“Is she one who was disfigured not long ago?”
“That’s right! She used to be gorgeous, but she got disfigured in a fire.What a shame! She could not win Elyette Foster’s heart before she was disfigured.After her disfigurement, he would want her even less!”
“There are plenty of women that Elyette Foster rejected, but did any of them want to jump off of a roof like this one? There must be something wrong with her, right?”
“Who knows what goes on in the private lives of the wealthy? I just think she’s really pitiful and feel sorry for her right now!”
“There’s a saying that pitiful people have hateful traits.If I wanted to die, I definitely wouldn’t do it at someone else’s company building.Everyone in the building is still working right now! Does this woman not have morals at all?!”
As the crowd chattered away, the fire department rushed to the scene.
Once the fire truck stopped in front of the building, the firemen hurried out of the truck and prepared their rescue efforts.
Up on the roof, a savage grin appeared on Chelsea’s face as she stared down at the crowd below.
“It’s over…It’s all over…” she mumbled.
Then, she leaped and jumped off the roof! Over at the hospital, Averie had taken Layla in for a medical checkup.
While they were waiting for the test results, Layla fell asleep in her mother’s arms.
Averie sent a text message to Mike and asked him to meet her at the hospital.
Then, she glanced over at the large TV screen at the front of the lobby.
The screen was broadcasting the afternoon news.
“We have breaking news.An individual committed suicide by jumping off the roof of Sterling Tower this afternoon.The incident has caused traffic to back up in the city.Motorists are advised to take an alternate route.We would also like to remind everyone to value your lives…”
Along with the sound of the news anchor’s voice, an image of Sterling Tower appeared on the screen.
The front of the building was surrounded by police tape.
On one side of the police tape were nosy onlookers, while there was a censored corpse on the other side.
Since Chelsea was wearing a red dress, all one could see was a red pile after the censorship.
It looked almost like an entire pool of blood.
Averie turned rigid as she felt a chill run through her entire body.
Who was it who died? Why did they choose to jump off of Sterling Tower? Mike arrived at the hospital soon after took Layla over from Averie’s arms.
Averie walked over to the counter to pick up Layla’s test results.
When she saw that all of Layla’s vitals were normal, Averie felt relieved.
“Chelsea Tierney is dead, Averie,” Mike said softly.
“She jumped off of Elyette’s office building.”
“I saw the news.”
Averie’s emotions had already calmed down, but she was still furious at the mention of this.
“Good riddance! She tried to poison Layla.She was evil! How could she drag a child into the grievances between adults?!”
Mike gazed at Layla’s sleeping face, then said, “It’s a good thing Layla was lucky.”
“Layla’s classmate was poisoned to death, though.She was somebody’s precious daughter, too!”
“Let’s head home for now, Averie.There are too many people here, ” Mike said.
“Barely half the day has passed and a series of terrifying events have happened one after the other.Let’s head home to prevent anything else from happening.”
When they arrived back at the Starry River Villa, Elyette called.He had just returned to Avonsville.
“Layla’s alright.She’s asleep.Go settle things at your company,” Averie said.
“I’ll come over to your place later, then.”
Elyette hesitated for a few seconds, then said, “Spend the next few days at home with Layla, Averie.”
“I will.This made a pretty huge impact on her.I’ll have to wait until she get through this before I’ll send her back to school.”
“Thank you.This must be hard on you.”
As she listened to Elyette’s deep voice, Averie’s eyes suddenly began to well up.She did not say anything, but it was as if he could feel it.
“Do you feel like crying, Averie?” he asked hoarsely.
“I’ll come see you now! The office isn’t important.”
Averie took a breath, then said, “I’m fine.I just feel awful thinking about how our daughter almost got poisoned to death.I can’t imagine how painful it would be to lose her.I can’t…”
“I know.I can’t lose her either.She shouldn’t eat at the school anymore after this.”
“I know.Go and deal with your company.I’ll take a nap with Layla.
“Alright.Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
That evening, everyone showed up at the Starry River Villa to visit Layla.
Layla was sitting on the couch dressed in a pretty nightgown and holding her favorite doll in her arms.
The expression on her face was a gloominess way beyond her years.She was usually a bundle of joy.She would be warm and welcoming no matter who showed up at the house.
Now that she was sullen and silent, nobody knew how to comfort her.
“Why don’t you all go ahead and start dinner? I’ll wait for Hayden outside with Layla. I asked the bodyguard to pick Hayden up from school earlier today,” Averie said to everyone.
Then, she took Layla’s hand and walked outside.
Everyone else took their seats at the dining table.
“Has Chelsea Tierney’s body been dealt with?” Tammy asked.
“Her mother claimed it,” Chad answered.
“Oh, I thought she didn’t have any family left!”
Then, Tammy asked again, “What happens to their family business now? I doubt her mother knows how to run a business, right?”
Chad glanced over at Elyette, then answered, “Mr.Foster will absorb Trust Capital.From then on, Trust Capital will cease to exist.”
“Ha ha! I knew she would get what she deserved! I knew she would die a horrible death! I was right on the mark!” Tammy exclaimed.
Jun grabbed one of Tammy’s hands under the table, then said, “Let’s not talk about her, Tammy.Layla’s gone through enough today.Let’s talk about something else!”
“Alright.”
Hayden arrived home moments later.
After he heard about the day’s events, he gave Layla a hug.
“I almost died, Hayden.”
“You’re not dead, Layla.”
Hayden released her.
“Since you’re still alive, don’t cry anymore.”
Layla’s eyes were still slightly red swollen.
“I’m not crying anymore.I’m just scared.”
“I’m here.Don’t be scared.”
Hayden took his sister’s hand and led her into the living room.
“Daddy’s here, Hayden,” Layla warned.
“I know.”
It would be weird if Elyette did not show up after what happened to Layla today.
“He said he’ll stay here for the next few days to keep me company, ” Layla said softly.
“You won’t be mad, would you?”
“Do you want him to keep you company?” Hayden asked.
Layla lowered her gaze and did not say a word.
“I won’t be mad if you want him to keep you company,” Hayden said as he compromised.
He would never have compromised if something so serious had not happened today.
Layla was just as important to him as his mother.
Five days later, a package arrived at the Starry River Villa.
Mrs.Cooper quickly brought the package into the house.
Elyette, who was sitting on the couch, asked, “What is it?”
“It’s for Averie”‘ Mrs.Cooper checked the information on the package.
“Public and Judiciary Paternity Test Center…”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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