Cynthia sat on the sofa, feeling a little tired. "Hotel."Joshua was speechless.How did she have the courage to say that?She said it so eloquently too."You're looking for me because you know I'm in the same room as Mitchell?" Cynthia said."I did go to the hotel to find him because someone took his mobile phone and sent me a message, using his identity to tell me that he has something to ask me."As she spoke, Cynthia took out her mobile phone, clicked on the chat dialog box, and showed him. "I thought he was in danger, so I went there."Joshua said nothing.His cold gaze stayed on the word 'Cyn'.An exclusive nickname?"After I went there, I found out that it was a trap. Someone attacked me when I opened the door, but I beat them up. If you need, I can ask them to testify," Cynthia said briefly."Mitchell appeared there because someone knocked on his door and gave him the room's key card and a letter. The letter said that someone kidnapped a girl and asked him to help sa
Cynthia held back her emotions and said, "If you have any doubts or don't believe me, you can say it directly.""Someone knocked on the door to deliver a letter to Mitchell. Who was that person? Why did he send it to him? If someone is really kidnapped, isn't calling the police the best solution?" Joshua did as she wished and asked all the questions.Cynthia said, "Wait a minute."Joshua was seething. She still wanted him to wait?!Cynthia took the mobile phone and called Mitchell, asking him to send the letter to her. After Mitchell hung up the phone, he took a photo and sent it to her.Cynthia clicked on the picture and showed Joshua.After Joshua read every word, he only had one thought, 'Mitchell really outdone himself. He even created evidence so seamlessly.'"Mitchell is still checking the surveillance cameras at the hotel to find out who left him the letter," Cynthia explained.Joshua threw her mobile phone on the table, looked at her as if he was looking at a stranger,
Cynthia hung up the phone with a grunt. She let the phone slip and fall on the table. She collapsed on the sofa, and her mind was in a mess.She originally thought that she would calm down after a while, but she did not know what was going on in her head as she replayed over and over again the words Joshua said. She could almost see his cold and alienating back view as he left.After another ten minutes, she still could not calm down.She simply stood up and went out, stopped a car, and went to a bar in the city center. When it was time to pay, she realized she had not brought her mobile phone.She did not turn back to get it. She took out her wallet and paid before entering the bar.The bar was full of colorful lights. Cynthia randomly found a place to sit and ordered two glasses of wine.She came here just because it was a mess here.Just like now, just as her wine was served, someone came and sat down next to her and started to strike up a conversation. "Miss, are you alone?"
"Hahaha. It's okay if you're not in a good mood. We can make you feel better.""Come with us and experience what true happiness is.""Let me carry her."Everyone reached out toward Cynthia with their eyes shining like they were looking at their prey.When one of them was reaching toward Cynthia's chest, Cynthia grabbed his wrist and exerted all her strength."Ah! Ouch, ouch, ouch! Let go of me now, or you'll regret it later!" The person let out a miserable scream, trembling in pain.When they saw this, others realized something was wrong, and they all instantly rushed forward.It was at that moment Cynthia finally took action.She kicked the person closest to her with great force. Bang!The man slammed into the wall, letting out a dull grunt.As the others closed in, Cynthia threw a punch without any hesitation, causing the person's face to swell and turn blue.She vented all her frustration.Bang! "Ah!"A few came forward, and Cynthia fought them off. She did not need
"Sure," Cynthia agreed.Everyone, including the onlookers, was shocked. No one could quite comprehend the sudden turn of events, not even the individuals who had spoken. They had only said those things to buy themselves some time, waiting for their boss to arrive after hearing about the commotion.However, this crazy woman actually agreed?"You...actually agreed?" They found it hard to believe.Cynthia maintained her calm demeanor, and her eyes revealed no emotions. "Wasn't it you who said that if I spend a night with you, everything that happened today will be forgiven?"Upon hearing her words, they finally understood.They had thought this woman was so formidable, but it turned out she was just putting on a show! She was even speaking so calmly about surrendering.What an act! "Let's go. Where to?" Cynthia stood up, glancing at them. She had already decided to unleash her fury on them once they were upstairs."There are rooms upstairs. Let's go there.""Help me up quickl
"Quickly inform our boss about this matter.""From today onward, you won't be able to stay in Jiverton."After threatening Cynthia, the group left, clearly going to seek help and tend to their injuries.After the others watched them leave, they dispersed and went about their own business. Only the girls who had spoken up earlier remained, looking at Cynthia with concern."Are you okay?""In the future, it's better to go to bars like this with company.""That's right."They comforted her.Cynthia smiled faintly, giving off a soothing and carefree vibe. "I'm fine, thank you.""No need to thank us. If you don't mind, why not come with us? We're planning to stay and have some fun before leaving." They had smiles and concern on their faces."Thank you, but I'm planning to head back." Cynthia smiled gently.The others did not insist.However, as Cynthia was leaving, a few could not help but stop her, treating her as someone inexperienced in society. "Miss!""What's the matter?"
