"How could this be?" Joe stared at the empty box, unable to process what had happened. Where were the photos?Haley's eyes burned with anger as she glared at Joe. "Where are the photos? Are you playing games with us?"Joe's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly shook his head. "No, absolutely not! I swear I put the photos in here... It must be Jack! It has to be him!"Jack Spencer was one of Joe's former subordinates, the one who had helped Joe retrieve the photo a few days ago. The key was with him, and he must have taken the remaining photos!Joe's face went pale as he looked at Haley and Shane with a mix of fear and desperation. "I really don't know anything, Haley, you have to believe me..."Joe had kept the photos only to remind himself of the betrayal he had suffered. He took them out solely to save Xena. There was no way he could have tampered with them.Seeing Joe's genuine panic, Haley felt her heart sink further into unease. Shane pulled Haley into his arms, speaking s
Jack laughed even louder. "You want the photos? Sure, give me twenty million, and I'll return them to you intact."Joe's temple throbbed with anger. "Don't push it!"He did not have that kind of money. He could not even come up with two hundred thousand. All his assets were frozen, and if he hadn't had a heart attack, he would still be in jail. Where was he supposed to get that kind of money?Then he heard Haley's hoarse voice, "Agree to it."Twenty million? Even if it cost her everything, she needed those photos back.Everyone was stunned, including Joe, who looked at her in disbelief. "Are you crazy? That's twenty million! And those photos aren't even...""What did you say?" Haley, lost in her emotions, had not heard the last part of Joe's sentence.Facing Haley's angry, piercing gaze, Joe shrank back. He stammered, "Those photos, though suggestive, don't actually show anything explicit."He had believed Yvonne was cheating on him because of what Zoe had said. And seeing th
Haley lowered her gaze, staying silent. Joe was just as confused, unable to figure out where the money had gone. Sue spoke up softly, "I remember now, I was supposed to handle that money, but later..."She glanced at Joe hesitantly. Joe immediately pressed her, "What happened next? Just say it!"Sue bit her lip and continued, "Later, Mrs. Carter said she and Xena had their eyes on a designer bag that cost sixty thousand, so they took that money. She warned me not to tell anyone or she would fire me. At the time, I wasn't with you yet and was afraid of losing my job, so I kept it to myself."Everyone fell silent. Using someone's life-saving money to buy a bag was incredibly ironic.Jack was triggered and shouting furiously, "I knew it! None of you rich people are good! I'll release those photos no matter what. Just wait and see!"Although the money was technically Joe's to give or withhold, Jack felt betrayed. After receiving hope and then having it snatched away, his mind ha
Joe had not lied to her. The photos did not contain any concrete evidence. Most of them were just pictures of Yvonne drinking and socializing at dinner parties. The men in the photos leered at her, and it was clear that Yvonne was very uncomfortable. The most misleading photo was one of her entering a hotel with a man. But it was obvious that the man was drunk and unsteady on his feet. A closer look revealed a faint shadow on his suit jacket, indicating that a third person might have been present.Haley felt a surge of anger. How much did the person who took these photos hate her mother to take such misleading pictures and cause her to be misunderstood for so many years?Shane held her hand tightly and whispered, "I recognize a few people in these photos. I'll have someone investigate right away.""Okay," Haley nodded and reached into Shane's suit pocket. Shane did not move, allowing her to take what she needed. A moment later, Haley held a lighter in her hand.Seeing thi
Dean nodded, lifted the limp Jack off the ground, and left with his team.Haley leaned on Shane's shoulder, and after holding back her tears for so long, they finally started to fall. "Mr. Ford, I never knew that Mom went through so much pain."She had always seen her mother as busy, often away from home, with a passion for playing the violin. But over time, her mother grew more melancholy, lost in thought. Haley now understood that her mom had been struggling all along, hiding immense pain and hardship behind every smile.Hearing her words, Shane felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He gently patted her back, comforting her, "It's over now. She's in a better place, watching over you.""But it still hurts so much..."Her mother had protected her so well, bearing all the burdens alone without ever letting her know. Haley felt like she had failed as a daughter."She loved you too much to let you worry. Don't cry anymore. Your mom wouldn't want to see you sad," Shane said softly
Haley instantly looked innocent, blinking her eyes. "No, absolutely not."Shane chuckled and turned away. He then unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up, revealing his well-defined arms. His fair skin made the veins stand out prominently. Each inch of his arm displayed raw power, impossible to look away from.Haley was mesmerized, her eyes full of admiration. Then Shane turned back to her, beckoning. "Come here and tie the apron for me."Haley snapped out of her daze, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She could not believe she had just been staring at his arms. Damn, why did every little thing he did have to be so attractive?Cursing herself inwardly, she moved to tie the apron around his waist. Shane was tall and well-built, and even through the fabric, she could feel how firm his waist and abs were.Her face flushed bright red as her mind wandered to how Shane looked in bed without a shirt. That waist, those legs, and...Stop! She couldn't keep thinking like th
Shane picked up some garlic butter mushrooms with his utensils and placed it in her bowl. "Don't just eat fried food. Have some mushrooms too."Haley nodded with her mouth full of food. She had been so busy all day that she was starving. Now that the photos were destroyed and no one could slander her mom anymore. She felt a weight lifted off her shoulders, making the food taste even better. Watching her eat heartily, Shane's lips curled up in a smile, and his own appetite improved.After the meal, Haley leaned back in her chair, rubbing her full stomach with a satisfied look on her face. "That was delicious. I wish I could eat like this all the time."Shane, catching her hint, chuckled. He ruffled her hair without hesitation. "What? Have I been starving you before?""Not exactly, but the chef's food doesn't taste as good as yours," Haley said, blinking her innocent eyes and effortlessly delivering sweet words.Even though he knew she was being playful, Shane couldn't help but
Shane chuckled helplessly, "Saying thank you to me?"Haley playfully stuck out her tongue, "Okay, I won’t say it then."As she spoke, she stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around Shane's neck, and kissed him on the corner of his lips. Her bright, almond-shaped eyes stared at him without blinking. Shane's heart softened under her clear gaze. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her close, and lowered his head to rest his forehead against hers."Give me another kiss," he whispered. His warm breath brushed against Haley's cheeks.Haley's face turned red. She giggled and turned away, "No!""Just one more?" Shane leaned in closer, a light smile playing in his deep-set eyes.Haley's eyes darted around, then she quickly pecked him on the lips. "Is that enough now... Mmm..."Before she could finish speaking, Shane pressed his lips against hers, deepening the kiss. Caught off guard, Haley's mouth was gently pried open, leaving her no choice but to accept his pas