In January, Goldmoor's chill still lingered in the air, almost freezing.
Britney Hammond stepped out of the shopping mall, tightening her white wool coat, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty. Carrying the items she had chosen, she got into a private car, her beautiful face glowing with joy as she glanced at the things beside her.
“Miss, the new in-law was such a lucky man to be having you as his wife!” the old driver chuckled.
“Diego!” Britney softly chided, though her cheeks were tinged with a blush.
Her slender fingers gently caressed the texture of the black sweater inside the shopping bag, and her heart was filled with indescribable joy. The wedding date was set for the end of January, which was a good day. This meant that in just three days, she would be marrying him.
As the wedding day approached, she would always go shopping with her best friend, and they would only look at things that were not others, but items that she had bought for him according to his preferences.
Lost in thought, Diego had skillfully parked the car in front of a small villa and respectfully opened the door for Britney.
Britney carried her things and walked towards the villa with a light and brisk pace.
Walking up to the door of the room, Britney blew a breath of hot air into her palm and opened the door without any forewarning.
As she stepped inside, her gaze fell upon the sight of two intertwined bodies on the red wedding bed, a harsh and unsettling image that filled her with shock and discomfort.
The intimate sounds reached her ears,
and the movements on the bed stilled, as if sensing someone had entered.
Her soon-to-be husband, who she had thought of as devoted and perfect, was staring at her with a face still filled with desire, seemingly caught off guard.
However, that desire was for someone else.
Underneath him lay a woman with beautiful figure, she even pulled him down and pouted when she didn't get the satisifaction. However, after realizing Britney's presence, shyly tried to cover herself with the bedsheet next to her.
"Cousin!" The voice was weak, completely different from the excited tone just now.
"Britney..."
The man nervously picked up the clothes next to him to cover his lower body. He took a few steps toward Britney, and tried to reach for her, but she stepped back and dodged his hand.
Britney’s upbringing made her try to stay calm, not crying or making a fuss.clenched the items in her hands tightly, as if seeking for a hint of support. Step by step, she retreated and walked towards the living room.
Five minutes later, the two people who were just naked a moment ago, were already dressed and sitting across from Britney.
"Cousin, I will sever this relationship with Conrad!" said Stephanie Hammond, Britney's cousin who is one month younger than her.
Britney ignored Stephanie and kept staring at Conrad Schwartz, who had a pained expression on his face and remained silent.
Seeing that her words had no effect, Stephanie knelt on the ground, hands on her lower abdomen, looking distressed. “I won’t keep this child… I won’t get in the way of your marriage! Please, don’t blame Conrad!”
Conrad heard these words, looked up, and his eyes met Britney's gaze.
The man in front of her, who had once made countless promises of eternal love, collapsed in an instant. She couldn't believe it. The man who had treated her so well in front of others, when proposing to her in front of everyone, said, "Britney, I only want to marry you in this lifetime! I only love you! I only cherish you!" But then he turned around and got involved with her cousin, and even had a child with her!
"I had no interest in second-hand goods!" Britney said with a low voice tinged with sarcasm. Her heart was being twisted painfully...
"Britney!" Conrad exclaimed incredulously as he looked at the woman in front of him. He couldn't believe that the gentle and elegant woman would utter such heartless words.
"I have said before that what I want is loyalty in love. Since you are not loyal to our love, we are done!" Britney said, speaking so decisively.
"But... in three days, we were going to have our wedding!" Conrad said.
Britney laughed, a cold laugh. "So, you want me to pretend that everything between you two never happened? Or should I be your first wife, she'll be your second?" Britney finished speaking and looked at Stephanie. Stephanie stared back at Britney, but her eyes no longer held the softness they had before. Instead, there was a hint of coldness.
Britney paid no attention to Stephanie's almost hostile gaze and instead looked at Conrad, who remained silent across from her.
Scenes from the past flashed through Britney's mind, contrasting with the present... Conrad's attitude left Britney feeling numb with pain.
"Britney!" Conrad walked over, trying to grab Britney's hand. Britney stood up, without a moment's hesitation, turned around and left!
Stephanie held Conrad's hand from behind, leading him back into the room. "Conrad, give her some time to calm down first!" she said, turning her back but with a smug smile on her lips.
Britney walked step by step, her footsteps floating, looking somewhat disheveled.
Every tree and every blade of grass here has been infused with her heart and soul, she feared that any imperfection might mar their marriage. But from now on, she would never come here again!
It was a cold winter day, but Britney didn't feel cold at this moment.
Just walked out of the villa gate.
Two cars, coming from two different directions, were driving towards here without slowing down, but instead getting faster.
