She turned on her laptop to see what the town they were about to develop looked like when she returned to the design department.
She never expected that Cayden already had plans to develop Livingsfill.
According to the neighbors, rumors of developing the small town had been circulating for a few years.
Furthermore, the word 'Demolish' was seen painted on most of the walls in the neighborhood.
Cecelia texted: Are you okay? Can you still draw?
Avery replied: Yes, I can.
However, she couldn't help but feel distracted throughout the day and wasn't as efficient in her work as she used to be.
The adorable images of Rory and Zachary would pop into her mind every few minutes into her work.
After half an hour, Avery got up to get a glass of water. Cayden has a peculiar temperament. Nobody knows what's on his mind. He was probably in a bad mood yesterday when he insulted me at the hospital. I hope his mood has improved. I don't want to be humiliated and harassed again today.
Avery felt really upset at that thought.
For the sake of my kids, I can endure anything as long as he doesn't cross the line.
She couldn't help but smile as she recalled Zachary's and Rory's bright and cheerful faces while drinking a glass of water. I'm lucky they like to be around me.
The bond between mother and child was indeed unique and unbreakable.
“Why are you so happy? What's with the huge grin? I never thought I'd see you smile ever again.” Nina rubbed her temples while brewing coffee. “There must have been something wrong with the wine I drank yesterday. It gave me a splitting headache.”
Avery kept quiet as she didn't dare share her joy in case nobody believed her.
After all, even she herself felt that the truth was too surreal to be true.
Before this, Avery had no choice but to marry Dylan for the sake of her father, Leonardo, and her grandfather, Blake. Leonardo was diagnosed with lung cancer, whereas Blake was still in the hospital after getting kidnapped. Life was bleak and dark for her. However, suddenly, the darkness faded away, and she saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
it turned out that Zachary and Rory were the light of her life; they were her sun.
Even though Cayden was bad-tempered and might still be mad at her, she was adamant about trying to get the answer from him.
Avery tried to call him once again right before she got off work.
“Sorry, the number you have dialed is unavailable. Please try again later.”
Avery made her way toward the subway station under the evening sun after work.
Upon her arrival at the hospital, she asked the doctor about her father's condition before visiting him in the ward. Avery then placed the vitamins she had bought for him on the bedside table.
The forty-year-old caretaker she had hired to take care of her father's needs had arrived as well.
“You must have spent a lot of money hiring a caretaker...” Leonardo said in a weak voice as he lay on the hospital bed.
“It's not much. We don't have anyone else here. Besides, even if we have relatives, you can't expect them to take care of you 24/7. Hiring a caretaker is worth it as it allows me to earn a living.”
She didn't feel very comfortable leaving Leonardo to the caretaker. Nevertheless, she would have to quit her job if not for the caretaker.
And if she quit, she wouldn't be able to afford her father's hospital bills.
Avery had passed probation and became an official employee of Trident Group not too long ago. Trident Group was well known for their employment benefits and always paid her salary on time.
Furthermore, she would be paid for the project toward the end of the project term.
That was why she never tendered her resignation letter even though she was on bad terms with Cayden. She wouldn't receive a single cent from the company if she quit before the project ended.
After all, she expected to receive at least ten thousand for the project.
Not only would the money save her father's life, but it would also ensure a good life for her grandfather and herself.
“Did... your mother come looking for you?” Leonardo couldn't hold it in anymore as he asked.
His question triggered something in Avery, and she looked up. “Dad, am I really Allie's daughter?”
Leonardo thought Avery was still having trouble accepting the truth.
“Of course. I know your mother has changed, but she's still your mother at the end of the day. Give her the benefit of the doubt. At least you'll have someone else to support you after I pass on.”
Avery lowered her head at his words.
She wanted to tell Leonardo that she didn't need that kind of support and was capable of surviving on her own. After all, her mother had never been around for her since she was a kid.
The worst was over for her, so why would she still need her mother now that she was capable of making a living for herself?
Besides, Allie doesn't look one bit like a mother.
Avery pulled her phone out and googled to see if step--siblings were capable of bearing healthy children while she was chatting with her father.
The answer she got from the internet was no.
She wasn't interested in ethics and morals as all she cared about were her kids.
The internet search confirmed her suspicions that Allie was only either her mother or Cayden's. It was impossible for her to be both.
As part of the rich and famous, the Moores would surely test Cayden's DNA before allowing an illegitimate child to enter the family.
Hence, Avery concluded that she wasn't Allie's child after giving it much thought.
However, she didn't want to argue with her father regarding this topic since he was in critical condition. She left after a while to visit Blake.
After she fed Blake his dinner, Avery put her laptop down and headed toward the address her ex-classmate had sent her for her night shift.
“You rarely stay up late, right? Here, have a cup of coffee. I'm worried you won't be able to last till the end.” Her classmate handed her a cup of coffee at the entertainment establishment.
Avery took it from her as she stared at the pack of condoms in front of her.
After familiarizing herself with the condoms, her ex-classmate led her to the corridor. They then knocked on every door in an attempt to sell the condoms.
As Avery entered a room, a man took a pack of condoms out of her box before she could even start selling. “What the hell is this? Fake Durex? This is illegal, right?”
“I'm sorry. I got it wrong.” Her boss had told her that she should take her leave if she ever ran into this kind of customer.
With that, Avery walked out of the room.
Standing in the corridor, she stared at the row of VIP rooms. She was in charge of selling to this part of the club while her friend was selling elsewhere.
Avery carried the box of counterfeit contraceptives with a long face. She knew she would either have to work under harsh conditions or pocket her conscience to earn a living from her part-time jobs.
It's not easy to earn money.
At that thought, she mustered up her courage and entered another VIP room.
As Avery scanned the dimly lit room, she saw people playing poker, singing karaoke, and drinking hard liquor.
The men in this room were either dressed head to toe in branded clothes or wearing suits and ties. She could tell that they were rich and cultured.
After Avery walked in, she took a deep breath and said, “Hello, gentlemen, do you need contraceptives?”
A man who was sitting on a scarlet couch in the corner raised his head when he heard her timid voice.
“What are you selling?” he asked.
Avery immediately made her way over upon his inquiry.
However, she was about to say, “Contraceptives, sir. Do you need any?” but swallowed the words when she saw Cayden lighting up a cigarette and giving her a once-over.
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