Stanley nced at Wendy with curiosity. "What''s got you so interested in her?"


    Wendy''s mind shed back to the day she saw Brittany''s portrait in Horace''s study. For some reason, she felt a strong pull toward Brittany, a desire to meet thetter in person.


    A faint smile curved Wendy''s lips. "She''s a legend in her own right so I want to meet her."


    Ang nodded. "Alright, let''s go to Vista Dining and meet her."


    Just then, Be called out, "Mommy, let''s paint together."


    "Okay,e on," Wendy replied warmly. "I''ll take you to paint."


    Wendy then took Be with her to paint.


    Stanley moved closer to Ang and lowered his voice. "Mom, I''m not going to marry Jessica. She kidnapped you and Be, and caused all this trouble... You wouldn''t make me marry her, would you?"


    Disappointment flickered in Ang''s eyes as she recalled Jessica.


    "I never imagined she could do something like this. I''m really disappointed in her. But the engagement between you and Jessica was arranged by Brittany and me years ago. If we want to call it off, we have to ask Brittany''s opinion first." 2


    Ang still couldn''t understand how her best friend could have a daughter with such a terrible character.


    But since Brittany was her closest friend, and given how long she had been missing, both families would have to sit down and talk face to face if they wanted to end the engagement.


    Stanley nced at Wendy and Be not far away. "I''m going to marry only Wendy in my life. She healed your legs-she''s done you a big favor. I hope you''ll stop making things hard for her."


    "Don''t be ridiculous!" Ang replied with a smile. "When have I ever made things hard for Wendy? As a fellow woman, I respect her talent and character. Our paths are just different. I have my reasons to treat her the way I did."


    Stanley nodded; he knew his mother was a wise and thoughtful woman. Everyone saw things from their point of view, and that shaped their choices.


    "Now that Brittany is back, everything depends on how she feels about it. But I admit-I do like Wendy very much, and I''m grateful she healed my legs," Ang said. 1


    Stanley''s eyes brightened. It seemed Wendy had already won his mother''s approval.


    "We''ve been apart for three years. I don''t want to be apart from her ever again. Even though she''s still with Samuel for now, that''s not a problem."


    Ang paused, suddenly remembering something Be had said. "Actually, Wendy and Samuel aren''t married."


    "What?" Stanley froze, shocked. "They aren''t married? How could that be? Wendy told me they were!"


    "She lied to you. Be told me herself-Wendy isn''t married. Be''s only three years old, and kids don''t lie."


    Stanley was stunned. He had always thought Wendy and Samuel were married- he couldn''t imagine otherwise. After all, their daughter was already this big; surely they''d have given Be a proper family.


    "Sounds like there''s more to this. I''ll have someone investigate this right away," he said.


    Ang nodded. "Yes, I''ve always felt like Wendy was hiding something from us. You need to find out the truth."


    Horace arrived at Vista Dining with Jessica. Jessica was dressed beautifully in a flowing gown, her hair curledzily-a stunning


    beauty determined to leave a good impression on Brittany.


    The restaurant owner came personally to greet them. "Mr. and Ms Larson, wee to Vista Dining."


    Horace, dressed in a sleek ck coat, looked solemn and handsome. "Please show us to the private room."