"Even if you're an adult now, you still grew up by my side. With your parents gone, of course, I have to look out for you and make sure you're not deceived by anyone!"Tom's anger was genuine, and his gaze toward Sean turned cold.Jane could no longer remain calm. She stood up, determined to speak her mind. "I'm not with Sean just to make you jealous. I genuinely think he's a good person. I've been happy and comfortable spending time with him these days...""No means no!" Tom interrupted her angrily, slamming his cutlery onto the table, making a loud "bang" sound. "Jane, come home with me."At that point, Jane refused to tolerate any further, no longer caring about Mr. Westwood's presence. She stood up abruptly and said, "This isn't the Howard family. Just because you try to act tough, doesn't mean everyone here has to follow your lead!""I'm worried you're being deceived!" Tom retorted."You keep saying you're responsible for me. Fine, then tell me, under what authority are you
Tom looked at her in disbelief.He moved his lips as if to say something, but the police didn't give him the chance.Jane stood motionless, waiting until she was sure that Tom was being taken away by the police for questioning and could no longer bother her.Only then did she call Sean. "Can you come pick me up now?""Where are you? I'll come right away."Sean didn't ask why. He just came as quickly as possible.Jane stood alone by the street, looking thin and fragile, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.When she saw him arrive, she asked in a soft voice, "Is Mr. Westwood okay?""He's fine, just a little confused," Sean reassured her. "Don't worry. I've already explained it to him."Jane nodded. "Okay."Sean hesitated, but didn't ask why she seemed even more upset.It wasn't until they got back to her house and he poured her a cup of hot tea that he asked with concern, "Has your brother... regretted it?"He was gentle by nature, not slow or foolish.Typically, siblin
Hailey was terrified, but she didn't dare run.She owed so much debt, and if she couldn't get money from Tom, once they found her, it would be the end.Tom heard the servant mention Hailey's name."It was Miss Bundred who deliberately applied lipstick on her body, and Ms. Lawson misunderstood."Once the conversation reached this point, everything became crystal clear.As adults, lipstick marks on the body were most likely to be mistaken for kiss marks.Hailey watched as Tom hung up the phone and turned back around.He made a gesture to his assistant in the distance, saying, "You handle it. I don't want to see her again."The assistant understood immediately and quickly brought people over to restrain Hailey, stopping her from crying and trying to get closer to him.Tom got into the car alone and sped towards Jane's current residence.He had to find her and clear up all the misunderstandings, hoping that even if she didn't forgive him or choose him, at least she wouldn't be wi
She looked up at the colorful hillside in the distance and suggested, "Sean, I plan to pack up and go to the mountains to take some photos of the autumn scenery here. Do you want to come with me?"Sean naturally agreed, "Sure, wherever you want to go, I will go with you."Only then did Jane smile again. "I'm planning to stay near the Alps for a while. How does that sound?""Then I'll go pack our bags," said Sean, and he followed through. "You can continue to rest a little longer, and once I'm done, I'll tell you."While they were setting their new travel destination, Tom was sitting alone in a dark room, flipping through the documents in his hand.The room only had a wall lamp on, casting dim light on his face, making him look like a vampire who had lived in an ancient castle for too long.The assistant knocked on the door. "Mr. Howard, according to your request, we have found a few more people who meet the conditions."Only then did Tom say, "Come in."The assistant, afraid of
Everything would gradually fade as passed.In December a year later, Tom, who had been back in Cheria for a while, stepped into the house where Jane had once lived.At his request, the room had been maintained and cleaned regularly.Even the smallest ornaments were never allowed to be moved from their original positions. Every corner of the room still bore traces of Jane, as though she had just left a few minutes ago.Tom had given the cleaning staff a break and personally picked up the cleaning tools, intending to tidy up her room.It was at that moment that the letter was delivered. The courier had already left, and the only thing left to identify the sender was the writing on the envelope.Tom chased after the courier for a few steps, hoping to find him and confirm the sender's contact information, but he was out of luck and had to return to the room, opening the letter in vain.The contents of the letter were simple. it was a postcard printed with "Merry Christmas."Only th
"Tom, my photography work won an international gold award."Jane Lawson burst excitedly into Tom Howard's room. Overwhelmed with joy, she couldn't help but throw herself into his arms, just like she had countless times when she was little.But in the next moment, a heavy slap landed on her face.Hailey Bundred, who had just stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, delivered the slap before angrily pushing her away."Jane, I'm still his official girlfriend, and yet you're throwing yourself at him like this. What's your intention? Are you so shameless that you have to seduce your brother?"Jane's face burned with pain. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but they didn't fall.Yes, how could she forget?Tom had a girlfriend now, and they were going to get married soon.Jane had been an orphan since childhood. Later, the Howard family had taken her in out of kindness, and Tom had spoiled her for many years. She had long grown used to clinging to him.She looked at Tom with a mix o
