The next day, Maria had a feeling that something wasn't right the moment she walked through the school gate.Groups of students were whispering in hushed voices, seemingly discussing something.For a day student like Maria, who disappeared immediately after classes, it was normal to not have many close friends.When she walked into the classroom, a hateful gaze suddenly struck her.Following the gaze, she saw Fiona sitting there and glaring at her…After hitting Fiona yesterday, it was not a surprise to see Fiona's resentment today. Maria didn't take it to heart and found a seat by the door in the front row.Soon, the bell for the class rang, and the teacher walked in to start the class.Maria listened attentively to the lecture. She was about to graduate this year. With her doctorate degree, she was confident that she would find a good job.After all, there were few people in the entire school who could do both undergraduate and master's degrees at the San Diego University at the age
In the hospital.Fiona was quickly sent to the surgery room.Among the crowd, only Maria accompanied her to the hospital.Soon, Fiona's father arrived at the hospital. He glanced at Maria and listened to the report from a man on one side.After listening, filled with fury, he stepped to the front of Maria, "Are you the one who pushed my daughter down the stairs?"His intimidating presence, backed by his power and age, would have made any young people tremble. However, Maria didn't panic. She lifted her head, met his eyes without subservience or arrogance, "I did have some arguments with her, but I didn't push her!""If you didn't push her, did she fall down the stairs by herself?" Benjamin Collins yelled at Maria with all his might.He didn't like Maria’s attitude towards him. He felt that a young girl like Maria, who hadn't even graduated from the school, should always be obedient to him!Despite the pressure, Maria still lifted her head and calmly met his gaze, "I didn't push her.
Scared to the point of weakening, he almost kneltdown.At this point, Charles twisted his neck a bit. Hisfists like a thunderstorm aimed at Benjamin's face."Let me show you what ‘wicked’ really means!""Punch, punch, punch"The punches rained down on Benjamin's face. In a few seconds, his face swelled up. But he dared not make a sound, clenching his mouth tightly in pain.The two men he brought saw their boss being beaten up. They were about to help, but Benjaminsuddenly reached out a hand to stop them, "Standthere!"They looked at each other and could only standstill, watching their boss get beaten.Charles' anger wasn't settled by just a few blows.He didn't stop until he had seriously injured Benjamin."Mr. Collins, I'm wicked, I've beaten you like this. What will you do to me?"Two people helped Benjamin up. He was unable to steady himself. He extremely weak, yet he managed to put on a very ugly smile, "Not at all, Ijust fell by myself. It has nothing to do with you.Really
She withdrew her tiny hand with a hint of discontent., but failed. So she had to stop moving,allowing him to hold her hand."It sounds as if we're having an affair. It's reallyawkward."As soon as she finished that, she pouted, hummedin frustration, "But our relationship is really like an affair right now. Apart from us not having anyfeelings for each other, nor shared pursuits, it'sexactly the same."Charles was displeased, and he suddenly addedforce to his fingers!Maria’s mouth corners cracked in pain. Again shetried to pull her hand out, "What are you doing? Ithurts! Let go of me..."Charles tilted his head. His deep eyes warned her,"I'll give you another chance. Put it right!"Maria couldn't pull her hand out, so she hadto endure the pain. She recalled her words and suddenly understood, "There are shared pursuits between us. Like just now, when you, Mr. Smith,saved me, in return, I should give you a free massage tonight..."Before she could finish, her hand ached even
Just as Charles face was about to lean in, Maria’s cell phone, which was placed on the coffee table,rang inappropriately, along with the vibrating sound.Maria and Charles' eyes met. Both were stunnedfor a moment.Suddenly realizing something, Maria quickly turned her face and felt it. Only then she realized that her face was quite hot.Oh dear...What was she doing exactly?!Embarrassed, she bent over, picked up the phone, and saw the caller ID. She gave Charles a dry laugh, "I... need to take a call."Charles was extremely frustrated. Regardless of the atmosphere or the feeling, everything was in place just now. But it was interrupted by a phone call.He nodded and gently said, "Go ahead."Maria didn't avoid Charles. She put the phone to her ear, "Sarah, anything up?"Sarah Brown was one of the few friends that Maria had at school. She was also the one who told Maria about what had happened to Fiona today."Oh dear, Ria." Sarah's anxious voice came from the earpiece, "It's about t
The next morning, true to his words, the swelling on Maria’s face was gone. After eating breakfast, she grabbed her bag and headed out.Just as she was about to leave the villa gate, a blue Lamborghini sports car drove flamboyantlytowards her.After a halt, the car stopped steadily beside her."Get in!"Maria looked in shock at Charles sitting in the driver's seat. She couldn't believe what she saw!Today he didn't wear his usual shirt and suit, but casual clothes instead. Under his flowing bangs was a pair of currently trendy sunglasses.Charles was very handsome. When he was dressed in casual clothes with sunglasses sitting in a Lamborghini, it was visually pleasing enough to make everyone's heart pound.However, Maria had never seen this side ofCharles before.In her impression, Charles was always dressed up in business attire, exuding the mature stability of a businessman. The cars he used were always grand and steady vehicles like Rolls-Royce or Bentley Mulsanne. He had neve
