Alice was fast asleep. I didn't want to affect her rest with any loud movements, so I quietly adjusted her body to lay flat on the couch.I then took my thermos and left the cubicle with Julian. My voice remained soft as I asked, "Where did it come from?""I cooked it at home this morning." Julian's expression remained unchanging as he stood beside me. He sounded a little guilty as he continued, "You wouldn't have had so much to drink last night if it wasn't for the sake of accompanying me. So, you wouldn't have a headache today either.""Yeah…" I opened the thermos and took a sip. The soup was still hot.After much hesitation, I decided to speak. "If you'd like to chat and relax with me next time, let's not drink alcohol. Non-alcoholic drinks are good enough.""Alright," agreed Julian.I sat down and gently blew on my scalding hot soup. Julian, on the other hand, stood behind me. He helped massage my temples. His actions were gentle.Although my head ached, his actions help
Mark noticed my disbelief. He smiled and said, "This isn't considered a lot. Once they are done creating a full promotional strategy for you, and the company starts pouring resources into it, your followers could increase by tens of thousands in a single day."Mark was clearly accustomed to these scenarios. He added, "In less than a month, you could probably become a top influencer with over a million followers. When that happens, there will be people who envy you; they will put your life under a magnifying glass."If you don't want them finding faults with you, then it's best to start being mindful of your actions and words."He then patted my shoulder and said with a tone full of sympathy, "So, enjoy having a smaller follower count while you can. This might be one of your few remaining moments of freedom."With that, he walked out of the office.I sat quietly, reflecting on what Mark had said.So, being liked by a lot of people isn't all good after all.…Once Julian had fi
While everyone was passionately discussing the news, a message appeared. "I'd like to know, too."The moment Mark saw those words, he had a bad premonition. He looked at the sender's name. It was Julian.He then looked at the name of the group chat. It was "Hughes Group."He was over. He was completely over.Didn't he send it to their gossip group chat? How did it end up in the company's group chat?He clutched his phone with trembling hands. Would this cost him his job?"Is it that obvious?" asked Julian.Mark heard Julian's voice behind him and turned around as his heart pounded.Julian's expression was as calm as usual. "Hmm?"Mark nodded as he replied, "Yeah."He then took a deep breath and continued, "Those who have worked here long enough can see it."Julian seemed thoughtful as he replied, "I thought I hid it well."Mark lowered his head."Everyone in the group is still waiting for your answer," said Julian as he gripped the handle of the office door. His cold ton
Shayne couldn't help but think that if he and Aralyn hadn't divorced, she would've been elated to receive this ring from him.Unfortunately, he couldn't go back in time.He looked down and felt increasingly lost.Didn't he like Luna? So, why had he been thinking about Aralyn so much lately?…When it was time for dinner, the private elevator reserved for executives happened to be out of service. Julian and I had no choice but to take the public elevator. Unfortunately, it was the end of the work day. As the elevator descended, the number of people in the elevator increased.I stood in the corner, but people would bump into me occasionally due to how cramped it was inside.Julian was worried that I would feel uncomfortable, so he got closer to me. He then placed his arm in front of me, creating a safe zone.I no longer had to be hit by stray arms, so I finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you.""You're welcome."…Julian had practically encased Aralyn within his arms. He
"That's good then," Shayne said to Luna. He liked how they were maintaining a distance between each other right now."I still have some work to deal with. Why don't you head home?"Luna placed the gift box into her bag, her face full of unconcealed joy. "Alright."Shayne watched Luna's retreating figure. His brows knitted tighter and tighter.Wasn't it commonly said that people spent money on those they liked? He had spent so much money on Luna, so he should like Luna. However, he was averse to having any intimate interactions with her.Shayne rubbed the diamond ring in his hand. He couldn't understand the reason.…I returned to the office after lunch. Alice was already awake. While I was eating, I thought about how to draw what happened today in a way that maintains the storyline while making it seem more interesting.As such, I planned to continue drawing once I sat back down on the couch."Don't work yet," Alice said, hugging my arm and leaning her entire body against mi
Julian didn't answer me directly. He merely asked, "She doesn't seem to treat you well either. Are you really willing to be friends with her?""She hasn't really been malicious toward me," I replied. After careful consideration, I continued, "Mainly, I suddenly realized that I don't seem to have any friends in this city. Alice is the first friend I've made."Julian raised a brow."You probably don't know this, but I came to this unfamiliar city for Shayne. Then I married him. Before I even had a chance to work or make any friends, I had a child. After that, I became like any other housewife, pouring all my energy into taking care of the baby and managing the household. I didn't have any free time," I calmly explained.With all of my time consumed, I naturally didn't have the mood to think of anything else. I looked at Julian and concluded, "So, I'm very happy that Alice is willing to be my friend."…As Julian listened to her, he suddenly thought Aralyn was like a modern-day R
