Iris and Jason paused, then awkwardly withdrew their hands at the same time. Iris tucked her hands inside her clothes, tightly clasping them together. The sensation of Jason's touch lingered on her hand, as if it were still there.Jason clasped his hands behind his back and remarked, "Spring is coming.""Yeah," Iris replied, gazing at the river. "The wind isn't as cold anymore."She looked up at the starry sky and sighed, "People are so busy surviving that they tend to forget to just stop for a moment and appreciate life.""Look at all those stars, Mr. Just," she said, directing his attention upward.Jason glanced at the night sky. Its quiet expanse was filled with countless stars, evoking a sense of wonder.A gentle breeze stirred Iris' hair, accentuating her facial features. Jason's gaze rested softly on her. Now that she was awake, she did not look that gentle anymore. She exuded a resilient air, which sometimes hinted at a hidden sharpness. It made her even more captivating
"Good morning," Jason said as he walked in. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and took a seat at the dining table.Iris commented, "It's just simple home-cooked food. I don't know if you're used to eating this kind of food.""Even if I'm not, I’ll get used to it if I eat it regularly," he replied casually, picking up his cutlery. Iris frowned, not quite understanding his meaning. "So, my cooking's not good?""What I mean is, even if I'm not used to this kind of food, it's not because of your cooking — I just haven’t adjusted to your style yet," he said, taking a bite of the vegetable omelet.She was left bewildered. Was he saying that it's his problem, not hers? How come she still couldn't quite understand? Was her comprehension really that poor? Shaking off the thought, she decided not to dwell on trivial matters like that. She should save her brain power for her cases."The soy milk has no sugar," she mentioned.Jason nodded."Do you prefer your soy milk sweet or salty?" she a
Iris asked, "What’s the matter?" Yvonne was about to complain about Ted, but stopped herself because she realized it was something she couldn't tell Iris.Ted had requested her help to ask Iris out for a weekend trip to a resort. Yvonne might need Ted's help in the future, so it's difficult for her to refuse. Therefore, she agreed to ask Iris.Since Yvonne would be busy all day, she decided to come early in the morning. "Do you want to go to the Seine Mountain Resort just outside the city this weekend?"Iris eyed her suspiciously. "That's it? You came so early in the morning just for that?"Yvonne nervously ran her fingers through her hair. "I happened to be passing by, so I thought I’d come ask you in person."Iris answered, "I don't think I'm free this weekend."Yvonne asked, "You already have plans?"Iris smiled. "Jason assigned me a case. If I handle it well, my position will become permanent."Yvonne’s lips twitched as she regarded Iris, thinking, This naive woman doesn’
"You've always known that your actions would hurt your wife, children, family, and parents. Why didn't you stop your bad habits earlier? Why wait until things get so bad? What's the point of regretting it now?" Iris rebuked.The man lowered his head. "If I had known this would happen, I would never have done all that.""I'll still fight to defend you until the last moment. You're lucky; I've seen people who end up worse," she said, deliberately scaring him. "I once handled a case involving a woman with AIDS who sought revenge on society by intentionally sleeping with many men. Those men contracted AIDS as a result. It's unfortunate, but if they had stayed clean, they wouldn’t have dug their own graves. Don't you agree?"The man's body trembled with fear. That was indeed worse than what had happened to him. His worst-case scenario was going to prison, but at least he wouldn't have an incurable disease. Iris' words made him realize the dangers outside. He had a wife, so why would
She quickly received a reply: [Why?]Iris was certain that Jason was unaware of the rumors circulating within the firm. If she hadn't overheard the gossip by accident, she would have remained in the dark too.She didn't want to tarnish Jason's reputation. Although they did nothing wrong, rumors could hurt. Besides, she planned to have a long career at the firm, and such rumors were not beneficial to the firm nor her career. People were already accusing her of "using her body", and the rumors would only become more malicious.She stared at Jason's message, pondering. After a while, she replied: [I feel like I haven't gained enough experience yet. Also, turning permanent so quickly doesn't comply with the firm's policy.]He replied: [Okay.]Iris took off the badge she had just hung around her neck.She reluctantly explained the situation to the HR department. They called Jason for confirmation before revoking her status. Jason seemed to have guessed something. He told the HR depa
Yvonne crossed her arms. Ted knew very well which room they were staying in because he was the one who booked the room. Their room was right next to his.And she had no choice but to play along."8802," Iris said.Ted feigned surprise. "I’m in 8803."Yvonne rolled her eyes.Iris was surprised. "What are the chances?"Yvonne quipped, snorting lightly, "Right? What are the chances? Who would have thought?" Ted lowered his eyelids, looking a bit guilty.Iris wondered why Yvonne was being so sarcastic. She gently tugged Yvonne's sleeve and said, "Why are we chatting here? Let's go in."Ted offered his assistance, "I'll carry your luggage for you."Iris said, "No, it's okay...""Let me do it; men are stronger," he insisted, eagerly grabbing Iris' bag. It wasn't heavy; she didn’t pack much since she would only be staying overnight.Yvonne tossed her bag into Ted's arms. "Only hers? What about mine?"Without Yvonne's help, he wouldn't have "run into them" today, so he willingly
