Jackson truly couldn’t bring himself to smile at all. He pulled her into his arms, “It’s alright. I’m not angry at you. Don’t overthink it. I knew that my mother called him, but I never expected for him to actually show up and so soon too. I was kind of hoping that he’d never come back; I’ve always treated him as if he were dead. It wouldn’t be too bad if he really did come back to live a peaceful life with my mom, but she wouldn’t be able to take it if he leaves again.”Tiffany was at a loss for words, “I’m not really good at comforting people. You should probably try to calm down though. I’ll go and wash off my makeup and get showered. Since you haven’t slept since yesterday, you should get an early night in. I still have to search for a job tomorrow.”She had just gotten up when Jackson pulled her back, “Let’s shower together…”Tiffany blushed from his advances, “What… I’m not used to that. Let’s shower separately. I’ll be done very soon.”Jackson refused to comply. He carried h
Her eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. The powder in the crystal was Rice Ball’s ashes. Perhaps this gift was nothing compared to the price of a branded gift, but it was priceless to her. She never expected for Mark to put in so much effort in this.She carefully hung the dreamcatcher above her bed, pulled out her phone, and sent Mark a message: ‘Thank you.’It was only two simple words, but it carried hundreds and thousands of sentiments. This was the first time she had ever felt moved by him. This cold and distant man had a gentle side to him after all. This time, he had really and truly showed her that he cared, and it wasn’t fleeting.Mark did not reply to her message but called her straightaway. She did not reject his call and answered it, naturally, “Thank you for your present. I’ll be keeping it.”Mark sat on the chair in front of his office desk with a gentle smile on the corners of his lips, “I’m glad that you like it. I actually asked Henry to get it done while I was still
Nina gave her a profound stare as she said, “You’re still in love with him, aren’t you? That’s why you’re trying to persuade me against going after him. I was so outwardly provocative, but you didn’t seem to be angry at all. You really could’ve fooled me.”Arianne did not give an outright response, “Alright, if you’re here to have fun, have fun. Enjoy your food, I’ve got work to do.”Nina stopped talking and began sampling her dessert. The first bite left her in complete shock, “This is clearly the standard of a top notch pastry chef! I’m so jealous; you’re practically perfect in everything you do! My dad’s always criticizing me for my lack of talent. I’m going to have to lock myself away!”Arianne poked her head out of the kitchen, “Don’t exaggerate. How could I possibly make something that good? Mark gave me a recipe from a top class pastry chef. At this stage, there’s nothing to be complacent about, as long as I’m able to make this. By the way, you’re not really here to see me, a
Mark did not insist and waved his hand towards the camera, “Good night.”Arianne clutched her chest as the call ended. She could feel her heart beating wildly against her chest. She had initially thought that she wasn’t boy-crazy in any way and would not be bowled over by his magnetic voice or that face that she had been staring at for more than ten years. Had she gone mad?In Mark's opinion, every time they spoke, they had grown a step closer to one another. It assured him too. Just as he was about to go to bed, his phone rang again — it was a call from Charles Moran.This man who had a good relationship with his father would never contact him for no good reason. The first time they met up after his return to the country was for Charles ask him if he was aware of his father’s b*stard… He frowned and picked up the call, “Hello? Uncle Moran.”Charles answered him, “Mark, I’ve heard that things between you and Arianne are a little delicate now. I was momentarily distracted and lost s
Nina seemed completely oblivious to the cold edge in his voice, “Haha… Are you really going to throw me out? Is our relationship that shallow? I was under the impression that we were close enough to share everything. Can’t I sleep on your bed?”Mark did not give an immediate reply. He emerged from the closet after changing his clothes and immediately headed downstairs. The only words he left her with was, “Our relationship isn’t as intimate as you may think. My house, my rules. I will only say this once.”Nina waited for his car to leave the Tremont Estate before climbing out of his bed.Her face no longer seemed casual and nonchalant. Deep down, she knew that this man was not to be trifled with. Nevertheless, this drove her even crazier. She was forced into giving up back when she saw how in love Mark and Arianne were. Now, they had finally separated. She refused to be satisfied and wanted to try again.This room was filled with Mark’s unique scent, which filled her with fond long
Never, throughout Charles Moran’s long and storied life, had he ever slapped his daughter across the face.The sharp crack of a wallop faded, revealing a stupefied Nina with her hand swinging to a gradually reddening, puffing cheek. Her eyes, trained on her father, were strewn with earnest bemusement.“Why… Why did you hit me?! Was I wrong?” she demanded. “There’s only our people in this room, so why are you acting like I shouldn’t have said that?”Charles gulped down the pill his bodyguard had passed to him. When his nerves finally settled a little, he answered, “This — this is the same man who killed his half-brother without batting an eyelash. Who are you to think that he would go easy on you? If he likes you, you’ll become the ruler of his heart. Otherwise, no amount of ingratiation will save you from his wrath!“You are my only daughter, Nina. Do you think I can stomach watching you go down a path of self-destruction? Arianne Wynn may look like some unimpressive, nondescript l
Mark paused thoughtfully, “Actually, let’s not go out to eat. It’s a little late and there’s only the two of us. We’ll go to your place and cook up whatever’s available. Don’t you know how to make ramen?”He still remembered the ramen she made? That was the only meal that she made very well. Furthermore, it was only delicious by her own standards and it would largely depend on whether it turned out good or not, “Okay… It doesn’t taste that good anyway, so you’ll have to put up with it. I’ll free up some time tomorrow and buy you a meal to thank you for the present.”Mark frowned but did not respond. He could sense her refusal to owe him anything. This made him upset. However, when he remembered that she would return to him in a year, he did not quibble with her.Arianne turned on the air-conditioner in the living room when they arrived in her condo then immediately went into her kitchen, “Wait here, I’ll make some ramen for you.”However, Mark did not sit down and wait for her. Ins
Jackson’s father? Arianne had never heard of him and felt curious, “Of course, I’m going. His dad? I’ve never heard of him…”Mark did not explain too much, “His family situation is complicated, very complicated. When you come back to the capital, stay at the Tremont Estate. You can see Henry and Mary too.”He didn’t give Arianne any chance to refuse. He knew that she wasn’t a fickle person, and probably missed Mary and Henry. Hence, he used them as an excuse for her to go back to the Tremont Estate. She shouldn’t have any reason to refuse if it was only temporary… right?“We’ll talk about it when the time comes. I’m tired. Good night,” Arianne closed her eyes after that. She really was exhausted. After all, she had been working throughout the day.Mark did not say anything more. His vision was clear despite the darkness, as though he wasn’t sleepy at all. His woman was lying right next to him, but he couldn’t touch her. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to sleep. A small flame flicker