Xander said, "Things are quite complicated here, so I plan on staying a while longer. If you can't stand the climate, I can have Paxton take you back."Abigail replied, "It's alright. I can handle a little hardship.""Abigail..." His voice was heavy, weighted with concern as he called her name."Yes?"Xander said, "In the future, if you encounter situations like today, don't be so reckless."Abigail had no words. She did not want to be reckless either; it was just her instinctive reaction. Being under his control for so long had conditioned her to consider him first in everything she did.After a tense silence, Xander spoke again, "Does your husband know about your injury?"Abigail shook her head. "I didn't tell him."Xander, puzzled, asked, "Why not?""I don't want him to worry about me."Xander understood and felt uneasy. He imagined that if his wife had not betrayed him and they had a normal relationship, he would not be happy if she hid an injury from him either. He glanc
After a deeply satisfying meal, Abigail fell into a heavy sleep that night. The morning alarm at six failed to rouse her, and she did not stir until half-past nine. The persistent rain from the night before had ceased, and now the sun shone brightly outside her window. As she gazed through the floor-to-ceiling glass, a breathtaking scene of a shimmering green lake and snow-capped mountains bathed in golden light captured her attention. Abigail felt an unexpected surge of happiness and serenity.Before visiting the highlands, Abigail had read countless posts online about how the region could cleanse and purify one's soul. She had been skeptical, but now that she was here, she found herself a believer. City dwellers were always swamped with work, studies, or mindlessly scrolling through short videos on their phones. Taking a break in such a serene place for a week or two could truly be a life-changing experience.Lost in her thoughts, Abigail jumped when the doorbell unexpectedly rang.
The warm glow of the streetlights outside the hotel bathed the area in a cozy ambiance. Just a couple hundred meters to the right of the hotel, a vibrant commercial street had come to life. The once-empty street now boasted a supermarket, shops selling enticing local specialties, and a myriad of mouthwatering snack vendors. The transformation was nothing short of miraculous compared to the desolate darkness that shrouded the area only a month ago.Abigail's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Mr. Zane, you're truly extraordinary!"Xander's eyes softened, a hint of a smile gracing his handsome features. "Oh? How so?"Abigail gestured animatedly to the bustling shops. "When we arrived, this place was empty, devoid of life. But in just a month, an entire thriving commercial street has emerged. It's now a treasure trove of necessities and a melting pot of delicious cuisines from every corner of the world. How could that not be awe-inspiring?"Xander quipped, "You've certainly honed your fl
"I just want to try this barbecue place on behalf of our future guests from afar." Abigail's eyes sparkled with intense longing as she gazed at the nearby barbecue stand, her craving almost palpable.'How can she come up with such a grand excuse just to satisfy her appetite?' A surge of irrational anger swelled within Xander upon hearing her admission. Stubbornly, he refused to comply. "I never touch that kind of junk food."Abigail knew he avoided unhealthy foods, but she had not asked him to join her. She offered a sycophantic grin. "Mr. Zane, why don't you go ahead and rest? I'll sacrifice my own stomach for the cause."Xander's internal irritation flared. 'She's just a junior assistant, and she wants to boss me around and send me away? I won't have it.' He headed to the barbecue stand and casually took a seat. Although his attire was modest, his presence seemed to create an undeniable disconnect with the humble surroundings.Abigail went to order her favorite food, and as she t
"Thank you." Abigail gave the man her work number. "If you encounter any issues during your visit, don't hesitate to contact me.""Can I contact you for non-work-related matters as well?""I'm happily married," Abigail replied with a radiant smile, turning and gracefully walking toward Xander.The man's gaze lingered on Abigail, and when he saw Xander, the light in his eyes dimmed significantly. He had thought his looks were decent enough to approach her boldly, but upon seeing her husband, he suddenly understood why she had not been swayed. With such a striking man at home, no wonder she would not give him a second glance.A group of animated Stunning Mule Club members sat near Xander, their laughter filling the air. Some of them mustered the courage to ask Xander for his telephone number but hesitated, their nerves getting the better of them. One person tried to sneakily snap a photo with their phone, but Xander's piercing glance made them nearly drop it in fright.Abigail joine
"Mr. Zane, I'm so sorry. I overstepped earlier, and I promise to be more cautious in the future." Apologizing earnestly, Abigail hurried away from Xander. As she made her way back to the hotel, she reflected on their relationship. The more time she spent with Xander, the more she saw past the rumors, and the more she believed in his hidden goodness. This had emboldened her in his presence, but she now realized she had let her guard down too far, and she vowed to be more careful.Xander extinguished his cigarette and followed Abigail at a distance, his intense gaze ensuring her safe return to the hotel.Dr. Sander appeared as if from nowhere. "Xander, Paxton has already instructed Cleona to follow your orders regarding your mother. She shouldn't cause any more trouble for Abigail." Xander nodded. She continued, "Cleona also explained that your mother's recent aggressive actions stem from Esther and Mallory's impending return from their studies abroad, and she wants to clear the path f
