"Ms. Wilson, the nature of the two situations is completely different."Lauren argued forcefully, though her voice remained gentle. "The evidence you presented yesterday only showed that Jessica happened to come into contact with the medication for Grandpa. What does that prove? She merely intended to feed Grandpa. As for you two... standing at the door like that, both adults, what else could happen?"I picked up the glass from the coffee table and splashed it over her face without hesitation, sneering. "Lauren, say one more word and it won't just be water I throw."Jessica slept with her stepfather behind everyone's back, but publicly, she portrayed herself as a dutiful daughter, instantly becoming frantic. "Are you crazy to treat my mom like this?"I grabbed another cup and emptied it on her face as well. "I dare you to speak one more word."Jessica's exquisite makeup was ruined by me. She looked at me incredulously, "Charlotte..."Lauren didn't expect me to act so boldly. Her
I couldn't read him.Instinctively, I stepped back. "What do you mean?""Let’s not get a divorce, okay?" Ryan held my wrist, feeling my pulse. "From now on, no matter what happens, I only want you. No one else.""Including Lauren and Jessica?""Yes.""Ryan." I found it absurd. "Do you even believe what you're saying?"If it was a sudden awakening, it came too late.I didn't expect him to believe me today, but that wasn't enough to bridge all the past barriers between us.His voice was slow and deep. "Are you still unwilling?"I looked at him firmly and uttered five words. "Yes, I am unwilling."If this decision had been made before losing the child, I might have agreed immediately.But now, I couldn't think of any reason to say yes.Did he cross over me to help another person when I was knocked down?Or did he not hit hard enough when I miscarried?Our marriage had reached a dead end.Ryan fell silent for a long time, gripping my hand tighter. Finally, his eyes were clea
I lay back on the bed to read, but after who knows how long, I realized the book was upside down. I started feeling restless. I wondered what was wrong with him. If it was because of that gunshot... It should have been me.I closed the book in a fluster and headed to the balcony for some fresh air. At that moment, someone knocked on the door, accompanied by Albert's voice. "Mrs. Frost."My feet quickened involuntarily as I opened the door. "Albert, how is Ryan?""He has a fever."I breathed a slight sigh of relief, thinking it was just a cold or something similar. But then Albert continued, "It's from the infection caused by the gunshot a few days ago. He won't let anyone touch him now, nor will he take any medicine. You're divorcing, and I shouldn't have come to you. But he was calling out your name in his sleep..."I squeezed my hands. "I'll go see him."It was right and proper for me to do so, emotionally and logically.Due to the fever, Ryan's cheeks were flushed unnaturally
I stood dumbfounded for a moment, feeling both pity and resentment towards the man before me. I couldn't distinguish between his sincerity and pretense anymore. Nor did I want to bother figuring it out, because soon enough, we would have absolutely nothing to do with each other.I sniffed and forcibly shook Ryan awake. "Take your medicine before you sleep."Perhaps knowing it was me, he didn't resist when I brought the medicine to his lips. Instead, he cooperated.After taking the medicine, he obediently fell back asleep.His fever was frighteningly high, not something that would go away quickly.I asked Albert for ointment and applied it to the burns on Ryan's wrist. Only after his fever began to subside did I get up and return to my room.Perhaps because his health was generally good and he was still young, Albert came the next morning to inform me that his fever had completely gone.However, in the afternoon, several high-fashion dresses were delivered by the servants."Ryan
"Am I slandering him?"I could see the anger in his eyes.Seeing how easily he got angry now, I suddenly felt relieved both physically and mentally. "Isn't it true? Ryan, you told me that evidence is needed for everything."With that said, I walked towards the room.Behind me, the man suppressed his anger, uttering two words through gritted teeth, "Six o'clock.""Got it!"I didn't look back.The reason I agreed wasn't because of him, but because I thought of the scene where Jack was beaten in the ancestral hall that day. Suddenly, I hoped that if Sally embarrassed him again tonight, I could stand by him for once.For once, it was my turn to help him.After all, with the status of Mrs. Frost, it was unnecessary not to use it.After taking a shower and tidying up in my room, I put on an exquisite makeup.For such occasions, being elegant and dignified was enough. Therefore, when choosing a dress, I opted for an embroidered little black dress that ended at the knees, revealing
There was no need to turn around, just from the voice, I knew it was Jessica.Ryan calmly withdrew his arm. "Why are you here?""Dad brought me here."Jessica's voice was gentle. "Dad said I'll have to help you manage the Frost family in the future, so I came to get acquainted."I felt nothing but mockery inside. I heard Ryan's cold voice. "Then go find him. Why follow me around?""Why? Do you dislike me now?"Jessica pretended to be angry and then tried to please Ryan. "Oh, if it's about the photos from a few days ago, I'm not mad anymore. Why do you still care? Besides, it was Charlotte who cuckolded you, not me...""Jessica!" Ryan sternly interrupted, as if trying to shake her off.John appeared from nowhere, adopting his fatherly style. "I saw a few friends. I'll go say hello. Jessica hasn't been to such occasions before. Take care of her so no one bullies her."I walked away quickly, and I didn't hear what Ryan said as reply.It didn’t matter.Besides agreeing, what els
His eyes flickered slightly, looking ahead. "Yeah.""Why not call the police then?""Silly." Jack smiled. "Do you think the person celebrating her 80th birthday today would agree to me calling the police? Sometimes, achieving the same result can be done in different ways."His words were profound and difficult to fathom.I looked at him unexpectedly and laughed. "Jack, I think you're different from the Jack I knew before.""How come?" He paused for a moment, looking at me. "Or... do you not like me this way?""No!" I immediately denied, praising him. "I think you're even more capable and smart than the Jack I knew before. I really admire how thorough you are in your considerations."People like him and me had no one else to rely on.The only person we could rely on was ourselves.Moreover, he was in the wolf's den of the Renolds family. If he didn’t consider things thoroughly, he would only end up dead.He looked stunned for a moment, his eyes slightly brightened. "Really?"
