Kisa stood beside the rack like a sculpture. Her heart was pounding so hard, and her whole body went taut."Raine?" Suddenly, the person called her name when she was thinking of how to escape.'This voice sounds familiar, just like Howard's voice. Is Howard here for Nicholas's birthday celebration too?'When the person came closer, Kisa could finally see his face clearly through the window light. 'It's really Howard.' "Why did you come up here?" Kisa was so shocked. 'He is a celebrity now and has a collaboration with Sharon. It makes sense that he is here for Nicholas's birthday celebration. But why did he come up to the attic?'Howard frowned and looked anxious. "I accidentally saw you come up here when I was in the yard. I'm worried about you. You haven't come back for such a long time. I'm afraid that you will face any danger, so I came up to take a look. Raine, what are you trying to do up here? This is the house of the Case family."Kisa did not answer him. She looked at hi
When the door finally opened, dozens of flashlights were pointed in the direction of Kisa and Howard. The noise of shutter, exclamation, and footstep occurred simultaneously.Kisa was overwhelmed. It all happened so quickly that she could not react. She and Howard were still maintaining their seemingly intimate position.The attic was full of people. There were excited journalists, guests stood on the sidelines, the Case family members with smug faces, and... Gilbert.Everything was a trap, and she really fell right into it. Sharon smirked, and Anthony snickered in the middle of the crowd. Only Gilbert showed a gloomy face. His thoughtful eyes seem to brew unspoken disappointment and hatred."Get up! You're shameless!" Suddenly, Kisa's father, Christopher Case, rushed out. He grabbed her and cursed her badly, "I can't believe you were hiding here and fooling around with this man during your grandpa's birthday celebration! Are you trying to piss off your grandpa? I shouldn't have
Gilbert said not a word, just staring at Kisa sullenly, his gaze colder than the frost of winter. Even if Kisa did not look at him, she could feel his icy gaze. She clutched the hand at her side and felt a chill running up her spine."Mr. Kooper, what do you mean by not answering? Are you trying to avoid the question?""Mr. Kooper, you lie in front of the media. Does it mean that GK Pictures has some problems with its integrity and credibility?"Some reporters had already started to implicate GK Pictures's reputation. In the crowd, Anthony smiled smugly and sinisterly with his arms crossed in front of his chest.Kisa gritted her teeth in hatred. The only thing she could not understand was why Sharon, who claimed to love Gilbert, would team up with Anthony to take on Gilbert and even bring down GK Pictures. It seemed to her that if Sharon's purpose was to frame her and make Gilbert disgust her, then Sharon's love for Gilbert was too manipulative and imperious."Mr. Kooper, what do
"Ms. Becker, please answer my question; as the wife of GK Pictures's CEO, why didn't you identify yourself instead of frequently fooling around with this male entertainer? Is it because Mr. Kooper is too busy with his work and has not satisfied you, making you resentful?"As the reporters' questions were getting more and more tricky, Kisa heard Gilbert's cold and sarcastic chuckle from the crowd. She clutched the corner of her clothes and replied as calmly as she could, "I didn't fool around with this male artist. You all are mistaken.""The facts are laid bare in front of you. How can you still deny it?""Yeah. You and he were together just now; we all saw it.""Mr. Kooper is the dream man of thousands of women, but you cheated on him in marriage. Is there any hidden agenda here?""Is it because you feel lonely, or you are really in love with this male artist?..."That is enough. You guys should stop pressing her."Carolyn suddenly stepped out and grabbed Kisa's arm, crying t
"Not me. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. It is not true, Gilbert. Let me explain, Gilbert." Kisa sat up in horror, her chest heaving violently, her forehead stained with sweat. She scrambled out of bed, desperate to explain to Gilbert.Lea rushed over and hugged her. "Kisa, where do you want to go? You have just woken up and are still very weak."Hearing Lea's voice, Kisa came to her senses. She looked at the rustic surroundings and was startled. "How did I get here? Those reporters—""You fainted in the Case residence. I brought you back." Lea helped her sit down. "Kisa, you are not well. You need to rest.""You brought me back?" Kisa stared at her with a frown, feeling something was wrong.Lea nodded and said indignantly, "You have obviously fainted, but those people still won't leave you alone. They kept pointing their cameras at you and asking questions. They were trying to drive you to death.""What about Gilbert?""H-He just watched you lying on the ground with cold eyes." S
After something like this happened, she could believe no one now and did not even dare to think any further.Lea was terrified by the scarlet look in her eyes. "Kisa, what's wrong with you?""Did you see Howard when he went up there?"Lea subconsciously shook her head. "I listened to you and hid in that corner. I didn't see Howard go up until Sharon went up with many guests. Not only Howard, but no one else went up there." Lea looked sincere.If what Lea said was true, then Howard and the press had been hiding upstairs from the beginning, waiting for her to appear. In other words, the trap had already been laid. Whether she disguised as a maid or not, and whether Sharon discovered her whereabouts, as long as she wanted to get back her mother's belongings, she would fall into this trap.A chill ran up in her spine as she thought about this. It turned out that no matter what, she was always in the open and the trap was always in the dark.She wrapped her arms around her knees helpl
A dim wall lamp illuminated the room.Gilbert was digging his hands into his pants pockets, standing quietly in front of the window with his back to her, looking a bit lonesome.She wrung her hands as she walked over to him nervously. "Gilbert, w-will you listen to my explanation?"He said nothing. There was only silence in the air.She pursed her lips and whispered, "It was Sharon who set me up. I didn't fool around with Howard. I was in the loft of the Case residence, just trying to get my mother's belongings back."Gilbert finally turned around and looked at her quietly, his look of disappointment and disgust hurting Kisa.She bit her lip, holding back the sadness that swept through her. "The only reason I went to the Case residence and dressed as a maid was to get my mother's belongings back, but Sharon and Anthony had already set this up. They bribed Howard to play the part on purpose. ""What I saw was that he had you pinned down." Gilbert looked at her, his lips curled in
"I'm really curious..." Gilbert bent over, propped both hands on the edge of the bed, and confined her to his arms, "whether I'm really inferior to Howard.""No, it is not..." Kisa shook her head in panic. "Don't listen to the media. There is nothing between me and Howard.""If you had nothing to do with him, would you drag me down again and again just to hype him up?" Gilbert said, suddenly tugging at his tie.Kisa panicked. "Gilbert, what are you doing?""What am I doing?" Gilbert laughed softly, his cold eyes devoid of any sentiment, only mockery. "You set me up and manipulated me five years ago. Now... heh.""No!" Realizing what the man was about to do, she panicked and tried to escape, but was quickly dragged back by her feet. "No, Gilbert!" she hissed, but could only see his cold, mocking eyes of the man on top of her. He really hated her, so much so that he wanted her dead. Their relationship had come to the point of no return.The time was incomparably long. Bruises cover
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