The kiss quickly escalated out of control. Pierce's hands began to wander, lifting her clothing and gripping her. Millie found that she wasn't repelled by his closeness, but she didn't want it to happen in this unclear and distressing situation.She struggled with all her might. "Pierce, what do you think of me?""You're no different from Stefan right now!" she shouted angrily, feeling deeply wronged and her eyes welling up with tears.Pierce's body stiffened sharply at her words, his heart aching as if it were being torn apart. He shouldn't be the abuser!He hurriedly returned to his seat and rolled down the window, letting the night breeze in.Millie felt helpless and gathered her clothes to cover herself."I'm sorry," Pierce finally spoke after a long silence. "I lost control. I shouldn't have treated you like this.""So you always thought this way about me? No matter what I said about not loving Stefan, you thought I was lying, that I still had a place for him in my heart."
"How many times do I have to say it for you to understand? I don't love Stefan anymore—I hate him! Can you help me to get rid of this? Please, I'm begging you!" Millie pleaded desperately.Pierce held her shoulders, his gaze steady on hers. "Are you sure you want me to remove it?"Millie nodded firmly."Then, close your eyes," he instructed. As if entranced, Millie obediently closed her eyes. In that moment, she was nothing short of perfect in Pierce's eyes. She had always been pure and innocent to him. Any inappropriate thoughts would be a form of disrespect to her, so he dared not entertain them.His eyes fell on the hickey on her neck. He slowly leaned down and pressed his lips against it. His tongue brushed gently over the hickey, and Millie shivered in response. It stung at first, but gradually, the pain ebbed away into a soothing warmth. The tenderness of his kiss seemed to dissolve her pain. Although his touch occasionally intensified the ache, it also awakened a fee
Upon hearing Sharon's words, Millie massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Yeah, you're right.""That's just terrible! No matter how hard you try to explain yourself, people will always doubt you when it comes to such a thing. Stefan is such a jerk! He really screwed you over!" Sharon exclaimed."I didn't expect him to be so paranoid either," Millie replied."Speaking of which, Pierce is way too patient, isn't he? Even with the idea that you might have cheated on him, he's still putting up with everything?" Sharon asked, incredulous. Millie sighed at Sharon's words. "What do you think? He doesn't have any feelings for me, and our marriage is contractual. What does he even care? Honestly, even if I stood naked in front of him, he wouldn't even bat an eye.""How can he stand it? You're gorgeous, and your figure is amazing. How could he not fall for you?" Sharon protested.If Sharon were a man, she'd be grinning in her sleep at the thought of having someone like Mill
"There are no painkillers left," Millie said."I'll ask the doctor to bring some over," Pierce said. Then, he picked up his phone to make a call.But Millie stopped him. "Never mind. It's so late now, and the doctor needs to rest. There's no need to bother him just for painkillers. I can go to the pharmacy tomorrow and get them myself."After all, it wasn't like she couldn't handle the pain for just one night."Does it hurt a lot?" Pierce asked.Wanting to spare him any guilt, Millie lied, "It's not that bad…"As she spoke, Pierce gently touched the bandage on her wound. Even though he was careful, his touch still made her wince in pain.It had hurt like hell!Seeing her reaction, Pierce frowned. "Actually, there's another kind of painkiller. Do you want to try it?""Really? What is it? As long as it can relieve the pain, any brand is fine," she asked quickly.Hearing this, Pierce took a step closer. He cupped Millie's head with one hand while pulling her closer to him. Mil
"I just went to buy it. Having a car makes it all so convenient," Pierce said.Millie replied, "I just didn't want to bother anyone, that's why I—" "—I'm not 'anyone,' and it's no trouble for me. Just take your medicine and get some rest," Pierce cut her off, his tone firm yet gentle. Noticing that he'd even brought her a glass of warm water, Millie felt moved, but it also left a bittersweet ache in her heart. Pierce was so thoughtful and treated her well. But she knew it was only because she was Mrs. Atkinson. As his lawful wife, it was his duty to care for her.Moreover, Pierce was a man with high principles who lived by his moral compass. That was why he was so good to her.Maybe he didn't see anything wrong with it, but this could lead her to fall even deeper for him.After all, how could anyone resist a man who had pulled her out of a living hell and given her respect and dignity? Specifically, Pierce always seemed to be there whenever she needed him most. Could such a g
"You're still lying in the hospital, and your injuries are severe. It'll take some time to heal. Do you think we should postpone our wedding?" Wanda asked. "No, it's fine. The doctor said I'll be able to walk by then. As long as I stay away from alcohol, there shouldn't be any problems," Stefan replied.Wanda felt a wave of relief. She had always dreamed of becoming Mrs. Leach, and now it was finally about to come true. She asked again, "How's the wedding dress coming along?" Honestly, Wanda didn't think her designers were good enough to design her wedding dress. She had wanted to ask Aurora to design it for her. But to her surprise, Stefan had already found a designer and told her not to worry. Since he had already made up his mind, she didn't want to argue. Holding her hand, Stefan said, "I'll check on it. Don't worry. I'll make sure you're the most beautiful bride in the world." Wanda smiled shyly in response before going off to fetch him something. After she left, Stefan
