Jane was also overwhelmed with her own matters and had no way to chase after Jordan."I just feel guilty for not taking better care of her.""She won’t blame you. Even if you had intervened, this wouldn’t have been something you could solve."Nathan said, "I think after this, it’s finally over between them."Jane sighed. "I hope so."After hanging up, Zachary still wanted to take her to the hospital for a checkup.Jane shook her head. "I’m really fine, don’t worry. If I’m lying this time, then from now on, whatever you say goes."Since that was the case, Zachary gave up on insisting.But that night, he still kept a close eye on her, afraid that something might happen.Fortunately, nothing did.Westley woke up a week later.During that time, Carter had visited once.When Westley regained consciousness, Carter happened to be at the hospital as well.He was there for an academic exchange and took the opportunity to check on him.Westley had just woken up, and all his senses
Jordan had a secret hideout that no one knew.After she confessed and was rejected at 18, she found this place.Later, whenever she struggled with something, she would come here.This place didn’t even have a name.Hardly anyone ever came.It was both safe and unsafe.But she had never considered the issue of safety.She had discovered it by chance while taking photos and thought it was the perfect place for quiet contemplation.It was a great place.Because of that, she had even deliberately disguised the entrance to prevent others from finding it.After Leanne left, Westley was discharged from the hospital.Buck had promised Leanne to report everything in detail.But Westley saw through it and gave him a cold, warning look."Would you rather go work for her instead?"Buck no longer dared to report truthfully and had to fabricate some details when speaking to Leanne.Leanne was busy dealing with the Howard family, brushing off Jonathan and Miranda’s concerns about Westl
Leanne stood in place, thinking for a long time.In the end, she decided to follow Zachary’s advice.Jordan was curled up in a corner for three days.During those three days, it rained continuously.The shabby little house couldn’t withstand it—outside, it poured heavily; inside, it dripped lightly.She didn’t bother to do anything about it.Like a snail, she simply withdrew into her shell.When someone finally found her and appeared before her, she was so dazed that she couldn't speak for a moment.The person picked her up and gently placed her on the bed, pulling at her limbs to check her condition.Seeing that she could still move normally, he let out a sigh of relief.“Are you hungry?”Jordan came back to her senses the moment she heard that familiar voice.She got up from the bed and, without hesitation, raised her hand and slapped him.Westley tilted his head slightly from the impact, then smiled.“The agreement isn’t over yet. Since you left, of course, I had to co
Back then, she was 12 years old, right at the age of loving idol dramas.The Howard family happened to have a large courtyard, big enough for a swing.So she begged Westley to build one for her.Because she thought he was very handsome—just like the male lead in an idol drama.And the male lead should build a swing for the female lead.Back then, Westley was young yet mature, with the vigor of youth.Dressed in black sportswear, his short, neat hair complemented his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and lean muscles.He was quite a bit taller than her.Everything about him made hearts race.With a small hammer in hand, he worked in the courtyard, the sound of nails being hammered echoing in her heart.The sunlight poured down, coating him in a golden glow.He looked at her, a carefree smile stretching across his face.Just like that, a swing appeared before her.“Jordy, have you thought about how to thank your brother?”Jordan sat on the swing. With just a slight push from h
"When you were in trouble back then, he stood by and did nothing. Do you think he was happy about it? Back then, he was injured in an attack, yet he still stayed outside your ward every day. After you were discharged, he ignored his own health and followed you to many places. His body had been in poor condition for a long time, yet he never took proper care of himself. He probably won’t have many years left to live."Jordan said after a while, "Dr. Greyson, you were much more convincing when you spoke less."Carter let out a laugh in exasperation.He had never been one to waste words on these matters.When Westley was seeking death, he hadn’t said much either.Yet when it came to Jordan, he had said a lot—but she had never appreciated it."Fine. You don’t want him pestering you, right? Then let me tell you the truth. If you just let him go on like this, exhausting his own body, at most, he has about a year left before he dies. By then, you’ll finally be free."Jordan didn’t beli
