Kisa was shocked.'Did that woman see me?'A figure appeared from the other side of the rockery when Kisa was still hesitating about whether to show herself or not.Kisa froze in the corner as she stared at the person stepping forward.'Isn't that Adrien?'This is weird. Why would he be here?'"W-Who are you? Why are you here?" Arthur looked at Adrien cautiously.Adrien had a warm smile on his face, as he usually did.He gazed at the woman in the wheelchair before he said to Arthur, "I'm a good friend of Mr. Mullen's Sr., and I came here to attend his birthday celebration today. I noticed that the backyard is very peaceful, so I came here to take a stroll. I didn't expect to see anyone here. May I know who you are?""Oh, you're grandpa's friend." Arthur immediately put his guard down in front of Adrien as he introduced himself and the woman to Adrien. "My name is Arthur Mullen, and this is my aunt."Kisa was speechless. 'This young man is so naïve. He just believed everything
Kisa hurriedly turned sideways and hid behind the fake rock. Her entire back was pressed against it, thinking that it would be better to wait for Arthur to pass by. But, Arthur did not leave when he passed by the fake rock. Instead, he hid in the spot where she had just taken cover.Kisa rolled her eyes. She was thinking of taking a closer look at what Adrien was up to when he took her spot. It was as though Arthur had sensed her gaze, and he looked over at her. Her expression changed, and this time, she hardly had any place to hide. She was completely exposed to Arthur's line of sight.Arthur clearly froze for a few seconds, and his eyes widened when he saw her. Before he could scream, Kisa rushed over, covered his mouth, and made a silent gesture at him. Arthur looked surprised and confused."If you want your crystal pendant back, don't make a sound," Kisa said in a whisper."Mmm... Mmm..." Arthur took her hand off his mouth and asked in a whisper, "You have my pendant?""Shh!"
She leaned in Arthur's arms, panting, trembling, and staring at Adrien with a repulsive look on her face."It's you... It's you..." She pointed at Adrien. Her arm was trembling, and her voice was sharp and harsh, like an evil spirit. "You're him. You're him. Do you think I don't recognize you just because you have changed your face? You are a vicious and sinister man. You have caused me so much harm. I hate you. I hate you so much. Who are you to tell me to live on? You are feeling guilty, aren't you? Ha hahaha... Could a heartless person like you feel guilty?" She suddenly cried with sorrow. Under the cold white light, her pale face contorted in pain, looking appalling.Arthur hugged Vivian tightly and kept comforting her. "Aunt, don't be like this. I'm Arthur, Aunt. Please don't scare me like this."Adrien looked at Vivian quietly, and then he said in a nonchalant voice, "You got the wrong person. I'm just a messenger.""Heh heh heh. You still refuse to admit it after all this? T
"What exactly did you say to her? My daughter has never acted like this," Mrs. Kooper Sr. asked Adrien as she hugged her daughter.Adrien kept a gentleman's smile, looking graceful. "I didn't say much. I just saw that she wasn't in a good mood, so I gave her some words of encouragement, hoping that she would be brave to get up and enjoy her life."Mr. Mullen Sr. nodded approvingly.However, Mrs. Mullen Sr. was not convinced. "If that's really what you said, why would my daughter end up like this? You must have said something irritating to her.""That's right, Miss Vivian is usually quiet. She has never yelled like that. It must be something you said," Jane chimed in.Kisa looked closely at Adrien.Adrien smiled nonchalantly and said, "She probably mistook me for someone else.""I'm not mistaken. You are him!" Vivian hissed again. Her voice was laced with hatred and a sense of unexplained affection.Mrs. Mullen Sr. hugged his daughter tightly and cried, "Vivian, look carefully!
Kisa panicked and hurriedly backed up to the other side of the fake rock."Back then, the Kooper family's eldest son seemed sincere in dating my daughter. I really thought that he really loved her, and I even thought that he would be my son-in-law. I didn't expect him to be so heartless. If he Hadn't been like that, I wouldn't have resented the Kooper family.""He didn't really know any better.""And then, there is Gilbert. How dare he steal my woman when I didn't even go after him for what his uncle did back then?"The two of them were talking as they walked toward the front yard. Watching them disappear into the distance, Kisa breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the fake rock with perturbation.'It looks like David has acquired a large amount of wealth from the Mullen family by unscrupulous means. But, why has this matter not been reported? Is it because of Miss Mullen? The Mullen family covered up the matter because they wanted to protect Miss Mullen's reputation?'Wh
Gilbert did not respond. He just stared at her sullenly.Seeing his grave expression, the smile on Kisa's face stiffened. "No... No way," she said in astonishment.There was no trace of the joy of being pregnant on her face. There was only disbelief and the look of not knowing what to do. Gilbert lowered his eyes to mask his disappointment. 'So, she really doesn't want to have my baby,' he thought to himself. When he looked up at her again, there was an added touch of distantness in his eyes. He pushed Kisa off his body and faintly said, "Stop thinking too much. Your body is your own, and don't you have any idea whether you are pregnant or not?"Kisa froze for a second before sitting down across from him. "You know, usually there are obvious signs of pregnancy, but I didn't have any. Besides, I fell a few times before and I was fine. So, I'm sure I'm not pregnant, but..." Kisa looked at him across the table in puzzlement and said, "Then, why are you always so concerned about my bell
Gilbert's face was a little sullen. "So, you like to laugh a lot, don't you? Do you believe that I can make you dread laughing from now on?"Felicity glanced at Davian and wisely kept quiet. But, in her mind, she was exasperated because of Gilbert's perverted behavior of not even allowing her to laugh. She looked at Kisa and said, "Did something happen? I feel like your man is in a terrible mood.""He lost his unrequited love, so he is in a bad mood now."Upon hearing Kisa say that, Gilbert's eyes turned cold. He glared at Kisa, who met his baleful gaze squarely. Then, she said, "Am I wrong to say that Sara is your unrequited love?"Felicity looked cautiously at the two. She had just heard about Sara from Davian. 'Gilbert says he is committed to his wife, yet he has another woman in his heart.' As she thought to herself, a trace of contempt flashed across her eyes. She felt lucky to have Davian. 'He might be a numbskull, but at least, he is faithful,' she thought to herself again.
'Isn't that Arthur? I have been looking for him.' Kisa felt that she would know more about David at the Mullen residence. So, she wanted to stay there no matter what.In the meantime, Arthur also seemed to be looking for her. When he saw Kisa, he ran toward her, and Kisa got up to meet him.Gilbert frowned, wondering why Kisa's eyes lit up when she saw the guy. 'Does she have a crush on that guy?' With a sulky thought in mind, he looked straight at Kisa with a pair of fiery eyes.Felicity also glanced at the guy and was surprised. "Hey, isn't that the handsome guy who Kisa chased after at the airport yesterday?"Gilbert's face sank even further. "Kisa chased after him?""Ahh, yeah, yeah." Felicity froze, wondering if she had said something wrong.Gilbert was so angry that he laughed. "How?""Uh..." Felicity subconsciously glanced at Davian, hesitating to say anything. But, Davian was staring at her with a curious look on his face. Felicity felt like she wanted to roll her eyes a
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