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That meeting went late into the night.Seeing how exhausted Seraphina Arden was, Leon Everhart didn’t ask her to drive him home and instead drove himself.Seraphina stayed at her apartment that night and called her parents, sharing her suspicions about James.“Dad, Uncle James has been so good to our family and even got me this job. But I suspect he’s having an affair with my old classmate Babi. If one day I uncover something shady involving him, what should I do?”Elijah sighed. “Back when James helped me get my job at the city planning office, he asked for money—a lot of it. I gave him my entire discharge allowance from the army, and when that wasn’t enough, I even borrowed money. As for getting you into TerraVantage Group, that’s not pure kindness either. Years ago, I helped his son get a job at our office. That recruitment letter? I personally delivered it. Your boss Leon only keeps James around partly for his skills, but mostly because James’ son holds a minor leadership role at t
After the meeting, Leon Everhart stormed out, venting his frustration at Seraphina Arden.“We told you yesterday the meeting was at 9 AM. Yet, you stroll in at 9:30, making everyone wait for you. Seraphina, who do you think you are? Such a big shot, huh? If you don’t want this job, just leave. Now, go tell Sophia to deduct your attendance bonus for the month and fine you $500 while you’re at it.”Seraphina Arden trailed behind him with her head bowed, murmuring repeatedly, “Mr. Everhart, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”Seeing her obedient demeanor, Leon Everhart huffed coldly but said nothing more, walking briskly ahead.Seraphina, with a bitter smile, quickly caught up.At lunch, Seraphina checked her phone to find a message from Ethan.“What time will you be home tonight?”Thinking about the previous night made her blush. She hesitated before replying:“It’ll probably be late. You rest first, don’t wait for me.”Ethan sent back a cheeky emoji: “Wifey, I miss cuddling you in my sle
Seraphina Arden and Ethan’s relationship was now officially public. Having grown up together, their gestures and habits were perfectly in sync.Ethan wasn’t as busy as Seraphina Arden. With Chloe retired and no longer working, she cooked daily. After work, Ethan would head straight to Seraphina’s parents' home for dinner. Once finished, he’d pack up leftovers and bring them to Seraphina’s apartment.Ethan was thoroughly satisfied with his current lifestyle. Lunch in the cafeteria, dinner at Seraphina’s parents’ house, and then snuggling up with her at night—life couldn’t get any better.Seraphina Arden had a mild temperament and didn’t demand much from Ethan. After their nightly showers, she would toss the laundry into the washing machine, and her compact apartment required only a quick 10-minute cleaning routine daily.Ethan occasionally helped hang the clothes, but even if he didn’t, Seraphina Arden never made a fuss about these small chores. The two would sit on the bed, phones in h
As Harper was changing into her next outfit, Leon Everhart scanned the room and spotted Seraphina Arden sleeping in a corner. Her fair, delicate face showed dark circles under her eyes.Leon Everhart couldn’t help but think about the years Seraphina Arden had spent working alongside him, matching his grueling schedule without complaint. Though her appearance was unremarkable and her temperament seemed soft, she possessed a sharp mind and remarkable resilience. She was meticulous, patient, and highly alert—a rare combination.What Leon Everhart appreciated most was that Seraphina Arden loved money but always acquired it through honest means.In his company, Leon Everhart understood the reality: absolute cleanliness in management was unrealistic. His managers, more often than not, would accept minor bribes or kickbacks. As long as they did their job well and kept things within limits, Leon Everhart would usually turn a blind eye.However, Seraphina Arden was different. As his secretary,
After Leon Everhart left, a bored Harper made a call to Olivia.Olivia had already given her housekeeper the day off.Harper drove to Olivia's place.Not long after, Lucas arrived in a hurry.Marriage, at its core, is an exchange of equal value. Both parties must gain something useful from each other, and the more valuable these gains are, the more stable the marriage will be.Leon Everhart, seated high in his position, could not provide Harper with emotional comfort or sufficient financial freedom. With only physical intimacy to offer, expecting a stable marriage or a loyal and devoted partner from Harper was nothing short of wishful thinking.Harper had no psychological barriers about betraying Leon Everhart.From Leon's perspective, Harper was just a pretty face. Her sole value lay in being obedient and bearing him children. He would provide her with some level of protection and ensure that Henry's family couldn’t oppress her.Leon Everhart understood the Henry family’s oppressive
Movies and TV dramas often romanticize workplace romances: the handsome boss, stolen kisses in the elevator, passionate moments in the office. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it?In real life? Not so much. Elevators have cameras, every corner of the office is monitored, and your boss may not be a charming heartthrob. More likely, he’s middle-aged, balding, and sporting a beer belly.Even if you did manage to land one of the rare good-looking ones, just try hugging or kissing him in public—by the next day, the entire company would know your "romantic escapades."The workplace isn’t a love story; it’s a battlefield. It’s the place where gender often ceases to matter.When all is smooth sailing, everyone plays nice. But when tangible benefits are at stake, most people abandon any pretense of loyalty.When danger looms, self-preservation reigns supreme.The person you thought was your protector? They’ll be the first to push you in harm's way. Not because you're a woman, but because you're weaker,
