Caleb Smith didn't quite understand. Did Nash fall ill? He had a medical examination not long ago, and his health seemed normal. But if there were any issues, it could only be...As Caleb entered the office, his gaze immediately fixed on Nash's trousers. Sensing his strange expression, Nash frowned, "I asked you to check on Nina's health. Why are you staring at me?"Caleb quickly averted his gaze, awkwardly smiling. "Nothing, I just met her at the elevator, and she seemed quite upset.""She'll come back," Nash remarked."Did you two have a quarrel?""It's normal for women to get upset."Caleb hesitated to speak further and chose to sit on the nearby sofa instead.Seeing Caleb's reluctance to leave, Nash said, "Since she's gone, you can leave too. I don't need you here.""I've just arrived. Can't we catch up as friends?"Caleb, after some consideration, chuckled, "Nina has her reasons for being upset. It's normal for couples to have some problems. Once those are resolved, the r
Nina glanced back and replied, "Packing my bags.""Where are you going?""Home," Nina said."Isn't this your home?" Nash's tone grew noticeably colder.Nina's heart stung at his words, but she looked up at him and said, "Do you really think this place belongs to me? I'm just making room for you all."Suddenly, Nash grabbed her hand, halting her packing. His voice turned cold as he said, "How much longer are you going to keep this up?"Nina dared not look up, fearing she might appear vulnerable and start crying. It was the first time she had pushed him away so forcefully. "I'm not causing a scene, I'm serious. Nash, please let go. I need to pack."Her persistence in wanting a divorce weighed heavily on Nash's face. With a loud "bang," the door closed.Hearing the noise, Nina looked up, only to hear Nash's low voice asking, "What's the reason behind your desire to leave?"Nina remained silent.Nash leaned in closer, his tone accusatory, "Do you think I'm not capable? Do you nee
His body was warm, carrying a strong scent of alcohol, his hot breath lingering by her ear. He's been drinking?"Nash," Nina called out. But Nash wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his head in her hair, and said in a low voice, "Don't move, let me hold you for a while." Now Nina didn't move. She didn't quite understand why he drank so much.Under the covers, Nina lay for a long time, her body almost stiff, wondering when he would get up. But he showed no intention of getting up, just lingering on her, greedy. He wouldn't mistake her for Miranda again, would he?Nina called out again, "Nash..." "I just want to lie like this for a while, Nina." Hearing this, Nina fell silent again. The fact that he called her name meant he didn't see her as another woman. She rarely saw him in this state, feeling a bit at a loss.But her heart softened, fearing he would fall asleep like this, fearing he would catch a cold. She nudged him, "Don't sleep like this. Either take a bath or cove
The woman was the editor-in-chief of a certain magazine: "I've only heard about your boyfriend, but never seen him. It's quite intriguing."Miranda casually adjusted her hair and said tactfully, "I don't like him appearing in public, so I never let him accompany me to events. But when we get married one day, I'll be sure to invite you.""Keeping it mysterious, huh? Well, then I'll look forward to it."The editor-in-chief turned to see Nina nearby, nodding politely to her. "Nina, nice to see you again."Nina also recognized her; they had met before when she wanted to interview Nash. It was through this connection that she succeeded to interview him.She responded lightly, "Hi, Cally.""Do you two know each other?" Cally looked at both of them.Miranda said, "We do, but we're not particularly close."She deliberately distanced herself from Nina.Nina followed her lead, saying, "When Miranda returned to the country, the headlines about her fiancé were so big that Cally got curiou
Miranda's face immediately flushed, she released her hands covering her face, tears streaming down again, presenting a pitiful and adorable appearance. She indeed belonged in front of the screen, playing the victim role convincingly. Had it not been for her fierce demeanor just now, Nina might have believed her pitiful act."Show some respect!" Nina's tone carried a hint of seriousness.Miranda cried with tear-streaked cheeks, speaking softly, "Nina, I also have dignity. How could you treat me like this? I didn't snatch your man, please don't misunderstand me..." "Nina!" Nash's voice came from nearby. Nina was shocked, how could he be here?Then she realized, this might be a play directed by Miranda. Looking over, Nash had a stern face, his eyes sharp, as if she had committed some grave mistake. Nash strode over and forcefully pulled the weak and helpless Miranda from Nina's side into his arms. The force was strong, Nina staggered back a few steps from the inertia."Nash," Mi
Miranda fell silent for a moment. Nina was still at the event when she received a call from Nash, which was quite unexpected. She thought he might be planning a romantic rendezvous with Miranda and simply didn't have the time to bother with her.Nina composed herself as if nothing had happened: "Over at the art exhibition." Nash said, "After it's over, come back to the office with me." This meant he wasn't planning to give her a break but rather expected her to go back to work. Nina had no choice but to agree. After hanging up the phone, Nash turned back and noticed Miranda was still beside him. "What did you just say?" Miranda had hoped for an opportunity to be alone with him, but hearing their conversation, she realized there might not be a chance. She withdrew her hand. "I'll go rest now, see you tomorrow.""Alright," Nash replied. Miranda was still not satisfied. "Do you have time tomorrow evening?" "We'll see." "If you're free tomorrow evening, I'd like to invite y
