The sight of Jeanna potentially sharing affection with another man stirred a vexing irritation in Sean. He despised the discomfort it caused him.Jeanna's fierce demeanor melted under a wave of vulnerability, leaving her visibly shaken."How dare you invade my privacy, opening my suitcase and snooping through my computer?" Her voice quivered as she spoke, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.Sean watched her, and his eyes betrayed a twinge of satisfaction as he saw her flustered. "How else would I know whose luggage it was and how to find its owner?"Realizing her emotions had gotten the best of her, Jeanna quickly regained her composure and suppressed the aching memories. For the past five years, Sophie had been her sole confidante. "Return my belongings now. This is the last time I'm asking."Sean seemed strangely intent on riling her up as if provoking a little monster to bare its teeth, only to pull them out one by one with pliers and turn it into a tame pet in his palm.
Sean regained his composure as he approached the bar's exit, the shock gradually dissipating. As he clutched his nearly torn-off face, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes, unnoticed even by himself."Do you want a matching bite on the other side?" Jeanna's taunt prompted him to reflexively guard his unscathed cheek and avert his gaze. His face was his pride, and he couldn't bear the thought of it being marred."I don't need the baggage anymore. But remember my warning: stay out of my sight," she declared icily before storming out of the bar."Boss, are you okay? Should I... Should I call an ambulance?" The waiter was still stunned by the spectacle. He couldn't comprehend how a woman could leave Sean with a bite mark on his face, nearly tearing off a piece of his cheek."No need for an ambulance! Close the bar. We're done for the day!" Sean barked.His expression was a mixture of fury and humiliation, while his eyes reflected a whirlwind of emotions.'That damned woman! How dare s
"Boss, you're like a prophet," a waiter commented, seemingly unaware of the tension in the air. "The forecast missed this downpour. We wouldn't have seen many patrons in such weather anyway."Sean's frown deepened at the waiter's attempt at small talk, prompting the latter to scurry away. Such heavy rain was indeed rare in Imperium, especially at this time of year.'That woman didn't have an umbrella. With the rain pouring so heavily, she'll be drenched,' he begrudgingly thought, imagining her as a bedraggled mess in the downpour.As his mind conjured a vivid image, Sean's brow furrowed in irritation. 'Considering her petite frame, if she gets soaked, she might catch a cold or even faint in the street. What if some careless driver doesn't see her and runs her over?'Or worse, someone deliberately runs over her a second time and turns her into roadside meat mush that will wash down the drain, becoming a feast for sewer creatures?' he mused.The more detailed the scenario in his hea
As Sean turned away, attempting to regain his composure, he caught sight of something alarming: the petite figure in the rain suddenly collapsed, falling toward the ground.Reacting instinctively, Sean dashed back and caught Jeanna just as she was about to hit the pavement.Jeanna's eyes were red, her vision already blurry. Instinctively, she weakly lifted the umbrella she had been holding and glared at him."I hate you all! I hate you so much!" she cried out, unaware of who had come to her aid.Sean's hair were drenched and disheveled."Well, aren't you grateful? I'm here to help, you know," he replied wryly.He picked up the fallen umbrella, using it to mask his frustration. When he looked back at Jeanna, she had already lost consciousness."Hey! Wake up, you mad woman!" he snapped, taking the opportunity to give her a couple of slaps to release his anger.Afterward, he grabbed the umbrella and awkwardly carried her in his arms."Why am I so kind-hearted? First, she bit me,
Sean was rendered speechless. His expression darkened at the notion of being addressed as "Mom" by her in her delirious state. It was a thought he found intolerable."I must take you to the hospital. Your fever could escalate dangerously," he insisted, concern evident in his voice."Please, don't," she whispered weakly, her fingers desperately clinging to his sleeve.Sean was unnerved by her frailty, and his determination began to waver.Leaving the suite, he trudged through the rain to a nearby pharmacy, annoyance growing as he realized his clothes were soaked. Never in his almost 30 years had he felt so pitiful for a woman.'When she gets better, we'll see how I'll deal with her!' he thought, a hint of frustration in his mind.-When Sean returned to the room, his frustration turned to panic as he realized she was nowhere to be found.'How could she disappear in such a short time?'The sound of rushing water emanating from the bathroom caught his attention. Pushing the door
When the thought crossed Sean's mind, panic surged within him. He seized the phone from the waiter's hand and swiftly dialed a series of numbers.Once the call connected, he exclaimed, "Hey, Cedric, something serious just went down!"Cedric was engaged in a game with Tristan and abruptly stopped upon hearing Sean's unusual tone. The smile on his face vanished instantly. "What's wrong?""It's Jeanna Archer. She attempted suicide by slashing her wrists in my room!" Sean explained urgently.'Jeanna! Sophie's closest friend!' Cedric shot up from his seat, startling Tristan.As for Tristan, his complexion turned ashen, and he looked up at his father uneasily. "Daddy, what's happening?""Tristan, be a good boy. Daddy needs to handle something. Go find Mommy. She'll keep you company." Cedric ruffled Tristan's hair, grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair, and dashed out of the villa with his phone in hand."Cedric, Tristan, come have some fruit." Vivienne emerged from the kitchen
