Cedric frowned.Before he could speak, Natalie harshly placed her utensils on the table after taking a bite of her scrambled eggs. In that instant, anyone could sense Natalie's displeasure from the noise she made."What's wrong now?" Cedric's heart raced, thumping loudly."It lacks salt!" Natalie was particular about how scrambled eggs were prepared. If the flavor was even slightly off, she found it unbearable."Just eat it as it is. They didn't know you'd come today," Cedric replied."Just eat it as it is?!" At those words, Natalie shot Cedric a cold, sarcastic glance, pursing her lips tightly. The intensity of her gaze was enough to make Kayla feel uneasy, as if Natalie might erupt like a volcano at any moment.Cedric felt a headache coming on, and his forehead throbbed. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the turmoil in his heart. "Have the kitchen prepare another one. Don't add sugar to the milk, and sprinkle some salt at the bottom of the pan before scrambling th
Natalie had always been a decisive person. Her ability to manage Regal Horizons International spoke volumes about her capabilities. But Cedric's actions were beyond comprehension!She had once lived freely in Simeria.But who would have thought that Cedric...?Caleb didn't know all the details, so he couldn't fathom how Cedric could ask Natalie to accept Isabella's daughter.Had Cedric truly lost his mind?That was Isabella's child!Everyone knew about the events in Verde City. Natalie couldn't even forgive Cedric. How could she ever accept Isabella's child?"Caleb, return to Verde City. I'm begging you!" Natalie's voice was filled with suppressed anger.Caleb replied, "Don't worry about me. I know what I need to do.""Caleb, I can't bear to see you involved in this matter. Do you understand?""Let's leave it at that!" Without waiting for Natalie to speak further, Caleb hung up."..."Natalie exhaled deeply, suppressing the heaviness in her chest. As she turned, her phone
"In that massive fire, I lost everything! Even conceiving became so difficult, yet you wanted me to send away the child I struggled so hard to bring into this world?!""I won't send your child away. I won't." Cedric stepped forward, enveloping Natalie in his embrace. When Natalie felt the tremble in Cedric's arms, she found its irony piercing."I won't send her away," Cedric repeated.His arms around Natalie tightened subconsciously!"Do you not find this situation ironic?""Nat.""We'll never have a child of our own. So, why keep me by your side?""Nat...!""Isabella's child and Caleb's child... hah!""Stop! Just stop talking!" Every word she uttered now felt painfully grating to Cedric's ears, making even his breathing difficult."You might be willing to play stepfather, but I won't play stepmother," Natalie said."Nat!"On the matter of Isabella's daughter, Natalie had always remained resolute. She would never accept her.Hearing her words, Cedric felt an overwhelmi
The tea was scalding hot!Its searing heat burned Conrad's skin, causing an excruciating pain. Yet, Bianca's gaze remained fixed on Conrad's face."So, you know I'm the seventh lord's wife?""Lady Bianca...""Get out!"Her words were cold and laced with an underlying danger, pierced the air.Conrad was momentarily stunned!Having observed her defiance against Malcolm in the past, he knew she had a fiery temperament. But he hadn't expected her to be this ruthless. The words she said weren't something a woman from the Entes family would casually utter."Lady Bianca, even if not for yourself, think of the seventh lord...!" Conrad began."Are you still dreaming?" Bianca interrupted him sharply, her eyes fixed intently on Conrad.Conrad was stunned again.Dreaming? About what...?Bianca's mocking voice broke his thoughts without letting him ponder further. "Do you all believe the rumors? Do you really think the sixth and the seventh lord share a cordial relationship?"At th
At the dinner table, Natalie quietly sipped her soup.The taste of the soup was exquisite...!Perhaps because she had been in a bad mood that morning, Cedric had instructed the kitchen to prepare dishes she liked."Kayla, what's wrong?" Cedric furrowed his brows, noticing Kayla's gloomy demeanor.After spending such a long time with the child, he had some understanding of her eating habits.Seeing Kayla's discomfort with tonight's flavors, he urged, "Try a little!""Okay." Kayla nodded, subconsciously glancing at the still icy-cold Natalie.Without looking at them, Natalie sarcastically remarked, "Watching you all act like this is quite nauseating!"Kayla and Cedric were silent.Instantly, Cedric's expression darkened.Though their conversation that morning had made him somewhat sympathetic towards Natalie, her words in front of the child left him feeling uneasy."Some people are just good at pretending, aren't they?" Natalie's tone grew even more mocking when Cedric remaine
As the person finished speaking, danger flashed in Natalie's eyes!"Don't think that you can achieve your goals just because I'm here at Peach Garden!" Natalie hissed through gritted teeth.On the other end of the phone, seemingly unaffected by her emotions, came a calm response, "My goals are none of your concern. Focus on securing those documents."The person's voice dripped with menace.Natalie wanted to slam the phone down. But recalling his earlier words, she asked with a chilling tone, "Did you have something to do with her fever?""Why don't you take a guess?""I don't appreciate this kind of comparison!" Natalie's voice grew heavier.A faint chuckle came from the other end."Do you not like it, or are you lacking confidence?""I may not be as cunning as you, but I won't let a child be used!" Even if she harbored resentment towards Isabella, it didn't mean she could stand by and watch Kayla or any child being ruthlessly manipulated and harmed."It had nothing to do w
