Being asked such a question in public, I suddenly felt at a loss for words.Because she had a point. It was her birthday party after all. She had the right to decide on every guest.Before I could speak, Frank lightly glanced at her and casually made up a story. "I begged her for a long time before she agreed to grace me with her presence. Now you want to kick her out?"With these few words, he instantly eased my embarrassment.Hearing this, Bethany pouted unhappily. "Since when did you become so close with her..."Frank lowered his eyes with a hint of sarcasm, "Do I need to report to you?""Then didn't you know Ryan would come? You brought her here just to embarrass me...""Alright!" The middle-aged lady smiled gently and intervened. "You two, always quarreling since childhood, haven't you had enough?"Her tone and expression were both gentle.She continued, teasing Bethany, "You're already a grown up, thinking of marrying Ryan, yet still so childish?"As I heard this, my g
Frank threw out these words and glanced at me. "What are you standing there for? Let's go.""Okay."He's tall with long legs, taking big strides. I struggled to keep up with him because my dress hem was hindering me.Just as we were about to reach the hotel door, a strong grip seized my wrist from behind, "Charlotte!"I stopped in my tracks and looked at Ryan, his expression dark. I composed myself and asked calmly, "What's wrong, Mr. Frost, is there something?"Frank also turned back, his eyebrows slightly raised.There was a deep melancholy in Ryan's eyes. "Are you, Mr. Smith, also interested in interfering in marital affairs?""I have no interest in that." Frank smiled. "Just wanted to remind Mr. Frost that bigamy is illegal."Ignoring Frank's remark, Ryan firmly dragged me along without a word.Frank furrowed his brows. "I'll be waiting in the car for you."With that said, Ryan's grip on my wrist tightened even more!His pace quickened even more.He dragged me all the w
Looking at him in that state, a complicated emotion welled up within me.Suddenly, I understood the meaning behind the saying, "Late passion is worth nothing."I pursed my lips. "It’s up to you if you believe it or not."With that, without casting another glance at him, I walked away. I wasn't sure if it was because I didn't want to look or didn't dare to.Whatever he thought, it didn't matter that much to me anymore.I just wanted to live my own life well.That was all.Unfortunately... I forgot, many things were simply beyond my control.Just as I reached the hotel lobby, I ran straight into Simone.It was strange. I didn't have much goodwill toward Bethany, but I felt no aversion toward her parents. In fact, I found them quite friendly.Our eyes met, and I smiled at Simone. However, her face remained expressionless as she scrutinized me again, even more nakedly than she had at the banquet hall.I smiled politely. "Aunt Simone, I'll be leaving now."Simone appeared gentle
It wasn’t sadness, just envy.If my mom were still here, she would definitely protect me.‘Mom. Mom... I misses you so much."What are you crying for?"Suddenly, from behind a large pillar in the car park, Frank walked out and frowned. "Weren't you determined to divorce him? After chatting with him for a bit, you can't bear to leave again?"I hastily wiped away my tears and sniffed. "No. It's just that the wind outside was too strong and I got sand in my eyes.""Oh."Seeing through my excuse in one glance, he said sarcastically, "With that kind of crying, you really can't tolerate any sand in your eyes."‘What a cliché.’Despite my terrible mood, his cliché still helped. "Weren't you waiting for me in the car? Why are you here?""The car was stuffy."He tossed off these three words and swaggered ahead.Once inside the car, warmth enveloped me instantly, and I belatedly realized that I had been freezing from head to toe.I was freezing.The silver-gray Pagani roared to lif
I wasn't surprised that he asked that. I nodded. "Yeah."Frank glanced at the cake in my hand, then lifted his gaze to me, his eyes carrying a scrutinizing look, "Did you... grow up in Jelaston?"I hesitated for a moment, then realized he was still on the path of finding his ex-fiancee. Anyone with similarities might pique his curiosity.I admired his perseverance over the years and thus answered patiently and carefully, "No, I grew up in Nesax. It's quite far from both Jelaston and Jeswood.""Is that so," he murmured almost imperceptibly, his brown eyes dimming slightly.Yet his gaze remained fixed on me, as if he wished to see another person through me.I chuckled lightly. "The Shaw family found a replacement daughter, and now you're looking for a replacement fiancee?"I had to admit that the daughter of the Shaw family was really unlucky.But people would move on, and it had been so many years. It was normal.After hearing this, Frank's lips curved into a smile, but there w
‘Hmm... I hope to successfully run the Charlotte Jewelry. I hope for health and safety for myself and those around me.’I opened my eyes and blew out the candles.Jane checked the time and smiled. "That was close! Luckily we made our wishes before dawn.""Childish, aren't we?" I smiled, feeling warm inside. Only those who care about you would bother about such a difference of one or two minutes.I looked at the food on the table and took a bit. "Did you make this yourself?""Not tasty?""It's beyond not tasty, it's on another level of bad."‘Horrible. Way too horrible’"Darn, what kind of pig feed did I make... no, even pigs would jump off a building after eating this."She leaned over, took a bite, and promptly spat it out. She was then about to throw it away.I stopped her and took another bite. "Wasting food is shameful, especially when it's something you made yourself. Did you burn yourself?"She was about to shake her head when my phone rang. The caller ID could be seen
I thought of the injuries on Aunt Laura's body and said coldly, "We won't be family soon.""What do you mean?" His eyes flashed with a sharp light, then landed on the lawyer beside me. "Who is this? Why did you bring him here?""He's Mr. White, one of the top divorce lawyers in Jelaston," I introduced calmly. "This marriage is over whether you like it or not."Bob couldn't keep up the act anymore. Enraged, he jumped up to hit me, but the bodyguards restrained him!His face flushed with anger as he shouted, "Charlotte, you're utterly ungrateful! Now that you've married into an affluent family, you dare treat me like this? Forcing me to divorce your aunt?""Whether I'm ungrateful or not, Aunt Laura will know." To me, the only one who had truly shown me kindness was Aunt Laura. He had nothing to do with me.Bob gritted his teeth and cursed, "Fine! We can divorce! But I want to split the assets evenly!"I glanced at him. "What assets do you two have left to split? Even if there are,
Upon hearing this, my tense nerves gradually relaxed.Aunt Laura was right.If it's not biological, who could do such a thing?I helped Aunt Laura lie down on the bed, bent over to tuck her in. "How have you been feeling these days? Are you getting better?""Much better. The doctor said after another round of chemotherapy, I can focus on recuperating." "That's good."As I straightened up, Aunt Laura grabbed the silver pendant that had slipped out of my collar, carefully placed it back, and said, "Keep this silver pendant close to you. Don't let others see it."I was slightly taken aback. "Why?"Why would a piece of jewelry seem so secretive?Aunt Laura's eyes flashed as she explained, "It's... very valuable. I'm afraid it might attract ill-intentioned people.""Alright, I understand."The color of this silver pendant was even more elusive than the two jade ornaments grandpa had prepared for the children.I could understand Aunt's concern.I called Mr. White in and introdu
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