Yoel looked at the house billowing with thick smoke and said to Joshua, "It seems like Ms. Yates' home is on fire."As soon as he finished speaking, Joshua had already gotten out of the car. He was a little dizzy as he had drunk alcohol. If it were not for the influence of alcohol, he would not have come here in the first place."I wonder if there's anyone in those upper-floor apartments. When I knocked on the door earlier, it seemed like nobody answered.""If nobody answered, then there's nobody inside, right?""With such thick smoke, they should know, shouldn't they?"Listening to the discussions around him, Joshua quickly took out his phone and dialed Cynthia's number. However, there was no answer on the other end despite several attempts. "Mr. Neal," Yoel called out to him tentatively.Joshua took Yoel's phone and dialed Cynthia's number again. He was worried that Cynthia was still upset with him because of what had happened earlier, causing her to ignore his calls. Even so
"Who told you I was worried about her?" Joshua's words contradicted his true thoughts. Whenever he saw Cynthia, he could not help but think about her and Mitchell.Yoel blurted out, "Just a moment ago, you rushed into the fire for Ms. Yates."Joshua's gaze turned icy. Was he too easy on Yoel these days?"You two should talk. I'll wait for you in the car." Yoel ignored Joshua's terrifying gaze. He did not even glance at him and slipped away.He got into the car and casually locked the doors.Joshua did not pay much attention to his words and walked toward the car. He intended to open the door but realized the car was locked.Joshua was shocked.He emanated a terrifying chill as he shouted, "Yoel!"Yoel kept his head down, refusing to look outside. As long as he did not meet Joshua's gaze, he would be fine!"Did you come to see me?" Cynthia asked.Joshua was still angry and was not friendly toward Cynthia. "Do you think I would come to find you?""No," Cynthia replied.
Isabella glared at Nick. He actually betrayed her! Caught off guard by Luther's honesty, Nick quickly explained, "Don't look at me like that. Luther forced me to do it. If I didn't agree to his request, he would've spilled my past to my current girlfriend.""Current girlfriend?" Isabella looked puzzled.Nick confessed honestly, "My new girlfriend."Isabella was at a loss for words. Nick was very handsome. His looks could rival top celebrities. Naturally, with his face and charisma, he had no shortage of admirers. That led to a habit of frequently changing girlfriends."I made my rules clear to her. No shady behavior allowed," Nick added quickly, sensing what Isabella was thinking.Hearing this, Isabella did not say much.A moment later, Luther, seeing that their conversation had wrapped up, took Isabella's hand and left. On the way back, he deliberately brought up the topic of proposals."What kind of proposal do you like?" Luther asked."Anything works," Isabella replied
There was a time when Isabella considered letting Luther propose to her. However, he had not shown any signs that he would or asked for her ring size. There was no need to overthink it; that fool probably had not even thought about it. Nonetheless, Isabella did not blame Luther. After all, she was well aware that everyone expressed love differently. Yet, that was also precisely why she wanted to propose to him, to make him understand just how much she cared."What's wrong?" Annie asked, concerned."I'm just worried," Isabella replied. The ring sizes had been a constant worry for her."Because of what you just mentioned?"Isabella nodded. "Yeah.""Why do you want to propose to him?" Annie looked toward a dark corner. "In most relationships, the boyfriend proposes to the girlfriend, right?""I want him to feel loved," Isabella answered simply.Luther was different from most people; he always suppressed his negative emotions and limited his freedom. He no longer wanted to restr
"No," Luther declined; he still wanted to be the one proposing to her."Okay," Joshua agreed readily.Luther nodded, letting his mind wander. In the following days, Isabella kept checking on the progress, each time being informed that there was no opportunity to measure Luther's finger.In the blink of an eye, three days passed.Cynthia and Matthew had a conversation with Isaiah.Due to prior preparation, Isaiah handled Cynthia and Matthew's questions smoothly. Although they knew Isaiah had not been entirely truthful, based on his attitude toward Sandra, they agreed to the marriage without excessive probing into his relationship with her.As for Isabella, she waited for a few days but had not received any news. Frustrated, she decided to go to Jiverton herself to find Luther.When Joshua heard about her plan, he asked her to give him a bit more time. He assured her he would have the sizes by next Friday at the latest."Really?" Isabella was worried about running out of time.
