the lost years mary higgins clark

I go into business with my childhood friend, Ian Ziegler. The business is a success, earning 1.2 million dollars in profit. Ian gives me my share—a whopping 5,000 dollars. Noticing my dissatisfaction, Ian puts his arm around my girlfriend, Nina Foster, and tosses the keys to his Bentley onto the table. "What, is five grand too little for you? Fine. Since you're so broke, I'll give you a chance to turn things around for yourself. There's going to be a soccer game tonight. We're both going to place our bets. If you win, you can get all 1.2 million, plus my car. "But if you lose, your girlfriend's mine. You'll also have to get on your knees and lick my shoes right here in front of everyone." Everyone else in the room cackles gleefully, eager to watch me humiliate myself. Smirking, I nod. "Sure. I'll take that bet." These people have no idea that five years ago, I'd single-handedly taken down the Northwest Aravian illegal soccer betting circuit. I'd set a trap for a match-fixing syndicate, beating the crooks at their own game. I'd walked away from that life after that. But now, Ian has seriously decided to challenge me to a soccer bet?

My brother-in-law, Timmy Lynch, racks up 50 million dollars of illegal gambling debt but leaves my contact information behind. By the time the interest snowballs to 100 million dollars, the debt collectors show up at my doorstep. After I persuade them to leave, my wife, Celia Lynch, and my mother-in-law, Meryl Unwin, finally come out of the room. Celia's face is pale as she says, "Let's get divorced. I'd rather leave with nothing. Your gambling debts are your own problem, so don't even think about dragging me into this." No matter how many times I explain that it was Timmy who bet on an underdog team and lost, she refuses to believe me. Meryl even slaps me across the face and roars, "Not only are you trying to trick my daughter into paying your debt, but you're also slandering my son? Listen to me, Celia—divorce him immediately!" Then, she turns to me and says, "I might as well tell you the truth now. Celia is pregnant, and the baby's father is your buddy. Just give up already and sign the divorce papers." Wait, what? I literally just won a 100-million-dollar prize from winning a World Soccer Tournament bet last night. I was going to ask if they need help covering Timmy's debt. How did this suddenly turn into a full-on divorce? Fine, then. They can pay back his massive debt themselves.

Quinn Thorne, a club waiter, accidentally rescued Sera Dutt when she was drugged. Quinn is mistaken for an antidote by Sera, who takes half of his necklace jades as a token. Six years later, Quinn works at a Dutt Group construction site to fund his foster mother's medical bills. Mocked by coworkers for being single, he encounters Sera and her daughter, Lila, who calls him "Dad" after recognizing his matching necklace.

Harvey, the lone Martial King who sealed the Demon Cave for ten years, is publicly stripped of rank by Empress Phoenix after she believes the slander. But the seal breaks, and three demon lords escape and butcher the Rosefinch Empire. The Empire pins the blame on Harvey, ruining him and issuing a manhunt. Facing the Empire's collapse, Harvey at first stays out of it. When the Demon Emperor arrives, Harvey's sister, Yvette, is threatened, and Empress Phoenix begs. Harvey answers, returns with thunderous might, routs the demons, and rescues the Rosefinch Empire.

On their wedding day, Betty Gibson, an architectural designer, was shown a video of her groom Justin Norton cheating with her best friend. She broke off the engagement on the spot. To get back at him, she decided to marry Justin's disabled uncle, Jason Norton. After marriage, Betty learned that Jason had trouble walking and lived in poverty, so she worked hard to support him. In reality, Jason was the CEO of the famous Morgan Group, pretending to be disabled to investigate a fire ten years ago. Though it was a contract marriage, he walked a tightrope every day to hide his identity. As they overcame various crises together, Jason became increasingly drawn to Betty, and love began to blossom. However, as their relationship deepened, the truth about the fire ten years ago was revealed. The mastermind was none other than Jason's brother Jeff Norton, and the person who saved Jason's life in that fire was Betty herself. In the end, the villains were brought to justice, and the two lovers who cherished each other finally found happiness.

Six years ago, Vivian Yeo basked in the lap of luxury as the pampered heiress of a wealthy family, while Tristan Starling grappled with the challenges of an impoverished life.Little do they expect their fates to take a surprising twist six years later. Vivian, once surrounded by opulence, now stands as a single mother confronting life's hurdles. Meanwhile, Tristan has risen to prominence on the global billionaire list.

