Perhaps because Kisa's gaze was too sharp, or maybe she was just being paranoid, Sharon involuntarily stepped back. "Why are you staring at me like that? There is no proof, and you can't do anything to me, can you?" She snorted and subconsciously glanced toward the visitation area. She panicked when she found that Adrien had left. As Kisa approached her, she knitted her brows and yelled, "What do you want? Don't even think about touching me when you have no proof."Kisa giggled when she saw her nervous reaction. She looked at Sharon absently and said, "When did you become so timid? Did I say I was going to do something to you? Look how scared you are."Snickers rang out all around. Sharon flushed and grunted, "I'm not afraid of you.""Oh yeah? Then, why are you backing up?"Sharon stammered, "I-I'm just afraid that you are going to frame me.""Oh, we are all reasonable people. Since you have explained yourself clearly, we won't blame you. I'm really sorry for the misunderstanding.
"Heh. Then, you will have to keep your eyes open to see if you can catch me red-handed.""Well, I will, and we will see." Kisa shot Sharon a meaningful smile before heading toward Peter and Jolina.Sharon stared at Kisa with grim eyes as she went. 'We will see. Sooner or later, I will kill you and your baby,' she said in her mind."Why are you so nosy and trying to help that woman? She didn't even appreciate your kindness, and she stood on Sharon's side. Don't hang out with such an ingrate next time."Jolina did not want to listen to Peter's nagging, so she turned around and left.Peter cursed in exasperation. He caught up to her and grabbed her by the arm. "What the hell do you mean by that? I was the one who defended you.""Oh, thank you, then," Jolina said with an expressionless face.He got even angrier. Just then, Kisa came over, and he glared at her with fiery eyes. "How dare you come here? My Jolina was trying to help you, but you stood on Sharon's side. Who do you think
The voice startled Kisa and Jolina.Kisa frowned at Christopher, who suddenly showed up. He hardly ever came to the studio, so Kisa wondered if he was here to visit Sharon."Didn't the news report say that you were pregnant with Mr. Kooper's child? Why are you now saying you're not pregnant?"Seeing Christopher's excited and nervous look, Kisa sneered in her mind, 'He is not trying to use my relationship with Gilbert to benefit himself, is he?' She heard that Christopher's recent divorce case with Carolyn was in full swing, and the legal battle was becoming a source of gossip in Calthon. He used to hate Kisa as his daughter and broke ties with her. But now, he was trying to butter her up, so Kisa found it ironic.While she was lost in thought, Christopher suddenly tugged on her arm and anxiously asked, "Tell me the truth. Are you pregnant with Mr. Kooper's child?""Heh." Kisa sneered at him. "Does it matter if I'm carrying his child?""Of course it matters. If you're pregnant wit
While Christopher was cursing Carolyn, Sharon suddenly showed up behind him and bellowed. His expression changed, and he spun around quickly. "Sharon? What are you doing here?""Heh, I'm in the studio all the time. Isn't it normal for me to come over? Meanwhile, you came to the studio and bad-mouthed my mother. When you were in love with her, everything about her was good in your eyes. You even kicked this woman's b*tchy mother out for her sake. Now that you're not as good as others and can't keep my mother in love with you, you speak ill about her in front of others. I have never seen a man who is such a loser and useless as you are.""That's enough, Sharon. I'm your father." Christopher's face turned red. "Don't assume that Adrien has sincere feelings for your mom. Look at the way your mom behaves now. Will a man as attractive as Adrien take a liking to your mom? Wake up and get on with your life.""Heh, just wait and see how Mr. Tanner spoils me and my mom. As for you..." Sharon
In a high-end restaurant, Anthony glanced at Lea's sad face and grunted in disgust, "I have taken the time to come out and have a meal with you, so don't look so glum in front of me, okay?""I-I'm sorry." Lea bowed her head, forcing a smile onto her pale face.Anthony looked askance at her, feeling annoyed, as Lea had been strange in the past two days and would not allow him to touch her. If he did, she would look as if someone was trying to hurt her. Upset, he took out a cigarette and was about to smoke.Lea suddenly whispered to him, "It's better not to smoke. Smoking is not allowed here."Heh, you think I'm afraid of them? I can buy ten restaurants like this at once. Who dares to tell me to put out my cigarette?" he said in a huff.Lea knitted her eyebrows, feeling a bit nauseous, but she was afraid to say anything. The smell of smoke kept wafting over, causing her stomach to churn. But, due to the fear of Anthony's displeasure, she fought back the discomfort.Seeing that she
Anthony growled in annoyance, got up, and walked out of the restaurant. Lea glanced at him as he left, and then she got up to follow him. Kisa also followed them out of the restaurant.Back downstairs at Lea's apartment, Kisa parked her car near an out-of-the-way flower bed that was several dozen feet away from Anthony's car. Anthony did not park his car in the designated parking lot. So, Kisa knew he would leave after dropping Lea off. She waited quietly in the car, as she wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with Lea afterward.Anthony was smoking as he spoke to Lea. "Since Kisa has given you a day off, you should stay home and not move around in the meantime. When the time comes, I will take you back to Athadale."Lea tugged at the corner of her dress and cautiously asked, "Why are you taking me to Athadale now that I'm no longer of any use to you?"Anthony frowned, seemingly annoyed. "When I tell you to go, just go. What's with the nonsense?"Lea pursed her lips and asked no m
