"I'll never leave him." Not ditching Elijah meant Liesel was rejecting Jacob. After speaking, Liesel refused to talk to Jacob any longer. She didn't even see the struggle and pain in Jacob's eyes as she turned to leave. Even if she noticed, she probably didn't care anymore. Elijah and Liesel got into the car. Xavier didn't get into the same car with them, but he was still tactful enough to hitch a ride in Reuben's car.Liesel drove in silence toward the apartment lobby. "Stop being angry, okay? I apologize." Elijah drew Liesel into his embrace.Although she didn't struggle, she didn't return his hug either. Without a word, she held the remote and drone Howard had given her.Although Elijah held Liesel in his arms, seeing her current expression made him feel terribly empty inside. He kept kissing Liesel's cheeks and ears while murmuring his apologies. "I like you." His hoarse voice sounded pleading. "I said all that because… Lili, I don't want to manipulate you into staying w
Liesel Sharp had just unlocked her phone while waiting for her IV drip to be done when she received a message from her best friend, Chelsea Walden. "Jacob's back."She faltered. She and Jacob Ford had barely spoken throughout their month-long cold war, so she had no idea he was back.Soon, she received another message. "He's brought a young woman back with him."A photo had been sent with the message. The young woman in the photo resembled Liesel a little—she was Natalie Sharp, Liesel's younger half-sister. She'd been raised in the countryside.Chelsea continued, "The Sharp family is throwing them a welcome-back party. Do you want to crash it, Lili?"She knew what Liesel was like. Liesel would give Jacob a taste of his own medicine if he dared to do anything to her. There was even a chance she would set the Sharp residence on fire.Liesel checked her IV bag. She'd had a high fever for three days now, and the back of her hand was swollen from the constant IV drips she'd been on. S
Liesel had taken a week of sick leave. She'd only learned about the transfer when returning to work.A colleague gossiped with her, sounding pointed as they said, "I bet you still don't know this, Ms. Sharp. We have a new secretary whose last name is also Sharp. It looks like there's something special about her."Liesel didn't expect to hear that. Had Jacob actually given Natalie a job by his side?Soon, Jacob summoned Liesel to the CEO's office. When she entered and stood before him, he looked at her indifferently. "Since you want to stay at the company, continuing to hold the position of my personal secretary isn't appropriate."The project department manager was transferred to a branch company, leaving a vacancy there. The timing is just right."Liesel knew very well that Jacob had always been clear-headed. He would never allow her to cause Natalie any discomfort or disappointment. Rather than saying the transfer was his recognition of Liesel's abilities, it would be more accur
Liesel's heart twinged slightly, but she said calmly, "I reminded Ms. Natalie about the stock handover. The office has surveillance cameras. You can check the footage if you don't believe me, Mr. Ford."Natalie paled. Tears welled in her eyes, and she said pitifully, "I-I probably didn't hear you because my mind wandered. That's why I made such a mistake."Liesel ignored her. "We can't let Hardin Group manipulate us for stocks worth millions of dollars. I'll handle this, but the company also has rules to uphold. Natalie will need to be reprimanded accordingly."She turned and left the office to check on the stocks. Now that they'd already been accepted, from a legal perspective, Ford Corporation had no choice but to swallow its woes and live with the situation.Still, there was hope for this. Uriah Hardin, the third son of the Hardin family, managed Hardin Group. However, his brother, Elijah Hardin, was the second son and favored by his family. He also wanted to usurp Uriah's posit
Liesel held the pregnancy test tightly. "I'm not sure yet."Her period had yet to come this month, and the retching from before… She suspected something was up."What are you going to do if you are?" Chelsea looked at her hesitantly. "Will Jacob accept it?"Liesel dropped her gaze. Jacob would never want a child she'd brought into the world. Besides, they were already divorced—it was bad for them both if she were to keep the child… even if it was one she'd longed for in the past.After a long silence, she said, "No, he won't. There's no point in keeping lingering attachments or forcing someone to do something against their will. If I'm pregnant, I'll get an abortion."She'd waited for a baby that hadn't come over the past three years. Now, it was long past the time for that.Liesel was in a bad mood, so she didn't do the pregnancy test on the spot. Instead, she and Chelsea had some drinks. Well, she only had a sip or two of a drink with the lowest possible alcohol content.She o
Liesel looked at Jacob. Her tone was calm as she said, "I don't owe Natalie anything, nor do I owe you. Work-wise, I'm only her senior. Regarding my personal life, my mother didn't owe her anything."Natalie came knocking on our door when her mother chose to marry another. No woman can accept her husband's illegitimate daughter. She might have had Natalie sent to the countryside, but Natalie was also given more than enough money to survive there."I don't owe her, whether professionally or personally. Why should I be more accommodating and tolerant of her? Why should I back down when facing off against her?"When she finished her speech, silence descended upon the car. Jacob looked at her. She wore a simple dress that clung to her curves, and her delicate features were arranged into her usual mask of aloofness.There was something cold and tenacious about her. She was so brilliant that one could almost neglect her beauty.His gaze flitted over her eyes. After a moment of silence,