A third party, and now a fourth party was being cursed at.Never did I expect that just as I burst into laughter, a stifled chuckle echoed not far behind me.Startled, I turned around and met a somewhat carefree and unruly face, with a hint of roguishness at the corners of his lips. He wore a leather jacket and casually leaned against the wall. "Mrs. Frost has quite unique tastes."Caught eavesdropping, I felt a bit guilty, but then dissipated it with a thought. "Aren't you the same?""I didn't want to interrupt your enjoyment.""Well, you've interrupted it now."I retorted, glancing at him. "Who are you, and how do you know about me?""Frank Smith." He told me his full name, abandoning his nonchalant demeanor and straightened up. "Mrs. Frost, goodbye."With that said, he walked away, grabbed the bun of the wealthy heiress, and sarcastically remarked, "Bethany, with your intelligence so dim that you can't even distinguish who the real Mrs. Frost is, you can forget about being a
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
Frank pulled her into his arms and asked, "You really have to go out for drinks?"Charlotte nodded. "It's a girls-only night. No men allowed.""Oh?" The man repeated slowly and deliberately, "No… men… allowed?"Charlotte saw the look on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking."Only women. Even the drinks are for women.""Oh? Tell me, how do you tell if a drink is male or female?"Charlotte lightly patted his face twice. "The drinks women drink are for women. Got it?"Frank laughed. "Got it."Over on Jane's end, after finishing her call, she was about to go look for Jordan, but Zachary pulled her into the room and pinned her against the wall.His warm lips covered hers, then quickly pulled away.With his forehead against hers, the man asked, "Going out for drinks?"Jane hooked his chin with her finger. "What, Mr. Collins, trying to seduce your way into a drinking invitation?"Zachary chuckled lowly, kissed her again, and asked, "May I?""No."Jane rejected him comp
Jordan had grown up in the Howard family, but the person who had taken care of her since she was little had an old house.She arranged for Jane and the others to stay there, and she would also be getting married from that house.She didn't have many friends. Originally, Leanne was supposed to be her bridesmaid. Although she had a child, she had never been married.But Leanne wasn't sure if she could make it back in time, so she let Jane and Charlotte take over as substitutes for now. They would adjust accordingly later."Try on the dress. If there's a problem, I can still make adjustments."With the help of the two of them, Jordan put on the wedding dress.But Jane was most looking forward to the wedding dress.Both her and Charlotte's weddings were going to be Cherian style.Jordan, however, wanted a Western-style one.And Charlotte, who had designed clothes for many years, had never actually designed a wedding dress before.This was her first attempt, and she was very excit
"Okay, I won't bring it up anymore."Westley walked over with Jonathan and sat down.Miranda was very satisfied. "Finally, Jordy can have dinner with me again."Jordan smiled. "I'm also happy. I can still call you Mom.""Then let's drink to that.""Okay."Westley waited for the "mother and daughter" to finish speaking, then threw out a big announcement. "By the way, our wedding is on the 22nd of next month."Clang!The spoon in Miranda's hand fell."What did you say?""On the 22nd of next month, Jordy and I are getting married. We sincerely invite you and your husband to attend."Jordan was also shocked.She only knew that Charlotte's dress was being made, and they were picking the wedding date.But Westley hadn't told her about this in advance."Next month, it's almost the New Year.""Yes, it's a wedding before the New Year. Then we'll celebrate the New Year at home. I'm informing you in advance, my dear mom. You can prepare for the the New Year Eve dinner.""The New Y
Jonathan almost spit out the tea he was drinking."You have principles now?""Not the right time to talk nonsense."Westley. "Do you always talk in a way that pokes others' pain points?"Jonathan smiled for a moment. "If you've done it, don't be afraid of people talking about it."Westley didn't want to continue the conversation and stood up to leave.He went to the kitchen to find Jordan and found her eating ravioli."Didn't you say you'd help?" Westley sat next to her. "How come you're eating secretly? Give me a bite?"Jordan guarded the food. "It’s in the kitchen. There's still plenty in the pot.""But I want to eat from your bowl.""But I don't want to give you any."Westley laughed. "Okay."But while Jordan took a bite of the ravioli, he kissed her.Jordan's eyes widened as she felt the ravioli in her mouth being stolen away."You're disgusting."Westley smiled. "Sweet."Jordan couldn't eat anymore and pushed the remaining ravioli to him. "I'm not eating anymore."