Xander did not reply and instructed the driver to depart when they crossed paths with another cheap car...Xander's sight stayed on the car for a few seconds, finding it somewhat familiar, and saw Abigail pushing her huge luggage toward the car.The man took Abigail's luggage as soon as he alighted from the driver's seat. The driver had already accelerated even before Xander could have a clear view of the person.Xander frustratedly pulled on his collar and called a number. "How are the preparations coming along?"An aloof voice came from the other end of the line. "Xander, why did you appoint me when the Zane Corporation has so many outstanding lawyers? Are the rumors true that you've been cuckolded by your wife?"Needless to ask, Xander knew who was behind the rumors. "Yes, and their reach even extended to grandmother. How many know about this?""The Big Four Families are already in the know." The man clicked his tongue a few times before he continued, "Max's sister had such a
'This woman is quite humorous,' thought Shawn before he replied, "No worries. Please take your time."Shawn stared at her as Abigail read through the divorce papers. This woman is exceptionally beautiful, with a round face, a pointy chin, pale skin, and glossy lips. Every part of her meets the criteria of being beautiful. Shawn sighed in his heart. 'Xander is really immature emotionally. He married such a fine woman, yet he was willing to leave her and further his studies overseas. If I had a wife as beautiful as her, I'd give her everything and keep her by my side, never giving a chance for another man in her heart. What a pity for Xander to leave her alone and let another man snatch her heart away.'The other party took her time to slowly read through the papers as there was no one to rush them. Shawn was in no hurry as well, taking his time to appreciate her elegant face.Abigail opened the divorce agreement that had a lot of details written down on the A4 papers. The paper menti
Emma turned and dashed into the bathroom. She cranked the faucet on and splashed water on her face, aiming to soothe her nerves.Although they were engaged, they were still too young, with countless uncertainties looming over their future. The possibility of actually walking down the aisle was up in the air.Decisions made in a rush of happiness could eventually become sources of regret. And Emma knew all too well that she couldn't afford any regrets.She thought that fortunately, Ron hadn't pushed things further, which gave her time to cool off.After freshening up, Emma stepped out to find Ron on the balcony, a cigarette in hand.She couldn't resist chiding him, "I've told you to cut down on smoking. Why can't you seem to remember?"This time, Ron complied, snuffing out the cigarette. "We should get some sleep. We've got to put our best foot forward when we meet your family tomorrow.""Okay, I'll sleep on the couch. You take the bed," Emma responded.Ron simply replied, "As y
Ron looked at her dawdling pace with disdain. "If you, a lady, can handle it, why can't I, a grown man, stay?"His words sounded noble, but Ron regretted them the moment they arrived at the hotel.Despite now earning a decent income, Emma was still reluctant to spend money.This place was hardly a hotel; it was clearly a budget inn charging only a few dozen bucks a night. The hygiene was questionable at best, and safety seemed like a gamble.Ron turned on his heel, dragging her suitcase behind him. "We're leaving, now.""It's too late, and we can't get a refund for the room.""Are you trying to get us killed?"Emma fell silent, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration. 'I told him he wouldn't be used to cheap places. He insisted on coming with me, and now he won't even let me stay here alone. Why is he so annoying?'However, considering Ron had rushed over in the middle of the night to help her, Emma decided not to hold it against him.Ron picked the best hotel in the area—the
Rebekah glanced over at Ron; she exchanged a knowing look with him before saying, "I'll have someone tidy up the rooms. Why don't you two stay here tonight and keep me company?"Ron replied simply, "Sure."Emma had purchased a midnight flight back to South Florivera, necessitating a rush to the airport, which made staying over after dinner impossible.Yet, she found herself at a loss for words, struggling to decline Rebekah's kind offer.As she hesitated, Ron stepped in to clear the air. "Mom, I've got something on tonight. After dinner, I'll drive Emma back to her dorm."Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "What's so important?" she wondered aloud, thinking, 'Wasn't he the one insisting Emma stay over? What's he up to now?'Ron kept it mysterious. "Life stuff."Rebekah could not help but chide him lightly, "You, always the joker."Right after dinner, Ron insisted on leaving to take Emma back to her dormitory. But as soon as they were out of the gated community, he asked, "So, you reall
