My spirits lifted, and I pressed on. "Please don't hold back because of this. The divorce is between him and me. But Grandfather has always been so good to me, I don't want him to leave with unanswered questions."Offering him this reassurance, Albert finally made up his mind to speak. He took out a transparent sealed bag from his pocket, containing only a small pill.And this pill, I was intimately familiar with.It was the emergency medicine Grandfather always carried in his pocket.Albert said, "This was found a few days ago by the servants while cleaning Mr. William's study, under the carpet on his desk."I took it and examined it closely, a chill running down my spine. The air in Jelaston isn't particularly dry, so if the pill had fallen on the ground a while ago, it should have been somewhat damp. But there was no trace of moisture on this pill inside the bag.My voice tightened involuntarily. "When was the last major cleaning at the old mansion?""It happened the day befo
Albert suppressed his anger, glanced at her, and snorted!"Mr. William has only been gone a few days. As a junior, have you already forgotten what he said on his deathbed? Only Charlotte can be Mrs. Frost!""You, who are so unfilial, think you deserve to enter the Frost family?!"Albert seized the opportunity to spit out at her! Then he looked at me and respectfully said, "Mrs. Frost, I'll take my leave first. You should go inside quickly, lest some riffraff cause trouble and harm you!"With that, he led the servants and departed with a demeanor reminiscent of when Grandfather was still alive."What nonsense, who's causing trouble!"Jessica was left dumbfounded by Albert's outburst, sneering repeatedly. She glared at me. "From the oldest to the youngest in the Frost family, even a servant has been misled by you with aphrodisiacs?!""Could it be because you're just too unlikeable?" I retorted.She gnashed her teeth in anger. Jane suddenly walked out, her red lips curling provoca
I didn't expect Bob to stoop so low. I furrowed my brow. "Does your uncle know the PIN?""I... I'm afraid I won't remember the PIN myself..."Aunt Laura's face was full of regret. "It's the same PIN as our shared bank card."Both Jane and I were helpless.Bob was an old hand at cheating and stealing money. Once he gets hold of the bank card, he'll definitely transfer the money right away. There's no time to report it lost at the bank now.However, more than this, I was concerned about another issue. "Has your uncle started gambling again?""Yeah..."Aunt Laura wiped her tears and gritted her teeth. "Actually, he hasn't quit all these years, so I didn't dare let him know how much money you give me every month. I never thought this old bastard would dare snatch even the money that saved my life!""Why don't you just divorce him then? Gambling is a bottomless abyss!" Jane was getting angry and couldn't help but say."This time..."Aunt Laura looked up at me with guilt. "I will d
I sat up and reached out to flip the switch on the bedside, suddenly brightening the room. Unexpectedly, I saw him in a rare disheveled state.The usually elegant and noble man had stubble on his chin, and there were dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept for days, radiating weariness.What trouble had occurred in the Frost family to keep him this busy?I frowned lightly. "Instead of coming here to see me, you should get some rest yourself."He hooked his index finger around his tie knot, pulling it down slightly. A bitter curve formed on his lips. "I understand now, the pain you felt when you lost the child."I clenched my fists, mocking him with a smirk. "Ryan, I don't need your empathy. Just remember every moment that your first child was killed by your own hands, that's enough."Pain flashed through his pitch-black eyes, and his thin lips twitched slightly. His voice was hoarse. "Do you... hate me that much?""Yes!" I admitted frankly. "I hate both you and Jessic
Jane had a strong desire to shop and kept dragging me around. She said she had finally resigned and wanted to treat herself after working like an ox and horse for four years."Look, isn't that the bitch?" When we passed by a luxury goods counter, she suddenly pointed inside.I glanced involuntarily. "It's her."She was holding a purse worth hundreds of thousands, comparing it on herself, presumably planning to buy it.Ryan was always generous towards her.I wasn't interested in watching further and pulled Jane to leave. Jane squinted her eyes and grabbed me, hiding us behind a pillar!I didn't understand what she was doing, so I looked at her with a puzzled expression.She exclaimed, "Your father-in-law!""My father-in-law?""It's your father-in-law shopping with that bitch!" Jane had a face as if she had just discovered something shocking."Isn't this normal?" I smiled. "She has always been my father-in-law's favorite."Even Ryan couldn't get a bit of paternal love, all of
A stock clerk pushed a shelf past us, interrupting our conversation. "Excuse me, just passing through."I pulled Jane back a bit before asking, "What were you saying just now?""Isn't she your father-in-law's biological daughter?" Jane looked spirited.I frowned. "I don't think so... She's two years older than Ryan."If she were having an affair, it wouldn't be this early, would it?"What's so implausible about it?" Jane dismissed my concern, excitedly sharing gossip about the wealthy. "In these wealthy families, it's messy. They have a wife at home and have several mistresses outside. Isn't that normal?""But..." I still felt something was off. "If Jessica really is his biological daughter, why wouldn't he tell Grandpa? Grandpa hates Jessica so much."He would definitely treat his own granddaughter differently.Jane thought about it and found it strange too. "You're right. If Jessica were really his daughter, wouldn't it be incestuous for him to let Ryan and Jessica be togethe