The man stood with his hands in his pockets, his gentle gaze fixed on Nina for a while before he said, "I’m Scott Lucas. Nina, we were in the same class in elementary and middle school."Nina's mind wandered for a while. In her memory, Scott was completely different. He used to be a chubby kid, always sitting quietly at the back of the class every semester, hardly noticed by anyone. She didn't have much interaction with him. With her consistently excellent academic performance, she served as the class monitor, and at most only exchanged a few words with him during homework assignments.She never expected such a transformation; he had become so good-looking. "Scott?" Nina's lips curled slightly. "You've changed so much. I almost didn't recognize you.""Yeah, I've changed a lot. It's normal that you didn't recognize me," Scott's deep eyes stared at her. "Many classmates don't recognize me anymore, but I recognize you."Nina was happy to see her old classmate. After starting work, s
Nina saw that Scott was nearby and feared he might overhear, which would be very awkward. She asked Yvonne not to say anything more to avoid any embarrassment.Yvonne had no choice but to listen to her and remained silent. After exchanging pleasantries with others, Scott returned to Nina's side.Yvonne called out, "Mr. Lucas, what a rare guest!"Scott replied, "Miss Turner's exhibition was very successful, undoubtedly leaving a significant impact.""My refined tastes of literati can't compare to Mr. Lucas's," Yvonne nudged Nina, "I just found out you two are old classmates. How about you accompany Nina? She has to return to the company this afternoon."Suddenly pushed forward by Yvonne, Nina felt a bit flustered. Before she could say anything, Scott immediately said, "Sure, I'm free. I can escort her."Yvonne winked at Nina and politely said, "Thank you for your trouble."She pushed Nina towards Scott, "Old classmates should catch up. You two take your time. I won't accompany yo
Yelena quickly lowered her arm, letting her sleeve fall over the mark to cover it. “It’s nothing. Here’s your cocktail. Please enjoy.” “Yelena.” Hunter grabbed her wrist without warning. He pulled up her sleeve, revealing the deep, ugly scars on her arm. His brows knitted together instantly. “Who did this to you?” The force behind it was brutal—downright inhuman. Yelena remained silent. Who else could have done this besides Liam? But she had agreed to this. She had willingly accepted Hunter’s request and entered Liam’s world. She had no right to complain. Her silence gave Hunter all the confirmation he needed. “Liam did this to you, didn’t he?” Yelena nodded. “It’s nothing. The wounds have already started healing. They look worse than they feel. Give it some time, and they’ll fade.” “Wait here.” Hunter stood abruptly and walked away. Yelena had no idea what he was doing, but since he told her to wait, she didn’t argue. A few minu
Then again, it made sense. How could a normal person possibly empathize with a lunatic? If Yelena could understand Liam, that would make her just as twisted. *For the next few days, Yelena stayed home to recover. During that time, Liam came back a few times, bringing her flowers and food. Like a child showing off a treasure, he placed the food in front of her. “Yelena, these are your favorite honey crullers. I got them fresh from the bakery. Try them and see if you like them.” “I’m not really hungry.” She didn’t want to eat anything he gave her. She couldn’t even stand looking at him. But she had made a promise. So, she had to force herself to stay. Liam’s expression darkened. “Are you really not hungry, or do you just not want to eat what I give you?” For someone like him, once he had lost his temper once, the second time would only come faster and smoother. With a heavy thud, he slammed the honey crullers onto the table. “Yes, I hit y
If Liam had been a normal person, Hunter never would have sent her here in the first place. But of course, Yelena could only think that. She wasn’t suicidal enough to say it out loud. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. “I was really just messaging an old classmate. If you don’t believe me, go ahead—check my phone.” She wasn’t worried. Whenever she contacted Hunter, she deleted each message immediately. She had even forged an entire fake conversation just in case Liam ever got suspicious. So, no matter how thoroughly he checked, there would be nothing for him to find. Liam narrowed his eyes. “Is that so? Then why do I still feel like you’re lying? Women like you—nothing but liars, every last one of you.” Then, he struck her again. Yelena screamed. The pain was relentless, merciless. She had no idea how long it lasted—only that by the time he finally stopped, she was barely breathing. Her body slumped against the floor