Seraphina Arden knew Ethan wasn’t happy. But unlike their childhood, when she would rush to soothe him at the first sign of his displeasure, she now remained composed.She didn’t feel the need to appease him anymore. His sulking face didn’t stir up her emotions as it once had.Before bed, she deliberately asked, “Ethan, are you feeling unwell?”Ethan, his tone flat, replied, “Why would I be?”Seraphina Arden chuckled, “See? I told my mom you’re not the type to get upset over small things. She scolded me for asking you to chip in for groceries, saying food doesn’t cost that much. But I told her, we’re almost 30—sharing expenses is just common sense, right? Oh, by the way, Mom’s making your favorite braised beef tomorrow, along with chicken soup for you.”Ethan forced a smile. “Please thank Aunt Chloe for me.”Seraphina couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. It’s just $1,500. Is it really worth this attitude?Her expectations for the future grew dimmer.A Holiday GatheringFor th
May 20th.A date filled with romantic symbolism.Leon Everhart’s wedding was a grand affair. Only senior managers at the company were invited, with Sophia and Seraphina Arden granted special access as staff exceptions.Watching how Leon Everhart handled his wedding made Seraphina Arden question the entire concept of marriage.The day before, May 19th, Leon was still working late. When Seraphina Arden drove him home, he showed no excitement about the big day. Exhausted, he got into the car and immediately fell asleep.The entire wedding was left in the hands of the wedding planning company.When the planners requested a rehearsal, hoping Leon would participate, he didn’t even look up. “I’m busy,” he told Sophia. “Have them send me the schedule; I’ll review it.”The Morning of the WeddingThe ceremony was set to begin at noon, with the bride and groom scheduled to greet guests at 11 a.m.At 9 a.m., Leon was still at the office, reviewing the meeting minutes Seraphina Arden had prepared
It had been a while since Lucas last contacted Seraphina Arden, but today, he suddenly called her.“Hey, Sis, what are you up to?” Lucas asked.Seraphina lowered her voice and said, “The boss is yelling at someone downstairs. Looks like someone’s in big trouble, so I’m finding a place to hide before I get caught in the crossfire.”Lucas chuckled, “Got time to grab lunch with me?”Chloe had repeatedly warned Seraphina not to get too close to Lucas. But Seraphina and Lucas had grown up together like siblings—how could she truly cut ties with him? She also felt she should take the opportunity to remind Lucas to be careful.“Alright, I’m free on Sunday. You pick the place, and lunch is on me,” Seraphina replied.Lucas said, “How about 11:30 at Century Square? I’ll treat you to some Mexican barbecue.”On Sunday, Seraphina arrived as promised.Lucas had already ordered the barbecue and picked up drinks and side dishes. He was sitting at a table, waiting for her.When Seraphina saw him, she
Seraphina Arden and Leon Everhart returned to the office together.It was Saturday afternoon, with Sunday being a holiday. Generally, weekends were less busy, and the office atmosphere was more relaxed. However, seeing Leon Everhart walk in with a bright expression while Seraphina Arden followed behind with a sour look, everyone assumed that Seraphina had been scolded again.As Seraphina headed toward her own office, Leon called her from the front, “Seraphina, come to my office for a moment.”Her aunt had brought many gifts for her today, and the day’s schedule was light. During the banquet, Leon had already promised Seraphina she could leave early to head back with her parents.But Leon Everhart was a man who often went back on his word. This unexpected call felt like he was deliberately holding her back. Seraphina suspected Leon was doing it on purpose, and she couldn’t shake off the faint sense of ambiguity in his tone, which she found inappropriate and prone to misunderstanding.L
Leon Everhart never liked Olivia, and everything about her was something he preferred not to concern himself with. When Olivia expressed a desire to start her own business, Leon told her to prepare a proposal. She came back with less than two pages of nonsensical words, expecting to get $300,000 from him without lifting a finger.Olivia’s brazen and shameless attitude infuriated Leon. He handed her over to Liam and specifically instructed him not to indulge her sense of entitlement.Although Liam wasn’t fond of studying, he was sharp and quick-witted. Despite his dislike for Olivia, he still maintained an outward show of civility. Leon, however, didn’t even care to keep up appearances for her.Even the smartest people can be blindsided at times. Leon Everhart, despite his usual shrewdness, never imagined that someone like Olivia could successfully outmaneuver him.One time, when Leon went to visit Liam’s establishment with some guests, Liam casually mentioned that Olivia was seeing a
