On the other side, Lily received a call. With a troubled expression, she relayed the message to Kylie."Kylie, you don't need to come in tomorrow.""Why? Is it because of Jonathan?"Kylie was furious. Even though she had hurt Jonathan tonight, it was because he had forced her into it in the first place. Plus, she had already apologized. How could Jonathan be so ruthless? Rich people really did whatever they wanted.Without this part-time job, her monthly income would be reduced. What would she do about her brother's medical bills?Kylie couldn't accept it. She thought if she couldn't work at this place, she could find another. Jonathan couldn't possibly blacklist her from every club in Jorundale, could he?Lily seemed to guess what Kylie was thinking. With a tone of regret, she tried to convince her."I'm afraid you'll have trouble finding another job at a different nightclub. Maybe it's time to switch careers."Kylie felt helpless. Clearly, she was the one who had been aband
So the new CEO Lana had been talking about was Jonathan Sinclair!Kylie felt an immediate headache coming on.First, Jonathan caused her to lose her part-time job. And now, Jonathan had become her new boss.She had a feeling that Jonathan had come here to mess with her on purpose—how else could it be such a coincidence?Was her full-time job next? Would she be fired from here too?The thought made Kylie's heart race with panic.She got up and headed to the breakroom to get some water, hearing her coworkers discussing Jonathan along the way."The new CEO is young and promising. I also heard he's still single!""No way, I just saw online that he has a fiancee.""Really? Is it one of those rich family arranged marriages?""Wow, being his bride must be amazing."When Kylie heard Jonathan had a fiancee, her brow furrowed.When had Jonathan gotten engaged? They had just broken up a week ago, and she hadn't heard anything about a fiancee in the past three years.Kylie's mind went
"Kylie, what's wrong?"Lana's voice pulled Kylie out of her thoughts."It's nothing."Kylie brushed the stray hairs from her forehead and forced a faint smile before adding, "Oh, by the way, I have something to take care of at noon, so I won't be joining you for lunch."Lana nodded. "Alright, but make sure you come back early. I heard the new CEO is coming for an inspection this afternoon."Kylie's eyes flickered slightly, and she only murmured a quiet acknowledgment before falling silent.-Kylie took a cab to the hospital.Kevin lay quietly on the bed, as peaceful as ever. His eyes were closed, and the light cast a soft shadow on his lashes. Aside from the prominent scars from the burns, he looked just like someone who was merely asleep."Ms. Cooper, your brother's condition is very stable, don't worry," the nurse said, offering reassurance.Kylie came to the hospital every week, and every time, the doctors and nurses would say the same thing: "He's stable."She knew that
On the way back, Lana kept bombarding Kylie with messages, urging her not to be late. She stressed that if she was, the consequences would be serious.That only made Kylie more anxious. She kept urging the driver to go faster.Before long, the taxi pulled up in front of the company building.Hearing that the new CEO was about to arrive, the department heads were already lined up downstairs in formal attire, ready to welcome him.Seeing the scene, Kylie quickly lowered her head and hurried past. She reached out to press the elevator button—"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" a security guard barked at her. "That's the CEO's private elevator!"Kylie was forced to use the regular elevator, but the floor indicator wasn't moving. Time was running out.Gritting her teeth, she made a decision—stairs it was!The finance department was on the 12th floor. If she ran, it would be faster than waiting for the elevator.Without hesitation, Kylie kicked off her heels and dashed into the
Kylie felt bad for causing trouble for Alex, so she quietly murmured, "Sorry, Mr. Hill. I'll be more careful next time."Alex turned to face her and was about to scold her. But then he paused, his expression thoughtful."Did Mr. Sinclair say you were working part-time at a nightclub?"Kylie saw the hint of gossip—and something more inappropriate—in his eyes. She quickly responded, "Mr. Hill, I was just working as a regular waitress. Please don't read into it.""Did you run into Mr. Sinclair at the nightclub?"Alex's sharp instincts kicked in, and his words hit the mark. Kylie was left speechless, unsure how to respond.Lana, ever the gossip, immediately leaned in and said, "Hey, Kylie, I think you look a lot like Mr. Sinclair's fiancee!"As she spoke, Lana pulled out her phone and started comparing photos.Alex raised an eyebrow, glanced at the photo on Lana's phone, and then studied Kylie with narrowed eyes. He nodded slowly."Yeah, there's definitely a resemblance."Lana, w
Jonathan's gaze was playful, his words laced with double meaning.Though she had willingly allowed Jonathan to support her over the past three years, his words now made Kylie feel an unfamiliar sting of humiliation.A faint blush spread across her face."Mr. Sinclair, I apologize for what happened at the nightclub. I hope you can show some understanding."A mix of anger and frustration flashed across Kylie's face, but Jonathan simply smirked and said, "I told you, my woman will never be in a place like that."As he spoke, Jonathan tightened his grip on Kylie's chin, forcing her face closer to his. The scent of his leather cologne flooded her senses, and her face flushed even deeper."I won't allow it," he said, each word deliberate, and his lips were just a breath away from hers. His long fingers traced her warm cheek, his touch sending a shiver through her.Inside, Jonathan felt a strange surge of possessiveness. He deliberately teased and provoked Kylie. But she felt uncomfort
