Chapter 827 Without Anything
Jennifer looked at the group of five foreign men in front of her and asked, “Are you all retired foreign special forces?” “Ms. Larson, we’re all special forces members who retired in the year 2008,” one solemnly said.
The retired special forces members were all embarrassed after getting easily defeated by Oscar’s bodyguards. Thus, even though they were not too willing to assist a woman per June’s order, the very thought of how they would be able to avenge themselves by catching that child made them ignore their unwillingness.
“Very well. I’ll leave this to you guys then,” Jennifer said to them. “No problem, Ms. Larson. It’s our duty.”
Jennifer had personally made arrangements for accommodation for them. “You’ll be staying here for the time being. I’ll inform you when the opportunity arises.” The retired special forces members had no objections to that.
After settling the group of men, Jennifer drove to the neighborhood where Amelia was staying in. Coincidentally, she saw Tiffany out with Tony, and Amelia and Oscar were not with them.
At that, Jennifer slowly drove over and saw Tiffany taking Tony to the nearby park. Jennifer then got out of her car to follow them before pretending to bump into them by accident.
Upon seeing Jennifer, Tiffany swiftly shielded Tony and said, “What a coincidence to see you here even though it’s not a weekend, Ms. Larson.”
In other words, Tiffany was saying that only a fool would believe it was a coincidence for Jennifer to bump into them in a park near Amelia’s neighborhood on a weekday.
Nevertheless, Jennifer pretended not to understand what Tiffany was implying and took off her glasses. After a glance at Tony, she said, “Ms. Winters, it must be fate that let us meet here. If you don’t mind, let’s talk as we walk.”
Tiffany swiftly lifted Tony into her arms and rejected, “Sorry, but I’m not close to you, so I’m afraid there’s nothing we can talk about. Tony must be hungry by now, so I’m going to take him to eat.”
Jennifer hurried over to her and smiled. “Ms. Winters, I don’t recall ever crossing you. I wonder why you’re so hostile toward me.”
At that, a tinge of impatience flashed past Tiffany’s eyes. She was already frustrated about how she and Derrick had recently done the divorce procedures. If Amelia didn’t insist that she bring Tony out for a walk and take a breather, she would have locked herself up in her house. What she wanted to avoid the most at that moment was talking to pretentious people, especially those from the Larson family. She knew that Jennifer’s relationship with Derrick was quite close, so she did not want to see Jennifer at all. Regardless of why Jennifer had appeared there, Tiffany was in no mood to speak to her.
“You didn’t cross me; I just don’t want to talk to you right now.” With that, Tiffany began walking back down the path she came from with Tony in her arms.
Behind her, Jennifer casually mentioned, “Ms. Winters, I know that you’ve signed the divorce agreement with Derrick. Don’t you want to know how he is lately?”
Hearing that, Tiffany halted in her tracks. In the next second, she dashed off so quickly it was as if a panther was after her.
The look in Jennifer’s eyes turned cold at that, and she sneered.
Tiffany, it seems like you still have feelings for Derrick. That’s good. I’ll be able to get close to you in Derrick’s name. That way, I’m sure I’ll be able to kidnap Anthony. This time, I have to let Amelia and Oscar feel what it’s like to have their son be in trouble. I’ll let them know what it’s like to feel pain!
When Amelia saw that Tiffany was back so soon with Tony, she tilted her head to the side and asked, “Tiff, why are you back?”
However, Tiffany, who had a grim look on her face, only glanced at Tiffany wordlessly.
Tony said, “Mommy, Tiffy met a lady in the park who didn’t get along with you—one of the Larsons. She deliberately tried to get close to Tiffy, but she kept glancing at me. I hate the way she looked at me.”
Tony was young, so his heart was pure. Thus, he was sensitive to people’s good or bad intentions.
Upon hearing his explanation, Amelia instantly realized who he was talking about. Who could it be but Jennifer Larson? But why did she show up here?
Recalling Carter’s reminder, Amelia ascertained that she had to be a little warier from now on. Furthermore, with how Tony said that Jennifer kept looking at him, Amelia felt that Jennifer must have an ulterior motive to have appeared in this area on a weekday.
With a frown, she asked, “Tiff, why was Jennifer in the park?”
Tiffany shook her head and said, “I don’t know.” A pause later, she added, “She knows Derrick. When I was bringing Tony back, she mentioned his name, so I was thinking that Derrick might have sent her.”
Despite saying so, Tiffany knew that it was unlikely for Derrick to send Jennifer to convey his message; he was not that kind of person. However, she could not wrap her mind around what other reason could explain Jennifer’s sudden appearance.
Amelia, too, had no choice but to believe in that.
“Tony, go upstairs to play first. Tiffy and I will take you to the theme park to play in the afternoon,” Amelia said, intentionally dismissing Tony.
