Dishes were gradually brought out one after another. Then a bowl of sweet potato soup was served. Cecilia took the ladle and filled a small bowl for Blake. "I specifically requested them to make this. I used to drink it often. Of course, this can't compare to the soup that you used to make for me in the past."Now that I've made some money, you won't have to cook anymore."Blake, who had been watching Cecilia talk, avoided eye contact. "I don't know what you're talking about."Cecilia smiled at Blake. "It's okay if you can't remember that now; I remember everything."Come on, have some soup. After you finish, I'll show you what you want to see."Blake, despite her initial reluctance, grabbed the spoon and gradually succumbed to Cecilia's persuasion.Blake finished the soup in her bowl in just a few minutes. She said, "Can you tell me now? You'd better not be playing games with me."Then, Cecilia took out her phone and opened a video.In the video, Kevin was dressed in a black w
"Liam, isn't the food here delightful? Let's plan on coming here again, okay?" Ixia's voice was tinged with excitement.Blake's eyes widened in surprise at the entrance upon seeing Liam and Ixia together.With a gentle but firm motion, Liam eased Ixia's hand off his arm, turning toward Blake. "Blake, what brings you here?" he inquired, his tone even.Blake, momentarily flustered, darted at Ixia before averting Liam's gaze. "I was dining with Ms. Samford. I should leave now," she said, her voice slightly strained."Blake," Liam called out, following her retreating figure. On the other hand, Ixia, teetering in her high heels, cried out, "Liam, wait for me!"Outside, Liam caught up with Blake, grasping her wrist decisively. "We need to talk," he said, a serious undertone in his voice.Ushering Blake into his car, Liam swiftly secured the seatbelt around her. Ixia, having caught up, knocked on the car door, exasperation clear in her voice, "Liam, you promised to dine with me. How can
Blake hesitated, then added, "I'm sorry! I completely forgot about our pretend relationship."Liam abruptly stood and approached her desk, "Blake, Cecilia shared some things at the hospital; I may need to return to my family soon. Regarding our arrangement, I might still need your assistance. If it's too much, we can stop."Blake tensed, pondering. After a brief pause, she inquired, "How much longer do you need me?"Liam's silence lingered.Blake continued, "Liam, remember. I have Kevin. I don't want any misunderstandings when he's back. But I'll help if you need me. You've been there for me before."Liam nodded and smiled gently, "Alright. Since we're friends, what did Cecilia tell you? You've been unusually quiet. If something's troubling you, I'm here."Blake hesitated, her thoughts drifting to the video Cecilia showed her, depicting Kevin with a chilling, ruthless expression. His command had triggered a brutal action, reflecting a disturbing lack of concern for human life."
The horrific images, each a visceral shock to Blake's senses, lingered in her mind throughout the day at work. Suddenly, her phone vibrated next to her computer, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Cecilia, which also contained the unsettling video and photos. Each image, drenched in brutality, depicted Kevin's ruthless actions. Under his command, people lay defeated, lifeless.Shaking, Blake struggled to accept the reality of these images. She reached out to a digital forensics expert at Jardin Corporation, seeking assistance in verifying their authenticity. Once she found a method, she acted swiftly. The results, obtained within minutes, confirmed the photos were real. Blake clutched her mouse tightly, her body tensed. She was battling a storm of emotions. She finally deleted the photos from her computer and, with a sense of urgency, grabbed her phone and hurried out of the office. Liam, watching her hurried departure, was filled with concern.Blake strode purpo
As Blake boarded the private jet with Cecilia, surrounded by bodyguards, the reality of her situation weighed heavily on her. Inside, Cecilia remarked, "It's a long flight. Feel free to rest, and there's food available if you need it."Holding her phone tightly, Blake was filled with nervous anticipation. She thought, 'Is this the moment I finally confront him?'Observing Blake's preoccupation with her phone, Cecilia offered some advice, "Blake, don't devote your entire heart to one man. Men can be fickle; their sweet words are often just manipulation. If you can't hold onto them, focus on what you can control. I can help you win him over, but marrying him is not an option."Blake, setting her phone aside, replied with defiance, "What should I do then? Jump from one man to the next, like you did with Fred and Agustin? Do you really think Mr. Jardin is unaware of your actions? He would never consider a person like you."Cecilia's face hardened, but she controlled her anger, knowing
Feeling uneasy and uncertain, Blake exited the private jet with Cecilia, the presence of bodyguards nearby heightening her discomfort. Cecilia, appearing unfazed by the armed company, reassured her, "It's legal to carry weapons here. Stay close to me, and don't wander off. You'll be fine."As Blake detected the faint smell of gunpowder, her uneasiness grew. "Why would he be in a place like this?" she asked.Cecilia's reply was cryptic yet revealing, "This is the reality of the former million-earning assistant from Jardin Corporation."After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a compound surrounded by high walls topped with barbed wires, a design suggesting containment rather than protection. Inside a relatively clean room, Blake and Cecilia were left with three suitcases while the bodyguards stood guard outside.Cecilia broke the silence, "We'll be meeting with some influential people of this region soon."Blake's frown deepened, "You seem very familiar with all this. Are you i
A group of people suddenly rushed in from outside and surrounded Cecilia and Blake.Cecilia calmly pulled Blake behind her to protect her. When Grant tried to get back up, Cecilia stepped on his chest, "Mr. Patterson, it's best to behave yourself in the future. If there's a next time, I can't guarantee you can keep your hands intact."She then removed her foot from Grant's chest before smiling, "It's getting late. I'll take my sister back to get some rest. Enjoy your time, everyone."The people who were present were those from four major families in charge of Northern Myanmar. When they saw Grant being treated that way, they just coldly watched him and did nothing.In their eyes, Cecilia was formidable and different from other women.When Cecilia and Blake walked to the gate of the guarded compound, Cecilia stopped and said, "I still have some matters to attend to. You go back to the room and rest. If you need anything, tell the bodyguards."She paused before continuing, "I'm ver
Kevin texted Blake: [This isn't a place you should come. Whoever you came with, go back to Ventropolis with that person immediately.]Blake took a shower and walked out of the bathroom. She then expressionlessly looked at the messages on her phone, which was on the table.She thought, 'So now you're worried about me. I've sent you so many messages before; why have you never replied?'However, as usual, Kevin managed to make Blake feel he cared about her with just his brief messages.Kevin texted her again: [I'm coming to find you.]That was the last message he sent her.Blake immediately picked up her phone and cursed, "Jerk! You finally decided to come looking for me now. Where were you before this?"She looked at her bare-faced reflection in the mirror and quickly took out her makeup from her bag; she planned to apply a simple makeup look. As she applied lipstick, she smiled, feeling satisfied that her appearance was decent enough to meet Kevin.After changing her clothes, he
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