“Yeah.” “Where to?” “My wife’s place,” said Stanley. “The young madam’s house? The Quest family’s old mansion?”Zack’s eyes were filled with doubt, hardly believing his ears. Why were they suddenly cohabiting? “We’re moving into the mansion beside the Quest Manor,” Stanley answered calmly as he stubbed out the cigarette in his hand. “Oh…” Zack nodded. “Right, Julian Sullivan came to the company today asking to see you, but I rejected him.” Toot, toot, toot. As he spoke, Zack’s phone rang again. Seeing that it was an unknown number, he answered it immediately. “Is this Assistant Cassidy? Hi, I’m Julian Sullivan from the Sullivan Food Group,” said the voice on the other end. “This is he. Only, why do you have my number?” asked Zack. His eyes were filled with curiosity as he put the call on loudspeaker. “I got it from someone. Assistant Cassidy, would it be convenient for us to meet up and talk?” “Uhh… it’s inconvenient.” “I’d really like to have a good chat with
Upon entering, Xyla led Stanley upstairs and pushed open the door of the first bedroom. It was just as extravagant as the first floor. French windows occupied an entire wall of the room. And there were many other glorious features, such as a large open balcony, a comfortable king-size bed, a large closet that occupied another wall, a high-end desktop, and more. The bedsheet and pillow covers were a dark blue color—this color coordination made the room feel grander and classier. “How is it? Do you like it? I picked out the bed covers for you last night. They’re all new. If you don’t like the colors, you can switch it out. There are many other sets in the closet. I moved the computer over from next door. It has the best specs configuration. If you like to play games, it’ll definitely give you a whole new gaming experience,” said Xyla. “Yeah, I like it,” said Stanley faintly. He could tell that she had put a lot of effort into decorating the room. “That’s good then. That’s the t
“Or maybe, he’s just trying to use this method to tell me that he isn’t interested in me, and just wants me to wait obediently for the divorce.” Xyla shrugged and turned to look at the pine tree in the snow-covered yard. “Forget him, this is nice too. I just have to wait quietly for three years and then get a divorce.” “Actually, weren’t you already healed by then? Even if you choose to break the contract in advance, your master can’t do anything to you. So, why didn’t you?” asked Stanley, staring intently into her eyes, curiosity filling his gaze. “Humans are supposed to keep their promises, aren’t they? Master is my benefactor, I can’t be so heartless. To me, my master is like a second parent.”At the mention of her master, Xyla’s gaze became much softer and her voice more mellow. She voiced out her innermost thoughts without reserve, “In fact, when I first agreed to my master’s condition, I thought that maybe I could try living a proper life with him. After all, I’m indebted to
“Alright, I’m making lunch. Is there anything you’d like to eat?” Xyla asked. “I’m good with anything,” replied Stanley. “What about the food you hate?”They would be living together for one year, so she felt the need to be aware. “None.” With a nod, Xyla turned to enter the kitchen. Her father had instructed the maid to fill up their fridge yesterday, so it was well stocked. She took out the ingredients she would be using and washed them. Soon, a household norm of four dishes and one soup were prepared. The spread consisted of braised pork, green pepper scrambled eggs, hot pepper potato shreds, braised prawns, and squid tofu soup. She placed them carefully on the square dining table and filled up two bowls of rice. Against the green and white checkered tablecloth, the wonderfully prepared dishes looked extraordinarily enticing. The expensive tableware further enhanced this visual effect. The rising heat brought about warmth to this huge mansion. After placing down the b
After lunch, Xyla Quest drove Stanley Batton to Goldfield Plaza in her sports car. Soon, the couple managed to purchase the cleaning robots they needed. After their purchase, they moved the goods into the car. It was bright, sunny, and cloudless outside. Such a day without snowfall was one of the rare good days in winter. After closing the fully stuffed car boot, Xyla turned to him and said, “I’ll go to the supermarket to get some dish soap. You can wait for me in the car.” “I’ll go with you.” Moving his long slender legs, he simply strode to the supermarket’s entrance on the first floor and got into the elevator. Xyla said nothing but quickly followed after him. A good looking couple was exceptionally eye-catching. “If I had a boyfriend like that, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep because I’ll be staring at his face until I die.” “This guy looks like my idol, Josh Batton, but I think he’s even more handsome than Josh. My goodness, this girl is too fortunate!” “Th
After picking the oranges, Xyla led him to the commodities area to see if there was anything else they needed at home. “I seem to have forgotten to bring something over,” Stanley was looking calmly at the underwear area as he spoke. “Just buy whatever you’re missing here,” said Xyla. Stanley leaned down, folding his arms on the cart’s handle and stared straight at her, asking faintly, “Do you think these here will fit me?” Xyla looked confused. She had no idea what he was talking about. “Huh?” He kept quiet, pointing to the men’s underwear section. Following his finger’s direction, Xyla immediately noticed an entire section filled with men’s underwear not too far away. Her face and neck instantly flushed red. Why did that sentence sound so ambiguous? So shameless? Oddly, this was obviously a mischievous question, but she did not feel disgusted when he asked with a straight face. Memories she had buried with so much difficulty came surging back like a great flood. As
