A Gentle Kiss

When Nanette Wood arrived at the Jewel Club, everyone there had already enjoyed several rounds of drinks. The spacious private room was buzzing with laughter and chatter.Sterling Hanson, who was seated at the main table, wore a calm expression. Due to the alcohol, a faint flush adorned his cheeks. He had loosened a couple of buttons on his exquisite shirt, leaving the collar slightly open in a relaxed manner.His usually icy gaze softened as he glanced down at the woman beside him.After a moment, his eyes seemed to carry a hint of amusement as they swept over Nanette. They radiated an endless chill."Sterling, could you peel the shrimp for me?"With a slightly indulgent look, Sterling accepted the shrimp that Isla Lynch handed him with his long, slender fingers.Nanette's gaze involuntarily drifted to him. She had never seen him peel shrimp so delicately before. Although she was Sterling's wife of three years, she only saw him a few times each year.Taking a deep breath, Nanet

Although what happened last night was normal for them, Nanette still had her dignity. She could not expose her wounds in front of a mistress!Enduring the pain, she straightened her back and walked with composure."I'm sorry for the interruption, Nanette. I've been experiencing severe abdominal pain, so I booked an appointment with you early this morning. I didn't expect you to be on leave at the last minute. I must've caused you trouble."Isla's sweet, soft voice carried an undertone of restraint. Her brows were furrowed together, and her small face appeared pitiful."I'm a gynecologist, so abdominal pain should..."Before Nanette could finish, Harley scoffed. "What a delicate little lady. To think Mr. Hanson would personally bring her here for period cramps."Isla's face flushed instantly the moment she heard Harley's words. As she looked down, she could not resist glancing at Sterling. Her embarrassment was evident."Nanette, please don't misunderstand. I went to bring breakf

Ever since Sterling began to hate Nanette, he would wire money to her every time they ended up in bed. He was quite generous, and it was certainly quite a sum for her family.Nanette's family struggled financially. Her father fell into a vegetative state three years earlier due to a car accident, and her brother had cerebral palsy. Hence, both of them required her mother's care.Naturally, the weight of her family's burdens fell onto her shoulders, and at that time, she was still taking her master's in medicine.Nanette clearly remembered the night after her father's accident when the hospital pressed her for payment again. The exorbitant medical fees made it hard for her to breathe, but she could not give up on her father.After all, he had given Nanette profound and sincere paternal love when she was growing up.That night, while she was squatting at the hospital entrance and crying in despair, Sterling appeared. She could never forget the sight of him standing before her.The

Upon hearing Harley's words, Nanette followed her gaze and saw Sterling, whom she had seen on the television this afternoon, standing next to a beaming Isla. The pendant around Isla's neck sparkled, reflecting the fireworks and streetlights.Isla came from a well-off family. Her stepfather ran a publicly listed company, and her mother, Willa Costa, was a former movie star.Willa and Ivanka were good friends. In a sense, Isla and Sterling were childhood friends, though they had gone many years without seeing each other. Isla had a bit of fame in the entertainment industry and often posted vague posts on social media without showing her face. Nanette had long since grown accustomed to her subtle bragging.At that moment, Sterling casually glanced over with a smile on his face, showing no signs of unease or guilt.A sudden chill swept through Nanette, causing her to tremble slightly as she quickly picked up her phone to check Isla's Instagram. When she saw the photos and captions in Isla

After a moment of hesitation, Nanette answered the phone. "Yes, Mrs. Hanson?""Meet me at the Starry Café," Ivanka's commanding voice sounded. She left no chance for Nanette to ask questions.As she looked at the call that had already ended, Nanette smiled wryly. Sterling must have signed the papers, and she was being asked to pick them up.After all, she had embarrassed him last night. How could he endure being slapped by a woman?If he did not have a rule against hitting women, she doubted he would have let her off so easily.Half an hour later, Nanette arrived at the café and immediately spotted Ivanka and Isla chatting and laughing together. Nanette had never seen such a warm side of Ivanka. It was obvious who she liked and who she disliked.Even when she and Sterling first married, Ivanka had already disapproved of her. She had never shown warmth toward Nanette.Had she not witnessed Ivanka's attitude toward Isla, Nanette would have thought she was always a person with shal