He gazed down at her soft, pink lips, his long, thick eyelashes casting shadows over the dark desires in his black eyes.His warm fingertips gently brushed over her soft lips."Kiss me," he whispered.Kimberly's face burned with embarrassment, hesitating for a long time without moving.He lazily lifted his eyes, seriously locking onto hers. In the depths of his dark eyes, hidden emotions were so intense they left no room for escape."Kiss me," he repeated, this time with seriousness in his husky voice.Kimberly stared at him, her face clearly expressing, 'Don't think you can command me.'They remained in a standoff, neither willing to compromise.He chuckled mockingly, "Why not?"She understood his inexplicable question – he asked why she wouldn't kiss him.Kimberly didn't answer."Just maintaining a physical relationship, thinking kissing is something only couples do?" Samuel spoke calmly, his cold voice challenging to decipher.Kimberly was curious whether Samuel was skilled at read
Samuel didn't eat too much, watching her as she ate like a hamster, cheeks puffed and chewing slowly."Samuel, has anyone ever complimented your cooking?" she asked, surprised his cooking was even better than the chef at the Wilson family mansion.Leaning lazily on his chair and playing with a water cup, he smiled at her, "You're the first one."Others hadn't had the chance to taste his cooking, nor did they deserve his effort.Kimberly admired him. Unlike her, who lacked culinary skills, Samuel could excel in any field, including cooking at a Michelin-star level.After eating, she wanted to help clean up but was stopped by him."I'll wash them. There's a housekeeper coming tomorrow to clean, and I have some work to do. Go watch TV."Night enveloped the city like ink. The vibrant nightlife of S city was visible from the luxurious apartment's floor-to-ceiling windows.Kimberly hurried to the living room sofa to watch TV.After cleaning up and showering, Samuel, now in home clothes, saw
Samuel's current demeanor was precisely what Kimberly feared the most. She was unwilling to admit that she didn't hate Samuel but was somewhat intimidated by him.His compliance in recent times had led her into his carefully disguised trap. Now, she wanted to leave every moment, desperately trying to escape.Samuel saw the resistance and disgust in her eyes, which seemed to burn his own, and a flash of ferocity crossed the depths of his cold eyes.Kimberly struggled fiercely, "Samuel, I'm not willing. You can't do this! I could sue you!""Fine, then let everyone know you are Samuel's woman."With his physical advantage, Kimberly couldn't escape him.His demeanor made her shiver uncontrollably, knowing that resisting him would only infuriate him more.Her heart pounded as if it would leap out of her throat, her wrist pained by his grip.Her eyes welled up with tears of fear, which failed to evoke sympathy from him.Finally, Kimberly relented, "Samuel, don't do this, let's keep it like
His previously gentle appearance turned out to be all a facade.Samuel rarely lost control of himself like this...The person in his arms was now cursing him incessantly, "Samuel, you jerk... scoundrel..."Despite her constant mouthing off, she didn't lose her spirit.The person filled with anger almost laughed at her antics.The moonlight was lovely that night, the gentle full moon quietly hanging on the branches, like a dazzling gem, against the quiet night.Then, Samuel seemed to return to his usual gentleness and meticulousness.Concerned she might catch a cold, he placed a clean towel under her and sat her on the washstand. His slender fingers gently combed through her lengthy hair, blow-drying it for her.Kimberly was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open, murmuring and wanting to sleep.Samuel watched, his eyes smiling, as she rested her head on his chest, acting petulantly. His voice was as soft as coaxing a friend, "Don't move. I'll dry your hair quickly and go to
When Kimberly arrived at the venue, the group's PR spokesperson had already started speaking. Fortunately, she was just in time.As soon as Sally saw her, she said, "Ms. Wilson, it's time to start."As soon as Kimberly arrived at the venue, all the spotlights were trained on her, instantly making her the center of attention.When the host announced her name, she took the stage, her smile bright and demeanor elegant.This was her first public appearance in front of the media. Kimberly, accustomed to the limelight, handled the media's sharp questions with confidence and humor, creating a high point in the atmosphere at the venue.The reporters' questions were not limited to her failed marriage or the complex love triangle. They also covered Wilson's plans, the latest products, and her contributions to charity, indirectly advertising for Wilson's.As the conference neared its end, gossip media still tried to dig into their private lives. One reporter asked, "Ms. Wilson, soon after you ma
When Steven left Kimberly's office, his entire demeanor screamed 'go away,' his face even grimmer than when he had entered. Kimberly followed behind him, her expression not much better.Those eagerly waiting for some gossip were frightened into silence by Steven’s intimidating presence, not daring even to sneak a peek, let alone breathe loudly.During the press conference, they had only found out about Steven's divorce from Kimberly that morning.Wasn't it supposed to be a peaceful separation?—Sitting in the café, Kimberly was still rubbing her sore wrist, reddened by Steven’s harsh grip, standing against her pale skin.Standing by their table and intimidated by Steven’s demeanor, the waiter didn't dare disturb him and instead cautiously asked the beautiful woman in front of him, "Ma'am, what would the gentleman like to drink?"Before Kimberly could respond, Steven pulled out several hundred dollar bills from his wallet and threw them on the table with a chilling tone, "Close the do
