Isabella returned home, and Charlotte greeted her with a smile."Isabella, you're back. You didn't come home all night last night, and your dad and I were worried," she said.She listened, her expression inscrutable. If they were truly concerned, they would have at least called her."I'm sorry for worrying you and Dad. I'll make sure to call ahead next time," she replied but didn't explain her whereabouts from the previous night.Charlotte, however, didn't seem to care much. She wasn't Isabella's biological mother, so she had no reason to be concerned about who Isabella was spending her time with."Why do you look so tired? You probably didn't get enough rest last night. You should go back to your room and rest," Charlotte continued, feigning concern.She nodded, changing her shoes in the hallway, preparing to return to her room.Charlotte added, "I made green bean soup to clear away heat. Have a bowl before you sleep." She then instructed a servant in the kitchen to bring a bowl of s
She hadn't seen her mother for a very long time. She remembered the last time she came to the hospital; she was only four months pregnant, wearing loose clothes that barely showed her baby bump, which allowed her to keep her pregnancy a secret from her mother. As her pregnancy progressed and her belly grew larger, she didn't dare to visit her mother anymore.Throughout the year of her pregnancy and childbirth, she had been telling her mother that she was studying abroad. To this day, Eleanor was unaware of Isabella's breakup with James and even less aware that she had a child with a stranger.If she found out, it would likely cause Eleanor's heart condition to worsen, maybe even necessitating life-saving measures."Silly girl, why are you crying? Mom is perfectly fine," Eleanor reached out her hand to her, and Isabella quickly grasped her mother's thin and cold arm."Mom still wants to see you marry James and have your children," Eleanor spoke with a sense of longing.Isabella, howeve
Andrew and the video conference with the UK branch lasted until 7 p.m.Exiting the meeting room, Beta Ryan was still discussing business matters."Alpha, the head of the UK branch was promoted by your older brother. He spent the whole afternoon playing mind games with us, clearly looking for trouble," Ryan expressed his dissatisfaction.Andrew's handsome face remained cool, his emotions consistently subdued, making it difficult to read his thoughts. "The project in the UK has just started. Don't interfere for now; I know what's going on."After speaking, he raised his arm and glanced at the semi-old steel watch on his wrist.Ryan's gaze also fell on the watch, and he casually remarked, "You still wear this watch."In Andrew's private wardrobe, there were millions worth of luxury watches, but he often wore this semi-old steel watch.It was said to be a gift from his grandfather, a British-made watch that served as a war trophy from the battles of the last century, symbolizing victory a
James stood on the side, holding a fruit basket, feeling somewhat awkward."Emily said you're sick, and both Mom and I are worried about you," he awkwardly began."I'm not seriously ill, thank you for your and Mrs. Brown's concern," she politely replied, but her tone was too distant and unfamiliar.James felt guilty and didn't dare to expect Isabella to be more welcoming.He placed the fruit basket on the coffee table and then sat by the bedside, opening his briefcase and taking out a jewelry box."I've had the necklace repaired. You can hardly see the cracks if you don't look closely."She squinted her eyes, clear gaze mixed with a hint of coldness. "Are you sure you're giving me back the necklace and not the one you gave to Emily?"Her words made James feel ashamed. Because of the necklace, he had already been scolded harshly by his mother.James also didn't expect that this necklace was originally a wedding gift from his mother to Isabella's mother.James harbored some resentment t
"Have you not been following the news these past few days? One male artist from the company has been exposed for drug use and possession. It has angered the fans, and the projects he was involved in have been suspended, causing significant losses for the company. To prevent similar incidents, Robert has ordered all signed artists to undergo testing," Olivia explained succinctly.Isabella was familiar with that male artist; his history of drug use wasn't a big secret in the industry. However, the company had turned a blind eye to it due to his popularity.Now that this incident was suddenly exposed, she couldn't believe it was just a coincidence.Since the poisoning incident initiated by Charlotte, it had been a carefully planned conspiracy. However, Robert had truly spared no expense to get rid of her. That male artist was a money-making tree for the company, and it was a pity to see him cut down just like that."Olivia, my body hasn't fully recovered. The doctor said I need to stay i
The filming stopped, and she also saw him, walking towards him.With a cigarette between his fingers, he exhaled a faint smoke through his firm lips, and his slightly hoarse voice sounded, "Amelia asked me to bring this to you."He handed a thermos to Isabella.She hugged the thermos, unscrewed the lid, and a fragrant hot steam emerged from it."Old duck soup! It smells so good," Isabella's eyes lit up.Since the last time she had dinner at the apartment, she had a soft spot for the old duck soup Amelia made. Amelia promised to make it for her again next time, but she didn't expect it to be delivered to the set.Holding the thermos, she shivered while drinking the hot soup."Feeling cold?" he raised an eyebrow, asking.She stuck her tongue out from being scalded by the hot soup, and the steam from the thermos surrounded her. "Yes, in the sea water below freezing for half an hour."After hearing this, he slightly pursed his firm lips, his deep and calm gaze settling on her. The blue an
A half-month later, James invited Isabella and Emily to his birthday party.Isabella casually browsed a nearby mall and picked a present that was somewhat presentable for James. After all, it was impolite to go empty-handed to someone's birthday.Once she chose the gift, she had it wrapped by the store's staff, paid, and then took a taxi to James's house.The car stopped in front of his villa, and she paid before getting out. Standing in front of the courtyard, she could faintly hear the noise coming from inside.This place was extremely familiar to her. When she was a child, her mother often brought her here to visit. Later, when she and James were engaged, it became a frequent visit. Mrs. Brown treated her as a prospective daughter-in-law, and even their servants regarded her as James's future wife.And now, she stood in front of the Brown family's gate again. Although everything here hadn't changed, there was a feeling of time having passed.Her appearance surprised many. After all
In the Brown family, Mrs. Brown held great authority, and James rarely defied his mother.Emily, looking reluctant, went into the inner room to change her clothes. She picked up her bag to leave but was stopped by Mrs. Brown."Aunt, do you have any more orders?" Emily asked.However, Mrs. Brown threw a pillbox at her. "Don't forget to take your pills. After all, you and James are not married yet. We, the Brown family, are respectable people. We don't want any scandal with an illegitimate child."Holding the box of birth control pills, Emily, with red eyes, ran out."Emily!" James instinctively put on his clothes to chase after her but was stopped by Mrs. Brown."You stay right there!""Mom! You're going too far!" James's handsome face was full of helplessness. He found himself caught between his mother and his fiancée, who weren't getting along."I don't think I've gone too far. James, I told you before, this woman has character issues. Anyway, I won't agree to you marrying her," Mrs.