Chapter 1 Shameless

She used to be the top socialite in Beliey, but rumors tagged her as flighty, tarnishing her reputation. Now, she was engaged, and news of it spread like wildfire through high society, leaving everyone stunned, tongues wagging.

In the ladies' room, Kylie Stafford slipped into a bespoke Frenio wedding gown. With striking features, she glimpsed herself in the mirror, a soft smile playing on her lips. Three years in love with her boyfriend, Sergio Moore, finally culminated in this moment.

Despite the backstabbing whispers circling to tarnish her, her beau of three years remained devoted. With hopeful anticipation painted on Kylie's face, her eyes turned watery. Slightly lifting her chin, she strode out, clutching her gown. But as she stepped out, thick billows of smoke sneaked in through the crack beneath the door, as if a relentless rush found an outlet, pouring into the restroom.

Caught by the sight of the smoke, her expression twisted, fearing a fire. Covering her nose, she bolted out. The lively banquet hall seconds ago was now a haze of smoke, deserted, flames seeming to devour all. She wasted no time, heading instinctively toward the exit. Amidst the blaze, smoke billowed and swirled. Fear gripped her entirely, trembling uncontrollably.

At that moment, a man rushed in from outside. It was her fiancé, Sergio. It was like spotting a savior, and she cried out, "Sergio, I'm here!" Then she could not help coughing.

Yet, Sergio seemed oblivious to her words, his face a mask of urgency, scanning around. Finally, locking onto his target, he dashed in the opposite direction of where Kylie stood.

In the urgency of the moment, Sergio scooped up another woman trapped in the hall, swiftly making his way out. "Sergio, I knew you'd come to save me." Amidst the inferno, Kylie distinctly heard the weak, plaintive voice of the other woman. "I'm so scared."

Suddenly, as if struck by a force, Kylie felt everything dimming, a sharp ache in her chest. That voice belonged to her stepsister, Perla Stafford.

Sergio, risking his life, had come back to rescue Perla, not her. It felt like a knife cutting through her heart. The suffocation was unbearable, far worse than the choking smoke. She was utterly speechless. Then, a glass chandelier from the ceiling crashed down with a resounding thud, blocking Kylie's path. She fell to the ground in shock.

At that moment, Sergio seemed to glance back, catching sight of Kylie falling behind him. But his pace didn't falter. When Kylie looked up again, Sergio had already rushed out, carrying Perla at any cost.

Teetering on the edge of death, Kylie distinctly heard Sergio's tender voice soothing the girl in his arms. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Hearing his words, Kylie's gaze flickered slightly. Heat surrounded her, but her heart was cold to the core. She helplessly watched that familiar figure gradually disappear before her eyes.

Kylie eventually was fortunate enough to be rescued. At the moment of her utter despair, timely arrived firefighters rescued her. But due to inhaling a large amount of smoke and her right leg being injured, she was found unconscious. Consequently, she was directly taken to the hospital.

When she regained consciousness, it was the following morning. Beliey's early summer weather was pleasant. A gentle breeze caressed her pale and weak face, and a ray of sunshine fell on her thick, elongated eyelashes. Her eyes gazed faintly at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, her face calm, without any expression, silent and tranquil as if still in a state of unconsciousness.

At an unknown moment, the hospital room door suddenly swung open. Kylie glanced over. Her father Cohen Stafford, stepmother Mila Stafford, and stepsister Perla appeared in the room.

"Sis, are you okay?" Perla spoke, her eyes red with tears.

All Kylie could see in her mind was Sergio rescuing Perla. She shifted her gaze without giving the trio another glance.

"Why are you being so rude? Your sister cares about you, and you just ignore her?" Cohen, seeing Kylie's demeanor, erupted in thunderous anger.

Seeing Kylie silent, stepmother Mila hurriedly chimed in, "Cohen, don't get angry with her. She's just going through a phase. Besides, we should address the most important matter first."

Seemingly uninterested in banter, Cohen got straight to the point. "You should already know that Sergio fancies Perla. Since your engagement failed, you should publicly announce the annulment with Sergio, let Sergio marry Perla."

Kylie was infuriated to the core, so angry she couldn't help but laugh.

"Why?" Kylie asked Cohen.

"Because they are in love. Because your unwed pregnancy scandal years ago caused a stir in Beliey, tarnishing the Stafford family's reputation! Kylie, do you truly believe someone from the Moore family would want to marry a terrible woman like you? Giving you the chance to voluntarily break the engagement is giving you an out, you should know your place!" Cohen asserted confidently.

At 18, Perla had tricked her into a bar, spiked her drink, and set her up. When she woke up again, she was lying next to a stranger. Kylie was devastated, didn't even spare a glance at the man beside her, and fled. She was too young then and didn't understand contraception at all. When she found out she was pregnant, already five months along, she endured the pain to secretly abort the baby, but Perla secretly contacted the paparazzi, capturing Kylie's visit to the clinic for an abortion, and made it public. Suddenly, she became Beliey's biggest joke.

