Tyler stood at the bedroom entrance with a taut face as he stared at Dorothy. "For a while now."Dorothy freaked out a little more upon hearing the answer. Jean quickly walked up to her mom and said calmly, "Mom, go home. I'll visit Jean when I have the time."Dorothy composed herself and nodded as she walked past Tyler. She went down from the second floor and felt relieved when Tyler didn't call out to her. Maybe he didn't hear their conversation, and she was nervous for nothing. She hurriedly left Oakside Villa without even looking back. Jean watched Dorothy leave. Then, she turned to Tyler with a smile. "I thought you wouldn't come home for a while." He stared at the demure woman with a sharp and curious gaze. She pursed her lips and handled his scorching gaze with calmness. She asked, "What's going on?"She didn't know if Tyler had overheard her conversation with Dorothy. But she couldn't look suspicious to Tyler after how Dorothy behaved strangely. Tyler was always wary a
Tyler smirked at Jean. "A woman who suggested divorce is now talking about securing her status. You think I'm easily fooled?"Jean felt her heart racing under his gaze. Feeling dizzy, she stumbled backward and gripped the wall. A wave of nausea hit her. Enduring the discomfort, she hissed, "Yes! I'd like a divorce! But I decided to stay with you only because I can take advantage of the title of Mrs. Larson!" His eyes were devoid of warmth. Jean bit her lips with a look of determination. "You need my blood to save a life, and I need your reputation for my social standing. We can continue with this arrangement while leading separate lives. Doesn't that sound nice to you?"He shot her a frosty look. "You'd better remember what you said today." She gave him a light nod. "I will.""If so, come to the hospital tomorrow morning for blood donation."Her face paled upon hearing that. She had just donated blood that day. Donating again could affect her baby. "No," she refused, gritti
Jean clenched her fists tightly and stared at her reflection for a long time. She came to a decision and left the bathroom. She decided that she could not carry Tyler's baby.The next day, Chris picked her up at the villa according to Tyler's plan. "Madam, Mr. Larson wanted me to pick you up." She took a sip of the milk without much expression at the dining table. Then, she placed the glass on the table and rose from her chair. "Let's go." She sounded at peace. There wasn't a hint of protest. Chris was surprised by the sight of the untouched breakfast. A maid also chimed in, "Madam, you haven't eaten anything since last night. Why don't you leave after having breakfast?" She shook her head. "It's fine. I don't feel like eating."She walked out of the villa without turning back. Chris hurried after her and held the car door for her. Once she sat in the back, he closed the door and started the car.Jean was quietly staring out of the window during the drive. She suddenly asked
Chris parked the car at the hospital entrance. He wanted to open the car door for Jean but then saw that she had left the car. She quickly disappeared into the hospital. Her behavior was different from yesterday. She seemed to have accepted her fate. Chris admired her ability to adapt to the situation.Jean entered the hospital and took the elevator. He rushed after her and helped to press the button for the floor Lilian's room was on.Jean's expression never changed for the entire journey up. She left the elevator as soon as they arrived on the floor. She immediately saw two bodyguards standing outside Lilian Page's room. The other rooms on the floor seemed empty. She then realized that Tyler had hired the medical staff from the entire floor to take care of Lilian. "Ms. Michaels, please come with me." A nurse immediately went up to Jean. She led her to the same room as yesterday. Jean lay down and extended her left arm in cooperation. She explained, "There's a bruise on my
Tyler's face darkened as he glared at Jean, his eyes full of disdain. "Those are the words of a fool, so don't bother about it." As he spoke, his tone softened, and he put an arm around Lilian's shoulders. "Didn't you say you want to go to the garden? Let's go." Lilian pursed her lips and nodded. She linked arms with Tyler. The two left in the opposite direction, leaving Jean standing there. Jean felt like a clown as she watched them go. She took a deep breath and tried to hold back her tears. She sneered, thinking the woman wasn't aware that Tyler was already married. Chris sighed in relief to see Jean staying put and not going after Tyler and Lilian. He pressed the elevator button and waited for the door to open. "After you, Madam," he said. Jean strode into the elevator. She watched the numbers on the screen decrease as they descended. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Eventually, the elevator stopped its descent. Jean walked out only to bump into a grim Dorothy.Not
"Joyce, you must recover quickly and return to the Larson Residence," Dorothy advised. "Us Michaelses are counting on you for the glory of our family." With that said, she started her incessant nagging and mocking of Jean. It was as if Joyce was her biological daughter, and Jean was a child she picked up from the streets. Jean felt hurt inside, but she forced her tears at bay and remained calm. She turned to look at Joyce. "It's not that I don't want to do something for our family. You know how Tyler is, right, Joyce? I'm afraid that he might find out about our identities." Joyce nodded in understanding and said, "I know things can be difficult for you."She glared at Dorothy and added, "If it weren't for your ridiculous decision, Jean wouldn't have needed to live such a guarded life in the Larson household. Don't mention it anymore in the future." This time, Dorothy scowled. She noticed that Joyce was holding Jean's hand. She refused to comment further and turned to leave th
Joyce had a gentle smile on her face. However, the determination and decisiveness in her eyes gave away her answer. "Never." She sounded so sure. "No one can ever understand the relationship Tyler and I have." Jean froze, dumbfounded at her words. Joyce had a sort of calmness and certainty in her voice. She didn't even hesitate to give her the answer. She wouldn't have the courage to speak like that if she wasn't confident in their relationship. Perhaps there was something between the two of them that Jean never had. Her hands balled briefly into fists at her sides before she quickly let them go. Joyce lay on the bed and stared at her in silence. "Jean, thank you for helping me save my marriage for all these years. When I'm better, we can swap back our identities. If you want to study abroad or start your own business, I'll definitely give you my full support." "Okay." Jean nodded. Her reply was brief because she didn't know what else she could say. Joyce sensed that Jean
"That brat Jean is so problematic. It's because your grandmother raised her. Thank goodness I was determined to keep you with me." Back then, the Michaels family wasn't as affluent as today, so raising Joyce alone was already a burden. They had to send their less-outstanding daughter, Jean, off to the countryside. Eventually, the Michaels family rose in power and influence because of Joyce's accomplishments. It strengthened Dorothy's belief that Joyce was their hope and future. Jean, left in the countryside, was thus forgotten. Dorothy had only brought her home because she was accepted to a university in Henkel. A wave of hatred flashed across Joyce's eyes as she listened to Dorothy's words. She felt that all her family ever achieved today was because of her. Jean didn't deserve to even be compared to her. However, if Jean gave her full cooperation this time, she would willingly pay for her to leave Henkel. If Jean refused, she would definitely make her regret it her whole