The meeting location was sent to my phone by Jack.It was a tranquil and serene tea house.Frank and I walked in together. "Jack."Jack turned around, and when he saw Frank, something flickered in his eyes, and he almost couldn't keep his emotions in check.His gaze briefly swept over my abdomen, and he gave his usual gentle smile. "Charlotte, didn't I ask you to come alone?"For some reason, I felt that something was different, but my subconscious trust in him made me not think too much about it. I smiled and explained, "Jack, Frank doesn't feel at ease letting me go out alone…"Frank held me close and looked at Jack. His brown eyes instantly turned icy, and with a tense tone, he interrupted. "I think the injury in your arm might have damaged the basal ganglia."I was momentarily stunned, then realized what he meant.The basal ganglia were involved in controlling the smoothness and rhythm of speech.Frank was essentially saying that Jack had a big mouth but couldn't speak pro
The actions were swift and seamless.It was only then that I realized Frank's skills were quite impressive.Jack was kicked far away, sending a table full of teacups crashing down.A waiter approached, and Alan immediately stepped forward to handle the payment."Do you think my girlfriend is someone you can just push around?"I was in Frank's arms, recovering from the shock, and noticed his intense anger.He had always disliked Jack, and now that Jack had dropped his facade, Frank was naturally furious."What do I want?" Jack slowly got up from the floor, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and suddenly laughed. It was a self-deprecating laugh. The atmosphere around him turned dark and oppressive, but he didn't answer Frank's question. Instead, he focused solely on me. "Charlotte, consider what I said.""Frank…" His sudden change of demeanor left me still trembling, my heart pounding. I took a deep breath and looked at Frank. "I want to go home.""Alright."Frank he
Frank couldn't be bothered to argue with someone like Jack. If it weren't for the sake of the child, he wouldn't want to get his hands dirty with more blood.Now that the antidote was in hand, he never expected that one day he would believe in god.It was all for the child and for Charlotte's lifetime of peace and happiness.Her early life had been too harsh."Even without your antidote, I wouldn't let Grandma come to harm. Put away your filthy thoughts. If you keep trying to harm my wife, I'll make sure you won’t be a man anymore."Jack knew Frank's methods well.Besides Charlotte, no one could tame this lion that bites its prey and never lets go.But Jack wasn't intimidated easily.Covered in mud, Charlotte was his only light. He would never let go. He also… couldn't bear to let go."You won't have a solution. Even if you find someone to develop an antidote, Madam Shaw won't be able to wait that long. Moreover, you can't possibly develop one yourself. The antidote I have is
"Not necessarily." Frank remained calm and composed. "I've already instructed someone to look into it. We should be able to confirm things by tonight."When we returned to Region Gardens, we happened to run into Dr. Travis, who was there to give Grandma acupuncture.But before I could greet him, Julie ran out, looking flustered."Madam Shaw has collapsed."I quickly ran to the room and threw myself beside Grandma, seeing her bluish lips. Tears instantly filled my eyes. "Grandma!"Frank followed closely behind, knowing I wouldn't be consoled easily. He said, "Charlotte, let's have Dr. Travis check on Grandma."I managed to calm down a little and made space for Dr. Travis.At times like this, I hated that I wasn't a doctor and couldn't do anything.Moreover, Grandma had collapsed on the floor. I didn't know if she had hit her head. If I moved her incorrectly, she might be in even more danger.Seeing me kneeling on the floor, Frank couldn't stand it. "Julie, get me a cushion."J
Later that evening, before Frank returned, my phone suddenly pinged with a couple of messages."Charlotte, are you really not considering my suggestion?""Don't make things difficult for Frank. He won't be able to get the antidote. Aren't you afraid he might get into trouble?"My fingers tightened around the phone, so much that my fingertips lost their color and my face turned pale. My heart ached.I couldn't help but marvel at how well Jack knew me after all these years. He truly was a good friend.He knew how to get to me.I didn't even dare to imagine what I would do if something happened to Frank…And what about the baby?Could it be that my issues would cost Frank his life?I felt a chill spread through me, staring blankly at Grandma, who was unconscious. I hadn't noticed when my face had become wet with tears."Charlotte, I'm back…"Frank entered and, noticing my tears, frowned and wiped them away. "Why are you crying?""Frank…"I sniffled, only able to call out hi
Moreover, the current appearance of the Renolds family was just a facade of legitimacy after being separating themselves from the underworld.In the past, I thought Jack was a gentle person and would never do anything against moral principles. Now, I felt worried.I pursed my lips. "I don't want you to get hurt."A gentle smile spread across Frank's brown eyes, and it was quite enchanting. Though he was clearly pleased, he deliberately drawled, "So you're worried about me? I thought Charlotte was just unable to let go of... her feelings for Jack…"I was rendered speechless.I poked his forehead. "You shouldn't be running a company. You should be running a jealousy factory."Frank nodded with a serious expression. "Alright, once I finish dealing with this, I'll find a time to acquire one."My troubled mood finally lifted.I glanced at Grandma, who was still unconscious, and asked, "How confident are you?"Frank held my hand, his lips curling up with a carefree smile. "When I
Hearing this, I touched my stomach. "I can't be with him."Two years ago, I had already…I had foolishly left Frank once before. This time, it wouldn’t happen again.Jane covered my hand and comforted me, "You're pregnant now, and your emotions affect the baby too. Since you've chosen to trust Frank, then don’t get yourself too worked up, okay? Frank will find a way.""You have a point!" I nodded vigorously.Seeing that I was feeling better, Jane relaxed, though she seemed a bit uneasy. "So, Jack has been pretending all along?"I could understand her feelings. After such a long time of deception, it was hard to imagine how deep the thoughts of the once gentle Jack could be.Before I could speak, Jane read my silence and shivered. "It's a good thing you didn't fall for him. People like that have psychological issues. They can be very possessive and controlling, and it's easy for them to have tendencies towards domestic violence…"Jane suddenly laughed and pinched my face. "You’r
Tears welled up in my eyes and I said, "There's no need…""Alright, alright." Yasmin smiled and said, "Since Frank needs to find the antidote and probably doesn't have much time to be with you, how about I bring you and your… grandma to the Cloud to stay?"Hearing this, even more tears welled up in my eyes, and my nostrils began to sting.Even though the Shaw family was the one at fault, she was willing to bring Grandma and me to the Cloud for my sake.And I hadn't even shared the big news of my pregnancy with her in a timely manner…I shook my head repeatedly. "No need, Mom. Jane is here with me, and I don't want you to cause inconvenience for yourself for my sake.""You…" Yasmin, hearing my refusal, didn't press the issue. "Then when Grandma gets better, should you come and spend some time with me?"I immediately agreed, "Of course! I'll stay with you until you're tired of me and ask me to leave. I won't leave, ever."Her tone softened with affection. "Well, I’ll keep that in
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