Tony nodded obediently and ran upstairs.
Once he was gone, Amelia sat down beside Tiffany and said, “Tiff, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay in the house all day. I received a call from the director about the script last night, so why don’t you write the script instead? You can’t go back on your promise, right?”
Tiffany held her head with both hands and chuckled bitterly, “Babe, will you believe me if I were to tell you that my mind’s blank and my well of inspiration has dried out?”
Amelia sighed. “Let’s not write if you have no inspiration, then. I’ll get Oscar to invite some of the best scriptwriters in the industry to continue writing the script. That way, we’ll be able to hand in something to the director first. Then, you’ll go for a holiday abroad to relax.”
However, Tiffany shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ll return to scriptwriting tomorrow. Also, I was planning to move back to the apartment I bought back then. I can’t possibly stay at your place forever.”
Amelia grimaced at her words. “Tiff, that’s mean. We share everything, remember?”
Tiffany gave her a small smile. “Babe, I know that you don’t mind me staying here, but I’ve got to have a house of my own, right?”
Amelia gave it some thought and eventually agreed to it.
“Babe, I’m planning to move back to the apartment in a few days’ time. Then, I’ll ask Derrick to go to City Hall with me to settle the divorce procedures,” Tiffany said.
“Don’t be in such a rush to move out. I’m worried to let you stay alone. You can’t argue with me on this,” Amelia insisted. “As for the divorce procedures, just let the lawyer, Mr. Feltham, deal with it. You don’t need to be there yourself.”
Tiffany parted her lips to give Amelia an answer, but she hesitated.
After giving Tiffany a glance, Amelia tentatively asked, “Or do you want to see Derrick one more time?”
Tiffany lowered her eyes and wryly laughed. “Babe, do you think I’m too wishy-washy? I was the one who raised the idea of a divorce, and now, I want to see him. I know I’m too emotional, but it’s tough for me to forget about him. I just want to see him one more time. Maybe my yearning for him will cease once I see him.”
Amelia took her friend’s hand and patted it. She somberly said, “Tiff, you need to open your eyes to the truth. Crystal is pregnant, and there’s no way the Hissons won’t want the kid. Even if you insist on being together with Derrick, do you think that you’ll be able to treat that kid without any ill feelings?”
Tiffany did not answer her.
Amelia wondered how long her good friend was going to take to walk out of the misery that came with her divorce. From how melancholic Tiffany looked, it seemed like she was in even greater distress than when Amelia had gotten a divorce and lost her sight.
A marriage that did not last for more than a year. A promise of unending love had turned into the air bubbles in the sea, easily washed away and erased by the waves.
“Forget it. If you’re going, I’m going with you,” Amelia relented.
“Thank you.”
When Friday morning came, Amelia went to City Hall with Tiffany and Alex Feltham.
Even when they reached the outside of City Hall, Derrick had yet to arrive.
Around five minutes later, Derrick’s car finally appeared by the entrance.
Tiffany had been looking forward to seeing him, but when she registered who was coming down from the car, the light in her eyes dimmed, and her hope dissipated.
Derrick knew that Tiffany did not want to see Crystal at all, but he still brought her along. And he says that he isn’t in a relationship with her. If that’s true, why did he bring her here?
A bitter laugh escaped Tiffany. Their love—three years of dating and a year of marriage—was incomparable to the child Crystal bore for him.
At that very moment, she wanted so badly to ask Derrick a question. Are you going to just throw away everything we ever shared with each other just like that?
Nevertheless, that question was pointless by then. It would only add to her sorrow.
Then, Kate came down from the car. The last to leave the car was Derrick.
Kate said, “Derrick, hold onto Crystal. She’s pregnant with the most precious grandchild of the Hisson family right now, and we mustn’t let anything happen to her.”
However, it was as though Derrick did not hear her; his gaze was fixed on Tiffany, and he never once blinked.
Noticing that, Kate fumed.
She shot Tiffany a glare before saying in deliberation, “Crystal, you’ve got to be careful. Don’t fall, all right? The doctor has said that you have to be extra careful now that you’re pregnant. I’ve asked you to rest at home, but you insisted on coming with us. If anything happens to you, my heart will break!”
Still, Derrick walked over to Tiffany and muttered, “Tiff, how are you? Have you been eating all your meals? You look like you’ve lost weight…”
Tiffany only looked at him calmly. All the lingering feelings she had for Derrick before coming had died when she saw Kate and Crystal’s pretentious behavior.
“Let’s go in. Once we sign our names, you can leave with your mother and your future wife,” she said.
A hint of sadness flickered past Derrick’s eyes. He wanted to reach out to touch Tiffany, but Amelia stopped him.