Jonathan paused for a moment, and Kylie immediately pushed him away in surprise.Jonathan released her and casually leaned back on the sofa, speaking to the person outside the door without a care."Let her in."Kylie felt utterly out of place. She could only stand there, her face flushed with awkwardness. She pulled at the hem of her shirt, nervously wrinkling the fabric between her fingers."Jon."Zoey Whitfield's soft voice called out, and Kylie's heart skipped a beat. Zoey entered the office, dressed in a custom-tailored suit that accentuated her curves. She exuded the poise and grace of a wealthy socialite.When Zoey entered, her gaze immediately landed on the woman standing near the sofa.Kylie was unable to meet Zoey's eyes and quickly murmured, "I'll leave now, Mr. Sinclair."She practically fled the office, desperate to escape the place.Zoey frowned slightly, her nose crinkling in a subtle show of disapproval. As a woman, her intuition told her that something wasn't q
Kylie retreated out of the restroom. She didn't have the courage to face the whispers and gossip that awaited her.When she returned to the office, Lana noticed she was even paler than before and was immediately concerned."Kylie, you don't look well. You should go home and rest."Kylie gave a faint nod, then grabbed her bag and walked out of the office, heading for the elevator.She felt especially drained today. She really needed to get home and sleep, shutting everything out of her mind for the night.Ding!The elevator doors slid open.Just as Kylie was about to step inside, she looked up and froze. There, standing in the elevator, were two people who seemed like a perfect match.Zoey had her arm linked with Jonathan's, and a flirtatious smile was on her lips. On the other hand, Jonathan stood with a cold, distant expression.Kylie hesitated, unsure whether to enter or step back. She ended up standing still, not moving.Jonathan noticed her, and a smug grin tugged at the
Two years later, Kylie was in Altheria.The miracle that was supposed to happen, like in novels, didn’t. Kevin hadn’t woken up, but there was progress. His brainwaves were beginning to show signs of activity, and his fingers moved more frequently now. All of these small changes meant there was still hope.Two years ago, Kylie had applied for the international student program at Altheria University, and she was now juggling both work and school.Nathan’s medical aid work had temporarily come to a pause. He had applied to Altheria to continue his studies as well.-Kylie and Nathan walked side by side through the small hospital garden. The sun shone brightly, and the breeze was gentle.“When are you leaving?” Kylie asked, breaking the peaceful silence.“I’m heading back the day after tomorrow,” Nathan replied.“That soon?” Kylie was surprised. She thought he would stay at least a month.Nathan laughed and shook his head. “It’s a short-term program. Time goes by fast.”“Don’t
There was silence on the other end of the line for a long while. Jonathan's voice broke the quiet. "If there's nothing else, don't call again."He hung up and turned the phone off, his expression neutral as he squeezed Kylie's hand. But there were tears in his eyes, tears he could no longer hide.Perhaps it was exhaustion that overcame him. Holding Kylie's hand, Jonathan laid his head down beside her bed and fell into a heavy sleep.Suddenly, he felt a slight movement from Kylie's hand. He shot awake in an instant.Kylie's eyelids fluttered, her brows knitted tightly together. It was as if she were struggling with something in her dreams.When Kylie finally woke up, she felt a heavy weight all over her body, unable to move. She looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, unable to remember what had happened."Kylie… Kylie!" Jonathan's voice was filled with emotion.Kylie blinked, confusion clouding her mind. The man before her looked both familiar and strange. She felt she h
Jonathan raised an eyebrow and coldly said, "Kill me? First, you'll have to make it out of here alive."Silas pulled a knife from behind him and handed it to Jonathan. Jonathan took the blade, his gaze dark and unwavering."Jonathan, you're crazy! You've gone mad! You can't do this!" Zoey screamed, her voice trembling.Jonathan walked toward her, his steps slow and deliberate. He stood before her and asked, "Tell me, if you die here, will your family even know?"His eyes were unyielding, and Zoey felt a chill run down her spine. She recoiled, fear seizing her. "N-No... Jonathan, you can't kill me. I saved your life once. You owe me! You can't do this!"Jonathan paused for a brief moment. His mind flashed back to his childhood, when he had been vacationing by the seaside with his parents and nearly drowned. Zoey's family had been there too. Zoey had noticed something was wrong and alerted the adults, ultimately saving him.Jonathan let out a bitter laugh, his expression turning ev
