Ch. 1531..1540

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1531

Kurt Left

“Huh?”

The duo stopped playing and turned their heads to the person approaching them.

It was Kurt.

Sulking, Vivian was rather unwilling to do her work.

Much to Matteo’s surprise, Kurt approached them, held Vivian’s hand, and took her away without hesitation.

Tsk!

Eventually, Matteo left the scene too.

Half an hour later, Vivian was seen acting like a rascal in the study. She was in no mood to do her homework at all.

“Kurt, I don’t want to do this. Can I work on it later tonight?”

“Sonia texted to say that she has submitted her work,” he replied casually without lifting his eyes.

Vivian cursed in her heart. Bad Sonia… Well, I have no choice but to continue with my work then.

She continued working until nightfall. Meanwhile, Sasha had also finished tabulating the accounts too. Massaging her arms, Vivian watched as the artwork was taken away to be photographed.

“Aren’t you heading home, Kurt?”

“Hmm?” Kurt was uploading the images of her work for submission.

A pair of dreamy eyes shot her a glance, and Vivian quickly averted his gaze.

“Um… Nothing. I’m going downstairs to play.” Subsequently, she raced downstairs like an animal released into the wild.

The boy stayed rooted to the spot until Vivian’s footsteps could no longer be heard.

He then slowly took his seat and clenched his fists.

He knew that she was very playful and disliked being restrained, especially during the holidays.

Go home? Where to? Where’s my home?

That evening, Kurt sat by himself for a very long time.

A few days later, Sebastian finally had some time to himself.

Upon returning to Oceanic Estate, he went to see Kurt first and asked, “Are you going to SteelFort?”

Bowing his head, Kurt clasped his hands tightly.

Sebastian continued, “You can stay here if you don’t want to go. I just thought that it’d been a while since you last trained. Do you need to hone your skills? If you remain stagnant, knowing Mr. Frost, he might kick you out of the team.”

“I’ll go!”

With that, Kurt made up his mind to leave Oceanic Estate that night when everyone was fast asleep.

It was not until the following noon that Vivian noticed it.

“Went home? Did he go back on his own? Or um… Did his parents come to get him?” she stuttered, recalling what she said yesterday.

Sasha quickly explained, “He went back by himself, but rest assured that he’s fine. Your daddy was the one who arranged his transport.”

She thought that her daughter was worried about Kurt’s safety, so she emphasized what Sebastian did.

Vivian paled instantly when she learned that Kurt left at his own will.

Is he upset? That’s why he insisted on leaving even at an ungodly hour?

Vivian was dejected. In the following days, she was not up for any games and only lingered around in the study, looking glum.

Matteo came and checked in on his sister.

“Vivi, what’s up? Why aren’t you playing with me these few days?”

Before she could say anything, tears had already welled up in her eyes.

Seeing so, Matteo panicked and quickly comforted his sister, “Don’t cry. What happened exactly? What made you all teary?”

Vivian broke the silence after being consoled. “The other day… Kurt was so strict with me, so… so I asked him to go home. Is he mad at me? What do you think?”

“What?” Matteo was flabbergasted.

I was wondering why Kurt left abruptly. So, this is the reason why. But I doubt he was crossed. Though he’s always been faintly aloof and distant, he’s been quite nice toward Vivi.

Hence, Matteo dismissed the speculation.

“I doubt it. Don’t overthink things. It’s almost the festive season, so it’s only natural that he went home. Have you forgotten? Daddy and Mommy have said before that he comes from a big family. I’m sure that his parents are looking forward to seeing him.”

“Really?”

All of a sudden, the girl’s eyes lit up with hope.

Matteo bobbed his head. “Yes, don’t be so sad. He’s coming back after the festivity, right? If it still bothers you by then, apologize to him when you see him.”

The last sentence was crucial; it immediately cheered Vivian up.

Subsequently, she was back to her usual self, deciding to apologize to Kurt when he returned.

However, something disappointing happened. Even after Jonathan got down from the mountains, Solomon and Rufus arrived from Avenport, and even after Sabrina had given birth, there were no traces of Kurt. Vivian had been waiting for a long time.

“Mommy, when is Kurt returning? The holidays are drawing to a close, and it’s almost time for school to reopen.”

“Huh?” Sasha had been so busy with Sabrina’s newborn that she had completely neglected her daughter.

“I’m not sure. Let me go ask your daddy, okay?” comforted Sasha.

Then, she headed to look for Sebastian.

Much to her bewilderment, Sebastian actually told her that Kurt might not return at all.

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1532

“Why isn't he coming back? Did his parents refuse him?”

Sasha was not aware of Kurt's identity. Thus, in her mind, she automatically assumed that his terrible family had barred him from returning.

Sebastian shook his head.

After a slight pause, he said briefly, “He's gone to study at another place. The Royal Academy isn't suitable for him.”

Sasha was totally baffled.

What? Not suitable for him? But he's been there for one whole semester. Why is this so sudden?

She heaved a wistful sigh.

Then again, the students at the Royal Academy are carefully selected from all over the country. They are the future pillars of the nation. What can be said further if he thinks that the academy is not for him?

Sasha had no choice but to convey the message to Vivian.

“Vivi, well... Daddy mentioned that Kurt has transferred to another school. The Royal Academy isn't meant for him.”

“Why is that so?”

Her big, round eyes misted over as soon as she heard the news, causing Sasha's heart to ache terribly.

She patted her daughter's head and explained, “He's a talent that Daddy is developing to make great contributions to the country in the future. So, he can't really learn much from your academy. Therefore, Daddy has arranged something better for him elsewhere.”

Vivian asked in a quavering voice, “Is he at Ian's training base?”

