Nina was gasping for breath, letting the cold wind hit her, yet she remained oblivious to the chill as she was too consumed by her need to escape.She didn't know how long she'd been running. Exhausted, she finally stopped, panting heavily.With her hands on her knees, tears streamed down her face, falling to the ground without her noticing.In that moment, Nina realized her cheeks were soaked with tears, each warm droplet turning icy, stinging her skin.Why did it have to be this way?Why?Nina silently questioned herself, why did all the good things turn out to be lies?She believed that Nash's most tender and attractive demeanor was merely a facade of compensation and guilt.Finally, she grasped the meaning behind Miranda's words.Nash had married her only to exploit her.He showed no empathy and no hint of affection towards her.Nina sank to the ground, feeling her heart grow cold, her arms tightly wrapped around herself.She wished she had a shell to retreat into, wher
The person on the other end hesitated for a moment. "Someone did see Nina in the office, but no one was keeping watch, so we can't guarantee she was there the whole time."It was a mystery.He had once questioned Nina's suspicion.In his memory, Nina had always maintained her boundaries with him, never making any mistakes, so he didn't have too many doubts.Recalling the moment, Nina seemed quite flustered.She was the only woman who could get close to him.But he was certain it couldn't have been Miranda.Nash hung up the phone, shut down the computer, and left the study.In the bedroom, the lights were on, but Nina wasn't inside.Even her phone was left on the bed.He searched around but didn't find her, then asked the helper, "Where is Nina?"The helper replied, "Mrs. York was seen going downstairs just now."Nina was nowhere to be found in the villa, and she hadn't taken her phone, which worried Nash. He quickly made a call, "Nina's missing, find her!"---Nina woke u
"Quarrels between husband and wife happen all the time; it's just part of marriage. What's the big deal? I'll let Nash know you're in the hospital so he won't worry himself sick about you."Nina internally resisted. "Please, don't tell him.""Didn't you hear what the nurse said? You need to notify your family. Without that, you can't leave the hospital," Caleb insisted.Nina glanced at Caleb. "I hope you stay out of this."Her complexion was dreadful, and she was stubborn, but her tone mirrored Nash's. Truly like a married couple.Caleb continued, "Nash has been searching all over for you. I've already reached out to him, and he'll be here at the hospital soon."Nina pursed her lips tightly. She didn't want to, but Caleb was Nash's friend, surely biased toward him.Afraid that Nina might try to escape, Caleb kept a close eye on her until Nash arrived at the hospital.He was out of breath. Upon seeing Nina, he finally relaxed and walked over briskly. "What's wrong? Where does it
She should not be asking for anything more, but rather, she should let their relationship go back to square one. That was what she should do.Nash felt everything was normal yet somewhat abnormal. Looking at her pale face, he couldn't bring himself to question too much. Instead, he said, "Next time, don't be so reckless to run off alone. At least take your phone with you and have someone with you so I can find you immediately."Nina bitterly smiled. What was he pretending for? Was he pretending to care about her to make up for his guilt? Should she play along with his act?"I understand. I'll listen to you," Nina replied obediently.Nash took a chair and sat across from her. His deep gaze scanned her several times, ensuring she had no other issues. Then he asked, "Nina, do you remember what happened that night?"Nina asked uncertainly, "Which night?""The night I had business and got drunk," Nash said flatly, but it made Nina tense up.Her gaze rested on Nash. It had been a wh
"Nina," Nash called out to her.Nina looked up, responding, "Yes?""That woman from that night was you," Nash stated.Nina's body tensed for a moment, unable to react normally, but she quickly forced a smile, "Mr. York, are you serious? I only got to the scene the next day. I even had Taylor send clothes for you. If it were me, you would have noticed long before. I wish it were me, maybe we'd already have a child."Her casual response made Nash somewhat uncertain. But her attitude showed she didn't mind, even though he was her husband, sleeping with another woman didn't seem to bother her.His tone turned colder, "Then go find out for sure."With that, Nash left the hospital room.Nina's smile faded as soon as he left, consumed by self-doubt. Before she could dwell on it further, the doctor entered from outside and, seeing only Nina inside, asked, "Where are your family members?"Nina snapped back to attention, looking up, "Doctor, if you have anything to discuss, just tell me.
