Fiona ended the video call. She sat on the sofa, dazed for a moment. Normally, Grandma Solomon would live in a nursing home for everyone’s convenience. She would only go back to the old house if something major happened in the Solomon family. At that moment when Darwin took back the phone, Fiona clearly saw the camera and Miss Ross looking in this direction.So...It wasn’t a business trip. Did they get engaged today? What was Darwin thinking, why did he make Grandma, in front of Miss Ross, video call her? Has he gone crazy? And he's a complete scumbag, not considering the girl at all? She touched her belly."Your father is really something!"After cursing, she felt that she shouldn't have said bad things about her father in front of the child. Annoyed, Fiona threw the phone aside and went back to her room to sleep.Later that night, the phone on the sofa buzzed twice. Darwin sent a WhatsAPP message."You don't have to move, I will transfer that house to you.""Go and cash the 20 mill
Anniston didn't even realize what happened. She still had a smile on her face. Hathaway held a booklet, intending to show it to Darwin.Unexpectedly..."These men... have no sense of responsibility when it comes to work!" Anniston was the first to react, trying her best to suppress her anger as she spoke kindly to Hathaway.Doesn't Anniston understand her son?No matter how serious the work is, he won't react like that."Auntie." Hathaway looked at Anniston. "The Miss Woods you mentioned, is her full name Fiona?"Anniston was surprised for a moment. "Ah... yes, she is Darwin's executive secretary."Hathaway nodded. That day, he went to the airport to pick her up. She saw him from afar. Among the crowd, he stood tall and handsome, extremely eye-catching. However...He seemed absent-minded, constantly looking at his phone. He didn't even notice her until she reached him.Leaving the airport, he made the excuse of having a company matter and took her to the office.Hathaway didn't think
"I looked up some local cuisine online. There's one that looks really delicious, but it's a bit far, and if we go late, we'll have to wait in line!"Over the past few years, the people Fiona had been around were either cunning and scheming or decadent. It had been many, many years since she had seen someone as innocent and carefree as Harold. For a brief moment, Fiona saw a glimpse of her past self before the dramatic changes. Warm and earnest."Okay, since I'm treating you to a meal, whatever you choose is up to you."Fiona patiently nodded, as if coaxing a child. Harold's excitement was palpable. Fiona grabbed her bag and left the house with Harold. Autumn in New Port, with yellow leaves filling the streets and alleyways, created a charming atmosphere. Fiona sat in the passenger seat, lazily listening to Harold's excited introduction of the sights along the way. He had seemed to make a lot of preparations. Fiona responded with indifference, not showing much enthusiasm. But in Harold
"Go inside!" Darwin pushed Fiona on the shoulder. Fiona stumbled and took two steps back. Before she could stop Darwin from entering, he had already stepped inside and slammed the door shut. The loud bang made Fiona's heart tremble."Mr. Solomon, if you have something to say, let's talk outside!" Fiona said in a deep voice. She couldn't help but recall Darwin's wicked actions on the cruise ship."Go outside?" Darwin advanced step by step toward Fiona. Fiona frowned and instinctively backed away."If I go out now, aren't you afraid of being seen by your new love?" Darwin's tone was chilling. "When did you meet that kid from the Klein family? When did you become so intimate? What did you do behind my back when you ran away together?""Darwin, can you stop talking nonsense?" Fiona furrowed her brow. "Harold and I have nothing. I came to New Port for a business trip!"At this moment, Fiona's back was against the wall, with no more room to retreat. Darwin's cold hand grabbed her neck the n
Darwin held Fiona in his arms. It felt surreal, as if they were in another world."Mr. Solomon," Her hesitance gave way to the exhaustion she felt, and she didn't resist."Hmm..." Darwin buried his head in her neck, making a nonverbal gesture of acknowledgment. It felt like something was slowly tearing Fiona's heart apart."I'm tired. I just want to live a peaceful and ordinary life... Please let me go." There was no hysteria, no angry outburst. Just a calm request. Darwin instinctively tightened his grasp around Fiona's waist."I'm not Miss Robbins," Fiona continued, "the things you like, they are all an act. But I'm tired... I don't want to be Lilian's substitute anymore. I want to be myself again.""Stop talking. Weren't you going to rest?" Darwin frees one hand and gently covered Fiona's mouth. "Sleep!"I can't understand what Darwin is thinking. He doesn't love her and has found a new replacement, so why does he still bother her? Blaming her past competence? Fiona laughed at hers
Darwin was different from the typical domineering CEOs in many novels. He didn't have a tragic background. His parents were alive and had a good relationship.He grew up spoiled, like a golden child.Fiona had been with him for five years. She had grown accustomed to his indifference and his superiority. She had also grown accustomed to his ruthless and cunning ways in the business world.Except for Lilian, there was nothing that could bind him.Strictly speaking.Fiona didn't even consider Lilian as a constraint on him.When he had a car accident, Lilian abandoned him and married into the privileged family. Darwin found a substitute to satisfy his addiction but didn't go after her.Fiona had seen Darwin in various states. But what she saw now was the worst she had ever seen. She turned away. Darwin's shirt was a little wrinkled from sleeping. As she looked at him, his good-looking face was filled with an unfamiliar sense of superiority."Are you possessed?"Fiona asked seriously.Dar