Sasha nodded lightly. “That might be the case. Anyhow, chin up and dry your tears. I'll lookout for any other pals for you, okay?”

Vivian did not respond. She just sat there, letting the tears streak her face profusely.

She felt so miserable, as though a part of her went missing.

Kurt...

Another week passed, and Vivian still did not see the boy she was hoping to meet.

When it was about time for her to board the plane, she requested, “Mommy, if you get to see him, could you ask him to call me, please? I... I want to apologize to him.”

As Sasha agreed, Vivian placed a small item into her mother's palm.

Ten minutes later, when Sasha saw the flight had taken off, she opened her palm, only to realize that Vivian had handed her an exquisite necklace.

It was made of blue turquoise with diamonds crafted in the form of a pair of wings on the side. At one glance, it looked just like a mighty eagle spreading its gorgeous wings, ready to fly.

Aww... It breaks my heart to see how thoughtful this girl is.

Although she was very sad about Kurt's departure, she pulled herself together and handcrafted such a beautiful necklace for him.

Her desire is for Kurt to unleash his talents and soar high like an eagle, right?

Sasha brought the necklace home and showed it to Sebastian that night.

“This is Vivi's present for Kurt. You know which school he's in, don't you? Please pass it to him, will you?” Sasha felt terrible that they had to part ways in this manner. After all, she really liked Kurt.

Sebastian scrutinized the necklace. Besides the expensive materials used, one could tell how much effort Vivian had put into designing her creation. Her skills were excellent.

The more he looked at it, the more irritated he became.

Hmph! Many around me have enjoyed her gifts, whereas I, her father, haven't received anything. What gives?

Anyhow, Sebastian still arranged for someone to send the precious necklace to SteelFort.

When the present arrived, Karl was training Kurt in the thick snow. It was just right after the new year, so the temperature was still frigid in Avenport. The snow at SteelFort even piled up to several inches high.

“Does it still hurt?” he asked the boy who was standing in front of a wall of rocks.

All colors had drained from Kurt's face.

Yet, he was resolute in his reply after taking a glance at his master. “Not anymore.”

Karl nodded satisfactorily at his answer.

Then, he tossed a dart out, and a cold glint flashed in the biting cold. The next moment, the boy with a metal cable wrapped around his waist made a fierce lunge for the wall of rocks.

Like a leopard, he was extremely agile and fast.

He managed to dodge more than a dozen darts and emerged unscathed from the challenge.

For a teenager, his skills were very impressive!

The member of SteelFort who came to deliver the necklace was shocked to witness Kurt's prowess. “Mr. Frost, he's amazing!”

“He's nearly there if compared to Calvin back then...”

He could not bring himself to continue his speech upon mentioning that name.

The other member knew exactly who he was talking about. Swiftly, he dropped the topic and handed over the delivery.

“Mr. Hayes has instructed this parcel to be sent from Jadeborough to that young guy.” He pointed at Kurt, who was training hard at that time.

Hmm? Karl was rather surprised.

When he took a peek and saw that it was a necklace, a smirk settled upon his face subconsciously.

“This must be from Vivi, that little girl.”

“Huh? How do you know, Mr. Frost?”

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1533

“Of course I do. When we were escaping back then, this girl kept following Calvin and made him many things. I think she still keeps a necklace as a memento. Oh, it was made from the pearl from the hairpin that Calvin found for her.”

As Sebastian's long-time subordinate, Karl's thoughts wandered when he spoke about the past.

The member asked further, “Hmm... Why do you think that Mr. Hayes sent Kurt back to SteelFort? Doesn't Ms. Vivian need someone by her side?”

“Can't you tell that the situation has changed? Since Old Mr. Jadeson washed his hands off everything, the people in Jadeborough have been following Mr. Hayes' lead. With him being in the center of utmost power and authority, he has probably started making contingency plans. People's hearts are often unfathomable. If anything happens to him, he wants to make sure that his family is secured at all costs. I bet Kurt is trained to protect the three children.”

The member's expression changed. He was taken aback by the conjectures of the top man at SteelFort.

Mr. Hayes won't be here anymore? How is that possible? He's at his prime age, and he's the epitome of invincibility. How could anything happen to him?

That particular member found it really hard to believe.

However, that was the reality. Since the beginning of the year, the men at SteelFort had been undergoing very aggressive training. Apart from that, Sebastian had also been building a secret group consisting of almost a thousand elites at the military base camp.

This particular troop had been summoned to SteelFort and was ready to take on any challenges.

At the thought of that, the member was stunned. That's insane! No wonder everyone was in tip-top shape!

Yet, these were kept under wraps. Besides Sebastian and the people at SteelFort, none of the outsiders knew such details. This included Solomon, the current man behind Hayes Corporation, who also had the power to give orders to SteelFort.

He had no clue what was going on internally, mainly because he had his hands full at the moment when Ichika was about to give birth anytime soon.

He had been on the trot every day, juggling between the company and household affairs.

Hence, he had no time to pay special attention to these matters.

Time flew by, and it was already midsummer. The time had come for Ichika to go into labor.

“Darling, Mom, I'm... I'm scared...”

Being in her early twenties, she had no fear about anything in life but the process of delivering a baby. At that critical moment, Ichika teared up while holding tightly onto the hands of her husband as well as her mother, who came all the way from Jetroina.

To say that she was petrified was an understatement.

Seeing how terrified she was, Solomon, the first-time father, fretted even more.

Thankfully, Aoi was calm. “Everything's going to be just fine. You'll be out in no time. It was the same for me when I gave birth to you two. Don't worry. It's going to be a fast one,” she consoled her.

Ichika was dubious. “Really?”

