Upon hearing this, Frank didn't even raise an eyebrow, as if it was entirely expected. He merely nodded slightly to indicate he understood and continued walking toward the roadside.Alan quickly followed, methodically planning the next steps. “Should I have them follow him?”“No need.”“No need?”Alan usually kept up with Frank’s pace, but this time he felt a bit out of his depth. “Frank, he must be going to meet the person behind the scenes, right? Shouldn’t we use this opportunity to follow him?”As he spoke, he ran to the front of the car, opened the rear door, then walked around the front and got into the driver’s seat. After starting the car, he finally heard Frank’s calm voice: “Kevin might fall into the same trap twice out of panic, but the person behind him isn’t so foolish. They might be even more cunning than he realizes.”Alan turned on the turn signal and merged into traffic while contemplating, “So you’re saying that following him would only bring us harm with no ben
“I had Kevin, also known as K, try to find a way to get the antidote.”I was surprised. “He agreed?”“Hmm, but the chances are slim. We need to make additional preparations.”Frank raised his hand, gently smoothing the frown on my forehead with his thumb. “Besides that, Uncle has already asked Dr. Travis to think of ways to delay the onset of the poison. Additionally, your mother and I have arranged for Grandma's blood to be sent to top research institutes abroad. As long as there is enough time, they should be able to develop an antidote.”“Charlotte, trust me, Grandma will be fine.”I looked into his brown eyes, feeling a sense of calmness wash over me. Like when I was a child, I reached out and ruffled his hair. “Frank, thank you.”The next day, I had finished washing up before the doctor came for the rounds.Yesterday, I urged Frank to go home and get a good night's sleep, but he refused and insisted on staying with me on the sofa for the night.After the doctor finished ch
“Stop being so bitter. According to my friends in the circle, this time several forces have joined together to pressure the platform and reduce the hype. I heard even her ex-husband got involved. Maybe her own family background isn’t simple; at the very least, she’s a well-bred young lady.”“Stop talking. Even being related to Frank is already quite lucky. How impressive could her ex-husband and family background be?”“If her family or ex-husband were impressive, I’d eat shit whilst being upside down.”I glanced at the online gossip but felt almost no emotional impact. Since my experience with public opinion involving Jessica, I’ve stopped taking such matters seriously.Jane noticed I wasn’t upset and felt relieved. “I wasn’t sure whether I should tell you, but seeing you not take it seriously makes me feel better.”“Don’t worry.” I smiled a little. “My mindset is strong right now.”Rumors and gossip were beyond my control, and getting angry about them was unnecessary.Just as I
I immediately realized something. “By the way, how is your wound healing? I’ve been staying with Grandma these past few days and haven’t had a chance to visit you.”Feeling a bit embarrassed, I noted that he had been injured for my sake, and yet I hadn’t even visited him.“It’s just a minor injury, nothing serious.”Jack seemed to sense that I might feel guilty and downplayed it. “It should be mostly healed in a while. Grandma’s condition is the real issue. By the way, how is she?”My expression grew slightly somber. “We’ve managed to delay the onset of the poison for now, but I don’t know if we can wait for the antidote to be developed.”“Developing an antidote?” Jack looked surprised. “Wasn’t the antidote with that K last time? With Frank’s methods, he should be able to deal with him.”“Jack, are you here at the hospital to change the dressing, or are you here specifically to check on Charlotte?” Jane changed the subject with a smile and teased, “Speaking of which, Charlotte is
It was unlikely for me to get pregnant after only one time.By the time I arrived at the company and finished the meeting, it was almost evening. I had come with Jane’s ride. I was getting ready to take a cab back to the hospital.Jane offered to give me a ride, and I gave her a sidelong glance, teasing, “I saw you messaging Zachary during the meeting. It’s better not to let me delay your… progress.”Jane smiled brightly. “Oh, have you learned to spy on screens now?”“Just a coincidence, just a coincidence.” I gave a shy smile.She had been sitting at my lower left during the meeting, leaning sideways against the table to reply to messages, so it was impossible not to see.As I was speaking, my phone rang—it was Frank.“Finished with the meeting?”His lazy and casual voice came from the other end of the phone, and I couldn’t help but smile, “Yes, just finished. I’m planning to go back to the hospital to see Grandma, then head home.”After several rounds of acupuncture from Dr.
His clear voice carried an unusual seriousness. When I met his dark brown eyes, filled with almost drowning affection, I even forgot to breathe.My heartbeat missed a beat. I really wanted to nod and agree, unable to bring myself to say anything to reject him. But I wasn’t in my early twenties anymore. After a few moments of breathing, reason eventually prevailed.I gently pursed my lip. “I want to wait… until the current matters are settled.”Seeing the disappointment flicker in his eyes, I was afraid he might misunderstand, so I couldn’t help but explain, “These issues are like ticking time bombs. Whether it’s Lucas, Bethany, Simone, or K and the person behind him, if we have a child now, our concerns and their opportunities will just increase. Frank, I also hope we can have a child soon. I believe we will work hard to be great parents.”“But not right now.”“Charlotte.” Frank’s lips suddenly curved into a smile. “Do you feel like your words make you sound like a terrible pers
When we got home, Julie had just prepared a delicious and aromatic dinner. Knowing that Grandma was coming back with us, Julie had even made a medicinal meal to help with Grandma's recovery.The meal was extremely pleasant.However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Grandma seemed a bit troubled. She kept serving me food, as if she wanted to show her care for me with all her strength.Later on, Grandma urged Frank to take a shower. Frank noticed that Grandma wanted to speak with me privately and cooperated willingly.“Charlotte, come in with Grandma.”While Julie was still tidying up the dining area, Grandma called me into her room.I suspected that she had something important to discuss with me and felt very uneasy. “Grandma, you…”“Take this and keep it safe.”Before I could finish, Grandma took out a brown paper bag from her purse and handed it to me.I panicked. “Grandma, I can’t accept this!”Grandma smiled in relief. “Do you know what it is?”“Well…” I pursed my lips.
Before I could finish speaking, Grandma continued, “My little Lily has grown up and wants to support Grandma, right?”I pursed my lips. “But I still haven’t been able to do anything for you. Even the antidote, we don’t know when it will be available.”“What’s there to be afraid of?”Grandma was much more open-minded than I was and sighed, “I’ve been thinking about your grandfather for a long time. If it weren’t for the Shaw family, I would have gone to join him long ago.”“It’s just that you have to work hard to hold up this mess of the Shaw family. Grandma doesn’t want you involved, but there’s no other way.”“I know, I know…”Hearing Grandma’s tone as if she was arranging her final affairs, tears streamed down my face. I clung to her, crying and choking up, “When I was little, I envied other kids who had grandparents. Now that I finally have you, I don’t want you to leave me. I don’t want to lose you.”At that moment, I understood the burden Frank carried on his shoulders.Th
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