The next morning, at the shopping mall."Miss, this tie is from our latest fashion collection, which just launched two days ago. Do you like its color and pattern?" The saleswoman carefully showcased a few tie designs on the glossy counter, meticulously introducing each one to Emma.She walked around the glass display cabinet featuring various ties, glancing at the one just presented, "Do you have any other designs? I prefer simple patterns. The simpler, the better."Thinking of Harry's usual wardrobe choices and his preference for minimalistic interiors, she knew he always favored a minimalist style.At that moment, the store manager came out from the back, holding an extremely luxurious box. She carefully placed it on the counter and opened it for Emma, "What about this one? This is a special tie soon to debut at the Milan Autumn-Winter Fashion Week. We only have one in this store."Emma gently held the box to admire the tie. Made of shimmering black silk with a Jacquard weave, it h
Harry's POV.20 years ago.I eagerly ran down the corridor, its floors adorned with expensive marble, leading straight into my father's office. In my hand, I held my recent city-wide exam scorecard, my eyes shimmering with happiness. Due to my sheer joy, I forgot to knock. I, an 8-year-old, stood on tiptoes to reach the tall doorknob and entered."Dad, today I ranked first in the entire city. My teacher said no student in school has ever scored as high as I did. Because of this, I will be specially promoted directly to secondary school. Are you proud of me?"I slightly bent forward, hands on my knees, catching my breath. I fully expected words of praise, but my respected father, engrossed in his work, coldly replied with just one word:"Get out.""But Dad..." I was taken aback, looking up at him with eyes that clearly expressed my shock at his emotionless reaction. Yet very quickly, I reverted to my usual obedient demeanor:"I'm sorry, Dad, for entering without knocking. I'll kneel fo
"Mom…"Harry jolted awake, suddenly opening his eyes wide. His vacant stare fixated on the pristine white bathroom wall. Water from the showerhead poured over him, drenching his hair.He couldn't recall how he had ended up in the bathroom. The cold water invigorated his senses but also chilled his heart. Rubbing his face and massaging his temples that twitched with tension, he closed his eyes and knitted his brow, looking utterly exhausted.He leaned against the side of the bathtub, veins bulging from Harry's body as if he were desperately trying to suppress a tremendous rage. After a moment, he slammed his fist against the wall so hard it felt as though the floor quaked beneath him.Clenching his teeth, his ocean-blue eyes consumed with fiery anger, he murmured, "Kate William, Liam Handerson, a blood debt must be paid by blood."Thirty minutes later, Harry wrapped a towel around himself and walked out. Leaning against the kitchen counter while drinking water, he nonchalantly dried hi
In the luxurious dining room of the Handerson mansion, it was rare for everyone to sit together for a meal. Yet, the strange silence made outsiders question whether they were genuinely a family at all.Emma placed her fork down, slightly tilting her head to look at Harry as if awaiting his response, but he remained silent. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face Albert Handerson, "Yesterday, I did spend the night at a hotel, but I wasn't having an affair. The man in the photo is Charles Edward, my assistant."With decisive eyes, she directly met the cold gaze of Albert. Deep down, she felt intimidated by the strict middle-aged man, sensing an underlying cruelness in him.Kate William wiped her mouth with a napkin, then slammed it on the table, her voice sharpening, "Then explain why he left the hotel the next morning? Don't tell me he just happened to book a room there overnight?"Liam slid another photo towards her. Indeed, it showed Charles leaving the hotel in the morning. The cha
"Where are you?"Harry had just returned home, searching for Emma throughout the house. When he couldn't find her, he immediately called her.The other end of the line was filled with the loud sound of wind. She tried to speak loudly, "I'm on a business trip; I will be back next week.""So sudden?" He was slightly surprised and inquired, "Where are you on business? Why didn't you tell me in advance? Are you intentionally avoiding me?""Why would I avoid you? I'm in a distant place, pursuing a dream I've long cherished. You don't need to wait for me. I will return when I'm done."Harry's tone grew somber; he'd been in meetings all day and his voice was slightly hoarse, "Emma Garcia, I don't like jokes. You need to come home tonight."However, before he could get an answer, she abruptly hung up. His face immediately darkened, he gently rubbed his temples which were twitching due to fatigue, and went straight into the bathroom uncomfortably.After showering, he tried calling her again."