In truth, Stefan just couldn't handle how easily Millie had stopped loving him. Millie was clear that she could never compare to Wanda; there was always a difference between being able to have something and not being able to, and Stefan's wounded pride and frustration over losing her were what made him treat her this way.Millie also knew all too well that if she ever gave her heart back to Stefan, he would not only see her as easy and cheap but would eventually grow tired of her. Meeting his bloodshot eyes with a steady gaze, Millie pried his fingers off her wrist one by one. A surge of satisfaction washed over her, but she didn't let it show. After all, Stefan saw love and hate as the same thing. Hatred meant he still held a place in her heart. But to be neither loved nor hated? That was what would hurt him most. So, no matter how angry or resentful she felt, she had to keep her expression calm."You're mistaken, Mr. Leach. I don't love you anymore. You should go and live a g
Before long, Millie and Wanda arrived at the café downstairs from the hospital."Stay away from Stefan," Wanda threatened.Millie smiled and calmly took a sip of her coffee. "Please get it straight. I'm not obsessed with him; he's the one who's simping for me like crazy."Wanda felt a wave of relief at Millie's words. The voice recorder she had been secretly holding would finally come in handy! She feigned indignation and said, "Millie, do you have to be that rude? You and Stefan were together for three years!""He spent those three years telling everyone I was his simp. I don't think he's been kind to me at all," Millie shot back."It's my fault that Stefan broke your heart. I sincerely apologize and ask that you forgive him. Also, I don't need that wedding dress from you anymore. Anyway, I'll still pay you the money," Wanda said."What a good request! Once you send me the final payment, just draw up a contract and have a lawyer notarize it," Millie replied."Let's be honest, M
"Someone's been killed!" The crowd that had gathered outside to watch the commotion panicked, screaming and scattering in all directions. In the chaos, a stampede broke out as people trampled over each other in their desperate attempt to flee.Millie reacted first, grabbing Sharon's hand and trying to pull her away. But before they could move, a cold and threatening voice rang out behind them, "Stand where you are! I'll kill anyone who dares to move!"The entire room froze in fear. Everyone stood still, trembling all over.Wanda's face turned pale as she tightly clutched Samantha's hand. In a quivering voice, she whispered, "Samantha, what do we do? Guns… They have guns!""Don't panic. They won't dare to kill us," Samantha replied, trying to feign calmness. "My brother is Pierce Atkinson of Atkinson Group, and her husband is Stefan Leach of Leach Group. You're only here for money, right? Just name your price. Don't kill us."The man with the gun sneered. "Mrs. Leach? I've heard
"Millie, you're the real MVP here. If it weren't for you, Pierce wouldn't care whether I lived or died. That's why I'm treating you to dinner today. I made a reservation at a Michelin restaurant to properly thank you," Sharon said with enthusiasm."Alright, I'm on my way," Millie replied.Sharon was always mindful of boundaries. She wouldn't get close to her best friend's husband, not even by association.When Millie arrived at the mall, she called Sharon. However, Sharon didn't answer her phone. Just as Millie was about to redial, she noticed a crowd gathered around a jewelry store nearby. Among the voices, she suddenly heard Sharon's."It wasn't me! I didn't even touch her bag. You've got the wrong person!" Sharon shouted.Millie rushed over and found her being restrained by none other than Wanda and Samantha.Samantha was gripping Sharon's arm, refusing to let her leave. She kept yelling loudly that Sharon had knocked over Wanda's bag and caused an expensive emerald bracelet
Millie looked at Pierce and couldn't help but lament on missing out on the perfect "genetic material".Meanwhile, Pierce's face remained cold. "Millie, once bitten, twice shy. You're the most spineless person I've ever met. "Get out. I don't need you to take care of me."Left with no choice, Millie slinked out of the room, feeling defeated. Then, she called Tobias and asked him to look after Pierce instead.After that, she called Sharon to report her failed plan.Sharon exclaimed over the phone, "What? I can't believe that he didn't touch you even after all that. Is there something wrong with his brain? I mean, I understand that he's a righteous man, but this is over the top!"Millie sighed and replied, "I don't get it either, but I'll respect his principles. Anyway… how does one apply for a donor from a sperm bank?""Are you really going for it?" Sharon inquisitively asked."I just want to look into it. Pierce and I have been married for nearly four months, and in another eig
