"What?"
What else did this man want?
"Nothing. Just wanted to say to the fifteen-year-old Janelle from five years ago: you worked hard."
"..."
Yeah.
Fifteen-year-old Janelle had indeed worked hard.
Thankfully, she had endured it all.
And now, she wouldn't give anyone the chance to hurt her.
She trusted no one, including the man before her.
"Erik, don't cross the line."
A bed partner should know their place. If anyone crossed the line, there would be no need to continue even that arrangement.
"Alright, I understand. It's late. Go take a shower and get some good rest."
Knowing she definitely wouldn't leave Sara alone here tonight, he didn't try to coax her further. He kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
Hearing her say those words aloud, Erik—a man usually with a heart of stone—felt suffocated by the pain. He had never felt such heartache for another person.
After Erik left, Janelle washed her face and hands with a warm towel. Sara was sleeping soundly. The girl had always been like this—rushing to the front line whenever it concerned Janelle. She made Janelle feel like she wasn't alone.
Janelle took a shower and put on one of Sara's nightgowns. Sara was a head shorter, so the nightgown was significantly shorter on Janelle. While blow-drying her hair, a message from Erik came in:
[I'm home. Get some rest. Goodnight.]
Janelle didn't reply. She simply turned off her phone and went to sleep.
Erik held a glass of red wine. The message he sent sank without a trace.
"Heartless little fox."
She had locked her heart away. Ordinary people simply couldn't get in. Yet, she was clearly a passionate person—she loved racing, boxing, everything dangerous and thrilling.
Westin didn't come home tonight. With such a major crisis at The Hills, he still hadn't returned.
Amber grew even more suspicious. She kept calling Westin, but while the phone rang, no one ever answered.
Lillie watched her mother's restlessness and went over to hug her.
"Mom, don't worry. Dad might really be busy. He's always loved you."
If he hadn't loved her, why would he have treated Madalyn like that for her sake back then?
"Lillie, my intuition tells me your father has someone else," Amber stated bluntly. Back when Madalyn called Westin, he was in Amber's bed. And they had mocked Madalyn together. She never imagined she'd face the same thing one day.
Meanwhile, Westin was keeping his young secretary company. She was clingy. He knew he should go back, but the secretary complained of stomach discomfort, so he didn't dare leave. The baby in her belly was his only son! He had two daughters, but what use were daughters? In the countryside, daughters eventually belonged to others' families. So the usually selfish Westin was exceptionally indulgent with his secretary. Whatever she wanted, he spoiled her.
The next day was the weekend. Westin didn't go to the office; he stayed at the villa he'd bought for his secretary, accompanying her. Amber called again. This time, he answered.
"Amber, I've been really exhausted lately, and the pressure is immense. I need to relax. Can't you give me some space?"
"Enough! Don't be such a shrew, alright? I'm busy. Bye." Westin hung up directly.
"Mr. Rovella, if Mrs. Evans finds out I'm carrying your child, she probably won't let me keep it," the secretary said, genuinely scared. Amber was ruthless; she was no match for her.
"She won't find out. Stay here peacefully. The security for this villa is excellent."
While Amber couldn't find out, Janelle discovered it easily. Seeing the nauseating photos, Janelle shoved them back into the envelope.
"Send these to Mrs. Evans," Janelle said nonchalantly.
Wasn't this just how men were? If they betrayed you once, they'd do it again. Amber probably never imagined the secretary she found for Westin would end up in his bed!
"Janelle, you can count on me."
Simon had returned from Imperial Capital. He'd mostly arranged the assessment matters. With Janelle about to wrap things up in Graham City, he naturally came to help. Simon personally delivered the photos to the Rovella residence.
Upon seeing the photos, Amber smashed several expensive antiques in the living room, completely breaking down. She was supposed to be Westin's white moonlight! How could he do this to her? That secretary wasn't even particularly attractive—just young! How could he stomach it?
Lillie saw the photos too. She also found it unbelievable. Didn't Westin say he loved them, mother and daughter, deeply? Then why betray them?
Just then, Janelle returned. It was the weekend, and she'd come over after sleeping in. Walking into the house, she saw the living room in shambles and frowned.
"What happened?"
The butler was gone, and Amber hadn't hired a new one. None of the servants dared to speak.
Seeing Janelle made Amber feel even more suffocated. She didn't want Janelle to witness her humiliation. Yet, Janelle picked up a photo from the floor.
"Oh? Isn't this the secretary you arranged for Westin? So they both cheated on you? Truly, those who cheat on others will eventually be cheated on."
"..."
Amber nearly choked on her fury.
At that moment, Westin walked in. Seeing the wrecked living room, he frowned.
"What's going on?"
His good mood vanished instantly.
Seeing Westin ignited Amber's rage.
"Westin, what is the meaning of this?" Amber didn't want Janelle to witness this, but Janelle was already sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, clearly enjoying the show. Her attitude only fueled Amber's anger.
"Meaning of what?"
Westin was still clueless!
Amber flung the photos in her hand straight at his face.
"I'm asking you what THIS means!"
Westin grabbed one of the photos. Seeing its contents, his face darkened instantly.
"You had me investigated? Amber, we've been married this long. Don't we even have that basic trust?"
Amber laughed bitterly. "Trust? You dare talk to me about trust? You cheated on me right under my nose, and you have the audacity to talk about trust? Westin, what do you take me for?" Amber's voice was raw with emotion. Everything was spiraling out of control, and she felt utterly trapped.
"Let's discuss this in our room." Westin didn't want to argue with Amber in front of Janelle and Lillie. He still wanted to preserve his dignity as a father.
"Dad, don't be like this. Tell Mom you'll break it off with that woman. She only loves your money!"
Janelle chuckled.
"As if your mother doesn't?" Janelle stated with brutal honesty.