Even though Elijah knew Liesel well, he couldn't help but worry that she might agree to Jacob's offer out of impulse. He was just as anxious as Jacob.Liesel continued peeling the apple at a measured pace. When the peel was about to touch the floor, she nudged a nearby trash bin closer with the tip of her foot, catching the peel neatly. For a long time, she didn't respond to Jacob. Her expression remained calm and composed.Elijah and Jacob started chatting about business, but their attention remained fixed on Liesel. It was then they truly understood how agonizing waiting could be.When the apple was finally peeled, Liesel sliced it into small pieces, placed the pieces on a plate, and handed it to Elijah on the bed. She took a napkin and tucked it into his collar.Her gentleness moved Elijah deeply, but the apple seemed tasteless in his mouth. Without the answer he was hoping for, nothing else mattered. Jacob pulled out a gold cigarette case from his suit pocket and fiddled w
"You came to ask me because you've already agreed to Natalie's request to return to Ford Corporation. You're paying her a high salary, yet you still need someone competent to clean up the mess, so you thought of me," Liesel said evenly."All of this is because Natalie needs me, and temporarily. But Charles is back now. Whatever I can do, he's more than capable of handling."Elijah leaned against the headboard. He casually speared slices of apple from the plate, taking a bite now and then. The smile in his eyes deepened.He liked this version of Liesel—the one who was clear-headed and unflinching. Yes, this was her. The Liesel who had once wallowed in heartbreak because of Jacob paled in comparison to the confident woman before him now."You're different from Charles," Jacob countered. Liesel's hand stilled as she peeled the fruit. Elijah naturally took the apple and knife from her hands, continuing where she left off. She glanced at him but didn't stop him."Of course, I'm d
"Yes. Just as Elijah said, I won't be returning to Ford Corporation." Liesel smiled gently. Her answer was clear and decisive as if no further consideration was needed. She turned to Elijah and asked, "I turned down Mr. Ford's invitation for your sake. Does that make you happy?" Elijah paused mid-bite into his apple, then resumed after a moment. Yet somehow, the apple now felt overwhelmingly sweet.All the restless waiting, the anxiety, and the uncertainty dissolved in an instant. It was all replaced by a deep sense of satisfaction and joy. He had won the bet.Jacob's hand clenched around the cigarette box. When he lifted his gaze to Liesel, the faint spark in his eyes extinguished completely.An oppressive mix of emotions—heaviness, gloom, pain, and even despair—poured from the cracks in his heart. He had lost.For a moment, he stood rigidly by the hospital bed, then silently pulled out a chair and sat down. Outwardly, he still looked as cold and unyielding as ever, but Elija
Elijah was the type of person who always knew how to take advantage of a situation.Liesel was kind enough to cut fruit for him, so he pushed his luck and asked her to feed him as well. His eyes even glimmered with a hint of fawning. Though he was clearly as sly as a fox, in that moment, he looked more like a cute, mischievous kitten or puppy—one you'd want to ruffle and pinch its cheeks.Liesel felt a slight warmth and tingling sensation in her fingertips. She kept her expression neutral as she continued to cut the apple into pieces. Then, she pierced the apple with a toothpick and brought it to his mouth.Elijah smiled as he bit into the fruit, not forgetting to hold her hand as he flirted, "Lili, you feeding me makes it taste even sweeter."Jacob watched the scene with a blank expression. Elijah, who was still smiling, said, "Mr. Ford, if you also enjoy apples, you're welcome to peel one for yourself. Or… since you have another Ms. Sharp to take care of you, there's no need fo
Regret.Did Jacob regret it?"I don't know," he said. His throat was dry.He rubbed his aching chest. It felt like someone had slashed his chest open with a knife and left behind thousands of tiny little cuts. The tiny pricks of pain didn't hit him all at once like a tidal wave. Instead, it felt like a million ants eating away at his heart.He really didn't know.Denzel rubbed his tired eyes. "Right, you've never known that emotion. Well, does it hurt? Does it hurt to see Liesel and Elijah together? Does it hurt to see them kiss?"Looking at Jacob, he pushed his glasses up his nose. "If it hurts, then you love her."Love?Jacob seemed confused. He didn't know whether this strange feeling was love. Wasn't it just his possessiveness acting up?His gaze was still directed at the hospital room. Liesel always smiled when she looked at Elijah. They got along peacefully and harmoniously. Even he had to admit that they were a great match.However, she should have been his woman inste
Liesel raised an eyebrow like she was considering Elijah's game. Even the corner of her eye seemed to be raised.She slapped his hand away and then turned her head to continue reading. "Why do you think I'm still thinking about him?"This time, the world-class financial summit was centered around Ashthorne. All the attendees were renowned businesses from all over the world who were coming in search of partnership opportunities. Naturally, Liesel had her eye on a few projects that she wanted to bid for."The auction is in two days, after which the financial summit will be around the corner. The college entrance exam is starting in a month, and I have plans to drop by Ashthorne First High School. With so much happening at once, where would I find the time to think about him?"It's not like I have a lot of spare time," she said lightly.Although Elijah felt exhilarated to hear Liesel say that, he couldn't stop himself from saying, "Doesn't that mean you also don't have the time to th
Elijah's amusement deepened. He played with Liesel's hands, interlacing their fingers together. "That's not too bad. As the big bad villain, I defeat the main character and steal his princess away. It's the perfect ending. The villain likes it."Even at this time, he's still capable of sweet-talking her.Of course, she could hear the placating tone in his voice, like he was talking to a child. Seeing Elijah lean down to kiss her, she turned her face to the side and covered his mouth. "Elijah, why do you never get enough kisses?"Even with her hand covering his mouth, there was still a smile in Elijah's eyes. He bit her fingers gently and said, "When I look at you, I can't help it."Liesel was a little exasperated. Actually, she felt like Elijah was a bit clingy. Nonetheless, it wasn't a bad feeling. It gave her the misconception that someone actually did care about her wholly."Alright, let's get down to business. What game do you want to play?"Arching an eyebrow, Elijah said, "
It pointed to Liesel as the culprit?This was really ruthless.If this was really the work of Matthew, perhaps he never had the intention of letting Liesel off in the first place. Or maybe, he'd anticipated that they would protect Liesel and not let this incident blow up.No matter whether it was Matthew or Liesel, Jacob didn't want either side to get hurt."Cover this up. The official story is that there was a car accident, and he died after a resuscitation attempt."Henry had gotten hurt quite seriously in the accident. It wouldn't be far-fetched to say that he'd died from his injuries.Charles was silent for a moment. Then, he turned around to work on cleaning up the evidence for Matthew.Although he said that he was doing this for Liesel, it was actually also for Matthew.Liesel had no idea about what Matthew had just done. While she was in the hospital, Denzel did a thorough check-up on her health.Her body was recovering slowly. Denzel flipped through her patient chart w
"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