The world began to spin around Elliot, and he almost passed out.Had Avery lied to him, or was Shea imagining things after the surgery?Elliot pulled out his phone, called Zoe, and told her to hurry back to the hospital.Zoe had a bad feeling when she heard the anxiety in Elliot's voice."Slow down, Elliot. Is there something wrong with Shea? She just woke up. She needs some time to slowly recover."The apprehension in Elliot's heart calmed down.However, Shea did not have this strange reaction after her last surgery.He hung up the phone, then returned to Shea's bedside."You just got out of surgery, Shea. Don't think too much. You'll get a headache," he said as he gazed tenderly at Shea and smiled. "I can feel that you're getting better.""My head hurts a little," Shea said as she took a breath."Dr. Sanford's on her way over. We'll see if she can prescribe some painkillers.""I don't want to see Doctor Sanford," Shea said wearily as she lowered her gaze.Elliot's Adam's

Zoe's performance was convincing, but Shea was not swayed.She could tell the difference between deception and sincerity by looking at a person's eyes.Shea could tell that Zoe was fawning over her brother, but she did not think that she truly cared about her."Big Brother asked me to thank you," Shea said angrily. "I won't."Zoe glanced at Mrs. Scarlet then said, "Would you mind stepping out for a moment? I'd like to speak to Shea alone."Mrs. Scarlet felt slightly troubled, but now that Zoe was the Foster family's savior, she did not dare offend her.Once Mrs. Scarlet was out of the room, Zoe said, "I don't know why you're always so hostile toward me, Shea. Did someone say something bad about me to you? Ever since I returned to the country, I've been painstakingly researching and coming up with your treatment plan. Why can't I get a simple word of thanks from you?"Shea went straight to the point and said, "I don't think you're the one who performed the surgeries."She could

Elliot had a nightmare.He dreamt that Avery blocked his number on her phone.Not only could he never see her again, but he also could not even call her.They were both completely cut off from each other forever!Elliot's heart throbbed with pain as if he had lost his most precious possession.He opened his eyes as his body was dripping with cold sweat.There was a mist over his deep-set eyes that were filled with unimaginable pain.He found his phone and dialed Avery's number.It was seven in the evening.She had slept all day, so she was probably at home and awake right now!"Sorry, the number you have dialed is unavailable. Please try later."The cold, monotonous voice of a bot rang in Elliot's ear.He clenched his phone tightly. It seemed like his nightmare had turned into reality!Avery had actually blocked his number!There was no other reason for why he had repeatedly failed to reach her. To verify his speculations, Elliot pulled off the covers and leaped out o

Mike and the children had their ears glued to the door of the master bedroom and were eavesdropping.Avery's loud roar earlier lured them over.Moments later, the door opened without warning.Mike almost fell into Avery's embrace.Avery stared at them in bewilderment and said, "What are you guys doing?""Who were you fighting with, Mommy?" Layla asked as she looked up at Avery. Her innocent eyes were filled with curiosity. "Was it Dirtbag Dad?""Your mother turns a little feral in front of him and her enemies," Mike teased. "Otherwise, she's a perfect lady.""Oh, so Dirtbag Dad's Mommy's enemy."Layla was on point.Avery felt a throbbing pain in her temples.She walked out of her room and went downstairs."There's dinner for you in the kitchen, Avery!" Mike said to her back. "Okay.""I'll help the kids wash up. Let's talk after you eat," Mike continued.With one hand on the banister, Avery turned her head and asked in confusion, "What's there to talk about? Why can't you

The Storm Series, which was manufactured in Aryadelle, had the same battery life as the product made abroad.However, its poor lens made it impossible to take professional photos!Even so, it was being sold at the same price as that of a drone for professionals!Tens of thousands of comments were rolling in under the video.[This is just rude! Did Avery Tate forget that she's from Aryadelle?! How could she trick her fellow citizens? Disgusting!][Down with Tate Industries!][Should we tag Sterling Group here? After all, their president Elliot Foster is Tate Industries' top customer!]…Avery sat down on the couch, picked up a glass of water, and took a sip."I've contacted Nycra. They said that they're willing to reimburse everything as per the contract," Mike said. "Also, they said they can't sell us their top-quality lenses.""Why not?" Avery asked in confusion as she put her glass down. "Is it the price?"Mike shook his head and said, "We pose a threat to the other drone

