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Dawn broke, its warm golden rays piercing through the clouds as a dazzling red sun rose slowly from the dark blue sea. The sky transformed into a vibrant canvas of pinkish–purple, orange, and soft gold.
On the empty top deck, a man with a cold yet deeply affectionate demeanor, his shirt unbuttoned casually at the cor and hair slightly tousled by the sea breeze, yed the cello with intense focus.
Before him, a stunning young woman in a white silk–cotton dress danced gracefully against the backdrop of the rising sun. Her hair was tied in a loosely woven, voluminous braid that suggested an unskilled hand.
They asionally nced at each other from a distance, sharing knowing smiles.
Busy staff preparing breakfast glimpsed the scene on deck and involuntarily paused to admire the breathtakingly beautiful moment.
Inside the restaurant, Quinn, who had just grabbed a cup of coffee and was watching the sunrise by the window, overheard the admiring whispers of the staff. He looked toward the deeply affectionate couple in the distance.
On the second–floor deck, Lucas, sleepless all night and with a stubbly beard, looked up at the faintly visible, dancing figure above, his eyes red and tears streaming down.
Behind him<i>, </i>Olivia, who had also risen early, was staring intently at Natasha dancing. After a long while, she lowered her head, staring at her left leg, which had been injured in prison, concealing the sheen of tears in her eyes.
The one feeling most rxed and carefree was probably Ramona, who was excited at the thought of returning today and had woken up early.
She admired the performance, a sight she might never witness again in her lifetime, Smiling, she looked at Thomas, whom she had met by chance.
She said, “The rk family clearly wasn’t short on money, yet they failed to raise their daughter well. Now look, she’s taken.”
‘That possessive, obsessive, domineering man, Alexei, truly has it easy,‘ Ramona
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thought.
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Thomas, looking haggard, watched Natashaugh lightly after being caught, and his expression dimmed.
Life had twisted and turned, fraught with misunderstandings and missed chances. The rk family didn’t deserve her.
She would live better under someone else’s care.
*****
When getting off the boat, Olivia, arm–in–arm with Lucas, stopped in front of Natasha. “Lucas and I are getting married.”
Lucas was so embarrassed he wanted to escape, but unconsciously, like Olivia, he looked into Natasha’s eyes, hoping to see a hint of emotion.
She remained calm, not even a hint of surprise on her face. Her delicate eyebrows simply rose, and her voice was teasing.
She said, “What? Do you want me to send a gift?”
Remembering the “gifts” Natasha had given at her solo performance and
Madeline’s birthday party, Olivia’s face fell.
Lucas failed to provoke her; instead, Olivia felt a surge of unease.
She pulled back Lucas, who was about to exin, and said with a stiff expression, “No need. We’re simply telling you.”
Natasha smiled.
They didn’t want it, but she was eager to give it.
They had no choice but to ept this gift.
Meanwhile, Alexei looked at Quinn and saw a wound on his hand,
Quinn raised his hand, following his gaze, and smiled. “Something happenedst night, didn’t it? I got this cut on the dance floor protecting my date. It wasn’t just a power outage surprise, was it?”
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Alexei said, “Don’t you already know the answer, Quinn?”
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Quinn nodded. “I just wanted to say, if you ever need help, you can call me. After all, aren’t we family?”
Alexei returned his gaze.
Quinnughed again, shaking his head with a hint of self–mockery. “You’ve always been effortlessly capable of oveing obstacles no one else can. I worried for nothing.”
He walked away casually, waving without looking back. “Visit Grandpa when you have time.”
Alexei watched his retreating back, giving no reply.
After interrogating the kidnappers, Shawn and Dn reported that the assants had first captured Chloe, who was alone in her room, and then, under her guidance, targeted Natasha at the dance floor intending to abduct her.
Chloe was almost strangled by him earlier that day and had always disliked Natasha. There was a exnation for her actions, and Chloe admitted it.
Everything was logical. <fne768> ?????? ???? f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fne768>
But was logic the same as truth?
Alexei scoffed.
He never believed in coincidences.
Nor would he everpromise Natasha’s safety by exposing her to any potential mishap.
*****
Ramona and Ryan were thest to disembark.
After watching everyone leave, she let out a deep sigh of relief.
