"Can't you see? All she wants is the flowers. There is no wonder no one sends her flowers—she is too old. She is jealous at seeing Gilbert send me so many flowers at once!"Carolyn's heavily made-up face scrunched up at once, looking repulsive. "I dare you to say that again, b*tch!"Kisa let out a luscious smile at Carolyn. And when Davian saw her smile, he was transfixed for a moment. He had not noticed it before, but now he thought that Gilbert's wife was actually quite good-looking and that her smile was almost flirtatious. 'Tsk, Mr. Kooper really has an eye for women,' he thought."Auntie Carolyn, I know my dad is not a romantic, and he never sends you flowers or anything. So whenever you see others receiving flowers, you would get jealous and imagine that those flowers were for you or Sharon. I totally understand this kind of thinking. But hey, it's just a few bouquets of flowers. Since Gilbert has given me so many flowers today, and I have no use for them, I might as well give
"Mom, he is Mr. Tanner I told you about," Sharon whispered into Carolyn's ear. "He is very good at what he does and says he knows you and Dad from way back.""Mr. Tanner?" Carolyn frowned and studied Adrien carefully. She could not remember when she had known this man, but the familiarity was real. Besides, that inexplicable familiarity made her blush and flutter. She hurriedly looked away, her cheeks a little red and hot.Adrien swept his eyes over her with a meaningful smile on his lips.The four men soon came over. The first thing Peter did was look around, obviously searching for Jolina. Not long after, he walked in a direction.Kisa glanced over and found Jolina nestled in a corner.Gilbert came over and looked at the empty cart and then the flowers in everyone's arms. He then approached Kisa in a low voice, "Don't you like the flowers I gave you?""Oh! It was really you who gave me those flowers," Kisa said in surprise, her voice not too loud, just enough for Carolyn to hea
"Mr. Tanner said that he would treat us all to dinner after work today, so let's shoot the next scene carefully and try to finish early.""Wow, long live Mr. Tanner. Mr. Tanner is awesome!""I'm so happy. Not only do we get flowers, but we are also treated to dinner.""All thanks to Mr. Tanner and Ms. Becker. They are so nice."There were all compliments to Adrien and Kisa. While Sharon's face darkened with jealousy, Carolyn kept staring at Adrien as if she were smitten with him.Gilbert grinned again at Kisa. "Well, now we are all going to dinner together. You can say no to me, but you can't say no to Mr. Tanner, can you?"Kisa snorted. "Then I won't sit at the same table with you," she said and tried to pull her hand back, but he grabbed her hand like a scoundrel and would not let go. Kisa got chafed and kicked him. "I need to start shooting now. Let go of me."The director was indeed calling everyone over. Gilbert smiled at her before letting her go. Jensen, who sat at the sa
She frowned and turned her head, only to see Gilbert's face inches from hers. She hurriedly moved to the side and glared at him. "Just eat your meal. What are you doing getting so close to me?""You didn't hear me when I called out to you a few times, so I had to come closer for you to hear me." Gilbert let out a faint smile, which looked a bit dirty in her eyes.Kisa did not want to talk to him but ate her meal silently. Gilbert served her some more of her favorite dishes, but she resisted, covering her plate with her hands and moving it away.Peter and Jolina were in the same situation as they were. Peter also behaved like a rascal as he tried to please Jolina, who always kept a stony face in front of him. She did not eat the things that Peter served him.Mia swept her eyes at everyone and could not help but sneer. "Some women like to play hard to get. If they really don't like men mollycoddling them, they shouldn't have come to the table in the first place." Mia did not mince he
At the end of the dinner, all the artists came to give Kisa a toast. Everyone was just so jazzed, and the atmosphere was so upbeat. Not wanting to kill their buzz, Kisa drank to them all, one glass after another. At first, Gilbert offered to drink on her behalf, but she still had a grudge against him and refused to accept his kindness. So, after many glasses of wine later, she was hammered just as expected.When she left the hotel, she insisted on Jensen driving her home. But Gilbert dragged her out of Jensen's car. She was pissed off and refused to take Gilbert's car. He finally had no choice but to bring her to stroll down the street.Kisa ended up hugging a tree trunk, wanting to throw up, but could not. She frowned, looking awful.Gilbert patted her on the back, trying to soothe her. "You should have let me drink on your behalf, not stubbornly insisting on drinking the toasts and ending up with a screwed-up body."Kisa pushed him away. "It's none of your business. Who are you,
"This was how I seduced you to sleep with me, pissed off your first love, and later hurt your grandma. You called the police to arrest me and made those prisoners beat me up."Even when Kisa was drunk, she still remembered these hatreds clearly. She put her hands on his shoulders, smiling sweetly and whispering, but her words stabbed into his heart like knives. She knew Gilbert knew she did not do those things back then, but she still wanted to mention it from time to time and even deliberately say that she did all those things just to taunt him. Now, she even went as far as kissing him to arouse his desire, and while he was on the verge of losing his self-control, she mentioned these things again to frustrate his fire of desire.Gilbert almost broke down because of that. He knew Kisa had always held a grudge, and those grudges and hatred were difficult to quench. But he never knew that her means of revenge against him were so ruthless. She was torturing him psychologically.He look
On the street, Gilbert tugged at Kisa and frowned. "Listen to me. It is dangerous here. Come with me to the sidewalk."Kisa was surprisingly strong and stubborn when she was drunk. She shook off his hand. "Go away. I don't need you to care about me."Gilbert had no choice but to follow behind to protect her. He checked around from time to time whether there were vehicles coming. Just after he checked and thought it was safe, he heard a vehicle coming from behind. It sounded like the vehicle was moving fast as if it would slam into them the next second. He hurriedly looked back and saw a white car speeding toward them. What frightened him even more was that Kisa was six feet away from him, and the car was speeding toward Kisa. There was no time to look at the car's license plate. He instinctively lunged at Kisa and pushed her away with great force. Strangely, the car suddenly changed its direction just as it was about to hit him. But the car's front side had still slammed against Gilb
In the dead of night, the hospital lobby was empty and cold. Kisa leaned against the cold wall, staring blankly at the emergency room doors in front of her. The light was on inside, and Gilbert had been wheeled in for a while. She clenched her hands, panicking. Suddenly, there was a rush of footsteps and the sound of a cane striking the floor. Her body stiffened, and she slowly turned her head and saw Madalyn, helped by Kelvin, walking toward her anxiously and angrily.SLAP!Madalyn threw a slap across her face without mercy.But Kisa did not feel the pain, her body seeming to be numb; there was no sensation just that her eyes were red.Madalyn still wanted to hit her, but Kelvin grabbed her hand and said, "Mrs. Kooper Sr., don't do that. Let's wait for the doctor to come out."Madalyn's grief was so great that even though Kelvin gripped her hand, she still swung her cane to hit Kisa with the other."You vermin, why don't you just die?" Madalyn hissed at her, her mournful cry ech
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