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
The large bed in the bedroom suddenly sank.The neatly arranged sheets gradually became a mess.The view outside changed from golden warm sunlight to reddish-orange sunset.The blanket was in disarray.Zachary picked up Jane and headed to the bathroom...The consequences of exercising on an empty stomach meant he had to reheat food in the middle of the night.Jane, having not eaten either, was too lazy to move even her fingers, while Zachary was full of energy.He helped Jane into her silk pajamas, tucked her in, and then quickly took a shower.Afterward, he went to the kitchen to reheat the food.He also wiped away the red wine stains on the dining table.Once everything was set, he went back to the bedroom and carried Jane out.Jane immediately stuffed a bite of food into her mouth.Finally feeling alive again.Zachary served her some soup. “Drink this first.”Jane gulped it down, feeling warmth spread in her stomach.“Slow down.”Zachary looked at her affectionately
The other matter was about the beast who harmed Jane.“Yes, sir.”Zachary hung up the phone and wanted to smoke a cigarette, only to realize he was wrapped in a bath towel.He pushed open the balcony door, stepped inside, and went to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of cold water and drinking half of it.If the surveillance couldn’t be restored, he would have to resort to methods, as Frank suggested.Michael was relatively easy to handle, with his grandmother around, it wouldn’t be hard to get information about that night.But Nina’s situation was more troublesome.Their testimonies had to be consistent.When Jane woke up, it was already dark outside.She looked beside her and found it empty.After wandering around the living room, she found no one there.On the balcony, however, their discarded clothes were hanging.She picked up her phone to call Zachary.Just as she dialed, she noticed a note on the coffee table."Went back home, the food is warming in the pot. If you do
Zachary did not want to argue and walked toward his room. At the door, he saw Nina. Zachary ignored her, he still needed to explain to Jane that he could not go over tonight. He had no time to waste. “Zachary.” Nina blocked his path. Zachary took a step back to create distance and said in an extremely cold tone, “If you can tell the truth about that night, then I will stand here and listen to you for a moment.” If you can’t, then I don’t have time to listen to you.” Nina looked shocked. “Zachary, what are you talking about? What truth about that night? Are you doubting that I lied to everyone?” Zachary did not speak, but his silence implied consent. Tears streamed down Nina’s face. “Zachary, although society has progressed and the standards for a girl’s virtue are no longer so strict, do I really need to lie about my innocence?” Zachary looked at her coldly. He felt as if those previous years had been wasted. He was shocked to discover how corrupt her t
But the family atmosphere of the Collins family was relatively good.Charlotte had told her that as long as they didn't damage the Collins family's reputation or interests, the Collins family could indeed be described as harmonious.But her family…No, she didn’t have a family.She suddenly felt that having parents like Zachary and grandparents, even if strict, was quite good.At least they wouldn’t abandon their child or beat them to death."You’ve been spending time at home with your grandfather, right? You should work and earn money when you can, no need to keep coming to me."Zachary deliberately spoke in a low voice, "Is it getting boring?"Jane also pretended. "Yeah.""Hang up, don’t delay me from chatting with other guys.""I’d like to see you try."Jane laughed. "You think I'm scared?"Zachary got angry but couldn’t bear to lose his temper with her.Mainly because he had his own "criminal record." Now that he had finally caught her, how could he act as cold as befo
She now saw herself only as a sister figure to him. Even though they were a bit close, there was still a sense of distance and wariness.It was impossible for her to fully open up to him.But at that moment, suddenly talking about their relationship wasn't really appropriate.Besides, with how things had developed between her and Westley, if he intervened, it would just force them apart.In the end, it would be her who got hurt.‘Forget it.’Nathan decided to just watch how things would unfold.If Westley still didn't realize his mistakes and hurt Jordan again, then no matter what, he couldn't let them be together."Has Jasmine not come back?""Huh?" The topic changed too quickly, and Jordan was a little slow to react. "No.""Nathan, did you take anything from this room?"Nathan's gaze darkened slightly. "No."Noticing that he was in a bad mood, Jordan didn't ask about his situation with Jasmine."Jasmine probably has something she wants to do."Nathan could tell from her
"I've already picked out a few candidates, but I just haven't had the chance to arrange meetings for you yet. Maybe you've only ever been exposed to him since childhood. Try dating someone else, and you might realize he isn't the only one for you." Jordan shook her head. "Nathan, that's not it..." "I'm certain I like him—no matter how outstanding others are, I won't be interested." Nathan frowned. "You've never tried being with anyone else. How can you be so sure?" Of course, Jordan was sure. Ever since her youthful heart first fluttered, she had been certain, apart from Westley, she would never love anyone else. And that was precisely why his indifference had wounded her so deeply. She had filed for divorce and despised his later attempts at remorse. Because she had never wavered in her feelings—yet he only began to love her after she decided to let go. If he had realized it even a little sooner, they wouldn't have suffered through such a painful, drawn-out
"I’m not doing anything," Westley answered her question, squeezing her hand slightly. "Just need your help with something."Jordan was already in her 20s.How could she not understand the things between men and women?His voice was dangerously hoarse now, and what kind of help could he possibly need from her?"You do it yourself, I can't help.""Well, I’ll do all the hard work."He was the one doing all the hard work indeed.But he was holding her hand, making her hand... move with his!Jordan tried to pull her hand back. "Westley, you’re making me mad."Westley leaned on her shoulder and laughed lowly. "Alright, after you help me, feel free to get angry. Hit me however you want. But right now, Jordy, I can't stop."The temperature in the kitchen gradually rose.With the heating, it made the air dry and uncomfortable.She had just taken a shower to cool down, but now, a thin layer of sweat had formed.She felt hot.Jordan had nowhere to hide and couldn't break free.In t
The arm around her waist suddenly tightened.The breath sprayed near her ear, hot and unsettling.The man's hoarse voice came. "Don't want to sleep? Then how about we do something else?"Jordan gripped the blanket tightly, weakly lying, "I want to go to the bathroom. I haven't washed up yet either."Westley released her.Jordan quickly escaped. She didn't know what she might do if she stayed another second.Westley lowered his head, glancing at her, then sighed deeply.This was a pyrrhic victory.Jordan stayed in the bathroom for a long time.She even took a shower.But after finishing, she suddenly remembered that her bath towel had been taken by Westley.Standing in the bathroom, she felt like she had no way out.And in her haste to come in, she hadn't grabbed a change of clothes.She had impulsively picked up the clothes that Westley had swapped out of and her clothes and tossed them into the laundry basket.Her clothes were now all wet.She could only silently fume.
