"Wait." I interrupted calmly and asked with a smile, "My dad? Who is my dad?"The ones who were so adamant about not recognizing me that day were also them.Mrs. Shaw, however, was adaptable and forced a wry smile. "You're still holding a grudge, aren't you? We're all family here. We just couldn't accept it the truth back then.""Exactly. Charlotte, just accept the apology already," said Bethany."What kind of attitude is that?" Mrs. Shaw gave her a reprimanding look, though her tone was not truly stern. "Watch that attitude of yours."Bethany stared at me, reluctantly, but then seemed to have thought of something, and her lips curved into a smile. "Charlotte."It almost gave me goosebumps as I watched what they were doing. I just wanted to know what they were up to.Mrs. Shaw nudged Mr. Shaw. "You as well. Why are you not even greeting your own daughter?"Mr. Shaw cleared his throat, looked at me, and gestured towards the room's door. "Aren't you here to see your grandma? Go o
I was taken aback. I looked at him and said irritably, "Did I say I was going to marry you?""Everything else can be decided by you," Frank said with a smile. "But this matter is up to me."I glared at him. "If I don't want to, are you going to force me?"As I said this, I started going downstairs. When he followed me to the car, I was puzzled. "Where's your car?""The driver took it."He opened the front passenger door and got into the car. All of that was done very smoothly. It was rare for him not to go straight to sleep after getting in the car today.I started the engine and heard him ask, "Did you find out anything from your aunt?""Yeah, I learned a little."Thinking about my aunt made me feel a bit down. I the said while driving, "I was indeed kidnapped back then. I escaped and ended up in my dad's car. He saved me.""They mentioned something about 'Mrs. Shaw' when those people were searching for me." I continued, hoping to hear his thoughts, "Do you think the person w
I was initially going to refuse, but upon hearing this, I accepted and joked, "So you've had a time when you don’t care about money at all?"He was all about profit now, but back then, he was generous enough to give away a whole house.He cocked his brows. "You flatter me. After all, I did manage to get quite a few good things from you when we were younger."That just showed he hadn’t changed at all.After changing into slippers, he pushed the luggage into the bedroom. "I've stocked up on daily necessities and everything. Let me know if anything else is missing.""Okay." I nodded, looking around and feeling an inexplicable sense of relief as the early spring sunset streamed in.He leaned casually against the doorframe and said, "You can continue talking. What else did you find out in Jelaston?""This." I took out a jade rabbit pendant from my collar. "Do you recognize it?""Of course."His expression became slightly serious. "Have you always worn it?""Yes. My aunt gave it to
He was very swift indeed.In less than half an hour, the vegetables were washed and chopped. However, despite my request for roast potatoes, it seemed like he intended to make chips.I didn’t have a problem with that chips were tasty too.I was idly scrolling through my phone on the sofa when he came out wearing an apron, looking quite out of his usual high and mighty self. He scratched his head and said, "Well, do you want to take a shower first?"I was puzzled. "I'd like to eat first and then shower.""Go ahead and shower. You'll feel refreshed and enjoy your meal more," he sincerely advised.I didn't know what his angle was.However, it wasn't a matter of principle. Since I was at his place, I decided to compromise. I went to the bedroom, closed the door, grabbed some clothes, and headed to the bathroom. By the time I finished my shower and came out, the meal was ready. Frank, who seemed to have been busy with something in the kitchen, looked a bit flustered when he
He saw through my thoughts. "I want the truth.""I need some time to think things through," I said honestly.He nodded in acknowledgment, "That's fair. Take your time."The next day, Frank and I planned to meet with Flint, who had previously been taken away by Mrs. Shaw. Frank said that the person had revealed some information. He needed me to hear it in person and decide whether to believe it."Otherwise, if it comes from me, it might sound like I'm stirring up trouble and ruining my image of being someone on the side of justice," he said.Just as I was about to change clothes and do my makeup, the doorbell suddenly rang.I checked my phone, but there were still about two hours until our scheduled meeting.With a smile, I got up and went to open the door. I was stunned when I saw who was standing outside.I greeted politely, "Mr. Smith."At that moment, Mr. Smith was completely different from the imposing presence he had the night before in the hospital. He resembled a friend
He was already certain, and with the conversation having reached this point, I had no other choice. But I wanted to be selfish just this once.I got up. "Mr. Smith, if you can't do it, then I don't think I can either."I didn't want to make decisions for Frank under the guise of doing what was best for him. But no matter what he chose, I would respect it.Mr. Smith's gaze became sharp. "Right now he's infatuated and impulsive, willing to give up everything for you. What about later? After the initial excitement wears off and he falls from his high perch, have you thought about three years, five years, or ten years from now?"I suddenly found it difficult to breathe.Mr. Smith sneered. "When he sees his mother and sister suffering because of his love, will he regret it and blame you as the stumbling block?"I had to admit, experience had its merits. Every word struck right at the heart of the matter."Whether you are Mrs. Frost, Ms. Wilson, or Ms. Shaw, I just hope you can see th
“Mrs. Smith Collapses from Emotional Distress”“Second Son of the Smith Family Joins the Smith Group”“Second Son of the Smith Family and Mr. Frost”“Frank's Position is Challenged”“Second Son of the Smith Family Secretly Contacts RF Group”By the evening, the news had been released piece by piece.When I saw the last one, I dialed Ryan's number. "Is this your doing?"There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before he sneered and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Which part are you asking about? The fake daughter of the Shaw family or the mess with the Smith family?""You know what I'm asking about.""Whatever you say."His voice was cold as the sound of a lighter flicking on came through. "Charlotte, come back and be Mrs. Frost. I can help you with the Shaw family's issues and the Smith family's problems."I was momentarily stunned. "The Smith family's issues?""Frank's issues."He seemed to take a drag of his cigarette, his voice sounding husky. "Do you th
I suddenly stood up on my tiptoes, and threw myself into his embrace. My arms wrapped tightly around his waist."Such enthusiasm?" He seemed pleased, rubbing the back of my head. "Have you thought about what you needed to think about?""I have." As I spoke, my gaze swept over to Ryan, who was standing at the door with a stern expression.Before I could say anything, Ryan's well-defined fingers tapped lightly on the door. "Honey, it's time to go home.""I'll handle it." Frank patted my head, gently releasing me and turning to leave."Frank!" I called out to him. He seemed to sense something, his lean body stiffening slightly, but he still responded, "Yeah? What's up?"I dared not look into his eyes. Summoning all my strength, I said as casually as possible, "He's here to pick me up."He pursed his lips, but he wasn’t smiling. His tone bewildered. "What did you say?""I've had enough fun. I need to go back to being Mrs. Frost." I shrugged nonchalantly. "Frank, let's go our separa
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