Blood gushed from the wound, staining Pierce's gray trousers a darker shade as it spread. "Pierce? Pierce!" Millie's voice grew sharper as she rushed toward him. Pierce's face had turned noticeably pale as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His body burned with unfulfilled desire, yet the intense pain sent waves of cold through him. The alternating heat and cold left him drenched in sweat. "What are you doing?" Millie asked, her voice trembling. "You've underestimated me," Pierce said, freeing one hand to firmly grasp her chin. "This is my final warning—either you stay by my side wholeheartedly and become Mrs. Atkinson for life, or stop provoking me. The cost of toying with me is not something you can afford." "Pierce, I'm sorry… Please don't hurt yourself anymore," Millie pleaded. "I told you, that drug won't kill me," Pierce said through clenched teeth. The pain in his leg wasn't enough. Though the agony momentarily suppressed his desire, it surged back wit
When Pierce said those words, he raised an eyebrow, exuding a devilish charm that was impossible to resist. Millie couldn't help but think that if he hadn't chosen the path of righteousness, he would have been the most evil villain.Pierce was the type to be either wholly good or entirely wicked.Before long, not a drop of wine was left in the carafe.Millie's heart raced with uneasiness. She was unsure of what Pierce's unpredictable behavior meant. He had known about her plan, so why did he still drink the wine?When Pierce stood up, the effects of the drug kicked in immediately. His whole body radiated heat, and his gaze turned hazy. Those strikingly captivating upturned eyes now seemed to be filled with unrestrained passion. Millie, who hadn't even drunk any wine, felt an intoxicating dizziness just from meeting his gaze."Take me to the bedroom," Pierce murmured. His voice put an inexplicable hold on Millie. She couldn't resist and just did as he said, stepping forwa
The title on the cover was: "Sperm Procurement Plan". As Pierce skimmed the document, he saw two options stated—Plan A: Natural conception; and Plan B: Sperm donation and IVF.The document stated that from the moment Millie conceived, the child would have nothing to do with him. His child wouldn't have a share of any inheritance, appear before him, take his last name, or call him "Dad"."Millie…" Pierce silently clenched his fists and uttered Millie's name through gritted teeth.At that moment, Tobias decided to slip away, albeit he did so awkwardly. Even he thought that Millie had gone too far this time. How did she even come up with something as outrageous as to keep her child but not her husband? What did she take Pierce for?In fact, Tobias was very puzzled as to why Millie was always so keen to get divorced.…Sharon stayed at the villa for three days before Pierce arranged a new place for her. It was even better than her previous dwelling, with ten years of rent paid up
"You know, they say men in their 30s have intense physical needs. Pierce is about 27 or 28, so he's at the peak of his needs. If he's not getting some at home and not sneaking around outside, how much frustration must he be bottling up? Has he been handling it all by himself?" Sharon wondered aloud.Millie choked on the water she was sipping.Sharon pressed on, "Doesn't he have any desires? And what about you? Don't you want him? Aren't you tempted by his body?"Millie's face turned bright red. "What are you talking about? I've realized that men are the most unreliable things on earth. We can only rely on ourselves.""You're not wrong there," Sharon began. "Men are indeed unreliable. But what about children who share your blood? Since you don't trust men, why not keep the child but not the man? You can have a child of your own."Just look at Pierce—his height, looks, intelligence, and character are all top-notch. His sperm quality is probably impeccable! Life drags on and gets lon
"We're best friends, Sharon. Don't worry about troubling me," Millie said.The commotion outside had quieted down. Millie wanted to open the door and take a look, but Pierce lightly knocked on it before she could do so."It's a bit of a bloody scene outside. I've got to say it's not a pretty sight. I'll have it cleaned up first. You can come out later, okay?" he said."Alright. Are you okay?" Millie asked."I'm okay," Pierce responded.Millie finally breathed a sigh of relief."What's this? Were you worried about him?" Sharon suddenly teased, leaning over.Millie quickly denied it. "Of course not! It's just that he came here because of me. If he got hurt, I'd feel guilty.""To be honest, Pierce seems to care about you a lot. He got here so fast. That's the main reason I called you. Isn't he so much better than Stefan?" Sharon praised."They're all the same—neither of them is any good," Millie replied in exasperation.Soon, Pierce called them from outside. Everything had been
"The gun can't kill anyone! It can only cause minor injuries." Someone had figured out that the gun was a deception.Millie had gotten the gun from Thomas. If it could severely injure people, they would all be arrested by the police."Millie, you should go…" Sharon said. Then, she lunged forward and hugged the bodyguard at the front, wanting to buy Millie some time to escape. However, the door was locked from the outside and couldn't be opened in a short time. Besides, Sharon had a small physique too and couldn't buy that much more time for Millie.When Millie saw that the bodyguard was about to hit Sharon on the spine with his elbow, Millie's heart raced. She quickly rushed over to the bodyguard and blocked him from hitting Sharon with her arm.Suddenly, there was a cracking sound, and Millie's face paled in pain. For a moment, she didn't know if she had a fracture or a dislocation. Either way, her right arm was limp and numb. Was her arm crippled now?"What are you waiti