The night deepened, but lights still blazed throughout The Xavier Manor.
The servants bustled from room to room with an array of cleaning tools, polishing even the crevices of the crystal chandeliers.
Timothy Xavier stood in the middle of the living room, his brow slightly furrowed. He ordered, "Nanny Lowell, keep a close eye on them. Every single thing must be restored to how it was before Madam left."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over a few decorative pieces Serena had purchased at the auction, then imdiately added, "Also, anything at all connected to Serena Sawyer, not one item is to remain. Madam mustn’t see any of it."
Nanny Lowell’s hands stopped mid-action, then a delighted smile broke over her face. She hurried to reply, "Yes, sir! Does this an... Madam is coming back?"
At yesterday’s banquet, Timothy Xavier had openly confessed his love for Zoe Ellison—everyone saw it, and online the blessings poured in. She’d been waiting for this day for a long ti.
ntioning Zoe Ellison made Timothy’s tone soften. "That’s right, Zoe will bring Doris ho tomorrow."
He then walked over to the guest bedroom and pushed the door open. "Clear out the bed she used in the guest room. From now on, if she returns, she’ll only stay in the master suite."
Nanny Lowell responded cheerfully and hurried to urge the other servants along.
Timothy headed for the study, weighing how to resolve the problem of Serena Sawyer.
After all, he carried guilt toward Serena and truly couldn’t bring himself to tell her to leave face-to-face.
Deliberating for a long ti, he finally called Jack Sullivan, instructing, "Have Serena out of Veridia by tomorrow. Whatever compensation she wants, let her na her price."
On the other end, Jack’s face fell instantly, but he had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.
Why did all these thorny problems always end up on his shoulders?
The next morning at dawn, Jack waited outside Serena’s apartnt. But it was the hourly maid who opened the door.
Jack peered in. "Is Miss Sawyer in?"
The maid said truthfully, "Miss Sawyer left early. She said she was eting President Xavier’s mother for breakfast."
"President Xavier’s mother?"
Jack was stunned.
He rembered that after the whole fiasco, Sophia hadn’t stopped badmouthing Serena to Timothy. So why were the two of them suddenly hanging out together?
Thinking this, he imdiately called Timothy to report.
Timothy still hadn’t figured out why his mother had accepted Serena again when a maid knocked at the door: "Mr. Xavier, Madam and Miss Sawyer have arrived."
Timothy jolted upright from bed, wide awake at once.
Today Zoe was bringing Doris ho—he couldn’t afford a single misstep.
So he quickly freshened up, not even bothering to change out of his pajamas, and hurried downstairs.
Sophia was sitting regally on the couch, deliberately posing as the lady of the house.
Serena stood off to the side, carrying a bag of takeaway dim sum, gazing at him with tender longing.
"Timothy."
Serena hurried forward, set the breakfast on the coffee table, and spoke in a soft, fragile voice: "Mother and I know you’re busy, so we packed your favorite breakfast for you."
Timothy glanced at the dainty breakfasts on the table, but had no appetite whatsoever.
He drew in a deep breath, stifling his irritation. "Serena, I actually wanted to talk to you. Since you’re here, let’s clear things up now."
Serena instantly lowered her lashes, looking pitiful and wronged. "Timothy, just say it, I’ll listen to whatever you say."
Her deanor only deepened Timothy’s guilt.
He avoided her eyes and said coolly, "Today I’m bringing Zoe and Doris ho. You know how things were unpleasant between you before—she minds your presence. What happened between us, it’s my fault. As long as you’re willing to leave Veridia, whatever compensation you want, I’ll see that you have it. I’ll make sure you never have to worry about a thing."
"No!"
Serena snapped her head up, choking on tears. "Timothy, I told you long ago, I don’t mind being the woman behind you. I won’t interfere with Miss Ellison..."
"Let finish first!" Timothy cut her off, his tone harsher. "I want a good life with Zoe. If you stay in Veridia, it’s bad for all of us."
Sophia, seeing Serena sobbing so hard she could barely breathe, cursed her theatrics inwardly.
It was only after witnessing Serena’s true nature yesterday that Sophia realized there’s always a nesis for everyone.
But now with her lifeline gripped tightly by Serena, Sophia could only stiffen her resolve: "Timothy! Have you forgotten about Zoe Ellison and Julian? Even if you bring her back, it’s not you she loves! Are you going to keep lying to yourself?"
