Lahat ng Kabanata ng Side Chick Era… Over: Kabanata 1751 - Kabanata 1760

But neither of them had any idea.Johanna was somewhat better off—every day she racked her brain trying to guess where Jamie might be hiding. Aside from being deprived of her freedom, she wasn't subjected to much suffering.Victoria, however, was another matter entirely. She relied on her status as the Kalen family's heiress, Sharon's elder sister, and refused to provide any clues.At first, Thomas hesitated, but as time dragged on and his frustration reached the brink of madness, he ordered measures to be taken against Victoria.Every day, she endured electrical "treatments" to her head. Since she claimed to have forgotten, Thomas made her remember—and subjected her to extensive lie detection tests. Victoria's mind and spirit suffered extreme torment.Thomas glanced at Carmen with a cold, expressionless look, then turned to the doctors standing silently nearby in their white coats."Do you understand? She is the Kalen family's heiress. She cannot be missing for long. You have a

Roy pressed his lips together. "What a hassle. He's off falling in love, and we still have to play bodyguard for him… it's exhausting."Carmen knew that meant he had agreed. She smiled. "I knew it. When it really counts, you'd never abandon Thomas."Roy puffed up, trying to act proud. "I'm only doing it for your sake."Carmen didn't spare him. "You're even more stubborn than a woman. No wonder you're still a perpetual singleton."Roy's eyes widened in outrage. "You… you're mocking me too?!"Carmen's tone was calm. "I've been married. Thomas has a girlfriend. And yet, you're still a single man. Doesn't that prove something?"Roy fumed, unable to find a comeback. In the end, he stomped off in silent frustration.…In the medical room, the doctor carefully treated Jamie's wounds.Jamie said nothing, and the doctor dared not ask questions. It was strange—such severe injuries shouldn't have been so casually sustained.Sharon sat quietly, watching as the doctor tended to him. A sud

Sharon said, "Come in," and Jamie entered, holding the little cat.Seeing him, her expression darkened slightly."You're not resting in bed—what are you doing here?" she asked."I was bored lying in bed," Jamie replied. "Thought I'd get some movement."Sharon frowned. "Your wounds haven't healed yet. Walking could reopen them, and then you'd have to start resting all over again. You're not trying to play word games with me, are you, Jamie?"He paused for a moment before answering, "If my body doesn't recover because of me, I'll take responsibility. I won't blame you."Except when she changed his dressings or brought him meals, Sharon made it a point to avoid being in his presence.Before, when he wanted to see her, he could simply walk over. Now, with his injury, he couldn't move freely at all.Sharon's expression remained flat. "But it could affect your ability to fly the helicopter."He understood exactly what she meant. "As long as I have breath in me, I'll honor every prom

"Make a wish," Sharon said.Jamie gazed at the candles before him. "The wishes I made as a child… none of them ever came true. Since my own wishes cannot be fulfilled, let me make one for you."He lifted his eyes to Sharon, and under the candlelight, his gaze was clearer and gentler than she had ever seen it."MK," he said softly, "may everything you hope for come to you, may every path you walk be smooth, and may all you encounter be warm and kind."Sharon blinked, slightly taken aback.For a moment, the shadows around him seemed to lift. The usual gloom and coldness faded, replaced by a surprising clarity and warmth. In that instant, Jamie's presence seemed to merge with the memory of the innocent, pure-hearted J—a simple artist who loved painting, not the ruthless, feared head of the Walton family.Sharon felt a strange daze sweep over her.It wasn't until the cat's "meow" pulled her back to reality that she fully regained her composure. The little tabby had somehow wandered

Even among illegitimate children, there were those who lived comfortably, commanding the winds and rains, or even seizing the headship of the family.The reason Jamie had been bullied so relentlessly in the past was simple: he was too weak.This world was never fair. Strength ruled; the weak submitted. Survival of the fittest was the law of nature.Seeing Sharon remain silent, Jamie continued, "Since you dislike all of this, I'll do my best not to harm innocent people in the future."Sharon said nothing.'Innocent' people—if spared—might have ended up like her before. But she was no saint, no one to risk herself for strangers who had no connection to her or to Jamie. Silence was best.Perhaps because she was about to leave, Jamie spoke more than usual."Before you came here, I already arranged the transfer of shares. You only need to sign, and it will take effect immediately. My assistant will handle the rest of the formalities."Sharon frowned. "I don't want your shares."Jam