There is only one day left before the rehearsal and center selection for the play 'Swan Lake' takes place. I really struggled to exercise even though my health was pretty bad.Layla has been absent from school for the past three days, even her friends don't know where she is now. What's more suspicious is that one by one, each of Layla's friends is absent from school for no reason. No one knows where they went or when they will return to the academy.At least I feel lucky that the pictures that bad man forced me to take with him were not revealed. Maybe the police are holding them, I guess.Dominic wasn't home either. Unexpectedly, I felt a little miss him. I asked Ruby if she knew where Dominic was, but she didn't. I did not dare to call him for fear of disturbing him.During the rehearsal and choosing the center for the play "Swan Lake", I was quite nervous. In order, group S will perform first, then group A and group B.The excellent performance of Kaylin Joan and Garrick Harvey ce
Before leaving the stage, I accidentally saw the silhouette of Baldric Harrington gliding through the wings. He performed before me, so he shouldn't be here anymore.Just as I was asking a question, the stage lights suddenly went out. I stayed where I was because I was worried that if I moved, I would accidentally fall. The next performance hasn't started yet, and the sudden shutdown of the lights is definitely an unexpected turn of events.Ms. Glenda reminded everyone to stay still and not move to wait for the technician to open the temple. Fortunately, about two minutes later, the stage lights were on again, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief."Oh my God!""Ah, what is that? God that's embarrassing.""That girl is... oh my god these pictures are so sensitive. Was she raped? It's pitiful but honestly she looks like a slut."The screen was showing pictures that the creepy man forced me to take with him. In the photo, even though I tried to cover up with a blanket, many sensitive p
True to Dominic's promise, he really helped me get the center position. Rumors about Dominic and I circulated throughout the Malibu academy, including videos of Dominic shooting off the screen and Dominic picking me up from school in his car.I could clearly feel the change in the attitude that the students at the academy had towards me. The mockery and curiosity were replaced by a look of adoration, obvious jealousy, or awe. They're probably all guessing what my relationship with Dominic is. But no matter what our relationship was, they were wary of me and didn't cause me any trouble.The rumors that spread didn't bother me in the slightest.Veronica was the first person to come to me as soon as it was announced that I had been chosen to be the center of the play "Swan Lake" with Garrick Harvey."Congratulations, Esther. You deserve it. Things have been so bad these past few days, I hope you're okay.""Um, thanks Veronica. Actually, I'm still trying to figure out who showed that pict
The audience who came to see the Royal group's performance was really crowded. Malibu Academy invested a stage with a capacity of hundreds of thousands of people, beaming chandeliers and various props.Principal Peter sat next to several teachers in the academy and kept laughing and talking. People may not know why this stage is so lavishly invested, but Principal Peter does. All thanks to Sir Dominic's huge investment, Dominic even told him himself that this money was for his fiancée to have the most perfect performance."And here is the play that everyone is looking forward to the most... The play "Swan Lake" performed by the Royal team."After the host announced, the whole Royal group walked out on stage. The audience immediately cheered in surprise."Oh, this time the ballerina with Garrick Harvey is Esther Joan? Did she really beat Kaylin to get this center position?""It looks like Esther Joan is the rising star of the Malibu academy.""She looks so beautiful, her beauty is unre
In the following days, lawyer Kevin and I only discussed the litigation through email. Everything went smoothly beyond my expectations.One night, Dominic suddenly told me that he wanted to take me to meet some of his friends. This made me a little confused, but inside I felt a sense of joy. Meeting his friends meant he wanted to draw me closer to his world, no longer just his secret mistress or three-month fiancee.I got excited and asked Ruby to help me choose a beautiful dress. I don't expect his friends to look at me with the same disdain as country girls, because that would embarrass him.A slit dress, some glittery jewelry and perfect make-up. I looked at myself a few times in the mirror, then confidently got in the car and sat with Dominic."You fit this style, Esther.""Thank you, Ruby chose this dress for me." I smiled shyly.Currently, I have clearly defined my feelings. I know I admire him, and have a crush on him too, but it probably doesn't really matter that much whether
The weather got colder and colder at night, the wind blowing my thin skirt made me shiver a little. I crouched down on a chair by the pool, looking out into the distance.I've been thinking hard about the 'three-month' deal between me and Dominic. Now that my mother has passed away, I am alone, maybe I will move to the suburbs to live. At least the rent is pretty cheap, it's just a bit far from Malibu academy.I don't want to stay in the house where I used to live with my mother, I'm afraid I will ruin the precious memories there. I will lock that house with our memories there, when I miss my mother, I will return.It's pretty late, but attorney Kevin still emailed me, I skimmed it, then turned off my phone. Recently, things related to inheritance have made me extremely tired. The legal issues are extremely complicated, not to mention the attorney fees are also extremely expensive. My mind really spins just thinking about this."What are you doing out here, it's freezing outside.""It
