Now that Brittany was back, Horace felt his head spinning with frustration.


    "What''s wrong? Are you having another headache? Sit still. I''ll give you a head massage," Ida said softly, her voice gentle.


    Horace often suffered from headaches, so she had learned some massage techniques to help him.


    Horace shook his head. "I have to meet Brittany at noon. I''m going back to my study now."


    With that, he went upstairs.


    Ida watched his retreating figure, her heart swirling with jealousy and resentment.


    Years ago, when the Larson and Brewer families united through marriage, Horace, heir to a great fortune, had met Brittany, a bright, bold woman with a fiery spirit. Though he kept his cool on the surface, he was undeniably drawn to her.


    For all those years that Brittany had been gone, Horace never stopped searching for her and their daughter.


    Not for a single moment had he given up.


    And Ida-who had stayed by Horace''s side all these years-had gained nothing.


    She couldn''t ept that.


    Now that Brittany had returned, their battle was beginning once again.


    Years ago, Ida had beaten Brittany once. Now, she was determined to win a second time.


    Wendy brought Be to the Hawk family''s estate. Ang and Be took warm baths and changed into fresh clothes afterward. Wendy checked Ang''s pulse carefully. "Your legs are healing. If you keep exercising, you''ll be able to walk normally again." Ang''s face lit up with happiness. "Thank you, Wendy."


    Wendy''s lips curved into a subtle smile. "No, thank you for protecting Be. I truly appreciate it."


    Stanley watched the improving rtionship between Wendy and his mother, a faint smile ying on his lips. Just then, Zayn came over and whispered something in Stanley''s ear.


    Stanley turned to Wendy. "Jessica''s mother, Brittany, is back."


    Ang blinked in surprise. “Brittany is back?"


    Wendy asked Ang, "Were you close with her?"


    Ang nodded. "Of course. We were best friends. We were pregnant at the same time, and we promised each other that our children would get married. Stanley and Jessica''s engagement came from that."


    So that was the origin of the Hawk and Larson families'' alliance.


    "Why did she leave back then? Why did she give Jessica to Harry to raise in Hovendale?" Wendy asked.


    Ang''s expression darkened. "It was all because of Ida Olsen! After Brittany married Horace, their marriage seemed harmonious, but Ida-Horace''s first love- never left his side. Later, Brittany was suddenly poisoned on the day she was about to give birth."


    Wendy''s eyes widened. "Poisoned?"


    "Exactly. She was poisoned. She fought with all her strength to give birth to her daughter. To keep her safe, Brittany entrusted the baby to her student, Harry, asking him to take her away from the Capital to grow up in peace. Brittany fell into aa from the poisoning and childbirth. I was also giving birth at the time, and only after Stanley was born did I learn about her


    disappearance. She vanished for more than twenty years, but I always believed she was alive. Now, she''s finally back."


    So that was what had really happened. Someone had tried to kill Brittany and her unborn child. She had fought to survive, sending her daughter away first before disappearing.


    Wendy turned to Stanley. "Where is Ms. Brewer meeting Jessica?"


    "Mr. Larson arranged for them to meet at Vista Dining," Stanley answered.


    Wendy smiled, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "I want to go there to meet her myself."