"About four to five hundred thousand, I think?" Julian answered without hesitation.I frowned. "That's expensive. Don't you think it's wasteful to wear it just once?"Julian lifted his head to look into my eyes. "My girlfriend wore this dress on our first day together while attending a banquet with me. It's worth keeping this dress for the sentimental value."I stared at him for a long time before replying, "You've got a sense of humor."Julian stood up and walked to me. "I know when you were with Shayne, you were probably afraid to spend too much because he was starting his business and under financial pressure. You worried it might affect his company's operations, so you were always frugal.""But my company is much larger now, Lyn. Even if you spend more, I can afford to take care of you. You don't have to save money for me."As he spoke, he held my hand."But we're not actually a couple."Julian maintained his composure. "If we want others to believe we're dating, then our i
Willow nodded firmly. "Okay."…Zach stood off to the side, watching Aralyn's departing figure from a distance longingly.But this time, he held back the impulse to follow her.There were more important matters for Shayne to attend to. Zach got into the car and instructed Noah, "Take me to my dad's villa."Noah was a bit puzzled. "You're not going to follow your mom today?"Could it be that he was tired of her? If that were the case, then good for Zach."Because if Dad wants to control me, he definitely won't let me take my belongings with me. So, we have to act on it before he does. We'll move everything out. That way, by the time he tries to stop us, it'll already be too late."Zach reluctantly looked away. "Once we're done today, I can be with Mom again tomorrow.""But after breaking ties with your dad, what will you do if you run out of money?" Noah asked."My mom bought me some commercial properties. The annual rent is more than enough to support me and you guys, so you
I looked at her in surprise.Kids these days typically didn't like studying. But Willow was willing to learn."I want to study ahead of time so that when I start elementary school, I won't have to worry about falling behind," she stated calmly."Alright." Since she loved learning, I, of course, fully supported her. "I'll go to the bookstore tomorrow and see if they have the textbooks you need."Willow agreed cheerfully.Julian, who had been listening on the side, was also surprised. Something seemed to occur to him as he stood up and said to Willow, "Come with me."Though confused, Willow still followed him.Julian stopped on the third floor and opened a door.Willow's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at the room filled with toys piled all over the floor."I bought these for you a few days ago but forgot to tell you," Julian said, unusually gentle.Crouching down, he added, "Take the time to enjoy them now.""All of these are for me?" Willow was still in shock. "Y
He knew lying wasn't right, but if he told Shayne the truth, he wouldn't be able to move everything out.If that happened, the shops and savings Aralyn left him would all slip through his fingers."I need to stay on an IV drip today," he added calmly.Shayne quickly asked, "Do you need me to come take care of you?"Zach refused, "No need. Noah and Mr. Sanderson are looking after me. You don't have to worry."After chatting briefly with Shayne, Zach found an excuse to end the call.Noah and Lewis helped load everything into the car.Zach's desk was placed in his bedroom. Once they finished packing up everything, Zach went into his bedroom and closed the door.He opened a hidden compartment, revealing a stash of gold bars.Beneath the gold bars were property deeds, including two or three residential properties and more than ten commercial properties.The rental income from these properties was deposited into a bank account every year.There was also a bank card with a signific
In my view, such an interaction was already intimate enough. "It should be convincing enough, right?"Julian didn't refute me but said thoughtfully, "Lyn, the cost of lying is that he'll keep pestering you."Suddenly, he felt Shayne's presence wasn't all too bad. After all, it gave him an excuse to take things further.I bit my lip.To be honest, I really didn't want to have any more contact with Shayne.I could only rely on Julian. "Then what should we do to make him believe us completely?"As soon as the words left my mouth, Julian pulled me toward him with force.I lost control of my balance and ended up sitting on his lap. Instinctively, I tried to get up, but Julian held me firmly in place."Lyn, I'm just demonstrating for you," he uttered in a captivating tone."Alright." My face heated uncontrollably as I tried to get up. "I get it now."However, Julian wouldn't let me go. "Why is your face so red? Didn't you do this with Shayne?"I shook my head. "You already know Sh
Julian supported Aralyn's slender waist, forcing her to continue kissing him.Aralyn's arms hung limply around Julian's neck.Even from a distance, Shayne could see how irresistibly alluring Aralyn looked at that moment.He had always believed that Julian and Aralyn's claim of being in a relationship was just a ploy to make him back off. But as he watched them talk and Aralyn sat on Julian's lap, which eventually led to them kissing passionately, a voice in his mind kept telling him that this was real. It wasn't an act at all.Shayne's eyes turned bloodshot, and his heart ached unbearably.He really had lost Aralyn. She would never forgive him again. She had a new life and a new lover.Shayne pulled out his phone and called a friend. "Have you found out what I asked you to investigate?"The other party sounded exasperated. "It hasn't even been a day, man! How could I have results so fast? Give me a little more time."Shayne could sense the frustration in the response but stil
