Janine sighed and looked at the painting quietly.There were two double-winged fireflies on it, representing Xyla and Rowan. The forest that was the background was where they usually dated.It would be unnecessary if Xyla were to see it and be reminded of the sad past.That was why Janine did not plan to buy the painting. She wanted to raise the bidding price to donate more money to charity. It would be the best this painting could do.“Never mind, Cordelia…” She forced a smile. “Actually… Actually, I asked your mom, and she didn’t want to come.”“Oh.” Cordelia nodded in a daze and put down her phone.“This was her creation in youth. She doesn’t like it. Oh yeah, don’t bring this up to her when you go back, lest she overthinks it and thinks of the past.”Cordelia quickly replied, “Mm, I understand!” Although she could not share it with her mother, she felt proud to see her mother’s painting being auctioned today.“Our honorable guests, the auction will start soon!”The host
The nurses greeted Josiah friendlily. “Mr. Bayer, you’re here again!”Josiah smiled at them and headed straight to the hospital ward.The nurses had heart-shaped eyes as they gathered around to chat with grins.“Mr. Bayer is so handsome! Not bad at all compared to those hunks!”“Right? He’s not just good-looking, but he’s also devoted. He’s here every day while Ms. Kelly’s hospitalized… Sigh, it’s a pity that she doesn’t recognize him.”“Ms. Kelly’s a poor thing too. She got into an accident, and her father doesn’t even care… Lucky Mr. Bayer’s keeping her company every day.”Josiah pushed the door open and saw Kelly spacing out in bed. He forced a smile and walked over to her.“Are you feeling better today?” He wanted to pat her head, but she avoided him instinctively and stared at him as she hid to the side.Josiah was sad. It had been so long, and she was still unfamiliar with him. He forced a smile and kept his hand to pour her a glass of water and tell her a joke sitting ne
“You…” Rowan gave it a thought and asked softly, “Did you remember something?”Kelly jolted.“There’s nothing you can’t tell me.” Rowan’s smile was as if he knew everything. “Actually, from the first day I treated you, I knew that you were hiding something from everyone.“You didn’t remember something. You’ve never forgotten anything.”Kelly sat on the bed with her legs curled up as she bit her fist.After a moment of silence when Rowan was going to inject her, she grabbed his hand abruptly and looked with a pleading expression on her pale face.“Uncle Irwin, you’re a good person…” Even Kelly’s voice sounded pale. “Please don’t tell others!”Rowan automatically scanned the surrounding area of the hospital ward with a serious gaze. Confirming that there was no one else, he turned around swiftly and shut the door.“Some of the doctors and nurses around me are actually Nelly’s people,” Kelly said softly. “But I don’t know who they are, so I can only pretend to have lost my memory.
Rowan’s brows creased. He looked into the girl’s eyes. She was sick, but her eyes were full of life. They told him she already had an answer before she asked the question.She wanted to help Mandy and seek justice for herself.“You’ve thought through this?” asked Rowan. “Once these are exposed, the Tanners’ dirty laundry will be aired to the world. You’ll be implicated too.”“I’m not scared.” Kelly shook her head with a smile. “I’m dying soon. What’s there to be scared of?“But I can’t just sit around and watch them take advantage of my mom!”“Who says that you’re dying soon? Are you doubting my skills?” Rowan smiled. “Aren’t you afraid that your crush will be sad when you say that?”Kelly froze before a rare blush colored her pale cheeks.“Josiah is great. He’s more concerned about you than your father is!” Rowan took the syringe and injected her at the vein with ease.“My dad’s never been concerned about me.” Kelly chuckled self-deprecatingly. “He’s always scorned that I’m a
Joe clinked glasses with them.The doors opened at that moment, and the venue quieted abruptly. The chandelier on the hall’s ceiling was the only one making a soft clicking noise.Cordelia was smiling as she walked toward Joe and Nelly.Nelly’s expression changed instantly. She was going to lash out, but Joe stopped her discreetly.“Her status is unlike last time now. We’ll still meet in the future. Hold it in!”Nelly took a deep breath and looked at Cordelia coldly.“Why didn’t you tell me about such a joyous occasion today?” Cordelia smiled nonchalantly. “Ms. Tanner, do you still hold a grudge against me?”“Very funny, Ms. Jenner. That usually happens when people are close. You and I don’t seem to even be friends yet!”“Oh… people who are close?” Cordelia smiled. “What a coincidence. I brought your best friend here today. It’d be best if you two could resolve any grudges you have in front of everyone!”“What did you say?” Nelly’s heart dropped.Joe stepped forward with narr
“So, you still remember me, Ms. Tanner!” Mona scoffed.Nelly was startled. Mona’s gaze on her no longer looked like she saw her as a best friend.“Why… Why are you here?” Nelly went up to chide her softly. “You want to embarrass me like them too? Don’t forget, could you be popular without me?”“Yeah.” Mona’s voice was quivering. “Nelly Tanner, I wouldn’t have ended up like this if it weren’t for you!”She pulled the scarf off her face as she spoke. The deep scars on her face shocked Nelly.“This is what you gave me!”“Liar!” Nelly stumbled back. “I’ve never asked anyone to mutilate your face!”“Hah, not you, but everything’s because of you!”Mona faced the crowd. They were shocked when they saw the wounds on her face.“I’m here today to expose Ms. Nelly Tanner!“She’s the one who asked me to seduce Mr. Thompson and drug him. She’s also the one who got the press to cook things up. That’s how Mrs. Thompson got triggered and lost her baby!”“Mona!” Nelly shrieked. “Are you craz
