Michael couldn't speak the language, but he understood the word “ex-wife.” He never expected the man to be Zoey's irresponsible ex-husband, who abandoned his family. Then again, Michael didn't know the full story between Zoey and Laurence. Zoey was very private about her past. She never brought up her ex-husband. Michael's mom was ill at the time, and he had just married Zoey. He was stopped on campus by a gorgeous man. The man's chilling gaze looked at him like he was a worthless piece of meat. Michael didn't know the man and why he rubbed him the wrong way.Michael didn't want any trouble, so he turned around to leave, but the man's security detail surrounded him. Michael had nowhere to run. The man was Shawn. Michael thought Shawn was Zoey's lover and possibly the father of her child, but that wasn't the case. Shawn wasn't the child's biological father. Michael learned more about Zoey gradually. Zoey talked a lot when she was drunk at class gatherings. Michael often carried her
Michael fell into character very quickly. He stood in front of Laurence. His body and good looks were comparable to Laurence’s. However, he was still younger and more naive. He was no match for Laurence.Zoey covered Teddy’s ears. She didn’t want him to hear two adults fighting. She didn’t want Teddy to mature quicker than he was supposed to. She held him in her arms and went to the elevator. She bent down to talk to him. “Can you go back by yourself, Teddy?”Teddy was silent for a while. He was afraid of his mother getting bullied. He thought his mother was naive. Sometimes, she did things in a blur. Like Michael. They were both kind of naive.But his father was so unlikeable and wasn’t a fool.Teddy stayed still. His little face tightened. “You’ll get bullied, Mom,” he said seriously.Zoey massaged his little head. “I won’t. Just go upstairs. Michael and I will head up very soon.”Teddy was still concerned. He looked away and said, “I know that man is related to me.”Zoey was
When Zoey went downstairs and noticed Laurence and Michael still standing in the same spots, she heaved a sigh of relief. She was afraid they would fight.Northwell was Laurence’s territory. Since coming back, she had been unable to escape news of the Scotts’ power. Laurence had this city’s economy tightly wrapped around his finger. An enemy was strongest in their own habitat. Nothing good would come out of Michael fighting Laurence in this country. On top of that, Laurence was good at manipulation. He could cause trouble for them while they were looking the other way.Zoey went to Michael’s side and faced Laurence. They had to play the part of a married couple of five years. She held his hand lightly. “Let’s not fight anymore. Let’s go upstairs.”Michael was frowning. Annoyance was written across his face. “He was threatening you.”Zoey paused. Of course, she knew. She knew Laurence’s gentleness came with a price. He was only doing it because he wanted to be in control. He was e
She was supposed to be living a good life. And not like what the other people said.Zoey felt like the steel walls she’d been building were torn down. She didn’t want to show Laurence her embarrassment. But now that things were out in the open, it would be foolish if she denied her past.“It definitely didn’t go well when I first got to Novarvia.” Zoey’s voice remained calm. “You must be happy. But I got through it despite how difficult it was.”Laurence’s face was pale. Although he sounded calm, he was affected. His voice was no longer as steady as before.“I’m not happy.” His voice trembled.Zoey and Michael looked at Laurence’s porcelain white skin. It was eerily quiet. Zoey wondered why he wasn’t happy. Did he actually want her to live a good life? This wasn’t what she was expecting.She thought Laurence would sneer and mock her when he heard about her hard life in Novarvia. She thought he would rub salt into her wounds and say this was what she deserved after leaving him. Bu
”Why don’t we go back to Novarvia? I think even Shawn is more pleasant than your ex-husband,” Michael said.This was how he truly felt. Although Shawn was delusional and sent someone to protect her everywhere she went, he didn’t have other major flaws. He wouldn’t involve himself in her education and her work. Michael used to think Shawn’s possessiveness was too much. Compared to her ex-husband, it was a flaw not worth mentioning.Zoey did not go into detail. “I can’t go back now. There’s something wrong with my passport.”Michael was no fool. He caught the implication right away. “Did your ex-husband do something?”Zoey considered it and nodded. “Probably.” She added, “You haven’t stayed in the country for long, so you might not know him that well. He’s hard to get rid of. Ignore him the next time you see him. That’s all I can do right now.” The proud and arrogant Laurence wouldn’t be able to stand being ignored for too long.Michael understood this city was Laurence’s turf. He
”She could have opted out of the program if she didn’t want to be onscreen. I wanted to film some bloopers.” The cameraman was hesitant.The director rolled his eyes. “You know the working class don’t have a say in these things.”The cameraman adjusted his camera and considered it. “Well, he’s pretty protective.”The director was itching to spill the beans. What was the use of keeping gossip to himself? Gossip was meant to be spread. “One of his companies is funding the entire program. They’ve probably spent millions on it. Of course, he would protect her.”The cameraman replied, “This is pocket change to them.”“I think so, too.” They could spend this money without a second thought.The entertainment circle was full of outstanding people. Everyone knew who was privileged and who was not. Those who came from wealth and had people backing them up could not be offended.“Alright, roll the cameras. I’m going to go over the scenes.”Zoey had her own office. While walking through th
She didn't smell of alcohol. Only the slightest whiff lingered. Zoey hadn’t drank much. Her mind was clear. She didn't want to talk to him. Not even a polite greeting.As soon as the elevator doors opened, she walked out. With his long legs, Laurence caught up with her quickly. He didn't even have to try.Zoey was starting to get irritated. She lied, "I didn't drink."Laurence pursed his lips but didn't expose her lie.She had driven her uncle's car, but couldn't drive home since she had been drinking. She had to hire a designated driver. She wasn’t successful after a long time. Even when she was lucky enough to match with a driver, they would almost immediately cancel on her.Laurence looked at Zoey’s phone. Her head was bowed, but he noticed the frown on her face. He was very familiar with the expression.He asked again casually, "Did you drive?" Laurence seemed calm and undisturbed. It was as if he was able to remain cool-headed under any circumstance. His emotional outbreaks
After Zoey went upstairs, the rain only got worse. The drops fell heavily.The divider in the car was lowered, but the driver didn’t dare make a sound. He even made an effort to breathe as quietly as possible. He thought Laurence had grown more human in recent months than in the past few years. At times, his silence was terrifying.As a driver, he knew better than to speak out of turn. Even if he felt that Laurence was in the wrong, he wouldn't dig his own grave.The rain quickly soaked a corner of Laurence’s shirt. He finally closed the window but didn't tell the driver to leave. He asked in a low voice, "Does it matter that she's married?"His tone was flat. As though he hadn't said something so earth-shattering.In his mind, two forces were at play. The side with his intact conscience told him he shouldn't force her any longer. He shouldn’t threaten her if she insists on staying married. He had already pushed her too many times.His cold-hearted, ruthless side argued that one