Amelia said, “Let’s go in, Mr. Hisson. Once you sign your name, there will be no relationship between you and Tiff anymore. But I have to say, you sicken me to have brought your mother and lover with you. I used to think that you were a responsible man, but it seems like I was wrong. I hope you’ll never appear in Tiff’s line of sight ever again, or else I might puke if I see you.”
Derrick paled. It was then he averted his eyes and put on a solemn look.
“Tiff, let’s go in.”
Tiffany inclined her head, and they went in.
The staff at City Hall asked if they genuinely wanted a divorce. Both hesitated for a moment before nodding, and they signed their names on the papers. Once the staff member stamped on the papers, they were officially divorced.
As Tiffany kept the divorce papers in her bag, she said, “Amelia, let’s go.”
Amelia held her hand and walked to the door with her.
Derrick kept staring at her back. Right as they were about to reach the doorway, he said, “Tiff, I’ve transferred all my assets into your account, and I’ve asked Mr. Feltham to transfer the company under your name. You’re now the owner of that publishing company and the new production company. I should be saying sorry to you. Regardless of whether or not my actions were voluntary, a mistake is still a mistake, and there’s nothing I can say to excuse it. I just hope to at least provide you with financial compensation.”
Tiffany paused in her tracks when she heard him. Her eyes reddened, and her fists tightened, but she never turned around to look at him. “Derrick, I don’t want any of your assets. I’m just a person who knows how to write scripts. Leaving the company in my hands will only doom the company. I’ll get Mr. Feltham to transfer it back to you. You don’t owe me anything.”
With that said, she continued her way out.
Derrick followed her out and watched her get into the car before driving off. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Although he wanted to stop Tiffany, he didn’t know what he could do after stopping her. He had no right to do that anymore.
Kate glared in the direction where the car had gone and snarled, “Derrick, have you lost your mind? You’ve already gotten a divorce from Tiffany, but you’re giving her all your assets? I hope you still remember that the one who has your child is Crystal!”
Derrick calmly turned to her and said, “Mom, I’m going to tell Granddad that I’ll be giving up on the Hisson family’s inheritance. From now on, I sever all ties with the Hissons. This must be the result you’ve wanted all along, and now, I’m giving it to you.”
Kate’s face turned ashen when she realized what he had said.
She stared at her son in disbelief and stammered out, “D-Derrick, do you know what you’re saying?”
Derrick turned away to look at the cars on the road instead. “Mom, you set me up to bump into Crystal and made her pregnant so that I would marry her, but I’ll tell you this. I’ll never marry her. I’ll aceept the child in her stomach as mine, but I will never marry her. It’s impossible for Tiff and I to be together anymore, and it’s even more impossible for Crystal and I to get together. Give up.”
With that said, he went down the stairs and into the car. Within seconds, he drove off.
Kate was left angrily stomping her foot. She ignored the passersby as she screamed, “Get back here! Get back here right now!”
Meanwhile, Crystal stood transfixed at the side, her face paling, and her expression darkening. It was quite the sight to behold.
Once Kate realized that Derrick was never going to turn back, she ceased her yelling and turned to look at Crystal. When she saw Crystal’s pallor, she worriedly held her arm and asked, “Crystal, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Don’t scare me! The baby in you is the most precious grandchild of the Hissons. Nothing must happen to the baby!”
Crystal finally returned to her senses and looked at Kate. As she sobbed, she said, “Mrs. Hisson, Derrick doesn’t want to marry me, so my child will be illegitimate. It looks like I’ll have to raise him overseas, or else even the Halliwells won’t admit that he’s a descendant of the Halliwell family.”
Kate panicked. “I won’t let that happen. How can my grandchild be raised overseas? Calm down, Crystal. I’ll get Derrick to marry you. Otherwise, I’ll threaten him with my life. I’m his mother, and I’m sure he’ll relent.”
Hearing that, Crystal lowered her eyes as glee danced across them.
She had done everything she could think of, so there was no way she was going to accept a future where Derrick did not marry her. Though she no longer wished for Derrick to love her, she still wanted to be his wife. The Halliwell family was already disappointed in her, and they had essentially given up on her. Thus, her only chance at survival was by marrying into the Hisson family. Now, the baby in her was her ticket into the Hisson family. Reputation and pride are of utmost importance to the Hissons, so there was no way they were going to let their grandchild wander on the streets.
Kate then said, “Crystal, let’s go back first. You need to have a good rest and just focus on giving birth to the baby. Leave Derrick to me. I’ll make sure he marries you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hisson,” Crystal meekly replied.
“We’ll soon be a family, so there’s no need for such courtesy.”
Crystal nodded.
The two hailed for a cab back to the Hisson residence.
Terrence was sitting in the living room when they returned, and he was expressionless when he turned to look at the two of them.
Kate carefully started, “Dad, you’re home today?”
Terrence glimpsed at her. “Where’s Derrick?”
