Chapter 205

The auctioneer, momentarily dazed, stared at us. Quickly regaining his composure, he announced, “400 million dollars, once. 400 million dollars, twice. 400 million dollars, three times. Sold!”

The moment the gavel fell, Zachary stood, his brows furrowed as he looked my way. The realization seemed to strike him—he'd overpaid for Wavepeak Stadium.

“Let’s go,” I said, rising immediately, ready to depart.

A tug on my wrist stopped me. Hayden pulled me back.

“Yvonne, let’s talk,” he said.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Parker, but my schedule is full,” I replied coolly, walking away without looking back. I was returning his past indifference, piece by piece.

As I left the auction, Lucy hurried to catch up.

“Yvonne, wait!”

Marlon had already opened the car door. Hearing Lucy, I turned, a faint glimmer in my eyes. “What is it?”

“Yvonne, are you mad at me? Joanna and I aren’t what you think,” she said, hands clasped tightly, eyes red and swollen.

We found a coffee shop, where she revealed that three years earlier, Joanna had become involved with a prominent editor, through whom she met Zachary. Though sharp, Zachary was indiscriminate with women, and he was easily deceived. For Zachary’s sake, Lucy had feigned friendliness towards Joanna while secretly gathering evidence of her wrongdoing.

After our talk, a call came from the hospital—Ethan had awakened. The USB drive he'd given Lucy had been switched. Though she decrypted it, it was empty. Ethan, however, had kept the real video, and with Dylan as a witness, we went to the police. Joanna was swiftly arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Sadly, Sophia’s son did not survive. She grieved wildly, clutching his body, recounting his obedience and cuteness, claiming he was destined for the presidency. Yosef, too, ended up in prison.

He sent a message through his lawyer requesting a visit. After much hesitation, I agreed.

In prison, his head shaved, he sat across the glass partition, eyes glistening with tears.

“Yvonne, I’m sorry…” he began.

I stared at him calmly. “Did you and Sophia kill my mother?”

“No… no, I didn’t. Your mother… she really did commit suicide,” Yosef choked out. “I’m a bastard. I betrayed your mother, but I never intended to kill her. Sophia only sent her a photo of us and said some provocative things. That’s all.”

The answer, though painful, brought peace. At least the festering hatred within me didn't deepen.

“Yvonne, I didn’t want to leave you to die alone… It’s just that…” Yosef tried to explain, but faltered, unable to justify his actions.

I looked at him, surprised to find the past bitterness gone.

“It was your choice. I don’t blame you. I remember you once said that after this, our father-daughter bond would be severed. I hope you meant that,” I said calmly, rising to leave.

Turning, I walked away, leaving the past behind.

Dylan had begun working at a hospital, aiming to gain experience before opening his own clinic. I respected his decision and occasionally brought Waylon to visit.

Zachary, elated by his acquisition of the Wavepeak Stadium land, soon faced a liquidity crisis and turned to Hayden for help. Hayden bought out all of Zachary’s shares in the Parker Group, effectively ending his career there.

Six months later, Lucy and Yasir married, and she was expecting. Her pregnancy limited her mobility, so I brought her cakes to cheer her up.

“Lucy, cake…” Waylon fed her a spoonful of strawberry cake.

“Such a good boy,” Lucy said, gently patting his head. Her eyes softened. “I hope my baby will be as obedient as Waylon.”

“Your baby couldn’t possibly be anything but good,” I smiled, offering childbirth advice.

Her eyes widened. “Is it really that painful? Should I go for a natural birth or a C-section?”

“Depends on the indicators. Don’t worry, I heard Yasir arranged the best hospital,” I reassured her.

“It’s still going to hurt, huh? Oh, being a man is so much easier,” Lucy grumbled.

She sighed, thinking of Yasir. “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have to go through all this.”

Waylon, enjoying the conversation, leaned toward her belly, mumbling his desire for a baby sister. We both laughed.

Yasir entered, carrying her favorite roasted chicken.

“Mrs. Parker, aren’t you staying to eat? I saw Hayden and Marlon’s cars outside,” Yasir said, unpacking the chicken.

“Both of them are here?” Lucy’s curiosity was piqued.

I sighed and corrected Yasir, “Hayden and I are divorced. You can call me Yvonne.”

“But I heard Hayden say he didn’t sign it. The signature was his mother’s, and you aren’t really divorced,” Yasir stated confidently.

“Really?” Lucy was stunned. “Yvonne, then who are you choosing?”

I didn’t answer. Waylon jumped into my lap. “Mommy, let’s go home.”

“Okay.” I lifted him, nodding at Lucy and Yasir as I left.

Waylon felt comforting in my arms.

“Mommy, do you like Marlon or Hayden?” he asked.

After Joanna’s imprisonment, Hayden had learned about my son. Waylon had met him, and they seemed close, likely due to their blood relation.

“Waylon, who do you like?” I asked.

He thought for a long time. “I like both.”

“Such greed!” I chuckled, pinching his nose, as I spotted two cars—Hayden’s and Marlon’s. Both men stood, watching us, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.

The end.