The voice from the speakers caught everyone's attention instantly. All the media personnel pointed their cameras at the screen. They could see the sea on the screen. A person wearing a panda costume appeared on the feed. Nothing could be discerned from the person's voice or figure. Kelvin ran to Ethan and reported, "Our computers have been hacked."Ethan signaled to Brent with his eyes. He instantly knew what he had to do. Marina had yet to show up. It was apparent that something had gone wrong. Ethan stood with his hands behind his back and a stormy expression on his face. He didn't expect something to happen today.To pick this particular day to take action, the culprit had gone to great lengths to plan their move.Ethan instantly thought up several ways to handle the situation. Brent quietly moved away. He was going to try and track the broadcasting signal to locate the enemy. In the meantime, Ethan would be responsible for buying time. He stared coldly at the screen an
Marina could feel everyone's gaze even though she couldn't see. She cried for help, "Ethan! Dad! Help me! You have to save me. I don't want to die."Olivia wasn't feeling good. She had yet to eat breakfast, and her stomach had been aching for a while. Her forehead was covered in sweat, making the ocean breeze feel more chilly.She didn't have the energy to call for help like Marina. The rope around her waist made it hard for her to breathe. She was sure the outcome would be the same either way. Ethan chose Marina a year ago, and she knew his choice wouldn't change. She wasn't disappointed because she never had any hope to begin with.As she was in despair and thinking of her chances of escaping, she heard some noise. The audio from the audience's side was being broadcasted to them. Chloe's weeping was especially loud. "Marina, Olivia, are you two okay?"Olivia slowly opened her lifeless eyes. She tried to look toward Chloe's voice even though she was blindfolded. Chloe's vo
If the kidnappers were after money, the Carltons and Millers could easily fulfill their demands. Ethan feared that they might want something even more precious than money. Otto was in his wheelchair. His hands gripped the armrests so tightly that his veins were popping. Chris had a severe expression. The on-lookers might not know, but they did. Money was not an issue, but they could not risk exposing Ethan's true identity. Even if they had to give up on Marina, they had to protect Ethan's secret. Otto and Chris looked each other in the eye and instantly came to an agreement. Even though their family member's life was still at risk, they had no choice. They had to keep the secret at all costs. Chloe didn't know anything. She kept weeping and said, "Tell us! Please tell us what you want. We'll give you any amount of money you want." "Mrs. Carlton, your tears are truly touching. Even a stranger like me can't help but feel moved," the person said. Although the words were spoken w
Marina was facing the camera. It was as if the person was trying to be considerate. She adjusted the camera to give the audience a close-up view of Marina and Olivia. Everyone could clearly see the state Marina and Olivia were in. The diamonds on Marina's fancy dress reflected the sunlight and created a dazzling glow. The black blindfold on her face was soaked by her tears. The makeup she spent so much time putting on was ruined by her tears. Marina no longer cared about how she looked. She just wanted to live. On the other hand, Olivia was the complete opposite. It was impossible to tell how she felt since most of her face was covered. Her lips were pursed. She didn't call for help from the beginning. She didn't even say a word. Some people thought she had fainted. Others noticed the sweat on her forehead. They thought it was weird that she sweated but didn't cry. Olivia didn't have any makeup on, but her complexion was ashen. Even her lips were unnaturally pale.
Life or death didn't matter to Olivia anymore. All she wanted was for Chloe to show that she cared about her before she died. She wanted to know that her waiting had not been for nothing, that she wasn't alone in this relationship.What she wanted was actual proof of maternal love from Chloe, not just empty words of love. Olivia couldn't see Chloe's expression because she was blindfolded. She began to feel uneasy. She had already lost to Marina once. She didn't want to lose a second time. The person in the panda suit got impatient as Chloe didn't reply for a long time. He said impatiently, "Why is it so hard for you to pick between your daughter and stepdaughter? Since that's the case, I'll decide for you. Cut both the ropes!""No! I choose Marina," Chloe shrieked. The guests were dumbfounded."Did my ears deceive me? She actually chose the stepdaughter?" "So there's actually a mother who doesn't love her daughter? My eyes have been opened.""You youngsters know nothi
All eyes fell on Ethan after the person said that. Marina was still calling for help.Otto said coldly, "There's no need for hesitation. Tell her that you choose Marina." Chris patted Ethan on the shoulder. "Make your own decision. I won't blame you, no matter who you choose." The person in the panda suit displayed an hourglass on the screen and said, "You have one minute to consider your options. "If you don't make a choice when the time's up, I'll choose for you." The sand in the hourglass fell quickly. Time began to slip away. Ethan didn't speak. He looked at the two women quietly. Marina was still crying for help, while Olivia was utterly silent.Ethan was sad that Olivia didn't say anything to him.At least when Chloe was asked, Olivia had begged to be chosen. Ethan suddenly recalled the winter of last year. It was snowing heavily that night. Olivia and Ethan both fell into the ocean. The first thing that came to his mind was Kurt, who sacrificed himself to save h
Even Olivia, who had held no expectations, was shocked. She had expected Ethan to abandon her like he did before. The person in the panda suit didn't expect this answer either. It disrupted her original plan. Ethan pulled a knife out of nowhere. He looked at the camera and said calmly, "I don't know why you kidnapped them. But if someone needs to die today, let it be me. "Let them go. I'll kill myself.""Are you out of your mind, Ethan? Stop him!" Otto yelled angrily.Ethan remained expressionless and said, "Keep them away from me." Brent and Kelvin weren't the only ones who heeded his call. His four male secretaries also came out of the crowd and helped to keep Otto's men at bay.Ethan stood among the six men. He pointed the knife at his chest. "Ethan, what are you doing? Let Olivia die! She deserves to die." Marina was panicking. The person's tone changed slightly, "Don't try to fool me. Do you think I'd believe that you'll hurt yourself?""Is that right?" Ethan smi
There was a lot of noise, but Olivia could still make out Ethan and Chloe's voices. She could feel the irony. Her mother wanted her dead, but the man she hated was willing to trade his life for hers.What expectations could she have for a mother like that? She used to sit at the entrance of her home and stare at the road Chloe drove off on. When she had a falling out with Ethan, she would do that too. She remembered that she would keep reheating the food that got cold and wait while sitting on the doorsteps.She would wait through the four seasons year by year, but the person she waited for never showed up. It was like her whole life was a joke. Olivia grunted and said slowly, "Mrs. Carlton, I don't want you in the next life. Even if there is a next life, I never want to cross paths with you again.""Liv, I don't have a choice. I really don't have a choice …"Chloe was crying profusely. She didn't want to make that choice, either. But she loved Chris so much that she cou