Scott’s face stiffened, and he didn’t say another word, handing her the phone.Julissa sat up, swallowed nervously, cleared her throat, and tried to sound as if she wasn’t still groggy. “Mom…” But the tremble in her voice betrayed her nervousness.Her mother then began the soul-searching interrogation: Who is he? Where are you? What did you do last night?Julissa answered truthfully: He’s a friend. I’m at a hotel. Nothing happened last night!As she said this, she pulled back the blanket to double-check, only to find herself in the nude, her body sore. She realized that maybe “nothing” wasn’t entirely true.Rubbing her temples, she glanced over at Scott, who was sitting by the window, smoking. He glanced back at her with an enigmatic smile, and Julissa’s mind went blank.What exactly had happened last night? Did she sleep with him, or did he sleep with her? She could only remember drunkenly touching someone’s chest… Could it be that she had actually slept with Scott?That would be so
After that, Julissa’s father took the call. Julissa, afraid of her dad, sniffled a couple of times, then called out quietly, "Dad."Although she was heartbroken over her breakup, which was understandable, her father would certainly not overlook the fact that she stayed at a hotel with another man.What surprised Julissa was that her father didn’t lash out and tell her to come home and face the consequences. Instead, he said, "Your mother and I won’t force you to reconcile with Liam anymore. We’ll give you space and let you make your own decisions."Her father’s sudden warmth and understanding made Julissa feel truly heartbroken. She had been resentful toward her parents, but now, she didn't feel that way anymore."Dad, I don’t want to dwell on the past. I’m looking forward.""Good. Now, tell me who the young man was who was with you last night. If he’s your serious boyfriend, bring him home to meet us."Uh, how did the topic circle back to this? Julissa quickly explained that nothing
"Ah, sorry."Apologizing, Julissa quickly rushed out of the wardrobe, slapping her face to calm herself. She felt so hot and flustered, regretting her careless behavior.She couldn’t keep staring at a guy with such a good physique, could she?Considering her relationship with Scott, she should keep her distance and maintain boundaries.Thinking back, when she was drunk last night, she had probably mistaken Scott for the escort and even touched his abs. He must think she’s a total fangirl now…She sighed and covered her face, regretting drinking so much. From now on, no more alcohol.After Scott finished changing, he walked out of the wardrobe with a dark aura, ready to leave the suite.Julissa hurriedly stopped him. "Wait, Mr. Nichols, there’s something I need to confirm."Scott paused, turned to look at her. What did she need to confirm? A trace of expectation flashed through his heart.To his surprise, Julissa asked, "When do I need to check out? Can I sleep a little longer?"She st
After lunch, the two didn't return to the hotel but headed straight to the airport. The original plan was to take Kendrick's private plane back to Elfhedge. However, there were some last-minute issues with the flight approval, and the plane couldn’t take off. Jaime scrambled to coordinate alternative flights, but, unfortunately, there were no available seats.The only option left to return that day was by train.At this moment, Elio called Annabelle, asking if she had left Shadelake. Annabelle explained the situation to him, and Elio immediately said, "That's perfect, I'm heading to Elfhedge too. I've just arrived at the airport, and you can take my plane back."Annabelle was delighted and Mr. Duncan Elio to wait a moment while she asked Kendrick's opinion.When Kendrick heard her mention Elio, he looked at her in confusion. "What’s going on?"Annabelle covered the microphone and whispered, "It’s Elio. He's also flying to Elfhedge and said we could join him on his plane."Kendrick nar
Looking at the man beside her, Kendrick met her gaze. He had a slight smile, but his eyes were filled with warning.Annabelle couldn’t understand. Was there something wrong with wishing Elio success in his confession? Or was it because she had taken his pulse that Kendrick was feeling jealous?Sighing inwardly, Annabelle felt helpless living with the "lemon king" himself.After a while, Annabelle unbuckled her seatbelt and went to the restroom. This gave Elio the chance to speak with Kendrick."About the project I mentioned earlier, Mr. Gregory, have you given it any thought?""I’m not interested," Kendrick replied coldly.Elio raised an eyebrow. "Oh? But it’s a ten-billion-dollar project. It’s just the solution you need right now."Kendrick gave a faint smile, then coldly added, "I’m a businessman, and I like making money, but not by selling my woman."Elio had proposed using a ten-billion-dollar Shadelake real estate project in exchange for Annabelle’s freedom. If Kendrick and Annab
Rewind to when Annabelle was 14 years old. Elio, then just 20, appeared to her as nothing more than a frail little beggar.The beggar’s injuries had healed, and he was set to leave Springvale Temple the next day. On the night before his departure, he asked Annabelle to draw something on the scar on his chest.While she was drawing, the beggar asked, "If I become successful in the future and can grant you one wish, what would you want?"It was summer at the time, and the house often leaked when it rained. There were also bugs everywhere. Annabelle replied, “I just want a clean and comfortable house.”The beggar smiled and said, "If I were to give you a house, what kind would you want?"Annabelle thought it was just the fantasy of two poor people imagining a better future, saying things that were unrealistic. Since it was a fantasy, she didn’t give it much thought and dreamed, "I’d want a house where I can open the window and see mountains in the distance and water close by, with a litt