She handed him the items while he scanned them. Such tacit cooperation was very efficient. Whatever Xyla asked of him, he would cooperate compliantly. When Sebastian and a female internet celebrity pushed their cart to the payment area, they just happened to run into this scene. His eyes subconsciously widened. Sebastian deliberately closed his eyes, rubbing them for a bit before opening them wide again. His eyes were not playing tricks on him. That man was his best buddy, Old Fifth! And that woman was his sister-in-law, Xyla Quest! What was this? This person who despised entering supermarkets was actually here shopping! And from the looks of things, he seemed to be cooperating very well. He got more curious as to what magic Xyla had used on Stanley. Were they already this close? So close that Xyla would actually go shopping with him? “This is too f*cking surreal…” Sebastian could not help mumbling to himself. The internet celebrity asked, “Young Master Brenand, w
“Five Batton, don’t force me to take out cash from the ATM.” Xyla was adamant about returning the money. Giving no response, he continued to push the cart forward as if there was a barrier around him, shutting everyone out. Once at home, the two unpacked everything they bought, putting them in their rightful places. After that, they sat on the snow-white carpet, taking the cleaning robots out of their boxes and putting one on each floor. When everything was done, both returned to the living room and sat down on the sofa. Stanley took out his phone, opened up the Gentleman’s Club chat room, and read the chat records with an impassive look on his face. Once inside, he saw himself tagged in dozens of messages. More than ten of them were only tags without content. Frowning slightly, he kept his composure as he continued to scroll up. Only then did he finally realize what they were talking about and why they were so excited. Slender fingers swiftly typed in words. “… any
Xyla quickly reached for Hannah’s hand. “Is that right? Hannah, you’re amazing…! You’re practically on par with Leon!”Hannah laughed, slightly embarrassed. “Not at all.”“Oh, cut it out. If you hadn’t helped me, how could I have improved so quickly?” Leon chuckled.“I guess I’ve lived up to my promise.” Hannah giggled along.Back then, she had promised Leon that she would become someone deserving of him.She claimed that she would grow with Leon.Without a doubt, she had done it.Now, Hannah had become a successful woman many would often speak of. She earned her rightful seat next to Leon as the CEO of Dragon Group.Stanley also turned to look at Hannah. “Yes, Hannah’s very capable. She’s our family pride.”Hannah laughed. “I was lucky to be accepted by your family.”In fact, Hannah genuinely felt grateful toward the Batton family over the years she had spent with them.They had helped her through all the hardship she encountered when she was poor and down on her luck.Aft
“Hannah, I’ve taken the first step for you. Are you willing to walk by my side for the rest of our lives?” Leon asked, serious.“Yes, I am…” Hannah answered without missing a beat.“I’ll protect you. From now on, you don’t have to worry about a single thing.” With that, Leon placed both hands on Hannah’s face and kissed her on the lips.The moment their lips touched, everything felt surreal…Hannah could feel pink, light bubbles floating all around her. It felt as if all the flowers in the world were blossoming at once.In Hannah’s dark, depressing life, Leon was her only salvation.He was a ray of hope that led her out of hell, so she could see light once more.Hannah thought she would never have anything to do with Leon after she quit school.Even until now, she still remembered how sorrowful she was on her last day of school.But now… Not only did she get the opportunity to interact with him once more, but they also became a couple.Their driver sighed to himself while
Over time, Leon’s feelings for Hannah grew deeper, stronger, and more intense.He had grown used to having her with him all the time.Thus, he hoped she would stay by his side for the rest of his life.Upon hearing his words, Hannah’s mind went blank.What did her dream guy just say?Was she dreaming?Hannah quickly pinched her palm at the thought in an attempt to discern between dream and reality.Her palm hurt. That meant this wasn’t a dream. It was real!Hannah felt even more dumbfounded…This meant Leon actually liked her! He was confessing to her, wasn’t he?Did her dream guy actually reciprocate her feelings?Never in her wildest dreams did Hannah imagine she would go through such an experience.Excitement jammed her mind, so much that she was rendered speechless. There were many things she wanted to say, and yet, she couldn’t utter a single word.Her heartbeat increased rapidly, and her entire body began to shake. Sensing her trembling body, Leon tightened his e
