After a moment of warmth, Lionel tried to call a doctor for her, but Chloe grabbed the phone and refused to let go.She wasn't joking. If he really found another doctor for her, wouldn't her pregnancy be exposed?"Come on, give me the phone. I just want to arrange a doctor for you, I mean no harm," Lionel coaxed Chloe gently in his arms."I know! But when I said three months, it was just a hypothetical. I don't actually have any illness. It's just a common gynecological inflammation that any woman might have. The doctor said I just need to rest for a month at most! I don't like making a big deal out of nothing!"Well, once she said that, she could only keep the pregnancy hidden from Lionel for a month."Alright... fine." He had already consulted the attending physician, and this was how she had explained it to him. For now, he'd listen to Chloe.Seeing Lionel agree, Chloe finally felt relieved. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.They kissed for a long ti
"You took quite a while this time. I've been waiting for you," Earl said, taking a sip of his tea as his eyes continuously studied Joanna.She had blossomed even more beautifully!Elegant and graceful, with impeccable manners and a sharp mind, Joanna embodied all the virtues of a perfect wife. She was the ideal candidate to be Lionel's wife."I'm sorry, Grandfather. I didn't mean for it to take so long, but..." Joanna trailed off, her tone apologetic as she peeled an orange and offered it to Earl."I understand. You've endured a lot," Earl replied, shooting Lionel a sidelong glance.If only Lionel weren't so stubborn—cold and unyielding like a rock—ignoring Joanna to the point of driving her away. By now, Earl thought, he might have already been holding a great-grandson!Three years ago, Joanna had broken off the engagement, causing quite a scandal and tarnishing their family's reputation. But the fault wasn't entirely hers; their family had their share of the blame, so there wasn't m
Lionel was tapping away on his keyboard when a sudden knock sounded at the door.His brows furrowed as he glanced briefly in the direction of the door, letting out a cold snort. "Come in!""Lion..." Joanna's soft voice called out as she stepped into the room. Lionel didn't move, not even sparing her a glance from the corner of his eye. He didn't need to see her; the faint fragrance lingering in the air was enough for him to know it was Joanna."If you have something to say, spit it out and leave. I'm busy!" His handsome face was taut, as if Joanna standing before him was nothing more than a complete stranger.Joanna bit her lip, her rosy lips turning a bruised purple under the pressure. Her large, watery eyes blinked rapidly, filled with grievance."Lion... do you really hate me that much?" she asked, unwilling to back down, her voice trembling with frustration. How could he ignore her so thoroughly? Was she really so unworthy that Lionel wouldn't even spare her a glance?Lionel's lip
"Do you two know each other?" Florence asked through a mouthful of food, her words slightly muffled as she glanced back and forth between the man and Chloe.Their expressions couldn't have been more telling—one looked pale as if seeing a venomous snake, while the other seemed overwhelmed, as if holding back a flood of emotions with no outlet."I, we…" Chloe stammered, her lips trembling as she struggled to respond."We've known each other for a long time!" Amos interjected swiftly, cutting her off."Huh, you do look familiar," Florence said, squinting at Amos as if trying to place him. She didn't pry further into their relationship but suddenly smacked the table as realization struck. "Oh, right! You're the CEO of Lumina, aren't you? I've been seeing you all over the media lately!""That's correct! Amos Morgan, at your service. Good evening, Miss Williams," Amos said with a courteous bow, though his gaze was fixed on Chloe.Chlo
Amos's antics left Chloe with little appetite. Naturally, if Chloe wasn't eating, Florence lost her enthusiasm too. They decided to pay the bill and leave, abandoning a table full of delicacies.What a waste of a feast.As they strolled aimlessly, they found themselves near the hospital."Should we drop by to see Geoffrey? I wonder if his leg's healing well enough for him to walk," Chloe suggested. Florence eagerly nodded. "Agreed."In truth, Florence wasn't feeling particularly charitable toward Geoffrey. She was just bored and figured a little verbal sparring with him might liven up the day.When they arrived at Geoffrey's VIP hospital room, they immediately noticed several men in black suits stationed outside the door. Clearly, a prominent member of the Windley family was inside."I think… we should skip this," Chloe hesitated. With Geoffrey's family present, it didn't feel appropriate to intrude.She was well aware of Geoff
After bidding Geoffrey farewell, she hurried home.Meanwhile, after Chloe left, Ray emerged from the hospital's corner, flanked by several men in black suits. He stared intently at Chloe's retreating figure until she disappeared from sight.Taking out his phone, he made a call and said coldly, "I order you to never contact her again!"Hanging up abruptly, he climbed into a sleek black business car that roared away."Father..." Geoffrey's face turned pale with anger as he stood nearby, gripping his phone tightly before furiously throwing it out the window. When had his father started meddling in his affairs again? In the past, no matter who he was with, his father never cared. So why now?***The Williams ResidenceAt that moment, Lionel was fuming silently, lounging on the sofa and playing games on his phone.During lunch, his seat had been deliberately arranged next to Joanna's—his grandfather's doing, no doubt. His grandfather had casually reminded him to serve Joanna food, to take
