Due to Bob’s earlier mistakes that caused inefficiencies at work, this meeting felt especially complicated, with clear disagreements between both parties. Multiple projects were stuck with no agreement in sight.Time ticked away. The mood in the room grew more and more stifling. It was nearly noon, but they weren’t even halfway through the agenda.Prisley rubbed her temples, feeling more exhausted than usual due to her pregnancy. Long discussions drained her patience and energy.She took a discreet breath, trying to boost her energy, but the fatigue washed over her like a tide, overwhelming her will. She struggled to maintain a calm expression, but the tiredness in her eyes was hard to hide.Sitting at the far end of the table, Heath’s gaze casually swept across Prisley’s face. In that moment, he caught the fatigue she was trying to conceal.His brow slightly furrowed, and a wave of sympathy quickly rose in his heart. He knew Prisley too well; she would never ask for special treatment
Prisley arrived home to find Mark pacing anxiously in the living room. He had already been informed by Jack that Heath had also attended the meeting.Mark was uneasy, worried that there might have been some interaction between Prisley and Heath. Thankfully, Jack had reassured him that there had been nothing unusual on Heath's end. He and Prisley had not had any direct contact and had even sat far apart from each other.Yet, the tension in Mark’s mind hadn’t fully eased. He was still afraid that there might be something happening in the shadows that he couldn’t control.Prisley looked visibly tired. She changed into loose-fitting loungewear and slumped lazily onto the sofa.Mark, feeling her exhaustion, gently massaged her shoulders. "I told you not to go. See? Now you're worn out."Prisley closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth from Mark’s hands. A faint smile appeared on her lips, tinged with a bit of helplessness. "But I couldn’t miss work. The project is already behind. If I let someo
“No, Prisley, you're lying. You don't love him,” Jennifer said softly but firmly.Prisley felt a sharp pain, her body trembling slightly. The smile vanished from her face.She grasped Jennifer's arm in panic, her eyes filled with unease and vulnerability. “Jenny, how do you know?”Jennifer's lips curled into a sly smile, but her eyes showed deep understanding and care. “Who knows you better than I do?”She pulled Prisley into a tight embrace, tears slipping down her cheeks. “You're such a fool. You don't share your troubles with me. Do you even see me as a good friend?”Prisley couldn't hold back any longer. Her tears flowed freely, streaming down her pale face. “Of course you're my best friend. That's why I didn't want to burden you with my problems.”“Idiot! Sharing your pain with me will lighten it by half. Do you understand?” Jennifer scolded.Jennifer cried for a while, her tears flowing non-stop. She blew her nose hard, then used a tissue to wipe the tears from Prisley's face.“S
When Jennifer arrived at the Warner Group’s CEO office, she felt like a heavy stone was weighing on her chest, burdened with a sense of unease.Upon entering, everything in the office area appeared orderly. Under soft lighting, the secretaries were busily typing away.A secretary, with a professional smile on her face, politely asked, “Do you have an appointment with Mr. Rynn?”“Uh… no,” Jennifer hesitated, her tone uncertain. She hadn’t expected it to be so difficult to see Heath. A big company like Warner really was different.The secretary’s smile didn’t falter, still polite and composed. “I’m sorry, but without an appointment, I can’t arrange a meeting. Is there something you’d like to discuss with his assistant?”Jennifer was annoyed. “I have something important to talk to him about. It’s personal! You can’t stop me.”The secretary maintained her professional smile. “I’m sorry, even if it’s personal, you still need to speak with his assistant first. If Mr. Rynn agrees to see you,
Filla looked quite different from before. Previously, she liked to style her hair in an updo, which led Prisley to mimic her by straightening and pinning up her naturally wavy hair.But now, Filla had changed her style. She had gotten her hair permed into soft curls and let it fall freely, much like Prisley’s current preference. The two women bore a striking resemblance.Filla strode over to Heath, placed a stack of documents on the desk, and then walked around the table to stand close beside him.Her body pressed lightly against his leg, and she nudged him flirtatiously. The contact made Heath uncomfortable, and he quickly leaned back.“Heath, the new proposal is ready. I’m here to discuss it with you,” Filla said, her voice dripping with seduction. She placed her hand on Heath’s shoulder, letting her fingers trail lightly down his neck.Heath instinctively stood up, his voice stern. “Filla, don’t do that. Leave the documents here; I’ll review them and get back to you.”Filla felt ups
When Heath heard "Help me!" his heart almost stopped. Cold fear shot through him, leaving him dizzy.Without thinking, he sprinted toward Prisley. When he saw Prisley kneeling on the ground, leaning over an elderly man to perform chest compressions, he breathed a huge sigh of relief—she was safe."Quick... help me..." Prisley was exhausted. Sweat dampened her hairline, her face was full of worry.Heath's heart ached. "Let me! You rest over there."He quickly took off his suit jacket and threw it aside. He knelt down to take over the compressions."My phone's in my pocket. Call for help!"Heath said to her.Prisley, regaining her calm, quickly called for an ambulance and informed the event staff. Luckily, the venue had an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). After some quick emergency care, the elderly man was stabilized. As they carried him to the ambulance, a tired smile touched Prisley's pale face. The people who came to help dispersed, and Prisley finally relaxed her worri
After finishing his discussion with his father, Mark headed back to find Prisley. On the way, he overheard a staff member say that a pregnant woman had risked her life to perform emergency aid on an elderly man. She had severe bleeding and was rushed to the hospital. Mark immediately realized that the woman was Prisley.Driving at breakneck speed to the hospital, Mark's thoughts raced uncontrollably. He couldn't shake the image of Prisley's white dress stained with blood, her face pale and helpless.He finally reached the hospital. Just as he was about to knock, he caught sight of Prisley and Heath inside, laughing joyfully. A sharp pain gripped his chest, as if thorns were tightening around his heart, cutting deeper with every breath.His worst fears were coming true.Although Prisley agreed to be his girlfriend and got along well with him, making an effort to accommodate and please him in bed, Mark still felt an inexplicable sense of distance.She wasn’t truly happy with him.Her alwa
Prisley was initially a bit confused, but she immediately recognized the elderly man as the one she had saved in the garden the previous night.Smiling warmly, she walked up to him and hugged him. A soft, gentle smile appeared on her face. She then turned to Heath, smiling, “How did you know this gentleman was staying here?”Heath smiled back, a touch of respect in his voice. “Mr. Robin Neeson has been a friend of mine for many years.”He then turned and introduced her to the elderly man. “This is Prisley Anderson, the person you've been wanting to meet.”Robin shook his head with a smile, correcting him, “Oh no, I was your father’s friend, not yours. But I’ve always treated you like a son.”They exchanged a knowing glance and shared a warm laugh, a sense of unspoken understanding passing between them.Robin looked at Prisley with affection and admiration in his eyes. “Prisley, I really can't thank you enough. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be in heaven now.”Prisley’s smile remai
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