Nash walked in from outside, followed by a group of people. His imposing presence exuded a cold aura, keeping people at bay. Paris had been planning to thoroughly deal with Nina, leaving her no chance to turn the tables, but Nash happened to return. Her hand paused mid-air, reconsidering how to punish Nina.The moment Nash arrived, she felt a sense of fear and refrained from delivering the slap. "Mr. York!" People in the office cleared a path as Nash approached. Surveying the chaotic scene and the suppressed Nina, his brows furrowed, his expression icy. His gaze swept around the room. "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought this isn't my company, but your territory, Mr. Green."Mr. Green's expression shifted, his arrogance diminished by Nash's words. He could only respond cordially, "No, that's not the case, Mr. York. It's just that my niece was hit by Nina. She's cherished in our Green family, and no one has ever laid a hand on her before. She's endured so
He grabbed Mabel, not wanting to stir up more trouble. Afraid of saying too much facing expulsion from the York Corporation, he immediately played along, "Mr. York, it was my oversight. I didn't grasp the situation clearly. This time, Nina was wronged."Nash stood with one hand in his pocket, his emotions unreadable, yet his words carried a firm tone. " Mr. Green, I see that you've understood, but does your niece understand the situation?"Mr. Green pulled Mabel up, "You've been disrespectful to Nina. Apologize to her right away. And don't gossip about her behind her back again."Mabel, surprised that she had to apologize after being slapped twice, protested, "Uncle, why should I apologize to her? I won't apologize!"She started crying and causing a scene again.Mr. Green looked at Nash again, seeing his furrowed brows, indicating he was running out of patience. In the York Corporation, he knew Nash was a man of his word. If he didn't want trouble, he should stop this situation ri
Nina's words were appropriate for the situation. In the future, if they were to divorce, it would give others plenty to gossip about.However, Nash felt that Nina was being overly cautious. He helped her, yet she seemed more concerned about attracting suspicion from others. Or was she apprehensive about people discovering their relationship?Suddenly, Nash's face turned cold, revealing only iciness and detachment. "Are you that afraid?" Nina observed his displeased expression and gently explained, "I'm concerned about causing you any inconvenience. If there were to be a divorce and rumors began circulating about any connection between us, I believe you wouldn't want to hear such gossip. Additionally, my reputation isn't exactly great right now. I wouldn't want to drag you into it."Nash frowned, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Nina, why are you being so meticulous about this little matter, especially when your reputation isn't great right now?"His sarcastic tone left Nina momenta
Miranda didn't shy away from wearing it a second time. If she were to caught on camera, she would surely be ridiculed. She paid no heed to how the media would spin it.Having endured this trial, Miranda had shed considerable weight, appearing noticeably more delicate. But despite this, she faced the cameras and flashes without fear, sporting her trademark friendly smile.At first, reporters inquired about her recent near-death experience. Miranda dramatized the situation for them, sharing her ordeal and emphasizing her optimistic outlook, pledging not to repeat the same mistakes again.She observed the flood of comments, with everyone offering sympathy and acknowledging the hardships she had faced. Yet, despite the outpouring of support, some reporters delved into her privacy, noting that she had worn the gown twice.Miranda responded gracefully, "I believe facing the camera again is like a new beginning. This gown holds immense significance for me. When I wear it, I feel alive, re
Taylor's righteous indignation prompted Nina to chuckle. "Why does it seem like, in your eyes, Mr. York and I are in a romantic relationship?"Taylor couldn't determine if it was her own misperception, but she sensed the delicacy of their relationship."Mr. York does care a great deal about you," Taylor reflected for a moment. "Maybe you both don't realize it, but observers see it clearly. We can't let Miranda interfere and ruin your relationship."In Taylor's view, Nina and Nash were the perfect match."You little rascal, don't take sides recklessly," Nina tapped Taylor's head gently. "Between Mr. York and me, everything is innocent. Don't listen to gossip from others. It's none of my concern whom Mr. York wants to be with. Let's refrain from spreading such talk; it will only fuel baseless rumors."Taylor rubbed her forehead. "I won't talk to others about it, but I'm not discussing these things with you because of idle gossip."Even if the company were circulating rumors that Ni
"No, that's not what I meant. You don't know me at all? How could I blame you?" Nina clenched her fists, then released them. "It's just that this marriage was a contractual one from the beginning.""What?" Yvonne's eyes widened in shock as she stood up. "You never told me about this. Why would Nash have a contractual marriage with you? This doesn't make sense!"Nina explained, "I've told you before, Nash's grandfather had a liking for me, so he arranged for me to marry Nash. And I only agreed because I had no other options at the time."At that moment, Yvonne hadn't fully grasped the situation. She knew Nina liked Nash, but Nina had never considered marrying him despite harboring that crush for so long. How could she suddenly end up marrying him? Now she understood there was a reason behind it."Give me a moment to process this," Yvonne said, still trying to recover from her shock. "You and Nash had a contractual marriage, and it was orchestrated by his grandfather. Nash doesn't ev