The atmosphere inside the car was tense and suffocating.Lionel sat motionless, his expression rigid, his cold and piercing gaze fixed ahead.Despite growing up with him, Joanna still felt a chill in her heart when faced with Lionel's presence.Suddenly, a voice as cold as ice shards hitting the ground broke the silence in the car."Are you happy now?""Huh?" Joanna blinked, taking a couple of seconds to react. Her face immediately darkened. "Lion, what are you talking about? Grandpa's blood pressure is rising, it's dangerous. How could I be happy? What do you take me for?""Drink!" Lionel sneered, veins bulging on his forehead. "Isn't this exactly what you all planned from the start?""What? Planned? What are you talking about? Can you explain?" Joanna twitched her lips, her long eyelashes fluttering as she looked innocent."Heh!" Another sarcastic laugh escaped Lionel as he looked at her without any expression. "Keep playing the part. You're so convincing, it almost feels real!"Joa
Chloe hailed a taxi and rushed home.When she arrived, Donna was in the middle of preparing dinner."Chloe, you're back?!" Donna greeted her with surprise, taking the bag from her hand. She glanced behind Chloe but didn't see Lionel."Uh..." Chloe replied as she changed her shoes and walked inside. Sensing her mother's unspoken question, she quickly explained, "I'm alone. He went to his grandfather's house.""Oh, I see." Donna sounded a bit disappointed. The house felt so empty, with just her here all day. If she didn't go out, she wouldn't even have anyone to talk to.Deep down, Donna wished Lionel and Chloe would come back more often. She always had food ready for them, but the food would go bad, and she'd have to throw it out and buy more, yet they never came. After waiting so long, it felt like a letdown when only Chloe returned. In her mind, she had completely accepted Lionel as her son-in-law.They rarely spoke much. As Chloe sat down, Donna hurriedly filled her glass with water
Slap!A sharp, crisp sound echoed as Joanna's face was harshly turned to the side, blood beginning to seep from her lips.Samuel shook with anger. After such a scandal, how could he face everyone here?"From now on, I sever all ties with her!" Samuel spat out, his voice filled with fury. He staggered back, nearly collapsing, but his subordinates rushed forward to steady him.Chloe stood frozen, stunned by the scene, when suddenly someone pulled her from behind, dragging her into a nearby makeshift lounge."Hahaha..." Joanna's laughter suddenly broke out, manic and unhinged.Her laugh was chilling, and the little boy next to her shrank back in fear. "Mommy, what's happening?""Shut up! Get away, bastard!" Joanna screamed, causing the boy to burst into loud sobs."Joanna... you've gone too far!" The blonde man hurried over, his face cold as he scooped the child into his arms and left the venue."Haha..." Joanna continued to laugh, swaying back and forth. She looked at Lionel, his cold,
"I'll cry if I want to. What's the matter? You can't stand it? If you don't like it, I'll go back to my mom's!" Chloe threatened, her hands on her hips, showing her teeth.Lionel raised an eyebrow. In the whole world, there was only one person who dared to threaten him—her! He quickly pulled Chloe into his arms, coaxing, "Alright, you can do whatever you want, I'll follow your lead. But please, don't make me worry so much. And from now on, you're not leaving my sight for a single second."What a joke—if she left, what would he do at night? He'd already gotten used to having her by his side. He couldn't function without her.A wave of worry washed over him. She now had her real father. Today, she was using her mom to threaten him—would she use her dad to threaten him tomorrow? What about her brother the day after?No! No! Anyone, but not her brother! Thinking of how Geoffrey once doted on her, Lionel's face darkened. From now on, he couldn't let Geoffrey anywhere near her—even if he we
Lionel watched as the people quickly fled, his narrow eyes darkening. He turned to Barton beside him and said, "Take care of this."With that, his tall figure swiftly moved towards the restroom.For some reason, he had felt uneasy all day.When he heard "someone's been killed," his heart was pierced with a sharp sting. The unease inside him deepened; he needed to see it for himself.As someone's face turned ashen, they quietly slipped out of the venue while Barton was busy calming the crowd."Lion..."Chloe's voice broke the silence, and Lionel froze. He looked up to see the familiar face, and her voice, thick with emotion, caused tears to well up in her eyes, which then fell, trembling.She had been so strong just moments ago, but the moment she saw Lionel, her heart felt fragile, as if it could shatter with a single breath.Seeing Chloe like this, Lionel was horrified. Blood was everywhere on her lips, and it sent a sharp pain through his chest. Without a second thought, he rushed t
