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Ethan’s reappearance truly disrupted Seraphina Arden’s mood. Even the next day at work, she felt listless.Following behind Leon Everhart to a meeting, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing Seraphina to accidentally bump into his chest.With no one else around, Leon reached out to steady her and teased, “Seraphina, throwing yourself into my arms? I’m flattered.”Seraphina rubbed her nose, immediately stepping back a full pace. “Mr. Everhart, ever heard the saying, ‘A peacock showing off its feathers’? Don’t overestimate your charm.”Leon chuckled helplessly. “This girl used to reject me subtly, but now she’s openly sparring with me.”Knowing that Seraphina truly had no interest in him, Leon finally decided to let it go.The world loves stories about “the domineering CEO falling in love with me,” but Leon Everhart, despite being a successful boss worth billions, was constantly met with rejection.Back in college, he had dated a girl from Texas. She was from an ordinary family, pet
When Seraphina Arden got home, her parents were still awake, watching TV, clearly waiting for her. Seeing her carry in a takeout box of beef noodles and grilled sausages, they immediately smiled and crowded around. They shared the food, each taking half of the noodles since it was too late at night to eat much.Being loved truly gave Seraphina an indomitable spirit. After just one meal, her energy was fully restored, and she was back at work the next day, brimming with vigor.However, Seraphina couldn’t help feeling like her relationship with Daniel wasn’t going anywhere. He was always busy, leaving little time for dates. His affection felt lukewarm, lacking passion or spark. Seraphina figured this arranged romance from their blind date had an 80-90% chance of fizzling out.As for Ethan, Seraphina had spent years trying to forget him. She remembered his kindness and acknowledged that, as he said, he did like her—but only as a sister, not as a lover.It was all in her head, she realize
At the mall’s chain styling studio, when it came time to choose a hairstyle, Seraphina Arden asked Olivia for her opinion.Olivia shrugged nonchalantly. “Whatever you say, Seraphina. It’s all up to you.”Seraphina’s father, as a driver for his boss, had mastered the art of dealing with authority. The Arden family, despite their seemingly naive and cheerful demeanor, were astute and pragmatic—skills honed for survival at the bottom rung of the ladder.So Seraphina wasn’t about to make any decisions for Olivia. She turned to the hairstylist and said, “Handsome, my friend here is starting work at a company next week. Could you suggest a hairstyle that suits her face and looks professional enough to avoid any complaints from her boss or colleagues?”As the stylist consulted with Olivia, Seraphina maintained a polite distance, not too far but not overly close either.When Olivia finalized her choice, Seraphina found herself a chair for a wash and massage. After all, she could use a little
Ethan carried Seraphina Arden’s shopping bags, walking a step or two behind her—just as he used to many years ago. They moved slowly, unhurried, their pace almost nostalgic.Seraphina didn’t dare look back. Even though so many years had passed, even though they had walked far along separate paths, walking side by side like this again felt like a luxury. Her chest felt tight, her eyes warm with unshed tears. She worried that if she blinked, they would spill over.Ethan’s voice broke the silence, soft and familiar. “Why so many bags?”Seraphina answered in a quiet voice, “They’re not mine. They’re for my boss’s sister. She’s back from overseas and wants a makeover. I was just tagging along.”After a long pause, Ethan said, “You’ve always had an easy tendency to gain weight. But you look good just as you are now. Don’t skip meals—it’s bad for your health. If you want to slim down a bit, try exercising to tone up. Don’t starve yourself.”It took Seraphina a while to respond. “Okay.” Her v
Ethan returned to the bridal boutique. Via sat in a red wedding gown, staring blankly at the mirror. When she saw Ethan, her expression was distant. She opened her mouth and asked, “Ethan, does this red wedding dress look good on me?”Ethan glanced at her and said casually, “It looks great. You look beautiful in anything.”The light in Via’s eyes dimmed.She changed out of the dress, and the two headed to a nearby restaurant in the mall for dinner.When the waiter brought their food, he announced, “Two servings of black pepper bone-in ribeye, cooked medium well. Let me pour the sauce—please lean back slightly.”Via’s eyes welled up with tears. She controlled her emotions, excused herself, and walked to the restroom. She had always disliked black pepper sauce, preferring red wine gravy or satay sauce. Medium-well steak was too cooked for her tastes; medium was perfect.Earlier, she had donned a white wedding gown, hoping to show Ethan her most beautiful self, but he hadn’t even been th
The next day, Seraphina Arden didn’t bother contacting Olivia. She decided to enjoy a rare day off.Since starting her job under Leon Everhart, Seraphina rarely got to rest. Even on weekends, she was often on call to drive him somewhere. But now her boss was out of town, Olivia’s hair was dyed black, and new clothes were bought. Olivia was an adult; Seraphina didn’t feel the need to babysit her.She slept like a log, from the previous night straight through to midday.Chloe came home for lunch, and seeing the house so quiet, assumed her daughter had already left. She poured herself a glass of water and sat down on the couch. As she took a sip, a soft voice startled her.“Mom, I’m starving. What’s for lunch?”Chloe nearly choked. “Seraphina! You’re home? Why didn’t you say anything? You scared me!”Seraphina Arden rushed over and patted Chloe on the back. “I overslept and just woke up when I heard you. I’m sorry, Mom.”Chloe touched her daughter’s face affectionately. “Go wash up, and I