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind Yelena. She spun around, her heart hammering in her chest. Liam was walking toward her, a faint smile on his lips—but the coldness in his eyes told a different story. Memories of his past cruelty flashed through her mind, sending a shudder down her spine. She forced herself to stay calm. “Who are you messaging?” He was getting closer. So close that when he finally stopped, they were nearly pressed against each other. Then, without warning, his fingers clamped around her chin, gripping tighter and tighter. Pain shot through her jaw, and Yelena winced. “No one. Just an old classmate. I ran into her a few days ago while I was out.” “Oh? Is that so?” Liam’s voice softened, almost gentle. To anyone watching, he might have seemed like a kind, easygoing man. But Yelena knew better. He would never let her off that easily. And sure enough— In the next second, he grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her hea
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.“Haven’t I been just fine lately?“Or do you think my hand isn’t injured enough? If that’s the case, go ahead—do it yourself. “You already know I wouldn’t fight back no matter what.” Without warning, Yelena stretched out her injured hand, an act that instantly enraged Liam. “What the hell is wrong with you?” He snapped. “I was just making a casual remark. Is that really what you think of me? I already told you—I’m not going to lay a hand on you.“It wasn’t intentional before, and you know it. We both do. Stop acting like you’re above all this when we both know who sent you here.” Yelena felt a pang of sadness. They had spent so much time together, yet this was how he treated her—always choosing to hurt her. “I know—I wasn’t someone you chose, and none of this was intentional. But after all this time we've spent together...“I thought maybe I was a little different to you. But I guess I was wrong. Nothing has changed at all.
“Why do you even care about what happens to other people? Haven’t I made myself clear enough already?“Whose card is this—yours or mine?” His assistant immediately apologized upon hearing Caleb’s tone. “I hope you won’t hold this against me. I really wasn’t thinking clearly at the time—I should have considered this more carefully.” Caleb didn’t bother responding. After hanging up, he focused entirely on investigating Vera’s brother. *Meanwhile, Vera was deeply worried. If things had been somewhat under control before, now they were completely off track. The situation on both sides was far more complicated than she had anticipated. “Don’t worry. That’s exactly how it is. If you don’t want to go in person, I can go for you—but it won’t be cheap,” the private investigator said.Since Caleb had warned her about the private investigator, Vera started testing him, probing for inconsistencies. And sure enough, his story had too many holes. “Why are you so sure my b
As Caleb spoke, he looked at Vera with a hint of helplessness. After all, her hand had been injured because of Luna. “Don’t feel guilty about this. Honestly, it’s nothing to me.“And I’m not the type to carry burdens over things like this.“Besides, it’s been so long. If this had happened back then, I might have cared. But now? I just don’t think it matters anymore.” Vera’s voice was steady and sincere. But Caleb’s expression darkened. “Why would you say that? Why do you think it doesn’t matter? Do you really see me as just the same as everyone else?” For some reason, at this moment, Caleb took it personally. Vera couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course not. You’re different from the rest—so obviously, I wouldn’t see it the same way.“You’ve helped me so much. The least I can do is acknowledge that, instead of stubbornly nitpicking about what’s right or wrong, don’t you think?“Besides, whatever happened between you and Luna, that’s none of my business. It’s in
“I didn’t mean to just now. Besides, you’ve been acting all sneaky lately—so really, who else is to blame?” Seeing Yelena in tears, Liam, who had been furious just moments ago, felt a small pang of guilt. He was never good at expressing emotions. But watching her like this made him a little uncomfortable. “Go get your hand treated. Otherwise, people who don’t know any better might think I’ve been abusing you.” With that, he turned and walked away. Yelena watched his retreating figure, feeling a bit helpless. This wasn’t something she could decide on her own. Installing surveillance? It wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Liam was naturally suspicious. If he caught wind of it, the consequences would be disastrous. But she had no choice. She had a mission to complete, and there was more at stake than just this moment. Letting out a deep sigh, she finally decided to head to a clinic to get her hand treated. *“What happened to you? That’s a serious injury. You
And just like that, the conversation fell into a brief silence. Meanwhile, on the other side, Hunter received a call from Yelena. “What did you just say?” Yelena told him that her hand was broken, and on top of that, Liam seemed to be getting suspicious. She wasn’t sure what to do, so she called Hunter for advice. “I don’t really care what happens to you, but at the very least, take care of yourself.“Otherwise, if something else goes wrong later, I’ll have to step in and clean up the mess. Don’t you think so?” Hearing this, Yelena was a little taken aback. “It’s not just about my injury. The real problem is, I’m scared of what he might do now.” Sure, she had taken the two hundred thousand dollars, but she had to stay alive to spend it. At this rate, she wouldn’t even make it through in one piece. “I already told you—protect yourself. If you need anything else, I’ll try to provide it. But right now, I need you to do something for me.” Hunter had been look