Immediately after, the men in black pulled out guns from their pockets, which they aimed at Raymond’s head.Raymond panicked instantly, going pale.He subconsciously retreated a step back. “Who are you? Don’t you know what you’re doing is illegal?”Leon sneered. “You don’t deserve to know my name. In this city, I am the law.”Leon’s domineering words made him seem even more imposing.At this moment, Hannah felt as if he was a guardian angel sent from Heaven to protect her.Something about him seemed oddly sacred and heavenly.“Mr. Batton, do I shoot him in the head?” One of the men dressed in black asked.“Mr. Batton? Are you Stanley Batton’s son?!” Fear was beginning to spread through Raymond. For one to have Batton as his surname and act this arrogantly in Atlantis, he could be none other than a member of the renowned Batton family.“How dare you address our president by name?!” Another man in black leveled Raymond with a chilling glare.Suffice to say, Raymond was terrif
Terrible pain ached at every part of Hannah’s body as she collided with the cold, hard ground.The pain was such that all her bones felt close to breaking. Everywhere hurt badly.At that moment, Hannah felt like a fragile doll made of clay that had been forcefully slammed hard against the ground until it broke into small pieces.Her mind went blank from the stinging agony.She braced herself and looked at the cold eyes staring back at her, filled with terror. Stammering, she asked, “Mr. Gray… What is the meaning of this?” “What’s the meaning of this? Ha! Don’t you know what’s good for you? You dumb b*tch… You’re lucky that I set my sights on you!”“How dare you refuse my feelings! Not just that, but you even made up a story to deceive me!”“Even when you saw me, you tried to trick me again!”“Do you think I’m stupid? That I can’t think? Do you honestly think I’d fall for your lies again and again?” Raymond went, his tone steadily rising into a furious roar.He then got on o
Although the sun had long sunk beneath the horizons and darkness had set in, the lively city wasn’t about to be silent anytime soon. Hannah felt deeply unsettled, so much that she didn’t leave right away.Instead, she waited in front of the bar, filled with hesitance and anxiety.Should she really leave?Would Rihanna truly be able to sort things out?The man was Raymond Gray… Neither Rihanna nor the bar could afford to upset him, lest they face terrible repercussions.Hannah remained standing on the same spot, uncertain. She really didn’t know what to do.Finally, she came to a decision. She took out her phone and tapped open a ride-hailing application on her phone.Yet just as she did that, she instantly closed it. Afterwards, she began pacing back and forth in worried circles, going to and fro aimlessly. Right as she was trapped in her worried musings, a group of people exited the bar. Raymond Gray, dressed in black, sporty attire, led all of them in a flamboyant manner.
A handsome waiter quickly walked in and looked at Rihanna. “Ms. Jensen, Mr. Gray out there insists that Hannah should get on stage to sing another song. I told him that Hannah would only sing three songs today…”“He lost his temper and claimed he’d destroy our bar if Hannah refuses to sing another song…” The waiter added. He was visibly trembling by the end of the sentence.Hannah figured Mr. Gray was probably the only son of the new mayor of Atlantis there weren’t many people with Gray as their surname in Atlantis. There were even less people who were arrogant like him. He was the only one.Hannah had heard about how terrible this person could be. He was known to be a womanizer too.Due to his powerful background, he looked down on everyone else. He didn’t respect women at all… Moreover, he had a relatively cruel personality. One could almost describe him as being a pervert.There was once when an owner of a bar offended a female internet celebrity he was dating. He directly hired
Hannah Roland smiled politely at Lina Cohen. “Nice to meet you… Thank you in advance!”“No problem… Do let me know if there’s anything you don’t like about your makeup too,” Lina said.Hannah nodded. “Okay, sure…”“By the way… Do all the signers here get such good treatment? I’m surprised we’re even assigned our own makeup artists,” Hannah asked carefully as she wasn’t aware about things like these..However, Lina smiled without answering Hannah’s question directly. She held Hannah’s hand casually the next second, “Come here. I’ll start doing your makeup now…”Hannah nodded…Lina was a very professional makeup artist. She took an hour to finish Hannah’s makeup.An hour later, Hannah’s appearance transformed completely.Lina permed Hannah’s long, black hair into natural-looking curls.Hannah had intricate peach-colored makeup on her face which made her appear lively and youthful.Once Lina was done with Hannah’s makeup, she happily retrieved a long, white dress from a clothes
Hannah Roland smiled without saying anything.***Hannah arrived at the bar where she worked at seven o’clock the next evening and walked into Rihanna Jensen’s office.Rihanna was going through paperwork in her office. When she saw Hannah, she immediately stood up and smiled at her. “Hannah, you’re here…”“Here’s the contract…” Rihanna said before pushing a thick stack of paper to the center of the table.Hannah quickly stepped forward and skimmed through the document. She then picked up a pen and signed it…Rihanna smiled upon seeing this. “Okay… I’ll transfer the money into your account tonight… I’ve told our big boss about your situation. He’s fine with my decision to pay your salary in advance. In fact, he even told me I did a good job…”“He said you can sing without worrying about a single thing… If you need any help in the future, do let us know…” Rihanna added.Hannah felt glad when she heard this, and became teary-eyed. “Thank you… Please thank our big boss for me too.