Out of the blue, Olivia invited Seraphina Arden to go shopping with her.That day, Olivia treated Seraphina to lunch and even bought her a Swarovski silver necklace worth nearly $300.Olivia, despite being a rich heiress, lacked social finesse and life skills. She’d never held a job, and her parents hadn’t properly taught her the ways of the world. She assumed that being a member of the Everhart family automatically granted her a higher status, and Seraphina should be grateful for even the smallest scraps of generosity she offered.But Seraphina wasn’t one to be easily impressed.Elijah, having worked as a driver for Sebastian for many years, had been approached countless times by people seeking favors. Some wanted insider information, others sought introductions, or just a casual mention of their company to Sebastian. Lavish gifts and bribes were commonplace, but Elijah never accepted a single one.He had often told Seraphina, “The moment you take something once, you’ll find it harde
This was the first time Seraphina Arden mustered the courage to boldly pursue love.Two days had passed, and there had been no messages or calls from Daniel. The silence weighed heavily on Seraphina, suffocating her as her heart sank deeper into despair with every passing hour.Aside from her unspoken infatuation with Ethan, Seraphina had never truly experienced a romantic relationship. She could only rely on the life lessons her parents had instilled in her and her own observations of people to judge whether someone was worth getting closer to. Daniel had left her with a good impression—he seemed like a man of integrity, polite in his actions, and not the sort to cause harm.Ethan was getting married, and Seraphina felt a growing urgency to find a partner herself. She wanted to settle down, ideally with someone like Daniel, whom she deemed suitable.At the beginning, Daniel might have had a slight interest in her, but it wasn’t enough to solidify into anything meaningful. His feeling
Seraphina Arden’s tech company closed for a one-week holiday and resumed operations afterward.Before the break, her flamboyant Leon heard that she wanted to give gifts to the professors who had supported her. That evening, he returned home with boxes of presents. The gifts, prepared by TerraVantage Group, were impressive and perfectly suitable for the occasion.Having a resourceful and thoughtful partner like Leon made Seraphina’s work remarkably efficient.Seraphina cherished her job deeply, knowing how hard-earned it was. After all, it was the only condition her father had set when negotiating her marriage with the Everhart family.Yet, over Christmas, Everhart’s mother subtly suggested that she quit her job and become a housewife.At the time, Seraphina had retorted sharply, but the suggestion left a lingering discomfort.When they were alone, Seraphina shared this with her mother, asking, “Mom, what do you think Leon’s mom was thinking?”Chloe responded, “She’s spent her whole li
This Christmas, Lucas and his family didn’t return to their hometown to visit his grandmother.The household had turned into utter chaos, with no sign of peace or holiday spirit.Over the past few months, far too many things had happened—things Lucas was afraid to even think about.Olivia’s mother, Miliya, was not someone to be trifled with. When she learned that Lucas and Olivia were still married while Lucas was living with Harper, she became furious. Adding insult to injury, Lucas’s parents didn’t care about their daughter-in-law Olivia but went to care for the mistress instead. This sent Miliya into a rage.She went back home, rallied her husband and two sons, and even hired a few extra hands. Together, they stormed into Harper’s house, where Lucas and his parents were staying. Dragging Lucas and his parents out, they began to beat them in public.With the door wide open, Miliya yelled through a megaphone:“Come one, come all! Look at this shameless family! Their lawful daughter-i
The next day, Leon Everhart returned to his family home, while Seraphina Arden accompanied her parents back to their hometown to visit her grandmother.On the way, Chloe brought up her cousin Eliza.Chloe said, “Eliza came to see us during Christmas. She mentioned that Eugene has graduated and found a job, though the pay isn’t great, and he’s living in the city’s old town with his mother. Eliza couldn’t bear to see their situation, so she sold her own house and car, added some money, and bought a second-hand three-bedroom apartment. In October, Eugene and his mother moved in. Eliza said that his mother recently found a job as a cleaner. With no mortgage, they can get by on Eugene’s income.”Seraphina Arden remained silent.A few weeks ago, Eliza had met up with Seraphina and shared that she had finally settled down with a man.The man was in his fifties, a widower with some savings. His son, older than Eliza, was successful, married, and living in Switzerland.Eliza admitted that they
