Jessica took Angela's hand and said shyly, "Mrs. Angela, you're too kind."Angela patted Jessica's hand. "Our families are bound by an engagement. Tell me: Do you love Stanley?"Jessica immediately looked up at Stanley. Seeing his handsome, noble face, she felt a flutter in her chest. She bit her lip and said, "Of course I love Stanley, Mrs. Angela.""That's good," Angela said with a smile. "Once you're back in the Capital, our families will arrange the wedding quickly s

Chapter 552

"Mrs. Angela, please don't blame Stanley. It's all that Wendy's fault—she knows exactly how to seduce men. Now, Stanley doesn't even want to marry me because of her," Jessica went on.Angela turned to Horace. "I'm really sorry about this."Horace raised an eyebrow. "Our families have a marriage engagement. But if Stanley doesn't want to marry Jessica, we wouldn't force him. Still, Jessica loves Stanley with all her heart. As a father, I only want my daughter to be happy and find joy in her life."Horace surveyed Jessica with affection. As a father, he would do anything for her, even if it meant reaching for the stars.Angela nodded. "I understand. Don't worry, the engagement won't be broken. I'll go and meet Wendy."-Wendy had just returned to her apartment at Royale Residences. She had already planned to leave for Florias, so she was in the process of wrapping up her affairs.Just then, she heard the doorbell ring.Who could it be?Wendy walked over to the door and opened it

Chapter 553

Wendy stood calmly in front of Angela, nodding slightly. "That's right."Angela pulled out a check and handed it to her. "This is for you. Whatever amount you want to leave my son, just fill it in."Wendy shook her head. "I don't want it."Angela scoffed. "I'm sure you've heard about the engagement between the Hawk and Larson families. My son is meant to marry Jessica, the daughter of the Larson family. Only Jessica is worthy of him. "The interests of the wealthy are complicated. This is the path Stanley should take, and it's the right one."I've also heard you're with another man now, and that you're carrying his child. Given that, are you still planning to juggle two relationships? As long as I'm around, you will never step foot into the Hawk family's door! So forget about that idea."If you're smart, you'll take the check I'm offering and leave far, far away."Wendy looked at Angela. On the way here, she had expected Angela to be harsh with her, but the words weren't as bi

Chapter 554

Angela was momentarily at a loss for words. She had considered what actions she might need to take if Wendy didn't agree; yet the Wendy before her, so calm and composed, caught her completely off guard."Alright. I hope everything you've said is true. The engagement between the Hawk and Larson families must happen." Angela paused for a moment, her tone shifting slightly. "My husband has a son outside of our marriage, and because of that, Stanley must marry Horace's daughter."Stanley had a half-brother, a fact that had never been openly discussed—yet Angela had shared this with Wendy.Wendy nodded quietly. "I understand. I'll leave now. Perhaps we'll meet again someday."With that, Wendy turned and walked away. Her slender figure quickly disappeared. Barbara stepped forward and whispered, "Mrs. Angela, I didn't expect this conversation to go so smoothly. Ms. Wendy is nothing like I imagined. When I went to Royale Residences to bring her here, she was so calm and poised. Her prese

Chapter 555

Wendy lowered her slender, graceful eyelashes. "Of course I remember. You're the one who forgot."Stanley froze.Wendy pushed him away and turned her back on him. "When I wanted to be with you, you didn't want me. Now that I don't want to be with you anymore, you're still clinging to me. Is this your version of love? I don't love you anymore."Once again, Wendy told Stanley she didn't love him anymore.The corners of Stanley's eyes turned red, his voice desperate. "That can't be true. I don't believe that you really don't love me anymore!"Wendy looked at him, and enunciated each word slowly, "If you didn't understand what I said earlier, I'll say it again—I don't love you anymore. I've fallen in love with someone else."Stanley clenched his fists, the veins on his hands bulging. "Is it Samuel?""Yes, it's Samuel. He treats me well, and I'm carrying his child now. We're done, Stanley. You've been bothering me like this, and it's making me uncomfortable.""Wendy—""The Hawks an

Chapter 556

Horace's sharply defined features were cast in shadow, making it hard to see his expression clearly under the dim light.The butler went on softly, "Sir, Ms. Jessica has lived among the common folk all these years. It's only natural that she may have picked up a few, um, flaws in her character. Once she returns to the Capital, I'm sure she'll grow into someone better with your guidance."After reuniting with Jessica, Horace had ordered a full investigation into her past. He already knew everything she had done.Still, she was his biological daughter—his own flesh and blood.Horace glanced in the direction Wendy had gone. "Let's go."-Stanley returned to the office, but he didn't do any work. Instead, he opened a bottle of vintage wine and began drinking—glass after glass.Right now, he needed the burn of alcohol more than anything, just to numb the pain inside.Zayn stood nearby and said gently, "Mr. Hawk, maybe you should ease up on the wine. It's not good for your health."