Kisa pursed her lips and did not make a sound. She did not expect that a man as aggressive and vicious as Anthony would help a woman he did not know. She and Lea had not met yet when that incident happened."You know what? He was there like a God from heaven, scaring away the bad guys with just one word and telling me not to cry. He said if anyone bullied me again, I could just drop his name: Anthony Mullen. Anthony... Anthony... The name I will never forget," Lea said, suddenly giggling at Kisa. "Just because of his name, I never got bullied again during those years in that bar."Kisa felt sad when she heard what Lea said. She could tell that Lea really loved Anthony, but the way Anthony treated Lea was anything but love. She saw it all at the restaurant just now. Kisa looked at Lea sadly. "You treat him like he's a God, but what about him? Does he love you?"Lea shook her head. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that I was with him. Ever since I caught a glimpse of him when I was
"Can you not tell Anthony about my pregnancy?"Kisa smiled self-deprecatingly. "Don't worry. From now on, your business is none of my business. I will mention it to no one." With that, she walked outside without looking back.The glass door reflected Lea's sad and crying face. Such is love in the world—it is not always possible to have both love and friendship. Since Lea had chosen love, she had to sacrifice her friendship with Kisa. After breaking off their friendship, she would not feel too bad when Anthony made her hurt Kisa next time.When Kisa came out of the restaurant, she felt terribly sad. She suddenly remembered the time in Kerrona Hill, where Lea asked her to see the snow and almost got her killed on the snowy mountain. 'It must be Anthony who asked Lea to do that. She didn't expect that by doing so, it could have killed me, did she?' Kisa had once suspected Lea because of that incident, but she did not expect that Lea was working for Anthony. Apart from the Kerrona Hill
In a small town in the South, a gentle breeze caressed the cheeks of passersby, creating a pleasant and serene atmosphere. This town, known for its tourism, was adorned with flowers even in its narrow alleys. The surrounding houses were all quaint inns, exuding a poetic and picturesque charm.Beneath an arching bridge, Kisa set up an easel to display and sell her paintings. She had always loved painting since childhood. Although she had not achieved great success in this field, her vivid and evocative paintings were very popular with tourists. She would sell most of her paintings every day.On weekends, Blake would join her at the stall, but today was Wednesday, and she was alone. After arranging her paintings, she had barely sat down when people began to gather around. Some admired her art, while others immediately offered to buy. Her paintings were reasonably priced, which attracted many customers."Miss, I'd like that painting of the snow-covered rose garden at night.""Alright,
In the backyard, Kohen looked at his older brother's calm expression, a hint of worry in his voice. "Bro, are you alright?""I'm fine," Hayes said, adjusting the blanket on his lap. "Tomorrow, take me to meet those medical geniuses you found.""Oh, sure..." Kohen nodded in agreement, but after a moment, he could not help but ask, "Bro, what did that woman say to you that made you change your mind so suddenly?"Hayes gazed at the stars in the sky, his voice cool and distant. "She told me she's doing well, very happy. Then she pointed out how pitiful and miserable I am right now. She asked me if I don't feel envious, knowing how well she is doing compared to me."Kohen grimaced, realizing that the woman had provoked his brother into action.Hayes lowered his eyes, a faint smile on his face. "That's right. How could I not be envious? So, I want to heal my legs, live a good life, and show her that I can do better than her."Kohen felt a pang of sympathy for his brother. From Hayes's
Mentioning Hayes, Eylul's expression became complex. "Hayes is reclusive and doesn't like to see people. Only a single old servant has been taking care of him all these years. I only met him once, back when I married Kohen."Mia's heart ached, recalling the enigmatic yet deeply emotional man. She could not help but feel a lump in her throat. "How's his health?" Mia asked.Eylul replied, "His health is fine, but his legs have remained the same. Kohen has found top orthopedic experts for him and even sought out Kelvin Hoover from Calthon, but he refuses treatment. For so many years, he hasn't even stepped outside the backyard.""You mean he's been living in the backyard all this time?" Jensen asked gravely.Eylul nodded. "Yes, Kohen wanted him to live in the main house, but he refused. He only likes staying in the backyard. Moreover, the room he stays in used to be..." Eylul glanced at Mia. She had heard that Mia used to live in that room.With a complicated expression, Mia pursed h