Willow's expression was incredibly serious. She looked like a little adult.Julian pinched her cheeks, holding back his laughter. "But you're not a two or three-year-old kid anymore."Willow was still young after all, so she couldn't think of a retort even after she thought about it for a long time. She thus looked at me for help.I lifted her onto my lap and said, "But she's still going to kindergarten!"Willow nodded firmly as she agreed, "Mommy is right!"…When Shayne arrived to pick Zach up, he noticed Luna was there as well.He looked at her from afar. Half of her hair was tied back. She stood quietly, exuding an air of tranquility.In an instant, Shayne felt as if he had been transported back to a time before his divorce from Aralyn. Back then, he would drop Zach off when he went to work and pick him up once he was done working. Luna did the same as well. Inevitably, he'd have some interactions with Luna. Over time, the resentment from the past faded, and they grew clo
Although Shayne had never shared any intimate contact with Luna, she could sense that Shayne's feelings for her were gradually rekindling.Back then, she had confidently believed that as long as Shayne became single again, their relationship would experience rapid growth due to the lack of moral and social constraints.They would quickly fall deeply in love and be inseparable. Shayne would also only have eyes for her.However, after using every means at her disposal to facilitate the breakdown of Shayne and Aralyn's marriage, she realized that reality was completely different from what she had imagined.Luna furrowed her brows. Every time she wanted to take their relationship to the next step, Shayne would reject it. Only when she reverted back to just being a friend or even someone more distant did Shayne feel comfortable.She gently massaged her temples.She even started wondering if everything would've been better if she had been more patient back then and waited for Shayne
Hearing this, Julian also looked at me. Designing new styles was actually relatively easy, and the company would give each designer a commission based on sales.It was a way to make big money without much effort.But Mark was worried that I wouldn't be willing to share the money I was about to earn with other people.Without hesitation, I said, "Then just hire them."Mark was stunned. "But you'll have to share the money with others.""I'll share, then. It's a good thing that we can make money together," I uttered, not minding it at all.Mark stared at me.Confused, I asked, "What? Is there a problem?"No," Mark answered, shaking his head."Even if I don't design anything, I'll still get a share of the earnings. After all, this counts as merchandise based on my work, right?"I looked at Mark for confirmation.He nodded. "That's right."I smiled. "In that case, I don't need to do all the work myself."Only then did Mark reply, "Alright, I'll go find people right away.""Oka
Since there were already existing character models, the only things I needed to draw were different outfits and expressions, which made it easy for me.In less than two hours, I finished everything, and I even created a hidden edition. Just thinking about Willow's face put me in a noticeably better mood.Just then, Mark pushed the office door open. He walked up to Julian and said, "Mr. Hughes, this is the marketing plan I prepared for the collectibles."Julian opened it and read through it carefully."If we want the public to embrace these figurines, the best way is to have domestic celebrities or influencers wear them as accessories. People have a herd mentality. When they see influencers loving these small figurines, they'll want to buy them too."As for other countries, in places where nobility still exists, we can have members of the royal family and aristocracy wear them. In the past, buying something worn by nobles might have cost thousands or even tens of thousands."But n
Aralyn went to work at Julian's house.At the time, Donald's company had some issues, and he figured Aralyn was only an ordinary worker and that Julian didn't care about her.Hence, he focused on handling the company's matters, thinking that once everything was settled, he could come after Aralyn later. He thought it wouldn't be too late.He poured all his energy into work, and within just a few months, he finally resolved all the company's crises.After finally freeing up some time, he rushed to the city where Aralyn was, ready to unleash all the hatred he had built up over the years.But then he discovered Aralyn was in a relationship with Julian.Donald couldn't understand where Aralyn got such a strong charm.In terms of physical appearance, Aralyn wasn't that gorgeous compared to glamorous celebrities.In terms of intelligence, she definitely wasn't the smartest woman in the world.Yet, somehow, she kept attracting high-quality men.Donald took a deep breath, trying to s
