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Chapter 22
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A Gentle Kiss Chapter 23
Seeing the message from Shelby, Sterling suddenly stood up and grabbed his coat, heading out the door."What's going on now? Aren't you going to eat?" Steven asked.Steven had ditched a beautiful woman to have dinner with Sterling, only to be left hanging after just a few bites.…At that moment, Nanette could not contain her joy and called Harvey, but no one answered.After hanging up, she smiled and apologized to Riley. "Dr. Fowler, I'm really sorry. An old classmate of mine just returned from abroad and is staying at the hotel upstairs. I'm going to check on him. Let's plan for another day, and I'll treat you to a meal."Seeing her cheerful smile, Riley understood that this friend meant a lot to her. "It's fine. I should head back too. Since I'm on duty tonight, it wouldn't be good to return late."Riley's warm smile stood in stark contrast to Sterling's cold demeanor. After saying their goodbyes, Nanette hurried to the elevator at the hotel.Her lips and eyes beamed with jo
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 24
Nanette's eyes sparkled with joy, her smile radiant like the gentle sun warming a winter day. It was reminiscent of the light that had brightened Harvey's heart years ago.Harvey's lips quivered slightly. "Netty, it's been so long!"He hugged her tightly, and the faint, refreshing scent from Nanette made him feel warm and grounded.As they reveled in the joy of their reunion, the door was suddenly kicked open, startling them both as they turned to see what happened.Sterling strolled in casually, and the intense redness in his eyes betrayed his cold demeanor as he looked at the two who quickly separated."Sterling, what are you doing here?" Nanette recognized the anger simmering beneath his facade.She glanced from Sterling to Harvey.Harvey, who was dressed in pajamas, did not seem out of place until now. Nanette suddenly realized that the situation was inappropriate.Before she could explain, Sterling's icy voice pierced through the air. "Nanette, are you so short on cash tha
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 25
Nanette trembled all over as she repeatedly pounded her fists against Sterling's chest."How dare you treat me like this? What did I do wrong? I grew up with Harvey. He just came back from abroad, and we only met for a moment. Sterling, we're getting a divorce! I'm not your accessory, and you have no right to treat me this way."No matter how loudly Nanette shouted or how hard she struck, Sterling remained silent. He lifted her and placed her in the car. After buckling her seatbelt, he pressed the accelerator to the floor.The black Bentley emitted a low growl that matched its owner's mood as it sped through the cold winter night.Upon returning to Haven Garden, Sterling opened the car door and yanked Nanette out. It was only then that he noticed something was off with her.Nanette rarely got this angry. When she was particularly upset, her body would go stiff and numb, and she would tremble uncontrollably.The chill had pierced her to the bone, leaving her feeling cold from head
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 26
Without giving Nanette a chance to refuse, Sterling directly pulled her out of the bathtub and began removing her clothes.Nanette resisted, pounding against him. However, the stubborn man continued to grip her wet clothing. In a fit of anger, she grabbed his waist and dug her nails deep into his flesh.Sterling winced in pain. "Ouch, that hurts! It's not like I haven't seen you naked!"His voice remained cold, and his hands were not gentle as he swiftly stripped away her wet clothes before quickly wrapping her in a bathrobe.When Sterling noticed a bit of color returning to her face, his tone softened slightly. "Nanette, don't forget your identity.""Excuse me, Mr. Hanson. What is my identity?" Nanette met his icy gaze, showing no signs of retreat."The woman who can be summoned at your beck and call, or a bed partner paid to fulfill your physical needs? Mr. Hanson, it's clear you've lost sight of your own identity. We're in the process of getting a divorce.""Drink your milk a
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 27
The next morning, Nanette got up with her bag and was ready to leave, but Miriam stopped her."Mrs. Hanson, breakfast has been prepared for you. Mr. Hanson asked me to make sure you eat before you leave.""Thank you, but I'll pass."Nanette tried to walk past her, but Miriam turned and blocked her way again.Pouting, she said, "Mr. Hanson insisted that you eat before leaving."Nanette originally did not want to argue with Miriam. She got her salary from the Hansons and had to deal with Sterling's moods. However, Nanette's patience did not result in a peaceful coexistence.Instead, it only made Miriam more confident that she could bully Nanette. With their impending divorce, Nanette felt no need to accommodate Miriam any longer.She stared at her with a cold smirk. "Miriam, please serve breakfast, including the gourmet honey."Nanette knew if she did not eat, Miriam would benefit from it.Previously, Miriam would play mind games, pretending to forget the honey as she knew Nanet
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 28
