There was a moment of silence. I was even more certain of my guess, sniffing as I said, "If you keep hiding this from me, I'm going to worry." Frank felt a headache. If he talked about it, she would worry. If he didn't, she would worry even more. Thinking of this, he imagined his cold gaze, like a knife, piercing through the clumsy Alan on the other end. Alan also felt wronged, but there was nothing he could do. After bandaging his wound, he silently stepped back to stand aside. Frank glanced at the wound on his abdomen, pinched the bridge of his nose, and said, "The negotiations didn't go very smoothly, but you don't need to worry. I'm fine." I kept waiting for him to say something. In that minute-long silence, I was sure something had happened to him. And now, I couldn't fly over there to check on him. Otherwise, he'd be distracted worrying about me. "Can you just be honest with me? Otherwise, how can I not worry?" Frank let out a light laugh and s
They couldn't even think about what he meant by those words. Frank raised his hand, and Alan stepped forward to pull up an intruder. Frank poked the camera in front of him with an taser, lifting his chin slightly, exuding an air of reckless arrogance. "The price for this lesson is steep. I trust you understand, right? Senno Valin." On the other side of the camera was Senno Valin, the head of the Valin family, one of the local mafia groups. Initially, he had agreed to Kevin's request to eliminate Frank. Now, things were getting interesting. He looked at Frank's defiant image on the screen. "I want to win him over. If I can use a person like him, I can take over other territories and become the king here." Kevin was already furious that Frank hadn't been eliminated. Hearing Senno say this only made him angrier. But he was just leveraging a little bit of gratitude here, not powerful enough to confront Senno. "Frank is very dangerous, cunning, and hard to win
I also wasn't clear on the specifics, so I couldn't just say anything. "Did Zachary really not say anything to you?" Speaking of this, Jane seemed to get angry, grinding her teeth. "No, I asked him nicely, and he just turned and walked away." "I called him again, but he didn't answer. I sent a message, and it was like throwing a peddle into the ocean." "What? Frank hasn't called you back?" "He did." But I still felt restless and anxious. "He said there was just a problem with the collaboration, but I know something has happened." After hearing this, Jane thought for a moment and said, "It's true that it's not as safe abroad as it is here, but it's much better than before. Your man is smart; he'll be fine." "Don't overthink it; maybe it's just that he doesn't want to keep the partners waiting. He can't be treated the same way abroad as he is here." "Alright, stop worrying." Seeing me downcast, Jane pushed the cake in front of me. "He said he'd be back fo
Frank laughed. "So the condition he proposed is this." "But I'm more curious about how he blew up the place where I was holding Jack." That place was abandoned, and almost no one knew he was keeping people there. Kevin had fled abroad for the Shaw family's assets, abandoning Simone. He didn't have time to arrange this. For some reason, he just felt that someone like Jack, a rat in the gutter, wouldn't die easily. "I'm still investigating this, but Jack definitely can't be alive. That chemical factory is a complete ruin; the guards you arranged didn't survive, and he was locked up there unless he's a god or they found his body and confirmed his DNA." Frank set aside this doubt for now. "You need to come here." "I promised Charlotte that I'd be home for Christmas. Otherwise, she'd definitely come over regardless." Zachary agreed, "I'll bring Simone and Bethany with me." He couldn't help but tease him a little. After all, opportunities to see Frank in a tough
Jane tossed her hair and, while booking a plane ticket on her phone and said, "Since you're worried about Frank, I'll go check on him for you." I didn't really need that. I admitted I was worried about Frank, but I couldn't let my good friend get into danger. "You..." Just as I was speaking, a video called came in. Seeing it was Frank calling, I answered, "What's up?" "What... is... up?" Frank repeated my words very slowly. Then I remembered. "I didn't hang up on purpose; Jane wants to go with Zachary to your side, and I'm trying to stop her." Frank's voice became a bit heavier. "Don't let her come." Before I could reply, Jane said, "Mr. Smith, I'm an adult..." Before she could finish, Frank abruptly hung up the video call. I sent a question mark in response. He replied, "Someone will stop her. You don't need to worry." I replied, "Got it, I'll wait for you to come back." With Frank's words, I watched Jane leave. Worrying didn't help, and I
"Forget it, I don't want to hear it." Seeing her like this, I could tell Zachary must have said something really mean. Hearing it again would just make it worse. "Drink your tea." Jane took a small sip and, noticing I had some medicine, she asked, "What's wrong?" "Nothing much." I explained about my hospital visit and running into Dr. Travis. "I can't control it, so I'll just have to take some medicine." Jane poked my forehead. "I told you I'd go check on him, but you weren't happy about it. You even teamed up with Frank to let Zachary hurt my feelings." I apologized, "I was really just worried about your safety. If Frank can get trapped, what about you? I've never seen Frank actually compromise before." Jane disagreed, "You're being dramatic. If someone used you to threaten him, he wouldn't think twice before giving in. He'd kneel if needed." I really didn't know what to say. "I'm looking out for you. True, he'd do anything for me. But right now, I only want to
