Adriana secretly thanked God in her heart, thinking, ‘God has treated me well.’“Ray is bullying me! He’s asking me to play cards with him! Tell me, how can I possibly match his skills?”As she spoke, Adriana pulled Snow closer and introduced her. “This is my best friend, Snow, an excellent young actress. Isn’t she pretty?”To Anaya, Adriana was the most beautiful woman in the world, and no other woman could compare. But since Snow was Adriana’s friend, Anaya nodded politely and said, “Sister Snow, hello!”Snow hadn’t expected to find such an untainted and adorable girl like Anaya in a family like the Walkers. Smiling warmly, she replied, “Hello! You’re so cute, beautiful, and witty.”Anaya, long accustomed to receiving praise, returned a polite smile.Adriana explained, “Your Sister Snow has a role that Ray wants to give to someone else. This isn’t just about cards—it’s a fight for the role. If I lose, the role will go to someone else.”The “someone else” was, of course, the woman si
Snow said, “Mr. Walker, you’re standing at the top of the pyramid and can have any woman you want. So, can you please let Adriana go?”She had witnessed Adriana’s tears far too often and didn’t want her friend to get entangled with Calvin again. If Calvin had even a shred of decency, he wouldn’t put obstacles in her career.Without his favor, even if Adriana sacrificed herself as bait, she would only end up being kicked out, with nothing to show for her pain and sacrifice.Calvin listened calmly to Snow’s words and replied, “Miss Snow, is there anything else?”Snow was stunned. He didn’t hear a single word I said?“Mr. Walker…” she began, but Calvin interrupted her.“You’re already struggling to protect yourself and still need Adriana to step in to seek justice for you. What right do you have to reason with me?”Realizing her soft approach wasn’t working, Snow’s frustration boiled over. She snapped, “I may not have anything, but as long as Adriana needs it, I’ll fight you to the death
Ordinary life is quite good!Calvin scoffed in disdain. “If it were really as good as you say, the divorce rate in the U.S. wouldn’t be climbing year after year. The ignorant romance of youth always comes with a hefty bill to pay when reality sets in.”Adriana raised her voice. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”Calvin said, “Since Lawyer Clarke was so generous with free legal advice, I’ll return the favor with some insight into the warmth and coldness of human nature.”Adriana decided to stop talking.The car was heading toward Green Wick Complex, and they were approaching the next intersection.Just then, Adriana’s phone rang. It was Mark.She instinctively glanced at Calvin. He didn’t look at her, his expression cold and unbothered, as if he’d made up his mind to ignore her.Fine by me, she thought.She answered the call. “Lawyer Wilson?”Mark’s voice came through, polite as ever. “Did I disturb you?”From the moment Mark had mistakenly referred to her as his girlfriend in
When Calvin heard the woman shouting, his brows furrowed instantly, and a dark, oppressive aura followed. His voice was cold and icy as he asked, "What are you shouting about?"He disliked disturbances.The woman was immediately subdued by his presence. She no longer dared to yell and instead looked over timidly. "You… you bumped into me, and you still…"She wanted to curse at him, but when she saw his cold expression, she didn’t dare to say another word.She couldn’t quite describe her emotions, but faced with his intimidating presence, she chose to restrain herself. In the end, she turned toward Adriana, who seemed more approachable. "You guys hit me with your car and broke my stall. You have to pay for my loss."Adriana smiled bitterly. She had seen plenty of similar cases in the news and in legal case files. Coincidentally, this gave her an opportunity to practice handling such a situation.Steadying herself, Adriana stepped forward. "Ma’am, you ran a red light."In many cities, t
Adriana was a bit exasperated. "Why don’t we go back and chase after her? It’s not too late."Calvin shot her a look.Just then, Adriana glanced down and noticed blood on the back of Calvin’s hand. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Your hand is bleeding."Calvin hadn’t paid much attention to it at first, but now that she pointed it out, he finally realized he was injured. Earlier, in his rush to protect Adriana, he had blocked her head with his hand, taking the impact himself. If he hadn’t done so, it wouldn’t be his hand bleeding—it would have been her head.And yet, after all that, she still had the nerve to defend that ungrateful woman.Good. Very good, he thought bitterly."You’re right. I think we should go after her. She might not be able to pay for the car repairs, but she should at least cover my medical bills."For some reason, Adriana found his words amusing and couldn’t help but laugh. "Okay, okay! It doesn’t look like a big wound. Let’s just go home and take care of it."The
Calvin’s home was in the middle of a high-rise building, occupying the top floor. With no buildings in front of it, he never had to worry about prying eyes, even with the windows open. The unobstructed view and luxurious living space made it an excellent place to reside.With two floors to himself and at least a thousand square feet per floor, Adriana couldn’t help but wonder if he had ever played basketball in the living room.Not only was it spacious, but the Scandinavian-style decor was also meticulous—minimalist, refreshing, and distinctly cold. As soon as she stepped inside, she felt the temperature drop a few degrees. It must be an ideal retreat during the summer heat.After quickly scanning the house’s furnishings, Adriana asked, "Where’s the medical kit?"Calvin strode into the living room and sank into the center of a long, straight couch. "Upstairs, storage room—shelf to the right of the restroom."A spiral staircase led to the second floor, with hollow bookshelves lining th
With resentment and resignation, Adriana went upstairs to the master bedroom, first spitting into Calvin’s extravagant panoramic bathroom. As the water drained, she stepped into the bedroom to take a look around.Before she could examine his interior design and bedding, her eyes caught sight of a tall, black object near the window. Lifting the screen, she discovered a high-powered telescope with a large lens.Such a telescope was usually meant for stargazing, and knowing Calvin’s bravado, she figured it could probably capture the surface of the moon as well.Curiosity got the better of her, and she padded over to take a look.It wasn’t about what she intended to see—but what actually appeared in her line of sight. To her shock, she was staring at a familiar scene: her own house. The very place where, just half an hour ago, she had engaged in a battle of wits with Calvin!Calvin had set up a telescope in his bedroom to spy on her home?Imbecile! Pervert! Neurotic! she cursed inwardly.
