In the small restaurant, Simon raised his glass to Charlotte."Congratulations, you've been temporarily spared," he said.Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. As their glasses clinked, she recalled the moments before she had rushed to defend Simon from Hunter. She wasn't a saint, but she couldn't stand idly by. She wanted Simon to stop treating her like a plaything for his own amusement while simultaneously antagonizing Griffith.Luckily, the troublemaker had a bit of a conscience. This time, she should be able to relax, not worrying that Simon would scheme against her to provoke Griffith. This way, she could also get along better with Griffith. She could be at ease whenever he encountered Simon, without Griffith causing trouble for her when he found out about it.With these thoughts, the food became even more delicious. Suddenly, the television in the restaurant was playing an entertainment news that caught Charlotte's attention."The genius musician Benjamin Sterling has announc
When they left the restaurant, it was already dark outside. There were only a few small streetlights along the roadside and a drizzle added to the misty atmosphere. Just as Charlotte turned around, Simon was busy adjusting the band-aid in the corner of his mouth."Where did you get this thing? It's ridiculously strong." He furrowed his brows."Having some additional adhesive power is good," she replied.Mary bought this a few days ago, and it turned out to be quite cheap but with surprisingly strong adhesive qualities. She still had some of the expensive ones that Griffith used in her bag, but she couldn't bear to bring them out."Wait here, I'll go get the car," Simon said.Charlotte nodded. She stood still while Simon crossed the street. The air was damp, and the rain was light. Charlotte sighed in relief, tilted her head back, and closed her eyes, savoring the tranquility of the night.A car passed her, but she couldn't see clearly, so she didn't pay much attention. Not far aw
Charlotte thought William would come to bid farewell to Krystal. However, only two female classmates came to see Krystal off when she arrived at the airport. Krystal seemed much better than before. She bid farewell to her friends one by one, and when she walked up to Charlotte, her eyes turned red."Charlotte, thank you."Charlotte scanned the surroundings but didn't see William. Feeling somewhat disappointed, she hugged Krystal. "He already came." Krystal choked up, adding, "He said he'd come find me after the high school exam."Charlotte was relieved. She had been worried that William might not want to leave. Now, it seemed she had no reason to worry. With William gone overseas, she couldn't be bothered with any troubles that might arise."Have a safe journey." She patted Krystal on the shoulder.Krystal wiped away her tears and nodded. The airport's announcements were already urging passengers. Krystal looked into the distance once more, and Charlotte followed her gaze but di
Charlotte stood in the courtyard, dumbfounded. She stared helplessly at the empty backyard and called out twice, "Chicky?" But there was no response.She closed her eyes, unable to describe her emotions; it was no longer just anger. It was just a chicken, not really a pet. But it was a gift from Julie, something that belonged to her.Most importantly, Julie liked it so much and was willing to give it to her. When she had received it, she couldn't help but cry and laugh, and when she entrusted it to Helen to take care of, she was committed.Why did Griffith feel entitled to touch her belongings, let alone a living creature, just because he was in a bad mood? He'd gone so far as to kill it. She was so angry that she turned around expressionlessly and ran back into the living room.Helen saw that her expression was off and, not understanding what was going on, asked, "Madam, what's wrong?"Charlotte didn't say a word, hearing movement upstairs. She looked up and saw Griffith coming o
"Oh my! How did this chicken end up here?""I remember now. There was a little rain this afternoon and it was windy, so I asked one of the housekeepers to close the windows in your room from the outside."Helen grabbed the chicken as she chattered, but when she turned around, she noticed Charlotte's complex expression."Madam?"Charlotte responded expressionlessly. "Who ordered supper?""Order?" Helen was puzzled. "Aren't these the usual dishes? You and Young Master don't order dishes, so the kitchen makes whatever is fresh."Charlotte's face paled, and she didn't care whether chicken feathers were on the couch as she sat down. She had been too nervous. She began to doubt if the dish from earlier was chicken.Suddenly, there were footsteps at the door. Helen carried the chicken and went to open the door, finding that Griffith's expression had grown even colder. She couldn't even bring herself to speak.Griffith glanced around the room and pressed his lips, his gaze as cold as i
Downstairs, Helen became anxious when she heard no sound come from upstairs. She wondered if she should call the old mansion and ask Francine to intervene. Suddenly, an unusually sharp chicken cry pierced the silence.She instinctively turned and looked upstairs. The bedroom door opened. Griffith intended to leave, but the chicken flew out behind him. He turned around, and in an instant, the chicken scratched the corner of his eye. Helen and Charlotte were shocked. Chicky landed on the floor, and Griffith bumped into the door frame. The second he turned away, Charlotte glimsed the scratch in the corner of his eye. It was about two to three centimeters long.He used his knuckles to brush the injured area. Feeling pain, he glared at Charlotte icily. Charlotte was still in shock, lost for words. A few seconds later, Griffith turned around expressionlessly and disappeared from her sight.Helen walked upstairs, and noticing the injury near Griffith's eye, she felt sorry for him. She ha