“Please… Stop, don't do this.”The man in the dark finally let Emma get some air, but her arms and legs were tightly held by his strong body. In a panic, she could only weakly beg for compassion.She fumbled to open her bag, her eyes looking into the endless darkness of the dark room, "This... This is my bank card. You can withdraw as much money as you want, as long as you let me go..."Her hands were shaking so much that she dropped the entire bag to the ground. Her lips trembled as she continued to negotiate, "You... I'm very ugly, definitely not your taste. You please... let me go.”Feeling the man keep moving closer to her, his tongue licking along her neck made her scared, her trembling hands tried to push him away but couldn't. The difference in strength between men and women was clearly huge, she couldn't compete with this strong body.Her tears were about to fall. At this moment, she could only think of someone still in H city, "Harry... Harry, save me..."Her choked voice ran
"Wait..."The cold night wind rustled through Emma's curly hair, making it dance in the breeze. She hurriedly followed the two men walking ahead, raising her voice to make them stop.Brian was the first to stop, casually putting his hand into his pocket and leaning slightly back. This relaxed demeanor, combined with his deep voice, was truly captivating, "Is there something else?"After Vivian returned, she was initially startled to find the two men in the restaurant's room. But once she saw the shattered glass on the floor, she understood the situation. She told Emma to go rest and prepare for her return home, and she managed this bastard Kelvin by herself.Out of breath from running, Emma lightly patted her chest and took a deep inhale."Thank... Thank you, Brian." She spoke with difficulty, her face flushed from exertion.Brian glanced at Harry without turning fully around, gave Emma a light reassuring pat, and chuckled, "Don't mention it. If you decide to enter showbiz, you will e
The sound of the door slamming startled all the employees on the working floor.The young woman was still standing next to Emma, slightly tilting her head to look at Emma's pale face, "Ma’am, would you prefer to wait in the lounge?"Emma's throat felt constricted as if choked by an invisible force, making it difficult for her to speak. She tried to take a deep breath, reminding herself of her purpose of this visit, and responded calmly:"Yes, I will wait in the lounge. Kindly inform me when he's done." Emphasizing the word "done", a sarcastic smile played on her lips.“I will take you to the lounge, ma'am.”“No need, I can go by myself. I know the way.”As soon as she left, loud whispers began to spread throughout the working floor. Many people even looked curiously towards the lounge, covering their mouths and whispering to each other, "Why do I feel like she is so familiar? Like I have seen her somewhere before..."The question suggested the problem, causing everyone to immediately
In a spacious duplex penthouse of over 300m2 in the heart of the city, Harry and his wife, along with their two little angels, lived happily day by day. After the two kids went to school each day, Emma would often sit at home studying scripts before moving back and forth between film shooting locations.In the afternoon, Harry would come home early to pick up the kids after school, then they would go to the supermarket together and cook dinner for her.This year, Charlie turned 10, handsome and intelligent. Originally, his attendance at junior high school drew significant attention, but his charming appearance garnered much admiration from friends around.However, every time friends invited him to hang out, he would coldly refuse because he had to pick up his little sister Ariel from kindergarten and wait for their father to come home together.Life was peaceful and calm, except for one thing..."Mom, why am I not in this picture?"Ariel, a 4-year-old girl, held a photo against Emma's
"Boss, Madam said you're exploiting her labor. She wants to resign.""Resign? I disagree." Harry wore his gold-rimmed glasses, focused on the stack of documents on the table. His hand continuously signed contracts that his company had recently won.As soon as he raised his head, it seemed like the sunlight of the summer sun could compare to his handsome face, "Has she not realized her mistake yet?"Observing Harry's calm expression, Martin silently chuckled. In front of others, Harry could maintain the cold and arrogant facade; however, facing his wife, could he keep up such composure?"What are you laughing at?" Harry glared at Martin, noticing his suppressed laughter."Boss, this time, Madam wants to resign as your wife. Besides working and taking care of Charlie, she claims constantly comforting you is too exhausting as a wife.""Impossible!" The deep hoarse voice suddenly raised its pitch.As soon as Martin finished speaking, Harry slammed the table, losing the calm demeanor he ha
The sun was just rising. Soft light poured into the room, illuminating a couple cuddling affectionately in bed.“Good morning, baby.”“Morning.”Emma rubbed her eyes, gave Harry a peck on the lips, and stretched her body.Suddenly, Harry's large hand reached around Emma's bare waist. The contact of their skin gave Emma a cool sensation, and she let out a soft moan."What time is it? We need to take Charlie to school..." Her sweet voice still had a hint of huskiness as she pushed Harry's chest away and reached for her phone.However, Harry remained firm, holding onto her waist tightly. He bent down to kiss the white nape of her neck, his cool lips gliding over her soft skin as he inhaled her fragrance.“The school is right across the street. He can go to school on his own..."“Come on, Charlie's going to sulk again. I can't comfort him anymore..." She laughed, then ran her hands through his hair, tilted her head up and gently kissed his throat.“Ah…”Harry used one hand to push her hea
