"You've crossed a line!" Neil slapped the side of the bed, reprimanding Jane.Jane jumped. She only dared to mutter softly, "Uncle Neil, weren't you going to help me?"Neil ignored her. He looked at Yvonne, a little calmer this time. "Ms. Miller, I’m sorry. If I hadn't asked you about it, I wouldn't have known that Jane had done such a terrible thing to that girl in the past."If there is a chance in the future, I'll get Jane to apologize to her."Yvonne refused without a change in her expression. "No need. I don't think Jade would want to see her.""Now that we have laid everything out, we're clear that none of us bear any ill will. Why don't you—""It is indeed clear."Neil was a little stunned at Yvonne's response. He looked at her, stumped."Mr. Foster, you clearly called me over to seek justice for Ms. Ford and get me to send Jade away. Since you had already thought about that from the beginning, it proves that you are still on guard. You don't trust me."Yvonne stood up
"More or less. I've already gotten the list of names. I'll organize them and send them to you later. We'll be able to use it when the time comes."Yvonne's goal for this trip hadn't only been to visit Neil but also to understand the metal business better. That way, she could better utilize her resources in the future.Besides, when she had decided to get into the metal business, she hadn't been planning to settle just for that little bit. She also wanted Mark's portion of the metal business.Of course, that was all for a later time.Yvonne walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the city's skyline at night. "I didn't plan on leaving this early, but Jane has targeted us. If I don't leave, she will try to drive a wedge between Neil and me. I don't want any further problems right now. I can't be bothered to deal with her either."Yvonne yawned lazily. "I want to go back earlier so I can spend more time with Elvin. I haven't seen him in a long time.""Hmm, it's
At the hospital, Kai timidly handed the documents to Neil."Mr. Foster, Ms. Miller asked me to hand this to you. She handed over all her duties today."Neil threw the stack of documents to the floor.He berated Kai, "Didn't I ask you to make her stay? Now you're telling me she has already handed over her duties. How useless can you be?"Kai lowered his head. "I-I tried to persuade her, but she was insistent on leaving. She said she didn't want to come between you and Ms. Ford."At that moment, the door to the room opened. Jane entered with an exquisite-looking lunchbox. She said with a smile, "Uncle Neil, if Yvonne wants to leave, let her go. You don't have to beg her to stay."Neil's gaze darkened. "Why are you here?""I'm the only one who cares for you." Jane went over to the side of the bed. She placed the lunchbox by the nightstand. "Uncle Neil, I've really thought about it. If I really lost my temper at you, I would have fallen into Yvonne's trap. She—""Shut up!" Neil
Yvonne and Jade took the same flight back to Hope Health Services. As they came out of the arrival terminal, Yvonne spotted a sign with a rather bad drawing on it.If it hadn't been for her name on the sign, she wouldn't have been able to recognize that the stick figure of a woman on the drawing was her.Britney was clearly happy with her drawing. She had made Stephen carry her in her arms so that Yvonne would notice the sign immediately.When she spotted Yvonne, she waved the sign excitedly, almost hitting Stephen squarely in the face a few times.Yvonne was amused by this scene. She quickened her steps and went up to them. She took the sign and asked, "Britney, did you draw this?""Yes!" Then, Britney shook her head and pointed at Elvin, who was standing next to Stephen. "El drew it too!""I have nothing to do with that ugly painting," Elvin flatly denied.Yvonne naturally believed Britney more. She took the sign and bent down. She asked Elvin, "Babe, which part did you draw
That night, after Yvonne tucked Elvin in bed, she heard someone knock on the door.She gently got down from the bed.She opened the door to see Jade standing nervously in the corridor. Yvonne was curious. "What is it?""Is El asleep?" Jade asked."He just fell asleep." Yvonne took a step out of the room and closed the door behind her. "We can talk in the living room.""Okay." Jade nodded. She followed Yvonne downstairs.Yvonne went to the kitchen and poured two glasses of water. She passed one to Jade. "You must be exhausted after playing with the children today.""It was alright. Britney is adorable, and El is …" Jade racked her brain for an apt way to describe him. She found out that nothing could describe the feeling that Elvin gave her.Elvin was such a special child. He was like a miniature version of Stephen."El would surely grow up to become an amazing person like Mr. Anderson," Jade said seriously.Yvonne chuckled. "That would be worrying. Having two Stephens in my
For the next few days, Jade showed her gratitude by spending more time with Britney and Elvin.In the evening, they were all in the garden. A chill breeze signaled that winter was coming. Yvonne and Stephen sat on a bench, watching Jade play with the children further away.Compared to the aloof Elvin, Jade seemed more like a child. She would lead Britney along and tease Elvin from time to time. Their laughter echoed throughout the entire garden.Under the sunset, Jade's smile was as bright as the sun.Yvonne couldn't help but sigh. "Howard really took great care of Jade. She has such a pure smile, even at her age."Stephen hummed before saying, "I heard from Old Jim that she has decided to study.""Yes." Yvonne smiled apologetically. "I forgot to tell you about that. Since I've just returned to Hope, there are too many things for me to deal with.""It's fine." Stephen didn't take it to heart. "It's good that Jade managed to come to terms with it on her own."Yvonne nodded.
Leonard entered the study and looked at Claude sternly. "I overheard everything you said. By calling Neil right now, are you trying to blow things out of proportion or trying to get yourself a few more enemies?""Leonard, Neil is clearly siding with Yvonne! Are you asking me to just stand down and ignore this? I can't do that!"Claude was just about to take his phone out when Leonard stopped him. "You can already see that Neil is siding with Yvonne. Is there a need to call him? What good will it do you to argue with Neil?"Leonard glared at Claude. "Think about our situation right now. If we offend another person, that is one more risk we have to take. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment.""But …" Jane chimed in reluctantly. "Grandpa Leonard, are you saying I have to just swallow this bitter pill of indignation? Uncle Neil was really mean! He—""I know he has crossed a line this time, but everyone is too worked up right now. A phone call will only add fuel to the fire. Not on
Half a month later, Neil was in a wheelchair, about to leave the hospital.When Kai returned to the ward after paying the bills, he looked a little awkward. Neil was just about to ask him what was going on when he saw Claude, Leonard, and Jane behind him.Jane reluctantly presented Neil with a bouquet. "Uncle Neil, congratulations on getting discharged."Neil looked at her before looking at Leonard and Claude. "Are you two here to seek justice for Jane?""Neil—"Leonard cleared his throat to stop Claude from flaring up."Mr. Foster, you're getting discharged today. It's a great day. We're here to celebrate with you and treat you to a meal," Leonard said politely.Neil was silent. He looked at Leonard for a while and calmed down a little. "Well, I can't say no to that, can I?"Leonard smiled. "You won't regret it."Just like that, they left the hospital together and headed to the restaurant that Leonard had booked beforehand.As they got seated, a feast was served, along with