What drove her to the brink of collapse was the news from doctors that, due to her physical condition, she couldn't undergo an abortion. She had to carry the child. Eventually accepting the child's existence, she never imagined the baby would be stillborn. At her most painful and needing comfort, Cohen heartlessly sent her abroad, never caring for seven years, leaving her to fend for herself.

Now, after barely surviving the fire, Cohen remained indifferent, urging her to give up Sergio for Perla's sake. It was beyond her belief.

She couldn't fathom how heartless a father could be, to say such malicious words to his own daughter, to ruthlessly expose her painful past without a care, and to rub salt into her wounds.

"Like mother, like daughter. The mother was a homewrecker, and now the daughter follows suit." Kylie sneered. "You talk about me tarnishing the Stafford family's reputation? What reputation does the Stafford family have? My mother just died, and you eagerly welcomed the homewrecker into our family. The irony is that homewrecker's daughter is just half a year younger than me. If we talk about a stained reputation, you're the one dragging our family's reputation through the mud!"

"Kylie Stafford!" Cohen seethed with anger.

Perla and Mila felt stung by the mockery.

Kylie wasn't in the mood to engage with these so-called family members any longer. She icily declared, "If the Moore family wants me out, let Sergio tell me himself! You guys have no right to speak for him! If you don't leave now, I'll call the cops! I really couldn't care less about making a scene, right?"

Cohen understood that Kylie, like her mother, appeared indifferent on the surface, but once provoked, her inherent strength and dominance were unyielding. No one could handle it.

"Kylie Stafford, don't push me to send you abroad again!" Cohen declared before storming off.

Perla and Mila quickly followed. Watching them go, Kylie gave a sardonic smile.

'Cohen, did you actually think I'm still the same Kylie from seven years ago, letting you call all the shots? From now on, I won't let anyone walk all over my life!' thought Kylie.

"Mommy?" A sweet, innocent child's voice suddenly chimed in, snapping Kylie back to reality.

Chapter 2 Son

Kylie followed the sound and saw a little boy standing at the door of the ward. He seemed to be about 5 or 6 years old, wearing the same patient gown as her. His delicate features were so striking that they held her gaze.

Suddenly, something soft stirred inside Kylie, as if something inside her had been gently tugged, creating an indescribable feeling.

The little boy quickly ran to Kylie's bed without hesitation, using his little legs to swiftly climb onto her bed. He wrapped his soft body around her, exclaiming, "Mommy, did a bad guy hurt you?"

Then he let her go, clumsily wiping away her tears with his small, careful hands. It dawned on Kylie that maybe she was too upset earlier, so upset that she couldn't control her tears. Yet, the boy's actions at this moment melted her heart. But she was sure she didn't know him at all.

She smiled, touched the boy's soft curly hair, and in a surprisingly gentle voice, said, "Sweetie, are you mistaking me for someone else?"

"No, you're my mommy. Dad and I will protect you in the future," the boy said confidently. Then, with a sudden excitement, he added, "Although Dad has a bad temper, likes to look serious, doesn't talk much, comes and goes at odd hours, always has a stomach ache, and doesn't eat on time, and he smokes. But my dad is handsome and rich. Please don't leave us again."

Listening, Kylie felt a bit helpless. "Even though you're very cute, I'm really not your mommy."

"You are my mommy. I know a secret..."

Suddenly, a magnetic, indifferent male voice came from the ward door. "Jos."

The little boy trembled. He turned his small head to look back. Kylie also glanced in that direction. Despite having seen many handsome men in her upper-class society, none seemed to compare to the man in front of her.

He wore a white shirt with the top button undone, exuding an indescribable sense of restraint. His features were like finely crafted jade sculptures, exuding wisdom and composure. His dignified and upright figure carried an air of aristocratic calm.

"Dad!" The little boy obediently called out.

Kylie withdrew her gaze, now understanding why the little boy was so good-looking. He had inherited his father's outstanding genes.

"Go back to the ward," the man said sternly.

The little boy pouted, seemingly a bit unwilling, but nodded obediently.

Kylie now realized that this child had received an excellent upbringing.

The little boy turned to Kylie and said, "Mommy, I'm going back to the ward. My room is next to yours. Will you come see me later?"

Looking into the eager eyes of the little boy, Kylie couldn't refuse.

"Okay." She nodded in agreement.

She planned to explain to the boy later that she wasn't his mom.

"Oh, by the way, Mommy, my name is Joseph Hayden. Just call me Jos," Joseph introduced himself before reluctantly walking toward the man at the ward's door. The man was tall, probably above six feet. Joseph standing next to him created an interesting height difference.

The man led Joseph away without sparing her a glance from start to finish. His demeanor was stiff, distant. Yet, it didn't strike her as impolite. Handsome people probably never leave too negative an impression.

Truth be told, Kylie wasn't fond of interacting with people. The man's cold and distant behavior toward strangers actually made her feel comfortable and at ease.