"Zoe and I were childhood sweethearts. What we have isn’t sothing outsiders can understand."
Timothy’s tone was resolute: "She just lost her way for a mont. I believe, as long as I’m sincere, she’ll accept again."
"And what about Serena?" Sophia hardened her voice. "I only recognize Serena as my daughter-in-law! Zoe will never set foot in the Xavier Family again!"
"The Xavier Manor is mine. Who I bring ho, who I live with, that’s my decision."
Timothy shot her a look, his tone ice-cold. "Mom, you’ve ddled too much!"
Sophia caught the shadow in Serena’s eyes and her own heart plunged. Determined now, she threatened, "Fine! If you won’t listen to , I’ll go to the dia and say you’re still involved with Serena, that she’s the only daughter-in-law I acknowledge! When the Xavier Group stock tanks and chaos ensues, don’t you bla !"
She paused, then tossed a bombshell, "And another thing—the fact that you gave Doris to Serena to raise—no one outside knows, do they? You really want everyone to know what you did to your own daughter?"
Timothy’s expression was pure shock and disbelief. "Mom, are you really my mother? With so much effort to stabilize the Xavier Group, you just want to destroy it all?"
"I don’t care!" Sophia’s voice shook with emotion, but she gritted her teeth. "From now on, Serena and I live here. And I want her mother brought over too! If you dare bring Zoe Ellison back, I’ll make this blow up for everyone to see! Try if you don’t believe !"
Timothy gazed at this unfamiliar mother, Serena’s constant sobs ringing in his ears, his mind buzzing out of control.
Crushed with disappointnt, his voice turned glacial: "Now I finally understand why Dad chose Katherine Sheldon back then. No man would ever choose a woman like you!"
With those words, he turned and strode upstairs, leaving Sophia frozen to the spot.
It was like a knife plunged into her heart—sharp, rciless.
Her son, the boy she’d raised with endless hardship, had actually said that to her!
Sophia’s eyes reddened instantly.
She stared after Timothy’s retreating back, then looked to the fake-crying Serena nearby, and a surge of regret crashed over her.
If she’d never opposed her son and Zoe Ellison, would she not be manipulated by Serena now? Would she not be hated by her own son?
Timothy’s words kept replaying in her mind. For the first ti, Sophia realized just how much she had failed at life.
...
At that mont, I was lounging on my sofa, absentmindedly scrolling through my social feed.
Soon enough, I saw that Serena, after a long absence, had just posted an update.
She, Sophia, and Faye Warren sat in the Xavier Manor garden, the three of them gathered around a table with coffee, grinning smugly in the sunlight.
I let out a breath of relief.
Knew it—I didn’t bet wrong. This woman always finds a way back to Timothy Xavier.
This way, Timothy can hardly expect and Doris to move back to the Xavier Manor, right?
Just then, my phone rang, the caller ID: "Madam Sinclair."
I answered, the old lady’s dispirited voice coming through: "Zoe, tell Grandma, have you really patched things up with Timothy Xavier? Did you really forgive him? n like him never change. I don’t want you suffering again, dear!"
Her words made my nose sting, but there was warmth too: "Grandma, yesterday I didn’t discuss it with you before letting Timothy go to the banquet. I worried... you’d bla ."
"Silly child."
The old lady sighed, her voice full of concern. "Grandma’s lived long enough to see through you were covering for Julian. If I’d known this was your plan, I never would’ve let you sacrifice yourself!"
I sniffed, fighting down swelling emotions, asking softly, "Grandma, thank you for believing . How’s the Sinclair Group now? Any more trouble with Attorney Sinclair?"
"Governnt officials did contact Julian in private, and it was because of the scandal that the contract talks stalled."
The old lady’s tone cald a bit. "But last night’s banquet completely cleared Julian’s na, and the Sinclair Group is out of danger. We’re filing an appeal now, so barring any surprises we’ll be able to bid for governnt contracts again soon."
"That’s good. That’s really good." My heart, which had been suspended for days, finally relaxed.
But the old lady’s voice turned grave again: "But what about you? I didn’t sleep a wink last night. The price for getting Sinclair Group out of trouble was sacrificing you. I regret it! I shouldn’t have put on this show with you, now we’re both stuck. I promised I’d arrange your wedding to Julian, but now how am I supposed to face him?"