Zephyr looked at Nelly in repulse and shook her off.Cordelia held his arm and looked at Nelly icily.Nelly still wanted to cling to Zephyr, but the bodyguard stepped forth and shoved her to the floor.The doors were opened again. This time, Mandy came in, wheeling Kelly. The latter was pale and frail in the wheelchair, but the determination in her eyes frightened Nelly.“Mandy, Kelly…” Joe was sweating profusely with a nervous expression. “Why are you both here?”Mandy scoffed, “Are we supposed to watch you hand the family business over to this scornful, vicious b*tch otherwise?”“Mandy!”Joe wanted to overpower her, but she tossed a document to him.“Joe Tanner, you must have forgotten about our prenup, huh?”“What?” Joe paled as he read the prenup with bulged eyes.It was only then that he recalled that Mandy’s family, the Chrisses, had asked him to sign a prenup before they married over 20 years ago. The prenup had accounted for their premarital assets. When the Tanner Gr
Joe picked up the papers from the floor with trembling hands and read them sheet after sheet.Mandy gripped the wheelchair handles so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She saw her daughter’s jerking shoulders and patted her.The papers that Kelly had thrown were countless photocopied sets, so almost everyone there could get one to themselves. As they went through the DNA test report and the injury assessment reports, they threw despising and abhorring glances at Nelly and Joe.“Hypocrites!”“Despicable!”Everyone hit the man who was down—Nelly and Joe stood rooted pathetically like they were tied to the gallows.“Dad, you probably don’t know how Nelly has been bullying me all these years, huh?” Kelly asked shakily, “Hah, or did you know and give your silent permission for her to do it?”“No, no!” Joe panicked. “Kelly, you’re my daughter too. Even though you’re sick, I’ve never thought of giving up on you, right?”“Don’t touch my daughter!” Mandy pushed him away resentfull
"Only Morpheus and Sephy aren't like that. They respect and understand me. Sephy told me once, 'One's appearance doesn't indicate anything. A clean heart is what truly matters!'"Rebecca chuckled dismissively."You're a psychologist, yet you fail to grasp this," Wynn said coldly. "Actually, I pity you. You could have stepped out, yet you insist on dwelling on the trivialities."Morpheus has psychological barriers, a consequence of returning from the battlefield. No one has cured his PTSD except Sephy... It shows that a true psychologist is never just a title."What truly heals everything is love!"-One particular morning a year later, sunlight streamed through sheer cream curtains onto the floor.Persephone was sound asleep when she suddenly felt something pressing down on her... Then, Morpheus' strong arms wrapped around her slender waist. She drowsily opened her eyes to find him sealing her lips with heated kisses.Over the year, his kissing skills had improved, and Persepho
With Morpheus' involvement, the police didn't slack off and quickly found Rebecca.That day, Rebecca was preparing to escape from a small port. The boat she had found was an illegally operating one.As she was about to board, piercing sirens sounded nearby.The boat owner, enraged upon hearing the sirens, grabbed Rebecca by her hair and pushed her into the water.Rebecca screamed for help, but he roared, "I didn't expect you to be sent by the cops!""I'm not..." Rebecca choked on water. "Sir, let's leave now. Your boat is fast. As long as we reach the open sea, no one will catch you!""Dream on!" The boat owner wanted to strangle her. "Do you not understand? These sirens are from the royal guards! Who did you bitch provoke?"Rebecca was dumbfounded. Being a foreigner, she naturally didn't understand the local affairs in the Southeast Aciatic region.The police and royal guards quickly caught up, armed, and surrounded them.Rebecca turned pale and trembled all over, her gaze gr
"You had no choice on the battlefield."Persephone looked at him with her crystal eyes. There was a magical power in them. Even if a devil was tearing him apart, her eyes would always bring him back to light.She smiled and caressed his cheek. "Though you killed your father, you saved the country.""Do you really… think so?"She nodded. "You're not at fault. He was the one who made a mistake. You were just fulfilling your job as a general to protect the country."But I also understand that he's your father who brought you up, after all. You guys must have had happy days before that happened, right?"Morpheus held his head low in silence."You did well as the protector of the country," she said softly. "But as a son, you can secretly pay homage to him."Persephone held his hand. "Reconcile with your father, Morpheus. You'll also reconcile with yourself by doing that, okay?"He was stunned for a long time and felt a lump in his throat.-Morpheus stayed with Persephone in the