On the roof of the hotel, a helicopter landed. Orderly, the men in black suits disembarked, followed by Kevin. Finally, a man with yellow curly hair, blue eyes, and an unnaturally pale complexion stepped out. His lips were red, making him look quite alluring. He wore a white suit that was elegant and didn't seem out of place."Mr. Senno, I need to tell you again, Frank is not easy to deal with." Senno smiled, looking more like a male siren. "I'm getting more and more curious about him."Frank was lounging on the sofa with his legs crossed since Zachary arrived. From the curve of his lips, Zachary could guess who he was messaging. "I did some research before coming here. The local mafia doesn't have a hundred percent credibility, so don't let your guard down." Frank didn't even blink. "Then it'll be tough for you. I’ll have to scat first. Going back to spend Christmas with Charlotte." Zachary was at a loss for words. He didn't need to say anything more. "Frank." Alan
"Frank, look at whose territory you're in now. Being so arrogant will only lead to your doom!"Clap, clap, clap— The sudden sound of applause. Frank didn't even glance over. Just a glimpse of this monster made him feel nauseous. "Interesting indeed." Senno stared intently at Frank, making him feel physically uncomfortable. Alan, who had quickly risen to become Frank's most trusted subordinate from among so many people, naturally had the basic skill of reading the room— by observing Frank's expression. He could tell that Frank clearly disliked Senno and even seemed to want to shoot him, so he quickly said, "Our condition is the Shaw family's assets. We'll exchange the assets for Simone and her daughter. If you don't agree, then there's nothing to discuss." Kevin had no idea where Frank's confidence came from. "Look at the situation now, I'll say it again. You’re in no position to negotiate. Hurry up and give me my wife and kids." "Be quiet," said Senno, di
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
Frank pulled her into his arms and asked, "You really have to go out for drinks?"Charlotte nodded. "It's a girls-only night. No men allowed.""Oh?" The man repeated slowly and deliberately, "No… men… allowed?"Charlotte saw the look on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking."Only women. Even the drinks are for women.""Oh? Tell me, how do you tell if a drink is male or female?"Charlotte lightly patted his face twice. "The drinks women drink are for women. Got it?"Frank laughed. "Got it."Over on Jane's end, after finishing her call, she was about to go look for Jordan, but Zachary pulled her into the room and pinned her against the wall.His warm lips covered hers, then quickly pulled away.With his forehead against hers, the man asked, "Going out for drinks?"Jane hooked his chin with her finger. "What, Mr. Collins, trying to seduce your way into a drinking invitation?"Zachary chuckled lowly, kissed her again, and asked, "May I?""No."Jane rejected him comp
Jordan had grown up in the Howard family, but the person who had taken care of her since she was little had an old house.She arranged for Jane and the others to stay there, and she would also be getting married from that house.She didn't have many friends. Originally, Leanne was supposed to be her bridesmaid. Although she had a child, she had never been married.But Leanne wasn't sure if she could make it back in time, so she let Jane and Charlotte take over as substitutes for now. They would adjust accordingly later."Try on the dress. If there's a problem, I can still make adjustments."With the help of the two of them, Jordan put on the wedding dress.But Jane was most looking forward to the wedding dress.Both her and Charlotte's weddings were going to be Cherian style.Jordan, however, wanted a Western-style one.And Charlotte, who had designed clothes for many years, had never actually designed a wedding dress before.This was her first attempt, and she was very excit
"Okay, I won't bring it up anymore."Westley walked over with Jonathan and sat down.Miranda was very satisfied. "Finally, Jordy can have dinner with me again."Jordan smiled. "I'm also happy. I can still call you Mom.""Then let's drink to that.""Okay."Westley waited for the "mother and daughter" to finish speaking, then threw out a big announcement. "By the way, our wedding is on the 22nd of next month."Clang!The spoon in Miranda's hand fell."What did you say?""On the 22nd of next month, Jordy and I are getting married. We sincerely invite you and your husband to attend."Jordan was also shocked.She only knew that Charlotte's dress was being made, and they were picking the wedding date.But Westley hadn't told her about this in advance."Next month, it's almost the New Year.""Yes, it's a wedding before the New Year. Then we'll celebrate the New Year at home. I'm informing you in advance, my dear mom. You can prepare for the the New Year Eve dinner.""The New Y
Jonathan almost spit out the tea he was drinking."You have principles now?""Not the right time to talk nonsense."Westley. "Do you always talk in a way that pokes others' pain points?"Jonathan smiled for a moment. "If you've done it, don't be afraid of people talking about it."Westley didn't want to continue the conversation and stood up to leave.He went to the kitchen to find Jordan and found her eating ravioli."Didn't you say you'd help?" Westley sat next to her. "How come you're eating secretly? Give me a bite?"Jordan guarded the food. "It’s in the kitchen. There's still plenty in the pot.""But I want to eat from your bowl.""But I don't want to give you any."Westley laughed. "Okay."But while Jordan took a bite of the ravioli, he kissed her.Jordan's eyes widened as she felt the ravioli in her mouth being stolen away."You're disgusting."Westley smiled. "Sweet."Jordan couldn't eat anymore and pushed the remaining ravioli to him. "I'm not eating anymore."