When their marriage was brought up, Cedric frowned. His heart flooded with mixed emotions. Sophie had been discharged from the hospital for a week, and he remained unaware of her current state."I never expected her to have such a pitiful life," Sean said, sitting on a bench in the corridor.He propped his palms against his temple, covering most of his face with slender fingers. The woman, who had been acting like a little monster, actually had a past that not many ordinary people could handle.As soon as he finished speaking, the door of the operating theater was pushed open. He immediately stood up, rushed up to the doctor, and grabbed his arm. "Doctor, how is she?""Mr. Archer's wound has been sutured and bandaged, and she has regained consciousness. However, when individuals who have undergone severe psychological traumas experience intense emotional fluctuations or are in a very weak physical condition, it makes them more susceptible to suicidal thoughts."You need to pay ext
On that day, Jeanna had been ecstatic to introduce Nigel Lennox to Benjamin and Jessica. However, they never anticipated the events that unfolded on the street. What was worse was that in her most painful and helpless moment, Nigel seemed to change into a different person and abruptly ended their relationship.Sophie had stayed with Jeanna at her place, where she had cried for three days and nights. She had witnessed Jeanna cut her own wrists, and blood had flowed like a stream, almost costing her life.Sophie had been under the impression that such a terrifying event would not happen again after five years, but unexpectedly, it did."I'm sorry. I won't do it again," Jeanna promised, her hand wrapped around Sophie. Tears were on the verge of bursting from her eyes, but she forced them back.She didn't want to die—she didn't want to be as weak as her mother. She wanted to live and prove to everyone that she could live a better life."Alright. But if you dare to pull such a stunt ag
Tristan looked up in surprise. As if struck by a sudden thought, he glanced at Cherry, who was writhing in pain, and timidly asked, "Can I go to the hospital to help?""You need to stay home and help Cherry get a leave from school tomorrow. Be good and stay here. Trust Daddy. Cherry will be fine." Cedric's words seemed to soothe Tristan's anxiety.Avoiding Cedric’s gaze, Tristan obediently nodded. 'Cherry will surely be fine.'-The Bentley sped along the road and soon arrived at the hospital.Cedric held Cherry the entire time, while Sophie handled the paperwork. Their seamless cooperation made them seem like a perfectly ordinary married couple."Mr. Carlson, Mrs. Carlson, the child has gastritis and needs to be hospitalized for treatment," the emergency physician explained after examining Cherry, jotting down the diagnosis in the medical record.Sophie's face turned pale. 'Gastritis? How could it be so severe?'"Can she recover?" Cedric asked with a frown, his sudden intimida
In Imperium, hardly anyone else would dare yell at Cedric like this. Cedric's eyes narrowed dangerously, his shoulders radiating a cold aura. However, traces of helplessness and doting affection softened his expression. Despite his reluctance, he eventually turned aside cooperatively.Sophie couldn't help but smile. 'It's no wonder some people believe that daughters are their fathers' lovers from a previous life. If it were anyone else, Cedric would have likely thrown them out the window by now.'She lifted Cherry's clothes to reveal her round belly and gently massaged it in circles with her fingers. Taking the opportunity, she also gave Cherry a gentle reminder, "How many times has Mommy told you not to eat so much? But you never listen. Now you know how it feels when you overeat, huh?""Mommy, could you not rub salt in my wounds?" Cherry's face was scrunched up in pain. Her pitiful and aggrieved expression instantly silenced Sophie, who decided to save the scolding for when Cherry
Cedric kissed Sophie’s rosy cheeks, preparing to take things to the next level, when a knock on the door interrupted them at a crucial moment.His expression darkened immediately. No man liked being interrupted at such a time, and it had happened repeatedly."Who is it?" Sophie grabbed the blanket beside her to cover her exposed chest, her hoarse voice betraying her recent passion."Ms. Luxford... It's me." Tristan's low voice came from the other side of the door.'Tristan?' Sophie looked at the man beside her, surprised. She had assumed it was Cherry again, but unexpectedly...Gathering her scattered clothes from the floor, Sophie dressed quickly. Ensuring there was nothing inappropriate between her and Cedric, she got out of bed and walked toward the door.Tristan stood there, head down, fingers fidgeting, indicating urgency. As soon as the door opened, he looked up anxiously and said, "Ms. Luxford, could you go check on Cherry? She seems unwell.""Cherry is unwell?" The flush
