Jessica's POVI sat quietly outside Johnny's hospital door throughout the night, watching as the sky gradually lightened.As I began to feel the weariness, a voice suddenly spoke from behind."Ms. Riddle? Is that you?" I was startled and turned to find Ned.He must have been coming for his shift. I straightened my clothes and stood up, "Yes, let's go in together." "Ms. Riddle, have you been sitting outside for long? You could have asked Emmett and the others. They're on duty and could have let you in," Ned said.I shook my head slowly, not wanting to disturb others' rest, and I needed this solitude to sort out my chaotic thoughts.Ned didn't press further. He silently followed by my side, but I could see the confusion and a hint of concern in his eyes.As a subordinate trained in the family, this was a rule set when Justin was still the mafia boss. They were not to question the arrangements and commands of their superiors. Although the Riddle Group has successfully transitioned into a
Jessica's POV "Mr. Harrison wants to see you in his office at 10:30 this morning." I heard Serena's voice over the phone. Her arrogant tone made me cringe. I tried to be calm and asked, "Isn't he meeting with a client this morning?" "I'm just informing you. Come if you like." Serena finished impatiently and then hung up without waiting for me to answer. Serena was Zander's secretary. She's a beauty, so she treated me, the CEO's wife, casually all the time. Since Zander and I had problems with our marriage, Serena's attitude toward me had worsened. I glanced down at my cell phone. It was 9:30 a.m. I walked directly over to my closet and pulled out a white Chanel dress. It was a dress from several years ago. The style of this dress was outdated, but it was the first gift I got from Zander. I looked in the mirror and put on my lipstick, then slipped on my high heels. I twirled around and made sure I was okay in the mirror. Then, I grabbed my bag and hurried out of th
Jessica's POV "I'm divorcing you!" I said again seriously as I looked up at Zander. Zander stopped and turned his head to look at me in surprise. After a few moments of silence, he said, "What is this new tactic to get my attention? Jessica, you're a grown-up, don't waste your breath. I'm tired from work and I don't have time to play with you." He was about to go back to his room when he finished speaking. Looking at the familiar back, I don't know where a surge of courage came from. I stood up and walked quickly to Zander, raising my arm to stop him. I said firmly, "Get a divorce, Zander." "Stop being irrational!" He grabbed my wrist and threw it aside. I stumbled and almost fell. When I turned my head, I saw Zander looking at me with disgust in his eyes. He said in a mocking tone, "Divorce me? The mansion you live in now, the jewels you own, and all the lavish life you enjoy are all from me. Are you sure you want to divorce me? And then go back to your useless fathe
Jessica's POV Zander pinned me down and tore frantically at my clothes. I struggled desperately. But my strength was no match for Zander's. Besides, he was agitated at that moment. Looking into his cold and fierce eyes, my struggling movements stopped. A moment later, a sharp pain came from my lower abdomen. He entered me without any foreplay. "Boring," Zander said as he got up from bed. I lay motionless, staring at the ceiling in disbelief. Zander stared at me for a moment, then turned and left. Then I heard the sound of a shower. I could feel my love for Zander leaving my body with every breath I took. I just lay there, my mental and physical exhaustion putting me to sleep. The next day. I opened my eyes and noticed that I was covered with a blanket. I was the only one in the bedroom. I sat up and forced my aching body to take a shower. Warm water flowed over my body, warming it. But my heart was cold. I pulled out my makeup and gave myself a delicate lo
Zander's POV Jessica was still sleeping when I left. Her pale face made me want to smooth her furrowed brow. But I held my hand back. Looking at her reminded me of her father, Johnny. He was my lifelong enemy. I tried to distance myself from Jessica. I didn't want to transfer my hatred to her. I was surprised that she wanted to divorce me. Looking into her strange eyes, my anger took over my brain. I lost control. I called the driver to pick me up. I sat in the car with my eyes closed the whole time. My mind was filled with images of Jessica leaving with her suitcase. I can not calm down at all. She loved me so much. How could she leave me? She must be trying to get my attention deliberately since I've been pretty indifferent to her lately. I walked into the office. "Good morning, Mr. Harrison." Serena greeted me as she walked into my office in her tight skirt. I was about to open my mouth when I thought about what Jessica said yesterday. I couldn't he
Zander's POV I was irritated and restless as never before, and I paced the living room anxiously. I could not sit still in my chair. All the reasons seemed to have left me. I was less and less able to control myself. I wanted to destroy, I wanted to lash out. Jessica never disobeyed me. Even when I alienated her, she just looked at me sadly. How could she leave me without my permission? I dialed my assistant's number. "Mr. Harrison, how can I help you?" Dwayne answered the phone immediately. "Investigate Jessica's whereabouts today. No, this month, now!" I yelled. I continued, "Come to my house." I hung up and took a deep breath. There must be someone who incited Jessica. Who could this person be? Johnny's name came to my mind. I gritted my teeth. It had to be him! Jessica didn't know that her father had done those unforgivable things. And Johnny tried to manipulate me with Jessica? Anger and hate filled my brain. I hadn't hurt her because I loved he
