"Mark, what's wrong? Are you speeding? Tell me where you are right now!"Prisley’s face had gone pale with worry. She turned to Heath, desperate for help.After listening for a couple of seconds, Heath immediately grasped the situation with Mark. He grabbed the phone from Prisley and said, "Mark, whatever's going on, you need to stay calm. Prisley is really worried about you. You don't want to cause an accident and make her even more upset, do you?"The roar of a car engine came through the phone. Mark answered with a chocked voice, "Okay, I’ll listen to you."Not long after, the three of them were sitting in a restaurant.The restaurant’s lighting was soft and warm, but the atmosphere between them was exceptionally heavy.Mark sat in the corner of the table, his gaze distant.He looked utterly defeated, with bruises from a fight on his face, completely lacking his usual charm and confidence. Prisley had seen Mark anxious and smug before, but never this defeated and at a loss.Prisley
“With your immature look and still being wet behind the ears, you dared to compete with me for Prisley?”Heath said, half-joking, half-contemptuously. His tone held a touch of mockery, and a smirk curved his lips. He lounged on the sofa, casually tapping the edge of his wine glass with his fingers, casting a dismissive glance at Mark.Prisley, sitting next to Heath, gave him a gentle elbow jab. She shot him a disapproving look and then gave him a subtle wink, signaling him to ease up on Mark.To their surprise, Mark was momentarily stunned but then smiled calmly. His eyes showed a trace of self-deprecation but mostly relief.“You’re right, Heath. Compared to you, I’m indeed quite immature,” Mark said with a wry smile.“I finally understand that I’m definitely not the type Prisley likes. So despite all her efforts, she still hasn’t fallen for me.”He spoke with self-deprecation. Though he was addressing his past hurt, he showed no real sadness. Instead, he seemed to be stating an acce
"Dad, what's up?" Mark said, holding his phone, sounding casual.His father's gentle voice came through the line, "You haven't been home for dinner in a while. Your mom wants to see you."Mark gave Heath and Prisley a wink, pretending to be relaxed. "I miss you too. I'll come home tonight. Nothing's more important than you."He hung up, and the smile on his face vanished.Heath signaled that he was leaving. Before heading out, he reminded Mark, "Don't forget what's right and what's not."Mark nodded, "Don't worry, I'll be a great actor."Prisley couldn’t help but smile as she watched his playful, slightly mischievous demeanor. "Mark, I'm glad you're back to your old self. That's the you I like."She shot a glance at Heath, hoping to catch a hint of jealousy on his face. But Heath remained indifferent, only showing a trace of sarcasm.They all went their separate ways.As Heath and Prisley reached the car, Heath suddenly stopped. He turned and said coldly, "What? Disappointed I didn't g
Mark and his father walked into the study.Old Grant said, "Son, all these years, I haven't interfered much, letting you choose your own path.""You could study if you wanted, or travel if you preferred. But now, I have to think about your future."Mark asked quietly, "What"s wrong, Dad?" He had a feeling something was off. His father"s usually kind face was now serious, like when he was in a business meeting."My heart is getting worse. Even though I look fine on the outside, I know my own condition.""It could stop beating at any moment. I don't know if it will be tomorrow, next month, or next year. So, I have to make arrangements now."Mark interrupted anxiously, "What did the doctors say? There are so many treatments available. This isn't a big issue, Dad. Don't be so pessimistic."Mark had originally come home thinking only about getting some benefits from his father, maybe some shares or money. But hearing his father speak like this, he suddenly felt like the sky was falling.The
Heath and Prisley returned to the apartment, and a subtle sense of relief filled the air.Heath smiled as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders. He opened his arms and pulled Prisley into a hug, pressing her forehead gently against his warm chest. In that moment, it felt like he was holding something precious he had almost lost, and it made him cherish her even more.Prisley didn’t resist, didn’t move at all. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Heath opened the door, and a few strong movers stood there, behind them were several large items.Heath was puzzled, but Prisley greeted them warmly. “Oh, you’re here? Please, bring everything inside.”The lead mover asked, “Are you Miss Anderson?”“Yes, that’s me,” Prisley said cheerfully as she welcomed them in.“Could you sign for this?”Prisley quickly signed, her happiness clear from her expression. The large items were brought inside, and she led them to an empty room.Heath asked, “What’s all this? It’s huge.”Prisley smiled faintly. “A bed.