Seraphina Arden felt cold all over. With her sharp intuition, she was certain that something was off about Lucas and Olivia’s engagement. The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became. She couldn’t believe that Lucas would dare to take such a risk.The next day at work, Seraphina found herself looking at Leon Everhart’s face with a sense of disorientation.After a meeting, she should have returned to her own office, but with her mind preoccupied, she absentmindedly followed Leon Everhart into his office.Leon noticed her dazed and clumsy behavior, and his heart softened.He stopped, but Seraphina kept walking forward. Leon reached out and locked the door from the inside.When Seraphina turned around to look at him, her eyes were clouded with confusion, a stark contrast to her usual cheerful demeanor.Leon’s heart ached slightly. He gently cupped her face and asked, “What’s wrong, Seraphina Arden?”Seraphina stared at his face, her usual quick wit nowhere to be seen. In
Leon Everhart’s concession gave the Henry family a renewed sense of Harper’s value. Harper’s mother began visiting the Everhart estate much more frequently.However, beyond this, the Henry family’s increasing demands were met with mere observation by Leon Everhart, who never intervened again.The collaboration between Seraphina Arden and Leon Everhart grew increasingly seamless. A glance or a gesture was all it took for one to understand the other’s meaning. In work, the two complemented each other perfectly.But when it came to feelings, there was no progress at all.Seraphina Arden’s stance remained clear: she would never be someone’s mistress or destroy another family. For marriage, she wanted someone who truly resonated with her. She had no intention of settling for less again. Her previous attempt at settling with someone she thought she knew well had left her wounded. To settle with a stranger for the sake of companionship could result in an even worse outcome. If, in this life,
The news of the Everhart family's mining company's massive profits eventually reached the Henry family.The Henry family was deeply unsettled.The Everhart family had leveraged their connections to help the Henry family secure land certifications for their residential projects. In exchange, the Henry family had promised Leon Everhart 20% equity in their materials factory. They also sealed their alliance with a marriage and verbally agreed to include the Henry family in future mining ventures.But once Leon Everhart smoothed things over, the Henry family began to feel burdened by the heavy fines they had to pay—fines they claimed cost them nearly everything. After the issue was resolved, the Henry family reneged on their promises, refusing to acknowledge the Everhart family's goodwill. They diluted the equity and forced Leon Everhart to withdraw from the materials factory altogether.After Leon married Harper, Mr. Henry personally approached him, asking him to source construction mater
On the baby’s one-month celebration, Olivia gave Harper a special gift.Standing in Leon Everhart and Harper’s bedroom, Olivia smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, it’s my nephew’s one-month milestone, so I’ve brought you a present. I think you’ll be thrilled when you see it.”Leaning close to Harper’s ear, Olivia whispered, “I had a paternity test done for the baby and Lucas. Turns out, they’re the real father and son.”Harper already knew the truth, but hearing it from Olivia’s mouth struck her differently.The Henry family had pressured Harper to conceive Leon Everhart’s child as quickly as possible. Without a child, they were certain Leon would never marry her.Her brother had bluntly warned her, “You’ve already slept with Leon Everhart. If you can’t marry him, your worth will be even lower. Don’t blame me when I handpick someone else for you to marry.”Harper’s mother had confided in her that the Henry family had deceived Leon Everhart, which had enraged him and led the Everhart fami
Returning to work after the New Year holiday, Seraphina Arden had no desire to visit others for red envelopes. Outwardly, she appeared the same as before, but deep down, her state of mind had undergone a complete transformation. She frequently felt inexplicably weary.After this holiday, an indescribable sense of desolation welled up inside her. Even when playing with her younger siblings during the New Year, the usual joy was absent.At lunch, when most of her colleagues had gone downstairs, Seraphina stayed behind, organizing and checking her office belongings. Leon Everhart appeared at her door and knocked lightly, "Seraphina, why aren’t you eating?"Startled, Seraphina immediately stood up, "Good afternoon, Mr. Everhart. I’ll go in just a moment."Leon Everhart smiled, "Let’s go together."Seraphina shut down her computer, locking the office door as she stepped out.Her careful, meticulous approach always set her apart from others.Seraphina’s sense of despondency didn’t last long
In this region’s custom, families celebrate the birth of a baby boy with a "Lamp Lighting Banquet" in January of the following year, inviting family and close friends to a feast.At the beginning of January, Harper sat at the head of the table holding her son. Leon Everhart reached out to gently pinch the baby’s chubby cheeks, his eyes filled with rare tenderness as he gazed at his son.This was Leon Everhart’s firstborn son, whom he named Maple Everhart.The banquet was lively, with many guests in attendance. Leon Everhart, holding Harper and their son, toasted each guest in turn.Leon was on top of the world—he drank a lot that day, his joy evident. After ten years of investment, he had finally seen substantial returns. His beloved mother was still alive, allowing him to serve her with filial piety. And now, he had a beautiful wife and adorable son by his side—everything in his life seemed perfect.Only Olivia sat there, her head lowered, a cold sneer curling her lips.Leon Everhart