She got up from the bed, her right leg still in a cast, making her movements extremely inconvenient. Nonetheless, stubborn and proud, she used the crutch and made her way. She realized she had grown accustomed to this. For most of her life, she'd managed on her own. Even during the three years with Sergio, she never bothered or relied on him.

She felt a strange sense of relief for being this way. It was because of this that she could endure even the toughest situations.

Struggling with the crutch, Kylie finally emerged from the restroom and was taken aback to find a man standing in the room.

The man looked at her pale face and in a deep, magnetic voice asked, "Does my face look terrifying?"

"No." Kylie shook her head. "I just didn't expect someone to be in the room."

This man happened to be the father of the little boy she'd just encountered.

Initially relieved by his cold demeanor, she hadn't expected him to suddenly show up. His abrupt appearance made her feel somewhat wary.

Noting the shift in her emotions, the man pursed his thin lips slightly. "I'm Ethan Hayden. Miss Stafford. The banquet hall where your engagement party was held yesterday, belongs to me." Ethan got straight to the point.

It dawned on Kylie. The banquet hall had suddenly caught fire, and the owner did bear some responsibility.

Ethan, with a formal tone, explained, "I deeply apologize for the accidental fire in the banquet hall, which caused you to be trapped and led to your right leg being fractured. I will cover all your hospital expenses, including hospitalization, treatment, caretakers, meals, and recovery. In addition, Miss Stafford, you can claim compensation from me for lost wages, emotional distress, and all the losses incurred during the engagement party."

"No need," Kylie said calmly. "Mr. Hayden, covering my medical expenses is sufficient."

Ethan's eyes held a peculiar expression as he looked at her.

Kylie had been standing for too long. Her legs were getting numb.

"Do you need help?" The man obviously noticed her difficulty in moving.

"No... Ah!" Kylie's words were cut short. The crutch suddenly slipped, and she was about to fall.

With a swift step, Ethan caught her in his arms. Startled, Kylie caught a whiff of a faint cologne scent. Simultaneously, she seemed to hear the urgent yet steady beating of his heart against his chest.

She quickly tried to get up. She wasn't used to such close contact with people. Even during her three years with Sergio, despite their good relationship, they rarely went beyond holding hands because Sergio knew about her past experiences and her discomfort with physical contact.

Sergio used to be considerate and respectful, but eventually, he changed.

With Ethan's help, Kylie managed to stand straight. However, the crutch, having fallen, left her unsteady on one foot. Just as she was about to fall again, Kylie, startled, instinctively grabbed the man's neck.

In that moment of embrace, she immediately felt the closeness was too much. Hastily, she released her grip. Her usually pale face turned slightly flushed.

Ethan noticed every move Kylie made, understanding her discomfort but reluctantly choosing to remain silent. He guessed she probably didn't want any entanglements with him.

The ward wasn't spacious, and he only needed to carry her a few steps to get her back to bed. She would only have to endure it for a few seconds. Tightening his lips, Ethan lifted Kylie and placed her back on the bed.

"What are you doing here!"

A familiar male voice suddenly erupted in the ward, filled with anger. Kylie's heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously bit her lip. Ethan remained unmoved, seemingly indifferent to the voice, yet his eyes seemed to fluctuate while observing Kylie. He walked steadily, placing Kylie on the bed.

"Kylie Stafford!" Sergio stormed toward them, shouting, "You're still as loose as ever, aren't you?!"

Chapter 3 Break Up

Kylie looked at Sergio with an icy gaze. Despite feeling immensely hurt when she saw him abandoning her to save Perla yesterday, she still believed their three years together warranted an explanation from him, though she couldn't forgive him. But right now, she felt seeking an explanation from Sergio would only bring her more humiliation.

Getting no response from Kylie, Sergio turned to glance at Ethan.

Ethan's striking appearance made Sergio pause for a moment. Soon, he recognized Ethan as the firefighter who had rushed in to save Kylie yesterday. At that time, Ethan was wearing a rescue helmet, and Sergio hadn't clearly seen his features, only noting his towering height.

"Sergio, let's break up," Kylie said.

Their three-year relationship ended there.

Sergio felt a sudden pang in his heart. He looked at Kylie in disbelief, shock in his eyes. He was furious, pointing at Ethan, yelling, "Kylie, do you know who he is? He's just a firefighter! You want to break up with me for him?"

Ethan's eyes flickered slightly. There was a hint of mockery and coldness in his eyes, but he chose to remain silent. Despite his seemingly indifferent demeanor, he showed no intention of leaving.

"Why are we breaking up? Shouldn't you know?" Kylie's voice turned cold, carrying a hint of anger. "You chose to save Perla yesterday. Don't you see? Sergio, stop treating me like a fool!"

Sergio, filled with emotion, suddenly froze. At that moment, he was speechless. He remained silent for a long time. His complex gaze held conflict, but after a moment, it turned into resignation.

"Perhaps, we were never meant to be together from the start." Sergio looked at Kylie, his eyes tinged with regret and sadness. "Kylie, you're too independent, too strong-willed. During our time together, I felt like I wasn't necessary, even burdensome. You didn't need me."