Early the next morning, Heath had to leave for a business trip. Prisley breathed a sigh of relief. She still wasn’t used to living with Heath in the apartment. It was nice to have some space for a while.That day, she was wandering around a boutique in the shopping mall when she suddenly saw a figure pass by outside the store.Prisley froze. Without thinking, she ran out.But the man had already walked far away.“It can’t be him, right? No, it can't be.” She felt uneasy but picked up her pace.The man was tall with long legs, walking quickly.Prisley’s heavy body made it hard for her to keep up.“Hey—sir, wait—” She shouted when she realized she was about to lose him.It seemed the man heard her. He stopped and turned around."Spencer! It really is you!" Prisley gasped, covering her mouth. Her legs felt weak, and she almost collapsed.Spencer quickly rushed over to steady her, so overwhelmed that he didn’t know what to say.“I finally found you!” They both spoke at the same time and hu
Spencer was about to say something when sudden commotion erupted outside the café.A figure darted through the door.Spencer assumed it was someone in a rush to grab coffee. To avoid a collision, he instinctively pulled Prisley toward him.“Come here, don’t let them bump into you...”“Spencer,” Prisley chuckled as before. She was all too familiar with this habit of his. Just as she found herself in Spencer’s arms, another hand yanked her away forcefully.“Ah—!” Prisley cried out in panic.“Come here! Or you’ll regret not listening!” A raspy male voice shouted harshly in her ear. The grip was so strong that Prisley was thrown a few steps away, hitting the wall by the café.“What’s going on?!” Spencer reached out to pull her back, but the man grabbed Prisley by the neck, pressing something sharp and shiny against her throat.Spencer froze, his body stiffening on the spot.Everyone else in the café panicked and bolted for the exit. “Run! Get out of here!”No one dared linger. And within m
Peter glanced at the screen and immediately understood his boss's intent. Not daring to delay, he quickly arranged a car and sped toward the scene, almost flooring the gas pedal the entire way.Heath appeared calm, but inside, It felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart, leaving him both anxious and flustered. He deeply regretted not assigning security personnel to Prisley. He couldn’t bear to imagine what he would do if Prisley’s life slipped away right before his eyes.Heath’s limbs felt weak, his fingertips icy. Over the years, he had dealt with countless crises, always composed and decisive. Yet, the few moments of panic he’d experienced all seemed to revolve around Prisley.“Peter, get all the securities over here.”“Yes, sir.”“And prepare a large amount of cash.”“Yes, sir.”Heath’s mind raced, considering all possible contingency plans.When he arrived at the scene, the place was bustling with activity. The police had already cordoned off the area outside the café, k
Peter glanced at the screen and immediately understood his boss's intent. Not daring to delay, he quickly arranged a car and sped toward the scene, almost flooring the gas pedal the entire way.Heath appeared calm, but inside, It felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart, leaving him both anxious and flustered. He deeply regretted not assigning security personnel to Prisley. He couldn’t bear to imagine what he would do if Prisley’s life slipped away right before his eyes.Heath’s limbs felt weak, his fingertips icy. Over the years, he had dealt with countless crises, always composed and decisive. Yet, the few moments of panic he’d experienced all seemed to revolve around Prisley.“Peter, get all the securities over here.”“Yes, sir.”“And prepare a large amount of cash.”“Yes, sir.”Heath’s mind raced, considering all possible contingency plans.When he arrived at the scene, the place was bustling with activity. The police had already cordoned off the area outside the café, k
Spencer was about to say something when sudden commotion erupted outside the café.A figure darted through the door.Spencer assumed it was someone in a rush to grab coffee. To avoid a collision, he instinctively pulled Prisley toward him.“Come here, don’t let them bump into you...”“Spencer,” Prisley chuckled as before. She was all too familiar with this habit of his. Just as she found herself in Spencer’s arms, another hand yanked her away forcefully.“Ah—!” Prisley cried out in panic.“Come here! Or you’ll regret not listening!” A raspy male voice shouted harshly in her ear. The grip was so strong that Prisley was thrown a few steps away, hitting the wall by the café.“What’s going on?!” Spencer reached out to pull her back, but the man grabbed Prisley by the neck, pressing something sharp and shiny against her throat.Spencer froze, his body stiffening on the spot.Everyone else in the café panicked and bolted for the exit. “Run! Get out of here!”No one dared linger. And within m
Early the next morning, Heath had to leave for a business trip. Prisley breathed a sigh of relief. She still wasn’t used to living with Heath in the apartment. It was nice to have some space for a while.That day, she was wandering around a boutique in the shopping mall when she suddenly saw a figure pass by outside the store.Prisley froze. Without thinking, she ran out.But the man had already walked far away.“It can’t be him, right? No, it can't be.” She felt uneasy but picked up her pace.The man was tall with long legs, walking quickly.Prisley’s heavy body made it hard for her to keep up.“Hey—sir, wait—” She shouted when she realized she was about to lose him.It seemed the man heard her. He stopped and turned around."Spencer! It really is you!" Prisley gasped, covering her mouth. Her legs felt weak, and she almost collapsed.Spencer quickly rushed over to steady her, so overwhelmed that he didn’t know what to say.“I finally found you!” They both spoke at the same time and hu
Heath and Prisley returned to the apartment, and a subtle sense of relief filled the air.Heath smiled as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders. He opened his arms and pulled Prisley into a hug, pressing her forehead gently against his warm chest. In that moment, it felt like he was holding something precious he had almost lost, and it made him cherish her even more.Prisley didn’t resist, didn’t move at all. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Heath opened the door, and a few strong movers stood there, behind them were several large items.Heath was puzzled, but Prisley greeted them warmly. “Oh, you’re here? Please, bring everything inside.”The lead mover asked, “Are you Miss Anderson?”“Yes, that’s me,” Prisley said cheerfully as she welcomed them in.“Could you sign for this?”Prisley quickly signed, her happiness clear from her expression. The large items were brought inside, and she led them to an empty room.Heath asked, “What’s all this? It’s huge.”Prisley smiled faintly. “A bed.