Outside the main entrance of the San Diego University, there was a street full of smallrestaurants, offering not only lunch and dinner but also breakfast.Some of the students at the San Diego University were commuters, while others rented apartments outside the campus. Hence, mornings on this street were usually bustling.As the students were buying their breakfast, eating and walking towards the school gate, suddenly, a blue Lamborghini instantly attracted everyone's attention."My god, a Lamborghini!""A luxury car!""Wow, this car is so cool!""Ah, I can't believe I'm seeing a Lamborghini! This car looks so good..."With the students' exclamations, the Lamborghini made a steady stop at the main entrance of the San Diego University.Everyone was taken aback. After all, this was thefanciest car they had seen at the school gate since their enrollment.Most people quickened their steps, curious to see who came out of the car. They wanted to know which department and which class they
Maria had asked the professor for a leave of absence. It was longer than usual.The professor disagreed at the beginning. But Maria’s outstanding grades and her constant compliance as a model student led the professor to believe that she must have important matters to deal with. Therefore, the professor finally agreed."Alright, I'll grant you a month off. But Maria, you must work hard on your thesis. I have high expectations for you. Don't disappoint me," said Professor White."I know." Maria nodded. During her month off, apart from assisting Mia with the filming and acting as her PA, she would also need to continue working on her thesis. She knew she would be swamped.After settling her affairs with the school, Maria was pondering on her journey home about how to tell Charles about it.She could still recall vividly how Charles had come looking for her in his car the previous time she had left without saying goodbye.No matter what, she had slept with him. Afterliving with him fo
After leaving the banquet courtyard, Maria and Charles got into a sightseeing car and headed towards the Lesser family gate.Along the way, Charles remained silent, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, and his face looked terrifyingly solemn.Maria also didn't say anything. She held his hand tightly as if she wanted to give him her strength.Even when they got into their own car, Charles didn't say a word. He just gently rested his head on Maria’s shoulder, like an injured child.**********Back at the villa, Maria fetched a bottle of red wine, opened it, and took out two glasses. She tilted her head at Charles."Let's go and drink in the room."She smiled and raised the wine bottle in her hand. Charles noticed and finally relaxed the corners of his tightly pressed lips.He stood up and laughed softly, "How is one bottle enough? You are never drunk after a thousand cups."Maria looked at him speechlessly, seeing him take out two more bottles of red wine. She felt like things wer
Eva had been with Eric for more than twenty years, and she had no doubt about his feelings for her. Moreover, Eric always took good care of her and loved her deeply. If there was any rift between them, it was Charles.For the past twenty years, she had always been cautious in protecting their relationship, never inquiring about any news about Charles. That's why they had been living in harmony, until Mia came to Beijing. She had started investigating Charles' affairs under the old lady's orders.And since then, she felt that Eric had become more and more distant from her, a distance that she couldn't close no matter what she did.Now that Charles had come to Beijing, she had to make a choice between Eric and Charles. She didn't want to, but she had to…"Eric…"Her voice trembled as she pleaded, looking at him. "Can't you…?""No!"Those two resolute words instantly crushed the only hope in Eva heart.On one side was her husband, and on the other was her biological son, and she owed C
David and Hamya exchanged glances as they heard this. It was as if they had made a decision. They immediately said in unison, "We want to go too!""Huh?"Charles looked at them with confusion.David patted his stomach and smiled at Charles, "Young Master Smith, I wonder if your company is in need of pianists? What do you think of me?"Hamya chuckled and nodded, "I think I can do it too. Young Master Smith, please consider signing both of us. We don't ask for much, just a chance to perform in top music halls."David was worried that Charles would disagree, so he put on an even more sincere smile. "Ah yeah, haha... We just feel that Patrick is not enough on his own. With Hamya and I joining, after all, we have better qualifications than him. When the three great piano masters embark on anglobal tour together, and with Maria and Linda, it will be twice as successful.""Exactly!"Hamya laughed happily, "Young Master Smith, a single concert takes too long, Patrick won't be able to handle i
