Seraphina lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with a heavy nasal tone. "Yes, Young Master."She pulled the curtains tightly shut and carefully tucked the blanket around him.Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, Ryan suddenly grasped it."A Ying, thank you."His eyes were closed as he spoke. If they were open, he would have seen how just those simple words made her eyes instantly brim with tears."… Young Master, please rest well. I’ll… head out now."Ryan nodded slightly and let go of her hand.Seraphina walked out of the bedroom, pressing the hand he had just held against her chest as tears silently streamed down her face.Ever since she learned that he had been poisoned, she hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep.She never dared to hope that he would love her the way he loved Ms. Sanchez. But as long as he could see her devotion, she was already content.Canglan Courtyard, 10 PM.Annabelle lay alone in bed. Kendrick hadn’t returned yet, and she had no idea if he would come back to
Gauge, dressed in a black sports outfit, looked energetic. The athletic wear added a youthful vibrance to his already tall and handsome figure.They jogged along the residential track. Gauge was considerate and kept a slow pace, but even so, Annabelle quickly felt out of breath and developed a side stitch.Seeing this, Gauge slowed down and walked beside her instead, treating it like a casual stroll."The commercial is fully produced and ready for its premiere at the launch event," he said.Annabelle nodded but couldn't help feeling a bit anxious.As the product ambassador, attending the launch event was a given, and she had a crucial role to play.The previous day, a colleague from the company's marketing department had sent her an email detailing the event's schedule.Her main responsibility? Walking the runway wearing the featured jewelry collection.That meant wearing high heels—something she wasn’t used to. On top of that, she had never walked a runway before.With less than a mo
Maria was a graceful yet strict instructor.She had once been an international supermodel, but after getting married, she retired and became a posture coach.All the models participating in the launch event would undergo a three-day intensive training and rehearsal under her guidance. Since Annabelle had no prior experience, she had to start training earlier.However, after just half a day of training, Annabelle felt like she was going to collapse.Even though she put in great effort, Maria frequently shook her head. "This isn’t something you can master overnight, and you don’t have much time left. You need to focus on understanding the essence of it, Annabelle."When the training finally ended, it was already 8 PM. Annabelle dragged her exhausted legs to her car, feeling utterly drained and frustrated.She rested her head on the steering wheel for a moment, then decided to go see Kendrick.He had come home late the previous night, but she hadn't gotten the chance to see him.That aft
Annabelle panicked and quickly took a step back.After a moment, she glanced back into the conference room and saw that Kendrick was now focused on the presentation screen. It seemed he hadn’t noticed her after all.Deciding not to continue spying on the big boss at work, she turned away. Her legs and feet had suffered enough today, and all she wanted now was to sit down and rest properly.Taking advantage of the moment while Kendrick wasn't looking, she swiftly walked past the conference room and arrived at his office door.It was locked, but she wasn’t worried—Kendrick had once taken her hand and recorded her fingerprint, telling her: "My office is always open for you. Come whenever you want."Now was the perfect time to use this privilege. She pressed her finger against the scanner. With a soft beep, the lock clicked open.A satisfied smile spread across her lips—it was as if she had just opened a door into Kendrick’s world, a door that only she had access to.Not knowing when his
Annabelle's brow furrowed in a frown. "Are you spying on me again?" she asked, her voice tinged with irritation. Otherwise, how did he know she went for a morning run with Gauge? It seemed like the only explanation for how he could have found out about her activities so quickly."I wasn't spying on you," Kendrick replied. After saying this, his movements did become a little gentler, as if he was trying to prove his point. But Annabelle was still skeptical. How else could he have known about her morning run?"Then how did you know—" she began, but before she could finish, he kissed her, cutting off her words. His lips were firm and insistent, effectively silencing any further questions. He didn't like talking about other men when he was being intimate with her, and Annabelle could sense his discomfort with the topic.Annabelle wanted to explain that her leg pain wasn't from running. In fact, she hadn't even run much this morning. Her legs hurt mainly because of the intense training she
Being teased by the big boss, Annabelle was so annoyed that she slapped his chest—only to have her hand caught by him.“What’s wrong with your legs? Did you get hurt?”Earlier, during their intimacy, he had noticed her movements were a bit stiff, and she had tired quickly.At the time, he had been too caught up in the moment. Now that he had calmed down, he wondered if he had been too inconsiderate.Annabelle explained that she had spent the entire afternoon training for the upcoming fashion show, practicing her runway walk under a strict instructor. She’d have to continue training every day from now on.Kendrick immediately asked, “Is the instructor male or female?”“…Is that the main concern here?”“It’s not the main concern, but it’s pretty important,” he said seriously.“She’s a woman!”“Alright, then. Continue.”“There’s nothing more to say…”Thinking back to her practice session, Annabelle felt a sense of defeat.Her normal walking posture was fine, but walking on a runway was c
