The Greene family dinner was a grand event—a perfect opportunity for attendees to widen their commercial networks. At this gathering, Cameron Carlson was undeniably the star of the show, surrounded by people eager to strike a business deal. He navigated the crowd smoothly, confidently keeping an arm around Lyla Greene’s waist.
All of a sudden, a woman appeared at Cameron's side, taking everyone by surprise. The attendees watched the striking couple as though afraid to miss something extraordinary. All eyes were on Lyla, captivated not only by her connection to Cameron but also by her own stunning beauty. Speculation about her identity buzzed through the room.
Cameron rarely made appearances at public events, and when he did, it was never with a woman on his arm. It was known that his relationships never lasted more than a few days. Lyla felt the weight of the crowd’s stares, uncomfortable and tense, while Cameron remained at ease, casually introducing her to others.
"Mr. Carlson, who might this be?" came the bold question from Don Williams, a thin man and well-known gossip, owner of a prestigious media company. He started as a tabloid journalist, notorious for digging up celebrity secrets, and his skills were as sharp as ever.
"Can't you tell? She's my wife!" Cameron announced, showing off the ring he had recently placed on Lyla's finger.
A stunned silence fell over the room, quickly turning into a buzz of excited chatter. No one had expected Cameron to announce his marriage so suddenly. The ring on Lyla's finger was the most exquisite in the Pure Wings collection—a 25-carat gem called The Wanderer, known for its flawless oval shape and pristine clarity. Its purchase had made headlines when Cameron paid a fortune for it at auction.
"Mr. Carlson married—when did this happen?" Don, ever the opportunist, pressed for more, sensing a scoop.
Cameron raised an eyebrow at Don, then chuckled, "That's not your business, Don. I'd like to keep our private life private. Today’s a special day, and announcing our relationship to the world also makes things clear for the Greene family."
Don’s curiosity spiked further when he glanced at Lyla and gasped. A year prior, he had covered a shocking wedding in Haven City—it was impossible not to recognize the woman now beside Cameron as Lyla Greene. "Mrs. Carlson, you…”
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us for the joint celebration by the Greene and Thompson families. Today also marks the hundredth day of Master Thompson’s son, Alexander Thompson. Your presence is an honor! Please enjoy your time, and forgive any lapses in hospitality. Our young mistress has a few words to share; please lend her your attention," the Greene family’s butler announced, interrupting Don’s inquiry.
As the butler stepped aside, a woman with exquisite makeup took the stage, ready to express her gratitude. But upon spotting someone in the crowd, her smile froze. Her graceful fingers trembled, and her eyes narrowed threateningly.
Lyla saw Emerie Adams on stage, her expression as if she had swallowed a bitter pill. The sight was both ironic and distasteful, prompting Lyla to turn away with disdain. Emerie’s eyes scanned the crowd, finally landing on Lyla with visible shock. This woman? Hadn’t she been in a car accident long ago?
Emerie's composure cracked as she gripped the microphone tighter, her perfectly made-up eyes darkening with stormy emotions. She recognized the woman in the spotlight instantly. Lyla Greene, you’ve outdone yourself!
Practically escorted offstage by the butler, Emerie's façade slipped when in private. She hurried to a secluded corner, dialing a number with trembling hands, her eyes blazing with fury.
“Tell me the truth—did you kill her or not, you worthless fool? Spill it!” Her glossy lips, an innocent shade of pink, spewed words laced with unrestrained rage.
“You should have warned me. She’s back! What do we do now? I didn’t go to such lengths to eliminate her only for you to fail. You still think you can blackmail me over the child’s identity? Think again!” She slammed the phone down, her face a mask of fury. Lyla Greene, why won’t you die! How is it she always seems to have endless luck, with remarkable men drawn to her from childhood to the present? I painstakingly sabotaged her wedding, stole her childhood sweetheart, and yet, she still manages to captivate the world’s most exceptional man?
Emerie leaned against the balcony rail in defeat, her eyes fixed on the woman embraced by the seemingly untouchable man. Her fists clenched with frustration.
Lyla stayed beside Cameron, her gaze distractedly scanning the crowd. She wanted to pay respects to her father, Chaim Greene, but with Cameron’s watchful presence, slipping away unnoticed was impossible.
