Emily smiled patiently as she explained, "Please look here. According to the plan, this is a children's playground, with many play structures for kids. It’s clearly labeled on the blueprint."Ken nodded. "Yes, we saw that part."Emily continued, "While the kids are playing, the adults also need a place to rest. Taking care of kids is exhausting, so this area is designed as a resting spot specifically for the parents. From here, they can watch the entire playground, keeping an eye on their children while also getting some rest."After Emily's explanation, everyone finally understood."This design is really considerate," one of the designers said. "My wife always complains about how exhausting it is to take care of our kid, constantly keeping an eye on him to make sure he’s safe.""Yeah, my son is three now, always full of energy and getting into trouble. Taking care of him is seriously a workout," another added.Ken, however, stayed quiet, simply stroking his chin while watching Emily.
This time, he wasn’t quite the gentleman.Vincent grabbed Emily's hand, guiding her through the crowded elevator, across the bustling company lobby, without caring who saw them. He then pushed her into the front passenger seat of his car, ignoring the stares of onlookers.As the car started, Emily could still see through the window a bunch of curious colleagues gossiping about what just happened.“Do you think this is appropriate?” Emily asked, turning her head to look at the line of trees speeding by outside.Vincent replied, “You keep avoiding me. I had no choice.”“But you know how people in the company will talk about me after this, right?”“What will they say?”“They'll say everything I've accomplished, my skills, everything about me—was all because of you. They'll probably even say the award I won was thanks to your influence.”Vincent's voice was calm. “You can’t stop people from talking, Emily. I taught you this lesson three years ago.”Emily felt deflated, brushing her wind-t
Time was too tight; Lucas didn’t have a chance to fully grasp what had just happened before he rushed back on stage.A few minutes later, the venue erupted once more with the audience’s enthusiasm at Lucas's reappearance."Thank you..."The young makeup artist handed Emily a cup of water. "Would you like some water?"The girl’s face was full of admiration and gratitude.Emily smiled gently. "No, I’m good. You don’t need to thank me. Keep working hard."The young girl seemed greatly encouraged, nodding enthusiastically. "I will!"Emily turned and left the backstage area, moving through the staff-only exit to leave the concert venue.Vincent didn’t stop her. He just followed behind her silently."Mr. Norman, I’m off the clock," she said. "This is my personal time now, and I want to go home and rest. I’m not interested in staying for the concert."Vincent nodded. "That’s fine. If you don’t want to stay, we won’t.""Sorry for wasting your two VIP tickets then. I’m going now."He grabbed h
"Madam, please don't be too discouraged. Your situation is not too serious. The ability to conceive is closely related to one's emotional state. Please keep a positive attitude and cooperate with the treatment. I believe you will have a healthy baby."It was the hottest season in LA, but Emily Carter, just out of the hospital, felt like she was enveloped in a chill as if a cold breeze had swept over her, causing her body to uncontrollably shiver.Her Mother-in-law, Carol, stood at the hospital entrance, grabbed Emily's hand as soon as she saw her, and snatched the health report from her, murmuring incessantly, "Let me see. How can someone be married for so many years without having a child?"Emily instinctively tried to snatch the report back.But Carol pushed her away, disregarding Emily's pale face, and opened the report right there on the street.Emily staggered back, almost falling. The recent stress had taken a toll on her, and she realized that she hadn't drunk water for a long
An hour later, Emily returned to the Reed family's villa.As soon as she entered, Emily saw Carol peeling an apple for Sophia.Nathan, on the other hand, sat by, his gaze fixed on Sophia's slightly swollen belly. His face bore a tenderness she had never seen before.They appeared to be a harmonious family.Emily pushed the door open and Carol's smile faded. "I thought you had left... Sophia, don't mind her, have an apple."Sophia looked uneasy as she tried to stand, clutching her waist.Nathan squeezed her hand. "Sit down, don't worry about anything else."Nathan stood up, his imposing figure dominating the room. "Emily, let's talk."Upstairs was her and Nathan's bedroom.Unfortunately, in the four years since, Nathan's visits home could be counted on one hand, mostly confined to the study.Entering the room, he approached the bed, lit a cigar, his voice icy. "Speak, what are your conditions?"Emily was puzzled. "What?""How much money will it take for you to agree to a divorce?" Nath
Nathan immediately dialed for an ambulance.The sound of the ambulance echoed downstairs. Each sound seemed to pierce Emily's ears.Nathan carried Sophia into the car, rushing down the stairs without looking back at Emily even once.Carol stood at the door, hands on hips, chest heaving with anger. She instructed the maid to throw all of Emily's belongings out and then pushed her out of the gate."You wretched woman, how dare you attempt to murder the future heir of our Reed family. Get out, don't ever stay in our house again!"With a loud bang, the villa's gate slowly closed before Emily's eyes.Emily looked at the scattered clothes on the ground, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails almost pierced into her flesh.In truth, she didn't have much belongings. When she married Nathan, besides some basic necessities, she brought nothing else into this villa except for a pair of earrings left by her mother and some basic living supplies. The earrings were her mother's legacy, which
A man's voice blasted through the phone, dripping with frustration: "We've been holed up in room 2302 all night, a dozen of us. Not a single woman showed up! You're sending us here to take nude pictures of some chick, but my boys wasted a whole night waiting. Sophia, you better not be playing games with us."Sophia's brow furrowed. "That woman didn't go to 2302? That doesn't make any sense..."Knowing that Olivia frequented the bar, Sophia had bribed the security beforehand. Once Olivia entered room 2302, the security would bring in a few guys to strip her down, and then Sophia would use those nude photos to pressure Emily into divorcing Nathan.Emily only had Olivia as a friend, and she couldn't afford to have those compromising photos leaked. So, she'd surely opt for a divorce with Nathan.But fate had a different plan in store. Just hours ago, Sophia received a call from the bar's security. They had spotted Emily entering the bar!It seemed like luck was on Sophia's side. She decid
Emily slammed the phone down, her screen almost shattered by her furious press.Emily was trembling with anger. That was her cousin, whom she treated like family, acting like a devil!"Miss, Miss?" The nurse on the other end kept urging, "Is your father going to have the surgery or not..."Beep beep beep... A message came in."Have you decided? ——Satan"Emily's hand pressed on a pocket, where there lay a bank card.Without hesitation, she took out the card and handed it to the nurse, "Where do I pay?"The nurse led her to pay the fee and complete the procedures. The door of the operating room closed again, the bright red "In Surgery" sign glaring.She withdrew three hundred thousand from Satan's card.Emily sighed bitterly. She had finally sold herself for a price."I agree with you."When these words were sent out, she felt lost.Soon, Satan replied."Okay, tonight, same place, Hilton Hotel, Room 2307, nine o'clock, I'll be waiting for you."Emily put her phone away, not wanting to l