All eyes were on the mouth of the bottle, and the atmosphere was tense. The bottle finally stopped and the mouth of the bottle pointed at Sharon.Seeing this, Sharon was furious and yelled at Emma, "Don't you know how to spin?"Emma shook her head hurriedly. "I didn't know it would stop in your direction. I-I will spin it again.""Alas, you guys can just quit if you are afraid." Peter stopped her at once, sneering at her and Sharon.Sharon had too big an ego. "Who says I'm afraid? I accept the outcome. Go ahead and ask your questions."Peter smiled and looked at the others. "Those of you who are interested, hurry up and ask."Jolina and Eylul did not know Sharon, so they were not interested in asking her questions. Jensen looked uninterested, not to mention Kohen, who leaned back in his chair with a carefree look, seemingly uninterested in anything. It ended up with no one asking Sharon questions.Sharon looked even more awkward. She gripped the hem of her clothes and said, "Are
Sharon was sitting next to Gilbert. If going counterclockwise, it would be Gilbert's turn to spin the bottle. But if going clockwise, that would be Eylul's turn. Since Gilbert spoke first, Peter said nothing but smiled. "Go ahead."Gilbert was tall and had long arms, so he did not need to get up at all, and his long arm could reach out to touch the turntable on which the bottle lay. With the push of a finger, the small turntable will quickly spin up. Again, all eyes were on the bottle.Kisa stared closely at the bottle and had a bad feeling right from the start when Gilbert spun the turntable. As the bottle gradually slowed down, the feelings of bad omen grew stronger. She clenched her hands and looked on with bated breath. The bottle gradually stopped, and the mouth was pointing at Lea.Lea's face changed. Just when everyone thought the bottle had stopped, it suddenly moved again, and now its mouth pointed at Kisa.While Lea breathed a sigh of relief as Kisa tensed up. She looked
"Who was on top when you and Mr. Kooper worked out?"'This question...' Mia rolled her eyes.Kohen smiled at Peter. "You really have only dirty thoughts in mind."Jensen took a sip of wine and said expressionlessly, "That is a nasty question. The person being asked may refuse to answer."Peter suddenly grunted in disdain. "Even Ms. Becker has said nothing. Who are you to give your opinion to? Since we all have chosen to play this game, we must abide by the rules."Jensen shot him a bitter glance, and Peter ignored him, turning to look at Kisa, who tried hard to look unperturbed. She glanced at Gilbert, who sat across the table and looked calm and collected. She gritted her teeth and asked Peter, "Since it is Truth or Dare, what does Dare mean?""Oh..." Peter explained thoughtlessly, "If you refuse to answer the question, then you have to perform an action ordered by the person questioning you.""Oh." Kisa understood now.Peter then added. "Those actions are normally trickier th
"Peter! Webb!" Mia said through gritted teeth.Her expression had darkened entirely.Peter ignored her and continued looking at Kisa with a half-smile.Meanwhile, Kisa did not expect Peter to be this cunning.She gripped her crutches tightly and turned to Gilbert out of reflex.However, the man had already shifted his gaze away. The expression on his face was once again indifferent.Emma took the opportunity to sneer at Kisa, "I heard that you and Mr. Kooper have a very close relationship and are joined by the hip. The two of you have probably done some things in private, so why are you pretending to be shy when I'm asking you to kiss him?""That's enough."Jensen promptly stood up with a terrifying dark expression.Since he had always been soft-spoken and mild-mannered, everyone was too frightened to speak when they saw his dark expression."You guys have fun. I'll go check on grandma," he said and walked out.There was a dark aura surrounding Jensen. To Kisa, he seemed eve
"I have!"Gilbert paused momentarily from smoking.Then, he heard Kisa say, "I once loved someone... With my entire life.""With your entire life? How much did you love them, to be willing to go to this extent?" Eylul suddenly asked.There was a hint of puzzlement on her clean and gentle-looking face, "Is a love like that worth it?"This was the first time Eylul spoke throughout the entire day.Kisa could not help but throw a couple of glances at her.However, Kohen promptly laughed before Kisa could answer Eylul.He looked at Eylul and said in a sarcastic voice, "A woman who is greedy, vain, and profit-seeking won't understand a love like this, so it's normal for you to not understand."Eylul pursed her lips and lowered her head in silence.Meanwhile, Emma smiled smugly beside them.Gilbert stared at Kisa momentarily before asking again, "Who's the man whom you loved with your entire life?""Sorry, Mr. Kooper, but that's your second question."The rule was that every pers
"Of course it's the latter! Seeing him regret his actions when he finds out the truth is more satisfying," Eylul suddenly said with a faint smile.Kohen could not help but side-eye her judgmentally.Mia exhaled a smoke ring and smiled seductively, "I also think it's more satisfying to let him live and see him regret.""That's right. Even if you killed the person who had hurt you, it still doesn't make up for the hurt that's been inflicted. Why not just watch him get what's coming to him?" Lea joined the women's conversation.Emma glanced at Gilbert's dark expression and was smart enough to not speak.Meanwhile, Sharon glared at Kisa furiously and also did not speak.Suddenly, Peter laughed and shook his head, "Tsk. Seems like women are even more ruthless than men."When he spoke, his gaze shifted to Jolina, who was sitting beside him.Jolina had not said a word from the very start. She hung her head low as if she were purposefully separating herself from them.Peter turned awa
"Eh, Mr. Kooper? Aren't you all playing a game? What're you doing here?""I'm not interested in the game. You can take my spot if you want to," Jensen replied coolly,Davian's eyes lit up. However, he turned to Madalyn with an inquisitive gaze.Madalyn smiled and looked amiable, "Go ahead if you want. This is Mr. Tanner's place, so it's very safe. You don't have to stay by my side all the time.""But Mr. Kooper told me to...""It's alright. Isn't Jensen here too?"Jensen looked at her. There were mixed emotions hidden in the depth of his eyes.Meanwhile, Adrien peered at Jensen coolly and revealed a slightly mocking smile.Davian really wanted to join their game.He tagged along because he wanted to have fun. However, Mr. Kooper kept on asking him to protect the old woman, so he did not even get to go to the hot springs during the day.Since the old woman had already said it herself, he did not overthink. He turned around and ran toward the house excitedly."Ha-ha. Aren't yo
"Do you think someone would treat their non-biological son like a biological son? Especially when she already has a son herself?"Jensen did not respond.Suddenly, Adrien laughed. He continued casually, "Anyway, I don't buy it."Jensen glanced at Madalyn several times before responding coolly, "She's already really old.""So people are just absolved of their crimes once they get old?"Adrien promptly stood up and leaned toward Jensen. He peered at his slightly familiar face and snorted icily, "Oh, you. The thing about you is you're too soft-hearted."Jensen lowered his gaze and smiled, "Not many people can become as stone-hearted as you."The ridicule in his voice was evident.Adrien moved away with a smile, "You're not like me at all.""Not being like you is good."Adrien twitched his lips. When he lifted his gaze, he promptly saw the woman walking out of the house.He patted Jensen's shoulder and chuckled, "If you want to win over the woman you love, you need to be ruthles
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