"Mr. Ford, this is the latest document from Mr. Hardin."Liesel pushed open the door and entered. Her expression was calm and composed as her gaze swept past Natalie. She placed a printed document on Jacob's desk.It was a new contract.It was the new contract that Elijah had proposed.Elijah was someone who thought long and hard about things. Yet, he was now casually proposing a subsequent collaboration, as if he had set his sights on something and was certain that he would get it.Jacob frowned slightly, and his gaze slowly landed on Liesel.At work, she was always dressed in a pencil skirt. Her waist was slim and dainty, yet it gave off a feeling of tenacity.Her delicate and stunning features carried a hint of unapproachability, reminiscent of an edelweiss at the peak of a snowy mountain.She was cold and beautiful.The reason why Elijah had suggested they collaborate was most likely because he had his eyes on her."Elijah is trying to court you," Jacob said in a neutral
If the Ford Corporation's secrets got leaked, the penalty fee had to be exorbitant.The security guard tensed. Returning to his senses, he tried to chase Natalie out of the room.However, Natalie was one step faster. She ran up to Liesel into the meeting room.She widened her round, doe eyes, which gave off an illusion of innocence and harmlessness."As my sister, you can't do this to me, Liesel," she said. She made it sound as if Liesel had just committed a grave mistake.Sister?That was ridiculous. In what way could she be considered Natalie's sister?It was all thanks to Natalie's ability to put on an innocent expression and her calling Liesel her sister in such a pitiful tone."Natalie, my mother only has one child. I'm not worthy of being called your sister," Liesel said indifferently. "The project department is having a meeting today. If there's nothing urgent, then please leave, Ms. Natalie. Don't disrupt our work.""Liesel, I'm not here to disrupt your work. I came he
"I'll never leave him." Not ditching Elijah meant Liesel was rejecting Jacob. After speaking, Liesel refused to talk to Jacob any longer. She didn't even see the struggle and pain in Jacob's eyes as she turned to leave. Even if she noticed, she probably didn't care anymore. Elijah and Liesel got into the car. Xavier didn't get into the same car with them, but he was still tactful enough to hitch a ride in Reuben's car.Liesel drove in silence toward the apartment lobby. "Stop being angry, okay? I apologize." Elijah drew Liesel into his embrace.Although she didn't struggle, she didn't return his hug either. Without a word, she held the remote and drone Howard had given her.Although Elijah held Liesel in his arms, seeing her current expression made him feel terribly empty inside. He kept kissing Liesel's cheeks and ears while murmuring his apologies. "I like you." His hoarse voice sounded pleading. "I said all that because… Lili, I don't want to manipulate you into staying w
Jacob remained standing from a distance while watching Liesel and Elijah's interaction in silence. Jacob became lost in his memories as he recalled that Liesel had never been that affectionate with him before.She wanted to get close to Jacob, but he never opened up to her. Whenever Liesel got close to Jacob, he would handle things with her in a professional manner. They had an employer-employee relationship at Ford Corporation, but they acted more like strangers back at their apartment.Liesel and Jacob couldn't even be considered friends. They would only communicate whenever they needed to satisfy their physical needs.Jacob had seen the most charming side of Liesel, and she only showed him her gentle side. However, Liesel was only ever that carefree with Elijah. In the future, they might be much more affectionate with each other. Elijah… Why didn't he die in the car accident? Why did he survive?Jacob's gaze darkened. His eyes were filled with obvious disdain. "Elijah,"
"I'm willing since it's you." Liesel leaned forward, drawing her lips close to his ear. Her warm breath lingered seductively. It was almost as if she were about to lean into his embrace."Do you really like me controlling you?" Liesel asked Elijah, who hummed in response. "Do you really like being possessed? You've loved freedom for your whole life, but could you give it up for a specific person at certain moments?" Liesel asked. Elijah gazed at her. His expression was unchanged. "Yes, if it's for you."Liesel brushed her lips against his ear before asking in a low voice, "Did you pursue me back then because I didn't like you, and you enjoyed the feeling of not getting what you wanted?"Elijah paused after hearing her question. He scratched his nose and felt slightly guilty. He already had an idea of what Liesel was about to ask. Elijah had clearly gone quiet. Liesel also had an idea why he remained silent. She couldn't help but click her tongue."You lied to me that your b
