The clock had already struck eight when Jill arrived at the church car park. She entered hurriedly after meeting Camellia, who was waiting for her beside the church.
"What are you doing here? People can see and recognise you!" Jill pulled Camellia away briefly to touch up her make-up."I was just nervous when I found out mum wasn't coming. What about Arthur? Is he okay?"Hearing Camellia's questions that were always focused on Arthur, she widened her eyes and let out a long hiss. She shook her head to emphasise to Lia not to repeat the same thing again."From now on, you will not mention that name outside the house, Lia. He will go as far away as he can for the next few months. And you will keep your mouth shut about this fact from anyone who asks. Did you hear me, Lia?"Camellia was silent. She nodded her head slowly before following behind Jill's back, who was ready to enter the church area that was already filled with many invited guesAland made no expression as Jill continued to corner him. Instead of being upset and angry, he turned to face Jill fully. Also, his eyebrows were raised to show an uncommon expression than before."What are you saying, Mrs Reynolds? I'm sorry I can't believe this. But should I tell this to everyone just as I reminded you of your blessing after fulfilling your conditions?"Suddenly, Jill swallowed hard. All the surrounding guests turned their heads at the same time, making her even more uncomfortable. She smiled briefly before giving Aland a questioning glance."Yes, you know, don't you? I no longer have any enormous gifts for Shannon regarding her wedding day." Jill paused her sentence, then looked at Shannon, who was now also looking at her. She waved her hand as if she was calling Shannon from a distance. "So I took another initiative and discussed this with my son-in-law."Shannon smiled and stepped closer to Jill and stood on her left side. Sh
"Aren't you listening to me, Lia? Didn't I tell you there would be no wedding while it's not safe? Are you pretending to forget or were you deaf from the start, huh?"Being yelled at in such a way made Camellia's independent face turn deathly pale in an instant. She blinked quickly and shook her head, not understanding her mum's remark about the condition not being safe."You were saying before my condition improves, weren't you? I think that's a good idea even if I haven't fully recovered, mum. I can party safely and comfortably, and I can also sit back and relax with beanbags that can be provided in each corner so that I can—"Camellia hadn't finished her sentence when suddenly Jill threw a nearby pitcher that shattered into hundreds of pieces of glass. Not only was she shocked to death, Camellia's knees buckled so much that she fell to the floor in fear."Can't you stop thinking about marriage? What's in your head right now but wedding plans th
"Are you getting crazy? Are you trying to rob me?" asked Jill with a glare. She, who had been sitting on the living room sofa, got up angrily. Even her eyes were red. It was as if she was ready to explode at any moment.Camellia, who was sitting nearby to watch, grinned. She really did not expect that Shannon had changed so much from what she remembered. "Completely unexpected."Aland enjoyed his drink provided by the maid when he arrived. Then he got up and tried to invite his mum-in-law to make a toast amidst the anger that was about to explode. "My wife is not robing you, mum. We're just trying to honour a promise you made to us earlier. Is that wrong? You said it yourself. We didn't ask for it, right?"Jill laughed incredulously. She chuckled, then looked away to stare at Camellia who had returned to her original stance with her hands up in the air, as if to say: you see how cunning they are?"It wasn't us who asked, did you say? Really? Shoul
"Lemme help you, Ms Reynolds—"Aland had not finished his sentence when Shannon had first turned her head with a sharp gaze. He stammered for a moment, then scratched his unsteady head."Sorry, babe. I'm just not used to it."Shannon went back to cleaning her make-up in front of the dressing table in the room as Aland awkwardly opened his shirt. Every now and then, Shannon's tail lights up, trying to steal a glance at Aland's muscular body. Who would have thought that she would stutter because she was shocked at the sight of Aland's mesmerising chest?Hearing the bottle of facial cleanser Shannon dropped while holding it, Aland twisted his head. He ignored the unbuttoned shirt to come closer. "What's wrong? Are you okay, hm?"Shannon blinked quickly. Especially when she saw Aland's chest in front of her eyes. She swallowed hard as she tried to turn her attention elsewhere. "My hand just feels be drained. I just didn't expect this day to c
"What are you doing, Aland? We're going to be late!"The commotion at the Reynolds' house made Jill and Camellia, who were already seated at the dining table, turn around quickly. Both of them were waiting for Shannon to come down the stairs without a second thought with a mug of hot chocolate.Aland, who was following behind Shannon's back, came down at a faster pace. All the while, his hands were busy putting on his suit as he passed Shannon, who was busy with a call.Jill and Camellia had looked up triumphantly as they almost reached the last staircase rushed. They smiled happily at the thought that their plan would teach Aland and Shannon an excellent lesson.Camellia had even glanced at the phone she had set up to record everything from the best angle, using her tripod light in the room.Unfortunately, Aland pulled Shannon up the last flight of stairs before Shannon's feet stepped through the thousands of shards of transparent flower
