Angela's hand that was drawing slowed down. She silently prayed that Dexter wouldn't notice her.Meanwhile, a few judges were quietly discussing in the panel."The contestants this time are of high caliber as they have gone through a preliminary round. If we spot someone suitable, we could consider hiring them as a designer in our companies.""Yes, during the initial screening, I remember seeing a piece titled 'Curse'. The style was remarkably unique. Designers with such a strong personal style are hard to find nowadays.""Do you know the artist's name?""That, I didn't catch…" Dexter sat silently, his slender fingers tapping lightly on his knee. His gaze swept over the contestants, then \became fixed on a slim figure in the distance. Instantly, his expression turned icy.Two hours later, the competition ended, and the contestants submitted their work.The judging panel scored the entries on the spot, after which the pieces were sealed away. The results and rankings were to be
"You're so useless, Dexter. You can't even help someone up properly! I still don't know what Angie saw in you. Oh right, I was the one who arranged your marriage, after all. "Without my aid, how would you have been lucky enough to marry such a beautiful and outstanding wife like Angie? You should count your blessings…" Joseph went on and on, scolding Dexter endlessly. Dexter had no choice but to listen, and it was torturous."Grandpa, don't bother with him. Let's go. I'll make you your favorite bouillabaisse and grilled fish." Angela took Joseph's arm and led him away, giving Dexter an exaggerated eyeroll over her shoulder as she went.Dexter was furious, yet he had nowhere to vent.That night, Angela retreated to her bedroom early and locked the door. With Joseph gone, she had temporarily lost her protector and couldn't afford to provoke Dexter too much."Mrs. Bamford, Mr. Bamford has gone out. You're free to come out." Donna's voice came from the other side of the door.Ange
"Hey, it's Angela! Long time no see. Come on in!" Zayn's attention shifted immediately from the streamer to Angela as soon as he saw her.The others watched intently, sensing the drama. Compared to some random streamer, Angela was far more interesting.After all, among the socialites and heiresses in Eldmere, she was the only one who had managed to marry Dexter. It was still an incredible feat, even though her marriage was far from a fairytale."No, thank you," Angela replied with a polite smile. "I'm here to take Dexter home. He said he was drunk." Her demeanor was graceful, and her tone was gentle. She had an air of elegance about her. Dressed simply and untouched by heavy makeup, she radiated a calm beauty that made her stand out among the other women present in their flashy outfits.Zayn glanced at Dexter, feeling perplexed. He looked perfectly sober. There wasn't any sign of drunkenness at all."Since you're here, come in and have something to eat before you leave, Ms. Grah
The pain was so intense that Dexter felt his soul leave his body. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he lay curled up in bed, letting out low groans of agony.Angela was stunned. She hadn't kicked him that hard. It had just been a light… nudge."Angela… Graham!" His voice was terrifyingly cold, like he was ready to kill. "Get… Get a doctor… here. Now!" A doctor? He couldn't have suffered irreparable damage, could he?Angela panicked and went to call the doctor as she was told.The doctor spent some time asking where the injury was.Dexter roared, "It's my groin!" Angela stayed by the door, peeking in. Only half of her head was visible.She overheard the doctor explain that Dexter had almost suffered permanent damage. He should stay in bed and avoid moving for the next few days. The more the doctor spoke, the darker Dexter's expression grew."Get in here, Angela!" Dexter commanded coldly, his expression brooding.Angela cleared her throat and stepped inside cautiously.
