They knew Dad was serious and rushed over to
beg.
They didn’t know that the ones responsible
were in the police station.
Seeing us arrive, they plastered on fake smiles.
“Mr. Valentine, Mrs. Valentine, please, have
mercy. We’ll punish our children when we get
home.
“Please forgive us. We’re still counting on your
help.”
Jesse didn’t say anything. I didn’t give them a
second glance. I spoke calmly. “The Lincoln’s
and Valentine Family have cut all ties with you.
<
You’ll pay for what they did.”
“Go home. You’re blocking the driveway.”
My coldness caught them off guard. They
turned nasty.
“Mrs. Valentine, you’re young and
inexperienced. Business is about making
money, not enemies.”
“Can you really make that decision for the
Lincolns and the Valentines? A woman running
the family is a joke. Mr. Lincoln wouldn’t agree,
right, Mr. Lincoln?”
Jesse stared at them, his voice firm. “Lindsey
speaks for the Valentines. Her decision is mine.
You are all blacklisted!”
Dad, carrying my son, stepped out of the house.
“Next month, I’m handing over the entire
Valentine Empire to my daughter. She’s in
SUCE
く
They fell silent and slunk away.
I cuddled my son, kissing his cheek. He must
have been so scared.
He whispered, “I love you, mommy.”
I was grateful for my supportive family.
Jesse hired the best lawyers. They made sure the attackers got the maximum sentence.
Their families were ostracized. Their companies declared bankruptcy.
The people at home hated them for what they
did, and nobody cared how long they stayed in
prison.
Then, Harkness showed up again.
He had the nerve to look for me.
く
13B4
85
He stepped into the road, blocking the car.
I lowered the window, wanting to know what he wanted.
Harkness stared at my son, frowning. “Lindsey, is that child mine? His eyes look like mine when I was little.
“Were you pregnant when we broke up? Did you disappear to hide it from me?”
I was stunned by his delusion. “Harkness, are you crazy? Have you even considered the age of your child?”
He nodded, all serious. “I checked! Some kids
are slow growing so he could actually be four
years older and no one would know.”
He thought my son was abnormal!
661 1
<
I couldn’t take it anymore. “Harkness, you’re
delusional. What makes you think I’d give you a
child?
“Look at yourself. You don’t even come close
to my husband. You must be nuts.”
Harkness‘ face contorted. “Lindsey, I don’t
believe you! We were together for four years! I
will show that you are not lying!”
I took a deep breath. “I’m disgusted that I was
ever with you. You should be in jail.”
“I’m warning you to stay away from me. Or I’ll
make sure you can’t survive in this city.”
I rolled up the window and told my driver to go.
Harkness shouted, “Lindsey, are you testing me? I will do whatever you want!”
He stood in front of the car, wanting to prove
く
I said, “Hit him. He won’t want to die.”
The driver hit the gas.
Harkness never thought the car would actually
hit him. When it was about to hit him, he ran to
the side of the road.
He stumbled and fell, covered in exhaust fumes.
Pitiful and ridiculous.
Jesse found out Harkness had bothered me
again. Furious, he bankrupted the Covington
family within a day.
They were investigated for tax evasion and
fraud.
Harkness was blamed by his family and thrown
out into the streets with a broken leg.
11:50
<
He had nowhere to go and started washing
dishes to stay alive.
85
Shannon was sentenced to three years. She
begged everyone she knew for help, but nobody
dared to get involved.
She was locked up with the most violent
inmates, and one of them slashed her face.
The scar made her ugly, and she was constantly
bullied and humiliated. She quickly aged ten
years.
She hated me and lived in regret.
After my dad retired, I took over his position.
I’d started helping with the company years ago and knew what I was doing.
I was determined to keep the Lincoln family on
top.
<
Harkness was washing dishes when he saw me
on TV.
He stared, mesmerized, as if it were a dream.
He wondered what would have happened if he
hadn’t pushed me away and was happy for me
instead.
The boss saw him slacking off and slapped him
across the head, yelling, “What are you looking
at? Get back to work!”
I didn’t know any of this.
He wanted my attention so I gave it to him
when he didn’t want it. I really don’t care about
people like him.
He pouted about Harkness, and it took a lot to
calm him down.
He was insecure and made a point of spending
He was insecure and made a point of spending
time with me and the kids.
He picked me up every day, wanting to be with
- me.
I let him, I was happy with my family, and so
was he.