Aoi assured her, “Of course! If you're really scared to your wits, then... Mr. Akiyama, would you like to accompany her inside?”

Huh?

Solomon was not ready for this.

Can I enter?

Conflicted, he felt happy that he could be with his wife all the way, but at the same time, he was worried that he might not be able to take it if the process was too difficult for Ichika.

In the end, he decided to enter the labor room and be that man she needed the most.

After more than ten hours of ordeal, the couple finally came out around six in the evening. They broke the news in the chat group to the Hayeses.

Solomon messaged: Our new bundle of joy has arrived. It's a boy, 6.8 pounds.

Sabrina replied: That's awesome!

She had been patiently waiting for the entire day. The moment she received the terrific news, she forgot about her son, who she was breastfeeding, as she was glued to the phone.

Sasha texted: Congratulations, Solomon! Be a good father and an even greater husband to Ichika, okay?

Solomon responded immediately: Yes!

Mr. Wand asked: The baby's here? I'm heading to the hospital now.

Solomon replied: Sure, Mr. Wand. We're at the maternity ward, number 26.

Devin texted: Splendid! It's a boy too. Our kids can be playmates.

Sabrina replied: No, Hubby, I need to go to Avenport.

Devin commented: Huh? Then, what about our son? You're still breastfeeding.

Everyone was at a loss for words upon reading the couple's conversation.

The chat group had never been merrier. Everyone was completely immersed in that blissful moment of welcoming a new life into the family.

After chatting, Sasha felt a little exasperated that her man was the only one who did not respond to any of the messages. Recently, he had been quite out of touch with everyone, be it with her personally or in the chat group.

She could not resist the urge anymore. So, she decided to visit him that very day.

The weather was scorching hot during summer. It was the same in Jadeborough. As she drove her way to the company, the unbearable heat washed over her, making her feel suffocated.

“Hi, Mrs. Jadeson,” the security guard at the main building bowed and greeted her politely.

The couple's status in Jadeborough was unrivaled by any other family. Wherever she went, she received significant recognition and respect from those who knew her.

Then, Sasha entered the building.

Just as she had predicted, Sebastian was in and out of meetings. It was already late in the afternoon, but he still did not even have a chance to take a sip of water.

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1534

What kind of a lifestyle is this?

Sasha did not know much about Sebastian's work, but she could see how exhausted he was every single day. He would literally fall asleep as soon as he hit the bed. In addition, he always wore a frown any time of the day.

He also seemed to have gotten a lot thinner.

“How is it? Has he signed yours?”

“Not yet. It's been two days, but I'm still queueing for my turn.”

Just then, she overheard some chatters outside of the office.

Tilting her head to take a peek, Sasha saw that two men dressed in suits were waiting in line to discuss business with Sebastian.

Their grim expressions said it all.

“Me too. Actually, I find it strange that we must all get his approval when he's not representing the White House. Why must it be this way since he has decided to stay here instead of working at the White House?”

“Shh!” the other man gestured to the first guy to lower his voice.

“Beware, walls do have ears. It's fine that you're telling me this, but never say a word elsewhere.”

“I...”

“I know that you're dissatisfied, but there's no other way to get through this. He's the man who has all the power—whatever he says goes. White House? Hmph! That's just his marionette.”

Soon, more nasty things were said as the duo continued to gossip.

Hearing all those awful comments, Sasha felt a wave of fury surge within her. She clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Marionette? He treats the White House as his mere puppet? How could they utter such nonsense? Ever since Grandpa's retirement, he's been shouldering all these responsibilities and careful planning to ensure that the foreign countries aren't preying on us. Had it not been for his selfless love for the nation, he wouldn't want to swamp himself with endless work!

Livid, Sasha was on the verge of bursting.

In the end, she suppressed her anger and remained inside the office to wait for Sebastian.

When he got back to the room, she started chatting with him.

“Sebby, how long do you plan to work? Ichika delivered a baby boy this afternoon. When are you free? Let's go back to Avenport.”

“Oh, the baby has arrived?”

He was having a headache after back-to-back meetings.

Sasha replied, “Yes, Solomon posted some updates in the group chat. So, when will you have time?”

“Not now; I still have my hands full. Go ahead if you want to pay them a visit. I'll get Mark to take care of all household matters in your absence.”

He doesn't intend to stop working, does he? Even worse, he's asking me to go back all by myself!

Finally, Sasha could not stand it anymore and erupted like a volcano. She stood up and strode forward to meet his eyes.

“Why are you so busy? Sebastian, you've lost your marbles. In the past, you were never like this. You could never be bothered about things that didn't concern you. But, take a look at yourself now. You're assuming all sorts of responsibilities and biting more than you can chew. Are you planning on resolving every single matter in this country before handing it over to someone else on a silver platter? Do people actually appreciate that?”

Her sudden outburst made him pause and put his pen down.

He lifted his head and looked at the woman who went ballistic. Shocked and confused, he definitely did not see it coming.

“Darling, you...”

Upon realizing her blow-up at Sebastian, she muttered, “I'm sorry. I just... I just feel that not everyone will be grateful for the things you do for them. We're just ordinary people. There's no need to push ourselves to the limit.”

She avoided his gaze. Her eyes were red-rimmed because of her rage and grievances.

That's right. I think that it's an outright humiliation when others insult his hard work poured out for the nation by doubting his motive and sincerity. This is unforgivable!

Sebastian understood where she was coming from. He put his pen down, rose from his seat, and went over to her.

“I'm sorry for putting you through these slanders.”

He hugged her from the back and rested his chin on her collar bone.

Slander?

Sasha's heart skipped a beat.

“You... You know about it?”