"Bang..." A loud crash.
Inside the heated, intimate bedroom, the man once again climbed onto the red wedding bed, unaware of the crash outside.
Pain.Excruciating pain.In a daze, I somewhat heard a pleasant voice.A clear pain was felt in her ankle. This was Britney's first sensation upon waking up.In the blink of an eye, Britney seemed to see a man. However, the sudden brightness made Britney close her eyes again.Recalling the terrifying scene before, Britney was still shaken. She almost thought she was going to have a car accident, but unexpectedly, the two cars collided and she narrowly escaped with her life"Where am I?" Britney asked."Hospital!" a deep and magnetic voice resonated in Britney's ears.Britney couldn't help but open her eyes, and in the backlight, a man dressed in green appeared before her eyes. It must be said that the man's appearance and the outstanding aura emanating from him were more than just a little impressive.With a handsome and uncast appearance, graceful demeanor, and dignified and steady bearing, his words, like a gentle breeze in spring, are captivating. His voice is also pleasant to list
Britney’s injuries were not severe, and after resting in the hospital for half a day, the pain in her ankle had lessened.So she asked Karsyn to arrange her discharge.By the time they left, evening had already fallen.The nights in Goldmoor were never lonely. The lights were always on, earning it the nickname "the city that never sleeps". It was one of the top cities in Chiosia, thriving economically, and a city that people didn't want to leave once they arrived.Karsyn drove Britney back home, grumbling and complaining the whole way, never stopping.“It must be that bitch throwing herself at him! In all of Goldmoor, who could compare to you in family background or looks?”The Goldmoor Four major financial conglomerates, the Hammond Group ranked first, the Schwartz Group, the Castro Group were equally matched, and the Melton Group came last. Currently, the Hammond Group is being managed by Britney's father, and Britney, who not only comes from a wealthy family but also possesses excep
After hesitating for two seconds, Britney swiped to answer the call, saying, “Hello!”In contrast to Britney's indifference, Conrad on the other end of the phone appeared particularly excited."Britney, you finally answered the phone!""Tomorrow at ten o'clock, Peninsula Cafe!"Without giving Conrad any chance, she hung up the phone. Britney turned off her mobile phone again, immersing herself in the soft silk quilt.Conrad...This name... lingered in my heart for so many years, occupying such an important place...To say she felt nothing would be a lie.In a daze, Britney fell asleep.When she awoke, it was already nine o'clock the next day.She applied light makeup to look less haggard, had a small breakfast, and told her parents before heading out alone to the café.Sitting in her private car, Britney's phone suddenly rang.Britney picked up her phone and saw an unfamiliar number. For some reason, she suddenly remembered the man she saw at the hospital yesterday...The phone was an
In the luxurious suite, Conrad wore a simple white robe, with sparkling water droplets hanging from his brown hair, and even droplets of water dripping onto the snow-white sheets along his resolute profile."Britney, I loved you! Stephanie and I... it was just a momentary confusion..."“You love me, right? You believe in me, right?”However, the person in the bed did not respond, only the sound of steady breathing.He gently and slowly touched the beautiful cheek of the sleeping woman with his fingertips, feeling the wonderful sensation, which surprised him greatly.Gradually, he became dissatisfied with this and wanted more. His hand slowly slid down...Twenty minutes ago, a low-profile commercial vehicle was traveling at a constant speed on the road.Inside the car, the man's lips curved slightly as he looked at the words "call ended" on the screen."Fiancé"Just a second later, the man's slender eyebrows furrowed without leaving a trace."Get the plane ready, now! We're going back
Britney woke up, and it was already late afternoon.The moment Britney opened her eyes and looked at the hotel's iconic chandelier, her heart skipped a beat.Anxiously pulling back the covers, she breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her clothes intact."Phew!"She lifted her gaze and met a pair of deep, starry eyes, as if they could see through everything, which made Britney feel deeply moved.The man sat upright on the chair beside the bed, dressed in a neat and stylish suit. His handsome and unblemished facial features did not fade away because of his short hair, but instead highlighted the competent temperament that a man should possess.For the first time, it was her first time seeing a man with such short hair, and he looked so handsome.Britney snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushing pink from the mind wandering. “Did he leave?” Obviously she was asking about Conrad."Mmm!" The voice was deep and rich, like a cup of carefully brewed hot coffee, intoxicating and lingering.
