The phone rang for a while before someone answered."Hi, Uncle Fred. This is Avery Tate. Do you remember me?""Avery Tate? Of course, I remember you! Our company wouldn't have gone under if it weren't for you! How dare you call me? Did you lose all of your money abroad and want to borrow some from me? Let me tell you right now that you won't get a penny from me!"Avery remained calm despite the hostility coming from the other end of the line."That's not why I'm calling. I was just wondering if you have plans to switch companies.""Switch companies? Are you a headhunter now?""I'm planning on rebuilding Tate Industries. If possible, I'd like to bring back the old staff. If all of you are willing to come back, I can double your current salaries."Fred Dover's jaw dropped!"Are you interested?" Avery asked.Fred took a deep breath, then said, "Did you hit the jackpot? Do you know how much doubling everyone's salary would come up to?""I can afford it," Avery responded."If you

The black Rolls-Royce slowed down as it approached the school's iron gates and waited for them to open.Avery instinctively picked Hayden up in her arms and turned the other way.Soon after, the Rolls-Royce sped off in a flash.Hayden watched as the black luxury sedan drove off into the distance, then glanced at his mother's anxious expression.He had a feeling that she knew the person in that car.He had never seen his mother afraid of anyone, and her fear at this moment piqued his interest. Once Avery and Hayden walked into the school, a representative from the academy took them on a tour of the grounds.Angela Special Needs Academy truly lived up to its reputation as Avonsville's top special needs school.Not only was the campus an impressive sight, everything from the instructors to the facilities was world-class.Even though the fees were high, Avery was very satisfied with the place.She pulled her son aside and said, "Would you like to give this school a try, Hayden?

Avery did not want to see Elliot at all.The Rolls-Royce she saw at the school that morning was not the same one from four years ago.He would not be driving the same car for four years, after all. However, the driver was the same one as before.What was Elliot doing at a special needs school?Could it be that he was an investor at the academy?Even so, it was unlikely that he would bother to check in on the school's operations.After all, the Sterling Group alone was enough to keep him busy.Chad noticed Elliot's somber expression at lunch, so he tried to cheer him up."Sir, Professor Hough might have a long list of students, but I'm sure we'll be able to find who we're looking for in no time.""Avery's back," Elliot stated.His voice was bleak and dull.It sounded completely void of emotion, but it also had a deep undercurrent that was rich with feeling. Chad was stunned, then snapped back to reality and asked, "Did she contact you?""No, but she will soon," Elliot sa

Avery received a call from Fred at two in the afternoon."They want to meet us to discuss the purchase of the property, Avery. When will be a good time for you? Also, do you have proof of assets ready? The building is worth at least eighty million dollars at the current market price." Fred's words took Avery by surprise."Didn't Tate Tower sell for half that amount back then?""It did, but it's prime real estate in a great location. With the rise in property prices in the past couple of years, of course, its price would increase.""I see. I'm busy today. Let's meet them tomorrow!""Got it. I'll arrange it with them now."Avery had promised to meet Tammy that afternoon.The two best friends had kept in touch throughout the years.They did not talk much, but their friendship remained strong.Tammy walked into the restaurant she had agreed to meet Avery with a bouquet of red roses.When the best friends spotted each other, they ran into each other's arms."You took your time

Tammy gazed at Avery in astonishment."Exactly how much money did you make?!""It's my desire to rebuild Tate Industries. It's a wish, okay? I don't know if I'll succeed or not." Tammy felt relieved, then said, "Jun and I look like a couple of losers next to you. I'm going to have to stay on your good side… How about I set you up with someone? I have a cousin who's super cute. He's only nineteen, but he's a good kid—""Stop messing with me, Tammy," Avery said as she held her head in her hand."You don't like the young ones? Do you like older men? That works, too! My personal trainer is forty this year, but I drool every time I see his muscles… You should take him in, then make him your stay-at-home husband…"Avery let out a heavy sigh.After her breakup with Elliot, she had lost all interest in men, both young and old.Once tea was over, Avery and Tammy made their way to a car dealership.Tammy suggested a Benz sedan, but a Land Rover SUV caught Avery's eye."How's this one?

