Emerald’s mouth fell open at what she heard. Her ears seemed to perk up at the mention of that name. Before she could react or say anything, the principal spoke again.“I know one of your students is a Corrigan, so I believe you’ve already met his father, right? Teacher Greene, can you speak to Mr. Corrigan privately on behalf of our school? The land isn’t that big. To them, it’s just scraps they could turn into a lawn. After all, this will benefit all the children here, including his son,” the principal explained, as if he wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.Emerald knew that this principal’s concern was fake. It was just another one of his political moves, but what he said was true—this would benefit the children.“I know this matter isn’t easy. As educators, we always have to think of the children’s welfare. I can’t promise I can do it, but I should at least give it a try. What do you think, Teacher Greene?”Emerald sighed. She didn’t have much choice but to comply.“I can do that, s
“Yes… I want to…”“I’ll be back tonight.”Emerald smiled and shook her head. Her heartbeat gradually slowed down.“What time is your flight? I’ll pick you up,” she suggested.“I’ll arrive around nine o’clock,” he replied and immediately hung up the call.Emerald closed her eyes tightly and tried to calm herself down. She could hear her heart pounding hard in her chest—so much so that she wanted to reach in and yank it out just to make it stop!Alaric didn’t refuse, which meant there was still room for negotiation in this matter!The hot wind blew through her hair as Emerald traced her fingers along the rough surface of the wall. She listened to the faint sound of the children crying on the other side, and she finally made up her mind.Alaric is a businessman, and Emerald knew exactly what it took to negotiate with a businessman. All she had to do was put her bargaining chips on the table.The only question was—is her body worth the value of this land?She had no idea. She knew full we
After having kissed a man like him before, Emerald now realized that she had never truly understood him. He was powerful and mysterious.She felt the rough yet gentle touch of Alaric’s hand slowly sliding from her shoulder down to her hand, making it hard for her to think clearly. He was a patient hunter.Emerald looked up and met Alaric’s intense gaze. She wrapped her arms around his neck and examined every inch of the man before her. She had never done this before—staring so closely at the man who awakened a side of her she never knew existed.The man who taught her everything she now knew. The man who made her feel that she wasn’t as boring as she thought she was.Emerald bit her lower lip, her breaths becoming deeper. She felt like she was slowly being consumed by the fire radiating from his body.“I want to…” she whispered seductively.She was a straightforward person. Once she made a decision, she wouldn’t hesitate. Pressing herself against Alaric’s body, she nuzzled into his ar
The motion exposed her lower back and the curve of her hips wrapped in a satin skirt. The delicate fabric shimmered, and from this angle, she looked particularly alluring. Alaric’s gaze lingered for a moment before he shifted his eyes away from her.“I live here alone. No one else comes over, so I don’t have visitor’s slippers,” she explained as she took off her shoes.Alaric glanced at the shoe rack and saw that there were no men’s slippers, a sign that not even Ethan had such a privilege. His mood shifted subtly at the realization. He swiftly removed his leather shoes and stepped inside wearing only his black socks.The small living room had a single sofa draped with a white cover. A few photo albums were neatly arranged on the coffee table, where Emerald would usually sit and look at pictures.Emerald glanced at Alaric, noticing how he seemed more interested in her space than she was.A sense of embarrassment washed over her as she recalled what she’d done earlier. In the past, he
When she lifted her gaze to meet his, their eyes locked. The sincerity and concern in his eyes made Emerald’s chest tighten. She wanted to cry.“H-huh?” she stammered, taking a deep breath to hold back her emotions. “J-just a little…”The sound of water flowing from the faucet stopped as Alaric turned it off. Emerald’s heart pounded louder and faster. When she looked at him again, she couldn’t hold herself back anymore.Her hand reached up, grasping his loose tie, and she stood on tiptoe to give him a gentle kiss. Alaric quickly responded, his hands sliding up to her underarms, and in one swift motion, he lifted her onto the kitchen island without breaking the kiss.His upper body leaned closer, and he covered her completely, deepening the kiss little by little. Emerald gripped the edge of the marble countertop to steady herself, and Alaric’s large hand caught her wrist. His body temperature was always higher than hers, and when their skin touched, it felt like she was burning. Withou
“Or maybe we can continue this after we eat?” Alaric’s voice was soft as his lips brushed against Emerald’s ear, making her murmur in response.She took a deep breath, bowing her head in embarrassment. She still wasn’t used to Alaric being so bold with her, especially with his words.“Yes… We can, Mr. Corrigan.”“Can you call me by my name now? I’d like to hear you say it, Emerald. It’s been a while. I’m honestly tired of you calling me ‘Mr. Corrigan,’” Alaric said softly, looking at her with pleading eyes.Emerald swallowed hard, surprised by his words. She thought it wasn’t a big deal to him since he never mentioned it until now.Clearing her throat, Emerald looked at Alaric, who stared back at her, waiting for her to say something.“Alaric…” she mumbled shyly.A playful smile immediately spread across Alaric’s lips.“What’s our plan for later?” he teased, as if trying to provoke her.Emerald’s cheeks burned, and she avoided his gaze like a child, but Alaric was quick to catch her c