Back then, Miles had gone to great lengths to have Lionel acknowledged by the Bamfords."I understand," Dexter replied indifferently.Fiona was used to his attitude by now. "Come with me," she said, pointing at Angela. Then, she left without looking back.They walked into the study one after another.Fiona got straight to the point. "Angela, I've heard that you've changed a lot these past few days. I'm warning you—don't go causing unnecessary trouble. Stay here and fulfill your duties as Mrs. Bamford." In the past, Angela wouldn't have dared to say anything in response. But now, she refused to endure such commands and suffer in silence.Angela countered, "What exactly are the duties of Mrs. Bamford? Do those include serving drinks, doing laundry, and cooking? Or is it to be humiliated by my husband's secretary or to be a birthing machine?" She looked at Fiona with a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. On top of that, she even stared back at Fiona unflinchingly.Fi
Her assistant recounted everything that had happened recently at Bamford Estate, including Erica's repeated provocations, Angela's angry retaliation, and even her leaving the house. After Fiona got into the back seat of her car, she opened her laptop to start a video conference with the company's shareholders and took a moment to say, "Tell Erica to tone it down. If she keeps overstepping her boundaries, she can leave." After Fiona left, the atmosphere at Bamford Estate became even more gloomy.It was at this time that Erica arrived."What on earth happened? How did Mr. Bamford get injured?" she demanded angrily.Angela shrugged and said, "Go see for yourself, but I doubt Dexter will let you look at his injury." After shooting a fierce glare at Angela, Erica turned and hurried inside. The moment she entered, Dexter immediately chased her out with an immensely displeased expression."Angela, get in here!" Dexter called out frigidly.As she walked in, she brushed past Erica, w
In a daze, Angela heard the familiar yet distant voice of Marie. She jolted slightly. In the hazy light of her dream, she saw Marie looking at her quietly with a gentle and loving gaze.Angela was stunned. Her voice trembled as she murmured, "Mom, is that you? I've missed you so much!"Tears filled Marie's eyes. "My child, you've suffered so much." Angela lowered her head, and her tears began streaming down like a broken dam. She hadn't cried like this in a dream for a long time.Her tears soaked the pillow, dampening her dreams.The faint sound of her soft sobs stirred Dexter from his sleep in annoyance. He thought irritably, "Why is she making noise in the middle of the night now?"He threw off the covers, ready to scold her, but stopped short when he realized that she was crying. Angela was curled up on the floor. She looked so small. At that moment, she looked like a child who hadn't yet grown up.However, her tears were real.An odd feeling of frustration surged in Dext
Angela happened to see the latest comment posted and was initially stunned. Then, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. That commenter had summarized her situation quite accurately. Wasn't she just a nanny at this point? In fact, she was a super nanny who was stuck looking after the troublesome Dexter."Wow, she laughed! There's no way she's a nanny. She sounds so young!""Look at her hands. They're elegant like a pianist's! I bet she's an heiress of the Bamford family.""No way. Why would a rich heiress make money via livestreaming?" Comments flooded in rapidly, but Angela ignored them and kept her focus on the drawing. Her movements were quick and efficient as always.Meanwhile, Dexter had just wrapped up a lengthy conference call and noticed the cold food put on one side of his table. A displeased scowl appeared on his face. "Angela!" he called out.No one responded.One of the maids, who was standing nervously at the doorway, spoke up. "Mrs. Bamford isn't here." "Wher
"You've all seen the rules," Angela began, her sharp, unwavering gaze sweeping across the room. "Mr. Snowden has only given us two days. This time, we must shine for ourselves! Are you confident you can do that?"The 20 people in the room exchanged hesitant glances, but none dared to voice absolute confidence.They were still haunted by the oppression they had endured under Nora's leadership.Seeing the bowed heads of her team, Angela felt a wave of frustration but tempered it with an understanding of their struggles."Ashley, we do want to win for Division 1, but Division 2 has more than 80 people, and we're only a quarter of their size. Plus…""Plus what?" Angela interrupted before Clara could finish. "Numbers don't matter if you've got the right people. So what if they have more people? Only one in eight of their members might make it. For us, it's one in every two. What's there to fear?"Her fierce gaze swept across the room, and after a brief pause, she declared boldly, "Don
Angela instinctively glanced at Fiona."Wrongdoings deserve punishment," Fiona said with a faintly grim expression, casting a cold look at the flustered Talia. "You have three days to recover all the stolen items. If not, don't expect me to show any leniency."Talia's tears flowed like a river. The stolen items had already been sold; how could she possibly get them back?"Fiona, isn't this too harsh? If her family had the money, would she have resorted to this? It's clear you have no intention of letting them off." Ursula's voice carried a cold edge, her growing frustration with Fiona evident."And if you were handling this, what would you do?" Fiona replied, her tone sharp yet faintly amused. She fixed her gaze on Ursula, her eyes unyielding. "Since you're so kind-hearted, why not pay for their medical expenses and redeem Natalie's valuables yourself?"Ursula's expression darkened, and she retorted coolly, "What does this have to do with me?"She had only come to watch the drama
Using her position, Talia had entered the room once occupied by the late Natalie, stolen valuables, and taken a few small antique vases from storage, hiding them beneath the floorboards in her room. The stolen items were discovered during the search, leaving no room for denial."She's the one, Dad," Fiona said coldly, her tone laced with anger.The servant, Talia, immediately showed fear, casting a quick, terrified glance at Fiona before lowering her head and trembling.Angela observed the scene, an uneasy feeling settling in her chest."Talia, you've worked here for over eight years. You're practically a veteran in this household. What made you do something so reckless?" Joseph asked with a heavy sigh.Talia, in her early 30s, had been working for the Bamford family alongside her husband, drawn by the generous benefits."Sir, I had no choice," Talia began, her voice breaking. "My son was diagnosed with acute leukemia. He needs money for treatment. I tried asking Madam Fiona for
