With the maids and outsiders around, Fiona didn't want to air any personal issues."Are you okay?" Angela asked stiffly."I'm fine." Dexter averted his gaze, his expression cold with a palpable air of rejection.If he was fine, that was all that mattered. Angela stood quietly, lost in her thoughts. She planned to leave once Fiona was gone.Her mind drifted to the upcoming design competition. She intended to carve out time tomorrow for a livestream to create a new painting. Her growing fan base held potential, and she was considering expanding into product promotions to boost her career.Right now, every bit of progress counted if she wanted to reclaim what was rightfully hers.In the past, she would have been frantic with worry over Dexter. However, things were different now, and so was she."What are you standing there for? Didn't you hear me calling you?" Fiona scolded as she shot Angela a glare.Startled, Angela turned and saw Fiona holding a bag. She was still on a video ca
Angela nodded in acknowledgment."May," Dexter called out coldly.A middle-aged woman with a slightly plump build quickly appeared from the kitchen. "Mr. Bamford, is there something you need?""Get her something to eat," Dexter said coldly.The maid, May Weasley, was quick. In about 20 minutes, she returned with a bowl of pasta. There were also two small plates of side dishes—one with meat and the other with vegetables.Angela's stomach growled at the delicious aroma. She thanked May and began eating slowly.Her eating style was somewhat unrefined, akin to a hamster nibbling on food. While she wasn't particularly graceful, it was still pleasant enough to watch her eat.Dexter observed her closely. Inexplicably, his irritation seemed to ease to some extent.After finishing her meal, Angela stood up and said, "I have some things to take care of tonight. It should be fine if I come back tomorrow morning, right?"She had only been dealing with Fiona earlier, so whether she stayed
Angela fell silent. She'd thought he said he wouldn't be angry, yet here he was, doing just that.She fought back the anger rising in her chest and said coldly, "If there's nothing else, I'll leave." She grabbed her laptop, ready to leave the space that still carried his presence."Change the bandages!" Dexter snapped.At that moment, the maid carefully approached, holding a tray with his medication."I have a strong grip. I'm afraid it'll hurt you," Angela said."Just hurry up," Dexter replied. He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a plain white undershirt, his muscular arms, and a glimpse of his chest and abs.Angela's gaze lingered for a moment, and she found herself unable to look away.However, his injury was severe. This was the first time she had seen a wound so deep.As she removed the bandages, her hands trembled. Cleaning the blood around the wound was even harder with her shaking hands. Her hands wouldn't stop trembling as she applied the medicine, causing some of i
When Angela entered the CEO's office, Dexter was still tied up with work. He seemed to be in a meeting in the small conference room next door, and the atmosphere was so tense that she could feel it even through the door.Just as she was about to open the lunchbox she'd brought, she suddenly noticed a familiar figure—Elena."Hi, Ms. Graham, what a coincidence," Elena greeted with a bright smile."Are you here to deliver lunch too?" Angela asked.The large bags Elena was carrying seemed to hold a feast.Elena nodded. "I'm concerned about Dexter's health. If it weren't for him that day, I might have—""You can wait for him here. I'll leave," Angela said firmly, grabbing her bag to leave.After all, Dexter would still have his meal even without her.Just as she reached the underground parking garage, Dexter called her. His voice came through with irritation, as if he were angry. "What are you doing? Where's my food?"Angela sighed, took a moment to calm herself, and then pressed d
Angela slowly took out the meal she had brought, following the meal plan provided by Dexter's nutritionist. It consisted of a quinoa salad with roasted vegetables, grilled chicken breast with a light vinaigrette, steamed asparagus, and fresh tomato soup."Spoon and fork," Dexter said, extending his hand as if it were expected.Angela glanced at him, realizing he was seriously about to eat her food. She couldn't hold back anymore. "The food is cold. How about you heat it up before eating?"Dexter paused, staring at her. "Don't you have a brain? Why didn't you heat it up at the cafeteria before bringing it over?" His mood seemed to have soured, and his voice was sharper than usual.In the past, Angela would have immediately apologized and tried to smooth things over. But today, she slammed her spoon down onto the table, making a loud sound."Do I not have a brain? What about you?" she snapped, her frustration boiling over. "If you've got someone else bringing you food, why do you
"Oh, so this is the legendary Mrs. Bamford. It's a pleasure to meet you," the man said enthusiastically, extending his hand to Angela.Dexter gave him a pointed look. "Go heat your food," he said flatly.The man immediately looked embarrassed and turned to put his meal in the microwave.Angela kept quiet and maintained her smile. However, deep down, she was displeased with Dexter introducing her as his wife in public.Just as she was about to leave after lunch, he insisted on taking her to the nearby mall to go shopping."What are you doing?" Angela tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go.Before she knew it, he'd already dragged her into the elevator, heading straight for the women's section on the third floor.They'd been married for over three years, yet she'd never had the privilege of Dexter personally taking her out to buy clothes. Her wardrobe had always been chosen by a stylist according to Dexter's preferences. Of course, the expensive custom-made gowns weren't her
Angela was left speechless. She couldn't care less about these material things. If Dexter wanted to show off his money, that was his business. "There aren't that many options, but if any of you like something, feel free to take it," she said casually, leaning back into her chair and pulling out her tablet to check on her work.The room fell silent. Everyone looked at Angela in disbelief, unsure if they had misheard her. "Angela, what did you just say?" Clara was the first to react, staring at Angela in shock."You heard me the first time." Angela shrugged. With that, she turned her chair around and leaned back as if settling in to watch the drama unfold. The next second, the women erupted into chaos. "That's mine! I want that dress!""That one's the latest design! I want it!""I want the white one! It's mine!"In mere seconds, all 12 dresses were snatched up. "If only there were some for guys…" Alan commented with a sigh. George, who had just been aggressively pushe
"How long are you planning to stay here?" Angela was fuming. It seemed that Dexter was planning to stay at her house for a while."Didn't you hear what Grandpa said? He said I can only go back when you're ready to return home." Dexter replied casually. He leaned back on the couch with a shrug and a helpless expression."Fine, you can stay! But I'm warning you, you're only allowed in the living room and the guest bedroom. Don't even think of going anywhere else, especially not the second floor!" Angela retorted coldly, the frustration clear in her voice.Dexter shrugged again. "You say it as if I want to stay here."Angela was at a loss for words. "If that's the case, why don't you just explain to Grandpa that we…"Just before she could finish her sentence, she realized that the maids hadn't left yet. So, she quickly swallowed back her words and shot a glare at Dexter.Dexter's face darkened instantly. He ordered everyone to leave in a low voice.Once they were alone, he stood up
"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