On the next turn, I drew luckier cards, but timidly, I just checked and waited for everyone to bet and call. This waiting process, players need to guess the psychology of the opponents, guess whether they have good or bad cards."Raise."Dominic whispered to me, a raise is an extra bet, which means I'll pay more when I'm confident my cards are better than my opponent's. But what makes Dominic so confident?I looked at him with doubtful eyes, but he only smiled to encourage me, his hand was still gently stroking my hair, so I decided to give it a try."Raise." I put a sheet on the table and put it face down.The people sitting on the opposite side looked at me in surprise, they watched me broodingly, which made me a little nervous."Fold.""Fold.""Fold."One by one, many people dropped their cards and did not continue to bet. When the turn is over and the cards are flipped, I am the winner. Among the people who folded, there were a few people with better cards than me, but they didn't
Kaylin's eyes on me couldn't hide her distaste, but her mouth still smiled gracefully. If she was an actress, she would definitely win an Oscar."Winter weather with roasted chicken is perfect." Kaylin said excitedly."Yes, it's getting cold, everyone remember to stay warm. Be careful and don't catch a cold." Madame Ernesta appeared to be a calm and graceful lady. Her gesture was elegant and skillful, completely different from the fierceness when scolding me in the past.If my mother was a rustic and simple woman, Mrs. Ernesta was a luxurious and aristocratic lady. Perhaps this made Mr. Curtis fall in love with her. Kaylin was three years older than me, which means that when my father was with my mother, he had been married to Ernesta for three years. That's why it was always assumed that Mrs. Ernesta was my father's first woman.The truth is, my dad has known my mother for so long, when they were young, they almost had a baby. But because my mother's health at that time was weak and
The very next day, the entire media covered the news regarding Kaylin Joan's past. Videotapes of her bullying her sister, Esther Joan, have sex with multiple men, even with other people's husbands. There are tapes so rare that Kaylin himself may not know it exists.After that, a series of posts accused Kaylin of living a fake life, disdain for fans, and brazen.It seems that all public opinion is pointed at Kaylin. Right now, at Kaylin's house, she was frantically smashing things, roaring like a madman."Who? Who harmed me? I knew right away that when that bastard Esther returned, misfortune would find me again."Kaylin bit her lip, scratched her head, and threw a ceramic vase at the door. Baldric, who was standing outside, heard this and quietly backed away. Kaylin had been so mad for several hours, he dared not enter the room. He knew Esther was forever an existence that made Kaylin insecure.After throwing everything in the room for a while, Kaylin angrily grabbed her phone and mad
The aroma of bone broth rose, I put some coriander leaves and pepper in it, then stirred it up. The taste was not bad, I happily scooped the soup into a bowl. Kenelm is running indoors and playing with the dog we bought him last week."Dominic, Kenelm, it's time for lunch."I called out to them softly, Dominic came out of the study, picked up Kenelm and made fun of him, and then we sat down to dinner.It has been six months since the shipwreck, people are spreading a lot of rumors regarding it. But no one knows the truth.At that time, Dominic asked me if I believed him, then he dragged me into the sea. I really thought I was dead, unexpectedly, when I woke up, I was lying in a clean room.Dominic lay in the bed next to him and was bandaged by the doctor. Many others were also saved. It turned out that Dominic's father Donald soon received his son's news and drove a giant submarine. All the people who jumped into the water were brought into the submarine by the Arnold family subordina
Six months later...Kaylin Joan and Baldric Herrington were walking together happily. They have been married for more than a year and have become a couple admired and followed by young people. Their social media accounts are always filled with intimate and happy photos.Currently, Kaylin is already a celebrity, representing people with disabilities, inspiring people. She was very good at acting, and in all these years no one had suspected that she was pretending to be friendly. As for Baldric, he doesn't have a job, he is a rich young man with a lot of money to spend, so every day he just carries bags for his wife.Today, Kaylin and Baldric were walking down the street, everyone noticed them and took pictures. Kaylin felt so proud and happy, she grinned and waved goodbye to everyone.Moments later, Kaylin and Baldric entered a cafe together."I'm tired of those crazy fans." Kaylin pouted."Don't be mad, it's thanks to them that we're famous, isn't it?" Baldric coaxes Kaylin."Hey, shh