It was only two seconds, and Britney even thought that the moment just now was just an illusion.Looking up, Britney unexpectedly caught a faint hint of red on Manuel's indifferent face.Is it his first time?"With a stamp as proof!" Manuel exclaimed, then swiftly departed. He touched his thin lips, still feeling the sweet and soft sensation from just now, almost losing control.Britney reached towards her lips, still carrying a hint of warmth. She felt a surge of delight—could it be that she had seduced a virgin?Let's see, Manuel should be around 27, 28 years old! Has he never been with a woman at this age? Could it be that he has been too focused on training in the training area and lived a very austere life?Britney took Bryant back to the Castro's villa.As she pondered how to explain to her parents about Bryant—After all, it's not a grown man following her around.She hadn’t even stepped through the door before she heard a sharp voice.Britney was well aware of this sound. Uncon
"No need! The Schwartz family invited us to have dinner tonight!"Whether intentional or unintentional, Maxwell's words carried a hint of pride.Britney recalled that Conrad did not succeed this morning and instead made plans with Stephanie's family, which could be considered as accepting the conditions she proposed.Britney's family saw them off as they left."Cousin! You wouldn't mind, would you?" Stephanie deliberately slowed down her pace."Stephanie, there's no need to put on airs in front of me!"The calmer and more peaceful Britney appeared, the more it ignited Stephanie's jealousy."Britney, I don't believe for a second that you don't feel anything!" Stephanie taunted. "In two days, Conrad will be marrying me! Not you!"Catching a glimpse of Stephanie's proud face, Britney simply smiled faintly.In the past, Stephanie couldn't stand it if she had something good and didn't have a share of it. The family education always reminded her that she was their cousin, and if they could
Goldmoor, Seventh Club, top-tier private room.In a slightly dim environment, colorful and dazzling lights dotted everywhere.Women wearing revealing clothes, passionate music..."Mr. Calderon, how long has it been since you last came...""Women! So delicous. It just feels so great holding them in your arms!" He said, then leaned in and kissed each of the beautiful women on their cheeks, his hands also wandering around, causing the women to giggle ambiguously.“Manuel, only you could bear to send me to that godforsaken place!”Although angry, still smiling.Sitting on the genuine leather sofa, Manuel elegantly lifted his wine glass, swaying the dark liquid inside. His deep eyes were lost in thought. And across from him sat his good friend, Raiden Calderon, with whom he had grown up and faced life and death together."Was there any gain?"Raiden was about to touch that seductive and alluring skin when Manuel asked a question, immediately dampening his enthusiasm. He knew...Raiden wave
As she closed the door, countless thoughts raced through Jamiya’s mind.Had her daughter found out the truth?"Mom, is it true or not?" Stephanie stepped into the study, turned around, and fixed her gaze on Jamiya.If she had forced herself not to believe Britney’s words before, now, trying to convince herself they were lies felt utterly weak.Jamiya was her mother, and the subtle hesitation in her movements had already given away the answer. Yet, Stephanie still wanted to hear it confirmed.She was clinging to hope, the desperate kind one seeks when standing on the edge of despair.Jamiya had struggled with this decision countless times before—should she tell her daughter or not? In the end, she chose to keep it from her. She was a woman herself; she understood the devastation of infertility. And this was her own daughter—how could she be so cruel?"My dear, with today’s advanced medical technology, ther
She also longed for a peaceful life, but unfortunately, some people were determined to make her life anything but easy. Therefore, she had to arm herself with thorns to protect herself and her family.Dealing with Stephanie was never her intention.However, since Stephanie had done what she did, if she didn’t fight back, wouldn’t that be too weak?Britney had never been someone to be bullied."Was Sierra's pregnancy also part of your plan?" Stephanie asked. Though phrased as a question, her tone made it sound more like a statement.Britney countered with another question, "Haven't you already guessed?"Sierra was caught between fear of her cousin and the desire for a good life. With such a conflicted mindset, how could she possibly have taken precautions?If she truly wanted to prevent pregnancy, she wouldn't have schemed to steal Stephanie's husband in the first place.Stephanie's face turned as pale as a sheet. Ev
In fact, the entire press conference held by her father was orchestrated by Manuel. This included not only the so-called evidence but also the presence of both men. Firstly, it was to protect her mother from being verbally attacked by reporters. Since her mother rarely faced the media, the situation could easily spiral out of control. However, both her father and Uncle Prestonwere experienced in handling the press and could maintain control, leaving no room for reporters to exploit. Secondly, it played on emotions to win public sympathy...Britneyhad already witnessed Manuel's capabilities before, but no matter how big or small the issue, he always managed to come up with precise and effective solutions, arranging everything flawlessly. She had to admit that his intelligence and ability to handle situations were truly remarkable."What do you want to tell me?" At this moment, Stephaniesuddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Every time Britneyg
