Joanna glared at Chloe, her face twisting in anger and humiliation. After a tense moment, Chloe's calm voice broke the silence, her gaze steady.
"Then tell me, Joanna, what exactly are you? Stirring up trouble behind the scenes, turning siblings against each other, all while secretly laughing to yourself. What's your endgame?"
Joanna's face flushed with both shame and fury, her heart pounding with unease. How did she figure it out?
"Chloe, let me warn you," Joanna snapped, her voice dripping with venom. "Don't think for a second that just because Lionel is backing you, you can slander me! Do you honestly believe Lionel will belong to you forever? Dream on! He'll be mine soon enough. If you're smart, you'll get lost before anyone finds out. The farther away, the better! Otherwise, when the time comes, losing your dignity will be the least of your worries—you won't even know how you died!"
Chloe's lips curled into a faint smile, her cold eyes brimming
LuminaEarly in the morning, chaos erupted at Lumina!Several companies abruptly terminated their contracts, and rumors spread like wildfire online. The buzz? Lumina's General Manager Amos was the illegitimate child of a mistress, who had usurped the rightful heir's position.Pete, the founder of Lumina, was at his wit's end. Just when he thought things couldn't get worse, K International Group announced they were pulling their investment, severing all ties with Lumina.Pete nearly lost his mind.From his experience, this wasn't a coincidence. He suspected K International Group's involvement, but how could he muster the courage to confront Lionel? He had no idea where he'd gone wrong or what had offended the man. All he knew was that Lionel was driving him into a corner.After much deliberation, Pete concluded that someone must have provoked Lionel—someone foolish enough to bring this disaster upon them.He stormed into the Gene
Chloe had been feeling uneasy in her stomach all day. Occasionally, there was a faint tugging sensation in her lower abdomen—not exactly painful but persistent enough to keep her from ignoring it.After wrapping up matters at the art center, she hurried to the hospital.She couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. Every now and then, she glanced over her shoulder, but all she saw were the bustling crowds and cars passing by—no suspicious figures in sight.Was she just being paranoid?Chloe scanned her surroundings one more time, finding nothing unusual. A wry smile tugged at her lips. Perhaps the anxiety of becoming a mother was making her overly sensitive.With a sigh of self-reassurance, Chloe pushed through her nervousness and entered the hospital, heading straight for the obstetrics department.The same middle-aged female doctor she'd seen before greeted her with a warm, motherly smile. Over time, Chloe had grown familiar with her."What's the matter? Stomach both
The man behind Chloe froze for two seconds, seemingly surprised that she wasn't afraid of him in the slightest. He quickly followed Chloe out of the classroom, cursing under his breath.“Damn it! What kind of lousy art center is this? They ruined my niece's leg! If no one takes responsibility today, no one's leaving here!”"Sir, please watch your language! If you're here to resolve the issue, let's resolve it. But if you're here just to cause trouble, don't blame me for calling the police!"Hearing the man's words, Chloe figured something must have happened in the dance studio. Though she was a little concerned, she refused to be intimidated by his aggressive demeanor.Chloe had always been the kind of person who stood strong against the strong.Her cold and firm tone made the man pause again for another two seconds.Damn, this woman's got some nerve! He had never met anyone who wasn't afraid of him before. This was the first time, and it baffled him.The man hesitated for a moment bu
The man's eyes flickered as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, hastily trying to defend himself. "No, I was just… just joking…""Joking?" Alex let out a cold sneer. "Bastard!"With a swift motion, he struck the man, sending his sunglasses flying. They landed awkwardly, half-dangling from his face.The man's expression shifted instantly, his arrogant facade crumbling into that of a trembling fool. His lips quivered, but he dared not utter a single word—not even to beg for mercy.Alex alone was terrifying enough, but Lionel? Everyone had heard of his unpredictable temper—cold, ruthless, and merciless. Pleading might have been an option with Alex, but with Lionel, it would only speed up one's demise."Speak. What's going on?" Alex demanded sharply."I-I was just paid to do this… Someone ordered me to—"The parents watching finally understood."Next time you take a job, use your damn brain." Alex smacked the man on the head repeatedly.The once-aggressive man now stood frozen, letting
A few minutes later, Chloe and Alex stepped out and got into the car, speeding away.Joanna watched them leave with a smirk, eagerly anticipating that the two would soon check into a hotel together.But then, she saw the car take a turn—heading toward the outskirts instead. Her face instantly darkened.Meanwhile, Florence beamed with delight.It wasn't until Alex had safely dropped Chloe off and driven away that Joanna and Florence finally returned home.The moment Joanna stepped into the house, she was met with Lionel's icy gaze, as sharp as a blade. A shiver ran down her spine.Creak—He's home this early today?And what was that look in his eyes? As if she were his worst enemy, someone he wanted to tear apart with his bare hands.But Joanna was no ordinary woman.Deception was her greatest skill.Had it been anyone else, they would've turned pale with fear under Lionel's piercing stare. But J