After a prolonged stare, Cedric finally said, "I don't need you to accept her!" "You don't need me to? Fine then, I-""Just don't think of her as Isabella's daughter."Natalie froze. The chill that ran through her was uncontrollable. Was he out of his mind?!With a loud bang, she slammed her glass onto the table and turned to head upstairs.From behind, Cedric's restrained voice echoed, "Just think of her as a pitiful child!" She was just a pitiful child.Yes, she really was one.Natalie did feel that Kayla was pitiful."She’s not pitiful because she has you!" Kayla was pitiful before she met Cedric. What part of her was pitiful after she came to Cedric's side?He treated her like a princess.Having said that, Natalie ascended the stairs. A loud 'bang' echoed from above shortly after, indicating she had slammed the door. It was obvious how angry she was.Even the most indifferent person would feel something when faced with the situation at hand. Cedric stood sti
Natalie knew precisely what Clyde was referring to. After all, even if it were any other woman, they would make a comparison to themselves after what they saw at Peach Garden!And she was no exception.Casting a brief glance at Clyde, she replied, "It's not like that.""Nat," Clyde began."You don't understand the dynamics between him and me.""And now...?""I've said it before. I'm not doing this just because of you. There are matters between him and me that need a decisive conclusion."Though Natalie deliberately avoided mentioning Clyde's past, the air around the man shifted subtly. His eyes darkened, hinting at memories he'd rather forget."Don't dwell on it." A chilling touch rested on Clyde's hand, offering comfort.He looked at her earnestly. "As long as you're unwilling, no one in this world can harm you. I hope you realize that.""I trust you," Natalie assured him.Natalie understood Clyde's sentiments. Over the years, he had climbed his way up in Wexford throug
Bianca was still pondering how to reject Malcolm. Undoubtedly, even when she sought him out a week ago and proposed they get married, she hadn't truly wanted to marry him. As she contemplated things now, she even anticipated how crazed Malcolm might become when she presented her decision.Her phone buzzed with a call from Malcolm. In the past, Bianca would have ignored it outright, but now... she wasn't one to burn bridges."Hello?""I'll be there in ten minutes. Come down.""It's quite late."Just like before, whenever this man wanted to talk to her, especially about meeting up, she couldn't muster a pleasant expression.The man on the other end of the line simply stated, "I want to see you."Bianca’s heart clenched at those words. She was accustomed to Malcolm's cold, domineering demeanor. Even when he desired a woman, he maintained that haughty attitude. So, hearing such tender words from him was beyond her expectations."Hmph.""Come down, okay? I have a surprise for you."
As Zane reached halfway up the hill, he noticed a familiar car parked outside. Neil, the butler, was waiting outside, and upon seeing Zane return, he approached respectfully."Lord Zane.""Who's here?" Zane frowned, glancing at the brightly lit villa.What was going on? Usually, this place was dim in the evenings, but today, everything was unexpectedly bright."Ms. Stewart has returned," Neil replied.Zane's mind went blank for a moment. He stared stiffly at the butler, his pupils rapidly constricting."Ms. Stewart arrived this afternoon."Yvette!The familiar name flashed through Zane's mind like a gust of wind. How many times had he wanted to hold onto her? But in the end, for various reasons, he had to let her go bit by bit.And now, Yvette was back!Where had she been all this time?Since leaving Simeria, it was like she was a bird that had escaped its cage and soared into the sky, never to return. Zane had asked the Stewart family about her once, but even they didn't kn
"Maybe something happened," said Bianca.Natalie felt her eyelids twitch in response. What kind of terrifying situation was this?"When I say 'something happened,' I don't mean anything bad, but..."But what?In that moment, Bianca's gaze toward Natalie deepened, and she understood what her friend meant."You mean...?" asked Natalie.Bianca nodded silently.Natalie fell quiet as she pondered the situation.What if that was really the case?Natalie couldn't help but admit that if it truly was, it would naturally be a favorable outcome for her."Don't forget, if he can come, he can also leave. He can't change anything here, so it's better for him to return to the world he belongs to," Bianca explained.During this time, Natalie had transformed Simeria into a fortress. But even in such circumstances, Cedric had mysteriously vanished. Up until now, there hadn't been any clues. Even Kyle had been through so much, yet hadn't uttered any useful information.So, it had to be said t