Eamonn had been salivating over Chloe for a long time.To get to her, he had even used his proximity to Cynthia as a stepping stone, but little did he know, Lionel had beaten him to the punch.Even though Eamonn had the desire, he lacked the courage to act on it. He harbored those thoughts but never dared to lay a hand on Chloe.But when he was assigned a task—to torment Chloe, with the promise of a bright future and wealth beyond measure—he found himself going all in.As a man, there are always those few moments of madness in life. This was his chance. If he completed his task, not only would he rise in rank, but he would also fulfill his deepest desires."Monster!" Chloe broke free from one of his hands and slapped him across the face.Eamonn's face instantly bore five red marks from her fingers.He sneered, his voice cold and menacing. "Bitch! Still playing the innocent virgin? I'll make sure you regret this today."The devilish tone in his voice, combined with the devilish look on
"Chloe... long time no see." Eamonn shamelessly stood only a few steps away from Chloe, his body inching closer with each passing moment.Ever since Cynthia's accident, he had disappeared without a trace, and Chloe couldn't understand why he'd suddenly reappeared now."What are you doing here?" Chloe's voice was icy, and she showed no sign of warmth towards him.The mere sight of him reminded her of poor Cynthia, and the anger within her grew even stronger. Seeing him advance with that sinister glint in his eyes set off alarm bells in her mind."Stop!" Chloe took a large step back, not caring that her dress was still wet. She hurriedly wrapped a coat around herself.Eamonn ignored her words, his face still twisted with a smirk, taking a few more steps forward."Chloe, don't be like this. I'm not a virus. Why are you so afraid of me getting closer? It's been so long, and I have so much to say to you."He raised his hand, trying to grab Chloe's.Chloe swung her arm out to the side, evad
In the morning, Chloe and Lionel walked downstairs to find Joanna already seated at the dining table."Good morning, Lion, Chloe," Joanna greeted them with a graceful smile, delicately sipping her milk.Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Chloe's neck, and as expected, the marks from last night's kiss were still clearly visible.The sounds she overheard at the door yesterday flashed through Joanna's mind. Bitch! she cursed silently.Lionel ignored Joanna's greeting, and Chloe merely snorted in response. They both sat down to breakfast. As usual, Lionel fussed over Chloe, fetching this and that for her, while Joanna seemed to vanish into thin air, like a mere background figure.Since Lionel had ordered Lumina to be blacklisted, all those who once courted favor with K Group had severed ties with the company, leaving Lumina on the brink of collapse.While Lionel was listening to Barton's report, his phone rang.It was his father. Immediately, Lionel's face darkened."What is it?" he asked,
"Joanna, you're drunk! Calm down." Heather's voice was low and firm as he grabbed Joanna's wrist without hesitation, stopping her just as she lunged at him.Was she really drunk? Or just pretending?Heather's sharp tone, coupled with the pain shooting through her wrist, made Joanna freeze. Her dewy eyes instantly filled with tears."You yelled at me? You never raise your voice at me. You never refuse me. What's wrong with you? Don't tell me… your love for me was a lie?"Her lips trembled, and—plop—a single tear slid down her cheek. Joanna's delicate face was full of grievance as she accused Heather of turning against her.She really had gone mad.He had loved her. He had sincerely begged her to stop chasing after Lionel and to stay with him instead. He had been willing to take responsibility for their one-time mistake, promising to make her happy.But she had refused to even look at him, discarding him like a worthless rag.And now, after failing to win another man's love, after feelin
Joanna burned with jealousy, seething with anger as she stormed in. She grabbed Chloe off the bed and dragged her out, ready to feed her to the wolves.Bitch!Normally, Joanna could let things slide, but not now. What the hell was this? She'd just had a miscarriage a week ago, barely gotten back home, and now she was back in bed with a man?!Joanna cursed Chloe fiercely in her mind, but then, oddly, a sense of satisfaction crept in. She knew that a woman who had just miscarried shouldn't be anywhere near a man in bed. That was basic knowledge. But the fact that Lionel didn't care about Chloe's condition, that he was dragging her into bed as soon as he got home—well, that only proved one thing: he saw her as nothing more than a tool.If he truly loved her, he would have been more considerate!This meant that in Lionel's eyes, Chloe was nothing special either!Ha! What was there to be angry about now?Let them have their fun, let them wreck her completely, turn her into trash.Joanna fe
Chloe lost her child, and Joanna couldn't contain her delight. She hummed a cheerful tune, suddenly finding everyone pleasant to look at and treating everyone with uncharacteristic warmth and kindness.Mandy, on the other hand, was seething with resentment, while Grace spent her days on edge, terrified of Lionel's return and the punishment that might await her.A week passed, and Chloe finally returned from the hospital.Joanna, who had been all smiles for days, found her grin vanishing the moment she laid eyes on Chloe.In her mind, Chloe had tried to use the child in her womb to secure her place, and now that she had lost the baby, her bargaining chip was gone. Even if she didn't take her own life, she should at least be devastated—frail, despondent, a step away from death.Yet, after a week, Chloe looked radiant, her complexion even more glowing than before!There was no sign of grief over losing her child—she was laughing and