The three senior executives—all men—exchanged glances upon hearing the woman's cry from the president’s private lounge.A woman's voice… coming from the president’s resting area!Who else could it be? It must be the little wife their president cherished so dearly.“Give me a moment,” Kendrick said as he stood up.The three executives immediately responded, “Of course, President, take your time. We’re in no hurry.”As Kendrick entered the lounge, the three men outside kept their expressions neutral, but their ears were perked up, listening intently.Inside, Kendrick asked, “What’s wrong?”A pitiful voice replied, “My legs hurt even more now…”He continued, “Can you get out of bed?”The little woman whined, “Not really… I need a moment…”Outside, the three men exchanged looks—one shaking his head, another stifling a laugh, and the third feeling oddly sentimental.President, you’re too much… You’ve completely worn her out to the point she can’t even get out of bed!Must be nice to have t
When their eyes met, both Annabelle and Marvin were momentarily stunned.Marvin then stepped closer and glanced at the lunch bag in her hand. “Bringing food for Kendrick?”Since their last meeting in the Maldives, they hadn’t seen each other again.Marvin had heard that she had left for a while and later returned.He had wanted to check in on her but was afraid of bothering her, leaving him conflicted for days.Now, having run into her by chance, his heart felt a small surge of joy.Annabelle smiled at him and nodded. “Are you working from here today?”“Mm.”Marvin stared at her, lost in thought.He liked the way she spoke to him so calmly, but at the same time, he felt a hint of sadness.Is it because she neither dislikes nor likes me that she can greet me so indifferently?He even suspected that she spoke to the company’s security guards with the same level of warmth.Suppressing the tinge of disappointment in his heart, Marvin said, “I need to see him too. Let’s go up together.”Wi
What Gauge wanted to discuss with Kendrick was a strategic collaboration between their two companies.Since stepping into the family business, Gauge had discovered a series of issues.Although Lin Jewelry appeared to be thriving, its narrow focus on a single line of business had left it vulnerable to serious challenges.Therefore, Gauge was planning to expand the jewelry and watch business within the next five years into leather goods, fashion products, and the perfume industry.He also proposed merging the group's original real estate construction division with a subsidiary of Gregory's Group. Murphy's Group would retain only a small share—essentially, a disguised sale to Gregory's.But the reason they couldn’t call it a sale outright was because Murphy's Group had started out in the construction industry. Gauge’s father, Simon, still held an emotional attachment to that legacy and couldn’t let go entirely.After the merger of the construction branches, Gauge hoped to acquire Gregory
At first, Annabelle didn’t understand what he was up to. It wasn’t until they were back inside the house that she realized—Kendrick thought she looked a little too sexy wearing his oversized T-shirt, especially since it made it seem like she wasn’t wearing anything on the bottom. It sparked a lot of imaginative thoughts.Annabelle was both amused and exasperated. She lifted the hem of the T-shirt to show him: “I am wearing shorts! They’re just... a little short. But still totally decent!”But Mr. Gregory was persistent. In the end, Annabelle gave in and changed into her own clothes.Once they were both dressed, they returned to the courtyard.Annabelle noticed Gauge hadn’t touched the watermelon and asked why—after all, it was set aside just for him.Gauge pulled a ten-hole blues harmonica from his pocket and said, “If I eat now, I won’t be able to play.”She knew harmonica players had to keep their mouth clean before playing.Then, Gauge handed her his guitar. “Since we’re just hang
While Kendrick was cutting the watermelon, Annabelle couldn’t take her eyes off him.How strange—why did everything this man did seem so charming to her? Even slicing a watermelon looked handsome.It was as if her brain had automatically applied a beauty filter to him.Annabelle placed a hand over her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. But the more she tried, the faster it beat. The sweet words he had just whispered, every little expression and gesture of his, were now playing back in her mind like a movie…Kendrick held out the watermelon to her with a grin. “Little fangirl, stop staring. This handsome guy is your husband—100% confirmed.”Annabelle glared at him with a flushed face. “Narcissist!”Then she lowered her head, scooping out a bite of watermelon, determined to focus on eating.Just as she was about to take a bite, she noticed Kendrick had sat down.The other half of the watermelon was still sitting on the small stone platform by the well.“Aren’t you going to eat?”“Y
