"I'm sorry?" Scarlett frowned lightly, annoyed that she let Everett take up all her mind. "I told you to start from 11:05 pm!" Laura urged the manager, who just stood there firmly, looking at Scarlett as if waiting for her approval. "May I start?" The manager asked Scarlett again. His obvious respect for Scarlett over Laura put Laura's back up. Scarlett curved her lips a little, butterflies rampaged in her heart when a thought came into her mind -- did Everett send the manager to help her? "Hmm, not yet, thanks." Scarlett shook her head as she looked around the media Laura allowed in, "Are you sure they need to be in here, Laura?" Scarlett asked Laura with a worried look, as if afraid of what was on the footage. "I know you are timid in front of cameras," Laura said, tucking Scarlett's shoulder like a caring big sister, "but you don't want them to report only half of the story and drag your name through the mud, do you? You don't know how powerful these lenses are if the story is
Something felt different about Scarlett, and that rose an unexplainable fear in Laura as she stared at Scarlett, trying to figure out what it was. Scarlett used to be like lilies, beautiful in a quiet way, always gentle and kind, and tender at all small nuances that might "hurt" Laura and Wyatt. For example, their parents never even knew that Scarlett's debut design was published at first shot by the top design magazine -- Laura simply indicated that their mom had always been hard on her grade, and Scarlett submitted her design under a nickname on the next day. And now? She was like a rose, blooming with blinding light shining under the sun with thorns hurting everyone who dares to touch her. The Scarlett Laura knew would never hide so much fire powder in her words that would put Laura in such an awkward position! Though Scarlett spoke still in a mild tone, it was indicated that Laura was being unreasonable with a leap of conclusion, only to hide her own fault. And Laura couldn't
Brian Ryan wasn't at home when Scarlett arrived, but Ivy Ryan was. Scarlett's mother has never worked a day in her life, and most of her time she spent in their Eden-like house, taking care of the flowers, doing her art...being the queen her husband spoiled her into. Scarlett's eye-corners turned red when after two horrible years, Scarlett finally saw her beloved home with her own eyes again. God knows how many times she had cried herself to sleep holding the yellowing photo of her family smiling in front of this house. Her father, her mother, herself, Laura...and-- "Yo, heard that you had a wild night, sis!" A sunny voice rose behind Scarlett, and before she could turn around, a huge hand grabbed her and then tucked her shoulders from behind. "Dylan!" Scarlett turned and buried her face into her little brother's chest. Tears burst out of her like a fountain. It was like her parents opened some magical gate after they adopted Laura, and apparently, things got easier when the press
When Scarlett arrived at Night Knight, Evelyn was already at the gate, waiting for her. The most luxurious club in the city was just waking up under the sky, like a beast that hunts in the night. "Let me guess, Night Knight is now your citadel, huh?" Evelyn smirked at Scarlett, squinting her nose teasingly, "After all, this is where your love of life announced your engagement." Wyatt lured Scarlett here the night before with the excuse of "announcing the good news in front of my friends". He knew how much Scarlett wanted that. He rarely let Scarlett meet his friends. In her last life, Scarlett comforted herself thinking it was because Wyatt was just shy. How stupid she was. He just didn't think her worthy enough to stand by his side, so it never occurred to him to "announce his territory" with Scarlett. "Hmm...sure!" Scarlett grinned at her best friend. She hated this club in her last life, and she had never stepped into it again thinking this place ruined her life. But it sudden
Lucas was the first to snap out of the shock as he jumped up and shouted at the securities. "Wait!..." Scarlett panicked as two black suits came right up and took her by her arms. She struggled as she shouted at Everett who just sit there as if watching an amusing show, "I'm here to talk to you! Please!" Everett cocked an eyebrow at her last word, looking genuinely surprised. That WAS the one word she had never said to him. "Don't touch her," Everett's cold voice rose, his tone lazy and teasing, "...I'm not thirsty for wine today." His voice wasn't loud as Lucas's shout, but it obviously worked better. The two bodyguards let Scarlett go instantly, but still stood between her and Everett, staring at her as if worried she would harm their boss the next second. Now Scarlett remembered why she threw her wine at Everett last time, and her face heated up awkwardly. On the party, Wyatt got into a single-sided fight with Everett for reasons Scarlett didn't know. Wyatt threw his fist at
"You seem..." Everett frowned, looking deeply bothered as he searched for the right words, "...not surprised."Though he knew Scarlett loved Wyatt deeply, it was still shocking to hear that she didn't even mind that Wyatt set such a vicious trap for her.Scarlett bit her lips annoyedly as she darted her eyes away. Her heart pounding fast nervously.Her reborn story would get her into an asylum on the next day if anyone knows! She knew she needed to keep it to herself, but she just couldn't remember to keep her guard up around this man!"I...ugh...intuited it..." Scarlett dodged his eyes because she knew she was bad at lying."I see..." Voice muffed and low like somniloquence, Everett let out a bitter laugh, his deep blue eyes dimmed even darker. So even knowing that he would harm you, you still want to be with him?! Scarlett's words rose a heavy storm behind the man's hurt eyes, like a bitter knife cutting on his throat."What do you see?" Scarlett frowned, utterly confused. No way he