"Before you see your father, meet your lovely stepmother, my Cinderella," Cameron whispered, feeling Lyla's restless energy. He tightened his grip on her waist and led her toward the staircase.
“Changed your mind?” Nora James inquired from the backseat, observing Cameron’s furrowed brow in the rearview mirror. Her anger flared again.
“No! Lennox is on his way to bring her to you,” Cameron replied, his gaze fixed on the distraught woman, the sight piercing his heart.
“Will she be there when he arrives? Cameron, if you're truly unwilling, I won’t force you. I've lost an eye; who can I blame?” Nora longed to shove Lyla off the bridge herself but restrained her wrath, knowing Cameron would eventually comply, even if it took time.
“I get it.” Nora’s words only deepened Cameron’s resolve. He started the car, driving toward Lyla with a screech.
Suddenly, a deafening screech pierced the air as Cameron halted inches from Lyla. He jumped out, gathering the distraught woman in his arms, cradling her protectively, his grip encircling her waist, shielding her stomach. Cameron buried his head in her neck, inhaling her scent, a mix of soft fragrance and deep sorrow. It often haunted his dreams, unsettling him.
Only by holding Lyla did Cameron truly feel her presence.
Tears nearly obscured Lyla’s consciousness, and the sudden upheaval left her dizzy before she fell into a warm embrace...
Lyla raised her head in panic, blinking to see clearly. Unable to believe she’d swiftly fallen back into his grip, she instinctively tried to push Cameron away.
“Don’t move, don’t say a word. Come with me, Lyla. I’ll protect you—I’m sorry, don’t hate me!” Cameron sensed her resistance, noticing Jude Holmes approaching. He pulled Lyla’s arm and scooped her up, ready to usher her into the car.
“Let me go, let me go!” Lyla struggled fiercely, desperate to break free from this man who had upended her peace, clinging to the car door in defiance. Yet escaping his grasp was a daunting challenge.
Cameron swiftly locked Lyla inside.
“Cameron, release her!” Jude shouted, catching up just as Lyla was secured inside. He rushed forward, grabbing Cameron and landing a punch.
Cameron anticipated the blow, only lightly brushing his bruised lip—a familiar, fiery pain. His gaze remained lowered, yet a chilling aura emanated from him, causing Jude to pause momentarily.
Without warning, Cameron retaliated, his punch precise and forceful enough to send Jude reeling.
“A murderer, with time for someone else’s wife? Don’t you hear the sirens? Focus on your own escape, unless you want me testifying against you!” Cameron’s words cut deeper than his fists. Jude stood frozen, stunned by the heavy accusation.
As Cameron smirked cynically, he ignored Jude, swung the car door open, and drove away swiftly.
“A murderer... a murderer... I’m not, I’m not... I’m not a murderer!” Jude, deeply shaken, glanced at Emerie lying prone on the ground before fleeing the scene in his car.
~
Cameron drove recklessly, running several red lights.
“Cameron, even if you ran someone over, no cop would stop you. Is this childish attempt to rid yourself of her worth it?” A text message from Nora jolted Cameron from his thoughts. He glanced in the rearview at Nora’s impassive face, his lips pressed in irritation.
Cameron was uneasy. Were all traffic enforcers so spineless, or had someone warned them already?
“What do you want from me? Why do this to me?” Lyla’s voice trembled with hysteria. She was done—this man kept disrupting her life without pity, unsettling her existence.
“To do what? Tell me what you think I’m doing. Lyla, I’m blinded, and you feel no guilt? When you hit me with that ashtray, did you ever consider I’m an old woman?” Nora took the offensive, aware that Lyla’s protests would sound like excuses to Cameron—this injury was self-inflicted, and she wanted to frame Lyla, manipulating the situation shamelessly.
“Ha! As vile and deceitful as ever, Nora James!” Only when Nora spoke did Lyla notice the bandaged eye. She heard the intended manipulation in Nora’s words to gain Cameron's sympathy, yet found no energy to counter.
Lyla knew arguing with Cameron would yield no results. Whether she spoke or stayed silent, the outcome was unchanged. Why waste energy?
“Quiet!” Cameron snapped at Lyla’s insolence, alarmed by her indifference to Nora’s ire. Was she unafraid of death?
