However, Shane's reaction was completely opposite to what she expected. He stepped back, shaking off Stella's hand pulling at his pant leg, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes. "Done with the act? I think you'd be better off in showbiz than as a jewelry designer. You might even win an award for being the best actress."Stella's smile froze at the corners of her mouth. "Shane, I don't understand what you mean. What best actress? What act? I'm hurt, don't you really feel any sympathy for me?"Seeing her pitiful expression, Shane felt a shiver down his spine. He took another step back involuntarily, then quickly ascended the stairs, reaching Haley's side. Haley seemed to be in shock, standing frozen in place.Unable to bear it, Shane reached out with his arms and pulled her into his embrace, feeling guilty. "Did I scare you? I'm sorry I'm late."Hearing his deep, gentle voice tinged with comfort, Haley's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She choked out a soft explanation, "It
Meeting Shane's cold and profound gaze, Stella felt like someone had just doused her with icy water. It was the first time she truly realized how cold and callous Shane's heart could be. No, maybe he did not have a heart at all! For some reason, Stella's mind suddenly flashed back to something Evelyn had said. She said, "Shane has been different from others since birth, aloof and emotionless. After the kidnapping twelve years ago, he developed psychological issues. Your infatuation with him is futile." Before, she had dismissed this, confident in her own charm. She believed that with enough effort, she could sway Shane. But now, at this moment, she realized clearly that some things could not be obtained through effort alone. Stella shivered violently, a surge of unwillingness almost overwhelming her reason. Her hands clenched into tight fists, nails digging into her flesh without feeling pain. She lifted her chin defiantly, facing Shane and Haley, still resolute. "I'm the v
When the incident first occurred, there was indeed a moment when she thought Shane might not believe her. But it was just a fleeting moment.Perhaps it was the sense of security he always provided, that unspoken assurance that no matter what happened, Shane would stand firmly by her side. As she looked at Shane, she felt a profound sense of gratitude and warmth. He truly was a good person. They hadn't been married for even a month, but Haley felt a level of care and protection she had never experienced before. Sometimes she even wondered how different things would be if it had been Shane she was engaged to from the start.Noticing Haley's complex gaze, Shane thought she was frightened and reassured her softly, "Don't worry, I won't let anyone bully you."Haley blinked, then nodded with a smile, "Yes, I believe you."The public display of affection between the two deeply stung Stella's eyes. She rushed forward, almost frenzied, and growled, "Haley, do you have anything else to s
As a photographer, he had been suffering from a recent creative block and decided to visit the cafe to draw inspiration from the diverse array of people and street scenes.Little did he know, today would bring him a significant reward.The moment he laid eyes on Haley, he felt a surge of inspiration. She was undeniably beautiful, with delicate features and fair skin. Even in a simple and elegant dress, she exuded a unique charm.His fingers itched with excitement, and he could not resist capturing several photos and videos in succession. When he saw Haley getting up to leave, he instinctively wanted to follow her, hoping to get her contact information and inquire about being his model.But to his surprise, Stella also got up and followed suit. Then, as witnessed by everyone, the unexpected occurred.The video was crystal clear. Stella deliberately provoked Haley and whispered something in her ear. She then abruptly let go of her hand and jumped down.As the onlookers processed th
Shane pulled Haley tightly into his arms, his brows furrowed with concern. "Don't worry, this time I won't easily let Stella off the hook."Hearing his assurance, Haley felt a warm current flowing through her heart. The feeling of being trusted and protected was unexpectedly comforting. She had never experienced it before.She willingly wrapped her arms around Shane's neck, leaning against his chest with her bright eyes shining. "Mr. Ford, why are you so good to me?"So good that... she was almost unable to resist his charm.Shane chuckled softly and reached out to gently stroke Haley's hair. "You are my wife. It's my duty to defend and protect you.""But not every husband can do that, Mr. Ford, you really are exceptional."Haley smiled, tilting her face up to lightly kiss Shane's cheek. It was as light and gentle as a dragonfly skimming the water, carrying her unique sweet fragrance.Shane's heart raced, his blood boiling. He tightened his grip on Haley's arms, his dark eyes fi
Caught in Shane's tender, indulgent gaze, Haley felt her heart skip a beat. Shyly averting her face, she playfully fed him the dessert, saying, "Stop talking and enjoy your sweet treat!" Watching as he took a bite, the creamy aroma filled the air, carrying an indescribable sweetness. Though Shane typically did not have a sweet tooth, he could not deny the skill of the dessert chef at this establishment. The delicate pastry was sweet but not overpowering, leaving a lingering taste on the lips. Like the girl before him, as playful as a kitten, she captivated him endlessly. Oblivious to Shane's thoughts, Haley's eyes sparkled as she asked, "How is it? Sweet enough?" Shane's gaze darkened slightly as he swallowed and replied, "Sweet." Proudly lifting her chin, Haley licked her lips, "This is my favorite, and it's the specialty of this place. Isn't it delicious?" Shane nodded gently, his eyes fixated on Haley's soft, tender lips. In a fleeting moment, his suppressed desire s
Although the private room had the air conditioning on, she still felt a bit stuffy. Shane rested his chin on Haley's shoulder, gently shaking his head, "Nope, not hot." The girl in his embrace was delicate and carried a subtle fragrance, captivating him completely. In that moment, all he could think about was how wonderful it would be to hold her like this indefinitely.Haley had no idea what Shane was thinking, but she felt a warm flush creeping up her neck. Why was Mr. Ford suddenly so clingy? It was making it hard for her to resist.After what felt like an eternity, Shane finally managed to suppress the desire within him and slowly released Haley. "Had enough to eat? Let's head home."Haley gently hooked her pinky finger with his, looking at him expectantly. "Can I take a dessert to go?"Shane chuckled helplessly. "Are you not full yet?"Haley smiled and explained, "I am, but I want to bring one home for later."Peering into Haley's bright and sparkling eyes, Shane readily a
Stella left the cafe, feeling utterly defeated under the weight of countless scornful glares. In an effort to make things seem more authentic, she had even gone as far as falling down the stairs, covering herself in bruises. But in the end, instead of driving a wedge between Haley and Shane, she only succeeded in making herself look worse off.Frustrated, Stella stomped her foot, inadvertently aggravating her injuries and wincing in pain. She rushed to the nearby hospital to have her injuries checked. By the time she left the hospital, darkness had descended.Suddenly, her manger called, and before Stella could speak, she was bombarded with angry accusations."Stella, what on earth did you do? Didn't I tell you to reconcile with Mr. Ford? Why did he suddenly reject all our design proposals?"Do you have any idea how long the company has been waiting for this collaboration opportunity? You've ruined everything!"I don't care what you do, but you better go apologize to Mr. Ford im