Adrien said to Kisa, "Jensen did so much just to find out the truth about the fire back then. Then, something like this happened to him just because he was trying to protect the warden. He wouldn't have done everything for you and ruined his whole life if he knew that you'd get back together with Gilbert."I just feel like whatever he's done isn't worth it. Just think about what I said," he continued.Adrien left before Gilbert could make his way to them.Kisa stood there in place.It was true that she was getting too comfortable in Gilbert's bubble and that was ironic.Gilbert glared at Adrien's back and asked, "Why is Mr. Tanner here? What did he say to you? Why does your face look so weird?""It's nothing."Kisa replied flatly and went to the middle of the set.Gilbert grabbed her arm. "Have some water first.""It's fine. I don't feel like drinking.""Just have a little bit, here...""I said I don't want to drink!"Kisa was very annoyed by how Gilbert forced her. She rai
"What's wrong?"Gilbert's tone sounded a little rough.Kisa pursed her lips and said flatly, "It's no big deal. I just want to visit a friend."The man turned around and left without saying anything after hearing what she said.At first, Kisa thought that he had gotten mad and was going back on his own.However, she was surprised to see the man turn his head back to look at her after walking a few steps. "Why are you still standing there? Come on, I'll take you to see your friend."Gilbert's face looked emotionless, and his tone sounded very flat too.Kisa bowed her head down and walked behind him.Then, they arrived at Jolina's place.Kisa turned her head and said to Gilbert, "Just wait for me in the car. I'll go up and have a look."Gilbert did not say anything.Kisa then went out of the car alone after she said that.However, Gilbert followed her as soon as she was about to go up the stairs.Kisa slightly arched his brows. "What...""It's too boring in the car, so I'll
Madalyn being excessively concerned for her made Kisa feel very uneasy and strange.Kisa withdrew her hand from Madalyn and said awkwardly, "Yeah, I'm fine."Madalyn scoffed scornfully after looking at how uncomfortable she felt. Then, she shifted her gaze to Gilbert, "Is she really okay? Did you bring her to the hospital for a checkup or something like that?""Why would I do that out of the blue?" Gilbert chuckled and spoke.Madalyn wanted to ask more questions.However, Gilbert smiled and interrupted her, "Grandma, we're both really hungry. Let's go inside and have dinner.""Oh, yes, yes... We've got to let her eat."Madalyn spoke as she hurriedly went into the house, "George, tell the maid to start serving dinner now."Kisa looked at Gilbert strangely.Gilbert said flatly, "Come on, let's wash our hands and eat."The man went into the house before Kisa after saying that.Kisa shook her head confusedly. She could not understand what was happening with Madalyn again.'Why
At night, after taking a shower, Kisa leaned on the headboard while reading a magazine.She thought that Gilbert would go to his study and work for a bit after showering. However, she was surprised to see him walking to the bed directly after coming out of the bathroom.Kisa quickly moved to the side, leaving a huge space on the bed for him.The man had looked emotionless for a few days, but she could feel that he was not in a very good mood.Kisa figured that he might still be angry at what happened several days ago.Kisa had no plans to cheer him up.Even though their dreary way of getting along with each other was a little suffocating, they could not find a better way to do it.After all, she was filled with contradictions and conflicts. She just could not figure out how to face him.So, she thought that it would be better for them to ignore each other like this.Gilbert gazed at Kisa's cold face for a second before he lifted the blanket and sat on the bed.There was about
Kisa booked a flight ticket to Athadale in advance and her flight was set to take off at ten o'clock in the morning.She woke up very early that day.However, she could never find herself waking up with Gilbert still sleeping beside her.The man would always wake up earlier than her.The weather began to turn colder, and she could already feel the chill running through her body in the morning.Kisa wore a rather thick winter dress and covered herself with a beige coat.She saw Gilbert and Madalyn there when she got downstairs.Gilbert immediately squinted as if he was not happy with what she wore when he saw her.Kisa was confused. 'Didn't he buy me this set of clothes and demanded me to wear them?'Why doesn't he look happy at all now that I'm wearing them?'"Why are you dressing up so early in the morning? Do you have somewhere to be?"Gilbert asked when Kisa walked to them.His tone sounded so distant as if he was talking to a stranger.That was when Kisa realized that
Gilbert narrowed his eyes toward the end of the sentence.Even though he did not finish the sentence, Kisa could clearly feel the threat in his words. She was left speechless.'Who are they to restrict my freedom?'The point was, she could do nothing to resist their restriction.Gilbert went to the office after breakfast. Once he left, Madalyn glared at Kisa, her eyes blazing with malice. Kisa pretended not to see the murderous look in Madalyn's eyes and continued to have her meal. After the meal, she went out. Fearing that Gilbert could trace the location of her car, Kisa went out on foot toward the courtyard instead of driving.Madalyn stood in the courtyard, watching as Kisa disappeared through the entrance, and then she snorted, "If she wasn't carrying the Kooper family's offspring, I wouldn't have cared about her. She's really pissing me off."George smiled and asked, "Would you like me to send a bodyguard to follow Mrs. Kooper?""Never mind, you'd better not. She might get
"It doesn't matter if you're not hungry now. Send me your location, and I'll go look for you. It will be about lunchtime after we hang around there for a while.""But..." Kisa struggled to find an excuse, "You're so busy with work. Better get busy with work first. I will take a cab to your place by myself later.""It's okay. I'm not busy.""But then you'd have to spend a lot of time traveling back and forth. It'd be more convenient for me to take a cab to your place by myself."Gilbert could not help but frown with suspicion when she repeatedly refused. "You aren't in a park, are you?""How can that be? I'm right here in a park.""Alright, then send me your location.""It's not convenient for me now. Just wait," Kisa said, desperate to hang up the phone."You're definitely not in a park. Where are you now?" His voice turned cold at once."I'm really in a park. I will take a few selfies for you to see if you don't believe me," Kisa said and hung up the phone, then sent him all
With that thought in mind, he opened the file and continued to work but was somewhat absent-minded. Finally, around eleven o'clock, he got up, stood by the window, and looked down. There was not a single cab downstairs, let alone Kisa. He wondered if she had charged her phone. Hoping for the best, he called her again. However, her phone was still off. He frowned, feeling uneasy again.Just at that moment, Madalyn called him on the phone. "Hello, Gilbert. Did that woman go to your place?""No, she's still taking a stroll in the park.""Impossible. I sent someone to look for her at the nearby park, but they couldn't find her," Madalyn said, getting worried. Earlier, she was afraid that something might have happened to Kisa, so she sent someone to look for Kisa at several nearby parks. But, Kisa was nowhere to be found. That was why she called Gilbert to see if Kisa had gone to his place. However, Gilbert did not see Kisa either. 'What should we do? That woman always roams around. What
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