Discussions continued to flood Twitter."Mr. Hardin's tweet is definitely a response to Mr. Ford!""Emmm... So both Mr. Ford and Mr. Hardin are in love with Ms. Sharp? I can't believe that Mr. Ford would end up the loser in this battle.""Yeah… It's hard to imagine that a playboy like Mr. Hardin would actually win.""I think I figured out why Ms. Sharp left.""I think I have too.""It seems like it wasn't about any business competition at all. She left to avoid being pursued. Seriously? What the hell!"Elijah stirred things up early in the morning, sending all three of them straight into the trending topics.By the time Liesel saw it, she couldn't help but laugh in frustration.Elijah quickly apologized but showed no remorse. If anything, he seemed quite pleased with himself."I don't think I did anything wrong. He came at me directly. If I kept hiding, it would look like I was scared."Elijah, who was surrounded by all the plush toys, proudly said, "They're mine.""So chil
Natalie hadn't seen Liesel for the past few days, and Jacob's post had driven her mad. So, when she finally spotted Liesel tonight, she stormed over to demand an explanation.Her reasoning was simple. Liesel had left, but Jacob still thought about her, which meant she was seducing him. It was all Liesel's fault, not Jacob's."Watch your words, Natalie. After that night we saw each other, I haven't had anything to do with Jacob. I'm not interested in being a third wheel in your ridiculous relationship, and I certainly won't be his mistress. I'm not you."You're blocking my way, questioning me like a shrew, when you should be thinking whether Jacob really loves you." Liesel's tone dripped with mockery."Don't think that bringing this up will change the subject!" Natalie's face twisted in fury. With an angry lunge, she grabbed Liesel's wrist tightly.Liesel winced at the pain. Frowning, she said, "Let go.""Liesel, there are so many men in this world. Why do you have to go after a t
If Liesel ever seriously considered starting a business, with the influence she had now, people would probably think they were getting a deal by investing in her—if she even allowed them the opportunity.Liesel looked straight at Natalie. "You can go ask Drew and Charles. They'll show you how much of a joke you are."One last thing. I've already left Ford Corporation. From the start, I've never clung to Jacob. I'd suggest you take care of your own man. Don't let him keep bothering me. It's just causing me trouble."Her voice grew sharper as she spoke, "Also, instead of coming to me, you might as well focus on keeping your man in check. Since he was able to land you recently, he could easily find someone else tomorrow."With so many women out there, can you really control him? There's always one who doesn't mind being the other woman. If you're going to confront anyone, it's better to start with him."You're willing to trust a man like that and stick with him? I wouldn't have the g
Liesel asked, "Are you planning to step in and save her? Since you're from the same company, you probably should. But Natalie won't appreciate it."She'll think you're stepping in as Ford Corporation's executive secretary and are snatching away her opportunity. Worse, she'll see your presence as making her look even more foolish. She might think that if you stayed out of it, she'd somehow manage to handle everything on her own."She's just too arrogant. In her mind, she's no less than you, me, or Drew."Liesel chuckled at her own words. She found the absurdity of the situation genuinely amusing."As you know, I'm Ford Corporation's secretary. I can't just stand by," Charles replied.Liesel knew that, of course.Charles was emotionally distant. Jacob was the only person he saw as his close friend.Even though Liesel had worked with Charles for three years, their relationship remained nothing more than that of ordinary coworkers. For him, profit always came first.Natalie's feeli
Cesar was stunned. "Wait… D-Didn't you say on Twitter that you already left Ford Corporation?"Liesel looked as though she had just heard a hilarious joke."Mr. Baker, Ford Corporation is a massive enterprise. Before I leave, I have to wrap up all my responsibilities. Everyone wants to work with Ford Corporation, but we also need to be cautious about who we choose to work with, don't we?"Her voice was polite, but there was an unmistakable chill beneath it. Her implication was clear.Cesar had deliberately targeted Ford Corporation this time by using Natalie as a way to push for a deal. But he had picked the wrong target.Liesel looked up. "Mr. Baker, the Ms. Sharp Mr. Ford referred to is Liesel Sharp, a member of the Iron Triangle of Ford Corporation. Not just anyone can take my place."I'm the Ms. Sharp who can represent Ford Corporation. So, are you here to discuss a collaboration with me? You should be aware of my rules, Mr. Baker. Without a full project proposal, you won't e
Cesar and his group slowly left, but not before casting mocking glances at Natalie.Natalie bit her lip. Her voice trembled with frustration as she asked, "Why did you say that?"Liesel gave her a cold, disdainful glance. "A fool like you is not worthy of speaking to me."Without another word, she turned and walked away."Liesel." Natalie wanted to shout her name out loud. However, fearing rumors of a rift between them would spread, she could only hold back and glare at Liesel's figure with intense frustration."Why call her?" Charles' tone dripped with mockery. "She already went out of her way to help you, and you still want more from her?" He cast a cold look at Natalie."She didn't help me. She just wanted to see me make a fool out of myself!""So, you know you're a fool." Charles looked down at Natalie. "If Liesel hadn't stepped in, how do you think this would've ended? Mr. Baker is notorious for being difficult."He could have made it public that you'd agreed to a partners