Yvonne turned her head away from Iris. "Yeah, I don't feel like it."Ted quickly intervened, "It's okay, Iris. We'll cycle. Let's go. It's a long journey, so if we don't hurry, it'll already be midday when we arrive."Iris shrugged. "Alright."The sightseeing bike was a side-by-side tandem bicycle, so Ted was sitting very close to Iris. He could hear her breathing and catch a faint scent from her, causing his heart to race uncontrollably. At his age, feeling his heart flutter just from being near a woman seemed somewhat pathetic. He thought he should be more composed, not acting like a young man experiencing his first crush. Even he couldn't help looking down on himself.Yet, he couldn't control his feelings. Perhaps this was the charm of love—even the most powerful people could not control it. It could make a person behave unnaturally.Ted's emotions were probably amplified because his unrequited love had suddenly seen a ray of hope. The long-suppressed feelings surged forth li
Ted glared at Yvonne.Yvonne raised her chin, her expression challenging, as if to say, "What are you looking at? Serves you right for threatening me."Ted still needed Yvonne's help to get closer to Iris, so he did not dare to offend her. He conceded and said, "Yvonne's right."Yvonne finally smiled.Iris looked back and forth between Ted and Yvonne. "Is something going on?"It felt like there was a silent showdown between the two.Ted hurriedly denied it. "No, of course not! You know how Yvonne is."Indeed, Yvonne had a fiery personality.Iris smiled, letting the matter rest.Ted found some more topics to talk about. Although Iris didn't really connect with him, it was still a pleasant chat.Upon arriving at the hot spring area, a staff member greeted them and led them to the changing rooms. The provided attire was uniform but allowed for size selection.Ted entered the men's changing room, while Iris and Yvonne went to the women's. In order to preserve the hot spring's
Brad arrived at Iris' house precisely at ten past seven. Holding the lunchbox, he rang the doorbell. Iris had just woken up, still in her pajamas, and wondered who could possibly be at the door this early. Sometimes, if she weren't driving, Brad would pick her up at around ten to eight. He wouldn't come this early.When she opened the door, she found him dressed in smart casual attire — a suit jacket, trousers, and white sneakers. In the past, he would wear cool attires like casual pants with a hoodie or a leather jacket, but after accompanying Iris to court on formal occasions, he had adapted his wardrobe considerably. Although he still felt uncomfortable in formal wear, he looked much more mature than before."You're here so early?" Iris asked, surprised."When you're busy, you never eat properly," Brad replied, entering without hesitation. He knew the passcode to her house anyway, so he made himself at home. He walked directly to the dining table. "Go freshen up and change yo
"Are you really going to take on that case, by the way?" Brad asked Iris.Iris asked him back, "Why shouldn't I?""This kind of case could go viral online and attract public scrutiny. I'm worried you'll face backlash. Many people these days lack critical thinking and just follow the crowd," Brad expressed.Iris responded firmly, "I'm a lawyer. I just need to fulfill my duties and do my job well. If I have to weigh the pros and cons before taking on every case..." she turned to him, adding, "What would be the point of doing this job?"Brad fell silent for a moment, then conceded, "Yes, you're right. Don't worry, I'll be at your side."Iris poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "I don't need you to be at my side. You need to go independent.""I don't want to," Brad said, sticking close to her, as if afraid of being left behind."What? Are you just going to cling to me?" she asked."Yes, I am," he chuckled."By the way, I need some fruits but I don't have time to go to the superma
Brad was right, Fiora knew that now. Yet her personality made it difficult for her to apologize and admit her mistakes. When Brad tried to take a sip of water, she snatched the glass from him.Brad looked at her, speechless. Fiora lifted her chin defiantly. "Whether he cares about me or not is none of your business."Brad wanted to ask her if her head had been kicked by a donkey. Instead, he said, "Alright, think what you want. I'm not your brother; I'm not gonna worry about you."Unintentionally, his words elicited a silent reaction from Iris, who lowered her gaze."My brother is overseas dealing with his heartbreak; he doesn't have time to worry about me," Fiora lamented. "I wonder if all the luck in our family has gone to the financial side. Is that why we're so unlucky in everything else? Half a year ago, my brother announced that he had a girlfriend. My mom had even met her and apparently really liked her, but then it all fell apart. My love life is rocky, and my brother's is
