Quinn was astounded.Liesel bowed her head while stirring her coffee. The cold air in the room made Quinn's legs feel a little chilly.Noticing this, Liesel got up to adjust the thermostat. She leaned against the conference table and said, "Blood relation is not everything. As long as the love is genuine, you can be family even if you don't share any blood. "However, without love, even if you're connected by blood, you'll end up completely engulfed with nothing left behind."Liesel adjusted the air swing. Even when she came into contact with the cold air, she didn't find it chilly. Instead, she found it comfortable. "You've been in this industry for a very long time, Ms. Lambert. Don't tell me that you don't know much about these things. How many men have gotten rich and abandoned their wives and children, allowing their mistress to humiliate their family? "How many people have transferred their assets to their illegitimate children while abusing their biological children at t
Liesel set the document down in front of Drew and flipped it open to the problematic page. She pointed to one of the terms and said, "All the terms in this contract were crafted reasonably, except this unremarkable footnote, which is the only trap."Drew couldn't help but laugh. "You spotted that. However, the new executive secretary still thinks this is a good opportunity that we should grasp."Liesel frowned. "What kind of funny prank is she trying to pull? Was this contract proposed by Natalie? Is she crazy?"Drew neither acknowledged nor denied it. "That woman is really resilient. After her car accident, she still refuses to stay at home to recover. She came to the office in a wheelchair and said that she'd received a perfect contract," he said. His words were dripping with sarcasm."What did Jacob say?""Mr. Ford still hasn't seen the contract. However, Natalie has already convinced some of the stubborn board members who like easy wins. They believe that this is a charity pro
Drew's ridicule left Natalie as white as a sheet. Just as she was about to rebuke, she suddenly heard a voice whose tone was teasing yet clearly also mocking. "Your personal emotions and unobjective delusions have already taken over your rationality. You're already unable to think rationally. If this investment fails, how will you explain it to the others?"The new visitor was none other than Elijah. He leaned against the door, giving her a pressing stare."The investment won't fail. I'll stake my career on it," Natalie said. She emphasized each word through gritted teeth.Words like that couldn't be spoken recklessly!Even Drew cocked an eyebrow when he heard that. He gave her a long look. Right now, he had a feeling that Elijah had purposely dug that hole for Natalie to jump into.Yet, Natalie was completely unaware that Elijah had just forced her into a hole. She turned toward Jacob. With a determined gaze, she said, "Mr. Ford, Mr. Rayden gave me this contract, and I have a
Natalie couldn't accept it. Her heart ached horribly.Jacob gave her a profound look and said, "Liesel majored in Financial Management, and she also took other electives related to business. During her time in school, she saved numerous companies from unfavorable contracts. "She graduated from Alden University as valedictorian with a perfect GPA. The nonprofit companies that she proposed are still generating a profit and giving back to society today."Therefore, you and Liesel were never the same. Her proposals are visionary, while yours are worth nothing."Not to mention, she had been my wife at the time. She had dared to become the guarantor because even if something did happen, she had my deep pockets to back her up. I could help her repay those billions of dollars. "But what about you?" Jacob continued. "How much money can you fork out? Do you even have millions of dollars on you?"Natalie was completely dumbstruck. Meanwhile, Elijah was laughing heartily at the side, clear
"Did you say that I can't separate my personal life from my professional one?" Jacob said in a heavy tone. "Natalie, you're not wrong. Indeed, I haven't been able to separate those two."Natalie's furious face froze. "If I was really being fair, then the person who should be in your position now is Liesel and not you, Natalie. And, with your capabilities, you aren't even worthy of stepping through the doors of Ford Corporation."Actually, Jacob knew all of this deep down. However, he still opened the back door for Natalie to enter and sent Liesel to the project department. Now, Natalie actually had the gall to say that he wasn't keeping his personal and professional lives separate. It was ridiculous."If you want me to be fairer like you said, then you should leave Ford Corporation at once," he said icily. "Since you joined the company, you should already be aware of Liesel's abilities."Natalie had kept a constant watch over Liesel's performance. However, it wasn't out of care b
Liesel had a feeling that this deal was not going to happen. However, she'd never thought that Natalie could actually be so foolish. She was so idiotic that it made Liesel want to laugh.But was Jacob really going to do as he said?Liesel's solemn gaze slowly landed on him. "Mr. Ford, can you really make that decision?"Could he really ruthlessly chase Natalie out of Ford Corporation?Jacob looked down slightly, and their gazes met. He merely stared at her without any reaction, but that in itself was enough of a response.He wasn't sure.Indeed, he wasn't even sure if his heart would soften and if he would open the back door for Natalie again in the future.It was ridiculous. Earlier, he'd talked about separating his personal and professional life, but now, he couldn't even guarantee that he'd do this.What else could she ask for?Liesel's smile was mocking. "I won't ask this again."With that, she turned around to leave the office. But suddenly, she heard his voice. "Alden U
