Confused, Blake opened her work email. A notification about permanent positions caught her attention. Only three staff members were mentioned, one each from the Creative Design and Marketing Departments and Blake.Blake blinked in disbelief. She thought, 'My name is on the list!'In the background, the secretary's office buzzed with chatter."It's okay, Susan. There's always next month," one voice soothed."Exactly! It's those with connections who get ahead. Us regular folks just can't compete," another added bitterly."I can't believe how shameless some people can be."Blake tried to ignore them, but their words were too loud, too pointed.The group was consoling Susan, painting her as a victim.Frustrated, Blake slammed her desk and stood, "Enough! If you have something to say about me, say it to my face. I'm not putting up with this!"Tears streaked Susan's face as she turned to Blake, slapping her across the face.Susan said angrily, "You don't deserve this, Blake. You're
Zach normally detached himself from day-to-day staff issues at Jardin Corporation and dealt only with major company decisions.He felt that if minor problems required his intervention, it was a sign the company needed an overhaul. He paid high salaries for efficiency, not for employees to create drama.To Zach, incompetence had no place in Jardin Corporation.When Kevin arrived at the secretary's office, he was greeted by a scene of chaos. Blake, usually composed, was now in a fight with Susan, who was visibly battered.Kevin asked in disbelief, "Blake, are you acting out because I wasn't here?"He pulled Blake away, noticing the bloodied and bruised state of her neck.Blake shot back, "Yes, I am. What are you going to do? Fire me?"Kevin's expression darkened, chilling Blake to the core. She had never seen him this serious. Her bravado faltered, replaced by a sense of guilt.As Susan was hoisted up, Kevin, visibly frustrated, declared, "Take her to the hospital. I'll cover all
Kevin looked at Madelyn intently, his eyes holding back his thoughts. He stood up, staying quiet. He never really thought of Madelyn as Mrs. Jardin.Kevin was just following Zach's orders, even though he did not really want to. In a different time, Kevin could have been Zach's devoted general, unwavering in war.Perceptive to Kevin's feelings, Madelyn addressed him, "Mr. Harrison, your look says it all. I know you disapprove of me. I overheard part of your conversation. You and Zach are using women as pawns for your ambitions. Isn't that akin to exploitation?"Her voice chilled as she continued, "Whether or not you have genuine feelings for Blake, I advise you to keep your distance. It's not about suitability; it's about worthiness. You don't measure up to someone like Liam.""Don't repeat Zach's mistakes," she warned, sounding protective, almost maternal.Before leaving his office, she added, "I'll discuss Blake's situation with Zach. After all, he listens to everything I say now
Madelyn smiled as she spoke, "Blake, don't become a pawn in their power games. You're a kind soul. Perhaps it's best for you to leave Jardin Corporation. If Kevin makes it difficult, I'll speak with Zach. And between Kevin and Liam, Liam is your better choice."Blake, still grappling with the complexities of office politics, listened intently. Madelyn's insight into the power dynamics at play, particularly the unfolding rivalry between Zach and Cecilia, highlighted the precarious position Blake found herself in. Departure seemed like a prudent option.Madelyn left after tending to Blake's injuries and advising her to take care. As Madelyn entered a waiting Bentley, Blake sat there and tried to digest Madelyn's advice.In the car, Zach placed a blanket over Madelyn's legs, his concern evident. He commented, "You care for everyone, yet you often neglect me."Madelyn, unfazed, replied, "You have plenty who'd dote on you at a moment's notice."Zach drew her close and said, "Isn't bein
Blake sprinted to the upstairs conference room and noticed Kevin was not in his office. Her haste stirred curiosity in the department, but no one dared to ask. Blake's closeness to Madelyn kept them at bay.The office was alive with gossip. Some said Madelyn had scolded Kevin in the secretary's office. Others whispered about Zach's plan to fire his longtime assistant. The wildest rumor was Blake pressuring Kevin to marry her.Blake went to the ninety-ninth floor and saw Kevin coming out of Zach's office, holding some documents. He ignored her as he passed.'He's ignoring me!' Blake fumed internally.Blake impulsively seized Kevin's tie, drawing surprised stares from nearby colleagues. Kevin had underestimated Blake's boldness at work.In a dim corridor, the motion-sensor lights flickered on, then off. The emergency sign cast a faint green glow. Blake looked into Kevin's eyes as she held his necktie.Kevin's voice shattered the quiet, "Do you even know what you're doing?"Blake's
Blake realized she could not cover up any longer. She forced a smile, playfully grabbed Jill's hand, and said, "Jill, fancy seeing you here!"Then, Blake headed to her office without looking back. Her office soon buzzed with rumors about her and Kevin.When Blake arrived at her desk, she found it buried under snacks and gifts. She felt several pairs of eyes on her. However, when she looked up, the others quickly turned away.Blake did not mind the unexpected perks, knowing it was not her money that paid for them.No one mentioned the morning's incident, as everyone was aware of Madelyn's support for Blake, the new arrival.Before, the company was buzzing about Zach's favoritism toward Madelyn, stirring up rumors of the typical mistress-to-wife drama. Zach, however, had firmly shown his intolerance for such gossip last year by firing a team and halting their projects in a fit of anger, revealing that his only emotional outbursts were related to her.An old Azure Corporation employ
Margaret watched Madelyn go upstairs in confusion. She thought, 'Why is she so angry? Did something go wrong today?'Just as Madelyn went up, a voice rang behind her, "Come and see if the venue's decorations are to your liking."Madelyn immediately gripped the handrails so hard that her nails bit into the wood. She replied, "Do whatever you like."She continued to climb up the stairs weakly. After choosing the decorations, Zach turned around to look for Madelyn.Then, the manager said, "Mr. Jardin, you can rest assured that we won't disappoint Mrs. Jardin. We will use champagne roses for all the decorations at the venue."On the other hand, Madelyn went to the drawing room and locked herself inside. She sat on the couch helplessly.When Zach followed her upstairs, he knew she would be in the drawing room. As Zach tried to open the door, the handle would not budge. Zach's gaze darkened. He asked Margaret, "What did you say to her?"Margaret told him, "I didn't say anything to her
Madelyn answered him emotionlessly, "Just have it the same day." 'Zach plans to end everything on my death anniversary,' Madelyn thought.It was six in the evening, and there was still half an hour left before work was over. Blake stared at her injuries. Susan was quite violent and almost scratched her face off during the fight.Janice asked with envy, "Did Mrs. Jardin buy that ointment for you?"Blake replied smugly, "Of course. She was the one who helped apply the ointment on my face. Why do you ask anyway? It's just ointment."Janice adjusted the glasses on her nose and whispered, "Did you know that everyone else looked regretful when they saw Mrs. Jardin support you? They didn't expect you to have such a powerful person backing you." She paused and continued, "Oh yeah, I want to ask you something, Blake.""What is it?" Blake said.Janice asked, "Is Mr. Jardin afraid of his wife? I heard from those in the secretarial office that the Human Resources Department was about to pu
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and