"If you slack off, you'll pay for it!" said Miranda's assistant, Ruby, speaking with an air of superiority. When the conversation reached this point, naturally, no one dared to offend. Even the store manager responded with deference, saying, "Alright, Miranda, we'll ensure the gown you need is made with the utmost care.""Tomorrow marks the most important charity auction gala for the York Corporation. Miranda needs to wear it. We need it ready by tomorrow!" the assistant emphasized.The store manager felt troubled. She knew this gown had been altered countless times, and each time there would be new complaints. In all her years of professional experience, she had never been so meticulous. After so many alterations, she thought it was finally acceptable, but now it was sent back again. The store manager said, "The gown was delivered several days ago but you're only coming now. The gown is handmade, so if alterations are needed, they'll have to be done by hand, and it might not be
Listening to this, Yvonne was instantly stunned and looked at Nina, "So, you're saying that this revelation about her relationship with Nash is also a strategic move for her. What a clever tactic!""If you had such a strong supporter like Nash, someone who stands by you completely, wouldn't you make the most of it?" Nina posed a very practical question.Anyone would seize such an opportunity. Missing this chance would be a huge loss.Yvonne was infuriated, nearly losing her mind. "How can we let her have it so easy!"They walked inside."Oh, Yvonne and Nina," the store manager greeted them with a worried expression, not knowing what to do. However, upon seeing them, she put on a smile and welcomed them warmly, "You're here."The store manager was acquainted with Yvonne, as she herself was a well-known designer and considered to be in the same profession as Yvonne. Her creations had graced numerous prestigious fashion weeks and were favored by celebrities on the red carpet.Yvonn
Wilfred’s words hit right where it mattered most, resonating deeply with the nurse. She sighed heavily, while the others shook their heads and muttered their own exhausted complaints, clearly worn out. “Exactly. But what can we do? She’s a patient sent to us, so we’ve got no choice but to deal with it,” the nurse replied, her voice tinged with resignation. It was then that she noticed Karina standing beside Wilfred. The way Karina seemed naturally close to him caught her attention. Though the two didn’t speak much, their dynamic was apparent even in their body language. Karina instinctively leaned slightly toward Wilfred, her posture subtly tilted in his direction—something she herself probably hadn’t realized. The nurse’s eyes glinted with understanding, and a knowing smile spread across her face. When she spoke again, there was an unmistakable hint of teasing in her tone. “Still, Dr. Wilfred, you shouldn’t have brought someone else into this situation.” She gestured sub
Karina was stunned when she heard the news. She hesitated for a moment before looking at Wilfred. “Are you going to visit her?” After all, they did know her. Wilfred thought for a moment and said, “Yeah, I’ll go see her.” Hearing this, Karina couldn’t help feeling a bit downhearted, but she quickly shook it off. “Doesn’t this just show that Wilfred is compassionate and values relationships? Caring is a good thing!” Comforting herself with that thought, she brightened up. At that moment, Wilfred turned to her and asked, “Do you want to come with me? I think you’re free today, aren’t you?” As the hospital director, he naturally knew everyone’s schedules—especially Karina’s. It so happened that Karina was indeed free that day. Surprised by the invitation, she pointed at herself. “Me?” “Yeah. Since you’ve been accepted into graduate school, you’ll eventually study conditions affecting the brain. This could be a good learning experience.” Karina was silent for
Karina’s body was still trembling slightly, and Wilfred gently pulled her into his arms, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head. He stroked her back in soothing, rhythmic motions, his touch warm and comforting. Inside the police car, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. The flashing red and blue lights reflected off the windows, casting faint shadows over their exhausted faces. Karina buried her face in Wilfred’s chest, her ears filled with the steady, reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat. Gradually, that calm, regular sound helped steady her breathing. After a long moment, she slowly lifted her head, her eyes meeting Wilfred’s, full of worry and tenderness. Warmth spread through her chest as she whispered, her voice shaking, “We made it through… we almost didn’t… it was so close…” Her words trailed off into quiet sobs. Wilfred lifted a hand and gently wiped the lingering tears from her cheek with his thumb. His voice was hoarse but firm. “Don’t be afraid. It’s ove