Jane quickly glanced at me, a hint of ambiguity almost overflowing. I felt puzzled, but seeing Jack's calm demeanor, I was sure it wasn't what Jane was implying.Moreover, Jack had someone he liked, for over 20 years. How could he possibly have any feelings for someone like me who had just divorced?Jack refilled my drink. "No rush to decide, take your time.""Okay." I still felt a bit overwhelmed inside. After all, it was a brand I had admired for so many years, suddenly within reach, it felt like a dream.After dinner, Jane used the excuse of another appointment to ask Jack to drive me home. In the car, I said helplessly, "I'm bothering you again.""What bother? I'm just being soft-hearted and lending a hand." Jack teased with a smile.I chuckled softly. "You didn't even let me pay for the meal, th...".Before I finished, he pretended to answer a phone call and went to pay the bill.His long, slender fingers rested on the steering wheel, exuding a natural elegance. His gaze
I hesitated for a moment, glanced into the bag, and saw two exquisite velvet boxes inside. They contained the jade pendant Grandpa had prepared for the child.A wave of intense pain swept through me. Coldly, I spoke, "This was something Grandpa prepared for the child. Since the child is no more, it should be returned to you."He glared at me. "This was given to you by Grandpa. If you want to return it, return it to Grandpa."I realized he was completely unreasonable and impossible to reason with. I pursed my lips. "Ryan, I can accept other things, but this is too precious."He blurted out, "It's given to you, not to someone else."I couldn't help but clutch my hand tightly, suppressing the strange feeling in my heart, trying to remain rational. "Between us, we only lack one divorce certificate to settle things clearly.""Settle things?" Ryan's indifferent eyes subtly raised. He looked at me calmly.I involuntarily panicked for a moment. "Yes.""What do you want to settle?" He l
Jordan and Whitney chatted casually.Most of the time, it was Jordan doing the talking while Whitney listened.After covering enough about the wedding, they talked about Jordan's work over the past few years.She also mentioned the tangled feelings and past with Westley.When she got to that part, she grew a little curious. "Whitney, before you married Caleb, did you ever like anyone?"Whitney shook her head."What about a secret crush?""Not even that."Whitney rarely talked to others about her past.Zachary only knew because he had looked into her and thought she was perfectly suited to be a pawn.And she had needed to become that pawn—to completely sever ties with her past, achieve her goals, and fulfill her ambitions."I was too busy studying and working to think about anything else."Jordan sensed she didn't want to go further, so she didn't press.Just then, Jane called, saying she and Charlotte would arrive soon and join them for lunch.She relayed the message to W
"We had a meal together before, and I noticed you always seemed to like sweet dishes, so I tried buying some. I was worried it might not suit your taste.""It does, it does." Jordan took a bite of the pudding. "It's delicious. But did you buy anything you like to eat?"Whitney said, "I already had breakfast. I can't eat anymore."Jordan offered a suggestion, "Why not try a bite of this sponge cake? It's a specialty here in Nelana."Whitney really couldn't eat any more. She had a small appetite, a condition built up over the years.If she ate a full meal, she couldn't eat snacks afterward. And if she ate snacks, she would lose her appetite for meals.She had a small stomach.But seeing Jordan looking at her so expectantly, she still picked up a piece of sponge cake and took a bite."It's very good."Jordan smiled and took a big bite of the sponge cake herself."Whitney, you're so good at picking food! This is great!"The old house was a bit remote, but it had a rooftop terrac
Jordan said Whitney would be coming over later.Westley hadn't expected that the first one to get out of bed would actually be Whitney."Just the two of you?" he asked."For now, yes."Jordan glanced at her phone. In the group chat, it was just her and Whitney talking—no response yet from Jane or Charlotte.She more or less knew why Jane hadn't responded, but Charlotte too?Still, it didn't really matter. There weren't any specific plans for today anyway.She hadn't known Whitney was coming, so it was a nice surprise."Maybe my sister will text me around noon. We can decide what to do then.""You." She pointed at Westley. "You are not allowed to show up in front of me again after breakfast."Westley nodded. "Got it."After buying food, Whitney told Caleb, "I'm going to find Jordan. You can go handle your stuff. I'll be staying at her place until the wedding."Caleb leaned against the elevator wall, his voice low and lazy. "You're telling me what to do?"Whitney wasn't in a
