Liesel stepped into Neal's car without another word. Neal followed closely behind, his gaze lingering on her the entire time. Neal rolled the windows up, and only the two were left in the car. "Lili, that was extreme." Neal started the car as he spoke. Neal didn't need Liesel to say a word. He knew she wanted to visit Elijah at the hospital.Liesel toyed with the strands of hair falling across her forehead. She remembered how Elijah always used to smooth those stray locks whenever they were together. The memory sent a faint shiver through her, her chest tightening at the thought of him lying in a pool of blood.She pressed her hand to her chest, her heartbeat thundering against her palm. "Neal," she said softly. "If it were you or Jordan that these people tried to kill, I would've lost it. They wouldn't simply suffer a few crashes. They'd vanish without a trace—abducted, sold to work camps, or lost at sea, swallowed by the depths of the roaring waves, their bones devoured
Elijah was making Liesel feel guilty on purpose, knowing that guilt would bind her closer to him with an unshakable sense of affection. He chuckled softly, but his amusement was cut short when Liesel cupped his face in her hands and kissed the corner of his mouth. The hospital room's harsh fluorescent light seemed to soften at that moment. They cast a gentle glow over them. His lips were dry and soft. As she leaned in, Liesel caught a whiff of blood mixed with antiseptic. "Liesel, the anesthesia hasn't completely worn off yet." Elijah tried to grab her hand, but he didn't have the strength to do so. With a hint of helplessness in his voice, he continued, "Maybe you should wait until tomorrow to kiss me." "Keep dreaming." Liesel pursed her lips before she suddenly rested her head on his shoulder. Her warm breath brushed against his neck, the closeness more tender than romantic. "Elijah, I was so scared. Even now, I can't stop shaking. Look." Liesel lifted her arm as if
Elijah still had the nerve to play games even in his current state.Neal glanced over at Liesel with a look of mild helplessness, as if silently telling her to control her man.Just then, Elijah's phone buzzed. It was a message from Ethan, informing him that Liesel would be auctioning off Heather's holography research materials in three days.Elijah looked up at Liesel, his tone calm and gentle. "You're going to sell your mother's research materials?"Liesel wasn't surprised Elijah knew about it. She had told Ethan herself, and Ethan, loyal as ever, would naturally pass the information on to Elijah."That research only brings misfortune. Why keep it?" she answered candidly, a smile still lingering at the corners of her lips.It was true that it had only brought misfortune. If it wasn't for the file, Elijah wouldn't have been targeted by Matthew so quickly, causing the accident that landed him in the hospital."That's different. It's a gift Ms. Mallone left for you. You should ke
Although Neal didn't quite approve of someone playful and with a slightly needy nature, if Liesel was happy, that was all that mattered. It was all just a game between young lovers, after all. Compared to Jacob, Elijah seemed like a better match for her.At least he didn't make her feel like an outsider, with her husband acting cold and distant.Elijah didn't make Liesel stay in the hospital longer than needed. After a short conversation, he urged her to leave and get some rest. Neal didn't linger either and followed Liesel out of the hospital."Are you sure he's the one?" Neal asked.Liesel was quick to answer. "Yes. For now, he is.""That's good. I think you'll be happy with him." Earlier at the hospital, despite Elijah being exhausted, he had still been trying to make Liesel laugh, lifting her spirits in the face of the car accident. It seemed like he was making an effort to show that the accident hadn't affected him at all.The reason he had urged Liesel to go back and rest
"Did Grandpa give you something?" Jacob asked.Liesel crossed her arms, a soft smile playing at the corner of her lips. "Whatever Grandpa gave me certainly doesn't belong to the Fords. I believe you'd understand that, so I hope you won't ask any further."Jacob's gaze turned icy, his voice laced with cold warning. "Whether it's yours or not, you should understand that once something passes into the old man's hands, it's not easy for anyone to take it back, even if it rightfully belongs to you."His words were both a reminder and a threat.Liesel's eyes flickered, and the smile on her lips faded. "Mr. Ford, did you come all the way here just to remind me of that?"If that's all you're here for, then let me tell you, I'll always take what belongs to me back, even if someone stole it from me."The tension between them was palpable.Liesel had changed completely. In just a short span of time, she had gone from being the gentle, accommodating Mrs. Ford to a dazzling and sharp-edged M
Liesel was willing to play along. If Elijah wanted to teeter on the edge of madness, she'd match him step for step.And as for Henry? Since he dared to take a job from Matthew, he deserved to suffer the consequences.That was why Liesel ultimately swapped out the original research materials for a forgery. Elijah wanted a show, and she'd deliver. Both of them were calculating, aware of each other's games but leaving the truth unspoken. Together, they redirected all the blame onto Matthew and Henry.If Matthew hadn't been so greedy, Elijah wouldn't have needed to pull off an elaborate ploy in the first place.Jacob's gaze darkened, his voice sharpening. "Liesel, Elijah is lying to you. You're not going to beat him at this game." Liesel raised an eyebrow. "What I see is a man who won't hurt me. As for who outplays who, I guess we'll find out." Her fingers casually toyed with a strand of hair at her shoulder. "And how do you know this isn't just... our idea of fun?"Plus, Elijah