Jessica's POV "Damn it!" I gasped, dropping my phone on the table. "What happened, Ms. Riddle?" Lucas asked. "That asshole Zander threatened me with Johnny," I said angrily. "He's gonna use Johnny's company against you?" Lucas asked, "I don't think that's a big problem for us." "That company is all he has. I don't want him bothered." I sighed, "I didn't think Zander would be so mean." "So what's your plan now?" "I'm going to the Harrison Group," I said, grabbing my bag and cell phone. I drove alone to the Harrison Group. When I entered the building, the scene of yesterday came over me again. A feeling of nausea welled up. I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Mrs. Harrison, good evening." The security guard greeted me with a smile. I smiled and ran to the elevator. The elevator stopped at the top floor. I walked quickly towards Zander's office. I wanted to talk to Zander thoroughly. Just as I was about to arrive at the door, a familiar voice sounded behi
Jessica's POV "Let's stop arguing, Jessica. Go home and put our house back together again, okay? I'll pretend I never saw this divorce agreement," Zander said, looking at me with the same tenderness as before. There was a slight smile on his lips. I had once found his smile deadly sexy, but now I found it bitterly ironic. "Zander, you're pathetic," I said, looking at him sympathetically. His smile disappeared and he suppressed his anger and said in a low voice, "Even if you're my wife, you should watch your words. Stop provoking me." "In fact, I have decided to give up the title of Mrs. Harrison," I said, spreading my hands and shrugging. Approaching him, I picked up the divorce agreement from the desk. I turned to the last page and signed my name. Watching him fight back his anger, I smiled faintly. This was the Zander I knew. "If you don't like this reason, I can change it. I'll send you another divorce agreement," I added. As I turned to leave, Zander's voice e
Jessica's POVI sat quietly outside Johnny's hospital door throughout the night, watching as the sky gradually lightened.As I began to feel the weariness, a voice suddenly spoke from behind."Ms. Riddle? Is that you?" I was startled and turned to find Ned.He must have been coming for his shift. I straightened my clothes and stood up, "Yes, let's go in together." "Ms. Riddle, have you been sitting outside for long? You could have asked Emmett and the others. They're on duty and could have let you in," Ned said.I shook my head slowly, not wanting to disturb others' rest, and I needed this solitude to sort out my chaotic thoughts.Ned didn't press further. He silently followed by my side, but I could see the confusion and a hint of concern in his eyes.As a subordinate trained in the family, this was a rule set when Justin was still the mafia boss. They were not to question the arrangements and commands of their superiors. Although the Riddle Group has successfully transitioned into a
Zander's POVSunlight streamed through the window, gradually pulling me from a chaotic slumber.My consciousness slowly gathered in my mind, and sensing the bothersome light, I opened my eyes to find that it was already daytime. The lingering dizziness and headache made me instantly realize that I must have been drugged yesterday.I sat up abruptly and looked around. The room was empty, with no sign of anyone else. Only my suit and shirt were neatly folded on the bedside table.At that moment, a slight noise came from outside the bedroom, as if someone was walking cautiously.I frowned, and a name flashed through my mind, Tawny.The image of her handing me that glass of water last night replayed in my mind like a movie. I pursed my lips, got out of bed, and quickly put on the shirt placed on the bedside table. Usually, when I'm extremely angry, I become unusually calm.I strode to the door, flung it open, and saw Tawny coming towards me with a tray in her hands. The tray was filled wi
Jessica's POVAnger, grievance, and disappointment, a tapestry of emotions intertwined. I felt I couldn't bear any more, so I turned and left the villa. It was unknown how much time had passed before I regained my senses. The cold night wind played with my long hair, and the dull ache in my head made me realize I had been walking alone for quite some time.I couldn't believe that Zander, that jerk, believed Tawny wasn't capable of harm. He wouldn't even deign to listen to what I had to say. Tawny's hypocritical face lingered in my mind. At the business dinner, when she falsely accused me of splashing wine on her, I thought she was just a woman who loved to stir up trouble. But now, I realized she was far more sinister than I imagined.Just like a moment ago, I knew her admission was meant to provoke me, yet under those circumstances, my emotions were still affected by her. I couldn't help but sigh, turned around, and walked back, as my car was still parked near the villa. Cars rushed