Jane stayed out until the early hours of the morning before returning home.Making the decision to leave took only a moment, but over 20 years of feelings weren't something she could just erase. She wasn't strong enough to truly let go without looking back.To avoid regretting her decision, she thought it best to minimize her interactions with Tom during the remaining 2 weeks.When she returned to the Howard family's residence, the house was pitch dark.Jane didn't turn on the lights and dragged her exhausted body toward her bedroom.But a voice from the living room suddenly called out to her."Jane."She turned and saw someone sitting on the sofa."What is it, Miss Bundred?"Hailey was wearing a black lace camisole nightdress, sensually leaning against the armrest of the sofa. She smiled. "Tom bought this nightgown for me. Does it look good?"As she sat up straighter, the faint red marks on her body gradually became visible.Against the black lace, they appeared even more p
Jane walked out of the magazine office and immediately saw Tom leaning against his black Cullinan, lost in thought.As she approached, she finally understood what Wendy meant by "a surprise."The interior of the black car was filled with bright red roses, blooming vibrantly.Except for the passenger seat, the backseat and the trunk were completely stuffed with roses.Behind her, she could still hear the voices of a few close female colleagues from the office.They were hiding behind the company sign, sneaking glances in their direction, giggling and nudging each other.Whenever Tom came to pick her up, he often brought her something she liked.Cakes, drinks, or a variety of snacks she enjoyed.Her colleagues had seen it many times, but they still teased her every time. "Whenever your boyfriend shows up, the whole office gets a treat. We're really benefiting from you, Jane!"Jane always tacitly acknowledged these remarks, brushing them off with a smile. She would then share wha
Everything would gradually fade as passed.In December a year later, Tom, who had been back in Cheria for a while, stepped into the house where Jane had once lived.At his request, the room had been maintained and cleaned regularly.Even the smallest ornaments were never allowed to be moved from their original positions. Every corner of the room still bore traces of Jane, as though she had just left a few minutes ago.Tom had given the cleaning staff a break and personally picked up the cleaning tools, intending to tidy up her room.It was at that moment that the letter was delivered. The courier had already left, and the only thing left to identify the sender was the writing on the envelope.Tom chased after the courier for a few steps, hoping to find him and confirm the sender's contact information, but he was out of luck and had to return to the room, opening the letter in vain.The contents of the letter were simple. it was a postcard printed with "Merry Christmas."Only th
She looked up at the colorful hillside in the distance and suggested, "Sean, I plan to pack up and go to the mountains to take some photos of the autumn scenery here. Do you want to come with me?"Sean naturally agreed, "Sure, wherever you want to go, I will go with you."Only then did Jane smile again. "I'm planning to stay near the Alps for a while. How does that sound?""Then I'll go pack our bags," said Sean, and he followed through. "You can continue to rest a little longer, and once I'm done, I'll tell you."While they were setting their new travel destination, Tom was sitting alone in a dark room, flipping through the documents in his hand.The room only had a wall lamp on, casting dim light on his face, making him look like a vampire who had lived in an ancient castle for too long.The assistant knocked on the door. "Mr. Howard, according to your request, we have found a few more people who meet the conditions."Only then did Tom say, "Come in."The assistant, afraid of
Hailey was terrified, but she didn't dare run.She owed so much debt, and if she couldn't get money from Tom, once they found her, it would be the end.Tom heard the servant mention Hailey's name."It was Miss Bundred who deliberately applied lipstick on her body, and Ms. Lawson misunderstood."Once the conversation reached this point, everything became crystal clear.As adults, lipstick marks on the body were most likely to be mistaken for kiss marks.Hailey watched as Tom hung up the phone and turned back around.He made a gesture to his assistant in the distance, saying, "You handle it. I don't want to see her again."The assistant understood immediately and quickly brought people over to restrain Hailey, stopping her from crying and trying to get closer to him.Tom got into the car alone and sped towards Jane's current residence.He had to find her and clear up all the misunderstandings, hoping that even if she didn't forgive him or choose him, at least she wouldn't be wi