"Mom, can you please divorce Dad?"It was 9:00 pm. I was trying to put Zach to sleep. Just when I thought he was about to drift off, he suddenly asked that question.That short question left me stunned for a long minute. My hand patting on his back also froze.I felt a painful twinge in my chest.Over the years, my relationship with my child's father had been pretty good. Logically, a child nurtured by love should feel happy living in such an environment.And yet…Why did he have such thoughts?Puzzled, I asked, "Why do you say that?" I softened my voice in case I unintentionally scared him."You never let me eat fried chicken or ice cream..."As he was almost asleep, his voice was unclear and tinged with the innocence typical of his age.I didn't know whether to feel amused or disappointed.To think that he wanted me to divorce his dad because of something so trivial...Children sure were naive.As I listened to his breathing gradually grow steady, I knew he had fallen as
With the tablet in my hands, I left Zach's bedroom and headed straight for Shayne's study.But I couldn't understand...Out of everyone, why Luna?The first time I heard about Luna was at my wedding.Shayne treated me well back then. When I was feeling down, he would tell me it was okay, and that nobody was perfect. He would patiently stay with me until I felt better. When I got sick, he would drop everything to take care of me.Because of that, I resolutely decided to marry for love, even if that meant moving far away from home.Just as I was in a pure white wedding dress, holding a bouquet that signified purity and looking forward to our life together, I overheard his friends discussing his first love."I always thought Shayne and Luna would end up together. They were so passionately in love back then.""Exactly. They looked like a match made in heaven.""What a pity."The regret in their voices was genuine.At that moment, I began to doubt whether Shayne truly loved me.
Julian supported Aralyn's slender waist, forcing her to continue kissing him.Aralyn's arms hung limply around Julian's neck.Even from a distance, Shayne could see how irresistibly alluring Aralyn looked at that moment.He had always believed that Julian and Aralyn's claim of being in a relationship was just a ploy to make him back off. But as he watched them talk and Aralyn sat on Julian's lap, which eventually led to them kissing passionately, a voice in his mind kept telling him that this was real. It wasn't an act at all.Shayne's eyes turned bloodshot, and his heart ached unbearably.He really had lost Aralyn. She would never forgive him again. She had a new life and a new lover.Shayne pulled out his phone and called a friend. "Have you found out what I asked you to investigate?"The other party sounded exasperated. "It hasn't even been a day, man! How could I have results so fast? Give me a little more time."Shayne could sense the frustration in the response but stil
In my view, such an interaction was already intimate enough. "It should be convincing enough, right?"Julian didn't refute me but said thoughtfully, "Lyn, the cost of lying is that he'll keep pestering you."Suddenly, he felt Shayne's presence wasn't all too bad. After all, it gave him an excuse to take things further.I bit my lip.To be honest, I really didn't want to have any more contact with Shayne.I could only rely on Julian. "Then what should we do to make him believe us completely?"As soon as the words left my mouth, Julian pulled me toward him with force.I lost control of my balance and ended up sitting on his lap. Instinctively, I tried to get up, but Julian held me firmly in place."Lyn, I'm just demonstrating for you," he uttered in a captivating tone."Alright." My face heated uncontrollably as I tried to get up. "I get it now."However, Julian wouldn't let me go. "Why is your face so red? Didn't you do this with Shayne?"I shook my head. "You already know Sh
He knew lying wasn't right, but if he told Shayne the truth, he wouldn't be able to move everything out.If that happened, the shops and savings Aralyn left him would all slip through his fingers."I need to stay on an IV drip today," he added calmly.Shayne quickly asked, "Do you need me to come take care of you?"Zach refused, "No need. Noah and Mr. Sanderson are looking after me. You don't have to worry."After chatting briefly with Shayne, Zach found an excuse to end the call.Noah and Lewis helped load everything into the car.Zach's desk was placed in his bedroom. Once they finished packing up everything, Zach went into his bedroom and closed the door.He opened a hidden compartment, revealing a stash of gold bars.Beneath the gold bars were property deeds, including two or three residential properties and more than ten commercial properties.The rental income from these properties was deposited into a bank account every year.There was also a bank card with a signific