I gripped my phone tighter.
Yesterday, Julian’s look flashed through my mind—the disappointnt and pain there were too much to dwell on.
I took a deep breath and tried to steady my voice. "Grandma, Attorney Sinclair deserves soone better. Timothy and I are just keeping up appearances for others’ sake. As soon as the crisis passes, I’ll cut ties with him for good. Please don’t worry about —just take care of yourself. From now on... I might not be able to visit you that often."
After all, there would still be countless eyes fixed on the Sinclair family.
No matter what, as long as I had any entanglent with Julian, it would always be gossip fodder.
With so much effort finally extricating him, I didn’t want to drag him back in.
The old lady kept sighing. She said, "There must be a way out. Zoe, Grandma will find a way for you and Julian to be together. As long as you still care for him, I’ll never give up having you as my granddaughter-in-law."
I was moved to the point my eyes stung.
After a few more words of advice, we ended the call.
Just then, soone knocked lightly on my door.
I looked up to see Sharon peeking in, big dark eyes veiled with mist, looking so small and alone it hurt to see.
I waved her over. She clutched her hem, hesitant about what to say.
I pulled her into my arms. "Sharon, do you have sothing you want to say to Auntie?"
She hesitated a long ti before whispering, "Auntie Ellison, are you and Doris really going back to live with Uncle Xavier?"
My heart quivered hard.
The worry was obvious on the little girl’s face—even her gaze was dimr than usual.
I knew. She was afraid of being left behind—or sent back to Jessica Young.
I tightened my arms around her and assured her word by word, "I won’t. Auntie will not leave with Uncle Xavier."
But Sharon didn’t imdiately believe it. She looked up. "But Doris said Uncle Xavier wants to take you both ho."
I could guess—Timothy must have spoken to Doris in private, told her sothing.
And Doris was just a child—she was prone to believing anything her parents said.
I stroked Sharon’s hair. "Auntie promises I won’t abandon you. I won’t go back to Uncle Xavier’s, and I won’t ever leave Sharon behind."
At this, Sharon’s tense little face finally relaxed a bit.
Just then, Doris’s crisp, cheerful voice called from outside, "Daddy’s here!"
My heart dropped.
Doris probably thought I’d reconciled with Timothy, so she wasn’t as resistant to him as before.
But Sharon stiffened up again instantly, clutching my clothes, full of dread that Timothy was really here to take and Doris away.
I said, "Trust Auntie, okay?"
Sharon studied for a while, then nodded earnestly.
Holding her hand, I walked out of the room and saw Timothy Xavier standing in the living room, arms full of shopping bags.
Poking out of the bags were cake-making supplies.
He was a stranger to kitchens, but since he’d managed to make a birthday cake once, he’d learned how to win Doris’s favor.
"Zoe."
He greeted with a smile, not ntioning returning to the manor at all, just said, "Today you two can just relax—I’m going to make you a strawberry cake."
But Doris didn’t let the subject drop. She tilted her little face up and asked, "Daddy, didn’t you say yesterday that you’d take and Mommy ho today?"
She didn’t notice the flicker of discomfort on his face, and added, "If you do take us back, you have to bring Sharon too, and treat her just as well as you treat !"
A trace of guilt flashed in Timothy’s eyes; he crouched down, patted Doris’s head, and said, "Daddy’s having the house redone right now. When it’s finished, I’ll bring you and Mommy ho, okay?"
"Then why didn’t you ntion renovating yesterday?" Doris blinked, puzzled.
"Daddy only thought of it when he got ho last night."
He fumbled for an excuse, keeping his tone as natural as possible. "A lot of things in the house are old. You’re going to live with Sharon too, so the kids’ room must be remodeled so you’re comfortable."
That, clearly, was exactly what Doris wanted to hear.
She imdiately let go of her doubts, beaming. "Great! Daddy, we’ll wait for your new house!"
Timothy saw his daughter was convinced and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes sliding sidelong to .
I didn’t expose him. This worked just fine.
Serena would always cling to that house—Timothy shouldn’t bring up going back again.
...
That morning I was working at my desk, writing, while Sharon sat beside with a children’s sketchbook, keeping company.
From the kitchen ca the clatter of dishes and the voices of Doris and Timothy.
