"Everyone, this issue of 'Prestige' magazine features an interview with our CEO, Mr. Garland. The HR department just sent over a copy. If you're interested, feel free to pass it around," Derek said as he placed the magazine on Calla's desk before turning and heading back to his office. Before Calla could even react, several female colleagues rushed over. They grabbed the magazine and started chattering excitedly while flipping through it. Seeing her colleagues' enthusiastic behavior, Calla found it amusing. They were fawning over Mercer as if he were a celebrity. That man had nothing more than his good looks and the luck of being born into wealth. His temper was unpredictable, and he always seemed distant and cold. Even if he were offered to her now, she wouldn't want him anymore. "How can this be?" Emily suddenly exclaimed in dismay as she stared at the magazine.Another female colleague quickly asked, "What happened? What's wrong?" Emily tossed the magazine onto the desk,
"What about Mr. Garland? Hurry up and tell us." The female colleagues were all intrigued.Calla looked up at Lucy, feeling a little curious herself.Lucy then said, "I just went to see Ms. Reynolds and saw that Peggy came again. She insisted on seeing Mr. Garland. But Ms. Reynolds wouldn't let her in, saying Mr. Garland didn't have time for her.""How's that big news? I already knew that Peggy wasn't worth much. She was only chasing after Mr. Garland's shadow." Emily scoffed.Hearing that, Calla knit her brows. She also found the situation a little strange. Wasn't Mercer getting along with Peggy recently? Why would he refuse to see her all of a sudden?Could it be that he found a new love? Thinking about this, Calla felt somewhat stifled.Lucy continued with a laugh, "There's something even funnier. Peggy was holding a copy of this magazine. She was crying and asking Ms. Reynolds if Mr. Garland was really married. She demanded to know who his wife was. "Isn't that hilarious? I
As she stepped inside her house, Calla instinctively called out while changing her shoes, "Mom, I'm back!"Carol, wearing an apron and holding a spatula, immediately poked her head out of the kitchen. "You hungry? Dinner's almost ready."After washing her hands, Calla started setting the table. Carol placed a serving of fish and chips on the table with a smile. "Calla, your cousin's wedding is this Saturday. Let's go together and congratulate them."Hearing this, Calla frowned slightly. Although she had a good relationship with Maurice and Ethan, the recent reconciliation with Rudy's family and Maurice's family was bothersome. It was said that the reconciliation was due to Maurice's new daughter-in-law, Eleanor Anderson, coming from an influential family. Now, Rudy's family was ingratiating themselves with them, acting as if they never had any conflicts in the first place. They treated Tasha with utmost respect. Such a big event was sure to attract Rudy's family, and it co
Calla's complexion was indeed pale due to morning sickness, and she couldn't wear makeup for fear of complications. She dressed rather casually, opting to skip the high heels. She looked quite ordinary—and according to Rudy, was a source of shame to the family.Plus, Calla had a child in her belly. But no one knew that she was married. Rudy's words immediately filled Calla's chest with anger. She retorted, "I don't steal, I don't rob, I don't flirt with men. How am I bringing shame?"At that moment, Calla glanced at Jill and Peggy, who were seated at a table not far away. Rudy wasn't a fool and picked up on Calla's implication. He flew off the handle as he spat, "You ungrateful daughter. You've disgraced me.""I think you've mistaken me for someone else. The disgraceful daughter you're looking for is over there. I have nothing to do with you anymore," Calla replied coldly."It seems like you want to be slapped again." Rudy stepped forward with his hands on his waist. "If you
Such was Carol's personality, and Calla couldn't do anything about it. Thus, she let Carol be. Just as she was thinking this, Calla felt a little nauseous. She was probably about to vomit again. Thus, she briefly gave Carol a heads-up and quickly got up to go to the bathroom.After retching for a while, she tidied herself up and left the bathroom. When she reached the banquet hall's entrance, Calla saw a large flower basket at the door. It had a ribbon that read, "Mercer Garland wishes the newlyweds a lifetime of joy".Seeing this flower basket, Calla couldn't help but be stunned. She was unable to recover from the shock for a while. Why would Mercer send a flower basket to Ethan and Eleanor? She lowered her head and thought for a moment. Mercer must have had some sort of interaction with them at work, so he sent a flower basket to congratulate them. As for attending the banquet, someone as high-profiled as him naturally wouldn't bother."Mrs. Garland, you're here too?"Cal
"Your daughters are all grown up now, alright? Stop using them as an excuse. I see you're deliberately trying to reconcile with Rudy. You're truly shameless," Jill accused Carol.Seeing Carol being bullied by Jill again, Calla couldn't bear it anymore. She rushed over and pointed at Jill, angrily rebuking, "You were a homewrecker back then. You broke our family. Now you have the nerve to speak ill of others? I think you're the most shameless one here.""Calla, you're much younger. How can you talk to your stepmom like this?" Rudy stepped forward to scold Calla. Seeing Rudy, who appeared so righteous at this moment, Calla sneered. "You're not my father anymore. Why would I have a stepmom? Don't make me feel nauseous. I have nothing to do with you shameless people.""You… you're really trying to upset me, aren't you?" Rudy clutched his chest with his left hand, pretending to be in pain. If Carol wasn't anxious before, she was now. She pulled Calla—who spoke up for her—and said, "C
At this critical moment, a figure appeared. The figure used his strong arm to push Peggy aside, causing her to stumble. Jill, on the other hand, ended up landing on the marble floor. She grimaced in pain as soon as she hit the ground.Calla not only avoided being hit but also heard a few ghostly cries in her ears. When she opened her eyes, she was astonished to find Mercer standing beside her. Jill and Peggy were in a sorry state. "Are you okay?" Mercer extended his arm to support the nervous Calla."I… I'm fine," Calla replied, still trying to recover from the shock.Why did he intervene? Wasn't he afraid of exposing their relationship? The agreement clearly stated that they were to be in a covert marriage. Carol saw the man supporting Calla, noticing his handsome and dignified appearance. She put two and two together, deducing that this man had to be her son-in-law.At the next moment, Carol ran up to him and smiled. "Mercer, you're back from your business trip?"Mercer di
Calla stared blankly at the so-called wedding ring in Mercer's hand. It was a silver ring with numerous diamonds embedded in it, shimmering like stars. Though it didn't have a single large centerpiece, she knew it was quite valuable."Let me help you put it on." Mercer affectionately took Calla's hand and slid the ring onto her ring finger. At that moment, Calla's heart raced. She looked up at the person holding her hand, only to see him curling his lips, giving her a gentle smile she had never seen before. Mercer had never been so gentle in front of her. Calla felt her goosebumps rise, but instantly pulled herself together. Right, they were just acting now. He was helping her retaliate against Peggy. She shouldn't be acting so foolishly.Soon, Calla's hand was intertwined with Mercer's. She playfully pouted as she said, "I thought I lost the ring. You scared me half to death.""It's my fault for not returning it to you earlier," Mercer said with a face full of tenderness. He wa