Hilda immediately started fake crying, her voice quivering with drama. "Ha, ha, it’s her, it’s... it's them!"
James, looking as impassive as ever, raised an eyebrow. "What happened?" he asked, his gaze flickering briefly toward Hamer but betraying no other emotion.
Hilda sniffled and wiped her eyes, her voice shaky. "I came here and saw Sister-in-Law and Hamer. I just wanted to check on them, and then all of a sudden, Zelda started asking me what I was doing here. And then Jian—she started insulting me! She was so rude! Sister-in-Law didn’t even defend me! They were trying to hurt me, calling me unworthy of being part of the Ferguson family, saying I didn’t live up to my name..." She started fake crying again, louder this time.
Susan, ever the picture of composed concern, patted Hilda’s back soothingly, her voice soft. "Calm down, Hilda. It’s okay. James is going to handle this. Everything’s going to be alright."
I turned, panic bubbling in my chest, only to find James standing there. His expression was unreadable, but his grip on my arm was firm like he needed to keep me close."James?" I asked, my voice trembling, but my thoughts were still clouded by what I had just overheard. "What’s going on?"I wasn’t feeling well. The night before had been restless, and I could still feel the exhaustion pulling at me. I had taken a cold bath, and the lack of sleep and the nightmares were taking their toll. I hadn’t been wearing makeup lately since I was pregnant and decided to keep the baby. My complexion had taken a hit, but despite everything, I knew I still looked good.I sat at the table with Fu Jinchen, his gaze assessing me carefully. He didn’t miss much, and I could tell he was concerned. But, then again, concern was rarely something he showed in a genuine way.“You look so bad,” he said, his voice carrying the usual sharp edge. &l
"Let me go, James," I said firmly, trying to twist free from his grasp.He didn’t flinch, his grip only tightening as his dark eyes bore into mine. “No. I’m not letting you go. Not until you agree to come back home with me.”I paused, staring at him. His determination was unwavering, and for a moment, I felt the fight leave me. What was the point in resisting when I knew he wouldn’t budge?“Fine,” I relented, my tone clipped. “But I need to see Jian first. I left her alone at the restaurant, and she has to know I’m leaving.”James tilted his head slightly as if considering my request. “Alright. But I left my phone inside during the meeting, so I’ll need to grab it too.”Inside, I couldn’t help but smile. This dinner was supposed to be about Susan, about forging connections for her career. But the fact that James was willing to abandon it to be with me? That had to mean something. Maybe it meant I still mattered to him more than she did.“Okay,” I said quietly.“All right. I’ll see you
I was fast asleep when Jian burst into my room, shaking me awake."Zelda, Zelda, wake up. You have to see this."Groggy, I rubbed my eyes. "What? What's going on?""Come on, wake up! Someone is destroying your page, ruining you as an artist!" she said, her voice filled with urgency.I sat up, trying to process her words. "What do you mean?" I asked, still half asleep. I assumed she was talking about my design career and my dream of becoming a fashion designer."No," she said, frustration in her tone. "I'm talking about your page as Noelle, the composer and producer."My heart skipped a beat. I suddenly felt more awake, more alert. "What happened?""Look at this first," she said, grabbing her phone and pressing play on a video.It was Susan, singing my song—the one I had sold her for two million. It sounded beautiful, of course, but I knew the truth. I had written that song. I could hear the intelligence and effort she put into making it sound good, but it was still my work, my creatio
The line went dead after I hung up. Jian snorted beside me, her arms crossed as she leaned against the table. “You’re way too tense, Zelda. Let’s grab breakfast and stop overthinking.”I tugged her out of the room and down the street until we stumbled upon a quaint little restaurant. The smell of freshly steamed buns wafted through the air, luring us inside.Midway through breakfast, my phone buzzed, and I saw Xavier Ferguson’s name flashing on the screen. I answered quickly."Sister-in-law," he began in his usual calm tone, "the police wrapped up their investigation. They've classified it as attempted sexual assault. You acted in self-defence; you're in the clear. As for Duan, he regained consciousness last night and will be transferred to the detention centre in two days. He won't be getting off lightly. Also, your information has been blocked, so you can relax now."Relief washed over me. "Really? Thank you so much, Xavier." I replied softly, though my voice didn’t carry the cheer
