Hearing this, I fell silent.It wasn't until the car was speeding down the dark road again that I turned to Frank."How did you find this place?"Frank unlocked his phone and tossed it to me. "Your husband sent me the address."I glanced at the message from an unknown number. It might not be Ryan.Or rather, I didn't dare believe it was Ryan.Frank seemed to sense my doubt. Casually steering the car, he explained, "The Shaw family must have promised Zack some benefits to reach an agreement. Bethany only kidnapped you to go after Ryan, so this address would be known only to a few.""Zack's men have no connection to you and wouldn't know I knew you. They couldn't have sent me to rescue you.""So, the message must have come from Ryan."This was the first time he had been so patient and elaborate with me.I squeezed my hands together. "Got it, thanks."It was the usual pretense.Sending a message to Frank while Ryan was still shooting at me.At a red-light intersection, Fran
Now we just needed the investment from the RF Group to officially rent that office space.Jack seemed to have heard about the Shaw family's interference with renting office space in Jelaston, and looked surprised, "You managed to rent an office?""Yes." I nodded. "Apparently the property owner is abroad. They probably don't fear the Shaw family much, given how far they are.""That's good." Jack nodded and began to carefully disinfect and dress my wounds, his voice tight with concern. "Does it hurt a lot?""Not too bad."I endured the sharp pain and kept reminding myself that from now on, I must not be soft-hearted towards anyone.This world always favored the strong and oppresses the weak. It would never repay kindness with kindness.The next morning, Jane arrived at my house early.She pushed the door open and, seeing that I was already up, she was a bit surprised. "Aren't you injured? Why aren't you still sleeping?"I put down the fashion magazine I was holding. "Did Jack te
Jane was rarely so serious, and I felt an indescribable unease rising within me.It was as if something was about to be destroyed.I stared at Jane, biting my lip, "I'm prepared. Go ahead and tell me.""Actually..." Jane struggled to speak. She bit her lip before finally saying, "The person who took you to the school infirmary and the one who brought you food in college wasn't Ryan!"‘Wasn’t Ryan?’ My mind buzzed, and I felt a fleeting blankness, stunned.It took me a while to come to my senses, a heavy weight pressing on my chest, making my voice tremble. "Really?"Deep down, I knew Jane was telling me the truth.Jane knew how important this was to me. If she wasn't completely certain, she wouldn't have told me like this.But...What did all the affection I had for these years mean?Jane nodded. "Yes.""Then... the person who really helped me..." I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm as I spoke, "Was Jack, right?"Jane was stunned. "How did you know?""No wonder..."
Jane ran barefoot to open the door. When she saw who it was, she was taken aback. "Jack, you... came to see Charlotte?""Yes."Jack smiled gently, stepped inside, and while changing into slippers, glanced at me. "How are you feeling today? Still in pain?"Although it had only been one night, seeing him again now made me feel a bit embarrassed.The person who helped me was him.Noticing my dazed expression, Jack came over and chuckled, "What are you thinking about?""Nothing."I gathered my thoughts, hurriedly shook my head, and answered his earlier question, "I'm feeling much better, not as painful as yesterday.""That's good."He placed a bag on the coffee table, "I got some scar cream for you from the hospital. Your injuries are quite serious. Although they're not on your face, they still can't be neglected. You’ll still need to prevent yourself from getting scarred."Perhaps knowing the situation, I felt a bit guilty and very grateful, and I was particularly obedient, "Oka
The air seemed to have thickened.Jack reached out and gently rubbed my head, his voice calm and steady."The person I wanted to invite to the concert that time was you...""And the person I was waiting to be divorced was also you.""The person I've liked for 20 years is you."His voice was composed and firm, carrying an unwavering resolve. His dark eyes sparkled with intensity. "Charlotte, it's always been you, and no one else."My heart felt as if it were being tugged forcefully.Then it became anxious, feeling lost and unsure.It turned out that when someone truly cared for and loved me, my first reaction was to feel unworthy.I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions and instinctively wanted to deny it. "How could it be me? Haven't you known each other for so many years? And you and I...""Do you remember I told you I returned to the Renolds family only after I was eight?"Jack explained slowly, lifting his luminous wrist to show me the red string, "Before I was brought back
Talking about this, Jack also seemed a bit pained. "So when I met you again during university, I hated myself for missing so many years of your life and letting you suffer so much.""Jack, this is not your fault."When I was going through difficulties, he was still just a child.Some paths in life, you would have to walk by yourself.No one else could help.It was already very good that he could lend me a hand when I needed it the most.At that moment, Jane came out with the pizza, smiling. "How was your chat? How about we dig in?"Jack responded enthusiastically, "Go ahead, I skipped lunch and am starving."With Jane around, the hot pot was filled with joy and laughter.Gradually, I managed to push the trending topic out of my mind.It will pass; everything will pass.The next day, the snow still hadn't stopped. The cold wind was biting, and everything outside was covered in a blanket of white.Jane stayed over last night. Now, after receiving a phone call, she was nearly
