Raymond saw that Luthor's hand, gripping the redwood armrest, had turned pale.If it had been glass, it would have shattered by now.‘Mr. Collins really did have a knack for making people angry.’"Mr. Collins..." The head of the Joseph family said cautiously, "Could you kindly tell me where my eldest daughter is? I'll go pick her up so she can go with Mr. Winston to register for the marriage. This is something that's already been arranged. There’s no turning back."Zachary fished out a cigarette, and as he looked for his lighter, the head of the Joseph family immediately held one up to him.But Zachary, instead of using the lighter, tilted his head slightly and lit the cigarette with the incense that hadn’t burned out behind him.The head of the Joseph family froze, still holding the lighter in midair.Zachary glanced at him indifferently, his voice casual. "Sorry, I didn’t notice you offering the lighter."It wasn’t that he hadn’t noticed, he simply didn’t want to use the one
Jane received a message from Zachary inviting her to dinner.Just as she was about to tell Charlotte, Frank appeared and took her away.It was perfect timing.She called the front desk and ordered a few dishes.She quickly tidied up the room, placed flowers and candles on the dining table.Then she opened a bottle of red wine to let it breathe.She had just nestled into the sofa and opened Zachary's chat window, planning to ask where he was.At that moment, she heard a beep at the door.She got up and walked over.Seeing the familiar figure entering, she was a little surprised. "So soon?"Zachary shut the door with one hand and immediately pulled her into his arms.They had recently reconciled and were in the honeymoon phase of their relationship.But his behavior was still a bit off.Jane patted his back. "I can’t breathe... a bit tight."Zachary loosened his grip slightly but didn’t fully let her go.He still held her close.His face nuzzled into the crook of her neck
Zachary had a phone call and, after finishing it, came over.He hugged her from behind."You've already put on this outfit, don’t waste it."Jane pressed his hand down. "This is proper sleepwear. I usually wear this."Zachary lingered on her swan-like neck."A candlelit dinner, sexy sleepwear... Are you sure this isn’t a hint?""Of course not!"Jane elbowed him in the stomach. "Have you lost your memory? Didn’t we just finish this morning? I don’t want to die in bed while I’m still young. Go away, and help me pack!"Zachary kissed her cheek, released her, and began folding her clothes.Jane went into the bathroom, changed out of her sleepwear, and stuffed it into her suitcase.She walked around the room to make sure nothing was left behind, grabbed her phone, slung her bag over her shoulder, and opened the door.After waiting for a while, Raymond entered and took the suitcase.Once they reached the underground garage, Jane saw Charlotte."Are you heading back to Jeswood, o
"But what?"Westley didn't say anything.Zachary didn’t ask either, just silently smoked his cigarette.In the end, Westley couldn't hold it in anymore."Why aren’t you asking me?""Don’t really care."Westley clenched his fist, took a few deep breaths, and suppressed the words that almost slipped out.If it weren’t for owing someone a favor, and their close relationship with mutual interests, he really couldn’t be bothered to deal with Zachary."I’ve been thinking a lot lately, about why I ended up becoming friends with you.""I had the same question myself."Frank walked over and handed Westley a glass of wine.Westley’s gaze darkened a little. "This wouldn’t happen to be from my wine cellar, would it?"Frank smirked and replied, "A limited edition."Westley must have committed some sin in his past life to be acquainted with these two in this one."You know that kind of limited edition is priceless, right?""I know, so while I’m still alive, I might as well try a sip."
"Later, when I found out you were chasing after Zachary, I thought you were very carefree, not bound by the constraints of society. But after you started dating him, I saw you hesitate. You were thinking too much, and you just didn’t have the courage to give up. I said you were serious back then. Now, it seems, your heart is completely occupied by Zachary."Jane listened to Charlotte’s words and finished a bag of crisps.She gasped and said, "That can’t be. In my heart, there’s still a place for you.""Yes, and that’s all."Jane held her hand. "My dear best friend, please don’t say that."The two conversations of the guys and girls ended at the same time.Zachary and Frank went back to their rooms to find their wives.Westley, being a lonely bachelor, returned to his room and took out his phone to send a message.The red exclamation mark was both glaring and piercing. It was also cold and sharp.He angrily threw the phone aside and lay down on the bed, muttering through gritte
Westley asked, “How did you help?”Charlotte and Jane were that close, and Frank listened to his wife. Even if Zachary asked him, it probably wouldn’t have worked."I didn't help."Westley knew it.He shouldn't have bothered asking Zachary."Are you leaving just like that?"Zachary followed Westley. "His actions don’t represent mine."Westley felt like he had fallen into a trap. "I don’t need your help.""Well, I never said I’d help."Westley was certain now!In this lifetime, Westley had a smooth ride, rising to his current position.Everyone he met would try to flatter or please him.So, Zachary’s honest words were really hard to accept.This was probably why no one dared to say anything honest to their emperor during ancient times."I can get my wife back myself."Zachary and Frank simultaneously responded, "We’ll be waiting for the good news."Jane didn’t get up until noon.It wasn’t something she wanted to do. It was Leanne who came to drag her out of bed."Tsk t
“I don’t know.”Jane started grinding her teeth. “Are you going to tell me or not?”Zachary let her pinch his face, his deep voice slightly muffled."Why don’t you ask Leanne yourself?"“We just met, it would be a little inappropriate. Plus, I feel like it’s a sad story, I can’t bring myself to ask.”"Her story is well known in the circle. How come it's all hidden when it comes to you?"Jane’s curiosity was piqued. “Is it really?”Zachary looked at her without speaking, and the smile in his eyes grew more meaningful.Jane felt conflicted.She really couldn’t give him what he wanted these past few days.She was about to go model for a show soon and needed to save her energy.But if she didn’t agree to give him what he wanted, he really could keep quiet.At that point, it would be her suffocating in silence."Fine, I’ll let you have your way with me, but you’ll have to wait until after my show ends. Is that alright?"Zachary took out his phone and started recording a video.
Jane thought for a moment and replied honestly, “So the man probably liked the secretary all along? This sounds like unrequited love for Leanne.”Zachary explained, “At that time, everyone said he liked the secretary, but he himself claimed that their relationship was just a deal. Leanne believed him, and later even took action against that secretary. But ironically, her actions made her feelings clearer to herself.”Jane exclaimed, “Don’t tell me, the man actually hurt Leanne because of the secretary?”Zachary nodded lightly. “Leanne got stubborn, couldn’t let go. It became a big mess for a while. Because of the Howard family’s influence, the man didn’t do anything to Leanne and just backed off.”Jane was stunned. “Wait, what more could he have done to her? Isn’t he the one who chose to play dumb?”Zachary looked at her, amused by her indignant expression, and laughed.She rolled her eyes at him.He caught her fist and casually played with it in his hand, saying, “Leanne got a
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