The Lane residence was located within a mountainside villa area in Aquastead.Guests were already arriving at the venue.Kelly had arrived much earlier.In Nixon's room on the second floor, Kelly and Nixon were tangled up in a bout of passion. After doing the deed, Kelly draped herself across Nixon's body. She wanted to keep seducing him.But Nixon grabbed her hand and stopped her."Uncle Jonathan should be arriving soon. Grandma wants me to welcome him myself. It's a rare opportunity for me, so I can't miss it."Kelly lowered her gaze in disappointment. She looked adorable and pitiful.Nixon's heart ached when he saw her like that, but the event today was far too important.Nixon helped Kelly put on her dress.She looked like a flawless princess in her white dress. It was her air of purity that made it impossible for Nixon to hold himself back."I've never seen you wear this dress before. It looks good. The design is pretty nice."Nixon made a casual remark, but Kelly's eye
All at once, the expressions of the rich ladies around them changed.Yet, Rose remained calm and simply smirked coldly. She stepped forward and adjusted Kelly's dress, which looked a little large on Kelly.Then, she commented evenly, "K&K's dresses are tailored to the customer's exact measurements. We have different body measurements, Kelly."If you had said that you liked this dress, I would've returned it and asked them to alter it for you. It wouldn't have looked so awkward on you, then."It was only then that the rich ladies noticed that Kelly's dress did not actually fit her.They instantly forgot about Kelly's pitiful display. Their eyes were filled with disdain."So it's not her dress after all? Don't tell me she stole her sister's dress. It does look like it would fit Ms. Rose better.""I never thought Ms. Kelly would be so vain. I heard she's the tagalong child that Ms. Rose's stepmother brought into the family. These kinds of children are more cunning than illegitima
Rose glanced around her. She spotted a tall male figure through the curtains of the tea room.The figure seemed familiar to her somehow.Rose was about to take a closer look when Nixon suddenly walked up to her. He blocked her line of sight. "Hurry up, Rose. I'll take you to Uncle Jonathan right now."Nixon wanted to hold Rose's hand, but Rose shirked away disdainfully.His eyes flashed with displeasure, but when he thought of Jonathan, he had no choice but to suppress his emotions."Rose, today is a great opportunity for me and my family. The Finches are the top among the three greatest families of Regalia, and Uncle Jonathan is the newly appointed person in charge of the family."Once he officiates our marriage, and with Celeste Jewels behind us, I am guaranteed to become the heir of the Lane family!"Nixon was the Lanes' only grandchild. But at the moment, his father, Hayden Lane, handled most of the family businesses.Hayden had an illegitimate son whom he had been workin
Rose struggled instinctively, but the man's large hand gripped hers suddenly. Their fingers laced together suggestively.He buried his face against her shoulder. His ragged breaths brushed over her collarbones and made her feel numb there. Rose could not help but shiver.She tried to kick a vulnerable part of the man's body, but she had only just lifted her leg when a hand gripped her knee.In the darkness, Jonathan's gaze was terrifyingly piercing."How heartless!" he snarled coldly and mockingly.She had paid to spend the night with him the night before last, but she was trying to make him impotent now. He silently cursed Rose.Jonathan recognized her the moment she walked into the room. He spilled the wine on purpose so that the smell of alcohol would mask his scent.He even disguised his voice by making it lower. That way, she would not recognize him.Jonathan thought about the lipstick stain on Nixon's collar. He felt an inexplicable rage building up inside his heart."Wh
Over in the room on the second floor, Jonathan had already let go of Rose's shoulder.Under the cover of darkness, his sharp gaze was fixed on her.Based on the information Zac gave him last night, Celeste died in a traffic accident ten years ago. It was classified as an accident.Jonathan wondered if there had been another reason behind Celeste's death.Did Rose come to see him to find out more about her mother's death? Was it not for Nixon's sake?The long silence made Rose anxious."As long as you tell me the truth behind that accident, I'll do anything you ask of me."Jonathan's gaze darkened as he questioned, "So, you'd even agree if I ask you to be my woman?"Rose froze. She suddenly recalled her new husband's handsome face.Jonathan saw her reaction. His expression, which had improved a little earlier, soured again.His voice was flecked with traces of jealousy as he said, "What's the matter? You can't bear to part with your fiancé?"Rose was taken aback.Nixon? He w
"Oh, yes, of course. I'll get it done right away." Nixon immediately nodded in agreement.Jonathan was an enigmatic man who kept a low profile. Nixon thought the former probably did not want too many people to see his face.In reality, Jonathan simply did not want a certain stray cat to see his face.He glanced at the bag on the bed. It belonged to Rose.Jonathan smiled in amusement. Then, he left the room with the bag in hand.Back downstairs, Rose had just entered the hall when she suddenly came to a stop. She had left her bag in the room!Her marriage license was in her bag!She could not care less about the bag, but the marriage license played an important part in her plan for tonight!Rose figured the man would have left the room by now. Gritting her teeth, she had no choice but to risk it.Avoiding the crowd, she rushed up to the second floor. When she entered the room, she saw that no one was there. It was as she had expected.But her bag was gone as well! He must have