When I raised my head to glare at James, my voice dripped with sarcasm. “My instincts tell me you’ve got a delusional disorder, and my head says narcissism—both in their final stages. Shall I check where to register you for treatment?”Instead of being offended, his lips curled slightly, exuding that insufferable calm he always carried.“Before diagnosing me, it might help your credibility if you put on your skirt first,” he said, his tone laced with mockery.It hit me then—the full scope of my predicament. When he walked in, I’d been mid-motion, awkwardly peeling my skirt off with my backside in full view. To make matters worse, the torn fabric was still hanging around my knees, leaving my thighs exposed to the cold air.Meanwhile, he stood there in his pristine suit, his tie perfectly knotted as if he were attending a gala. The absurdity of it all made my face flush hot. Anyone walking in would immediately think I’d been trying to seduce him.My embarrassment quickly turned to anger
I didn’t have time to think before I grabbed the man’s outstretched hand and flipped him over my shoulder.Bang!He landed on the ground with a heavy thud, the cotton candy he had been holding flying out of his grasp. Without hesitation, I kicked it away like it was something toxic, then quickly turned to Xander, pulling him close.“Are you okay?” I asked, scanning him for any injuries.“I’m fine, Sister,” he reassured me, then pointed to the man still sprawled on the ground. “But I’m not so sure about him.”I turned to look. The man was tall and lanky, his long arms and legs splayed awkwardly. He didn’t even attempt to stand, just lay there, waving weakly when our eyes met.“Miss,” he said in a dramatic tone, “I saved you once. Did you really have to repay me by being so harsh?”That voice. It struck a chord of familiarity. My ears perked up, and the memory hit me.“Wait—you’re the guy on the motorcycle from the other day!”He smiled, his eyes crinkling behind a large mask. His voice
"Are you Zelda's brother?" Nan asked, looking surprised.I was about to explain the situation—that Xander was my brother through marriage—but before I could, James spoke up."Do you have an issue with that?" he asked his tone calm but with an underlying challenge.I frowned. It seemed that James was deliberately letting Nan believe that, without correcting him. I knew this was intentional.Nan, completely unaware, changed his tune, apologizing to James and offering to get drinks for everyone. He turned to James, asking if he was thirsty. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the boy, as James was clearly messing with him."He's not thirsty!" I cut in, stopping Nan before he went off to fetch drinks. "Don’t worry about him," I added, not wanting to see Nan get used this way.James squeezed my hand, his voice playful. "If he wants to chase someone, he has to learn to run errands. I’m just giving him a chance to show off," he said, looking at Nan with a teasing smirk.Nan smiled and winked
“Are you okay?” Nan’s voice pulled me back as he appeared from somewhere in the crowd, steadying me before I could hit the ground.I straightened myself, glancing up just in time to see James’s tall figure weaving through the crowd. His arms were wrapped protectively around someone. Though I couldn’t make out the face, I didn’t need to—I knew it was Susan Wenger.“Don’t push! Someone fell down!” a voice called from the back, but the crowd pressed forward anyway, eager to catch the drone show that had started just beyond the haunted house.I forced myself to look away from James and turned to Nan.“Where are the children?” I asked, my voice tight with worry.He gave me a reassuring smile. “They’re fine. Don’t worry. Let’s get out of here first.”I nodded, letting him guide me as we moved through the throng. It wasn’t long before the crowd thinned and we could finally breathe. Overhead, drones began to light up the night sky, their formations accompanied by gasps and cheers.I glanced u
