Chapter 1

"What did you say?" Melissa's expression looked terrifyingly dark as she asked that. There was even a hint of a sneer at the corner of her mouth."Zack Johnson, have you been too relaxed these past five years? Have you lost your mind? You're just a dog my father picked up from the orphanage, and you dare to disobey your master's orders?" Melissa said with disdain.Even though I had long given up on her, I still felt speechless hearing those words. Just as I was about to argue back, Quilton pulled me aside. "Why provoke Melissa again? This is a school. If word of this spreads and your students hear about it, it won't look good. Your teaching term is over. We specifically came to take you back this time, so stop kicking up a fuss."I looked at Quilton and noticed the fleeting smugness and mockery in his eyes. He had every reason to be smug. After all, it was his scheme that framed me and got Melissa to abandon me here in the first place.But now, I was no longer the Zack who was at t

Chapter 2

On the day Richard returned home, I took my son by the hand and went to the Snow residence. Mavis was tied up with work, so she told me to go ahead first and that she'd arrive later.After five years away, everything at the Snow residence appeared the same, and yet I felt everything had changed.Quilton now carried himself like the head of the Snow residence, standing with Melissa to greet the guests who came to see Richard.When she saw me bringing a three-year-old boy, Melissa gave a look that screamed, "I knew it!""Zack, didn't you say you'd bring your wife back? Where is she? Why did you bring a kid?" Melissa asked with mockery.Smiling, I held my son's hand tighter. "This is my son, Tyler Johnson."Melissa's face blanched. "Your son? Impossible! Where did you even get a kid?"I looked at her, puzzled. "I'm married. Of course, he's the child my wife and I had together."Melissa's expression shifted once more before she suddenly let out a mocking laugh. "Look at his sickly

Chapter 3

Just as Melissa was about to react, her face turned pale when she saw who had arrived. "Ms. Knight, why are you here?" she asked anxiously.Mavis calmly strode forward and slapped her across the face. With a loud smack, Melissa fell to the ground from the force. While looking down at her icily, Mavis asked, "So, it was you who laid a hand on my husband and my son?"Melissa stared at me wide-eyed in disbelief. "Your… Your wife is the CEO of Knight Group?"Her voice trembled as she spoke, and her face was ghostly pale.Mavis gave a cold laugh and pulled Tyler closer into her embrace. "What? Surprised?"She gently patted Tyler's back to soothe him, and as soon as Tyler saw his mother, he burst into tears.Melissa opened her mouth, but no words came out.Mavis glared at Melissa, coldly questioning, "You dared to hurt my son?"Melissa shook her head frantically. "No… I didn't know—" "You didn't know Tyler is the Knight family's legitimate heir? Even if he wasn't, does that mean an

Chapter 4

The banquet that had been secretly prepared for me was held earlier than planned because of the incident.That night, I stood quietly in a corner of the hall, watching Mavis skillfully handle all the guests. She wore a light purple gown, looking graceful and elegant.Every now and then, she would cast a concerned glance in my direction. I gave her a faint smile, assuring her I was fine.Mavis walked over, holding a glass of juice. "Honey, your injury hasn't fully healed. Don't drink alcohol," she advised.She handed me a champagne flute filled with juice and pulled a pill from her pocket. "Take your meds. We don't want your injury tearing open."I took the pill and swallowed it.Mavis nodded in satisfaction. She then pulled me to the buffet table and picked up a small piece of cake, wanting to feed me."Eat more. You've lost weight lately," she said.I bit into the cream as her fingertips gently brushed past my lips. The intimate gesture drew glances from several people around

Chapter 5

One day, Mavis brought me away from Jestown and to Pelon Island. We strolled along the beach, feeling the soft sand beneath our feet. The sea breeze caressed our cheeks, carrying a salty tang."Honey, look at the shells over there. They're so pretty!" Mavis said excitedly, pointing ahead.I was about to respond when I suddenly locked eyes with a familiar figure—Melissa. She stood not far away, staring blankly out at the sea. I couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. Melissa's complexion was pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was tied loosely in a ponytail, but it was still a mess. She was a far cry from the poised and elegant Melissa I once knew.I grabbed Mavis' hand and turned to leave."What's wrong, honey?" Mavis asked, noticing something was off.I shook my head. "It's nothing. Let's go for a swim.""Alright. You go ahead. I'll head back to grab some fruits first," Mavis said."Sure. I'll wait in the water," I said with a nod.While watching Mavis

Chapter 6

The police station was in a disarray. I stood outside the interrogation room, watching the scene through the glass. A witness was providing video evidence to the police."That's him!" the witness said angrily, pointing at Quilton on the screen. "I saw him push someone into the water with my own eyes!"The police acted swiftly and intercepted Quilton at the airport as he tried to flee. When he was brought before me, his face was still full of panic.Quilton suddenly shouted at me, his eyes filled with resentment, "Zack! This is all your fault!"I stared at him coldly without saying a word."I should've killed you five years ago!" Quilton snarled. "If it weren't for you, Melissa would've loved me!""So, you framed me?" I asked calmly.Quilton sneered, "That's right! It was me! I wanted you out of her life forever!"Melissa, standing to the side, turned pale at his words. She murmured to herself, her eyes filled with disbelief, "Quilton, how could you…" I glanced at Melissa and

Chapter 7

Three years had passed. I returned to Mount Dalon with Mavis and Tyler, wanting to see my former students again. The mountain path was still rugged, but it was much easier to travel than before. As soon as we arrived at the village entrance, I saw a familiar figure."Richard?" I called out in surprise.At that, Richard turned around. His face looked more deeply wrinkled than I remembered. When he saw me, a flicker of a complex emotion flashed in his eyes."Zack, you're here," Richard said, his voice somewhat hoarse.I quickly stepped forward and held his hand. "Yeah. I came back to visit the students."Richard glanced at Mavis and Tyler and nodded slightly. "Melissa, she…" he trailed off.I felt my heart sink as a bad feeling washed over me."Melissa has passed away. She's buried here at Mount Dalon," Richard finally said.I froze, momentarily at a loss for words."She wronged you, Zack." Richard sighed. "I just hope you won't continue to resent her in the years to come." I

All Chapters of The Late Winds of Love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7