"My one true love, the only one I've ever publicly acknowledged, is Elijah." Liesel's calm voice carried the weight of a dagger as she delivered the words to Jacob. It was true. Only the Ford family and a handful of people in their social circle knew about Liesel and Jacob's marriage. Even their wedding had been low-key, with only a few tables at the reception. Their wedding photos were taken hastily, with Jacob in one of his everyday suits. No one cared about their relationship. Jacob certainly hadn't, and since he didn't, no one else would.For three years, she was never "Mrs. Ford". To the world, she was simply Jacob's secretary. Jacob stared at her, his gaze searching for something in her expression. After a moment, his lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm sorry. That was my fault." "It was indeed your fault," Liesel replied, taking a step back. "I thought after everything that happened, you wouldn't come looking for me again." Liesel sharpened her tone as she add
Elijah dropped his act completely. His words were a blatant signal to Liesel that he had people keeping tabs on her. He wouldn't have asked if he hadn't known exactly when Jacob left. "You didn't hear from the little birds you planted around me?"Liesel didn't bother pretending anymore. Elijah chuckled, but his laughter faltered, pain evident on his face as he winced."I just want to hear you say that you've chosen me."Liesel lifted her gaze, looking out into the vast darkness of the night. The stars seem to flicker like distant glimmers of light."Yeah, I've chosen you. I've chosen you, Elijah." Elijah's laughter grew. But in the background, Liesel could hear Ethan urgently calling for medical help, shouting things like, "He's bleeding! Get the doctor!"His laughter stopped abruptly. "Lili, it hurts so much." How could it not hurt? The car had been destroyed, the gash on his forehead was huge, and he was bleeding from his chest. Anyone would be in agony from that.Liese
"You know how it is. It's always hard to strike a deal between two smart people."Charles laughed.He knew that when Liesel suggested a partnership with Ford Corporation to manufacture anti-cancer drugs, it was actually a huge trap.Liesel and Howard were both researchers. Who could say for sure that after they gave Ford Corporation the drug formula, they wouldn't refine the drug further and make something even more effective?Considering Liesel's and Howard's intelligence, there would undoubtedly be a more potent version of the drug. However, Liesel would never choose to continue working together with Ford Corporation. Therefore, he had decided to ask for a mile. He had asked to collaborate on the artificial intelligence project.It wasn't that he was being greedy.It was because Ford Corporation wasn't the same as it had been a year ago. He had to tread very carefully to avoid falling for someone's scheme again.Without Liesel and Drew, there were many tasks that only he and
"Do you not want to hug?" Liesel cocked her head at him. "Don't think I don't know you. I bet you already wanted to kiss me and hold me the moment you spotted Jacob. Otherwise, you wouldn't have tightened your arms around me."Hadn't Elijah done that to send Jacob a message that Liesel belonged to him?Having been together for so long, there wasn't anything that she didn't understand about him."In that case, thank you for giving me a chance and playing along." Since he couldn't think of an excuse, he just came clean. There was even a look of amusement on his face.He pulled her into his arms affectionately. She also hugged him back, like she was a child staking her territory."Should we add some more spice and kiss?"This was really becoming more and more provocative.Why not?A smile appeared on Elijah's face, as if he was saying to her, "Bring it on."And she did. She peppered Elijah's face with continuous pecks. Then, she yanked on his collar, like she was claiming him as
From a short distance away, Jacob could see Elijah's arm curled around Liesel's tiny waist. She seemed very dependent on him as she lay in his arms listlessly. It was a stark contrast to the way she behaved in public with other people.Whether it was with reporters or business partners, she always seemed like a steady pillar of strength. She was graceful and calm, but there was a hidden sharpness within her.Anyone who interacted with her could feel the hidden threat that was lurking inside of her.Yet, the Liesel now seemed to have shed all the sharp spikes on her body, revealing only the soft insides. She appeared gentle and submissive… Or rather, she only showed this side of her to her lover.He should have been the one to get all of this.He should have been her lover.He was the one who'd thrown all of this away. All he could do was watch as Elijah purposely pissed him off.He was a man too. Of course, he knew that Elijah was doing it on purpose.Of course, he resented Eli