“Are they getting crazy? They’re even making out in front of us. Are they deliberately making us angry? Are they deliberately showing their romance? Bloody hell! No couple looks romantic in front of their family, right, mum?”Camellia had been swearing ever since before her mum’s car left her residence. She clasped her hands together in annoyance and leaned her head back because she was about to feel dizzy.“They have something to hide, Lia. I think we were right. They’re not in love like the other couples. They’re just putting on a little charade to take Reynolds Industries away from me. Unbelievable. I can’t go in.”Jill’s thoughts made Lia nod in confirmation. “They even held each other without hesitation in front of us. Are they trying to insinuate that you don’t have a mate in your old age, mum?”Jill twisted her head. Her eyes squinted sharply as her index finger pointed in front of her face. “Watch your language, Lia. Don’t you look in the
"Never equate yourself with Arthur, Cobb. No matter how hard you try to be recognised as Fischer's son, Arthur will be unmatched. He will show you who has the right to JF Groups as soon as possible."After warning Aland, Jill and Camellia quickly left there and got into the car quickly. The next second, Camellia opened the car window only to brandish her middle finger emotionally."What the fuck with both of you guys?"Seeing Camellia's behaviour, Shannon just glanced at Aland in disbelief. She clasped Aland's hand tightly again. "If you change your mind, you can back out before, Aland. But not now. I won't let you go, even if the whole world is against me."Hearing Shannon's words, Aland only nodded in understanding. He took Shannon to meet Smith as promised to finalise the legalisation of Reynolds Industries' ownership that Jill had made earlier.Instead of being surprised that Aland and Shannon had secretly married, Smith could only sh
"You don't have any choice, Arthur."Arthur let out a long sigh. He was sitting in a room of a small company founded by one of Jill's friends, struggling to adapt quickly. Moreover, he didn't really like talking to new people he didn't know."You know I don't have any confidence when I meet new people, Mrs Reynolds. How could you ask me to work as a marketing team that has to be on the ground? Working door to door to promote JF Printing is already driving me almost crazy. How am I going to work here just to fulfil my own needs? Can't you lend me some money for my living expenses for a year here?"Jill chuckled in annoyance. She closed her eyes and paced in front of her desk. It wasn't so much to deliberate as it was to find another reason for her not to be at a disadvantage."I've even sent five years' worth of living expenses to two people who were incompetent enough to kill someone with your reference, Arthur. Should I pay another one to finish
"I do," Arthur said as he took out a red velvet box from beneath his luxurious clothes. He placed a simple ring with a single jewel on Dwyane's finger, which looked beautiful in his eyes.After that, the priest began to lead the prayers. It didn't take long for the two to sign the marriage contract.Although Arthur's second wedding ceremony was only held at the nearest church in the neighbourhood of the hospital, the happiness was evident on his pale face. He had been a wheelchair user for more than two hours, enduring the pain in his solar plexus after his surgery five days ago.There were only seven people in the church to witness Arthur's far from simple wedding. No party, no food. Only Shannon, Aland, Pete, Will Smith, John Benedict, Phil Allen, and Edward Frey, the officer who uncovered Arthur's many hidden cases.The first-born was given to Arthur, even though he was in a wheelchair. Seeing Arthur's weakening condition, the priest rushed the blessing and lighti
"I'm going to file for a marriage annulment. So, will you be my lover, Dwyane?"Arthur's request just after Camellia disconnected the call made Dwyane melt. She burst into tears as he approached Arthur, who was still lying in the cage."Why just lovers? You can get married after cancelling your previous marriage," Aland said from the sofa.Aland immediately got up and approached with both hands in each of his trouser pockets. He grabbed his laptop before moving on, as he did not even get a response from his brother.Arthur was silent. Not only him, even Dwyane didn't know what to say when he was in the middle of such an awkward situation.As he put his work laptop in his bag, Aland spoke up again to help."I'll talk to Mr Smith right away. He will help you to file for a marriage cancellation as soon as possible. Only then, you guys can get married before you actually return to prison in six days. If you have anything to say, just call Pete--"Aland hadn't
"Are you sure you're okay?"Camellia asked from a distance. The look of concern was visible, but it was not savoured by Arthur as he had savoured the anxiety on Dwyane's face earlier.The two were now connected through a call Aland had made to Mr Cavill, who was visiting his daughter. Using a phone and a laptop, the two were now face to face, even though it was only through a call connection.Arthur nodded in response to his wife's question at the end of the call. Unfortunately, he could not take his attention away from Dwyane, who was busy writing in the corner of the room."I'm fine, Lia. What about you? Did mum cause trouble again? Did she hurt you?"Although she sounded more concerned than before, Lia knew very well that it was just a pep talk from her husband. She shook her head slowly as she wiped away tears with her sleeve."Listen to me, Arthur. I asked dad to contact Aland so I could connect with you like this for some reason. Although I just found o
