The next morning, Kisa glanced at the man lying by her bedside and whispered, "Maybe you shouldn't go downstairs today. I will bring your food up quietly."Gilbert shook his head. He squinted his eyes and said, "Not showing up will only make people more suspicious.""But your wound...""It's fine," Gilbert replied, opening his eyes to look at her. His dark gaze was intense, and it made Kisa's heart skip a beat."W-What's wrong?" she asked."You've suspected that Adrien is my uncle for a while now, haven't you?" Gilbert asked. Kisa did not answer.He continued. "What do you want to do? What is your relationship with him? What are you planning?""He has been trying to harm both of us since Kerrona Hill, and he even wanted us to kill each other," Kisa said.Gilbert looked at her. "So what did you hope to accomplish by teaming up with him?""I only pretended to team up with him," Kisa explained. "Ever since I found out that Adrien wanted to harm us, I've been acting as if I wanted
As Peter walked past Gilbert, he intentionally bumped into his shoulder, but Gilbert did not even flinch. That was enough to put Mr. Webb Sr.'s suspicions to rest.He scolded Peter, "Hey son, watch where you're going! Mr. Kooper is a guest, apologize to him."Peter sneered at Gilbert, then sat down at the dining table, looking extremely smug and defiant. Mr. Webb Sr. shook his head helplessly and apologized to Gilbert.Gilbert just shrugged it off and said, "No worries. I sent his woman packing, and the fact he didn't fight me was showing his respect for me.""Looks like Mr. Kooper here is a real gentleman, always forgiving and forgetting." Mr. Webb Sr. chuckled as he led them to the dining table.Gilbert eyed Peter with a thoughtful expression, his suspicions growing stronger by the second.When they got back to the room, he was too weak to stand and leaned heavily on the cabinet next to the door. Kisa urgently pulled open his shirt to check the wound, and sure enough, the banda
Thomas was caught in a whirlwind of emotions. He wanted to spill the beans, but at the same time, he did not want to throw his father under the bus. However, the cat was already out of the bag, so he had no choice but to go all in.He gawked at Kisa and stuttered, "Wait... so, I'm your brother? You sure about that?"Kisa nodded frantically. "I'm positive. Your birthmark and bracelet are a carbon copy of my mom's. You have to be my brother." She choked up at the end of her sentence, tears streaming down her face.Thomas held her tight, reassuring her, "Don't cry. We found each other, and that is all that matters."Kisa opened up to Thomas about their mom, and he listened intently, feeling envious and longing for the same kind of love. He had been deprived of his mother's love from a tender age and had always longed for that maternal affection.They talked late into the night, but Thomas knew Kisa needed some rest.As Kisa was about to leave, she hesitated and said, "Don't tell you
It had been a moment before Gilbert finally released her, gasping for air, his eyes as black as midnight.Kisa regained her composure and gave him a quizzical look. "What's up with you?" she asked.Instead of answering, he pulled her in for a tight hug, seeming oddly vulnerable. He buried his head in her neck and murmured, "I just want to be with you, like really be together."Kisa's heart ached with emotion. She wrapped her arms around him and spoke with conviction, "We will be."'Just as soon as David's drama is over with. No more drama, no more issues.'The next day, as they were leaving the Webb residence, Peter was a no-show. Mr. Webb Sr. and Thomas saw them off at the airport. Mr. Webb Sr. tried to convince Gilbert to stay longer, saying, "You guys came all this way. Why not stay a little longer?""Yeah, there is a ton of amazing sceneries and views in Oceanville I haven't shown Mrs. Kooper yet," Thomas said.Gilbert gave Thomas a pointed look, then told Mr. Webb Sr., "Nah
As Christmas drew closer, Adrien's club was buzzing more than ever. Kisa strutted straight to the VIP section. She had called Adrien before coming, so he was waiting for her in the lobby.Besides Adrien, Carolyn and her daughter were also there, and they seemed to be practically glued to him. Every time Kisa came around, they were all over him like white on rice. Carolyn was beaming with excitement, and Sharon was acting more snobbish than ever.As soon as she spotted Kisa, she started sniping at her. "Oh, I heard GK is about to bite the dust. You here to beg my dad for a lifeline?"Kisa just chuckled and shot her a glance. "Did you fall and hit your head? Your daddy's behind bars.""You!" Sharon glared at her, then wrapped her arms around Adrien's, trying to be cute. "Daddy, look at her. She's so rude."Adrien patted her hand and reassured her with a chuckle. "Relax, honey. I will deal with her later. You and your mom go have some fun. I need to talk to Kisa about some important
Kisa prodded, "Isn't that a little too easy for him? You said you wanted to deliver a fatal blow. I want to know what it is."Adrien gave her a sharp glance. He was a master manipulator, and his calculating eyes hinted at a deeper game.He chuckled. "I can't spill the beans just yet. Where is the fun in that? But hey, you won't have to wait much longer."Kisa felt let down.She stood by the roadside for a while, then headed over to Mia's place. With Christmas approaching, the streets were packed with shoppers. But when she arrived at Mia's apartment, the silence and dim lighting felt almost suffocating.Mia was alone, drinking in the living room. As soon as she saw Kisa, she broke into a sly smile."Long time no see," Mia drawled as she pulled Kisa onto the couch. She offered her a drink with a smirk, "Come on, have a drink with me."Kisa declined. "No thanks. I have to drive later.""What's there to worry about? Just call Gilbert to come pick you up. Or I could get someone to
Adult affairs could be a real head-scratcher, and little ones just could not wrap their minds around it. Kisa did not utter a word. She just wanted to dash up and check on Madalyn. But those rug rats would not budge.In their eyes, she was public enemy number one. She gritted her teeth against the bitterness in her heart, gazing at the children as her vision started to blur.Just then, Gilbert made his way downstairs, with Kelvin tailing him. His face was still pale, but his furrowed brow spoke volumes about his frustration and exhaustion.Kisa took a deep breath and hustled over. "How's your grandma doing?"Gilbert said not a word. Kelvin answered in a flat tone, "Not great, especially considering her age.""I'll go check on her," Kisa said, ready to charge upstairs, but Gilbert grabbed her arm.He glared at her with cold eyes. "Don't go up there and stir things up again."Kisa's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her trap shut.Gilbert let her go and added with little emotion
"She went to the Kooper residence today and spilled her guts to Madalyn, claiming that I joined forces with outsiders to drive GK into bankruptcy. Mrs. Kooper Sr. was so ticked off that she ended up collapsing from the stress."Adrien's face darkened as he listened to Kisa's story, but he remained silent.Kisa continued. "And because of that, Gilbert went ballistic and kicked me out of the Kooper residence. Now I can't even get close to GK's secret stash if I want to. So Godfather, if you end up not making a dime off the Kooper family, don't blame me. Blame that knucklehead."Kisa pointed straight at Sharon, intentionally making sure Carolyn heard her words.Carolyn dragged Sharon to the couch, fuming. "Didn't I tell you to keep your cool? How can you be so clueless and mess everything up like this? You're driving me nuts!""I-I didn't know it would come to this. I—""Enough. Apologize to Kisa." Carolyn interrupted her, pushing Sharon toward Kisa, who stood there, arms crossed, 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