In the upscale beauty salon in the city center, Zoey had just finished a relaxing spa treatment and was feeling refreshed.As she walked toward the parking garage to get her car, she was suddenly yanked from behind. Before she could react, a hand covered her mouth to muffle her startled scream.She was dragged into a car and taken to a dark, damp room. With a harsh shove, she was thrown onto the floor.Zoey's voice trembled with fear as she shouted, "Do you know who I am? Are you trying to get yourselves killed?"A group of burly men stood idly in the room, their arms crossed. At the sound of her shouting, the leader of the group, Silas Yates, impatiently waved his hand and said, "Shut up, you stupid woman."The man's eyes raked over Zoey, a lecherous grin spreading across his face. Zoey immediately realized his intentions. She scrambled to the corner, her voice rising in panic. "What do you want with me? Are you looking to die?"Silas chuckled darkly, taking a slow step toward
The man in the suit kept glancing at Kylie through the rearview mirror.Kylie felt something was wrong. She reached for the door handle, but it was locked tight.The man licked his lips and said, "Thinking of jumping out? Don't bother. You're gonna have some fun with me and my friends first. I'll make sure you'll enjoy it."His phone rang, and he answered it, speaking to the person on the other end. "We'll be there soon. She's well-endowed and has fair skin—the guys will have a blast."Fear shot through Kylie, but she forced herself to stay calm.She waited for the right moment, and when the man wasn't paying attention, she swung her bag at his head with all her strength.The man didn't see it coming. With a sudden jolt, the car swerved off course. The tires screeched, and the car crashed down the mountain road in a blur of screeching metal.Kylie's world went black.When she woke up, her head throbbed painfully, and a loud ringing filled her ears. The man in the suit was groan
The next morning, Kylie was jolted awake by Nathan's international call."Kylie! The people from the Altheria medical funding program have responded. The application has been approved!" Nathan's voice was brimming with excitement.Kylie understood immediately. This was Jonathan fulfilling his promise. She forced a smile and replied, "Really? That's amazing!""The Global Care Initiative has been postponed, so I might not be able to come back. But they've asked me to go to Altheria next week for an international exchange program. I'll be there for two weeks, and I can help with your brother's treatment while I'm there. It's such perfect timing. Everything is falling into place."Nathan was practically glowing with joy, but Kylie's heart suddenly tightened.She knew better. None of this was a coincidence. This was Jonathan's careful planning.Nathan went on to explain a series of steps and procedures, and Kylie listened in silence, her mind elsewhere.After hanging up, Kylie sa
Michael responded quickly and contacted Kylie right away.When Kylie received his call, she had just left the hospital in Lindale."Thank you, Mr. Lester. I'll explain things to Mr. Sinclair in person when I get back," she said, glancing up at the blinding sun before hanging up.When Kylie returned to the office, Jonathan had just finished a meeting. He looked slightly exhausted.Upon seeing Kylie, his expression remained as cold as ever.Kylie walked up to him and handed over the newly printed resignation letter."Mr. Sinclair, I hope you'll approve it," she said quietly.Jonathan glanced at the letter, his face darkening."What exactly do you want?" he asked, his tone sharp.Kylie was taken aback, confused."Mr. Sinclair, I'm resigning for personal reasons," she explained."I don't approve.""I'd like to know why," Kylie replied.Jonathan let out a cold laugh, his eyes intense."Kylie, tell me the real reason."Kylie hesitated, unable to find the right words at first.
Kylie felt utterly helpless when her phone rang. It was Nathan.She answered the call, and Nathan hesitated before speaking."Hey, Kylie, there's something I need to tell you."Her heart skipped a beat. Could he have received the same video?"Did you get a video too?" Kylie asked, her voice laced with concern."What video?" Nathan sounded confused."Oh, never mind. What did you want to tell me?""Do you have time tonight? I think it's better to tell you in person.""Is it something important?""Yeah, it's kind of important. I'd rather tell you face to face.""Alright then."So, Kylie agreed to meet Nathan at a restaurant near the hospital later that evening. Nathan arrived early, while Kylie was delayed by traffic.When she finally walked in, she was immediately curious about what he had to say."What's going on?" Kylie asked, eager to find out."Nathan, I'm going to join the Global Care Initiative, at least for the next six months.""Really?!" Kylie's eyes widened in su
The next day, Kylie arrived at the office.However, Jonathan wasn't there, and neither was Michael.She felt that Jonathan had been ignoring her these past few days and had no idea what she might have done to upset him again.Kylie didn't dare to message Jonathan directly, so she sent a message to Michael instead.The response she got was that Jonathan and Michael were on a business trip in Dewford and wouldn't be back for a couple of days.Kylie thought to herself that she was practically a useless executive assistant, not even knowing her boss's schedule.She quietly set the phone down with a sense of unease that she couldn't quite shake.Just then, the office door opened, and Kylie looked up to see Zoey walking in.It was obvious that Zoey knew Jonathan wasn't around and was there to stir up trouble.Without a word, Zoey flopped onto the couch and then ordered Kylie to make her coffee. Kylie didn't move. Instead, she asked flatly, "Are you here to warn me again, Ms. Whitf