Liesel was surrounded by a group of people, exchanging pleasantries for what felt like an eternity. She was growing tired when she finally received a message from Elijah, which lifted her spirits slightly.The message contained his location. Elijah was on the balcony of the banquet hall, not far from her.Liesel raised an eyebrow, curious how he managed to slip past so many people. Maybe he was feeling just as restless as she was.The balcony jutted out from the banquet hall, with railings extending to the sides of the walls. It formed a concave shape. On either side of the balcony, there were small viewing spaces.Liesel didn't go to the hidden corners by the walls. Instead, she avoided the spot directly facing the balcony entrance. Leaning her arms on the railing, she gazed at the night view of the courtyard. She was lost in thought as she stared at the distant stars.The cold wind outside was biting, but it felt refreshing to her. It helped her clear her scattered thoughts.Su
"Stop it," Elijah whispered into her ear. "I just wanted to take a few pictures of you." Liesel extended her hand, and Elijah handed over his phone without hesitation. The photo showed Liesel in quiet solitude. Her side profile was radiant yet touched with a faint trace of melancholy. "Who's this stunning beauty? If no one claims her, she's mine." Elijah chuckled. "It'd be even better if this beauty could smile more. Do you think she could grant me one? I'll make it my phone wallpaper." Raising an eyebrow, she held up the phone and activated the front camera. She tilted herself slightly into Elijah's embrace. The camera captured them with a subtle air of intimacy.The warm yellow light in the distance added a soft glow that accentuated their features. Liesel obliged when he requested a picture for his wallpaper. She always had a soft spot for indulging her beloved. Elijah's heart warmed at the gesture, and he instinctively tightened his embrace, pulling her closer. He b
Brandon didn't respond right away. Fred continued, "No one taught your mother and sister how to act appropriately in society. Mr. Ford is spending his precious time teaching them what to do and what not to do. Thus, they will have to suffer a bit for this."Mr. Zima, if you really want to help them, then just give your parents the bare minimum financial aid from time to time. As for your sister… you have no obligation to provide for her. Do you understand where I'm coming from?"Brandon couldn't accept it. "My sister's reputation in the industry isn't great right now. If I don't help her, then she really won't be able to survive. Mr. Ford is also an older brother. He should understand what I'm going through."Jacob loved Ophelia, and Brandon also naturally loved Yvonne. It was because of this that he wanted to try getting forgiveness from Ophelia.Fred raised his voice. "Ms. Ford is very warm and never treats people haughtily. She has never used her family background to bully oth
With a serious expression, Brandon rattled on about the various compensations for Ophelia. Fred nearly couldn't keep his facial expression under control.It seemed like everyone already knew that Ophelia was a huge fan of Chelsea's. It couldn't have been easy to think of such a compensation.The elevator arrived on the top floor, but Jacob still hadn't given his response. Therefore, Brandon hurried into his office behind Jacob and Fred. Finally, Jacob looked at him. "There is some sincerity to it."Firstly, a public apology to Ophelia on his company's Twitter account would clear her name. Secondly, the shares would be considered as financial compensation for the mental distress caused.The third form of compensation was the key point that convinced Jacob to look up. He thought that it was too difficult for Ophelia to fight for concert tickets and produce fan merchandise herself. Now that there was someone readily available to do it, Ophelia wouldn't have to work so hard.This pers
Jacob could really be heinous.Who wanted to listen to Veronica's blabbering?Most people thought that Tobey was sly, cold, and heartless. However, they didn't know that Jacob was the one who was truly wicked.In his youth, he had once been kidnapped because one of the medicines that the Ford family manufactured had threatened to undermine the profits of others. During that time, he'd suffered through endless torment.When he was rescued, his personality had turned ruthless.Although he could be monstrous, he placed great importance on his family and friends. And, Ophelia was his beloved little sister.How could he let Yvonne off the hook for scheming against Ophelia? He had to teach Yvonne that the world could be a harsh place.Not only was Yvonne stupid, but she was also very unfortunate.At first, Jacob could still tolerate how Yvonne had used Ophelia. He had just planned to give her a small taste of her medicine and stop there. However, Veronica had decided on her own accor
Vincent's expression turned cold. He wanted to kick her out of the house, but suddenly, Jacob's cold voice sounded from afar."Since our family is powerful and influential, why should we swallow our anger and surfer in silence?"Jacob had left a document at home, but because his assistant, Fred Foreman, didn't know where it was kept, he had to come home himself to get it. Unexpectedly, he overheard Veronica's haughty words when he returned.Well, a woman who was only pretending to be wealthy in a remote place was now acting superior in his home. Who would allow that to happen?All these years, Veronica had never been defied by someone younger than her before. Because she was much older, she considered herself superior. She didn't care if one was the heir to the family or the eldest son of the main family. At that moment, Jacob's words had made her rage boil over."Look! Look at the children that the Ford family has produced!"Jacob raised an eyebrow. He massaged the spot betwee
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