The man's voice confirmed Rose's suspicion.It was him! He was right here!Shocked, Rose felt as if she had been electrocuted. Almost on instinct, she wanted to push him away.But Jonathan seemed to have seen through her thoughts. Placing his large palm on the back of her waist, he pulled her closer. "Don't move. Do you want everyone to know that you tried to seduce me in the room just now?""I—"She was not trying to seduce him! Rose wanted to retort, but a threatening glare from him silenced her.She grimaced beneath her mask, but she obediently continued dancing. He took the lead, and they danced quite well together.But Jonathan did not seem satisfied just yet. Her body was too tense."Relax!" Jonathan discreetly patted her waist.Rose was startled.His actions felt like he was teasing her flirtatiously. He was harassing her!Rose glared at him to communicate her resistance.Jonathan raised an eyebrow and smirked. They were legally married. Patting her waist was no big
Meanwhile, down in the dance hall, the dance had just ended.Jonathan had not had enough yet.Even though Rose was forced to play along with him, Jonathan found it rather amusing. Reluctant to let go, he kept his hand on her waist."Can you let go of me now, Uncle Jonathan?" Rose said with an insincere smile.Jonathan frowned. His voice was both domineering and jealous. "I'm not your uncle. Don't call me that ever again."Rose wondered why he was being so jealous. Suddenly, Jonathan stuffed a bag into her hands. It was her bag!Elated, Rose wanted to thank him. But then, she remembered the way he bit her when they were in the room on the second floor just now. Her shoulder was still hurting.He bit her, and he even stole her bag!Rose spat out through gritted teeth, "You wretched … thief!"Her voice was tiny. After all, she dared not mess with a prominent figure like him.But Jonathan heard what she said. She was insulting him!"Hah …"Jonathan was about to say more when Ro
As expected, Rose slowly began to reveal her thoughts and plans. "After this design won an award, Jonathan purchased the design draft, which means that these couple rings are unique and not available as any other product on the market."But now, she wanted to start mass-producing these couple rings.She wanted to turn this ring into a product known by everyone, so wherever Jonathan might be, if he happened to see it, he would know she was thinking of him. However…"Red diamonds are rare and extremely valuable…" Rose trailed off.Olivia frowned, realizing that even if this ring went into mass production, not many people would be able to afford it.But Rose made up her mind that no matter how great the cost was, nothing was more important than having Jonathan return. Besides, the one thing she currently wasn't lacking would probably be money and resources."Young Group still has some red diamonds in their inventory. The Xanth family has several mines in Frenchaa. The red diamonds w
Natalie also noticed Ava standing up.The two of them paused for a moment, and with a brief exchange of glances, they understood what the other was about to do.The mental process Natalie went through just now was interesting. She was trembling with fear.She never expected that all the praise Rose just gave in the office was actually about Olivia. Additionally, Rose considered Olivia as her sister!Ah! She was thinking about making a good impression on Rose, trying to win her over and outshine Olivia. But now, how could she compare? She couldn't compare! She just couldn't compare with that.She could no longer view Olivia as a rival, as Olivia simply wasn't worthy of that status. What she needed to focus on now was changing Olivia's negative impression of her. So, she was going to apologize!Natalie and Ava went to Olivia's office.Olivia didn't pay much attention to their arrival and acted as usual. It wasn't until she noticed they weren't discussing work after coming in tha
Natalie had just delivered the coffee. Did Rose not drink it?"Is Ms. Lenner in the office? I have a document that needs her signature. Where did she go?" Rose asked."I saw her heading toward the pantry just now, and she was holding two cups in her hands. How strange…"Natalie was jolted awake after hearing that voice.Olivia went to the pantry, and Rose had also gone into the pantry.Natalie felt a strange sensation in her heart. Almost as if guided by an unseen force, she walked toward the pantry.Inside the pantry, Olivia squeezed a glass of juice for Rose.Yesterday, she received a call from Miles. During the call, Miles instructed her to take good care of Rose after she joined the design department. He emphasized that she should not be overworked, showing great concern for Rose's well-being.When she connected this with how she accidentally saw Rose feeling nauseous yesterday, Olivia began to suspect something.Olivia gazed at the freshly squeezed orange juice in her han