ZeldaLilian Wenger's red eyes and embarrassed flush were hard to ignore. She’s a dancer of some renown, and those in the arts often possess a certain nobility. But the comfortable life she was accustomed to was clearly weighing on her, the thought of losing it all outweighing any sense of shame.I never expected Susan to still be lying to her parents, still clinging to the fiction that James is her child’s father. My brow furrowed.“Please?” I prompted.“James has stopped investing in the Wenger family. It was agreed upon, but he’s cut us off without warning. Our funding has dried up…” This was news to me.James hadn’t breathed a word of it.“Zee, for your grandmother’s sake, you can’t just stand by and watch the Wenger family crumble. Grandma and Grandpa built that business.”Grandmother Wenger passed away when I was five. My memories are hazy, but I remember her warmth and her adoration. It’s undeniable that my adoption by the Fergusons was tied to my connection to the Wenger famil
ZeldaI woke up in the big bed at the Mansion, disoriented. The last thing I remembered was being in the car with James, the argument hanging heavy in the air. I looked down. My clothes had been changed. They were clean and fresh. Aunt Jiang, no doubt.My lips felt strange, a little sore, with a faint medicinal scent, like antiseptic. Someone had been… cleaning them? The thought made me uneasy.Aunt Jiang bustled in.“Madam, you’re finally awake! I’ve been to check on you twice. Breakfast is ready. Please eat quickly, so you can take it to your husband.”“How did I get home last night?” I asked, my voice still thick with sleep.“Mr. Ferguson carried you back himself, Madam. He took care of you all night before returning to the hospital. He wouldn’t let me help. I don’t know if his wound reopened. He looked so worried. His face was so pale when he left…”My brow furrowed. Guilt, sharp and unexpected, pierced through me. Aunt Jiang’s words painted a picture of James, concerned and carin
ZeldaA prickling sensation crawled up my spine. Something was wrong. As the man reached for me, I reacted instinctively, swinging my bag and hitting him squarely in the face.“Someone, help! Help!” I yelled, my voice ringing out across the crowded club.The commotion drew attention, but the two men were quick. One grabbed the woman in the red dress, while the other wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close.“Baby, stop making trouble,” he said loudly, his voice dripping with false concern. “Let’s not quarrel, okay? It’s all my fault! Sorry, my wife drank too much…”He was trying to drag me away, to make it look like a lovers’ spat.Panic clawed at me. I saw, out of the corner of my eye, that the people I’d hoped would notice were buying his act, turning back to their dancing.“I’m gay!” I shouted, desperation giving my voice an edge. “Let me and my wife go! We’re a couple! We don’t even know you!”I struggled against his grip, trying to reach the woman in the red dress. “Let
ZeldaMy heart plummeted. James… he’d lied. Deliberately.The thought echoed in my mind, a cold, sharp shard of ice. He’d manufactured this whole injury, just to manipulate me, just for the baby. The same way Hellen Ferguson only cared about the child, not about… me.The realization stung, leaving me feeling foolish and betrayed.My legs had gone numb. I hadn’t even noticed the bodyguards leaving. I sank to the floor, hugging my knees, trying to contain the rising panic. After what felt like an eternity, I forced myself to stand. I clutched the incubator, a fragile shield against the truth, and walked to his ward. I needed to hear it from him. I needed to understand.But as I cracked open the door, their voices drifted out, stopping me cold.“Brother has succeeded in wooing his wife? Didn’t little Zelda Liamson cry and make a fuss before, insisting on getting a divorce and going abroad?” Miguel’s voice was laced with that familiar, subtle mockery.Then Yuell Qing’s laughter was sharp
ZeldaI blinked, realizing just how cunning James really was. He hadn't explicitly said anything about cancelling the divorce, but he’d subtly manoeuvred me into this position. Unbelievable.I puffed out my cheeks."You wish! I can't even count the ways you've made me unhappy. I'm only staying temporarily because of Little One, and because your injury is partly my fault! Don't think you've won me over that easily. You're just an…apprentice husband at best!""Apprentice husband?" James raised an eyebrow.I nodded firmly. "Don't you understand? Like the interns at Ferguson's. You're on probation. Less than a month. If your performance is satisfactory, I'll consider things. But if it's not…Mr. Ferguson should be very clear on the process, right?"He was silent for a moment, then I narrowed my eyes."Do you have any objections?“He clicked his tongue, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Then perhaps Mrs. Ferguson could enlighten me on the criteria for this…internship? What requirements must