This scene was too easy to evoke a charming reverie. Even without doing anything, her hands were already dripping with water. What’s more, right in front of her, Calvin stood wearing nothing but his pants. He was like an open-screen peacock.Calvin said, “Wash it for me.”Adriana’s gaze flickered between the bathtub and him in a two-point sweep. “I am sorry, Mr. Calvin, but I am not some bathhouse attendant. I don’t provide this service.”Calvin took her hand and placed it on his belt. “Open it.”‘Damn it! Did he not understand human language? Why did he act as if he were blocking her words?’Adriana curled her fingers stubbornly and said, word by word, “Don’t force me.”Calvin arched a brow. “See for yourself. Can this belt be undone with one hand?”Adriana hesitated before glancing down. Indeed, the belt had a slot-style buckle that required both hands to unfasten before it could be pulled out. It really wasn’t something that could be done with just one hand.Her fingers fumbled awk
The next day, Adriana packed her things and left for work.When she went downstairs, she saw a familiar car.The neighbourhood she rented in was only mid-range to high-end, and it was rare to see such a luxurious car.The high-profile Aston Martin in front of her certainly didn’t fit in with the overall atmosphere.Adriana instinctively knew there was a familiar face inside, so she turned around to leave.Drip!The horn blared, the driver’s window rolled down, and a head peeked out.“I’ve seen it all. Where are you planning to hide?”Adriana knew dodging was pointless, so she switched to a standard, polite smile — the kind an employee would show when greeting their superior.“Deputy Director Carson showing up at his subordinate’s doorstep first thing in the morning — that can’t be a coincidence, right?”The injury on Carson’s face, after a night of settling in, looked even worse. The swelling had intensified, and the bruise had deepened in color. His left eye, the one that had taken t
Seeing Calvin and Carson angrily facing each other, it seemed like they were about to start fighting again. Adriana put down what she was holding and sat down with a stern face.“You two can bandage each other up. Since you're both so capable of fighting, you can handle the aftermath just as well.”“No way.”“Never happening.”Surprisingly, they were at least consistent on this point.“Well then, since neither of you wants to do it, bear with it. After this, go home — to whoever you like.”Not wanting to get entangled with either of them any further, Adriana just wanted to leave with a clean slate.Carson tugged at her wrist, his red, swollen face filled with helplessness. “You’re not really going to leave, are you?”Adriana looked down at his hand, then forced him to let go. “I made myself very clear already. No matter what you do, I won’t appreciate it. Whether I’m desperate, heartless, or however you want to see me — it doesn’t matter. You can think of me as a scummy girl if you wa
Calvin spoke out in shock. Adriana was afraid he would say something else, so she hurriedly advised, “Calvin, let’s just come together and part peacefully. At least let’s leave each other with some dignity. Let’s not make a mess of things until there’s nothing left.”There was a warning in her eyes, and her stance made it clear she was drawing a line with him.Calvin cooperated by lowering his head slightly, and likewise lowered his voice, whispering, “Do you like that playboy so much? Do you even know what kind of person Carson really is?”Adriana glanced at Carson out of the corner of her eye. He appeared calm and composed, not at all embarrassed by being left out, standing there like a clear stream.“What kind of person he is — time will tell,” she replied. “I’ll also keep my eyes wide open to see it for myself. Instead of listening to your version, I’d rather experience it firsthand.”Calvin was thoroughly exasperated by her. “It seems you’re determined to go against me.”“Calvin,
New York is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the country and has been ranked as a highly livable place for several years in a row. Facing the sea and stretching northward, its late spring and early summer evenings are filled with a gentle breeze and bustling traffic—a perfect blend of vibrant life and the relentless struggles of young dreamers.Strolling through the college campus, where students gathered in groups, one could see couples walking arm in arm, hear playful bickering, and catch fleeting glimpses of youthful romance. It was enough to rekindle even the most faded sparks of sentiment.Carson pulled a cigarette case and lighter from his trouser pocket, but just as he was about to light one, he hesitated and put them back. “There’s an observation deck nearby. Want to check it out?”Adriana refused without hesitation. She wasn’t here for a date. Why would she follow the same route as young lovers?“I’m not going.”Carson glanced at a couple embracing in front of the
