I didn't feel surprised at all. I felt no emotions either.Wherever Ryan was present, she behaved like a dog eyeing a meat bun, nothing she did would be surprising.Ryan's face darkened slightly, his voice cold. "I'm not thirsty anymore.""How come you're not thirsty anymore? Charlotte just said she would feed you..."Jessica's face frowned in confusion, then she muttered to herself, "Well, she doesn't understand you like I do. She can't tell when you want something."With that, she set the glass aside.I had been worried about Ryan's injury and hadn't found a good opportunity to ask about Jessica's situation. Now, an opportunity presented itself. I couldn't let it slip away.I looked at Ryan and curved my lips slightly. "Regarding her, have you made up your mind?"‘You said that you would consider it during the day, so by now you should have reached a decision,’ I though."What? What are you talking about?" Jessica, understanding that the "she" in my words referred to herself
"Have you forgotten how Charlotte and I lost our child?" Ryan's eyes were as cold as ice and his tone was chillingly intimidating.Jessica cried in complete despair, like a startled bunny. "It wasn't intentional... I didn't know she was pregnant! Ryan, you know, I was just so afraid of losing you that day, I lost my rationality! If I had known she was pregnant, I wouldn't have dared... Besides, I'm pregnant too! If I had known it would have such serious consequences, how could I... Would I abandon my own child?"‘So pretentious!’ I exclaimed inwardly.She must usually acted like this when she was alone with Ryan. She would act differently when Ryan’s around.I spoke coldly, "Who knows who the father of the child in your womb was, or if it was legitimate or not."Jessica's face visibly stiffened, pointing a trembling finger at me as if accused of a grave crime. "Charlotte, what nonsense are you talking about?""Enough." I took a deep breath. "I'm too lazy to argue with you about t
In the middle of the night, as I slept leaning on the hospital bed, I felt like dry fingers were caressing my face."You fool, you believe everything people tell you.""Mmm..." I brushed away that hand and turned in the other direction, then belatedly realized I was supposed to be taking care of a patient. I abruptly lifted my head, bewildered. "What did you just say? Is something wrong?"I only met Ryan's tightly closed eyes and his deep, steady breathing.Was I hallucinating?I didn't dwell on it much. I just thought I was imagining things, and then dozed off again.Early the next morning, Gary specially brought breakfast from a well-known cafe.It was exactly to Ryan's taste.But after just a few bites, he was off to attend to official matters.Gary didn't just bring breakfast; he also had a stack of documents that needed attention. Being the CEO of the Frost Group wasn't all that easy.As I ate my breakfast, I occasionally glanced in his direction.The warm winter sun st
The car slowly pulled up in front of a grand and majestic mansion. The driver got out first and opened the door for us.Jennifer, stepping lightly in her black kitten heels, led me through the gate with a straight posture that spoke of a refined upbringing since childhood."Actually, bringing Ms. Wilson here today is for a specific request," she said."What request?""You'll see when you go inside."At her words, I felt puzzled, but I didn't press for more information.Curiosity was something I seemed to lack.However, as she led me through the garden and I caught a glimpse through a window into the ancestral hall, I was momentarily stunned.Jack was kneeling on the floor, his back covered in shocking wounds, yet his face showed no pain or anger, just a calmness as still as stagnant water.The middle-aged lady grew increasingly furious, whipping him again. "Jack, don't think I can't do anything to you right now! If you die, I can just adopt another child and still inherit the
I vaguely guessed that the Renolds family's situation was probably complicated, but it wasn't appropriate to ask Jennifer, whom I had just met, about it.After a slight hesitation, I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I can't promise you that. He has his own convictions, and as his friend, I can only support him."He could have liked someone for twenty years, and he had always been calm and steady. He must have weighed the pros and cons of everything. It wasn't something outsiders could interfere with.Jennifer didn't show any displeasure on her face, just calmly said, "Aren't you curious who he likes?""If he wanted to tell me, he would."Since he hadn't told me yet, it meant he didn't want me to know. I also felt that between friends, it wasn't necessary to be completely transparent; it was okay for each other to have their own secrets.She suddenly changed the subject. "After graduating from college, my grandmother originally hoped he would inherit the family business early, like Ryan
"When I was brought back to the Renolds family that year, everyone cursed me as an illegitimate child."He fell silent for a moment, complex emotions swirling in his beautiful eyes. "But I knew, it was my dad who deceived my mom..."I finally understood that beneath the gentle exterior, Jack had also endured a long and painful past. His father was his mother's first love, but for the family's sake, he secretly married someone else without telling his mother. By the time she found out, he was almost born..."My mom took me far away, but we still couldn't escape Sally's revenge.""She..." As he mentioned this, pain flashed in his eyes, along with suppressed hatred that quickly subsided. "She's dead."His hand hanging by his side clenched into a fist, knuckles turning pale.I felt a heavy weight in my heart...He was eight years old that year, and his mother should have been around 30. Yet, because of her poor judgment of character, she paid such a heavy price.Jack smiled bitterl