At that moment I stood outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, I felt an unprecedented sense of relief.Jane had initially wanted to stay with me, but I asked her to leave first.Back then, I chose to start alone, and now, it was time to say goodbye on my own.I watched the traffic in front of me, seeing couples coming and going, either getting married or divorced.It was easy to judge.Smiling faces are getting married; expressionless or resentful faces are getting divorced.Broken relationships are always hard to handle gracefully.Fortunately, there was no such issue between Ryan and me.He had no feelings for me, and my eight years of love for him were a series of misunderstandings.But I didn't expect that Ryan wouldn't come alone.He got out of a shiny black Maybach, followed by Bethany.The man's expression was as cold and indifferent as usual, as if he was oblivious to anything being amiss. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and said, "Let's go in."His tone was so cas
As I looked out the car window, there was a moment when it felt like tears were streaming down, yet my face was clean and dry.Even my vision was remarkably clear.Just as I got home, the real estate agent suddenly called to tell me that a buyer had decided to purchase the apartment at the Lake Garden. And they were generous, not negotiating the price at all. I was asked to go over and meet with the buyer. If everything was fine, we could sign the contract and proceed with the process.On my way to the Lake Garden, I kept thinking that if this apartment had found a buyer just a little bit earlier, the Charlotte Jeweley wouldn't have had to rely on the RF Group Group's investment.Unfortunately, there were no "ifs."However, having a big tree to lean on has its pros and cons.Arriving at the Lake Garden, I was surprised to see the "buyer" standing next to the agent. "Mr. Brown, it's you... you're interested in this apartment?""Yes, it's me."Ian seemed completely unsurprise
Knock knock—There was a knock at the door.Zachary stood up to open it.Raymond handed him a chicken pizza.He sensed that the atmosphere wasn’t quite right and, gathering some courage, she asked, "Sir, you didn’t have anything for dinner. Should I have the hotel bring something over?"Zachary nodded and mentioned a few dishes.Raymond agreed and went to instruct the hotel.He happened to run into Ross on his way back and they chatted."I have no idea what Miss Greenwood might want. Mr. Collins doesn’t even know what he likes to eat himself, but he remembers what she likes."Ross, eating a sandwich, said, "Doesn’t Mr. Collins like roast chicken?"He remembered that when Miss Greenwood brought food to the Mr. Collins’s house last time, she had mentioned it.Raymond shot him a look. "You’re a blockhead. That’s what Miss Greenwood likes. Now, the things that Mr. Collins like are because they’re what Miss Greenwood likes."Ross blinked. "Oh."Raymond was rendered speechless.
Jane said, "This is not something you should be doing.""I caused the injury, so I should be the one to handle it.""I'll do it myself!"Zachary held her hands, "You can't see the injury, you have long nails as well. What if you hurt yourself again? I think I should apply the medicine."Jane felt helpless."Zachary, I’ll just ask you one thing, can you understand what I’m saying?""I’ve already ordered pizza. It’ll be delivered soon."‘As expected, he doesn’t understand what I said,’ thought Jane.Jane was no match for Zachary in terms of strength or words, so she ended up crying.Zachary stopped.Jane immediately broke free from his hands and sat on the other side of the bed."Do you only feel happy when you see me in pain?"Zachary pursed his lips. "No.""Then why do you insist on forcing me to do things I don't want to do? I’m a person, not some item that you can do whatever you want to.""Is that how you see me?" Zachary looked at her, his eyes darkened slightly. "I l
"I was just handling some matters, but I can't tell you. Please understand."Jane seemed to believe him and nodded. "I see."Raymond also nodded. "That's right."Jane smiled. "You were handling matters, but what about the others?""They also have their own matters to deal with.""So..." Jane’s gaze suddenly became sharp. "You all went off to work, but there's no one guarding the hotel entrance? Aren’t you worried that while he’s in bed with me, his enemies might come and kill him? After all, the bed is when a man is most vulnerable. You’re a man, so you should understand that, right?"For a moment, Raymond seemed distracted, as if he had seen his Mr. Collins casually asking him what mistake he had made.Then, with a cold tone, he would be sent off to Afrealia, just like Roy.The more you say, the more mistakes you make. He stopped explaining and simply said."Miss Greenwood, it’s not safe outside. You should stay in the hotel and wait for Mr. Collins."Jane didn’t believe the