“Derrick left after he signed the divorce certificate with Tiffany, but I don’t know where he went,” Kate honestly answered. “I think Crystal isn’t feeling well, so I’m going to take her upstairs to rest.”
At that, Terrence glanced at Crystal and said, “Crystal, it’s not that I don’t like you, but many things are going on in the Hisson family right now. Why don’t you live in another condominium under the Hisson family’s name first? Don’t worry; I’ll arrange for a housemaid to take care of you. It won’t do your reputation any good if someone finds out that you’ve moved into the Hisson residence before marrying Derrick.”
Crystal’s complexion paled again.
Derrick refused to marry her, and his refusal trapped her in an awkward spot among the Hissons.
She had Derrick’s child in her, but she could not be his wife. As the prominent Halliwell family’s daughter, she ended up falling from grace and had to resort to trickery to get the chance to join the Hisson family. It was pitiful.
However, Kate defended her. “Dad, Tiffany was the one who wanted to get a divorce from Derrick. You can’t blame this on Crystal. Moreover, Crystal’s pregnant now. She’s a much better choice than Tiffany, who can’t bear children. Furthermore, Crystal has a better standing in society than Tiffany. Tiffany has Oscar’s support, but she’s not actually related to the Clintons. Nothing is as good as the fact that Crystal is the Halliwell family’s daughter, so I’d rather have Crystal as my daughter-in-law.”
Terrence smiled, but that smile of his was devoid of warmth.
“Crystal, go upstairs first. I have some things to talk to Kate about,” he said.
At that, Crystal glanced at Kate and said, “Mr. Terrence, Mrs. Hisson, I’m going to head up first.”
Once Crystal was gone, Terrence said, “Kate, everyone knows what you’re doing; it’s just that no one says it out loud. I hope you know what you’re doing and where the limit lies. Otherwise, even Derrick will hate you.”
His words made Kate stiffen her back. Nevertheless, she played dumb and said, “Dad, I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about.”
A smile that did not reach his eyes appeared on Terrence’s face. “I’m old, so I won’t be able to intervene in your matters for long. You’re a daughter-in-law that I quite like, and Derrick is the most outstanding grandchild of his generation. I’m planning to have him take over the Hisson family’s business. However, he just told me yesterday that he doesn’t want to inherit it. You’ve driven away Tiffany, the one woman who could keep him in line. There’s nothing I can do about your presumptuous acts. However, if the Hisson family begins to fall from grace, you will be the one to blame. I hope you’re sure of what you’re doing now.”
Kate tensed up as disbelief flickered past her eyes.
“Dad, you’re joking with me, right?”
“I’m old. Why should I joke about such matters? I’ve reminded you several times to stay in your line and stop trying to play the matchmaker, but you didn’t want to listen to me. So, there’s nothing I can do about the current situation. You’ll have to find a way to deal with Derrick yourself.”
With that said, Terrence left the house.
Kate collapsed onto the couch as a myriad of thoughts chaotically danced across her mind.
That night, when Finnick came back and went to his bedroom, he saw Kate sitting in a daze. Worried, he asked, “Dear, what’s the matter?”
Kate lifted her head and miserably said, “Darling, what do I do? Derrick told Dad that he wants to give up on the Hisson family’s inheritance. If he does that, we’ll be left with nothing!”
Finnick frowned and asked, “What’s he up to again? Didn’t he say that he’s going to get a divorce from Tiffany?”
“He did, but did you know what else he did? He transferred every asset he has to her. I don’t know what kind of spell Tiffany has cast on him to make him transfer the publishing company he had worked hard on for years and the new production company to her name. Your son has truly gone mad this time.”
By the time Finnick was done listening to Kate’s explanation, his brows were tightly knitted together.
“He really transferred his assets to that woman?”
“That’s right. He transferred them without hesitation. Now, he’s even giving up on the inheritance. You’re not interested in business, so he’s the only one who can help us get the Hissons’ inheritance. His decision is practically killing me!”
At that moment, Finnick did not know how to console Kate.
He was not Terrence’s only son, and his nephews were all grown up and had families on their own. They, too, were eyeing the Hissons’ company. With Derrick on their side, they had a good chance of getting the inheritance. However, if Derrick gave up on it, they were waiting to lose everything.
With that thought in mind, a tidal wave of frustration crashed into Finnick.
Kate muttered despondently, “Darling, do you think I did something wrong? If I didn’t target Tiffany, does it mean that Derrick will come back to inherit the company?”
Finnick pulled her into his arms and uttered, “Don’t overthink this. The Hissons have many businesses, and I refuse to believe that he’ll be able to establish something without the help of the Hissons. All men love fame and status. I believe he won’t dare to give up on the Hissons’ assets.”
Kate nodded in agreement, but her heart was still heavy.