"This birthday brings me a lot of happiness."Sophie grasped the deeper implications of his words. The blush on her cheeks faded slightly, and the initial flutter of excitement mingled with a touch of sadness. No one could predict what Jeff's condition would be like by her next birthday.Cedric shifted the topic, pouring the already decanted red wine into a tall glass and handing it to her. "Just one glass. This is for your private birthday celebration. Happy birthday."The intoxicating aroma of the wine was irresistible. She stopped resisting and held her glass up to gently clink against his, producing a clear, melodious sound that resonated beautifully in the quiet room.The rich wine slid down her throat, soothing her tense nerves. Her tightly held shoulders relaxed, and her racing heart found a semblance of peace. She had once believed she would never fall for Cedric again, but looking back, she realized that all her hatred had been rooted in love.He had transformed love into
Cedric seemed to know exactly what Sophie was nervous about. He raised his eyebrows suggestively, causing her to blush and quickly look away.What had happened between them lingered in the air, irrevocable.Jeff squinted, watching their subtle gestures with satisfaction. Smiling contentedly, he struggled to his feet with the help of his cane. These two had already reached a natural conclusion, and there was no need for him to exaggerate his illness any longer."Mommy, I still have homework to do. I'm heading to my room," Cherry announced, her bright eyes glancing at Tristan. She couldn't beat him at Taekwondo, but she was determined to outshine him in the midterm exams!"I’m going upstairs too," Tristan added, surprised by her sudden focus. He hesitated for a moment before quickly following her up the stairs.Melissa had long lost her patience. Without a word, she dragged Matthew upstairs, letting out a disdainful snort as they left.What had been a lively living room now left So
"Okay."Understanding Cherry’s impatience, Sophie smiled and gently pulled away from Cedric’s embrace. She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and made a wish.She hoped for her family's safety, health, and happiness. She wished that her parents and sister were living comfortably in another world. And she wished that she and Cedric would have a happy ending, free from past mistakes.After silently making her wishes, she blew out the flickering candles in one breath.The room filled with the faint scent of melted wax."We can eat the cake now!" Cherry beamed with joy, eagerly carrying the cake to the dining table.Her impatience made Jeff laugh heartily, his eyes crinkling with delight as he stroked his beard. "Alright, let’s start eating before this little girl drools all over the table."Sophie took her seat, glancing at Cedric, who still held her hand tightly. Her smile widened as she playfully scolded him, "Why didn’t you tell me on the way here?""If I told you, ho
Although Sophie's mind was brimming with questions, she couldn’t help but smile at Cedric's words. She looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling the warmth of his palm. Whether it was a perfect match or a union made in heaven, it all required two hearts in love. With love, even amidst turbulence, they would find the courage to move forward together.Before long, the Bentley smoothly pulled into the Carlson residence.Jeff immediately smiled and waved upon their arrival. "Soph, come over here."Sophie approached, noticing that Mrs. Carrie had prepared a table full of dishes. She couldn’t help but feel puzzled. "Grandpa, what has made you so happy? Why did you ask Mrs. Carrie to make so much delicious food?""Silly girl, did you forget what day it is today?"Jeff's loving yet mischievous smile left her momentarily bewildered. Then her eyes widened in surprise. With everything going on with Linda, she had completely forgotten her own birthday!"Happy birthday." Cedric had quie
Fearing that staying any longer would only worsen the situation, Linda quickly opened the door and walked out.Fenix stood there, confusion gradually replacing the determination in his eyes."What’s wrong with marrying me?" he asked Sophie, genuinely puzzled.'I’m the CEO of Cheshire Group. I’m not unattractive, and marrying me would make her legally protected as Mrs. Cheshire. Why am I being rejected?'Sophie coughed awkwardly, gaining a deeper understanding of Fenix. Sean had navigated the world of romance with ease, but Fenix seemed as naive in matters of the heart as a child."Am I really that bad?"Seeing that Fenix was still fixated on why he was rejected, Sophie shook her head. "Feelings are different from business. It’s not about racing against time or weighing benefits. You can’t apply business tactics to relationships. Spending a lifetime together requires a foundation of love.""Foundation of love? You and Cedric grew up together. You had a good foundation, but it was
Sophie's suspicion was right. Fenix was not one to easily abandon his target. After Linda ignored countless calls, he took the initiative to find her."Mr. Cheshire, Linda really isn't in the office right now," the secretary tried to block him, but it was futile against a determined man, especially one exuding an intimidating chill."Then I’ll find Sophie.""But Ms. Luxford, she—" Before the secretary could finish, Fenix's long legs had already taken him to Sophie's office door.He knocked twice before pushing it open. The secretary looked like she was about to cry. "Ms. Luxford, I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop Mr. Cheshire.""It’s fine. Go make Mr. Cheshire a cup of coffee," Sophie said.Seeing Fenix barge in, she raised an eyebrow, smiled, and glanced at Linda, who was hiding in her office. "Have a seat and let's talk.""No need. I have to catch a flight soon." Fenix cut straight to the point, his determined eyes fixed on Linda as he said firmly, "I need an answer from you.""Mr.