Kylie looked at Sergio and suddenly chuckled. But inside, she felt a pain close to numbness.

Their first meeting was when she was a street performer trying to survive abroad. Sergio back then was a clean-cut youth, his smile as warm as spring, possessing a refined charm. He paid for her performance and began frequenting her shows. Over time, these two strangers in a foreign land became acquainted, and then grew fond of each other, starting dating.

She told him about her troubled past, and he said it didn't matter, believing in a bright future together.

Later, when the Moore Group faced a crisis, Sergio, fresh out of university, was urgently called back by the Moore family. Kylie, who was just starting to make progress abroad, chose to accompany Sergio back and threw herself into the Moore Group, working tirelessly with him day and night for two years. She attended his social events, and humbly bowed for investments, ultimately bringing the Moore Group back on track.

Kylie couldn't believe that he now considered her independence and strength as her flaws, despite once thanking her for her unwavering support.

Sergio, with a voice tinged with guilt but also a sense of complete relief, said, "Take care of yourself from now on. If you ever face difficulties, you can find me. After all, we were in love before, and we can still be friends."

"I don't need your kindness or pity. I, Kylie, will never believe in a man who abandons me at a life-and-death moment. I'm not so desperate for your charity!" Kylie's words were icy, laced with profound sarcasm. "Sergio, remember this. I, Kylie, broke up with you first! And I genuinely wish you and Perla a lifetime of happiness together. I hope you'll never regret that you chose her!"

Sergio felt somewhat embarrassed by Kylie's words. Leaving her yesterday was indeed his fault, and he had nothing to retort. But Kylie's imposing demeanor made it impossible for him to have a proper conversation with her. He looked at her heavily and said slowly, "Rest well, then."

As Sergio left, he stopped in his tracks, casting a gaze toward Ethan. Ethan met Sergio's eyes, his expression indifferent and cold.

"Men like him, with no money but a good appearance, I've seen plenty. They deceive women with just a handsome face and sweet words. Don't fall for his tricks," Sergio said indignantly.

Kylie didn't want to hear another word from Sergio. "Sergio, I'll be with whoever I want. You have no right to interfere!"

Ethan tactfully adjusted Kylie's hair, displaying his willingness to support her.

"If you're willing to give in to decadence, that's your choice." Sergio left in anger.

The room suddenly fell silent.

"Thank you for helping me back to bed and for playing along just now," Kylie said. "But I'm really tired now, Mr. Hayden. Please leave."

He said slowly, "Miss Stafford, rest well."

As the tall and elegant Ethan left, he placed a tissue at the bedside. Then, he said, "If a man feels pressure, it's because he's not good enough. It has nothing to do with you."

Kylie was momentarily surprised. Ethan's true character seemed different from his outward appearance.

Once Ethan stepped out of the ward, his pace noticeably slowed. He picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Lorenzo."

"Yes, Mr. Hayden," Lorenzo Deleon respectfully replied.

"When you make food for Jos next time, make an extra portion for the room next to his in the hospital."

"Understood."

Ethan had just hung up when the phone rang again. Glancing at the caller ID, he answered, "Joel."

"Word is you just got back from abroad and your family's hotel got burned down?" Joel Ellis on the other end joked.

"Yeah," Ethan replied simply.

"Must be quite a loss, huh? How are you feeling about it?" Joel teased.

"Great," Ethan deadpanned.

"Has this incident hit you so hard that it's driven you insane? How about me and a few friends come to comfort you? We can grab a drink together?" Joel suggested.

"Not necessary. But if it's to celebrate for me, I can reluctantly accept," Ethan said. "However, I'm busy at the moment."

Joel was floored. He didn't expect Ethan, after not seeing him for years, to turn from a genius to a fool.

"Isn't Jos getting discharged today?" Joel finally caught on after a moment.

It was Ethan's first day back in the country, and Joseph had an acute appendicitis attack, ending up in the hospital for surgery. They had planned to throw a party to welcome Ethan back, but that plan was derailed.

"He's not out yet," Ethan added. "I extended his stay for another half month."

"Jos is okay, right?" Joel asked nervously.

"He's fine," Ethan replied coldly. "He's just chilling here."

That response left Joel utterly speechless. He wondered if Ethan considered the hospital a hotel.

"Goodbye."

"Ethan!" Joel called out urgently. "How about I bring in a psychologist to check on you right now?"

"I think you're the one who needs it!" Ethan hung up abruptly.

Setting down his phone, he glanced back at the neighboring room. Ethan pursed his lips tightly and walked into his son's hospital room.

Chapter 4 Steal A Kiss

After leaving the hospital, Sergio headed straight for the Stafford family's mansion. Cohen was quick to ask, "Did Kylie agree to break off the engagement?"

Shaking his head, Sergio looked at the sweet and gentle Perla and softly said, "She and I have already broken up. Ending the engagement is just a matter of time. I just need Perla to be patient for a while."

"It's okay." Perla smiled, her eyes shimmering with tenderness. "As long as I can be with Sergio, I feel happy."