Adams instructed the club manager to clear everyone out.Blood oozed from a gash on his forehead, causing him pain. Seeing Ethan, he looked like he had seen a lifesaver."Damn it, ask him what the hell he wants. Is he insane?"Without glancing at them, Steven stepped over the mess and strode out.Ethan hurriedly stopped him, frowning, "What happened?"Steven glanced back at Adams, his face cold and terrifying, "Ask him."Adams: "..."He must have run into some serious bad luck.Ethan, seeing Adams equally baffled, realized asking him was pointless. Steven was usually carefree and unrestrained, and it was rare to see him lose control like this. It must have something to do with Kimberly again, he thought. There was no better explanation.He quickly followed Steven, fearing he might do something irrational. Coming out, he saw Steven making a call with a fierce look, "Turn everything upside down if you have to, but I want to know who that person is."Leaning against the window, Steven's
Kimberly froze, her expression changing almost instantly.With a frown of displeasure, she warned, "Samuel, this is my office."Samuel chuckled coldly, unrelenting, his eyes darkening with barely noticeable anger. "So what? I don't mind reminding you how you begged under me last night. Now you want to abandon me?""Don't even think about it," he said calmly.His voice was sharp yet husky, brushing softly yet firmly across her heart, leaving no room for doubt.Kimberly felt she still hadn't figured out what kind of person Samuel was. He was ten times, a hundred times more difficult to handle than Steven. She felt as if she had fallen into a massive trap, sinking deeper with every step.As she was about to speak, her phone suddenly vibrated frantically.Samuel raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to answer the call.The caller was her friend, Evelyn.Kimberly gave Samuel a warning glance, signaling him to stop his nonsense.She then pushed him away and walked towards the floor-to-ceilin
This time was different from before. Kimberly decisively separated the business dealings between the Smith and Wilson families as clearly as possible.Unexpectedly, he encountered Kimberly at Club in the evening.She was followed by another man, who was carrying her coat. The club manager’s obsequious smile and attentiveness made it clear what that man's profession was.Kimberly, behind his back, had actually hired a male escort. Yes, it was such a slick-looking pretty boy. This realization instantly swept away all his rationality.At that moment, he finally realized how much he cared. Just seeing another man standing beside her filled him with unbearable jealousy, let alone a male escort.What if he hadn’t bumped into them? He didn’t even dare to think about it."Kimberly, there's a limit to being willful!" he warned her sternly.Kimberly showed no guilt or panic; instead, she retorted, "What right do you have to question me?""Because I'm your husband," he replied without thinking.
On the night of the wedding, he deliberately alienated Kimberly and didn't go back. Instead, he went out to drink with Ethan.Right now, he didn't want to see her eyes, red and swollen from crying, looking pitiful.Even drunk, he didn't mention to Ethan why he was acting out of character that day. It would remain a secret buried in his heart, never to be spoken of again.During this period, he thought about repairing his relationship with Kimberly, but his pride and ego wouldn't allow him to grovel. He also feared her hatred if she ever discovered the truth about him taking Samuel's place. So, he threw himself into work, completing in two years what he had promised his grandfather to do in three, with outstanding results.He was promoted to the head of the Smith Corporation's technical department, a position he achieved through tremendous effort.As time passed, rumors and gossip about him inevitably spread in the social circles.At first, he thought of explaining to Kimberly, but the
He thought that would be the end of it.After entering university, he and Kimberly were seen as inseparable by others. He looked forward to them making their relationship official.He waited a long time for Kimberly to confess her feelings, tossing and turning every night, unable to sleep. Could it be that she didn't sense his feelings?Impossible. He had been obvious enough. If he didn't like her, why would he accompany her to study sessions on weekends?If he didn't like her, he wouldn't have bothered choosing elective courses in her major.If he didn't like her, he wouldn't have patiently comforted her during her nightmares.Finally, on the eve of graduation, the day came when Kimberly took the initiative to confess. He admitted it was the happiest day of his life. Before she could finish speaking, he wanted to immediately say, 'I want to be your boyfriend.'But his happiness didn't last long. From her confession, he gradually realized something.She talked about the hand he extend
