Arianne had no choice. She took her phone out and called Mark in resignation. No one picked up the phone for a long time. Just as she was about to hang up, Mark suddenly answered the call. She heard his hoarse and faint voice. “Hello?” She spoke perfunctorily, “Why didn’t you return home yesterday? Where are you now?” Mark was silent for a moment before he answered, “I spent the night at Jackson’s villa. I’ll be going to work from here.” She had nothing more to say. She threw a glance at Mary, silently asking with her eyes if she could end the call now.Mary mimed to her, asking her to confirm if Mark was really with Jackson instead of fooling around with other women. Arianne felt it was a bother to do so, but she wanted to quickly get this over with so she could enjoy her meal. She listened to Mary and said, “Send me a video.” Mark hung up immediately, but he sent her a short video that lasted around ten seconds. The video showed the interior of White Water Bay Villa that bel
Ethan started the engine of the car without asking for Tiffany’s workplace address. It was obvious he knew everything about her. “I was forced to break up with you at that time. I know it sounds rather ridiculous but it’s true. I was worried as well when I saw your family in trouble because I couldn’t provide you with the kind of life you’re used to. I decided to use all my money to invest in a project with my friends. You were unaware of it, but I even mortgaged the car you gave me for a bank loan.” He continued to say, “I didn’t want to burden you in case my investment fails. That’s why I broke up with you. There was no other woman. Who knew I’d succeed? I intend to expand my business after this. We can go back to living the life we had before. Tiffie, you were good to me in the past. It’s my turn to treat you well. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you. Can we start all over again?”During their time together, Ethan had never been a passionate man who would say such words. For him to
She pondered over Jackson’s question for a moment before she said, “Not yet, but soon. By the way, have you told your mom that we’ve broken up? I won’t be able to act with you anymore.”Jackson seemed to have lost his voice at this moment. He did not speak for a long time.Tiffany was slightly taken aback. “What’s wrong with you? You can’t stand seeing someone getting into a relationship? Just because you’re against marriage, it doesn’t mean that I am. Moreover, I’ve known Ethan for three years, we’re quite compatible.”He pursed his lips, “Close the door and come here.”Tiffany closed the door as instructed and went up to him. “What?”Jackson suddenly leaned over his desk and grabbed Tiffany’s shoulders. Their eyes met, and she could feel his firm hold on her shoulders. He said seriously, “You can’t return to him.”“What’s your problem?” Tiffany was truly confused. His expression alarmed her. After all, it was pretty scary to see a usually frivolous man becoming serious.“Yes,
Arianne was at a loss. “What should I do? Should I call Tiffie over and tell her the truth now? Would it be too cruel to do that?”Mark was rendered speechless by Arianne and laughed out of anger. “You’re right, it’s indeed very cruel. Why don’t you just let her fall hopelessly in love with Ethan and pretend you know nothing until Ethan dumps her after getting the land? Or maybe wait until she discovers the truth about Ethan after they’re married? Don’t you think that’d be even crueler? If that incident didn’t happen, the Lane family would still be very well off today, and John Lane wouldn’t have died so early.”Arianne understood that Mark was telling her that this was the best time to tell Tiffany, but she just could not bring herself to do it. She could not bear to see the disappointment and despair on Tiffany’s face when she discovered the truth. “I… I don’t dare to tell her… Tiffie will definitely lose her mind.”Mark pressed his lips and nodded. “Yes, she’ll definitely lose he
Arianne picked up her bag and rose from the sofa. “I… have to look for Tiffie now! What if Ethan proposes to her at noon and she just accepts it without thinking things through? That’ll be a horrible mess!”Mark was suddenly a little jealous of Tiffany for having Arianne’s full attention. It was a pity that he had only heard about but not seen the tears Arianne had shed for him when he got into a car accident.Naturally, Mark did not express his jealousy and dissatisfaction. It was not in his nature to do. “Why are you in such a rush? Aren’t you turning yourself in knowing Ethan is against me? Didn’t you make plans to meet her tonight? A shotgun wedding can’t happen in just half a day. Let’s go for lunch together.”“Alright.” Strangely, Arianne no longer felt as nervous when she listened to Mark’s relaxed voice as he casually suggested they go for lunch.People like Mark would definitely not dine at just any restaurants. The White Water Bay Café was one of the places that made him
Arianne calmed down and heaved a sigh of relief when she received Mark’s reply. Although he always made her feel uneasy, he also gave her a sense of security.Not long after that, Mark’s car drove into the Tremont Estate.Arianne greeted him at the door and helped him take his slippers out of the shoe cabinet. “Do you think Ethan’s car accident is just a coincidence or is it premeditated?”Mark pondered for a moment before throwing the question back at her, “What do you think?”Arianne was speechless. She was asking him because she was uncertain.Mark changed into the slippers and walked past her to the stairs. “There’s no way Ethan would put his life at risk before he brings me to my knees, let alone getting into a car accident. He probably even has his guard up all the time when he’s out. If my prediction is right, I don’t think you’ll be seeing Tiffany today.”Arianne was taken aback by his statement. Tiffany had promised to meet her after her visit to the hospital. How was he
On the dining table, Arianne twirled the spaghetti on her plate restlessly with her fork as she threw occasional glances at Mark who was indulging in his dinner. After holding back for a long time, she finally said, “Maybe… I should just go find Tiffie at the hospital. The longer I delay this, the more anxious I feel.”Mark stopped the movement of his fork. “Must you really?”Arianne knew that Mark was probably not very keen on the idea of meeting Ethan since they were half brothers. Seeing Ethan would certainly bring back some unpleasant memories.“I’ll be back real quick. Regardless if Ethan really got into an accident or not, he can’t possibly do anything to me in the hospital, right? Don’t worry. If you’re really concerned, you can have Brian accompany me or send two bodyguards with me.” Arianne made the biggest compromise to express her determination in going to the hospital.“I’ll go with you. Finish your food first,” Mark said coldly and put a piece of beef into her plate.
Ethan clearly had come prepared. He brought out a diamond ring from the pocket of his hospital gown. He did not give Tiffany the chance to reject him and directly put the ring on her finger. “I bought this ring a long time ago. Whenever I miss you at night, I’d always look at the ring. That’s how I endured it.” The size of the diamond ring was just right. The light reflected on the diamond, and it shone brightly under the night sky. Tiffany, who was still stunned and confused, remained in his embrace. She could feel his sincerity and urgency. However, his urgency and desperate appearance made her feel suffocated. “Ethan...just let go of me first.” However, Ethan did not listen to her. He turned her around and bent down to kiss her lips. He tightened his grip on her, trapping her in his embrace. The night was quiet. He had proposed to her with a diamond ring under the starry sky. There was no one around to disturb them. It should be romantic, but Tiffany did not feel that way at