There was no one outside the door, Harold had already left.Darwin was very satisfied with this.Subconsciously, he glanced at Fiona.She walked with lowered eyelids, her expression cold and devoid of any extra emotions."I thought he was so determined," Darwin sneered.Fiona ignored him.The two of them walked to the elevator, one after the other.Darwin's phone rang.He glanced at it and his expression turned cold visibly.It was Anniston calling.He hung up directly.The elevator door opened, and two children playing inside rushed out.They bumped into Fiona directly."Be careful!" Darwin quickly pulled her into his arms to protect her."Sorry! The kids weren't paying attention!" the children's parents apologized immediately.Darwin's face darkened.The two little boys also quickly apologized.Fiona looked gentle: "Be more careful in the future. If you really hurt someone, Mom and Dad will be in big trouble!""We know..." The two children pouted in response.After apologizing repea
Long time ago when Wyatt was studying abroad, due to his charms and good looks, he caused quite a few heartbreaks. As a result, he also received death threats. He still remembered the first time he received a death threat, it was from Y-country's mafia, and he was restless for several days. Later, his family handled it."Have you received death threats before?" Wyatt asked.Fiona looked at him as if he were crazy and asked, "Why?""You are too calm, aren't you afraid?" Wyatt pressed on."What can fear solve?" Fiona packed her laptop back into her bag. "Mr. Durham worked hard to arrange the car. Let's meet downstairs at seven o'clock tomorrow morning."After Fiona left. Wyatt was still pondering over it. Darwin's call came in."Mr. Solomon, where are you? Waiting for you to take care of the payment~" Wyatt said in a tone that hinted at annoyance."I have arranged for some people to go over," Darwin's tone was cold, "They will take care of the local boss.""Hmph." Wyatt leaned back in h
As Ashton was sorting through the gifts, she too was reflecting on everything."Isn't my life just a series of bizarre twists?" she mumbled, looking down. "Finding out Chris was secretly going on blind dates behind my back, then breaking up. Watching him get engaged, and seeing my own mom take his fiancée's side, leading to our fallout. That should have been my rock bottom, right?"Fiona nodded in agreement.The day Ashton cut ties with her mom, she'd even bought her a plane ticket. She wanted to send her to some tranquil getaway for a much-needed vacation to relax and rejuvenate."Who would've guessed? Right after the falling out with my mom—a spur-of-the-moment decision—I ended up marrying Kenny. I was so down on my luck, I thought, 'How much worse can it get?'” Ashton chuckled ironically, then softened a bit. "But, who could have predicted how good Kenny would turn out to be? How he'd respect every single wish of mine."It was a kind of care that she hadn't felt since her dad had l
Fiona was actually surprised. After all, she wasn't a saint without desires. It all made sense to just go with the flow and do what naturally came next. She might only berate herself later for succumbing to her cravings. But Darwin stopped, and that was beyond her expectations. In the past, this would have been unthinkable. It seemed as though... he really had learned to respect her.She pressed a quick, rewarding peck onto Darwin's lips, smiled, and teased, 'Mr. Solomon, maybe you should head to the bathroom?”Her smile was captivating and bright, causing Darwin's past five years of distressing memories to resurface. He pulled her into his arms again."Wife, I miss you so much, I'm starting to lose my mind," Darwin's voice shook, betraying his emotional turmoil. "I keep seeing your shadow at home, but when I chase after it, there's nothing... Thank goodness... this time I've really got you in my arms."Fiona listened to his voice laced with sobs, her heart aching with each word."Ser
Darwin had always been self-centered in matters of intimacy. Whenever he desired, she couldn't refuse.In her haziness, Fiona felt like she was back in those times again."Don't be afraid."Sensing her anxiety and unease, Darwin softened, kissing her lips again and coaxing her with his gentle voice, "I won't force you. I'll wait until you're ready to truly accept me."In Fiona's misty eyes, desire began to cloud her vision. Her gaze often seemed distant and disconnected. As Darwin kissed her, her mind turned into mush, instinctively she kissed him back softly.Mr. Solomon just stood there, silent, his towering frame taut."You know exactly how to torture me," Darwin groaned, voice hoarse, as he peppered her neck with more fervent kisses."Be gentle..." Fiona clenched his hand. "You'll leave marks!"Darwin chuckled lowly, then tilted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze, "Why fear my marks? Scared that man will see and get jealous?""No, it's not that…" Fiona turned away with a sligh