Tom looked at her in disbelief.He moved his lips as if to say something, but the police didn't give him the chance.Jane stood motionless, waiting until she was sure that Tom was being taken away by the police for questioning and could no longer bother her.Only then did she call Sean. "Can you come pick me up now?""Where are you? I'll come right away."Sean didn't ask why. He just came as quickly as possible.Jane stood alone by the street, looking thin and fragile, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.When she saw him arrive, she asked in a soft voice, "Is Mr. Westwood okay?""He's fine, just a little confused," Sean reassured her. "Don't worry. I've already explained it to him."Jane nodded. "Okay."Sean hesitated, but didn't ask why she seemed even more upset.It wasn't until they got back to her house and he poured her a cup of hot tea that he asked with concern, "Has your brother... regretted it?"He was gentle by nature, not slow or foolish.Typically, siblin
"Even if you're an adult now, you still grew up by my side. With your parents gone, of course, I have to look out for you and make sure you're not deceived by anyone!"Tom's anger was genuine, and his gaze toward Sean turned cold.Jane could no longer remain calm. She stood up, determined to speak her mind. "I'm not with Sean just to make you jealous. I genuinely think he's a good person. I've been happy and comfortable spending time with him these days...""No means no!" Tom interrupted her angrily, slamming his cutlery onto the table, making a loud "bang" sound. "Jane, come home with me."At that point, Jane refused to tolerate any further, no longer caring about Mr. Westwood's presence. She stood up abruptly and said, "This isn't the Howard family. Just because you try to act tough, doesn't mean everyone here has to follow your lead!""I'm worried you're being deceived!" Tom retorted."You keep saying you're responsible for me. Fine, then tell me, under what authority are you
Every word he spoke felt like a sharp knife stabbing into Tom's heart.Tom's face had unknowingly turned a visibly gloomy shade, and it seemed to grow darker by the second. Before Jeff could finish his praise about the couple, he interrupted coldly. "I have urgent business at noon too. Let's postpone this meal for another day.""Alright, Mr. Howard, take care then." Jeff only reminded him once, "Once you're done, don't forget to send me the photo requirements, and I'll forward them to Ms. Lawson."Jeff thought it was their first time meeting.Tom either didn't hear him or deliberately chose not to respond. He didn't even glance back and walked away at a quick pace.Jeff had gotten along with him earlier, but now he acted like a completely different person. Confused, he wondered, what had happened? Did anyone offend him?At the same time, as Sean was driving, he had similar questions, though he directed them at Jane. "What's wrong? You don't look well."Jane didn't respond direct
Time passed quickly.Since that day she had seen Tom, he had not appeared again.Actually, over the past few days, Jane hadn't thought about him often.Sean treated her very well, but he wasn't the kind of overly eager person trying to define the relationship quickly.He was the kind of person who took care of Jane's life gently and quietly.Jane felt that such a calm and peaceful life made her feel very secure inside.That morning, Jane received a phone call from Mr. Lowe of a Miran magazine early in the morning."Ms. Lawson, I have a friend who's a host named Jeff. He's going to do an interview with a celebrity today, the big shot I mentioned to you last time. Are you available to join the photography work?""Sure, I can go. What time and where is it?""It would be best if you could get there right now to discuss things on-site. I'll send you the address and Jeff's contact information."Mr. Lowe was naturally very happy that she was willing to help at the last minute.Jane
Tom furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "Brother?""Aren’t you?""Jane, I've seen all the photos you left for me," said Tom.Jane's expression didn't change much. She simply responded with a nod."But a few of them were destroyed by Hailey.""That's normal," said Jane. "She's your wife. She can dispose of your things as she pleases.""She's not!" Tom gripped her shoulder, eager to explain. "Jane, I didn't marry her. When I found out you were missing, I stopped the wedding. I've been searching everywhere for you, and then there was a girl who committed suicide wearing the clothes you donated. I almost thought you..."Jane furrowed her brows. "Tom, please let go. You're hurting me!""Don't say that I’m your brother again!"Jane looked up at him and smiled. "Then how about Mr. Howard? Is this okay?"Tom was furious. "Jane!"Jane took a deep breath, slowly pried his large hand off her shoulder, and then stepped back, standing beside Sean."I haven't finished my introduction,
Tom had no idea how he spent the eight hours on the flight.When he heard the news from Eric, his first reaction was confusion.‘She went abroad? And to Miran?’But he immediately instructed people to check the airport lists, and no boarding record for Jane was found.Yet, more than confusion, he felt a sense of relief. At least Jane was still alive. That was enough.But immediately after, a surge of intense anger enveloped him. Why did she leave without saying a word?Even if she wanted to go abroad for career development, why had she never mentioned it to him?Jane found a new place to live, moving out from Mr. Westwood's house.After all, she had been staying there as a guest. Although Mr. and Mrs. Westwood were both very fond of her, Jane didn't want to impose on them for too long.When Sean found out, he volunteered to help.Jane came with nothing but herself, no luggage. After moving into her new place, she decided to go to the shopping center to buy a few things to dec