Mark and his father walked into the study.Old Grant said, "Son, all these years, I haven't interfered much, letting you choose your own path.""You could study if you wanted, or travel if you preferred. But now, I have to think about your future."Mark asked quietly, "What"s wrong, Dad?" He had a feeling something was off. His father"s usually kind face was now serious, like when he was in a business meeting."My heart is getting worse. Even though I look fine on the outside, I know my own condition.""It could stop beating at any moment. I don't know if it will be tomorrow, next month, or next year. So, I have to make arrangements now."Mark interrupted anxiously, "What did the doctors say? There are so many treatments available. This isn't a big issue, Dad. Don't be so pessimistic."Mark had originally come home thinking only about getting some benefits from his father, maybe some shares or money. But hearing his father speak like this, he suddenly felt like the sky was falling.The
"Dad, what's up?" Mark said, holding his phone, sounding casual.His father's gentle voice came through the line, "You haven't been home for dinner in a while. Your mom wants to see you."Mark gave Heath and Prisley a wink, pretending to be relaxed. "I miss you too. I'll come home tonight. Nothing's more important than you."He hung up, and the smile on his face vanished.Heath signaled that he was leaving. Before heading out, he reminded Mark, "Don't forget what's right and what's not."Mark nodded, "Don't worry, I'll be a great actor."Prisley couldn’t help but smile as she watched his playful, slightly mischievous demeanor. "Mark, I'm glad you're back to your old self. That's the you I like."She shot a glance at Heath, hoping to catch a hint of jealousy on his face. But Heath remained indifferent, only showing a trace of sarcasm.They all went their separate ways.As Heath and Prisley reached the car, Heath suddenly stopped. He turned and said coldly, "What? Disappointed I didn't g
“With your immature look and still being wet behind the ears, you dared to compete with me for Prisley?”Heath said, half-joking, half-contemptuously. His tone held a touch of mockery, and a smirk curved his lips. He lounged on the sofa, casually tapping the edge of his wine glass with his fingers, casting a dismissive glance at Mark.Prisley, sitting next to Heath, gave him a gentle elbow jab. She shot him a disapproving look and then gave him a subtle wink, signaling him to ease up on Mark.To their surprise, Mark was momentarily stunned but then smiled calmly. His eyes showed a trace of self-deprecation but mostly relief.“You’re right, Heath. Compared to you, I’m indeed quite immature,” Mark said with a wry smile.“I finally understand that I’m definitely not the type Prisley likes. So despite all her efforts, she still hasn’t fallen for me.”He spoke with self-deprecation. Though he was addressing his past hurt, he showed no real sadness. Instead, he seemed to be stating an acce
"Mark, what's wrong? Are you speeding? Tell me where you are right now!"Prisley’s face had gone pale with worry. She turned to Heath, desperate for help.After listening for a couple of seconds, Heath immediately grasped the situation with Mark. He grabbed the phone from Prisley and said, "Mark, whatever's going on, you need to stay calm. Prisley is really worried about you. You don't want to cause an accident and make her even more upset, do you?"The roar of a car engine came through the phone. Mark answered with a chocked voice, "Okay, I’ll listen to you."Not long after, the three of them were sitting in a restaurant.The restaurant’s lighting was soft and warm, but the atmosphere between them was exceptionally heavy.Mark sat in the corner of the table, his gaze distant.He looked utterly defeated, with bruises from a fight on his face, completely lacking his usual charm and confidence. Prisley had seen Mark anxious and smug before, but never this defeated and at a loss.Prisley
After saying goodbye to Prisley at the hospital, Mark drove home with a heavy heart. He couldn't remember how he drove—the dim streetlights and shadows on the road were all that filled his mind. It felt like the whole world had lost its color.Only when he instinctively hit the brakes did he realize he was already parked in his driveway.Inside his mansion, the silence made the space feel even more empty and cold. With one person missing, the house felt like a hollow shell, and even the air seemed thin.Mark walked unsteadily into the bedroom that was once filled with laughter and warmth. Prisley's presence was everywhere. Her book was still open on the nightstand, a few of her clothes casually draped over the chair. On the wall hung a portrait she had painted of him, so detailed, so lifelike. But the bed across from it was now empty.Mark approached the bed, hesitated for a moment, and then collapsed onto it, exhausted. The faint scent of her perfume still lingered on the sheets. He t