Seeing Perla being so understanding and gentle, Sergio felt so relieved. He felt choosing Perla was the right call. Keeping his emotions in check, Sergio calmly continued, "I just saw Kylie. There was another guy in her hospital room. The firefighter from that day."

"She's still the same. Sergio, you should have broken up with her ages ago. She's just not worthy of you!" Cohen said firmly.

Sergio nodded slightly. Kylie's personal life was just too messy for him.

"Let's not talk about her anymore. Let her do whatever she wants. I'll pretend I don't have such a shameless daughter!" Cohen had no love left for Kylie. Changing the subject, he said, "I heard Ethan from the Hayden Group went back a few days ago. Perla, you should go meet him as the CEO of Galaxy Group if you get the chance."

"Dad, are you planning for me to fully take over Galaxy Group?" Perla asked excitedly.

Galaxy Group was the company Kylie's mother had established before, and Perla finally got what Kylie wanted most.

"Thank you, Dad. I won't let you down." Perla quickly reaffirmed her determination.

"I have complete faith in you," Cohen said indulgently.

"Oh, speaking of which, Dad, the Ethan you mentioned earlier is from the Hayden family, the top conglomerate in Beliey, right? I heard he has a child overseas, but the mother's identity is unknown?" Perla asked curiously.

Cohen nodded, saying, "Ethan's grandfather, Jason Hayden, is not well, so he had Ethan come back. Ethan's been boosting Hayden Group's overseas markets. He's got some serious business skills, probably better than his grandfather. Sergio, both of you are young. You should spend time with Ethan now that he's back. Hayden Group's a big deal in Beliey."

"My father mentioned this to me too. Once Ethan officially takes over, I'll go to visit Hayden Group," Sergio said humbly.

"Ethan's only 27, right? So young and capable, wonder what he looks like?" Perla murmured.

"Mr. Hayden's turning seventy next month. We should see Ethan at the birthday bash." Sergio looked at Perla, asking, "Interested in him?"

"Not at all." Perla playfully denied. "I'm only interested in Sergio, and I bet Ethan isn't good-looking. If he were, that woman wouldn't have left him! I imagine Ethan's one of those middle-aged guys with a big belly. In all of Beliey, there's only one person with good lineage, looks, and skills, and that's Sergio."

Sergio couldn't help but smirk, pretending he wasn't too bothered by her words, smoothly changing the topic.

The cheerful ambiance at the Stafford family's mansion contrasted sharply with Kylie's desolate hospital room.

Kylie was feeling a bit hungry. She hadn't expected to cry for over an hour over someone like Sergio.

As she was about to casually order food at the hospital, a man in his fifties, accompanied by two young women in their twenties, entered the room. The man respectfully greeted, "Miss Stafford, hello. I'm Mr. Hayden's personal butler. You can call me Lorenzo."

Kylie blinked, somewhat puzzled.

Lorenzo continued, "This is Emilia and Ayana. They're the caregivers prepared by Mr. Hayden for you, Miss Stafford. During your hospital stay, you can instruct them as you wish." Then he instructed the caregivers, "Serve Miss Stafford her lunch."

Emilia and Ayana promptly unpacked the meal they brought, setting an overly abundant brunch on Kylie's bedside table, offering forks and knives, and saying, "Please enjoy, Miss Stafford."

Kylie hadn't expected Ethan to go this far, hiring caregivers and preparing meals for her. She also felt the unexpected fire had surely caused Ethan significant losses.

"Thank you." Kylie took the cutlery and tasted the meal, pleasantly surprised by its flavor.

"Miss Stafford, this is my first time cooking for you. Do you have any specific preferences or dislikes regarding food or ingredients?" Lorenzo suddenly put on reading glasses, taking out a notebook, and meticulously made notes.

Kylie paused slightly, then said slowly, "No, I don't."

Without further questioning, Lorenzo observed quietly, jotting down notes. "Miss Stafford prefers fish, and dislikes carrots and onions."

As Lorenzo wrote, he glanced at the food Kylie had eaten. Finally, in his notebook, he wrote, "Her dietary preferences are similar to Mr. Joseph's."

After lunch, Lorenzo handed Kylie a box. Inside was a mobile phone, even with her original number. Kylie thanked Lorenzo, and he didn't linger in her room. His mission accomplished so he left. Emilia and Ayana, her caregivers, remained in the room.

"You guys don't need to help me."

Kylie settled into the hospital wheelchair and wheeled herself out of the room. She had promised to visit Joseph. She couldn't break her word. Besides, there were some things she felt she needed to discuss with Ethan in person.

She knocked on the adjacent room's door. It opened, revealing Ethan's towering figure, broad shoulders, sturdy waist, and long legs. His white shirt's sleeves were rolled up, showcasing his robust forearms. At that moment, Kylie noticed Ethan's wrist wrapped in thick bandages.

Recalling how he had carried her earlier, she couldn't help feeling a bit terrible.

Kylie shifted her gaze and asked, "Is Joseph in?"

"He is, but he's about to take his nap," Ethan replied.