‘I’ve already taken my pants off and you’re just going to leave it at that?’She thought this must have been intentional on Westley's part.She raised her leg and kicked him, then turned around, pulling the blanket away, her back clearly showing a trace of resentment.Westley didn't mind, pulling both her and the blanket into his arms.He chuckled softly in her ear."Your reaction right now makes me think you're dissatisfied."The deliberate pause was even more teasing.Jordan immediately elbowed him.But because she was tangled in the blanket, she couldn't put much strength into it.The muffled laugh of the man in her ear clearly mocked her, making her even angrier.Her emotions flared up too quickly, and tears started falling.Westley felt the wetness on his arm, it was hot.He quickly sat up.He knew about her tendency to lose control of her tears, but seeing her cry still made his heart ache.He gently wiped the tears from the corner of her eye with his thumb and whis
"You can't possibly have nowhere to stay."Westley turned her around and found her eyes tightly closed.He laughed softly. "You used to try everything to see what’s in front of you right now, so what's wrong now?"Jordan had been influenced by dramas and novels back then.Because she was protected by the Howard family and watched over by Westley, there were no other men around her except for him.Even if there were, she couldn't see their abs.So at that time, she could only secretly look when he was training or at moments when he would take off his clothes.Leanne had also helped her a lot.When she was young, he saved her when she was hospitalized.He injured his shoulder, and he had to take off his clothes to apply medicine.During those days, she insisted on taking care of him and saw a lot.But all of this ended before she turned 18.It was like playing house, no one took it seriously.Later, she never had the chance to see Westley’s body again.Now, she couldn't loo
Westley's eyes flashed with a deep, meaningful smile.He replied calmly, "How did I trick you? I'm just being very sincere. I was just asking about the things from before. I didn't mean anything. If you're overthinking, then... Are you feeling guilty?"Jordan retorted immediately, "I'm not guilty!"Then, she weakly explained, "I didn't do anything wrong. My confession was real, and the words I said to your mom were for you. Later, I didn't contact you because your attitude toward me wasn't good. I didn't dare to reach out. So, it's all your fault."Westley laughed. "Alright, it's all my fault."He released her and stood up, heading toward the bathroom.Jordan stood frozen, not knowing why the conversation ended so abruptly.They didn't really reach any conclusion.But that wasn't the point. She followed him to the bathroom door and knocked."Westley, are you taking a shower?"There was no response. She pressed her ear to the door and thought she could hear water running.Alt
"I..."Jordan leaned on his shoulder, her voice soft. "Can you just say it?""Okay."Westley was easy to talk to. "You said that after giving it some thought, you might have mistaken your feelings for me. You might have confused sibling love with romantic love. Actually, maybe you don't really like me. That was the gist of it. The exact words, it's been so long, I don't remember."Jordan didn't believe that he didn't remember.If he didn't hold a grudge, he wouldn't have treated her the way he did afterward.He didn't even send her a message.Even when the Howard family invited them back for dinner, he had his subordinates contact her."You really are petty."Westley chuckled, pulling her even closer.He kissed the corner of her lips. "Yep, I'm petty. For the things I owe you, I'll apologize and make it up to you, but for the things I've done right, I'll remember them and make you pay me back."Jordan quickly grabbed his wrist, her speech speeding up."Westley, I can explai
Jordan was rendered speechless. "You didn't drink tonight. What, are you drunk from fruit juice?"Westley let go of her, changed his shoes, and, as if he were at his own home, casually unbuttoned his shirt and sat down on the sofa."Huh?"Jordan changed her shoes and walked over. She sat at the coffee table in front of him, her face serious as she said, "You'd better tell me the truth!"Westley leaned back against the sofa, his posture casual."What do you want me to confess?""I want you to..."The man suddenly moved closer, and Jordan swallowed her words.She stared wide-eyed at the extraordinarily handsome man in front of her.He had undone four buttons of his shirt, and as he moved, his muscular physique subtly showed through.Her gaze couldn't help but fall inside his collar.Suddenly, she felt her mouth becoming dry."Jordy, you need to take responsibility for your words.""I..."Before she could finish, her waist was grabbed, and before she could react, she was sit