Nina remembered the day Miranda had stormed out in tears.But now, Miranda could smile at her.Being able to come to the company and leave with a smile, there must be something good happening.Nina wasn't feeling confident at the moment, and she didn't want to embarrass herself by paying attention to Miranda.Instead of getting angry, Miranda smiled. Just as Nina was about to step into the elevator, Miranda spoke, "Nina, I know, soon you won't be the same anymore. I’ll let you enjoy the limelight for a few days, it's not a big deal anyway. In the end, Nash will still reject you."As the elevator doors closed, Nina saw Miranda's victorious smile, as if she already knew that Nina would ultimately be a sacrificial lamb in the marriage.Nina's expression soured, her hands clenched into fists.Subconsciously, she looked at her belly, thinking about the child inside. She still had to hold onto hope.When she reached the office, everyone was busy working. Instead of returning to her
Her actions caused Nash to furrow his brows deeply. He retracted his hand and asked coldly, "Am I that scary?"Nina just looked at him, unable to utter a word.Her rejection of him stirred up a sense of irritation in Nash's heart. His expression turned extremely cold as he dismissed her, "If there's nothing else, leave."It took Nina quite some time to calm down after the recent ordeal. Only then could she ease herself from the shadow of what had just happened. After expecting the child, everything seemed different. She couldn't allow him to harm their child.Nina stood up, took a few steps back, and respectfully said to Nash, "I will take care of the tasks you assigned, Mr. York. Please rest assured."With that, she left the office without looking back. Her words left Nash with a displeased expression, the more he thought about it, the more irked he became.After a while, Quincy came in. "Mr. York, the meeting is still ongoing...""Get out!" Nash growled lowly.---Nina walked out, h
"Linda Clark."The girl named Linda had long hair that gave off a delicate, timid vibe. She was thin and shy. Though her physique resembled Nina's, her face resembled Miranda's, innocent and pure—a type of beauty that men couldn't resist.The lady boss introduced her to Nina: "This is our new girl. She's beautiful and still undergoing training. She hasn't started working yet. She's from a rural family. Her mother is sick back home and in urgent need of money. Her background is clean."Nina felt she couldn't have found a more suitable candidate—youthful, beautiful, and evoking a man's protective instincts. She seemed like the type Nash would like."She's the one," Nina said.Linda didn't know why they called her over or what they wanted from her. Fear flickered in her eyes, and she seemed a bit flustered as she stuttered, "What do you want from me? I've just arrived, but I won't sell my body. I won't do anything that compromises my integrity."Nina understood her panic and didn't
Jamie struggled desperately to free herself from Ben’s grip, but it was futile. Ben watched her attempts with a mix of frustration and curiosity. Beyond her anger and resistance, Jamie showed no other emotions. Yet, according to Caden, she had risked everything to obtain the recording. His mother had also confirmed it was Jamie who had handed it over. Still, she had never used it to threaten him. Ben’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he stared her down. “What’s your angle, Jamie? You risked so much to get that recording, you ignored your son’s safety, and now you’re here telling me to take care of your sister and build a happy life with her? Are you really that noble?” His sharp, icy gaze bore into her, as though he wanted to rip her apart piece by piece. Jamie hadn’t expected Ben to know the truth, but it didn’t matter. She had done what she felt was right and had no intention of using it against him. “My sister is carrying your child, and the two of you are engaged
Ben didn’t respond, drinking in brooding silence. Just as Hunter was about to press further, Nash shot him a glance that made him hold his tongue. Ben drank heavily, while Nash and Quincy eventually excused themselves, and Caleb hurried off to handle work. In the end, it was just Ben and Hunter left in the private lounge. Hunter patted Ben on the shoulder. “If you can’t forget her, then maybe it’s time to accept her. Even if things don’t turn out as expected, as long as you’ve done your best and have a clear conscience, that’s enough. You’re the one building a life with her, so why get hung up on something so trivial?” He was referring to Jamie’s past. And if Ben really wanted to count, he was her first man.But no man could truly tolerate betrayal.What Ben couldn’t get past wasn’t Jamie’s past, but her abandonment and the way she had betrayed him.“I’m done talking about Jamie,” Ben said coldly. “I’ll settle the tab. You stay and enjoy yourself. I’m heading home.”