The composure on Chad's face disappeared the moment he laid eyes on Avery.The one who wanted to buy Tate Tower was none other than Avery Tate!Avery's mind was also in a frenzy.What was Elliot's assistant doing there?Could it be…When Fred saw the two men arrive, he got up to his feet and greeted the property manager."Good morning, Mr. Powell," Fred said, then glanced at Chad and asked, "And this is?""This is Mr. Elliot Foster's assistant, Chad Rayner," answered Mr. Powell. "Mr. Foster was the one who asked me to arrange for the purchase of the building four years ago."Fred nodded, then greeted Chad, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rayner."Chad shook Fred's hand and said, "Likewise.""Let me present Miss Avery Tate," said Fred. "Miss Tate is my late boss's eldest daughter. She's the one who's interested in acquiring Tate Tower. Back when Tate Industries went under, she moved abroad for business and has now returned in hopes of buying the old building and restoring th

"She hasn't changed much. She's still young and beautiful, but there was something very different about her temperament."Chad reported to Elliot what had transpired when he had met Avery. "She's a lot more composed than she used to be. She has the air of someone who has made it. I wonder how she has managed to make that much money in a few short years." Ben pulled out a stack of files, then said, "I looked into it and found out that she had started a company called Alpha Technologies with a business partner three years ago. The company mainly sells drones. I'm guessing she used the program that her father had left behind. I heard that the program itself wasn't complete, so she probably found someone to perfect it for her. Otherwise, sales wouldn't be through the roof." "She's no longer the same helpless, little Avery Tate from four years ago.""I never found her to be helpless. She might not have had much money four years ago, but she had a mind of her own. How did you think s

That evening there was a family dinner at the old Foster mansion. "How did your date with Jenny Gibson of Gibson Group go?" asked Rosalie, turning to Cole.Cole looked dejected and did not lift his head."Your grandmother just asked you a question, Cole!" Olivia snapped as she threw a glare at her son. "Didn't you say the other day that you've been texting her lately?""Things were going fine until a little girl showed up out of nowhere," Cole explained with a frown on his face. "She grabbed my shirt and called me daddy. She was screaming and crying the whole time. It was embarrassing! Jenny misunderstood and ended up blocking me. I haven't been able to call her since."Henry and Olivia's faces turned glum.They were depending on their son to marry into money to secure their place in high society.After all, Elliot would never give them a penny no matter how powerful and wealthy he was.Unfortunately, their plans for Cole to snag the Gibson family's eldest daughter were ruined b

Avery spoke first."Tomorrow is a weekend. Are you free?""In the morning or afternoon?" Elliot asked.His voice sounded low and hoarse, yet it was still filled with the same magnetism and was just as attractive as it had been four years ago."In the morning!" Avery answered.Her judgment was impaired by the alcohol. She felt particularly brave, and so, she spoke without thinking things through. "Remember to bring along your ID and marriage certificate. If our meeting goes well, we could sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning itself!"Elliot had not expected Avery to be this aggressive. It was completely different from what Chad described."You'll regret this, Avery," Elliot said as his Adam's apple bobbed in his throat, and his grip around his phone tightened."I won't f*cking regret it!"Elliot's words had angered Avery."If the divorce goes through tomorrow, I'm getting some fireworks and setting them off for the next twenty-four hours!" Avery said, then burst into l

A black car came to a stop at the front yard of Elliot's mansion.When the door to the car opened, a familiar, exquisite face appeared."Long time no see, Miss Tierney," said Mrs. Cooper.Chelsea flashed a smile and said, "Long time no see, Mrs. Cooper. Is Elliot home?"Mrs. Cooper nodded, then said, "Master Elliot has been waiting inside since he received your call this morning."Chelsea nodded contentedly.Soon after, another woman emerged from the car."Watch your step, Miss Sanford," Chelsea said as she helped the woman out of the car.Miss Sanford looked to be thirty. She looked mature and had a dignified air about her. She gave people the impression that she was a professor. She looked up and took in the mansion standing before her.One could not tell her emotion from her eyes.Mrs. Cooper did not dare to ask questions. She walked in front and led the two women to the living room.When Elliot saw them walk in, he immediately got up from the couch.Chelsea called him