“Of course, who did you take me for? Anyhow, don't listen to any of the unwholesome talks. I'm doing all these to make sure that the earlier efforts put in wouldn't go to waste. Think about how many lives had been sacrificed to get this nation to where it is right now.”

“Therefore?”

“Therefore, I must create a strategic plan and set up defenses. At the very least, I need to ensure that those who have been eyeing to get a slice of the pie won't stand a chance to do so in the absence of Jonathan when we leave this place. What do you think?” he explained gently.

Then, he turned her around and planted a kiss on her lips.

He seldom did that because Sasha was always the smart and rational one. She must have lost her patience today.

As expected, her mood got better after being consoled by her husband.

“But you must have your guard up. There have been too many rumors and slanders lately, and these aren't working to your advantage. What if the people at the White House pick it up? Will they suspect you or be displeased at what they might hear?”

“Does he have the right to do so?”

Suddenly, his expression turned cold and aloof again.

“It's been a while since Jonathan relinquished his position, and look at what's going on in the political scene now. If he thinks for himself, he'd better sit quietly and enjoy the results I bring him. Otherwise, he will be the first on the list to be replaced!”

At that moment, a figure appeared outside of the office and then went out of sight in a flash.

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1535

Changes

Sasha left the man to continue his work thereafter.

Since he had updated her about his plans, she wanted to trust him with all her heart.

With that, Sasha attended the party Solomon threw to welcome his baby alongside Devin and Sabrina. Captivated by the fun atmosphere at the party, and also because she had not been back for ages, she decided to stay for a while.

Ten days later, Devin called her from Jadeborough right when she was about to make a trip home.

“Sasha, are you heading back?”

Sasha froze for a second before answering, “Yes, I’ve been here for too long. What’s up? Anything I can help you with?”

Devin told her everything. “Yes. Can you check in on Sab and bring her home with you? Nowadays, she anchors herself at Avenport and doesn’t want to come back. Please persuade her. See when she is traveling and tag along.”

This is somewhat funny yet ridiculous. A military man is asking me for a favor because his wife refuses to go home.

Sasha could not resist feeling amused.

In the end, she agreed to lend a hand.

When she arrived at Hillside Villa, the first thing she spotted was a busy figure in the garden. Dressed in a pair of stilettos, Sabrina was holding her son on one arm while teaching the new mom, Ichika, how to change diapers.

Powered by Hooligan MediaSasha couldn’t help but sigh. I feel tired just by seeing that.

“Sab, your son just threw up some milk.”

“Oh?”

Upon being prompted, the woman then hugged her son and hurried into the living room to fix him.

Oh my, she’s truly a legend of some sort. I now find Devin super impressive. In the absence of an elderly person at home, he’s able to tackle everything by himself, with some occasional help from Sigrith.

Sasha waited for Sabrina to clean her baby before bringing up the matter.

“Sab, let’s go back to Jadeborough. Jaena is there. Are you going to neglect her that long?”

“She has her dad with her. Don’t worry about it. Go ahead if you want to head back. It was too boring for me to stay home all the time, so I roamed around with other moms. Who knew people would recognize me and keep calling me Mrs. Jadeson wherever I went! It made me so uneasy. I feel much better staying here with Ichika and her newborn. This is perfect!” she declined right away.

Sasha hesitated. She wanted to convince Sabrina further but was distracted by the latter’s grim expression.

In the end, she gave up.

Fine, I’ll accompany her here for a couple more days.

Sasha dismissed her plan to return to Jadeborough and updated Sebastian via a text message.

Three mornings later, she felt that something was off.

It was already August then, supposedly the season of sweet osmanthus.

“Are you buying gold? The youngsters nowadays prefer diamonds to gold.”

“What do you know? The situation is very different now. If there’s another political upheaval like what happened three years ago, having gold as an asset is the safest and most secured investment.”

Sasha was at a jewelry shop when she overheard an old couple exchanging their opinions.

She was there to collect a bracelet meant for Solomon’s baby as a welcome gift. Time was not on her side when she attended the party. So, she did not get to prepare any gift then and wanted to pick out something at Avenport.

Why is the couple making references to the uproar three years ago?

Sasha found it funny, so she chimed in, “Don’t worry, sir. Nothing like that will ever happen. Just go ahead and select pieces that the younger generations fancy.”

The old man’s eyes darted to her, followed by an expression of doubt on his face.

“Madam, this is where you’re wrong. See, even the Jadesons are not spared. Do you really think that the chance of this happening again is slim? Let me tell you; everyone is already panicking and getting ready for the worse to come.”

Sasha’s mind went blank.

The Jadesons? What happened? Why didn’t I hear anything about it?

She knew at that instant that something was not right.

Ignoring the gold bracelet, she took her phone and left the jewelry shop at once.

“Hello? Oh, Mrs. Jadeson. Mr. Jadeson is not available at the moment. Do you want to leave him a message?” It was Mark who picked up the call.

It suddenly dawned on her that she had not heard Sebastian’s voice for some time now. Apart from the first few days when she arrived in Avenport, he had not contacted her once.

Sasha shuddered at that thought.

“Where is he? Bring him the phone. I want to hear from him now.”

“Uh…” Mark started to falter.

The more he stammered, the faster her heart pounded.

Holding onto her phone, she quickened her steps out of the mall, flagged down a cab, and went straight to the airport.

She was put on hold for ten minutes, only to hear Mark coming up with more excuses to pacify her. In the end, he hung up.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Jadeson. Mr. Jadeson has left the office. I’m afraid he’s out for a meeting. Shall I ask him to return your call later?”

“Sure.” That was all she could say.

An hour later, the flight that she boarded took off to Jadeborough.

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1536

Insult

After three peaceful years, it never crossed Sasha’s mind that their family would go through another turmoil.