He placed the pillow behind her waist and asked gently, "What do you want to eat? I’ll have someone prepare it."Jane glared at him and said, "Get out!"Zachary took her hand and said, "There’s a banquet tomorrow. Come with me."Jane pulled her hand back and replied coldly, "You’re really sick.""Yes, and you’re the reason I”m sick."Jane raised her hand, intending to hit him. "Get out!"Zachary grabbed her wrist and smiled.Jane felt that he was seriously ill and decided it was better to just leave.But as soon as she lifted the blanket, a cold wind blew, and she quickly pulled it back up."Turn around!"Her teeth were clenched in anger, wishing she could bite him.Zachary's gaze slid over her body. "What are you hiding?""I..."Jane covered his mouth. "Don’t be such a pervert."Zachary held her hand. "The banquet tomorrow has to do with the purpose of your trip. Are you really not going?""How do you know what I came here for?"Zachary didn’t answer, just looked at he
Annie saw the red marks on his neck as he moved.There was also a bite mark on his Adam's apple.Both marks told her of the wildness he had shared with Jane just moments ago.The thing she feared most had happened."And not even a day apart," Zachary said again, his voice was cold enough to send shivers down one’s spine.Annie met his sharp gaze, instinctively taking a step back.But then she felt it was wrong and moved forward to stand in front of him."What are you saying? I don’t understand," she said, reaching out to grab his arm.Zachary turned sideways to avoid her, and Ross immediately restrained Annie, kicking her in the knee and forcing her to kneel on the ground."Zachary!"Annie had never been so humiliated before.Since childhood, everyone had always revolved around her.She was given everything she wanted.Without speaking, people would rush to her, handing her things that were close to her heart.Zachary was no different, he had been delivered to her by her
"I had wanted to repay you before, but you refused. Turns out, you were saving it for such a situation. Zachary, is it fun to fool me around?"Zachary lifted his head, and his dark eyes were filled with deep desire.He had been restraining himself, and the veins on his arm were bulging.But this time, he wanted to ask her for a favor."Am I really so unworthy in your eyes?"It wasn’t that he was completely unacceptable, but after all, he had previously forced her against her will."You can’t have lost contact with your subordinates.""Nelana isn’t my turf. There are people here who don’t want me here."As for his business matters, Jane didn’t want to know or analyze anything.She simply said, "Anyway, I’m not suited to help you solve the current problem. If you want, you can get some cold water, and I’ll go buy some medicine for you."The corners of Zachary’s eyes drooped slightly, and he looked almost pitiful."Is it really that hard to help me?"Jane nodded. "I think we’r
Before Jane finished speaking, she watched as Zachary slowly stood up on his own.But then he suddenly leaned towards her.She quickly held him up.Zachary rested his head on her shoulder, his breath hot and heavy against her neck, so hot it felt alarming."Wait, weren't the people around you supposed to be sticking with you at all times? How did you end up like this, all alone?"She heard the man's voice, weak and faint."Take me back to the hotel..."Jane was really at her wit's end.He didn't even tell her the name of the hotel. How was she supposed to know where to take him?In the end, with no other choice, she reached into his pocket to find his phone.She searched both side pockets of his pants, but there was no phone.He was only wearing a white shirt, no coat.That meant his phone wasn't on him.No wonder he hadn't contacted his subordinates.But that didn't make sense either—his subordinates were supposed to be with him at all times.Before she could figure it
"People are really into these things now. I often see them on live streams," said Jane.Dominic poured her a cup of barley tea. "The houses people want aren’t just any ordinary houses."Jane knew buying a house wasn't easy. It had taken her some time to secure her little place.If it weren't for Charlotte helping her out, she probably wouldn't have gotten it so quickly."Don’t worry. If I like what I see this time, when I go back and combine it with our brand, we'll promote it. You’ll be able to make money and buy a house.""That sounds good. I know how influential your brand is."The two of them chatted happily in the private room.In the room next door, however, the atmosphere was cold and tense.Annie, seemingly unaware, picked up some food for Zachary and even peeled an apple for him."I grew up in Nelana. I have lung issues, so I’m not really suited to Jeswood’s weather.""This restaurant has been around for almost 100 years. It’s a Nelana specialty. Try this, the apples
At the hospital.After confirming that everything was fine, Zachary immediately went to the airport.Frank glanced at the time. "Leaving overnight?"Zachary nodded, a look of exhaustion between his brows.Frank took Charlotte and left the hospital with him, only to see two cars.He asked, "Is Annie going with you?"Zachary nodded again.Frank was confused. "What kind of game is this?""Let's go."Zachary didn't answer, opened the car door, and bent down to sit inside.After the two cars drove off, Charlotte asked, "Last night, did you interfere too much?"Frank touched his chin. "I shouldn't have...""Shouldn't have what?""Can't I tell who he likes?"The two of them went home to pack and then went to their respective companies.Charlotte noticed that Jane's dark circles under her eyes couldn't even be covered by foundation. She asked, "Did you go clubbing last night?"Jane shook her head. "I couldn't sleep, maybe the jet lag still hasn't passed."Charlotte immediately