Angela was nearly choked by Fiona's words.Good grief, Fiona's way of thinking was way too bold."Mom, do you have to be this blunt? Could you at least pretend to say something comforting?" Angela said, caught between laughter and exasperation."What's the point of that?" Fiona replied, unbothered. "Feelings are what they are. If they're gone, they're gone. No use clinging to something that's already lost. Look at me and Dexter's father—we haven't spoken in over a year. The last time we exchanged words was during last year's Christmas dinner, when we said 'Merry Christmas.' And yet, here I am, living just fine."Fiona's tone carried the air of someone who had already planned out Angela's future. She spoke like a seasoned veteran of life's harsh realities."How can two people live under the same roof without any affection?" Angela forced a weak smile. The thought alone left her heart feeling heavy and dull.She had only ever loved one person in her life, only to be discarded like
"Since you know your place, stop chasing after men who don't want you. Understand?" Fiona's voice cut through the tension as she entered the room, carrying several containers of food.Clad in a sharp business suit, Fiona exuded a cold and commanding presence that sent a chill through the room.Elena froze, her face stiff with embarrassment. "Aunt Fiona, I… I was just…""Dexter and Angela are a proper married couple. They have the right and duty to care for each other," Fiona said calmly, her expression unreadable. "As an outsider, a polite inquiry is more than enough. There's no need to go out of your way, and certainly no need to show up looking so elaborately dressed when Angela is sick and unwell."Elena's eyes reddened like a scolded child's. She stammered, "Aunt Fiona, you've misunderstood. I only think of Dexter as a close friend. I… I…"Halfway through, her voice faltered.Back when Dexter and Angela's relationship was on rocky ground, rumors about Elena and Dexter had cir
By the time they arrived at the hospital, Angela was trembling all over, unable to speak due to the pain."Acute appendicitis. It needs to be removed," the doctor said bluntly.Angela flinched, instinctively grabbing Dexter's large hand, her eyes filled with fear.Surgery? She was terrified of the pain."There's no other way. Leaving it untreated will hurt even more." Dexter sighed.It wasn't a major surgery, but Angela's fear was palpable. She was taken into the operating room and came out about three hours later. The night passed in a haze of antiseptic smells as she dozed on and off in the ward.Dexter stayed by her side the entire time, refusing to rest."What's going on with you and Angela? Are you two sleeping in separate rooms?" Fiona asked as she entered the room, scrutinizing Dexter.He froze for a moment."We've been arguing lately," he admitted. "She doesn't want to share a room with me."Fiona scoffed. "You're constantly seen with other women. No wonder she's fed
Nora's face was a kaleidoscope of emotions. Just moments ago, she had been vehemently defending herself, but now her mouth seemed glued shut, unable to form a single word.In the end, the matter escalated to Callum.Angela's proposed resolution was straightforward: terminate Nora's employment."This woman has nothing but ill intentions and is a constant source of trouble," Angela said coldly."I've already agreed to apologize, and you…""I don't accept it," Angela interrupted, her icy gaze cutting through Nora. "Someone as selfish as you, who is willing to jeopardize the company's interests for your own gain, is a liability. Keeping you around will only lead to bigger problems."Nora fell silent, instinctively looking to Stephen for help. He was the only one she could count on now."Mr. Snowden, Nora is under my supervision. I take responsibility for her actions," Stephen said, his voice hoarse and heavy."Then let her work at reception," Callum replied without looking up. "If
Clara froze, confused by the sudden turn of events."Angela, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you out of my mind?" Nora snapped."Enough. Be quiet." Angela rubbed her temples. "You're giving me a headache."Without another word, Angela turned to her laptop, pulled up a video with a few swift clicks, and played it for everyone.The footage showed their former colleague, Rachel Carter—a petite woman often seen in a sunflower-patterned dress. She had a delicate and pleasant appearance.In the video, Rachel accidentally bumped into Clara in passing, causing a piece of clothing to fall to the ground. Rachel was quick to pick it up, glancing at it briefly before handing it back to Clara."Hey, look at this! Doesn't she have a small knife in her hand?" Alan's sharp eyes caught the detail immediately.His comment drew everyone's attention to the screen. He paused the video, zoomed in on the frame, and pointed. "Right here, see? That's a knife!"A murmur spread through the crowd as p
Even so, Angela kept one thing in mind—she knew that Nora wouldn't let things slide so easily. They were bound to find another excuse to stir up trouble, so she waited patiently.She didn't expect it to happen so quickly."Ms. Graham, that gown cost two million dollars just to make. And yet you casually dismissed it? How am I supposed to explain this to the company?"Nora stood with her arms crossed, her expression blank but her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.Angela remained calm, seated at her desk, reviewing the submitted design drafts. Occasionally, she paused to give feedback."Nora, I hadn't planned on holding you accountable for this, but what are you doing now? Are you volunteering to take the blame?" Angela glanced at her with faint amusement, her tone as light as a feather.Over the past few days, Angela had already looked into everything she needed to know. She couldn't fathom why Nora would still try to escalate things.Nora froze, a fleeting panic flashing t