"No way!" Christopher smirked, glancing at Morpheus. "To him, you're his only princess! I just got lucky for the princess carry, thanks to you!""Yeah, at least you're self-aware!" Persephone nodded, rubbing her chin."We've known each other for so long! What kind of person do you think I am?" Christopher laughed. "I can be a bit shameless at times, but..."But upon learning that the one she loved was the unbeatable god of war, he willingly stepped back, offering his blessings with a smile."Okay, okay. You two stop crowding around me!" Christopher waved his hand. "Sephy needs more rest, and I'd like to get some more sleep, too! Once we heal, let's go out and have some fun together!""You're still thinking about fun?" Morpheus' deep voice intervened with a wry smile. "With the factory explosion incident, the royal family is furious and will thoroughly investigate it. Many people will probably be coming to talk to you both in the next few days. After all, you two are the most direc
"Let's get out first!""Hey, wait..." Persephone pointed to the other side.In moments of life and death, it wasn't appropriate to laugh, but Morpheus still chuckled. The young Prince Christopher was sprawled on the floor in a very ridiculous pose, and they almost forgot about him!"Don't worry," Morpheus whispered. "I won't let anything happen to him."He had Persephone cling to his back and then carried Christopher.Christopher was a tall fellow, so it took some effort to carry them both to a safe place.Fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars rushed in. Their sirens pierced the sky, startling a flock of birds.The fire was soon extinguished, and Persephone and Christopher received timely treatment. Luckily, their burns weren't too severe, and even more fortunately, their faces were unharmed.When Christopher woke up, he felt bandages wrapped around his head, and his skin had a burning sensation. His heart sank, and he was almost on the verge of tears."Tell me the truth! A
There was fire everywhere. Flames rushed toward Persephone like menacing dragons. Her consciousness grew increasingly blurred, but the searing pain coursing through her body became clearer. She struggled to get up, the agony almost unbearable.Despite several attempts, it was futile...Something was pinning her feet down, and stones kept falling on her. She couldn't even muster a shout.Many images flashed through her mind in that fleeting moment, each frame featuring Morpheus' face…She remembered the times they had spent together in Flinge, how he had initially distanced himself from her, then later had exerted every effort to protect her. She recalled how he would gently ruffle her hair and call her "silly goose"..."Morpheus, I'm afraid I might have to go first..."The fire grew fiercer, explosions resonated continuously, and she could no longer hold on.Christopher, who was nearby, wasn't any better.Amidst the roaring flames, he couldn't see anything clearly, only pulling
"No need, you can go back first." Morpheus glanced at him. "I'll wait here for her a little longer.""Prince Christopher wouldn't do anything to Ms. Hamerton...""Alfred, what are you thinking?" Morpheus couldn't help but chuckle. "I know exactly what Christopher is like, but I just want to wait here for Sephy. Christopher mentioned that she'd specifically designed these fireworks for me. Hah! I'm the useless one. I don't even dare to go inside and take a look.""Sir, don't say that.""If I wait here, will it count as accompanying her in her efforts?"Alfred nodded.Morpheus smiled and sent Alfred back. He continued waiting under the tree.The air in Southeast Aciatic was hot and humid. The shade of the banyan tree offered some relief, but it couldn't completely dispel the oppressive heat.Morpheus took a deep breath, about to move elsewhere, when he glimpsed a suspicious figure swiftly darting through the factory's side gate.The security at the side gate was lax, making it e
Christopher struggled to swallow the bite of the sandwich in his mouth for what seemed like ages. He gazed at Persephone, his mind wandering back…He didn't just know Morpheus. He had been close since childhood to the children of the two prominent military families in Southeast Aciatic.Compared to the Harrises, he preferred visiting the Ortons, especially when he got to spend time with Morpheus. He considered Morpheus a friend, a brother even, having engaged in countless mischief together, much to their parents' dismay.In his memory, Morpheus was someone who smiled a lot, radiating warmth and brightness like the Southeast Aciatic sun when he did.However, from the moment Kaiden betrayed the country, Morpheus never smiled again, gradually growing distant from Christopher as well.It wasn't until that evening at the gates of the palace that Christopher felt like it had been a lifetime."I... I don't know him." Christopher forced a smile. "Where would I have met your boyfriend!"
Morpheus wasn't just an ordinary person!Christopher wholeheartedly accepted his defeat to Morpheus."Then... I'd like to invite you to come over to my place for a while as a friend. That's fine, right?"-A few days later, Persephone finally ran into Christopher, who had been missing in action for days, in the classroom."Hey, you finally showed up!" She dashed over, plopping down in the seat beside him and handing him breakfast. "You haven't eaten, right? Let's eat together!"Usually, Christopher would readily accept, but he waved his hands now. "No, no, no!""What's wrong?" Persephone widened her eyes. "This breakfast isn't poisoned!"Christopher awkwardly smiled. "You have a boyfriend, so maybe... we should keep some distance."Persephone burst into laughter. Then she remarked, "Strange... Morpheus was right!""Uh, what?""My boyfriend!" She chuckled. "He made this breakfast. I asked if he could also make a portion for you, and he said sure, just worried you wouldn't tak