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
Leanne asked, "Has Carter come by?""No, Mr. Greyson said that if Mrs. Howard doesn't say anything, he won't treat Mr. Howard."Leanne's expression darkened. "Then what did he say? How much longer does my cousin have?""If Mr. Howard continues like this, he’ll have less than a year to live."Leanne pursed her lips, glanced through the small window, then turned and left.Once Westley had made a decision, it was hard to change.Carter was merely acting according to his wishes.The Greyson family’s teachings stated that, unless absolutely necessary, patients should never be abandoned.Jordan returned to Jeswood.She had dinner with Jane.Jane only served her food, encouraging her to eat more, and didn’t bring up anything else.Jordan smiled at her, remaining mostly silent throughout the meal."After dinner, why don’t you go check out your new house?""If you want to be closer to me, the place across from me is available. Zachary can sell it to you at a low price.""How about
"What are you doing?"Jordan was both angry and anxious, her face completely red.Westley smiled. "What do you think?""Stop messing around! We still need to go toast the guests.""Exactly." The man pinched the satin ribbon behind her back. "How can you wear the toasting dress if you don't take off the wedding dress?"The wedding dress was too heavy, and with him pressing on her, Jordan couldn't break free."You want to do it yourself, but you can’t."In the end, Jordan was stripped down to just her undergarments and was forcibly changed into the toasting dress.Seizing the right moment, she immediately broke free from Westley and opened the door, about to run out.Westley quickly grabbed her and carried her back. "Your makeup is ruined."‘Whose fault is it that my makeup is ruined?’Jordan stomped hard on his foot. "You’re so annoying!""Already annoyed right after the wedding?" Westley sat her down on the edge of the bed, opened the makeup bag, and took out a lipstick. "I
Westley had someone distribute the wedding sweets. He carried Jordan into the hotel and delivered her to the bridal rest room.Jane and the others had already been waiting."So, what's up, Westley? As your sister-in-law, I took your big envelope, and I didn't make things difficult for you, did I?"What could Westley say? "Thank you, Jane.""Jordy's wedding shoes?"Jane and Charlotte each handed him one of the shoes.Westley crouched down and carefully put them on Jordan."I'm going to be busy up front, I'll wait for you."Jordan nodded. "Okay."After Westley left, Jane and Charlotte helped her change into the wedding dress.Whitney also helped.Caleb brought her to the wedding venue, and while they were waiting in the rest room, Jane explained to her.The reason they arrived here first was that everything had been arranged in advance, and it was intentionally done this way.She actually found it quite interesting."Whit." Jane patted her shoulder. "This is a good way to
Even the foundation couldn't hide the pink flush spreading on her cheeks.Jordan knew she was rather introverted, and without Jane and Charlotte there to back her up, this felt like hell to her."Westley!""Yes!"Jordan was amused by him and forgot what she was about to say.Westley stepped forward, kneeling on one knee, preparing to go through the motions.Whitney quickly tried to stop him, but was pulled away by Caleb."This won't do..." She struggled, but couldn't fight against the man's strength.Only Jordan and Westley were left in the bedroom.The man kneeled beside the bed and handed her the bouquet. "Dear Mrs. Howard, please come home with me."Jordan took the bouquet, revealing her small feet from under the large skirt."I don't have shoes on."Westley asked, "How can I find your shoes?""You're asking me?""Yes.""Well, I can't tell you."Westley knew it wasn't going to be that easy.Even if Jane and Charlotte were kept busy, with their family status, how cou
"They're here, they're here," Charlotte called out, urging Whitney to quickly close the bedroom door.Whitney said, "Jane hasn't come in yet.""If she's slower than Westley, it means she's caught up in something," replied Charlotte."But isn’t Zachary afraid of angering Jane by helping Westley like this?"Charlotte smiled. "This is a wedding. Blocking the door is just for fun. We won’t really make it hard for the groom to take the bride away."Whitney only then realized what they were doing. "Sorry.""It's fine, you've never had a wedding, so it's normal," Charlotte reassured her."So, what should I do now?"Charlotte said, "Just cooperate with me.""Don't be too formal, it's not a big deal."At that moment, Westley knocked on the door. "What does Mrs. Smith want? Feel free to name your price."Charlotte laughed. "Mr. Howard always reads people well and is full of schemes. Why don't you try guessing?"Frank had already come over, but he looked lazy and still had no energy.