Stephanieglared viciously at Britney, who sat before her, looking utterly composed. “Very good! Very good! Britney, I’ve long known that you’re not as pure and noble as you pretend to be. Turns out, you’re the best at putting on an act among us.”This woman had done it on purpose!The so-called "most innocent woman in Goldmoor," the "most desirable woman to marry"—all of those titles were fake.Britneycurved her lips into a smile. “A soft persimmon without thorns is easy to crush! But Britneyis not someone you, Stephanie, can manipulate at will.”“Oh, really?” Stephanieswept her gaze over the villa. She had been distracted by Britney’s voice earlier and hadn't taken a proper look. The decor seemed simple, but every piece of furniture exuded an understated luxury—clearly expensive at a glance. However, aside from a single male servant, she hadn’t seen anyone else in the house. Her husband was nowhere to be seen either...Had
Stephaniedidn’t care what Jamiyasaid. She loved Conrad. When she had gone through so much trouble to snatch him away from Britney, she had already decided that he was the only man for her.Otherwise, she wouldn’t have put in so much effort.After leaving the supermarket, Stephaniecarried fresh ingredients for cooking and hailed a cab back to the villa."Miss, why did you go grocery shopping? Didn’t I just buy some this morning?" Miaopened the door and saw Stephaniecarrying several bags."I’ll be cooking tonight. Help me wash the vegetables." Stephaniesmiled and handed the groceries to Miabefore changing into her house slippers."Alright." Miatook the bags and was about to head to the kitchen when she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Miss, you received a package. I placed it on the table.""A package?" Who sent her something?Stephaniewiped her hands with a wet tissue and
If Raidenhad known that the person on the other end of the phone was questioning their orientation, he might have smashed his phone in anger. But unfortunately, he lacked the ability to read minds."You don't trust me?"The way this woman asked questions was exactly the same as that guy, Manuel! Could it be that after living together for a long time, couples really started to resemble each other?Damn it!This realization put Raidenin a bad mood—because this couple actually made him feel a little envious. Envious of married people!"Alright, it was that Sierra’s uncle who ordered someone to do it. As for the news circulating outside, Franklinis also behind the scenes, fanning the flames."There was no point in hiding it. Britney's brain worked just like Manuel’s—sharp and brilliant. He was no match for her. No matter what, she would eventually get the information out of him. Besides, Raidenwasn’t in the best
Before the morning sun had even peeked out, a piece of shocking news spread like wildfire throughout Goldmoor.At the same time, the internet was flooded with stories about the past romance between the two main figures in the scandal, detailing their once passionate love.Since Gregorywas a well-known public figure and Dianawas the wife of a prestigious tycoon, the news spread at an astonishing speed, sparking heated discussions.The newspapers, once on sale, caused a sensation across the city.Just as Manueland Britneyhad managed to suppress the scandal involving Britneyand Conrad, this new incident surfaced, dragging the previous matter back into the spotlight. People seized the opportunity to criticize and spread all kinds of rumors."What’s up with this mother and daughter? Now I finally understand what it means to have strong hereditary genes!""Damn! This is shaking my worldview. Are all good-looking
"So, we must also be mentally prepared. There's a high possibility that this matter will be reported tomorrow."One was an internationally renowned pianist, and the other was the wife of a prominent business chairman in Goldmoor. If this were to be exposed, it would undoubtedly cause an uproar and attract significant attention.If someone deliberately planned to release the news, all Manuelcould do was contain the situation and prevent it from escalating further.Manuelsat back down beside Britney. "I've already sent people to investigate who orchestrated this against Mom and Uncle Preston." That was why he had walked out earlier to make phone calls after hearing only half the story."Thank you, Manuel!"Diana's tears were not just because of what had happened with Gregorybut also because she was afraid that the truth would be unclear and, more importantly, because she feared her husband's reaction."Mom, don't say that. We
While waiting for news, Britneywas already feeling restless in the bedroom.She watched as Manuelmade a call outside, hung up, then answered another one. Her heart was still suspended in anxiety, unable to settle.What were they talking about?Manuelslid open the glass door. Though his brows remained still, his dark eyes carried an unusual depth.“Is there news about my mother?” Britneytook a step forward and asked.Manuel’s grip on his phone tightened slightly, almost imperceptibly. “Get changed. We need to go to your parents’ house.”Hearing his voice, chillingly solemn, and seeing the grim look on his face, Britneyfelt as if something had clenched her heart. “Did something happen?”Manuel’s thin lips moved slightly before he finally spoke. She would find out sooner or later—there was no reason to keep it from her.“We were a step