"Let's forget everything that just happened,' Mia said.Jensen looked up at her. In the moonlight, his eyes were deep and complex, profound and unfathomable.Mia tried to muster a smile. "You don't have to feel burdened. In a way, I forced you. And you must have always disliked me. Actually, I didn't come to you for money; I just wanted to see you. Now that I have, I should go. Jensen, from now on... take care."With that, she walked away, fearing that if she lingered any longer, she would not be able to leave. But after only a few steps, she was embraced from behind.Jensen's voice was low and hoarse. "Stay with me."Mia trembled at his words. Jensen continued. "But I still have so many things to do and someone in my heart I can't let go of. I don't know... when I will be able to give you a satisfactory answer. If you don't want to stay with me without any promises or guarantees, you can—""I'm willing," Mia blurted out, "as long as I can be with you, I don't care about anything
Mia's face changed instantly. " You... you know I like Jensen, why would you...""Heh, if you like Jensen, shouldn't you be willing to do anything for him? If you can't even do this, how can you claim to love him?""I won't do it! Doing this would be betraying Jensen. I would risk my life for him, but I can't do this."Adrien stared at her flushed face and gently chuckled, his words loaded with meaning. "Aren't you feeling all hot and bothered yet?"Mia frowned. Her body was indeed getting hotter and more agitated. 'Why would Adrien ask this? Could it be the drink...?'As the thought crossed her mind, her heart sank. Seeing Adrien's cold expression and the man's playful smile, Mia turned and ran. But before she could take more than a few steps, she was dragged back. Weakened by the drink, her desperate struggles were futile. As the man pressed her down, playing with her like a toy, she closed her eyes in despair. She thought she could never face Jensen again. With a bitter laugh,
Adrien Tanner, Jensen's father, stood before Mia with a warm smile. "My son is truly awkward when it comes to matters of the heart. He's even willing to refuse such a beautiful young woman like you."Mia stared at him, her tears suddenly streaming down her face. "I only wanted to see him, even if it was to face rejection. Wouldn't it better to say it clearly to my face?""Yes, it would." Adrien agreed. "But standing here stubbornly won't help, because he left on a business trip a couple of days ago."Mia's heart ached even more, realizing that Jensen had avoided using the front door just to evade her.Adrien continued. "I have a way to make him come to you willingly, but it depends on whether you're willing to cooperate."Mia nodded. "What do I have to do?"Adrien motioned to his bodyguard, who handed him a glass of wine. "Drink this," he said.Mia furrowed her brow, hesitant.Adrien gently patted her shoulder, like a father would."Don't be afraid. I won't harm you. From the
Filled with guilt, Mia stepped forward, but Kohen suddenly pulled out a handgun and aimed it at her."Get out!"Jensen pulled Mia back. He looked at the cold man before him. It was this man who had taken him in years ago. At that time, Kohen was young, a carefree and privileged young man. Now, he seemed to have grown up all at once, his eyes colder and more distant.Jensen said with a troubled expression, "If you ever need me in the future, don't hesitate to find me."Kohen sneered coldly; pain etched in his brow. He mocked himself. "I never should have taken you in back then. In the end, it was I who harmed my own brother."Jensen pursed his lips, not knowing what to say, only feeling an unbearable pain in his heart. It was the first time he felt he owed someone. That sense of indebtedness suffocated him."Get out, and don't let me see you two ever again."On that night, Jensen and Mia left the McCray family. As a result of Hayes's ordeal, the McCray family underwent tremendous
"What on earth happened?"Jensen did not speak. Mia choked out. "The collaboration between the Burton family and the McCray family was a trap. We were ambushed by the Burton family, and Hayes... he was hit by a car trying to save us.""Damn it!" Kohen cursed under his breath, abruptly pulling a knife from a nearby bodyguard and pointing it at them. "What are your lives worth? Why would my brother save you? Why?"Mia bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. 'It's my fault. I wanted to save Jensen, but I should have gone alone. I shouldn't have dragged Hayes into this. He seemed cold-blooded and heartless, and I never thought that he would risk his life for me. Why was he so good to me?'"Kohen..."Suddenly, a weak cry rang out. Hayes had awakened.Kohen hurriedly moved closer, gripping Hayes's hand. "Bro!"Hayes's face was deathly pale. He did not look at Kohen, but instead turned his gaze to Mia. His eyes were calm. He saw Mia's red-rimmed eyes and the tears lingering there,
Hayes was sent flying by the car, his body crashing into a wall before bouncing back.Mia's entire body felt ice-cold as she trembled, yelling, "Hayes!""Kill them all!" A hoarse, aged voice suddenly rang out from the entrance. It was Curtis. He looked at Kendall's lifeless body on the ground, his eyes filled with rage, shouting, "Run them over! I want them to join my grandson in death!""Ah!" Jensen roared, disregarding the guards' swinging knives, and like a madman, charged at Curtis. Curtis's face changed, desperately pulling a nearby guard in front of him as a shield. But it was useless. Jensen, like a crazed beast, attacked anyone in his path. Soon, his knife was held against Curtis's throat.Curtis trembled all over. "Wh-What do you want?"Jensen, covered in blood with splatters on his face, looked like a demon that had emerged from a battleground. He grabbed Curtis and held him hostage in front of him. "Let us go!""Don't even think about it!" Curtis retorted angrily. "You