"Avery, I'm going to get some groceries. Get some rest if you're tired," Laura said.Avery opened up their suitcases and took out their belongings one by one."Be careful out there, Mom. I'm not tired, so I'll start unpacking our stuff.""Okay, I'll head out now."Once Laura was gone, the house instantly fell into a calm silence.Avery quickly finished unpacking, then got up and checked on the kids.Layla was still fast asleep while Hayden lay next to her with his eyes shut.When Avery left the room, she sighed as a hint of sadness washed over her face.Hayden was a healthy child, but he was different from other kids.He was a quiet boy that refused to speak to strangers.He was already four years old, but he had never gone to school.Avery had taken him for countless physical examinations.Every single checkup came out normal, with the exception of his cerebral cortex being much more developed than the average person.Hayden's problem was psychological.However, even the
Layla's eyes widened as she gazed at Cole's photo on the laptop screen."Whoa! Our dad's so good-looking!"Hayden shut the laptop, then thought to himself, 'So what if he's good-looking? A spineless freeloader isn't worthy of our mom!'"When can we go see Daddy? Do you think he'd be happy when he finds out about us?"The only concept that Layla had about their father was a pure one, as Avery had never once spoken ill of him in front of them. Every time Layla asked Avery who their father was, Avery would always patiently answer, "You don't have a father."Hayden climbed back into bed, lay down, and stared at the ceiling."He won't," he answered bluntly.Layla was upset."Why not? It's not like we want his money. I just want to spend some time with him!""Go to sleep.""I can't sleep," Layla huffed. "I want Dad."Hayden was disappointed in their so-called father, which put him in a bad mood."Shut up," he snapped impatiently.Layla immediately quieted down.She could feel
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