Elijah seized Liesel's wrists while chuckling coldly. "So what if you're someone's wife? If I wanted you, all I'd have to do is tell him. Then, he'd definitely have someone clean you up nicely and send you straight into my bed."He lifted her chin with his finger. "Do you think that your husband is a decent man? Do you think that he'd disobey me for you?"Liesel swallowed. She was enraptured by the look in Elijah's eyes right now.He nibbled on her ear while patting her panicked and pale face. "If you're obedient, I'll treat you well. If you're unwilling to play along and make me happy, I'll kill your husband and lock you up in my home. You'll never see the light of day again."Stripping off her clothes, Liesel bit his earlobe and whispered, "It's such a waste that you didn't go into the acting industry with Chelsea."Elijah chuckled quietly, letting her hands roam all over him. They left a trail of fire in their wake. When he was all riled up and ready to go, Liesel suddenly hugg
Liesel left.Charles gazed at the still-warm cup of tea on the table. There was a chilling look in his eyes.This was one of the times he'd made the wrong move.After walking out of Charles' office, Liesel wasn't surprised to see Jacob. However, she didn't even stop and simply walked out.He trailed after her leisurely until she was nearly out of Ford Corporation. Just as he was about to call out to her, he heard a cheerful, gentle voice calling her name."Lili, I'm here to pick you up." Jacob's eyes darkened. When he looked up, he saw Elijah sitting in a wheelchair and smiling at Liesel.Liesel didn't mind at all that he was a cripple. With a grin on her face, she crouched down next to him. Then, she grabbed his hand and placed it against her cheek.Jacob's chest clenched when he saw that. It felt like arrows piercing his heart.Liesel could still feel Jacob's eyes on her, but she didn't care. She even pecked Elijah lightly on the lips in front of Jacob. Then, while pushing
"Charles, even though we worked together for three years, you still don't understand me at all."Liesel tapped her fingers against the desk. While it was quiet, it also sounded indescribably threatening."Have you not seen what happened to Dash?"If someone tries to snatch something from me, not only will I make their wishes come true, but I'll also make them pay the price."You can only take what I give you. If you insist on snatching what I'm unwilling to give… then you will find out the price you'll have to pay."She grinned, but it carried an obvious iciness.Dash was indeed the best example.He had tried to snatch collaboration opportunities from her, so she squashed him. And that wasn't all. She also bought his land and assets from him for dirt cheap.Dash tried to steal her data and establish his own vehicle manufacturing plant in Draskia, so she simply chased him and all his businesses out of Draskia.Anyone who tried to plot against her and steal from her suffered hor
"If you have something that even Jacob doesn't, you must be very loyal to him.""Thanks for the compliment." Charles chuckled quietly. "Of course, I am loyal to Mr. Ford. It's because I'm loyal to Mr. Ford that I kept the evidence just in case."If Matthew decided to betray Mr. Ford one day, then I could use this to retaliate against him. After all, you also know that Matthew is far from a nice person."Jacob placed a lot of importance on Matthew because his parents had passed away early, so he'd been raised by Matthew and Vincent since he was younger. He ended up viewing Matthew as somewhat of a father figure. His love for his family had ended up blinding him, making him unwilling to bring harm to Matthew.However, Charles was different. He didn't have any significant feelings toward Matthew. He only cared about protecting Jacob's interests.Matthew was a selfish person who only cared about his own interests. This was why Charles had gone against Jacob's orders and kept the evi
If it had been Elijah who'd done this, what would Liesel have done?Could she still be so righteous?However, Jacob's words only made her stifle a laugh. Without even turning around, she said sardonically, "If Elijah was this kind of person, then I would never have gotten together with him."Whether it comes to family or lovers, first of all, they should have the right principles. They should know what they should or shouldn't do."Even a child can tell what's right from wrong, but an adult like Matthew doesn't know where to draw the line. Jacob, one day he will pay the price for everything that he's done."In the end, Jacob didn't stop her from leaving.He couldn't help but clench his fists. His eyes darkened.Liesel had always been strongly opposed to evil. Making things worse, Drew was the scapegoat for Matthew's misdeeds this time.Over the years, Jacob had already gotten Matthew out of trouble countless times. He was getting tired of it.He really wanted to call out to Li
Natalie wanted to destroy Ford Corporation as soon as possible.Once there was a new leader in Ford Corporation, would Jacob still be so arrogant?Natalie laughed coldly. Then, she remembered the words she heard in the hospital, and her expression frosted over.She thought that since she was already in the same boat as Edward, and that Edward might become the future leader of Ford Corporation, she could go for him instead.After all, Edward was tall and handsome. In her eyes, he wasn't inferior to Jacob at all.However, she never thought… that Edward already had a lover, and that it was his sister, Ophelia, of all people.Till today, she still remembered how that bitch, Ophelia, had once insulted her because of her background. To defend Liesel, Ophelia had mocked her for being a bastard child.How come Ophelia deserved to be with Edward? They were siblings! Even if they weren't related by blood, they had still grown up as brother and sister. Weren't they afraid of getting expose