She had completely lost herself in the tranquil and blissful moments until the day finally arrived.

Upon landing, she tracked his smartphone location and traveled there immediately.

Much to her surprise, she discovered that the place was none other than the thousand-year-old temple hidden in the mountains.

Why? Why is he here? What happened to him?

Sasha stumbled her way into the temple. Passing by fumes of sandalwood smoke and following the faint chanting voices, she found herself at the gate of the main hall. She looked across it and saw Shin sitting on the floor with his legs crossed.

Sensing her presence, he took a side glance at her.

Sasha was in extreme shock when their eyes met.

With just one glance, she saw a usually nonchalant gaze shrouded in gloom.

Her mind went blank, and she collapsed onto the ground.

When Sasha regained her consciousness, it was already nightfall.

Powered by Hooligan MediaShe opened her bleary eyes and saw the warm orange lights in the ever-familiar meditation abode. She moved slowly, trying to prop herself up.

“You’re awake?” Devin asked as he rushed over to assist her.

Sasha looked straight into his eyes and queried, “What happened to him?”

He said nothing.

After a long pause, Devin stood by her bed and broke the silence. “When he was driving home one night, he passed by a tunnel. Suddenly, the walls caved in and buried him. Since the moment he was brought to safety, he has never… never woken up.”

“What?”

The news came as a bombshell, leaving a ghastly Sasha slumped against the bed. She could not utter a single word for the longest time.

The walls caved in all of a sudden? How come? Why didn’t it happen at any other time but when he was driving through it?

Bursting into tears, she wailed hysterically. Her mind was all over the place, and she seemed to lose her sanity gradually.

“The walls collapsed? That’s a planned murder! There is no coincidence in this world. Did the people from the White House do it? Is it them? Those useless bastards! How could they harm him just because he’s more capable?” she bellowed in rage as she struggled to get off the bed, wanting to take revenge on those people.

Devin stopped her with all his might.

“Calm down, Sasha. It’s not what you think.”

“It’s not? Then, what is it? Is it a real accident? Let me tell you, Devin. When I was at his office the other day, I heard the gossip with my own ears. Those pieces of trash were displeased with him. I tried to persuade him to get out of it, but he wanted to stabilize the political situation first. What gives? Why did they do this to him? Aren’t they afraid of karma?” she kept roaring furiously.

Battling with the suffocating thought that Sebastian was harmed intentionally, she channeled all of her frustration into an endless scream.

Her heart ached so badly that her eyes turned bloodshot red.

Those people are the real monsters. They have totally forgotten about the price that the Jadesons have to pay in order to trade for the halcyon days that lasted this long. Why did they do this to him? Don’t they know that he’s the one holding the fort? These people should go to hell!

Shortly after, Sasha cried herself unconscious.

Upon receiving the news, Jonathan and the rest of the family rushed over to see her. Subsequently, they locked the door, fearing that she would do something aggressive out of anger.

Devin asked, “Grandpa?”

Jonathan replied, “Let’s go down the mountain. I thought I could spend the rest of my days in this serene place happily, but apparently, they didn’t want me to. Fine, I shall grant them their final wish!”

Though Jonathan was already pushing ninety, he still exuded an intimidating aura, especially when he uttered the last line through gritted teeth under the dim light.

Then, Devin left with him, leaving Shin behind to take care of the couple.

Ironically, the young man who used to chat over a cup of tea with him was now lying motionless on the bed while being plugged into a ventilator. Next to him was a complete set of surveillance devices.

The entire meditation abode had been transformed into a well-equipped room filled with technologies.

Sasha, who was locked in the room next to his, was asleep after she fainted.

In the evening, a coup took place.

When the news about what had happened to Sebastian went viral, the entire military base started getting ready to oust him from power.

However, it did not take long before Jonathan personally led Devin to destroy that bunch of useless pricks.

It was an irony.

Just like what Sasha had lamented, the Jadesons fought their best three years ago to trade for the peace they could now enjoy. Yet, three years later, this precious tranquility was ruined in the hands of incapable rulers.

Sebastian, Sasha, and their family almost died defending themselves in the chaos. Never in a million years would they have imagined this was how the White House would repay the Jadesons.

After dissolving the army, Jonathan headed straight into the congress hall.

“Lo and behold, I, Jonathan Jadeson, am still alive and kicking! It has only been days since I went up to the mountains, so how dare you lay your dirty fingers on my grandson? Are you really thinking that our time is up? That it’s the end of an era after three years in power? Dream on! I’ll show you who’s the boss.”

With that, Jonathan pulled the trigger without hesitation and put a bullet through the head of the President!

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1537

In The Blink Of An Eye

Everyone present was dumbfounded.

None dared to comment anything because they were all besieged by the Jadesons’ army.

Just like that, a political warfare ended in a breeze.

Next, Jonathan started reshuffling positions at the White House like how he used to strategize and organize his own army. Everyone was terrified of his ruthlessness.

Within a couple of days, the whole political scene was thoroughly changed and begun anew.

Honestly speaking, Sebastian was not as excellent as his grandfather in terms of politics. The main reason was that he utterly loathed it. Additionally, Jonathan was a seasoned veteran who had decades of experience in politics. He knew everything about the power games, like the back of his palm.

Finally, the crisis was resolved.

Meanwhile, it took a few days for Sasha to calm down, but she had eventually made peace with the new reality.

She pleaded for Shin to unlock her door, which he did. Then, she went to the next room and started taking care of the unconscious man.

“Let Sebastian stay and recuperate here, for the weather in the mountains is nice.”

“Will he wake up?” Jonathan was curious.

Powered by Hooligan MediaShin lifted his head and anticipated a positive response from the doctor.