Hearing Elio refer to him as "your husband" made Annabelle realize that maybe he no longer had any attachments to her.She looked at the document in her hand. "What is this?""He’ll know when he sees it," Elio said.Annabelle didn’t understand their business dealings, so she didn’t ask any more questions. She thought it was just a message for her to deliver and carefully stored the contract.The two of them walked around the garden. When they were about to leave, Elio handed her a small leather pouch, about the size of his palm.Inside were the keys and access card for the garden."I originally planned for this to be our new home, but since you’re already married, consider it a wedding gift for you."He had always harbored affection for Annabelle and was deeply grateful to her. So he wouldn’t force her but would only wish her happiness. If she ever needed anything, he would always stand by her.But the gift was too grand, too valuable, and Annabelle refused to accept it.Finally, Elio
"What?" Annabelle didn’t understand what he meant.Kendrick gazed at her for a moment, then glanced at the documents on the table and asked, "How did you get the contract?""...He just gave it to me!""He didn’t set any conditions for you?"Annabelle shook her head. There were no conditions, and he even gave her a mansion. However, she could tell Kendrick wasn’t in the best mood, so she decided not to mention the mansion, worried he might overthink things."Is this contract really that valuable?"Seeing she genuinely didn’t understand, Kendrick smiled. "It’s okay, it’s worth about a billion.""..." Annabelle was thinking about how many zeros followed that one.Her math wasn’t great, and she had just woken up, so her mind was a little foggy. Forget the billion for now; she asked Kendrick, "Isn’t this the deal you two had already agreed on? Does it have anything to do with me?"Kendrick, never one to hide the truth from her, answered straightforwardly. "He wants to use the billion-dolla
Kendrick unfolded the crumpled painting draft and took a look. It was an unfinished painting that seemed to be intended to depict a sea, a very familiar scene.Annabelle sat up, hugged her knees, and looked depressed."I originally wanted to give it to you as a gift, but I messed it up."Kendrick remembered that when they were in Shadelake, he gave Annabelle a necklace and a jewelry box. At that time, Annabelle said she would give him a gift in return, but he needed to wait a while.Some time ago, she went to the calligraphy and painting market and bought some things. He didn't ask in detail. Now, looking at the picture frame piled up by the wall and the paintings in the room, Kendrick understood.Annabelle was going to paint a picture for him with her own hands. She probably didn't want him to enter this room last night because she was afraid that he would see it in advance.However, it seemed that none of the painting drafts visible in the room was intact."Is it still not finished?
Julissa felt so embarrassed she wanted to die. She cleared her throat and said, "Umm... I actually don't usually read those things. I just bought it out of curiosity. I usually read these books over here."Julissa smiled awkwardly and pointed at the row of classic novels on the shelf, covered in dust.Scott put the book back and came over to her. He took the panties from her hand and raised an eyebrow."Why did you buy such a large size? Do I look that fat to you?""Oh no, I don't have any experience. I thought... I didn't know..."Scott understood and suddenly smiled. As he left the study, he said, "Food and sex are basic human instincts. It's natural, Assistant Hickman. There's no need to hide it. I understand.""..." Julissa rubbed her forehead and said in a dry voice, "Thanks, Mr. Nichols.""You're welcome."What kind of conversation was this? Julissa was embarrassed to the point of madness.Regardless, Scott went back to his room, and Julissa, after a moment of disarray in the st
Although there was a door blocking the view, she could only see half of his chest exposed, and the other half of his body was hidden behind the door. But her door was made of frosted glass.With frosted glass, you can't see anything from a distance, but when you're close... it's very clear, and you can see everything.Julissa swallowed nervously and tried her best not to look, even retracting her peripheral vision. She asked calmly, "What's the matter, Mr. Nichols?""Could these things have been used by your ex-boyfriend?""Don't worry. He never stayed the night here."Scott nodded. "That's good. I don't like sharing these items that come into close contact with the skin with others."Julissa also nodded with a smile, thinking to herself, if he doesn't like sharing items in close contact with the skin, then why is the CEO going to sleep in my bed?"Do you have anything else, Mr. Nichols?""Not for now. If I do, I'll call you."The bathroom door closed again, and Julissa let out a sigh