Westley seemed not to hear Zachary's words and asked him if his clothes were alright and whether his tie was crooked.Zachary couldn't be bothered to respond.Frank didn't even bother to lift his eyelids.At that moment, Caleb stepped forward and adjusted Westley's tie and collar, smiling faintly.Westley understood. "Carter will come to the wedding. I'm certain of it."Caleb then asked, "With the relationship between Mr. Greyson and Mr. Howard, why isn't he coming as a groomsman?""He doesn't get along well with my wife.""Because of Mandy?"Westley nodded. "Mandy and my wife were good friends during their teenage years."Actually, Jordan wasn't someone who held grudges, but he couldn't let anything go wrong at the wedding.Originally, it didn't matter whether Carter came or not.If it weren't for Caleb, he wouldn't have insisted on having Carter attend.Caleb understood.The sky gradually brightened.Whitney stood at the door, waiting for news from Jane.Suddenly, some
Whitney nodded. "It's really delicious.""That's good." Jordan didn't know what else to say and quietly sipped her soup.Caleb placed some ham on Whitney’s plate. "If you like it, take some with you when you leave.""I'll arrange for it to be delivered to Yelar regularly in the future."Whitney really liked it, but she never overindulged.She was afraid that giving in to greed wouldn't be a good thing.After a pause, she asked, "Do you like it?"Caleb replied, "It's okay."Whitney said, "Then I can take some back, but no need to have someone deliver it regularly. If I eat too much, I won't find it as tasty anymore."Caleb nodded in agreement.During the meal, Jane went to the restroom, and Charlotte also stood up.Jordan quickly followed them.Whitney thought for a moment and decided to go too.Zachary waited for them to leave the private room and raised his tea cup toward Caleb.Since Jane was drinking, he decided not to drink."I think Whitney really enjoys hanging out
She looked at Jane and the others, blinking. "Isn't that right, sisters?"Jane nodded. "That's right, it's a women’s gathering, no men allowed.""No men allowed again?" Westley gave a cryptic glance at the three men standing behind.Jordan followed Jane's lead.Charlotte had no objections.Whitney glanced at Caleb, but she had already told him that she'd be with Jordan for the next few days.In other words, she had informed him that she was joining Jordan's little group.She didn't say anything else.Caleb pulled at the corner of his lips, not saying anything.The manager didn't know what to make of the group of important figures standing in the front hall.After giving it some thought, he said, "We only have one private room, which Mr. Howard reserved first. Would you like to share a table, ladies?"Jane smiled. "So, when it rains, there's only one room, huh?"The manager glanced at Westley for guidance. "Our restaurant is reservation-based..."Jordan interrupted. "I made
Frank put down his phone and said, "I'll just take this as a wedding gift for your sister and brother-in-law, for their upcoming wedding."Zachary didn't say anything. He had received a similar message from Westley.Meanwhile, someone on Caleb's side came to update him on Whitney's movements.He didn't have an issue with her shopping, but he wasn't exactly happy about it either.He had given Whitney a premium card, letting her buy whatever she liked.But she had never used it."Mr. Hilton..." One of his subordinates hesitated before speaking. "After shopping, Mrs. Hilton and Mrs. Collins... they went for... for a massage."Caleb received the news, and so did Zachary.There hadn't been any activity for half the day, so they probably went to a proper massage parlor."Got it."Jane and the others went for facial and oil massages.It was indeed a normal massage parlor.Even when they had gone to a bar before, they were just there to drink.The issue was with those men not trus
Jordan hadn't decided yet. "Do you have any particular places you'd like to visit?"Jane said, "Then let's go shopping."She turned to Charlotte. "Can you walk?""I’m fine. If we get tired, we can find a place to sit and rest."Jane then looked at Whitney and asked if she wanted to go.Whitney nodded.The four girls made a quick decision and set off.Ross was eating an apple when he saw them coming out together. He immediately asked, "Mrs. Collins, where are you going? Do you need me to give you a lift?"Jane looked at the car behind him and noticed there were no other cars."Take us to the biggest shopping center.""Okay."The MPV was large, and with just Ross as the driver, it was more than enough for the four of them to sit comfortably."Ma’am, there are yogurts and snacks next to you, all your favorites."Jane glanced at it and said, "Remember to tell Zachary that it’s too late to apologize after making a mistake."Ross would only repeat the exact words to Zachary, an