However, Grayson suppressed his urge to reveal the truth and said nothing. Actually, the only reason why he’s still breathing is that he’s put on a ventilator. So, the chance of him recovering is very slim.

By the time Solomon arrived at SteelFort, the people there were long gone, except for Karl.

“Mr. Solomon, we might not be able to serve you further. Mr. Hayes has met with a mishap, and we’re unsure when he will come. The people here at SteelFort have been divided into four teams. Apart from the three children, the rest of them have been assigned to protect Mr. and Mrs. Hayes.”

Karl was downcast.

It was his second time seeing Sebastian going through yet another traumatic experience.

If the first time was attributed to the fact that he was an immature rookie, then this time is definitely a consequence of his great capacities and heavy responsibilities. None of these is his fault, so he shouldn’t be blamed.

Tears glistened Solomon’s eyes as he looked across at the vacant hall. Moments later, he continued, “It’s okay. I have other staff. But, what about you? Where are you heading to next?”

“My priority is to keep Old Mr. Jadeson safe. This was the instruction from Mr. Hayes previously. They have all landed themselves right at the center of the political quandary, and things can change any minute of the day. With Old Mr. Jadeson getting on in age and Mr. Devin being out of reach most of the time at the military base, I need to watch out for him.”

“Right, I got it.” Solomon nodded his head solemnly.

It once again proved that he would never be as good a strategist as Sebastian.

Does it mean that he has anticipated this ‘planned accident’? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made all these detailed arrangements down to their nitty-gritty.

As such, Solomon returned to Hayes Corporation.

Since then, there was peace in the nation, with Jonathan and Devin formally taking over the driver’s seat. On the other hand, Sasha stayed in the mountains to take care of Sebastian, who was still in a coma, whereas the children continued their studies at their respective campuses.

Time flew by quickly. In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

“Mommy, my graduation is just around the corner. Are you attending the ceremony?”

Vivian, who was studying in Yartran, had now turned into a fine young lady.

Since Sebastian’s accident, she had become very thoughtful and obedient. She often called Sasha from overseas and seldom burdened her with unnecessary trouble.

This was a rare occasion where she called to ask for a favor.

Before answering the phone, Sasha was giving Sebastian a massage. She had to keep his muscles active so that they would not shrink and become weak if he ever woke up.

She stepped out of the room when she saw that Vivian was calling.

“Oh, really? Which day is that?”

“It’s the day after tomorrow, Mommy. Do you have time to swing by?” a crisp voice asked pleadingly.

But the day after tomorrow is…

Sasha thought about the bed of marigold that she had planted. It was already in full bloom, and the best time to pluck the flower buds for medicinal use was two days later. Otherwise, it would have no effect at all.

Sasha paused.

“Mommy, are you planning on picking up some herbs for Daddy on that day? That’s fine; go ahead then. I’ll attend the ceremony with my friends.”

The intelligent girl could tell that her mother was in a dilemma, so she made the final call and eased her mother out of her misery.

Tearing up, Sasha felt so bad.

“I’m so sorry, Vivi. I haven’t been taking good care of you these past few years.”

Vivian comforted her mother, “It’s okay, Mommy. I can call Uncle Solomon or Aunt Ichika and check if they have the time to come over. Don’t take it to heart, okay?”

Oh yes, there are always Solomon and Ichika.

Sasha was relieved when she heard the two names.

The couple had been giving them so much support over the years. Whenever the kids had issues in their studies, either Solomon or Ichika would step in and lend a hand.

When the day came for Sasha to pick the herbs, she carried her basket and went deep into the mountains.

Over the years, she had been carefully trying out various methods, herbal remedies, and even acupuncture on Sebastian. As a result, his body temperature started to regulate better, and his pulse was also more stable.

“Sebby, I’m certain that you will regain consciousness soon. Right?”

Before setting off, she planted a kiss on his forehead.

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1538

Someone Likes Her

The graduation that Vivian was referring to was merely a ceremony that marked the end of her junior high school. According to the education system in Yartran, the sixteen-year-old girl would enter high school in the following semester.

Hence, it was customary for schools to hold a ceremony for their students at that juncture.

Vivian was ready with her graduation artwork when Sonia approached her.

The latter was so impressed that she kept gawking at her baniere.

“Wow, Vivi! Is this your masterpiece for the graduation ceremony? It’s so gorgeous. Is it a traditional costume?”

“Yes!”

Vivian was all smiles when her best friend sang praises to her.

Her work was inspired by an old photo where she saw her great-grandmother wearing a baniere for the first time in her life.

She was glad to finally have the opportunity to design one on her own after so many years.

Pure admiration and adoration were written all over Sonia’s face as she admired the grand costume closely.

Moments later, her expression changed into a worried look.

Powered by Hooligan Media“Vivi, although this is a wonderful showpiece, the principal mentioned that the winning entry will be worn by Lady Adalyn. But, yours…”

Oh, that’s right. The day of our graduation is also Lady Adalyn’s birthday.

As one of the shareholders of the academy, Adalyn had announced that she would wear the winning piece to her birthday party in order to motivate the students.

No doubt, it was an honorable gesture to the school and its students. However, Vivian felt indifferent about it.

“It’s not a big deal. Lady Adalyn has always been very open-minded and fair in her judgment. So, if I win, rest assured that she’ll like my cultural costume as much as I do.”

Vivian was very confident in herself, leaving Sonia speechless.

After keeping her artwork, she planned to buy some pearls to make a necklace. A pearl necklace will accentuate the model’s neckline and complement the costume.

While she was on her way to the shop, she ran into an acquaintance.