The study door was left ajar, and Charlotte lightly knocked on it twice before pushing it open.As she entered, the thick smell of smoke greeted her. She coughed twice upon speaking. The study was completely dark, and the only light source was where she stood by the door.Griffith sat on the sofa, leaning forward, his brows and eyes filled with profound melancholy. He pulled a sour face, tapping cigarette ash into a crystal ashtray. Hearing the noise, he glanced at her from the corner of his eye."Get out," he said.Charlotte remained unfazed and said, "Grandma asked me to check on you.""I've been checked. You can leave now."Charlotte took a deep breath. She entered the room and placed the first aid kit on the table before opening it. The man exhaled a puff of smoke, squinting at her as he sized her up. "Have you thought it through? Did you realize I'm still useful and have come back to act like a pitiable and strong-willed victim, clinging onto me as your long-term meal ticke
"You must have driven away everyone who came into your life and tried to be good to you. I don't owe you anything! We're divorced. I have no obligation to cater to your mood! I can't imagine how anyone could tolerate you."Charlotte noticed the look in Griffith's eyes changed at the end of her words.That murderous intent was like that night when he attacked the thugs at Krystal's house. She did not doubt that he might attack her in the next moment.She clenched her fists and stared into his eyes. Since getting the divorce certificate, she had constantly absorbed his emotions. Yes, she had asked for his help, but when it came down to it, hadn't he used her too? It was a mutually beneficial relationship, so what gave him the right to treat her like that?In the darkness around them, illuminated only by the faint light from the doorway, they could see the flames in each other's eyes. After a long standoff, Griffith's overwhelming killing intent gradually subsided. His gaze toward Cha
Tanya's previous full-length mirror was still usable, but because it was small, she had to walk a bit farther every time she used it. Eli had long wanted to replace it.Little did he know, she got rid of many things in the house to make room for the new large sofa for him, including that old full-length mirror."How do you like it? Surprised?" He patted the mirror.Tanya smiled wryly and pointed to the large sofa. "And you? Surprised?" Only then did Eli notice fewer small items in the living room and a large new sofa. He suddenly chuckled. It was quite nice.He thought of her, and she thought of him. This winter was truly warm.Tanya abandoned the egg tart and hugged him again. "Oh no, this mirror is so big. There's nowhere to put it."Eli carried her with one hand and moved the mirror to the corner with the other. Sitting on the sofa, he thought for a moment, then hugged her and said, "Tanya, let's move to a bigger place."Tanya knew he had been thinking about this all along.
Eli found it amusing. He pushed the head of the small money jar and couldn't help but say, "You gold digger! You love money so much, then why did you give the check I gave you to Soraya?"Tanya blinked and chuckled. "I only acquire wealth in the proper way. To be honest…" She pondered for a moment, then turned to look at him. "Probably because, at that time, I was just too fond of you like I am now."Hearing this, Eli felt a pang of heartache and leaned down to kiss her forehead. Tanya smiled, moved the gifts aside, and made some space for him.Just as they were about to talk, Eli's phone vibrated continuously. It turned out that Bridget was sending over the detailed preparation process for the wedding.Tanya scrolled through it and suddenly felt overwhelmed. Eli looked at it and also felt a headache coming. The two glanced at each other, sighed simultaneously, and leaned back.After they publicly disclosed their relationship, life continued as usual but became busier due to the w
Eli being married was shocking enough, but then his wife was hiding right in the office. In the next half hour, Tanya heard wailing from all around.The atmosphere in their office was quite good, and everyone got along well. After coming clean, everyone joked around and teased each other."Nia, don't forget Mr. Ted, he's been cursing at you all along!""Yeah, he's been calling you a fool!""I heard it, I can testify!"Ted was furious and rushed out to hit someone. Tanya followed with laughter.Before leaving work, Amy indeed brought the cake and candies, sharing them with everyone in the building. Thus, the entire group gave them their blessings.From the office to the parking lot, Tanya received blessings. When she got into Eli's car, her heart was still pounding.Eli was happily eating his candy, feeling good. Especially now that he didn't have to sneak around anymore, he even turned the steering wheel effortlessly.Tanya, holding the cake, asked him in surprise, "Were these