Arthur blinked softly. His eyes squinted as the glare of the lights greeted him as he woke up after being in a state of emergency because of heavy blood loss.Instead of finding Dwyane or Lia, he saw Aland sitting with his head bowed on the edge of the bed. Her eyes closed again to make sure before finally looking back at who was beside him.It was the same man he hated to death before. Aland.Arthur's hand moved towards Aland's closed head, hiding his face, when he suddenly saw movement from the sofa. Quickly, Arthur pretended to close his eyes again, as if he hadn't woken up from a long sleep.Dwyane was shocked to death when he looked at the clock. It was almost night and Arthur had not woken up. This was contrary to the information received from the doctor earlier.Slowly, Dwyane woke up Aland, who had fallen asleep by accident. "Mr Fischer. It's already dark. Shouldn't you be going home?"The surprised Aland got up hurriedly. He looked over to where Arth
"What else this time, Dwyane?"Arthur's question made Dwyane shake her head slowly. She plugged the flash disc into the laptop she had brought with her. She positioned it so that the screen was facing the direction where Arthur was."I haven't seen it myself, Arthur. You can see for yourself. This was given to me by Aland. He said it was a precious gift for you."Hearing Aland's name, Arthur rose lazily. He shook his head, refusing to see what he really wanted to show."No, Dwyane. That's enough. The other day you brought me the news you secretly heard from him. And it really kept me up all night long. Now what? Are they planning to frustrate me here?"Dwyane shook her head slowly. She was just trying to keep Arthur's attention back on what Aland was about to show him."No, Arthur. The other day, the possibility that I was wrong was quite high. Aland said that sometimes there is some information that is missed and contributes greatly to misunderstandings. Tha
"Go away, Cobb! Get out of here or I'll kill you right now!"Aland sniggered and moved off, leaving Jill filled with intense guilt."You're just bragging! Arthur is my nephew! He is everything to me! And you can't touch him! He's mine! Don't ever come back or I'll kill you right here!"The clock had already struck three in the afternoon when Aland and Shannon sat across from Dwyane Hills. He knew very well that Dwyane continued to visit Arthur, no matter what. Every day. For more than nine days."I'm sorry if I've upset you, Mr Fischer," Dwyane greeted, having just spoken after ten minutes of apparent silence.Aland cleared his throat, then took a sip of his coffee while shaking his head slowly."What do you have to apologise for? There's nothing wrong with you going there, Ms Hills. I just don't like that you went there with information you shouldn't have given."Suddenly, Dwyane's eyes widened. Her hands immediately folded on the table, and tried to rea
"Since when did you become so talkative, Cobb?"Jill's counterattack made Aland pause. He looked at Jill, who grabbed a plastic chair to sit across from him."How can I help you with coming all the way out here?"Aland glanced at Shannon for a moment, trying to make sure that his wife was fully prepared. He looked again at his mother-in-law, whose new identity had been stripped away, leaving nothing of her once admired name."There's something I want to do about the key you gave me. Liliana's death."Jill did not seem surprised at how quickly Aland had learnt the truth with just one keyword."You found it?"Aland showed her an old photo of Sophie and Liliana that he had copied from an old file at the orphanage. Even though it wasn't clear, Jill could still recognise who was in the picture."This is you and Liliana. You two are sisters, aren't you?"Seeing that Aland was not surprised by what she had found, Jill got up and approached. Her eyes squi
"What did you say? Sorry, but can you say it again?"Shannon's request was not without reason. For the first time, she sat in Will Smith's room with Pete and her husband to explain everything.Aland closed his eyes and smiled faintly. His hands were intertwined with each other in a position in the middle of her legs."I'm not misspeaking, Shannon. This is the truth. Until a few moments ago, only Pete and I knew about this."Will Smith didn't understand. He, who had been staring out the window while listening to Aland's explanation, could only turn around and shake his head slowly."If Arthur is not James's son, why does James insist on claiming him?""Because he just lost his son, Mr Smith. Don't you remember that his scandal broke just as he was about to celebrate JF Groups' anniversary? James couldn't just ignore Arthur's arrival with Liliana. He didn't want to act rashly, either. He asked me to keep the fact that Arthur was abandoned by Eugene a secret bec
"Sophie? You're trying to defame our orphanage just because of Sophie's case? Do you also want to examine all the children in this orphanage so that you can be satisfied with your judgement, Mr Fischer?"Aland turned to Shannon briefly before leaning forward, trying to calm him down. "Listen to me, Mr Flitch. This is not what you think it is. We're not here to make a statement or to judge your orphanage as bad, no. I'm just here because there's something wrong. I'm only here because there's something I wanna to know. About Sophie. That's all. We will never tell anyone that Sophie is from here. After all, the whole of the UK knows that Sophie's dangerous behaviour is not the result of someone's upbringing, but her disposition, which may never change even twenty years later. We're just looking into her bloodline. That's all."Dom Flitch squinted with an angry gaze. His previously cupped hands immediately came closer, watching Aland and Shannon's movements that seemed so d