Chapter 10 The Relentless Ethan

• “Mr. Parker’s orders, Lauren. He wants us to give you a warm welcome.”
• “Lauren, you witch. You’re no longer the heir to the Collins Family! Your father disowned you! You have nothing! Nothing but the title of a murderer!”
• “Lauren, Mr. Parker said your existence is redundant. You should just die.”
• She lived her days in fear and abuse back then. Being beaten bloody was her daily life, and in the end, her nightmare froze at the scene of her falling in a pool of blood beside the lavatory. The voices of her abusers haunted her, their horrifying faces jeering at her crippled self. No matter how much she tried, Lauren couldn’t shake them away. A moment later, she sat up, wide awake and drenched in sweat. Lauren gasped for air, her eyes filled with fear.
• One month later, she saw from the news that her father admitted Nancy into the family and designated her as the heir. At the same time, the Parker Family announced Nancy as Ethan’s new fiancée. What about me, then? Just a joke? She was now crippled after five years, so she chose to leave Copper City in hopes she wouldn’t see him anymore. Why did we have to meet again, then? Why? As she closed her eyes, a single tear fell down her cheek.
• At this moment, a chubby little hand wiped her tears away, then a moment later, Riley came out from under the bed sheets to hug her. “Don’t cry, Mommy,” she said cutely. “I’ll hug you, and the bad dreams will go away!”
• She looked at her adorable daughter and smiled before hugging her back. “Thank you, Riley, but I’m fine.”
• “Mommy, Mrs. Emma told me the story of Snow White today,” Riley leaned against her mother’s arms, saying softly.
• “Is that so?” Lauren smiled.
• “Yeah. Snow White and the prince lived happily ever after! I hope a prince will protect me one day.”
• Riley’s naivety made Lauren smile bitterly. Well, that’s just a fairy tale. Nothing so perfect in the real world. Her ten years of love and five years in jail were testament that love was nothing.
• “Mommy, all the other kids can run around, so why can’t I?” Riley looked at her mother with a silent plea.
• Lauren froze up for a moment, then she hugged Riley tighter and kissed her forehead. “You’re just a little weak, Riley. I’ll cure you up, and soon you can run like the other kids.”
• “Really?” Riley looked at her hopefully.
• “Yep.” Lauren hugged her and smiled bitterly. No matter how hard my life is, I will get enough money for the transplant. But Parker isn’t going to let me go easily. What should I do? What should I do?
• At the same time, in Cloudfall City, Ethan was in a suite in Whardolf Hotel. He stood before the french window, his expression still gloomy, his mind filled with nothing but Lauren. That woman who said she’d sell herself can’t be Lauren.
• When Simon came in and saw Ethan looking inexplicably forlorn, he sighed. “Ethan.” He went up to him, their shoulders side by side. “I’ve looked into Lauren’s case for you.”