After a one-night fling, Cindy Ryan finds herself pregnant with Collins Lloyd's child, a son named Bryce. Six years later, Collins discovers the truth and begins searching for his son. During this time, Cindy's connection with Collins deepens as they work together at the Lloyd Group, and sparks of romance start to fly between them. As they navigate a series of challenges, Bryce eventually claims his rightful place in the Lloyd family, and Cindy, leveraging her son's connection to the powerful family, begins living a life of luxury and security.

Kyle Hubert, an executor from the Underworld, agrees to Old Mr. Carter's dying request: marry into the Carter family under contract and protect them for three years.Despite his silent guardianship, the Carter family treats him with contempt and betrayal, ultimately expelling him just as the protection period ends. When the Carter family faces deadly calamity once more, they finally learn the truth about Kyle’s sacrifices and desperately beg him to return.

Harvey, the lone Martial King who sealed the Demon Cave for ten years, is publicly stripped of rank by Empress Phoenix after she believes the slander. But the seal breaks, and three demon lords escape and butcher the Rosefinch Empire. The Empire pins the blame on Harvey, ruining him and issuing a manhunt. Facing the Empire's collapse, Harvey at first stays out of it. When the Demon Emperor arrives, Harvey's sister, Yvette, is threatened, and Empress Phoenix begs. Harvey answers, returns with thunderous might, routs the demons, and rescues the Rosefinch Empire.

Memory stolen. Love betrayed. As Gabriel clings to a new wife, Sebastian fights the shadows alone. But destiny doesn’t forget. When the past catches up, will Gabriel remember before Sebastian sacrifices everything to bring him home?

Joanna, the only daughter of wealthy Spencer family, was abandoned by her grandmother who favored boys. After losing her memory, she was raised by a fishing village elder. By a twist of fate, she joined Spencer Group, where misunderstandings led to her regaining her memory and reuniting with her family.

Seven years ago, Yorath Clark was a wealthy young woman. For reasons unknown, she broke up with a penniless man named Yasser Sidney. Soon after, her family went bankrupt, and her parents tragically took their own lives. Yorath lost everything overnight and, in the eyes of many, became a gold-digger to survive. Meanwhile, Yasser unexpectedly inherited an immense fortune. Now, seven years later, their paths cross once again. What will happen next? Watch to find out!

Seven years ago, Clara Snow saved Clyde King, the tycoon of Portis, and later gave birth to his child. Now, with the Snow family bankrupt and her son in need of medical treatment, Clara agrees to marry for money. Meanwhile, her former maid Mary Cox returns from abroad and catches the eye of Clyde's father, who arranges her marriage to Clyde. To outshine Clara on their wedding day, Mary deliberately schedules her ceremony for the same day. But in a twist of fate, Clara ends up mistakenly married to Clyde...

Twenty years ago, Quilla saved Yosef and his family by chance.The two fell in love over time, and she chose to stay with Yosef, raising his three children as her own. Twenty years later,the ex-wife Mary reappears. Emotionally, the three children lean more toward their birth mother, so the family decides to drive away Quilla, the only "outsider".Heartbroken, she cuts ties with them for good.Meanwhile, the Grant family's business begins to decline,and Mary proves to be nothing but a gold-digger.They finally remember Quilla's kindness and try to win her back, but her heart is already dead, and she starts a new life.

Twenty years ago, Quilla saved Yosef and his family by chance.The two fell in love over time, and she chose to stay with Yosef, raising his three children as her own. Twenty years later,the ex-wife Mary reappears. Emotionally, the three children lean more toward their birth mother, so the family decides to drive away Quilla, the only "outsider". Heartbroken, she cuts ties with them for good. Meanwhile, the Grant family's business begins to decline,and Mary proves to be nothing but a gold-digger. They finally remember Quilla's kindness and try to win her back, but her heart is already dead, and she starts a new life.

Rick Carter has been a vegetable ever since an accident two years ago. In place of Mary Holt, Rose Abney marries him and takes good care of him, earning her the favor of his mother, Ann White.

Rick Carter has been a vegetable ever since an accident two years ago. In place of Mary Holt, Rose Abney marries him and takes good care of him, earning her the favor of his mother, Ann White.

Everyone in the Clark family trusts Helen, except Tilly Clark, who saw what she wasn't meant to see. While her brother stays blind and her father stays oblivious, Tilly works alone, building a quiet, careful case against the woman unraveling their family from within.