Emily Quest’s heart leaped hearing the good news. “So what you’re saying is that the Stanley Batton you found out yesterday is a different person from the Stanley Batton we saw?”“Yes… Previously, I’d searched all the household registration databases around the world but I couldn’t find Stanley’s name at all. However, after Country Z updated the registry databases yesterday, I discovered that the name ‘Stanley Batton’ had been added inside. Coincidentally, he’s the same age as Xyla Quest’s husband.”“This guy is extremely ugly and he’s married. Unfortunately, there isn’t any information about his other half in the databases and this guy was engaged in Country Y…”The man continued, “There’s also another important piece of information from my investigation. I’ve been following your request to get my friend in Country Y to look into Dr. Batton’s grandson. Recently, my friend managed to get acquainted with a friend of Dr. Batton’s. He told my friend that…”“...Dr Batton’s grandson loo
When the time had come, Emily Quest could bully and torture Xyla Quest any way she wanted.Xyla would be at her mercy, just like a plaything in her hand!“Hahahahaha…” Emily started to laugh maniacally, her hands over her mouth.How long had it been since she was this happy? It had been way too long!Excitement engulfed her whenever she imagined the endings that might be happening to Xyla.Buzz… Buzz… Her phone vibrated again at that moment.The man who had called her just now sent a picture of Stanley Batton to her on WeChat.There was a tanned, skinny man in the picture. Besides, one of his eyes was blind, and he looked extremely hideous.Upon seeing that face, Emily felt like she was going to vomit the next second.“Xyla Quest… Your cravings for love and affection must be really strong back then. Why would you go for a man like this? Tsk Tsk Tsk…”After having a whale of a time laughing at Xyla, Emily decided to call May Conner and share the good news with her.May picked
The call was made by Stanley Batton.“Have you woken up yet?” Stanley asked with a loving and gentle tone.On the other end of the phone, Stanley was currently holding his phone and talking to her while heading to the elevator, tenderness crept all over his eyes as well as his brows.He was dressed in a snow white dress shirt with a pair of black trousers. The golden ratio of his body was outlined most vividly by the outfit, and his long legs had garnered a lot of attention from the crowd.The first three buttons of his shirt were unfastened, causing the red marks on his neck exceptionally obvious and clearly visible.When the two little girls at the front desk, as well as the workers who passed by him saw his appearance, their face was as horrified as they just saw a ghost.However, Stanley was like the only man on the island. Without paying any heed to the whispering passerby, he waited for Xyla to speak patiently.“Yeah, I just woke up,” answered Xyla.“I just arrived at the
Nevertheless, Emily Quest could not find anything to eat even though she had searched the whole kitchen. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of some perfectly untouched sunny-side-up and sandwiches in the trash can.Pfft…Did Bailey Ronson just throw away her breakfast?Speechless with Bailey’s vileness, Emily stomped her foot furiously in the kitchen. However, she managed to regain her composure within a second or two and returned to Bailey’s side with a depressed face again. “Mom, I’m going to visit Mary Sullivan later. Can you go with me?” “Go by yourself if you want to. Why should I go with you?” Bailey snarled, her attitude as cold-hearted as usual. Emily snorted and pretended to accidentally drop her phone on her yoga mat.As the phone landed on the yoga mat, Bailey’s face darkened instantaneously. She picked up the phone and glared at Emily, “What’s wrong with you?”When Bailey stole a glance at the phone screen, she was frozen to the ground. A picture of a man and its h
Immediately, Emily Quest slid her phone into her pocket. “I’ve already deleted the picture before I explain everything to you. There’s no point snatching my phone now.”“Why did you do that?” Bailey Ronson’s face was filled with fury. “It’s because I’m afraid that you won’t keep your words. I told you that I’m not going to go against Xyla Quest anymore. I’m tired.” Emily added, “I’m telling you because I’m afraid that you’ll kick me out of the house. I don’t have any other intentions.”With that out of the way, Emily secretly tapped the screen of her phone in her pocket.Her phone stopped recording their conversation.It was for back-up purposes. To have the sound recording in her phone, she would have evidence to excuse herself from the trouble in case things went bad.Everything was going exactly according to her mother’s plan.“You better recover that picture right now and send it to me. Otherwise, I won’t let you off the hook!” “I hope that you will keep the promise. If y
Xyla Quest kept herself busy until noon before finally sorting out all her work in X Entertainment and Quest Group that she had piled up.After turning her computer off, she felt her neck was as stiff as a board.Her shoulders were aching terribly.Xyla stretched her arms lazily before looking at her watch and preparing to order in.Right then, Stanley Batton called her on her phone.The exhaustion she felt completely faded away when she saw his call.Xyla immediately picked it up and a smile unknowingly appeared on her face. “Hey… What’s up?”“Have you eaten?” Stanley asked.“Not yet. I was thinking of ordering in and maybe driving out later in the afternoon for a walk outside. I can’t stand staying at home all day,” Xyla answered.“Are you done with work?” He asked.“Yeah, I’m all done.”“Come to my place. We’ll eat together,” he said.“Sure…” Xyla wanted to go outside anyway.“Come over to Dragon Group,” Stanley added.“Okay.” Xyla said.After that, Xyla hung up the p
Stanley Batton was the one who asked Xyla Quest to come over. Besides, Xyla didn’t have the intentions those people had said. Hence, it was understandable for her to feel offended by what they said.However, she didn’t show any emotion on the surface. She took her phone out and proceeded to call Stanley instead.Instantaneously, the two bodyguards rolled their eyes in annoyance.Right after that, one of them began to speak. “Pretending to call our CEO again. Are you thinking of sneaking into the building when we’re not paying attention? We’ve seen far too many like you, lady. Stop playing tricks.”“Exactly. Our CEO doesn’t randomly meet girls for no reason,” the other bodyguard chipped in.Everyone who passed by couldn’t resist rolling their eyes at Xyla. They were making it seem as if Xyla was a girl who was here to seduce their CEO.Xyla ignored them and continued to look for Stanley’s number on her phone.Just as she was about to press the dial button, she saw Stanley walking
There were all sorts of delicacies on the coffee table, all of which were Xyla Quest’s favorites.The dishes included beef noodle, stir-fried vegetables, braised sea cucumber with scallions, stewed pigeon soup, pumpkin porridge, and eggplant with minced pork.“Did you order all these?” Xyla asked.“Yeah. They’re all your favorites,” Stanley Batton said before tugging at Xyla’s hand and sitting down. He then sat Xyla on one of his legs. “Did you miss me? Hmm?” He asked.His warm breath spread across Xyla’s neck, making her feel as if an electric current was flowing through her entire body.Her heart began to beat wildly in that instant.“Yeah. How about you?” Xyla nodded gently.After that, Stanley shifted her body such that she was sitting right on his lap. He then circled his arms around her waist and pressed his forehead against hers. “I miss you… A lot. I wished I could be an accessory you wear on your body.”When Xyla heard the sweet things he said, she felt extremely happy
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.