Charlotte served Jane some food, helplessly saying, “When have I ever lied to you? It was indeed what he said. Are you reassured now?”She scrutinized Jane’s expression and changed the subject. “It looks like you’re serious about this?”Jane cocked her brows. “It’s just beginning, I haven’t thought that far ahead. I just want to have some certainty.”With certainty, she could know when to fall and when to wake up.She smiled. “For now, we should investigate the hotel incident thoroughly and see what’s really going on.”Although the surveillance footage hadn’t yielded results yet, Frank had already guessed quite a bit.With certain methods, they didn’t fear that Michael wouldn’t talk.But the key question was whether Zachary would use any means against Nina.If the two conspired, their testimonies had to be consistent.And this drowning incident was easy to guess.However, Zachary only intended to send Nina abroad and hadn’t mentioned whether to take further action.Frank did
On the sofa, the whole family sat neatly together.He took a bite of the ice cream, spoke succinctly, and got straight to the point. “First thing, I will only marry Jane.”Sir Collins was the first to object, concerned for the family's reputation and for the ice cream.Zachary ignored him. “Second, Nina must go abroad.”Nina, sitting on the single sofa, kept her head lowered, curled up. When Zachary said this, tears fell from her eyes, looking pitiful.“Mrs. Collins, I suggested going abroad to Zachary. Please don’t blame him.”Zachary’s mother, Rebecca Collins, was confused. “You just got back. Why suddenly do you want to go abroad? You refuse to tell us what happened either. Sending you abroad before was for your studies. Now that you’ve graduated, why go abroad alone?”Nina glanced at Zachary before shaking her head. “Mrs. Collins, I know you care about me, but I want to go abroad.”“And I want to take my grandfather’s ashes with me.”Rebecca became even more perplexed. “
Madam Collins loved drinking coffee. If others knew, they would definitely think she was a gentle and easy-going old lady. Unfortunately, she was not. Coffee was just a simple hobby, it didn’t affect her judgment or decision-making on any matter. Sir Collins was the same. All members of the Collins family, including him, prioritized calmness above all else. Before he met Jane, he had indeed followed their wishes, behaving like a proper member of the Collins family. It was precisely because he knew what he wanted that he decided to be with Jane. Otherwise, when Jane distanced herself from him, he could have easily walked away and become a stranger to her. “Why don’t I just sever ties with the Collins family?” Eric slammed the table again. “I think you’ve gone mad. You can say such childish things?” “Have you digested all the teachings from these years along with your meals?” “Severing ties with the Collins family? Have you thought about it? You can’t even protect t
Charlie talked about his ex-girlfriend every day, and Frank joked about her being his "true love," but he never denied it.“Nina, tell me the truth. If you don’t tell me the truth, I won’t be able to help you,” Rebecca urged.Nina looked at Zachary and then shook her head vigorously at Rebecca. Everyone present could tell there was something deeper going on, but Nina was afraid of Zachary and didn’t dare to speak up. “Don’t look at him. Just tell your Mrs. Collins the truth so that she, along with Grandpa, Grandma, and your godfather, can understand whose fault it really is,” Rebecca insisted. Nina bit her lip, hesitating for a long while before she finally spoke. Zachary didn’t stop her, he also wanted to hear how she would recount that night’s events. “Mrs. Collins, actually, it was my fault…” She stumbled over her words. “One night, Zachary got unhappy because Miss Greenwood brought her boyfriend and drank a bit too much, and he ended up getting himself drunk.” The e
Zachary glanced at his watch, there was still some time left. He asked, “Let me hear it—what do the elders expect me to do? Marry her?” Nina’s eyes lit up with surprise, but she kept her head down, and no one noticed. Sir Collins furrowed his brows. “It’s just about taking responsibility, I’m not saying you should marry her. You still need to marry someone who can support you—someone who can help you if your career faces difficulties in the future.” Nina understood, indeed, she couldn’t hold any expectations for the Collins family. Sir Collins had brought her back merely to allow her to see him off, covering up the guilt of separating them for years and of her near-misfortune abroad. Rebecca’s kindness toward her was based on her behaving well and understanding her place, as if she were just a non-blood relative. There was no hope for anything more with Zachary. At this stage, they were merely considering the interests of the Collins family, regardless of her feelings. Sh
“Jane, Sir Collins is in the hospital.”Jane jumped out of bed, quickly washed up, got dressed, and called a taxi to the hospital.After getting out of the car, she called Charlotte. Charlotte and Frank were already at the hospital. After hanging up, she told Frank and then came downstairs to find her.Jane walked over quickly. “What happened?”Charlotte said, “He’s old and got too angry, so he fainted.”Jane bit her lip. “Is it because of me and Zachary?”Charlotte shook her head. “Not entirely. Don’t overthink it. It also has something to do with Nina. If you want to see Zachary, I’ll talk to Frank, but we need to avoid the Collins family for now. We can’t let Sir Collins know.”“They’ve locked down the news. Sir Collins’s illness can’t be spread, so I can’t take you up there for now. I’m sorry.”Firstly, it was because of Sir Collins's status.Secondly, although Charlotte was Jane's close friend, this was a private matter of the Collins family, and she had no standing to ma