"Lucas Dunn! You are so disgusting! I'll tell Dylan and get him to kick your ass if you dare ever race again!" Evelyn stomped her foot angrily, riled up by Lucas's humiliation.She pushed the black suits away before grabbing Scarlett's wrist, standing up for her friend against the evil dragon, "Scar, let's go! We don't have to endure their humiliation!"Everett sat there with an untouched cold look, watching Evelyn take Scarlett away in silence.Scarlett blinked, a bit stunned at Evelyn's outburst because...she didn't really feel humiliated by the suggestion of sharing a kiss with Everett Dunn, but actually a little...intrigued.Scarlett didn't let Evelyn pull her away, and Everett rose his eyebrows in surprise when Scarlett reached and poured him a drink--Well, by a drink I meant half glass of pure Vodka.Everett: "...""Is this your first time at a nightclub?" Everett frowned as he watched the what can only be called as "disinfectant fluid" approach him closer and closer.Rectified
"Scarlett Ryan!" Everett snapped furiously.He didn't follow Edward to the lower floors for an ordinary room, but took Scarlett to his own suite on the top floor. He didn't even know what he was expecting from that.Thrown Scarlett onto the bed in a rather rough way, Everett backed away in an almost discomfited move, feeling his abdomen waking up slowly for the maddening rubbing against her skin when a small force stopped him, and that was when he snapped--Because he looked down, finding Scarlett had a finger hooked on his belt..."Don't leave..." Scarlett's eyes were totally unfocused under the alcohol, mumbling with a meanie pout, "you have only empty words, Everett Dunn! So I played with fire, so what?!"Her shut-down brain fused her present with last night seamlessly.Everett: "..."His eyes reddened around their corners at her seductive murmur.He was over here with his teeth clenched and fists gripped, fighting his natural urge, and she just lay there, luring him with no guilt,
"What the fuck?!" Wyatt shouted, crawling back to his feet in haste, his eyes ashamed red. He covered his nose with a horrified look, blood dripped through his fingers. His three friends instantly stood up and came between Wyatt and Everett, who was now turning his shoulder slightly with an evil smirk."Wait a minute!" Scarlett hurried up as well, knowing full well how these guys were.They bully, for a living."Are you seriously taking his side right now?!" With disbelief and anger in his eyes, Wyatt roared at Scarlett from behind one of his muscles, blood dripping off his nose "The bastard hit me! Did you see that!? He's savage!""To be fair," Everett rose a finger tauntingly, though the smirk didn't reach his eyes, "you touched me first. It was just self-defense.""Defense against what?!" Wyatt opened his eyes wide in anger, "I only patted you on the shoulder!""I was afraid you were gonna do something to me for scaring your fiancee," Everett shrugged with an annoying grin, "isn't
"Is that...?" Charlie looked worried, darting his eyes between Wyatt and the grumpy manager who just entered the box, "Wyatt, he's going for the bastard!""So?" Wyatt played the glass in his hand with a winning smirk, "Dunn Group officially missed their deadline yesterday. I'm giving Everett Dunn the chance to beg all he wants before I grab the fruit from right under his fucking nose!"Scarlett froze where she was, horrified.Dunn Group was out?! Everett said he would consider rejoining the last time she asked him about it. She didn't think he would make the official decision all of a sudden. This was all her fault!Did Everett know that not even the project manager could help him now? Was this the real point of this party? To invite Everett here just to tease him with false hope before humiliating him?!Scarlett jumped up to warn Everett, but Wyatt suddenly grabbed her wrist and threw her back into the chair, his tone colder than ever as his dark eyes locked on her with malicious sus
Wyatt took Scarlett to his table. To her relief, he put her in the armchair before he returned to his original spot on the couch, between his friends. She didn't want to sit with him either.That being said, Scarlett found it weird that Wyatt didn't paste himself on her when he had been extra passionate to her in the past two weeks. She knew that was because her current attitude toward him was much colder than before she was reborn, so he wanted to warm up the relationship.But he also took a cold turn today.That thought didn't occupy Scarlett's mind for too long. After all, he was just a fiance she planned to dump soon. What interested her more was the taciturn man sitting at the bar.She wanted to search How to flirt with an icy CEO on Google if that could help.Enjoying her freedom from Wyatt, Scarlett pulled out her phone and racked her brain for a while before she texted Night Knight slowly, cautious with every word--Scar: [Didn't know you like this kind of boring party?]Actu