From that day on, he began to subtly observe his friend's actions.More than once, he had seen Samuel's gaze linger on Kimberly.Today was a big basketball game between schools, and Kimberly couldn't come to watch them play. Samuel seemed normal on the surface, but he was caught several times glancing at the audience, seemingly searching for someone's figure.After the game ended, they headed out of the court.Lucas, who often played basketball with them, made a careless joke, "Why didn't we see Kimberly from Class 7 today? Isn't she the one who always likes to hang around us?"Lucas turned to him and said, "Steve, I've noticed that Kimberly not only looks good but also has a great figure. Why doesn't she join the school cheerleading team? She'd look hot in that outfit."After saying this, Lucas laughed at his own joke, but there was silence all around, and everyone instinctively looked his way.Hearing this, his brows furrowed tightly, "What the hell are you saying?"He was about to
Time swiftly passed, and the high school entrance exams arrived in the midst of summer. He ranked first in his school earning a spot in best private school.At the moment the results came out, what concerned him most was not his own score but hers. He immediately sent her a message to ask about her results. He simply wanted to see if her highly praised 'sea of questions' strategy was effective, and he was eager to see her fail.After repeatedly checking his phone with no reply from her, he grew increasingly frustrated. She had promised to get into the same school as him; had she really failed to qualify?During the final tests, she had only fallen out of the top ten once, so she should have been fine, right?The only message in their chat was the one he had just sent. His patience wore thin. He knew that nerd's method was useless, and she should have listened to him.The tall teenager, clutching his phone, rushed downstairs.Grandpa adored Kimberly, and though it was the best school,
Time flew by, and soon they were facing the high school entrance exams. Kimberly was determined to get into the same school as him.He naturally aimed for the best private school.As the most challenging school in the state, it only admitted the top students from each school. Knowing he was applying there didn't matter much; Kimberly's math was so poor, it was still uncertain if she could get in.However, since deciding to apply to the same school as him, she immersed herself in studying. She was no longer seen in various school activities and even used the short ride to school to review vocabulary, drastically reducing the times she spoke to him.She stopped watching him play basketball and quickly returned to the classroom after a hurried lunch.The girl, who always took care to look pretty, lost that meticulousness. Several times, he saw the faint blue under her usually fair skin, knowing she had stayed up studying.He had told her many times that studying overnight was ineffective
Originally thinking she really couldn't speak, things changed during a year-end performance.He told a fairy tale in front of the whole school, titled "Princess Marlin," chosen randomly from a fairy tale book.After the story, there was thunderous applause. He was satisfied as he left the stage, but unexpectedly, he ran into the little mute girl backstage.His good mood was instantly ruined, and he pushed her away fiercely, "Get lost."To his surprise, she spoke to him for the first time, "Was it you?"He was shocked that she could speak, and her voice was soft and sweet, revealing that she wasn't mute after all.After the initial shock, anger welled up in him. She had ignored him so many times when he tried to talk to her; she had been pretending to be mute all along.This realization made him even angrier."What do you mean, was it you?" She's really an idiot; I don't even understand what she's talking about."You promised to tell me the story of Princess Marlin, why didn't you come
This was Steven's first time accompanying his grandfather to visit the granddaughter of his grandfather's good friend in the hospital.The strong smell of disinfectant permeated the hospital as his grandfather and Grandpa Ruan talked in solemn tones."Is Kim being discharged from the hospital today?" Old Smith asked.Old Wilson didn't speak but nodded, his entire demeanor drained of vitality, looking much older.Seeing this, old Smith sighed, "Life must go on, Kim is still young, you'll need to take care of her more from now on."Steven looked at the little girl sitting on the bed, her skin porcelain white and exceptionally delicate, but her most beautiful eyes were dull and empty. Her long lashes drooped as she kept turning her head to look out the window, seemingly unaware of his grandfather greeting her, showing no manners at all."What did the doctor say about Kim's condition? Shouldn't she stay in the hospital for a few more days for observation?" old Smith sighed, seeing the onc
The crowd around them was packed with people watching the fireworks. The tall and stately figure pulled her into his embrace, discreetly protecting her. As a bunch of pink heart-shaped fireworks bloomed in the sky, the crowd erupted in waves of admiration, "It's a pink heart, wow, so spectacular." "Did you get that? Did you get that? So beautiful!!!" "It's so beautiful, today's fireworks show was worth it." Another loud bang followed, and suddenly someone exclaimed, "There are words!" The giant fireworks that exploded in the sky clearly cast several words against the black canvas of the night. ——Kimberly, Happy New Year After the words twinkled away in the night sky, another 'boom' resounded, and more fireworks burst forth. The giant heart-shaped display. The huge screen on the building across the river changed to ——Kimberly, Happy New Year ——Kimberly, I love you. The surrounding crowd started to get noisy and excited. "Wow, look at the riverfront!" "Holy moly, who is Kimb