Elijah beamed. Evidently, he'd heard what Liesel said. The amusement in his eyes deepened. "It's really difficult to hear you say those words to me. Don't worry. Not only will I come back safe, but I'll even bring you some local specialties."With that, he drove off.Why had Elijah intervened in this matter?Actually, he could have rejected Dash's contract outright. Still, he came to Ford Corporation's office, and he didn't even try to retort when Jacob suggested he go overseas to evaluate the partnership.He and Jacob weren't considered good friends, so how was Jacob able to make him do something?Drew saw the truth—Elijah had come because of Liesel, and he was also going abroad to do the evaluation for Leisel.Even though Elijah had personal motives, at least he was sincere enough. He thought that someone as smart as Liesel would be able to spot it."From the perspective of Mr. Ford's secretary, I actually don't like Elijah that much. However, if I was looking at it from your
"Two years ago, at the negotiation meeting that was held at the Polly Hotel in Fruece, I had completely trampled all over Dash. In the end, he transferred the overseas project to Ford Corporation at a price 20 percent lower than the asking offer. So, why do you think Dash chose you and not me?" Liesel leaned down close to Natalie. There was an obvious chill in her voice. "He didn't choose me because I'm too intelligent. He chose you because you are stupid enough."Each word she uttered was dripping with ridicule."Liesel!" Natalie was so mad that she wanted to hit her.Liesel nonchalantly poured herself a cup of water. In the same cool tone, she said, "Do you really want to fight me now? Are you going to use the hand that's in a plaster cast? If so, I can indulge you."Natalie's eyes darkened. Even maneuvering the wheelchair made her hand hurt. How could she really go up against Liesel? She had no choice but to just gnash her teeth. "I'll prove to you that Dash didn't make a mist
Edward chuckled quietly in her ear. "Where do you want to go tomorrow, Ophelia? Should I take you on an overseas getaway? Or perhaps, we could take a stroll nearby and watch a movie.""I can't go overseas; I'm not on break yet. Let's go watch a movie," Ophelia replied. "I've only watched a movie with you as my brother. This time, I want to try watching a movie with you as my boyfriend."Although Edward was still the same person, his identity had changed.She could now touch Edward openly. She could hold his hand, hug him, and kiss him.It was… really great."Alright, get some rest today. I'll come pick you up tomorrow," Edward said.Ophelia nodded and walked him to the door. As soon as she shut the door, she pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her heart thudding rapidly from the kiss earlier.She hopped into bed and rolled from side to side.After Edward got into his car, he finally let out a loud laugh. He pressed his fingers to his lips, reminiscing about the aftertaste sh
As their tongues intertwined, Edward could taste a sweet and sour flavor on Ophelia's tongue. It tasted like she just had a piece of strawberry candy that made her entire mouth taste sweet.Even her breath smelled like this refreshing and saccharine fruity scent. It was as if she was enticing him to take a bite of her and swallow her.The more they kissed, the more forceful Edward got. The air around them felt syrupy and intimate."Are you sure you really have never dated before? Am I really your first? If I am… then why are you so good at kissing?" she asked like it was an interrogation.She didn't know how to kiss and was very inexperienced. However, Edward had practically conquered her. He kissed her until her knees went weak.At the thought of Edward doing this to another woman, her chest began to ache terribly.Edward played with her hair, which had become messy from the kissing. "Like I said, you're all I dream about. I don't even know how many times I've kissed you in my d
"How would you know that I also didn't have the same kind of thoughts when you secretly kissed me all those years ago?"You said that I was born in a tall tower, but I didn't get to choose my background. Meanwhile, you have climbed your way up to where I am to be with me."In ancient times, we would have been innocent and carefree childhood sweethearts. We would've been considered a match made in heaven."Edward, what I'm saying is the truth." Ophelia said each word solemnly. She stared unblinkingly at Edward as she spoke. "While you were struggling with these emotions, who said I was not struggling too?"However, I just couldn't forget you. I couldn't accept a future without you. What I wanted was to have you by my side. I wish you were my lover, and I want to be with you, Edward Ford."Her response was firm and resolute. It echoed with conviction.At the same time, she seemed to be giving her answer to the Edward who had been hiding his feelings in fear and panic for many y