Jordan nodded."Thank you, Jane.""It’s no trouble at all."Watching Jordan lie down, Jane gently closed the bedroom door.As she walked out, she saw Zachary waiting by the entrance. She shut the main door behind her and took his hand, leading him back to their place.She asked, "Do you know what happened?"Zachary helped her sit down and handed her a box."These were things that your mother left behind. And these are a pair of rings—the other one is with Westley. They were auctioned off, and he bought them."Jane only took her mother’s belongings. Inside, she found a set of pear blossom jewelry. She curved her lips into a faint smile."Jordan is exactly like our mother, from her features to her preferences. Let’s leave this for her. I’ll give it to her when she wakes up. As for the ring, do whatever you want with it."Zachary put away the women’s ring and added, "Westley might not have much time left."Jane paused. "What did you just say?"Zachary told her everything Buck
"What did she say?" Jane asked urgently."She said that she probably never really liked Westley. It was just that they had been together since childhood, and she mistakenly thought it was love."Jane analyzed, "Jordan must have said that to not embarrass herself. She also didn’t want things to become too awkward with the Howard family. After all, they had always treated her well.""You’re right," Zachary confirmed. "She only said those words after Westley refused to marry her. But because of that, Westley agreed to the marriage. After they got their marriage certificate, he immediately applied to work in another city and ignored her for three years."Jane was baffled. "What kind of logic was that?""A messed-up kind," replied Zachary, recalling the things Westley had mumbled when he was drunk.He had been too drunk, speaking in fragments with no clear explanation. If it hadn’t been the truth, Zachary wouldn’t have even bothered listening."According to him, since Jordan didn’t l
"Well, after this, he should give up,""Why do you say that?" asked Jane.Zachary replied, "He stabbed himself this time. He paid for the wrongs he did to Jordan. And him going to find Jordan this time wasn't to pester her. He knew she hated him and wouldn't save him. This meant that he had repaid her for the fact that he had left her for dead. He won't look for Jordan again. He'll just wait until his body can't hold up anymore and leave."Jane felt conflicted for a moment. "Is he really at death's door, and there's no cure?"Zachary nodded. "Carter said there’s no cure, and if he says so, then no one else can cure him.""Then the Howard family won’t blame Jordan for causing Westley’s death, will they?" Jane was worried.Zachary gently patted her head to reassure her. "No, I suspect Jordan will take action. We’ll just wait and watch.""As long as Jordan is fine, I won’t interfere."Jordan had many things on her mind and couldn't sleep, tossing and turning all night.She got up
He placed some meat on her plate and asked, "Don't you like being close to me? Or do you still think our relationship isn't suitable for closeness right now?"Jordan couldn't really explain.Westley answered for her, "Do you think the development between us is different from others? So it's awkward?"Jordan thought for a moment, and it seemed like that was the case.Westley continued, "So you still want to go through a process before we get to the point where we can kiss in a romantic relationship?"Jordan fell silent.Westley said, "If you have something to say, just say it. There's nothing we should be embarrassed about between us."Jordan bit her cutlery, and after a few seconds, she said, "Before we remarry, we can maintain a working relationship. We can eat together, do some things together, but we can't have any intimate behavior. Can you accept that?"Westley obviously couldn't accept it.He didn't really understand why she wanted it that way.But he still went along w
"Otherwise, would you listen to something you don't want to hear?"Jordan didn't want to argue with him. "I'll say this one last time... Mm!"Her lips were sealed, and when Jordan tried to push him away, she kept punching his shoulder.She tilted her head to dodge, but he firmly held her by the back of her head.She opened her mouth to bite him, but he grabbed her face, deepening the kiss.In the quiet office, with only the two of them, the sound of water droplets, which made hearts race and faces flush, could be heard.Jordan, unable to take it anymore, kicked him.But his long legs held her down.She was completely at his mercy, unable to move at all."Um..."It wasn't until the sound of a knock on the door broke the intimate atmosphere."I'm here for the interview... Is this a bad time?"As soon as Westley released her, Jordan immediately pushed him away, wiping her lips forcefully.She stomped on him hard and tried to calm her emotions as she looked toward the door."