Donald took the evidence handed over by the errand runner, sneering with contempt.A few years ago, he had let his guard down and was tricked by Aralyn, which led to him suffering a major loss.But he had learned his lesson now, so the same trick was useless against him.Donald tossed the evidence onto the car seat beside him.It seemed that after all these years, Aralyn still hadn't improved.He had only used a simple diversion, and Aralyn had fallen for it. He couldn't believe that he had actually been worried that Aralyn had gotten more formidable; that she would be difficult to deal with.Donald gripped the steering wheel with both hands.Back then, Aralyn had teamed up with Maisy to send him to prison. Now that he was out, and his life was getting better, Aralyn and Maisy still expected to live peacefully.That was nothing but a fool's dream.Donald parked his car in the hotel garage and then dialed a friend. "Are you guys free to help me? If you're not, it doesn't matter
Hearing Shayne's response, Donald asked, "What do you want to drink? It's on me."Shayne quickly waved his hand. "No need. I have to go back to work, so I'll be leaving first."Donald watched Shayne's departing figure, the corners of his lips curling upward.He just knew that his plan was bound to succeed.…In his office, Shayne thought about his conversation with Donald seriously.Donald said he would make Aralyn get back together with him.But after analyzing the situation, Shayne concluded that Donald's chances of success were slim.Donald had already been to prison, and most importantly, Julian was by Aralyn's side.The fact that Julian had built his small company step by step into an empire that others envied was enough proof that Julian was intelligent.Shayne tapped his fingers on the desk.With Julian around, Donald's chances of success were nearly zero.Under these circumstances, if he got himself involved, he wouldn't be able to explain himself when everything wa
Donald didn't understand. Didn't everyone say that Shayne was stupid? No matter how people lied to Shayne, he would believe them.But even after speaking to Shayne for so long, Shayne was still asking for evidence.This was completely different from the rumors.Shayne hid the disdain in his eyes. If he hadn't accidentally found out about what happened to Aralyn when she was a child, he might have actually believed Donald."Records don't disappear no matter how many years have passed. If you don't know how to find them, you can hand me your phone, and I'll check it for you," Shayne said calmly.Seeing Shayne already reaching out his hand, Donald knew that if he didn't come up with an excuse, he really wouldn't be able to explain himself. "Do records really matter?"Shayne replied matter-of-factly, "Of course, they do. I respect you as an elder, but even elders need to back up their words with evidence. You can't just think you can fool me blindly. Do you really think that's possib
After I agreed, they immediately called in some employees who had been resting at home and started production at the factory.Once the products were manufactured, the factory shipped them out.There was almost no need for my involvement in the later stages.I glanced at the sales and profits, a smile naturally appearing on my face. If I was right, this batch should bring me a significant profit.To be precise, as long as piracy was still there, this market would remain mine.After finishing everything, I continued drawing.…Shayne arrived at the restaurant and looked at the unfamiliar man in front of him.Donald was a self-made wealthy man.He had enough boldness and carried the calm confidence unique to successful people.He looked completely different from ordinary people."Are you the one who wanted to see me?" Shayne asked in confusion.Donald nodded. "Yes. Have a seat."Shayne didn't understand why Donald had asked to meet him. But since Donald was Aralyn's biologica
Julian and I returned to the office together. I sat on the couch, recalling everything that had happened between my mother and that scumbag.The more I thought about it, the calmer I felt.Back then, that bastard of a father had bullied my mom and me without restraint. But I was young at the time, so I couldn't keep him in prison for too long.But I had grown up. If he dared to mess with me again, I would not show him any mercy.Resolution gradually filled my eyes.I took out a stack of documents from the drawer. Inside were all the shady things he had done over the years since getting out of prison.Taking a deep breath, I contacted a courier. When they arrived, I handed them the documents and had them deliver them to a specific location.After confirming the courier had left, I went upstairs and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. I then took out a small pair of binoculars and looked down.The courier didn't leave immediately. Instead, they circled around to a side
"If I remember correctly, you should be in your 50s, almost 60, right? You might have three children. One is me, one is the mistress' daughter, and the other is the child your current wife is carrying. Maybe supporting your children isn't a problem for you right now."But what about ten years from now? Or 20 years from now? By then, your child will only be about 20 years old, while you'll be in your 70s, close to 80."At that time, when he needs your help the most, will you still be able to provide him with anything?Or do you think the mistress's daughter will help him?"Donald fell into silence.The mistress and her daughter didn't even acknowledge him, let alone his child.Donald wasn't that optimistic.I didn't force him to think along my lines. "Among your children, I'm the most accomplished and capable one as of now, so I believe you meeting me is crucial."Donald remained silent for a long time. This time, he had already thought his plan through. He even guessed that I wo