"If you're ever unhappy, you can come find me anytime. I'll always be here for you."This was Edward's promise.These were the moments when Ophelia had seen Edward smoking. Each time, it seemed to have something to do with her.She recalled the past. The way Edward always looked at her became even clearer in her mind. Back then, she might not have understood the struggle and yearning in his eyes.But now, she thought she understood.Her mind was filled with too many thoughts, and their embrace had lasted far too long.She wanted to push him away, but at that moment, he suddenly whispered in her ear, "Your first kiss wasn't him. It was me."What?Ophelia was stunned. She even thought that she'd heard wrong.When had she ever kissed Edward? How come she never knew about it?She pushed him away. Her doe eyes widened."You're lying. E-except just now, we've never kissed before!""The night before I left the country, you held onto my shirt and refused to let me leave. After you
Ophelia still remembered the melancholy and confusion that she'd seen in Edward's eyes. He had looked like a young boy who couldn't find his way home.The moment Edward saw her, he stubbed out his cigarette. Holding her hand, he led the bleary-eyed Ophelia back to the bedroom.Worried that she'd catch a cold from the freezing winds, he made her a cup of hot chamomile tea. She didn't like the taste, so he had to try his hardest to coax her into drinking it.Upset, she said to him accusingly, "Edward, I feel I'm turning into a chamomile plant."Edward laughed.He was handsome. Even when he laughed, he looked attractive. Amusement bloomed on his charming and elegant face.She complimented him dazedly, "Edward, you're really good-looking."Even though she was still mad that she'd been coaxed into drinking a whole mug of chamomile tea, she still found herself lost in his handsomeness. Edward's eyes were curved from his broad grin, and he reached out to rub her head."You're very goo
"So it is because of Stanley.""Well, I'm much older than you. Stanley is young so there wouldn't be a generation gap between you two. You must like someone younger."That's not all. Stanley has excellent grades. I naturally understand that you'd choose him. After all, he's the first guy you've ever called your boyfriend."You don't have to say anything; I understand. I'm not up to standard. Stanley will definitely achieve greater things than me in the future, so I shouldn't keep clinging to you…" I must have put you in a difficult position. If I had known that you had picked Stanley, I wouldn't have come back and disturbed you. I've disturbed the peace in your life."Every single word Edward said felt like a stab in Ophelia's heart.Was he crazy? Why was he talking about Stanley in every sentence?Ophelia tried her hardest to bite her tongue, but in the end, she failed to hold her anger in."You keep talking about Stanley, but didn't I already tell you that we've broken up? A
Ophelia snatched the junk food box in a huff to fill the gift boxes with snacks."You! Stop causing trouble!""Okay, okay! I'll stop messing around." With that, Joseph muttered, "It was just a few sweets…"Ophelia glared at him. Joseph immediately cleared his throat and no longer uttered a word. Instead of teasing her, he also began helping her pack the boxes. Not trusting him, Ophelia intentionally inspected each box. She only felt assured to hand him the boxes once she was certain none of the chocolates or snacks were missing.Not long after Joseph started packing, he began looking around absentmindedly. He looked down and noticed many private messages on Ophelia's phone. Those still part of Yvonne's fandom had sent those messages. They were scolding Ophelia.Ophelia merely glanced at the messages before nonchalantly turning off the phone screen. Not only were she and Joseph done wrapping the boxes, but Edward had finished preparing breakfast as well. Edward prepared all of
"Oh!" Joseph exclaimed. He whirled around and took a step back before patting Edward's palm. "Shouldn't you give me something in return for my advice? A present or something, right?"Edward came off as rather domineering as he asked icily, "Tell me which car you want. What model and series? When do you want it?"Yes, Edward had brought up cars. Joseph's eyes lit up. "I want the latest SUV from Land Rover within the next three days."It wasn't as if Joseph couldn't afford the car. He simply liked messing with his friends. After all, free things were the best. "Sure." Joseph continued flatteringly, "Bro, this is how it works. Women are usually more soft-hearted, especially someone like Ophelia at her age. You should give in sometimes."Be shameless if she ever tries to drive you away. Hug her and act pitiful by saying that you don't want to leave her. Say that you can't sleep or will have nightmares if you don't see her. You can even be more dramatic."Joseph was quick-witted enou
Ophelia was left dumbfounded after hearing Joseph's advice. What nonsense was he talking about? He was supposed to be on her side, not sabotage her. Edward shoved Ophelia out of the kitchen. "Something's wrong with his brain, so just ignore him. Go and rest."Ophelia was still perplexed as Edward pushed her out of the kitchen. However, she didn't probe further since she refused to speak to him for now. Once Ophelia was gone, Joseph immediately cursed. "You're such a beast. 28cm, 28cm. Why don't you cut off that thing of yours? Did you think your sweetheart is someone who appears in those adult films?" Edward's eyes twitched. He finally understood what Joseph had been blabbering about. Joseph was such a pervert through and through. Edward slammed the knife onto the chopping board. "I'm talking about my age. What's gotten into you?""Oh, it's your age." Joseph sighed in relief. He had been worried about how Draskia could have such a pervert like Edward.After a while, Joseph e