Liana worked part-time at a dessert shop on weekends, earning 1,500 dollars a month. She had just arranged to do food deliveries for the school cafeteria, earning two dollars per delivery. If she did 20 deliveries a day, she could make 40 dollars daily, and working five days a week would amount to around 800 dollars monthly.Her grandmother received 600 dollars per month in government subsidies, bringing their total monthly income to 2,900 dollars.Her fixed expenses each month included 600 dollars for her living expenses, 200 dollars for study materials, and 1,500 dollars for her grandmother's care at a nursing home for Alzheimer's patients, totaling 2,300 dollars.By further reducing her living expenses, she could just about manage to pay the 800 dollars.Dennis laughed upon hearing this."Miss, are you kidding me?"He looked at Liana with amusement, his eyes full of roguish charm.Liana's round face turned pale instantly."Sir, I have no parents, only a grandmother with Alzh
Underneath his suit, Mark's body was heating up and tensing with desire. He looked at Lorraine with a satisfied smile. "Strike a few poses for me."Lorraine complied, striking several poses.After ten years together, she knew exactly what he liked.Janet was a proper lady who was unable to do such things, but with her, Mark found complete satisfaction.Despite the harsh words he sometimes said, and even moments when he seemed like he could kill her, he always came back after a few days.When Lorraine turned around and placed her hands on the liquor cabinet, Mark couldn't control himself and moved toward her.Just then, Mark's phone rang. Immersed in the primal moment, he frowned and released Lorraine's thin waist, walking over to the sofa to pick up his phone."Hello?" he answered with a voice filled with irritation.Because he was interrupted in the middle of things, his tone remained grim. Even if it was Janet on the other end, it didn't matter."Mark, come home early after
On the coffee table in the living room, two identical black phones were placed side by side. Lorraine picked up Mark's phone and recalled the six-digit code he used before unlocking it. She found a contact named "Jan" in the call log, and at that moment, her fingers tightened.However, she didn't dare to dial the number. Janet had a strong, domineering, and tough son. Lorraine couldn't afford to provoke her.When Mark came out after his shower, Lorraine was tidying up the living room. He quietly walked over, picked up his coat, and put it on, resuming his composed and gentlemanly demeanor.He picked up the black phone on the table, slipped it into his pocket, and left.As the door closed, Lorraine's tense back slowly relaxed.However, a sarcastic smile quickly appeared on her lips.Mark returned to Lowe Mansion and pushed open the door of the master bedroom on the second floor. The room was dark, and on the bed, a woman's silhouette was visible.When he entered, the figure turne
Lorraine came from an impoverished mountain village but managed to get into a prestigious university in Dragfort. However, while she was still studying, her parents both fell seriously ill. To support her family, Lorraine started working as an escort in a club, and it was during that time that she'd met Mark.Mark then kept her as his mistress.Mark was furious and humiliated. Luckily, he reacted quickly. If he had been slower and Janet discovered the secrets on his phone, his marriage would have been over.A broken family, a ruined reputation, and being stripped of everything by Fred—those were things he couldn't bear.He slapped Lorraine multiple times, leaving her face swollen and red. Only after he himself was disheveled did he snort and leave angrily.Quentin returned to Windsor Villa to find Noelle studying diligently under the lamp.Quentin walked over, cupped her face, and pecked her soft lips. "What should I do? I can't wait to see what our wedding will look like."Noel
Gabriel let out a cold laugh. "You'd better show me your worth!"He had his men transfer a modest sum of money to the account Xyla provided for her to make her own way back.Xyla showed up with Eugene as soon as she saw the commercial vehicle with the license plate Gabriel had specified.Gabriel sat in the front passenger seat in sunglasses. He asked, "Who's this?"Xyla replied, "My friend."She led Eugene and Ava into the car. Gabriel glanced at Eugene but didn't say anything. He just took them to an ordinary apartment building. "You'll stay here."Xyla looked at the building. "What about my friend? Where will he stay?"She didn't want to live with Eugene. This wasn't the remote mountain village anymore. She still intended to marry Quentin. Living with someone like him was unacceptable.Gabriel's patience had worn thin. "Where he stays is your problem, not mine. Now get out of the car!"Xyla had no choice but to get out.As soon as they were out, Gabriel drove off.Eugene w
Xyla was extremely furious. She screamed and ran out of the shop."Miss, your clothes!" The shop assistant called after her, but Xyla didn't return.Layla thought for a moment and then took out her phone to message Noelle. She and Noelle were friends now, and her boyfriend was introduced to her by Noelle."Mrs. Lowe, I just saw Xyla. She seemed down and was shopping for clothes in a roadside store. But it looks like she doesn't know about your and Mr. Lowe's wedding. Be careful; she seemed very angry and might do something drastic."Noelle paused when she saw Layla's message. So, Xyla was back. She was indeed persistent.She sent a message to Quentin. "It seems like Xyla is back."Quentin replied. "Oh, so soon. I guess we didn't throw her far enough."Seeing his casual response, Noelle raised an eyebrow. Could it be that he truly didn't care about Xyla anymore?Noelle teased him and said, "I heard she's in a pretty bad state. Don't you feel sorry for her?"Quentin responded, "