Sensing Ethan's reluctance to let her near his child, Kylie bit her lip and said, "I'll come back later then..."

"Mommy, are you here? Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Joseph's voice unexpectedly echoed from the room, making a request.

"I need to step out for a bit. If you have time, could you stay with Jos for me?" Without waiting for Kylie's response, Ethan said frankly, "Jos just had an appendectomy, and the doctors advised ample rest. I'd appreciate it if you could ensure he sleeps properly."

Without seeking Kylie's agreement, Ethan left. Kylie couldn't figure out Ethan's personality at all. She didn't expect him to entrust his child to a stranger like her, not worried that she might take a liking to his adorable son and whisk him away.

"Mommy," Joseph sweetly called.

Kylie took a deep breath and didn't correct him, gently saying, "Go to sleep, I'm here with you."

"Thank you, Mommy." Joseph held Kylie's arm tightly to his chest.

With closed eyes and a little yawn, to Kylie's surprise, the next moment he was fast asleep.

Kylie couldn't help but envy a child's speed in falling asleep. Over the years, she had consumed so much melatonin due to her insomnia.

As she tried to pull her arm away to leave, Joseph's chubby little arms clung tighter around her, murmuring, "Mommy, don't run away again."

Feeling a bit helpless, Kylie looked at Joseph's adorable face, thinking his mother must be terribly heartless to leave such a lovely child behind.

Unable to resist, Kylie leaned down and kissed Joseph's forehead. As she lifted her head, she suddenly caught Ethan's presence in the room. His deep gaze observed her actions, and she couldn't decipher his expression. Kylie instantly felt a bit awkward, not expecting that her sneak kiss on Joseph's forehead would be witnessed by his father.

Chapter 5 Pursuit

"Jos stayed up an extra hour waiting for you," Ethan said, diffusing the awkwardness.

Kylie felt a pang in her heart. She pursed her lips and said, "Actually, you can explain to Jos that I'm not his mommy."

Ethan's dark eyes fixated on her. His sudden silence made Kylie doubt if she had misspoken.

Without much consideration, she continued, "The fire was an accident, Mr. Hayden. You didn't need to bring meals specifically for me, nor did I need two caregivers. Also, how much did that phone cost? I'll transfer the money to you."

"Miss Stafford, I thought you were smarter," Ethan said.

Ethan's words made Kylie furrow her brow in silence. She didn't understand why Ethan would say that. She didn't think she had done anything foolish.

"Jos needs a mother," Ethan stated matter-of-factly with a magnetic voice.

"And?" Kylie raised an eyebrow.

Ethan's deep gaze lingered on her. After a moment, in a somewhat subdued voice, he said, "He likes you. So, Miss Stafford, I think you should be able to tell, I'm pursuing you."

His words caught her off guard. She genuinely hadn't noticed. She just felt his actions were affecting her life.

"Miss Stafford, you don't have to give me an immediate answer. After all, we're not..." Ethan paused as if searching for the right words and added, "...that close yet."

Kylie didn't feel "not that close" accurately described their current relationship. They were clearly two strangers who had just met each other.

Taking a deep breath to keep herself composed, Kylie said, "Mr. Hayden, aren't you too hasty with relationships?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. He wasn't the easiest person to hang out with, and he seemed more distant now.

"Your son likes me, so you pursue me? Am I just a nanny to take care of your child for you? And if your son stops liking me, if he likes someone else, Mr. Hayden, would you pursue someone else?" Kylie's tone turned a bit unfriendly, and then she softened. "I'm sorry, I can't accept your values."

"Me pursuing you has nothing to do with my son. It just happens that my son and I both like you," Ethan stated plainly.

Kylie thought she misheard. She hadn't expected such a sudden confession and felt Ethan was just joking, considering they had only met a few hours ago.

"Miss Stafford, you don't need to worry about my son liking someone else," Ethan said slowly. "We, in my family, are very faithful when it comes to relationships. It's in our blood."

After hearing Ethan's words, Kylie stayed silent for a while. She couldn't understand if Ethan was praising his son or himself. Yet, it felt like he was giving her some kind of assurance.

Kylie felt she shouldn't let Ethan lead her on. She couldn't respond emotionally to someone she had just met. "Mr. Hayden, regardless of your intentions, I'll make it clear, I refuse your pursuit," Kylie said firmly.

Ethan's dark eyes fixed on her.

"Please refrain from disturbing me in the future. I got injured in your hall, and you need to compensate for my loss. Other than that, there's no further involvement between us," Kylie continued.

"Miss Stafford, you reject my pursuit, and I reject your rejection." Ethan interrupted Kylie's words, his tone quite authoritative.

A hint of anger flickered in Kylie's eyes as she exclaimed, "Do you know what kind of past I have? I'm far from what you think."

"I never doubt my judgment, nor do I care about so-called pasts," said Ethan.

"Somebody once said the same thing to me. Do you want to know how it ended?" Kylie wouldn't believe a stranger she just met.

"You shouldn't compare me to scum." The room suddenly grew quiet. Ethan's thin lips twitched, his expression stern.

