After the performance concluded, everyone moved inside. The butler had the kitchen prepare a meal for Grandma Qin, though it was strictly according to dietary regulations. Given the late hour, she ate conservatively, setting down her spoon after just a few bites."Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your efforts," she said graciously.Grandma Qin then prepared to freshen up, and as Lillian offered to assist, she was gently stopped with a pat on her hand."What help do you think I need for a simple wash? I'm not completely helpless," Grandma Qin chided gently.Before Lillian could utter another word, Grandma Qin turned to Serena and softly suggested, "It's getting late, Serena. Why don't you stay the night? Have Lillian ask the servants to prepare a guest room for you."Caught off guard while nibbling absentmindedly, Serena promptly declined, "No need, Grandma Qin. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to stay.""What's inappropriate about it?" Grandma Qin countered. "We have plenty of guest
Even through her heavy coat, Lillian could feel the icy chill emanating from the bathroom walls. Oliver's grip on her shoulder was firm and unyielding, pinning her in place with a force that sapped her will to fight back, leaving her breathless.She glared up at him, the man pressing down on her, and let out a cold chuckle amidst labored breaths, "What are you doing? Are you so infuriated because I struck a nerve?"Oliver's gaze darkened as he observed her. Her eyes sparkled like stars against the bathroom lights, a radiant contrast to her bright pupils. Her nose, pert and proud; and her lips, a rosy pink, shimmered temptingly. Yet from that beautiful mouth came words so sharp, they stabbed at the heart, making one wish to silence her forever, to stop her from ever speaking again.In a swift motion, as if to prevent her from saying another word, Oliver bent down and captured her lips in a forceful kiss."You... mmph."As he leaned in, Lillian's uneasy premonition barely had time to re
Oliver's brow furrowed, his dark eyes emanating a cold light. The oppressive aura around him was so heavy that Lillian almost thought he was about to do something drastic. Then, to her relief, he turned and left the room. As she let out a sigh, her lips curled into a mocking sneer.Serena stood outside the door, her fingers twisted together in nervous anticipation. Oliver's voice had sounded irate, as though something significant had been interrupted. This realization sent a shiver of unease through her. When she had identified herself and yet he took so long to open the door, her anxiety deepened. What was taking so long? What was he doing in there?Her mind a tumult, the door finally opened. Serena's head snapped up, and she scrutinized Oliver carefully. He was still wearing the clothes he had on when he went upstairs, his coat unremoved but slightly wrinkled. She quickly assured herself that wrinkles didn't signify anything.Then, as she lifted her gaze and noticed a small cut on O
At his inquiry, Lillian glanced at him with an uninterested air. "What's it to you?"Silence followed her retort."Just a few minutes and you're prying. Worried I'd bully her?" Lillian teased, her voice tinged with mockery.Oliver's frown deepened, his displeasure evident. "That's not what I meant.""Then what? Do I need to report every bit of girl talk to you?"Oliver realized that Lillian's patience with him had run thin, a stark contrast to her previous demeanor. Outside of the necessary pretense before Grandma Qin, she treated him like a stranger. This shift grated on him, especially since they used to get along so seamlessly.With no response from him, Lillian simply gathered her clothes and went to freshen up. Afterward, she retreated to bed, acting as if Oliver didn't exist.Ignored, Oliver went through his nightly routine with a scowl, lying down to rest with the same expression. Though they shared a bed, a bolster pillow laid
Who would have anticipated that due to Lillian's nausea, the household would be thrown into utter chaos?Lillian leaned weakly against Oliver, her mind still somewhat adrift.Meanwhile, Serena, who had tagged along, suddenly had a thought and suggested, “Oliver, the hospital is quite far now. Why don’t we take her to that clinic my friend recommended last time? I suspect Lillian might have eaten something disagreeable.”Although Serena seemed to be calmly making a suggestion, inside, she was in complete turmoil.If Oliver took her to the hospital at this moment, they were bound to uncover the truth.If a checkup was indeed necessary, it would be better to go to a clinic where her friend worked; if something unexpected came up, she still had a chance to rectify the situation.Reflecting on this, Serena suddenly remembered how Lillian had refused to go to the hospital when she had a fever on the road some time ago.Back then, Serena thought Lillian was just acting up and playing the vic
"Indeed, Grandma," Lillian chimed in, filling the silence to avoid arousing suspicion. "Ever since I was little, I've disliked fish. I tried it once thinking it was something exquisite, but ended up vomiting severely. So today, when I smelled it, the memories just flooded back."At her words, the pensive look on Grandma Qin's face faded.A childhood incident of vomiting after eating fish? Growing up with such a shadow seemed plausible.Yet, she remained concerned. "Are you really alright? Maybe you should have a check-up at the hospital, just in case.""There's no need, Grandma. I'm fine now, see? Do I look like I'm still unwell?"Grandma Qin scrutinized her for a few moments, noting her restored color.She did seem fine, which relieved her, prompting her to pinch Lillian's soft cheek. "You cheeky girl, why didn't you say earlier that you don't eat fish?""Um," Lillian whimpered cutely, "You enjoy it so much, Grandma. I thought maybe I wouldn't react the same way as when I was little
After seeing Grandma Qin comfortably settled in, Serena looked at Lillian and said, “Thank you.”Throughout the day, she had been seizing every chance to ingratiate herself with Grandma Qin. Lillian had the opportunity and the means to intervene, but she didn't.“I misjudged you before. I thought you were not a person of your word. Sorry.”With Grandma Qin’s sudden collapse and the surgery postponed, Serena had been skeptical. Her first thought upon hearing the news was one of disbelief. Why would a perfectly healthy person suddenly faint? She darkly suspected that Lillian might have confided in the old lady about her pregnancy and Serena's involvement, and the old lady had conspired with her to delay the surgery.That was her initial thought.Serena knew she tended to think the worst of people, a trait known only to herself. But at present, it seemed Grandma Qin was oblivious to it all.And Lillian hadn’t stopped her from getting close to Grandma Qin and playing the good Samaritan. H
Oliver?What was he doing here???Lillian nearly let out a scream.Wasn't he supposed to be handling work? Why was he here in the study, and so silently at that? She hadn’t heard a peep when she came in.Had she just… mentioned the baby?And Oliver had come in at that very moment. Had he caught that critical word? Or...Lillian's face turned as pale as snow, her heart racing as she looked at Oliver, lips pressed tightly in a feigned calmness.Oliver hadn’t expected her to be in the study either.Seeing her ghost-like expression, his brows knit together slightly. She’d been jumpy lately, as if she was hiding something from him.He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze falling upon Lillian's pale face."Who were you talking to just now?"Lillian faltered.Did his question mean Oliver hadn’t clearly heard what she was saying?But she couldn’t be sure. What if he had heard and was now probing her?With this thought, Lillian regained some composure and whispered, "Why are y