Bianca’s calmness and composure, despite her young age, spoke volumes about how her experiences and wisdom had shaped her thoughts.Curtis, initially worried about her, felt somewhat relieved seeing the tranquility and maturity in his daughter’s eyes.He nodded slowly. "Hmm."In the end, he agreed.After all, she was his daughter. Despite not being raised by him since childhood, Curtis could see it clearly. Like her mother, Bianca would stick to her decisions, impervious to outside interference.Seeing Curtis finally eating, Bianca felt a sense of relief. After lunch, she considerately accompanied her father for a stroll before allowing him to rest.When Carol emerged from Curtis' room, she saw Bianca waiting nearby and hurried over respectfully."Miss.""How is he?" Bianca inquired."Sir is still worried about you, miss," Carol replied sincerely.Having been by Curtis' side for many years, Carol naturally understood Bianca's significance in his heart.Bianca sighed. "It wil
As she spoke, Seraphine felt the already dangerous aura around the man grow even darker, sending her heart racing. She tried to speak, but found herself speechless."Hmph, you useless thing!" Zane cursed menacingly.Cold sweat soaked Seraphine's back completely."There must be a way," she choked out, her tone tense.At that moment, Seraphine recalled what Zane had said to her before she came back to Simeria.He had told her that he never kept useless individuals around him. To gain his protection, one had to be useful. And now, Seraphine's only use—her engagement to Malcolm—had been effortlessly annulled."Heh," Zane sneered disdainfully.For Seraphine, this disdain was not only humiliating, but also starkly different from her experiences with Eleanor. In Eleanor's presence, she had never faced such disrespect. But now, it seemed like anyone could trample on her.In the past, even members of the Entes family wouldn't openly show contempt towards her, but now… Those past comfort
Seraphine had always harbored resentment towards Bianca. But Bianca had always been a rather composed individual, rarely resorting to such actions.So, what was she doing now?"You..." Seraphine's initial fury had been turned to speechlessness by Bianca's aggression.When Seraphine glanced at Bianca, she caught a glimpse of malice in the other woman's eyes.Before Seraphine could utter a word, Bianca bluntly asked, "You know, don't you?"Seraphine stayed silent.Know what?"You knew that Lord Malcolm and Lord Zane are half brothers You also knew why Lord Zane sought you out and took your side, right?" Bianca continued.Seraphine's face drained of color in an instant. And every subtle change in her expression was noticed by Bianca, whose eyes were filled with icy mockery.Stepping forward, Bianca gripped Seraphine's delicate chin. Seraphine instinctively tried to evade, but Bianca's hold was firm."You still dare claim this is your home?" Bianca scoffed."This has always been
When would the cycle of revenge end?While Bianca hadn't decided what to do about Eleanor's actions, Zane had already shown his claws.When would it end?If someone kept chasing after a person, what could they do?"Bia…"Curtis wanted to say something to his daughter, but was met with her unwavering gaze. Clearly, she wouldn't back down this time, just like her mother never did when faced with such situations. Both women faced things head-on, without flinching."Don't worry, okay?" Bianca reassured Curtis.There was another reason she was insisting on staying in Simeria—Bianca knew Curtis wouldn't leave with her. So, she wouldn't leave either.-Bianca and Curtis talked for a long time.Curtis still wanted to send her abroad, but her resolute attitude left him powerless. Moreover, from various pieces of information gathered earlier, it was clear that Bianca was a strong-willed child.No matter what problems she faced, she had her own opinions. So, asking her to leave was s
When Bianca returned to the Holly family’s residence, she found Curtis staring gravely at some documents. When he started coughing violently, his face turning as pale as a sheet, Carol hurried over to check on him."Sir, let Ms. Bianca handle these documents. Please don't strain yourself," Carol said, her tone full of concern."I see now," Curtis muttered heavily, as if he had just realized something crucial.Not understanding what he meant, Carol simply urged, "Your health can't handle this strain. Don't tire yourself out. You must trust Ms. Bianca."Curtis fell silent.Trust?He had always trusted Bianca, but now he regretted bringing her back. If he had never found her, would things be different now?"Where did she go?" Curtis asked."Ms. Bianca went out, but she'll be back soon," Carol reassured him, gently taking the documents from his hands.Ever since Bianca told the older woman about Curtis' health problems, Carol had been extra vigilant, making sure he avoided anythin
Bianca stared at the dangerous man, memories of their harmonious past flashing through her mind. Those moments had once seemed so genuine, yet now felt laughably absurd."Haha, how ridiculous!" Bianca scoffed, her laughter bitter."Bianca!" Zane's voice was sharp, cutting through her mirth."Zane, what if I reveal your true intentions to everyone? What will they think then?""Who would believe you?" Zane interrupted coldly, not letting her finish.Bianca's smile froze on her lips. He was right.Who would believe her? Curtis might, and so would Natalie. But was their trust enough?Clearly, it wasn't.But did it matter?"It's not your concern who believes me. I have never needed anyone's belief to stand strong," said Bianca.Many had doubted her before, but none had ever managed to break her spirit. The dangers she faced now might be greater, but for Bianca, they were just another set of challenges.She had overcome every hardship she encountered. This time would be no differe