Kylie was momentarily stunned. Ethan's expression made her feel like her previous words had deeply insulted him. Suddenly, Kylie laughed. She didn't know why she was laughing. Perhaps because she hadn't expected that someone in the world would think she was a decent person.

Everyone thought she wasn't good enough for Sergio. Even her father shared that opinion.

"Next, I'll make an effort to help you understand the difference between me and scum," Ethan said, watching Kylie's smile, his eyes revealing clear emotional turmoil.

Ethan's words clearly meant that he was going to intensify his pursuit of her. Ethan turned and walked away as if he didn't want to waste any more time on this matter. His decision was unalterable.

"Mr. Hayden," Kylie was snapped back to reality and hurriedly called after him.

Ethan halted, not turning back.

"I suggest you get to know my past," said Kylie.

"That is not necessary," he said firmly, continuing to walk without looking back.

Kylie returned to her hospital room, lay back on the bed, and after some thought, took out her phone. It was only then that she remembered she hadn't transferred the money to Ethan. However, upon reflection, she decided against it. Ethan seemed affluent and probably wouldn't care about the money. She intended to consider the funds as compensation for the emotional distress she received from him.

Relying on memory, Kylie dialed a somewhat unfamiliar number. When the call connected, she said, "Trevor Lopez, it's Kylie Stafford."

"Miss Stafford, hello," Trevor replied.

"I want to reclaim Galaxy Group, the company my mother left behind. Any issues with that?" asked Kylie.

"Of course not," Trevor replied. "Your mother's will is clear, Galaxy Group belongs to you, Miss Stafford. It's yours whenever you want it."

Ever since her mother passed away, her mother's primarily fashion-oriented Galaxy Group, established before marriage, had been managed by Cohen, her guardian. Later, when Kylie was sent abroad, Galaxy Group remained under Cohen's control. When she returned with Sergio, she intended to take over her mother's company, but dealing with the crisis at Moore Group consumed much of her time and attention. Consequently, this matter remained unresolved until now.

"I'll need you to accompany me to Galaxy Group," Kylie requested.

"No problem, I'm happy to help at any time." Trevor readily agreed.

Kylie stayed in the hospital for a week.

During that week, Joseph visited her from time to time, almost occupying most of her time. Although she didn't mind Joseph's visits, she felt a bit uncomfortable when Ethan occasionally accompanied Joseph.

She didn't particularly find Ethan annoying. Since that day he "confessed" his pursuit of her, he hadn't taken any actual actions. Sometimes, he seemed almost invisible.

She began to doubt if Ethan's confession had been a spur-of-the-moment thing. If not, she suspected he might not understand what "pursuit" truly meant.

However, one thing made her believe Ethan genuinely cared for her. His insistence on Lorenzo delivering meals every day, each time more tailored to her tastes.

Kylie packed her belongings, realizing besides the phone Ethan had given her, there was nothing else she needed to take.

"Mommy, will I see you again?" Joseph looked at her with a pitiful expression, clearly reluctant to see Kylie leave. His demeanor stood in stark contrast to Ethan, who stood nearby seemingly indifferent, almost as if he didn't exist.

Chapter 6 Personal Life

"Of course you will." After spending a week together, Kylie had developed a deep affection for Joseph. She gently said, "I've left you my phone number. If you miss me, give me a call, and I'll come to see you when I have time."

"You better keep your word, no lying allowed," Joseph insisted.

Kylie made an effort to crouch down, causing Ethan to furrow his brow.

Maintaining eye level with Joseph, Kylie tenderly touched his head and slowly said, "I keep my promises."

Joseph smiled sweetly and took the initiative to kiss Kylie's cheek. Ethan's brow seemed to furrow even more tightly.

"I have to go now," Kylie said softly.

"Mommy, take care. Don't fall," Joseph sweetly called after her.

Kylie had tried several times to persuade Joseph to stop calling her "Mommy," but he refused to listen. Every time she denied being his mommy, Joseph thought she was going to abandon him, his eyes welling up with tears, feeling incredibly upset. So, eventually, she stopped insisting on changing the way he addressed her. She thought he would naturally understand when he grew older.

Using a cane, Kylie walked out of the ward alone, with Ethan following closely behind her. Several times she wanted to ask him to stop but chose to remain silent. When they reached the hospital doors, she finally said, "Mr. Hayden..."

Ethan walked past her and opened the door of a black Maybach parked in front of them, like a gentleman. Kylie frowned at his action.

"Miss Stafford, I'll drive you back."

"I can manage on my own, no need to trouble you, Mr. Hayden."

"I have a car." Ethan's tone was firm, his words concise.

Kylie furrowed her brow, feeling like Ethan was showing off.

"I don't find it troublesome," Ethan added.

Kylie looked at Ethan. She found it challenging to communicate with him and eventually relented. Ethan seemed to have a way of making her comply. Resisting felt futile and a waste of time.

Seated in the luxurious car, Ethan inquired, "Miss Stafford, where do you live?"

"Bia Mansion."