I looked at her in surprise.Kids these days typically didn't like studying. But Willow was willing to learn."I want to study ahead of time so that when I start elementary school, I won't have to worry about falling behind," she stated calmly."Alright." Since she loved learning, I, of course, fully supported her. "I'll go to the bookstore tomorrow and see if they have the textbooks you need."Willow agreed cheerfully.Julian, who had been listening on the side, was also surprised. Something seemed to occur to him as he stood up and said to Willow, "Come with me."Though confused, Willow still followed him.Julian stopped on the third floor and opened a door.Willow's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at the room filled with toys piled all over the floor."I bought these for you a few days ago but forgot to tell you," Julian said, unusually gentle.Crouching down, he added, "Take the time to enjoy them now.""All of these are for me?" Willow was still in shock. "Y
Willow nodded firmly. "Okay."…Zach stood off to the side, watching Aralyn's departing figure from a distance longingly.But this time, he held back the impulse to follow her.There were more important matters for Shayne to attend to. Zach got into the car and instructed Noah, "Take me to my dad's villa."Noah was a bit puzzled. "You're not going to follow your mom today?"Could it be that he was tired of her? If that were the case, then good for Zach."Because if Dad wants to control me, he definitely won't let me take my belongings with me. So, we have to act on it before he does. We'll move everything out. That way, by the time he tries to stop us, it'll already be too late."Zach reluctantly looked away. "Once we're done today, I can be with Mom again tomorrow.""But after breaking ties with your dad, what will you do if you run out of money?" Noah asked."My mom bought me some commercial properties. The annual rent is more than enough to support me and you guys, so you
"About four to five hundred thousand, I think?" Julian answered without hesitation.I frowned. "That's expensive. Don't you think it's wasteful to wear it just once?"Julian lifted his head to look into my eyes. "My girlfriend wore this dress on our first day together while attending a banquet with me. It's worth keeping this dress for the sentimental value."I stared at him for a long time before replying, "You've got a sense of humor."Julian stood up and walked to me. "I know when you were with Shayne, you were probably afraid to spend too much because he was starting his business and under financial pressure. You worried it might affect his company's operations, so you were always frugal.""But my company is much larger now, Lyn. Even if you spend more, I can afford to take care of you. You don't have to save money for me."As he spoke, he held my hand."But we're not actually a couple."Julian maintained his composure. "If we want others to believe we're dating, then our i
What Luna said was somewhat reasonable.Though still frustrated, he said to Luna, "I misunderstood you. I'm sorry."Luna acted as if she were strong. "It's okay. As long as you understand my feelings, I'm satisfied," she responded, smiling.She looked as though she was hurt by Shayne's misunderstanding but was trying hard to hold it in.Although Shayne still didn't like her, seeing her silently give so much for him moved him.He looked at Luna and said seriously, "After your child is born, I will not only pay for the child's support, but I'll also cover part of your expenses."Luna looked at Shayne in surprise. He was willing to support her child and take care of her as well?It seemed her acting wasn't in vain.Luna was very pleased with today's outcome.After finishing the conversation with Luna, Shayne found a seat and sat down, watching Aralyn from a distance.Julian was sitting next to her, and it was clear that Julian's love for Aralyn was deep.In business, he was alw
Hearing this, I couldn't help but laugh. "Using love as an excuse makes it okay to hurt others?""It's not an excuse. He really loves you!" Luna exclaimed.Only then did I understand—Luna wanted to tie Shayne to me somehow. "Even though I've repeatedly made it clear that I don't want to see him, he still comes to bother me. Is this what you call love? It feels more like harassment to me."Luna looked as though she had just heard the most absurd thing. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Is this how worthless someone who loves you is to you? If others who like you found out how heartless you are, how upset do you think they'd be?"As she spoke, she glanced at Julian.Her words nearly made me laugh out of anger. "If Shayne knew how eager you are to get rid of him, do you think he'll still be willing to spend money on you?"Luna froze.At that moment, Julian spoke up in disdain. "You're saying all of this in front of me to try and sow discord between Aralyn and me, aren't you? "I've
I scoffed. "This has nothing to do with gender, Shayne. My life principle has always been to hold onto the right person when I meet them."Julian looked down at me, his eyes exceptionally tender.Shayne was silent for a moment. "You weren't like this before.""Yeah, I used to always listen to you, and what did that get me?"Shayne stayed silent."If being sensible doesn't lead to the results I want, then of course I'm going to make an effort to change."Finding something to counter with, Shayne asked, "But Aralyn, before you did this, did you think about our child? Can he accept him as his new father?""When you cheated during our marriage, involved our child with your mistress, and even encouraged him to call her 'Mom,' did you think about him then? And now, you have the audacity to lecture me?"I gave him a disdainful look. "Don't you forget one thing—whether it's him or you, I've already given up on both of you. So, don't bother bringing him up to guilt-trip me."With that,