Blake felt disappointed.Kevin said, "After I leave, the position is yours. With Cecilia looking after you, you can do whatever you want in the company. No one will dare tell you what to do."Blake met his gaze and asked, "What do you mean? What do you mean by saying the position is mine? Kevin, what are you planning? Are you using me again?"Kevin stared at her for a long time. Suddenly, he saw an incoming call displayed on the car's screen. He said, "Don't overthink it. I'll be going abroad for a while. The company's affairs are none of my business anymore. Get out of the car now."Blake saw that the incoming call was from Audrey. Her heart sank. She was irritated and wanted to curse.She wanted to know what plans he still had that she was not aware of.She thought, 'But who am I to question him?'Then, she got out of the car. After the car drove away, Liam walked over to her and asked, "Are you okay?"Blake shook her head, "I'm fine."In the following week, Blake did not se
Blake said, "Thank you, I'm heading out now. If anything comes up, I'll message you."Liam responded, "Be careful."Blake, with a black leather bag in hand, was wearing a dark coat that reached her knees. As she took the elevator down and walked through the lobby, she coincidentally ran into Susan, who was chatting happily with the people from the secretarial department.Blake thought, 'What an unlucky day.'She thought about pretending not to see Susan and quietly leaving. However, holding a cup of coffee, Susan did not want to miss the chance to show off to Blake.Susan stood in front of Blake to block her way, "I didn't expect to see you still in the company. If I didn't know better, I'd think you got fired! Tsk, tsk... Looks like you're doing quite well working as an assistant to an editor-in-chief!"Blake noticed the expensive clothes and ladies' watch Susan was flaunting, all from Jardin Corporation's latest collection, with prices ranging from two to three hundred thousand
Kevin was in thin pajamas, and Blake felt cold just looking at him. They were both in the large supermarket just outside the residential area, as Blake voluntarily pushed a cart and walked alongside Kevin.Blake said, "Are you still informed about what's happening in the company? StartReading's employees don't really play a crucial role at the headquarters of Jardin Corporation. Although StartReading's profits are decent, they aren't even one percent of what Jardin Corporation makes."Kevin... Do you still have feelings for me?"As soon as she said this, she regretted it. She carefully observed Kevin's expression, only to find him focused on choosing tomatoes instead of paying any attention to her.She felt irritated.When Kevin was about to put a tomato into the cart, Blake immediately picked it up, saying, "Are you silly? This tomato isn't fresh. Let me pick them. How many do you want?"Kevin dusted off his hands before taking out a black wallet from his pocket and throwing it
Blake watched as Kevin's tall figure walked away. For some reason, she felt like Kevin had changed a bit. After three seconds, it suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks. She mumbled, "He... It seems like he didn't mind my chatter! Usually, he'd be scolding me by now." Blake felt inexplicably happy inside.Kevin was not around, so Blake checked out everything in his home. She noticed he had not even tossed out the indoor slippers she wore before. This pair of indoor slippers was the first thing Kevin had bought for her.She looked it up online and found the slippers were custom-made. The official price was over five hundred dollars. All her slippers at home had been cheaply bought from street vendors. She immediately took them off and put on the warm slippers.Half an hour after Kevin left, Blake heard a knock on the door. She turned off the stove and cautiously checked through the peephole. It was that frail lady, Audrey. 'What's she here for?'Blake checked her appearance in the en
Kevin seemed to be unsurprised by Cecilia acting borderline obsessive and insane, as if he had expected it all along."What a damn eyesore," Cecilia said, plucking the silver ring off Zach's ring finger and casually tossing it on the ground."That belongs to Mr. Jardin, Cecilia. Don't you think he'll punish you after he wakes up?" Kevin asked.Cecilia said casually, "Madelyn keeps hurting Zach more and more. With his personality, he won't let Madelyn, that useless bitch, off the hook. Anyway, I'll allow you to visit Zach since you've been working with him for many years, but don't bring in anyone else."I can't let Madelyn off easily for attempting to kill Zach. Soon, I'll report it to the police, have her arrested, and make sure she spends the rest of her life in jail. I want her to see how I am with Zach and regret it for the rest of her life!"Kevin furrowed his brow, "Ms. Samford, I'm afraid this might disappoint you. Mr. Jardin anticipated this earlier. Before the wedding, he
Kevin swiftly grabbed his shirt and put it on. "Who said you could barge in? Get out!"Blake even forgot to speak. She fearfully retreated outside, clutching her chest and gasping for breath. Leaning against the door, she recalled the injuries on Kevin's body.'Wasn't he Mr. Jardin's assistant? How does he have these injuries? Every single one of those looked like deadly wounds. We're in the modern age. How could something like this still happen? What on earth has he been through?'Kevin stared at himself in the bathroom mirror, his gaze intense and enigmatic. The past events seemed vivid despite ten years passing swiftly. They replayed like scenes on a videotape repeatedly, hauntingly clear. Kevin wore a clean set of pajamas when he emerged from the bathroom.Seeing Blake still around, he spoke coldly, "How long do you plan on staying?"Blake came out of the kitchen with two sets of bowls and utensils. Her expression was calm as if nothing had happened. "Although you bought the i
"Stop holding onto such unrealistic fantasies. Liam's a better fit for you. Go back and focus on your work. Don't embarrass me," said Kevin. Blake was someone who had worked under him, after all.Blake bit her lip, hesitating to speak. "I'll ask you one last time. Do you really have nothing to say to me? I understand Liam's feelings for me, but... I'm still into you!"Outside the door, Sean looked puzzled and said, "Well, Kevin, is this a rare occasion? A young lady finally confessed to you?"After mustering up all the courage, Blake finally spilled the words. However, she heard the author from StartReading Literary, who could not be found, calling Kevin's name instead of using a respectful address."Get out."Sean grinned and said, "Ms. Harper, I'll head out for now. Once you're done chatting with Kevin, shoot me a message. I'll come right over."Blake was always a straight shooter. If she wanted something, she went for it, and if she was not interested, she did not even bother.
"My dad married into the family. My parents were both research scientists and always at the lab. After I was born, they shipped me off to my aunt's. Maybe inheriting some of my parents' natural talents, I coasted into Ventropolis University without putting in much effort..."Before Blake finished her story, her phone at a side buzzed. The caller ID showed it was Liam. "Oh! How could I forget Liam is also coming over today? Hold on a second. I gotta take this call."Kevin glanced at the spot she had just occupied, his gaze deep and unreadable.'My past is too horrible to tell her about.'Kevin had never known his true name. He had grown up in the cold darkness of the criminal underworld, where survival meant following orders and wielding a knife. It had been a harsh world where only the strong survived.Some said his mother had been a prostitute and his father a drug dealer. He had been abandoned at birth, with no name. Since he could remember, he had lived in a dark and foul-smell
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