Scarlett's first week was busy as hell.Most companies wouldn't put too much pressure on the newcomers, but among the dozen newly hired, Scarlett was the only one with just a high school degree, and she not only had to do her job, but also had tons of professional books to catch up, on both the current stream and fashion history.Her portfolio was the only reason she wasn't laughed out of the room. Though strict, her interviewer -- and now her supervisor -- did see value in her designs.Mature skill and refreshing design.That comment from her supervisor among three interviewers got her the position.Friday night, Scarlett finally closed the inches-thick magazine, Fashion Show Year Collection, only to realize she was one of the few left in the office at eight o'clock. As usual, she checked her messages before she packed up her things. As usual, her chat with Everett was still those lonely two messages exchanged four days ago--Scar: [I got the job~ Thanks for the pep talk before my in
They were on their way to meet The Madam this morning when Everett saw Scarlett and derailed the schedule. Everett didn't return the calls and just hinted to Edward to drive on.On his phone was a simple text Mrs. Dunn sent this morning--[Residence 82.]"Boss," Driving in silence for a few minutes, Edward finally opened his mouth hesitatingly, "the madam threw a fit at the company yesterday because of the bidding project.""Hmm." Everett had his eyes closed as a single syllable escaped his nose."I mean..." Edward took a deep breath to gather his courage, because he knew how much Everett hated to touch this topic, "maybe if you rejoin the bidding like Miss Ryan asked--""Her problem is not with the bidding," Everett cut Edward off with an emotionless statement, his eyes still closed."But she's using it as an excuse to summon you," Edward gripped the steering wheel tight, outing his thought altogether.Everett let out a light chuckle and opened his eyes, amused. Edward looked back a
There was an outdoor cafe at the corner of fifth Avenue and Marble Street named Kitten Door. It was Scarlett's favorite --She used to ambush her father when she was little so she could blackmail him for a meal in a restaurant instead of going home and having his cooking -- this cafe was right across the street from Eva Dew's building.And on this Monday morning, Scarlett was again sitting at her usual table, sipping coffee and glancing through something on her iPad -- but this time she was preparing for her interview at Eva Dew in an hour."Pretty dress," A voice rose nearly right behind her ear, and Scarlett almost jumped up from her seat for being too focused to notice someone approaching."Everett?!" Scarlett snapped angrily when she saw who that man was, suppressing the urge of smashing her iPad on his annoying smirk, "Were you planning on giving me a heart attack?!"Everett grinned brightly at her, sitting down on the opposed seat in a leisurely move, seemingly in a good mood."
Scarlett could hear her heart pounding in her chest fast like a drum. She didn't know whether it was for being so close to the man's chest, or for the words he just said.She had been with Wyatt since she was sixteen, and to be fair, Wyatt was a man very good at saying sweet words, much better than Everett at least. Yet with all the sweet words Wyatt had said in the past years combined, it was still lighter than what Everett Dunn just said now.Scarlett had always thought it was rightful of Wyatt to ask for her help, because she loved him, and never did she know she could be so touched when such an offer was rejected for her benefit.Before she could say anything, Everett Dunn already backed away, a shade of pain flashed through his eyes, but it was so fast that Scarlett almost feel like she imagined that."I--" Scarlett opened her mouth, but her voice broke in her throat with a sob."Sorry," Everett said with a resigned tone, sorrow filled his eyes. His lips moved, but in the end, he
"What the hell was that?!" Wyatt shouted at Scarlett when the humiliating meal was finally over.He didn't know how he pulled through, sitting there listening to the men exchanging drinks and business information, when all he could hear was the girl's musical voice pronouncing the name he hated the most--Dunn Group.All the laughter exchanged after that sounded like mocking in Wyatt's ears -- his fiancee, his OWN woman, suggesting that his company was not worthy of the project he worked for, but said that his arch enemy's company was!How could he endure such a slap in the face?!"I thought you wanted Tom to like me," Scarlett put on a pitiful look, peering at the furious Wyatt with a timid voice, "I wanted to sound smart so I just said all that I gathered in the financial magazines you gave me...I'm really sorry if I said something wrong...""You...?!" Wyatt was so mad he lost his voice, glaring at the apologizing little girl, gasping for air."I must have said it wrong, haven't I..
Scarlett buried herself in polishing her resume and creating her art portfolio for the next few days. Being away from these stuff for years, it takes time to pick them up."Why are you taking your iPad with you when you come to drink at a bar?!" Evelyn grumbled with utter frustration, shaking Scarlett's arm as they settled down on a couch at the third random bar they went to that week--Evelyn was determined to spend all her free time with Scarlett before Scarlett's "career" starts."Have to deliver the portfolio by tomorrow night..." Mumbled Scarlett, still drawing on her iPad without looking up. Having no experience in design, her only advantage in getting this job was the three years she spent in prison in her last life--She went to prison dreaming of the day when Wyatt would forgive her and give her the wedding she deserves. Though that dream never came true, Scarlett spend all her time in prison designing her own wedding dress, one after another.She picked some of her favorites