She glanced at the person in the living room. The CEO was holding a teacup, sipping gracefully, and observing her living room. He frowned at times, twitched the corners of his mouth at other times, and then showed a rather amused expression.Was he making fun of her home being like a pigsty, or was he making fun of her home being like a pigsty?Julissa had seen all these expressions on her mother's face before.Every time her mother came to her place, she would help clean the house while wearing that speechless expression.After washing the dishes and drying her hands, Julissa walked out of the kitchen. Looking at the clock on the wall, she said to the person in the living room, "Mr. Nichols, it's getting late, isn't it?"Scott also looked at his watch. "Well, it's already so late.""Yeah!" So, aren't you leaving yet?Scott looked at Julissa. "By the way, Assistant Hickman, I have something I'd like to ask you for help with."The address of "Assistant Hickman" made Julissa stand up st
Julissa added the Nicholsn Ramyeon to the pot, thinking to herself, *The CEO comes to someone's home as a guest, and he's being so domineering?*As the noodles were nearly cooked, she placed the cheese on the noodles. Once the cheese hit the heat, it softened and enveloped the noodles with a rich, creamy texture. Julissa’s eyes lit up. She took a bite eagerly, and just as she was about to dive in, Scott handed her his bowl."Can you serve me?""??"Looks like the CEO is really good at delegating.Fine, I’ll serve it! Here you go, just eat quickly and leave, my dear CEO.Julissa was furious in her mind but dared not show it. All she did was mutter quietly inside, handing the bowl over to Scott while trying to smile obsequiously, "Take your time eating, it's still hot."This was the power of a 100,000 monthly salary.Scott glanced at her, raised the corner of his mouth, and picked up the noodles to try. He raised an eyebrow, surprised. He hadn’t expected something as ordinary as instant
"Zane, aren't you eating?""I just got a call from the hospital. One of my patients is in trouble, and their wound has reopened. I have to go right away."He was already at the door, and from his anxious expression, it seemed like it was serious."Be careful on the road.""Yeah, you go ahead and continue eating. I really wanted to spend more time with you tonight."Julissa quickly reassured him, saying it was fine, and they could eat together next time.Scott walked them to the door and said to Zane, "Take care, Doctor Carter."Julissa furrowed her brows and looked at the person beside her. Why did it feel like he was the one in charge of the house?And leaving her alone with Scott, what was that about? Didn’t Zane have any suspicions?Lost in thought, Zane turned to Julissa and said, "Julissa, can you help me swipe the elevator card?""Oh, sure."Julissa took the card and stepped outside.When the elevator arrived, she swiped the card for Zane, but he pressed the button to hold the d
Julissa’s apartment, a small two-bedroom, one-living-room layout, was decorated... probably intended to be cozy, but in reality, it was messy and disorganized. Scott felt like he had never entered such a chaotic home.Julissa glanced at him. His discerning eyes and furrowed brows made him look just like the dormitory manager checking for cleanliness when she was in school.She felt nervous, and now, looking at her own little space, she could see everything that was wrong with it.There were delivery boxes piled at the door, still unopened, and clothes that needed washing were scattered on the couch.Oh no, there’s even a piece of underwear!Quickly, she hurried over to pick it up and quietly put it in the laundry basket on the balcony.If she hadn’t tidied up, Scott wouldn’t have noticed. But now that she had, he certainly saw it.It seemed like he really liked black lingerie. She had worn a black one the other night, but it didn’t look like the same one.After taking off his coat and
Julissa hummed in surprise. "It might be the landlord; they said they'd bring me a potted plant a few days ago. Can you take the wine off the stove? It should be warm by now.""Sure." Zane swallowed the rest of his words and headed to the kitchen, deciding to speak later.Julissa went to open the door.When she opened it, she was surprised to see Scott standing there. He was dressed in a black wool coat, standing tall in front of her, his gaze heavy and intent.Although he hadn’t said a word yet, Julissa could already feel her heart racing. She pressed her hand against her chest, silently reminding herself that although it felt like a god had suddenly descended on her humble abode, she shouldn’t let her inner fan girl take over!"Mr. Nichols, is there something you need?" she asked.Scott pulled a pen from his coat pocket. "Your pen was left in my car."Julissa looked at the pen, tilted her head, and reached out to take it. Could it have fallen out when she got out of the car earlier?
Soon after Julissa arrived home, Zane showed up.She opened the door for him, handing him a pair of men's slippers to change into.Zane entered the living room and looked around at her somewhat messy little place. He smiled and said, "You don't seem to be someone who enjoys doing housework, do you?"Julissa scratched her head awkwardly. "My study is very tidy!""Oh? Can I take a look?" Zane teased.Julissa quickly stopped him. "Uh... can you help me out here? I need to wash a lot of vegetables."There weren't actually that many vegetables to wash, but her study was definitely not suitable for showing off. It contained not only legitimate books but also some less-than-legitimate ones. If he saw her collection of adult novels and comics, it would be too embarrassing.Zane bit his lip and gave up on the idea of exploring her study, following her into the kitchen instead.He had always been a firm believer in not getting married and had never been in a serious relationship. When his boss