Nanette simply focused on her meal. After quickly finishing, she pushed her plate to the center of the table and asked, "Mr. Hanson, are you satisfied?"Sterling shot her a glance, eyeing the plate she pushed over. He offered a serious critique, "There's still some honey left, and you're not allowed to leave the sandwich behind. You're as thin as a monkey."Does the Hanson family lack money for your meals? Or do you plan to wait until Grandma's birthday to complain about how I've been treating you?"Ivanka's mother, Iris Fletcher, was the Zegarra family's matriarch. She disapproved of how Ivanka and Sterling treated her and always stood up for Nanette whenever they met.Even if they had not seen each other for some time, Iris would call and invite Nanette over for a meal. Hearing Sterling's sharp words, Nanette shot him a disdainful look before finishing the honey.Then, she picked up the remaining sandwich in front of her and stuffed it into her mouth. Just as she was about to
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 29
It was not that Sterling was giving Nanette any special treatment. She just knew that his inherent gentlemanly nature prevented him from being physically aggressive with women. At most, he would use his words to wound, saying a few heart-stabbing remarks.Nanette and Harvey walked side by side to a restaurant. Nanette noticed the bruise on Harvey's nose and felt a twinge of guilt."Harvey, I'm sorry about last night. You got dragged into it. But why did you suddenly come back? Isn't there still a month until your break?"Harvey gazed gently at the woman he had not seen in three years, feeling a mix of emotions. Time truly was a merciless and heartless beast; it had silently changed the lives of many people in just a short span.The woman he cherished in his heart had married someone else within just two months of his departure!What infuriated him even more was that he regarded her as a treasure while Sterling treated her as if she were worthless!"Harvey?" Nanette called his nam
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 30
"I studied finance. Making money through investments is my foundation. If I can't even earn a little money to improve my life, why would Lynch Group hire me? Only a silly little fool like you would worry too much and send me money every now and then."As Harvey spoke, he reached to pinch her nose like when they were kids, but Nanette cleverly dodged him.After what happened last night, Nanette realized they were no longer children. Many of the gestures from their childhood were inappropriate for them now."Don't pinch my nose. Thankfully, it's not fake. Otherwise, you would've distorted it when we were kids."Harvey chuckled. "Your nose was a bit flat when you were younger. You should be glad I loved pinching it. That's why your nose looks good now."His implication was clear; Nanette's current upturned nose was a result of his playful pinches.Thinking back to their childhood, a twinge of sadness crossed Nanette's heart. Although they only had a few good meals each year at the o
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A Gentle Kiss Chapter 40
"Mom, I asked the store associate myself yesterday. It couldn't have been wrong. It's likely Sterling thought her gift was too low-class, so he swapped it for this bracelet," Isla whispered defensively."You couldn't even handle this small matter properly, yet you dream of becoming Sterling's wife?" Willa's reproach left Isla feeling deeply aggrieved. The possibility of Sterling changing the gift last minute was real. Why was it her fault?At times, Isla felt her obsession with Sterling was far outmatched by Willa's fixation on him as a son-in-law.Nanette caught the hushed exchange between mother and daughter out of the corners of her eyes. Her lips curved into a faint smile as satisfaction warmed her heart. There was nothing more gratifying than instant karma.People often thought staying silent meant she was soft, someone who could be pushed and trampled.As the banquet commenced, Iris' gaze rarely left the bracelet.Sterling leaned in, whispering in Nanette's ear, "Nanette,
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 39
Iris was not naive. She loved the gift but could not accept it as doing so would feel like betraying her thoughtful and beautiful granddaughter-in-law. Besides, the item was obviously expensive, far from the "little trinket" Isla claimed it to be."Ms. Lynch, if Father Wickham blessed this for you, it means you're destined to have it. Keep it safe," Iris said with a knowing smile.Nanette chuckled silently. Iris was not just some old woman; she was sharp and not easily swayed. Turning toward Sterling, she put on a sweet smile and said, "Honey, hand over the birthday gift I prepared for your grandmother. I'm sure she'll love it."Iris' eyes lit up with anticipation. "If Netty picked it, then it must be perfect for me."Sterling froze for a moment. Was the gift she prepared not in her bag? He had tried to hand her the gift he had prepared before they got out of the car, but she had refused to take it. What was she playing at now? Still, he could not refuse her request. At least it
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 38
Faye, though dissatisfied with Iris' attitude, kept her resentment bottled up. She knew her family background was not a match for the Zegarra family, so she dared not openly express her anger.Catching the shift in the atmosphere, Nanette smiled faintly and added fuel to the fire, "Faye is right. Troy's destined for big things, unlike Sterling, who spends his days caught up in endless tabloid scandals."Her voice dropped, tinged with mock helplessness as her eyes flicked toward Sterling, feigning hesitation.If Iris already knew the truth, Nanette saw no reason to hold back. She was more than ready to play her role in this facade of marital bliss.Iris was naturally aware of Sterling's reputation. Now, with Nanette's remark, her displeasure deepened. She picked up her cane and knocked it against the floor for emphasis."You brat! Apologize to Netty this instant, or I won't let you off today."Ivanka was visibly irritated and chimed in, "Mom, everyone's watching. Why make a scene?
