Four years ago, Lydia had attended an unusual party where she mingled with several men. Nothing else needed to be said—the implication was clear. Everyone looked at her with disbelief and disgust.They thought she sure knew how to have fun. Poor Eadwig—cuckolded in the most audacious way imaginable.Eadwig's face darkened, clearly furious at his wife's outrageous behavior."Honey, it's not my fault, they seduced me! Someone intentionally set me up. You have to believe me!" Lydia pleaded."Are you saying Waylon also seduced you?" Eadwig asked, his voice dripping with irony."Yes, he did. He tempted me! I had no choice. It's not my fault!" Lydia started to talk nonsense, mostly out of fear. She knew the terrible consequences she had to face if the truth came to light. Most importantly, if Eadwig left her, she would be ruined. Over the years, Eadwig resolved so many of her conflicts; without him, she would face endless retaliation."Ma'am, you're falsely accusing me," Waylon said. "
Eadwig looked crestfallen. Not only had he been cuckolded, but he had also been a father for several years. The two women in his life had no real connection to him.Ashton, not particularly good at offering comfort, said, "Mister Cheston, you should consider yourself lucky. Your illness has protected you from contracting HIV. So it's not all bad." Eadwig's face turned even greener.He was the wealthiest man in South Oriental, with a wife who had betrayed him and a daughter who was not his. He would have lost his mind if he were an ordinary man."Doctor Levin, you don't have to console me. Miss Lockwood, let's discuss the partnership you proposed later tonight. I have some family matters to attend to for now."Eadwig left with the weight of a shattered reality hanging over him. He was the wealthiest man in South Oriental, so the deception was humiliating.Eadwig boarded his private jet back to Seanic headquarters while Ashton and Kendra headed to Holden Company to finalize their pl
Only he and Alora had the keys to the house. The lock had been opened with a key, showing no signs of forced entry. Upon entering, Ashton's steps halted once more. On the balcony, a silhouette struck him like a bolt of lightning.Alora?Was she not dead?Her side profile was as charming as a painting—dressed in a light green down jacket, loose hair framing her shoulders, and green jade earrings.Ashton could not possibly mistake her for someone else. It was Alora!Florence and Howard had deceived him. The audacity of those two, even swindling his bank card from him.However, considering they were once married, that would be his final aid to her. The money would be more than enough for her to rebuild her company and foster its growth again.With that thought, Ashton sighed quietly. He turned to leave without planning to confront her."Ashton."Alora turned her head."Aren't you going to come in and sit?" Lips slightly pursed, Ashton walked back into the room."You thought I w
"Cousin, you're truly remarkable! With this endorsement, your standing in South Edren will be cemented! You've already achieved so much in just a few years," Shylah Carter said. She was Alora's cousin and a student in college. She was visiting them for her winter break. Her excitement was palpable. "Your worth must've skyrocketed to tenfold, right?""Only tenfold? Shylah, you're underestimating Acton Chamber of Commerce. The drug they're releasing will take the country by storm. We are the exclusive agent in South Edren, and Miss Blau, the Acton Chamber of Commerce's president, handpicked us to be her collaborator! Our worth must be up a hundredfold!" Howard boasted."Mom, has Jaxson arrived yet?" Howard subtly signaled Florence."Oh, he should be here soon. Let me call him," Florence said, quickly catching on.At that moment, Howard approached Alora. "Sis, we owe our family's resurgence to Jaxson's 70 million-dollar contribution. Make sure to thank him when he arrives."Alora nod
"Only the three of us? Is that a good idea?"Even though Howard talked a big game, he was apprehensive about taking action. After all, they were dealing with the Lockwood family, a powerful entity in South Edren that even his sister had to tread carefully around."Why are you worried? I'm here, aren't I? South Edren may be vast, but it's not big enough to swallow my company," Jaxson said. "Besides, I'm familiar with Kendra Lockwood; she can't do anything to me."Howard had no choice but to follow closely behind him.On the third floor, Kendra was in the midst of organizing a new drug launch event. The three visitors' unexpected arrival promptly caught her attention. Among them were two familiar faces—Alora's underachieving younger brother and a member of the Xenakis family from the Imperial Capital. She had met him a few times at elite gatherings."Well, well, well, Mister Xenakis. What brings you here? Are you interested in investing in Holden Company's new drug?" Kendra casually
People eagerly jostled to the front. Doctor Taylor sat calmly on the elevated platform at the event venue."It is Doctor Taylor! I was fortunate to see him once three years ago in Central South. It's definitely him!" someone exclaimed, visibly thrilled."Doctor Taylor?" Jaxson, the knowledgeable young master of the Xenakis family, had naturally heard of Doctor Taylor's reputation. The doctor was not only famous in the South Oriental and Central South regions but also in the North and the Imperial Capital. His name was legendary in the elite circle. Jaxson was there to mock Kendra, so he did not notice Doctor Taylor.He saw the old man sitting there as the crowd flooded the platform."They managed to get Doctor Taylor here?" he said, incredulous."Jaxson, who is Doctor Taylor? Is he really that incredible?" Shylah and Howard looked puzzled."Incredible? He's the top expert. Any medication he endorsed will sell out to top-tier magnates almost immediately," Jaxson said, smacking his
Florence was preventing guests from ascending the stairwell."What are you doing? You're not allowed upstairs! My daughter's launch event is about to begin. Where are you all going?""In this day and age, product and efficacy matter. Your medicine is inferior to the Lockwoods' new one. Get real!" A young man said as he pushed past her up the stairs."How outrageous!" Florence stumbled and fell, shouting and cursing. "You ingrates! May you all suffer terrible fates. You'll get ulcers from their medicine, I swear—""That's enough." Alora glared at her. "Are you done?" She then sidestepped Florence and headed upstairs as well.Alora bypassed Florence's crumpled form, ascending the stairs. The scene that greeted her upstairs was beyond her worst fears.Was it really that jam-packed?Heated discussions filled the room. Even journalists, who were initially only taking photos and videos, joined the drug testing crowd. Everyone was amazed by the La Verdure Pill's effects and could not b
"Who would frame you by risking a human life? Do you think everyone is as vicious as you and the Lockwood family?" Jaxson retorted persistently."If we catch the real culprit, we'll know who's guilty, won't we? Or are you afraid?" Ashton responded with a smile."What a joke!" Jaxson chuckled as he looked at the crowd. "I'm not the one who killed someone for money. Why would I be scared?""Exactly, if you want to prove your innocence, expose the person who framed you. Let's see who is truly guilty!" the crowd shouted.The room burst into agreement, and all eyes turned to Ashton. Doctor Taylor looked worried, while Howard and Shylah seemed to revel in his predicament.'Speaking up for Miss Lockwood? You should be careful, Ashton. She might just let you take the fall.'Ashton smiled and pointed to the corpse. "Easy. Wake her up and ask her. Then everything will make sense.""What are you saying?" Jaxson was initially stunned, then burst into sarcastic laughter. "You want a dead per