Zoe had worn a strappy red dress to the hotel. She pushed open the door to Room V809.The darkness of the room took her by surprise, but she very quickly noticed the flickering of red candles inside.Red candles!Sitting by the candles was a decanter of red wine and some desserts, and on the chair next to the arrangement was a bouquet of red roses.Zoe was melting in the romantic atmosphere.Elliot was unexpectedly sentimental!Zoe was filled with anticipation for what was about to happen that night.As she picked the bouquet of roses, she became intoxicated by the strong floral fragrance.She placed the bouquet back on the chair, then pulled out her phone.It was almost ten o'clock, but why had Elliot not arrived?Was there traffic on the streets?When another fifteen minutes passed with no sign of Elliot, Zoe began to feel anxious.Was he not coming?He could not possibly have painstakingly decorated the room on a whim, right?Or perhaps, did he mistakenly send the text

Hayden pretended not to hear Elliot and ignored him.Hayden's behavior shocked the teacher, who then quickly walked over and said, "Mr. Foster, may I ask why you need Hayden's bag?"These were two individuals that she could not afford to offend.However, after weighing the pros and cons, the teacher decided that the consequences of offending Elliot Foster were graver, and she picked up Hayden's bag from the desk. "Don't be scared, Hayden. Mr. Foster isn't a bad person. He's just worried about you," she said, then handed the bag over to Elliot and said, "He passed the security clearance when he arrived at school. There aren't any dangerous items in there.""I remember he had a laptop with him," Elliot said as he took the bag from the teacher.The bag was light, causing him to raise his brows.When Elliot opened the bag, he found only a change of clothes but no laptop in sight."Oh… Hayden does have a small laptop. He enjoys watching cartoons on it," said the teacher.Elliot pl

"What did she contact you for?" Avery asked."She said she needed an assistant and asked me to recommend one to her," Wesley said with an expression of irony on his face. Then he laughed and continued, "Guess what her requirements were for picking an assistant? She wanted someone who was Professor Hough's student and whose skills weren't worse off than hers… She might as well have just said that she wanted to find someone who could single-handedly take on Shea's case. As if someone who was better than her would agree to be her assistant! I don't know if she's shameless or just plain stupid."Avery also found the entire thing ironic."She obviously doesn't have the skills for the job, but she insists on sticking around. Elliot Foster isn't an idiot. He'll find the truth out sooner or later," Wesley said. "You're too soft-hearted, Avery. Not many people would treat their own rivals in love.""You wouldn't say that if you met Shea," Avery said with a bland smile."As long as you're n

It was dinner time at Starry River Villa."Avery, Wesley came by to see you this afternoon," Laura said with bright eyes. "He told me that he was going to settle down here in Aryadelle…"Avery figured out what her mother was thinking from the grin on her face."Mom, I know you're hoping I'll find someone to get married to soon, but please don't pull that face while we are in public. Otherwise, people would think I'm desperate for marriage!" Avery pleaded. "I'm still in my twenties. I'm still young! This is the time I should be focusing on my career. Once I'm successful, men will be lining up to marry me."The smile on Laura's face vanished."I'm not pestering you… I just really think that Wesley's a great man. He took care of you the whole time you were abroad! Don't you see how well he treats you?""Am I supposed to marry anyone who's good to me? In that case, Professor Hough was good to me, too!""Fine! Keep acting blind! Wesley really is a good man. You might never find someo

Zoe's words left Avery frozen in shock."If I'm right, the children are yours and Elliot's," Zoe said as her wicked laughter traveled through the phone.Avery could not help but feel a chill run through her body."Adoption papers are private and confidential!" she retorted as she clenched her fists tightly."Of course! Adoption papers wouldn't typically be disclosed, but my father isn't just your average Joe," Zoe said as she let out an arrogant, maniacal cackle. "My father's connections in Bridgedale confirmed that you lied! I heard Elliot hates children and had always been determined not to have them. I wonder what he'd do if he finds out that your children are his!""Zoe Sanford! You're going too far!" Avery snapped furiously."Am I the one going too far, or are you?! Elliot is my boyfriend now! You're his ex-wife! You're divorced! Why do you keep getting in between us?" Zoe shrieked in a much sharper voice than Avery."I'll keep your secret on the condition that you never me