She replied with an emoji, then looked for her girls in the group chat to ask them out for food.Their group chat had a new member now—Whitney.And it was Whitney who replied to her."I'm already eating at the hotel. Do you want to come over, or should I bring something to you later?"Whitney had actually had a good night's sleep.Though it was a bit later than her usual habit, she still managed to get up for breakfast.Before, it was always Caleb who brought breakfast to the bedside and fed her, because she simply couldn't get out of bed.Jordan figured she was probably having breakfast with Caleb and decided not to bother her."No need, I'll just eat something nearby. Your hotel isn't close to me."Whitney replied. "I'm heading over later anyway, but I'll probably be a bit late. If you're hungry, go ahead and eat something first. I'll bring you something else."Jordan. "Thanks."Whitney. "No problem."Caleb noticed her holding her phone, her expression much softer, even t
Caleb was thinking that in the future, he could let her drink a little more.Of course, only when he was around.She looked kind of cute like this."I did say that, but didn't you just say you wanted to thank me?"Whitney felt that alcohol really wasn't a good thing.Even when hanging out with Jane and the others, she decided not to drink too much anymore.The rationality and logic that she was so proud of had completely vanished.She had never been as calm in front of Caleb as she was with others.Besides, there was a power imbalance between her and him.If she were sober, she wouldn't have been able to reject him anyway.Let alone now, when her mind was muddled.But maybe because she was muddled, she dared to say things that she didn’t usually dare to say."I just lost my balance earlier, and you helped me. Even if you don't accept verbal gratitude, that doesn't mean I owe you something this big."Caleb saw she could barely stand, so he held her by the waist to keep her
"But your reaction just now didn’t seem like you knew I was here."Jane tried to pull her leg back, but when she couldn't, she slapped him in frustration."It was called acting, understand? I didn't want you to look embarrassed, so I got those two out of the way first."Zachary rubbed her ankle with his thumb, as if he believed her. "Then should I be thanking you—for being so considerate?"Jane couldn't be bothered to argue. "Let go. I want to drink.""I'll drink with you."Meanwhile, Frank held Charlotte close and asked in a low voice, "Did she really know we were here?"Charlotte nodded. "What do you think? You really think Jane would mess around during her marriage? She might be bold, but she has boundaries. But you guys really are annoying."Frank hooked her chin with his thumb. "I knew it. You're being cold to me because you're sick of me. I've said it so many times, and you still wouldn't admit it."After saying that, he picked her up and walked out of the bar.He hadn'
Charlotte nudged him with her elbow, warning him not to stir things up.Jordan truly didn't dare to stay any longer. "Westley, take me home.""Okay." Westley finally got up. "You all take your time. If it gets too late, don't go back to the old house—just find a place to crash.""But..." Jordan suddenly felt like leaving wasn't such a good idea. "Maybe I'll stay and play a bit more."Westley simply dragged her out."Jane and Zachary...""You can't control what they do, so why bother worrying over nothing?"Jordan was settled into the passenger seat, her seatbelt fastened firmly.She didn't resist, mostly because she felt what Westley said made sense.Jane was way more capable than she was. This kind of minor drama would be easy for her to handle.Plus, with the smart and composed Charlotte around—It was better if she didn't add to the chaos.Once Westley got into the driver's seat, she asked, "Why did you guys show up? Especially you—didn't you say no seeing each other a w
But it was just a polite gesture—if they had been singing inside, they wouldn't have heard her anyway.So after knocking, she pushed the door open and went in.Charlotte and the others followed to take a look.When they saw the scene inside, they gasped.The four men from home were sitting around a cards table, all eyes on the door, each with a different expression.Zachary looked at Jane, who entered first, and said with a smile, "Honey, pick someone you like and give him a kiss."Jane took a step back and bumped into Charlotte's arms.That was when she noticed the big screen beside them—it was showing their own private room."You were watching us?"Zachary tapped the cards on the table with his long fingers, still smiling."If we weren't watching, how would we get to enjoy such an entertaining scene?"They had all been drinking.Whitney didn't hold her liquor well. She was already a little dazed. Although the room was fairly bright, everything seemed a little off to her.
Caleb didn't respond. Instead, he looked at Westley and played a card.Westley won.And it was a big pot as well.He cocked his brows. "Is this your wedding gift to me, Caleb?"Caleb asked, "Your wedding—Dr. Greyson won't be absent, will he? I heard you two are very close. You've been at death's door multiple times, and he's the one who saved you."Westley nodded. "Theoretically, yes. But I'm not sure if he might have some emergency.""Besides, it's not like you, Caleb, can't reach him. You helped him last time. It's impossible he'd ignore you now."Caleb could contact Carter, but if he did, it would mean helping Carter meet Mandy.He had no interest in meddling in romantic matters—too troublesome.But he couldn't get in touch with Tanner at all.Technically, there was no real need for him to attend Westley's wedding.Even if Whitney was invited by Jane, he himself wasn't obligated.He simply wanted to go, hoping to "accidentally" run into Carter.That way, it wouldn't loo