"Want a smoke?""No, she doesn't like the smell of cigarettes."Harry shook his head in refusal, pushing the offered cigarette from Charles a bit away with his index finger.Charles stored the pack of cigarettes inside his vest pocket, casually leaned back against the car, and took a deep drag. He lifted his head to gaze at the pitch-black sky, devoid of moon and stars, remaining silent as time passed without uttering a word.Harry crossed his arms over his chest. The waft of cigarette smoke in the air made him slightly furrow his brow, his deep voice resonating, "If you've got something to say, say it out. I still need to get back to deal with some work at the company.""The first time I met her was in a corner of the university campus. I was facing off against a group of troublemaker students to protect a stray cat, and she came running, cursing them straight to their faces to defend me."Harry's expression stiffened suddenly, the corners of his mouth twitched, and a complex emotion
In the capital city."Do you dare to show up at my doorstep?!" The fierce roaring voice carried immense anger, shaking the entire small villa.Mr. Garcia brandished a broom, driving Harry out towards the main gate. His chest heaved with rage, and he thrust the broom without mercy at Harry, but luckily he still avoided it.Pointing his finger directly at Harry's face, Mr. Garcia patted his chest to calm his breathing and said, "Get out of my sight quickly. Do you think bringing gifts to please me, I will allow you to be with my daughter?”The front door slammed shut, leaving Harry standing there looking pitiful and helpless.It seemed that the real difficulty had just arrived.A few hours earlier."Do you think this suit looks okay on me? Handsome enough? Does an all-black look from head to toe make me too scary?"Harry continuously adjusted his hairstyle while looking in the mirror. He then turned around for Emma and Charlie to admire. He nervously straightened the edges of his vest a
"Harry!" The anguished call echoed in Emma's heart from a distance.At this moment, all the forces Manuel had arranged along with the police arrived to surround the black car. The mafia inside, realizing they had fallen into a trap, couldn't help but curse silently. They slammed the car doors shut, intending to escape, but found themselves unable to run."Daddy! Daddy!" Tears streamed down with Charlie's tender voice, making the scene even more heart-wrenching.A 5-year-old boy cried, clinging to his father in the shelter of his small arms. From start to finish, Harry used his body to shield Charlie from witnessing the horrifying scene that had just occurred.But Charlie sensed Harry's continuously heavy and weakening breath."Sweetie, mommy is coming. You mustn't cry. Daddy almost made a big mistake just now. I'm so sorry, baby..." He held Charlie tightly in his chest, gently stroking his head."Daddy, I don't want you to die. I haven't had a chance to tell you how much I love you, a
"You've gone mad! The police have sealed off the landslide area; they'll quickly rescue anyone in distress. Stay put here for me!" Manuel commanded in a cold tone.He firmly held Emma's hands to prevent her from running forward."Let me go. I just came to check the situation. Harry and Charlie both went in that direction; they might have found a safe place," Emma protested."Stay here for me!" he repeated.Suddenly, his gaze focused on a black car passing on the other side of the mountain slope. A cold glint appeared in his eyes as he pressed Emma down under the seat.Uncomfortable with his rough actions, Emma raised her voice, "What are you doing? You still haven't answered me about why you're here. I'll go wherever I want.""Listen to me; you must not leave this area. Everything that happens after this must follow the police's arrangements." Manuel lowered his voice, looked at her seriously, and spoke a few words before quickly running off.Emma stared at his retreating figure in be
At the hospital."Did Manuel take away the test results? Wasn't the appointment for this afternoon?"Emma was frustrated with the hospital's way of doing things. She crossed her arms over her chest, took a deep breath to regain her composure, then tilted her head to look at Harry.His mood was calm again as he reached out to embrace her shoulders, pulling her close, and gently smiled at the doctor, "How are the test results? Surely, you must have recorded them on the computer?"Emma's delicately arched eyebrows twitched. She shifted away from him, giving him a stern look. Simultaneously, he leaned down to kiss her on the lips, giving her a playful wink and holding her tighter."I couldn't find any relevant records. It seems the doctor who conducted that test didn't document the results.""What? You guys are so irresponsible. First, there's a mistake in the test, and now you've lost the result notification for the patient..."The young female doctor in front of Emma looked a bit fluste
"Absolutely not. There must be some mistake here."Emma stood up abruptly, slamming the test results onto the table. She pointed at the paper, one hand leaning heavily on the table, and raised her voice in an angry interrogation of the young doctor, "Are you sure you haven't mixed up someone else's results?""Madam, I assure you these results are completely accurate. The paper even has the names of this gentleman and the child written on it.""Immediately retest for me." Harry gritted his teeth as he spoke. He leaned both hands on the table, his gaze like bullets putting pressure on the young doctor.The doctor, trembling, held up the paper and looked through it hesitantly, stammering, "You can request a retest, but it's after office hours now, and the DNA testing lab won't be operational. You can come back tomorrow to receive the results.""Fine, no need for a retest. We accept these results."Only now did Manuel speak up in his calm and composed voice. A faint glint appeared in his c