Liesel's gaze was calm as she stared at Jacob, who was a few feet away. After a mere glance, she turned to leave. "Liesel," Jacob called out her name. "I had nothing to do with what happened today." Jacob had waited there so he could tell her that."What do you want me to say?" Liesel wasn't interested in saying anything at all. She merely found what he said ridiculous after hearing him out."You said you had nothing to do with what happened today. Which part had nothing to do with you?"Liesel's gaze remained nonchalant. "You said you care about me. You mentioned that you want a fresh start with me. "You said you want to marry me again and make me Mrs. Ford once more. Let me ask you. Do you know what it means when Natalie and Matthew are still around?"You're indulging Natalie by letting her hurt me without any restraint. You'll be permitting Matthew to do anything he wants and commit all sorts of crimes. "While Matthew has learned his lesson, he might still dream of takin
If Xavier really made any mistakes, Liesel would definitely back him up since she was powerful and reliable. He was very confident about that at the moment.In the past, Xavier came off as steady since he had matured early, but he was slightly immature now. It was as if he could afford to be stubborn and childish since he had Liesel as his older sister. Liesel mentioned that she could support Xavier since she was wealthy and powerful. What else did Xavier have to worry about? She was his elder sister.Liesel gazed at Xavier and spoke earnestly. "Xavier, I won't force you to make a decision, but have you truly made up your mind to major in performing arts?"No need to get nervous and change your decision because of me. I just want to know what path you want to take for your future.""I'll choose a performance major, but not immediately." Xavier continued to explain, "I'll go for a physics major first and produce some results. Then, I'll choose what I like later."Howard chuckled.
Liesel couldn't help but advise Howard. "Mr. Durham, you said Xavier should decide his own future. You've gone too far.""Have I gone too far? Not only did you not discipline him, but you're lecturing me now?" Howard pointed at himself. "I can do much worse! Xavier, you listen to me. If you dare choose to enroll in a performance major, I'll break your legs! I'll break both of them!" Howard was being completely unreasonable. Liesel massaged her temples while thinking about how things were in disarray. Although she never expected Xavier to choose a performance major, it wasn't as if he wasn't allowed to. She retorted. "Didn't you just say that I can support him since I'm his older sister? That's why he won't have a hard time making a decision since I'll be his financial backer."Howard wasn't pleased. "But he has a super high IQ.""But I'm rich.""But he has a super high IQ." Howard refused to let go of the fact that Xavier was intelligent.Most importantly, Xavier was Heather
Howard had considered everything. Heather and Jason's children definitely had the best genes. Liesel and Xavier had the power to change everything, so why did they insist on learning finance just to earn money?"Like you said, you chose finance because you had no other choice, nor the money. You didn't want to be controlled, so you took that path. "But what about Xavier? Since he has you as his sister, would he even be short of money? You'll always donate money to the laboratory if he lacks any research materials, right?"Since you'll be supporting him, that kid can decide on his own future." Howard saw through it all, and he was also worried that a promising talent like Xavier would be ruined. Liesel glanced at Xavier and paused before asking, "What do you think?"Xavier was startled. He never considered all that. In the past, his biggest dream was to escape the Scotts. Even after getting away from the Scott family, Xavier faced many issues as well and didn't have the time to
Jeffrey only officially acknowledged two daughters—Liesel and Natalie. The upper class already picked Liesel's identity apart a long time ago. Yet she was calmly informing the onlookers that she had a younger brother. Since when did she have a little brother?However, no one asked on the spot. Despite feeling suspicious of Liesel and Xavier's identities, the crowd still smiled hypocritically. Liesel must have brought up Xavier at that moment to show her support for him.Zack and Sky rushed to the party, intending to make a fuss by ruining Liesel and Xavier's reputation. Yet she acknowledged her relationship with Xavier by letting everyone know that they were siblings. Liesel had a younger brother, and his name was Xavier.Xavier stood under the light, which cast a glow on his side profile and made him seem very tall. He most likely experienced a growth spurt when he was younger, so he had a tall and frail figure. Xavier was quite handsome. Despite his gentle demeanor, he cam
Exactly. Why did the Fords have to target Liesel?Howard was never a good person. If he were the king during the olden days, he would definitely favor ministers who flattered him instead of the decent ones. He would be driven by self-interest and only appoint those who were close to him as ministers.There was nothing Howard didn't know. Besides, Howard was on good terms with Heather and wasn't close with anyone from the crowd. They weren't even worthy when compared to Liesel. Liesel was Heather's daughter, and Liesel could even be Howard's future business partner. If Howard didn't take Liesel's side, who else would he side with?Edward's gaze remained calm. "Mr. Durham, you've spoken so bluntly. Don't you know what kind of rumors might spread among the upper class? They might end up hurting her badly.""Hurt her badly?" Howard chuckled. "I'm watching over her on behalf of my old friend, Heather. If any of these rumors start flying, I'll let those people have a taste of what it's