Madalyn immediately snorted coldly, "Either you drink it, or you don't. Don't make it look like we're forcing you. My grandson's being nice to you wholeheartedly, yet you're making him swear such an oath. What's your motive?"Kisa pursed her lips.'I didn't expect Gilbert to make such an oath. It would be inappropriate for me to continue being stubborn,' she thought."There's no need to make an oath. I'll drink it."She grunted at the man and downed the entire bowl of decoction in one go.Madalyn nodded in satisfaction.Gilbert gently wiped the stain at the corner of her lips."Kelvin prescribed half a month's worth of the medicine of you. After taking the decoction for half a month, you should be fine. If you find it bitter, I'll buy you some gummies or something."'All of a sudden, he's being sweet again,' Kisa thought.She stared at him, as she was startled. For a while, she was in a daze.Gilbert gently patted the back of her head."Go upstairs and get some rest. I shoul
"Wherever I go is none of your business. In the future, I'll go out whenever I want to, and I won't be asking you. It's not like you'd agree to it anyway."Gilbert could sense the woman's evident anger, so he lowered his gaze and compromised, "Alright. I won't force you to rest at home. Are you happy now?""Really?"As soon as Kisa revealed a smile, Gilbert quickly added, "However, you need to tell me where you're going. You can't just go missing without a word.""I'm fine with that," Kisa nodded.'After all, I'm only going to the set. It's not like I'm doing something bad,' she thought."Also, you must be by my side the entire time today.""Why?"Hearing Gilbert's request, Kisa could not help but frown.However, Gilbert did not answer. He merely answered, "If you don't agree, then you're better off staying home lying down."'If I constantly don't let her go out, she'll surely be unhappy and resent me. However, it's raining today. I don't feel safe letting her go out alone. T
Gilbert tidied up the couch and said to Kisa, "Sit here and rest for a bit. I'll take you out for lunch once I'm done with work."However, Kisa could not sit still. She smiled at him and said, "Do you need help with anything? Signing things, reviewing contracts, and all that?""No. I can do it myself. You get some rest."The man said to her without lifting his head as he busied himself.Kisa pouted.'Is he still holding a grudge against me because I dirtied his contract the last time?' she wondered.The man quickly entered work mode. He had a particularly serious look.Meanwhile, Kisa leaned against the couch and stared at him for a while.'Honestly, he looks really handsome when he's hard at work. There's an inexplicable sense of seriousness that makes him look particularly attractive,' she thought.The man took off his suit jacket. He was now only left with a gray-colored shirt.His shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing a small portion of his muscular arms. On his wrist w
Gibert frowned deeply. He made a beeline for the door and opened it.However, he turned to look at the woman on the couch. Seeing that she was still asleep, he breathed a sigh of relief.Meanwhile, Davian stood outside the door in shock.He stared at Gilbert's dark expression.'Seems like I came at the wrong time. But I really can't tell when the right time is! I've been holding it in for a really long time outside. I only knocked because this matter is urgent and needs Mr. Kooper's signature,' he thought."Mr. Kooper..."Gilbert quickly made a shushing gesture before returning to his seat.Davian glanced at the woman on the couch and felt bummed out.'Go home and sleep if you're so sleepy. Seriously! Mr. Kooper glared at me for no reason because of you,' he thought.Davian tip-toed to Gilbert's desk. He handed Gilbert the document and pointed at the area that needed stamping.After looking at the document, Gilbert took out a stamp and stamped it on it. Then, he waved his han
Suddenly, someone shouted behind Peter. However, it was not a woman's voice.Peter slowly turned around and saw Adrien walking toward him hurriedly."Why didn't you tell me you're leaving? I could send you off."Peter forced a smile, "There's no need to send me off. After all, you'll be coming over in a bit. It's not like we won't ever see each other again."Adrien shook his head in amusement, "I'll still have to send you off. Otherwise, I'll miss you."Peter could not help but smile hearing a middle-aged man say he would miss him.However, his smile was a little bitter.Jolina's ticket was already wrinkled from Peter's grip. Peter looked in the direction the cabs stopped once more, and the final bit of expectation he had dissipated.Adrien glanced at Peter's expression and understood the situation.He narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled, "Go home, and don't worry. I'll help you get what you want."Peter shook his head, "This is different. It's not something I can have ju
"You must be hungry. Go wash up. I'll take you out for lunch."Kisa nodded. She held onto the couch and stood up.Perhaps it was because Kisa had slept for too long, but she struggled to walk and felt as if her body had lost its strength.When she got to the washroom, she realized the floor had anti-slip mats laid out.'How strange. Since when were these placed? I don't think they were here this morning,' she thought.Kisa did not think any further. After using the washroom, she washed her face with cold water.She finally felt more energetic after washing her face.'It seems like sleeping so much was not a good idea. I slept so much that I was disoriented,' she thought.Gilbert was standing by the window when Kisa walked out of the washroom.The curtains had been drawn open; she could see that it was still raining outside.The autumnal season made the grayish rainy day seem particularly bleak and lonely.However, the Kisa felt an inexplicable sense of peace despite the weat
Kisa was even more speechless when she heard that.'Is he trying to threaten me?' she wondered."...Mmm," she hummed expressionlessly and returned to the sofa.Davian saw that she was unhappy and quickly explained, "It's not that I don't trust you, Mrs. Kooper, but GK got screwed over badly the last time. I'm just afraid..."What Davian said was understandable. Kisa waved her hand at him and said, "Okay, I got it. I won't touch his stuff. You can go about your business peacefully.""Alright, Mrs. Kooper. I'll head out now. Just call me if you need anything," Davian said and went out of the room.Kisa leaned on the sofa. She was not angry but rather amused.'Davian is so loyal and devoted to him. If he were to choose between Gilbert and Felicity, he would probably choose Gilbert.'Kisa could not help but laugh when she thought about it.'But I haven't seen Felicity in such a long time. Is she back in Athadale? I mean, Gilbert brought that woman back from Athadale.'Kisa sat on
Gilbert scowled fiercely, as if someone had just discovered his deepest darkest secret.He pulled the photo album out of her hands and shouted at her coldly, "Who told you to take this?"Kisa was startled by all the yelling. Once again, she thought that he was extremely unpredictable. He could act all gentle and considerate toward her at one moment and yell at her like she was his enemy the next. His unstable emotions and mood swings bewildered her.Kisa looked at the photo album in his hand and asked in a low voice, "W-Wh... Why do you have that?"In that album were their wedding pictures. Under Madalyn's insistence and orders, Gilbert had taken wedding photos with Kisa. He had been extremely unwilling to do so, and his face was dark the whole time. They had taken several pictures, but Gilbert did not look at them at all back then. Instead, he left to meet up with Sara after their photo shoot, leaving Kisa alone at the bridal shop to be ridiculed by others.At that time, the phot
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