It was one of those moments when Camille was glad for Christian’s cold, authoritative nature, because at least with the strict rules he enforced, she didn’t feel too stressed about working at the company, and no one would dare bother her or make her feel alienated.Then again, she never really had any friends here, even though she desperately wanted to. Everyone here seemed to have at least one friend they could count on, while she had none.Michael didn’t count because one, he was the CEO of his own company, which was a competitor of Christian’s, and two, she wasn’t motivated enough to rely on him and get closer to him for obvious reasons, since Christian would only take advantage of it.Due to the busy season, she even forgot that she needed to gather more information about Michael and learn more about his other connections so that she could report back to Christian. The industry gala was going to be held next month anyway, and Christian had made sure to give her the opportunity.Ca
‘Teach me a lesson?’ His words echoed in Camille’s head, and her irritation flared. ‘Who the hell does he think he is?’But despite her anger, she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy.There was something different about his words this time.Was he planning something?When she didn’t answer, Christian’s tone became dangerous. “I think I need to keep you locked as tight as possible in this little birdcage that you’re trapped in,” he said in a low voice. “Perhaps I have left the gate a little loose for a while.”His words made no sense. “Stop calling me a caged bird, you psycho,” she snapped. “You may have successfully entangled me in your life for your own selfish benefit, but I’m free to say and do whatever I want, especially if it’s in response to injustice. Who are you to punish me and teach me a lesson? I have done nothing wrong to you!”That last part was said on impulse, out of the anger and defensiveness in her heart, and it increased her hesitation even as the words left her
Camille felt the blood drain from her face, and her palms felt cold and clammy all of a sudden. For a brief moment, she felt lightheaded, as if the room was spinning and she was struggling to keep her balance.With Christian still being this close and still cupping her face, she couldn’t even move much.However, that wasn’t her problem right now.Right now, her mind was racing, analyzing his words in the span of a few seconds in her head.“…Excuse me?” she said in a hardened voice.What did he just say?‘He hasn’t yet died from his illness’?The… The nerve…!‘Calm down,’ she told herself. ‘Let’s think about this for a bit more.’For starters, how did he know about this?She had never mentioned her father’s condition to him before. No way in hell was she going to bring that up with him, of all people.Plus, the only times when they talked about her adoptive family was whenever he wanted to threaten her and blackmail her over their safety.Christian’s smile didn’t fade even as he slowly
Camille’s breathing quickened slightly, and she could feel her blood slowly turning to ice.To be honest, she already had an inkling in her mind, but she pushed it away, refusing to even acknowledge the possibility.She did not want to believe or accept that it was Christian who had made the effort to get her father on Dr. Colmen’s priority list.If she did, he would think that she owed him for it, and he would definitely hold it over her head for a long time.Camille felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. It was getting harder and harder to maintain her calm facade.“Hmm… you don’t look so good,” Christian remarked, drinking in her silent reaction. “If it were anyone else but you, I would be offended, but this kind of reaction is within my expectations. Believe it or not, Miss Parker, but I think I’ve grown fond of you.”She scowled at him, but her dark gaze must have been weak, because he only looked more amused.“I’m still waiting for your expression of gratitude, Miss Park
Camille gritted her teeth. “Isn’t that a given?! No woman in the world would be able to put up with a snake like you!” she snapped.“Oh, but you’re still with me now even after all these years, aren’t you, Hailey?” he taunted.She bit her lower lip, trying to restrain her rage from overflowing like a dam. “I told you to stop calling me that!”She could never understand why he seemed to take such pleasure in calling her by her former name. He knew how painful it was for her to remember those memories, as well as the regret that lingered inside of her from her impulsive decision to leave the family that loved her.Yet he continued to torment and mock her at every opportunity that he had.Ignoring her words, Christian stepped forward and pinned her against the wall, his expression frosty and intimidating.She flinched slightly, but made sure not to show any fear or discomfort on her face.“But you’re okay with Michael McGregor calling you by that name,” he remarked icily.“Of course,” sh
“When are you going to get married?” The lively dining table went silent in an instant, and there was a lingering anticipation in the air that did not go unnoticed by anyone in the room. Michael McGregor could hear his father’s voice loud and clear, but he chose to ignore it, focusing on the meal before him. It was a question that he had grown accustomed to over the years. There was no need for him to give a verbal response. After all, his answer would remain the same. Around the table sat five individuals overall: the Chairman of Haynes-McGregor Industries, his wife, Michael, and the latter’s two siblings, namely William and Joanna. John McGregor sat at the head of the table with a scowl, obviously displeased by his son’s blatant lack of response. He slammed his fork down on the plate, making a loud noise that caused the others to jolt in surprise. “I am talking to you,” John said, his eyes narrowing in anger. “When are you going to stop refusing marriage prospects and blind dat
[Sixteen years ago, in the city of Lenford…] - A single petal floated in front of his eyes. It was a cherry blossom petal, one that signaled the beginning of the tree’s full bloom in spring. It was the first thing Michael McGregor saw before a girl about his age suddenly walked up to him, her hand tightly gripping the strap of her shoulder bag. She was a pretty girl with long dark hair and striking olive-green eyes. She had an intelligent look about her that gave off elegance and beauty, catching the eyes of some of the boys who passed by. Her hair was loose and long enough to reach her waist, letting the wind blow the strands behind her. It was like a picturesque moment that could have been a little romantic if it weren’t for the words that came out of her mouth the next moment. “What are you doing with that cigarette?” - At 15 years old, Michael McGregor had just arrived for his first day of high school. Back in middle school, he was notorious for rebelling against his famil
Michael was still frozen in disbelief even after hanging up the phone. As though sensing that Michael was in internal conflict with himself, Grady told him that he would send all the details through one of their secure chat channels. Michael agreed to it absently and ended the call. Michael scrolled down all of the information that Grady had investigated for him about Hailey. Apparently, after going off the grid for fourteen years, she had managed to turn herself into a different person. The woman in the photo who was staring back at him was so different from the girl he once knew years ago. In the past, Hailey had long black hair. She used to grow it so long that it reached her waist. But now, she had blonde hair that was cut short at a modest length, just a little below her shoulders. Her face had become mature over the years, having lost some of the baby fat from her cheeks. Her features had morphed from cute and smiley to serious and intelligent. Her eyes were still the same,