Jordan went to sit on the sofa and casually raised her hand toward him."Go on."Westley looked at her, noticing how she resembled a boss, a look that had some of his own influence in it.He smiled.Jordan shot him a glare. "Be serious.""Alright."Westley sat up straight, looking serious.He began to explain his previous plans to her.Except for parts of the plan that needed to be kept confidential, he didn't hide anything else."The reason I had you stab me was indeed to let you vent your anger, to make up for the harm I've caused you. It was just a coincidence that the higher-ups issued an order at the same time, so I decided to go along with it. Now, the plan has been completed. I can indeed come back to life, but right now, there's nothing I need to do. The Howard family has Leanne, and I've already resigned. I'm just a jobless wanderer now, and no one cares. Whether I'm alive or not doesn't really matter."Jordan felt that those last two sentences were clearly meant to
But when she reached the bedroom door, ready to go out and check, she thought again, how could he, such a grown man, possibly be putting himself through hardship?With so many people under him, he could just call anyone to bring him clothes.And he could book a comfortable presidential suite for himself.There was no need for her to be concerned about it.Besides, it was her who had locked him out in the first place.Going out now would only make it seem like she cared about him too much.Right.She shouldn't go out.Jordan returned to her bed.But no matter what, she couldn't fall asleep.In the living room, Westley was already lying on the sofa.The heating was turned up high, so he wasn't worried about the cold.He was holding his phone, making some kind of plan.In the end, Jordan didn't even know how she fell asleep.When she woke up groggily, the first thing she did was get up and check on Westley.But she found that he wasn't there anymore.She let out a sigh of
She now saw herself only as a sister figure to him. Even though they were a bit close, there was still a sense of distance and wariness.It was impossible for her to fully open up to him.But at that moment, suddenly talking about their relationship wasn't really appropriate.Besides, with how things had developed between her and Westley, if he intervened, it would just force them apart.In the end, it would be her who got hurt.‘Forget it.’Nathan decided to just watch how things would unfold.If Westley still didn't realize his mistakes and hurt Jordan again, then no matter what, he couldn't let them be together."Has Jasmine not come back?""Huh?" The topic changed too quickly, and Jordan was a little slow to react. "No.""Nathan, did you take anything from this room?"Nathan's gaze darkened slightly. "No."Noticing that he was in a bad mood, Jordan didn't ask about his situation with Jasmine."Jasmine probably has something she wants to do."Nathan could tell from her
"I've already picked out a few candidates, but I just haven't had the chance to arrange meetings for you yet. Maybe you've only ever been exposed to him since childhood. Try dating someone else, and you might realize he isn't the only one for you." Jordan shook her head. "Nathan, that's not it..." "I'm certain I like him—no matter how outstanding others are, I won't be interested." Nathan frowned. "You've never tried being with anyone else. How can you be so sure?" Of course, Jordan was sure. Ever since her youthful heart first fluttered, she had been certain, apart from Westley, she would never love anyone else. And that was precisely why his indifference had wounded her so deeply. She had filed for divorce and despised his later attempts at remorse. Because she had never wavered in her feelings—yet he only began to love her after she decided to let go. If he had realized it even a little sooner, they wouldn't have suffered through such a painful, drawn-out
"I’m not doing anything," Westley answered her question, squeezing her hand slightly. "Just need your help with something."Jordan was already in her 20s.How could she not understand the things between men and women?His voice was dangerously hoarse now, and what kind of help could he possibly need from her?"You do it yourself, I can't help.""Well, I’ll do all the hard work."He was the one doing all the hard work indeed.But he was holding her hand, making her hand... move with his!Jordan tried to pull her hand back. "Westley, you’re making me mad."Westley leaned on her shoulder and laughed lowly. "Alright, after you help me, feel free to get angry. Hit me however you want. But right now, Jordy, I can't stop."The temperature in the kitchen gradually rose.With the heating, it made the air dry and uncomfortable.She had just taken a shower to cool down, but now, a thin layer of sweat had formed.She felt hot.Jordan had nowhere to hide and couldn't break free.In t
The arm around her waist suddenly tightened.The breath sprayed near her ear, hot and unsettling.The man's hoarse voice came. "Don't want to sleep? Then how about we do something else?"Jordan gripped the blanket tightly, weakly lying, "I want to go to the bathroom. I haven't washed up yet either."Westley released her.Jordan quickly escaped. She didn't know what she might do if she stayed another second.Westley lowered his head, glancing at her, then sighed deeply.This was a pyrrhic victory.Jordan stayed in the bathroom for a long time.She even took a shower.But after finishing, she suddenly remembered that her bath towel had been taken by Westley.Standing in the bathroom, she felt like she had no way out.And in her haste to come in, she hadn't grabbed a change of clothes.She had impulsively picked up the clothes that Westley had swapped out of and her clothes and tossed them into the laundry basket.Her clothes were now all wet.She could only silently fume.
‘I’ve already taken my pants off and you’re just going to leave it at that?’She thought this must have been intentional on Westley's part.She raised her leg and kicked him, then turned around, pulling the blanket away, her back clearly showing a trace of resentment.Westley didn't mind, pulling both her and the blanket into his arms.He chuckled softly in her ear."Your reaction right now makes me think you're dissatisfied."The deliberate pause was even more teasing.Jordan immediately elbowed him.But because she was tangled in the blanket, she couldn't put much strength into it.The muffled laugh of the man in her ear clearly mocked her, making her even angrier.Her emotions flared up too quickly, and tears started falling.Westley felt the wetness on his arm, it was hot.He quickly sat up.He knew about her tendency to lose control of her tears, but seeing her cry still made his heart ache.He gently wiped the tears from the corner of her eye with his thumb and whis