"What is it?" Landon asked her, his noble and aloof demeanor highlighted by the bracelet on his wrist. Yet, it contrasted with his well-tailored suit.Aria reached out and touched his diamond cufflinks. Then, she smiled seductively. "Can I take a bite?"She had never made such requests before.Whenever she experienced symptoms of her intermittent explosive disorder, she would endure it and rinse her head with cold water. But for some reason, she wanted to use her teeth to check if his neck was actually as cold as it seemed.Normally, Landon would reject such a request. This time, he chuckled and asked, "Where do you want to bite?""Your neck," she breathed, her tongue nervously darting across her lips. Landon circled her waist and lifted her. "It'll be easier for you to bite from this height.""You're right." Aria didn't concern herself with how intimate their posture appeared, especially in such a confined space, with him pinning her against the wall and whispering to her.Ho
Aria glanced at the marks on his neck and smiled. "I told you that it would cover your medical bills. What responsibility do I need to assume?""I can pay," Landon's voice sounded a bit hoarse, perhaps due to the wind. His breath brushed against the side of her ear as he chuckled. "If you assume responsibility, you can bite whenever you want."Aria felt slightly moved. Her long, glossy hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes held a hint of detachment. "I'll consider it.""Please do. Not only do you need a boyfriend, but my family is also pressuring me to get a partner." Landon smiled.Aria raised her eyebrows. "Then why are you calling off the engagement?"She didn't forget what she heard in the hospital.Landon's voice was clear, his tone gentle. "I have the right to choose my bride. Besides, with this body of mine, do you want to make the woman I marry a widow?""That's a valid point." Aria gave a solemn nod. Landon smiled helplessly. "Anyway, I didn't expect you to answer
Landon didn't like how Aria always excluded him. She had done this with Heartbound Hall's investment and his gift. It felt like she always wanted to keep everything clear between them.People perceived Landon as aloof and distant, but they hadn't met Aria. Despite her polite demeanor, she projected a coldness that made it difficult to get close to her.Landon's fingers brushed against his bracelet. Though his expression remained impassive, his eyes darkened.Aria noticed that and didn't persist in rejecting his gift. "No, I'll accept it."She looked down at her new waist chain with a smile. "It suits me well."Landon muttered a reply, feeling less suffocated than before. The indifference in his eyes gradually dissipated as he stared at the amethyst pendant dangling on her waist. The contrast against her fair skin was even more striking that way.He involuntarily tightened his grip.Aria raised her head curiously. "What is it?""No, it's nothing. Shall we go?" He released his gr
Despite his materialistic leanings, Solo was more inclined to believe in the unknown than dismiss it entirely. His primary concern, however, was why Landon had given Aria the amethyst pendant. It didn't make any sense to him.However, Solo didn't dare to ask. Barry, on the other hand, was more audacious. "Boss, she figured out that I'm your subordinate," he revealed.Landon paced thoughtfully and chuckled at the thought of Aria's sharp mind. "No surprise there. She's always been more perceptive than most."Barry breathed a sigh of relief before expressing his loyalty. "Don't worry. I won't breathe a word about your secret to Mr. York Senior."Landon glanced at his fingers and said, "Secret? What secret do I have?"Barry thought that Landon didn't trust him, so he blurted out everything he knew. "Dr. Genius told me that you two are in a fake relationship to fulfill her grandmother's wish."Solo was confused by what was going on.Landon stopped walking, his hands dropping to his s
Back at Heartbound Hall, Aria continued to fiddle with the amethyst pendant she got from Landon. She felt a bit off today. Not only had she experienced an episode of her intermittent explosive disorder, but she had also encountered a familiar amethyst pendant. In her memories, the amethyst pendant should have been hers. Yet, it belonged to Landon. Her memories were in disarray. She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to piece together the fragmented images.She could recall bits and pieces, but most of her memories were still jumbled and incomplete.Patience was needed, she decided, as she reattached the pendant. Then, she traced her lips, pondering the unusual effect Landon's blood had on her. Her medical expertise, honed by self-treatment with both conventional and unconventional remedies, including cultivating the potent Whisperwind Herb, should have rendered her immune to most poisons by now. Perhaps there was something more than poison in his body.Aria drummed her f
Landon was indeed not wearing designer clothing. Instead, he was wearing a custom-made suit by a renowned Nobeetan designer.Apart from the royal family, other people wouldn't even have the chance to wear haute couture clothing by that designer. However, the York family was always an exception, though.There was no way people like Karen would know something as secretive as that.Although the Layne family held influence in Janovin, Karen did not share that power.The Layne family in Janovin wouldn't even bother about Karen. However, Karen did reach out to them after Lily started studying there. After all, Karen had to gain influence in Southbury to mingle with the higher class.Marshall was a bit annoyed. "Why must you fight with that brat? She has already left and is now staying with Georgina. At least they have a small business to sustain themselves."Karen sneered and opened the livestream. "A small business? Have you ever seen a small business earning half a million a day?"M
"I'm from the Short family," Christian said proudly. It was as if he could do anything he wanted just because of his family.The staff furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm sorry, sir. The Chamber of Commerce will be welcoming an important guest today. We didn't invite any doctors, so I'll need your cooperation to leave with your partner."Christian had never been so embarrassed before. "I…"The staff seemed to have received an order. He pressed his Bluetooth earphone and replied, "Yes, I'm at the door. Mr. York is already here? Okay. I'll go there right now!"Lily's eyes sparkled at the news. This might be her opportunity to meet the man she missed seeing last time. Fuming from the previous exchange, Christian didn't register her excitement until she said, "Christian, I don't want to take photos anymore. Let's head out to the front."Christian's mood improved. "Okay."Lily muttered, "Don't take it to heart. They're just unimportant staff members.""I know that. Let's go." Christian cou
"Why are you bringing her up again?" Lily's eyes dimmed. When she lowered her head, a hint of viciousness appeared on her face.Christian didn't notice that. He merely thought she was displeased. He replied with a smile, "Don't overthink. I only love you. Her? She's such a stubborn woman. No man would ever want to date her."Lily bit her lip as tears formed in her eyes. "Is that true? But your mother likes her more than me."Christian enveloped her in his embrace. "Don't worry about my mom. She can't make decisions on behalf of my dad. I'll announce to the public that you're my fiancée later.""Okay," Lily answered sweetly. However, all she could think about was Landon. She had to find a way to meet him. That way, she could proceed with her plan.At this moment, numerous company representatives had gathered on the top floor of the Chamber of Commerce. These companies hailed from all across the country, not just Southbury.The desire to partner with York Group was palpable among t