Zander's POVI fantasized alone in the dark during countless silent nights.When I finally lay bare the truth about Johnny to Jessica, about how he killed my father, I imagined her reactions.I envisioned her being devastated, possibly accusing me of false accusations with anger, but I never anticipated the reality to be such a heart-wrenching situation—she simply refused to believe the evidence before her eyes.She persistently tried to exonerate Johnny, going to great lengths to clear his name, which filled me with frustration and helplessness.This was the situation I least wanted to face.Our relationship had become charged because of this.I was determined to have a thorough conversation with Jessica, to lay out all the facts so she could no longer argue.However, Tawny's sudden appearance disrupted my freshly made decision like an unexpected storm.At that moment, the telephone rang abruptly, breaking the tense atmosphere.I glanced at the caller ID. It was Dwayne.I took a deep
Jessica's POVI never expected Tawny to show up here at this time. Although I had moved out of the villa, it still held years of shared memories with Zander. Moreover, Zander and I are still legally married. What did she think of me, showing up so boldly with a key?My gaze bore into Zander, my anger burning fiercely. I demanded harshly, "Why does she have a key to this place? You owe me an explanation!"Zander just pressed his lips tightly, silent. His face was clouded, seemingly still angry about our previous argument, unwilling to explain further."Tell me!" I pressed loudly.Tawny stepped forward at that moment, a sly glint in her eyes. Yet, she forced a smile on her face and feigned innocence, "Jessica, don't misunderstand. I just came to..."I didn't want to hear her nonsense and interrupted her, raising my voice, "Fine, then tell me, where did you get the key to my house?"Tawny's gaze flickered, stealing glances at Zander but remaining silent. I was disgusted by her pretentiou
Jessica's POVI glanced at the pillow in her arms, not daring to agitate her, and nodded, "Who's trying to take your child?"At that moment, the sound of high heels echoed in the hallway. Upon hearing this, Vilda shrank behind the curtain, trembling in fear, "She's here! She's come to take my child!"Before I could say anything more, a woman dressed as a doctor strode in imposing air. She looked at me rudely and said, "Vilda's condition is unstable, and she doesn't meet the criteria for visitors. Please leave."I glanced at the name badge on her chest, which seemed to read "Attending Physician." I asked, "You're the doctor?"She nodded and said, "I'm Vilda's attending physician, Dr. Tamara Dickinson."I put down the fruit basket and explained, "I'm her friend, and I'll leave after seeing her.""There's no need. Strangers will only exacerbate her condition. You should go," she replied.I frowned and said, "I'm her friend, not exactly a stranger. Do you refuse visits from her family for
Jessica's POV"Look at these photos! Kenneth wasn't the only one Johnny harmed; he also implicated two other comrades. The woman in this photo is the wife of one of those comrades, taken by Johnny by force. Can you still claim he's an innocent good man?" He pointed at the photos, his voice sharp and trembling with rage.I gazed at the photos, each image like a blade piercing my eyes and soul. My heart was in turmoil, torn between the seemingly irrefutable evidence Zander presented and the deep trust and affection I had for Johnny over the years, a fortress difficult to breach.I couldn't bring myself to believe that Johnny, who had been there for me, who had shown me care, could be evil.Dazed, I turned and left Zander's villa, each step feeling like a thousand pounds, my legs heavy as lead, moving with difficulty.I returned to my small apartment and collapsed onto the sofa as soon as I entered. Memories of Johnny kept surfacing, those beautiful moments shining like bright stars in t
Jessica's POVZander's words hit me like a thunderbolt, echoing in my ears as I stood there, stunned, praying I had misheard.But as I met his bloodshot, red-rimmed eyes and the expression of pain and turmoil etched on his face, the reality of the situation dawned on me.It was as if all the strength had been drained from my body, and my fingers slackened their grip on his shirt.I instinctively took two steps back, my footing unsteady, nearly collapsing under the weight of this revelation.When I married Zander, I knew his father, Kenneth, had died in a battle, caught in the crossfire and leaving behind a young Zander. Yet, I never imagined that his death could be connected to Johnny.My lips trembled slightly as I struggled to utter, "It can't be. This can't be true." Zander's gaze was unwavering, his voice hoarse but resolute. "Jessica, I wish it weren't true. You have no idea how much I wished it wasn't Johnny. I loved you so much, so much that I was willing to ignore it all, but
Jessica's POVAfter Downey and Rebecca were escorted out of the room by Emmett, the ward finally returned to its much-needed silence. The only sounds that filled the space were the rhythmic beeps from the heart monitor and Johnny's faint but steady breathing.I slowly lowered myself into the chair beside the hospital bed, exhaustion and helplessness weighing heavily on my heart. If I could, I would banish Downey and Rebecca from Los Angeles forever, ensuring they never resurfaced. But I couldn't. After all, because of me, Johnny had already lost so much. Despite Rebecca's hypocrisy and snobbery, her presence at least gave Johnny the illusion of a complete family. I couldn't selfishly take away this last bit of warmth from him.Emmett soon returned to the room, nodding at me to signal that everything had been taken care of. I looked at him and whispered, "Emmett, arrange for someone to keep an eye on the room. We can't let anyone else take advantage of and harm Johnny."Emmett gave a s