Zelda"What paternity test?" I asked, my brow furrowed. I took the phone from James, staring at the report on the screen.It wasn't a paternity test at all. It was a kinship test. And the result…grandfather-granddaughter? My confusion deepened."Whose grandchild is this?"I scrolled back, finally taking in the names of the individuals involved in the assessment. My eyes widened in surprise."It's…Bai Luoqi's child?"Luoqi! It all clicked into place. He’d passed away, which explained why James was so invested in this child. Luoqi had been busy with the Bai family’s overseas business these past few years, just like Susan.They’d both been out of the Country. And then, the timing…Susan had returned with James and the Bai's. The media had assumed they were Susan’s parents, making all sorts of incorrect assumptions. No wonder they’d all come back together."So," I said slowly, piecing it together, "the Bai family's IPO is at a critical stage. Luoqi's death is a huge blow, and you’re trying
ZeldaMy mind was a whirlwind. Tissues, where were the tissues? Liamson, Zelda Liamson, that's me, and right now I was trying desperately to stop James's nosebleed. It was all so embarrassing!And then there was James, throwing that cup of water. At Xavier! His brother. I felt a surge of mortification."I told you to stop messing around!" I scolded, my cheeks burning. "This whole ward is a mess!"James, bless his heart, just looked gloomy."It's inconvenient," he mumbled, "Let's just get discharged tomorrow.""Discharged?" I exclaimed, aghast. "How can we? Your injuries aren't nearly healed! And…and I need to see Xavier. James, why did you hit him?"I turned to go out, but James grabbed my wrist, his grip surprisingly tight. It startled me."What's wrong?" I asked, looking at him.He seemed to realize he'd been too rough and loosened his hold a little."I think…I think my wound might have opened again. It hurts," he said, his brow furrowed.My worry instantly eclipsed everything else.
I was stunned. My head snapped back, and a jolt of disbelief running through me.“How could you even think that?!” I exclaimed, my voice rising in disbelief. “There’s nothing between me and my Hammer. I don’t… I don’t like him! How could you even imagine such a thing?”James’s expression was a mixture of anger and something else… hurt? He sneered a harsh, bitter sound.“He coveted you back then. He even dared to come to the Ferguson family to propose! And in the past two years, he abandoned his life as the heir to the Yassir family to work at the Ferguson hospital… just to be near you. You kissed in the car. You hid your pregnancy. You talked about divorce. You were going to go abroad with him! And just now… you were snuggled in his arms! What am I supposed to think, Zelda? What?”His words hit me like a physical blow. He loosened his grip on my chin, but the damage was done. My neck felt strained, stretched to its limit. I stared at him, his eyes burning with a cold fury, and a wave
ZeldaHis hand, James’s hand, was a vice around my waist. His fingers pressed right on the bruise, a throbbing reminder of his unfounded anger. The scene in the ward replayed in my mind, fueling my own simmering frustration. He’d stormed out, furious, without even knowing what had happened.Then, his accusation about Hammer. I glanced at Hammer’s cheek, the fading bruise a testament to James’s… overreaction. Something snapped. I shoved him away, my brow furrowed.“James, have you said enough?!” I retorted, my voice trembling slightly. “I just fell asleep. Brother was worried I’d catch a cold and put his coat on me. Is that so terrible? I asked him for help at the airport. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Why involve him?”A wave of hurt washed over me. If James hadn’t forgotten I was waiting outside, would I have fallen asleep on that bench? And he had hugged Susan in front of me, without a word of explanation, but my innocent interaction with Hammer was enough to ignite his ra