Since coming back from abroad, she hadn't returned to the Stafford family, and no one from the Stafford family had checked in on her either.

"Okay." Ethan acknowledged and then signaled to the chauffeur with a glance. The chauffeur nodded and the car started moving slowly.

Suddenly, Ethan leaned closer to Kylie. Her heart skipped a beat, clearly wary. Normally, Ethan kept his distance. But to her surprise, he was actually leaning in to help her fasten the seatbelt. She bit her lip involuntarily.

After securing it, Ethan said in a detached tone, "Miss Stafford, no need to clench your fist so tightly."

Kylie lowered her head abruptly, realizing her subconscious action. She felt extremely embarrassed.

"You can relax, Miss Stafford. I'm not someone who leads a frivolous personal life."

Upon hearing this, Kylie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Ethan's words seemed a bit amusing and absurd to her. Without thinking, she blurted out, "You say you don't lead a frivolous personal life, yet you have a child out of wedlock?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Kylie regretted it. She and Ethan weren't close enough to joke around. Ethan turned to look at her, his gaze lingering. Kylie was about to change the subject when Ethan suddenly said, "I was coerced."

Hearing that, Kylie was left speechless. She found it hard to believe that a woman could coerce someone as tall and imposing as Ethan.

"She must have been quite strong," Kylie managed to reply.

"Yes, she was." Ethan nodded, then seemed to study her with deep eyes.

Kylie felt their conversation was getting a bit too intimate for her liking.

"How did things end between you two?" Kylie shifted the topic slightly. She was genuinely curious about why Joseph's mother had left them.

"She didn't like me," he replied.

Kylie was surprised. She couldn't fathom someone rejecting a man as handsome as Ethan.

"She didn't like you, yet she had a child with you?" The more Kylie heard, the more absurd the situation seemed.

"She never wanted a child," Ethan said in a distant tone. "Even after giving birth to Jos, she planned to abandon him."

Kylie suddenly felt a pang in her chest. The thought of baby Jos, so innocent and vulnerable, nearly being abandoned tore at her heart. She couldn't bear to imagine that scene.

"You're better off without someone like that," Kylie said sincerely.

Ethan pursed his lips, his gaze fixed tightly on her as if there was something on her face.

Kylie touched her cheek, asking, "Mr. Hayden, what's wrong?"

Ethan averted his gaze, then kept his head turned away from her. Kylie frowned. Ethan was often unpredictable, making it hard for her to understand him. But she guessed that bringing up his unhappy past might have soured his mood. Silence filled the car until it stopped in Kylie's neighborhood.

"Thank you." Kylie expressed her gratitude, still maintaining a reserved distance from Ethan.

Ethan nodded slightly. "Miss Stafford, take care on your way."

Kylie acknowledged and felt a bit relieved. She was worried Ethan might insist on dropping her at her doorstep. For someone she had just met, she could only accept being escorted to her neighborhood. Ethan had been considerate in their interactions, lessening her guardedness towards him she would usually be wary of.

"Mr. Hayden," the chauffeur couldn't help but call out to Ethan.

Kylie had disappeared from sight, but Ethan continued to gaze in her direction. Meanwhile, his phone kept ringing.

Ethan turned back, answering the phone calmly. "Grandfather."

"Isn't Jos supposed to be discharged today? Why hasn't he returned?" Jason inquired.

"He'll be back soon," Ethan replied. "But Grandfather, let me be clear, Jos and I won't be staying in Hayden's residence."

"Why not?" Jason sounded displeased.

"Jos isn't suited to living with too many people. He's rather introverted. I'll bring Jos to meet you first, then we'll leave," Ethan stated firmly.

"You can't leave until after dinner," Jason insisted, adamant about this.

"Alright." Ethan had no choice but to agree.

Since the death of his parents, he rarely returned to Beliey. If Jason hadn't used his life as leverage, Ethan wouldn't have returned this time. If he hadn't come back, he might never have crossed paths with her again.

Before Kylie knew it, Monday had rolled around, and the weather was bright and clear.

She had slipped into a professional outfit, put on a light touch of makeup, and let her soft curls fall casually over her shoulders. Despite leaning on a cane, she exuded a strong and confident aura, radiant and beautiful as ever.

Trevor escorted her to Galaxy Group. A man hurried over, saying, "Miss Stafford."

"Mr. Stewart." Kylie nodded slightly.

Kelton Stewart, Galaxy Group's VP, was someone Kylie's mother had trusted deeply. When Cohen took over the company, there was a massive turnover among the staff over the years, but Kelton remained, a testament to his high position and competence within the company.

"Let's go." Kylie didn't want to waste a second.

"Miss Stafford, today..." Kelton hesitated.

"What is it?" Kylie frowned.

"I only found out when I came in today. The chairman, your father, has decided to appoint Perla as the new CEO of Galaxy Group. From now on, she'll have full authority over everything. They're having the appointment ceremony right now."

Kylie hadn't expected Cohen and Perla to be shameless to this extent.

Kylie responded coldly, "It's fine."