Rose's compliment caught everyone present off guard once again. Did Rose acknowledge Olivia?This… Why was it different from what they expected?"Ms. Shaffer, Ms. Lenner's capabilities as a manager are well recognized by everyone. But now that you're here, the director position is obviously yours. Don't…"Rose glanced at the person who started speaking and recognized who it was.From the moment she walked in, she could sense this person's resentment toward Olivia. There was dissatisfaction that Olivia, who had only recently joined the department, was appointed as the design director for Young's House of Jewels.Rose's eyes seemed to have the ability to see through a person's thoughts or feelings.She interrupted the person, smiling softly, and said, "Being a design director is hard work. I'll leave the responsibility and the burden to Ms. Lenner. I won't take on the role."What she meant was that she didn't come here to experience hardship and toil.Indeed, even if some of her
Olivia was not embarrassed when she was caught. In fact, she seemed relieved. "Ms. Shaffer, I haven't done well enough. Now that you're here, I'd like to request a job change. If I could become your assistant and you give me the opportunity to learn, that would be even better."Her decision wasn't influenced by the mockery she overheard earlier in the lounge.Upon hearing that Rose was coming to Young's House of Jewels, she had already made up her mind.She learned that Rose was once the champion of a national jewelry design competition. Her designs were highly praised within the industry. Rose had already become her idol.The position of design director was perfect for Rose.She willingly decided to be Rose's secretary.When Olivia made the request, she was extremely nervous, fearing that Rose might reject her."I disagree," Rose said clearly.It was as Olivia expected. There was clearly a hint of disappointment in Olivia's eyes as if her high hopes had ended in disappointment
Rose nodded. "Okay.""Don't overwork yourself," Clover said."Okay."Miles chimed in, "Whatever happens, always be honest with us.""Okay."Miles and Clover gave their advice one after another, and Rose agreed to everything. She understood that their advice came from a place of care for her."Miles, Clover, don't worry. I'll be fine," Rose said with a gentle smile on her face.Her smile left the two of them momentarily dazed.Ever since Jonathan went missing, even when Rose managed to smile, it was with a sense of sadness that tugged at their hearts. But at this moment, it seemed like she had returned to her former self—Lively, playful, pure, and warm.She even said she would be just fine!At that moment, Mile and Clover finally felt a bit of relief from the worries they had been carrying for some time.They continued their search for Jonathan every day without fail, but each time returned with no news. They weren't sure if Jonathan would ever come back.If Jonathan didn'
Kelly's laugh was particularly eerie.Even Anastasia couldn't help but frown as she felt a chill run down her spine.Kelly's laughter echoed through the empty room, and after some amount of time, Kelly murmured a name."Rose! My name is Rose! Yes, I'm Rose!"I am the true heir of the Young family. I am the daughter of Elijah from Lerain Group. I have a caring brother and a loving husband. I am also pregnant..."Kelly touched her belly and said, "I'm pregnant, and I'm really happy. Haha! I'm Rose! I'm Rose. Do you want to congratulate me?"Kelly looked at Anastasia. Her expression looked very eerily strange.Anastasia stared at Kelly for a while. Had Kelly gone insane? Was it genuine insanity, or was she just pretending to be insane?She was considering herself as Rose?But how could someone like Kelly be capable enough to consider herself Rose?"You're not Rose!" Anastasia said slowly.Even if Kelly truly had lost her mind, Anastasia wouldn't let her hide in the perfect worl
"Something major happened in recent days," Anastasia said.Anastasia's tone made Kelly instinctively feel that the so-called big news she was talking about was definitely not something she wanted to hear.Kelly's eyes showed a hint of fear—she wanted to avoid learning about this so-called big news.Unfortunately, she was at another's mercy, like a fish on the chopping block.Anastasia aimed to torment her not just physically but also mentally, making her feel like living was worse than dying."No—"As soon as Kelly began to speak, Anastasia interrupted her potential refusal by saying, "Rose is pregnant."Kelly's expression clearly showed she was taken aback for a moment.She didn't want to listen, but each word in that sentence pierced her eardrums like needles. It seeped into her skin like poison and echoed persistently in her mind.Rose was pregnant. She was pregnant with Jonathan's child!In her mind, these words played out a scene like grass in spring, sprouting and growi
"He'll come back!" Rose spoke with determination.Sometimes no news was the best news—Jonathan might have encountered some unavoidable situation.As long as his body hadn't been found, he was still alive.She knew that they would continue searching, and all she could do was take care of the baby in her womb and wait for him to return.Jonathan would come back!Ezra was moved once again by her determination. "Yes, he will come back. He definitely will."…At that moment, in a hospital, the person lying in the bed was in a coma, but they moved their fingers slightly.But it was only for a moment, and it was as if nothing had happened.…In a nondescript mountain area in Regalia, a car made its way up and finally stopped outside an unremarkable house.Anastasia got out of the car and walked straight to the door.It seemed that someone was expecting her arrival. The door was opened from the inside, and she was respectfully invited in.The door closed as if nothing had ever hap