Jordan was worried that he'd agitate Liesel even more by asking questions. Thus, he didn't say much but instead deftly changed the subject. "I've already cascaded the order. Neal and I are preparing for the financial summit. There's a foreign company working on smart devices that I'm sure you'd be interested in—""You guys can make the call." Right now, Liesel wasn't in the mood to talk about work.If she didn't even want to talk about business, then she must have been very emotionally affected. Jordan fell quiet and didn't bring up the topic again.Liesel hung up the phone. She slowly shifted her gaze to Zack and Sky. In a calm yet chilling voice, she said, "Take them back. Once we've found out everything, I'll naturally take them to the place they deserve to go.""You can't do this to us!" Zack was shaking. He was obviously scared of the retaliation he'd face if Liesel managed to dig up even more dirt. "This is kidnapping and imprisonment! You're violating our personal freedom!"
"Xavier, I know you're in shock, but I do need to tell you the truth." Liesel forced herself to remain steady while explaining in a calm tone. However, Xavier interrupted her. "I don't care about all that anymore. Why are you still here? Isn't it better to let me rot away forever, Ms. Sharp?"I somewhat know what you mean. You want me to lead a peaceful life by finding someone to raise me. But if you truly cared about me, how could you not find out anything?"Xavier's gaze was extremely frosty. "Are you really unable to discover the truth, or do you actually not care? Only you would know, Ms. Sharp."He called Liesel "Ms. Sharp" in a cold and unfriendly tone. It was as if Liesel, who stood before him, was merely a stranger. The current Liesel was a stranger to Xavier. Liesel really wanted to defend herself, but she really did overlook the matter. She had been engrossed in her work and love life. While she toiled away for Jacob, Xavier had led a life of hardships. Liesel had
That way, Xavier could go very far in life even without Liesel's help in the future. Such a talented young man like him was destined to soar high in the sky. After returning to her room, Liesel finally couldn't hold back the nausea rising within her. She dashed to the bathroom and dry-heaved for a long time. Since she didn't eat anything for the day, there was nothing to throw up. Liesel placed her hands on the edge of the sink. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and realized that tears were streaming from her bloodshot eyes.One drop. Two drops. Three drops. She turned on the tap and began to rinse her face, making it seem as if she hadn't been crying earlier. At that moment, she was lying to herself by refusing to accept the truth. How ironic. Many people praised Liesel for being emotionally strong, but no one knew she hid in the room and secretly cried at night.Liesel really wanted to suppress her emotions from surging, but she couldn't hold herself back. She coul
Liesel was really skinny and light. Elijah found her very soft and sweet while holding her in his arms.However, she was rather miserable at that moment. He could vaguely pick up on her bitter and cold demeanor."Miss, are you really unable to take one step to me? If so, I'll have to take one thousand steps to you."He had a mischievous glint in his eyes. Even his chest trembled as he laughed.Elijah's hug was full of warmth. Before dropping by, he probably cleaned himself up well since the smell of the disinfectant was really faint. Instead, Liesel picked up on the scent of fresh soap and cologne. He rested his chin on her shoulder, nuzzling against her like a cat. His fine black hair brushed against her smooth neck, tickling her slightly. "Why aren't you saying a word?" Elijah released Liesel with a twinkle in his gaze. He only had eyes for her. Liesel's fingertips still trembled slightly. "Elijah, are you playing tricks on me again?" Even her voice was shaky. Elijah paus
"I can't, so you can't either." Liesel was still pregnant with Jacob's child, and Elijah hadn't recovered from his injuries yet. How could they continue?The desire in Elijah's eyes began to fade away. Although he seemed to have calmed down, his tone was slightly teasing."I was too impulsive. Don't mind me." He was clearly the one bleeding, yet he had apologized.Liesel looked down. A faint warmth began growing in her chest, making her feel rather uncomfortable. "Sit down. I'll go and get the first-aid kit."Elijah obediently sat on the couch. He seemed to know that any word from him would irritate Liesel. However, he gazed at the bleeding wound on his chest, feeling somewhat irritated. If it weren't for the wound, tonight…That wasn't true. He might even be the one to stop before they could even go all the way. He clicked his tongue."How did you escape from Cloudspire? Didn't I already arrange with Dr. Johansen to have someone watch over you? How could he let you escape?"E
The room was completely silent. There was no other sound aside from Elijah and Liesel's gentle breathing.Elijah gently carried Liesel to bed before covering her with a thin blanket. He then wrapped an ice bag in gauze before placing it on her reddened eyes. He sat by her bedside for ten minutes. His gaze stayed fixed on her pale face. Liesel appeared to be sleeping restlessly. She hugged a large pillow tightly, proving that she felt insecure.Elijah leaned forward before pushing the hair covering Liesel's forehead to the back of her ears. He kissed her gently on the forehead. "Good night. Sweet dreams." After that, he left the room.Xavier's room was on the second floor, at the corner of the stairs. He had chosen the room on his own. When Elijah knocked on the door, Xavier hadn't gone to bed yet. In fact, it was more like he wasn't even sleepy. His gaze was icy when he opened the door to see Elijah."How can I help you?"Elijah had a faint smile. "You're 15, and that means
"Do you think Jeffrey's really a kind-hearted man? Did you think he would agree to raise you out of the kindness of his heart?"Did you think that young Liesel would keep you at the Sharp residence? You might become a thorn in Jeffrey's side and be slowly tortured to death. She was just looking for a better way out for you. "She didn't want something to happen to you at the Sharp residence, so she kicked you out without hesitation. That way, you can live a normal life. Everything she did was for you. Do you think she was wrong?"Was Liesel wrong? A ten-year-old girl like her had been living in a precarious situation as well, but she was desperate to find a way for Xavier to live a stable life. How did she convince Jeffrey to let Xavier off? How did she beg him?How could a ten-year-old Liesel consider everything so well? How did she trick the hypocritical and vile Jeffrey? How did she know that he would want to ruin Xavier completely?Xavier's eyes glazed over, and his eyebrows
The sun was already up by the time Liesel woke up the next day. She couldn't exactly remember what had happened last night. She was confused. She only calmed down after taking a shower. Whatever that happened last night seemed to replay in her mind like a movie. Heather's dress that had been auctioned off, Xavier being forced to take exams for other students, as well as him being locked up at the villa basement by Zack and Scott. Liesel gently pinched her temples. At that moment, she received a phone call from Jordan."Lili, I've already swapped out Ms. Mallone's dress. The authentic piece is with us at Bromwich, while the one Natalie won at the auction was a fake."That was good news. "When did you guys swap it?" Liesel felt a headache approaching. "Bromwich is our business. Secretly swapping auctioned items goes against the rules of our industry.""Lili, you need to learn how to adapt. I only mentioned that we swapped it, but I didn't say that we did it at Bromwich."Sinc
"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