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 37
Nanette excelled in her professional life. Her expertise and skills stood out, so she had no reason to bow down to anyone, especially not Faye, who, aside from her seniority, was otherwise incompetent.The three people seated in the hall—Ivanka, Faye, and Anthony—felt their faces flush with embarrassment when Nanette ignored them entirely. Being disregarded in front of so many relatives only soured their mood further, intensifying their dislike for her.Sterling furrowed his brows as he looked at Nanette, expecting her to follow etiquette. However, she remained calm and composed, her lips curving into a polite smile as her gaze settled on Iris, who was walking in from the backyard."Iris!" Nanette's voice was sweet and warm as she stepped forward to support Iris, her expression radiating affection.This silent display of favoritism was a slap in the face to the three people in the hall, whose expressions immediately darkened.Although Iris had been in relatively good health in the
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 36
When Nanette leaned close to whisper in Sterling's ear and Sterling slightly inclined toward her, the gesture was unusually attentive. It was completely opposite from their usual fiery clashes.When the four of them came face-to-face, Shelby wore a look of disdain. "What bad luck, running into this wretched woman right after stepping out."Isla's voice was soft and soothing as she tried to calm Shelby. "Shelby, don't say that. Today is your grandmother's birthday. We should all be in good spirits."Sterling's tone turned sharp as he issued a warning, "Watch your behavior when you're here. If you upset Grandma, you'll be the first to be thrown out.""Ster, I'm your cousin. Aunt Ivanka brought me along to keep her company. How can you speak to me like this?" Shelby retorted.Nanette, wearing a poised and composed smile, interjected with a polite yet pointed remark, "Mind your words, Shelby. With that sharp tongue of yours, it wouldn't take much to upset Grandma. Imagine the embarras
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 35
"What are you zoning out for?" Sterling's impatient tone snapped Nanette back to reality.The car drove on in silence. Sterling sat upright, absently fiddling with the wedding ring on his left hand.As the vehicle turned onto a rural road, it hit a bump that caused Nanette to lose her balance and lean to the side. Instinctively, she reached out to steady herself, her hands fumbling along the seat.Watching her awkward struggle, Sterling sighed and extended his arm to steady her by the shoulder, pulling her into his embrace.The familiar scent of tobacco mixed with a cool, clean fragrance surrounded her. It was a scent she knew well."Still so clumsy," Sterling muttered disdainfully, reminding Nanette of the first time they had shared a car.Back then, being small and frail, she often tipped sideways during sudden jolts or turns. Sterling had similarly reached out to steady her, pulling her close. That was the first time they had been in such close proximity.Nanette tilted her h
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 34
Nanette had waited in silence on countless lonely and helpless nights just wishing and hoping.The cold wind seeped through her collar, and Nanette shivered. Even though her memories here were not all good, this place was still the only one that gave her a sense of belonging. She could not bear to lose it.At that moment, Sterling was not in the study. He was standing on the balcony in the living room, smoking. When he saw Nanette standing blankly in the front yard, hesitating to come inside, he slid the balcony door open."Feeling confused? Do you think standing in the cold like that will help clear your head?"His icy voice flowed through the night, sharp and cutting.Nanette looked up. At that moment, Sterling was leaning lazily against the window frame with a cigarette in hand, which he brought to his lips.Seeing her still unmoving, he stepped outside, his strides confident yet casual."Seeing me again bothers you that much? You seemed happy enough earlier while you were wi
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 33
From the orphanage to university, Harvey had always been like an older brother to Nanette. He would save the best food for her and face any challenges head-on to protect her.Nanette was eight when she was adopted by the Woods. At the time, Harvey was already ten, an age where adoption was unlikely, so he remained at the orphanage and grew up there.Due to the orphanage's limited resources, Harvey could not continue his education beyond middle school as the institution struggled to support over a dozen younger children. To avoid putting the orphanage director in a difficult position, he voluntarily gave up his studies.For two years, he stayed at the orphanage, helping the director care for the younger children. He also worked part-time at restaurants, washing dishes and preparing vegetables. Any money he managed to save, he secretly slipped to Nanette.When Harvey was 17, a kind benefactor reached out to the orphanage and offered to sponsor his education. This generous person even
A Gentle Kiss Chapter 32
"Childhood sweethearts are even more dangerous. If we hadn't shown up last night, who knows what might have happened?" Shelby blurted, hitting a sore spot.Isla tugged at her sleeve, desperately signaling her to stop talking."Oh, Isla, why are you so scared to tell the truth? My cousin doesn't even like her. In my eyes, you're already my sister-in-law," Shelby continued, completely oblivious to the storm brewing on Sterling's face."Shelby, don't say that! Your cousin has always seen me as a younger sister," Isla replied, trying to deflect."If you ask me, you and my cousin were childhood sweethearts too. If you hadn't left Saint Wis for a few years, maybe your bond with him would've been stronger, and Nanette wouldn't have had a chance to appear in the picture." Shelby's casual remarks seemed to ignore the tension entirely.Sterling shot her a glare and said in a voice that was laced with cold sarcasm, "Shelby, have you forgotten your place? Why are you spewing so much nonsense