Chloe stood in front of the mirror, her eyes cast downward, revealing only her long, delicate lashes. Her jade-like face had a hint of alluring pink, and her rounded, upturned nose was a striking perfection. Her lips, though devoid of any lipstick, were still irresistibly rosy and moist.Suddenly, she glanced at the clock on the wall; it was the umpteenth time she had checked the time. The hands pointed to 9 PM. She curved her lips into a radiant smile at her reflection, looking as breathtaking as a goddess fallen to earth.Today was Valentine's Day, and like other couples, Chloe was also preparing to spend a romantic evening with her boyfriend, Amos.Thinking of Amos's warm and handsome face, Chloe couldn't help but smile, despite pressing her lips together.She checked the time again—9:05 PM. Chloe's delicate brows furrowed slightly.They had agreed yesterday, when they parted, to have dinner together tonight and plan the rest of the evening. However, Amos later sent a message sayin
Not far away, she saw the woman's black lace underwear intertwined suggestively with a pair of bright red boxers.She wouldn't be naïve enough to think this was some kind of strip show between a man and a woman.The clothes were strewn about so chaotically and intimately that just looking at them made her blush, further fueling her imagination of the intense passion that had erupted here.The sounds coming from inside the room were clear, as if to confirm her worst fears. Each moan, louder than the last, made it impossible for her to pretend she didn't understand."Amos, Amos... ah..." The woman's voice, laced with desire, called out sweetly.The response was a series of deep, heavy breaths.Chloe's face turned deathly pale. She bit her lip hard, her vision blurring as her trembling hands gripped the phone tightly.How absurd. She had been waiting for him since 5 PM, anxious and restless, not even drinking a sip of tea just to be ready for him.She struggled to move her feet forward,
A week laterBlues Bar, located on a somewhat secluded street, hadn't always done well in business, but ever since Chloe started working there, the place had become more popular by the day.Her music was like a spell, capable of calming people's anger, bringing them joy, and making them feel completely at ease.For an entire week, Chloe had been missing. The bar owner, Mag, had tried calling her so many times that her phone was nearly dead, but she still couldn't reach her.Customers were growing more restless, almost to the point of tearing the bar apart.Tonight, the bar was packed again, and with only five minutes left until showtime, there was still no sign of Chloe. Mag was starting to sweat with worry.Standing on her toes, Mag anxiously scanned the bar, and finally, she saw a figure dressed in white appear around the corner. She couldn't contain her excitement and shouted, "She's here! Chloe's here!"Instantly, the bar fell silent. As Chloe stepped inside, hundreds of pairs of
A few minutes later, Chloe and Alex stepped out and got into the car, speeding away.Joanna watched them leave with a smirk, eagerly anticipating that the two would soon check into a hotel together.But then, she saw the car take a turn—heading toward the outskirts instead. Her face instantly darkened.Meanwhile, Florence beamed with delight.It wasn't until Alex had safely dropped Chloe off and driven away that Joanna and Florence finally returned home.The moment Joanna stepped into the house, she was met with Lionel's icy gaze, as sharp as a blade. A shiver ran down her spine.Creak—He's home this early today?And what was that look in his eyes? As if she were his worst enemy, someone he wanted to tear apart with his bare hands.But Joanna was no ordinary woman.Deception was her greatest skill.Had it been anyone else, they would've turned pale with fear under Lionel's piercing stare. But J
The man's eyes flickered as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, hastily trying to defend himself. "No, I was just… just joking…""Joking?" Alex let out a cold sneer. "Bastard!"With a swift motion, he struck the man, sending his sunglasses flying. They landed awkwardly, half-dangling from his face.The man's expression shifted instantly, his arrogant facade crumbling into that of a trembling fool. His lips quivered, but he dared not utter a single word—not even to beg for mercy.Alex alone was terrifying enough, but Lionel? Everyone had heard of his unpredictable temper—cold, ruthless, and merciless. Pleading might have been an option with Alex, but with Lionel, it would only speed up one's demise."Speak. What's going on?" Alex demanded sharply."I-I was just paid to do this… Someone ordered me to—"The parents watching finally understood."Next time you take a job, use your damn brain." Alex smacked the man on the head repeatedly.The once-aggressive man now stood frozen, letting
The man behind Chloe froze for two seconds, seemingly surprised that she wasn't afraid of him in the slightest. He quickly followed Chloe out of the classroom, cursing under his breath.“Damn it! What kind of lousy art center is this? They ruined my niece's leg! If no one takes responsibility today, no one's leaving here!”"Sir, please watch your language! If you're here to resolve the issue, let's resolve it. But if you're here just to cause trouble, don't blame me for calling the police!"Hearing the man's words, Chloe figured something must have happened in the dance studio. Though she was a little concerned, she refused to be intimidated by his aggressive demeanor.Chloe had always been the kind of person who stood strong against the strong.Her cold and firm tone made the man pause again for another two seconds.Damn, this woman's got some nerve! He had never met anyone who wasn't afraid of him before. This was the first time, and it baffled him.The man hesitated for a moment bu
