True Love Deserves a Second Chance

Just as Mason was rushing towards Joey, a gunshot rang out from behind, and he fell to the ground. Blood flowed down his back, pooling on the floor.

Sebastian immediately covered Joey's eyes and gently reassured her, "Don't be afraid, it's over now. Let's go."

After saying that, he bent down to pick Joey up in his arms, gave Dominic a few instructions, and then left.

Moments ago, Joey had been confronting Mason, but now she was weak and limp in Sebastian's arms. Her two cold hands clutched tightly at his shirt. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably. Her tear-filled eyes stared intently at Sebastian, her voice weak. "Sebastian, how is Mrs. Guise?"

Sebastian kissed her lips gently and said softly, "She had a few stitches on her back, but she's fine now. Don't worry."

Joey looked into Sebastian's eyes, which resembled Leonard's, and softly said, "When a woman senses danger... her instinct is to scream, to run. But Mrs. Guise... she didn't hesitate. She threw herself into harm's way. Don't you find that strange?"

Sebastian looked down at her. "You think she likes my dad?"

"Not just feelings... love; it's deep love. That's why she risked her life. If you were in danger, I would do the same."

"But my dad said his flings were just for show, and he never had intimate contact with other women."

"That doesn't mean they didn't have feelings for him. Your dad was a famous figure back then, and very handsome. He must have been liked by many women. He and Mrs. Guise must have had some connection before, even if he didn't know it." Sebastian's eyes darkened. He recalled what Leonard had told him.

Leonard said Elise was betrayed by a douchebag and was being hunted. He wasn't sure the douchebag he mentioned was Derek or someone else. It seemed he needed to investigate this matter thoroughly.

Joey was frightened, and after they returned home, Sebastian comforted her for a long time before she finally fell into a drowsy sleep.

When he went downstairs, Dominic and others were waiting for him in the living room.

Dominic said, "Mr. Winters, Mason sneaked into the hotel, disguised as a waiter, and took Mrs. Blackwood while she was in the restroom. But he's dead now, and we can't find out who manipulates him." Sebastian's eyes darkened. "With me and the bodyguards there, he couldn't have hurt Joey. Why did the SWAT team open fire?"

Dominic replied, "The shot wasn't fired by the SWAT team. Someone was ambushed on the opposite rooftop. By the time the SWAT team got there, the person was gone." Hearing this, Sebastian's expression grew colder. From the falling chandelier to Joey's kidnapping and Mason being killed, it was all part of a planned sequence of events. Their target wasn't Joey; it was him. In other words, it was the entire Winters Family.

'Who could harbor such deep hatred against the Winters Family to plot such a grand scheme over decades?'Thinking of this, Sebastian felt the situation was becoming increasingly dire.

The enemy already knew Joey was his vulnerability, which meant she would be in danger again in the future. So, he had to take her away from here as soon as possible.

When Elise woke up, it was already the next morning. She saw Leonard sitting by the bed, looking exhausted. She touched his hand with some guilt, her voice hoarse. "Leo, I've been a burden to you all these years." Leonard smiled gently. "Mom, don't say that. I'm your son; it's my duty to take care of you."

"Leo," Elise held Leonard's hand and softly said, "I think I used to know Derek."

Leonard's heart tightened. "Did you remember something?"

"Not yet. But when the chandelier fell, a scene of me with him flashed in my mind. Although it was brief, I'm sure the man in it was Derek."

Hearing this, Leonard tightened his grip on Elise's hand. "You liked him, didn't you?"

Leonard's straightforward question left Elise momentarily speechless. She hesitated for a few seconds before softly saying, "I... I think I loved him. Why else would I have risked my life for him? Leo, do you think I was a bad woman back then, knowing he had a family but still being with him? And, is there a chance you might be his child?"

Leonard knew Elise would eventually question his parentage. He was about to say something when there was a knock on the door.

He walked over to open it and met Derek's deep eyes. "Leo, how is your mother? I came to see her."

Derek was holding a fruit basket and a bouquet of flowers. He looked at Leonard warmly.

Leonard's hands clenched involuntarily, his eyes dark and unreadable. He stared at Derek for a few seconds before saying, "She's awake. Come in."

Leonard turned to Elise and said in a deep voice, "Mom, Mr. Winters is here to see you."

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Elise saw Derek behind him and became a bit nervous. She smoothed her hair and forced a smile. "Let him in."

Derek walked to the bedside, placed the fruit basket on the nightstand, and handed the flowers to Elise, saying sincerely, "Mrs. Guise, I came to thank you today. If you hadn't shielded me, the chandelier would have hit me directly. My son might be arranging my funeral right now."

Seeing his deep eyes, Elise's heart raced faster. Her cheeks flushed slightly. Her hands, hidden under the blanket, curled up slightly.

Meeting him again, she was even more certain that she and Derek had a past relationship. Otherwise, her long-dormant heart wouldn't be so flustered.

Elise tried to hide her emotions and smiled faintly. "I just happened to see it. If I hadn't rushed over, both you and Joey's dad would have been hurt. I didn't want her to be sad. Mr. Winters, don't take it to heart."

Hearing this, Derek felt a twinge of disappointment. But he quickly adjusted his emotions and smiled. "I guess I should thank Benjamin then. Anyway, you saved me. If you ever need anything in City B, just let me know. I'll do my best."

Elise nodded slightly. "Alright, I do have something to ask Mr. Winters. On November 11th, 25 years ago, there was a fire at the Eastern Warehouse. I heard it was the Winters Family's warehouse. Do you know anything about it?"

Hearing this, Derek's eyes darkened. He stared at Elise's face for a few seconds before asking, "Does this have anything to do with you? Why do you ask?"

Elise's voice was calm. "Because I lost my memory that day, also due to a fire. In my dreams, I always call out a name."

Derek's heart tightened. "What name?"

Elise's pale lips parted slightly. "Kyle."