"Both of us want to start fresh, so there's really no need for the dress." Liesel declined with a smile.Of course, it wasn't just a dress.Ever since Natalie had ruined the dress Heather made, Liesel had developed a strong aversion to such gifts.She had vowed not to accept anything from Jacob again. She believed that if they were to sever ties, it had to be done completely.Drew let out a sigh. He was clearly taken aback by how things had turned out. "I thought you and boss would last."He had even picked out baby names and gifts for the couple. Who would have thought that they would end up divorced in just three years?"I'll pass your message along to him."After a pause, he offered some earnest advice. "I know you're upset with him after yesterday, but… I really hope you can take a serious look at your relationship.""I'm really serious." Liesel stood up to pour him a cup of coffee.Having worked together for three years, they had become close friends, and Liesel didn't in
"Are you sure this won't get found out? I mean, it's cheating on the college entrance exam," Zack said. No matter what, he was still a teacher and acutely aware of the consequences.Sky shrugged nonchalantly. "Dad, you've been teaching long enough to know that some people get away with bending the rules. Those with money and power don't want things like this going public."That was true. Though Zack felt uneasy, the large sum of money that Sky mentioned while draping an arm around his neck blinded him.As long as the payoff was substantial, sacrificing Xavier didn't seem like a big deal.The two of them were plotting openly in the living room, unaware of the need for discretion.By then, it was midnight. Xavier, who had just returned from his part-time job at a nightclub in the city center, overheard them.The two probably assumed Xavier wouldn't be back tonight, so they didn't bother to lower their voices.Xavier was still in his work uniform, with lipstick marks on his white s
This wasn't the first time Sky and Zack saw Xavier in this state. Sky clapped his chest reassuringly. "Don't worry. Xavier is just drunk. He won't hear a thing. He has no idea about our plans."Despite his words, Zack felt a nagging sense of unease.But before he could dwell on it, Sky had already brought up how much money they could get, and Zack simply stopped worrying about what felt off.Once back in his room, Xavier locked the door and finally let out a sigh of relief as he lay on his bed.He felt utterly lost and betrayed. His father and brother were using him without a thought for the consequences he might face.He needed to find a way to thwart their plans. He couldn't let them succeed.The stress weighed heavily on him, and he barely slept that night.The next day at school, he slept through the morning classes.Fortunately, his excellent grades meant the teachers turned a blind eye.…In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting dappled shad
Xavier couldn't shake the feeling that he recognized Liesel. It was a strange mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity.People flowed around them, but their gazes remained locked.Noticing Liesel's attention on Xavier, Helena quickly signaled to a department head to call him over and introduce him to Liesel."Liesel, this is Xavier Scott, our all-around genius. He's likely a top scorer for this year's college entrance exam." Helena spoke with a hint of pride at the mention of Xavier.Liesel could sense that Helena genuinely had a positive impression of Xavier, which brought her a sense of happiness. "That's wonderful."Smiling, she said, "Principal Davis, since you think so highly of Xavier, how about I give him a little incentive?"Xavier, if you can achieve a top-three score in the Ashthorne college entrance exam, I'll cover all your expenses during college and graduate school. Plus, I'll throw in a special gift. What do you think?"This offer was exceptional. It practically gave
Xavier watched Liesel as she handed him her business card and murmured his thanks.Liesel stood beneath a sycamore tree. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, scattering them softly onto her shoulders. Her long hair danced in the wind, occasionally veiling her cool yet gentle eyes.With a warm smile, she looked at Xavier. "Contact me if you need anything."With that, she turned to leave.Xavier's gaze dropped to the card she had given him, which read, "Liesel Sharp, Project Department Manager, Ford Corporation."Her name struck him as beautiful.He recalled her words and wished she could really fulfill his wishes. He hoped to shed his past, an unspeakable chapter of his life, and start anew.But why would someone he had just met actually want to save him? Those trapped in the mire needed the ability to rescue themselves.Tightly gripping the card in his hand, Xavier remained rooted in place. His eyes followed Liesel as she walked away."You're really lucky to catch Liesel's eye,
Liesel remained silent. Since Natalie was ignored completely, she started to feel awkward.Drew couldn't help but chuckle softly. The sound echoed clearly in the car.Yet Natalie seemed oblivious to the tension. She insisted on pressing Liesel. "Liesel, why aren't you talking to me?" she asked as if demanding an explanation.Liesel felt genuinely irritated.Finally, unable to tolerate it any longer, she turned to Jacob with a sneer and said, "If you can't keep your girlfriend in check, don't blame me for saying harsh things."Then, her gaze landed on Natalie, and a wave of derision flowed from her lips."Natalie, I hope you always remember that I'm the daughter of Jeffrey Sharp and Heather Mallone. You're just a product of Jeffrey's affair with another woman. Even though we share the same father, your very existence is a wound to my mom and me."If you were a decent person, you'd have a sense of shame and keep your distance from me instead of buzzing around like a pesky fly."Y
The car fell into a heavy silence, as Liesel and Jacob were the only ones left inside.Liesel closed her eyes, seemingly not intending to say anything.After a moment, she settled into the driver's seat and started the car.This was Jacob's new vehicle, a sleek black Maybach. He had replaced the blue Cayenne she had gifted him.Throughout the ride, neither of them spoke. The car continued on until they arrived at Ford Manor."Liesel," Jacob called out just as she was about to step out of the car. "What's your relationship with Xavier?"Liesel paused for a moment, then a faint smile played at the corners of her lips. "My relationship with Xavier doesn't seem to concern you, Mr. Ford. You should focus only on your girlfriend."As Liesel got out, Jacob didn't press the matter about Xavier any further and merely suggested, "Since you're here, why don't you come inside?"Liesel found his remark somewhat amusing.She opened the car door, intending to call for a ride. Just then, she
Jacob watched Liesel hurry away, and his gaze darkened.Once she was gone, Vincent immediately set down his utensils. His voice was laced with clear disapproval."Lili doesn't like eggplant. Didn't you know that?"This was news to Jacob. He had only learned this right at that moment."Lili knows everything you like. Look at how she serves you food and peels shrimp for you. Everything she puts on your plate is something you enjoy. She even dipped the peeled shrimp in your favorite sauce."But you? You only served her that one dish, and it happened to be the eggplant she can't stand. Lili has always hated braised eggplant."This was completely unexpected for Jacob.His gaze flickered. After a moment, he stood up. His expression was decidedly grim.When he returned to the room, he found Liesel in the midst of retching.He sat silently on the couch. The moment she emerged from the bathroom, he noticed her pale complexion and red eyes.She was clearly feeling sick.Jacob's gaze 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