Looking at the smelly rice noodles bubbling on the table, Adriana wrinkled her eyebrows into two tight knots. “This is refreshing?”Carson, his long fingers stirring the noodles and auxiliary ingredients in the large bowl, looked completely at ease—clearly, he had eaten this many times before. “These rice noodles are made from the shop owner’s authentic recipe. Only his family knows it. Have a try!”Adriana’s expression darkened as she pushed her bowl away. “Deputy Director Carson, you should eat more.”She found it hard to believe that someone like Carson, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, would be good at this.Actually, it was more than just being grounded—it was practically underground.Carson noticed her reluctance and frowned. “Didn’t you used to love this?”Adriana hesitated. “Before? How do you know what I used to eat?”Had their paths ever crossed? Searching her memory, Adriana couldn’t recall.Carson smirked mysteriously. “Eat three bites, and I’ll tell you.”Back in co
Adriana ignored the message alert and pretended not to see it.At the dinner table, Anderson both explicitly and implicitly mentioned that Calvin’s plan for the night was to attend Karl’s birthday party. He even emphasized, “Our president—when has he ever given anyone such an honor? He rarely attends private parties in a year.”The implication was clear: the relationship between the Walker family and the Blake family was extraordinary.His remark was directed at Adriana, who simply smiled.Anderson might have intended to provoke her, but her lack of response left him disinterested, and he didn’t bring it up again.A house call and a banquet—it seemed that things between Anna and Calvin were progressing well.Pretty good.Drip!The sound of a car horn suddenly interrupted her thoughts. Adriana turned toward the road, and her expression darkened instantly.Carson rolled down the window and leaned out, his elbow resting on the window frame as he smiled at her. “What a coincidence!”At tw
Calvin said, “Whether we are falling out or not, Chairman Blake, there’s no need for you to know too much. I didn’t see Albert.”No one could force a word out of him if he didn’t want to speak.Karl, understanding Calvin’s style, knew better than to press the matter. Truth be told, there was no need to ask—Carson had likely crossed a line that Calvin, who couldn’t tolerate even a speck of sand in his eyes, found unforgivable. Perhaps even Albert himself was not worth seeing in Calvin’s view.This is tricky.Karl kept a smile on his face and said, “Carson—that boy lacks determination. Albert has mentioned many times that… well, never mind. Even raising his own son hasn’t been easy for him. It’s clear that mistakes are inevitable in other areas as well. But let’s not dwell on it.”Despite his lighthearted tone, Karl was struggling internally.With his current cash flow issues, he had planned for Albert to meet Calvin tonight, hoping to reinforce his confidence and secure financial suppo
In the evening, the Grand Empire lawyers dined at Savory Spice Heaven.Adriana kept her thoughts to herself—after all, her last traumatic experience had taken place here, and revisiting the same place felt like an emotional wipeout.As they entered the private dining room, Marshal smiled and said, “Lawyer Clarke, this way, please.”Marshal, holding the highest position, rightfully should have taken the seat across from the door. However, he reached out to invite Adriana instead, even offering her the most honorable chair.Wasn’t that cynicism?Adriana politely declined, took a seat on the left side, and pulled out a chair. “Minister Marshal, you are too polite. You are the host, and I am the guest. Where is the reasoning in competing with the host for a seat?”Lawyer Miller smiled. “Lawyer Clarke, with your relationship with the president, why be so modest? Not to mention just a single seat—this entire restaurant must look up to you!”Adriana didn’t show even a hint of anger. She simp
Carson wasn’t blind, nor was he stupid. The lingering redness at the corner of Adriana’s mouth wasn’t from accidentally scraping it while drinking water.“You left too quickly at lunch. I hadn’t finished what I was saying. Busy now?” he asked.Adriana replied calmly, “Just finished work. I was about to head down.”Carson nodded, finally turning his attention to Calvin, who was practically radiating hostility. “Calvin, I’ll be taking my person with me. I wouldn’t want to disturb your office. See you later.”Calvin’s fingers casually brushed over the corner of his mouth. Then, as if savoring the moment, he deliberately glanced at the faint traces left on Adriana’s lips—his traces.“Miss Clarke, seven o’clock—don’t be late.”Adriana’s head buzzed for a moment. Can’t you phrase it more clearly? Now it sounded like they had some private rendezvous.She quickly corrected him. “Of course, Mr. Calvin. The Grand Empire Legal Department is full of industry elites. I’ll be sure to learn from the