Three days later, Leonard and Claude invited Mark and Yvonne to their manor the following Wednesday. It was supposedly a meeting for the Principals.This was exactly what Yvonne had wanted. Although she didn't know why they had suddenly invited her, it gave her an opportunity to look for Howard. She immediately accepted their invitation.Before heading over, she took some time to spend the day with Jade. Other than her daily check-up, she spent the time talking with Jade, trying to make sure Jade spent less time sleeping.Before this, Jade had already found Yvonne familiar. After spending more time together, she started trusting Yvonne more and more.That day, Yvonne casually mentioned, "Jade, I might need to leave Hope for a few days—"Before she could finish her sentence, Jade grabbed Yvonne's hand. "Where are you going? Are you abandoning me like my father?""No." Yvonne grabbed Jade's hand and said gently, "Your father didn't abandon you. He loves you the most in the enti
Two days later, Yvonne left for Leonard and Claude's manor.When the plane landed, she received a message from Stephen. "I'm waiting for you at the arrival terminal."She smiled and put her phone away as she quickly got off the plane.At the arrival terminal, Stephen smiled when he saw Yvonne. Yvonne met his gaze and teased him, "Someone's in a good mood.""You too." Stephen naturally took over Yvonne's luggage. Yvonne let him do it. She even passed him her backpack too.They left the airport together. At the exit, a chauffeur was already waiting to pick them up."Claude asked me to pick you two up. You must be tired from all the traveling.""Thank you," Yvonne responded. She exchanged a look with Stephen. They read each other's minds.Leonard and Claude were being so polite to them. That only meant that those two must surely have something to ask of them.Even if they didn't have any ulterior motives, they were surely trying to get them on their side.The journey to the ma
After exchanging pleasantries, Leonard arranged for the household staff to take Yvonne and Stephen back to their rooms to rest.Once they left, Claude went up to Leonard. "Leonard, what on earth are you trying to do?"Since that day, Leonard still hadn't shared his plan with Claude. Claude had been dying to know what he was up to. "Mark has destroyed our business, yet you're trying to be the mediator. Do you think he'll take you up on it?""What do you know?" Leonard side-eyed Claude. "If we don't come up with an excuse to get Mark to come to our territory, are you going to wait to fall into his trap?"Claude was at a loss for words. "I-It sure is better that he comes to our territory."Leonard retracted his gaze. "Just follow my lead. At least, we have to find out why Mark is doing this to us."…Mark was nowhere to be seen, even during dinner that night.Seeing how the food was getting cold, Leonard awkwardly picked up his cutlery. "Let's not wait. Let's eat."Claude was
Jane's sudden appearance ended the dinner abruptly and unhappily.Yvonne entered the room with Stephen following behind her. She smiled helplessly. "If Ms. Ford sees you in my room, I might just die mysteriously here.""Don't worry. Leonard and Claude still know what's right and wrong." Stephen leaned against the door and looked at Yvonne seriously. He asked quietly, "Did you not know about Mark destroying their docks?"Yvonne shook her head. "Things had been busy at Hope. I don't have superpowers. How would I have the time and energy to pay attention to other matters?""What?" Stephen was curious. "What happened at Hope?"Yvonne looked around to make sure that no one was standing by the corridors before explaining softly, "Howard left. He only left a note saying that he was going to do something important. "I initially thought he was going to settle the score with Mark, but Kendrick Beck told me that Howard took a flight to this city. He should be going after Leonard and Cl
At the same time, Claude was lecturing Jane in the study. "You're getting more and more disobedient!"Before Yvonne and the others had arrived, Claude had found an excuse to get Jane to leave the manor. He had never thought that she would disobey him and return to meddle in his affairs."You're just pissing me off to death! Are you happy now?""No," Jane muttered. "You didn't tell me the truth. You're the one at fault—""What's wrong? The only wrong thing I did was to let you get to know Stephen Anderson!" Claude was furious. "I really don't know what the hell is going on with you. How could you fall for a divorced man with a child?""He's a great guy—""Enough." Leonard's head hurt from listening to them argue. He curtly stopped their argument. "Jane's appearance tonight might not be a bad thing." Leonard furrowed his brows. He thought back about what Mark had said and continued, "I think Mark knows that we had something to do with Jade's incident."Claude's eyes widene
The tearoom was in total silence, broken only by the sound of water boiling in the kettle.Leonard was alarmed. His guess had been right!Next to him, Claude had an ugly expression as well. Jane had truly caused them huge trouble!After a while, Leonard said tentatively, "Actually, this is just an accident. We never would have thought that things would happen this way.""I don't want to hear any nonsense." Mark looked at Leonard coldly. "Since you planned to frame me for this, you should pay the price. Treat the destroyed docks as a lesson from me. "You two better stay out of my affairs with Yvonne. Don't let me find out that you're playing dirty tricks again. If not …"Mark's gaze sharpened. "Don't think you'll be able to live out your golden years peacefully."Leonard and Claude were stunned.Claude was the first to react. He rebuked, "Mark, we're already humbly explaining it to you, yet you're still so unforgiving! You clearly don't respect us at all!""If you want to st
Jane smiled widely. "Where are you going? I can show you around!""No need," Stephen said flatly as he walked past Jane."Oh, come on. How boring it is to go alone!" Jane chased after Stephen and asked curiously, "Where's Yvonne? Why isn't she with you?"Stephen replied without even looking at Jane, "She's busy.""I see …" Jane was secretly delighted. "I'm not the same as her. She puts everything else before you. I won't. I'll cancel everything just for you. Just let me accompany you. Come on, don't say no to a lady."Despite Stephen's frostiness, Jane's enthusiasm didn't die down at all.When Stephen got in the car, she got in the backseat too. Afraid that he would get out of the car, she quickly said to the driver, "Go."As the car moved, Stephen's gaze darkened. "Ms. Ford, do you insist on coming along?""Yes. How could I let you go alone? You're my grandfather's guest. You're not familiar with the place. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to answer him."Jane
Howard was shocked to see Gwen. "Why are you here?""I should be the one asking you that."Gwen looked at the unconscious Jane behind Howard. "Let's find a place to talk, you and me.""But …" Howard hesitated for a while. "Alright, we'll talk."Then, Gwen led Howard to a quieter part on the corner of the street. They stopped there. Gwen asked directly, "Why are you kidnapping Claude's granddaughter?""I …" Howard furrowed his brow. "This is my personal matter. Don't ask. I don't want to get anyone involved.""Does Yvonne know about this?"Howard shook his head. "She doesn't know.""Do you think that she wouldn't get involved in this?" Gwen said unhappily, "Howard, you're one of Yvonne's men. If Claude wants to go after you, do you think he won't look for Yvonne? "I thought you would know how to differentiate right from wrong after having been at the border for such a long time. Who would have thought that you would still be so reckless?""I …" Howard lowered his head.