Jane curiously leaned over. "What's up? Whose message is it?"I locked the screen. "It's from Frank.""Frank? What does he want? Is he still sulking about how things went down at the restaurant tonight? Does he feel he didn't perform well?""No." I spoke a bit awkwardly, "He’s legs are aching, probably a lingering issue from the explosion. I need to check on him."Jane glared at me in frustration. "Just now, I was asking if you'd prioritize romance over friendship in the future, and now it seems you're prioritizing romance already?"I fawned over her, massaging her shoulders. "Jane, how could I prioritize romance over friendship? I'm just going to check on him. What would you like to eat? I'll bring back some late-night snacks for you.""Well, he has a girlfriend, doesn't he? What's your excuse for visiting him?""It's not his girlfriend."I touched my ear. "She's his cousin.""Alright, alright, go on."Jane sighed in relief and cheerfully pushed me out the door.On the way
The air seemed to fall silent for a moment.Frank stared at me intently. "When did this happen?"I answered honestly, "Yesterday.""So..." He smiled briefly, but with a touch of sarcasm. "You've spent two years with him, found you still couldn't make it work, and now you're thinking of turning to me?"I began using more force, but he seemed to not feel any pain. His gaze filled with scrutiny and questioning.I suddenly withdrew my hand, stood up, and said, "No."Frank's smile took on a roguish edge. "Then what is it?"I avoided his gaze. "Are your legs feeling any better?""Charlotte, aren't you quite adept at making cutting remarks?"He gripped my wrist tightly, pulling me closer and gritting his teeth, "Why are you silent now? Feeling guilty?""Frank..."His grip wasn't very strong, and I managed to pull free with a little effort. I whispered, "If you insist on thinking that way, then I'll just consider myself guilty."Perhaps, I was guilty after all.He smirked. "Do you
Rainwater kept beating against the car windows.Looking out through the window, the outside world seemed like a bizarre, alternate reality.I smiled lightly. "When is the expert you found arriving in Jeswood?"Ryan replied, "The day after tomorrow.""Alright." I nodded and reached for the car door handle. "Then I'll be on my way.""I'll see you off.""No need. My car is just parked nearby.""Still, I'll see you off."I was momentarily taken aback by his insistence. Seeing him reach for the passenger seat's umbrella, I understood his intention.He held the black long-handled umbrella, walked around the car, and opened the door for me, "Let's go."There was a bit of standing water on both sides of the road, making our footsteps particularly clear.As we walked side by side to the car, I opened the door and got in, only then realizing that half of him was wet.But I didn't say much, "Thank you."With that, I firmly closed the car door with a dull thud, started the engine, and
Regret and unwillingness.Tom, however, was unperturbed. "In my opinion, you shouldn't have brought up the divorce. The most important thing between two people is the push and pull; all emotions are drawn out through this dynamic."Ryan was silent for a moment. "Is there still a way to salvage this?"Tom had a sudden idea. "Play the victim.""Play the victim?" Ryan immediately dismissed the idea. "It won't work. She won't fall for that.""If being soft doesn't work, then you have to be tough," said Tom.‘Tough, huh?’Two years ago, he had watched her being pushed to the brink of despair by him.Later, he consulted his own therapist, who suggested that it resembled depression.The serious kind.He swirled his drink, feeling a sense of helplessness he had never experienced before.He couldn't do anything to her.But could he let her be with Frank?He couldn't bring himself to do it.When I got home, Jane was half-lying on the sofa playing a game.She looked surprised to se
She responded quickly and looked quite obedient. "Yes, I used to know her in Jeswood.""It seems you two have a connection." Yasmin smiled and nodded. She then turned to me. "This is my daughter, Christine Jackson."Christine took her mother’s last name.I wasn't clear on the specifics, but since it was her private matter, I didn't press further and simply smiled faintly.Christine suppressed her emotions and clung to Yasmin's arm, whining, "Mom, let me enter the entertainment industry. I'm just curious. Let me see what it’s like, and if I really don't like it, I'll withdraw.""Give it a bit more time. I’ll think about it." Yasmin patiently tried to soothe her.Christine pouted and said softly, "Alright then."Yasmin was very easygoing, and the meal was quite harmonious. Except for Christine, who kept sneaking glances at me.After the meal, Yasmin had to catch her flight and left quickly with her agent and assistant, leaving the bodyguard to watch over Christine.As I was head
Prof. Kilburn gave a clear deadline.I expressed my gratitude. "Prof. Kilburn, sorry for all this trouble. Thank you so much!""No need to thank me."Prof. Kilburn gestured towards Ryan. "Thank him. This guy has been pestering me for almost two months. I hadn't planned to return to Cheria recently, but it was my wife who was soft-hearted and persuaded me to come back and take a look."I looked at Ryan in surprise.Two months.This meant that before I returned to Jelaston, when he might have thought I was dead, he had not given up on Grandma's condition.I pursed my lips. "Ryan, I really need to thank you this time.""If you really want to thank me, how about treating me to a meal?""Huh?" I was taken aback. I hadn't expected him to make such a request.Then, I looked at Prof. Kilburn and smiled. "Sure, I'll treat you and Prof. Kilburn to a meal and let you try the local dishes of Jelaston."Two years ago, Frank had taken me to a private restaurant with excellent food.Howev
Upon hearing this, Ryan seemed somewhat stunned and disheartened.After a moment, he looked at me in surprise. “You’re no even going to lie?”“You rarely lied in the past as well,” I smiled and answered calmly. I had heard too much before. He had never been one to deign to deceive.“She ran away from home. I need to go find her.”“She’s divorced. I’m afraid she might do something rash.”“She got into a car accident. I can’t be at ease if I don’t check on her.”Later on, he didn’t even need to give a reason—he would just say, “I need to see her.”It was always, his sister. He couldn’t ignore her.It seemed that as long as there was that one layer of relationship, any little bit of my complaints would be seen as petty, and obstructing him would be almost like committing a crime.It was quite ironic. It seemed to match the saying of “What goes around comes around.”Ryan probably never imagined that such a day would come. He loosened his grip on his cutlery, which clattered ont
“I do.”When it came to serious matters, he was quite earnest, his voice steady, “She said back then that only Bethany and her daughter were behind her actions. Since we couldn’t find out about anyone else, and it wasn’t good to keep her detained, we let her go. What’s up?”“I saw her yesterday.”I didn’t stop what I was doing as I looked up at Frank. “Last year, didn’t Yasmin suddenly announce that she had a daughter? Can you guess who this daughter is?”“It was her?”“Yes, she’s now called Christine.”I felt a bit puzzled.Frank squinted his eyes. “I’ll have someone look into it.”He was never one to drag things out. He immediately made a phone call. The other side acted quickly too.I had just finished massaging his legs when the phone call came back.Frank answered, “Go on.”“Frank, there are no clues about this. It’s just that Yasmin suddenly announced she had a daughter, Christine. The specifics are unclear, probably because someone erased the traces.”“Think of som
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