Iris said, "Just shut up and order."Brad obediently picked up the menu.Fiora watched the exchange, somewhat shocked at how readily Brad complied with Iris' command.Before this, she and Brad had looked down on each other, and their mutual disdain was evident. She had always thought Brad was too wild and could not be easily controlled, yet here he was, completely under Iris' command. She wondered how Iris had managed to subdue such a wilful young man, especially given Brad's less-than-ideal character.Having spent considerable time with Iris, Brad knew her preferences in food. He ordered the dishes he knew she liked, along with some of his own favorites, before turning to Fiora. "What would you like?""Anything," Fiora replied, prompting Brad to place a random order for her.While they waited for the food, Fiora broached the topic that lingered between them. "About what happened before...""Let's not dwell on the past," Iris interjected. To her, an apology from Fiora held littl
Iris didn't stop. She felt that they weren't acquainted so there was nothing to talk about.Fiora chased after her, tugging on Brad's arm as she ran past him. "Help me out."Brad thus followed behind her, saying, "If she doesn't want to talk to you, don't force her..."Fiora shot him an annoyed glare. Brad was speechless. Why did she glare at him? She was still the same spoiled brat."Wait, I'm not here to be your enemy," Fiora called as she caught up with Iris.Iris had to cross the street, but the continuous flow of traffic forced her to stop, giving Fiora a chance to catch up to her."I just want to apologize," Fiora said.Iris turned back in surprise. Those unexpected words caught her off guard. She did not expect it from Fiora at all.Why would Fiora suddenly apologize to her?"I know Stanley's married now. He married that evil woman," Fiora continued.Learning that Stanley had married Wendy had changed Fiora's opinion of Iris, but it wasn't until last night that she t
When Iris opened the door, she was shocked to see that it was Samuel. "What are you doing here?" she asked, puzzled.Samuel replied, "Mr. Just is not in the country. He asked me to check on you. Do you need anything?"Jason had seen Iris' message, but she had deleted it before he could listen to it. Concerned about her, had sent Samuel to check if everything was alright since he was abroad.Iris tightened her grip on the doorknob. Something stirred in the bottom of her heart. She tried to sound calm as she said, "I'm fine.""I'll be in the country all month. If you need anything, feel free to call me," Samuel said, handing her his business card. "Here's my contact."Iris hesitated for a moment before taking it."Are you sure you're fine?" Samuel asked, noticing her pale complexion.Though Iris had forgotten about her stomach pain because she was preoccupied with her thoughts, her complexion gave away her condition. She forced a nod. "I'm fine. Really."Samuel studied her for a
Iris walked out of the shop with the cake in hand. When she spotted Renee, she ignored her.Renee finally recognized the qualities Iris possessed when she compared Iris to Wendy — Iris was cultured, well-mannered, polite and respected her elders."Iris," Renee called out involuntarily.Iris merely looked back for a second before getting into her car.Renee stood frozen in a daze. If Iris were still her daughter-in-law, she mused, she wouldn't have to endure this humiliation. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of Wendy. She perceived Wendy as a devil. Wendy was the most evil person she had ever seen! She couldn't imagine how a person could be that evil.Yet, Renee never considered her own flaws while judging others.Renee's unexpected appearance did not make Iris feel anything. She entered a restaurant's private room with the cake. The private room was filled with Brad's friends. They were playfully teasing him, saying, "You don't race with us anymore. You barely even ha
Wendy stood up and gestured to the various luxury items she had purchased, sprawled across the couch. "Bring them up for me," she commanded, treating Renee like a servant."In your dreams!" Renee yelled back defiantly.Wendy leaned casually against the staircase railing, her expression filled with contempt. Cold and calculating, she resembled a predator, no trace of weakness remaining."Don't waste your breath with empty threats. You can't do anything to me. If anything happens to me, that video of you murdering someone will land in the police's hands. That boy will also receive a copy. When he learns who killed his mother after he grows up, there's no way he'll spare you. He'll send the Stein family into chaos. The video will also be leaked to the media, exposing your crime to the world. It'll become a scandal for the Stein family, and the family business' stocks will plummet as a result. And your dear husband, the person you care about the most? When he finds out that his lover di
Iris was in no mood to talk. Yvonne shook her gently, asking, "Do you want me to take you out to relax?""Not interested," Iris replied, looking visibly exhausted.When the takeout arrived, she only picked at her food, taking just a few bites before losing interest.It wasn't that the food wasn't tasty; she simply had no appetite.Yvonne received a phone call. She asked Iris if she wanted to join her. Iris declined."Then I'll see you next time," Yvonne said while getting up."Mmh," Iris responded absentmindedly.After Yvonne left, Iris packed up the food and decided to go to bed early.The day of the trial arrived as scheduled. Despite her best efforts, the trial proved challenging, and the outcome was not what she had hoped for. The client commented, "Honestly, it's better than what I expected. There's a big difference between five years and ten years. I'll reform well, show good behavior, and try to get released early."Iris remained silent. The outcome wasn't satisfactor