But all I could feel was irritation.
Timothy was like a piece of sticky chewing gum, wandering all over my ho.
I was just about to make up an excuse to send him packing when the phone rang.
Victoria Monroe’s apologetic voice ca through: "Can you work so overti today? It’s the weekend—I’d have let you rest, but Lowell has a family ergency and she can’t make her interview with a business executive. I’m out of town. Could you cover for her?"
"Sure—just send the address."
I agreed almost instantly.
After I hung up, I went to the entryway for my coat.
Timothy heard and ca out of the kitchen right away. "You’re going out?"
"Yeah. Sothing ca up at work—overti."
My voice was cold, not bothering with explanations.
Sharon looked up at anxiously, like she was scared I’d leave her behind.
I took her hand and said to Timothy, "Take good care of Doris. I’ll take Sharon with ."
The smile on Timothy’s face faded. "You have to go right now? The cake’s almost finished. It’s your daughter’s creation—aren’t you going to at least try so?"
"I’m just like you—not a fan of sweets."
I said it flatly. Timothy fell silent.
He was probably rembering how, before, every ti I made a cake and held out a spoon for him to try, he’d just brush off perfunctorily.
Sure enough, he had no face to insist anymore.
But seeing I was taking Sharon, he stepped closer. "It’s inconvenient to bring a child to work. Why not leave her here? Don’t worry—she’s Doris’s friend. I’ll treat her the sa."
"No need."
I refused, pulling Sharon toward the door. "Just look after your daughter."
As soon as the elevator doors slid shut, Sharon let out a long breath and looked up at , her eyes curving to crescents. "Auntie Ellison, the air’s fresher everywhere Uncle Xavier isn’t!"
I couldn’t help but laugh, ruffling her hair. "Funny, I was thinking exactly the sa thing."
...
I first returned to the office to grab recording equipnt. Victoria had already emailed the interview script to as well.
To my surprise, my interview was with Chester Hawthorne—the sa doctor in Silverstream who’d treated before.
This ti, he’d been invited to our magazine’s "Legends" column as a guest not only because of his expertise lding psychology and acupuncture, but also for his status as a prominent business leader.
I quickly reviewed his background and then drove to The Gilded Lily.
Sharon, of course, had no idea I was about to interview her grandfather.
I specifically asked Sharon what her relationship was with Chester Hawthorne.
Sharon was honest: "Grandpa’s always busy—I don’t see him much. But Grandpa and Dad are good to . My grandma and grandpa on my mom’s side, not so much."
I’d worried about it being awkward to bring a child to an interview, but given Sharon’s family ties, I felt at ease taking her along.
This was my second ti eting Chester Hawthorne.
He was as gentlemanly and elegant as rembered.
I greeted him. Chester seed quite surprised. "I didn’t expect the reporter interviewing today to be Miss Ellison. I’ve heard of your reputation in the news world. It’s an honor to be interviewed by you."
I blushed. "You flatter , Mr. Hawthorne."
Sharon timidly called out, "Grandpa."
Chester looked at her fondly, then gave an apologetic glance. "Mason told about Jessica Young. Miss Ellison, I’m sorry for troubling you—having to look out for my granddaughter. Frankly, I feel more at ease with her in your care."
I looked at Sharon and smiled. "No need to thank , Mr. Hawthorne. I adore Sharon."
Chester hesitated, peering at . "I told Julian last ti that you should co for check-ups every two weeks. But since then, he hasn’t brought you back. Only from the news did I realize you and he..."
He trailed off.
I didn’t want to dwell on my relationship with Julian Sinclair. "Mr. Hawthorne, I know you’re busy. Why don’t we start the interview now?"
"Alright."
Realizing he was treading on sensitive ground, Chester withdrew and began the interview in earnest.
We sat in the quiet tearoom for nearly an hour. Chester’s answers were thoughtful and warm, every detail exuding that "legend" quality.
After all, combining Chinese dicine and business acun were two different worlds—but he had mastered both.
At the end, I packed my voice recorder and notebook, smiling as I stood to leave. "Mr. Hawthorne, today’s interview was truly enlightening. Thank you for your ti."
Chester didn’t respond imdiately. Instead, from a sandalwood box beneath the table, he produced a milky-white bead threaded with pale blue lines—a Heavenly Pearl.
"Miss Ellison, wait."