“Sorry, this is all I could make. I don’t cook much, so I don’t have many ingredients at home. Next time, I’ll make sure to stock up on more so I can cook you a proper meal. Actually, I’m also good at cooking Western dishes or even sashimi,” she said nervously, avoiding direct eye contact with him.She waited for him to respond, but he said nothing. Instead, he started eating silently. He finished the meal in a matter of seconds, even picking up the bowl and drinking half of the soup. Emerald’s mouth hung open in surprise.“Your cooking skills are good. I like it…” he said, wiping the remaining soup from the corner of his lips.Before she could figure out if he was being sincere, he suddenly pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist.“Alaric, wait…”“Don’t move,” he ordered gently. His hands traveled down to her hand that had been scalded.Alaric took out a stick of scalding medicine and gently applied it to her blisters.“Ouch…” Emerald whimpered softly as she felt the sti
Embarrassment washed over her as she stared at them. She’d never realized there were so many options until now.“I just grabbed whatever was there. Didn’t really look at what they said,” Alaric’s sudden voice beside her explained awkwardly, causing her to glance up. Emerald saw the tips of his ears had turned a deep shade of red.She nodded slowly, unable to form any words. They were just small boxes, but holding them felt like they were burning her hands.Alaric turned back and began putting away the fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, filling up the empty shelves instantly. Emerald watched his tall frame, her emotions swirling in a confusing mix of frustration and yearning.She never wanted to get this close to any man before. Even Ethan, whom she’d dated for three years, had never gotten past holding her hand.But now, here she was—inviting Alaric into her home.“What are you thinking about?” Alaric turned around and caught her looking at him with a complicated expression.E
Not like me, Emerald mused. She never felt secure enough to sleep without holding onto something—whether it was a pillow, a blanket, or, more recently, him.And somehow, even in sleep, he had adjusted for her.One of his arms was tucked behind her head, holding her close, while his other hand covered hers. Their fingers overlapped perfectly, their wedding rings touching, as if even unconscious, he was anchoring her to him.A warmth spread through her chest.At this moment, with the rippling water around them and the morning sun casting a golden hue over the lotus pond, Emerald felt something profound settle in her heart.So this… this is what it feels like to be loved.Maybe it was because Alaric had been too busy lately, or perhaps it was the novelty of spending the night on a boat with Emerald in his arms, but his sleep was deeper and more restful than usual.The sun had already begun its slow ascent, casting thousands of golden rays across the morning sky. As the light filtered thr
Although Apollo already had two daughters, the Corrigan patriarch favored Alaric. Still, if a son was born first, the old master would undoubtedly take notice.Apollo exhaled sharply. "Then focus on raising your child properly and stay out of these matters. And as for you, Ethan, stop causing trouble for your uncle. Whether or not Emerald marries into the Corrigan—it’s up to the two of them to figure out.""I understand, Uncle," Ethan murmured, his eyes lowering.A flicker of regret crossed his face. The humiliation he suffered tonight—he would make sure to repay it tenfold.Meanwhile, Emerald was in an unusually good mood. She had always been indifferent to such things, but tonight, for the first time, she understood just how satisfying it was to put someone in their place."Aric, I never realized how useful your girlfriend's identity could be," she teased.Alaric caught the playful smile on her lips and smirked. "Baby, trust me—being Mrs. Corrigan is even more powerful than being my
Emerald’s lips curved into the faintest smirk. "Because you never saw me as your girlfriend. No matter how sweet you acted on the surface, deep down, you always treated me like a plaything. But he never did. He knows how to respect a woman.""That’s impossible." Ethan's expression darkened. "There’s no such man in the world. He’s just better at pretending than I am. Don’t be naive, Emerald."Emerald crossed her arms, her voice steady and deliberate. “You’re the naive one. You have no idea how good Alaric is. Even if it were only for three days, I would still choose to like him. Didn’t you say I could never step foot into the Corrigan? Mark my words—one day, I’ll marry into the Corrigan, and you’ll kneel before me, serve me tea, and call me ‘Auntie.’”Ethan wanted to laugh—it sounded ridiculous.But coming from Emerald, it was terrifying.Because he knew exactly what kind of person she was.She was relentless, a natural at anything she put her mind to.Years ago, someone had insulted h
