Elliot was at the Sterling Group when he took the call. "Mr. Foster, Shea has taken Hayden to the National Youth Programming Championships today. She has managed to convince him to participate in the finals," said the bodyguard on the other end of the line.Elliot's brows furrowed, and he was dumbfounded as he said, "What are you talking about?"The bodyguard repeated himself, then explained, "Miss Shea asked me not to tell you about it.""Why are you telling me now, then?"Elliot massaged the space between his brows as a sense of foreboding rose inside him."When Hayden Tate won the competition, Miss Shea ran up on stage. Someone recognized her and things turned chaotic. Miss Shea's isn't hurt, but she is a little shaken up."Elliot listened to the bizarre story and thought that the bodyguard was having a go at him."Why would Shea take Hayden to the Youth Programming Championships?" he wondered.Hayden was a loner who disliked meeting strangers. Logically, he would unwillin
The moment Hayden's eyes met Elliot's, he froze!His mother had told him to stay far away from him.Hayden immediately walked away."Hayden Tate!" yelled Elliot when he saw Hayden walking away, avoiding him like the plague. Hayden's footsteps slowed down, but he did not stop.Elliot had to lengthen his stride and run after him.He blocked Hayden's path, then demanded, "What are you doing here alone? Where's Shea?""Stay away from me!" Hayden did not want to speak to him, nor did he want to see his face. "Don't you owe me a wish? I want you to grant it right now. Stay away from me! Never come close to me ever again!"A peculiar sense of frustration surged inside of Elliot as he watched the conflicted emotions on Hayden's face.He did not want his relationship with Avery's son to be this horrible!Breaking ties with Hayden would have a severe impact on his own relationship with Avery.If he had not messed up and almost strangle Hayden to death, Avery would not have forbidden
Avery arrived home about half an hour later.She rushed into the house and charged toward Elliot without even changing into her house slippers."Where's Hayden? Why are you here alone?"Elliot was about to speak, but Avery interrupted him when she noticed his disheveled clothes."What happened to your clothes?"Elliot's shirt was completely wrinkled. She followed the wrinkled lines to his back and saw a piece of his shirt that had been ripped off.She saw the bloody bite mark under the ripped fabric.The bleeding had stopped, but she could imagine how painful it must have been.Avery faced them, then asked, "Did Hayden bite you?""I brought it onto myself," Elliot said nonchalantly. "He's in his room.""I see. I'll go take a look. Wait here for me," Avery said, then walked up the stairs.Mike sauntered behind Elliot, took a good look at his wound, then sighed and said, "Big H really did you in! You look like you were bitten by a dog!"Elliot turned around and stared grimly
Avery finished tending to Elliot's wound, then said coldly, "Put your clothes on."Elliot put on the t-shirt she gave him, then looked up at her and asked, "Can I ask my question now?""What is it?" Avery's expression and tone were icy. "Hayden doesn't like you. Don't touch him again. If something like this ever happens again, just give me a call."Elliot's mind went blank.He really did bring all of this onto himself.He picked up his torn shirt, stood up, and prepared to leave.Avery suddenly felt anxious.She took an involuntary step forward as she said, "What did you want to ask me?"Elliot turned to look at her, then said, "Do you think Shea needs to continue her treatment? I'm worried it would end up taking a toll on her health if we keep going.""Isn't Zoe Sanford Shea's doctor?" The moment Avery mentioned Zoe's name, her reason began to crumble. "Since you went to her and even paid her an exorbitant medical fee, you should just listen to her advice."Elliot did not ex
The next day, someone rang the doorbell of Starry River Villa at seven in the morning.Avery walked out of her bedroom in her pajamas and made her way to the front door.When she saw Tammy through the front door's camera, she opened the door.After Tammy married Jun, she had gone abroad for her honeymoon.She had told Avery before that she would take a month-long holiday abroad."Why is she back only after two weeks?" thought Avery. "How are you feeling, Avery?" Tammy asked as she entered the house with bags of souvenirs."I'm fine. I already started going back to work," Avery said. "Why are you back so soon?"Tammy pulled a long face and said, "I didn't have fun at all! We were supposed to spend our honeymoon relaxing, but Jun gets over twenty calls from work every day. Honestly, I feel like getting a divorce."Avery poured her a drink, then said, "Don't be reckless. He just took over his family's business. Give him some time.""Hmph, it's not like I'm not giving him time.
"Then let's see the doctor who did the surgery!" said the bodyguard."Do you remember the doctor's name?" asked the hospital director."How would I know?! She was wearing a surgical cap and mask. I didn't even get a good look at her face!""How about I ask all of the doctors in the maternity unit and see if any of them remember Miss Tate?"Elliot left the room.He already had his answer.Avery had not gone through with the abortion five years ago.Hayden Tate was his son.Even so, what could he do after knowing the truth?Hayden would never forgive Elliot for hurting him.Avery had never planned to tell him about the children, so there was no way she would speak for him.Elliot did not blame Avery.It was all his own fault!Five years ago, he had said that he would strangle their child with his bare hands if Avery ever got pregnant.Sure enough, he had almost strangled his own son to death five years later.Elliot's bloodshot eyes glistened with tears.He got into the c
Layla let out a horrified scream!Tammy picked her up and rushed into the house."Don't be scared, Layla! I'm calling the ambulance right away!"She placed Layla on the couch, then pulled out her phone from her bag and called 911.Layla was wailing uncontrollably."Is my daddy dead?" she sobbed. "He still doesn't know that I'm his daughter!"Tammy held the hysterical Layla in one arm and held her phone with her other hand.Once the call went through, she gave the operator the address and hung up."Wait here in the house, Layla. I'll go take a look," Tammy said and quickly ran out the door.…Avery received a call from the associate dean at Central University that morning and brought Hayden to the campus.Yesterday, Hayden won the National Youth Programming Championships.He was not the youngest participant in the competition, but he was the youngest one to enter the finals.What was even more unexpected was that he was the champion."Hayden might have skipped the conventi
How dangerous might it have been if Tammy had not been there when Elliot had passed out in front of Avery's gate.That evening, after much consideration, Avery decided to stop by Elliot's mansion."I'll drive you there," Mike said as he walked out of the house with her.Avery shook her head and said, "I'm going to see Shea. I'll be back soon.""Drop the act! If you're really going there for Shea, all you have to do is call her and ask her to meet you. She has a phone now, after all."Avery did not want to waste her time talking to him as he had mercilessly blown her cover."You don't need to drive me. I'll go there myself.""You're insane! You're pregnant right now! How could I let you drive alone this late at night? Elliot would kill me if anything happened to you!" Mike argued. "How about this? I'll drive you there, but I won't go into the house with you."Avery opened the door to the driver's seat of her car, got in, then closed the door.She rolled down the window, then sa