Ben did not reply and left without looking back. True to his word, he wasn’t going to see Jamie or Winnie. Instead, he arranged to meet Nash and the others at the most exclusive club in the city. However, when Ben arrived, Nash was busy on a call, Quincy was glued to his phone, and Hunter and Caleb were drinking quietly. Ben, already agitated, couldn’t hide his irritation. “You two, it’s rare we get together, and this is how you spend your time? Do you ever get tired of it?”He took a sip of his own drink, frustration bubbling as thoughts of Jamie occupied his mind. Quincy, sprawled casually on the couch, grinned. “Tired? Never. You don’t know what you’re missing. It’s pure bliss.” “I used to think love and relationships were just a burden,” Quincy continued, his expression turning soft. “But now I’ve realized, there’s nothing better in this world.” Since reconnecting with Lydia, Quincy’s perspective on life had shifted entirely. Traveling the world hand-in-hand with
Ben’s lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t know how to describe what he was feeling at that moment. The Jamie he knew was someone who could easily abandon their relationship for money. He had even done a paternity test on Jamie’s child, confirming there was no biological connection between them. Now, she had gone to such lengths for him. Was this her conscience finally surfacing? Ben didn’t want to dwell on it. “Your grandmother is innocent. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her situation,” he said. “Thank you.” Caden lowered his head in gratitude. Ben nodded slightly and walked past him without another word. ……After leaving, Ben returned home to find Mrs. Lucas waiting for him, ready to perform a series of superstitious gestures to "clear away bad energy." He went along with her routine without protest. Once she was finished, he got into his car. “Who did you reach out to that managed to get me released so quickly?” Ben asked, recalling Caden’s earlier
It was a battle between good and evil.“Charlie is already sick, and your sister never thinks about you. So why should you care about her? Besides, people who don’t look out for themselves are doomed to fail!”Evil began to chip away at her reason.Justice pushed back. “No, he’s just a child.”But evil whispered again. “Winnie, if you don’t take steps to protect yourself, do you want to see your own child disappear?”Winnie couldn’t bear the thought of losing her child. Over the years, she had worked hard and sacrificed so much, yet Jamie had never acknowledged her efforts. Instead, Jamie had gotten entangled with Ben, even on the day of her engagement party. Ben was her fiancé, and her child was Ben’s child! Yes, only her child had the right to call Ben “Daddy.” This thought filled Winnie’s eyes with an icy determination.……Meanwhile, with the recording as evidence, the prosecutor’s office and the police launched an investigation into Caden’s actions. The invest
Mrs. Lucas showed no sympathy as she watched Jamie break down in tears. Her only concern was securing the recording to help clear Ben’s name.But Jamie’s emotional state made Mrs. Lucas suspicious. “Why does everything line up so perfectly?” she questioned.Jamie raised her hand as if swearing an oath. “I ran into Caden while working a part-time job, and the recording was pure luck. Mrs. Lucas, I’d never joke about my own son’s safety.”Jamie’s firm tone, coupled with her tear-streaked face, carried an air of desperation. As a woman and a mother herself, Mrs. Lucas could read Jamie’s emotions clearly. But deep inside, a new thought began to form. If Jamie’s child were gone, it would break Jamie completely. If she were to lose her mind or even die from the grief, how could Ben possibly continue to hold on to any lingering feelings for her?Mrs. Lucas’s resolve hardened as an idea took root.“Give me the recording,” she said, her tone steady. “I’ll make sure something is done t
“You don’t need to give me anything. Just don’t hurt my family. That’s my only request,” Caden said firmly.The masked man let out a low chuckle. “Someone who doesn’t love money or power? How rare.”Caden’s expression remained impassive. “Just promise me this, and from now on, don’t come looking for me. I won’t help you with anything again.”The masked man clearly had no intention of letting Caden off so easily.In the next moment, he slid a list across the table. “Get these people released for me, or I’ll expose how you framed a top lawyer. What do you think? Will the public forgive you? Will the government?”Jamie, recording everything from the side, was satisfied with what she had captured. She turned to leave quietly, but before she could slip out, Caden spotted her.“Jamie? What are you doing here?”The masked man’s gaze turned icy.Jamie reacted quickly and bolted for the door, running as fast as she could.She didn’t know how she had ended up in the middle of Caden’s de
After speaking, Winnie ran off. Jamie didn’t chase her. She understood that Winnie couldn’t accept this, and if their roles were reversed, neither could she. Right now, she had to find Mrs. Lucas. She flagged down a taxi and directed it to the Lucas family estate. It was her second time coming here. The first time had been by Mrs. Lucas’s invitation, a meeting designed to show her the opulence of the Lucas family estate and to offer her a million to leave Ben. Jamie had sworn then that she would never set foot there again. But today, she was here for Winnie. At the gate, the security guard stopped her. “Who are you?” “My name is Jamie Lewis,” she said calmly. “Tell Mrs. Lucas I’m here to see her. She’ll agree to meet me.” Jamie hadn’t chased after Winnie because she wanted to give her some time to process everything. But she couldn’t leave Winnie alone for too long. Time was of the essence. Seeing her composure, the security guard decided to pass along
Although the van slowed down, Winnie was suddenly shoved out, hitting the ground hard. The physical pain was intense, but it couldn’t compare to the ache in her heart.She watched as the van sped away into the distance. Trembling, she pulled out her phone and called Jamie.“Jamie, what are you doing right now? I need to ask you something in person.” Winnie’s tone made it clear that she knew something was wrong.Hearing her voice, Jamie immediately sensed the weight of the situation. Winnie must have found out the truth. There was no way Jamie could focus on work until they cleared the air.Without hesitation, Jamie dropped what she was doing and rushed to meet her.When she arrived, she found Winnie sitting on the curb, her face blank and her eyes hollow.Jamie ran over quickly. “Winnie, what happened?”At the sound of her voice, Winnie lifted her head. A bitter smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Don’t you know what happened, my dear sister?”She deliberately emphasized