“Wilfred, hold her tight!” Karina shouted, seizing the moment as Wilfred wrestled the girl under control. Ignoring the discomfort of her gasoline-soaked clothes clinging to her skin, Karina bolted toward the water truck parked by the roadside. The girl, realizing what was happening, thrashed desperately in Wilfred’s unrelenting grip, her voice raw and piercing as she screamed, “Don’t even think about escaping! None of you are getting out of this unscathed!”Veins bulged on Wilfred’s forehead as he tightened his hold, his voice a thunderous roar. “Calm down now!” Meanwhile, Karina had already reached the water truck by now, scrambling up into the driver’s seat with both hands and feet in her haste.The door slammed shut with a loud clang that echoed sharply through the still night.She climbed in with urgency, her hands trembling as she fumbled to start the vehicle. Her eyes scanned the unfamiliar dashboard, taking in the array of buttons and levers. Sweat mixed with the
“Of course, it’s true!” Karina’s gaze was sincere, her voice steady despite her racing heartbeat. “I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, especially you. Let’s talk this out calmly. I’ll do whatever it takes to fix this.” The girl fixed her eyes on Karina, searching for any hint of deceit on her face. After a tense moment, she bit her lip and finally said, “Fine, then tell me. How are we going to talk? But if you try any tricks, I’ll light this fire immediately.” She waved the lighter in her hand, the small flame flickering as a silent threat. Wilfred’s anxiety grew, and he was about to step in when Karina subtly signaled him to hold back. Karina took a deep breath and cautiously stepped forward, moving slowly and gently as if approaching a frightened animal. “Let’s put the lighter down first. It’s too dangerous. If it accidentally ignites, with so many shops and homes around, the consequences would be unimaginable. Let’s go somewhere safe to talk, okay?” The g
As soon as they stepped out of the clinic, the girl exhaled deeply, as though shedding a heavy burden. Yet her expression remained unsettled, shifting between hesitation and determination. She turned to Karina, forcing a faint smile that looked strained and unnatural. “Karina, can you wait here for a moment? I’m going to the convenience store nearby to grab something. I’ll be right back.”Karina, though slightly puzzled, nodded. “Alright, but don’t take too long. I’ll wait for you here.”The girl nodded and jogged toward the store in the distance. Minutes ticked by, but she didn’t return. Karina stood by the roadside, craning her neck to look around, her worry growing with every passing moment. Suddenly, a figure darted out from a nearby alley and charged straight toward her. Before Karina could react, a bucket of liquid was dumped over her, drenching her completely. The acrid smell hit her immediately, and her mind buzzed with alarm. Her heart dropped as she realized what it
Seeing this, Karina grew anxious and immediately said, “Alright, don’t worry. I’ll help you get there.” Without hesitation, she carefully supported the girl and quickly headed toward the park entrance. Wilfred, who had been keeping an eye on them from a distance, noticed their hurried departure and quickly walked over to ask, “What’s going on? What happened?”The girl looked up briefly, her annoyance flashing across her face. Clenching her teeth, she said, “Dr. Wilfred, I’m not feeling well, and I only want Karina with me. Don’t follow us. Just stay back. I don’t want to see you. Seeing you makes me even more upset.”Wilfred frowned, worry written all over his face, but he held back his frustration and reluctantly agreed. “Alright, but be careful. If anything happens, call me immediately.”He stopped in his tracks, his concerned gaze fixed on their retreating figures as he maintained a discreet distance, silently following them from afar.Karina supported the girl with steady b
Seeing this, Karina finally let out a breath of relief. She walked over carefully, crouched beside the girl, and softly asked, “Are you okay?”The girl’s body tensed at the sound of Karina’s voice. Slowly, she lifted her tear-streaked face, her red, swollen eyes resembling overripe peaches. Upon realizing it was Karina and Wilfred, she froze momentarily before turning her head away. Her voice was thick with sobs as she muttered, “Why are you here? Are you here to laugh at me?”Karina quickly stepped closer, intending to comfort her, but before she could, the girl fixed her gaze on Wilfred. Her emotions boiled over as she shouted hysterically, “Dr. Wilfred, can you just stay away from me? Seeing you makes me sick! I only want to talk to Karina alone. Leave! The farther, the better—don’t hover in front of me!”Wilfred frowned slightly, his expression tinged with helplessness. Yet, seeing how distraught the girl was, he didn’t want to escalate the situation further. He glanced at K
Her eyes turned redder, tears stubbornly welling up as if refusing to fall. Karina, watching the girl’s pained struggle, felt a pang of sympathy. She was about to say something to console her when Wilfred gently pulled her behind him, shielding her once more.His gaze remained cold, but his tone carried an unmistakable impatience. “That’s enough. This ends here. Don’t come bothering us again.”The girl froze as if struck by his blunt and merciless words. Her body trembled, and at last, the tears spilled over, rolling down her cheeks and hitting the ground in heavy drops. She opened her mouth, managing to squeeze out a broken, choked whisper: “I… I just…” But the rest of her words were swallowed by the overwhelming tide of her emotions, dissolving into silence.Wilfred frowned slightly but didn’t respond further. He simply took Karina’s hand and turned to leave. Just as they were about to walk away, the girl suddenly shouted hysterically, “Wilfred, I’ve liked you for so long! E