Once finished, the anxiety within Lilian began to subside.Just wait a little longer, Lilian. All these nuisances will soon vanish.And then, you'll be there for Darwin with all your gentle warmth. He’ll eventually be moved, realizing you're the one for him...Lilian took a deep breath and exhaled.On her way out, she passed by the flower shop where Darwin made his purchase. From a distance, she had only glimpsed the type of flowers Darwin had bought and decided to buy the same kind.Inside the apartment, Darwin silenced his phone and tossed it aside."Why didn't you tell me? Worried I'd take Lilian's side?" he pulled her close and asked earnestly.For five years, she had lived in Lilian’s shadow, a daily reminder that she was merely a stand-in and that Lilian was the more important one—a notion that had likely seeped into her very marrow.This realization made Darwin wish he could travel back in time to give his younger self a good thrashing.He
"The only person I've ever schemed for was Solomon. What could possibly make you believe I'd harm someone I don’t even know, like Miss Rhoads?" Lilian asked. "If that's truly how you see me, maybe it'd be better if you just kicked me out of Solomon's life..."Darwin had promised to protect Lilian.Hearing her say this, he felt a twinge of guilt.But...Darwin feared even more that because of the thorn that was Lilian, his wife’s heart, which had just started to soften toward him, would turn cold again.He was walking on eggshells just to avoid pushing her away.So..."I'm sorry, Lilian," Darwin said flatly. "There's no room for discussion."Lilian sat frozen in the car, as if her blood was slowly turning to ice.Even in her early days back in the country, Darwin had never protected Fiona like this.He used to drop everything to be at Lilian's side whenever she needed him, leaving Fiona behind.Now...Even when she tried to befriend Che
Fiona gazed at Darwin, his face inexplicably brimming with pride."Lilian places great value on the RH Company project." She kept to herself the fact that Lilian had plagiarized her proposal, but Fiona wasn't about to let it slide.This was simply a clash of interests, and she felt no need to drag Darwin further into the fray, avoiding the mess of tangled priorities."Hmm," Darwin's smile faded slightly, "Her proposal is indeed impressive, but it pales in comparison to yours."Fiona studied him intently, searching his face for any hint of romantic sentiment towards Lilian.Her search ended in vain."What are you looking at?" Darwin pulled her closer by the waist, gazing up at her.Fiona brushed her fingertips gently across his cheek, causing him to nuzzle into her hand like a kitten seeking affection."Don't stay away too long, come back soon," he whispered softly, his voice barely a murmur.What he truly wanted to say was, "Don't leave."Thei
Darwin had no clue about the sunny-side up egg story. Upon hearing it, his gaze immediately sought Fiona's.Fiona was clutching her burger too tight."Oh, why bring that up, mother?" the daughter-in-law chided softly, "I'm sorry about this.""It's fine," Fiona shook her head gently.Seeing Granny distressed, she excused herself to rest.Fiona stared at her burger, lost in thought.She had never imagined it.Her death had cast such a shadow, not only over her loved ones, but over those beyond her immediate circle.“It’s okay.” Darwin soothed her gently.Fiona cast another glance toward where the Hamburger Lady had disappeared and bowed her head to eat slowly.If the Hamburger Lady was so affected...What about Darwin?She had never been fully convinced of Darwin's love for her. It always seemed to her that his treatment of her was nothing more than possessiveness.Like an old belonging he didn’t want to discard, nor did he want anyo
Darwin sat in the treatment room with Fiona sitting beside him, scrolling through messages on her phone, while a doctor attended to Darwin's wound."The wound's not too deep, but it's not superficial either. You'll have to watch your diet," the doctor advised after dressing the wound."Got it, thank you for your help," Fiona put away her phone and politely thanked the doctor.Then they left the treatment room together.Darwin's face was brimming with relief, "We really didn't have to come to the hospital for this."Fiona didn't look at him.Leading the way, she said over her shoulder, "I'm here to prevent someone from using their wounds as an excuse to get me to come back."At that,the joy visibly drained from Darwin's face."I would never do that," he murmured softly.Fiona finally stopped and turned to look at him, "Mr. Solomon, you're becoming shamelessly unprincipled. Aren't you embarrassed to say such things?""Hungry?" Darwin steppe
“Monsoon Investment and I have always held deep respect for traditional industries. We hope that while guiding these industries through current challenges, we can also preserve the essence of the company's original culture as much as possible. Furthermore, we aim to highlight the significant contributions that RH Company has made to Armie Country and its citizens during challenging times. Monsoon Investment sincerely wishes to join hands with the esteemed shareholders of RH Company, to usher in the next era of brilliance,” Fiona concluded her address with a respectful bow.As she stepped down from the podium, the auditorium was quieter than expected.In contrast to the heated reactions to Lilian’s proposal, Fiona’s approach landed like a heavy punch right at the heart of RH Company’s shareholders. Lilian's face turned particularly sour.Chelsea's new strategy represented a complete shift.While the first proposal seemed, at first glance, to have a stronger pull on pe