“Don’t worry and don’t overthink things. You know me, I’ve always been easygoing.”Charlotte didn’t mention that if Jane really were that easygoing, she wouldn’t have gone up to the rooftop that day.“Message me when you get home.”A week later, Sir Collins was discharged from the hospital and returned home.Jane also received a message that Zachary was coming to see her.Over the past few days, they occasionally exchanged messages, mostly relayed through Charlotte.Knowing that Sir Collins was okay made her happy, so she impulsively went to the supermarket to buy some vegetables and meat, planning to cook something.She had failed before, but practice made perfect.This time, she thought she could finally cook.However, she still overestimated herself.When Zachary arrived at the door, he heard a piercing alarm.Thinking it was a gas leak, he didn’t knock and instead entered the door code Jane had given him.Once inside, he was met with thick smoke that stung his eyes.“J
He picked up the apron from the ground and put it on, starting to prepare the ingredients.When he marinated the meat, he realized there weren’t enough ingredients.He thought for a moment and decided to make something simple.Roy was very efficient in his work.When Jane opened the door and saw him, she was a bit surprised. “Are you looking for Zachary?”Roy handed her the rice. “Mr. Collins asked me to bring this.”Jane accepted it without understanding, and before she could even say thank you, Roy had already disappeared.With such impressive skills, if he had been guarding the top floor that night, she and Zachary wouldn’t have woken up to find someone else beside them.Even if the surveillance footage could be deleted, it wouldn’t escape Roy.“What are you daydreaming about?”Zachary received Roy's message and came out to check.He found her standing at the door, lost in thought, with the door still open.He walked over to close the door and took the items from her han
Westley looked at Jordan on the hospital bed, her lips pale, and didn't say anything.His gaze was deep, and it was unclear what he was thinking.Leanne, seeing his hair still dripping wet, went to grab a towel to help him dry it.Westley raised his hand to push her away.Leanne laughed. "So what, you're planning to stay here be sick with her?"Westley remained silent.Leanne was used to it.As the eldest son of the Howard family, bearing a heavy responsibility, he had matured earlier than other kids his age. His thoughts were so deep that they were impossible to fathom.When he was in a good mood, he would talk a little more.When he was in a bad mood, he couldn't even spare a glance."Westley, the one at fault here is you. Forgive me for speaking frankly, but the way you're handling this will only make Jordan more frustrated and push her even further away from you. You know best yourself—everyone who lied would be punished severely by you. You've deceived Jordan again and a
"Tell Westley that if I don't see him at the Civil Affairs Bureau today, I'll file for divorce. If his work gets affected or he gets embarrassed because of it, he'd better not blame me."Buck's phone was on speaker, so there was no need to relay the message—Westley heard everything clearly.Caught in the middle, Buck felt like a sandwich. Not an enviable position."Mrs. Howard, you must be very busy. Don't waste time waiting outside the Civil Affairs Bureau. Once Mr. Howard finishes his work, he'll contact you.""Contact my ass!" Jordan swore, her frustration spilling over. "That scumbag is full of tricks! Let's see how long you can hide for! I'll wait until five o'clock when the Civil Affairs Bureau closes. If I don't see you, get ready for me to file for divorce!"Beep beep beep!She hung up the phone.Buck hesitated before carefully speaking. "Sir, Mrs. Howard seems to know you were listening.""Yeah."Westley's lips curved into a faint smile. "She's gotten smarter."Buck
"They've gone through so much and still haven't reconciled!"The captain didn't even open his eyes and said, "Go run 10km."Jordan thought she wouldn't be able to sleep after everything that happened.But in the end, she drifted off in a daze.In her hazy state, it seemed as if something brushed against the corner of her eye, wiping away her tears.The next morning, when she woke up, the room was completely empty, leaving only her.She immediately went out to look for Westley.There was no sign of Buck, who was always by his side.She grabbed someone nearby and asked, "Where's Westley?"The subordinate replied, "Mr. Howard left last night. I'm not sure about his specific itinerary. Please understand, Mrs. Howard."Westley's schedule was always kept confidential.It was only known when he actually appeared at an event.The only one who might know was Buck.But she couldn't get in touch with him either.Just as she was about to call Westley, another call came in.Seeing th