Noelle stepped out of the taxi and limped slightly as she entered the bar. Lorraine was startled. "What happened to you?"Noelle feigned annoyance. "You're only concerned about me now"Lorraine clicked her tongue and walked over to help her. "You never told me you hurt your foot!"She instructed someone to bring some fruit drinks and helped Noelle to an empty seat. "So, what happened to your foot?"The bar was nearly empty that afternoon.Noelle glanced at her injured foot. "It happened when the restaurant collapsed. Something fell on it, but it's almost healed now."Lorraine stood up in shock. "You were there? Were you seriously injured?"Noelle smiled. "It's just a minor injury, don't worry!"Lorraine let out a sigh of relief but still said, "You should have told me! I would have come to see you."Noelle sighed. "I did message you. I asked you to visit me in the hospital, but you never replied!""When did I not reply?" Lorraine suddenly froze, remembering the time Mark had
Xyla's tears ran down her cheeks.Quentin forced himself to speak more gently. "Don't worry, I'll get you the best obstetrician."He realized he had been careless, not considering what could happen to a young woman left in the mountains. Despite Xyla's schemes, she was still a vulnerable young woman.Thinking about the men who had violated her, Quentin felt overwhelming guilt. If he had gone to her sooner, perhaps none of this would have happened. Now, he just felt he owed her.Xyla nodded. "I'll listen to you, Quint."Quentin assumed she was still living in her old, rundown apartment. Feeling guilty, he decided she shouldn't stay in such a terrible place anymore. He told Martin, "The apartment at Liam Bay is vacant. Take Ms. Cadwell there."With that, he left.Martin was unwilling as he knew Xyla's manipulative nature. She was pregnant now, and who knew what chaos she would bring next?"Ms. Cadwell, this way, please," he said politely.Xyla resumed her arrogant demeanor. Alth
"Sorry, but if I ever get married, it definitely won't be to either of you."Noelle had originally come to visit Christian, but now she didn't feel like staying anymore. She was beyond frustrated.Christian's sharp, dangerous eyes narrowed in an instant, brimming with hostility as he locked his gaze on Noelle. Quentin's handsome face darkened as well, his mood turning stormy.Noelle spun around and walked out."We'll see about that," Quentin muttered, getting up to leave as well.As he passed by the clinic where Noelle worked, he cast a glance in that direction before heading out.Near the end of the workday, Russ called. "Ms. Xanthos, Mr. Xanthos has arranged for you to meet a boxing champion. Are you free now? I can take you to meet him."Noelle couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and bitterness. She had lived 24 years, and only now did he care about whether she had any self-defense skills. Isn't it a little late for that?Still, she went.After one session, she was dr
Noelle quietly closed the door behind her. Leonard glanced over, saw it was her, and put away his phone. "He just fell asleep. Ms. Xanthos, you should head home and rest. I'll keep watch tonight," he said softly.Noelle shook her head. "He took the knife for me. How could I go home? I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. I'd rather stay here and keep an eye on him."She sat down on the couch, her gaze heavy with concern as she looked at Christian sleeping.Leonard nodded. "Alright, you stay here. I'll step out for a bit," he said before leaving the room.Noelle nodded.Christian's phone, sitting on the nightstand, pinged with a WhatsApp notification.Noelle walked over, picked up the phone, and saw a message from someone with the nickname "The Blomming Fifties.""What a flashy name," she thought with a faint smirk.But for some reason, curiosity tugged at her—she suddenly felt a strong urge to peek into Christian's private world as if she might uncover something hidden beneath t
Noelle remained silent.In Dragfort, ever since Quentin had learned early that morning about Christian taking a knife for Noelle, he had locked himself in his office. It had been three hours now.The morning executive meeting was canceled, and his client appointments were rescheduled. Senior staff members who needed his signature on documents stood hesitating at the door, feeling the oppressive atmosphere even from outside the office.Department heads waiting to give their reports also lingered at the door, too intimidated to enter.In the end, they all turned their pleading eyes toward Martin.But even Martin was hesitant to go in.After all, he had witnessed the weight of Quentin's emotions—shock, frustration, and a deep sense of defeat—that had cast a heavy, oppressive mood over the office.Martin made a call to Dennis, knowing only he could possibly get through to Quentin now."Mr. Jackman, you need to come over," Martin said quietly, making sure to step into a quieter co