Chloe had been feeling uneasy in her stomach all day. Occasionally, there was a faint tugging sensation in her lower abdomen—not exactly painful but persistent enough to keep her from ignoring it.After wrapping up matters at the art center, she hurried to the hospital.She couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. Every now and then, she glanced over her shoulder, but all she saw were the bustling crowds and cars passing by—no suspicious figures in sight.Was she just being paranoid?Chloe scanned her surroundings one more time, finding nothing unusual. A wry smile tugged at her lips. Perhaps the anxiety of becoming a mother was making her overly sensitive.With a sigh of self-reassurance, Chloe pushed through her nervousness and entered the hospital, heading straight for the obstetrics department.The same middle-aged female doctor she'd seen before greeted her with a warm, motherly smile. Over time, Chloe had grown familiar with her."What's the matter? Stomach both
LuminaEarly in the morning, chaos erupted at Lumina!Several companies abruptly terminated their contracts, and rumors spread like wildfire online. The buzz? Lumina's General Manager Amos was the illegitimate child of a mistress, who had usurped the rightful heir's position.Pete, the founder of Lumina, was at his wit's end. Just when he thought things couldn't get worse, K International Group announced they were pulling their investment, severing all ties with Lumina.Pete nearly lost his mind.From his experience, this wasn't a coincidence. He suspected K International Group's involvement, but how could he muster the courage to confront Lionel? He had no idea where he'd gone wrong or what had offended the man. All he knew was that Lionel was driving him into a corner.After much deliberation, Pete concluded that someone must have provoked Lionel—someone foolish enough to bring this disaster upon them.He stormed into the Gene
Joanna glared at Chloe, her face twisting in anger and humiliation. After a tense moment, Chloe's calm voice broke the silence, her gaze steady."Then tell me, Joanna, what exactly are you? Stirring up trouble behind the scenes, turning siblings against each other, all while secretly laughing to yourself. What's your endgame?"Joanna's face flushed with both shame and fury, her heart pounding with unease. How did she figure it out?"Chloe, let me warn you," Joanna snapped, her voice dripping with venom. "Don't think for a second that just because Lionel is backing you, you can slander me! Do you honestly believe Lionel will belong to you forever? Dream on! He'll be mine soon enough. If you're smart, you'll get lost before anyone finds out. The farther away, the better! Otherwise, when the time comes, losing your dignity will be the least of your worries—you won't even know how you died!"Chloe's lips curled into a faint smile, her cold eyes brimming
Grace's lips twitched slightly, her hatred for Chloe surging to a new level. Yet, she dared not speak out, only glaring at Chloe with resentment in her eyes.With a sigh, she walked into the kitchen.The dining room was left with just Chloe and Lionel. Neither of them spoke.Lionel, as usual, kept his gaze fixed on Chloe as she ate.Chloe softly muttered, "I'm done. I don't want to eat anymore."She stood up and left the dining room without looking back.However, the moment Chloe turned around, her expression changed.Earlier, Joanna had mentioned that Lionel had left her stranded at the bridal boutique. Were they trying on wedding attire today?Heh—Honestly, it wasn't her business if someone else wore a wedding dress. Besides, Lionel had already told her about all his plans, asking for her patience.But the thought of him trying on wedding outfits with someone else left a tight knot in her chest.It f
After sobbing for a while, Joanna gradually quieted down.Grace sighed and said, "Joanna, you know Lionel's temper. Try to be more tolerant and don't argue with him. You're about to get married soon. The last thing you want is to sour your relationship. Just imagine the people who would laugh behind your back!"Her murky gaze flicked toward the staircase, filled with resentment and disdain. If it weren't for that woman getting in the way, Joanna and Lionel would have reconciled long ago."Hmph!"Grace withdrew her gaze, only to meet Florence's questioning eyes. A shiver ran down her spine. She quickly suppressed her dark expression and changed the subject, saying, "Let's eat."Letting go of Joanna, Grace hurried into the kitchen.She had let her emotions get the better of her and accidentally said too much. As a housekeeper, it was never her place to comment on her employers' affairs.Thank goodness Lionel hadn't overheard! But Floren
"Joanna! Go ahead and insult and mock me all you want! Do you think this will erase what happened between us? Don't kid yourself! Lionel won't believe you! He won't marry you willingly! No man would love a woman who betrayed him. And Lionel—he cherishes Chloe!"Heather's eyes glinted coldly as a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips."You—you!" Joanna, who had been full of arrogant bravado moments earlier, suddenly faltered, her expression turning ashen. But she wasn't someone easily pushed around. Within mere seconds, she straightened her back and sneered with renewed defiance."Heather, you're just jealous! Lionel knows perfectly well that everything between you and me was just an act to irritate him. He won't believe a word of it. Besides, he has other women, too! If I don't mind, why should he? The key point is, his grandfather supports me, and so does his father. Whether Lionel likes it or not, he will marry me! He has no choice. As for you, do