Her lips were suddenly covered by his cool ones.She widened her eyes in shock.Using all her strength, she pushed him away."What are you doing?""Isn't this what you said? We’re even, aren’t we?"Westley replied unhurriedly, "You kissed me just now, and now I've kissed you. That makes us even."‘What?’Jordan was at a loss for words to describe her feelings at that moment.So, when her slap landed on Westley's face, she didn't even realize what she had done.The man's face tilted slightly from the impact.Even Westley hadn't expected it. He was momentarily stunned, then pressed his tongue against his left cheek.His face showed no particular emotion, but the faint trace of amusement in his eyes hadn't completely faded.Seeing this, Jordan felt a chill run down her spine.It would have been better if he hadn't smiled."Well, uh... it's because you started it... I didn't mean to... If you hadn't gone too far, I wouldn't have hit you..."After she stammered her explanatio
"Yeah."Westley didn't put any distance between them, lazily replying, "You bought all of it. I don't even know where to buy it."If Westley wanted something, there were plenty of people who would go to great lengths to get it for him.It was just an ordinary body wash. Finding out where to buy it would have been a trivial matter.Jordan's attention shouldn't have been on the body wash. It should have been on the fact that he had just stepped out of the shower, wearing nothing but a bath towel.But instead, she was entirely drawn into the topic."Then I'll buy you a new one. Don't use the one that has expired—what if you have an allergic reaction?""Okay."Jordan immediately took out her phone and placed an order.After she finished, she even showed him the confirmation."It'll arrive in a few days. Use something else in the meantime."Westley stared at her silently for a few seconds before speaking."Jordy, I'm sorry."That one apology was enough to make Jordan come back
Jordan really wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on him. If she fell asleep and he left, she wouldn’t even know.By that time, who knows what excuse he would come up with.But staying in the same room together wasn’t appropriate given their current relationship.Westley spoke up, offering her a solution.“You can sleep on the sofa. Even if you fall asleep, you’ll notice if I make any moves.”That sounded like a good idea.Jordan immediately agreed.But if she had thought about it more carefully, she might have realized how unusual it was for Westley to suggest a woman sleep on the sofa.Even though they were about to divorce, they still had a bond from growing up together.If not as a husband, then as a “brother,” he shouldn’t let his “sister” sleep on the sofa.He only suggested it because he knew she would agree without hesitation.Westley handed her a blanket and, in an unhurried manner, loosened his cufflinks and tie.He casually asked, “Do you want to shower first?”Jord
“Why?” asked Jane.“Because such an opportunity is rare,” replied Zachary.Westley indeed cherished the opportunity tonight.Regarding potential rivals, he had investigated a lot.Oliver was the only person who was a little close to Jordan.So tonight, he was confident he could remain emotionally stable and have a proper conversation with Jordan.But he hadn’t expected to encounter a problem as soon as they got off the plane.“Jordan!”Leanne, holding a large bouquet of sunflowers, immediately passed the flowers to Jordan upon seeing her.“If I hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have been able to catch you. It’s been so long since we’ve gathered together.”“No matter what happens between you and my brother, we can’t cut off our relationship, right?”Jordan had always had a good relationship with the members of the Howard familyNo one treated her poorly or like an outsider.During her school years, any troublemakers had been dealt with by the Howard family.Especially Leanne, who h
Zachary was rendered speechlessFrank teased him, "Family status."Zachary ignored him, as if Frank's family status was any higher."Dominic is keeping an eye on things over there, which is reassuring. The finished products have already been produced, and Jordan helped take some photos. The promotional effect has been good.""Dominic is reliable. It's just a pity I can't model for the later set of the clothes' promotions. Honestly, I really wanted to wear them, the patterns in the later designs are even more intricate."Charlotte glanced at her belly. "You're not showing yet, so you can wear them. I had Dominic send them over. I was in a rush to come back today because of Jordan and didn't bring them, but when the package arrives, you can wear them for the shoot."Jane sighed. "I wonder if the girl will still have time to help me take photos in a few days. I want her to take my maternity photos too.""Whether or not she gets divorced, if you ask her, she’ll definitely come. You
“Let’s go back to the the Howard family’s residence.”“It’s too late, I don’t want to disturb them.”Jordan gritted her teeth. “Then let’s go to your house. It’s so big, we can each take a room and not disturb each other.”Westley calmly took a sip of tea. “It’s not very convenient.”Jordan’s temper flared. “Let’s just stay in a hotel!”Westley replied, “There are too many people watching me in Nelana. I don’t want to be misunderstood.”Jane and Charlotte exchanged a look.They both understood each other’s thoughts.Before, they had thought Westley was calculating and manipulative.He had always been clever at using tricks to handle Jordan.Now, they realized it wasn’t just that.This man had a thick skin—he could say anything without blinking.But they didn’t fully understand Westley’s intentions.He clearly had the chance to spend time alone with Jordan, perhaps to explain some things and clear the air.Yet he kept refusing.If he felt it was inconvenient, if he didn’t