The two of them walked onto the stage and sat down at the piano. Maria raised her head and exchanged a glance with Linda, who placed her hands on the keys.The young pianists were curious about what music Maria and Linda would play. This was the second round of the training camp's open competition, and they usually wouldn't get to hear it.Suddenly, the piano played a melancholic melody, carrying a touch of elegance in the air, instantly striking at people's hearts!"This is..."Some couldn't remain calm instantly. "Butterfly Lovers?!""Is that possible? Butterfly Lovers arranged as a piano piece?""Yes, everyone knows that Butterfly Lovers is best played on the guqin, or the zheng would also work. It's my first time hearing it played on the piano.""Hey, no, this version of Butterfly Lovers has been adapted for piano. It suits the instrument perfectly while still preserving the essence of the original piece. It's absolutely refreshing!"After a few seconds of discussion, an unexpect
Two days later, Maria and Linda arrive at the venue of the exchange conference in their finest attire.They hand over their invitation cards and wait for the security guard to check them.Suddenly, a mocking voice comes from beside them, "Oh oh, who is this? Linda!? Am I mistaken?"The one speaking is Linda manager, and standing next to her is the pianist signed by Linda economic company."Aria, you're not mistaken, isn't that Linda herself?"Hearing their voices, Linda's face darkens. She turns her head and glares at them, "Aria, your eyesight is really not good, you can't even recognize me. You should go to the hospital to have your eyes checked."Aria originally wanted to embarrass Linda, but she didn't expect her to retort so sharply. She immediately gets furious."Linda, the company didn't give you an invitation card. Tell me, where did you steal it from?""Hehe..."Linda raises her chin triumphantly, holding Maria's arm. "Do I need the company to give me one? Just look at who's
After arriving in Beijing, the feeling of uneasiness never appeared again, and Maria felt an indescribable relief.Charles had sent someone to take Andrew back to the Lesser family, while Patrick and Linda followed Charles and Maria back to their villa.Originally, Andrew had strongly invited Patrick to come back to the Lesser family with him, but Patrick knew that the Lesser family was big and complicated, so he used the excuse of being with Linda and followed Charles.***********On the third day, when Luna returned from Brussels, she went directly to Maria’s place and looked at Linda, her expression becoming more flattering."Linda, I heard that your contract with your previous agency is about to expire, right?"Maria sat next to Linda, holding a big doll in her hands, feeling very angry."Yes, they told me before that if I could achieve good results in the training camp this time, they would sign me for another ten years and give me all the resources. But just when I announced my
At this moment, Maria had already packed up and left the hotel with Charles, Linda, Andrew, and others.On the way to the airport, Linda still couldn't understand and turned back to Maria, "Ria, as long as the misunderstanding is resolved, we can still stay in the training camp, right?"Of course, Maria knew that if she returned to the training camp now, everyone would treat her like a deity.Just kidding, being able to decide the life and death of their teacher, they would definitely flatter and serve Maria obediently.Maria shook her head, "Actually, I have already achieved my goal. Linda, if you want to go back, you can go back, no need to accompany me.""Hey!"Linda casually waved her hand, "Without you here, why should I go back? Besides, I have hugged your thigh, and you have hugged Master Smith's thigh. Am I still afraid of not being able to reach the pinnacle of the international piano world?"She said it so casually, as if she was joking. But Maria could tell that she still f
Maria, so smart, why couldn't she understand what they meant?She smiled and turned to shout inside the house, "Honey, it turns out they are looking for you." Charles was inside, and he had heard everything at the door clearly. The girls had looked down on him before and said he was weak, but now they all came to beg him with a straight face. It was really funny.He remained silent for a while before saying, "Ria, in our home, I make the major decisions and you make the minor ones. But in my eyes, besides you, nothing else is a major matter. So, you make the decisions."The girls outside, "..."Didn't that mean that Maria would be in charge of everything in the house?They felt a toothache and couldn't believe they were caught off guard by this unexpected situation.Maria shrugged and looked at them again.Originally, they came to apologize to Maria as a pretense, hoping that she would persuade Charles, but now, the initiative was completely in her hands, and they had to lower their
Maria was not foolish. Why did her reputation stink so much? Was it only because of the ambiguous relationship between her and Charles at that banquet?Just that one time was not enough to make everyone dislike and envy her.Lucy's face was extremely embarrassed, but at this moment, she had already lost all confidence in front of Maria and could only cry helplessly."Maria, I really know I was wrong. Can you forgive me? Please...""Lucy, your intentions were truly wicked. You even used Rivata as a weapon. Honestly, I admire you for that."Even while saying this, Maria's expression remained calm, her tone as if chatting with a close friend."You, alone, have bewitched the hearts of all the girls in the training camp. You treated others as pawns to sacrifice for your own gain. Wasn't your goal to drive me out of the camp? Congratulations, you achieved your goal. You should be happy, so why are you crying?"When Maria said this, the other girls immediately began pondering.After thinkin