He held the bead out to , speaking formally, with a hint of regret. "Recently, after talking with Shaun, I learned your mother knew both of us. Back in our days at University of Aurelia, we were classmates. Such a talented woman, gone too soon—it’s really a sha. Please accept this Heavenly Pearl as a token, to make up for a small lack on my part."
I froze, confused.
My mother actually knew Chester Hawthorne?
But now she was gone, and I really didn’t want to dig up the past.
I pushed the bead back. "Mr. Hawthorne, it’s too precious—I can’t accept."
"Please, hear out."
Chester’s eyes were sincere. "Even if you weren’t here for the interview, I intended to find a way to give this to you. Now the chance has co, so I can fulfill a longstanding wish."
There was a note of pleading in his tone.
Looking at the bead in his palm, as if it held warmth, I finally accepted it.
Just then, the wooden teahouse door was pushed open from outside—Mason Hawthorne walked in.
He was clearly startled to see .
Chester set down his teacup, surprised. "What brings you here?"
Mason explained, "I was eting soone next door. The staff told you were here, so I ca to say hi."
His gaze fell on , and he snorted coldly, unmistakably mocking: "Crawling back to your leftovers, huh?"
"Mason! Mind your manners!" Chester’s tone was instantly severe, full of paternal authority. "Miss Ellison is here on assignnt. What is this attitude?"
Mason’s expression stiffened, but he said nothing, looking away.
But Sharon, who’d been quietly sitting on the sofa, brightened instantly and slid down to him, calling out clearly, "Daddy!"
At his daughter’s voice, Mason’s expression softened. He bent down and picked her up.
He said, "Daddy’s still got work to finish, but after, I’ll take you out and play for a few days, alright?"
Sharon’s eyes curved into happy crescents and she nodded vigorously. "Okay! Daddy, you have to keep your word."
"Of course I will."
Mason ruffled her hair, then his gaze returned to , cool as before.
He then said to Chester, "I’ll leave you to it."
Chester looked a touch embarrassed. "Sorry about that, Miss Ellison. Clearly I failed as a father."
"It’s fine. Maybe there’s so misunderstanding between and Mr. Hawthorne."
I smiled and thanked him. "Mr. Hawthorne, thank you for the Heavenly Pearl. I’ll take care of it for my mother. I’ll be off now."
With that, I prepared to leave with Sharon.
Chester said, "Miss Ellison, why don’t you let Sharon stay? I haven’t had much ti with her lately."
I hesitated. What if he sent Sharon back to the Hawthorne Family and she ended up with Jessica Young again?
As if he understood my concern, Chester said, "I just want Mason to co later, and we can have a al and play with Sharon together. We’ll send her back to you before we leave Veridia. Honestly, she looks much happier with you than she ever did at the Hawthornes."
I looked at Sharon, letting her decide.
When Sharon nodded at , I was able to leave, reassured.
As soon as I left the tearoom, I bumped into Ethan Xavier.
He wore a light gray casual suit—far steadier now than his usual spoiled-rich-kid look.
But I rembered, last ti his sudden appearance had made miss my chance to catch Naomi Sawyer red-handed.
So seeing him now, I didn’t feel like talking.
I just nodded and kept moving, but he lightly caught my wrist.
"Zoe, I need to talk to you." He sounded urgent, blocking my path. "Just give ten minutes, please?"
I raised my wrist to check the ti. "Okay, start talking. Ti’s running."
Ethan clearly didn’t expect to be so blunt. He paused and said, "Right here? Don’t you want to find soplace private?"
"No," I tapped my watch face, "You’ve already used up a minute."
His face darkened, but he pushed on, voice low and direct: "Are you really back together with Timothy Xavier?"
That question again.
Lately, no matter who I bumped into, everything seed to revolve around this.
I looked straight at him in turn, "Does that have anything to do with you?"
But Ethan seed certain. "I know you—you’d never want a man who’s dirty. Everyone can see you’re only doing this for Julian."
"Then why bother asking?" I didn’t want to argue; I just wanted to be done.
Ethan went silent for a few seconds, then stepped closer, dropping his voice. "If that’s so, do a favor—it’ll help you too. Timothy is trying to squeeze out at Xavier Group—I’m walking on a knife’s edge. I need sothing from his computer. And what I need might just help Julian too."
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