Henry composed himself, speaking only when he caught his breath, “According to the reply of our hired hitman, Ethan was severely injured and fell into the rapids of a river twelve hours ago when he was escaping. Our men have seen it with their own eyes. It's a primitive tropical jungle all around. It’s very unlikely that he’ll survive, and it’ll be practically impossible to find his corpse. Sir, you don’t have to worry now.”There was a smirk on Mark’s face. “True, with a place like that and his injury, his survival is impossible. I’ll be away for some time in half a month. While I settle the company within half of the month, the house is under your care.”Knowing that his master had been waiting for the day he could go back to Arianne, Henry nodded understandingly. “Yes.”Returning to his room, the iciness on Mark’s face slowly dissolved as he stared at the photo on the nightstand. “Ari… I’ll be coming to you soon. No matter how much you hate me, I’ll make you come back to me.”The ne
Summer’s change of attitude unsettled Jackson. “Mom, I don’t condone you speaking about her like that. Back then, we lied to you about being together. I hired her to become my pretend girlfriend for peace. I wasn’t really together with her then. Ethan was her boyfriend of three years when they were in college. They broke up after that and Ethan came back for her. There’s the proposal that you saw in the mall too. She wasn’t sure if she still loved Ethan. When they broke up, Ethan wasn’t bankrupt yet. Besides, I’m richer than him. If she were a real gold digger, why would she have agreed to get back together with Ethan? She’d have found a chance to latch herself to me.”Summer was unfazed. “I don’t care. Who knows if you’re lying to me now? Besides, it was hot news when she was proposed to by Ethan in the mall back then. It’s so grand that the videos are everywhere on the internet. How’s it that you’re together with her now? The Wests still have their pride. I gave you two a chance and
Naya sighed and returned to the cash register. After thinking for a moment, she was still worried so she called out to the kitchen. “Ari, come out and have a look.”Arianne took off her apron and walked out. “What’s up?”Naya pointed at Tiffany and Summer. “That seems like Jackson’s mother. They don’t look like they’re getting along. Tiffany asked us not to intervene.”Arianne was silent for a beat and said, “Then let’s not intervene. She’ll be able to handle it herself. Tiffie will only be more abashed if we get in between them. If she can’t handle it, she’ll call for me.”Both Tiffany and Summer refused to relent. After a while, Summer fished out another check. This time, the sum was not filled in. “You can fill it in yourself, is that fine now? I’m not going to try talking sense into you. You’re stubborn!”Tiffany could barely keep herself composed. “Will you be able to pay me if I fill in billions and trillions of dollars? Humiliating people with money as you wish, you’re not the r
Tanya did not dare to make a sound. She ate the most among those in the shop. Everyone had only one serving, but she had two each meal…Jackson sat down obediently. As Tiffany moved her hand to get him some food, he subconsciously moved away as though he was trying to block a heavy blow, stunning everyone.Tiffany was startled as well. “What are you doing? You’re making it seem as though I beat you up all the time. It’s not like I don’t know how well you can fight. Are you trying to tarnish my reputation?”Jackson said with a grin, “I won’t be able to lay a finger on you no matter how good a fighter I am. Even if you hit me, I dare not retaliate… You always beat me up anyway. Last night, you even kicked me…”Arianne choked and coughed for a while before she finally recovered. “Enough, both of you. This isn’t fighting, this is being lovey-dovey, okay? Alright, Tiffie, don’t come in at noon. Go do whatever you want. We can’t take this.”Naya, Tanya, and a new employee nodded in assent. T
When Jackson lowered his body onto her, Tiffany widened her eyes. She could not hold back her fear anymore. “Don’t touch me!”Jackson stopped his movement at that moment. “What’s wrong?” She did not dare to voice out her fear. It was pathetic and disgusting. She could not force herself to forget the past. Her eyes became teary soon after. She begged him, “Can you please… not? I… I’m begging you…”Since Jackson had gotten into the mood, it was extremely difficult for him to suppress his desire. However, when he saw the fear on her face, he held her face and placed his forehead against hers. He looked at her gently and said in a coaxing tone, “Look at me. I’m Jackson. That kind of setback won’t be able to defeat you. No one cares about it. It’s in the past now. You’re with me now. I’m your man. I’m the one who loves you. Just look at me…” She listened to him. She looked at him through her eyes that were blurred by tears. She gradually calmed down before she hugged his neck, feeling
Tiffany sighed. “No, I’m really in a bad mood. His mom joined us for dinner, and her gaze was like a blade that didn’t leave my face. I didn’t have much appetite to start with so I barely had any food. On the way to dinner, his mom even mentioned that she doesn’t want him to keep coming here and asked him to pay more attention to the company. Does she think I’m holding Jackson back? His mom must hate me even more.”Arianne was not around so she could not figure out Summer’s thoughts. She could only console Tiffany, “Stop overthinking it. Don’t confuse yourself. It’s not like your head is made for figuring out complicated issues. Just talk to Jackson after this. What if his mother wants you to return to the capital? We’ve talked about this. You should consider it.”Tiffany paused. “I’m not going back. You’ll be alone if I leave. Ari, I won’t leave you behind. I’ve said it as well, I won’t return unless you return with me. I don’t think Mark will let you go so easily, but it has been so
The pair of scales in Tiffany’s heart had already tipped to one end. She was always serious in her relationships. For this reason, she had been hesitant and was unable to forget Ethan previously. Now that she was with Jackson, she knew what she would be facing. When it was time to leave, she had to leave.She did not tell Arianne that Mark was coming for her. After all, she could leave without much worries because she knew Mark was coming soon. “Then… I’ll leave? I’ll stay for half a month and teach Tanya how to make the beverages so she can take over my position in the future. The shop is yours now. I’ll visit you frequently. You must promise to miss me.”Arianne felt relieved when she saw Tiffany relenting even though there was a hint of reluctance. “It’s best that you figured it out. I’m afraid of you staying here to keep me company. Jackson will hate me to death by then. Okay, stop being mushy. Let’s go home, wash up, and sleep. I’m dying from exhaustion.”Tiffany wiped her tears a
Before Naya spoke, the woman smiled. “Arianne, I didn’t expect you to be working at a place like this. Mark darling doesn’t want you anymore? How delightful! Didn’t I tell you that you won’t have a happy ending.”Arianne’s expression darkened, she did not expect to see Aery here. “Aery, watch your words. I didn’t expect to see you here in this place either. You weren’t able to survive in the capital, were you? Eat if you want, scram if you’re not. I have no obligation to serve you.”This was Naya’s first time seeing Arianne’s harsh side. She felt greatly satisfied since her anger was vented. “This is our boss. We’re the employees.”Aery did not think much of Arianne just because she owned a dessert shop. “I heard the dessert shop here isn’t bad with desserts that taste like a master’s work. I was wondering who it is, but now I know it’s nothing but a gimmick after seeing the owner. Even if you’re not an employee, you’re only an owner of a dessert shop. What’s the big deal? I came here