Tanya walked out of the room with her guard down and came face to face with Ted's sneaky expression. She paused.Ted gasped, his brain instantly turning blank.He looked at Tanya, covered his mouth with his left hand, and placed his right hand over the left with his eyes gradually widening.God! This was insane!Tanya regained her composure and glanced in Eli's direction. Eli remained calm, glanced at the fruit plate on the table, and said, "Should we take some down to share with your colleagues?"Tanya nodded. She glanced at the still-disheveled Ted and kindly handed him a tangerine."Sir?"Ted swallowed, looked at Tanya, then at Eli. Finally, he settled his gaze on the tangerine in her hand, mechanically accepting it.Tanya turned to look at Eli. 'Look, you've scared my superior.'Eli shrugged."I'm leaving," she said.Eli nodded and escorted her to the door.Ted followed them out and was sent into the elevator by his boss. As the elevator doors closed, he let out a long
The deep blue bedsheet was neatly spread out. But the two pillows lacked pillowcases, exposed in a sorry state.Eli placed his hands on his belt and turned to look at Tanya. "Is this also your doing?"Tanya leaned against the door frame, only poking her head in, smiling sheepishly."I accidentally drooled while sleeping that day and dirtied the pillowcase. Knowing that you're a neat freak, I took them all off to wash," she said. She raised her hand and swore, "The pillowcases have been washed and are in the cabinet at home."Eli wasn't interested in the pillowcases' whereabouts. He remembered when Amy called him, saying Tanya missed him and wanted to touch the sheets and pillows after waking up.Nonsense!He took a deep breath, then turned his head to Tanya with a frightening smile. Tanya realized the danger and tried to run, but he grabbed her by the waist."Hey, what are you doing?" she said.Eli tossed her onto the bed and followed suit."What are you doing?!""Collecting
Tanya sat upright in the office. Eli stood before her with his hands behind his back. "Come on, explain."Tanya's eyes darted around. "Do you believe me? It's because I missed you too much. When I came to your place, I couldn't help but take away everything related to you." Eli scoffed. "Including the toilet paper?"Tanya pondered seriously.Eli tapped the coffee machine and pointed to the plug that had been pulled out, saying, "If the coffee machine wasn't too heavy, would you have taken that too?"'This brat has no conscience at all. Does she even understand what a cold shoulder is?'While he was reminiscing in her room, she made a fortune in his office!Tanya blinked and gave him an embarrassed smile. "If you think about it from another angle, I love you deeply. If we couldn't reconcile and you came back to see all this, you would hate me. Hate represents love, and love means you can't forget me. My obsession is so deep; I want to stay in your heart forever."Eli fell silen
"You should buy something while visiting. Do you have enough money in your account? If not, I will transfer some to you," Mrs. Moran said on the phone.Tanya didn't want money; she just wanted to hear some advice. She knew her parents' financial situation wasn't good. Due to illness, her stepfather had retired from his position as a butler of the Sterling family. Although the Sterlings provided a retirement package, Mr. Moran was getting old, and he had a son. She heard that his son's business had lost a considerable amount of money in recent years. As a stepdaughter, she had already received enough help from them, so how could she ask for more money?During her university days, she didn't ask her family for money. If she could find a part-time job, she would, and if not, she would endure it just to avoid causing her mother trouble."Mom, I don't need money. I have enough."When Mrs. Moran heard this, she felt even more sorry for her.Since her ex-husband was useless, Tanya suffer
After breakfast, Eli called Bridget."Why did you send her a check? Do you have nothing better to do?"Bridget had just arrived home and begun playing poker with a few old friends.She threw out a card, rolled her eyes, and said, "It's the first time I've met my daughter-in-law! What's wrong with giving her some money!"Eli was speechless."Madam, you came up and threw 500,000 dollars just like that. Aren't you afraid of scaring people?""What should I do? Throw 50,000 dollars instead? That's too stingy."Eli was speechless. Holding onto the railing, he glanced downstairs and saw Tanya ironing her coat in the living room."I almost got dumped because you caused a scene," he joked.Bridget threw the cards while chuckling. "It's good to be dumped. With your unruly behavior, someone should make you suffer a bit.""Are you really my mother?""If you still want to be a good son, hurry up and go through the procedures, live a proper life with Tanya, and try to give me a grandson n
"What did Her Majesty tell you?"Tanya nearly lost her composure, fighting back laughter.Bridget said nothing more as she left with Benjamin, leaving Tanya and Eli to return to the apartment. The journey back was silent, with Tanya deep in thought. Upon entering, Eli halted her at the entrance.Exhaling deeply, Tanya reached into her pocket and withdrew a check. Eli's gaze fell upon it, noting it was only for $500,000. As he moved to take it, Tanya tucked it back into her pocket. On the bar, a spread of breakfast awaited them - fried eggs, sausages, fruits, and vegetables. Despite the inviting display, Tanya's attention was on Eli."Don't you want breakfast?"With the situation still unclear, Eli's appetite waned. Nonetheless, knowing Bridget's nature, he remained calm. Seating himself opposite Tanya, he nibbled at a sausage, noticing her lack of interest."Is everything alright?" he asked, concerned.Tanya shook her head.The oversized sandwich Bridget had ordered had already