Xyla Quest did not sleep well that night. Strange dreams had kept her tossing and turning all night. In her dreams, different people were chasing after her, and she was constantly running for life. At seven o’clock in the morning, her eyes snapped open. Ripples of pain seared through her brain in the very next second. She held her heavy head, her hands subconsciously flailing around the empty spot beside her, only to find that Stanley Batton was not there anymore. The bedsheet was cold. He must have gotten up long ago. Xyla casually stretched her arms, then went into the bathroom with confounding buzzing in her head. When she set foot into the bathroom, her gaze inadvertently fell upon the laundry basket at the corner. There was a bloodstain on the white dress shirt. She recognized it right away. Stanley wore that shirt yesterday. Xyla instantly picked up the shirt and took a closer look at the stain. The bloodstain was near the upper sleeve. It was not big, only ab
“Master? Why didn’t he tell us he’s coming back?” Xyla Quest narrowed her eyes and stared at the old man in the back seat of the car. Stanley Batton, who had now seen the man, immediately got out of his car. Xyla followed along and hopped off the car excitedly. Ron Batton slowly got out of his car too. He was wearing a traditional white tai chi outfit, looking benevolent yet refreshed. “Grandpa, what are you doing here? Why didn’t you inform us in advance?” Stanley asked. Ron gazed at Xyla and smiled. “I missed you guys so much. That’s why I’m here.” “Master, you should’ve told us earlier. We could’ve gone to the airport and picked you up.” As Xyla spoke, she skipped toward Ron and hugged his arm intimately. Ron grinned at Xyla dotingly and patted the back of her hand. “I wanted to surprise you, my dear. Are you guys going out now?”Xyla nodded. “Well, I was going to work, but now that you’re back, I think I’m changing my mind.”The smile on Ron’s face widened, his fond
“Are you sure you’re not going to tell Xyla about it?” Ron Batton asked.“Please don’t let her know,” Stanley Batton mumbled.Ron managed a curt nod, then patted Stanley’s shoulder.***Meanwhile, something unusual was about to happen at the Sullivan family’s house.Emily Quest was sitting in front of the dressing table, earnestly applying her favorite lipstick. Her lips were bright red, matching very well with her heavy makeup and her black straight hair. She looked demonically flirtatious in that red, short silk halter dress. Knock knock knock…Someone was knocking at the door. Smirking, Emily casually wiped the overdrawn lipstick off the corner of her lips and stole a glance at the door through the mirror. “Come in…”Soon, the door was pushed open.Tom Sullivan frowned as soon as he saw her. He plodded on with a gloomy face until he reached her side. “What do you want?”“Close the door,” Emily ordered. Tom glowered coldly at her before returning to the doorway and c
Her phone screen showed an article about Noah Smith on Weibo. The article said that they had recently gotten wind of Noah Miller’s appearance in one of the Goose factory’s talent shows later this year. Noah Miller would be taking the role of mentor for Fire Up Street Dancing Season 2. In fact, Georgie Clementine had the marketing accounts let the cat out of the bag. Their company intended to win Noah some attention and enhance his popularity before his debut. Xyla Quest logged onto her Weibo account without hesitation. The article had exceeded fifty thousand likes, shares, and comments in less than five minutes. Countless Noah’s fans were expressing their delight in the comment section.“I refuse to believe this since there’s no official announcement made by X Entertainment. Please don’t give us false hope.”“I’ll be overjoyed if it’s true! I’m looking forward to seeing my boy! Noah Miller! Mom loves you!”“It’ll be great if the news is true. However, if some other compani
“What’s wrong?” Sebastian Brenand asked. “Letitia Entertainment’s young master, Magnus, would like to meet you.” “Why?” Sebastian took a sip of red wine half-heartedly. “He’s hoping to join forces with you to crush X Entertainment… He said that the entire entertainment industry is going to fall into their hands if the two of you don’t do something now.”Sebastian frowned slightly. “Ask him to get lost. Tell him that going against X Entertainment means going against me!”“Yes, sir!” Jean Hanson nodded courteously. “Don’t ever talk about this matter with me in the future. I don’t care which company it is. As long as they dare to touch X Entertainment, ask them to f*ck off. Don’t waste my time on them.” Sebastian snapped. Jean responded with a polite nod and left. Offended by the ignorant request, Sebastian grabbed the wine glass and gulped down the red wine. After Jean left Sebastian’s office, he headed straight to the waiting room on the first floor. In the middle of t
Rachel Wood was all that was on his mind. She had hurt him badly. She belonged to somebody else now. Nevertheless, Sebastian Brenand could not stop thinking about her. Though he thought of becoming a playboy again, he was simply not interested in other women anymore. Rachel was the only one in his mind and heart. He could not forget about her no matter how hard he tried. He even doubted himself sometimes. Perhaps he had betrayed and disappointed too many innocent girls in the past. Rachel was simply divine retribution for his misdeeds.“But that girl is different…” Sebastian’s mother said again. “Mom… Please… Leave me alone, okay?” Following that statement, Sebastian hung up the phone. He opened the gallery on his phone and found Rachel’s picture. This was the only picture of her in his gallery.In the picture, Rachel was wearing an apron, happily painting at the art studio. She looked as gentle as a dove.Sebastian found her attractive when she painted, so he took a p
His reply was simple, ‘Okay.’***Stanley Batton drove home in his black Bentley Arnage. As soon as he reached home, he headed straight to the kitchen to find Xyla Quest. Xyla was dressed in a white housecoat and a white apron on the outside. She was washing vegetables at the sink when Stanley walked into the kitchen. She had styled her hair into a casual low ponytail with a green ribbon, looking cute and amicable. Xyla’s soft lips instantly stretched into a genuine smile at the sight of her beloved husband. “Hubby, you’re back.”Stanley walked up to her and washed his hands. Voluntarily and without warning, he picked up the vegetables and started washing them, taking over Xyla’s task. “Yeah.”“Honestly, you don’t have to come back to help me. I can do it myself.” Xyla tilted her head and gazed at the man’s stunning face. “Are you sure you want to cook for the whole family alone? That sounds tiring to me.” “Nah, it’s not a big deal.” Stanley did not argue and continue
Xyla Quest picked up the call at once.“Sister-in-law, can you do me a favor?” A familiar voice rang from the speaker. “What happened?” Xyla asked.“I’m stuck in one of the washrooms at Atlantis International Airport. There are thousands of fans outside, and I can’t reach Chief Clementine…” Ear-splitting screams could be heard over the other end of the phone as Josh Batton tried to explain the situation to Xyla. “I’ll send someone there to pick you up,” said Xyla. After that, she hung up the phone and searched for Georgie’s contact. Right at that moment, Stanley Batton came out from the kitchen. Hearing Xyla’s anxious voice, he quickened his pace to Xyla and asked, “What’s going on?”“Josh is trapped in the airport washroom. Thousands of fans are blocking the door, so he can’t get out of there,” Xyla explained. “I’ll ask Zack to check it out.” Following that statement, Stanley called Zack Cassidy and recounted the situation to him. After reminding Zack to bring some
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.