"Okay." Isaiah already had a plan in mind.After discussing the matter, the two did not say much more. In the following two days, Cynthia and Matthew stayed home while Isabella prepared the details and processes for the proposal.However, after going through the general plan, Isabella suddenly realized a problem. She did not know Luther's ring size. How could she prepare a ring for the proposal without knowing the size?Realizing this issue, she immediately thought of flying to Jiverton to find out but hesitated due to Luther's caution. If she returned so soon after just coming back, he would surely be suspicious. After much contemplation, she came up with a solution—Joshua.When Isabella called, Joshua happened to be having a meal with Luther."I'm not busy, what's up?""I need your help with something," Isabella said, trusting Joshua's abilities, "but Luther can't know about it."Joshua instinctively glanced at Luther.Luther was confused. He glanced at Joshua's phone and
"Quit the act," Matthew said to Isabella, "It's too bad."Isabella stayed quiet. Matthew bluntly stated, "Isaiah currently oversees the company, and the annual revenue has been consistently increasing under his management. He even took a few subsidiaries public.""And?" Isabella inquired."He has a talent for this," Matthew hinted, leaving Isabella puzzled as she struggled to keep up with Matthew's pace."He's barely in his twenties, so there's no rush to get married," Matthew explained. He saw through everything, understanding Isaiah well, adding, "If there were truly such a concern, he could easily establish a company under Sandra's name in the next few years, operate it until it goes public."With Isaiah's abilities and connections, starting a company and taking it public would be a simple task. After the IPO and proper management, Sandra's value would naturally rise. This would effortlessly 'shut their mouths'. Isabella wanted to say something, realizing her dad's words
"That depends on the secret he's keeping," Matthew responded immediately, taking the opportunity to tease Isaiah, "If it's something against our moral values, it'd be hard not to form an opinion, even if we try not to.""He's not that kind of person," Isabella defended Isaiah.Matthew did not respond but just sat there. Their father-son dynamic involved banter and teasing, but when it came down to it, they genuinely cared about each other."He's just worried that you might object to Sandra's background," Isabella continued to spin her tale convincingly.Cynthia and Matthew were confused, both staring at Isabella.Isabella felt a bit uneasy. Something seemed off with her parents' expressions. "What's wrong?""Are you sure Isaiah is worried about this?" Cynthia asked.Why was their beloved daughter so bad at lying? Not catching on, Isabella nodded, "Absolutely.""Setting aside the fact that we've always taught you not to treat people differently based on their family background
"Ah, I see." Isabella breathed a sigh of relief and purposely asked, "Is it possible that Isaiah got to know Sandra through Uncle Yves and Uncle Sean?""It's unlikely," Cynthia denied. Even though they had not arranged any blind dates or rushed Isaiah into marriage, given his personality, he would not seek an introduction from anyone."Whenever you have time, ask Isaiah to bring his girlfriend home," Cynthia said, truly wishing for her children to find happiness. Isabella agreed, "Sure.""Isabella," Cynthia suddenly spoke up.Putting away her plan book, Isabella responded, "Hmm?""Do you think I look stern?" Cynthia sounded gentler than usual, lacking the usual nonchalance.Having been accustomed to being herself, Cynthia found it a bit awkward to take on the role of an elder suddenly. If she left a bad impression on Sandra during their first meeting, it could easily jeopardize Isaiah's relationship."Not at all," Isabella spoke sincerely, looking at Cynthia affectionately. "Y
Isaiah had seen through their plans. He knew that his parents' friends enjoyed watching him banter with Matthew. Every time something was like this, they would eagerly make things difficult for him.Early the next morning, Mitchell and the others began implementing the plan. Initially, Matthew did not suspect anything and thought they genuinely had urgent matters to attend to and brought Cynthia back home first.Considering Luther's upcoming proposal, they decided not to travel the world but instead explored nearby cities. After Mitchell and the others called Matthew aside, Isabella approached Cynthia. Cynthia was surprised to learn about Isabella and Isaiah's plan."Aren't you afraid of getting in trouble?" Cynthia asked."Not at all," Isabella responded very directly, her mind focused on planning her and Luther's engagement. "Isaiah said he can handle this matter, so let's discuss the proposal first. I've thought about several options, but none seem good enough.""Okay," Cynth
Isaiah was surprised."Take her to shoot wedding photos first," Isabella suggested seriously. After giving it some thought, Isaiah said, "I'll ask her during dinner.""Why bother asking?" Isabella thought Isaiah's emotional intelligence was lacking, and Sandra's expectations were too low. "Just pick a few reputable studios and let her choose one she likes."During their conversation, Isabella noticed that Sandra was slightly anticipating a wedding, although she had refused for some unknown reason. If she was not truly opposed to weddings, there should not be an issue with pre-wedding photos."If you give it directly to her, she'll probably say she doesn't need it," Isabella coined. She could see through people and was quite clever.Isaiah clearly did not consider this possibility."Take a look at these studios. My friends suggested them," Isabella had already made the selections and recommended them to him. "Weren't you against my decision before?" Isaiah, not understanding h