The Everhart family’s old mansion, with its sprawling estate, had repurposed former bedrooms into guest rooms. The Everharts lacked nothing. Mrs. Everhart, who was a vegetarian, adhered strictly to her own rules and traditions.Chloe had already visited beforehand to scout things out for her daughter, Seraphina Arden.She advised Seraphina, “When you’re there, eat and drink as you should, smile more, and speak less. Their family is wealthy and powerful. From the way his mother carries herself, it’s clear that the men in their household are the ones who call the shots. Don’t get involved in their family matters or the business. You have your own company. ‘A wise person plays deaf and mute to keep the peace.’ Just focus on running your own home and managing your own affairs.”Seraphina smiled and agreed.Chloe added, “During holidays, accompany Leon back to stay for a few days, but don’t overstay. His mother may seem kind on the surface, but she’s controlling and deep-minded. Don’t get
After Seraphina Arden’s parents finally gave their approval, Leon Everhart hurried back home to tell his own parents, declaring that he wanted to finalize the wedding arrangements before the Lunar New Year.The first step was for the two families to meet.The Everhart family, being wealthy, had always harbored a certain disdain for those less fortunate. Even though Leon’s mother knew Elijah and Chloe were not the kind of people to covet money, there was still a subconscious arrogance embedded in their attitude.In this society, after all, people tend to toast the rich first.On the surface, Mr. Everhart Sr. presented himself as polite and humble, but deep down, he carried an air of superiority. He believed that money could solve anything. Despite Seraphina’s family’s earlier firmness, they had eventually agreed to the match, and in his mind, it only proved that nobody could resist the lure of wealth.Leon Everhart, however, took everything seriously. His nervousness over the matter di
The world says that an unattractive bride must eventually meet her in-laws. As for the "peacock" Leon Everhart, if he truly wanted to marry Seraphina Arden, no matter how difficult it was, he had to press forward.Now in his late thirties and single for far too long, Leon was eager for some companionship. Constantly lingering around Seraphina Arden, he would use every excuse to stay by her side, hoping to remain in her presence for as long as possible.To counter this, Elijah and Chloe moved into Seraphina’s apartment, specifically to keep Leon at bay.One evening, after work, Leon called Seraphina, saying, “Seraphina, I heard you’re not feeling well. I’ve bought you some food. Let me bring it over.”Seraphina glanced at her parents bustling in the living room and replied in a soft voice, “I’m at home with my mom and dad.”Leon looked at the packed beef chow fun and chicken soup sitting on the passenger seat. He had gone out of his way to buy it from a distant restaurant. Knowing that
Chloe and Elijah, hearing that Seraphina Arden would be coming home for dinner, went shopping for groceries and busied themselves in the kitchen.Seraphina Arden felt a bit awkward, unsure how to bring up the topic with her parents.She and Leon Everhart weren’t kids anymore. Both were focused on the goal of marriage. As mature adults, they clearly understood what they wanted, and there was no need for unnecessary delays. With mutual intentions, they naturally moved toward a shared future.Leon Everhart was in a hurry. Previously, he’d been so busy with work that he barely had time for bathroom breaks, but now he was calling Seraphina Arden several times a day, urging her to speak to her parents and arrange a meeting between the two families.Annoyed, Seraphina Arden retorted, “Why are you in such a rush? You weren’t like this before.”Leon Everhart replied, “How could I not be? I’ve always been anxious, and whenever I rushed, you’d hit me. And you didn’t hold back!”Seraphina Arden r
Seraphina Arden’s simple “okay” left Leon Everhart overwhelmed with emotion. He tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and looked up at the sky, finally letting go of the tension that had gripped him for so long.When Leon called Seraphina, he had been incredibly nervous. Despite his many experiences, he didn’t truly know how to handle relationships with women. He had always relied on instinct and mimicked his father’s ways, stumbling his way through interactions.While his mother was bedridden during her illness, she gave him and Liam heartfelt advice:“Life is like a vast river; you only need one cup of water to drink. A mansion may be vast, but you only need one bed to sleep in. The more you seek, the more you lose. If you truly want peace, do not wrong your wife. Marry a woman you truly love and stay faithful to her for life. I once dreamed of growing old with your father, but his infidelity broke my heart. If it weren’t for you two, I would have left this world long ago.“You thi
The next morning, Seraphina Arden emerged from her room, fully dressed and ready for the day. She noticed that the sofa had been tidied up, the bedding neatly folded. Leon Everhart sat upright on the couch, waiting.When Leon saw Seraphina, he greeted her with a radiant smile, a far cry from the persistent and clingy man he had been the night before.Standing, Leon approached Seraphina, stopping a meter away.In a serious tone, he said, “Seraphina, everything I told you last night was true. I understand that you might not love me, and that you probably feel a great deal of resistance toward me. I also know you yearn for the kind of love your parents share—a lifetime of commitment, growing old together. I didn’t understand that before, but I do now. I’ll work on myself and learn from your father. Seraphina, when I said I want to marry you, I meant it. Please don’t reject me outright. Think about it, okay?”Seraphina looked up at Leon, her lips pressed tightly together as though she wan