The next day, Elliot showed up at the intensive care unit first thing in the morning.Shea's mind turned cloudy after drinking the soup that Mrs. Scarlet made her the night before.She felt drained and fell asleep.When she woke up after a night of sleep, her eyes were lifeless.That was until Elliot appeared."How are you feeling today, Shea? Does your head hurt?"His gentle, familiar voice returned her emotions, and they gave her some facial expressions. "Why isn't Avery coming to see me, Big Brother?" she asked dejectedly.Elliot's brows furrowed slightly, and the tenderness in his eyes disappeared."She won't come see you. Don't think about her or her children anymore, Shea."She was even more upset now."None of you believe me… Avery spoke to me. She asked me a lot of questions…"Elliot's heart ached at the sight of his sister's sickly complexion."It's not that I don't believe you. Perhaps she really did speak to you, but it was only in your dreams.""Really?" Shea

Mike did not know where Avery was, but her phone was on her desk.He picked up the phone and quickly opened up the list of blocked phone numbers."Huh?!" he thought. Elliot's name was not on the list at all!Mike quickly placed the phone back on the desk and pretended as if nothing happened.At that moment, the doors to the office opened and Avery walked in."Has Sterling Group responded?" she asked as she walked over, picked up the glass on the desk, and took a sip of water."They won't return the goods," Mike reported. "You're not going to insist on them returning the products, are you?"Avery put down the glass of water, then lifted her gaze to Mike and said, "You really do understand me. However, I highly doubt that they will return the goods even at my insistence. There is no point in continuing to deal with them."Mike gave Avery a thumbs up."Wire over seven and a half million dollars to them!" Avery added.Mike was at a loss for words."Forget it," Avery said as sh

Elliot took his leave after dinner.He wanted to drop by the hospital to see Shea.The other Foster family members also left soon after.Once Rosalie retired to her room, Cole opened the door to Zoe's room.Zoe had been staying at the old mansion since her pregnancy became public."You're amazing, Dr. Sanford!" Cole exclaimed after he entered the room and shut the door behind him. "You actually managed to handle someone as difficult as my uncle! Should I start calling you Aunt Zoe soon?"The smile Zoe wore was elegant and calm as she said, "Of course. Once we're engaged, I will be his fiance. What's the difference between a fiance and a wife?""Congratulations! It's just…" Cole said as a look of concern appeared on his face. "Is there a way to make sure my uncle doesn't suspect the baby you're carrying? After all, we have to depend on the kid to get my uncle's inheritance!"Zoe's face changed as she said, "There's no way I'm letting this child live!"A wave of gloom washed ove

"Can't the bodyguard and nanny watch her? It's been so long since we've had a drink!" Ben said, then whispered in Elliot's ear, "Avery went abroad today."Elliot's eyes turned dark.He suddenly had the urge to drink.Ben booked a spot at a rooftop restaurant.The two men stood by the railing. They each had a bottle of wine in their hand as they looked out into the star-filled sky. They drank in silence. The spring breeze was cool and stuck to every inch of their skin.When they were done with their first bottle, Ben turned to Elliot and asked, "Did you agree to the engagement with Zoe as thanks for Shea's treatment?""My mother wanted me to marry her. Avery also told me to live a good life with her. Shea's treatment is just a minor reason."Elliot lifted his head slightly, revealing his long, sensual neck.His Adam's apple bobbed in his throat. He said hoarsely, "Avery wanted nothing but to draw a line between us, so I'm simply granting her wish."Avery should be happy now t

Avery in the master bedroom of Starry River Villa. Avery was suffering from jet lag ever since her return at six in the morning and had gone to sleep. Layla rushed to the bed, held her mother's hand in hers, then cried out in a baby-like voice, "Mommy! Wake up! I have something to tell you! Hurry and wake up!"Avery vaguely heard the sound of her daughter's voice and struggled to open her eyes."Shea said she's dying, Mommy! Please save her!" Layla pleaded when she saw her mother's eyes open.Avery instantly jolted awake.She sat up in bed and saw Shea standing next to Layla.She took a breath, wanting to refuse, but the words that ended up coming out of her mouth were, "Why do you think you're dying, Shea?"Mrs. Scarlet interjected before Shea could respond, "She's been exhausted ever since the surgery. She's always tired even after sleeping all night. She's just sluggish all day—""Has she gotten a checkup at the hospital?" Avery asked.Mrs. Scarlet shook her head and said,