âDad, | miss you. | miss you so much.â
Anastasia looked on while standing in front of the French window, knowing full well that Ericaâs tears were all crocodile tears.
Meanwhile, in a downtown shopping mall, a stylishly-dressed Hayley was holding Alexâs arm and shopping with her face mask on. Her face had gone under the knife, but it was still pretty.
Alex had come to like Hayley as well. Having a way with men, she indulged all his desire for fulfillment when he was with her.
âThis shirt is nice. Try it on.â âItâs too pricey.â Alex didnât feel like trying it on when he saw the price tag.
However, Hayley tugged at his hand, saying, âNo, that won't do. You have to try it on. Youâre not Mr. Hunter anymore.
You're now President Hunter.â
Alex was instantly pleased by the look of adoration and admiration in her eyes. He tried the shirt on, after which she paid for it with his money, which he spent willingly. Erica could never give him this kind of feeling. Despite marrying him, she always looked down on him. Only Hayley could tickle his vanity.
Getting very sentimental at this moment, he suggested, âHayley, once | get money from Tillman Constructions, letâs buy a house by the sea. We'll get married, have kids, and live out our lives there in retirement, okay?â
âSure! | canât wait to enjoy such a life with you.â
âGive me some more time. Once | get the money, Iâll quit right away. I'll divorce: Erica and marry you.â
âAlright, I'll wait for you patiently.â Hayley smiled with smugness in her eyes. Anastasia will never know that I'll be spending her fatherâs money for the rest of my life, she thought to herself.
On the other hand, Erica left the hospital.
and went back to the Tillman Residence. What was once a cozy home for her was now devoid of warmth. All that was left was a servant who was still in employment, who took care of the housekeeping and cooked meals for her.
d you âWelcome back, Miss Erica. Would y like something to eat?â asked Mrs. Garner.
Erica sat on the sofa. She missed Naomi and wanted to get her out of police custody. Otherwise, with the evidence Anastasia was holding, Naomi would definitely be sentenced to jail. She could only be released if Anastasia relented and dropped the case against her. Anastasia is so uncompromising in her stand, and she hates Mom. There's no way she'll let Mom off, thought Erica.
The thought made her feel anxious and unsettled. Just then, the doorbell rang.
Mrs. Garner got up and went outside to answer the door. When she saw a strange man outside the gate, she asked curiously, âWho are you looking for?â
The man outside was in his early fifties, with a wrinkly face, a hunchback, and grayish-white hair. One could tell at a glance that he belonged to the underclass society.
âExcuse me, but does Naomi Lowell live here?â
âWhy are you asking for our madam?â Mrs. Garner asked with a hint of disdain in her voice as she somewhat looked down on the man.
âI've got something urgent to discuss with her.â
Mrs. Garner dared not let him in carelessly, though. âMadam isnât at home. Only Miss Erica is.â
In the living room, Erica also wondered who was popping in on them. She waited for a long time, but Mrs. Garner didnât let the visitor in, so she had no choice but to come out on her own. âWho is it, Mrs. Garner?â
âMiss Erica, itâs a stranger. We donât know him,â Mrs. Garner replied before looking at the man outside through the gate.
The man outside also looked at Erica through the gate. Suddenly, his eyes lit up with excitement. âYouâre Naomiâs daughter?â
Erica looked at him before waving her hand in disgust. âGo away! Donât come begging at my door!
The man outside was stunned. Grasping the railing tightly with both hands, he asked, âAre you really Naomiâs daughter?â
âWhat does that have to do with you? Get lost, you damn beggar! Erica yelled crossly.
The manâs expression changed. âCan we talk, young lady? Iâve got something to ask you about.â
â| donât have time to talk to you.â Erica. said before tugging at Mrs. Garner. Just ignore him.â The man watched as Erica left.
Then, he looked at the Tillinan Family's mansion with a glint of greed in his eyes.