"Frederick, what are you doing?" Hazel Bennett asked with a heavy heart.

"This time, for the training camp bid, she used my name to spread rumors outside, trying to help James Reed win the bid while undermining another company," Frederick Cole said as he released Hazel’s hand and spoke gravely.

"What? Hayley actually..." Hazel gasped, covering her mouth in shock, and asked worriedly, "Did it affect the bidding? Will it get you penalized? What happened?"

Frederick looked at Hazel with relief, recognizing that she ultimately understood right from wrong.

"Hayley has really gone too far!" At this moment, Hazel wouldn’t side with Hayley just because she’s her own child.

"Hazel, we can’t control her anymore," Frederick urged Hazel to face the reality. "She’s always been hostile toward us; the more we try to discipline her, the more rebellious she becomes."

Hazel lowered her head in distress, remaining silent.

She naturally knew how everyone had struggled over the years.

When they said east, Hayley would definitely go west; the more they forbade her from doing something, the more she insisted on doing it.

She really didn’t know how to handle this daughter.

"She’s in her twenties, she’s an adult now. Whatever happens next, let her face it on her own. Do you agree?" Frederick asked Hazel softly.

Hazel lowered her head, feeling as if her heart was being ground on a stone mill, round and round, but... Jason and Mia had both left home early for training camps.

She had tried her best to protect Hayley, but now...

"Hmm." Hazel lifted her head, her eyes red but still agreeing.

She really should let go.

"If she ever wants to come back, the door will always be open for her," Frederick said comfortingly.

No matter what, Hayley Cole was still Hazel’s daughter. As long as she’s willing to change, he doesn’t mind having an extra family member.

But he absolutely won’t support an ingrate waiting to bite at any moment.

Raising Hayley Cole to her twenties, he believed he had done more than enough.

"Hmm." Hazel let out a heavy sigh, as if something had been lifted off her, "If she can’t get by, I’ll give her some money. But I absolutely won’t let her use you for anything."

If it weren’t for Frederick Cole back then, she and her daughter would have perished outside. At that time, her husband had died, her in-laws wanted to beat her to death, and her own family wouldn’t take her back.

She had no choice but to leave home, and almost as if by fate, she ended up in the Imperial City.

She hadn’t initially intended to find Frederick Cole, yet surprisingly, she actually ran into him.

This fate, this kindness, she truly cherished.

She absolutely wouldn’t allow herself or Hayley to repay kindness with ingratitude; if they did, could they still be considered human?

"I’ll go make dinner, you go rest," Hazel said.

She had just turned around when Frederick stopped her: "Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle it myself."

"You..."

"You’re not in the right state of mind now; you’ll make mistakes again." Frederick forcefully interrupted Hazel, taking the apron off her.

Hazel was then pressed onto the sofa by Frederick, who handed her a warmed cup of milk and commanded, "Sit down."

Hazel watched this cold yet strong-willed man walk into the kitchen, warmth mingled with tears at the corners of her eyes as she smiled gently at her lips. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Such a good man, why does Hayley fail to get along with him?

When will Hayley finally grow up?

Hazel sighed softly; perhaps she really should let go.