“Yo, Vivian. Doing some last-minute shopping?” the person mocked, thinking that Vivian was getting some materials at the eleventh hour to finish her design.

The person was none other than Helena, her rival.

She was a bully three years ago but stopped her despicable acts when Sebastian visited the school. Ever since Sebastian was in a coma, she started showing her true colors again.

Though she did not dare to take action against Vivian, she had never stopped pestering her in different ways.

Helena was also Vivian’s biggest opponent in the competition.

Refusing to engage in a fight with Helena, Vivian pursed her lips, ready to storm off.

Her actions angered Helena, who then blocked her way out. The latter wanted to find out more about Vivian’s submitting entry.

Right then, a tall hunk with a handsome face appeared.

“Vivian, where are you going?”

It was Dwayne, the most talented student in the academy. He was also regarded as the heartthrob of many girls at school.

Helena’s face darkened while Vivian stopped in her tracks, gazing at the approaching figure.

“I was about to go purchase some materials. Anything, Dwayne?” she answered softly and politely.

Upon hearing so, his deep blue eyes arched into a crescent. “May I accompany you?”

Vivian was totally baffled. “Huh?”

Helena darted over and chimed in, “Me too, Dwayne. I need to get a few items. Can you come along with me?”

She wanted to trail behind Dwayne so badly as he was the most eye-catching person in the entire school.

Not only had he achieved academic excellence, but he was also born with a silver spoon. Apparently, his family owned the largest corporation in the city.

That was precisely why even the rich man’s daughter, Helena, would want to get his attention.

However, Dwayne did not seem to be interested in her.

His gaze was fixated on the Astorian girl with long, black hair and a well-defined oval-shaped face.

“No, I’m busy. Let’s get into my car, Vivian. This will save us some time.”

“Um… All right, then,” Vivian agreed.

Subsequently, the two of them left the school, leaving behind Helena, who had turned green with envy.

Vivian, d*mn you!

“Don’t be mad, Ms. Helena. I accidentally saw Vivian’s work today. It’s actually the traditional costume of her home country, the baniere. Hmph! I doubt Lady Adalyn will put it on even if she wins.”

“Are you sure?” Helena’s eyes lit up.

If that’s the case, then there’s nothing for me to worry about. Lady Adalyn is a close family friend. I’m quite certain that she won’t be interested in wearing that.

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1539

Guardian Angel

Helena put the matter to rest.

“Fine, then. Forget about her. Let’s see how she makes a fool out of herself at the ceremony. Go spread the word and warn everybody against becoming her model.”

“Noted, Ms. Helena,” her classmate acknowledged before leaving.

Meanwhile, at the store, Vivian was very quick in finding all the things that she needed.

“Shall we head back, Dwayne?”

“Don’t you want to have something to eat?” he asked upon noticing a desserts shop nearby.

Hmm… Food…

As a foodie, Vivian started salivating upon hearing the magic word.

Then, Dwayne, who claimed to be busy earlier on, brought her to the desserts shop and ordered a large sundae for her.

“Is it yummy?”

“Yes!” She nodded.

Powered by Hooligan MediaThere was a sparkle in her eyes that made Dwayne chuckle too.

Upon seeing a dollop of cream sitting delicately atop her upper lip, he could not resist the urge to wipe it off for her using a napkin.

His sudden action surprised Vivian.

At that moment, she felt a cold chill down her spine as if someone was watching her outside of the shop. Instinctively, she dodged his hand swiftly.

“Um… I can do it myself.”

She put the sundae cup down and wiped off the remaining cream on her lip.

The atmosphere between them turned slightly awkward.

Soon, Dwayne saw that she had bought some pearls. So, he assumed that she was going to craft a necklace. Hence, he got the ball rolling and started another topic.

“Are you going to make any accessories? Do you need any tools? If you’re using pearls to complement the clothes, don’t you think it’s better to hide the chain?”

“Hmm?” Vivian immediately paid close attention to his words.

“I think it’s a great idea to use premium fishing line instead. This way, it can showcase the pearls and make them stand out.”

“I concur with you. If you need it, I do have some fishing lines at home.” Dwayne extended an invitation subtly.

Vivian was taken aback by his keenness to help out.

Going to the house of a senior? It doesn’t seem appropriate, does it? However, the fishing line would be the cherry on the cake.

Right when she was debating from within, her phone rang and interrupted her train of thoughts.

“Hello?”

“Vivi, why aren’t you back yet? I received a message stating that the teachers are coming soon for a spot check. Come back quick, or you’re going to be punished,” Sonia urged.

At that instant, Vivian could not be bothered about other things anymore. She picked up her pearls and was ready to leave.

“Dwayne, I’ve got to go. The teachers are patrolling around, and I can’t afford to be absent.” She dashed out of the shop after giving him a brief explanation.

By the time Dwayne came out, she had already hailed a cab and left.

Feeling helpless, he entered his car.

When he was about to drive out of the parking lot, he saw a suspicious figure in a blue hoodie from his rear mirror. The person even pulled down his cap to cover his face. Am I seeing things?

The slender and upright silhouette was around 1.6 meters tall, seemingly a young guy.

He exuded a cold and hostile aura despite being a distance away.

That’s so weird.

Frowning, Dwayne drove off.

Two days later, it was the graduation ceremony.

In the end, Vivian did not invite Solomon and Ichika to be present because she did not want to trouble them.

They have been faithfully looking after the three of us all these years when Mommy was busy taking care of Daddy. I shall give them a break. After all, Aunt Ichika has a three-year-old toddler with her too.

Vivian took out her baniere and was ready to contact her model.

“Hi senior, as per our discussion, you’re modeling for me today. May I know what time you’ll be here?”