Ron chuckled. "I didn't know you were aware that even a cornered rat will fight."Emma shot him a glare. "Are we going or not?"Ron quickly said, "Of course. When Miss Blue commands, how can I dare not obey?"Fearing another of his notorious driving escapades, Emma hastily buckled her seatbelt as she settled into the car.Thankfully, this time Ron kept it smooth, driving steadily.As they neared their destination, Ron finally spoke up, "You know, that Tucker guy is a married man. Don't let his kindness fool you into being the other woman."Emma's gaze on Ron was fiery, seething with anger. "Do you even hear yourself? Is that what you think of me? For the last time: Tucker and I share nothing more than a mentor-mentee relationship. There's nothing else between us.""I'm just looking out for you, worried you might get deceived," Ron said, witnessing Emma's fury for the first time. Yet, he could not help but find her anger not at all intimidating, but rather endearingly foolish.R
The two sisters had a pact: no cell phones at home to keep their secrets from the prying eyes of the Blue family. Thus, Emma could call only at prearranged times, the sole window for Rihanna to catch up.Rihanna's voice bubbled with excitement over the phone, as she chattered away about her life's minutiae.Knowing Rihanna was doing well eased Emma's mind.Just as Emma was about to end the call, she heard Rihanna's voice, soft and wistful. "You're really not coming home for the holidays? If you don't, I'll be all alone."Emma's heart clenched at those words, and she made up her mind in an instant. "I'll come back the day before New Year's Eve."The Blue family had their hands full with festivities that day, too busy to notice Rihanna's absence. Emma figured slipping back unnoticed then would be her best shot.After hanging up, Emma immediately booked a flight from Valtara to South Florivera. With her ticket secured and her last bit of work finished, Emma prepared to leave her off
Emma had no interest in romance, let alone the audacity to dream that Ron might fancy her.This time, she did not pick up the thread of conversation.After dinner, Ron, as usual, drove Emma back to the university.Before parting, Ron said, "Winter break is almost upon us, and the dorms might be off-limits. Are you sure you don't want to stay at my place for a couple of months?"Emma offered a smile in response. "Thanks for the offer. I've spoken with the dorm supervisor and submitted an application in advance. I'll be able to stay over the holiday period."Ron paused before saying, "Well, if you need anything, just let me know. I'll text you my number in a bit; make sure you save it."Emma nodded. "Sure."Without further ado, Ron drove off.Upon returning to her dorm, Emma saw Evelyn and Cassie, busy packing their bags, surrounded by gifts for their parents bought from Valtara.Evelyn asked Emma, "Are you really not going home for the winter break?"Emma replied, "No, I won't
Emma did not have the guts to risk failure because she did not have a safe haven to fall back on.Lucas kicked Ron in the shin. "Come on, if you fancy her, out with it. No Hagrid heir dithers like this."Ron glared at him. "Mind your own business." In his head, Emma was already his. The thought of losing her was unimaginable.Lucas said, "Without my meddling, she'd never be yours."Ron changed the subject. "I called you here for a serious discussion."Lucas replied, "No matter how serious, it can't outweigh the matter of your lifetime happiness."Ron was exasperated. "Lucas!"Lucas relented. "Alright, alright, you talk, I'm all ears."Ron spelled out Emma's music venture with Tucker. After hearing it all, Lucas could not help but see Emma in a new light."Never pegged Emma as such a dark horse," Lucas said.Silently listening to their conversation, Emma was thrilled to have her work recognized.Lucas said, "But, getting back to it, whether a song makes money, and how much, d
Ron barked, "Lucas!"With a chuckle, Lucas responded, "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing Emma. I'm starving. Let's grab some food and talk business while we eat."Ron snapped, "Get lost!"Lucas could not help but revel in Ron's frustration. "Ron, have you fallen so quickly? Who was it that told me they would never accept an arranged marriage?"Emma was increasingly confused by their banter. "If it's inconvenient for me to be here, I can just take a cab and leave."Ron said, "Call you dumb and you won't admit it!"Emma thought to herself, 'I didn't want to be a third wheel, cramping their style. Was that really so wrong? No good deed goes unpunished, apparently.'Suddenly, Ron grabbed Emma's hand and led her inside. "It's cold out; let's go inside."Emma had to quicken her pace, practically being dragged along.Seeing them together, Lucas laughed heartily from behind. "Ron, oh Ron, never thought I'd see the day.""Don't laugh too soon. Your day is coming," Ron shot back.Th
Emma said, "Okay."Ron asked, "Have you won over your crush?"Lucas responded, "Secret."Ron replied, "Looks like you haven't won her over."Lucas said, "As long as I make a move, there's no girl I can't win over. But I haven't made a move yet because the timing isn't right."Ron asked, "Is it because of the Sandow family?"Lucas answered, "The Sandow family wants to marry their daughter to me, and my family wants me to marry her too. But I've told them long ago that I'm not willing to do that. Nobody can make me marry a girl I don't like."Emma remained silent. 'I didn't expect that Lucas would also have the same problem as me and Ron.'It seems like the wealthier the family, the more they'll arrange marriages based on social status without considering personal preferences.'Lucas seemed to sense Emma's thoughts. "Emma, my situation with the Sandow girl is different from yours and Ron's. Don't lump us together."Ron looked at Emma and suddenly said, "There isn't any other gi