faking death, raising trio

Twenty-eight years ago, Connor Daly faced a heart-wrenching decision when his wife, Dahlia Bell, experienced complications during childbirth. Choosing to save the baby, he inadvertently caused the death of his father-in-law, Harold Bell. This tragedy ignited a deep-seated hatred in his mother-in-law and brother-in-law, Andrew Bell. Fast forward eighteen years, Connor's son, Valor Daly, is accepted into college, but the family struggles financially. Desperate, Connor attempts to borrow money from the village but fails and is forced to turn to Andrew for help. Initially met with Andrew's cold refusal, Connor reveals that the decision to save the baby had been Dahlia's. Valor, overhearing this revelation, steps in to mediate, leading Andrew to eventually lend the money for Valor's education. Years later, Valor becomes a successful entrepreneur and plans to invest back in his hometown. However, his efforts are thwarted by a local bully, stirring unrest among the villagers. In a moment of crisis, Valor returns to confront the bully and the villagers. When Dahlia gets injured, the villagers even consider expelling Connor from the village. Valor steps in, fights for his parents' justice, and transforms the villagers' attitudes. One evening, Scarlett Ross demands that Valor break off his engagement with her niece, Fay Ross, citing pressure from Joe Payne's powerful family. Valor travels to Ecrin county to speak with Fay. Upon learning the truth, he decides to challenge Joe at the engagement party, determined to protect Fay and their future together.

Finn Kennedy carries a blood curse that drives him mad every 13th of the month, making him violently dangerous. Only the blood or intimacy of a "Maiden of Pure Soul" can ease his suffering and break the curse. Without finding her, Finn faces death by age 30 or falls victim to his half brother Jax's schemes. When Finn meets Lucia Owens, the curse transfers to her. Though this should have been fatal for Lucia, the combination of Finn's daily acts of kindness, their true love, and the birth of their second child finally breaks the curse completely.

After losing her husband in a car accident, Imelda Tobin shoulders the burden of raising their two children alone. She works tirelessly to secure their future, eventually building the Frey Corp—but at the cost of her health, ultimately leading to late-stage stomach cancer. She loves both of her children deeply, but her strictness with her stubborn son, Joshua Frey, often makes it seem like she favors her daughter, Jade Frey. Under the influence of her husband, Chad Archer, Jade begins to feel excluded from the family's future and fuels tensions between her mother and Joshua, deepening their rift.

Once a formidable force, Sara Ian, Chief of Ares Clan, retired due to weariness of the world's violence and strife. She let her only sister marry into the Grant family, thinking her happiness assured, but they were a bunch of treacherous villains in disguise. When she found out they almost abused her sister to death, she returned to seek justice. She uncovered their secret collusion with the foreign enemies and, in the end, she punished the traitors.