Ivan''s expression darkened. He shot Natalie a re and spoke while gritting his teeth. "You''re just lucky, you know? Do you really think Charlotte loves you that much? If she does, why hadn''t she realized that Emma wasn''t her biological daughter when they didn''t look alike at all?


    "You really believe that they genuinely care about you since they threw you a wee party? Besides, have you ever wondered why Emma dared to insult you at the party? It''s because William and Charlotte tolerated it!"


    Ivan turned to re at Charlotte and Sky. "You just want to break off the engagement, right? Fine! My daughter is too good for your family anyway. Sky treats his sister way better than his girlfriend to the extent that people would probably think Emma is his girlfriend, not Sophia.


    "My daughter is intelligent, kind, and gentle. There are tons of people waiting to marry her. She''s better off without you, Sky."


    Then, he turned to Charlotte. "And you dare criticize me for keeping a mistress? Look at your own son, Charlotte. He has twisted thoughts toward his sister!"


    Ivan scoffed. "Who gave you the nerve to judge me, anyway?"


    Charlotte and Sky frowned upon listening to Ivan''s words.


    Natalie, however, kept her face neutral. She slowly remarked, "Oh, so you''re aware that you''ve cheated on your wife. By the way, do you know where Sophia is now since you care so much about her?"


    After Natalie mentioned Sophia who had gone missing, Ivan raged again. "That bitch... I''ll make sure she regrets it once she gets home."


    "Who would want to be inws with someone so rude and aggressive like you, anyway?"


    Natalie went on, "No wonder Ms. Sinir ran away from home."


    Julia, who had been sitting aside all along, started coughing again. She could no longer hold the coughs back. It was so bad that even water couldn''t ease the difort in her throat.


    "Please ask Goodwill Pharmacy to sell the medicine to me, honey. I''m in so much pain," Julia said as she covered her mouth, still coughing.


    Her coughs were getting on Ivan''s nerves. He recalled how Charlotte mentioned the infectious disease. It still bothered him, even if just a little.


    "The grass is always greener on the other side, though," said Noah out of nowhere. "And yes, Mr. Sinir, I''m talking to you."


    "Huh?"


    Natalie, Charlotte, and Sky raised their confusions out loud at the same time. They wondered why Noah spoke all of a sudden.


    Noah remainedpletely serious, eyes fixed forward. "Just a friendly reminder, Mr. Sinir. Having a mistress is fine, but don''t go fathering an illegitimate child." "How dare you!"


    Ivan was furious. He rushed over, wanting to p Noah. However, Noah easily grabbed Ivan''s wrist and lifted it.


    "Ouch!" In that instant, Ivan shouted in agony. "Let go! Did you hear me? I said to let go of me!"


    Ivan was wincing in pain. Momentster, Noah smiled a little as he let go of Ivan''s wrist. "You should try controlling your temper now that you''ve aged, Mr. Sinir. Although you''re at Goodwill Pharmacy, we don''t have any doctors toe to your aid if anything happens.


    "Besides, shouldn''t you show more manners when you''re the one asking for help? You see, people don''t care if you have a mistress or raise an illegitimate daughter, but you shouldn''t bring them to cause trouble here at Goodwill Pharmacy. Mr. Sinir, don''t you know that this pharmacy is backed by Mr. Holden?"


    Noah was eloquent and polite. He chose words that were simple and clear for Ivan to understand.


    "An illegitimate daughter?"


    Ivan rubbed his wrist, eyeing Julia, who was still coughing. And finally, he started to suspect her.


    Julia snapped back to her senses, and her heart dropped immediately. She shook her head. "Honey, don''t let others drive a wedge between us.


    "Mrs. Walker, I know you judge me for my roots, but we''re all mothers and love our children. Why do you have to nder me with such baseless rumors?"


    Charlotte was confused at Julia''s usations for she had never once judged Julia.


    After a few coughs, Julia continued,


    "I know I''ve ruined Ivan''s family, but


    I''m innocent too. I came into the


    ei


    picture after his wife, but I love him! There was never any love between Ivan and Samantha. Isn''t the real outsider the one who''s not loved?"


    Natalie snickered in disbelief, pping her hands.


    Julia insisted on speaking despite coughing blood. "I''ve been living with the weight


    of others'' insults and was looked down on by everyone all these years. I just love Ivan; what''s so wrong about it?"


    "I''m not officially recognized, yet I''m still by Ivan''s side, raising our daughter together. I never asked for much-only to see him when I wake up and wait for him toe home from work. And in my final moments, the one who will hold my hand and reassure me will be him. That''s all that matters.


    "I don''t care what others say about me behind my back because I love him."


    Julia coughed until blood filled her mouth, yet she was still confessing her love for


    Ivan.


    Everyone had chills running down their backs, watching the scene.


    Ivan, however, was so touched that tears welled up in his eyes.


    "Oh, Jul..."


    He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Julia. "Don''t worry, I won''t let you die. If Goodwill Pharmacy won''t sell us the


    medicine, we''ll just get it somewhere else. With all the money I have,


    there''s no way I couldn''t get the medicine to save your life."


    "Honey, I could die happy with you saying that."


    "Ah!"


    Just as Julia and Ivan were confessing their love for each other, Ruby let out a


    scream suddenly.


    "No... No way. This can''t be true....."


    Ruby''s eyes were wide with terror, and her face wentpletely pale.


    "What''s wrong with you?"


    Ivan red at Ruby disdainfully. Then, Julia quickly rubbed his chest lightly, soothing him. "Don''t scold her, honey. She''s our child, the embodiment of our love. When I''m no longer here, she''ll be looking after you in yourter years."


    Ruby stared at Julia in a daze. Her mind was a blur. She had lost track of what was real and what was a lie.