Apollo, standing beside her, felt a headache coming on. His second marriage was already a calculated move, an attempt to secure a foothold in the powerful Corrigan. But now, before Cornelia could even settle into her new position, she had already offended the future head of the household.And Alaric… was not a man who let things slide.No one spoke.No one dared to.Because everyone knew—when Alaric smiled like that, the storm was only just beginning.But Alaric hadn’t just come to dinner tonight—he had come to make a point.And he made sure the Florida understood that.“That’s impossible,” Alaric said lightly, his fingers still resting against the necklace on Emerald’s collarbone. His tone was casual, but his eyes were anything but.“Teacher Greene has fair skin, a beautiful face, and legs that could make anyone jealous. Even women envy her. Whoever had the nerve to say such nonsense must be blind.”The room tensed. Cornelia turned her gaze to Ethan, her voice laced with artificial s
Emerald, however, found it amusing. Alaric, who was usually so arrogant around her, was now acting all proper in front of his family.“Oh? That’s funny. Sister-in-law didn’t say that before,” Emerald remarked casually, immediately drawing Apollo’s attention.“Oh? You’ve met before?” Apollo asked, surprised. After all, Cornelia hadn’t known Emerald for long, and she worried that Emerald might not like the gift she had prepared.“Yes,” Emerald replied.Before she could say more, Cornelia quickly cut in, afraid that Emerald might bring up what had happened at the boutique earlier.“I ran into Teacher Greene at the counter today,” she explained hurriedly. “I didn’t realize she was Alaric’s girlfriend at the time. If I had known… I would’ve let her choose for herself.”As she spoke, she took out an entire set of pink diamond jewelry. The vivid pink diamonds alone were worth over ten thousand yuan each, and the set featured intricate inlay designs—clearly an expensive and carefully chosen g
He pressed the accelerator just in time, sending the car speeding forward.Emerald couldn’t help but stare at him—suited up and in leather shoes. Her heart raced. This man was undeniably charming."Aric, the rain has stopped, and the flowers in the lotus pond are blooming. Would you like to go see them with me?"Alaric, not quite catching her drift, answered in a low voice, "...Okay."As her mind wandered, imagining what the evening might bring, she noticed they had arrived at a villa.Meanwhile, Apollo's family was in a rush. Although Apollo was over ten years older than Alaric, he always felt wary of his quiet, cold cousin.Apollo was the center of attention—he had grown up overcoming challenges and was now well-positioned to take the lead in the Corrigan. With his sharp mind, impressive background, and carefully calculated moves, he was poised to replace the old man.Today’s dinner had been moved up, and the family was scrambling to prepare. They’d urgently called Cornelia Florida,
The salesgirl who had brought her upstairs rushed to smooth things over. “Mrs. Corrigan, please don’t be upset. You’re still pregnant, and stress isn’t good for you. I’ve already checked on the bracelet you ordered—it should arrive within two days.”Caroline waved a hand impatiently. “The issue isn’t the bracelet—it’s her.” She scoffed and turned to the gathered onlookers. “Do you even know who she is? Her mother was a mistress—”The room went silent as every eye turned toward Emerald. Before she could react, Iris, who had been quietly munching on macarons, suddenly leaped to her feet.“You’re pregnant, so maybe try being a decent human for your baby’s sake?” she snapped. “You might want to be careful—karma has a funny way of dealing with people like you.”"Who the hell are you? Dressed like a scavenger—are you made of wood? Why don’t you sweep these two pieces of trash out of here?""Aunt, who upset you?" A deep voice suddenly broke in—Ethan.When he spotted Emerald standing not far
He had seen how she had broken up with Ethan all those years ago, walking away without hesitation. But back then, she hadn’t known the man’s true nature.Even after all those years together, she had left without a second thought.Would she do the same to him?His only advantage—the one thing keeping her tethered to him—was her desire for him. So he would use it.Like dangling a piece of meat in front of a greedy little cat, he would keep her wanting, keep her reaching, until she was caught in the trap he had so carefully laid.Step by step.By the time they pulled up to the garden, Emerald was no longer as composed as before.She sat in the passenger seat, waiting expectantly for him to open the door. Alaric was already reaching for her, ready to carry her out, when she stretched out her arms, eyes full of mischief.“I want a piggyback ride.”Alaric chuckled, amused by her sudden whim. He liked it when she acted spoiled."Alright, I'll carry you on my back."He turned around, and Emer
Alaric took her small hand in his, gripping it firmly as he asked, word for word, "Have you ever slept with Griffin?"Emerald blinked her big eyes, then nodded earnestly. "Slept."She started counting on her fingers before looking up and adding, "Not even once."At that moment, she finally understood what had been weighing on Alaric’s mind. Griffin and Alaric were complete opposites.On the surface, Alaric was the heir to an elite chaebol family—elegant and refined. But in reality, he had a distinct sense of style, always carrying himself with a quiet intensity.Griffin, on the other hand, came across as a gentleman, but deep down, he was still the mischievous little devil from their childhood—willing to use any trick to get his way. He was the one who taught Emerald how to climb onto rooftops and remove tiles, and how to wade into the river to catch shrimp.And now, she was sure he must have whispered something in Alaric’s ear just to stir trouble.Ever since Alaric entered her life,