Mallory's eyes brightened upon hearing it. "Abigail, you're so nice. We're friends now. So, don't call me Ms. Guzman from now on. Call me Mallory."Abigail nodded. "Sure."Mallory then squeezed beside Abigail and asked, "Abigail, can you help me win Xander over?"Before Abigail could respond, Mallory continued to say, "If you can help me successfully marry Xander, I'll definitely ask him to give you a pay raise in the future. I'll not forget your kindness to me."'So, after all the fuss, this is her true purpose today,' Abigail thought. She felt like laughing as she responded, "Ms. Guzman, I can't help you with this."Abigail had just been working alongside Xander for a year. But many people had asked her to help them win Xander over.Mallory was not the first person who asked her for this favor. And Abigail believed Mallory would not be the last one.Back then, some people even promised Abigail houses, cars, and money if she successfully helped them. But Mallory was the first p
Esther said, "Mallory, my brother already has my sister-in-law..."Mallory interrupted her. She screamed heartbrokenly, "Your sister-in-law is just luckier than me. She was chosen by your grandmother to marry Xander. Your brother doesn't even love his wife."Esther said, "You can't read my brother's mind. How can you know whether my brother loves his wife or not?"Mallory responded, "The night before yesterday you told me yourself that your brother hasn't even made love to his wife. The only reason a man isn't willing to touch his wife is that he doesn't love the woman at all."Esther said, "You believed the nonsense I said when I was drunk?"Mallory did not care if it was the drink talking. "That woman can't even manage to sexually arouse your brother. He isn't willing to be intimate with her. And yet, you still don't allow me to marry your brother. Do you wish the Zane family's line to end?""Mallory. Please shut up and stop talking... My brother cares about his wife a lot. It'
Abigail thought, 'Right my ass. Whether or not they love each other is their business. She's just an outsider. Who's she to meddle in a married couple's business? And she even spoke so righteously.'"All right. Don't say it." Mallory then said to Esther, "Esther, your sister-in-law minds about your brother's problems in that aspect, but I don't. I don't care about your brother's capability in that aspect. As long as he accepts me, I don't mind if we'll never have coitus. If he doesn't want to marry me, it's fine too. I'm willing to stay by his side without being married to him."Mallory was like a madwoman who lost her mind.Abigail had some doubts. 'Does she truly love Xander?'Or is she just obsessed with winning him over?'No matter what it was, Abigail felt pity for Mallory who had lost her mind and whose heart was broken.She thought to herself again, 'A woman stoops so low just for a man. She doesn't even care about her dignity anymore. It's so sad.'Abigail did not want t
Nathan asked: [Why do you say that?]Abigail pondered before replying: [He's a boss, a capitalist. I'm an employee, the exploited. Do you think we can be the same kind of people?]Upon seeing this message from Abigail, Xander felt an emotion that he could not describe. He thought, 'I thought that as her boss, Abigail should somewhat have a good impression of me.'But unexpectedly, to Abigail, I'm just like any other boss, a nasty capitalist, an abhorrent exploiter...'He moved his slender fingers to reply to her: [As long as you're willing to, you two can become the same kind of people.]Abigail still wanted to reply to him. But then she received a new message. It was from Winnie.Abigail met Winnie at the 3033 Global Technology Conference. They were not free to meet up since then. But they had been constantly chatting with each other on WhatsApp.They chatted about everything. But mostly it was gossip. Abigail could guess the content of Winnie's text before she looked at it.W
Abigail: [Do you think I can discuss this with my boss? I'll ask him to let me take pictures of him and leak them online to make money. And I'll split the earnings with him after that. Or maybe I'll split eighty-twenty with him. I don't even mind me taking the twenty percent and him taking the eighty percent.]Winnie: [Your boss definitely doesn't care about this kind of small amount of money. I think you can try to win over your boss's wife. Ask her to allow you to take pictures of her and leak them online, with the caption: "The Wife of the Zane Corporation's Leader, Xander, XX's Face". Damn. I think I do really know how to make money.]Abigail felt this idea was quite feasible: [Sigh, unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to meet my boss's wife. Or else, I'll definitely think of ways to persuade her to make money with me.]Winnie: [You still haven't met her? Speaking of that, she's actually quite pretty. I can tell she must be a beauty just by looking at her slender back.
On the other end of the phone, Xander was looking at a long string of texts from Abigail, ranting about him. Not only could he not get angry, but he also had to comfort her.Nathan: [Next time, you should take a picture of your boss and post it online.]Abigail: [Next time won't be as profitable unless I have a clear shot of Xander's face, or perhaps a candid photo of him and his wife in bed.]Xander was stunned for a few seconds when he saw Abigail's message. 'What on earth is this seemingly serious girl thinking about all day?'Abigail, like a typewriter on overdrive, was still typing away. Abigail: [Wait till the day I go to his house, secretly install a pinhole camera in his bathroom, film him undressed, or even do a live stream online. I'm sure to make a fortune.]Xander's face darkened. 'She actually wants to share a live stream of me undressed with netizens?'Abigail: [Hahaha, Nathan, don't you think I have a great business mind? Once I make money, you won't have to work s
This was reality—brutal, unyielding reality. Felix wished to reject it, yet was powerless to change it, unable to shield Abigail from the harm. That was the real core of Felix's concern.Abigail understood him too. "Fee, I'm an adult. I can protect myself. You're not obligated to take responsibility for my life, so don't blame yourself."Felix retorted, "I know you're strong. But being strong doesn't mean you don't need us."Abigail chuckled. "Our houses are next door. How do you suppose we could ever be able to separate?"Melody added more food to Felix's plate. "You worry too much, kid."The trio finished their dinner amidst their playful bickering. Afterward, Abigail spent some time drawing her comics. Just as she was about to head to bed, she received a message from Stella on WhatsApp.Stella: [Abigail, are you asleep yet?]Abigail: [Not yet.]As soon as she sent her message, her phone rang—it was Stella. Abigail picked up, hearing Stella's voice. "Abigail, can you talk rig
Abigail noticed the shift in Stella's mood. "Stella, if something's bothering you, share it with me. Don't bottle it up."Stella sighed deeply. "It's nothing specific, just sometimes I feel that being pretty isn't always a blessing, and life can seem so pointless..." She paused before continuing, "Abigail, do you know? Lately, I've been wondering if Chloe wasn't as beautiful, if she looked just like any other girl, would she still have been tormented by the local bully? If she wasn't targeted, then she wouldn't have been labeled as 'disgraced', her mother wouldn't have committed suicide over her, and she wouldn't have been cast out of her village..." Her voice broke into a laugh. "If all that never happened, her life after sixteen wouldn't have been so difficult. Not only was she unable to be with the man she loved, but she also nearly lost her life a few times."After listening patiently, Abigail softly replied, "Stella, you're right. If none of that had happened, Chloe wouldn't hav
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