The moment she stepped ashore, the CEO of the yachtpany, the man who had previously solicited her investment, confidently and ingratiatingly
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approached her. “Miss Hill, how was it? Did you enjoy yourself? What about the second phase of investment?”
Before he could finish speaking, Ramona’s high heel had already kicked him, sending him flying two yards away. “Invest? Invest in this? Go bankrupt, you fool!”
With that, she stormed away furiously.
Ryan, who was following behind, shrank his neck and nced sympathetically at the man. ‘You didn’t flee while you could, and now you’ve provoked her?‘
*****
Although Ramona was deeply dissatisfied with the trip and would have loved to dismantle the “broken yacht,” Natasha had thoroughly enjoyed it.
However, after disembarking, Alexei was so busy that he disappeared, and no one knew what he was doing.
Two dayster, it was the weekend again. Alexei finally had some free time and was at home ying with Natasha when an unexpected guest arrived.
Dereck was surprised to see Alexei ying a childish spinning top game with a person and a dog, almost unable to believe his eyes.
Even the maid pushing his wheelchair behind him almost slipped, causing Dereck to slide away.
Who would believe that Alexei, so cold and unapproachable in public, would secretly y such childish games with his fiancée?
He secretly nced at Natasha, who was ring at Dereck. ‘Is he raising a wife or a daughter?‘
His father, Dereck, who was the most shocked, fell into a daze. In his memory, he had never seen Alexei so rxed and yful.
As a child, Alexei was gloomy and reclusive. After turning ten, under Edgar’s care, he became aloof and cold. When he grew up, he was already ruthless and heartless, appearing hostile and ready to cross swords.
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Witnessing this harmonious, heartwarming scene of Alexei, Natasha, and their dog felt painfully bright.
‘Have we ever had such moments?‘ Dereck gripped the armrest of the wheelchair.
Alexei, with a cold expression, asked, “Dereck, what brings you here?”
Dereck dismissed the servant and opened his mouth to speak, but the words he had prepared now felt difficult to utter. Still, thinking of what he had witnessed at the Lawson family, he closed his eyes briefly and hesitantly began. “If you hate me and Teri, you can take it out on us. Can you spare Chloe? She is still young and doesn’t know any better.”
His tone carried a hint of surrender.
After getting off the boat, Chloe was sent back to the Westwood family.
However, Chloe, who went out to have fun returned with eyes full of terror, screaming at the sight of living people, unable to speak, and could only cower in her room.
Doctors checked her; she had no physical injuries. It was just that she had been traumatized, having seen a scene that terrified her.
However, the Westwood family tried every method but couldn’t make her speak.
Not knowing what she had experienced and unable to find the cause of her illness, doctors were at their wits‘ end.
Chloe’s mother said that she went to that yacht party to find Alexei, and Chloe’s illness was definitely rted to him.
That’s why the Westwood family entrusted Dereck to ask Alexei for help.
After Unity’s death and Teri’s hysterectomy, he had no intention of having children with other women for many years.
His only son, Alexei, was not close to him, and after bing an adult, they even became enemies.
Chloe was Teri’s niece. Teri had always doted on her like a daughter. Chloe was
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also close to Teri, and her uncle, Dereck, also had some affection for this sweet- mouthed child who, in lieu of their own children, brought them joy.
Seeing her in such a disoriented state, he couldn’t bear it.
He didn’t know what happened, but Alexei targeting Chloe was likely due to grievances from the previous generation.
The longer he remained in the wheelchair, the more he lost his will.
Knowing reconciliation with Alexei was impossible, he now only wanted the
hatred to end with him.
He was the source of the wrongdoing; why involve the innocent?
Alexei’s mouth twisted into a mocking smile.
How ironic. After years of silence, the first time Dereck lowered his head was for the niece of the woman who broke their family.
Didn’t he find it absurd?
In the deathly silence, before Alexei could answer, a whip, carrying a powerful gust of wind, suddenlyshed towards Dereck.
Dereck’s pupils constricted. He dodged in a panic, stumbled, and fell awkwardly to the ground from his overturned wheelchair.
He looked up in horror, meeting Natasha’s bright eyes, which burned with raging anger, like a bristling kitten protecting its food.
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