Annabelle smiled softly, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and affection. "Why do you always have to compare everything?" she asked, her voice gentle and teasing."I just want to know," he replied, his voice low and earnest. He reached out and tucked a strand of Anna's hair behind her ear, his touch light but intimate. "What it feels like for you to be with me."Annabelle fell into deep thought, her gaze drifting away as she considered his question. The room was quiet, filled only with the soft sounds of their breathing and the occasional rustle of the sheets beneath them. After a while, she still hadn't answered. Kendrick sighed, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Is it really that hard to answer?""Hmm... it’s hard to describe," Annabelle murmured thoughtfully, her fingers playing with the edge of the blanket. "Before, when I was with you, just seeing you would throw my heart into chaos. My pulse would race, and I could hardly catch my breath. But now…” She trailed off, h
Annabelle hadn’t slept so soundly in a long time.When she lazily opened her eyes and looked out the window, she realized it was already dark.Ever since arriving at her grandma’s house and staying in this quiet little fishing village—far away from her usual life—it felt like she had escaped to another world. Her entire being relaxed, with nothing left to worry about.Kendrick didn’t have to stress over the corporation anymore either.Their biggest daily dilemma had become: what should we eat for the next meal?If only life could always be this carefree...Annabelle slowly sat up. After sleeping for so long, her whole body felt soft and mushy. She got out of bed and wandered into the courtyard, where she saw Kendrick sitting at the small table, smoking.When he heard her, he turned around.“Awake?”Kendrick stubbed out his cigarette and patted his thigh.Annabelle walked over without hesitation or shyness and naturally sat on his lap, arms around his neck, resting softly against his s
Kendrick’s face darkened. “It’s better to date someone older. Look at Mr. Murphy—he’s too young, can’t even cook. How’s he supposed to take care of a girlfriend?”Annabelle raised her eyebrows and gave the sly old fox a glance. Flicking the water off her hands, she smiled and said, “But younger guys are energetic—and no generation gap!”Kendrick let out a sharp “hmph.” “You think there’s a generation gap between us?”“I didn’t say us,” Annabelle teased, eyes twinkling. “Why are you jumping to conclusions? Having a midlife crisis already, Uncle?”The little bunny was obviously up to no good with that mischievous grin.Kendrick glanced at the loquat tree in the courtyard, then squinted at the sunlight filtering through its leaves, trying hard to stay calm.After all, he was turning 31 after the New Year. Couldn’t let a little girl get under his skin, right?But midlife crisis? Really?He was in his prime. A young man!So this young Mr. Gregory looked into the reflection on the glass. He
So Annabelle thought to herself—was Mr. Gregory being a little too proactive?Kendrick asked lightly, “So, do you want to go swimming with him alone?”He deliberately emphasized the word “alone,” as if suggesting she had ulterior motives. Annabelle could only respond, “...I never said that!”“Then that’s that,” Kendrick said calmly, taking her hand and leading her into the house.After a short rest, the three of them began preparing lunch.Gauge was every bit the privileged young master—clearly someone who’d never cooked at home before. He practically didn’t know how to do anything.He was too rough when washing vegetables, to the point of mangling the leaves.Then they had him try chopping vegetables—but the young master, with his obsessive need for precision, insisted on cutting everything perfectly uniform, each slice as neat as the next. At the rate he was going, they’d probably be eating tomorrow’s lunch.Kendrick and Annabelle didn’t even bother expecting him to cook anything. T
Afterward, the three of them returned to Grandma’s house first.Gauge waited in the courtyard while Annabelle and Kendrick brought the things they bought at the market into the house. After grabbing the ingredients they needed for lunch, the three of them headed to Gauge’s place together.When they arrived in front of the white guesthouse, Kendrick couldn’t help but chuckle.That morning, he and Anna had passed by this very spot. He had been wondering at the time—the place had a fresh, elegant architectural style. But there was no signboard, so maybe it wasn’t a guesthouse after all. If it was just a private residence, then it probably belonged to someone with means.Sure enough, his guess wasn’t far off. What he didn’t expect was that this would turn out to be Gauge’s home.After stepping through the front gate, Annabelle couldn’t help but marvel.To build such a charming little courtyard on this sloped hill must’ve taken a lot of thought and care.“Come in, rest a bit. Have some wat
As Kendrick was lost in thought, Annabelle called out to him, “Let me help you carry a couple of those.”Just moments ago, Kendrick had taken all the shopping bags from her hands—he was carrying everything by himself now.Seeing his forehead glistening with sweat, Annabelle, who now had empty hands, felt both guilty and worried.Kendrick looked back at her, smiled, and said, “I could carry you on my back too, no problem.”“Stop messing around, give me two bags.”Seeing how serious she looked, eyebrows furrowed and all, he finally gave in and handed her two of the lightest ones.But as soon as she took them, Gauge casually took them from her without saying a word.Annabelle: “…”She felt like she’d just become the middleman in a hand-off.Kendrick glanced at Gauge. “Thanks, Mr. Murphy.”His tone and look were both laced with provocation.Even Annabelle thought he was kinda asking for a punch right then.Gauge snorted coldly, “Don’t thank me. It’s not like I’m helping you.”“Tsk, brat…”