Even though Christian was in obvious pain, he forced himself not to make a sound.Such a stubborn fool.The door knocked twice, and Leonard walked in. Seeing Noelle, he greeted her, "Ms. Xanthos."Noelle's eyes were red, but she didn't respond.Christian opened his eyes slightly and said, "Don't tell anyone I'm injured."Leonard nodded."Tell them I'm on a business trip," Christian added.Leonard raised an eyebrow, "Bro, with a wound like that, how long do you think this 'trip' will last before people catch on?"Christian shot him a cold glare, and Leonard quickly relented, "Okay, okay, I get it. I'll handle it."Christian closed his eyes again, waves of pain crashing over him like a relentless tide.Suddenly, he opened his eyes once more. "Silly girl."Noelle paused, her tear-filled eyes looking at him.A smile tugged at the corner of Christian's mouth. "Get out for a bit. You look terrible."Noelle's lips twitched as her damp lashes fluttered, and a surge of unexplainabl
Just as the man raised the knife for a second strike, the security team arrived and swiftly pinned him down.Noelle heard a low grunt behind her, followed by Christian's pained chuckle. "Good thing it wasn't him."Noelle's heart clenched as she turned to see Christian, clutching his shoulder, slumped against her legs.He was wearing a beige coat, now stained with a large patch of blood around his shoulder.Christian was rushed to emergency surgery, but Noelle remained frozen in her chair, her mind replaying his words, "Good thing it wasn't him."Who wasn't it? Quentin?Why did he say that? Why did he act this way?The image of Christian's blood-soaked coat lingered in her mind. The wound—how deep was it?Noelle sat there, numb and lost in thought for an unknown period, until Michael appeared.He glanced at her through the doorway, but without a word, he continued walking past.A little while later, Kara gently patted her shoulder. "They've moved him to a room. You should go s
Emmie smiled and placed a few more ravioli on Noelle's plate. "Then eat a little more. It's your mom's first time cooking, and once you're in the Utopia States, you won't have this."It wasn't like she had never cooked before—she had made instant noodles when she was alone.Noelle ate a small bowl of ravioli without pausing, her stomach now full and round. Her eyes welled up with tears, though whether it was from happiness or something else, no one could tell.After dinner, Noelle stayed for a bit before leaving.Emmie watched Noelle's car disappear down the driveway before finally going upstairs.Michael, leaning back on the bed, heard her soft footsteps approaching and lifted his eyelids.The bedroom was dark, and when Emmie stepped in, her gaze met Michael's dark, piercing eyes. She paused at the doorway, and he continued watching her."Lia must be blind. She couldn't tell if it was you or the driver," Emmie said coldly, walking straight to the other side of the bed and pulli
Emmie was at a loss for words.Michael said, "Your daughter's leaving for the Utopia States soon. You should take this time to spend with her."Emmie's breath hitched. "Elle agreed?"Michael nodded. "Yes."It was the best way for Noelle to get away from those two men and focus on her own growth.After a night's rest, Noelle felt much better the next morning. Emmie called her, inviting her to Gentle Glades after work.What Noelle didn't expect was to see Michael there as well.He was lounging on the couch in casual clothes, flipping through a medical journal. Emmie, wearing an apron, seemed to be busy in the kitchen. When Noelle walked in, Emmie immediately came out."Elle!" Emmie's gentle face was filled with warmth as she took Noelle's hand.Noelle felt a bit disoriented.In her memory, Emmie's life was filled with books and work, never with the kitchen. And Michael—she hadn't seen him so relaxed and calm, casually reading a magazine on the couch, in over a decade.It felt
Michael couldn't forget the look Elijah had given him that day—a mocking smile, full of meaning. Elijah slowly pulled back, revealing Emmie's curled-up body underneath him.Without a word, Michael opened his phone and pulled up a social media app. He tossed the phone to Emmie. "Take a look for yourself."Emmie looked down and saw a video posted by Elijah just minutes earlier. It was of her feeding him. She watched in disbelief, then replayed it. The account was undeniably Elijah's."Scroll down. There's more," Michael's voice drifted from the couch.Emmie's fingers moved down the screen, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Michael sitting with his legs crossed, taking a sip of coffee handed to him by the housekeeper.Further down, she found a photo posted by Elijah a month ago, showing her preparing his medicine. The footage seemed to be taken from security cameras.But none of these posts had appeared on her social media feed.She had never seen them on her phone.Mich
Quentin didn't deny it.Noelle's chest tightened as she remembered that day in Ocean City when Christian had said Gillian deserved to be slapped. Now, it all made sense.At the time, she had sarcastically asked him if he would treat her the same way once he got tired of her.His response had been, "Do you think I'm tired of her, and that's why I did it?"Now she understood. Christian had known all along that it was Quentin who had called Gillian to Ocean City.A wave of frustration swelled in Noelle's chest. Her fingers clenched tightly as the memory of Christian's sweet words clashed with the thought of him being with Gillian. Bitterness gnawed at her.Just then, the door opened again, and a strong, steady figure entered. His gaze swept silently over the two men in the room before he walked straight to the bed."Elle?""Clement!" At the sight of him, Noelle's eyes brimmed with tears."Let's go home," Clement said as he turned and carefully lifted her onto his back. Noelle res