My son and I waited in the room for a long time, there was no movement outside, which made my heart feel even more anxious. The tired Kenelm fell asleep in my arms, the boy was still innocent and didn't know what danger was."Esther, I finally found you. We have to get out of here fast. Can't wait any longer." Frederick rushed into the room and spoke in a panicked voice."What's wrong? What's the matter?" I frantically took Kenelm in my arms and ran after Frederick."The boat is about to depart for the mainland.""How can such a small boat be enough for hundreds of people?" I wonder."Just us leaving. As I promised, I'll save you and Kenelm."I stopped, my face full of bewilderment. Dominic's enemies have reached this yacht and want to kill everyone?"No, I have to find Dominic.""Are you crazy?" Frederick pulled my arm back. "My boss has gone crazy, he wants to kill everyone, including him. Now you go find him, it's like you give your life for him to kill.""But I can't just leave Do
As soon as Dominic and Rory took Kenelm out of the yacht's grand lobby, I found them."Oh Esther, I keep worrying about you." Rory let out a breath when he saw me.I nodded at him to show I was fine, then took Kenelm from his hand. The boy woke up and bewilderedly asked me what happened. I could only reassure him and hug him tightly."Dominic, I overheard Frederick talking on the phone with his boss just now. Looks like they're planning to sink this yacht, only their subordinates will leave in a boat."I hurriedly explained Dominic. His face was contemplative, and his mood seemed tense."Besides, their boss..."Before I could finish my words, the sound of a helicopter in the distance sounded. We all looked up at the pitch black sky at the same time and saw the flashing lights from the helicopter."Is the lifeguard coming to rescue us?" Rory wondered."No, it is not." I immediately denied it. "The boss of those attacking us.""Really? What made him come here in person?" Rory frowned su
In the main hall of the yacht, everyone is handcuffed and blindfolded. I walked next to Dominic, feeling my heart beat faster and faster in my chest.I'm missing Garrick so much now, I wonder what the hell happened to him. Vivian says he's dead, this is not necessarily true, but does not rule out the possibility that his life is in danger. A few days ago I texted Garrick that I was on the yacht with Dominic and we've made up now. But he didn't reply.At the time, I didn't think much of it, just assumed he wasn't happy when I got back with Dominic. So I didn't text him anymore, I intended to wait until this trip was over when I would meet him and talk properly. Unexpectedly, bad news about Garrick came, which proved that he didn't respond to my messages not because he didn't want to but because he couldn't."Don't worry too much." Dominic whispered to me.I nodded, but deep inside I couldn't control the feeling of uneasiness. Fortunately, I saw Kenelm now, lying obediently beside Rory,
The water slowly rose to my waist, while I grew impatient with untying my bound hands. My wrist was sore and scratched, and a few streaks of blood had oozed out. I tried to calm myself, thinking about my family. With great difficulty, I was able to convince myself to forgive Dominic and accept to build a new family with him. I am not willing to die in this place, how can my little Kenelm live alone without a mother?I don't know how long it took, when the water level reached my chest, I was able to untie the rope from my hand. Immediately after, I took off the ropes on my body and blindfolded. Only then did I observe the room I was in. This place is like a basement at the bottom of a yacht, there are a lot of machines down here but for some reason they stop working all at once. In there is a machine that continuously sucks back seawater from the outside into the room.I don't understand how these machines work, but I'm not stupid enough to think that these machines are suddenly malfun
Thanks to Kenelm, Dominic and I made up. Rory couldn't help but be shocked when he saw us walking together to the pool."I didn't believe Esther Joan was your wife until now, Dominic. You really look like a happy family on vacation." Rory laughed and said."It's not the same, it's the truth." Dominic corrected.Anyone can tell that Dominic's mood is very good. He, along with Esther and Kenelm, freely swam and played."Dad, what kind of water is that? I want to try it." Kenelm pointed to the cocktail Dominic was holding."No. This is an alcoholic drink, children can't drink it. Wait until you turn 18, you can try it. Now, if you drink it, your mommy will be sad."Kenelm heard Dominic say his mother might be upset if he asked to drink the sparkling water, and Kenelm stopped asking.I stood on the shore and saw the father and son chatting happily, the mood also became comfortable. Gradually, the relationship between us has drawn closer together, become cohesive and strong. For one thing,
I approached the pool, quickly seeing Kenelm sitting on the float and enjoying the water. I gave him swimming lessons when I was at Goderich so I wasn't too worried about him drowning."Esther Joan, is it really you? Last time we met, I didn't recognize you, I'm really sorry."Rory Franh, smiling, approached me and talked enthusiastically. Behind him Dominic was sitting looking at the sea, his face as calm as if we hadn't had any arguments before. Seeing that he wasn't paying attention to me, I ignored him too and talked to Rory Frank.But less than a few minutes later, a hand was wrapped around my waist, slightly pulling my body closer to him."Rory Frank, it looks like it's time for dinner." Dominic said.Rory Frank has been Dominic's best friend for many years, how could he not notice the unhappy expression on Dominic's cold face."Oh right. You two and Kenelm will change and go to the restaurant, I'll ask the waiter to prepare." He smiled and left.When it's just Dominic and I, I