“Oh, uh… I’m sorry, but I’m not available anymore.”

That was not the answer Vivian was expecting.

Sheer anxiety washed over her.

Oh no, what should I do now? I don’t even have a model. The event is about to commence. Where can I find an Astorian model?

Just as her consternation pushed her to the verge of tears, Sonia assured her, “Don’t panic, Vivi. I’ll help you look for one now. Rest assured that we’ll be able to find a model for your outfit.”

Then, she led several of Vivian’s good classmates to search for a model.

Unfortunately, their efforts were all in vain. After going around the entire school for half an hour, they could not find a single Astorian. Meanwhile, Helena was all set to go on stage with her model.

Vivian fretted in despair.

Looking at the baniere that she had designed, tears started streaming down her face. It had been a long while since she last shed a tear.

“What’s wrong, Vivian? Is there anything I can help you with?” A soothing male voice rang out in her ears.

Sonia turned and was delighted to see their senior. “Dwayne! He’s here, Vivi. We can ask him for help.”

His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1540

He Is Angry

Dwayne showed up in the nick of time and saved the day.

Thanks to him, Vivian’s masterpiece was successfully showcased to the whole school at the graduation ceremony.

When her costume was first displayed on stage, it silenced every single audience.

Prior to her turn, all of the models were dressed in Epean clothing. The audience was getting tired of looking at the same style and fashion, from costumes to accessories. Hence, they were so amazed to see a unique piece of culturally rich ethnic clothing presented by Vivian.

The atmosphere became stilled in an instant as the crowd gaped at her baniere. They had never seen anything like it before.

It’s simply gorgeous!

The people were wowed by the authenticity of her design and the fine details that adorned the costume.

Vivian also made a smart move by playing some traditional music to enrich the audience’s viewing experience.

The melodious music instantly transported them to a historical canal town named Jazona, which was always shrouded in rain and mist. The vibe and vivid descriptions portrayed through her artwork were so surreal, causing everyone to be mesmerized.

Vivian was exhilarated to see the result of her hard work.

She knew at that moment that she would be the biggest winner of the night.

Powered by Hooligan MediaHelena more or less guessed it too. Triggered by jealousy and rage, she tossed a pearl onto the floor when the model was about to get off the stage.

Vivian stared in disbelief.

Before she could react, a blond-haired, blue-eyed charming guy jumped up to the stage and held the panicked model who was about to fall flat on her face.

He rebuked loudly while staring daggers at Helena, “What was that about, Helena? As the heir to the Goldin family, where are your manners and grace?”

It’s Dwayne. Yes, it’s him!

Seeing how the drama unfolded before their eyes, the crowd went into a frenzy. Helena was extremely embarrassed to have been publicly exposed and humiliated by the person she had been secretly admiring for ages.

She felt as if she had been slapped across the face.

D*mn you, Vivian!

Hatred and bitterness blazed in Helena’s eyes.

When the ceremony ended, Vivian proactively approached her savior with a cash prize and a trophy in her arms.

“Thank you so much, Dwayne. If it weren’t for you, I’d be in deep trouble.”

“Don’t mention it.” He smiled and looked at her dotingly.

Unsure of what to say, Vivian simply lowered her head shyly in response.

Dwayne continued, “By the way, Lady Adalyn loves your creation to bits. I believe that she will be wearing it to her birthday banquet tomorrow. Do you want to go? I can bring you along.”

“Can I?”

Vivian’s eyes lit up when she heard the invitation.

Grinning from ear to ear, he said, “Of course. Lady Adalyn and my family are close friends. If you’re willing, we can definitely go together.”

Vivian hesitated. After mulling it over, she declined politely.

“I’m sorry, Dwayne, but I’ve made a promise to a friend to meet up after the ceremony. Thanks for everything. I’ll treat you to a good meal soon.”

With that, she left happily with her trophy.

Friend? Which friend?

Dwayne watched the gorgeous girl leave. Feeling quite disappointed, he decided to follow her.

Vivian packed her bags and left for her home country that very day.

However, she did not head home straight. Lugging her pink suitcase, she arrived in a different city back home and landed herself in a local school.

“Hi, I’d like to see Kurt from the high school section.”

“Kurt? You mean the fourteen-year-old boy in senior high school?”

The security guard scrutinized Vivian multiple times when he learned who she was looking for, making her feel slightly uncomfortable.

What’s wrong? Is there a problem? It isn’t my first time coming here to see him.

She waited nervously for a reply.

Luckily, the security guard let her in. As he opened the gate, he mumbled, “Why is a pretty girl looking for Kurt, that weirdo?”

Kurt is a weirdo?

Vivian was puzzled at his comment.

However, she did not know that the school she visited was one of the nation’s most acclaimed and competitive highest-ranked high schools.

Kurt, who was only fourteen and supposedly a middle school student, skipped several grades and enrolled in senior high school. He topped the entire grade at each examination. There was practically no match for him.

As a matter of fact, he never liked socializing with others. He was always seen alone, and he acted like an autistic person. If all of these were not peculiar about him, one would argue what was.

Vivian entered the school premises with her suitcase.

She was cognizant of the boundaries set by Kurt, knowing that he did not like to be disturbed. Therefore, she waited for Kurt on the bench outside the administrative building.

Typically, she would notify him of her arrival with a text message and then read some books during the wait. That was essentially how they interacted with each other.

However, Kurt did not show up that day. Vivian waited for what seemed like forever, but she did not see him even after the class ended.

As the next bell rang to indicate the start of a new lesson, Kurt was still nowhere in sight.

What’s going on? Where is he?

In the end, Vivian could not stand the wait anymore. Leaving her suitcase with the security guard, she sneaked into the main building, determined to find Kurt.