Kimberly ceaselessly punched and struggled to get out of his grasp.After being forcefully shoved into the car, Kimberly, not one to be trifled with, picked up her bag and started hitting him with it.Shocked and wide-eyed, John witnessed for the first time that a Hermès bag could be used in such a way. His boss had just unlocked a new way to use a Hermès bag...Samuel took several hits solidly, forcefully restraining the person in his arms who was wriggling like a fish. His cold and narrow brows furrowed, both annoyed and amused, he commented, "What's this approach, folk martial arts?"Hearing this, John couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.Feeling the icy gaze of his boss upon him, he immediately silenced himself and focused on driving.Externally, he appeared to be an emotionless driving machine, but internally, he was amused.He had never seen his boss woo someone before. Without his inherent authority and pressure as a superior, he even managed to crack a few jokes with
The cold voice was low and beguiling, like a devil skilled at seducing hearts, throwing out one tempting condition after another, coaxing her into a transaction.He did not bewitch Kimberly, nor did she avoid him anymore. Her step-by-step retreat only bolstered his momentum, making him more aggressive.Since they treated this matter as a business deal, she decided to have a proper discussion with him.Her delicate lips curved slightly, revealing shallow dimples in a seemingly harmless smile.Her straightforward, deer-like eyes met his without hesitation, a flicker of mockery in them, "Alright, do you know what the Wilson family needs most right now?"Samuel met her gaze, waiting for her answer.Kimberly spoke deliberately, half-seriously, "The Wilson family lacks a son-in-law. Can you do that?"Kimberly leaned back on the sofa, her delicate chin lifted slightly, defiantly challenging him.The two were evenly matched neither yielding.Her soft voice carried a hint of mockery, clearly m
Ethan parked his car near a bar not far from the Litchi Bay villa. Unlike the high-end bars they usually frequented, this one was noisy and cramped, bustling with people. The bar was named Night Leap.Walking through the narrow passage, Ethan immediately spotted the conspicuous figure at the bar.He walked straight over and sat beside Steven, scanning the environment with a frown."Why choose a place like this?"It was unexpected to find such a low-end at rich area, obscure bar in this area.Steven didn't respond. His long fingers played with his glass, lost in thought, seemingly in his world and not hearing Ethan's comment.Ethan glanced at him and, deciding not to press further, waved for the bartender to bring him a drink.In silent agreement, the two just drank, not mentioning anything that had happened before.Steven was still dressed in his white shirt and trousers. The sleeves carelessly rolled up to his elbows. His expensive attire was now wrinkled, but it only added to his unt
The bitter cold of winter lingered unusually long in S City, with fine rain mixed with snowflakes falling endlessly, enveloping the entire city in a cold shroud as if the air was beginning to freeze.Kimberly drove alone to the Wilson family estate.The previous night, when she had suggested that Samuel marry into the Wilson family, she hadn't expected him to agree. She intended to complicate and embarrass him, but now the tables had turned.She still couldn’t believe that Samuel would marry her. After all, he was Samuel, the Garcia family's sole heir. Even if he agreed, would the entire Mu family consent? It seemed like a fool's dream.On the other hand, she felt uneasy inside.For some reason, the idea of Samuel agreeing to her terms filled her with inexplicable fear. She was afraid that what he wanted was something she couldn't give.Indeed, one lie leads to a thousand others. As the situation spiraled out of control, it became increasingly absurd.She was acutely aware of her feel
Kimberly lowered her eyelids, remaining silent as she started the car and drove away.Steven watched the retreating car, his expression calm but his fingertips involuntarily trembling. So, she wasn't willing to exchange a word with him anymore?Kimberly drove into the Wilson family estate, passing a long stretch before reaching a sizeable Chinese-style courtyard. The house was built in a traditional style but decorated elegantly, blending ancient and modern elements perfectly.As she drove closer, nanny Mila came out, delighted to see her. She was all smiles as she approached to take Kimberly’s coat and bag from her."Ms. Wilson! Come in. It's cold outside," Mila greeted with a smile."Hello, Mila," Kimberly greeted back sweetly.Mila, holding her hand, seemed very happy. "Everyone's here, just waiting for you."Hearing this, Kimberly’s smile stiffened.Before she could ask, she heard laughter from inside the house, quite lively, as if the Wilson family was celebrating an early New Ye
Since Samuel was willing to join the Wilson family, the old master's attitude towards him became even more affectionate, treating him like a family member.During meals, the old master kept addressing him fondly as "Samuel," constantly offering him dishes as if afraid he might go hungry. The man across from her maintained his natural demeanor, exuding an innate indifference and nobility. His posture was upright, and he ate refinedly, displaying an inherent sense of privilege and confidence.The relatives at the dining table were equally attentive, bombarding him with questions, eager to delve into his family history. Samuel, however, remained impeccably mannered, answering even the most absurd inquiries with composure and grace.The old master kindly urged, "Come, Samuel, try this, it's delicious."Samuel exuded a relaxed yet noble charm, dressed in a custom-tailored white shirt and black trousers, with his shirt buttons undone just enough to reveal a hint of his smooth collarbone. Hi
His voice filled her ears, cold and clear like shattered jade, sincere yet tinged with vulnerability.Kimberly's heart raced uncontrollably.It was as if the cold night of winter had been drawn near to a warm, burning hearth, gradually warming her long-chilled heart.The wind stirred the branches around them, flinging frost and snow onto their faces. Through their clothes, she could feel the warmth emanating from his body. His embrace was surprisingly warm.His arms offered a broad and warm shelter, seemingly capable of blocking out all the storms and tempests of life.Samuel wants to be with her?Such a gentle and moving statement seemed out of place for their relationship.No one had ever said such a thing to her. Kimberly's eyelashes fluttered lightly.Why did Samuel want to be with her? Was it just because they had been together a few times or because he kept a hairpin of hers? Was she deluding herself into thinking it was because of affection?Kimberly forced herself to stay comp
They entered the old house one after the other. Inside the warm, spring-like house, only the grandfather sat alone in the living room, his head drooping.He was flipping through a thick photo album, looking at each photo for a long time.With the lively atmosphere gone, the living room seemed empty and vast, emphasizing the loneliness of the elderly man's figure.Hearing their entrance, the grandfather seemed to sense their presence. Despite his advanced age and the battles he had faced in the business world, his spirit was still strong. Though his temples were gray, his serious demeanor carried an undiminished authority. Yet, his eyes now held a tiredness wrought by the years.He closed the photo album with a sigh and stood up. "I know what you're thinking. You don't need to say anything. I understand."He turned to Kimberly, "Don't blame him. Samuel came here at my request this morning and confessed everything to me."He might have grown old, but he was far from senile. Although he
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