Cameron’s harsh command chilled Lyla. She cast him a sardonic glance, then closed her eyes, withdrawing. She realized any resistance was futile—they wouldn’t spare her.
She misjudged him as a blindly devoted son, unaware of his deeper motives.
Cameron's car maneuvered through a deserted industrial complex, desolate and eerie.
This was Nora’s plan, ensuring their actions remained unseen...
“No, not England… We return to Haven City!” Jude declared, resolved. He had long considered this—returning to Haven, where neither Cameron nor Destiny Holmes would expect. Crucially, a peculiar doctor resided there. With Keily, perhaps the child could grow healthily.
Jude’s words unnerved Lyla. She sat stunned at Keily’s bedside, speechless, as Jude looked entirely serious about returning. She wasn’t prepared.
“You mean ignoring business rivalries?” Lyla asked, incredulous. She doubted Jude would relinquish his vendetta against Cameron. The two had clashed in business for years—since she joined the company. The recent scandal was Jude’s perfect chance to oust Cameron.
“Forget those compared to you and Keily—it’s nothing!” Jude paused, surprised Lyla would mention the company now. He hadn’t truly abandoned his rivalry with Cameron, but the struggle seemed pointless.
Skyler Lopez had informed him that Cameron was soon to be ousted from Pure Wings. Without Cameron, defeating it held little value.
“Thank you, Jude. Having you as a friend reassures me!” Lyla smiled, grateful yet guilt-ridden toward Jude. She owed him so much she couldn’t repay…
“Lyla…” Jude sensed rejection again. Lyla’s simplicity masked clarity—a declaration of friendship defining their bond. Jude couldn’t ask for more. He’d known from the start it was impossible, but he persisted despite the inevitable outcome.
“Sorry for the trouble. Perhaps I’ll consult with Skyler, see his thoughts on returning to Haven. Honestly, I’m anxious about it,” Lyla suggested, shifting the focus away from Jude’s heartache.
“Skyler?” Jude's face shadowed at Lyla’s mention of Skyler—a man with a sinister streak Lyla seemed unaware of.
“Yeah, actually, Skyler’s Keily’s godfather. I never told you!” Lyla admitted, embarrassed by her omission.
“No problem—go ahead. I’ll watch Keily.” Jude shrugged, feigning indifference, as he patted Lyla’s shoulder reassuringly.
With a smile, Lyla left to find Skyler, needing to consult her savior from Haven. If returning, she sought Skyler’s counsel.
“Seems you missed the morning news, remaining so composed around me. Normally, you’d push me to hell by now!” Lyla noted, disliking the awkwardness between them and eager to break the tension.
“I saw it. You’re here for my signature on the surgical consent, right?” Cameron guessed Lyla’s purpose. Her seeking out Nora seemed natural, despite her skepticism of explanations Cameron could scarcely provide.
“So you know—how will you handle me?” Lyla asked, unsurprised at Cameron’s awareness. His reach always seemed boundless. She scoffed, watching him engrossed in documents.
“I’ll treat you well—don’t overthink. I have critical matters to resolve first. Once handled, I’ll explain everything from twenty years ago.” Cameron sighed, glancing at her before speaking softly.
“No need—I don’t want your kindness! I wonder how you left the police station so quickly—what did you use as bail?” Despite Cameron’s sincerity, Lyla’s heart stayed guarded, her words defiant.
“Don’t test my limits, Lyla. I promised you answers soon. Ensure the truth you find is reality before acting on it.” Cameron knew she provoked him knowingly, yet felt frustrated and helpless.
“Sign for the surgery; without it, she can't be questioned. I handle disputes directly, not through shady dealings. For clarity, I ask those involved,” Lyla replied, sensing Cameron's entanglement but avoiding further engagement. Her visit aimed to secure his signature for Nora's procedure.
“That’s my concern. I’ll handle it. After signing, I might leave for a bit—I trust you won’t exploit the situation. I know you loathe her and me, but believe you won’t take advantage. Please care for her.” Cameron put down his pen, regarding Lyla earnestly.
“Thanks for your trust. Your whereabouts aren’t my concern. As you see, the doctor requires a relative's signature. I’m unrelated, so another caregiver is needed.” Lyla felt their exchange was laced with tension, knowing their tangled past weighed heavily on every word.