I couldn’t give him an answer to that question.After all, I remembered that the girl had gotten married.I restarted the car and smiled gently. "I wish you well.""Okay," Jack responded cheerfully.I drove him to the building where he lived and hesitated before speaking, "About your injuries...""Don't listen to Jennifer's nonsense."He reached out and took the medicine, effortlessly easing my awkwardness. "Tom's at my place; just have him take care of it.""Alright." I felt somewhat relieved.It wasn't that I didn't want to help him with his wounds, but after all, it involved his back, which would require removing his shirt... My status might not be quite appropriate, and he would probably feel embarrassed too.As I prepared to return the car keys to him, he suddenly glanced over. "Today... I startled you, didn't I?"I lightly pinched my palm and honestly admitted that I was indeed frightened when I saw Sally hitting him like that. The whip had torn through his flesh.Bu
Jessica glanced at me. "It's convenient, but my mom has been waiting for you. It's just that Charlotte better not come in first. The doctor said my mom has been in a coma for too long, and her memory is quite confused. It's best for her to see only familiar faces first, to avoid affecting her physical and neurological recovery."The way she said it made it seem like I would be committing some unforgivable crime just by entering.I wasn't that insensitive. I looked at Ryan. "You go in. I'll leave first.""Since that's the case." Ryan coldly glanced at Jessica, then put his arm around my shoulder. "Let's wait for Ms. Wood to recover for a few days before coming to see her."I glanced at him in surprise, wanting to push his hand away, but he acted as if he didn't notice, unmoving."Ryan..." Jessica looked embarrassed, her eyes reddening. "Yesterday, you drove me away, and now at this time, you still...""Jessica, don't be unreasonable."From inside the ward came a weak voice of a w
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
Ross agreed and turned to leave.Jane kicked the door open with her foot, then stepped onto the balcony, and Whitney quickly came to help.After setting the breakfast down, she noticed something was wrong.Jane and Charlotte exchanged a glance.Jane asked in confusion, "Why are there things in here that neither Charlotte nor I like to eat?""It seems that Zachary and Frank were a bit careless."Whitney quickly said, "I can eat what you don't like."She wasn't picky about food, it was just that she used to not have enough to eat, so she had always eaten less and stayed thin.Jane hadn't heard Ross mention that Caleb had come.She said, "Don't you think Caleb specifically bought this for you?"Whitney was puzzled.Charlotte pointed and said, "The things we like to eat were all prepared by Frank and Zachary. They wouldn't purposely prepare things we don't eat. So, what do you think the extra food is for?"Whitney was momentarily stunned.She thought it was because Jane had or
Whitney washed up and went straight to bed.She didn't have the habit of playing on her phone before bed.Before coming to Nelana, all her work had been handed over.If something urgent came up, someone would call her.So she didn't check her phone, and thus missed Caleb's message.Caleb was on the hotel balcony, with his phone placed on the small coffee table.He held a glass of wine, swaying it absentmindedly.His gaze, however, remained fixed on the phone.But even when it got to dawn, there was no reply from Whitney.The man curved his lips slightly and lit a cigarette.He leaned against the balcony railing, waiting for the sun to rise.Whitney woke up in the morning, went to wash up, and after she finished, took a book from her luggage and went to sit on the swing on the balcony to read.As she passed the kitchen, she made herself a cup of coffee.She didn't like to move much, most of her time was spent on improving herself.She tried to learn as much as possible.S
Westley didn't say anything either.Zachary and Frank were a team, he was no match for them in an argument.His relationship with Caleb wasn't that close, so it was impossible for the latter to help him."They're having barbecue for lunch," said Frank, locking his phone. "They just ordered the ingredients."Jordan found two power strips and moved the pot to the balcony."Good thing we have these, otherwise, we wouldn't be able to eat.""Why do you have so many pots left in this house?" asked Whitney."I lived here for a while before," Jordan placed the plates and cutlery down. "I also feel like leaving these things here makes it seem like Grandpa is still around."Whitney apologized.Jordan smiled and reassured her, "It's fine. No need to apologize. From now on, we're good friends."Whitney nodded and smiled in agreement, "Alright.""By the way, Jordan.""What's up, Jane?"Jane said, "Both Zachary and Frank have booked hotels, so they don’t to stay here. It can't fit them
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